Agenda item

Notices of Motion.

Meeting of Council, Thursday, 3rd December, 2020 7.00 pm (Item 15.)

To deal with anymotions received in accordance with Standing Order 5.0. Any motions received before the deadline has passed for the receipt of motions will be published and a copy of the list will be tabled at the meeting.

Minutes:

The Mayor referred to a report published earlier in the day which set out the details of three Notices of Motion received from Councillors following the publication of the agenda but before the deadline for Notices of Motion.

Councillor L Lyons

The following motion was moved by Councillor Lyons and seconded by Councillor Barker. At the request of Councillor Lyons, the Notice of Motion was debated and determined on the night.

“The current Design Supplementary Planning Document does not provide clarity on the permissible height and scale of new buildings across Woking, particularly those in the town centre. It is therefore proposed that officers should produce a report at the earliest opportunity, setting out existing guidance, along with the consequential impacts which may arise from any changes, with a view to updating the Design Supplementary Planning Document, if appropriate.”

Councillor Lyons introduced his motion, explaining that it had been drawn up in light of concerns over the number of planning applications received by the Council for large scale tower blocks and the changing character of the Town Centre. The Councillors discussed the merits of the motion and welcomed the proposal to receive a report at a future meeting on the current guidance and the possibility of adopting restrictions for the height of buildings in the Town Centre.

RESOLVED

That the motion be supported.

Councillor T Aziz

The following motion was moved by Councillor Aziz and seconded by Councillor Lyons and referred to the Executive on 14 January 2021 in accordance with Standing Order 5.7.

“Motion on viability of affordable homes

Since 2012 WBC has been relying on the opinion of a sole company to determine viability of affordable homes on site for developments. This has resulted in almost all cases being declared unviable by that company.

It’s good practise to seek multiple opinions and not limit to sole opinion.

This motion calls that WBC to employ services of more than one company to determine the viability of affordable homes in future developments before being presented to planning committee.”

Councillor T Aziz

The following motion was moved by Councillor Aziz and seconded by Councillor Barker. At the request of Councillor Aziz, the Notice of Motion was debated and determined on the night.

“While the importance of collecting unpaid Council Tax and Business Rate debt is fully appreciated this Council requests that Officers:-

1) act compassionately with residents and businesses during these COVID times and provide flexibility in making suitable payment arrangements that reduce the risk of severe hardship; and

2) consider the adoption of the CAB Protocol (link below) or similar and report thereon to a future meeting of the Executive.

This motion be considered in this meeting today (3rd Dec 2020)

CAB Protocol

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/Global/CitizensAdvice/campaigns/Council%20Tax/Citizens%20Advice%20Council%20Tax%20Protocol%202017.pdf”

At the request of Councillor Aziz, the motion was considered on the night. Councillor Aziz introduced the motion and spoke in support of the proposal, expressing sympathy for those struggling financially as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Councillor Barker welcomed the motion and suggested an amendment to include a third point as follows:

(3) promote the need for those struggling to contact the Council at the earliest opportunity.

It was noted that the suggested amendment had been discussed with Councillor Aziz in advance of the meeting and was accepted by him.

The Council supported the ambition of the motion and the aim to further encourage any individuals or businesses struggling to meet their financial obligations to Woking Borough Council to contact the Authority as early as possible to consider the payment options available.