To consider Notices of Motion.

Motion 1 – Review of Governance Models

 

In moving the motion Councillor Alan Seldon made the following points:

 

·         The Council would be the first unitary authority to implement the committee system if this was the outcome of the review;

·         The review would be undertaken by the audit and governance committee which would ensure that the process was open and transparent; and

·         The working group would be cross-party and would consider a number of options of governance models including the committee system.

 

The following principal points were raised during the debate:

 

·         The motion would not be supported if the role of the working group was to introduce the committee system, it was understood that the review would consider a number of governance model examples.

·         The experience of other councils introduction of the committee system was raised and the potential issues involved in its introduction at a top tier authority;

·         Any model that was introduced should ensure that effective member engagement was realised;

·         The proposed review was welcomed but the length of time before the recommendations of the working group were made was queried and whether a faster timeframe should be considered;

·         A committee system would involve a large number of meetings which could be lengthy;

·         Any changes which members wanted to see made to current practices to bring about improvements were encouraged. Such changes need not be reliant on the outcomes of the review of governance models;

 

Councillor Jim Kenyon proposed an amendment to the motion to include a review of the number of councillors in the county in the work of the working group. The proposal was ruled out of order by the Chairman as it did not concern a function of the Council.

 

The debate continued as below

 

·         It was important that the review took into account the potential cost to the Council of a change in Governance Model.

·         The Executive should ensure that a reasonable and comprehensive budget existed for the operation of the working group.

·         The review would ensure that the work of the Council was transparent.

·         The working group would look at the example of other areas and determine what was best for the Council.

·         The committee system was a good model to ensure that decision making was undertaken across party lines and that common ground was found on decisions of the Council;

 

In seconding the motion Councillor Felicity Norman made the following points:

 

·         The review would be open to all other options including hybrid models and would investigate good practice from other areas;

·         The manner in which the cabinet system operated was not conducive to open and transparent decision making;

·         The review would consider the speed of decision making and would take into account the issue of cost of transferring to an alternative system.

·         It was important that the working group considered systems which ensured that all councillors had a voice.

 

In closing the debate Councillor Seldon explained that councillors were elected to serve the best interests of their local residents and it was important that a governance model was established in support of this role. It was noted that the proposed motion contained direction that the working group considers the resource implications of any proposed changes.

 

The motion was put to the vote and agreed by a simple majority of the Council.

 

RESOLVED:

 

ThatHerefordshire Council is committed to maintain high standards of corporate governance in order to achieve the council’s vision of ‘People, organisations and businesses working together to bring sustainable prosperity and well-being for all, in the outstanding natural environment of Herefordshire’. Good corporate governance, covering our systems, processes, culture and values, ensures that we provide the correct services to the right people in a timely, open and accountable way; it encourages better informed, longer-term decision making, using resources efficiently and being open to scrutiny with a view to improve performance and manage risk.

 

The way in which our current Cabinet and Leader system operates means that many of our more significant decisions are taken by a very small proportion of the elected members. To ensure that our governance arrangements are as effective as possible in supporting fulfilment of our corporate governance commitments, and to maximise the engagement of all elected members in decision making, the Council resolves that:

 

a) The Audit and Governance Committee oversee a review of governance models for a recommendation to Council no later than October 2020.

 

b) The review be undertaken by a cross-party working group, reporting to the Audit and Governance Committee. To contain representation from each political group, from the executive, scrutiny and other functions. The Monitoring Officer be authorised to determine membership following consultation with political group leaders.

 

c) The review should follow guidance from the Local Government Association and from the Centre for Public Scrutiny guidance; ‘Rethinking Governance: Practical steps for councils considering changes to their governance arrangement, and

 

d) The review be undertaken having regard to the following guiding principles;

 

- To maximise member engagement and participation in decision making

- Ensure decision making is informed, transparent and efficient

- Welcome public engagement

- Enable member and officers to perform effectively in clearly defined functions and roles

- To assess any resource implications for any proposed changes.

 

Councillor David Summers agreed a reordering of the motions to hear the General Permitted Development Order motion before his Mental Health Awareness Day motion.

