Issue - meetings

To consider the attached Notices of Motions, submitted in accordance with Procedure Rule 12.

(a)               Consideration was given to the following Notice of Motion, submitted by Cllr Brickhill and seconded by Cllr Murphy :-

“In view of the obvious and continued failure of the Cabinet system, as evidenced by their inability, for a second year running, to manage their budget, letting it overrun by a predicted £16,000,000, with the resultant reductions of reserves to a dangerously low level, this Council instructs its Constitution Committee to prepare the necessary amendments to bring about a proven successful system of governance, similar to the earlier committee systems of the successful predecessor Councils, to begin from the start of the 2012/13 financial year.”

RESOLVED

That the motion stands referred to the Constitution Committee for consideration.

(b)               Consideration was given to the following Notice of Motion, submitted by Cllr Newton and seconded by Cllr Hogben:-

“This Council believes that elected Members are entitled to be provided with accurate and meaningful financial information, upon which they can form views and base judgments during the ongoing budget preparation and scrutiny process.”

 RESOLVED

That the motion stands referred to Cabinet for consideration.

(Cllr R Domleo had declared a personal and prejudicial interest in the following Notice of Motion and left the room during consideration of this matter).

(c)               Consideration was given to the following Notice of Motion, submitted by Cllr Fletcher and seconded by Cllr Hough :-

“FEED IN TARIFFS

This Council notes that increasing numbers of households are installing photo voltaic panels on their roofs, lowering the carbon usage and dependency on fossil fuels.

This has resulted in the creation of new jobs.

Social Landlords have installed, or are considering installing PV panels on some multiple tenanted properties, with tenants able to use the electricity generated to reduce fuel poverty.

This Council also notes the consultation on changes to the feed in tariff, which currently helps to fund these installations

Council is concerned that halving the tariff at short notice is causing problems for installers and users. Any reductions in the number of systems being installed will mean fewer jobs and will undermine the aim of increased low carbon energy supplies.

The proposal to apply a lower tariff to multi installation schemes could exclude social Landlords and their tenants from the scheme.

Council, therefore, agrees to write to the Prime Minister, the Secretary of State for energy and climate change asking that:

1 The tariff is reduced progressively to enable the industry and householders to adjust. NO reductions before April 2012.

2 A community Tariff for social housing providers is established, excluding them from the proposed multi-user lower rate.

3 That the Local Government Association be copied into any correspondence to help in their lobbying work with the Government.”

The Mayor reported that, due to the time limits of the consultation period in respect of this matter, he had agreed that this motion should be dispensed with at the meeting, this being conducive to the despatch of business.

The Environment Portfolio Holder suggested a number of additions to the motion,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 71