Issue - meetings

Report of Head of Strategic Planning and the Economy

Purpose of report

To consider the need to petition during the passage of the Hybrid Bill on HS2

To consider recommending to Full Council that a resolution is passed opposing the HS2 Bill.

Recommendations

The meeting is recommended:

1.1         To consider whether Cherwell District Council should petition to oppose the hybrid bill for HS2.

1.2         Subject to 1.1 above, to discuss and agree potential petitioning matters as listed in 3.11 below

1.3      To consider and, if appropriate, to recommend to Full Council that a resolution is passed opposing the hybrid bill pursuant to section 239 of the Local Government Act 1972 as a necessary pre-requisite to formal petitioning and request the Chief Executive to call an additional meeting of Council.

Resolved

(1)          That it be agreed that Cherwell District Council petition to oppose the hybrid bill for High Speed 2 (HS2).

(2)          That the following petitioning matters be endorsed:

·         Noise Standards

·         Visual Impact and Intrusion

·         Local Design Standards

·         Construction Issues

·         Height of Line

(3)          That the Chief Executive be requested to call an additional meeting of Council at which Full Council be recommended to pass a resolution opposing the hybrid bill pursuant to section 239 of the Local Government Act 1972 as a necessary pre-requisite to formal petitioning.

(4)          That officers be requested to include the financial effects in relation to recommendation to Full Council relating to the passing a resolution to oppose the hybrid bill.

(5)          That officers be requested to look into a separate workstream to address opportunistic traffic through the villages of north Oxfordshire that may result from the construction phase and how that problem is to be addresses with Oxfordshire County Council highways.

The Head of Strategic Planning and the Economy sought consideration of the need to petition during the passage of the Hybrid Bill on High Speed 2 (HS2) and recommending to Full Council that a resolution is passed opposing the HS2 Bill.

At the discretion of the Chairman, Parish Councillor Mike Kerford-Byrnes, Chairman of Finmere Parish Council addressed Executive.

In response to the address by Councillor Tim Emptage, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group, and comments by Councillor Sean Woodcock, Leader of the Labour Group regarding the council’s HS2 reserve and expenditure on HS2 matter, the Leader confirmed that the remainder of the existing reserve originally allocated would be utilised to fund the petitioning and if more funds were required the request would be submitted to Members for consideration.

Resolved

(1)          That it be agreed that Cherwell District Council petition to oppose the hybrid bill for High Speed 2 (HS2).

(2)          That the following petitioning matters be endorsed:

·         Noise Standards

·         Visual Impact and Intrusion

·         Local Design Standards

·         Construction Issues

·         Height of Line

(3)          That the Chief Executive be requested to call an additional meeting of Council at which Full Council be recommended to pass a resolution opposing the hybrid bill pursuant to section 239 of the Local Government Act 1972 as a necessary pre-requisite to formal petitioning.

(4)          That officers be requested to include the financial effects in relation to recommendation to Full Council relating to the passing a resolution to oppose the hybrid bill.

(5)          That officers be requested to look into a separate workstream to address opportunistic traffic through the villages of north Oxfordshire that may result from the construction phase and how that problem is to be addresses with Oxfordshire County Council highways.

Reasons

The impact upon the district and its residents of proposed mitigation measures is anticipated to be very high. Officers do not feel that the published material provides sufficient reassurance that adequate mitigation will be implemented.

Alternative Options

The alternative is not to petition. This option is not recommended as the impact upon the district and its residents of proposed mitigation measures is anticipated to be high.