Issue - meetings

To consider motions;

1.    From Cllr Ron Tindall to consider recent IPCC report urging action on climate-change

2.    From Cllr Lara Pringle to consider impact of Brexit on EU27 citizens

A motion was proposed by Cllr Tindall and seconded by Cllr England;

Cllr Tindall advised that an amendment had been proposed by Cllr Williams, which has been agreed.  The agreed motion therefore reads;

“This Council notes the recent IPCC report urging action on climate change and requires that the new local plan currently under consideration should have within it environmental protection and sustainability consideration which should where possible aim to exceed national policy requirements.

Therefore, council requests that the local plan task and finish group give full consideration to these matters when considering the new local plan which should include sections on;

1 Modern construction methods and technologies and that all developments should provide were practical the following:

1.    Energy conservation specification in insulation, smart controls and lighting

2.    Energy generation including solar panels, ground source heat pumps and other renewable energy systems  to reduce fossil fuel usage and carbon emissions.

3.    Other considerations including plug-in electric vehicle charging, rain water harvesting and waste minimisation.

High sped fibre should be provided for all new developments to enable connection to the network where or when available.”

Vote

Unanimously agreed.

A motion was proposed by Cllr Pringle and seconded by Cllr England;

“A recent Freedom of Information request revealed that 321 EU27 citizens employed by West Herts NHS Trust have left nursing and health care posts. This has been due to a combination of Brexit uncertainty over their rights to remain in the UK and the rise of unacceptable hostility within our communities towards those from other countries, evidenced by the appalling rise in hate crime.

This has left West Herts Hospitals with a current total of 325 staff vacancies which we can little afford in view of the unacceptable A&E waiting times.

In view of this Dacorum Borough Council could be considered at risk itself of undesired vacancies and needs to keep aware of the situation.

Therefore, this Council

(a) recognises the immense value of EU27 citizens to our local area - not only working in vital roles helping our most vulnerable, but contributing in taxes, the voluntary sector and as valued friends and neighbours

and, in these uncertain times

(b) pledges to our EU27 residents, tenants and employees that regardless of the outcomes of any Brexit agreement, DBC will treat them with dignity, respect and humanity and will endeavour to implement all government policies with a view to avoiding the inadvertent creation of a hostile environment for our valued colleagues, friends and closest neighbours from the European Union”

Vote

For                   6

Against            30

Abstain            0

The motion was lost.

Councillor Tindall proposed a motion, seconded by Cllr England;

Cllr Tindall advised that he was pleased to report that an amendment has been put forward by the Conservative group which we are pleased to accept, noting that it is good to see we are able to agree and work together.

Cllr Tindall moved the amended motion.

The Mayor asked Cllr Tindall to read out the amended motion, which read as follows;

This Council notes the recent IPCC report urging action on climate change and requires that the new local plan currently under consideration should have within it environmental protection and sustainability consideration which should where possible aim to exceed national policy requirements.

Therefore, council requests that the local plan task and finish group give full consideration to these matters when considering the new local plan which should include sections on;

1 Modern construction methods and technologies and that all developments should provide were practical the following:

1.    Energy conservation specification in insulation, smart controls and lighting

2.    Energy generation including solar panels, ground source heat pumps and other renewable energy systems  to reduce fossil fuel usage and carbon emissions.

3.    Other considerations including plug-in electric vehicle charging, rain water harvesting and waste minimisation.

High sped fibre should be provided for all new developments to enable connection to the network where or when available.

Cllr Williams expressed his gratitude to Cllr Tindall for accepting the amended motion. 

Motion agreed.

Councillor Pringle proposed the motion, seconded by Cllr England;

Councillor Pringle addressed the room and set out why she feels this motion is important. The proposed motion reads;

A recent Freedom of Information request revealed that 321 EU27 citizens employed by West Herts NHS Trust have left nursing and health care posts. This has been due to a combination of Brexit uncertainty over their rights to remain in the UK and the rise of unacceptable hostility within our communities towards those from other countries, evidenced by the appalling rise in hate crime.

This has left West Herts Hospitals with a current total of 325 staff vacancies which we can little afford in view of the unacceptable A&E waiting times.

In view of this Dacorum Borough Council could be considered at risk itself of undesired vacancies and needs to keep aware of the situation.

Therefore, this Council

(a) recognises the immense value of EU27 citizens to our local area - not only working in vital roles helping our most vulnerable, but contributing in taxes, the voluntary sector and as valued friends and neighbours

and, in these uncertain times

(b) pledges to our EU27 residents, tenants and employees that regardless of the outcomes of any Brexit agreement, DBC will treat them with dignity, respect and humanity and will endeavour to implement all government policies with a view to avoiding the inadvertent creation of a hostile environment for our valued colleagues, friends and closest neighbours from the European Union

Cllr Birnie responded and referred to the limits of the Council’s responsibilities  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5