Issue - meetings

In accordance with Standing Orders, the following motions have been received for consideration:

(1)        Maintenance of roads in the Borough

To be moved by the Labour Group.

“A Local Government Authority (LGA) analysis from March this year stated that the Government spent 31 times more per mile maintaining motorways and ‘A’ roads last year than they did on funding councils to repair crumbling local roads.

Figures from that same report show that the Government spent £192,000 per mile on maintaining strategic roads, such as motorways or major ‘A’ roads compared to just £6,000 per mile on fixing potholes on local roads.

This is despite local roads making up 180,000 miles of the UK’s overall network, with strategic roads making up just 4,800 miles.

Given that there are some 3,200 miles of roadway in the county, this equates to almost two potholes for every road in Hertfordshire.

In June this year, the Herts County Council secured some £4m extra funding from the Government to address the issue of potholes in our roads.  Given that there are ten authorities within the County, then evenly distributed this equates to some £400k each.

This Council calls upon the Herts County Council to recognise that Stevenage is a priority case regarding the repair of potholes because of HCC’s neglect of our local roads and cycle tracks over the years and that at least £400k of the awarded funding is ‘ringfenced’ for the benefit and enhancement of the people and road users of the town.

We therefore move that this Council requests the County Council Highways Portfolio Holder to ensure fair shares and prompt action for Stevenage residents of repairs to potholes.”

(2)        Removal of London Day Travelcard

To be moved by Councillor Phil Bibby CC and seconded by Councillor Bret Facey.

“That this Council objects to the removal of the London Day Travelcard, as it would have a significant negative financial impact on Stevenage residents travelling to London.

That this Council notes:

·       Day Travelcards are tickets that allow local people to travel to London and then use public transport for free once they’re in the capital.

·       Day Travelcards are a simple and convenient way to get into and around London, removing these tickets would mean having to purchase multiple tickets to get across the city.

·       Removing the Day Travelcard would deter potential rail passengers from using the train which would go against this Council’s policy of encouraging sustainable transport.

·       Research suggests that scrapping the Day Travelcards could cost at least an extra £9.30 per person, per visit to London.

·       Unaffordable policies and mismanagement by the City Hall have left Transport for London (TfL) on the edge of bankruptcy. The proposal to removal Day Travelcards suggests that the Mayor is trying to get commuters and tourists to pick up the bill for his mistakes.

 That this Council resolves:

·       To demonstrate its support for Stevenage commuters and tourists by calling on the Mayor of London and TfL to halt the withdrawal of the Day Travelcard.  ...  view the full agenda text for item 10

1. Urgent Motion – Israel/Gaza

Councillor Richard Henry moved and Councillors Phil Bibby and Stephen Booth jointly seconded the following motion:

“This Council is united in expressing our deep shock and sadness at the act of terrorism perpetrated by Hamas on Israel on 7^th October.  Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with all the innocent people in Israel and Gaza now caught up in the escalating violence.

We also recognise that there may be Stevenage residents who have family, friends or loved ones facing danger and we offer our heartfelt support and solidarity to our residents during these troubling times.

This Council resolves to:

1.          Express solidarity with the innocent people directly affected by the ongoing situation in Israel and Gaza.

2.          Encourage and support good relations between our own Stevenage communities at this time of immense international tension to maintain community cohesion.”

The Mayor welcomed Mr Terry Wolfe and Rabbi Danny Rich to the meeting and advised that Imam Mohammed Moynul Islam of the Stevenage Mosque had also been invited but was unfortunately unable to attend due to a prior commitment. The Mayor then invited Rabbi Danny Rich to address the meeting.

Following debate, and upon being put to the vote, the motion was unanimously carried.

2. Maintenance of Roads in the Borough

Councillor Lloyd Briscoe moved and Councillor Simon Speller seconded the following motion:

“A Local Government Authority (LGA) analysis from March this year stated that the Government spent 31 times more per mile maintaining motorways and ‘A’ roads last year than they did on funding councils to repair crumbling local roads.

