Agenda item

Motions

 This report sets out motions received for this meeting. 

Minutes:

Motion A – proposed by Councillor Gulvin and supported by Councillor Lammas:

“Background:

  1. Voluntary groups in Medway are responsible for a significant proportion of the cleanliness of Medway’s environment. Voluntary groups more generally contribute greatly to the upkeep of our parks and other open spaces which are enjoyed by our residents.
  2. The hours worked by Medway’s volunteers are a significant and underappreciated resource. At a time when budgets are tight, their contribution is worth more than ever to us all.
  3. In Lordswood and Walderslade, the local litter picking group over the last two and a half years have made a huge contribution to making the area clean and tidy. It is a great shame that they are no longer able to provide this service to our community.

Full Council resolves to:

  1. Thank voluntary groups for the work they do here in Medway.
  2. Request the Portfolio Holder for Climate Change and Strategic Regeneration to engage with the Lordswood and Walderslade litter picking group to resolve the present situation which has halted their operations.”

Councillor Curry supported by Councillor Jones proposed the following amendment:

 

“Background:

  1. Voluntary groups in Medway are responsible for a significant proportion of the cleanliness of Medway’s environment. Voluntary groups more generally contribute greatly to the upkeep of our parks and other open spaces which are enjoyed by our residents.
  2. The hours worked by Medway’s volunteers are a significant and underappreciated appreciated resource. At a time when budgets are tight, their contribution is worth more than ever to us all.
  3. In Lordswood and Walderslade, the local litter picking group over the last two and a half years have made a huge contribution to making the area clean and tidy. It is a great shame that they are no longer able to provide this service to our community.

Full Council resolves to:

1.      Thank voluntary groups for the work they do here in Medway.

2.      Request the Portfolio Holder for Climate Change and Strategic Regeneration to continue to engage with the Lordswood and Walderslade litter picking group to resolve the present situation. which has halted their operations.”

Amended Motion reads:

 

“Background:

1.      Voluntary groups in Medway are responsible for a significant proportion of the cleanliness of Medway’s environment. Voluntary groups more generally contribute greatly to the upkeep of our parks and other open spaces which are enjoyed by our residents.

 

2.      The hours worked by Medway’s volunteers are a significant and appreciated resource. At a time when budgets are tight, their contribution is worth more than ever to us all.

 

3.      In Lordswood and Walderslade, the local litter picking group over the last two and a half years have made a huge contribution to making the area clean and tidy.

Full Council resolves to:

1.      Thank voluntary groups for the work they do here in Medway.

 

2.      Request the Portfolio Holder for Climate Change and Strategic Regeneration to continue to engage with the Lordswood and Walderslade litter picking group to resolve the present situation.”

On being put to the vote the amendment was carried.

Decision:

Upon being put to the vote the substantive motion was carried:

Background:

1.      Voluntary groups in Medway are responsible for a significant proportion of the cleanliness of Medway’s environment. Voluntary groups more generally contribute greatly to the upkeep of our parks and other open spaces which are enjoyed by our residents.

 

2.      The hours worked by Medway’s volunteers are a significant and appreciated resource. At a time when budgets are tight, their contribution is worth more than ever to us all.

 

3.      In Lordswood and Walderslade, the local litter picking group over the last two and a half years have made a huge contribution to making the area clean and tidy.

Full Council resolves to:

1.      Thank voluntary groups for the work they do here in Medway.

 

2.      Request the Portfolio Holder for Climate Change and Strategic Regeneration to continue to engage with the Lordswood and Walderslade litter picking group to resolve the present situation.

Motion B – Proposed by Councillor Spalding and supported by Councillor Spring:

“Medway Council should scrap plans to introduce Red Routes into Medway and use part of the cost savings to fund Christmas Lights this year, not just in the five towns but also in the rural communities as well.”

 

Councillor Spalding proposed an alteration to his previously submitted motion.

In accordance with Council Rule 11.4.1, the meeting’s consent was signified

without discussion, therefore, the altered motion was considered as follows:

 

“Medway Council should seriously consider scrapping plans to introduce Red Routes into Medway and use part of the cost savings to fund Christmas Lights this year, not just in the five towns but also in the rural communities as well from the same to,

 

1)    further expand the Moving Traffic Enforcement because the same objective of the Red Routes scheme, namely effective enforcement of discriminate parking can be achieved by more effective deployment of parking enforcement officers and there is a clear need for Moving Traffic Enforcement not just in the areas already proposed but also for example along the whole length of Chatham High Street from the junction to the Brook to Waterfront Way.

 

2)    use the savings of annual costs to fund Christmas Lights this year in all areas of Medway, including the five towns and all rural parishes, that are not benefitting from crowdfunding and so called ‘commercial sponsorship’ if said sponsorship funds are insufficient to provide Christmas lights to all areas.

