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Agenda item

Council Debate Motions

To debate any motions submitted in accordance with Council Procedure Rules.

Minutes:

Madam Mayor requested that the Chief Executive read out the first Council Debate motion made on behalf of the Administration: “Following the joint statement from the CBI & TUC, that the Brexit crisis is now a “national emergency”, this Council reaffirms our commitment to supporting all our EU citizens, protecting local jobs and the economy, and that Croydon will always celebrate our diversity and be open to all

 

Madam Mayor invited the Leader to propose the motion.

 

The Leader stated that this was not about the mistake of the referendum but rather about complex issues being reduced down into a binary in/out choice. It was highlighted that 55% of Croydon residents had voted to remain in the EU. The Leader stressed his concern about increasing hate crime in the borough and across London since the EU referendum. It was noted that the Council took pride in standing with all its residents. The support offered to the Windrush Generation was cited in example. It was therefore important for the Council to stand with EU citizens in the borough and for politicians, locally and nationally, to lead by example.  The Leader highlighted how the community had come together in Christchurch in the face of and to oppose violence. It was reported that this had been emulated at the Croydon Mosque in the wake of the events in Christchurch and had moved all who had been involved. The Leader called for hate never to divide the Croydon community. It was noted that even if Brexit were to happen there would be continued debate during the withdrawal period. It was therefore important for the Council to give out the clear message that it will not allow division and that the contribution of all was valued regardless of background.

 

Councillor Ben-Hassel seconded the motion and reserved the right to speak.

 

Councillor Quadir spoke on the motion highlighting the diversity of the borough and his belief in Croydon’s residents meaning that he did not fear Brexit. Councillor Quadir noted improvements in healthcare, record levels of employment and the increase in the minimum wage and how these are benefiting Croydon’s residents. Councillor Quadir stressed that everyone has a common goal to do what was best for Croydon and therefore reported that he was happy to support the motion.

 

Councillor Pollard, the Leader of the Conservative Group, also spoke on the motion noting that a similar motion had been discussed two months previously and that he had hoped that the terms of the Brexit withdrawal agreement would be known by this point. Councillor Pollard noted that he appreciated how destabilising it must be to EU citizens and called on Parliament to come together to find a solution. It was stressed that Croydon Conservatives joined with the Labour Group to reinforce the need to continue to be good friends with and trade with the EU. Councillor Pollard agreed with the need to stand together as one. A plea was issued to Westminster to resolve the current Brexit hiatus.

 

Councillor Ben-Hassel exercised her right to speak and took the opportunity to express her delight at her recent election and thanks to residents in Norbury & Pollards Hill Ward. Councillor Ben-Hassel explained to the Members of Council that she was an EU citizen and wanted to bring a human dimension to Brexit. It was noted that many residents were expressing anxiety about Brexit; investment was stagnating, growth was slowing down, and three million children of in-work families were living in poverty with the fear that all would be made worse if the Prime Minister’s deal was to be accepted. Councillor Ben-Hassel noted that Labour was a party for business and that 99% of Croydon’s businesses were SMEs. However, the Government’s preparations for Brexit had failed and as a result were jeopardising infrastructure projects like Westfield. Having experienced abuse for speaking French in the streets, Councillor Ben-Hassel stressed how Brexit had heightened community divisions and that whilst EU citizens contributed more to the UK economy than they cost, their status following any Brexit deal was being used as a bargaining chip. As a result there was no clarity on what happens to the healthcare of EU citizens. The Councillor called for a clear statement to be made to EU citizens resident in the borough that the Council always remained on their side.

 

The motion was put to the vote and carried unanimously.

 

Madam Mayor requested that the Chief Executive read out the second Council Debate motion made on behalf of the Opposition: “This Council recognises that the people of Croydon have lost faith in the planning system and planning committee of Croydon Council.

 

This lack of trust has been brought about by many contentious decisions over a number of years, and the attitude displayed by members of the Administration towards residents.

 

This Council believes that Area Planning Committees will bring the planning process closer to the people and as such will go some way towards restoring faith in the planning system in Croydon”.

 

Madam Mayor invited Councillor Roche to propose the motion.

 

Councillor Roche expressed concern that residents had been ignored for too long. As a member of the Planning Committee he had observed a pattern of pushing genuine resident concerns aside. It was stressed that this was having a detrimental effect on the community.  In his opinion, this was contrary to the local plan and causing huge anger and frustration – the number of residents protesting, objecting and attending the meeting showed the level of disillusion and loss of faith in the system.  In the view of the Councillor, ignoring the views of residents was having a detrimental effect on communities and as a result he called for an area based approach to planning to restore faith in the system. Councillor Roche cited Barnet and Oxford Councils as already using an area based approach. Whilst he acknowledged the urgent need to build homes the Councillor called on the need to engage with the local community to mend the rift.

 

Councillor Perry seconded the motion and reserved the right to speak.

 

Councillor Letts, the Chair of the Planning Committee, spoke on the motion. It was stressed that the motion was not about addressing the housing crisis but about opposing new flats on exclusive streets even when they looked like other properties in the road. Councillor Letts described how action was being taken to correct the lack of action of the previous Administration to provide a workable planning process. It was highlighted that this was based on the Government’s national planning policy, the London plan, and the local plan. It was highlighted that the Government had streamlined the planning process to prevent hold-ups and that this had been supported by Croydon South MP, Chris Philp. Councillor Letts stated that an area approach to planning would prevent homes being built and that whilst objectors are heard, neighbours can’t veto the sale of homes by their owners to developers. It was stressed that the homes market had been decimated by a failure of planning.

 

Councillor Scott, the Vice-Chair of the Planning Committee also spoke on the motion noting that planning applications were often contentious. Residents didn’t like change and there was a need to balance many views when considering any development proposal. These were biased in favour of development given that the Government required Councils to work with new developers. Councillor Scott explained how this is all known by the Conservatives who were described as taking a political approach to planning despite the fact that this was following Government guidance and supported by highly professional planning officers. Councillor Scott reiterated that 48,000 new homes were needed in the next 20 years. It was described how this meant every area of the borough would be required to grow and change. Councillor Scott described how the Secretary of State for Housing and Local Government had recently praised Croydon’s approach to planning and that this motion was about stopping homes being built in the south of the borough where development had so far been limited. It was noted how residents were being involved in the development of neighbourhood plans with encouragement given to get further involved.

 

Councillor Perry exercised his right to speak and seconded the motion stating there had been a fundamental breakdown in trust in planning system. It was described as an insult to say Conservatives were whipping up opposition to the planning system; these were real residents with real concerns who were frustrated with Labour policies. Councillor Perry noted that the National Planning Policy Framework stated that the presumption should be in favour of sustainable development but also emphasised that it stated that development should support prevailing character and setting. Councillor Perry called on more to be done to protect Croydon’s suburbs rather than promoting an ‘anything goes’ approach built on a preferred developer strategy which had seen ever stronger ties grow with developers through the pre-application process. There was a call for empathy to be shown to residents where the local area was changing forever. Councillor Perry stated that the destruction of homes was not addressing the housing crisis and called for the building of council houses.

 

The motion was put to the vote and fell.