Motion 1
Proposed by: Councillor Cathrine Russell
Seconded by: Councillor Koulla Jolley
“The popularity of vapes (e-cigarettes) among young people has risen noticeably since the introduction of disposable vapes; one in nine underage children in the UK use them as of April 2023, compared to one in thirteen in 2021. In West Northamptonshire, 5% of school pupils reported using vapes (e-cigarettes) regularly last year, with almost half of year 10 girls admitting having tried them.
Vapes (e-cigarettes) were not designed for recreational use. Short term effects of vaping can include vomiting, sweating, dizziness, and difficulty breathing. But health experts warn that the excessive use of vapes (e-cigarettes) by children could be linked to lung collapse, lung bleeding and air leak. Last year, there were 15 hospitalisations of children aged under 10 due to vaping-related illnesses in the UK.
Trading Standards West Northamptonshire are working to capacity to tackle illicit sales of vapes (e-cigarettes) to children, including seizing over 5,000 disposable vapes since April. But they, and this council, are restricted in their powers of enforcement by the current lack of legislation.
This Council recognises:
· Youth vaping is becoming a national public health issue, with the extent of the damage to our Children’s health still unknown
· Current government plans to end youth vaping as part of its Smoke Free Generation, which includes the reduction in the number of appealing flavours available, regulating colourful and attractive eye-catching packaging, and moves to close legal loopholes around giving free vape (e-cigarette) samples to under 18s.
· The strenuous efforts of West Northamptonshire Trading Standards within existing legislation in combating illegal vape (e-cigarette) sales and
· West Northamptonshire Public Health in educating young people and families on the consequences of youth vaping
And resolves to invite:
· The encouragement of West Northants residents to take part in the government’s open consultation on its anti-smoking and youth vaping plans by the deadline of 6 December 2023
· The Leader of the Council to write to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care on the pressing need for tighter restrictions on the marketing of vape products, their availability to underage children, and for more powers to be given to local authorities to confront and issue on-the-spot fines for traders found selling to children
· Officers to increase communications to the public on the Council’s ongoing efforts, alongside Public Health and Trading Standards, to tackle underage use of vape products
· The Cabinet Members for Community Safety and Wellbeing to work with Public Health in accelerating and expanding current plans on educating young people and the wider public on the consequences of youth vaping.”
Motion 2
Proposed by: Cllr Sally Beardsworth
Seconded by: Cllr Rosie Humphreys
“Council Notes:
Four years ago, this government pledged to ban Section 21 no fault evictions. The Renters Reform Bill, promised in the Conservative 2019 election manifesto, was debated in the Commons for the first time last month. It has since been announced that the no fault ban will be indefinitely delayed until reforms to the justice system have been implemented.
Ministry of Justice data show no-fault evictions in England between April and June this year increased by 41%, compared with the same period in 2022. Due to high interest rates and mortgage reaching unaffordable rates many landlords with financial pressures are selling their properties. Others take advantage of the scarcity of rented housing and use a Section 21 notice to evict tenants and relet on a high rental return.
According to the Ministry of Justice between April and June 2023 2,228 households were evicted by bailiffs through no fault of their own following a Section 21 notice. No fault evictions have made the prospect of a stable home impossible for England’s 11 million private renters and the uncertainty and disruption is causing misery and hardship to families. This Council, like most, is reporting significant pressures to find alternative accommodation. Pressure on its temporary accommodation budget is another direct consequence of our local housing crisis, where demand for decent, affordable housing completely overwhelms available supply.
The 16th Housing Minister since 2010 has recently been appointed, six of which were appointed in 2022 alone. Such a high turnover cannot contribute to solving this nation’s housing emergency.
Council resolves to:
1. Write to the Housing Minister to express concern that banning no fault evictions have been delayed indefinitely.
2. Write to local MPs requesting that they raise concerns with the Housing Minister as to this indefinite delay.
3. Commission an urgent review, either via a task and finish group or officer led, to quantify the impact that no fault evictions is having in West Northants in order to make recommendations to mitigate the problem.
Motion 3
Proposed by: Councillor Paul Joyce
Seconded by: Councillor Keith Holland-Delamere
“Our parks in West Northamptonshire are amongst the best maintained in the country. We recognise the positive affect that our green spaces have on our mental health and wellbeing and the benefits of access to a stress-free environment. We would like to commend and acknowledge the contribution that Friends of park groups, park rangers and volunteers have had, also highlighting ongoing voluntary work which has proved invaluable in maintaining our parks. With the predicted rise in global warming the trees and plants of parks cool the air and control the temperature and absorb carbon dioxide and other harmful gases reducing air pollution.
We believe that now is the time to preserve them for today and future generations for the benefit of local communities and ensure that their existing boundaries are defined and free from any future developments or changes.
