The following Notices of Motion have been received:
1. Environment Bill
Proposed by Cllr N Lloyd
Background
Human activity has already resulted in climate change.
The impacts of rising temperatures are being felt around the world. Global temperatures have already increased by 1 degree Celsius from pre-industrial levels.
Limiting Global Warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius may still be possible with ambitious action from national and regional authorities, the private sector, and local communities.
Average World temperature records continue to be broken year on year with the previous 10 year period being the hottest on record (WMO). Despite this, green house gasses continue to rise.
North Norfolk, with its extended coastline, is particularly susceptible to the effects of climate change.
Councils have an important role to play in tackling climate change. They can act as leaders and role models for others to follow. NNDC is committed to reaching net zero carbon by 2030. This pledge will soon be evidenced in our Climate Change Charter, indeed reducing the Council’s carbon footprint has been a priority since 2019.
NNDC have already taken action by committing to planting 110,000 trees by 2023, switching to a green energy supply, renewable energy projects, introducing EVCP’s to North Norfolk and including ambitious green policies into our draft Local Plan. Our journey has only just began.
Everyone, has a responsibility to reduce their impact on the environment - but we cannot be expected to solve the problem of climate change on our own. The Government has a huge role to play in restoring the quality of the air we breathe, nature, biodiversity and the natural environment.
The recently announced delay to the Environment Bill was therefore extremely disappointing. This Bill promised new powers to defend nature and biodiversity, protect our water supplies, reduce flooding potential, improve air quality, enhance waste and resource efficiency whilst improving recycling rates.
Motion:
North Norfolk District Council calls for the Government to reintroduce the Environment Bill at its earliest opportunity.
The Bill will call for a new environmental relationship between local and national Government. Councils will take a greater responsibility to enforce many aspects of the Bill and will be obliged to formally adopt new environmental improvement rolesat a local level. NNDC believe we are well placed to take a leading role in this new agenda and to deliver ambitious plans to protect our beautiful district for future generations. However, this will come at a cost. This Council therefore calls upon Government to provide the support that will be required in terms of finance and legislative powers to ensure the Bill is implemented effectively.
NNDC will write to George Eustice MP to express our support for the Bill, urge him to reintroduce the Bill at his earliest opportunity whilst emphasising that adequate resources must be provided to local Councils.
Write to North Norfolk’s two MP’s seeking their support for the Environmental Bill and request them to take a leading role by championing its passage into law through Parliament.
2. Domestic Abuse
Proposed by Cllr W Fredericks, seconded by Cllr E Withington
Over the last year Norfolk Police has reported a 20% increase in Domestic Abuse. In Norfolk, 1 in 4 women and 1 in 8 men have reported being the victim of Domestic Abuse. Nationally this is 1 in 3 Women. (Fig. Norfolk County Council). Norfolk Police has recorded a 20% increase in cases over the last year. This is an epidemic. With only a 5% positive outcome of the 54% of cases reaching prosecution by the CPS. These are the cases we know about. There are many more hidden away.
Children are often witnesses and there are 692 children in Norfolk per day assessed as being at risk of DA.
This is now an incredibly urgent issue which needs all of our collective thinking on how to prevent acts of abuse, and find ways to support and enable survivors to flee from their situations and then ongoing support to continue to stay safe. Often the victim stays or returns because there is no support available.
The present system isn’t coping with the numbers and we simply don’t have the mechanism to help victims when they need it most. Survivors need help at the point of escape. Not to jump off a cliff with no-one to catch them. Recently I hid a family in a chalet and without the excellent work of our housing team, the next place would have been a caravan. Help is usually available in Greater Norwich, however, there is currently very little here in North Norfolk.
We welcome the upcoming Domestic Abuse Bill from Parliament. We can put steps in place to implement this legislation with the help of the following resolutions:
1) In May 2021, NNDC will establish and host a forum and invite the Police, Norfolk County Council, our experienced officers, agencies and survivors, to work together to find opportunities to provide support where there are currently gaps in services. Also to pull together our current working partnerships.
Working with NNDC and Norfolk County Council, the forum will help develop an action plan to improve support, to those who are living with DA in particular to those who have or want to escape away from their situation.
2) All staff and Members to be offered a short training course from Norfolk County Council which will raise awareness of DA and address the issues. We are a customer facing council and our officers are doing brilliant work with our residents. I believe that this will increase our empathy and show those suffering that we are listening and that we do care.
3) Domestic Abuse Champions (one Officer and one Member) to be trained and be responsible for the following departments; Customer Services, Housing, Revenue and Benefits, Social Prescribing and Environmental Health.
As Members we are responsible for representing the needs of all our residents, those living with domestic abuse are part of the hidden community. It is vital that we have the support network in place to enable them to come forward and empower them to live in safety.
Minutes:
The Chairman said that two notices of motion had been received:
1. Environment Bill, proposed by Cllr N Lloyd and seconded by Cllr E Seward
2. Domestic Abuse, proposed by Cllr W Fredericks and seconded by Cllr E Withington
He invited Cllr Lloyd to introduce the first motion. Cllr Lloyd presented the motion as set out in the agenda:
‘Human activity has already resulted in climate change.
The impacts of rising temperatures are being felt around the world. Global temperatures have already increased by 1 degree Celsius from pre-industrial levels.
Limiting Global Warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius may still be possible with ambitious action from national and regional authorities, the private sector, and local communities.
Average World temperature records continue to be broken year on year with the previous 10 year period being the hottest on record (WMO). Despite this, green house gasses continue to rise.
North Norfolk, with its extended coastline, is particularly susceptible to the effects of climate change.
Councils have an important role to play in tackling climate change. They can act as leaders and role models for others to follow. NNDC is committed to reaching net zero carbon by 2030. This pledge will soon be evidenced in our Climate Change Charter, indeed reducing the Council’s carbon footprint has been a priority since 2019.
NNDC have already taken action by committing to planting 110,000 trees by 2023, switching to a green energy supply, renewable energy projects, introducing EVCP’s to North Norfolk and including ambitious green policies into our draft Local Plan. Our journey has only just begun.
Everyone, has a responsibility to reduce their impact on the environment - but we cannot be expected to solve the problem of climate change on our own. The Government has a huge role to play in restoring the quality of the air we breathe, nature, biodiversity and the natural environment.
The recently announced delay to the Environment Bill was therefore extremely disappointing. This Bill promised new powers to defend nature and biodiversity, protect our water supplies, reduce flooding potential, improve air quality, enhance waste and resource efficiency whilst improving recycling rates.
Motion:
North Norfolk District Council calls for the Government to reintroduce the Environment Bill at its earliest opportunity.
The Bill will call for a new environmental relationship between local and national Government. Councils will take a greater responsibility to enforce many aspects of the Bill and will be obliged to formally adopt new environmental improvement roles at a local level. NNDC believe we are well placed to take a leading role in this new agenda and to deliver ambitious plans to protect our beautiful district for future generations. However, this will come at a cost. This Council therefore calls upon Government to provide the support that will be required in terms of finance and legislative powers to ensure the Bill is implemented effectively.
NNDC will write to George Eustice MP to express our support for the Bill, urge him to reintroduce the Bill at his earliest opportunity whilst emphasising that adequate resources must be provided to local Councils.
Write to North Norfolk’s two MP’s seeking their support for the Environmental Bill and request them to take a leading role by championing its passage into law through Parliament.’
Cllr Lloyd said that there were three Bills relating to environmental and green issues currently making their passage through Parliament. This motion related specifically to the Environment Bill. This had been introduced in October 2019 and was currently stalled, awaiting scheduling which was very disappointing. He outlined the aims of the Bill and set out the targets that it would introduce. He said that he was very supportive of the Bill and drew members’ attention to the recommendations, urging them to support them.
Cllr Seward reserved his right to speak as seconder of the motion.
The Chairman opened the debate:
Cllr N Housden referred to paragraph six. He sought clarification on whether the reference to NNDC was to the Council in its own right or the whole District. Cllr Lloyd confirmed that it related to the Council specifically, adding that the commitment to achieving net zero carbon by 2030 was something that the Council could implement in its own offices and assets but this was not feasible to achieve district wide. Cllr Housden suggested that this should be clarified. He proposed the following amendment:
‘That NNDC was committed to reaching zero net carbon by 2030 in its own right’. The Chairman asked the proposer and seconder of the motion whether they would accept the amendment. They agreed and it became part of the substantive motion.
Cllr C Cushing said that he did not feel that it was a good motion as the Government had already indicated that they intended to bring the Environment Bill forward soon. He said that there had been additional pressure placed on the Parliamentary timetable by the pandemic and Members were aware of this. Parliament had been informed that the Bill would come forwards early in the next parliamentary session and would become law by the Autumn. He then outlined all of the work that the Government had already undertaken regarding climate change and the environment. He said this clearly demonstrated their commitment to delivering the green agenda and members should be satisfied with the Government’s record on environmental issues. Cllr Cushing concluded by reminding members that delivery of the Council’s corporate plan had been delayed due to the impact of the pandemic. He said that if this was an acceptable reason for the Council then why was it not acceptable for the Government.
Cllr N Pearce said that what went on in Westminster served the whole nation not just the Council and this should be recognised. He said that the Government had worked very hard, despite the impact of the pandemic.
Cllr L Shires referred members to the penultimate paragraph which expressed support for the Bill and she refuted that it was not a supportive motion.
Cllr J Toye agreed, saying that the Council was supportive of the Government and they wished to see the Bill moving forwards and work with them on delivering the actions arising from it.
Cllr E Seward then spoke as seconder of the Motion. He said that it clearly stated that the Council was supportive of the Bill and that it just expressed concerns that it was being deferred. If the Government was serious about this issue, then it should be prioritised. A programme of delivery was needed to get you there and the Bill enable this. One of the key issues was regarding powers to deal with flood protection and these were needed now. If the Government wanted to expedite the Bill’s passage through Parliament, then they could.
It was proposed by Cllr N Lloyd, seconded by Cllr E Seward and
RESOLVED
That North Norfolk District Council calls for the Government to reintroduce the Environment Bill at its earliest opportunity.
The Bill will call for a new environmental relationship between local and national Government. Councils will take a greater responsibility to enforce many aspects of the Bill and will be obliged to formally adopt new environmental improvement roles at a local level. NNDC believe we are well placed to take a leading role in this new agenda and to deliver ambitious plans to protect our beautiful district for future generations. However, this will come at a cost. This Council therefore calls upon Government to provide the support that will be required in terms of finance and legislative powers to ensure the Bill is implemented effectively.
That NNDC will write to George Eustice MP to express our support for the Bill, urge him to reintroduce the Bill at his earliest opportunity whilst emphasising that adequate resources must be provided to local Councils.
To write to North Norfolk’s two MP’s seeking their support for the Environmental Bill and request them to take a leading role by championing its passage into law through Parliament.’
Seven members abstained.
The Chairman then moved onto the second motion regarding domestic abuse, proposed by Cllr W Fredericks, seconded by E Withington. He invited Cllr Fredericks to introduce it:
Cllr Fredericks began by thanking Ms Hart for speaking at the start of the meeting and for highlighting the many forms that abuse could take. She outlined the motion as presented in the agenda:
‘Over the last year Norfolk Police have reported a 20% increase in Domestic Abuse. In Norfolk 1 in 4 women and 1 in 8 men have reported being the victim of Domestic Abuse. Nationally this is 1 in 3 Women. (Fig. Norfolk County Council). Norfolk Police have recorded a 20% increase in cases over the last year. This is an epidemic. With only a 5% positive outcome of the 54% of cases reaching prosecution by the CPS. These are the cases we know about. There are many more hidden away.
Children are often witnesses and there are 692 children in Norfolk per day, are assessed as being at risk of DA.
This is now an incredibly urgent issue which needs all of our collective thinking on how to prevent acts of abuse, and find ways to support and enable survivors to flee from their situations and then ongoing support to continue to stay safe. Often the victim stays or returns because there is no support available.
The present system isn’t coping with the numbers and we simply don’t have the mechanism to help victims when they need it most. Survivors need help at the point of escape. Not to jump off a cliff with anyone to catch them. Recently I hid a family in a chalet and without the excellent work of our housing team, the next place would have been a caravan. Help is usually available in Greater Norwich, however is nothing or very little is here in North Norfolk.
We welcome the upcoming Domestic Abuse Bill from Parliament. We can put steps in place to implement legislation with the help of the following resolutions:
Resolutions
1) In May NNDC to establish a forum and invite the police, Norfolk County Council, our experienced officers, agencies and survivors, to work together to find opportunities to support where there are currently gaps in services. Also to pull together our current working partnerships.
Working with NNDC and Norfolk County Council, the forum will help develop an action plan to improve support, to those who are living with DA in particular to those who have or want to escape away from their situation.
2) All staff and members to be offered a short training course from Norfolk County Council which will raise awareness of DA and address the issues. We are a customer facing council and our officers doing brilliant work with our residents. I believe that this will increase our empathy and show those suffering that we are listening and we do care.
3) One DA Champion to be trained and be responsible for the following departments; Customer Services, Housing, Revenue and Benefits, Social Prescribing and Environmental Health.
As members we are responsible for representing the needs of all our residents, those living with Domestic Abuse are part of the hidden community. It is vital that we have the support network in place to enable them to come forward and empower them to live in safety.
Cllr Fredericks then drew members’ attention to the very low rates of prosecution. In Norfolk alone there was over 600 children at risk of domestic abuse. She spoke of her personal experiences of responding to incidents of abuse within her community and her frustration at not being able to help more. Cllr Fredericks concluded by outlining the recommendations and urged members to support them.
Cllr E Withington reserved her right to speak as seconder of the motion.
The Chairman opened the debate.
Cllr L Shires thanked Cllrs Fredericks and Withington for bringing the motion forward and Ms Hart for speaking. She said that there was evidence that progress was being made regarding gaining the trust of residents regarding domestic abuse and seeking support. Many victims left their homes with very little and then found there was extremely limited support available. There was no system in place to support the survivor and she welcomed the opportunity for all of the groups and individuals involved to work together. She thanked all of the people in the community who had previously helped in challenging situations and ensured that victims could remain in the communities to which they belonged.
Cllr J Toye reiterated the previous comments and said that it was real issue that needed to be addressed.
Cllr G Hayman agreed with the previous comments. He said that everyone knew someone who had been a victim of domestic abuse. He felt that this was a problem that sat with men and a long-term solution was needed in educating and socialising them.
Cllr P Heinrich said that it was important to recognise the sheer scale of the issue. The statistics bore this out. The lack of support was a problem and a solution must be found.
Cllr R Kershaw said that he had been very touched during the recent briefing on social prescribing. The impact on residents’ lives was so positive and made a real difference. He requested a recorded vote.
The Chairman said that he wished to comment on the fact that it was not a gender-specific problem. He was personally aware of a case where the perpetrator had been female.
Cllr G Mancini-Boyle referred to the social prescribing team and said that this should be increased and this option should be explored too.
Cllr E Withington then spoke as the seconder of the motion. She said that domestic abuse was a hidden epidemic. Month on month it was one of the highest crimes reported – as demonstrated in the statistics. This had always been the case. She said that in the last 18 months she had personally supported 5 women to escape from domestic violence – ranging in age from 21 to 71. They have left with nothing and there was no mechanism in place to provide a safe refuge, keeping their children in school or even legal advice. It was crucial that the gaps in the system were identified so that appropriate support could be put in place. She urged the Council to play an important role and to support the motion.
A recorded vote was taken and it was unanimously
RESOLVED
1) In May NNDC to establish a forum and invite the police, Norfolk County Council, our experienced officers, agencies and survivors, to work together to find opportunities to support where there are currently gaps in services. Also to pull together our current working partnerships.
Working with NNDC and Norfolk County Council, the forum will help develop an action plan to improve support, to those who are living with DA in particular to those who have or want to escape away from their situation.
2) All staff and members to be offered a short training course from Norfolk County Council which will raise awareness of DA and address the issues. We are a customer facing council and our officers doing brilliant work with our residents. I believe that this will increase our empathy and show those suffering that we are listening and we do care.
3) One DA Champion to be trained and be responsible for the following departments; Customer Services, Housing, Revenue and Benefits, Social Prescribing and Environmental Health.