1.         The following motion has been proposed by Councillor Bell –

            “This Council notes the recent publication of the ‘Marmot Review’ and the implications for communities that are suffering still from austerity and the subsequent health inequalities that have been made worse by it.

            The Council notes the change in life expectancy particularly for women since 2011 as revealed in the Marmot Review.

            This Council resolves that future policy by the Mayor and his administration should properly take account of the results and conclusions of the Marmot review in helping to create and develop healthy and sustainable places and communities.”

2.         The following motion has been proposed by Councillor Sharpe and seconded by the Elected Mayor –

            “Council notes that the government have placed significant pressure on Watford Borough Council to deliver more homes, tripling the council’s housing target to deliver 793 dwellings a year.

            Councils notes that the government, as part of the National Planning Policy Framework, are planning to meet their promise to build 300,000 new homes a year by building heavily on brownfield land. Watford is made up of 95% brownfield land, meaning we will be under increase pressure to build more homes, particularly near public transport interchanges.

            Council believes that we have a housing crisis across the country and therefore we should build more good quality homes, particularly for local families and young people who may otherwise find it difficult to get on the housing ladder.

            Council believes that the government’s current National Planning Policy Framework seriously constrains council’s powers to insist that developers provide affordable housing or infrastructure such as schools, doctors surgeries or improved public transport in new development.

            Council believes that effective planning policy should require improvements to public transport and to infrastructure such as schools, health facilities etc. as part of new development to ensure there is a good quality of life for existing and new residents.

            Council calls on the government to reform its current rules surrounding development to give councils more power to:

-          Challenge unrealistic targets.

-          Insist on improved infrastructure with new developments.

-          Challenge viability assessments that allow developers to get away without providing adequate affordable housing for local young people.

-          Scrap permitted development rights that lead to substandard homes being built, such as the recent case of windowless flats in Wellstones.

            Council resolves for the Mayor to write to the Secretary of State for the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to call on reform to planning rules to give councils more powers. “

3.         The following motion has been proposed by Councillor Dychton and seconded by Councillor Collett –

            “Council notes that EU nationals from the other 27 EU member states are part of our shared communities alongside UK citizens. They are our husbands, wives, parents, friends and colleagues. They are an integral part of a vibrant and thriving town. There are over 8000 EU nationals living in the town who make a valuable contribution to life in Watford.

            Council notes that the government’s current Settled Status Scheme is ineffective, with many EU nationals not applying for the status and those who do being incorrectly denied their rights to stay in this country.

            Council notes and supports the actions the Mayor has already taken in this area by writing to all EU Nationals on the electoral register to encourage them to apply for the government’s Settled Status Scheme.

            Council believes that EU nationals play an integral role in Watford, particular their part in working in our key public services and the number of EU nationals who have settled in the town deserve to be able to stay.

            Council calls for Watford Borough Council to do all they can to support EU nationals in Watford apply for the Settled Status Scheme so they can continue playing an important part in our town’s life. This includes:

-          Holding regular drop in sessions at the Town Hall and/or other locations in the town where appropriate to provide advice and support for EU nationals about their legal rights post Brexit.

-          Further promoting the government’s Settled Status Scheme to EU Nationals in Watford via social media and engagement with the EU national community in the town.

            Council calls for the Mayor to write to the Home Secretary seeking improvements to the European Settlement scheme, which include:

            i.   Confirming that there will be no changes to the rights of settled EU citizens living in the UK.

            ii.   Replacing the current European Settlement scheme with a registration scheme without a deadline where EU citizens are considered lawful by default and can request a proof of immigration status only when they are asked to demonstrate it.

It was agreed by the Liberal Democrat Group and Labour Group that the motions would be deferred to the next available Council meeting, once meetings could be reconvened.