Agenda item

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

A.      Protecting the public’s say in the planning process

 

RESOLVED:

 

That this Council notes:

 

1.       The publication by Government of the White Paper, ‘Planning for the Future’ on 6 August 2020, which set out proposals on reforms to the planning process for the future.

2.       That the vast majority of planning applications are given the go-ahead by local authority planning committees, with permission granted to around 9 out of 10 applications.

3.       That research by the Local Government Association has said that there are existing planning permissions for more than one million homes that have not yet been started.

 

This Council is concerned that the proposals seek to:

 

1.       Reduce or remove the right of residents to object to applications near them.

2.       Grant automatic rights for developers to build on land identified as ‘for growth’.

3.       Remove section 106 payments for infrastructure and replace them with a national levy.

 

This Council further notes:

 

1.       The Royal Institute for British Architects said the proposals were ‘shameful and would do almost nothing to guarantee delivery of affordable, well-designed and sustainable homes’. RIBA also said that proposals could lead to the next generation of slum housing.

2.       The reforms are opposed by the all-party Local Government Association, currently led by Conservative Councillors.

 

This Council believes:

 

1.       That existing planning procedures, as currently administered by our own team in North Hertfordshire, allow for local democratic control over future development, and give local people a say in planning proposals that affect them.

2.       That proposals for automatic rights to build in ‘growth’ areas, and increased permitted development rights, risk unregulated growth and unsustainable communities.

3.       That local communities must be in the driving seat on shaping the future of their communities, and local determination of the planning framework and planning applications play an important part in this process.

 

This Council resolves to:

 

1.       Take part in the consultation in the planning proposals, and to make representations against the proposals as outlined in this motion.

2.       Write to and lobby all three of our Members of Parliament, urging them to oppose these proposals and to circulate their replies to members.

3.       Highlight its concerns over these proposals with the public and local residents.

 

B.      Racial Equality

 

          Following a recorded vote it was:

 

RESOLVED:

 

Council notes with serious concern the death of George Floyd and other black people at the hands of police in America during 2020 and the systemic racism towards black people that continues to exist around the world.

 

Council also notes the disproportionate impact of Covid-19 on Black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) people in the UK and that decisive action needs to be taken to mitigate these risks on sections of our community.

 

Council also welcomes the progress that has been made in North Herts over a number of years to build community cohesion and strengthen the voice of those who are marginalised, but recognises that there is much more we can and must do.

 

That Council resolves:

 

To stand in solidarity with people of ethnic minority backgrounds across the district, Britain and around the world.

 

To lobby government for immediate action to address the disproportionate impact of Covid-19 on ethnic minority people in the UK including here in Hertfordshire where we will continue to work with our Director of Public Health on this issue.

 

To lobby government and the county council on racial inequality in education, including recruiting more black and ethnic minority teachers and to lobby national government to reform the curriculum to fully reflect British history including the history of slavery empire and colonialism.

 

To ensure the Council’s HR and management practices fully meet the requirements for equalities, diversity and inclusion in the recruitment and career progression of all staff.

 

Furthermore, that mandatory racial awareness and unconscious bias training is provided for staff council staff, especially management, customer facing roles and elected members.

 

To establish wider dialogue with community organisations to make clear recommendations to the Council and other public bodies of further actions required to tackle discrimination and reduce inequalities across the District.

 

To work with our Parish and Town Councils and neighbouring local authorities to deliver all of the above.

 

The votes recorded were as follows:

 

For:

Councillors: Ian Albert, Daniel Allen, Kate Aspinwall, Ruth Brown, Val Bryant, Paul Clark, Sam Collins, Bill Davidson, George Davies, Elizabeth Dennis-Harburg, Morgan Derbyshire, Jean Green, Simon Harwood, Terry Hone, Keith Hoskins, Mike Hughson, Tony Hunter, Steve Jarvis, David Levett, Ian Mantle, Jim McNally, Ian Moody, Michael Muir, Lisa Nash, Sue Ngwala, Sam North, Helen Oliver, Sean Prendergast, Mike Rice, Adem Ruggerio-Cakir, Carol Stanier, Martin Stears-Handscomb, Claire Strong, Richard Thake, Terry Tyler, Tom Tyson and Michael Weeks.

Total: 37

Audio recording – 1 hour 56 minutes 30 seconds

 

Two motions had been submitted, due notice of which had been given in accordance with Standing Order 4.8.12.

