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Agenda item

Motions

Meeting of Full Council, Tuesday, 14th March, 2017 6.15 pm (Item 121.)

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.

Motion 1 - Neighbourhood funding

Motion to be moved by: Cllr Mark Weston, Conservative, Henbury and Brentry ward

“This Council is extremely concerned over the recently proposed changes to how neighbourhood funding is to be allocated.

At present, local community small grants (formerly known as wellbeing grants) are apportioned on the strict and fairly straightforward basis of each ward councillor receiving an equal share of available money.

Our concerns are:

- The linking of community small grants to CIL levels. They are very different sources of funding that can be used in very different ways.

- The proposed distribution will benefit a few communities at the expense of others. This is a divisive departure from previous practice.

- The proposed method of spending CIL grants seems top down and dictatorial rather than allowing local methods of developing where councillors make the final decision in a public meeting with the input of local residents.

Council does not agree with these supposed attempts at achieving a more equitable distribution of scarce resources. All communities have local initiatives and projects which are deserving of support and that this spending is meant to assist. These needs are not adequately reflected or protected in the suggested funding mechanisms.

Council opposes the plan to connect CIL to this discretionary spend and rejects the idea of widening the geographical area where this planning gain can be legitimately spent. Such a move undermines the whole rationale behind entirely separate community budgets and damages the entire concept of localism.

Accordingly, Council calls on the Mayor to:-

- Rethink this inequitable model and bring forward proposals to allow greater parity in community small grant levels.

- Remove any linkage between these grants and CIL levels.

- Ensure that the spending of the local portion of CIL monies can only be determined by the communities in which the development has taken place.

- Allow the creation of bespoke local decision making processes that reflect the differences within our communities but still ensure that the voices of local residents are heard.”

Motion 2 - Renewable energy

Motion to be moved by: Cllr Steve Pearce, Labour, St George central ward

“This Council believes that being itself a generator of renewable energy it should promote, provide or collaborate in the provision of energy storage facilities that will maximize the use of renewable energy in the Bristol area.

In light of Mayoral commitments to carbon neutrality for Bristol, we therefore resolve to set up a cross-party working group to investigate how we can maximise the effectiveness of the investments in renewable energy that we have already made and that we make in the future.”

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

Motion 3 - Traffic congestion

Motion submitted by: Cllr Tony Carey, Conservative, Brislington East ward

“This Council remains committed to tackling the on-going chronic traffic problems of congestion and particularly high levels of pollution experienced around the city.

One of the commonest contributory factors to these problems is the practice of errant motorists improperly stopping in yellow box junctions. This activity frequently causes obstructions and interruptions to the flow of vehicles.

Some local authorities do now have a role and responsibility in enforcing moving traffic violations. For example, last year, Cardiff became the first Council outside of London – which has its own special regulatory regime - to issue fixed penalty notices for this breach of the Highway Code (rule 174 only permits very limited entry into such marked junctions).

Accordingly, Council calls on the Mayor to instruct highways officers to prepare a report for consideration by Place Scrutiny, outlining all the options available for introducing such a scheme in Bristol.

Although Bristol City Council has the authority to enforce bus lane infringements, the enforcement of yellow box junctions, and other similar restrictions, unfortunately, remains the responsibility of the Police in England.

Therefore, it is this Council’s wish that the Mayor also make appropriate representations to the Department for Transport, to acquire these additional civil enforcement powers. Such a change would not only effect important road safety improvements, improve traffic flow, and air quality but also has the potential to raise substantial revenue for reinvestment into the road network.”

Motion 4 - Britain’s last remaining Dam Buster hero

Motion submitted by: Cllr Richard Eddy, Conservative, Bishopsworth ward

“This Council notes the remarkable campaign which has recently been mounted to get Britain’s last remaining Dam Buster hero a national honour.

Squadron Leader George ‘Johnny’ Johnson is now a 95-year-old Bristol resident whose lifetime of achievement has already been acknowledged locally with the award of a Lord Mayor’s Medal in 2015. He is one of the last of a generation whose love of country can truly to be said to have stood the test.

If the great effort to get him a Knighthood is successful – and the petition on this which was presented to Downing Street in January had already reached nearly 300,000 signatures – Council understands that it is his intention to dedicate any award made to the thousands of Bomber Command who died during the Second World War. Their sacrifice is a debt which can never be repaid.