Figures from that same report show that the Government spent £192,000 per mile on maintaining strategic roads, such as motorways or major ‘A’ roads compared to just £6,000 per mile on fixing potholes on local roads.

This is despite local roads making up 180,000 miles of the UK’s overall network, with strategic roads making up just 4,800 miles.

Given that there are some 3,200 miles of roadway in the county, this equates to almost two potholes for every road in Hertfordshire.

In June this year, the Herts County Council secured some £4m extra funding from the Government to address the issue of potholes in our roads.  Given that there are ten authorities within the County, then evenly distributed this equates to some £400k each.

This Council calls upon the Herts County Council to recognise that Stevenage is a priority case regarding the repair of potholes because of HCC’s neglect of our local roads and cycle tracks over the years and that at least £400k of the awarded funding is ‘ringfenced’ for the benefit and enhancement of the people and road users of the town.

We therefore move that this Council requests the County Council Highways Portfolio Holder to ensure fair shares and prompt action for Stevenage residents of repairs to potholes.”

The following amendment was moved by Councillor Phil Bibby CC and seconded by Councillor Bret Facey (additions and omissions in bold):

“A Local  ...  view the full decision text for item 10

1. Urgent Motion – Israel/Gaza (considered immediately after item7)

Councillor Richard Henry moved and Councillors Phil Bibby and Stephen Booth jointly seconded the following motion:

“This Council is united in expressing our deep shock and sadness at the act of terrorism perpetrated by Hamas on Israel on 7^th October.  Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with all the innocent people in Israel and Gaza now caught up in the escalating violence.

We also recognise that there may be Stevenage residents who have family, friends or loved ones facing danger and we offer our heartfelt support and solidarity to our residents during these troubling times.

This Council resolves to:

1.          Express solidarity with the innocent people directly affected by the ongoing situation in Israel and Gaza.

2.          Encourage and support good relations between our own Stevenage communities at this time of immense international tension to maintain community cohesion.”

The Mayor welcomed Mr Terry Wolfe and Rabbi Danny Rich to the meeting and advised that Imam Mohammed Moynul Islam of the Stevenage Mosque had also been invited but was unfortunately unable to attend due to a prior commitment.

In moving the motion, the Leader of the Council thanked Rabbi Danny Rich and Terry Wolfe for their attendance at the meeting.  He also thanked Imam Mohammed Moynul Islam of the Stevenage Mosque for his written commitment to actively participate in the activities and discussions on this matter.

The Leader advised that he was shocked and distressed by the horrific images and escalating violence in the Middle East with millions of Palestinian and Israeli innocent lives, men women and children, at the heart of the conflict.  He also expressed concern regarding the rise of antisemitism and islamophobia around the UK.  The Leader stated he was proud of the diverse and tolerant community in Stevenage and advised that the Council would continue to work with all communities to foster good relations and maintain community cohesion.

Councillor Phil Bibby CC, Leader of the Conservative Group, seconded the motion.  He condemned the brutal and shocking events in Israel on 7 October.  He agreed that the Council should maintain a focus on community tensions locally, recognising the sensitivities on both sides of the conflict.  His thoughts were with the innocents who had lost their lives and those that had come to harm. 

Councillor Stephen Booth, Deputy leader of the Liberal Democrats Group then jointly seconded the motion.  Councillor Booth advised that he had long been an active supporter of the rights of Palestinians to their own state and to make peace with their Israeli neighbours despite many failures on both sides in this dispute.

Councillor Booth stated that today, Hamas, along with extreme right-wing Israeli politicians and the settler movement, had made the aspirations all but impossible for a two-state solution and following the recent events, any chance of a resolution and peace in Israel had been destroyed.  He reminded Council that Hamas was a prescribed terrorist organisation in the UK and the US; Israel was a  ...  view the full minutes text for item 10