Agenda item

To deal with any motions from Councillors received by 12 noon, at least six clear working days before the meeting in accordance with standing order 14.1.

 

1.     Making Space

2.     The Borough of Havant stands together with our friends in Ukraine

3.     Motion for the Ocean

4.     Puppy Farms

Council considered 4 notices of motion.

 

(1)                Making Space

 

Prior to consideration of this motion, the Mayor, in accordance with standing order 14.12, invited Council to decide, by way of a vote, whether it should refer this motion to Cabinet in view of the potential budget implications.

 

            Following a vote, in which there were 5 against and 1 abstention, Council

 

            RESOLVED that the motion relating to Making Space be referred to Cabinet for consideration.

 

(2)                The Borough of Havant stands together with our friends in Ukraine

 

            In accordance with standing order 14.9, the motion was withdrawn by the proposer of the motion, Councillor Rennie.

 

(3)                Motion for the Ocean

 

            The Council considered the published motion proposed by Councillor Lloyd and seconded by Councillor Fairhurst. 

 

            An amendment proposed by Councillor Rason and seconded by Councillor Paul Gray that pledges 1,3 & 6 be amended to read as follows:

 

1      ensure that the Climate and Environment Panel receives updates at least every six months on any actions and projects that will assist ocean recovery around the Borough including that the Panel provides, as part of its updates to Cabinet, progress on the matter;

 

3      promote closer working between Havant Borough Council and local marine organisations by creating clear channels of communication so the Council is fully informed and updated on evidence of pollution and damage to the harbours and embed interventions in the Local Plan to support ocean recovery.

 

6      Create opportunities to grow ocean literacy and marine citizenship in Havant Brough with schools, local colleges and adults.

 

was lost following a debate and vote.

 

Following a debate and vote, Council approved the published motion.

 

Council therefore:

 

RESOLVED that Council pledges to

 

1. ensure that the Climate & Environment Panel receives regular updates on any actions and projects that will assist ocean recovery around the Borough, including that the Panel provides, as part of its updates to Cabinet, progress on the matter.

 

2. add ocean recovery to the work the Council is doing as part of its Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan.

 

3. promote closer working between the Havant Borough Council and local marine organisations and embed interventions in the Local Plan to support ocean recovery.

 

4. influence the Local Nature Recovery Strategy to support ocean recovery.

 

5. work with partners locally and nationally to deliver increased sustainability in marine industries and develop a sustainable and equitable “blue economy” that delivers ocean recovery and local prosperity.

 

6. where opportunity allows grow ocean literacy and marine citizenship in the Havant borough with our schools and local colleges.

 

7. write to the Government asking them to put the ocean into net recovery by 2030 by:

 

a) ensuring Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authorities and Natural England have the resources they need to effectively research and monitor our growing number of marine protected areas, and to set and enforce appropriate fishing levels that support local economies and deliver environmental sustainability.

 

b) ensuring coastal communities have a meaningful say in the development of marine policy which can deliver equitable and sustainable outcomes.

 

c) appoint a dedicated Minister for Coastal Communities.

 

d) and by listening to marine scientific advice, including marine social science, to update the Marine Policy Statement and produce a national Ocean Recovery Strategy which will:

 

i. enable the recovery of marine ecosystems rather than managing degraded or altered habitats in their reduced state.

 

ii. consider levelling up marine conservation, energy, industrial growth, flood and coastal erosion risk management, climate adaptation and fisheries policy holistically rather than as competing interests.

 

iii. develop a smarter approach to managing the health of the entire ocean that moves beyond Marine Protected Areas and enables links to be made across sectors towards sustainability.

 

iv. establish improved processes for understanding the benefits of ocean recovery, leaving no doubt about the links between this and human lives, livelihoods, and wellbeing.

 

v. stop plastic pollution at source by strengthening the regulations around single-use plastics; set standards for microfibre-catching filters to ensure that all new domestic and commercial washing machines are fitted with a filter that captures a high percentage of microfibres produced in the wash cycle.

 

(4)            Puppy Farming

 

            The Council considered the published motion proposed by Councillor Paul Gray and seconded by Councillor Rason. 

 

            An amendment to the motion proposed by Councillor Rennie and seconded by Councillor Robinson that the published motion be amended to read:

 

a)  welcome the Government’s continued efforts to eradicate the appalling practice of puppy farming and the announcement that it will prosecute individuals who sells puppies without a licence which could result in an unlimited fine or being sent to prison for up to six months.

 

b)  subject to advice from the Council’s data protection officer, publish an up-to-date list of licensed dog breeders on its website and provide contact details for the Animal Welfare Team so that licence details can be verified by customers if desired.

 

c)   undertake a publicity campaign, at no additional cost to the council, to raise awareness of illegal puppy breeding and signs to look for when buying a puppy that suggest it might come from a puppy farm, and how to report suspicious activity.

 

d)  instruct the Leader of the Council to write to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs reiterating the Council’s support for the eradication of puppy farming.

 

was carried following a debate and vote.

 

(During the debate on the amendment, the meeting adjourned at 7.44 pm and resumed at 7.55 pm)

 

Council debated the substantive motion. During this debate, Councillor Rennie clarified for members that the term “licensed dog breeders” in the substantive motion referred to licensed dog breeders in the Borough.

 

Following a vote, the substantive motion was carried. It was therefore,

 

RESOLVED that Council:

 

a) welcome the Government’s continued efforts to eradicate the appalling practice of puppy farming and the announcement that it will prosecute individuals who sells puppies without a licence which could result in an unlimited fine or being sent to prison for up to six months;

 

b) subject to advice from the Council’s data protection officer, publish an up-to-date list of licensed dog breeders on its website and provide contact details for the Animal Welfare Team so that licence details can be verified by customers if desired;

 

c) undertake a publicity campaign, at no additional cost to the council, to raise awareness of illegal puppy breeding and signs to look for when buying a puppy that suggest it might come from a puppy farm, and how to report suspicious activity; and

 

d) instruct the Leader of the Council to write to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs reiterating the Council’s support for the eradication of puppy farming.