Agenda item

Please note that the list of Motions is shown under Item 19 in the agenda pack.

Councillor Jeff Brooks declared an interest in Agenda Item 19. Notices of Motion (Motion A: Support the Watermill Theatre) by virtue of his wife’s former employment at the venue and his current status as a paying ‘Friend of the Watermill’. As his interest was a personal or an other registrable interest, but not a disclosable pecuniary interest, he determined to remain to take part in the debate and vote on the matter.

 

Councillor Owen Jeffery declared an interest in Agenda Item 19. Notices of Motion (Motion A: Support the Watermill Theatre) by virtue of his current status as a paying ‘Friend of the Watermill’. As his interest was a personal or an other registrable interest, but not a disclosable pecuniary interest, he determined to remain to take part in the debate and vote on the matter.

 

Councillor Tom Marino declared an interest in Agenda Item 19. Notices of Motion (Motion A: Support the Watermill Theatre) by virtue of his employment in the Office of Alok Sharma MP. As his interest was a personal or an other registrable interest, but not a disclosable pecuniary interest, he determined to remain to take part in the debate and vote on the matter.

 

The Chairman advised that, in accordance with Rule 4.9.4, he had agreed to accept an Urgent Motion submitted by Councillor Graham Bridgman, Motion C (Constitution), the details of which were circulated to all Members prior to the meeting and published on the website.

As the Motion to be moved would rescind a decision made by Council within the preceding six months, in accordance with Rule 4.16.1 notice had been given under Rule 4.9 and had been signed by at least one-quarter of all Members of Council.

The Chairman also advised he would be re-ordering the Motions to consider Motion C first.

The Council considered the under-mentioned Motion (Agenda Item 19(c) refers) submitted in the name of Councillor Graham Bridgman relating to the Constitution.

 

MOTION: Proposed by Councillor Graham Bridgman and seconded by Councillor Andy Moore:

“Background

 

On 6 October 2022 Council approved changes to the Constitution (to Parts 4, 5, 6, 7 and elements of Part 13 – in essence the rules relating to meetings and bodies), but resolved that they were not to be introduced until 1 January 2023.  The delay was: (a) to allow a tidying up of minor elements of the new rules, (b) to ensure that other Constitutional changes (to Parts 9, 10, and 11 - the budget and policy rules, the financial rules, and the contract rules) were brought to Council at this meeting (1 December) such that both sets of changes tied together, and (c) to ensure that there was no conflict between the two sets of changes.

 

The tidying up has been completed but the second set of changes are not yet ready to be put before Council.

 

Motion

 

In order to ensure that there is no conflict between the key elements of the Constitution, this Council RESOLVES that:

 

·      recommendation 2.1(g) of Agenda Item 17 ‘Updates to the Constitution’ approved by Council on 6 October 2022, stating that Council “agrees that the changes to the Constitution detailed in this report take effect from 1st January 2023” be rescinded;

and

·       it is agreed that the proposed updates to the Constitution already approved by Council will not come into effect until Council has also approved the revised rules for the Budget and Policy Framework, the Financial Rules, and the Contract Rules”.

 

Councillor Bridgman introduced what he believed to be a very straightforward and self-explanatory Motion. He expressed his gratitude to those Members who had signed to support the Motion as well as the members of the Task Group.  

 

Councillor Jeff Brooks confirmed that the Task Group had agreed with and supported this Motion for the avoidance of doubt. 

 

In summation Councillor Andy Moore, as the seconder of the Motion, stated he had nothing further to add to the introduction made by Councillor Bridgman.

 

The Council considered the under-mentioned Motion (Agenda Item 19(a) refers) submitted in the name of Councillor Jeff Brooks relating to the Watermill Theatre.

The Chairman advised that an alteration to the Motion had been agreed prior to the meeting, and it was the altered version being proposed by Councillor Brooks and seconded by Councillor Lynne Doherty.

 

ALTERED MOTION: Proposed by Councillor Jeff Brooks and seconded by Councillor Lynne Doherty:

“This Council recognises, and welcomes, that Laura Farris MP has discussed the issue with the management of the Watermill and written to the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport seeking a reconsideration of the decision.  This Council therefore resolves to (a) write to the Arts Council and the District’s three MPs, in support of the Watermill Theatre and to ask (i) the Arts Council to re-consider its decision and consider what other funding options could be available to the Theatre, and (ii) the Rt Hon Alok Sharma MP and the Rt Hon Sir John Redwood MP to support that campaign, and (b) assist, and give advice to, the Watermill in respect of exploring such other avenues of financial support as might be available”.

Councillor Brooks introduced the Motion by highlighting the jewel that the Watermill Theatre was as a facility within the district. He noted that the Watermill Theatre had not only hosted touring shows, plays and musicals, but that it was one of a very small number of producing theatres in the South East of England outside of London. He referred to its production of a version of Stephen Sondheim's Sweeney Todd that ended up just off Broadway and won a Tony Award, which he felt demonstrated the quality of the theatre available in the district. He referred to the Theatre’s outreach programme which involved thousands of people across the district, including their work with young people. The decision of the Arts Council would negatively impact the budget of the Watermill Theatre as confirmed by Mr Paul Hart, its Creative Director. Councillor Brooks acknowledged the work already undertaken by Laura Farris MP to help the Watermill Theatre but argued that the Council also needed to take action and provide practical support such as asking other MPs to put their support behind it, or perhaps assisting the Theatre with their bid to the Arts Council. He asked Members for their unanimous support for the Motion to help continue the national recognition of the quality of theatre in the district.

