(1)
Champion Roles
To consider the following Notice of Motion, which has been submitted by Cllr Nadia Martin pursuant to Standing Order 10 (1):
“This council notes that Cabinet Champion roles exist to support and promote key areas of importance to the Borough, and that these roles should operate in a way that best serves residents across the community.
This council further notes that the current arrangements for appointing Cabinet Champions are set out in the Constitution, and that these arrangements place the responsibility for appointments with the Leader of the Council. Council recognises that there is a desire among members for these roles to operate on a non-party-political basis, with transparent and cross-party appointment processes.
This council will therefore:
(1) Commit to the principle that Cabinet Champion roles should be non-executive, non-political positions, open to all councillors, with appointments made by Full Council or the appropriate committee rather than by the Leader, and that the Constitution should be amended to reflect this.
(2) Request that the Licensing and Corporate Business Committee urgently prepare the necessary constitutional amendments, including role descriptions and accountability arrangements, and bring these proposals to the next available meeting of Full Council.
(3) Enable Full Council to vote on the revised arrangements for Cabinet Champion roles at the earliest opportunity.”
(2)
Flags
To consider the following Notice of Motion, which has been submitted by Cllr Craig Card pursuant to Standing Order 10 (1):
“Within Rushmoor the national flag is currently being used for a political purpose, not for national pride.
This borough is the home of the British Army, and many who have risked their lives to defend the very values the flag represents are being let down by this misuse. Some have even made the ultimate sacrifice.
Many residents are distressed that the flags are being used in a manner that betrays what the flag stand for.
Therefore, this Council will recommend to Hampshire County Council to take action to remove the flags from the public highways as soon as possible. This would be a sign of respect for those who defend our country.”
(3)
Unattached Land
To consider the following Notice of Motion, which has been submitted by Cllr Steve Harden pursuant to Standing Order 10 (1):
“This Council resolves to write to the local Member of Parliament and to the Chancellor to raise concerns regarding the management and maintenance of unattached land, and to request appropriate support and guidance.
This Council also resolves that the Policy and Project Advisory Board be requested to consider, and report to Cabinet on:
Minutes:
Further to Standing Order 6(2)(a) the Mayor
used his discretion to change the order in which the Notices of Motion would be
considered as follows, 4(2) Flags, 4(1) Cabinet Champions and 4(3) Unattached
Land.
(1) Flags
With the consent of the Council under Standing Order 14(9),
Cllr Craig Card presented an altered Notice of Motion on the topic of flags, as
set out below:
“Within Rushmoor the Union flag is currently being used for
a political purpose, that is not consistent with nationally understood values
associated with the Union Flag.
This borough is the home of the British Army,
the very values the flag represents are here in our borough of Rushmoor. Many
residents are distressed that the Union Flag is being used in a manner which
betrays these values.
Therefore, this Council will recommend to Hampshire County
Council to take action to remove the Union Flags from the public highways as
soon as possible. This would be a sign of respect to all those who have and
currently serve in uniform.”
In PROPOSING the Motion Cllr Craig Card advised that he had
spoken to residents who had expressed their shame about how the flags were
being displayed at “half-mast” on lampposts across the borough. He respected
people’s wishes to display the flags but felt it would be more appropriate for
individuals to fly flags on their own properties to show their patriotism and
pride. In SECONDING the Motion, Cllr Leola Card stated the importance of
speaking up on behalf of residents and raising the concerns of those who didn’t
want or were unable to themselves.
During debate, it was confirmed that the Council had
previously written to Hampshire County Council (HCC) regarding the flags and
that HCC had advised that they would remain in place unless they were blocking
any road signs. Therefore, it was felt that writing again would not have the
desired effect of the Motion. Members discussed national pride in the flag and
the reasons behind why they had been put up across the borough. Some challenged
if those involved with putting up the flags had been asked why they had done
so, and suggested it was unfair to assume intentions. Others asked for respect
to be given to the flag by flying it appropriately, with permission, at full
mast and to those that chose not to fly it. It was suggested that the impact of
the flag is lost when displayed constantly and it was important to achieve a
balance between pride and national symbolism. The point was made that the flag
should be used to bring the nation together, not to divide it and it was
important that it not be used to stoke division within the community. Residents
should be working together to nurture cohesion with the support of their
council.
