Agenda item
Motions submitted under Council Procedure Rule 13.0
1. The following motion has been proposed by Councillor Sharpe and seconded by Councillor Taylor:
“This council notes that
- Hertfordshire County Council is proposing further significant cuts to bus services across the county as part of its budget for 2016–17.
- This is part of £20 million cuts envisaged in the county council’s budget proposals, alongside a 3.99% (maximum possible) council tax rise.
- Among the proposals is a possible axing of the £390,000 grant to Transport for London for routes that cross the boundary between Hertfordshire and Greater London, which could threaten the popular 142 and 258 routes from Watford to Brent Cross and Harrow.
- This follows a £1.5 million cut in funding for bus routes by the county council last year.
This council believes that
- These routes provide an essential service to students attending the Bushey schools, as well as to passengers travelling to destinations in North London, including accessing the Underground network.
- The financial settlement from the Conservative government is forcing drastic cuts on local communities, the county council should make every effort to protect vital public transport routes, such as the 142 and 258.
This council calls on Hertfordshire County Council to ensure that any arrangement with Transport for London maintains the current level of service on the 142 and 258 routes.”
2. The following motion has been proposed by Councillor Haley and seconded by Councillor Dhindsa
“This council notes the massive disruption caused by the poorly planned road works on Wiggenhall Road that had been continuous for the last two weeks and is ongoing.
This disruption is creating havoc for local residents, particularly in Watford Fields and West Watford, with short journeys across Watford taking hours. Workers are finding it difficult to get to work on time, and students are being late for school.
The disruption is also having a detrimental effect on the local economy as shoppers avoid coming into town, and local businesses are being hit.
The ill planned works have created a rat-run through Watford Fields, as forewarned by the Watford Fields Residents Association, past a popular local school.
The mayor promised that disruption would be kept to "a minimum" but the everyday gridlock caused by this poorly planned road closure demonstrates the incompetency of this fading and tired regime.
Council is called upon to take immediate action and work with Herts County Council to reduce the detrimental impact of the road works, and that for any future large scale road closures that Watford Council consults and engages with residents who would be directly affected when plans are being formulated and not when they are about to be implemented.”
3. The following motion has been proposed by Councillor Rogers and seconded by Councillor Mehta
“Warner Brothers Studio Expansion.
Council notes the continued success of the Warner Brothers Studios and Harry Potter Tours, as well as the significant benefits these have brought to the area, including the positive manner in which they communicate with local residents. Additionally, Council welcomes the positive manner in which the local residents in Woodside regard the Studios and their operations.
Council welcomes the application of Warner Brothers Studios for further expansion of the Leavesden Studios filming facilities and Tours and notes the confidence this shows in our local area. The Council looks forward to working with Warner Brothers and Three Rivers District Council on their future plans which bring so much pleasure to so many.
Council therefore requests that the Mayor writes to Warner Brothers with this message.”
Minutes:
Council was informed that three motions had been received.
1) The following motion was proposed by Councillor
Sharpe and seconded by Councillor Taylor:
“This council notes that
- Hertfordshire County Council is proposing further significant cuts to bus services across the county as part of its budget for 2016–17.
- This is part of £20 million cuts envisaged in the county council’s budget proposals, alongside a 3.99% (maximum possible) council tax rise.
- Among the proposals is a possible axing of the £390,000 grant to Transport for London for routes that cross the boundary between Hertfordshire and Greater London, which could threaten the popular 142 and 258 routes from Watford to Brent Cross and Harrow.
- This follows a £1.5 million cut in funding for bus routes by the county council last year.
This council believes that
- These routes provide an essential service to students attending the Bushey schools, as well as to passengers travelling to destinations in North London, including accessing the Underground network.
- The financial settlement from the Conservative government is forcing drastic cuts on local communities, the county council should make every effort to protect vital public transport routes, such as the 142 and 258.
This council calls on Hertfordshire County Council to ensure that any arrangement with Transport for London maintains the current level of service on the 142 and 258 routes.”
Councillor Mehta moved the following amendment seconded by Councillor Silver:
“Replace all wording with:
This council notes
- That all public bodies have a duty to review the spending of public money in order to ensure that public money is being appropriately spent
- That Hertfordshire County Council have stated they are working towards an agreement with TfL as part of the natural end of their funding agreement, and that the 142 and 258 services are commercially viable
- In Financial Year 2014/15 the 142 and 258 bus route services were used by 2,060,340 passengers
This council believes
- Businesses that are able to pay for themselves out of profits should not be further subsidised by taxpayers
- 142 and 258 bus routes should continue to operate in the same fashion as they do now, either through support from Hertfordshire County Council or by virtue of the fact that they are commercially viable and no longer need taxpayers money to support them
This council calls on Hertfordshire County Council to maintain its current policy to ensure that any arrangement with TfL maintains the current level of service on the 142 and 258 routes.”
The following amendment was moved by Councillor S Williams seconded by Councillor Haley:
“Under “This Council believes that…”
These routes also serve the residents of Bushey, who use these routes to commute to Watford to make use of local services, to Watford General Hospital as patients, visitors or workers”
Councillor Sharpe accepted Councillor S William’s amendment for inclusion in the original motion.
