a) Councillor Inglis
The Borough of Rushcliffe, along with other parts of the County, is often affected by what are commonly known as "Car Meets" or "Cruisers" which are a cause of significant concern to many residents across the Borough, constitute Anti-Social Behaviour and are a risk to public safety.
Current Road Traffic Laws cover some aspects of this but are not sufficient in prevention.
The aim of this motion is to ensure that gatherings/meetings are pre notified and approved, and therefore authorised by the Police and stakeholder Partnerships, with appropriate tools for authorities to tackle any breaches thus providing a simple means of deterrent, dispersal and prosecution.
This Council resolves:
To write to the Home Secretary and the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government to request that the Government instigates new legislation surrounding car cruising meetings/gatherings to implement a legal requirement for organisers to pre-notify the relevant authorities as to when and where such a meeting is planned, and that a failure to do so will result in any attendee being liable to prosecution/dispersion.
b) Councillor Chewings
Council notes that:
a. The poor state of many roads in Rushcliffe is of significant concern to road users resulting in complaints to Councillors
b. Poor road surface conditions can lead to physical damage to vehicles.
c. The Local Government Association (LGA) has noted that, because of inflation and materials shortages, the cost of repairing a pothole has increased by 22 per cent.
d. The LGA has reported that councils in the UK face a £16.3 Billion road repair backlog.
e. The additional £500Million allocated in the Autumn budget for potholes. Council believes that the Government’s ‘pothole fund’ is a totally inadequate response to this situation. The additional £500Million goes nowhere near the £16.3 Billion road repaid backlog as reported by the LGA on the 12th August 2024.
Council therefore resolves to:
· Write to our two MPs to express our concerns regarding the inadequate funding for road repairs and its significant impact on residents. Request that they urgently lobby the Government to provide sufficient funding to address this issue.
· Write to the Rt Hon Louise Haigh MP, Secretary of State for Transport, urging the immediate allocation of funds to improve the condition of countryside roads.
· Write to Nottinghamshire County Council to raise the Council’s concerns about the deteriorating condition of roads within Rushcliffe. Request a comprehensive response detailing the underlying causes of this issue, a clear plan to address the disrepair, and an explanation of any barriers hindering progress.
c) Councillor Birch
This Council recognizes the invaluable contributions that farmers make to Rushcliffe borough. This motion affirms our unwavering support for Rushcliffe's farming community. We are grateful for their hard work and expertise.
This Council notes that:
1. Farmers provide essential services in food production, land stewardship, and conservation.
2. Farming is a challenging industry, facing increasing pressures from rising operational costs, volatile markets, changing weather, and evolving regulations.
3. Farmers contribute significantly to the local economy, rural employment, and food security, helping to ensure affordable and sustainable food supplies.
4. Small family farms are at the heart of our rural communities, contributing not only to local food production but also to the cultural and social fabric of the area.
5. The work of farmers represents a legacy of stewardship, community support, and traditional skills passed down through generations.
This Council believes that:
1. Farmers deserve our respect and appreciation.
2. Farmers deserve recognition for their vital role in maintaining a thriving rural community and contributing to the local economy.
3. Support for farmers is essential not only for secure food production but also to preserve our rural heritage, landscapes, and biodiversity.
This Council resolves to:
1. Formally declare our gratitude to Rushcliffe's farming community.
2. Ensure, where possible, that food and drink at council-organised events is sourced from local farms.
3. Commission a feasibility study of agroforestry partnerships with local farmers, which will help local farms whilst simultaneously helping council offset carbon emissions.
d) Councillor Clarke MBE
The Borough of Rushcliffe is home to many farming families, with a large proportion of the Borough being rural. This Council recognises the important part farmers play, both in the local economy and in growing food to put on the tables of our residents.
In the recent budget, the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced devastating changes to Inheritance Tax, which the National Farmers Union (NFU) has described as a “hammer blow to farming families”. Farmers work long hours with very tight margins in their businesses due to the continuing significant rising costs of animal feed, energy costs and labour costs etc.
The budget changes threaten to cripple many family farms, which rely on passing down land to relatives to continue their vital work in feeding the Borough and country. Family farms are asset rich and cash poor, with no means to pay such punitive amounts of inheritance tax, leaving the only option to sell land, thus rendering the farm unviable. This will have a huge impact on our farming communities in Rushcliffe.
This Council therefore resolves to :
1) Write to the Chancellor of the Exchequer to call upon her to reverse the changes to Inheritance Tax rules for farmers and to explain the reasons why.
2) Write to Rober Jenrick MP to thank him for his opposition to the tax changes and ask that he continues to lobby the Chancellor on our behalf.
3) Write to James Naish MP to ask him to join us in opposing the Chancellor’s decision and to lobby her on our behalf in order to change the decision.