This council therefore recognises:
· The protection of our Parks and green spaces for today’s and future generations as a priority.
· The positive support of Friends of parks groups, park rangers and volunteers in maintaining our parks and thanks them for their service to our communities.
And resolves to request the Cabinet:
· Aim to ensure all parks in the WNC area continue to be maintained at current levels and, where possible, improved.
· Aims to ensure our parks will not be redeveloped on beyond their current purpose.
· Finalise and publish the council’s Parks Development Strategy as soon as possible.
· Proceed with all haste the recruitment of the Tree Protection Officer and Nature Recovery Strategy Officer.
· Request the above officers, once in position, conduct a survey of our parks and green spaces to identify areas for improvement in biodiversity and public use.
Minutes:
Motion 1
Councillor Russell proposed and Councillor Jolley seconded:
“The popularity of vapes (e-cigarettes) among young people has risen noticeably since the introduction of disposable vapes; one in nine underage children in the UK use them as of April 2023, compared to one in thirteen in 2021. In West Northamptonshire, 5% of school pupils reported using vapes (e-cigarettes) regularly last year, with almost half of year 10 girls admitting having tried them.
Vapes (e-cigarettes) were not designed for recreational use. Short term effects of vaping can include vomiting, sweating, dizziness, and difficulty breathing. But health experts warn that the excessive use of vapes (e-cigarettes) by children could be linked to lung collapse, lung bleeding and air leak. Last year, there were 15 hospitalisations of children aged under 10 due to vaping-related illnesses in the UK.
Trading Standards West Northamptonshire are working to capacity to tackle illicit sales of vapes (e-cigarettes) to children, including seizing over 5,000 disposable vapes since April. But they, and this council, are restricted in their powers of enforcement by the current lack of legislation.
This Council recognises:
· Youth vaping is becoming a national public health issue, with the extent of the damage to our Children’s health still unknown
· Current government plans to end youth vaping as part of its Smoke Free Generation, which includes the reduction in the number of appealing flavours available, regulating colourful and attractive eye-catching packaging, and moves to close legal loopholes around giving free vape (e-cigarette) samples to under 18s.
· The strenuous efforts of West Northamptonshire Trading Standards within existing legislation in combating illegal vape (e-cigarette) sales and
· West Northamptonshire Public Health in educating young people and families on the consequences of youth vaping
And resolves to invite:
· The encouragement of West Northants residents to take part in the government’s open consultation on its anti-smoking and youth vaping plans by the deadline of 6 December 2023
· The Leader of the Council to write to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care on the pressing need for tighter restrictions on the marketing of vape products, their availability to underage children, and for more powers to be given to local authorities to confront and issue on-the-spot fines for traders found selling to children
· Officers to increase communications to the public on the Council’s ongoing efforts, alongside Public Health and Trading Standards, to tackle underage use of vape products
· The Cabinet Members for Community Safety and Wellbeing to work with Public Health in accelerating and expanding current plans on educating young people and the wider public on the consequences of youth vaping.”
Council debated the motion and made the following comments:
· The protection of children was a priority for the Council. A new licensing policy should be brought in, strong monitoring would help to address the problem.
· The Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Education recently attended the Youth Summit and engaged in productive dialogue with young people about the dangers of vaping.
· There was lots being done on this issue as was mentioned in the report of the Cabinet Member for Adult Care, Wellbeing and Health Integration.
· Cessation and therapy groups for children would be greatly beneficial.
Upon a vote, the motion was carried.
Motion 2
Councillor Beardsworth proposed and Councillor Humphreys seconded:
“Council Notes:
Four years ago, this government pledged to ban Section 21 no fault evictions. The Renters Reform Bill, promised in the Conservative 2019 election manifesto, was debated in the Commons for the first time last month. It has since been announced that the no fault ban will be indefinitely delayed until reforms to the justice system have been implemented.
Ministry of Justice data show no-fault evictions in England between April and June this year increased by 41%, compared with the same period in 2022. Due to high interest rates and mortgage reaching unaffordable rates many landlords with financial pressures are selling their properties. Others take advantage of the scarcity of rented housing and use a Section 21 notice to evict tenants and relet on a high rental return.
According to the Ministry of Justice between April and June 2023 2,228 households were evicted by bailiffs through no fault of their own following a Section 21 notice. No fault evictions have made the prospect of a stable home impossible for England’s 11 million private renters and the uncertainty and disruption is causing misery and hardship to families. This Council, like most, is reporting significant pressures to find alternative accommodation. Pressure on its temporary accommodation budget is another direct consequence of our local housing crisis, where demand for decent, affordable housing completely overwhelms available supply.
The 16th Housing Minister since 2010 has recently been appointed, six of which were appointed in 2022 alone. Such a high turnover cannot contribute to solving this nation’s housing emergency.
