The following Motions have been received in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 14.1 and 14.2, the details of which are set out below:
Motion One
This is from the Green and Liberal Democrat Group.
The Council declared a Climate Emergency at Full Council in January 2020. Whilst welcoming much good ecological work that is ongoing, such as tree planting and the planned creation of Green Infrastructure, further action is required. The Council will review and update the bio-diversity policies within the Local Plan, informed by a new Bio-Diversity Action Plan 2021-2026 to be created. This Action Plan to include consideration of the following:
· A local Nature Reserve site map, showing existing wildlife areas, parks, green spaces, woods and marine protected and other areas such as churchyards and school fields, to inform new development and ensure habitat is joined up.
· Reviewing recognised and potential wildlife corridors and areas of protection and looking at ways of joining them to provide wider foraging areas.
· SPD covering new guidelines for developers on including wild areas and ‘pocket parks’ as part of planting as well as ensuring the areas are maintained. With such high levels of building, these areas will ensure stepping-stones of bio-diversity across the district.
· Ensuring the increased planting of wild areas in council owned parks and properties
· Including information for the public about the purpose and importance of wilding
· Managing invasive species
· Promoting opportunities for community engagement for activities such as tree planting and the creation of wildflower areas as well as looking after such spaces
· Launching a public awareness campaign to encourage and promote wildlife-friendly gardening in the district, including pesticide awareness
· Setting a target for the council to phase out the use of glyphosates and to join the growing number of councils that are pesticide free
· Commissioning a report into watercourses and aquifers in the district and strengthening measures to prevent pollution caused by chemicals that leach into the soil and water from farming and run off
Motion Two
This is from the Conservative Group:
This Council recognises the impact Covid-19 continues to have across the District, and in particular the economic uncertainty it has presented. Council notes the continuing opportunity for Bognor Regis to play a major part in the economic growth of the District and the necessary regeneration required to support such growth.
Council believes that the prospects of regeneration of Bognor Regis will be strengthened if proposals are developed through an open and meaningful consultation, and that all prospective developers are given the opportunity to make presentations to the viability of regeneration schemes.
This Council wishes to extend an invitation to the Sir Richard Hotham Project (SRHP), and any other prospective developer to present the merits of their scheme in a presentation, face to face, or virtual, at their earliest convenience.
Officers are instructed to facilitate such arrangements.
Minutes:
Prior to the commencement of this item, the Chairman called a five- minute adjournment.
The Chairman confirmed that two Motions had been received and accepted as valid in accordance with Council Procedure Rules 14.1 and 14.2.
The Chairman confirmed that the first Motion had been submitted from the Green and Liberal Democrat Groups and she invited the proposer, Councillor Ms Thurston to present her Motion.
Councillor Ms Thurston outlined that this Motion had been delayed from the 18 March 2020 Full Council meeting which had been cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic. She emphasised that many people had, during the lockdown period, valued wildlife more with some species benefitting from a pause in human activity, however this had been only been a short pause.
This Motion was very timely as the UN’s report on Biodiversity had just been published and recent television programmes starring David Attenborough had addressed the real threat that some plants were threatened with extinction which was a major concern. This confirmed that the United Kingdom was one of the more nature depleted countries in the world with over half of its species being in decline caused by climate change, a loss of habitat and due to the impact of infrastructure and road building on natural habitats.
The Council’s Local Plan stated that it would protect the District’s land however it was currently the case that many examples were being overridden by conflicting demands – all too often a wildlife site was marooned and surrounded by development impacting local species. Arun was an area that was lucky to have rare chalk streams and sites of specific scientific interest as well as traditional farmland and a beautiful coastline. At the same time, more and more pressure was being put onto the Council to build on some of these areas and this threat would continue to increase.
This Motion sought to raise the profile of biodiversity moving forward and it sought to ensure that part of the work that the Council would be undertaking in addressing its climate emergency would seek to protect and enhance natural habitats. The Government’s Environmental Bill recognised some of these problems and proposed a Nature Recovery Strategy together with funding for local authorities to protect biodiversity. If accepted, the Motion would put the Council into a good position to start work and when funding became available.
