Agenda item

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;

 

(5)   Request that the Leader and Deputy Leader write to the Secretary of State for Health requesting that they provide the necessary powers and resources to make local action on health interventions and outcomes easier and to support the implementation of the recommendations of the joint LGA and NHS Confederation report on Integrated Care Partnerships (Integrated Care Partnerships: Driving the future vision for health and care | Local Government Association).

 

(6)   Request that the Leader and Deputy Leader write to the Chief Executive of the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough ICB requesting that they initiate a process of constitutional variation (as provided for under section 1.6 of the ICB constitution), with a view to inviting a third Local Authority partner member to join the ICB, and to consider allowing for that member to be drawn from either Hertfordshire County Council or North Hertfordshire District Council.

 

(7)   Continue to work with partners across the District, County and wider region to deliver widespread positive health interventions and outcomes.

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 (local authorities and local communities) should explore alternatives to airport expansion, such as investing in improved public transportation and sustainable travel options.

 

b. A full, in-depth, robust and transparent Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and an Environmental and Social Governance Report (ESG) has not been carried out on the commissioning authority (Luton Borough Council) and all the suppliers, which means that residents have no idea of the short, medium and long-term impact that an expanded Luton Airport will have on their local environment.

 

The Council resolves 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”.

 

Councillor Sam Collins seconded the motion.

 

The following Members took part in the debate:

 

·       Councillor Ruth Brown

·       Councillor Elizabeth Dennis

·       Councillor David Levett

·       Councillor Claire Strong

·       Councillor Gerald Morris

·       Councillor David Barnard

·       Councillor Ralph Muncer

·       Councillor Steve Jarvis

·       Councillor Tom Plater

·       Councillor Dominic Griffiths.

 

Having been proposed and seconded and, following a vote, the motion, was:

 

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 Motion

 

Councillor Sean Prendergast proposed the motion as follows:

 

“Across the UK misogyny, harassment and violence towards women and girls is endemic. The White Ribbon campaign is at the forefront of campaigning to both end domestic violence and to eradicate attitudes that condone domestic abuse. This motion highlights their work and how North Herts council can support them.

 

This Council notes that:

 

·       ONS figures show that almost one in three women aged 16-59 will experience domestic abuse in their lifetime, that two women a week in England and Wales are killed by a current or former partner, that over half a million women are raped or sexually assaulted each year and that a YouGov poll shows that a third of girls have experienced sexual harassment in schools;

·       North Hertfordshire Council is proud to actively support organisations who have continually fought for the safety and protection of women.

·       According to crime-survey and other government data, victims disproportionately come from demographic groups that already experience inequality and additional challenges in our society, including those who are mixed-race, have disabilities, or are transgender.

 

This Council further notes that:

 

·       White Ribbon UK is the leading charity with a mission to end male violence against women and part of the global White Ribbon movement.

·       White Ribbon Day is marked annually on 25th November, the International Day for the Eradication of Violence Against Women, by encouraging men and boys to pledge never to take part in, condone or stay silent about violence against women and to show this by wearing a white ribbon on the day and a week or two afterwards; and

·       White Ribbon UK operate a system of male Ambassadors and female Champions all with the aim of encouraging men to take the pledge and help to eradicate male violence against women.

 

This Council believes male violence against women can never be condoned and North Hertfordshire Council should do everything in its power to ensure women are safe. As part of this, the council should facilitate and encourage participation by councillors and staff in the White Ribbon Campaign.

 

This Council therefore resolves 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”.

 

Councillor Alistair Willoughby seconded the motion.

 

The following Members took part in the debate:

 

·       Councillor David Levett

·       Councillor Elizabeth Dennis

·       Councillor Gerald Morris

·       Councillor Daniel Allen

·       Councillor Tom Plater

·       Councillor Daniel Wright-Mason

·       Councillor Ralph Muncer

·       Councillor Tamsin Thomas

·       Councillor Claire Strong

·       Councillor Daniel Marsh

·       Councillor Alistair Willoughby

·       Councillor Amy Allen

 

Having been proposed and seconded and, following a vote, the motion, was:

 

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

 

Councillor Alistair Willoughby proposed the motion as follows, noting that further to that published it was being amended to remove reference to ‘particularly against women and girls’ within point ‘n’ of the motion and the addition of ‘and Deputy Leader’ in points 5 and 6 of the motion:

 

“Council notes that:

 

a.     A person’s opportunity for good health starts before they have the need for healthcare. Therefore, the responsibility for good health must go beyond that of the health and social care systems.

 

b.     People with health problems are more susceptible to unemployment, lower earnings, sickness absence, and lower household income. Every year, 300,000 people stop work and become reliant on health-related benefits. A further 140 million working days are lost to sickness, costing the UK economy £15 billion. A healthy population is essential for a thriving society and economy.

 

c.     In 2020/21, one in five people in the UK lived in poverty, over half of these were living in working households. Inadequate incomes can cause poor mental health due to stress, the lack of feeling in control, being unable to access resources or adopt healthy behaviours. Living with day-to-day stresses of poverty in early childhood can have damaging effects on long-term health outcomes.

 

d.     Children living in cold homes are more than twice as likely to suffer respiratory problems than children living in warm homes.

 

e.     Young adults who are unemployed are more than twice as likely to suffer from mental ill health than those in work.

 

f.      There are nine times as many fatal and serious injuries among pedestrians aged 5-9 in the most deprived areas than the least. Streets and public spaces that are well designed also encourage active travel and can have other positive impacts such as reducing vehicle speeds. Good public transport also reduces poor air quality.

 

g.     Good green spaces enable people to be more physically active, feel safe and secure, and socialise and play.