4) Record our thanks to the farmers of Rushcliffe for all the intensive hard work they do on behalf of Rushcliffe residents to put food on our tables.
5) Write to the local representatives of the National Farmers Union to express our support for the call to reverse the new tax changes.
Minutes:
a) The following Notice of Motion was proposed by Councillor Inglis and seconded by Councillor Parekh.
“This Council resolves to:
Write to the Home Secretary and the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government to request that the Government instigates new legislation surrounding car cruising meetings/gatherings to implement a legal requirement for organisers to pre-notify the relevant authorities as to when and where such a meeting is planned, and that a failure to do so will result in any attendee being liable to prosecution/dispersion.”
In moving the motion, Councillor Inglis stated that many residents in the Borough were suffering because of car cruising, and this problem was not unique to Rushcliffe. Councillor Inglis referred to his own personal experiences as a former Traffic Policeman of dealing with fatalities and serious injuries due to dangerous driving and it was noted that car cruising had been taking place for many years, with a new approach needed to tackle it. Councillor Inglis stated that work was being undertaken with partners, including the Police to look at other options, which would not face legal challenge. Council noted the significant risk to young, male drivers aged 17 to 24, who were four times more likely to be killed or seriously injured than those over 25. Councillor Inglis stated that this proposal would fill in the gap of existing policing and legislative powers and help to improve residents’ quality of life and reduce demand on the Police. He would welcome the establishment of a Member Working Group and advised that James Naish MP had confirmed that there were no requests sitting with the Government to address this issue.
In seconding the recommendation Councillor Parekh reiterated the seriousness of this issue, which was a blight and consistent concern to so many residents. Whilst acknowledging that the Police did take action, she was concerned that an accident could happen before the Police arrived. Councillor Parekh believed that the risks were so great, it was now time to take action and this proposal would provide a practical solution, whilst acting as a deterrent, with legislation to ensure that public spaces remained safe and reflecting the Council’s commitment to safeguarding residents.
Councillor Gowland agreed that car cruising was a nuisance and believed that Police already had powers to tackle it, although it was acknowledged that resources were limited and she felt that the motion should have been asking the Police and Crime Commissioner to make this a priority and to engage with people to choose safe locations, and she advised that the Labour Group would not be supporting the motion.
Councillor Birch supported the motion, which was designed to improve public safety and empower the Police and it was noted that this issue caused other problems, not just safety concerns, with current legislation needing to be strengthened, and the deterrent effect of this would make it worthwhile.
Councillor Om reiterated comments made regarding the problems for local residents and the strong reasons why the motion should be supported to improve their quality of life.
Councillor J Wheeler stated that this was a Police priority and they would welcome additional powers and asked local residents to report incidents as soon as possible so they could respond.
Councillor Polenta felt that it was better to engage with those involved to find common goals and safe practices and to have balanced positive policies.
Councillor Matthews reiterated that this motion was about safety, asking the Government to look at this issue and put the onus on event organisers to arrange things responsibly.
The Leader agreed that this was about community safety and asking for new legislation, which would lead to debate as this issue was currently not being raised, and although the car meets were advertised, it was difficult for the Police to catch them. This motion was about protecting all lives and encouraging participants to be more responsible.
Councillor R Mallender agreed that there was a problem but felt that there was already a raft of legislation that could deal with it and was concerned that the wording would fail to address some of the problems.
Councillor Williams felt that current legislation had failed to work and stated that appropriate sites, such as Donington Park could be used.
Councillor J Walker reiterated the importance of safety but felt that the motion talked about punishment rather than engagement and just writing to someone was failing to take a strong position.
Councillor Inglis clarified that this was about gaining landowners permission and this motion was not trying to discourage people from meeting, it was about meeting lawfully, and he confirmed that the Police did engage with people.
On being put to the vote, the motion was carried.
b) The following Notice of Motion was proposed by Councillor Chewings and seconded by Councillor Birch.
Prior to presenting the motion, Councillor Chewings informed the Mayor that he wished to make an alteration to the motion using Standing Order Paragraph 4.58 to amend the name of the Secretary of State for Transport. After outlining this alteration, consent was given by the Council and Councillor Chewings proceeded to move the motion.
“This Council resolves to:
1. Write to our two MPs to express our concerns regarding the inadequate funding for road repairs and its significant impact on residents. Request that they urgently lobby the Government to provide sufficient funding to address this issue.
2. Write to the Rt Hon Heidi Alexander MP, Secretary of State for Transport, urging the immediate allocation of funds to improve the condition of countryside roads.
3. Write to Nottinghamshire County Council to raise the Council’s concerns about the deteriorating condition of roads within Rushcliffe. Request a comprehensive response detailing the underlying causes of this issue, a clear plan to address the disrepair, and an explanation of any barriers hindering progress.”
