to consider the following motions received in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 10.1
a) From Cllrs Bastone and Holway
1. This Council supports the adoption of the Healthy Homes principles and notes:
• The powerful evidence which demonstrates the link between people’s homes and their health, wellbeing and life chances.
• That the COVID-19 emergency has reinforced the need for healthy environments which provide space for recreation, children’s play and walkable streets.
• That well-designed homes that meet all our citizens’ needs over their lifetimes can radically reduce costs to NHS and social care budgets.
• That people have a basic right to live in environments free from unacceptable pollution.
• That homes must be affordable to heat and built to as near zero carbon standards as possible.
• That current government policy to deregulate planning is creating thousands of substandard homes through conversion of existing buildings into homes through permitted development.
• That this council is determined to create the highest quality places for residents which will be a fitting legacy for future generations.
2. This Council agrees (or to the extent that the below concern Executive functions, recommends to the Executive) to:
• Adopt the Healthy Homes Principles so that:
• all new homes must be safe in relation to the risk of fire;
• all new homes must have, as a minimum, the liveable space required to meet the needs of people over their whole lifetimes, including adequate internal and external storage space;
• all main living areas and bedrooms of a new dwelling must have access to natural light;
• all new homes and their surroundings must be designed to be inclusive, accessible, and adaptable to suit the needs of all;
• all new homes should be built within places that prioritise and provide access to sustainable transport and walkable services, including green infrastructure and play space;
• all new homes must secure radical reductions in carbon emissions in line with the provisions of the Climate Change Act 2008;
• all new homes must demonstrate how they will be resilient to a changing climate over their full lifetime;
• all new homes must be built to design out crime and be secure;
• all new homes must be free from unacceptable and intrusive noise and light pollution;
• all new homes must not contribute to unsafe or illegal levels of indoor or ambient air pollution and must be built to minimise, and where possible eliminate, the harmful impacts of air pollution on human health and the environment, and;
• all new homes must be designed to provide year-round thermal comfort for inhabitants.
• Review all policies, processes and procedures to ensure that new homes meet the requirements of the principles. Draw up a list of appropriate suggested changes to any JLP polices in time for when work begins on the JLP first revision, detailing how South Hams, with partner LPAs, envisages delivering on the requirements of these principles.
• Review the corporate plan to ensure the healthy homes principles are a priority.
• Make the principles an integral part of activity throughout the council, including all decision making on housing and planning in so far as policy will permit.
• Investigate ways to ensure that future local plans ensure that all new development is in line with the Healthy Homes Principles at the earliest possible date.
3. This Council calls on the Government to:
• Return full powers of conversion of buildings to residential use to local Planning Authorities requiring full planning applications to be submitted.
• Support the Heathy Homes Bill being promoted by Baron Nigel Crisp.
b) By Cllrs Hopwood and Austin
‘All types of businesses from the cake maker to the carpenter play a major role in our communities. They help to support economic growth from the ground up. Following the pandemic, these often innovative and dynamic small businesses are going to be key to our recovery.
The principle of shopping locally and supporting local trades is something that we can all do as we support each other to grow and thrive in the coming years and that can begin as local as your own street, community or village. As a Council (and elected Members) we can support and encourage support local and be ‘Support Local’ advocates within our communities.’
c) By Cllrs Pannell and Abbott
‘Recognising the duty placed on Members of the Council “to represent their communities and bring their views into the Council’s decision making process”, “act as an advocate for constituents” and ”to contribute to the good governance of the area” (Articles of the Constitution 2.3 Roles and functions of all Councillors) Council resolves to amend, with immediate effect, the Council Constitution to give Members more opportunity to ask questions, thus:
1. ORDINARY MEETINGS:
In addition to the annual meeting, delete three and insert five ordinary meetings of the Council will take place in accordance with a programme decided at the Council’s annual meeting. (Part 4: Rules of Procedure: Council Procedure Rules).
2. MEETINGS OF THE EXECUTIVE
2.3.2 Members of the public may speak only to ask questions at the start of the meeting in accordance with Article 3 of the Council’s Constitution and the guidance currently in place. Add “and Members of the Council may ask questions at the start of the meeting”; and
2.4 What business? At each meeting of the Executive, the following business will be conducted: i) consideration of the minutes of the last meeting; ii) declarations of interest, if any; iii) public questions; insert iv) Members’ questions, v) the Executive Forward Plan etc.”
Minutes:
43/20
It was noted that four motions had been received in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 10:
(a) By Cllrs Bastone and Holway
1. ‘This Council supports the adoption of the Healthy Homes principles and notes:
§ The powerful evidence which demonstrates the link between people’s homes and their health, wellbeing and life chances;
§ That the COVID-19 emergency has reinforced the need for healthy environments which provide space for recreation, children’s play and walkable streets.
§ That well-designed homes that meet all our citizens’ needs over their lifetimes can radically reduce costs to NHS and social care budgets.
§ That people have a basic right to live in environments free from unacceptable pollution.
§ That homes must be affordable to heat and built to as near zero carbon standards as possible.
§ That current government policy to deregulate planning is creating thousands of substandard homes through conversion of existing buildings into homes through permitted development.
§ That this council is determined to create the highest quality places for residents which will be a fitting legacy for future generations.