Council also acknowledges the fact that after retiring from the RAF, 'Johnny Johnson' remained a committed fund-raiser for service charities and maintained a long association with the Air Cadets.

At a time when many far less deserving nominations for an honour from Her Majesty have been successful, remedying this oversight or omission is a cause worthy of our support. Accordingly, Council calls upon the Mayor to make appropriate representations to the Cabinet Secretariat to get this veteran the recognition he richly deserves at the earliest possible opportunity.”

Motion 5 - Call for changes to council tax exemption scheme covering student households

Motion submitted by: Cllr Mark Weston, Conservative, Henbury and Brentry ward

“This Council welcomes the success of our internationally acclaimed Universities in attracting students to live and study in the city.

Whilst recognising that this is generally a positive development which contributes greatly towards enriching and promoting Bristol’s unique identity, it also has to be conceded that a student population of over 50,000 places a strain on local infrastructure and services.

Students in full-time education enjoy a 100% exemption on paying Council Tax under the current rules and regulations governing discounts and dispensations. This potentially represents a very substantial loss of income to local authority coffers. Given the extraordinary amount of student accommodation springing up around the city, this position is financially simply unsustainable.

Accordingly, Council calls on the Mayor to make representations to central government for changes to be made to the Council Tax exemption scheme covering student households. This should aim to enable at least a proportion or percentage of this charge to be levied on

all student occupied properties.”

Motion 6 - Keeping up investment in rail

Motion submitted by: Cllr Matt Melias, Conservative, Avonmouth and Lawrence Weston ward

“After decades of neglect, Council acknowledges the great strides that have been made in upgrading the region’s rail network. Central Government’s ambitious five-year modernisation programme has seen multi-billions of pounds investment into local and national infrastructure and will contribute to encouraging the growth in the number of people choosing to travel by train.

Whilst the decision to delay electrification of the Bath to Bristol Temple Meads mainline is deeply disappointing, Council welcomes the Transport Secretary’s promise to utilise or reinvest ‘hundreds of millions’ in other transport projects arising from this deferral.

However, it is this Council’s contention that any money freed up in this way must be assigned to the renewal of Bristol’s suburban rail to enable the realisation of the next stages or phases of MetroWest. For example, this funding could progress the track and station upgrades desperately needed and previously identified and supported in this chamber such as the re-opening of the St Anne's Train Station and the re-examination of the case for the Henbury Loop Line.

Accordingly, Council calls on the Mayor to lobby the Transport Secretary to deliver this proposed re-investment in our local rail network, both individually also by working with neighbouring authorities through the newly formed West of England Combined Authority and the forthcoming Metro-Mayor to make sure that any potential windfall from the postponement of electrification is put towards the continuing revival in rail.”

Motion 7 - Former ambulance station, Castle Street

Motion submitted by: Cllr Kye Dudd, Labour, Central ward

“Full Council resolves that the former Ambulance Station development site on Castle Street must be developed in line with the council policy on affordable housing.

The current land ownership of the site is 60% Homes and Communities Agency and 40% owned by Bristol City Council. Given that the land is publicly owned, any residential development must provide a share of at least 40% affordable housing.

If the policy is not met, the Council must seek other developers for the site.”

Motion 8 - ‘Blue finger’ land

Motion submitted by: Cllr Jude English, Green, Ashley ward

“Council notes that:

· The ‘Blue finger’ land is a strip of Grade 1 agricultural land, bordering the M32 and including Stapleton allotments. The quality of the soil places it in the top 3% of land in the country for growing food.

· There is no longer any intention or will to develop part of the land as a park and ride site. Council further recognises the value of this high-grade agricultural land.

Council recommends therefore that the review of the Local Development Plan see the land re-designated as high grade agricultural land in order to preserve it for local food growing.

Council further calls on officers to seek mechanisms which preserve its long term future for food growing for all of the 'Blue finger' land.”

Motion 9 - Support for Dubs amendment

Motion submitted by: Cllr Eleanor Combley, Green, Bishopston and Ashley Down ward

“Full Council notes that:

There are tens of thousands of unaccompanied child refugees across Europe. [1]
The UK has taken 200 such children, of whom 5 are settled in Bristol. [2]
The UK has agreed to take 150 more such children, of whom 5 have been offered a place in Bristol. [2]
If all EU countries took an equal proportion, the UK’s share would be over 3000 children.[3]

Full Council believes:

That all countries have a moral obligation to provide for children displaced by war and unrest.
That if all councils in the country responded as Bristol has already in proportion to their population, the UK would be able to support 1500 unaccompanied asylum seeking minors immediately. [4]
In keeping with our status as a City of Sanctuary, Bristol should be prepared to increase our offer if asked to by central government.