Councillor Doherty quoted Othello, the last production she had watched at the Watermill Theatre. She stated that West Berkshire residents were lucky to have such a small and intimate venue in a unique rural setting, and agreed that the Council did need to provide practical support where possible. Councillor Doherty also referred to the work already done to assist the Theatre by Laura Farris MP, and encouraged residents to support it by purchasing tickets and becoming Friends of the Watermill Theatre. She referred to the potential for the Theatre to embed itself in to the community, and what it could take forward in its Business Plan to become sustainable.  

 

Councillor Steve Masters welcomed and supported this Motion as he believed the Watermill Theatre was an extremely valuable resource, and a source of entertainment and great pleasure for many people across the district.

 

Councillor Lee Dillon referred to his visits with his family to the Watermill Theatre and their enjoyment of the pre-show meals. He noted that the Liberal Democrat Group had used it as an external training venue which he felt helped to demonstrate what it offered to the community. He described how his local school had struggled to receive voluntary contributions towards the cost of attending a pantomime but that the availability and affordability of this local theatre meant it could be provided. He argued that it was crucial to maintain this asset in West Berkshire so that local children could experience the magic of theatre and the opportunities it brought, be it in acting, stage directing or behind the scenes doing arts, crafts and lighting. There was a whole economy around the theatre and Councillor Dillon felt lucky to have that in West Berkshire.

 

Councillor Graham Bridgman highlighted that the Conservative Group were using, and had previously used, the Watermill Theatre as the venue for their Christmas meal. He encouraged residents to use the facilities, to attend the theatre, and to use the restaurant.

 

Councillor Adrian Abbs indicated his support for the Motion and queried if it was possible for Council officers to visit the venue and provide advice where possible as part of the practical support the Council could offer to the Watermill Theatre.  

 

Councillor Howard Woollaston indicated his support for the Motion and was pleased to hear the cross party support being expressed for it in the Chamber. He had visited the Watermill Theatre on a number of occasions and highly recommended it. 

 

In summing up Councillor Brooks encouraged all Members to vote in support of the Motion and thereby vote to help the Watermill Theatre.

The Council considered the under-mentioned Motion (Agenda Item 19(b) refers) submitted in the name of Councillor Adrian Abbs relating to insulation.

The Chairman advised that notice of an alteration to the Motion had been circulated to all Members prior to the meeting, and it was the altered version being proposed by Councillor Abbs and seconded by Councillor Steve Ardagh-Walter.

 

The Chairman advised that Council would not debate the Motion and, in accordance with Rule 4.9.8, this would be referred to the Executive for consideration as the detail of the Motion fell within its remit. A report would be considered by the Executive and the outcome of that would be reported to Council.

 

ALTERED MOTION: Proposed by Councillor Adrian Abbs and seconded by Councillor Steve Ardagh-Walter:

“Overview:

Council acknowledges that people living in poorly insulated homes suffer from significantly higher heating bills per sqm and are amongst the highest CO2 contributors from a heating perspective.

 

This motion commits West Berkshire Council to take a bold step in helping as many residents as possible and as rapidly as possible to have a positive impact on energy needs next winter.

 

Council notes:

·       That we declared a climate emergency across the district, and we need to make progress on our district target as a matter of urgency.

·       That the better a property is insulated the lower the need for any kind of heating.

·       That for any insulation scheme, there will be a shortage of skills needed to implement the scheme.

·       That many believe the costs of fossil fuel will not return fully to previous levels for many years, if ever.

·       That better insulation is one of the best ways to jump up from a poor EPC rating.

·       That we can learn from the government’s current Sustainable Warmth initiative which comes to an end in March 2023

·       That by having our own scheme we can more directly target relevant residents of West Berkshire.

 

In order to help:

This Council will introduce a scheme which will begin by focusing on those who cannot afford to undertake basic insulation, or lack the skills, or physical ability to do it. The intent for the scheme would be to allow council to undertake a long-term programme which would help towards our enabling of net zero by 2030 for the district.

 

Criteria that should be met:

·      Living in a home or flat that has an EPC of D or below;

·      Can demonstrate to the Council that they are not in a position to:

o  Afford the simple steps to better insulation, in which case material will be supplied;

o  Afford the simple steps to better insulation and don’t have the skills to implement. In which case, materials will be provided and a suitable course made available for them to gain the skills;

o  Afford the simple steps to better insulation and don't have the physical ability to undertake the work, in which case, the material would be provided, and work carried out for them.

 

This council commits to:

·       Presenting a scheme to council a.s.a.p in order to be able to take advantage of funds like the Household Support Fund which we expect to get further funding from.

·       Officers developing details for a scheme to be considered by the Environment Advisory Group at their next meeting, leading to presenting to the Executive for a decision.

·       Officers identifying

o  homes that meet the affordability and physical ability criteria.

o  homes that meet the supply and training criteria.

o  homes that meet the supply only criteria.

·       Officers to investigate creating a directory of local tradespeople who will participate in the implementation of the scheme.

·       Officers to work with local education facilities (such as Newbury College) to ensure the suitable availability of short courses for those wanting to skill-up.

·       Officers to present costs for such courses that will need to be funded

·       Ensuring those that have the greatest need are helped first.

·       Working with both the public and private sectors to ensure anyone meeting the criteria can take advantage of the scheme (no matter who owns the property).

·       Applying for complete funding from government to fund the project.

·       Investigating the creation of a WBC Insulation Bond that would act as a backstop or allow for the extension of the programme dependant on the success of the grant bid

·       Approaching Greenham Trust to support WBC in this program with whatever match funding they could make available

Investigate other funding sources as the scheme develops”.