Housing Targets
The following motion submitted in accordance with Procedure Rule 10 of the Meeting Procedure Rules has been proposed by Councillor P Broadhead and seconded by Councillor B Dove: -
This Council is proud of the extensive work that was put into our recently submitted Draft Local Plan. This Local Plan was the first for the BCP Council area and was broadly realistic but also aspirational in its future housing needs, especially concerning annual housing targets.
It plans for 1600 homes per annum through the life of the Plan, which is already a 35% increase on the maximum number of homes ever delivered in the BCP area, to date, in a one year period. This figure was calculated on actual housing need from our independently produced Housing Needs Sensitivity report.
This Council is therefore concerned about the new Labour Government’s announced plans to centralise housing targets. This plan, as outlined in their new Revised Planning Policy Framework, will remove the ability for our local area to decide our own housing numbers, and instead impose a new, Westminster-dictated figure of almost 3000 homes per year. This is almost TRIPLE the number ever delivered in our best year, and almost DOUBLE the number in our submitted Local Plan.
There is simply no way these numbers can be delivered without widescale change to the physical fabric of our delicate geography.
The new Government also plans to remove the protection of our precious Green Belt by providing for the option for it to be redefined as Grey Belt. It is clear that these new targets will require extensive Green Belt release, and destruction, to provide for these new centralised targets.
This Council therefore:
Argues strongly that housing targets should remain decided locally and not dictated by Government.
Asks the Lead Member for Local Plan Delivery to write to the Secretary of State Angela Raynor to:
· ask her to think again on these plans to remove the ability for local areas to decide their own housing figures
· inform her that we strongly oppose the new centrally imposed figure of 2962 new homes per annum being forced to be built in the BCP Council Area
· tell her that we want our Green Belt protected and not redefined as Grey Belt
We also ask the Council the publicly publish its formal response to the Government’s Consultation to the proposed revised NPPF for transparency purposes.
Remote Attendance and Proxy Voting
The following motion submitted in accordance with Procedure Rule 10 of the Meeting Procedure Rules has been proposed by Councillor P Broadhead and seconded by Councillor J Challinor: -
The Government has recently opened a consultation on “Enabling remote attendance and proxy voting at local authority meetings”. Typically for Government, the deadline for consultation responses is very tight, with the consultation due to close on 19th December – only 9 days away from today’s meeting.
In the Ministerial foreword, the Minister states:
“The attendance of elected members at local authority meetings is a core part of the democratic process at the local level and is integral to members carrying out their functions effectively. In addition to the value of members coming together to debate and discuss the issues which impact the lives of the people they represent; it is also important that local residents have the opportunity to engage directly with the people they have elected to take key decisions on their behalf.”
However, the Government then goes on to say that, subject to the consultation, they are minded “to amend the law to introduce provisions for remote attendance at local authority meetings”.
This Council believes:
· While there are benefits to virtual and/or hybrid meetings, especially for informal meetings and training sessions, the current regulations which require a physical presence for Councillors to vote at formal meetings are sufficient.
· It is important, for formal Council meetings, for the public to see their Elected Members coming together to debate, discuss and vote on the issues in person, with the benefit of all of the information being received at the same time and in the same way. Our residents expect our physical attendance, and it would erode the accountability and view of Councillors by the public should this requirement be removed.
· That the Leader of the Council respond formally to the consultation on behalf of the Council to say that we do not agree with a change in the regulations to enable remote attendance and proxy voting at local authority meetings.
Van life - Supporting all communities
The following motion submitted in accordance with Procedure Rule 10 of the Meeting Procedure Rules has been proposed by Councillor P Cooper and seconded by Councillor P Canavan: -
Van dwellers, including van lifers and members of the Gypsy and Traveller communities, often face challenges that highlight a complex tension between individual lifestyle choices and community regulations. This can lead to friction and a sense of exclusion among residents who feel their natural surroundings are being monopolised.
Meanwhile, Gypsy and Traveller communities often find themselves moved on by local authorities. This incurs significant costs and frustrations for both the travellers and the councils involved. These issues underscore the broader debate on the right to live according to personal or cultural circumstances, whether out of choice or economic necessity. While everyone has the right to choose their way of life, there is a growing need for balanced solutions that respect both the rights of individuals and the interests of local communities.
This Council acknowledges the travelling community and van dwellers as valuable members of our society who contribute to the diversity and cultural richness of our area and commits to fostering a respectful and inclusive environment where all individuals, regardless of their housing situation, are treated with dignity and fairness.
