To consider the following Motions in accordance with Council Rules of Procedure No. 13 (Agenda Item 12)
MOTION L (2006/07):
Councillor Jones has given notice that she will move in the following terms:
“This Council notes that air travel is an exceptionally environmentally damaging form of travel, resulting in far larger quantities of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere than alternative rapid surface travel by train or coach.
This Council notes that with 1600 more train services each year than in 1997, 1850 new railway vehicles with better access for disabled people since 2002, greatly increased speeds of travel by rail from London, a 36% increase in the amount of freight moved by rail in the United Kingdom since 1997, and the Channel Tunnel Rail Link opened on time, the current government has worked hard to improve surface transport in Great Britain and to improve our links to cities in mainland Europe.
This Council believes that it has a duty, individually and corporately, to support the UK government in reducing carbon dioxide emissions and to secure the future of the planet for future generations.
This Council therefore resolves that, in order to help meet local, national and global targets for the reduction of CO2 emissions, Council members and officers will henceforth not travel by air on Council business within mainland Great Britain, or when representing the Council in Paris or Brussels.
This Council further resolves to make greater use of communications technology, such as video conferencing, in order to reduce the need to travel. Where travel is necessary, this Council will accommodate to the needs of members and officers by ensuring that sufficient time is allowed either side of an engagement in order to travel on land.”
MOTION M (2006/07):
Councillor Wilson has given notice that he will move in the following terms:
“This Council notes the damning Commission on Social Care Inspection (CSCI) report on the worsening performance of Adult Social Services in Haringey, which:
§ Found that Haringey Social Services are only serving ‘some’ people well, and failing the majority of vulnerable adults in the Borough
§ Gave Haringey 1 star – the lowest star rating awarded this year – putting the Council in the bottom 22% of English authorities.
§ Found Haringey is one of just 11% of social services departments actually getting worse, dropping down from 2 to 1 stars.
§ Determined that Haringey’s capacity to improve is ‘uncertain’ – the worst rating on ability to improve awarded by CSCI this year.
§ Scored Haringey worse than every other London Borough except one, with 30 London Boroughs getting a better star rating or capacity to improve rating.
This Council regrets that rather than taking action to improve social services, the Labour Executive has instead brought forward proposals for multi-million pound cuts to social services, with plans to close day centres, cut care beds and increase charges; and believes these cuts will further damage social services’ ability to help the most vulnerable elderly and disabled people, leaving many more without the access they need to essential help and support.
This Council therefore calls on ... view the full agenda text for item 78
Minutes:
The Opposition Chief Whip moved to withdraw Motion O from the Agenda and this was unanimously agreed by Council.
At this stage in proceedings, the Mayor and Councillor Rainger left the Council Chamber having declared an interest in Motion L.
The Chief Executive invited Members to elect a chair in the absence of the Mayor. Councillor Dobbie, nominated Councillor Griffith as Chair. There being no other nominations, Councillor Griffith was duly elected as Chair for this item of the agenda.
MOTION L
It was moved by Councillor Jones and seconded by Councillor Reith that:
“This Council notes that air travel is an exceptionally environmentally damaging form of travel, resulting in far larger quantities of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere than alternative rapid surface travel by train or coach.
This Council notes that with 1600 more train services each year than in 1997, 1850 new railway vehicles with better access for disabled people since 2002, greatly increased speeds of travel by rail from London, a 36% increase in the amount of freight moved by rail in the United Kingdom since 1997, and the Channel Tunnel Rail Link opened on time, the current government has worked hard to improve surface transport in Great Britain and to improve our links to cities in mainland Europe.
This Council believes that it has a duty, individually and corporately, to support the UK government in reducing carbon dioxide emissions and to secure the future of the planet for future generations.
This Council therefore resolves that, in order to help meet local, national and global targets for the reduction of CO2 emissions, Council members and officers will henceforth not travel by air on Council business within mainland Great Britain, or when representing the Council in Paris or Brussels.
This Council further resolves to make greater use of communications technology, such as video conferencing, in order to reduce the need to travel. Where travel is necessary, this Council will accommodate to the needs of members and officers by ensuring that sufficient time is allowed either side of an engagement in order to travel on land.”
An amendment to the Motion was moved by Councillor Butcher and seconded by Councillor Newton:
Delete all after "on time” in the fifth line of paragraph 2 and replace with
". Nevertheless, the current government has failed
to curb the 120% increase in CO2 emissions from international
aviation originating from the UK since 1990.
The Council notes with regret the procurement of a luxury Series 7 BMW as the official vehicle for the Mayor of Haringey. It is disappointed that the Labour administration has missed the opportunity for Haringey's first citizen to lead by example through its choice of a vehicle with high CO2 emissions instead of a greener alternative. The car's arrival, coming only weeks after the leader's signing of the Nottingham Declaration, is emblematic of the Labour administration's continued failure to provide vision and leadership to the residents of Haringey in fight against climate change."
The amendment was then put ... view the full minutes text for item 78