 

Background

 

Red Routes

 

The objective of the Red Routes scheme is to stop indiscriminate parking in order to help reduce congestion and delays to bus services, improve road safety and improve air quality.

 

The total implementation cost is approximately £805K.

A breakdown of these costs has been set out below:

?£475K for the purchase of ANPR cameras

?£95K for Design, stakeholder engagement, Consultation, and statutory traffic management orders.

?£90K for data collection and monitoring including traffic, pedestrian and air quality

?£100K for infrastructure improvements of signage and markings

?£45K for Engagement and Communications on the implementation enforcement program.

 

In addition to the initial costs above, there will be the annual cost of operating the ANPR cameras, the costs of maintaining the cameras and the signage plus an amount for depreciation in respect of future replacement.

 

The same objective can be achieved without these costs by more efficient deployment of enforcement officers and better traffic management.”

 

Altered motion to read as follows:

 

“Medway Council should seriously consider scrapping plans to introduce Red Routes into Medway and use the cost savings from the same to,

 

1)    further expand the Moving Traffic Enforcement because the same objective of the Red Routes scheme, namely effective enforcement of indiscriminate parking can be achieved by more effective deployment of parking enforcement officers and there is a clear need for Moving Traffic Enforcement not just in the areas already proposed but also for example along the whole length of Chatham High Street from the junction to the Brook to Waterfront Way.

 

2)    use the savings of annual costs to fund Christmas Lights this year in all areas of Medway, including the five towns and all rural parishes, that are not benefitting from crowdfunding and so called ‘commercial sponsorship’ if said sponsorship funds are insufficient to provide Christmas lights to all areas.

 

Background

 

Red Routes

 

The objective of the Red Routes scheme is to stop indiscriminate parking in order to help reduce congestion and delays to bus services, improve road safety and improve air quality.

 

The total implementation cost is approximately £805K.

A breakdown of these costs has been set out below:

?£475K for the purchase of ANPR cameras

?£95K for Design, stakeholder engagement, Consultation, and statutory traffic management orders.

?£90K for data collection and monitoring including traffic, pedestrian and air quality

?£100K for infrastructure improvements of signage and markings

?£45K for Engagement and Communications on the implementation enforcement program.

 

In addition to the initial costs above, there will be the annual cost of operating the ANPR cameras, the costs of maintaining the cameras and the signage plus an amount for depreciation in respect of future replacement.

 

The same objective can be achieved without these costs by more efficient deployment of enforcement officers and better traffic management.”

 

Decision:

 

Upon being put to the vote the motion was lost.

Motion C – Proposed by Councillor Pearce and supported by Councillor Crozer:

“This Council welcomes and supports the inclusion of the proposed East Coast Wetlands designation, covering wetland habitat from the Humber to the Thames and Medway estuaries, on the UK’s Tentative List of World Heritage Sites.

 

Inclusion on this exclusive list is the first step towards joining UNESCO’s (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation) World Heritage List, which recognises cultural and natural heritage across the globe considered to be of outstanding universal value to humanity.

 

The application was initiated in 2022 by the RSPB, National Trust and Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust (WWT), with endorsement from local authorities and The Crown Estate, following a report authored by marine and coastal habitat consultants ABPmer - which highlighted the area as one of the world’s most important places for nature.

 

This Council will work with a group of partners to enable a full proposal to be developed, alongside local communities and conservation organisations, and submit this to UNESCO for consideration over the coming years.”

 

Decision:

 

Upon being put to the vote, the motion was agreed.

 

Motion D – proposed by Councillor Maple and supported by Councillor Murray:

 

“Full Council notes that:

 

1.    Local government fulfils a vital role and should be funded in such a manner as to enable it to continue to do so.

 

2.    Since 2010, Medway Council has seen a 91% reduction to its revenue support grant from Government.

 

3.    Councils now face a funding gap of £3.19 billion for 2023-24. In Medway this is set to be between £7m and £15m. 

 

4.    The gap is likely to increase to £5 billion in 2024-25 without considering increased energy costs and inflationary pressures. In Medway this is set to be £39m.

 

Full Council believes that:

 

1.    Councils will be confronted with the unacceptable choice of cutting services.

 

2.    Councils will have to use already worryingly declining reserves to balance their budgets.

 

3.    Councils will be forced to sell off valuable assets, which can only be used to help balance budgets once.

 

Full Council resolves to:

 

Write to the Chancellor of the Exchequer to ensure that adequate funding is provided to local authorities as part of the Autumn Statement, in order to ensure that local authority budgets are future-proofed against the need to cut jobs and services in the short, medium and long term.”

 

Councillor Gulvin supported by Perfect proposed the following amendment:

 

“Full Council notes that:

 

1.    Local government fulfils a vital role and should be funded in such a manner as to enable it to continue to do so.

 

  1. In 2010, the UK national budget deficit was £103billion. Over the past thirteen years, successive governments have taken measures to reduce this, which ensured the UK could get through the COVID-19 pandemic, with record funding such as the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme.