On being put to Council Councillor Mehta’s amendment was LOST
On being put to Council the substantive motion was CARRIED
RESOLVED:
This council notes that
- Hertfordshire County Council is proposing further significant cuts to bus services across the county as part of its budget for 2016–17.
- This is part of £20 million cuts envisaged in the county council’s budget proposals, alongside a 3.99% (maximum possible) council tax rise.
- Among the proposals is a possible axing of the £390,000 grant to Transport for London for routes that cross the boundary between Hertfordshire and Greater London, which could threaten the popular 142 and 258 routes from Watford to Brent Cross and Harrow.
- This follows a £1.5 million cut in funding for bus routes by the county council last year.
This council believes that
- These routes also serve the residents of Bushey, who use these routes to commute to Watford to make use of local services, to Watford General Hospital as patients, visitors or workers.
- These routes provide an essential service to students attending the Bushey schools, as well as to passengers travelling to destinations in North London, including accessing the Underground network.
- The financial settlement from the Conservative government is forcing drastic cuts on local communities, the county council should make every effort to protect vital public transport routes, such as the 142 and 258.
This council calls on Hertfordshire County Council to ensure that any arrangement with Transport for London maintains the current level of service on the 142 and 258 routes.
2) The following motion was proposed by Councillor Haley and seconded by Councillor Dhindsa
“This council notes the massive disruption caused by the poorly planned road works on Wiggenhall Road that had been continuous for the last two weeks and is ongoing.
This disruption is creating havoc for local residents, particularly in Watford Fields and West Watford, with short journeys across Watford taking hours. Workers are finding it difficult to get to work on time, and students are being late for school.
The disruption is also having a detrimental effect on the local economy as shoppers avoid coming into town., and local businesses are being hit.
The ill planned works have created a rat-run through Watford Fields, as forewarned by the Watford Fields Residents Association, past a popular local school.
The mayor promised that disruption would be kept to "a minimum" but the everyday gridlock caused by this poorly planned road closure demonstrates the incompetency of this fading and tired regime.
Council is called upon to take immediate action and work with Herts County Council to reduce the detrimental impact of the road works, and that for any future large scale road closures that Watford Council consults and engages with residents who would be directly affected when plans are being formulated and not when they are about to be implemented.”
Members then debated the motion.
During the debate Councillor Mehta raised a point of order following a comment made by Councillor Sharpe and the language of the Chair.
The Chair apologised. Councillor Scudder explained that Councillor Mehta had misunderstood Councillor Sharpe’s comment.
Later in the debate Councillor Sharpe made a point of personal explanation in response to a comment from Councillor Dhindsa that in the past he did not oppose a road to a hospital but rather to an industrial estate. The Managing Director explained the difference to Members between a point of order and a point of personal explanation as set out in the constitution.
Following a question from Councillor Ewudo the Head of Democracy and Governance explained that in order to make a point of personal explanation the Councillor did not have to wait for another Councillor to finish speaking but could stand up and make the point, it was then up to the Chair’s discretion when to allow them to speak.
On being put to Council the motion was LOST
WAIVING OF COUNCIL PROCEDURE RULE 8.0
During the previous debate the Chairman moved that Council Procedure Rule 8.0 be waived to allow the meeting to finish at 10.45pm and then 11.00pm
Prior to the final motion the Chairman moved that Council Procedure Rule 8.0 be waived to allow the meeting to finish at 11.10pm
On being put to the meeting these motions were declared to be CARRIED
3) The following motion was proposed by Councillor Rogers and seconded by Councillor Mehta:
“Warner Brothers Studio Expansion.
Council notes the continued success of the Warner Brothers Studios and Harry Potter Tours, as well as the significant benefits these have brought to the area, including the positive manner in which they communicate with local residents. Additionally, Council welcomes the positive manner in which the local residents in Woodside regard the Studios and their operations.
Council welcomes the application of Warner Brothers Studios for further expansion of the Leavesden Studios filming facilities and Tours and notes the confidence this shows in our local area. The Council looks forward to working with Warner Brothers and Three Rivers District Council on their future plans which bring so much pleasure to so many.
Council therefore requests that the Mayor writes to Warner Brothers with this message.”
Members then debated the motion
During the debate Councillor Silver made a point of personal explanation in response to a comment made by Councillor S Williams that he had supported the housing of refugees in Watford at a previous Council meeting. He had felt however it was not something that the Council should rule on. Councillor Mehta also made a point of personal explanation that she was the daughter of a refugee but had felt that the Council should not be ruling on a Westminster motion.
Following a complaint by Councillor Mehta the Chair asked Councillor S Williams to apologise for his language. Councillor S Williams apologised.
On being put to Council the motion was CARRIED.
RESOLVED:
Warner Brothers Studio Expansion.
Council notes the continued success of the Warner Brothers Studios and Harry Potter Tours, as well as the significant benefits these have brought to the area, including the positive manner in which they communicate with local residents. Additionally, Council welcomes the positive manner in which the local residents in Woodside regard the Studios and their operations.
Council welcomes the application of Warner Brothers Studios for further expansion of the Leavesden Studios filming facilities and Tours and notes the confidence this shows in our local area. The Council looks forward to working with Warner Brothers and Three Rivers District Council on their future plans which bring so much pleasure to so many.
Council therefore requests that the Mayor writes to Warner Brothers with this message.
