Agenda item

The following motions were submitted in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 10:

(a)      Councillor Richard Overton

"This Council celebrates the achievements of the Council's Building Safer and Stronger Communities Programme delivered with local partners, and the positive impact it has had across Telford and Wrekin. This has included many extracurricular activities for young people, funding to tackle antisocial behaviour across our borough, as well as enhanced CCTV coverage to keep our communities safe. This Council notes the Cabinet's determination to ensure a funding commitment to sustaining the programme as set out in the Medium-Term Financial Strategy. This Council notes with concern the decision by the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) to stop financial support for the initiative and calls upon him to reverse the decision."

Councillor Ollie Vickers seconded the motion.

Following a robust debate, the motion was carried.

RESOLVED – that the motion be approved.

(b)   Councillor Nigel Dugmore

"This Council has serious concerns regarding the current consultation regarding proposed changes to the National Planning Policy Framework which will severely restrict the ability of local planning authorities to control and influence development in their areas.

Such changes will have significant impact especially in rural areas and on developer contributions which are vital in ensuring that local infrastructure is in place to mitigate the impact on local communities of significant new developments. Consequently, this Council resolves to respond to the Labour Government’s current consultation and reject the disastrous proposed changes to the NPPF in order to protect our Borough from unwanted and inappropriate building."

Councillor Stephen Bentley seconded the motion.

By way of an amendment, with additional words shown in bold and underlined, Councillor Carolyn Healy, seconded by Councillor Stephen Reynolds, moved that the summary of the motion above, be amended as follows:

"This Council notes the current consultation regarding proposed changes to the National Planning Policy Framework which includes changes to the way local planning authorities control and influence development in their areas.
Such changes may have significant impact especially in rural areas and on developer contributions which are vital in ensuring that local infrastructure is in place to mitigate the impact on local communities of significant new developments.
Consequently, this Council resolves to create a cross party working group to develop the response to the Labour Government’s current consultation to show which aspects this Council supports and which is it rejects in order to protect our Borough from unwanted and inappropriate building and ensure plan led development that meets our borough’s needs."

Following debate and being put to the vote, the amendment was declared carried and became the substantive motion.

Following a robust debate, the substantive motion was carried unanimously.

RESOLVED – that the motion, as amended, be approved.

(c)    Councillor Rachael Tyrrell

“This Council wishes to convey to the Government that the introduction of Digital IDs is an egregious waste of public money at a time when resources are scarce and should be directed to frontline services, such as Defence and Education. It is also a dystopian and dangerous policy that undermines privacy, civil liberties, and public trust.

 
Council resolves to:

1. Formally oppose the introduction of mandatory Digital IDs across Telford & Wrekin.

2. Write to the Home Secretary and Minister for Digital Government, expressing this Council’s opposition and calling for the scheme to be scrapped.

3. Request Telford & Wrekin MPs to oppose any legislation introducing mandatory Digital ID.”

Councillor Tim Nelson seconded the motion.

By way of an amendment, with additional words shown in bold and underlined, Councillor Lee Carter, seconded by Councillor Richard Overton, moved that the summary of the motion above, be amended as follows:

“This Council wishes to convey to the Government that the introduction of mandatory Digital IDs is an egregious waste of public money at a time when resources are scarce as a result of the former Conservative government’s mismanagement of the economy and cuts to public services. This Council supports the Labour Government investing more into frontline services such as Defence and Education.  This Council has concerns that a mandatory scheme would undermine privacy, civil liberties, and public trust.

The Council recognises that an optional digital ID scheme can make accessing public services, jobs and housing easier and more inclusive for the 10 percent of people who do not hold photo ID. The Council notes that optional digital ID would be like passports and driving licences and has been implemented successfully in other countries such as France, Estonia and Finland.

Council resolves to:

1.    Formally oppose the introduction of mandatory Digital IDs across Telford and Wrekin.

2.    Write to the Home Secretary and Minister for Digital Government, expressing this Council’s opposition and welcoming the decision to scrap the mandatory aspects of the scheme.

3.    Request Telford and Wrekin MPs to oppose any legislation introducing mandatory Digital ID.”

Following debate and being put to the vote, the amendment was declared carried and became the substantive motion.

Following a robust debate, the substantive motion was carried unanimously.

RESOLVED – that the motion, as amended, be approved.

(d)   Councillor Stephen Burrell

“This Council endorses the U-Turn made by the Government on the family farm tax and confirms its support for the hardworking farms in our Borough.”

Councillor Nigel Dugmore seconded the motion.

By way of an amendment, with additional words shown in bold and underlined, Councillor Lee Carter, seconded by Councillor Carolyn Healy, moved that the summary of the motion above, be amended as follows:

“Following the reintroduction of inheritance tax for farms which removed an unfair taxation anomaly and encouraged wealthy investors to buy up small family farms, this Council endorses the recent changes made by the Government on the farm inheritance tax and confirms its support for the hardworking farms in our Borough including practical support on fuel poverty and energy, business support and access to grants, transport and housing as well as significant investments into local Agri-Tech Industries.”

Following debate and being put to the vote, the amendment was declared carried and became the substantive motion.

Following a robust debate, the substantive motion was carried unanimously.

RESOLVED – that the motion, as amended, be approved.