Agenda item

To consider any Notices of Motion that have been received in accordance with paragraph 1.34 of the Council Procedure Rules

Consideration was given to the following Notices of Motion, which had been submitted in accordance with paragraph 1.34 of the Council Procedure Rules:

 

1.    20’s PLENTY IN 2020

 

Proposed by Councillor S Akers Smith and seconded by Councillor J Barber

 

Cheshire East is a caring council, where the needs of residents come first. 20mph speed limits improve quality of life, helping to create places where walking, cycling, conversations and playing are prioritised over vehicle traffic.

 

20mph speed limits are supported by many bodies including the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), the Royal College of Paediatrics & Child Health, Alzheimer's Society, Cycling UK, World Health Organisation, Cheshire Police and Crime Commissioner, Transition Towns and cities, towns and parish councils and community groups.

 

30mph speed limit was created in 1934 and has never been reviewed, despite a significant increase in number of vehicles from 1.5 million to 40 million. The speed and weight of vehicles kills 5 people every day in the UK, which prevents people from feeling safe walking and cycling.

 

Reducing the default speed limit to 20mph on most urban and residential roads except where it is safe and compatible with community needs for it to be 30mph, will encourage parents to allow their children to walk and cycle to school, creates safety for those using mobility aids and the partially sighted and will help many people feel safer cycling on the roads because lower speeds make the environment feel safer.  This change will also reduce congestion, improve air quality and improve the fitness of the borough’s residents, as well as improve the economies of town centres by making them nicer places for people to want to spend time in.

 

In 2019 Cheshire East Council committed to fight climate change and implementing a default 20mph speed limit in areas where there is a mix of vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists will help us achieve this.  I urge councillors to make a real change to their communities and vote in support of this much needed Motion and join 21million other people in this country who have adopted the same policy, a default 20mph in central, urban and residential areas across the borough, unless where it is safe and compatible with community needs for it to be 30mph.

 

The Motion for “20’s Plenty in 2020” asks Council to resolve to lend its support to:

 

1.         The principle of introducing a default 20mph speed limit in central, urban and residential roads (these to be formally agreed in line with the law and the Council’s decision-making arrangements) - not a blanket measure.

 

2.         Consideration of the practicalities and timescales of introducing such a scheme in consultation with the Director of Highways and Infrastructure, and the Portfolio Holder for Highways and Waste, with formal consideration by the appropriate decision-making body/bodies, as early as possible in 2021.

 

3.         Working with Cheshire police to help maintain compliance, once such arrangements are established.

 

4.         Working with town and parish councils and the community, collaboratively and financially, to achieve the objectives of this Notice of Motion.

 

An amendment to the motion was proposed by Councillor L Crane and seconded by Councillor N Mannion as follows:

 

To replace points 1 and 2 with the following:

 

1.    The principle of introducing a default 20mph speed limit where appropriate, not a blanket measure. This would be through the review of the Speed Management Strategy which is scheduled to take place in 2021 and the points raised, both for and against, during today’s debate be considered during this process.

 

Points 3 and 4 would still stand.

 

Councillor S Akers Smith and Councillor J Barber indicated their acceptance of the amendment.

 

The motion as amended now constituted the substantive motion before Council.

 

An amendment to the new substantive motion was proposed by Councillor J Clowes and seconded by Councillor M Simon which replaced reference to ‘20 mph limits’ with ‘20 mph zones’ and proposed that a cross party working group be appointed by the Environment and Regeneration Overview and Scrutiny Committee to consider the introduction of 20 mph zone schemes.

 

On being put to the vote, the amendment was declared lost.

 

A further amendment to the new substantive motion was proposed by Councillor P Williams and seconded by Councillor M Goldsmith as follows:

 

To replace point 1 with the following:

 

1.    The principle of introducing 20mph speed restrictions where appropriate – not a blanket measure. This would be through the review of the Speed Management Strategy which is scheduled to take place in 2021 and the points raised, both for and against, during today’s debate be considered during this process.

 

The remaining points would still stand.

 

Councillor S Akers Smith and Councillor J Barber indicated their acceptance of the amendment.

 

The motion as amended now constituted the substantive motion before Council.

 

RESOLVED:

 

That Council supports the motion as amended as follows:

 

1.    The principle of introducing 20mph speed restrictions where appropriate – not a blanket measure. This would be through the review of the Speed Management Strategy which is scheduled to take place in 2021 and the points raised, both for and against, during today’s debate be considered during this process;

 

2.    Working with Cheshire police to help maintain compliance, once such arrangements are established; and

 

3.    Working with town and parish councils and the community, collaboratively and financially, to achieve the objectives of the motion as amended.

 

2.    Support for Town Centres over Christmas and New Year

 

Proposed by Councillor J Clowes and seconded by Councillor S Gardiner

 

We propose that this Council support the cessation of car park charges on all Cheshire East Council-owned car parks that directly serve the Borough’s Towns, Market Town and principal Service Centres for the period:

 

• To commence from 3rd December 2020 when current Covid-19 restrictions are lifted (or whichsoever date in December is permitted, whereby compliance with national and local Covid-19 restrictions may be achieved).
• The car park charges respite period to end at the end of business on 17th January 2021.

 

This action will provide the Borough’s town centre traders with an essential and welcome boost once the current lockdown ends, whilst also encouraging Cheshire East Residents to “Shop Local”.

 

Councillor Clowes referred to the discussion on this matter at the Cabinet meeting on 1^st December and expressed disappointment that Cabinet had not supported the proposal. With Christmas now just a week away, it was now too late to pursue the actions proposed in the motion and consequently the motion was withdrawn.

 

3.    Bullying is Unacceptable in Cheshire East

 

Proposed by Councillor J Parry and seconded by Councillor D Murphy

 

We are committed to providing a caring, friendly, tolerant and safe environment for all of our communities so they can participate in positive work, learning, social activity and enjoy a happy retirement. Bullying of any kind is unacceptable for anyone here in Cheshire East.

 

RESOLVED:

 

That the Motion be approved.