Agenda item

Motions on Notice will follow in a supplementary papers pack to this agenda.

 

A period of up to one hour is allocated to consider the motions on notice.  This may only be extended with the agreement of the Council.

 

The Chairman advised that three Notices of Motion had been submitted for this meeting.

 

Young People and Democracy

 

The Council considered the following Notice of Motion submitted by Councillor R. Hunter:

 

“Council notes with concern the growing levels of despondency with democracy amongst young people.

 

Council commits to take reasonable steps within our community to promote the benefits of local democracy to young people, and where practicable engage them in democratic processes, as appropriate to the Council’s remit as a district local authority. 

 

Council resolves to investigate options by the end of the calendar year, in partnership with local schools and youth groups, to involve local young people in the democratic process. This will include exploring the possibility of inviting young people to give a ‘thought for the day’ presentation at the beginning of Council meetings.”

 

In proposing the motion, Councillor Hunter referred to the connections between young people and the Council and Councillors which already took place and explained that the motion sought to build on this.  He considered that the Council should seek to renew its relationships with young people to encourage the continuation of democracy.

 

The Motion was seconded by Councillor S. Robinson. She referred to the work already being carried out and suggested that more could be done to stimulate interest in democracy in children and young people, in a politically neutral way.

 

During consideration of the Motion the following were the main points raised:

 

·       The Policy Team already had links to various youth groups in the District and it was suggested they could meet with Group Leaders to consider how the desire to increase participation by young people could be developed. 

·       Involving young people and children in Council meetings might have safeguarding and resource implications which would need to be explored.

·       A member reported on a youth council which had been set up during the covid pandemic and had been supported by various parts of the Council.

·       The view was expressed that engaging young people should include understanding their environment and what they were capable of delivering, in partnership with the Council and Councillors.

·       It was important to involve young people in democracy, but attending formal Council meetings was unlikely to be attractive to them.

·       A member reported on work being carried out by parish Councils including visiting schools to engage with young people and setting up youth councils.  It was acknowledged that not all areas of the District were parished.

·       A member outlined a proposal to involve young people in the review of play areas in the District and suggested that a formalised process for engaging with young people might help the Council with future consultation work.

·       The view was expressed that engaging with young people should aim to enable them to tell the Council what was important to them.  This could be achieved in a number of ways and the Council should be innovative in its approach.

 

RESOLVED that

 

1)    Council notes with concern the growing levels of despondency with democracy amongst young people.

 

2)    Council commits to take reasonable steps within our community to promote the benefits of local democracy to young people, and where practicable engage them in democratic processes, as appropriate to the Council’s remit as a district local authority, and

 

3)    Council resolves to investigate options by the end of the calendar year, in partnership with local schools and youth groups, to involve local young people in the democratic process. This will include exploring the possibility of inviting young people to give a ‘thought for the day’ presentation at the beginning of Council meetings

 

Additional Police for Bromsgrove District

 

The Council considered the following Notice of Motion submitted by Councillor P. McDonald:

 

"After regular meetings with the police, it is has become apparent that the police are under resourced in the district of Bromsgrove. The lack of capacity is leading to an increase in anti-social behaviour and crime in general. This demonstrates the urgent need for more police patrolling the area. Research by the police shows the obvious, that if you increase numbers then you reduce crime in general.

 

Therefore, Council calls upon the Leader to write to the Police and Crime Commissioner requesting more police for the District of Bromsgrove."

 

In proposing the Motion, Councillor McDonald reported that residents had expressed concern to him that the Police did not respond effectively to calls.  He suggested that the Police did not have sufficient capacity to investigate all the incidents reported to them in the way they might wish to.  Increasing the number of Police officers on the streets would increase their visibility, ability to investigate incidents and thus increase visibility and residents’ peace of mind.

 

Councillor Rone-Clark seconded the Motion and suggested that there was an opportunity to influence the development of the Police service following a change in national government.

