Agenda item

To consider any motions, due notice of which have been given in accordance with Standing Orders 4.8.12 and 4.8.15.

There was one motion submitted in accordance with Standing Order 4.8.15 and there were three motions submitted in accordance with Standing Order 4.8.12.

 

(A)  Motion Similar to One Previously Rejected

 

RESOLVED: That Full Council would consider the report and recommendations on the North of Stevenage Masterplan at its meeting on 28 November 2024, following reconsiderations by the Project Board and any similar referral motions from Cabinet.

 

(B)  Hitchin industrial Estate Fires

 

RESOLVED: That Council

 

(1)   Instructed the Leader of the Council and the Executive Member for Housing and Environmental Health to write promptly to the Environment Agency, to express North Herts Council’s serious concerns about the safety of recycling sites on the Hitchin industrial estate, and request that their operators’ licences be reviewed urgently.

 

(2)   Work proactively to instigate a system of air quality monitoring in the residential areas closest to the industrial estate.

 

(3)   Further instructed the Executive Member for Housing and Environmental Health to report back to Council within six months with details of any action that has been taken by the competent authorities in the intervening period to monitor pollution and mitigate the risks of future fires.

 

(C)  A1(M) Junction 6 (Welwyn) to 8 (Hitchin and Stevenage) Upgrade

 

RESOLVED:

 

(1)   That the Leader of the Council writes to the Secretary of State for Transport calling on the Government to reinstate plans to upgrade the A1(M) between Junction 6 (Welwyn) to Junction 8 (Hitchin and Stevenage) that were cancelled by the prior Conservative government.

 

(2)   That the Leader of the Council writes to the Member of Parliament for Hitchin, the Member of Parliament for North East Hertfordshire and the Member of Parliament for Stevenage, urging them to call on the Secretary of State for Transport to reinstate plans to upgrade the A1(M) between Junction 6 (Welwyn) to Junction 8 (Hitchin and Stevenage) and mitigate the impact of needed housing growth for North Hertfordshire residents living near the A602, B197 and B656

 

(D)  Impact of Family Farm Tax on Rural Communities in North Hertfordshire

 

The Chair advised that due to the time already taken to determine the business on the agenda this item would be deferred to the Extraordinary meeting of Full Council in December 2024.

Audio recording – 17 minutes 20 seconds

 

There was one motion submitted in accordance with Standing Order 4.8.15.

 

(A)  Motion Similar to One Previously Rejected

 

Councillor Daniel Allen proposed the motion as follows:

 

The following motion has been submitted to consider a motion previously rejected, due notice of which has been given in accordance with Standing Order 4.8.15(b).

 

In accordance with paragraph 4.8.15(b) of the Council’s Constitution, we the undersigned twelve members support the following motion being considered by Full Council at its meeting on 28 November 2024:

 

“That Full Council considers a report and recommendations on the North of Stevenage Masterplan at its meeting on 28 November 2024, following reconsiderations by the Project Board.”

 

It is noted that the land to the north of Stevenage is allocated for development in the Council’s Local Plan (NS1 Policy SP16), as a strategic site. The Council’s adopted Local Plan polices requires preparation of such a Masterplan.

 

The motion of 11 July 2024 was lost, as per the debate, on the basis that there would be further examination by the Council’s Local Plan Project Board of issues raised during debate.

 

The Project Board has considered these matters, and therefore the Masterplan has been referred for approval. There is no reason to delay reconsideration of the matter by Full Council.

 

The Council therefore resolves to consider any similar referral motions from Cabinet / motion.

 

Councillor Val Bryant stated that it was important to carefully review Masterplans, and that Officers had met with the developer after which detailed amendments and clarifications had been presented to Members and the Strategy Group.

 

Councillor Stewart Willoughby seconded the motion and, following a vote, it was:

 

RESOLVED: That Full Council would consider the report and recommendations on the North of Stevenage Masterplan at its meeting on 28 November 2024, following reconsiderations by the Project Board and any similar referral motions from Cabinet.

 

Audio recording – 2 hours 50 minutes 20 seconds

 

N.B. Councillors Cathy Brownjohn and Sarah Lucas left the Chamber at 22:27 and did not return. Councillor Sadie Billing left the Chamber at 22:30 and returned at 22:43.

 

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

 

(B) Hitchin industrial Estate Fires

 

Councillor Jon Clayden proposed the motion as follows:

 

The Hitchin area has recently been plagued by a series of industrial fires associated with metal recycling facilities within the industrial area to the north of the town. Most recently, a fire broke out on the industrial estate on the 8th of November 2024 at around 2:30am, producing a plume of smoke and steam that was visible across a wide area for much of the day, and affected local residents including children on their way to school. Fires also occurred in the same area in September 2024, July 2024, February 2024 and December 2023.

 

In response to these fires, there have been multiple calls for action in the press from Hitchin and Ickleford councillors, and the MP for Hitchin, across political parties and over several months. There has, however, been no intervention from the Environment Agency in response to these calls that members have been made aware of, despite their increasing urgency. Since the Environment Agency licences the recycling operators it has the authority to review or revoke their licences, but has not exercised this authority.

