Agenda item

Motions for which notice has been given are listed on the agenda in the order in which notice was received, unless the Member giving notice states, in writing, that they propose to move it at a later meeting or withdraw it.

If a Motion set out in the agenda is not moved by the Member who gave notice thereof it shall, unless postponed by consent of the Council, be treated as withdrawn and shall not be moved without fresh notice.

Up to 60 minutes is allowed for this part of the meeting unless extended by the Chairman of Council on a motion moved, duly seconded and approved by the Council.  Members may ask one supplementary question in addition to their original question.

The Motions received are set out in the agenda papers.

Motion 1

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 13, Councillor H M Williams moved the Motion of which she had given notice as followed:

“We would like to acknowledge and thank the many DDC officers and staff on the ground, and the Veolia contract staff, for their hard work cleaning up the mess in Dover resulting from the lorry gridlock of our town before Christmas.

We would also like to register our dismay and concern that the plans from D O T, Highways England, Police and KCC for dealing with emergencies at our port were not effective and resulted in serious environmental problems (hygiene, rubbish, air pollution), as well as a gridlock.

DDC must demand a review of the whole procedure leading to the chaos and gridlock that occurred in Dover over the Christmas period, so that lessons are learnt from what happened. This should be acted upon to ensure that there is a strategy in place to ensure such a situation does not happen again; residents and the council must be fully informed of this new strategy.”

The Motion was duly seconded by Councillor K Mills.

It was moved as an AMENDMENT by Councillor N S Kenton, and duly seconded by Councillor N J Collor that

(a)  Paragraph 2 be amended so as to read “We have registered” instead of “We would also like to register”

(b)  Paragraph 3 be amended so as to read “DDC has already demanded” instead of “DDC must demand”

On being put to the vote the AMENDMENT was CARRIED.

The SUBSTANTIVE Motion was put to the meeting and

RESOLVED: “We would like to acknowledge and thank the many DDC officers and staff on the ground, and the Veolia contract staff, for their hard work cleaning up the mess in Dover resulting from the lorry gridlock of our town before Christmas.

                        We have registered our dismay and concern that the plans from D O T, Highways England, Police and KCC for dealing with emergencies at our port were not effective and resulted in serious environmental problems (hygiene, rubbish, air pollution), as well as a gridlock.

                        DDC has already demanded a review of the whole procedure leading to the chaos and gridlock that occurred in Dover over the Christmas period, so that lessons are learnt from what happened. This should be acted upon to ensure that there is a strategy in place to ensure such a situation does not happen again; residents and the council must be fully informed of this new strategy.”

Motion 2

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 13, Councillor S H Beer moved the Motion of which she had given notice as followed:

“As part of the Overview and Scrutiny review into Food Poverty in the district, on 11 January, we heard from the CEO of Dover and Deal CAB (Citizens Advice Bureaux) that demand for their services has risen by 12% each year for several years.

The CAB is therefore under severe pressure. Due to the COVID pandemic there has been a significant increase in the need for advice combined with the number of volunteers reducing.

Their own emergency COVID fund for residents, derived at present from private benefactor’s contributions, is nearly exhausted. They need more.

The CAB has not had an increase in their DDC annual grant for many years. This grant reflects neither the level and complexity of the service provided nor the number of clients served. The VFM - value for money - they deliver can be seen in the £1.5 Million brought into the district in various benefit maximisations this year.

This motion proposes that DDC makes provision in the 2021-22 budget for a grant of £131,712. This sum represents a rise of 12% per annum from a base of £105,000 in 2019, to match the rate of growth in demand. In addition, the motion proposes that Council awards an immediate payment of £10,000 to go into the CAB extreme hardship fund to take them through the coming months.”

The Motion was duly seconded by Councillor H M Williams.

On being put to the vote the Motion was LOST.

Motion 3

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 13, Councillor H M Williams moved the Motion of which she had given notice as followed:

“This council believes that the £20 extra allowance for Universal Credit, brought in as a temporary pandemic measure to help struggling families until April 2021, should be made permanent, or at least until everyone has been vaccinated. That it also should be extended to people, mainly those sick or disabled, who are on legacy benefits, like Employment and support Allowance.

The £20 increase has been a lifeline during the pandemic. Many local families, with and without children, will see further job losses locally as the pandemic continues. We know many of them are struggling to pay their rent, increased heating bills during winter, and rising food bills.

Nationally, over 60 charities, like the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, the Resolution Foundation, children’s charities, food banks, housing organisations, benefit and debt advisors, disability groups and faith leaders, with cross party support in government e.g. the commons Work and Pensions committee, are all saying this increase should continue and be extended to legacy benefits.

We recommend that the leader write to the Government to request this increase be kept and be extended to legacy benefits.”

The Motion was duly seconded by Councillor P M Brivio.

On being put to the vote it was

RESOLVED: “This council believes that the £20 extra allowance for Universal Credit, brought in as a temporary pandemic measure to help struggling families until April 2021, should be made permanent, or at least until everyone has been vaccinated. That it also should be extended to people, mainly those sick or disabled, who are on legacy benefits, like Employment and support Allowance.

                        The £20 increase has been a lifeline during the pandemic. Many local families, with and without children, will see further job losses locally as the pandemic continues. We know many of them are struggling to pay their rent, increased heating bills during winter, and rising food bills.

                        Nationally, over 60 charities, like the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, the Resolution Foundation, children’s charities, food banks, housing organisations, benefit and debt advisors, disability groups and faith leaders, with cross party support in government e.g. the commons Work and Pensions committee, are all saying this increase should continue and be extended to legacy benefits.

                        We recommend that the leader write to the Government to request this increase be kept and be extended to legacy benefits.”