(1) Motion 558 (Councillor J M Downes – 29 July 2019)
The following Motion had been referred to the Cabinet for consideration and report:
That this council should lobby government to bring forward a revised council tax scheme that seeks to encourage a system linked to emissions. The scheme should be able to vary council tax to overtly incentivise the construction of properties that can demonstrate high levels of sustainability and energy efficiency, while acting as a penalty for those that don't. Methods to encourage investment in retrofitting to existing properties should also be explored, given the largest proportion of housing emissions will come from existing housing stock rather than new build.
The Cabinet at its meeting on 17 October 2019 considered the Motion and following discussion, Councillor Downes in accordance with Procedure Rule 16.4, suggested that the Motion be amended to read:
That this council should lobby government to change the council tax scheme to one that seeks to encourage a system linked to emissions. The scheme should be able to vary council tax to overtly incentivise the construction of properties that can demonstrate high levels of sustainability and energy efficiency, while acting as a penalty for those that don't. Methods to encourage investment in retrofitting to existing properties should also be explored, given the largest proportion of housing emissions will come from existing housing stock rather than new build.
The Cabinet therefore recommended that the Motion (as amended) be supported.
(2) Motion 559 (Councillor R B Evans – 22 October 2019)
It is well known that the
planting of trees has an extremely positive effect in the fight
against reducing carbon within the atmosphere, each trees
sequestration process is known to benefit carbon reduction as each
individual tree can absorb
as much as 48 pounds
of carbon dioxide per year and
can sequester 1 ton
of carbon dioxide by the time it reaches 40 years
old. Given the above and the climate crisis declared by this
council and its stated ambition to be carbon neutral by 2030 I ask
that the following motion be supported by all members.
This council agrees to use any and all land within
the ownership of the authority that is not suitable for
development, for the planting of native British
trees.
This council agrees to undertake an area wide audit with the
assistance of members and land owners to identify suitable sites
both within MDDC ownership and private ownership to maximise
opportunities for such activity, to be completed within no more
than twelve months from the date of this motion , if
approved.
This council agrees to work alongside community groups and schools
whenever possible to encourage community ownership and sense of
place and wellbeing within our communities.
This council agrees that any and all opportunities should be sought
to obtain trees from organisations such as government agencies and
relevant charitable organisations. (Woodland Trust, Plant
Life, DEFRA / Forestry Commission seeking any funding that may be
available).
In accordance with Procedure Rule 14.4, the Chairman of the Council has decided that this Motion (if moved and seconded) will be referred without discussion to the Environment Policy Development Group.
(3) Motion 560 (Councillor R J Chesterton – 23 October 2019)
Review of Development Management Policies on Parking
This Council requests that officers start work on undertaking a review of Mid Devon’s development management policies regarding parking on our new estates. These should include the number of parking spaces per property as well as how development management can help ease the transition to electric or hybrid vehicles in the future.
In addition to this, this Council requests that at the earliest available opportunity, and no later than three months after this motion is agreed, a paper is brought to the Planning Policy Advisory Group and Cabinet highlighting some of the possible changes members might have to consider and the best mechanism to bring these about.
In accordance with Procedure Rule 14.4, the Chairman of the Council has decided that this Motion (if moved and seconded) will be referred without discussion to the Cabinet.
Minutes:
(1) Motion 558 (Councillor J M Downes – 29 July 2019)
The following Motion had been referred to the Cabinet for consideration and report:
That this council should lobby government to bring forward a revised council tax scheme that seeks to encourage a system linked to emissions. The scheme should be able to vary council tax to overtly incentivise the construction of properties that can demonstrate high levels of sustainability and energy efficiency, while acting as a penalty for those that don't. Methods to encourage investment in retrofitting to existing properties should also be explored, given the largest proportion of housing emissions will come from existing housing stock rather than new build.
The Cabinet at its meeting on 17 October 2019 considered the Motion and following discussion, Councillor Downes in accordance with Procedure Rule 16.4, suggested that the Motion be amended to read:
That this council should lobby government to change the council tax scheme to one that seeks to encourage a system linked to emissions. The scheme should be able to vary council tax to overtly incentivise the construction of properties that can demonstrate high levels of sustainability and energy efficiency, while acting as a penalty for those that don't. Methods to encourage investment in retrofitting to existing properties should also be explored, given the largest proportion of housing emissions will come from existing housing stock rather than new build.
The Cabinet therefore recommended that the Motion (as amended) be supported.
Following a lengthy discussion and upon a vote being taken, the MOTION (as amended) was declared to have FAILED.
(2) Motion 559 (Councillor R B Evans – 22 October 2019)
The Council had before it a MOTION submitted for the first time:
It is well known that the
planting of trees has an extremely positive effect in the fight
against reducing carbon within the atmosphere, each trees
sequestration process is known to benefit carbon reduction as each
individual tree can absorb
as much as 48 pounds
of carbon dioxide per year and
can sequester 1 ton
of carbon dioxide by the time it reaches 40 years
old. Given the above and the climate crisis declared by this
council and its stated ambition to be carbon neutral by 2030 I ask
that the following motion be supported by all members.
This council agrees to use any and all land within
the ownership of the authority that is not suitable for
development, for the planting of native British
trees.
This council agrees to undertake an area wide audit with the
assistance of members and land owners to identify suitable sites
both within MDDC ownership and private ownership to maximise
opportunities for such activity, to be completed within no more
than twelve months from the date of this motion , if
approved.
This council agrees to work alongside community groups and schools
whenever possible to encourage community ownership and sense of
place and wellbeing within our communities.
This council agrees that any and all opportunities should be sought
to obtain trees from organisations such as government agencies and
relevant charitable organisations. (Woodland Trust, Plant
Life, DEFRA / Forestry Commission seeking any funding that may be
available).
The MOTION was MOVED by Councillor R B Evans and
seconded by Councillor B A Moore.
In accordance with Procedure Rule 14.4, the Chairman of the Council ruled that the MOTION STAND REFERRED to the Environment Policy Development Group for consideration and report.
(3) Motion 560 (Councillor R J Chesterton – 23 October 2019)
The Council had before it a MOTION submitted for the first time:
Review of Development Management Policies on Parking
This Council requests that officers start work on undertaking a review of Mid Devon’s development management policies regarding parking on our new estates. These should include the number of parking spaces per property as well as how development management can help ease the transition to electric or hybrid vehicles in the future.
In addition to this, this Council requests that at the earliest available opportunity, and no later than three months after this motion is agreed, a paper is brought to the Planning Policy Advisory Group and Cabinet highlighting some of the possible changes members might have to consider and the best mechanism to bring these about.
The MOTION was MOVED by Councillor R J
Chesterton and seconded by Councillor C R Slade.
In accordance with Procedure Rule 14.4, the Chairman of the Council ruled that the MOTION STAND REFERRED to Cabinet for consideration and report.