Issue - meetings

Motion A

Proposed by: Councillor Wilkinson and seconded by: Councillor Clucas

“Council notes with concern the Government's antipathy to the renewable energy industry. In particular, council condemns the removal of support for popular technologies such as solar and wind which, between 2010 and 2015, helped the UK become a world leader in renewable energy.  Council resolves to write a letter to the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change encouraging her to reconsider the decision to make such drastic cuts to the subsidy for the industry.”

Motion B

Proposed by: Councillor Harman and seconded by Councillor Mason

“That this Council commends the initiative of the "Wombles" group of volunteers and other groups of volunteers in tackling the issues of litter and general grot which plagues our Town and calls upon the Borough Council to raise its game in tackling these issues.

Whether litter, graffiti, etc is on public or private land it detracts from our splendid Town and it is surely the duty of all of us to show leadership backed by practical steps I hope that Council will support this motion today and instruct the Cabinet to bring forward an action plan.”

Motion C

Proposed by: Councillor Whyborn           and seconded by Councillor Flynn

“Cheltenham Borough Council notes that many councils across the country, of various party political control, have implemented or are now implementing 20mph speed limits over wide areas without traffic calming. Over 14 million people now live in areas, where 20 mph has become the default speed limit in residential and urban streets, except for arterial roads.

Council recognises that 20 mph limits have the potential to promote increased road safety, particularly for young and elderly pedestrians and cyclists, as well as to enable active and sustainable travel. Nationally Public health and other bodies such as NICE, Public Health England, the LGA and the WHO all support such a policy. It is described as the most cost-effective way to improve health equality by tackling inactivity, obesity and isolation, whilst also being child, disability, elderly and dementia friendly.

Council notes that the report of the Cycling and Walking Scrutiny Group includes recommendations to "initiate a review to assess the appetite for a 20 mile speed limit across town from residents, businesses, and visitors”.

Council requests that Cabinet consider the recommendations of the Cycling and Walking Scrutiny Group, and include provision for a consultation exercise in the 2016/17 corporate work plan to establish where there is potential for 20 mile per hour limits in Cheltenham and that the Council use its best endeavours in conjunction with Gloucestershire County Council to work towards trials in suitable areas where public support exists.”

Motion A

Proposed by: Councillor Wilkinson and seconded by: Councillor Clucas

“Council notes with concern the Government's antipathy to the renewable energy industry. In particular, council condemns the removal of support for popular technologies such as solar and wind which, between 2010 and 2015, helped the UK become a world leader in renewable energy.  Council resolves to write a letter to the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change encouraging her to reconsider the decision to make such drastic cuts to the subsidy for the industry.”

In proposing the motion Councillor Wilkinson said that between 2010 and 2015 renewable energy generation soared. There were dramatic increases in the amount of energy generated from solar, wind and other renewable sources, largely thanks to government support for these initiatives. The UK was now exceeding renewable energy targets set by European directives. However, he expressed concern that in the past few months things have changed and he was extremely concerned about the direction of government policy on renewable energy with reduced support for wind generation, solar power generation, a U-turn on a pledge to ban fracking in national parks, axing regulations encouraging zero carbon homes, closing the green deal energy efficiency scheme, scrapping the tax reductions on less polluting  vehicles and adding a climate change levy to renewable energy generation.

Councillor Wilkinson referred to an opinion survey produced by the Department for Energy and Climate Change - the government department charged with energy generation policy and tackling climate change which highlighted that solar was supported by more than 80% of people and opposed by less than 5%, Offshore wind was supported by almost 75% and opposed by fewer than one in ten and Onshore wind was supported by almost 70% and opposed by only 10%.

He said that according to the leading think tank Policy Exchange only 1% of the average household bill went towards paying the feed in tariffs but despite this, and despite the fact that subsidies make up a relatively small proportion of spending by the DECC and a small proportion of overall public spending, the government was planning subsidy cuts which were likely to have profound implications for the future of the energy generation industry.

Councillor Wilkinson reminded Members that solar panels installed by Cheltenham Borough Homes gave energy bill savings of between £100 and £200 per year per tenant. Whether this success could be replicated in future council housing developments would seem in doubt.

Councillor Wilkinson made reference to the potentially ground-breaking project in Bath Terrace car park and explained that part of the scheme involved installing solar panels, which would generate electricity to be consumed locally. He warned however that unfortunately, the renewable energy aspect of the project may now not be affordable due to proposals to cut the Feed in Tariff..

Councillor Wilkinson highlighted that these subsidy cuts were taking place while the government progressed with new nuclear generation at Hinkley Point.

He urged Members to support the motion to demonstrate that Cheltenham was  ...  view the full minutes text for item 12