Agenda item

(a)          The following Motion has been submitted in the name of Councillor Alan Macro:

“1)       There were a large number of unauthorised encampments in the    district this year.

2)         Several of these were on land owned by the Council.

3)         There are many green areas in towns and villages that are    owned by the Council and that are vulnerable to unauthorised           encampments.

4)         The police are restricted by guidance from the Chief Police Officers Council in their use of their powers under Section 61 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 to direct persons to move off unauthorised sites.

The Council therefore resolves that an assessment of the susceptibility of each of its green areas in towns and villages to unauthorised encampments be urgently carried out. The assessment should assess each site on its vulnerability to incursions and the likely impact on nearby homes. The assessment to be used to prioritise a programme to improve the security of the sites against future incursions.”

(b)          The following Motion has been submitted in the name of Councillor Jeanette Clifford:

“This council agrees that the use of sky lanterns on all West Berkshire council-owned land and West Berkshire council-owned property should be banned. It calls on the Leader to write to West Berkshire MPs, other Berkshire Authorities, West Berkshire town and parish councils, the LGA, DEFRA and MHCLG confirming a ban in West Berkshire and calling for a ban throughout England and Wales. 

Also known as ‘Chinese’, ‘Wish’, ‘Floating’ and ‘Party’ Lanterns, Sky Lanterns are made from paper over wire or bamboo frames and have an open flame heat source.

Increasingly popular, it is estimated that 200,000 are released in the UK each year but - beautiful though they are - they are deadly to wildlife, present a real risk of fire to buildings and land, can be mistaken for emergency flares, and end up littering our lovely countryside.

The RSPCA has called for a ban, as have the Marine Conservation Society, the NFU and others.  West Berkshire should heed that call and members are urged to support this Motion.”

(c)          The following Motion has been submitted in the name of Councillor Jeff Brooks:

“Goodwill and respect is essential from all Councillors to achieve the good working needed to best represent the people of West Berkshire.

Accordingly, this Council resolves to remain respectful at all times to members of the public and Councillors of both political Parties, acknowledging their right to disagree and have different policies and objectives, without resorting to unpleasant and vituperative comments which simply sour relations and undermine political goodwill.”

(a)          Unauthorised Encampments

The Council considered the under-mentioned Motion (Agenda item 15a refers) submitted in the name of Councillor Alan Macro relating to the assessment of the susceptibility of the Council’s green areas in towns and villages to unauthorised encampments.

The Chairman informed the Council that the Motion would be referred to the Executive without debate.

MOTION: Proposed by Councillor Alan Macro and seconded by Councillor Lee Dillon:

That:

“1) There were a large number of unauthorised encampments in the district this year.

2) Several of these were on land owned by the Council.

3) There are many green areas in towns and villages that are owned by the Council and that are vulnerable to unauthorised encampments.

4) The police are restricted by guidance from the Chief Police Officers Council in their use of their powers under Section 61 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 to direct persons to move off unauthorised sites.

The Council therefore resolves that an assessment of the susceptibility of each of its green areas in towns and villages to unauthorised encampments be urgently carried out. The assessment should assess each site on its vulnerability to incursions and the likely impact on nearby homes. The assessment to be used to prioritise a programme to improve the security of the sites against future incursions.”

(b)          Sky Lanterns

The Council considered the under-mentioned Motion (Agenda item 15b refers) submitted in the name of Councillor Jeanette Clifford relating to the use of sky lanterns on land controlled and operated by the Council.

The Chairman informed the Council that the Motion would be debated at the meeting.

MOTION: Proposed by Councillor Jeanette Clifford and seconded by Councillor Tim Metcalfe which included the amendment tabled in writing at the meeting

That the Council:

“agrees that the use of sky lanterns on properties which are controlled and operated by West Berkshire Council should be banned.

It calls on the Leader to write to West Berkshire MPs, other Berkshire authorities, West Berkshire town and parish councils, the LGA, DEFRA and MHCLG confirming a ban in West Berkshire and calling for a ban throughout England and Wales.

Also known as ‘Chinese’, ‘Wish’, ‘Floating’ and ‘Party’ Lanterns, Sky Lanterns are made from paper over wire or bamboo frames and have an open flame heat source.

Increasingly popular, it is estimated that 200,000 are released in the UK each year but - beautiful though they are - they are deadly to wildlife, present a real risk of fire to buildings and land, can be mistaken for emergency flares, and end up littering our lovely countryside.

The RSPCA has called for a ban, as have the Marine Conservation Society, the NFU and others. West Berkshire should heed that call and members are urged to support this Motion.”

The Motion was put to the vote and declared CARRIED.

(c)          Councillors’ Behaviour

The Council considered the under-mentioned Motion (Agenda item 15c refers) submitted in the name of Councillor Jeff Brooks relating to Councillor’s behaviour.

The Chairman informed the Council that the Motion would be debated at the meeting.

MOTION: Proposed by Councillor Jeff Brooks and seconded by Councillor Lee Dillon:

That the Council:

“Goodwill and respect is essential from all Councillors to achieve the good working needed to best represent the people of West Berkshire.

Accordingly, this Council resolves to remain respectful at all times to members of the public and Councillors of both political Parties, acknowledging their right to disagree and have different policies and objectives, without resorting to unpleasant and vituperative comments which simply sour relations and undermine political goodwill.”

The Motion was put to the vote and declared CARRIED.