 

A.      Protecting the public’s say in the planning process

 

Councillor Paul Clark proposed the following motion, which was seconded by Councillor Ian Mantle:

 

That this Council notes:

 

1.       The publication by Government of the White Paper, ‘Planning for the Future’ on 6 August 2020, which set out proposals on reforms to the planning process for the future.

2.       That the vast majority of planning applications are given the go-ahead by local authority planning committees, with permission granted to around 9 out of 10 applications.

3.       That research by the Local Government Association has said that there are existing planning permissions for more than one million homes that have not yet been started.

This Council is concerned that the proposals seek to:

1.       Reduce or remove the right of residents to object to applications near them.

2.       Grant automatic rights for developers to build on land identified as ‘for growth’.

3.       Remove section 106 payments for infrastructure and replace them with a national levy.

This Council further notes:

1.       The Royal Institute for British Architects said the proposals were ‘shameful and would do almost nothing to guarantee delivery of affordable, well-designed and sustainable homes’. RIBA also said that proposals could lead to the next generation of slum housing.

2.       The reforms are opposed by the all-party Local Government Association, currently led by Conservative Councillors.

This Council believes:

1.       That existing planning procedures, as currently administered by our own team in North Hertfordshire, allow for local democratic control over future development, and give local people a say in planning proposals that affect them.

2.       That proposals for automatic rights to build in ‘growth’ areas, and increased permitted development rights, risk unregulated growth and unsustainable communities.

3.       That local communities must be in the driving seat on shaping the future of their communities, and local determination of the planning framework and planning applications play an important part in this process.

This Council resolves to:

1.       Take part in the consultation in the planning proposals, and to make representations against the proposals as outlined in this motion.

2.       Write to and lobby all three of our Members of Parliament, urging them to oppose these proposals and to circulate their replies to members.

3.       Highlight its concerns over these proposals with the public and local residents.

 

The following Councillors took part in the debate:

 

·                Councillor David Levett.

 

Upon the vote it was:

 

RESOLVED:

 

That this Council notes:

 

1.       The publication by Government of the White Paper, ‘Planning for the Future’ on 6 August 2020, which set out proposals on reforms to the planning process for the future.

2.       That the vast majority of planning applications are given the go-ahead by local authority planning committees, with permission granted to around 9 out of 10 applications.

3.       That research by the Local Government Association has said that there are existing planning permissions for more than one million homes that have not yet been started.

 

This Council is concerned that the proposals seek to:

 

1.       Reduce or remove the right of residents to object to applications near them.

2.       Grant automatic rights for developers to build on land identified as ‘for growth’.

3.       Remove section 106 payments for infrastructure and replace them with a national levy.

 

This Council further notes:

 

1.       The Royal Institute for British Architects said the proposals were ‘shameful and would do almost nothing to guarantee delivery of affordable, well-designed and sustainable homes’. RIBA also said that proposals could lead to the next generation of slum housing.

2.       The reforms are opposed by the all-party Local Government Association, currently led by Conservative Councillors.

 

This Council believes:

 

1.       That existing planning procedures, as currently administered by our own team in North Hertfordshire, allow for local democratic control over future development, and give local people a say in planning proposals that affect them.

2.       That proposals for automatic rights to build in ‘growth’ areas, and increased permitted development rights, risk unregulated growth and unsustainable communities.

3.       That local communities must be in the driving seat on shaping the future of their communities, and local determination of the planning framework and planning applications play an important part in this process.

 

This Council resolves to:

 

1.       Take part in the consultation in the planning proposals, and to make representations against the proposals as outlined in this motion.

2.       Write to and lobby all three of our Members of Parliament, urging them to oppose

these proposals and to circulate their replies to members.

3.       Highlight its concerns over these proposals with the public and local residents.”

 

B.      Racial Equality

 

Councillor Sam Collins proposed the following motion which was seconded by Councillor Helen Oliver:

 

Council notes with serious concern the death of George Floyd and other black people at the hands of police in America during 2020 and the systemic racism towards black

people that continues to exist around the world.

Council also notes the disproportionate impact of Covid-19 on Black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) people in the UK and that decisive action needs to be taken to mitigate these risks on sections of our community.

Council also welcomes the progress that has been made in North Herts over a number

of years to build community cohesion and strengthen the voice of those who are marginalised, but recognises that there is much more we can and must do.

That Council resolves:

To stand in solidarity with people of ethnic minority backgrounds across the district, Britain and around the world.

