Any one or more Members of the Council may, by notice received by the Monitoring Officer no later than 10.00 am eleven working days before the day of the Council meeting, require the Council to consider a motion about a matter relating to which the Council has powers or duties or which affects the Council’s area. A notice of motion may be accompanied by a statement of not more than 200 words setting out the reason for the proposed motion.

 

The Monitoring Officer shall include all notices of motion and accompanying statements in the agenda for the next relevant meeting of Council in the order received.

 

Three Notices of Motion has been submitted in accordance with Rule 3 in Part 4.1 of the Constitution - Council Procedure Rules and are listed in order of the date received.

 

Motion 1 – Received 16th August 2023 @ 14:54

Mover: Cllr Dr Barrett                   Seconder: Cllr Aspinell

 

(Cllr Aspinell declared an interest as an Essex County Councillor)

 

Statement:

Brentwood High Street was redeveloped into its current form over a decade ago, at a cost of over fourteen million pounds, and considerable negative impact on local businesses during the implementation of the works.

 

Currently large areas of paving slabs on the High Street are broken, dislodged sunken or move. The Road condition also suffers from major dips and sunken sections.

 

Brentwood Access Group has consistently raised concerns over the state of the High Street and its impact on local residents. Residents, businesses and Councillors have also raised numerous issues regarding the state of repair of the High Street both directly and indirectly with appropriate stakeholders.

 

Motion:

This Council believes:

- Brentwood residents and businesses deserve a High Street environment that is in good order and a beacon for the Borough.

 

- The current state of Brentwood High Street is unacceptable and is causing a direct negative impact on both resident enjoyment and economic development of our main retail area.

 

The Council resolves:

- To demand Essex County Council, as the Highway Authority, acts on their responsibility to maintain Brentwood High Street to a good standard.

 

- That it will request Essex County Council completes a full audit of the high street and within three months produce a schedule of repairs to be made publicly available.

 

- That Brentwood Borough Council will provide all appropriate assistance necessary to deliver this audit and any repairs programme.

 

- That we will work with SEPP on any element that requires changes to parking, waiting areas or enforcement activity to assist in this programme of repairs.

 

An AMENDMENT to the motion was MOVED by Councillor White and SECONDED by Councillor Hirst:

 

- To work with all relevant bodies such as Essex County Council, Brentwood Bid, SEPP, bus companies, retailers and our own environment and enforcement teams to improve Brentwood High Street.

- To demandwork with Essex County Council, as the Highway Authority, to ensure it acts on its their responsibility to maintain Brentwood High Street to a good standard.

- That it will request Essex County Council To completes a full audit of the high street and submit this to Essex CC within three months to assist it in production ofe a schedule of repairs to be made publicly available.

- That Brentwood Borough Council will provide all appropriate assistance necessary to deliver this audit and any repairs programme.

- That we will work with SEPP on any element that requires changes to parking, waiting areas or enforcement activity to assist in this programme of repairs.

 

The original mover and seconder did not accept the full amendment but did accept the to include:

- To work with all relevant bodies such as Essex County Council, Brentwood Bid, SEPP, bus companies, retailers, Pubwatch and our own environment and enforcement teams to improve Brentwood High Street.

 

The mover and seconder of the amendment withdrew all other amendments. 

 

The amended motion was CARRIED as follows:

 

This Council believes:

- Brentwood residents and businesses deserve a High Street environment that is in good order and a beacon for the Borough.

 

- The current state of Brentwood High Street is unacceptable and is causing a direct negative impact on both resident enjoyment and economic development of our main retail area.

 

The Council resolves:

- To work with all relevant bodies such as Essex County Council, Brentwood Bid, SEPP, bus companies, retailers, Pubwatch and our own environment and enforcement teams to improve Brentwood High Street.

 

- To demand Essex County Council, as the Highway Authority, acts on their responsibility to maintain Brentwood High Street to a good standard.

 

- That it will request Essex County Council completes a full audit of the high street and within three months produce a schedule of repairs to be made publicly available.

 

- That Brentwood Borough Council will provide all appropriate assistance necessary to deliver this audit and any repairs programme.

 

- That we will work with SEPP on any element that requires changes to parking, waiting areas or enforcement activity to assist in this programme of repairs.

 

There was an amendment to the order of Motions as agreed by the Mayor where Motion 3 was heard ahead of Motion 2. 