A lot of work had commenced but the Motion would bring the objectives that the Council needed to achieve together in the form of a Biodiversity Action Plan.
Councillor Mrs Staniforth then seconded the Motion.
The wording of the Motion has been set out below:
The Council declared a Climate Emergency at Full Council in January 2020. Whilst welcoming much good ecological work that is ongoing, such as tree planting and the planned creation of Green Infrastructure, further action is required. The Council will review and update the bio-diversity policies within the Local Plan, informed by a new Bio-Diversity Action Plan 2021-2026 to be created. This Action Plan to include consideration of the following:
· A local Nature Reserve site map, showing existing wildlife areas, parks, green spaces, woods and marine protected and other areas such as churchyards and school fields, to inform new development and ensure habitat is joined up.
· Reviewing recognised and potential wildlife corridors and areas of protection and looking at ways of joining them to provide wider foraging areas.
· SPD covering new guidelines for developers on including wild areas and ‘pocket parks’ as part of planting as well as ensuring the areas are maintained. With such high levels of building, these areas will ensure stepping-stones of biodiversity across the District.
· Ensuring the increased planting of wild areas in Council owned parks and properties
· Including information for the public about the purpose and importance of wilding
· Managing invasive species
· Promoting opportunities for community engagement for activities such as tree planting and the creation of wildflower areas as well as looking after such spaces
· Launching a public awareness campaign to encourage and promote wildlife-friendly gardening in the district, including pesticide awareness
· Setting a target for the council to phase out the use of glyphosates and to join the growing number of councils that are pesticide free
· Commissioning a report into watercourses and aquifers in the District and strengthening measures to prevent pollution caused by chemicals that leach into the soil and water from farming and run off
The Chairman then invited debate on the Motion. This saw many positive comments being made and support given. Councillors recognised the importance of the Motion and confirmed that if supported, it would show how serious the Council was about tackling its climate change emergency. Many were in support of establishing a public awareness campaign to promote wildlife friendly gardening. It was hoped that a dialogue with local nurseries could be developed to help residents know the best seeds and plants to put in their gardens to encourage wildlife.
There were some Councillors who although supported the sentiments of the Motion, reminded Members that much of what was being proposed was already the subject of Policy adopted by the Council. The Biodiversity duty of Local Authorities had been Government produced in 2014 and pre-dated the inspection on the Council’s Local Plan which would have not been recommended for adoption if it had not conformed with Government Policy. Of concern was that no costings had been supplied to produce this action plan. It had been hoped that the Council’s Section 151 Officer would have been approached to provide an indicative cost to assist Members with their decision making. Another issue to consider was what other resources might be needed. The engagement of professional consultants and the need for the Council to engage with other authorities were issues to consider. Councillors confirmed that they did not reject the sentiment of the Motion but would feel more comfortable to understand full costs to also include Officer resources in undertaking the required work. This was an important point that needed to be addressed as the Council was facing many serious financial pressures as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.
In supporting the Motion, Councillors urged for work to take place with farmers and the District’s agricultural industry to tackle the prevention of using harmful chemicals. Others felt that there was the need to support creating space for nature and water and for people to enjoy the local environment. The issue of tackling evasive species needed to be a priority to protect plants that assisted wildlife. A view was made that a budget should be established to support this work and that the Council should reach out to countryside charities and experts who may be willing to volunteer their expertise. The work of other voluntary groups should be considered in assisting with pushing this work forward and it was recognised that there were groups in existence that already assisted the Council with planting wildflower gardens that could protect and sustain certain species. It was felt that a lot of work could be achieved by working with different groups which could tap into revenue funding whilst having a minimal cost for the Council.
Councillor Cooper then proposed that ‘the question be now put’. Although this was not seconded, the Chairman confirmed that she was satisfied that the Motion had been sufficiently discussed.
Councillor Mrs Staniforth, as seconder to the Motion, was therefore invited to speak and she confirmed that the Motion would bring to the forefront of people’s minds the importance of remembering wildlife and biodiversity when building in the area. The climate change situation was constantly changing due and so this Motion confirmed that the cost of not doing anything would be a far worse situation to deal with.