 

  1. Between 2010/11 and 2023/4, Medway Council’s core spending power, excluding the dedicated schools grant, has increased from £184m to £243m.

 

  1. Since 2010, Medway Council has seen a 91% reduction to its revenue support grant from Government.

 

  1. Upper Councils tier councils now face a funding gap due to increasing social services costs. of £3.19 billion for 2023-24. In Medway this is set to be between £7m and £15m.

 

  1. His Majesty’s Government remains committed to Medway, having invested record capital funding in recent years. This has included £14.4m just this year under the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Levelling Up fund for The Docking Station, the Restoration of the Brook Theatre and the Fitted Rigging House. The gap is likely to increase to £5 billion in 2024-25 without considering increased energy costs and inflationary pressures. In Medway this is set to be £39m.

 

Full Council believes that:

 

  1. The Leader and Portfolio Holders have a responsibility to talk honestly and professionally in relation to the council’s finances, ensuring they follow the Council’s constitution and the Nolan Principles.

 

  1. Between 2000 and 2023, previous leaders and portfolio holders have always fought for more funding for Medway.

 

  1. His Majesty’s Government and the Prime Minister are taking long term decisions for a brighter future for Medway and the whole United Kingdom, including through funding works for the remodelled A229 Blue Bell Hill.

 

1.  Councils will be confronted with the unacceptable choice of cutting services.

 

2.  Councils will have to use already worryingly declining reserves to balance their budgets.

 

3.  Councils will be forced to sell off valuable assets, which can only be used to help balance budgets once.

 

Full Council resolves to:

 

Write to the Chancellor of the Exchequer to thank him for the government’s ongoing record capital investment into Medway, and ask him to ensure that adequate further revenue funding is provided to local authorities as part of the Autumn Statement, in order to ensure that local authority social services budgets are future-proofed against the need to cut jobs and services in the short, medium and long term.”

 

Amended motion reads:

 

“Full Council notes that:

 

  1. Local government fulfils a vital role and should be funded in such a manner as to enable it to continue to do so.

 

  1. In 2010, the UK national budget deficit was £103billion. Over the past thirteen years, successive governments have taken measures to reduce this, which ensured the UK could get through the COVID-19 pandemic, with record funding such as the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme.

 

  1. Between 2010/11 and 2023/4, Medway Council’s core spending power, excluding the dedicated schools grant, has increased from £184m to £243m.

 

  1. Upper tier councils now face a funding gap due to increasing social services costs.  In Medway this is set to be between £7m and £15m.

 

  1. His Majesty’s Government remains committed to Medway, having invested record capital funding in recent years. This has included £14.4m just this year under the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Levelling Up fund for The Docking Station, the Restoration of the Brook Theatre and the Fitted Rigging House.

 

Full Council believes that:

 

  1. The Leader and Portfolio Holders have a responsibility to talk honestly and professionally in relation to the council’s finances, ensuring they follow the Council’s constitution and the Nolan Principles.

 

  1. Between 2000 and 2023, previous leaders and portfolio holders have always fought for more funding for Medway.

 

  1. His Majesty’s Government and the Prime Minister are taking long term decisions for a brighter future for Medway and the whole United Kingdom, including through funding works for the remodelled A229 Blue Bell Hill.

 

Full Council resolves to:

 

Write to the Chancellor of the Exchequer to thank him for the government’s ongoing record capital investment into Medway, and ask him to ensure that further revenue funding is provided to local authorities as part of the Autumn Statement, in order to ensure that local authority social services budgets are future-proofed in the short, medium and long term.”

 

On being put to the vote the amendment was lost.

 

Decision:

 

Upon being put to the vote the substantive motion was carried:

 

Full Council notes that:

 

1.    Local government fulfils a vital role and should be funded in such a manner as to enable it to continue to do so.

 

2.    Since 2010, Medway Council has seen a 91% reduction to its revenue support grant from Government.

 

3.    Councils now face a funding gap of £3.19 billion for 2023-24. In Medway this is set to be between £7m and £15m. 

 

4.    The gap is likely to increase to £5 billion in 2024-25 without considering increased energy costs and inflationary pressures. In Medway this is set to be £39m.

 

Full Council believes that:

 

1.    Councils will be confronted with the unacceptable choice of cutting services.

 

2.    Councils will have to use already worryingly declining reserves to balance their budgets.

 

3.    Councils will be forced to sell off valuable assets, which can only be used to help balance budgets once.

 

Full Council resolves to:

 

Write to the Chancellor of the Exchequer to ensure that adequate funding is provided to local authorities as part of the Autumn Statement, in order to ensure that local authority budgets are future-proofed against the need to cut jobs and services in the short, medium and long term.”

Supporting documents: