Agenda item

The following Motions were received:

Supporting our Farmers

Council resolves  

·       That the Leader of the Council writes to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, to outline the Council’s dismay at the decision in the Budget to restrict Agricultural Property Relief and calls on the Government to stop the Family Farm Tax.

·       That the Portfolio Holder for Communities hold a meeting with local farmers and community representatives to consider ways the Council can provide support to them.

·       That the council advertise support available to farmers on our website, via social media and ask parish councils to do the same.

The motion was moved by Councillor James Cantwell and seconded by Councillor Stuart Evans.

Members discussed the motion  and the following comments were made:

·       The importance of protecting local farming businesses and the potential risks posed by the government's policies was emphasized.

·       It was felt by some that the local authority had a responsibility to support local businesses and communities. There was criticism of the Government's policies and their potential long-term adverse effects on food security and rural regions.

·       There was a need to protect local assets and ensure that policies are in the community's best interest.

·       Councillor Anne Dorrian moved an amendment and proposed the removal of the second and third bullet pointed resolutions from the motion. She outlined her concern that it was unacceptable to instruct the portfolio holder to hold a meeting and that the National Farmers’ Union was more suited than the Council to advertising support available to farmers.  This was seconded by Councillor Dale Broughton.

·       Councillor Cantwell suggested a compromise to remove the Portfolio Holder’s involvement but still hold a meeting with local farmers and inform parish councils about available support.

Upon being put to the vote the amendment was carried and became the substantive motion.

Cllr Cantwell enquired as to whether further amendments could be moved to bullet points 2 and 3 of the original motion. The Chief Executive clarified that the amendment had deleted those parts of the motion and therefore were unable to be amended further.

There were no further amendments proposed following which it was.

RESOLVED:

That the Leader of the Council write to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, to outline the Council’s dismay at the decision in the Budget to restrict Agricultural Property Relief and calls on the Government to stop the Family Farm Tax.

[Councillor Claire Rylott left the meeting at 7.52 p.m., for this item, and returned at 8.08 p.m.]

Community Governance Review

Council resolves:  

·       The Council instructs the Chief Executive to expedite a Community Governance Review for the Unparished area of Boston (the BTAC area), with a view to creating a new Town Council for Boston to take office at the earliest possible juncture.

·       This Council instructs the Chief Executive- in consultation with Cabinet, Audit & Governance, and Scrutiny Committees- to identify and list those Assets (including any Charter Rights and the Borough status) currently belonging to Boston Borough Council which, by rights or tradition belong to the Town and People of Boston, and which must be transferred to that Town Council before Local Government Reorganization processes alienate them from our town to another, distant, Unitary authority.

The motion was moved by Councillor James Cantwell and seconded by Councillor Stephen Woodliffe.

Members discussed the motion and the following comments were made:

·       The re-organisation of local government in Lincolnshire meant that the history, status and assets of the Borough of Borough should be protected. In support of the motion, it was argued that a Town Council could be a viable way to protect the status and assets of Boston and that the timing of the announcement on re-organisation meant that there was an urgency to proceed.

·       The status of Skirbeck could be considered and whether it should have a Parish Council.

·       Councillor Anne Dorrian acknowledged the importance of protecting local assets and heritage. She emphasized the need for local accountability and the risks associated with a distant unitary authority taking control. However, the Leader could not support the motion as it determined the outcome of the review prior to due process being undertaken and that a terms of reference for the review would be required. Further reassurance was given that a list of assets existed. She advised that a Community Governance Review report would be presented to the next Full Council meeting.

Following a vote by members the motion fell.