1) To consider the following Notice of Motion (6/20), submitted by Councillor S Squire:
This council acknowledges that care leavers are particularly vulnerable and can be at risk of jeopardising their housing tenancies, as they do not have the ability to draw upon the support and experience that family members can provide.
Therefore this council agrees to build upon the joint housing protocol with Norfolk County Council to prioritise care leavers for housing, and the council tax discounts for care leavers, by also extending the “Care & Repair” service to Care Leavers in the Borough up until their 25th Birthday.
2) To consider the following Notice of Motion (7/20) submitted by Councillor J Rust:
This Council believes the way to develop a strong, resilient and successful local economy is through all residents having the opportunity to reach their full potential and supports moves to increase these chances through initiatives such as the School of Nursing.
As such this Council wishes to express its support of government policy that puts the reskilling of workers at the heart of their economic recovery plans after the pandemic. The Government's announcement to fully fund entitlement to achieve a first level 3 qualification delivered through the National Skills Fund is to be applauded.
Therefore, this Council is deeply concerned at the suggestion of the Department of Education to end Government funding to the Union Learning Fund which is open to all workers, union and non union members alike.
Therefore, this Council resolves to raise this undermining of Government policy with local Members of Parliament and encourage them to call on the Department of Education not to proceed with the withdrawal of funding.
3) To consider the following Notice of Motion (8/20) submitted by Councillor A Kemp:
Decent Homes for Residents
This Council understands the importance of affordable housing space standards in all new housing. So that all rooms are of a decent size for residents and so housing meets housing need.
The Council will therefore draw up and enforce a Room Standards Policy. If Planning Applications do not meet our affordable housing space standards, the Local Planning Authority will not recommend their approval.
Minutes:
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1) Notice of Motion (6/20), Councillor S Squire proposed her Motion, this was seconded by Councillor Rust.:
“This council acknowledges that care leavers are particularly vulnerable and can be at risk of jeopardising their housing tenancies, as they do not have the ability to draw upon the support and experience that family members can provide.
Therefore this council agrees to build upon the joint housing protocol with Norfolk County Council to prioritise care leavers for housing, and the council tax discounts for care leavers, by also extending the “Care & Repair” service to Care Leavers in the Borough up until their 25th Birthday.”
Under standing order 14.6, Councillor Long proposed that the item be referred to Cabinet in order for all financial implications to be considered. This was seconded by Councillor Mrs Nockolds.
RESOLVED: That the Motion be referred to Cabinet for consideration.
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2) Notice of Motion (7/20), Councillor J Rust proposed her Motion, this was seconded by Councillor Bone:
“This Council believes the way to develop a strong, resilient and successful local economy is through all residents having the opportunity to reach their full potential and supports moves to increase these chances through initiatives such as the School of Nursing.
As such this Council wishes to express its support of government policy that puts the reskilling of workers at the heart of their economic recovery plans after the pandemic. The Government's announcement to fully fund entitlement to achieve a first level 3 qualification delivered through the National Skills Fund is to be applauded.
Therefore, this Council is deeply concerned at the suggestion of the Department of Education to end Government funding to the Union Learning Fund which is open to all workers, union and non-union members alike.
Therefore, this Council resolves to raise this undermining of Government policy with local Members of Parliament and encourage them to call on the Department of Education not to proceed with the withdrawal of funding.”
Council debated the Motion, with points being raised on the numbers of people assisted by the Union Learning Fund and the small cost of the fund in comparison to other learning, the need for additional training with large numbers losing jobs and the raising of skills for the workforce. Attention was drawn to the apprenticeship levy currently charged on businesses to provide training for staff.
RESOLVED: On being put to the vote the Motion was lost.
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3) Notice of Motion (8/20) - Councillor A Kemp proposed her Motion.
“Decent Homes for Residents
This Council understands the importance of affordable housing space standards in all new housing. So that all rooms are of a decent size for residents and so housing meets housing need.
The Council will therefore draw up and enforce a Room Standards Policy. If Planning Applications do not meet our affordable housing space standards, the Local Planning Authority will not recommend their approval.”
This was seconded by Councillor de Whalley, who proposed an amendment to the Motion: “that the matter be referred to the Local Plan Task Group for consideration of a policy on minimum space standards for the Borough.”
The amendment was seconded by Councillor Lawton. Councillor Kemp accepted the amendment, and this was agreed with no dissenters. The substantive motion was debated.
Council debated the issue that market forces should prevail to permit those with smaller budgets to be able to buy smaller houses, and there were already housing standards in place. Other points raised were the Local Plan Task Group should consider the matter and produce local standards to give developers standards to build to. The issue of driving up local standards and encouraging builders to build properties with decent sized rooms with sufficient space for people to work from home. Attention was drawn to the standards published on the Gov web site.
On being put to the vote the motion was lost.
RESOLVED: The Motion was lost.