Agenda item

Motion E (2008/09)

Councillor Butcher has given notice that he will move in the following terms:

“This Council;  

Is strongly opposed to the proposed third runway at Heathrow Airport on the grounds that it will result in hugely increased CO2 emissions and noise pollution for the residents of Haringey and will make it virtually impossible for the UK to hit its targets for reducing carbon emissions, which we must do if we are to hold global warming to below 2ºC. 

Does not believe that maintaining a healthy economy in Haringey and London's position as a major financial centre is dependent on a third runway. 

And resolves to, 

To join the 2M (Two Million Voices) campaign against the Heathrow expansion as many other local authorities, such as neighbouring Camden and Islington, have already done”.   

Motion F (2008/09)

Councillor Alexander has given notice that she will move in the following terms:

“This Council notes:

·        that 16 and 17 year olds can leave school, get married, have a full-time job, must pay taxes on their income, and can join the armed forces, but are not allowed to vote in public elections;

·        that 16 and 17 year olds have been calling for the right to vote for many years through the Votes at 16 coalition;

·        that disconnection between young people and the political establishment is growing.

·        the continuing good work by Haringey’s Youth  Council and its members

This Council believes:

·        that young people are interested in politics and have valid views on issues that affect them;

·        that 16 and 17 year olds are old enough to have the right to vote in public elections;

·        that refusing to allow 16 and 17 year olds to vote is likely to further depress turnout and encourage young people to give up on formal political structures.

This Council resolves:

·        to support the moves to lower the voting age for all public elections to 16;

·        to call on the Government to establish the Youth Citizenship Commission with a clear remit to develop the necessary framework for reducing the voting age to 16.

·        that the leader of the Council write to Bridget Prentice MP, minister in charge of reform in electoral administration, to show the Council’s commitment to pushing for votes for 16 and 17 year old and requesting that the government seriously considers decreasing the voting age”. 

Motion G (2008/09)

Councillor Kober has given notice that she will move in the following terms:

Mobility Benefits for Blind Residents

This Council notes:

1.      That blind people experience significant barriers to independent mobility

2.      That blind people are often isolated and find it difficult to access basic services without mobility assistance

3.      That blind residents face additional costs as a result of their impairment, such as using taxis or private hire vehicles

This Council further notes:

1.      That blind people are not entitled to the higher rate mobility component of disability living allowance

2.      Loss of usable sight clearly causes significant independent mobility problems and incurs significant additional and unmet costs

This Council resolves:

1.      To ask the Chief Executive and Leader of the Council to write to the Secretary of State for Work & Pensions, the Rt Hon. James Purnell MP, expressing these concerns

2.      To ask the Chief Executive and Leader of the Council to write to our local MPs asking that they sign up to EDM number 1982 and write to the Secretary of State expressing these concerns

3.      To support the Royal National Institute of Blind People’s (RNIB) campaign on securing the higher rate mobility component of DLA for blind people.

Councillor Butcher referred to the issue of the amendment submitted by the Majority Group to Motion E earlier that day and failure of officers to notify the opposition of the amendment by the given constitutional deadline. 

The Chief Executive apologised to Council Butcher for the failure of the administrative process and advised that current practices would be examined to ensure that this did not occur in the future.

Motion E (2008/09)

Itwas movedby Councillor Butcher andseconded byCouncillor Newton that:

 “This Council;  

Is strongly opposed to the proposed third runway at Heathrow Airport on the grounds that it will result in hugely increased CO2 emissions and noise pollution for the residents of Haringey and will make it virtually impossible for the UK to hit its targets for reducing carbon emissions, which we must do if we are to hold global warming to below 2ºC. 

Does not believe that maintaining a healthy economy in Haringey and London's position as a major financial centre is dependent on a third runway. 

And resolves to, 

To join the 2M (Two Million Voices) campaign against the Heathrow expansion as many other local authorities, such as neighbouring Camden and Islington, have already done”.   

An amendment to the Motion was moved by Councillor Reith, and seconded by Councillor Jones as follows:

Insert after the second paragraph:

“Recognises the hard work carried out by the ex-Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone, and our local GLA representative, Joanne McCartney, in publicising the dangers of climate change; believes that the expansion runs contrary to the growing evidence we now have on the impact of aviation on climate change and has serious doubts about the current Mayor of London, Boris Johnson’s plans for an airport in the Thames estuary”.

On being put to the vote there were 29 in favour of the amendment, none against and 22 abstentions, the amendment was declared CARRIED.

The substantive motion as amended was then put to the vote and declared CARRIED unanimously.

Motions F & G (2008/09) were withdrawn