In moving the motion, Councillor Chewings advised that this issue affected everyone, with road maintenance underfunded by successive governments. In Rushcliffe, roads had deteriorated so badly that residents were consistently complaining, as poor road surfaces not only damaged vehicles but put lives at risk. Councillor Chewings stated that councils faced a £16.3billion repair backlog; however, the Government had only pledged £500million. Underfunding had significant impact on many aspects of life and Councillor Chewings stated that those on low income where disproportionately affected. This motion called for decisive action and today Councillors had the opportunity to show leadership, and it was time for the Government to take notice.
Councillor Birch seconded the motion and reserved the right to speak.
The Leader confirmed that he had a dual role and was Cabinet Portfolio Holder at Nottinghamshire County Council for Transport and Environment. The Leader agreed that road maintenance had been underfunded and that £500million was not enough and it was vital that local MPs were involved and he proposed an amendment as follows:
“Rushcliffe Borough Council resolves to:
1. Write to our two MPs to express our concerns regarding the inadequate funding for road repairs and its significant impact on residents. Request that they urgently lobby the Government to provide sufficient funding to address this issue.
2. Write to the Secretary of State for Transport, urging the immediate allocation of funds to improve the condition of highways.
3. Write to Nottinghamshire County Council to ask for an update on their progress on delivering improvements in line with their Highways Improvement Plan 4. Write to the East Midlands Mayor,Claire Ward and ask her to detail when she will be making further funding available to the upper tier authorities for highway repairs.”
In proposing the amendment, the Leader stated that it was not true that roads in Rushcliffe continued to deteriorate, in fact they were improving and the amendment was asking for an update from the County Council on that work, as well as writing to the East Midlands Mayor.
Councillor Williams seconded the amendment to the motion and agreed that the County Council had been investing in road maintenance.
Councillor Chewings stated that although he felt that the original motion was accurate, he confirmed that he would accept the amendment and so this became the substantive motion.
Councillor Calvert advised that Government resources were limited for road maintenance and questioned why a letter was being sent to the County Council. The Leader clarified that this action would allow the Highways Improvement Plan to be sent to the Borough Council
Councillor Thomas proposed that the motion be put to the vote, and this was seconded by Councillor R Mallender. On being put to the vote the procedural motion was carried.
Councillor Chewings stated that he was pleased to see that some road improvements had taken place but questioned the time it had taken and referred to the continuing poor state of many roads and that was why this motion had been submitted.
On being put to the vote, the motion was carried.
c) The following Notice of Motion was proposed by Councillor Birch and seconded by Councillor Chewings.
“This Council resolves to:
1. Formally declare our gratitude to Rushcliffe's farming community.
2. Ensure, where possible, that food and drink at council-organised events is sourced from local farms.
3. Commission a feasibility study of agroforestry partnerships with local farmers, which will help local farms whilst simultaneously helping council offset carbon emissions.”
In moving the motion, Councillor Birch stated that he was advocating for all farmers and thanked them for their hard work and stewardship of the countryside. Councillor Birch highlighted the positive influence that farmers had and stated that farming was a way of life, with traditions passed down. Farming was a difficult job, and despite the many challenges, farmers continued to work hard and the motion affirmed the Council’s support. Councillor Birch referred to the inclusion of agroforestry partnerships, as this forward thinking initiative both supported farmers and addressed broader concerns regarding sustainability and carbon emissions. He asked that a Policy Framework, which prioritised the use of local food and drink suppliers be adopted, and that local farmers and suppliers be included on a database. Councillor Birch stated that supporting farmers was an investment in everyone’s wellbeing and supporting the motion would confirm that.
Councillor Chewings seconded the motion and reserved the right to speak.
Councillor Brennan reiterated the importance of farmers, acknowledged their hard work and the many challenges they faced. Councillor Brennan advised that the Council always tried to use local caterers, and encouraged them to source local produce, which could be looked at further. In respect of agroforestry, Councillor Brennan confirmed that farmers were already encouraged to consider this approach through the Council’s Carbon Offsetting Framework. Given the Council’s continued work with partners to explore potential new areas of woodland, and promote tree planting schemes, it was felt that a feasibility study would not add to work already being undertaken and that this would not add to the Council’s corporate carbon offsetting target, as the Council had to own the land, or have a long lease. Councillor Brennan proposed an amendment to the motion as follows:
“This Council resolves to:
1. Formally declare our gratitude to Rushcliffe's farming community for their contribution to food production and stewardship of our countryside.
2. Ensure, where possible, that food and drink at council-organised events is sourced from local farms.
3. Encourage local farmers to consider agroforestry options to improve the long-term resilience of farm businesses as well as improving biodiversity and carbon capture across the Borough.”
