To receive and consider any notices of motion from members of the Council under Standing Order 15.

 

a)    From Councillor Jonathan Hulley

 

This Council recognises the impact that breaches of planning rules can have on local communities. This Council recognises that, whilst Planning Enforcement is not a statutory responsibility and is therefore not allocated ring-fenced funding, Runnymede Borough Council remains committed to maintaining and developing our Planning Enforcement resource.

 

This Council welcomes the recent increase in resource that has been allocated to support Planning Enforcement and re-affirms its support for the RBC Planning department in upholding national and local planning guidance.

 

The importance of this issue is also recognised by our Member of Parliament who has been campaigning to strengthen the legislative framework in respect of planning enforcement both the through the administration of sanctions and the ability to track repeated offenders through a national database.

 

Therefore, we call on the Council to:

 

·       Reaffirm our commitment to upholding planning rules through the use of enforcement where warranted.

·       Express its support for our Planning team working to deliver this.

·       Request the Leader of the Council to write to our MP outlining our support for his campaign to give local authorities increased powers of enforcement.

·       Hold discussions with our MP to advocate for Planning Enforcement to become a statutory service

 

b)    From Councillor Marissa Heath

 

This Council notes that it has set out a comprehensive outline plan to tackle its carbon emissions and to play its role in addressing climate change. Since this plan was agreed further evidence has been published through the 6th IPCC report highlighting the importance of action on every front. This means we all have a role to play from residents and local authorities to national government. The IPCC report also set out that avoiding the worst ravages of climate breakdown is still possible, and there are “multiple, feasible and effective options” for doing so. Government have set out ambitious targets and County, Borough and District councils have set out strategies on howe to deliver this. We must also support our residents in shifting to low carbon lifestyles.

 

This Council will continue to take action locally to reduce carbon emissions and the Council will continue to work collaboratively with other councils, the community and businesses and also seek expertise where possible to further its objectives.

 

Therefore, this Council agrees to:

 

·       Recognise the strong work so far undertaken by officers and members in delivering a robust strategy and way forward;

·       Will actively support and work with businesses and local organisations in moving towards net zero;

·       Will join UK100 and utilise the resources offered through this body to take forward our strategy.

Motion a)

 

The proposed motion, as set out in the summons, was moved by Councillor Hulley, subject to a referral being made to the Corporate Management Committee.

 

The motion was seconded by Councillor Mann

 

The proposed motion was debated by the Council. As a result of the debate, Councillor Hulley altered his proposed motion, in accordance with Standing Order 17.9 as follows:

 

·       Amend the third bullet point to read “Request the Leader of the Council to write to our MP outlining our support for his campaign to give local authorities increased powers of enforcement (affording group leaders in agreement with the letter an opportunity to countersign it).”.

·       Insert an additional bullet point to read “Seek to ensure that appropriate funding is made available to local authorities in respect of the planning enforcement functions.”.

 

The proposed altered motion was carried:

 

This Council recognises the impact that breaches of planning rules can have on local communities. This Council recognises that, whilst Planning Enforcement is not a statutory responsibility and is therefore not allocated ring-fenced funding, Runnymede Borough Council remains committed to maintaining and developing our Planning Enforcement resource.

 

This Council welcomes the recent increase in resource that has been allocated to support Planning Enforcement and re-affirms its support for the RBC Planning department in upholding national and local planning guidance.

 

The importance of this issue is also recognised by our Member of Parliament who has been campaigning to strengthen the legislative framework in respect of planning enforcement both the through the administration of sanctions and the ability to track repeated offenders through a national database.

 

Therefore, we call on the Council to:

 

·       Reaffirm our commitment to upholding planning rules through the use of enforcement where warranted.

 

·       Express its support for our Planning team working to deliver this.

 

·       Request the Leader of the Council to write to our MP outlining our support for his campaign to give local authorities increased powers of enforcement (affording group leaders in agreement with the letter an opportunity to countersign it).

 

·       Hold discussions with our MP to advocate for Planning Enforcement to become a statutory service.

 

·       Seek to ensure that appropriate funding is made available to local authorities in respect of the planning enforcement functions.

 

Motion b)

 

The proposed motion, as set out in the summons, was moved by Councillor Heath.  The motion was determined at the meeting, in accordance with Standing Order 15.6 (b) ii.

 

The motion was seconded by Councillor Coen.

 

Councillor R. King, seconded by Councillor D. Whyte, proposed that the motion be amended to add an additional bullet point to read “That this Council declare a climate emergency.”.

 

A named vote was requested on the proposed amendment and the voting was as follows:

 

For the amendment (13)

 

Councillors Harnden, Berardi, Burton, Davies, Gill, Gillham, Jenkins, A. King, R. King, Mullens, D. Whyte, S. Whyte and Williams.

 

Against the amendment (22)

 

Balkan, Broadhead, Bromley, Coen, Cotty, Cressey, Cunningham, Darby, Dennett, J. Gracey, T. Gracey, Heath, Howorth, Hulley, Lewis, Mann, Nuti, Olorenshaw, Prescot, Snow, Willingale and Wilson.

 

Abstentions (3)

 

Councillors Saise-Marshall, Clarke and Walsh.

 

The proposed amendment fell.

 

Following further debate, Councillor Burton proposed, seconded by Councillor Heath, that the motion be amended as follows:

 

·       That the third bullet point be amended to read “Will investigate and understand what it means to join UK100 and utilise the resources offered through this body to take forward our strategy.”

 

The proposed amendment was put to the vote and carried.

 

A named vote was requested on the amended motion and the voting was as follows:

 

For the amended motion (33)

 

Councillors Harnden, Saise-Marshall, Balkan, Berardi, Broadhead, Bromley, Burton, Clarke, Coen, Cotty, Cressey, Cunningham, Darby, Dennett, Gill, Gillham, J. Gracey, T. Gracey, Heath, Howorth, Hulley, Jenkins, Lewis, Mann, Nuti, Olorenshaw, Prescot, Snow, Walsh, D. Whyte, Williams, Willingale and Wilson.

 

Against the amended motion (4)

 

Councillors Davies, A. King, R. King and Mullens.

 

Abstentions (1)

 

Councillor S. Whyte.

 

The amended motion was carried:

 

This Council notes that it has set out a comprehensive outline plan to tackle its carbon emissions and to play its role in addressing climate change. Since this plan was agreed further evidence has been published through the 6th IPCC report highlighting the importance of action on every front. This means we all have a role to play from residents and local authorities to national government. The IPCC report also set out that avoiding the worst ravages of climate breakdown is still possible, and there are “multiple, feasible and effective options” for doing so. Government have set out ambitious targets and County, Borough and District councils have set out strategies on howe to deliver this. We must also support our residents in shifting to low carbon lifestyles.

 

This Council will continue to take action locally to reduce carbon emissions and the Council will continue to work collaboratively with other councils, the community and businesses and also seek expertise where possible to further its objectives.

 

Therefore, this Council agrees to:

 

·       Recognise the strong work so far undertaken by officers and members in delivering a robust strategy and way forward;

 

·       Will actively support and work with businesses and local organisations in moving towards net zero;

 

·       Will investigate and understand what it means to join UK100 and utilise the resources offered through this body to take forward our strategy.