To consider Notices of Motion.

Motion – Water Protection Zone for River Wye System

Councillor Louis Stark proposed the motion.

Councillor Toni Fagan seconded the motion.

Council debated the motion. In summary there was significant concern expressed for the risk posed to the river Wye system from pollutants and support for the engagement and consultation proposed in the motion to press for a water protection zone of the river Wye system.

An alteration to the motion was proposed to amend the term re-engage to press in the recommendation, as follows: So this Council urges the executive to press both the EA and NRW. The alteration was accepted by the proposer and seconder of the motion.

The motion, subject to the alteration above, was put to the vote and carried.

RESOLVED: That:

Our rivers are under attack:

-       45000 fish dead from a pollution incident in the River Llynfi – a Wye tributary – and NRW unable to bring a prosecution against those  responsible;

-       Raw sewage continues to pour in to our rivers unchecked with the Government failing to provide strong and consistent leadership on it;

-       Intense agricultural practices continue to expand with the impact of excessive phosphates and nitrates leaching through the soil in to our rivers;

-       The EA remains thinly spread and unable to cope with the  challenge it faces here;

What should the Council do:

-       Put polluters on notice that we are serious about enabling effective action to be taken against their practices;

-       Build on our previous Council motion to investigate bathing status for our rivers – a good start but not a complete answer;

-       Push for a comprehensive regulatory framework for the medium term that would envelop our river systems in a protective cloak and give the EA and NRW real teeth to enforce it;

So this Council urges the executive to press both the EA and NRW, consulting Powys and Monmouthshire CCs and other interested parties as necessary, to press for nothing less than a Water Protection Zone (WPZ*) for the whole of the River Wye system.

This should include pushing both Agencies for work to start asap on detailed modelling to demonstrate the need for a WPZ, in order to  put a business case to DEFRA; Also for funding for this work to go ahead; And for the Executive to provide regular reports to Council on progress.  

Motion – Fireworks and Animal Welfare

Councillor William Wilding moved the motion.

Councillor John Harrington seconded motion.

An alteration to the motion was proposed to replace all mentions of silent fireworks to low noise fireworks in the motion. The alteration was agreed by the proposer and seconder of the motion.

Councillor Peter Jinman declared an other interest in the fireworks and animal welfare motion at agenda item no 10; as a member of the British Veterinary Association and a practicing vet.

Council debated the motion and there was division in the membership of Council. Support for the motion was expressed to limit the harmful impacts of fireworks on livestock and domestic pets. Opposition to the motion was expressed citing a lack of evidence to establish the severity of the impact of fireworks on animals.

An alteration to the motion was proposed to revise clause 5 of the motion to; Ask the Executive to investigate the feasibility of implementing a formal consent regime for the use of fireworks on sites in Council ownership. The alteration was agreed by the proposer and seconder of the motion.

The motion, subject to the alterations above, was put to the vote and was carried.

RESOLVED: That:

This Council therefore resolves to ask the executive to:

1.Encourage organisers of public firework displays to use ‘low noise’ fireworks, and where large displays are planned, to notify Herefordshire Council’s Safety Advisory Group at least two months in advance to allow for advertisement in the interest of public protection and animal welfare;

2.Actively promote a public awareness campaign about the impact of fireworks on animal welfare and vulnerable people – including the precautions that can be taken to mitigate risks;

3.Write to the UK Government urging them to introduce legislation to limit the maximum noise level of fireworks to 90dB for those sold to the public for private displays and for fireworks to specify noise levels on their labelling;

4.Encourage local suppliers of fireworks to stock ‘low noise’ fireworks for public display;

5. Ask the Executive to investigate the feasibility of implementing a formal consent regime for the use of fireworks on sites in Council ownership.