 

Arising from the debate on this item, Councillor McDonald withdrew the Motion on the basis that he would write to the new Home Secretary to seek confirmation of funding for additional Police Officers in West Mercia.  The Leader offered, once confirmation had been received, to write to the Police and Crime Commissioner for West Mercia to press for additional officers in Bromsgrove.

 

Developing a Tree Planting Target

 

Council considered the following Notice of Motion submitted by Councillor J Robinson:

 

“Council notes the climate emergency and the commitments it has made to play its part in tackling climate change.

 

Council also notes the powerful role tree-planting can play in mitigating global warming. Trees not only absorb and lock up carbon, according to the Woodland Trust they also help prevent flooding, reduce urban temperatures, reduce pollution and keep soil nutrient rich.

 

Council resolves to explore the possibility, through a report to Cabinet within six months, of implementing a Bromsgrove tree-planting target to include both council owned land and co-ordinating efforts across the community.”

 

In proposing the Motion, Councillor Robinson referred to discussions about tree planting in previous Council meetings and suggested that this Motion would enable costed proposals to be considered.

 

Councillor S. M. Evans seconded the motion. 

 

Councillor H. Rone-Clark proposed, Councillor J. Elledge seconded an amendment, to add at the end of the Motion “, and to request that the Council’s Tree Officer advise members regarding the Council’s policy in respect of mature trees.”

 

Councillor J. Robinson accepted the amendment and the amended motion became the substantive motion.

 

During debate of the motion the following were the main points made:

 

·       There was a limited amount of land in Council ownership, for example in parks, where additional trees could be planted.  However, the view was expressed that reference in the Motion to “both council-owned land and co-ordinating efforts across the District” broadened out the scope of investigating a potential tree planting target.

·       Increased tree planting and biodiversity net gain within new housing developments would be managed in the preparation of the next local plan, and the Strategic Planning and Conservation Manager had noted the aspiration in this regard.

·       The Cabinet Member for Leisure and Climate Change undertook to write to Worcestershire County Council to explore potential opportunities for tree planting on County owned land, most likely on adopted highway verges, although if achieved this would increase the costs of maintenance and inspection and consequential financial impacts.

·       A member reported experience of difficulty in finding appropriate sites for tree planting in the District.

·       The view was expressed that the opportunity should be taken in the new Local Plan to maximise the requirement to plant trees.

·       Whilst members supported planting trees, the view was expressed that the requirement in the Motion for officers to produce a tree planting target was difficult to achieve and potentially disproportionate.

·       Residents could be encouraged to plant trees in their own gardens which could support biodiversity.

·       Worcestershire County Council had a programme for planting trees across the District and local members had been involved in discussions about sites for these; the view was expressed that the Motion would be a duplication of effort and would stretch officer resources.

·       The Council would consider its Biodiversity Action Plan later in the year and all Councillors could contribute to this.  The Environment Act would also require Councils to achieve certain targets.

·       The Motion would assist in confirming details of Council land ownership.

·       The view was expressed that the terms of the Motion lacked sufficient detail as to what was proposed to understand the potential impacts.  However, it was argued that the Motion required a report to be produced for Cabinet in order to understand the possibilities and implications.

·       It was suggested that the Overview and Scrutiny Board might wish to consider the issue in detail and report to Cabinet.

 

In accordance with Procedure Rule 18.3, Councillor J. Robinson requested a recorded name vote.

 

Members voting FOR the motion:

 

Councillors A. Bailes, R. Bailes, J. Elledge, S.M. Evans, E.M.S. Gray, D. Hopkins, R. Hunter, M. Marshall, P.M. McDonald, J. Robinson, S. Robinson and H. Rone-Clarke (12)

 

Members voting AGAINST the motion:

 

Councillors S. Baxter, S. Colella, D. Forsythe, H. Jones, B. Kumar. R.E. Lambert, K. May, S. T. Nock, S. Peters, J. Stanley, K. Taylor, S. Webb and P. Whittaker (13)

 

Abstentions

 

Councillors S. Ammar, A. Dale, C. Hotham and B. McEldowney (4)

 

The motion was lost.