To consider Notices of Motion.

Motion – Ukraine

In accordance with paragraph 4.1.90 of the Council’s constitution the Chairperson, in consultation with the monitoring officer, accepted the motion below for debate at the meeting as an urgent matter directly affecting part or all of the county and it was not practical to defer consideration of the motion to the next ordinary meeting of Council.

Councillor Nigel Shaw proposed the motion.

Councillor Mark Millmore seconded the motion.

Council debate the motion. In summary there was unanimous support for planning and preparation at the council to receive refugees from Ukraine.

The motion was put to the vote and was carried unanimously.

RESOLVED: That:

This motion calls on the executive to consider and put in place whatever facilities as may be reasonably expected to receive Ukrainian refugees, subject to direction from national government and an evaluation of council resources required, to ensure that schooling and health services are alerted and to inform the government in Westminster, immediately, that Herefordshire will not be found wanting in our welcome. And to extend a wider request to our residents to be willing to welcome any refugees that they can into their homes, and to be ready to facilitate such organisation and support as these actions may require.

Motion – Award scheme for the built environment

Councillor Jeremy Milln proposed the motion.

Councillor Phillip Howells seconded the motion.

Council debated the motion. In summary there was unanimous support for the motion to improve the standard of design of buildings and development locally.

The motion was put to the vote and was carried unanimously.

RESOLVED: That:

This Council wishes to promote high standards in design, conservation and sustainability in the built environment, both for new build and for the care of existing stock.

Therefore:

Council requests the Executive to investigate setting up a County of Herefordshire award scheme to encourage and recognise exemplary work in the areas of design, conservation and sustainability for the built environment.

Motion – Rural Impact Assessment and Rural Proofing

Councillor Yolande Watson proposed the motion.

Councillor Roger Phillips seconded the motion.

Council debated the motion. In summary there was unanimous support for the proposals in the motion to seek a formal evaluation of impacts on rural areas in decision-making and ensure that the decisions and policies of the council took account of the interests of a rural county.

The motion was put to the vote and was carried unanimously.

RESOLVED: That:

This motion asks to refer to the executive at Herefordshire Council consideration of the undertaking of a Rural Impact Assessment from the outset of every budget and contract whether for service or products, which includes engagement with rural stakeholders.  The results of the Rural Impact Assessment (RIA) are to be included in all future reports.

Rural proofing will ensure the needs of rural communities will become transparent and would demonstrate whether Government or local policies address the needs of rural communities and rural economies like Herefordshire. It is the first step towards developing a Rural Strategy for Herefordshire.

This motion considers a reformed approach to rural proofing should be introduced and that the executive should take into account the following during its considerations:

a)      A rural assessment should take place at the start of the policy process, including engagement with rural stakeholders, and be treated as integral, rather than as an adjunct to urban-focused policy. No budget or service should be brought forward without an accompanying rural assessment statement;

b)      The impact of new policies on rural areas should be systematically and consistently monitored as they are implemented. This would include an update on the performance of rural proofing across Herefordshire Council;

c)       The executive at Herefordshire Council is required to monitor and report annually on the rural impacts of relevant policies and services, and to encourage its strategic partners to do the same; and

d)      The executive at Herefordshire Council agrees to write to the Government and MPs in response to this motion that:

-       Government should put in place the appropriate structures to facilitate a more robust rural proofing regime; and

-       Government needs comprehensively to rethink and reform the rural proofing process across Government, to ensure that relevant policies and legislation are attuned to the needs of rural communities and rural economies like Herefordshire.