 

Motion 3 – Received 11th September 2023 @ 08:17

Mover: Cllr White               Seconder: Cllr Hirst

 

This Council recognises the critical importance of a healthy natural environment to the overall wellbeing and quality of life of our residents, and the pressing need to protect nature.

 

The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic lockdowns raised awareness of how human health and wellbeing is intrinsically linked to the health of the natural environment. Use of parks and public green space, such as woodland, increased as people sought solace, exercise and recreation in nature.

 

Considering the responsibility this Council has for the management of local parks, local planning policies and land it owns, this Council resolves to:

 

1. Establish a climate and nature advisory committee to guide Members and council officers.

 

2. Include ecological impact assessments alongside climate and sustainability considerations in all committee and council reports.

 

3. Work towards making nature recovery a top strategic priority in planning policies and design guidelines for new developments. This includes:

a. Identifying suitable areas for habitat restoration, establishing ‘green allocated sites’ and embedding Local Nature Recovery Strategies (LNRSs) in local plans and policies.

b. Promoting Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG), extending the minimum requirement from 10% to 20%.

c. Minimising the impact of development on existing habitats.

d. Enhancing access to nature-rich green spaces within a 10-minute radius for all residents.

e. Requiring new developments to commit to a minimum of 30% tree canopy cover.

f. Increasing tree canopy cover in existing housing estates where it is below the 16% urban average for England.

 

4. Support initiatives, including community run tree nurseries, to increase the supply of local saplings.

 

5. Prioritise the use of council land holdings, for habitat creation and restoration, by transitioning where appropriate from maintaining grass to planting trees. Finally, Council urges all stakeholders to come together to protect and restore our natural assets, recognising their intrinsic role in securing a sustainable future for our community.

 

An AMENDMENT to the motion was MOVED by Councillor Aspinell and SECONDED by Councillor Worsfold:

 

At end of first sentence add: “We also recognise the important contribution protecting nature and promoting biodiversity will make to achieving our ambitious Net Zero objectives.”

 

In third paragraph add between “this Council” and “resolves”: “acknowledges the work of the Clean and Green Committee and its Working Groups (established this year by the Joint Administration) to address all the issues detailed below within its Constitution and”

 

Add at end of clause 3(b): “which should be sustainable for at least 30 years.”

 

Add at end of clause 3 (d): “including promoting the establishment of new footpaths, bridleways and cycle routes.”

 

New clauses:

 

6. Identify potential sites for new permanent and temporary allotments, especially in the parts of the borough currently poorly served by allotment provision.

 

7. Ensure all of these issues are prioritised in the review of the Local Development Plan and communicated urgently to all developers looking at building on sites in the borough.

 

The amendment was accepted by the original mover and seconder subject to change below:

In third paragraph add between “this Council” and “resolves”: “acknowledges the work of the Clean and Green Committee and its Working Groups (established this year by the Joint Administration) and those of the previous administration to address all the issues detailed below within its Constitution and”

 

The amended motion was CARRIED as follows:

 

This Council recognises the critical importance of a healthy natural environment to the overall wellbeing and quality of life of our residents, and the pressing need to protect nature.  We also recognise the important contribution protecting nature and promoting biodiversity will make to achieving our ambitious Net Zero objectives.

 

The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic lockdowns raised awareness of how human health and wellbeing is intrinsically linked to the health of the natural environment. Use of parks and public green space, such as woodland, increased as people sought solace, exercise and recreation in nature.

 

Considering the responsibility this Council has for the management of local parks, local planning policies and land it owns, this Council acknowledges the work of the Clean and Green Committee and its Working Groups (established this year by the Joint Administration and those of the previous administration) to address all the issues detailed below within its Constitution resolves to:

 

1. Establish a climate and nature advisory committee to guide Members and council officers.

 

2. Include ecological impact assessments alongside climate and sustainability considerations in all committee and council reports.

 

3. Work towards making nature recovery a top strategic priority in planning policies and design guidelines for new developments. This includes:

a. Identifying suitable areas for habitat restoration, establishing ‘green allocated sites’ and embedding Local Nature Recovery Strategies (LNRSs) in local plans and policies.

b. Promoting Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG), extending the minimum requirement from 10% to 20% which should be sustainable for at least 30 years.  

c. Minimising the impact of development on existing habitats.

d. Enhancing access to nature-rich green spaces within a 10-minute radius for all residents including promoting the establishment of new footpaths, bridleways and cycle routes.  

e. Requiring new developments to commit to a minimum of 30% tree canopy cover.

f. Increasing tree canopy cover in existing housing estates where it is below the 16% urban average for England.