Councillor Ms Thurston, as proposer of the Motion, thanked Councillors for their support and helpful suggestions and ideas. She understood the concerns expressed over costs and confirmed that she had decided not to approach the Council’s Section 151 Officer as it would have been difficult for him to have confirmed an accurate figure at a time when there could be more funding opportunities for the Council to consider in addressing this work. It was hoped that this would be a six-year rolling ambition and that funds could be set aside in next year’s Budget. The new Sustainable Officer, when recruited, would address what funding could be applied for and would pull together a plan to address the ideas put forward.
The Council
RESOLVED – That
The Council declared a Climate Emergency at Full Council in January 2020. Whilst welcoming much good ecological work that is ongoing, such as tree planting and the planned creation of Green Infrastructure, further action is required. The Council will review and update the bio-diversity policies within the Local Plan, informed by a new Bio-Diversity Action Plan 2021-2026 to be created. This Action Plan to include consideration of the following:
· A local Nature Reserve site map, showing existing wildlife areas, parks, green spaces, woods and marine protected and other areas such as churchyards and school fields, to inform new development and ensure habitat is joined up.
· Reviewing recognised and potential wildlife corridors and areas of protection and looking at ways of joining them to provide wider foraging areas.
· SPD covering new guidelines for developers on including wild areas and ‘pocket parks’ as part of planting as well as ensuring the areas are maintained. With such high levels of building, these areas will ensure stepping-stones of biodiversity across the District.
· Ensuring the increased planting of wild areas in Council owned parks and properties
· Including information for the public about the purpose and importance of wilding
· Managing invasive species
· Promoting opportunities for community engagement for activities such as tree planting and the creation of wildflower areas as well as looking after such spaces
· Launching a public awareness campaign to encourage and promote wildlife-friendly gardening in the district, including pesticide awareness
· Setting a target for the council to phase out the use of glyphosates and to join the growing number of councils that are pesticide free
· Commissioning a report into watercourses and aquifers in the District and strengthening measures to prevent pollution caused by chemicals that leach into the soil and water from farming and run off
(During the course of the debate on Motion 1, Councillor Blanchard-Cooper declared a Personal Interest as he was Chairman of the Friends of Mewsbrook Park Group that assisted the Council with planting projects in that Park).
The Chairman confirmed that a second Motion had been received from the Conservative Group and she invited Councillor Roberts, as proposer of the Motion, to present his Motion.
The wording of the Motion presented is as set out below:
This Council recognises the impact Covid-19 continues to have across the District, and the economic uncertainty it has presented. Council notes the continuing opportunity for Bognor Regis to play a major part in the economic growth of the District and the necessary regeneration required to support such growth.
Council believes that the prospects of regeneration of Bognor Regis will be strengthened if proposals are developed through an open and meaningful consultation, and that all prospective developers are given the opportunity to make presentations to the viability of regeneration schemes.
This Council wishes to extend an invitation to the Sir Richard Hotham Project (SRHP), and any other prospective developer to present the merits of their scheme in a presentation, face to face, or virtual, at their earliest convenience.
Officers are instructed to facilitate such arrangements.
Councillor Roberts confirmed that he wished to amend his Motion and
that he asked for his amendment to be displayed for all to see at
the meeting. The amendment is set out below with deletions shown
using strikethrough and additions shown using
bold.
This Council recognises the impact Covid-19 continues to have across the District, and in particular the economic uncertainty it has presented. Council notes the continuing opportunity for Bognor Regis to play a major part in the economic growth of the District and the necessary regeneration required to support such growth.
Council believes that the prospects of regeneration of Bognor Regis will be strengthened if proposals are developed through an open and meaningful consultation, and that all prospective developers are given the opportunity to make presentations to the viability of regeneration schemes.