Full Council resolves to:

Ask the Mayor on our behalf to write to the City’s MPs asking them to support the continuation of the Dubs scheme.
Express our thanks to BCC Children’s Services for their hard work in ensuring the safety of all unaccompanied asylum seeking minors in Bristol, whether they come under the Dubs scheme or other routes.
Ask the Mayor, in his contacts with other civic leaders, to promote the need to offer places for a fair share of unaccompanied asylum seeking minors in their areas.”

[1] https://fullfact.org/immigration/unaccompanied-refugee-children-europe/

[2] Report presented to Corporate Parenting Panel (full report not publically available due to confidentiality issues).

[3]http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/tgm/refreshTableAction.do?tab=table&plugin=1&init=1&pcode=tec00001&language=en (Note: If the allocation were done in proportion to population, the UK’s share would be over 11000; in proportion to economy size, the UK’s share would be over 15000.)

[4] https://www.bristol.gov.uk/statistics-census-information/the-population-of-bristol

Motion 10 - Living rent

Motion submitted by: Cllr Charlie Bolton, Green, Southville ward

“Full Council notes:

· The desperate situation faced by many Bristol residents in the private rented sector. While welcoming recent government moves to stop up-front letting agent fees, there is clearly a need to take further action to limit the amounts tenants are forced to pay out just to have somewhere to live.

· That the London Assembly is consulting on proposals for a 'Living Rent', after both Sian Berry (Green) and Sadiq Khan (Labour)’s mayoral campaigns focused on getting a better deal for renters.

Full Council Resolves to ask the Mayor to:

1. Investigate the pros and cons of introducing a Living Rent in Bristol;

2. Report back to council the progress in Bristol towards setting up and resourcing a Bristol Renter’s union to support the implementation of a Living Rent.

3. Determine the level at which such a rent should be set and produce a plan to determine how best to make such a 'Living Rent' fully effective, including whether it should apply to the whole private rental sector or a subset (as London’s is proposed to do);

4. Lobby MPs and Government for the power to implement such a 'Living Rent'.”

Motion 11 - Supporting the Financial Transactions Tax (FTT)

Motion submitted by: Cllr Carla Denyer, Green, Clifton Down ward

“Council notes that:

· According to the Institute for Fiscal Studies, English councils have had their revenue budgets cut by £15bn (in today’s prices) between 2009-10 and 2016-17;¹

· According to the Local Government Association, English local government still faces a challenging overall funding gap of £5.8 billion by 2019/20.²

· Extending the current Financial Transaction Tax on share transactions to other asset classes such as bonds and derivatives could raise more than £8bn of additional revenue in the UK every year;³

· At least 10 European nations including France, Germany, Italy and Spain are moving ahead with FTTs on shares, bonds and derivatives estimated to raise £30bn a year.

Council believes that:

· Revenues from the FTT could help repair the damage caused by cuts in public services since 2010;

· Local government deserves to receive a significant proportion of FTT revenues, making an important contribution to both capital and revenue expenditure such as reversing cuts to council tax benefits and services;

· Whilst an FTT might have a negligible effect on jobs in the City of London, investing FTT revenues in a smart and progressive way would see a significant increase in employment levels in other sectors.

Council resolves that:

· In Full Council’s view, the UK government should extend the current FTT on shares to other asset classes, such as bonds and derivatives.

Council further resolves to ask the Mayor to:

· Write to the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister, Leader of the Opposition, Chancellor and Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer, and Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government stating this council’s support for extending FTTs;

· Write to all local MPs outlining the Council’s position;

· Support or host a meeting to discuss the ways of supporting this proposal.”

Notes:

1. https://www.ifs.org.uk/uploads/Presentations/British%20Local%20Government%20Finance%20in%20the%202010s%2C%20David%20Phillip.pdf

2. http://www.local.gov.uk/documents/10180/11607/LGA+Parliamentary+Briefing+-+Local+Government+Finance+Settlement+Feb+2017.pdf/6629778b-ddfc-446f-ba2d-705b0da0f02f

3. http://robinhoodtax.org.uk/sites/default/files/Avinash.Persaud.March_.2012.pdf

Minutes:

Motion 1 – Neighbourhood funding

Councillor Weston moved the following motion: