Notices of motion

Climate Emergency 2019

Council confirms that it is committed to reducing its carbon emissions and continues to look at all areas of policy and delivery. The Climate Change Policy and the work of the Green Team demonstrates and clarifies our position and ambitions.

Council recognises that many organisations have been working hard locally and nationally to identify and address climate change in their own communities and with partners. However, council believes action needs to happen faster. Business as usual is not enough and there is a growing urgency to implement these actions more rapidly.

Council notes:

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s 1.5˚C special report which provides, with sobering clarity, the evidence of the impact of climate change.

The wider acknowledgement from some bodies that there is a 50% chance of a 2˚C rise by the end of this century.

The World Meteorological Organisation in their annual bulletin (November 2018) state that carbon dioxide levels hit new highs of 405.5 parts per million (ppm) in 2017, up from 403.3 ppm in 2016 and 400.1 ppm in 2015.

The UN Gap Report published before the COP24 in Poland this year, reminding us that the Paris Agreement targets are off track.

UK Met Office’s 2018 Prediction offering an assessment of what we can expect to experience - higher sea levels, rise in temperatures, disrupted rainfall patterns, and as we have seen recently, flooding, over heating and torrential unpredicted rain.

Council confirms that we are facing a climate emergency

Council now urges government to recognise this urgency and to work with local authorities, health services, businesses, consumers, farmers, educational institutions and all other interested bodies to reduce to zero as quickly as possible our carbon emissions and their equivalents.

Council

26 February 2019

 On agenda

Adoption of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition of Antisemitism

Council expresses alarm at the rise in antisemitism in recent years across the UK.  This includes incidents when criticism of Israel has been expressed using antisemitic tropes.  Criticism of Israel can be legitimate, but not if it employs the tropes and imagery of antisemitism.

We therefore welcome the UK Government’s support of the internationally recognised International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) guidelines on antisemitism which define antisemitism thus:

‘Antisemitism is a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews. Rhetorical and physical manifestations of antisemitism are directed toward Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/or their property, toward Jewish community institutions and religious facilities.’

The guidelines highlight manifestations of antisemitism as including:

• ‘calling for, aiding, or justifying the killing or harming of Jews in the name of a radical ideology or an extremist view of religion
• making mendacious, dehumanizing, demonizing, or stereotypical allegations about Jews as such or the power of Jews as collective — such as, especially but not exclusively, the myth about a world Jewish conspiracy or of Jews controlling the media, economy, government or other societal institutions
• accusing Jews as a people of being responsible for real or imagined wrongdoing committed by a single Jewish person or group, or even for acts committed by non-Jews.
• denying the fact, scope, mechanisms (e.g. gas chambers) or intentionality of the genocide of the Jewish people at the hands of National Socialist Germany and its supporters and accomplices during World War II (the Holocaust)
• accusing the Jews as a people, or Israel as a state, of inventing or exaggerating the Holocaust
• accusing Jewish citizens of being more loyal to Israel, or to the alleged priorities of Jews worldwide, than to the interests of their own nations.
• denying the Jewish people their right to self-determination, e.g., by claiming that the existence of a State of Israel is a racist endeavour
• applying double standards by requiring of it behaviour not expected or demanded of any other democratic nation
• using the symbols and images associated with classic antisemitism (e.g., claims of Jews killing Jesus or blood libel) to characterize Israel or Israelis
• drawing comparisons of contemporary Israeli policy to that of the Nazis
• holding Jews collectively responsible for actions of the state of Israel’

Council welcomes the cross-party support within the Council for combating antisemitism in all its manifestations.

Council hereby adopts the above definition of antisemitism as set out by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance and pledges to combat this pernicious form of racism.

Council

26 February 2019

 On agenda

The Council notes:

The increase in child poverty in this District over the past four years, from 14% to 15.9% (measured after housing costs).

The increasing use of food banks in the country, as evidenced by the Trussel Trust figures, showing an annual 13% increase in usage, and Kendal’s Kings Food Bank showing a 16% increase.

The current freeze on Benefits and the rollout of Universal Credit are partly to blame for these increases.

Council calls on the government:

To review its welfare strategy with a view to providing more support for the most vulnerable in our society.

To take urgent steps to address this appalling trend and to reinstate ambitious targets for lowering child poverty.

To take urgent action to help those who are most affected by poverty.

In addition, Council asks:

That the Chair of the Council write to the Local Government Minister expressing our dismay at these trends and seeking his support in requesting additional funds be provided to Local Authorities by Central Government to help those most disadvantaged.

Council

18 December 2018

The motion was carried at the meeting of Council on 18 December 2018

 “That this Council notes with concern that the failing local rail service is having a serious detrimental impact on the area’s visitor economy; notes the use of the line by commuters and school children and recognises the safe guarding issue created by the timetabled services not being available in the past; registers disappointment at the Department of Transport’s decision in 2016 to remove the franchise from TransPennine and grant it to Northern despite the Lakes line being separated from all the rest of Northern’s services; regrets the government’s cancellation of the planned electrification of the line between Oxenholme and Windermere; urges Government to investigate the feasibility of a micro franchise in Cumbria for the Lakes, Furness and Cumbria Coast lines run by an operator that is capable of running a reliable train service which cannot be Northern; and recognises and is grateful for the intervention of the local MP, the Lakes Line User Group and the West Coast Railways, that enabled a shuttle service to be run on the Lakes Line in June.”

Council

24 July 2018

After an amendment to the original motion, the following motion was carried at the meeting of Council on 24 July 2018:

"This Council notes with concern that the failing local rail service is having a serious detrimental impact on the area’s visitor economy; notes the use of the line by commuters and school children and recognises the safe guarding issue created by the timetabled services not being available in the past; registers disappointment at the Department of Transport’s decision in 2016 to remove the franchise from TransPennine and grant it to Northern despite the Lakes line being separated from all the rest of Northern’s services; regrets the government’s cancellation of the planned electrification of the line between Oxenholme and Windermere; urges Government to investigate the feasibility of a micro franchise in Cumbria for the Lakes, Furness and Cumbria Coast lines run by an operator that is capable of running a reliable train service which cannot be Northern; recognises and is grateful for the intervention of the local MPs, the Lakes Line User Group, Furness Line Action Group, Councillors and wider community; and thanks West Coast Railways for the interim service run on the Lakes Line in June."

This council is deeply concerned about the number of second homes in our district.

This is having a devastating impact on some of our communities and restricts the opportunity of young people in our community to get on the housing ladder.

We note:

• the recent proposals from the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority to significantly increase Council Tax on second homes
• the debate around considering extending the definition of 'empty homes' eligible for Council Tax premium to include those that are uninhabited
• owners of second homes that register for business rates and then claim Small Business Rate Relief may make no financial contribution to their community
• in Wales, second homes need to be let for at least 70 days a year to register for business rates

Therefore, this Council calls for changes to legislation to:

• extend the empty homes council tax premium of 100% to include homes uninhabited for more than 2 years
• require second homes to be actually let for 70 days per year to register for business rates
• allow councils to implement an additional charge on second homes, relating to the housing needs of the area. The income from such charges being used to support the affected communities
• permit planning authorities to treat the change of use of property from permanent residential to either second-home or holiday let as being a material change of use and, therefore, requiring appropriate planning permission."

Council

28 March 2018

This motion was carried at the meeting of Council on 28 March 2018.

This Council:

• believes that it is wrong that residents of South Lakeland living with cancer have to make exhausting round trips of up to three hours to receive vital radiotherapy
• supports the campaign led by Tim Farron MP to bring a satellite radiotherapy unit to Westmorland General Hospital to complement the excellent new chemotherapy ward
• notes that the former Liberal Democrat Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Danny Alexander, agreed to Tim Farron's request to provide £12 million capital funding for a radiotherapy unit at Westmorland General Hospital in early 2015
• condemns the Conservative Government for withdrawing that funding in 2015
• calls for a satellite radiotherapy unit to be established as an urgent priority

Council

27 February 2018

After an amendment to the original motion, the following motion was carried at the meeting of Council on 27 February 2018:

"This Council:

• believes that it is wrong that residents of South Lakeland living with cancer have to make exhausting round trips of up to three hours to receive vital radiotherapy
• supports efforts by practitioners, the Health Trust and politicians of all persuasions, to bring a satellite radiotherapy unit to Westmorland General Hospital to complement the excellent new chemotherapy ward
• calls for a satellite radiotherapy unit to be established as an urgent priority."

This council will become a single use plastic free council by phasing out the use of single use plastic products such as bottles, cups, cutlery and drinking straws in council activities, where it is reasonable to do so, by the end of 2018 and to encourage our facilities’ users, local businesses and other local public agencies to do the same by championing alternatives, such as reusable water bottles.

Council

27 February 2018

That this Council actively explores the possibility of de-registering that portion of New Road hitherto used as a car park and if proved feasible forthwith proceeds with the same and if successful converts it into a proper car park free for use by the public.

Council

12 October 2017

This Council wishes to assert that it is proud to live in a diverse and tolerant society.

Council believes that everyone should be free to live their lives without fear of abuse or attack on the basis of who they are.

Racism, xenophobia, sexism, ageism and homophobia have no place in South Lakeland or elsewhere.

We condemn these attitudes and the hate crimes that result from them unequivocally.

Council believes that hate crimes are particularly corrosive as they strike at the heart of our communities, breaking them down, by making people look at one another with suspicion and mistrust.

This council will continue to ensure local bodies and programmes have the support needed to fight and prevent all forms of racism, xenophobia, sexism, ageism and homophobia.

We wish to reassure all residents that they are valued members of our community.

This Council therefore instructs the Chief Executive to write to the Police and Crime Commissioner, the Chief Superintendent and the leader of Cumbria County Council giving them our support in tackling such behaviour, and requesting that they work with Council and its local partners to create an atmosphere of welcome and inclusion by:

• challenging prejudice, hate and negative stereotyping
• supporting the campaign to encourage the public to report hate crimes
• reminding our communities that hate crimes are against the law and they are treated very seriously
• running activities to celebrate diversity and to highlight the positive contribution that everyone makes in our society

Council

26 July 2016

This Council:

• affirms its belief in a mixed housing market with opportunities for all
• opposes the Government's plan to compel housing associations to sell off their stock
• notes with alarm the shortage of affordable rented homes in our area with high numbers on our Council's housing waiting list
• restates its commitment to increasing the amount of social housing in our district

Council resolves:

• to work with other neighbouring authorities and housing associations to oppose the current Government proposals
• to write to Tim Farron MP and John Woodcock MP asking them to support the Council's position, to speak up in Parliament for more social housing and not less and to push for a genuine 'one for one' replacement but not at the cost of losing more council housing
• to write to the Minister of State for Housing, the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government and the Prime Minister of Her Majesty's Government to notify them of this Council's opposition to these current plans and to urge them to think again

Council

28 July 2015

That this Council regrets the pernicious effect on vulnerable and in many cases disabled people of deductions being made from Housing Benefit paid to working age tenants in the social housing sector deemed to have an excess number of bedrooms in their homes; and calls on the Government to end these deductions with immediate effect.

Council

27 March 2014

Following suggested amendments having been agreed to, it was resolved that the following motion be supported:

This Council regrets the effect on vulnerable and in many cases disabled people of deductions being made from Housing Benefit paid to working age tenants in the social housing sector deemed to have an excess number of bedrooms in their homes; and calls on the Government to end these deductions as soon as possible.

This Council registers its disgust at Cumbria County Council's disastrous cuts of rural bus services and the removal of support for 16 to 19 year old school transport. This Council strongly condemns this proposed action and the effect it will have on hard working South Lakeland residents.

Council

25 February 2014

The Council calls on the Secretary of State for Health, Rt. Hon. Jeremy Hunt MP, to reconsider proposals to phase out Minimum Practice Income Guarantee (MPIG) funding for GP surgeries because of the grave threat this poses to the future viability of some GP practices in sparsely populated areas, and instructs the Council's Chief Executive to write to the Secretary of State expressing the views of this Council and to report back as soon as a governmental response is received.

Council

26 September 2013

It was resolved at the meeting that:

1. the motion, as presented, be adopted

2. the Chief Executive be asked to:

a) write to the Secretary of State expressing the views of this Council

b) report back as soon as a governmental response is received

Lake Administration Committee

8 February 2013

Councillor Williams agreed to an amendment at the meeting, and the following motion was carried:

"That this Committee humble requests that in future all meetings of this Committee be held in either Windermere or Kendal at the discretion of the Director or Policy and Resources (Monitoring Officer)."