This Council wishes to extend an invitation to the Sir Richard Hotham Project (SRHP), aka project sunrise and any other forthcoming, or previous stakeholder, be it a developer, architect, development partner, the Council or community group, to present the merits of their scheme in a presentation, face to face, or virtual, at their earliest convenience. This Council will be open to requests to make such presentations up until and including 13 November 2020. Group Leaders will meet separately to discuss and agree the process in detail.
Officers are instructed to facilitate such arrangements.
Councillor Roberts confirmed that his Motion focused on three issues, being purpose, process and payoff. Its purpose was to help achieve the regeneration that Bognor Regis deserved and had been promised but had not been progressed. Its process was that it had to be recognised that currently everyone was living in uncertain times and that regeneration would be good for the economic growth for the whole of the District with the proposals being developed through open and meaningful consultation with all interested parties being given the same opportunity to present schemes . Although it was accepted that specific mention had been made of one scheme, it was important to note that consultation would be inclusive and open for all. In terms of the amendment, this would allow an invitation to be made for all to present ideas at the earliest convenience by indicating an intention on or before and by 13 November 2020 whilst also instructing Officers to progress this work by following Members’ instructions. The payoff would be the retransformation of Bognor Regis into a vibrant and successful resort making it a national holiday destination once again which in turn would create jobs and boost the local economy for the authority.
Talking to the amendment, Councillor Roberts confirmed that it invited forthcoming or previous stakeholders to submit their ideas up until and including 13 November 2020. Group Leaders would then meet separately to discuss and agree the process in detail. Councillor Roberts then explained his reasoning for mentioning the SRHP stating that there had not been a Council vote to reject the project and that the Council had a duty of care to hear from SRHP and any other schemes so that the Council could then act in the best interests of the District and allow all developers/groups to have the same opportunity to present the merits of their proposals.
The Chief Executive raised a query in terms of the
wording of the amendment as presented by Councillor
Roberts. Councillor Roberts was asked
to reconfirm the wording of his amendment which is set out below-
deletions have been show using strikethrough and additions
have been show using bold:
This Council recognises the impact Covid-19 continues to have across the District, and in particular the economic uncertainty it has presented. Council notes the continuing opportunity for Bognor Regis to play a major part in the economic growth of the District and the necessary regeneration required to support such growth.
Council believes that the prospects of regeneration of Bognor Regis will be strengthened if proposals are developed through an open and meaningful consultation, and that all prospective developers are given the opportunity to make presentations to the viability of regeneration schemes.
This
Council wishes to extend an invitation to the Sir Richard Hotham
Project (SRHP), aka Project Sunrise and any other
forthcoming , or previous stakeholder, be it a developer,
architect, development partner, the Council or community group, to
present the merits of their scheme in a presentation, face to face,
or virtual, at their earliest convenience prospective
developer to present the merits of their scheme in a presentation,
face to face, or virtual, at their earliest
convenience. This Council will be open to requests to
make such presentations up until and including 13 November
2020. Group Leaders will meet
separately to discuss and agree the process in
detail.
Officers are instructed to facilitate such arrangements.
Councillor Roberts confirmed that this wording, his amendment, was correct and that he had a seconder in Councillor Dendle.
Councillor Coster raised a Point of Order seeking clarification on whether this amendment would be voted upon now without discussion or debated as a substantive motion.
Various questions were then asked in terms of the process that would be followed in considering the motion as amended. The Chief Executive provided advice.
Councillor Dendle then seconded the Motion as amended.
The Chairman then invited debate. Councillor Coster stated that this now appeared to be the substantive motion and that there did not appear to be an opportunity to discuss the amendment made. If this was the substantive motion, he wished to propose that in line with Council Procedure Rule 16.11 [Motions which may be moved during debate] (e) to adjourn the debate to a future meeting so that full clarity could be provided on the proposals as the amendment proposed was confusing.
Points of Order were raised by Councillors Dendle and Roberts as the seconder and proposer of the tabled amendment in which they stated that the motion as amended needed to be discussed now.
The advice of the Chief Executive was sought. Working to Council Procedure Rule 16.7 [Amendments to Motions], it was confirmed that Councillor Robert’s amendment which had been proposed and seconded would be debated first, any subsequent amendments would then be considered in the order received.