In addition, it was noted than many events were held in the
Borough at which the flag was raised officially, and members of the public were
encouraged to attend these events to show their national pride.
The Motion was put to the meeting. There voted FOR: 6;
AGAINST: 19; ABSTAINED: 5 and the Motion was DECLARED LOST.
(2) Champion
Roles
The Council considered a Notice of Motion submitted by Cllr
Nadia Martin under Standing Order 10 (1) on Cabinet Champions:
“This council notes that Cabinet Champion roles exist to support
and promote key areas of importance to the Borough, and that these roles should
operate in a way that best serves residents across the community.
This council further notes that the current arrangements for
appointing Cabinet Champions are set out in the Constitution, and that these
arrangements place the responsibility for appointments with the Leader of the
Council. Council recognises that there is a desire among members for these
roles to operate on a non-party-political basis, with transparent and
cross-party appointment processes.
This council will therefore:
(1) Commit
to the principle that Cabinet Champion roles should be non-executive,
non-political positions, open to all councillors, with appointments made by
Full Council or the appropriate committee rather than by the Leader, and that
the Constitution should be amended to reflect this.
(2) Request
that the Licensing and Corporate Business Committee urgently prepare the
necessary constitutional amendments, including role descriptions and
accountability arrangements, and bring these proposals to the next available
meeting of Full Council.
(3) Enable
Full Council to vote on the revised arrangements for Cabinet Champion roles at
the earliest opportunity.”
In PROPOSING the Motion Cllr Martin expressed the view that
it should be open to any Member to be a Champion for the Council regardless of
political affiliation and that the roles should not be used for political gain.
In SECONDING the Motion, Cllr Tennant referred to both the success of the
process to select the Mayor based on seniority, and
the appointment of opposition vice chairs on the Overview and Scrutiny
Committee which allowed for good cross party working. He advocated for the
positions to be given to the “best person for the job”.
In discussing the Motion, the following points were made:
The Motion was put to the meeting. There voted FOR: 19;
AGAINST: 0; ABSTAIN: 15 and the Motion was DECLARED CARRIED.
(3) Unattached
Land
The Council considered a Notice of Motion submitted by Cllr
Steve Harden under Standing Order 10 (1) on the topic of unattached land:
“This Council resolves to write to the local Member of Parliament
and to the Chancellor to raise concerns regarding the management and
maintenance of unattached land, and to request appropriate support and
guidance.
This Council also resolves that the Policy and Project
Advisory Board be requested to consider, and report to Cabinet on:
In PROPOSING the Motion Cllr Harden advised that the borough
was plagued by unattached land, which in some cases was unsightly and dangerous
due to landowners refusing to take responsibility for its upkeep. Through the
proposed Working Group, members would be able to draw attention to unattached
land in their areas, and the Group could liaise with landowners to determine
ways forward for each area to protect residents from harm due to lack of
responsibility. In SECONDING the Motion, Cllr Allen advised that the
inconsistent and piecemeal approach wasn’t working effectively, and this Motion
could enable a better route for dealing with the issue.
In discussing the Motion, Members spoke of the complaints
that they received regarding damage caused by trees on unattached land that
weren’t maintained properly, and the overgrown nature of the sites which caused
an eyesore in their communities. Potential outcomes for the pockets of land
going forward were discussed: these included creating areas to encourage
biodiversity, making areas into community assets and selling pockets to
residents who live adjacent to unattached land for a nominal fee. However, it
was noted that, financially, there was little the Council could do to maintain
these areas going forward, but the Council could act as a facilitator between
residents and landowners.
The Motion was put to the meeting. There voted FOR: 32; AGAINST: 0; ABSTAIN: 2 and the Motion was DECLARED CARRIED.