To lobby government for immediate action to address the disproportionate impact of Covid-19 on ethnic minority people in the UK including here in Hertfordshire where we

will continue to work with our Director of Public Health on this issue.

To lobby government and the county council on racial inequality in education, including

recruiting more black and ethnic minority teachers and to lobby national government to reform the curriculum to fully reflect British history including the history of slavery empire and colonialism.

To ensure the Council’s HR and management practices fully meet the requirements for equalities, diversity and inclusion in the recruitment and career progression of all staff.

Furthermore, that mandatory racial awareness and unconscious bias training is provided for staff council staff, especially management, customer facing roles and elected members.

To establish wider dialogue with community organisations to make clear recommendations to the Council and other public bodies of further actions required to

tackle discrimination and reduce inequalities across the town.

To work with neighbouring local authorities to deliver all of the above.

 

The following Members took part in the debate:

 

·                Councillor Helen Oliver;

·                Councillor Carol Stanier

 

Councillor Carol Stanier proposed that the last sentence of the motion be amended to read:

 

“To work with our Parish and Town Councils and neighbouring local authorities to deliver all of the above.”

 

Councillor Sam Collins advised that the second to last sentence of the motion should read:

 

“To establish wider dialogue with community organisations to make clear recommendations to the Council and other public bodies of further actions required to

tackle discrimination and reduce inequalities across the District.”

 

Councillor Sam Collins, the proposer of the motion and Councillor Helen Oliver, the seconder of the motion accepted the proposed amendments to the motion.

 

Councillor David Levett proposed that the sentence regarding training be amended to read:

 

“Furthermore, it is a requirement that racial awareness and unconscious bias training is provided for staff council staff, especially management, customer facing roles and elected members.”

 

Councillor Collins, the proposer, accepted the amendment, Councillor Helen Oliver, the seconder, did not accept the amendment.

 

Councillor David Levett withdrew his amendment.

 

The following Members took part in the debate:

 

·                Councillor Daniel Allen:

·                Councillor Martin Stears-Handscomb;

·                Councillor David Levett;

·                Councillor Kate Aspinwall;

·                Councillor Sue Ngwala.

 

Councillor Daniel Allen called for a recorded vote.

 

Following recorded vote it was:

 

RESOLVED:

 

Council notes with serious concern the death of George Floyd and other black people at the hands of police in America during 2020 and the systemic racism towards black

people that continues to exist around the world.

 

Council also notes the disproportionate impact of Covid-19 on Black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) people in the UK and that decisive action needs to be taken to mitigate these risks on sections of our community.

 

Council also welcomes the progress that has been made in North Herts over a number

of years to build community cohesion and strengthen the voice of those who are marginalised, but recognises that there is much more we can and must do.

 

That Council resolves:

 

To stand in solidarity with people of ethnic minority backgrounds across the district,

Britain and around the world.

To lobby government for immediate action to address the disproportionate impact of

Covid-19 on ethnic minority people in the UK including here in Hertfordshire where we

will continue to work with our Director of Public Health on this issue.

To lobby government and the county council on racial inequality in education, including

recruiting more black and ethnic minority teachers and to lobby national government to reform the curriculum to fully reflect British history including the history of slavery empire and colonialism.

To ensure the Council’s HR and management practices fully meet the requirements for equalities, diversity and inclusion in the recruitment and career progression of all staff.

Furthermore, that mandatory racial awareness and unconscious bias training is provided for staff council staff, especially management, customer facing roles and elected members.

To establish wider dialogue with community organisations to make clear recommendations to the Council and other public bodies of further actions required to

tackle discrimination and reduce inequalities across the District.

To work with our Parish and Town Councils and neighbouring local authorities to deliver all of the above.

 

The recorded votes were as follows:

 

For:

Councillors: Ian Albert, Daniel Allen, Kate Aspinwall, Ruth Brown, Val Bryant, Paul Clark, Sam Collins, Bill Davidson, George Davies, Elizabeth Dennis-Harburg, Morgan Derbyshire. Jean Green, Simon Harwood. Terry Hone, Keith Hoskins, Mike Hughson, Tony Hunter, Steve Jarvis, David Levett, Ian Mantle, Jim McNally, Ian Moody, Michael Muir, Lisa Nash, Sue Ngwala, Sam North, Helen Oliver, Sean Prendergast, Mike Rice, Adem Ruggerio-Cakir, Carol Stanier, Martin Stears-Handscomb, Claire Strong, Richard Thake, Terry Tyler, Tom Tyson and Michael Weeks.

Total: 37