Motion 1
Proposer: Cllr Rosie Humphreys
Seconder: Cllr Jonathan Harris
“Low tax zones to drive economic growth, foster business agglomeration and unlock development were announced in the mini-budget on 23rd September by the then Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng. Since then most of the proposals contained in the mini-budget have been paused, cancelled or reversed with Jeremy Hunt now replacing Kwasi Kwarteng as Chancellor. Investment Zones remain as one of the Government’s key tools to accelerate growth and deliver housing.
Council notes that an expression of interest in becoming an Investment Zone was submitted by this Council. The government envisages that Investment Zones will be one or more specific sites within an eligible local authority where a variety of tax, regulatory innovations and flexibilities, and planning simplifications will apply within those site’s boundaries.
Conservation groups and planning experts have raised serious concerns about these proposals. Zones could be designated in the most environmentally protected areas of the UK, with no mention of the environmental constraints on building in protected habitats under the habitat regulations. These regulations provide protections for some of the most vulnerable habitats and wildlife across England.
While the Council notes that for Investment Zones “the planning system will not stand in the way of investment and growth” it has also to be mindful of its Sustainability Strategy and Net Zero Pledges as well as the natural and cultural assets it is custodian of. In West Northants these include buildings and areas of national importance, sensitive landscape, heritage and biodiversity.
Council therefore resolves:
1) To ensure that wherever possible any site/sites in West Northants which are designated Investment Zones (should the Expression of Interest be successful) are only developed if the Council is confident that the liberalised planning laws which will apply to these Zones do not conflict with its commitments to Net Zero, its Sustainability Strategy and its “clean and green” corporate objectives.
2) To ensure that wherever possible all housing and commercial growth in such zones accords with the draft Full Plan and so is plan-led and appropriate.”
Motion 2
Proposer: Cllr Emma Roberts
Seconder: Cllr Rufia Ashraf
“The Police have declared nationally that there is an epidemic of Violence against Women and Girls, with 5 women killed in this country every fortnight. November 25th is both the International White Ribbon Day and the date of the Northampton Reclaim the Night event organised by the Northamptonshire Rape Crisis Centre. White Ribbon Day is when men are asked to demonstrate they will call out violence perpetrated by men against women and demonstrate they are allies of women by wearing a white ribbon. Reclaim the Night is an event by women, for women and their allies, to demonstrate that we want our streets to be safe for women and girls. WNC is committed to both and will demonstrate our support by providing information about both on our website and in our comms.”
Motion 3
Proposer: Cllr Koulla Jolley
Seconder: Cllr Jamal Alwahabi
“One of the impediments to increasing the type, range and reach of youth work in West Northants is the lack of buildings that can be used for youth work and the lack of trained youth workers.
The Council therefore recommends that Cabinet commits to identifying buildings in the localities that can be used for youth work.
The Council further asks Cabinet to commit to working with the youth providers, the colleges and Northampton University to develop youth work training from level 3 to level 5.”
Minutes:
Councillor McCord proposed that under Procedure Rule 29.1 (e), Procedure Rule 10 be suspended for the duration of Motion 1.
Councillor Harris seconded the proposal.
Upon a vote, the motion was carried and Motion 1 was considered in full.
Motion 1
Councillor Humphreys proposed and Councillor Harris seconded:
“Low tax zones to drive economic growth, foster business agglomeration and unlock development were announced in the mini-budget on 23rd September by the then Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng. Since then most of the proposals contained in the mini-budget have been paused, cancelled or reversed with Jeremy Hunt now replacing Kwasi Kwarteng as Chancellor. Investment Zones remain as one of the Government’s key tools to accelerate growth and deliver housing.
Council notes that an expression of interest in becoming an Investment Zone was submitted by this Council. The government envisages that Investment Zones will be one or more specific sites within an eligible local authority where a variety of tax, regulatory innovations and flexibilities, and planning simplifications will apply within those site’s boundaries.
Conservation groups and planning experts have raised serious concerns about these proposals. Zones could be designated in the most environmentally protected areas of the UK, with no mention of the environmental constraints on building in protected habitats under the habitat regulations. These regulations provide protections for some of the most vulnerable habitats and wildlife across England.
While the Council notes that for Investment Zones “the planning system will not stand in the way of investment and growth” it has also to be mindful of its Sustainability Strategy and Net Zero Pledges as well as the natural and cultural assets it is custodian of. In West Northants these include buildings and areas of national importance, sensitive landscape, heritage and biodiversity.
Council therefore resolves:
1) To ensure that wherever possible any site/sites in West Northants which are designated Investment Zones (should the Expression of Interest be successful) are only developed if the Council is confident that the liberalised planning laws which will apply to these Zones do not conflict with its commitments to Net Zero, its Sustainability Strategy and its “clean and green” corporate objectives.
2) To ensure that wherever possible all housing and commercial growth in such zones accords with the draft Full Plan and so is plan-led and appropriate.”
Following discussion, Councillor Humphreys proposed that the motion be referred to the Planning Policy Committee for consideration.
Councillor Nunn seconded the proposal.
Upon a vote, it was agreed that the motion be referred to the Planning Policy Committee.
At 21:55 the Chairman drew Council’s attention to Rule 10 of the Council Procedure Rules:
10 Extension of the meeting
10.1 If the business of a Council meeting has not been concluded by 9.45 pm, the Chair will draw the attention of the meeting to the time and to this Rule.
10.2 In the case of any motions or recommendations on the agenda that have not been dealt with by 9.45 pm the Chair will decide whether to end the meeting or to deal with the outstanding matters provided that those matters can reasonably be dealt with by 10.00pm.
10.3 Where the outstanding matters cannot be dealt with by that time each item will be put to the vote without further debate and a vote will be taken on whether the item should be accepted, rejected, referred, deferred or withdrawn.
Motion 2
Motion 2 was withdrawn prior to the meeting.
Motion 3
Councillor Jolley requested that the motion be withdrawn.
The Chairman accepted the request, and the motion was withdrawn.