Lake Administration Committee

8 February 2013

Withdrawn on 25 July 2013.

Council

27 September 2012

It was resolved at the meeting of 18 December 2012 that the motion be not carried.

Will this Council support the motion that whilst it accepts in principle the proposal to create three centres of excellence for Vascular Surgery to serve the whole of Cumbria and Lancashire it requires Lancaster Royal Infirmary to become one of the three rather than Preston.  This is to ensure a reasonable location of these centres throughout the area to ensure in turn that the residents of South Lakeland and parts of Lancashire are not disadvantaged in terms of travel time and distances.

Further, that if it is claimed that Lancaster Royal Infirmary does not meet the criteria at the moment (which is arguable) then resources should be put into RLI to ensure that it does.

Council

18 December 2012

After an amendment to the original motion, the following motion was carried at the meeting of 18 December 2012:

That this Council support the motion that whilst it accepts in principle the proposal to create three centres of excellence for vascular surgery to serve the whole of Cumbria and Lancashire, it requires Lancaster Royal Infirmary to become one of the three.  This is to ensure a reasonable location of these centres throughout the area to ensure in turn that the residents of South Lakeland and parts of Lancashire are not disadvantaged in terms of travel times and distances.

Further that if is claimed that Lancaster Royal Infirmary does not meet the criteria at the moment (which is arguable) then resources should be put into LRI to ensure that it does.  This to be in support of South Lakes Health Action, Tim Farron MP, Kendal Town Council and all other parish councils for their continued efforts to achieve this.

That Council continues to register its concern with regard to the draft First Trans-Pennine Express May 2014 timetable proposals and that it supports South Cumbrian MPs Tim Farron and John Woodcock, the Furness Line Action Group, the Lakes Lines Rail User Group together with the community partnerships of both organisations and the local members of TravelWatch NorthWest in their efforts to ensure that there are regular through train services between the district, Manchester and Manchester Airport as they are key to the wellbeing of our communities and to economic growth in South Lakeland.

Council

27 September 2012

The motion was carried at the meeting of 27 September 2012.

That Council resolves:

1. to thank Tim Farron MP and the NFU for running the 'Fair Deal for Dairy Farmers' campaign
2. to ask the Agriculture Minister to look at the Grocery Code Adjudicator Bill and press for regulation to be used to get a fair deal for local dairy farmers

Council

27 September 2012

After an amendment to the original motion, the following motion was carried on 27 September 2012:

1. Tim Farron MP, the NFU and others locally and nationally be thanked for running the 'Fair Deal for Dairy Farmers' campaign
2. the Agriculture Minister be asked to look at the Grocery Code Adjudicator Bill and press for regulation to be available to get a fair deal for local dairy farmers

That this Council acknowledges that boosting small businesses and encouraging start-ups is the best option for leading our economy into a period of sustainable growth. As such, this Council joins Rory Stewart MP, Jamie Reed MP, Tim Farron MP and John Woodcock MP in formally supporting the Federation of Small Business' campaign  'Real-Life Entrepreneurs'. Specifically noting that; we call on Government to simplify the tax system and look at the feasibility of introducing targeted VAT cuts in key sectors such as tourism to kick start the economy and stimulate growth.

Council

27 September 2012

The following substantive motion was carried at the meeting of 27 September 2012:

That this Council acknowledges that boosting small business and encouraging start-ups is the best option for leading our economy into a period of sustainable growth.

As such, this Council joins Rory Stewart MP, Jamie Reed MP, Tim Farron MP and John Woodcock MP in supporting the Federation of Small Business' campaign 'Real Life Entrepreneurs'.

Specifically noting that: we call on Government to simplify the tax system and look at the feasibility of introducing targeted VAT cuts in key sectors to kick start the economy and stimulate growth.

We further call for the income tax threshold to be raised further so that no one pays income tax on less than £12,500 ie the full time minimum wage, in order to help low and minimum wage earners in the South Lakes and to boost demand in our local economy, to be paid for by higher taxes on the wealthy.

That council continues to register its concern with regard to the draft First TransPennine May 2014 timetable proposals, and that it supports efforts to ensure there are regular through train services between the district, Manchester and Manchester Airport as they are key to the wellbeing of our communities and our prospects for economic growth.

Council

28 July 2012

This motion was withdrawn at the meeting on 26 July 2012.