To this end, the Council resolves to: develop a Community Pact for all vehicle dwellers that will:
a) Outline a clear plan to establish designated safe parking areas with access to basic amenities for van dwellers that will provide both permanent and temporary sites for vehicle dwellers and ensure that they have secure and legal places to stay.
b) Meet anticipated future requirements and facilitate access to essential services such as healthcare, sanitation, and education, ensuring that all residents can live safely and healthily.
c) Set up an ongoing forum for dialogue between local communities and travellers as a safe space in which discussion can take place and issues can be resolved quickly.
d) Promote anti-discrimination policies that protect these communities from harassment and unfair treatment, whether by private individuals or public authorities, alongside the responsibility of all concerned to abide by existing laws and expectations.
Climate and Nature
The following motion submitted in accordance with Procedure Rule 10 of the Meeting Procedure Rules has been proposed by Councillor K Salmon and seconded by Councillor C Rigby: -
Climate change is impacting us all. BCP is being directly impacted by climate change, with extreme rainfall causing flooding at Iford Park Home and a serious cliff slip at Durley Chine, to name two significant incidents from the last few weeks alone. The increasing frequency of extreme weather events poses risks to homes and infrastructure and affects decisions about the future of our three towns.
Last year’s soaring temperature rises made it clear that the target of restricting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius is slipping away. International climate officials confirmed that 2023 was the planet’s hottest year on record and 2024 is expected to break records once again.
The average global temperature has already increased by 1.2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. Alongside this the natural world has reached crisis point, with 28% of plants and animals now threatened with extinction.
We have already lost thousands of species to global warming.
The UK is one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world with one in seven of our plants and animals facing extinction and over 40% in decline.
The Climate and Nature Bill, if passed into law, would require the UK to take responsibility for its fair share of greenhouse gas emissions and commit to a carbon budget that would keep temperature rises below 1.5 degrees Celsius.
The Bill has been introduced to Parliament on five occasions since 2020, most recently in May 2024 when the name of the Bill was changed from Climate & Ecology Bill to Climate & Nature Bill. The Bill is going back to Parliament on 25 January 2025, backed by over 180 cross party MPs (including two of our local MPs, Vikki Slade and Neil Duncan Jordan) and Peers, around 237 local authorities, and eminent scientists such as Sir David King. Over 1100 leading climate scientists, ecologists, academics and medical professionals have signed a letter calling on MPs to fast track this new legislation. Many organisations are backing it, including the Wildlife Trust, RSPB, The Doctors’ Association, Oxfam, Women’s Institute, Campaign to Protect Rural England, Cooperative Bank, Riverford Organics, The Body Shop and Trees for Cities.
The Climate and Nature Bill would require the Government to develop a new environmental strategy, which would include:
1. Delivering a joined up environmental plan, as the crisis in climate and nature are deeply intertwined and require a plan that considers them both together.
2. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions in line with 1.5 degrees Celsius to ensure the best chance of meeting the UK’s Paris Agreement obligations.
3. Not just halting but reversing the decline in nature, setting nature measurably on the path to recovery by 2030.
4. Taking responsibility for our overseas footprint, both emissions and ecological
5. Prioritising nature in decision making and ending fossil fuel production and imports as rapidly as possible
6. Providing retraining for those currently working in the fossil fuel industries
7. Giving the British people a say in finding ways forward via a temporary independent and representative Climate & Nature Assembly, as part of creating consensus and ensuring that no one and no community is left behind.
BCP Council therefore resolves to:
1. Support the Climate and Nature Bill
2. Inform residents and local press/media of this decision
3. Write to the five MPs who represent our local area to inform them that this motion has been passed and to urge those who have not yet done so to support the Climate & Nature Bill
4. Write to Zero Hour, the organisers of the cross party campaign for the Climate & Nature Bill, expressing BCP Council’s support
5. Pledge to work with our communities and partners to reverse the decline in biodiversity and protect our town from climate related issues, taking this into account in all decision making
6. Request that the Environment & Place Overview & Scrutiny Committee sets up a cross party working group on Climate Action to identify our priorities with an emphasis on protecting the most vulnerable in society from the effects of climate change. This should include building officer capacity and expertise to apply for funding for Climate Action, including for developing a conurbation-wide climate action plan involving all major stakeholders by way of a local citizens assembly, forum or similar. This should also include urgently developing a Climate Adaptation plan for the conurbation, which should support and extend the climate adaptation work already going on around flooding and coastal erosion.
Minutes:
Council was advised that four motions had been received on this occasion.
