Issue - meetings

Note:

Under the Council’s constitution, 30 minutes are available for the consideration of motions. In practice, this realistically means that there is usually only time for one, or possibly two motions to be considered.

With the agreement of the Lord Mayor, motion 1 below will be considered at this meeting, and motion 2 may be considered, subject to time.

Details of other motions submitted, (which, due to time constraints, are very unlikely to be considered at this meeting) are also set out for information.

FULL COUNCIL MOTIONS – 16 March 2021

1.                  Mayoral Referendum

Council notes that the people of Bristol in 2012 decided to adopt a mayoral model following a referendum for Bristol City Council.

While noting that the current mayoral system of governance cannot be changed until 2024, there is a ground swell of opinion that the Council should review its current mayoral system of governance, from both the community and a number of elected members on the Council.

A new Mayor will be elected this May until 2024 and it will be up-to them how they use their power.

Council notes that the position of directly elected Metro Mayor has been introduced and powers and money have been transferred to that office.  

This motion is to determine that a referendum should be held and to enable full consultation on the new governance arrangements and alternative system, Leader and Cabinet, with a view to holding a referendum in May 2022.

Therefore, this Council resolves: 

(i)                  That the holding of a referendum on the Council’s governance arrangements be approved and that the Council’s Returning Officer be requested to prepare to hold such a referendum on Thursday 5^th May 2022.

(ii)                That the governance review and referendum question be to determine whether to retain the mayoral model or change to a Leader and Cabinet governance arrangement.

(iii)              Delegate to the Chief Executive, in consultation with Party Leaders, to make any decisions or clarifications on any proposed changes with regards to arrangements and Executive powers as per the Local Government Act 2000 that are required as part of the referendum.

Motion moved by: Councillor Hopkins, Liberal Democrat Group

Motion submitted: 4^th March 2021

2.                  Bristol’s Clean Air Zone Western Boundary

“This Council acknowledges the difficult circumstances, challenges and choices which have had to be made to finalise the Full Business Case submission for Bristol’s Clean Air Zone to DEFRA by 26th February 2021.

The local authority is under legal, moral, and political imperatives to tackle particulate pollution, especially in relation to reducing NO2 vehicle emissions in parts of the city where these regularly exceed permissible limits.

Delay in the production of an action plan led to Ministerial Directions the latest of which required implementation for nitrogen dioxide compliance, specifying a Medium Charging Clean Air Zone Class C with small Charging Clean Air Zone Class D… as soon as possible and at least in time to bring forward compliance to 2023.

Notwithstanding these facts, Council is extremely concerned over the  ...  view the full agenda text for item 11

Following a short adjournment, it was moved by the Lord Mayor that standing order CPR2.1(xi) be suspended to allow the meeting to go past the 30 minutes time limit for motions.  Following a vote it was agreed to proceed up until 9pm.

Motion 1 – Mayoral Referendum

Councillor Hopkins moved the following motion:

Council notes that the people of Bristol in 2012 decided to adopt a mayoral model following a referendum for Bristol City Council.  While noting that the current mayoral system of governance cannot be changed until 2024, there is a ground swell of opinion that the Council should review its current mayoral system of governance, from both the community and a number of elected members on the Council. 

A new Mayor will be elected this May until 2024 and it will be up-to them how they use their power.

Council notes that the position of directly elected Metro Mayor has been introduced and powers and money have been transferred to that office.

This motion is to determine that a referendum should be held and to enable full consultation on the new governance arrangements and alternative system, Leader and Cabinet, with a view to holding a

referendum in May 2022.

Therefore, this Council resolves:

(i) That the holding of a referendum on the Council’s governance arrangements be approved and that the Council’s Returning Officer be requested to prepare to hold such a referendum on Thursday 5th May 2022.

(ii) That the governance review and referendum question be to determine whether to retain the mayoral model or change to a Leader and Cabinet governance arrangement.

(iii) Delegate to the Chief Executive, in consultation with Party Leaders, to make any decisions or clarifications on any proposed changes with regards to arrangements and Executive powers as per the Local Government Act 2000 that are required as part of the referendum.

The motion was seconded by Councillor Mike Davies.

Following debate, the Lord Mayor invited Councillor Hopkins, as mover of the original motion to speak.

Following final remarks, upon being put to the vote, the original motion was LOST (24 For, 35 against, 3 abstentions)

Motion 2 – Bristol’s Clean Air Zone Western Boundary

The Lord Mayor moved a further motion and it was agreed that standing order CPR2.1(xi) be suspended to allow the meeting to continue until 9.10pm in order to hear the motion.

Councillor Weston moved the following motion:

This Council acknowledges the difficult circumstances, challenges and choices which have had to be made to finalise the Full Business Case submission for Bristol’s Clean Air Zone to DEFRA by 26th February 2021.  The local authority is under legal, moral, and political imperatives to tackle particulate pollution, especially in relation to reducing NO2 vehicle emissions in parts of the city where these regularly exceed permissible limits.

Delay in the production of an action plan led to Ministerial Directions the latest of which required implementation for nitrogen dioxide compliance, specifying a Medium Charging Clean Air Zone Class C with small Charging  ...  view the full minutes text for item 11