Issue - meetings

To consider any motions, due notice of which have been given in accordance with Standing Order 4.8.12.

There were three motions submitted in accordance with Standing Order 4.8.12.

A)    Anti Luton-Airport Expansion

RESOLVED: The Council resolved that the Leader and the Deputy Leader write jointly to the Leader, Deputy Leader, Luton Borough Council’s Chief Executive, the Managing Director of Luton Rising (the trading name of LLAOL), the Leaders/Deputy Leaders of all surrounding local government authorities, all relevant (local) members of parliament, the Secretary of State and the Shadow Secretary of State for Transport clearly stating that we as a Council are opposed to any further expansion of Luton Airport.

B)    White Ribbon

RESOLVED: The Council resolved to:

(1)   Encourage all male councillors to take the White Ribbon pledge to never to take part in, condone or stay silent about violence against women.

(2)   Work towards White Ribbon accreditation, joining the large number of public sector bodies that have already done so.

(3)   Mark White Ribbon Day on 25 November each year (aim for 2024, if not 2025) and encourage participation among councillors, council staff and local organisations.

(4)   Continue to work with organisations and support campaigns for the end of violence against women and the promotion of healthy relationships.

(5)   Ask the Leader and Deputy Leader of the Council to write to the Secretary of State for Education to request further work be done in support of all elements of this motion.

(6)   Call out all forms of sexual objectification and all its negative outcomes and encourage others to do the same. Championing the wellbeing of everyone, particularly of women and girls, and encouraging the education of everyone, particularly of men and boys.

C)    Health Intervention

RESOLVED: The Council would incorporate the following into service planning and funding streams and:

(1)   Look to include the consideration of health and well-being implications in the decision-making process across all portfolios and service directorates, with increased support resources for officers (such as toolkits, assessment logic flows etc.);

(2)   Ask Officers to ensure that, as the Council’s policies are routinely reviewed, specific consideration is given to how policies and our related decisions and actions, affect our contribution to health interventions and outcomes, and where necessary, update these policies to have better impacts wherever possible. As part of this, Overview & Scrutiny should be given the opportunity to review policy changes and regularly review progress on health interventions;

(3)   Ask Officers to continue to liaise with Hertfordshire County Council colleagues and continue to work with the Herts and West Essex and Cambridge and Peterborough Integrated Care Boards in their work on this, to take account of the findings in the Joint Strategic Needs Assessment, and to encourage the Chair of Overview & Scrutiny and each Area Forum Chair to invite presentation of information on population health, health initiatives, and service provision for consideration by their respective committees and the wider public, at least once annually.

(4)   Ask officers to investigate the most appropriate training for Members and officers about how to promote health interventions, outcomes, and policies for consideration by Council;  ...  view the full decision text for item 256

Audio recording – 17 minutes 54 seconds

There were three motions submitted in accordance with Standing Order 4.8.12.

A)    Anti Luton-Airport Expansion

Councillor Chris Lucas proposed the motion as follows:

“Council notes that on 13th of October, The Parliamentary- Under Secretary of State for Local Government and Building Safety, Lee Rowley, on behalf of the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities and The Parliamentary- Under Secretary of State for Roads and Local Transport, Richard Holden MP, on behalf of the Secretary of State for Transport gave their approval for London Luton Airport Operations Ltd. (LLAOL) to expand from its current 18 million passengers per annum to 19 million passengers per annum. We, the members of North Hertfordshire Council, express our firm opposition to this decision and to the further expansion of Luton Airport, currently being examined by National Infrastructure Planning, to 32 million passengers per annum for the following reasons:

1. Environmental Concerns:

a. The additional air traffic resulting from this expansion will contribute to poor air quality, posing significant health risks to residents; especially children, the elderly and individuals with respiratory conditions.

b. Aviation is widely recognised as both one of the most carbon-intensive forms of transport and one of the most difficult to decarbonise. This means that aviation could well be the largest contributor to UK greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, particularly if demand continues to grow. Expansion of Luton Airport will lead to an increase in these emissions, further accelerating climate change, and violating our local and national sustainability goals. This is in direct conflict with NHC’s Air Quality Action Plan (as published in February 2018) and our efforts to improve air quality and combat climate change.

c. This expansion will inevitably lead to the destruction of natural habitats and green spaces. The loss of these areas not only harms local wildlife but also diminishes the overall quality of life for residents who rely on these spaces for recreation and relaxation.

2. Noise Pollution:

a. The expansion of the airport will undoubtedly lead to increased noise pollution, disrupting the peace and tranquillity of our neighbourhoods. This will have adverse effects on the mental health and physical well-being of our residents, particularly those living within close proximity to the airport.

b. Sleep disturbance, stress, and potential damage to children's educational outcomes are associated with increased noise pollution.

3. Traffic Congestion:

a. Expansion at Luton Airport will lead to an increased number of both passengers and airport staff which will exacerbate traffic congestion on our roads, leading to longer commute times and decreased road safety.

b. Our road networks are already strained, and the expansion will only exacerbate the problem.

4. Impact on Local Economy: The economic benefits associated with the airport may benefit the residents of Luton but will likely have the inverse effect on our local economy in the long-term, due to people avoiding our towns altogether as a result of the traffic congestion and delays.

5. Alternatives and Mitigation:

a. All relevant stakeholders  ...  view the full minutes text for item 256