Following more Points of Orders raised, and questions asked about process, the Chairman confirmed that the amendment would now be debated, and a vote taken.
More Points of Orders were raised in relation to the motion that had been moved by Councillor Coster and seconded by Councillor Dixon. The Chief Executive reinforced his advice already given from the Constitution at Council Procedure Rule 16.7 [Amendments to Motions].
The Chairman confirmed that she would now invite debate on the Motion as amended.
This saw many Councillors raising their concern that the invitation to present a scheme specifically named the SRHP. It was felt that this gave an unfair advantage and was not democratic and did not make the exercise a level playing field. Many Councillors confirmed that they could support the Motion, as amended, but without mentioning the SRHP. Other Councillors disagreed stating that the Motion, as amended, still provided ample opportunity for all groups to make a request to present their schemes.
Concern was also expressed that the Motion did not specifically refer to what sites any schemes would relate to and that it was could be difficult to agree to any Motion without naming sites and areas. Concern was also raised over the stipulated deadline which was felt to be too restrictive. It was hoped that the deadline would not prevent ideas from being submitted outside of the District.
Further Points of Order were again raised by Councillors Coster and Roberts. Having heard these, the Chairman confirmed that she wished to continue with the debate.
Further Points of Order were raised, advice was provided by the Chief Executive and the Chairman confirmed that she wished to continue with the debate.
The debate continued. This saw some Councillors confirming that they supported the core principles of the motion but did not feel easy about accepting specifying a developer to engage with, this was felt to be inappropriate meaning that the amendment did not achieve fairness.
Further debate took place with Councillor Gunner providing some explanation as to why the amendment had been made. The list for prospective parties had been extended to make it more inclusive. The deadline of 13 November 2020 was to submit an intention to make a presentation, not to submit any final detail of a presentation. This was to make sure that regeneration would eventually happen within a reasonable timeframe. Reassurance was provided to Councillors on the process to be followed which was that Group Leaders would meet to discuss and agree on the process to take regeneration forward.
Councillor Gunner confirmed that he would be happy, as Leader of the Opposition and Conservative Group, to remove mention of the SRHP if he could receive a ‘cast iron’ guarantee from the Leader of the Council that the SRHP would be invited to present their regeneration plans. Without receiving this guarantee, it would be necessary to leave reference to SRHP in the motion.
Councillor Dr Walsh confirmed that he would be willing to provide an absolute guarantee that this administration would convene a virtual meeting for all Councillors to attend inviting all interested parties to make their presentations. A similar guarantee was sought from the Chief Executive.
The Chairman asked Councillors Roberts and Dendle as the proposer and seconder to the Motion how they wished to proceed in view of the guarantees made. Following considerable discussion, it was agreed to continue with the debate and then move to the vote on the then amended motion, if approved.
Following further debate and Points of Order made, the Chairman confirmed that she would now put the motion to the vote.
Depending upon the outcome of the vote, the Council could then consider moving forward with any other requests.
Before proceeding with the vote, the Chairman invited Councillor Dendle to speak, as seconder to the motion. Councillor Dendle outlined that Bognor Regis was crying out for regeneration and had been for many years. The motion, and the amendments made, attempted to make the process as inclusive as possible. Group Leaders would then out the protocols and procedures to establish how to take this work forward.
Councillor Roberts, as proposer to the motion, outlined that the motion had been drafted to push forward regeneration. It provided the opportunity for the Council to hear from everyone and anyone.
A request was made that the named vote undertaken on this item be recorded.
Those voting for the Motion, as amended, were Councillors Bennett, Bicknell, Blanchard-Cooper, Bower, Brooks, Buckland, Charles, Clayden, Mrs Cooper, Cooper, Mrs Daniells, Dendle, Edwards, Elkins, English, Goodheart, Gunner, Mrs Haywood, Hughes, Jones, Kelly, Lury, Mrs Madeley, Miss Needs, Northeast, Oliver-Redgate, Mrs Pendleton, Purchese, Roberts, Mrs Staniforth, Stanley, Tilbrook, Dr Walsh, Mrs Warr, Mr Worne and Mrs Yeates (36). Those voting against were Councillors Huntley and Mrs Stainton (2). Councillor Ms Thurston abstained from voting.