 

4. Support initiatives, including community run tree nurseries, to increase the supply of local saplings.

 

5. Prioritise the use of council land holdings, for habitat creation and restoration, by transitioning where appropriate from maintaining grass to planting trees. Finally, Council urges all stakeholders to come together to protect and restore our natural assets, recognising their intrinsic role in securing a sustainable future for our community.

 

6. Identify potential sites for new permanent and temporary allotments, especially in the parts of the borough currently poorly served by allotment provision.

 

7. Ensure all of these issues are prioritised in the review of the Local Development Plan and communicated urgently to all developers looking at building on sites in the borough.

 

Finally, Council urges all stakeholders to come together to protect and restore our natural assets, recognising their intrinsic role in securing a sustainable future for our community.

 

Motion 2 – Received 10th September 2023 @ 21:40

Mover: Cllr Heard               Seconder: Cllr Barber

 

Pigeon droppings under Shenfield Railway Bridge

 

The situation regarding pigeon droppings under the Shenfield Railway Bridge has deteriorated badly over the summer months and has become totally unacceptable. Such waste material contains harmful fungal spores which can lead to respiratory disease.

 

Effective measures such as erecting wire and fencing, use of a falcon or deployment of sound devices can all help to provide a solution.

 

It is the council’s view that the health risks to members of the public from the current unhygienic situation cannot be allowed to persist.

 

This Council resolves to :

i)             Deploy the necessary resources to treat the affected area to effect a deep clean and maintain a regular cleaning regime until adequate measures are taken to deter the pigeons from the area.

ii)            ii) Arrange an urgent meeting with Network Rail and the relevant Borough Council officers to secure delivery of the necessary work to both the Bridge and the Railway Station roof to deter pigeons from nesting.

iii)           iii) Bring back a report to the Clean and Green Committee with the details of steps taken and progress made.

 

An AMENDMENT was MOVED by Councillor Worsfold and SECONDED by Cllr N Cuthbert:

 

In 1st line after “Shenfield Railway Bridges” (add an s) insert “and the two railways bridges that cross Alexander Lane”

 

New third paragraph: “We are very disappointed that Network Rail has still not produced a plan or estimate for replacing the netting under the Hutton Road bridges a year after undertaking to do so. We are also frustrated at the lack of response from Greater Anglia about the need to deal with the pigeons nesting around the station building despite several approaches by ward councillors.”

 

In point 1 i) amend “area” to “areas”

 

Replace point 2 ii) with: “Arrange an urgent meeting with Network Rail, Greater Anglia, Essex County Council and the relevant Borough Council officers to secure delivery of the necessary work to all four bridges and the railway station roof to deter pigeons from nesting.”

 

This amendment was accepted by the original mover and seconder subject to a change in:

 

Replace point 2 ii) with: “Arrange an urgent meeting with Network Rail, Greater Anglia, Essex County Council and the relevant Borough Council officers and any other organisations to secure delivery of the necessary work to all four bridges and the railway station roof to deter pigeons from nesting.”

 

The amended motion was CARRIED as follows:

 

Pigeon droppings under Shenfield Railway Bridges and the two railways bridges that cross Alexander Lane.  

 

The situation regarding pigeon droppings under the Shenfield Railway Bridge has deteriorated badly over the summer months and has become totally unacceptable. Such waste material contains harmful fungal spores which can lead to respiratory disease.

 

Effective measures such as erecting wire and fencing, use of a falcon or deployment of sound devices can all help to provide a solution.  We are very disappointed that Network Rail has still not produced a plan or estimate for replacing the netting under the Hutton Road bridges a year after undertaking to do so. We are also frustrated at the lack of response from Greater Anglia about the need to deal with the pigeons nesting around the station building despite several approaches by ward councillors

 

It is the council’s view that the health risks to members of the public from the current unhygienic situation cannot be allowed to persist.

 

This Council resolves to :

i)             Deploy the necessary resources to treat the affected areas to effect a deep clean and maintain a regular cleaning regime until adequate measures are taken to deter the pigeons from the area.

ii)            ii) Arrange an urgent meeting with Network Rail, Greater Anglia, Essex County Council and any other organisations to secure delivery of the necessary work to all four bridges and the railway station roof to deter pigeons from nesting.

iii)           iii) Bring back a report to the Clean and Green Committee with the details of steps taken and progress made.