 

These fires put residents at risk of harm due to the significant air pollution they produce, which is spread over a wide area, and would be expected to be worsened by repeated exposure. The amount of air pollution present is, however, not quantifiable in the absence of systematic monitoring. Given the quantities of water needed to put them out, and the proximity of the River Hiz, they also threaten our precious chalk streams, which are already under pressure.

 

Council reiterates the importance of recycling to a sustainable North Herts, but clarifies unambiguously that this must not be at the expense of residents’ long-term health.

 

Council acknowledges with gratitude the efforts of the Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service in responding to, containing and extinguishing these fires each time they occur, and investigating their causes. It nevertheless notes that these investigations have not led to meaningful reduction in the recent frequency of these potentially harmful fires, indicating that management of the associated risks appears to be ineffective or impossible.

 

Council therefore resolves to

 

Instruct the Leader of the Council and the Executive Member for Housing and Environmental Health to write promptly to the Environment Agency, to express North Herts Council’s serious concerns about the safety of recycling sites on the Hitchin industrial estate, and request that their operators’ licences be reviewed urgently.

 

Work proactively to instigate a system of air quality monitoring in the residential areas closest to the industrial estate.

 

Further instruct the Executive Member for Housing and Environmental Health to report back to Council within six months with details of any action that has been taken by the competent authorities.

 

Councillor Louise Peace seconded the motion.

 

The following Members took part in debate:

 

·       Councillor Dave Winstanley

·       Councillor Daniel Allen

·       Councillor Val Bryant

·       Councillor Sam Collins

·       Councillor Ian Albert

·       Councillor Lousie Peace

·       Councillor David Barnard

·       Councillor Ralph Muncer

·       Councillor Tim Johnson

·       Councillor Nigel Mason

 

Points raised in the debate included:

 

·       The frequency of these fires was unacceptable.

·       Ongoing prevention work was not always visible.

·       The Ward Councillors had been in regular contact with Hertfordshire County Council (HCC) and the Environmental Agency (EA) voicing the concerns of their residents.

·       The Leader of the Council had written to the Environment Agency regarding the Air Quality.

·       The MP for Hitchin had sent an urgent request for air monitoring to the Environment Agency.

·       The Managing Director had been on a fact finding exercise and been in contact with the press regarding the situation.

·       No water had entered into the river, and Anglian water had tested the water silo which, met the required fowl levels.

·       There would be a public meeting with the MP for Hitchin in January 2025.

·       The air quality should have been tested during the fires to get a proper assessment.

·       There was a Health and Safety risk to residents.

·       There was a meeting on the 29 November 2024 with representatives from HCC, EA, this Council and the MP for Hitchin to discuss the situation.

·       Residents were subjected to Heavy Good Vehicles (HGVs) transporting scrap for 12 hours a day.

·       Residents had been supported during the 5 fires that had occurred this year.

·       There had been fires at these sites dating back to 2018, this was not a new problem.

·       The HGVs ignore road weight limits and were not appropriate for Hitchin.

·       The changing wind directions meant that air quality testing would need to take place in several places.

·       There was cross party support for residents.

·       The Fire Service did an amazing job.

·       Site licenses should be checked.

·       The EA did not regard a lithium battery fire as a licensing breach. The regulations need to be tightened.

·       During the most recent fire, local residents were told to shut windows, yet children were still expected at school.

·       The smoke from these fires was having an effect on the health and wellbeing of residents.

·       Why had no lessons been learnt from the previous fires.

·       Concerns would be raised at a County Level.

·       The fires were causing disruption and anxiety to residents.

·       The County Council and the EA should change their policies to stop this from reoccurring.

·       The HGV weight limit issue would be highlighted to the Road Police.

·       Praise was given to Officers and the fire service who had put their lives on the line to attend these fires.

 

The Managing Director advised that the operating licences were issued from the Environmental Agency and not Hertfordshire County Council or North Hertfordshire District Council.

 

Having been proposed and seconded and, following a vote, it was:

 

RESOLVED: That Council

 

Instructed the Leader of the Council and the Executive Member for Housing and Environmental Health to write promptly to the Environment Agency, to express North Herts Council’s serious concerns about the safety of recycling sites on the Hitchin industrial estate, and request that their operators’ licences be reviewed urgently.

 

Work proactively to instigate a system of air quality monitoring in the residential areas closest to the industrial estate.

 

Further instructed the Executive Member for Housing and Environmental Health to report back to Council within six months with details of any action that has been taken by the competent authorities in the intervening period to monitor pollution and mitigate the risks of future fires.

 

N.B. Councillor Emma Rowe left the Chamber at 23:01 and returned at 23:04.

 

(C) A1(M) Junction 6 (Welwyn) to 8 (Hitchin and Stevenage) Upgrade

 

Councillor Ralph Muncer proposed the motion as follows:

 

In December 2014, the Government announced the A1(M) between Junction 6 (Welwyn) to Junction 8 (Hitchin and Stevenage) would be upgraded to increase capacity by 50% as part of the £1.5 billion Road Improvement Strategy. Unfortunately, the scheme was delayed and subsequently cancelled in April 2023.