Council resolves to:
1. Write to the Housing Minister to express concern that banning no fault evictions have been delayed indefinitely.
2. Write to local MPs requesting that they raise concerns with the Housing Minister as to this indefinite delay.
3. Commission an urgent review, either via a task and finish group or officer led, to quantify the impact that no fault evictions is having in West Northants in order to make recommendations to mitigate the problem.”
Council debated the motion and made the following comments:
· There were a number of housing related announcements in the Autumn Budget, including un-freezing of the LHA rate, extended “thank you payments” for the Homes for Ukraine sponsors, and announced extra funding for local authorities for homeless prevention.
· Whether or not the motion was accepted, the Council should come together and let the Government know that their refusal to ban no-fault evictions was harming West Northamptonshire residents.
· This was not an issue that could be resolved by the local authority, but the Council had a responsibility to keep pushing back at the Government.
· There was a lack of clarity around the rules of the Landlord Incentive Scheme.
· If Members were benefitting from the Landlord Incentive Scheme, the proper declarations must be made.
· The administration being of the same political party as those in Government would speak from a stronger position if it was to voice its displeasure in respect of no-fault evictions.
Upon a vote, the motion fell.
Motion 3
Councillor Joyce proposed and Councillor Holland-Delamere seconded:
“Our parks in West Northamptonshire are amongst the best maintained in the country. We recognise the positive affect that our green spaces have on our mental health and wellbeing and the benefits of access to a stress-free environment. We would like to commend and acknowledge the contribution that Friends of park groups, park rangers and volunteers have had, also highlighting ongoing voluntary work which has proved invaluable in maintaining our parks. With the predicted rise in global warming the trees and plants of parks cool the air and control the temperature and absorb carbon dioxide and other harmful gases reducing air pollution.
We believe that now is the time to preserve them for today and future generations for the benefit of local communities and ensure that their existing boundaries are defined and free from any future developments or changes.
This council therefore recognises:
· The protection of our Parks and green spaces for today’s and future generations as a priority.
· The positive support of Friends of parks groups, park rangers and volunteers in maintaining our parks and thanks them for their service to our communities.
And resolves to request the Cabinet:
· Aim to ensure all parks in the WNC area continue to be maintained at current levels and, where possible, improved.
· Aims to ensure our parks will not be redeveloped on beyond their current purpose.
· Finalise and publish the council’s Parks Development Strategy as soon as possible.
· Proceed with all haste the recruitment of the Tree Protection Officer and Nature Recovery Strategy Officer.
· Request the above officers, once in position, conduct a survey of our parks and green spaces to identify areas for improvement in biodiversity and public use.”
The Chairman notified Council that an amendment to the motion had been received and copies of it had been circulated to Members.
Councillor Larratt proposed and Councillor Kilbride seconded the amendment:
“Our parks in West Northamptonshire are amongst the best maintained in the country. We recognise the positive effect that our green spaces have on our mental health and wellbeing and the benefits of access to a stress-free environment. We would like to commend and acknowledge the contribution that Friends of Park groups, Park Rangers, LIVE, Community Payback and volunteers have had, also highlighting ongoing voluntary work which has proved invaluable in maintaining our parks. With the predicted rise in global warming the trees and plants of parks cool the air and control the temperature and absorb carbon dioxide and other harmful gases reducing air pollution.
It is important that we continue to preserve them for today and future generations for the benefit of local communities and ensure that their existing boundaries are retained.
This council therefore recognises:
· The protection of our Parks and green spaces for todays and future generations as a priority.
· the positive support of Friends of Parks groups, Park Rangers, LIVE, Community Payback and volunteers in maintaining our parks and thanks them for their service to our communities.
And resolves to request the Cabinet:
· Aim to ensure all parks in the WNC area continue to be maintained at current levels and, where possible, improved.
· Aims to ensure our parks and open spaces will primarily be used for their current purposes and only developed to provide facilities associated with that use within their existing boundaries.
· Finalise and publish the council’s Park Development Strategy and Nature Recovery Strategy as soon as possible.
Councillor Joyce, as the proposer of the motion, accepted the amendment.
Council debated the amendment and made the following comments:
· Open spaces were important and becoming even more so as populations increased. The Council should do all that it could to ensure they persevere.
· Members requested that the cross-party Sustainability Group were given the opportunity to input and have oversight of works being developed in this area
· It was noted that the PSPO in respect of dog fouling that was approved by Cabinet in October 2022 did not cover Brackley; Members asked that Brackley be included.
· It was noted that Parklands trees which were planted nearly 50 years ago had not maintained and had “taken over” the park due to their size.
· Money must be invested in the area’s green spaces.
Upon a vote, the motion as amended was carried.