 

h.     Food insecurity is caused by a multitude of interrelated factors across the levels of national society, community, household, and individual. It is three times more expensive to get the energy we need from healthy food than unhealthy food. Diet-related ill health is a leading cause of preventable illness in the UK, and a significant driver of health inequalities. It is also detrimental to mental health, being a cause of significant stress and anxiety in households.

 

i.       Social isolation and loneliness are associated with a 30% increased risk of heart disease and stroke. Positive friendships and being part of a community helps protect people from these damaging health effects.

 

j.       North Herts is one of the healthier places to live in Hertfordshire with an overall Health Index score of 120.1. However we know this headline figure masks areas of real need. 10.8% of people over the age of 65 in the district are in fuel poverty. 17.4% of children in the district live in low-income households. 61.2% of adults in the district are overweight or obese and 17.2% of children are overweight or obese when they start reception.

 

k.     The recent report summary published by The King’s Fund on ‘Driving better health outcomes through integrated care systems: The role of district councils’ states that district councils have a valuable role to play within integrated care systems (ICSs) as we can influence wider determinants of health, can act and react in agile ways, and have strong connections with our local communities.

 

l.       The King’s Fund report summary also says that district councils are important players in areas such as managing long-term conditions, reducing obesity, improving mental health and wellbeing, combatting food and fuel poverty, assisting hospital discharge, and shaping health-creating environments due to their powers in several areas such as housing, local economies, and the built and natural environment.

 

m.   There are significant physical and mental health inequalities among several demographics nationwide, including women and the LGBTQIA+, Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic communities among others. The Health Inequalities Steering Board (NHS Hertfordshire) commissioned a piece of work setting out some improvements to be made from 2023 which highlights some of the mental ill health issues that are prevalent in the participant group and the lack of good services to provide aid.

 

n.     Acts of violence and the effects of sexual violence on mental health and wellbeing cannot be understated. People abused during childhood in education, employment, and training may never fully recover to achieve their full potential, even if they have therapy. We need more investment from National Government to support trauma-informed therapy.

 

o.     People with intellectual disabilities are subject to multiple disadvantages such as limited education, employment, and skills training opportunities. Therefore, more investment from National Government is needed to support our communities to provide these opportunities.

 

p.     The challenge we face locally is a lack of hyper-localised data which can be utilised effectively to target the health interventions our communities need. But we know anecdotally the places where people need help overcoming the determinants of poor health – from damp homes to clean air to access to healthy activities.

 

All of this demonstrates the great need for this council to work across portfolios to bring about better health and social interventions and outcomes through our policies. 

 

The Health Foundation sets out a whole council approach for local authorities and this administration does a good deal of work in this arena. We already support positive health outcomes via our Healthy Hub, and funding of the Citizens’ Advice Bureau which helps reduce mental health inequalities and prevent depression and anxiety. But Local Authorities need to try to do as much as they can and ensure, where possible, that we consider the health and well-being impacts of the decisions we take.

 

The role of District Councils in effecting integrated health outcomes is well evidenced. As an authority, we should aim to consider the health impacts alongside other implications [financial, legal, risk, human resource environmental, social value and equalities].

 

This Council, therefore, resolves to 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;

 

5.     Request that the Leader write to the Secretary of State for Health requesting that they provide the necessary powers and resources to make local action on health interventions and outcomes easier and to support the implementation of the recommendations of the joint LGA and NHS Confederation report on Integrated Care Partnerships (Integrated Care Partnerships: Driving the future vision for health and care | Local Government Association).

 

6.     Request that the Leader write to the Chief Executive of the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough ICB requesting that they initiate a process of constitutional variation (as provided for under section 1.6 of the ICB constitution), with a view to inviting a third Local Authority partner member to join the ICB, and to consider allowing for that member to be drawn from either Hertfordshire County Council or North Hertfordshire District Council.

 

7.     Continue to work with partners across the District, County and wider region to deliver widespread positive health interventions and outcomes”.

 

Councillor Elizabeth Dennis seconded the motion, as amended.

 

The following Members took part in the debate:

 

·       Councillor Matt Barnes

·       Councillor Daniel Marsh

·       Councillor Gerald Morris

·       Councillor Sam Collins

·       Councillor Ruth Brown

·       Councillor David Levett

·       Councillor Val Bryant

·       Councillor Ralph Muncer

·       Councillor Claire Strong

·       Councillor Nigel Mason

·       Councillor Steve Jarvis

·       Councillor Elizabeth Dennis

·       Councillor Richard Thake

 

Having been proposed and seconded and, following a vote, the motion, was:

 

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;

 

(5)   Request that the Leader and Deputy Leader write to the Secretary of State for Health requesting that they provide the necessary powers and resources to make local action on health interventions and outcomes easier and to support the implementation of the recommendations of the joint LGA and NHS Confederation report on Integrated Care Partnerships (Integrated Care Partnerships: Driving the future vision for health and care Local Government Association).

 

(6)   Request that the Leader and Deputy Leader write to the Chief Executive of the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough ICB requesting that they initiate a process of constitutional variation (as provided for under section 1.6 of the ICB constitution), with a view to inviting a third Local Authority partner member to join the ICB, and to consider allowing for that member to be drawn from either Hertfordshire County Council or North Hertfordshire District Council.

 

(7)   Continue to work with partners across the District, County and wider region to deliver widespread positive health interventions and outcomes.

 

N.B Following conclusion of this item, there was a break in proceedings at 21:13 and the meeting reconvened at 21:24. During the break Councillors Sam Collins, Juan Cowell and Dominic Griffiths left the Chamber and did not return.