 

The A1(M) between Junctions 6 and 8 is already one of the busiest sections of the A1 between London and Leeds, and with the adoption of the North Hertfordshire Local Plan in November 2022, resulting in more than 12,000 new homes being built in close proximity to the motorway over the next decade, the pressure on this key artery is only set to increase.

 

Upgrading this section of the A1(M) would not only reduce congestion and delays making journey times quicker for drivers who use the motorway, but would also help to reduce pressure on local roads in North Hertfordshire such as the A602.

 

Therefore, Council resolves that the Leader of the Council writes to the Secretary of State for Transport calling on the Government to reinstate plans to upgrade the A1(M) between Junction 6 (Welwyn) to Junction 8 (Hitchin and Stevenage).

 

Council further resolves that the Leader of the Council writes to the Member of Parliament for Hitchin, the Member of Parliament for North East Hertfordshire and the Member of Parliament for Stevenage, urging them to call on the Secretary of State for Transport to reinstate plans to upgrade the A1(M) between Junction 6 (Welwyn) to Junction 8 (Hitchin and Stevenage).

 

Councillor Steve Patmore seconded the motion.

 

The Chair advised that there had been an amendment to this motion which had been proposed by Councillor Paul Ward and seconded by Councillor Matt Barnes and had been published as a supplementary document.

 

Councillor Paul Ward proposed the amendment as follows:

 

In December 2014, the coalition Government announced the A1(M) between Junction 6 (Welwyn) to Junction 8 (Hitchin and Stevenage) would be upgraded to increase capacity by 50% as part of the £1.5 billion Road Improvement Strategy. Unfortunately, the scheme was delayed and subsequently cancelled by the Conservative government in April 2023.

 

The A1(M) between Junctions 6 and 8 is already one of the busiest sections of the A1 between London and Leeds, and with the adoption of the North Hertfordshire Local Plan in November 2022, resulting in more than 12,000 new homes being built in close proximity to the motorway over the next decade, the pressure on this key artery is only set to increase.

 

Even now, before new homes are built, the existing lack of capacity on the A1(M) creates additional burden on surrounding local North / South roads used by the district’s residents such as the B197 in Knebworth and B656 in Codicote. As soon as the A1(M) has any capacity reduction on this section, such as the sink holes in March and September 2024 requiring lane closures, it brings chaos to the lives of our local communities. These corridors were never intended to be the extra capacity for the A1(M). The county’s Local Transport Plan 2018-2031 specifically cites the delivery of the A1(M) smart motorway scheme as enabling traffic reductions on parallel routes to support active travel modes.

 

Upgrading this section of the A1(M) would not only reduce congestion and delays making journey times quicker for drivers who use the motorway, but would also help to reduce pressure on local roads in North Hertfordshire such as the A602, B197 and B656.

 

Therefore, Council resolves that the Leader of the Council writes to the Secretary of State for Transport calling on the Government to reinstate plans to upgrade the A1(M) between Junction 6 (Welwyn) to Junction 8 (Hitchin and Stevenage) that were cancelled by the prior Conservative government.

 

Council further resolves that the Leader of the Council writes to the Member of Parliament for Hitchin, the Member of Parliament for North East Hertfordshire and the Member of Parliament for Stevenage, urging them to call on the Secretary of State for Transport to reinstate plans to upgrade the A1(M) between Junction 6 (Welwyn) to Junction 8 (Hitchin and Stevenage) and mitigate the impact of needed housing growth for North Hertfordshire residents living near the A602, B197 and B656.

 

Councillor Matt Barnes seconded the amendment.

 

The amendment was accepted by Councillor Ralph Muncer as the proposer.

 

The following Members took part in debate:

 

·       Councillor David Barnard

·       Councillor Alistair Willoughby

·       Councillor Daniel Allen

·       Councillor Ian Mantle

·       Councillor Ralph Muncer

 

Points raised in debate included:

 

·       The amendment was welcomed, as was the cross-party support.

·       This motion was not about political point scoring.

·       The road was not under Highways control.

·       The Council declared a climate emergency, this project goes against that.

·       The money would be better spent on railway improvements.

·       England had the safest roads in Europe, this project was the only way to increase the road capacity.

 

Having been proposed as amended, and seconded and, following a vote, it was:

 

RESOLVED:

 

That the Leader of the Council writes to the Secretary of State for Transport calling on the Government to reinstate plans to upgrade the A1(M) between Junction 6 (Welwyn) to Junction 8 (Hitchin and Stevenage) that were cancelled by the prior Conservative government.

 

That the Leader of the Council writes to the Member of Parliament for Hitchin, the Member of Parliament for North East Hertfordshire and the Member of Parliament for Stevenage, urging them to call on the Secretary of State for Transport to reinstate plans to upgrade the A1(M) between Junction 6 (Welwyn) to Junction 8 (Hitchin and Stevenage) and mitigate the impact of needed housing growth for North Hertfordshire residents living near the A602, B197 and B656

 

(D) Impact of Family Farm Tax on Rural Communities in North Hertfordshire

 

The Chair advised that due to the time already taken to determine the business on the agenda this item would be deferred to the Extraordinary meeting of Full Council on December 2024.