Housing Targets
The following motion was submitted in accordance with Procedure Rule 9 of the Meeting Procedure Rules and was moved by Councillor Philip Broadhead and seconded by Councillor Toby Slade.
This Council therefore:
Argues strongly that housing targets should remain decided locally and not dictated by Government.
Asks the Lead Member for Local Plan Delivery to write to the Secretary of State Angela Raynor to:
We also ask the Council the publicly publish its formal response to the Government’s Consultation to the proposed revised NPPF for transparency purposes.
Councillor Marcus Andrews proposed an amendment to the motion with the addition of a fourth bullet point to read: -
This amendment was seconded by Councillor Kieran Wilson.
The proposer and seconder of the original motion advised that they accepted the amendment. Council agreement was sought to confirm the amendment as the substantive motion which was subsequently carried without dissent.
Comprehensive discussion took place on the motion with members expressing concern with regards to what was deemed to be unrealistic housing targets.
Argues strongly that housing targets should remain decided locally and not dictated by Government.
Asks the Lead Member for Local Plan Delivery to write to the Secretary of State Angela Raynor to:
We also ask the Council the publicly publish its formal response to the Government’s Consultation to the proposed revised NPPF for transparency purposes.
Voting: For:48, Against:10, Abstentions:6
Councillor Judes Butt left the meeting at 10.20pm
Remote Attendance and Proxy Voting
The following motion was submitted in accordance with Procedure Rule 9 of the Meeting Procedure Rules and was moved by Councillor Philip Broadhead and seconded by Councillor Cameron Adams.
This Council believes:
· While there are benefits to virtual and/or hybrid meetings, especially for informal meetings and training sessions, the current regulations which require a physical presence for Councillors to vote at formal meetings are sufficient.
· It is important, for formal Council meetings, for the public to see their Elected Members coming together to debate, discuss and vote on the issues in person, with the benefit of all of the information being received at the same time and in the same way. Our residents expect our physical attendance, and it would erode the accountability and view of Councillors by the public should this requirement be removed.
Comprehensive discussion took place on the motion with Councillors speaking both for and against the motion.
During the debate it was highlighted that Councillors were able respond to the consultation individually and the Leader of the Council expressed concern with regards to the submission of a collective response which may not fully reflect all members individual thoughts on the issue.
Following further discussion Councillor Joe Salmon proposed motion 11.1.13 that the question be now put. Council support was sought and agreed without dissent that the question be now put and following the summing up by the proposer of the motion the motion was put to the vote and fell with voting as set out below.
Voting: For:14, Against:44, Abstentions:6
The proposed motion fell with the voting set out as above.
Councillors Paul Hilliard and Vanessa Ricketts left the meeting at 10.42pm
Van life – Supporting all communities
The following motion was submitted in accordance with Procedure Rule 9 of the Meeting Procedure Rules and was moved by Councillor Peter Cooper and seconded by Councillor Patrick Canavan.
In moving the motion Council was advised that amended wording had been submitted by Councillor Andy Hadley which amended the motion to read as follows: -
To this end, the Council resolves to: develop a Community Pact, requesting that the Place and Environment OSC consider the detail, for all vehicle dwellers that will:
(a) Outline a clear plan to establish designated safe parking areas with access to basic amenities for van dwellers that will provide both permanent and temporary sites for vehicle dwellers and ensure that they have secure and legal places to stay.
(b) Meet anticipated future requirements and facilitate access to essential services such as healthcare, sanitation, and education, ensuring that all residents can live safely and healthily.
(c) Set up an ongoing forum for dialogue between local communities and travellers as a safe space in which discussion can take place and issues can be resolved quickly.
(d) Promote anti-discrimination policies that protect these communities from harassment and unfair treatment, whether by private individuals or public authorities, alongside the responsibility of all concerned to abide by existing laws and expectations.
Councillor Cooper advised that the wording had been accepted by himself as the proposer and had also been accepted by the seconder of the motion. Council agreement was sought to confirm the amendment as the substantive motion which was subsequently carried without dissent.
Comprehensive discussion took place on the item following which Councillor Joe Salmon proposed motion 11.1.13 that the question be now put. Council support was sought and agreed without dissent that the question be now put and following the summing up by the proposer of the motion it was:
To this end, the Council resolves to: develop a Community Pact, requesting that the Place and Environment OSC consider the detail, for all vehicle dwellers that will:
(a) Outline a clear plan to establish designated safe parking areas with access to basic amenities for van dwellers that will provide both permanent and temporary sites for vehicle dwellers and ensure that they have secure and legal places to stay.