 

Motion 2 – General Permitted Development Order (GDPO)

 

In moving the motion Councillor Elissa Swinglehurst made the following points:

 

·         Class Q of the GDPO currently allowed for the development of up to five agricultural buildings into houses which would gain planning consent if specified criteria was fulfilled;

·         The rules undermined the planning process and local planning preference;

·         Agricultural buildings were usually located in the open countryside where applications for housing were not normally granted permission;

·         Local planning policy was not adhered to and development control and the planning system was negated;

·         The remote nature of some houses in the countryside developed from agricultural buildings also impacted upon the Council’s service provision.

·         The motion called on the executive to take the matter forward and write to the government to request a review of the legislation.

 

The following principal points were raised during the debate:

 

·         Planning permission was required for the development of agricultural buildings to houses. The GDPO ensured that where criteria was met permission would be granted.

·         The provision of council services was a concern to houses in remote parts of the countryside;

·         The current large-scale housing developments proposed in Hereford was raised and it was felt that permission for five houses was minimal in comparison. Such smaller-scale development would provide jobs for local building firms;

·         It was noted that a number of class Q applications concerned large, industrial-scale agricultural buildings which were of low quality and less sustainable than newly built houses;

·         Class Q was felt to undermine the protection of the countryside and it was felt that article 4 should also be looked at, concerning direction;

 

In seconding the motion Councillor Yolande Watson made the following points:

 

·         The longer term cost to the Council of class Q developments in unsustainable areas of the countryside should be acknowledged;

·         The committee on climate changes had published a report which had recommended closing loopholes around change of use development;

·         The legislation was not fit for purpose.

 

In closing the debate Councillor Swinglehurst thanked the Council for the debate and expressed interest in consideration around the article 4 issue.

 

The motion was put to the vote and agreed by a simple majority of the Council.

 

RESOLVED: That:

 

This Council has declared a climate emergency and must align policy to reflect this – we have a number of policies designed to encourage sustainability in terms of locality, design and build but the use of class Q (General Permitted Development Order as amended) is undermining the effectiveness of these policies.

 

This Council resolves that: the executive is requested to write to government to ask them to review the policy regarding part 3 class Q (General Permitted Development Order as amended) applications under the General Permitted Development Order.

 

Motion 3 – Mental Health Awareness Day

 

In moving the motion Councillor David Summers made the following points:

 

·         The motion sought to establish a day in the calendar to raise awareness around mental health and support a better quality of life for all;

·         Herefordshire was a rural county with a comparatively high suicide rate.

·         It was important to look at the impact of mental health in the work place and working days lost.

·         The awareness day would bring together all groups involved in mental health services locally;

·         The establishment of a designated telephone line, magazine and a website, with the web address www.letslistenhereford.com, should be undertaken.

 

The following principal points were raised during the debate:

 

·         The potential for linking the day to other events such as world mental health day was raised;

·         Tribute was paid to Councillor Summer’s committed campaigning on mental health issues.

·         It was suggested that workshops could be arranged as part of the awareness day to provide practical events for people to undertake;

·         There should be a focus on children and young people who suffer from stress and anxiety which could lead to mental health problems throughout their lives;

·         The day should highlight mental health support that was available locally and also provide mental health first aid training;

·         It was important that the day was a unique local awareness day for Herefordshire;

 

In seconding the motion Councillor Jim Kenyon made the following points:

 

·         The timing of the proposed awareness day on the third Monday in January was apt coming at a time of year when people were particularly susceptible to mental health issues;

·         The diminution of pastoral help in schools was raised and its importance to the mental wellbeing of pupils;

·         There was concern with the growing use of anti-depressants in the over-65s;

·         The awareness day should trend on Twitter and engage with local partners and businesses.

 

In closing the debate Councillor Summers explained that actions were now required to put together a wellbeing initiative to focus on people in Herefordshire.

 

The motion was put to the vote and agreed unanimously.

 

RESOLVED: That:

 

Mental illness has a huge social and economic impact, its effects can predispose a person to a range of negative health issues which in turn leads to depression or worse suicide. It’s a matter of fact that mental health can affect a family member or anyone of us at any stage of life.

 

However, anyone who has been in crisis is well aware that there is still a stigma attached to it. For many of us simply having someone talk at us can increase those feelings of inadequacy and isolation. Conversely, just listening will allow a sense of being in charge.

 

Thankfully there is a wealth of mental health support already available in the county. To highlight this support and promote the need to listen without prejudice the Council resolves that:

 

The executive be asked to establish a designated annual mental health day to be named “Lets Listen Herefordshire” to be held every third Monday of each New Year from January 20th 2020 onwards.