2. This Council agrees (or to the extent that the below concern Executive functions, recommends to the Executive) to:
· Adopt the Healthy Homes Principle so that:
o all new homes must be safe in relation to the risk of fire;
o all new homes must have, as a minimum, the liveable space required to meet the needs of people over their whole lifetimes, including adequate internal and external storage space;
o all main living areas and bedrooms of a new dwelling must have access to natural light;
o all new homes and their surroundings must be designed to be inclusive, accessible, and adaptable to suit the needs of all;
o all new homes should be built within places that prioritise and provide access to sustainable transport and walkable services, including green infrastructure and play space;
o all new homes must secure radical reductions in carbon emissions in line with the provisions of the Climate Change Act 2008;
o all new homes must demonstrate how they will be resilient to a changing climate over their full lifetime;
o all new homes must be built to design out crime and be secure;
o all new homes must be free from unacceptable and intrusive noise and light pollution;
o all new homes must not contribute to unsafe or illegal levels of indoor or ambient air pollution and must be built to minimise, and where possible eliminate, the harmful impacts of air pollution on human health and the environment, and;
o all new homes must be designed to provide year-round thermal comfort for inhabitants;
· Review all policies, processes and procedures to ensure that new homes meet the requirements of the principles. Draw up a list of appropriate suggested changes to any JLP polices in time for when work begins on the JLP first revision, detailing how South Hams, with partner LPAs, envisages delivering on the requirements of these principles;
· Review the corporate plan to ensure the healthy homes principles are a priority;
· Make the principles an integral part of activity throughout the council, including all decision making on housing and planning in so far as policy will permit; and
· Investigate ways to ensure that future local plans ensure that all new development is in line with the Healthy Homes Principles at the earliest possible date.
3. This Council calls on the Government to:
§ Return full powers of conversion of buildings to residential use to local Planning Authorities requiring full planning applications to be submitted; and
§ Support the Heathy Homes Bill being promoted by Baron Nigel Crisp.’
In discussion, the importance of this motion was recognised and the proposer and seconder were thanked for bringing it forward.
It was then:
RESOLVED
1. This Council supports the adoption of the Healthy Homes principles and notes:
· The powerful evidence which demonstrates the link between people’s homes and their health, wellbeing and life chances;
· That the COVID-19 emergency has reinforced the need for healthy environments which provide space for recreation, children’s play and walkable streets.
· That well-designed homes that meet all our citizens’ needs over their lifetimes can radically reduce costs to NHS and social care budgets.
· That people have a basic right to live in environments free from unacceptable pollution.
· That homes must be affordable to heat and built to as near zero carbon standards as possible.
· That current government policy to deregulate planning is creating thousands of substandard homes through conversion of existing buildings into homes through permitted development.
· That this council is determined to create the highest quality places for residents which will be a fitting legacy for future generations.
2. This Council agrees (or to the extent that the below concern Executive functions, recommends to the Executive) to:
· Adopt the Healthy Homes Principle so that:
§ all new homes must be safe in relation to the risk of fire;
§ all new homes must have, as a minimum, the liveable space required to meet the needs of people over their whole lifetimes, including adequate internal and external storage space;
§ all main living areas and bedrooms of a new dwelling must have access to natural light;
§ all new homes and their surroundings must be designed to be inclusive, accessible, and adaptable to suit the needs of all;
§ all new homes should be built within places that prioritise and provide access to sustainable transport and walkable services, including green infrastructure and play space;
§ all new homes must secure radical reductions in carbon emissions in line with the provisions of the Climate Change Act 2008;
§ all new homes must demonstrate how they will be resilient to a changing climate over their full lifetime;
§ all new homes must be built to design out crime and be secure;
§ all new homes must be free from unacceptable and intrusive noise and light pollution;
§ all new homes must not contribute to unsafe or illegal levels of indoor or ambient air pollution and must be built to minimise, and where possible eliminate, the harmful impacts of air pollution on human health and the environment, and;
§ all new homes must be designed to provide year-round thermal comfort for inhabitants;
· Review all policies, processes and procedures to ensure that new homes meet the requirements of the principles. Draw up a list of appropriate suggested changes to any JLP polices in time for when work begins on the JLP first revision, detailing how South Hams, with partner LPAs, envisages delivering on the requirements of these principles;
· Review the corporate plan to ensure the healthy homes principles are a priority;
· Make the principles an integral part of activity throughout the council, including all decision making on housing and planning in so far as policy will permit; and
· Investigate ways to ensure that future local plans ensure that all new development is in line with the Healthy Homes Principles at the earliest possible date.
3. This Council calls on the Government to:
· Return full powers of conversion of buildings to residential use to local Planning Authorities requiring full planning applications to be submitted; and
· Support the Heathy Homes Bill being promoted by Baron Nigel Crisp.
(c) By Cllrs Pannell and Abbott
‘Recognising the duty placed on Members of the Council “to represent their communities and bring their views into the Council’s decision making process”, “act as an advocate for constituents” and ”to contribute to the good governance of the area” (Articles of the Constitution 2.3 Roles and functions of all Councillors) Council resolves to amend, with immediate effect, the Council Constitution to give Members more opportunity to ask questions, thus:
1. ORDINARY MEETINGS:
In addition to the annual meeting, delete three and insert five ordinary meetings of the Council will take place in accordance with a programme decided at the Council’s annual meeting. (Part 4: Rules of Procedure: Council Procedure Rules).
2. MEETINGS OF THE EXECUTIVE
2.3.2 Members of the public may speak only to ask questions at the start of the meeting in accordance with Article 3 of the Council’s Constitution and the guidance currently in place. Add “and Members of the Council may ask questions at the start of the meeting”; and
1.4 What business? At each meeting of the Executive, the following business will be conducted: i) consideration of the minutes of the last meeting; ii) declarations of interest, if any; iii) public questions; insert iv) Members’ questions, v) the Executive Forward Plan etc.”
As stated earlier in the meeting (Minute 40/20 above refers), it was noted that this Motion on Notice had been withdrawn by its proposer and seconder.