Issue - meetings

6.1 Motion proposed by the Leader of the Council, Cllr Adrian England

STOP NONSENSICAL LUTON EXPANSION

This Council notes that a government decision on the proposed large expansion of Luton Airport is now expected in April 2025, after the Chancellor of the Exchequer intimated that it should be granted. This Council has previously expressed strong objections to the proposed expansion of Luton Airport. On Luton Airport’s doorstop, residents from Dacorum are extremely concerned about the upcoming decision because of:

1.     aircraft noise,

2.     the impact on our local roads with overcrowding, in light of the growth agenda

3.     the impact of CO2 emissions and air pollution, compounding  the likelihood of the airport completely failing, to reach  Net Zero by 2050

This Council notes that Luton Airport had already breached their aircraft noise limits for three consecutive years up to 2019. Promises of quieter aircraft have since failed to materialise. Luton Airport has failed to deliver on their promises.

This Council further notes that the claim that the airport expansion will lead to economic growth, fails to consider that despite significant growth in air passenger numbers over the past two decades:

·         There has been no net growth in air travel for business purposes.

·         There has been no net growth in jobs in air transport.

·         Real wages in air transport jobs have fallen significantly.

·         The UK’s domestic overnight tourism industry has shrunk significantly.

·         Growth has primarily driven leisure travel abroad and increased the travel spending deficit, with the greatest spending losses seen in the UK’s wider regions.

This Council also notes that advice from the UK Climate Change Committee is clear: “no airport expansions should proceed until a UK-wide capacity management framework is in place to assess annually and, if required, control sector CO2 emissions and non-CO2 effects.”

In 2021 The Climate Change Committee, submitted a report to the previous government, advising that not only is aviation likely to be the largest emitter of CO2 by 2050, but that relative emissions from aviation can only be reduced by around 20% using fuel efficiency measures.

As such, this proposed 77% increase to Luton Airport capacity fundamentally undermines the UK’s commitment to reach Net Zero by 2050.

This Council agrees that the Leader will write to the Secretary of State to urge a common sense decision to (focus construction workforce on affordable homes and Net Zero infrastructure) and urge the government to oppose this expansion before a UK-wide air travel capacity framework is in place.

The Mayor invited Cllr England to present his motion and reminded members that a written copy is included in the published agenda pack.

Cllr Guest declared a personal interest in that she is a member of a Flying Club at Dunstable Airfield and therefore will not be taking part in the debate and vote.

Cllr England introduced his motion titled ‘Stop the nonsensical Luton expansion’ and addressed the chamber with the reasons for it being raised.

Cllr Douris seconded the motion and reserved his right to speak.

Cllrs Smith-Wright and Hannell spoke to share their views.

Cllr Douris then spoke as the seconder of the motion, advising he was seconding in place of Cllr Timmis who was unfortunately not able to be at the meeting this evening.

All discussion can be viewed via the video minutes.

The Mayor took the motion to a vote;

Those for the motion = 34

Those against the motion = 2

Those who abstained to vote = 6

The Mayor declared the motion was therefore carried.