The Motion as amended was therefore CARRIED.
The Chairman then returned to the motion as amended and invited debate. This saw Councillors expressing the desire to remove reference to the SRHP as discussed earlier.
Councillor Dr Walsh confirmed that he wished to make an amendment to what was now the substantive motion which was to remove the words “Sir Richard Hotham Project (SRHP) aka Project Sunrise and any other” after the words invitation – as set out below:
This Council recognises the impact Covid-19 continues to have across the District, and in particular the economic uncertainty it has presented. Council notes the continuing opportunity for Bognor Regis to play a major part in the economic growth of the District and the necessary regeneration required to support such growth.
Council believes that the prospects of regeneration of Bognor Regis will be strengthened if proposals are developed through an open and meaningful consultation, and that all prospective developers are given the opportunity to make presentations to the viability of regeneration schemes.
This
Council wishes to extend an invitation to the Sir Richard Hotham
Project (SRHP), aka Project Sunrise and any other any
forthcoming , or previous stakeholder, be it a developer,
architect, development partner, the Council or community group, to
present the merits of their scheme in a presentation, face to face,
or virtual, at their earliest convenience This Council will be open
to requests to make such presentations up until and including 13
November 2020. Group Leaders will meet
separately to discuss and agree the process in detail.
Officers are instructed to facilitate such arrangements
Councillor Oppler seconded this amendment.
Councillor Dr Walsh explained that he wanted to see regeneration proposals coming forward for Bognor Regis. This amendment made it clear that not just one specific project was being mentioned and that all previous and new proposals could come forward with an approach to the Council, without giving any preference to any scheme.
At this point, Councillor Dendle challenged the process claiming that he had proposed that the ‘question now be put’ but had been ignored.
Following further challenges made about the process followed, the Chairman confirmed that it was her view that the debate should continue. There was confusion as to whether what was being debated was the amended motion or the substantive. The advice of the Chief Executive was sought.
Debate continued. This showed support for the further amendment as it removed any question of bias towards one developer.
Following some further discussion, the Chairman then requested a recorded vote to be taken on the amendment made to the substantive motion.
Those voting for were Councillors Bennett, Bicknell, Blanchard-Cooper, Bower, Brooks, Buckland, Charles, Clayden, Mrs Cooper, Cooper, Mrs Daniells, Dendle, Edwards, Elkins, English, Goodheart, Gunner, Mrs Hamilton, Mrs Haywood, Hughes, Huntley, Jones, Kelly, Lury, Mrs Madeley, Miss Needs, Northeast, Oppler, Mrs Pendleton, Purchese, Roberts, Mrs Staniforth, Stanley, Ms Thurston, Dr Walsh, Mrs Warr, Mr Worne and Mrs Yeates (38). No Councillors voted against and there were no abstentions.
The substantive motion as amended was therefore declared CARRIED.
Returning to the substantive motion as amended, clarification was sought that the SRHP project would be invited to make a presentation. This was supported and confirmed. The Chairman then moved to the vote and the motion was declared CARRIED.
The Council
RESOLVED – That
This Council recognises the impact Covid-19 continues to have across the District, and in particular the economic uncertainty it has presented. Council notes the continuing opportunity for Bognor Regis to play a major part in the economic growth of the District and the necessary regeneration required to support such growth.
The Council believes that the prospects of regeneration of Bognor Regis will be strengthened if proposals are developed through an open and meaningful consultation, and that all prospective developers are given the opportunity to make presentations to the viability of regeneration schemes.
This Council wishes to extend an invitation to any forthcoming, or previous stakeholder, be it a developer, architect, development partner, the Council or community group, to present the merits of their scheme in a presentation, face to face, or virtual, at their earliest convenienceThis Council will be open to requests to make such presentations up until and including 13 November 2020. Group Leaders will meet separately to discuss and agree the process in detail.
Officers are instructed to facilitate such arrangements