Councillor Edyvean seconded the amendment to the motion and reserved the right to speak.
Councillor Birch stated that although he was disappointed that point 3 had been amended, he confirmed that he would accept the amendment and so this became the substantive motion.
Councillor Polenta referred to the many challenges that farmers faced and the ongoing difficulties associated with climate change, together with economic and social conditions, and stated that they deserved to be supported.
In supporting the motion, Councillor Grocock stated that the Council could do more around local procurement. Whilst welcoming the initiatives referred to, Councillor Grocock questioned how they would address some of the poor scores in the Environment Agency’s Adaptive Investment for Growth document and he felt that point 3 was particularly welcomed as this was an important goal.
Councillor Gaunt questioned how the encouragement to farmers would take place and Councillor Williams stated that this could possibly be taken through the Communities Scrutiny Group, as part of the Carbon Management Plan.
Councillor S Mallender acknowledged that Rushcliffe did try to use local producers and that not all products could be sourced locally. She also hoped that agroforestry could be extended further to encompass other environmental measures.
It was proposed by Councillor Clarke, seconded by Councillor Brennan and RESOLVED by Councillors that the meeting be extended and would finish no later than 10.30pm.
In seconding the recommendation, Councillor Chewings expressed disappointed that the motion had been amended. He stated that Rushcliffe was a great farming community and he hoped to see local produce at Council run events.
Councillor Birch was pleased that the thrust of the motion was maintained and advised that the main reason for the motion was to advocate for farmers. He reiterated his disappointment that point 3 had been amended as he felt that agroforestry was a great option to explore and referred to the numerous benefits. In respect of point 2, he hoped that the Council could look into ways of measuring and improving how it sourced local produce.
On being put to the vote, the motion was carried.
Councillors Birch and R Walker indicated an interest in the following item and left the room. They took no part in the item.
d) The following Notice of Motion was proposed by Councillor Clarke MBE and seconded by Councillor Soloman.
“This Council resolves to :
1. Write to the Chancellor of the Exchequer to call upon her to reverse the changes to Inheritance Tax rules for farmers and to explain the reasons why.
2. Write to Robert Jenrick MP to thank him for his opposition to the tax changes and ask that he continues to lobby the Chancellor on our behalf.
3. Write to James Naish MP to ask him to join us in opposing the Chancellor’s decision and to lobby her on our behalf in order to change the decision.
4. Record our thanks to the farmers of Rushcliffe for all the intensive hard work they do on behalf of Rushcliffe residents to put food on our tables.
5. Write to the local representatives of the National Farmers Union to express our support for the call to reverse the new tax changes.”
In moving the motion, The Leader stated that the recent budget was an attack on family farms and referred to Agriculture Property Relief (APR) and Business Property Relief (BPR). Both APR and BPR provided certainty that farms could be kept in the family, and without them families would be forced to sell land to pay Inheritance Tax. The Leader stated that this punitive tax was punishing the people that provided the country’s food, and he was disappointed that James Naish MP had supported this tax, and he thanked farmers for their hard work.
Councillor Soloman seconded the motion and reserved the right to speak.
Councillor Gaunt agreed with the comments made about farmers and stated that the Government’s commitment to them remained steadfast with the majority of farmers claiming APR being unaffected. The tax was being levied on the richest estates and farms, with many now sold to none farming investors. The money raised should be invested back into the country and would benefit rural communities, and this was a balanced approach, which would protect small, family farms. Councillor Gaunt felt that it would have been more appropriate to reach out to local farmers to see who would be affected and how they could be supported.
Councillor Gowland reiterated that the issue related to wealthy people buying land to avoid paying Inheritance Tax and this system would not affect small farms.
Councillor R Mallender stated that the Government was right to identify this loophole and it needed to take action to ensure that farmers could make a decent income and to shift to nature friendly farming.
Councillor Chewings noted the financially challenging times that the Government faced and although he wanted to see further taxation to stop wealthy people buying land, he did not feel that this tax was correct.
In seconding the recommendation, Councillor Soloman referred to the Borough’s rich farming heritage, with generations of families working tirelessly to feed the country and support the local economy and she felt that the Government’s approach to family farms was shortsighted. This tax would force families to sell land, and Council was reminded of the importance of ensuring food security. Generational farmers were at the heart of the rural community, and it was estimated that 75,000 farms could be affected, with 75% of farms valued over £1million, which was above the Government’s estimate and. Councillor Soloman stated that Rushcliffe’s farmers deserved better.
The Leader reiterated that 75% of farms could be affected, with the Government using data which was out of date and he urged the Chancellor of the Exchequer to review this decision.
On being put to the vote, the motion was carried.