(b) Meet anticipated future requirements and facilitate access to essential services such as healthcare, sanitation, and education, ensuring that all residents can live safely and healthily.
(c) Set up an ongoing forum for dialogue between local communities and travellers as a safe space in which discussion can take place and issues can be resolved quickly.
(d) Promote anti-discrimination policies that protect these communities from harassment and unfair treatment, whether by private individuals or public authorities, alongside the responsibility of all concerned to abide by existing laws and expectations.
Voting: For:54, Against:0, Abstentions:7
Climate and Nature
The following motion was submitted in accordance with Procedure Rule 9 of the Meeting Procedure Rules and was moved by Councillor Kate Salmon and seconded by Councillor Chris Rigby.
In moving the motion Council was advised that amended wording had been submitted by Councillor Patrick Canavan which amended the motion to read as follows: -
BCP Council therefore resolves to:
1. Support the Climate and Nature Bill
2. Inform residents and local press/media of this decision
3. Write to the five MPs who represent our local area to inform them that this motion has been passed and to urge those who have not yet done so to support the Climate & Nature Bill
4. Write to Zero Hour, the organisers of the cross party campaign for the Climate & Nature Bill, expressing BCP Council’s support
5. Pledge to work with our communities and partners to reverse the decline in biodiversity and protect our town from climate related issues, taking this into account in all decision making
6.
Request that the Environment & Place Overview &
Scrutiny Committee sets up a cross party working group on Climate
Action to identify our priorities with an emphasis on protecting
the most vulnerable in society from the effects of climate change.
This should include building officer capacity and expertise to
apply for funding for Climate Action, including for developing a
conurbation-wide climate action plan involving all major
stakeholders by way of a local citizens assembly, forum or similar.
This should also include urgently developing a Climate Adaptation
plan for the conurbation, which should support and extend the
climate adaptation work already going on around flooding and
coastal erosion.
6. Request that within the next 12 months the Portfolio Holder for Climate Response, Environment & Energy commission a review of all targets and objectives relating to the climate and nature crises within the BCP Corporate Plan, to ensure a) that they are SMART and b) that all aspects of these two critical issues over which the Council has influence are fully addressed within the Plan. Objectives should include building officer capacity and expertise to apply for funding for Climate Action, including for developing a conurbation-wide climate action plan involving all major stakeholders by way of a local citizens assembly, forum or similar. This should also include urgently developing a Climate Adaptation plan for the conurbation, which should support and extend the climate adaptation work already going on around flooding and coastal erosion
7. Request that the Environment & Place Overview & Scrutiny Committee determines a scrutiny process focused on the relevant key priorities within the Corporate Plan, with an emphasis on protecting the most vulnerable in society from the effects of climate change.
Councillor Salmon advised that the wording had been accepted by herself as the proposer and had also been accepted by the seconder of the motion. Council agreement was sought to confirm the amendment as the substantive motion which was subsequently carried without dissent.
Comprehensive discussion took place following which Councillor Joe Salmon proposed motion 11.1.13 that the question be now put. Council support was sought and agreed without dissent that the question be now put and following the summing up by the proposer of the motion it was:
BCP Council therefore resolves to:
1. Support the Climate and Nature Bill
2. Inform residents and local press/media of this decision
3. Write to the five MPs who represent our local area to inform them that this motion has been passed and to urge those who have not yet done so to support the Climate & Nature Bill
4. Write to Zero Hour, the organisers of the cross party campaign for the Climate & Nature Bill, expressing BCP Council’s support
5. Pledge to work with our communities and partners to reverse the decline in biodiversity and protect our town from climate related issues, taking this into account in all decision making
6. Request that within the next 12 months the Portfolio Holder for Climate Response, Environment & Energy commission a review of all targets and objectives relating to the climate and nature crises within the BCP Corporate Plan, to ensure a) that they are SMART and b) that all aspects of these two critical issues over which the Council has influence are fully addressed within the Plan. Objectives should include building officer capacity and expertise to apply for funding for Climate Action, including for developing a conurbation-wide climate action plan involving all major stakeholders by way of a local citizens assembly, forum or similar. This should also include urgently developing a Climate Adaptation plan for the conurbation, which should support and extend the climate adaptation work already going on around flooding and coastal erosion
7. Request that the Environment & Place Overview & Scrutiny Committee determines a scrutiny process focused on the relevant key priorities within the Corporate Plan, with an emphasis on protecting the most vulnerable in society from the effects of climate change.
Voting: For:59, Against:0, Abstentions:2
Councillors Alasdair Keddie, Chris Rigby and Tony Trent left the meeting at 11.15pm