Motions Approved by Council

A Motion is a request made by a Councillor for an issue to be discussed at a Council Meeting and for a decision to be made.  Below are a list of Motions approved by Council since May 2008.  Rules relating to Council Motions are set out in the Council's Procedural Rules (pdf 85kb)

Council Meeting - 23 September 2008

Motion - Civic Celebrations to mark the Four Hundredth Anniversary of the birth of John Milton

Proposer: Councillor Lenton
Seconder: Councillor Rayner
RESOLVED: That this Council noting that December 9th 2008 will be the Four Hundredth Anniversary of the birth of John Milton, one of England's greatest literary figures, moves that, on that day, as part of the national celebrations, there should be a Civic Event in Horton to commemorate John Milton who lived in Horton from 1632 to 1634.  The Civic Event should include the installation of a plaque at Berkyn Manor Farm where John Milton lived and a Church service at St Michael's Church, Horton during which a wreath would be placed on the tomb of John Milton's Mother. In addition, the Council resolves to contact Cambridge University who are leading on the national celebrations. The wider publicity that they could ensure would help the event reach the widest audience.

Lead Member: Councillor Lenton
Lead Officer: Ian Hunt/Andrew Scott
Action Taken:  Work commenced with organisational committee to confirm event arrangements.

Motion - Supporting future initiatives to encourage people to take up cycling

Proposer: Councillor Baskerville
Seconder: Councillor Beer
RESOLVED: That This Council applauds the truly outstanding achievements of Team GB, and in particular the Olympic and Paralympics cyclists, on their recent successes in Beijing and supports future initiatives by this Borough to encourage more people, and especially children, to take up this pastime to aid fitness and ease road congestion.

Lead Member: Councillor Rayner
Lead Officer: Gordon Oliver
Action Taken: Consideration be given to future initiatives.

Motion - Local Government Association Small Change Big Difference campaign

Proposer: Councillor Mrs Newbound
Seconder: Councillor Mrs Howes
RESOLVED: That the cross party Local Government Association Small Change Big Difference campaign seeks to provide council leadership on climate change.  This Council fully supports the arguments and lobbying undertaken by them in the last few months when energy prices to Borough residents have been rising sharply. This Council is particularly supportive of greater home insulation being financed in part by a variety of external sources, including energy companies.

Lead Member: Councillor Rayner
Lead Officer: Terry Gould
Action Taken: Council to embrace Local Government Association Small Change Big Difference campaign.

Motion - Royal Borough's Local Strategic Partnership Compact

Proposer: Councillor Mrs Proctor
Seconder: Councillor Mrs Napier
RESOLVED: That this Council supports wholeheartedly the RBWM LSP Compact and undertakes to make sure that officers who have contact with the voluntary sector are made fully aware of the compact on a regular basis.

Lead Member: Councillor Mrs Bateson
Lead Officer: Harjit Hunjan
Action Taken: Ongoing interaction and closure with the Community and Council Partnership.

Motion - Aircraft Noise and Night Flights at Heathrow Airport

Proposer: Councillor Maxwell
Seconder: Councillor T Bursnall
RESOLVED: That this Council recognises that many residents experience significant amounts of aircraft noise and that there is a limit to the amount of noise and discomfort which is acceptable, especially where childrens' sleep patterns are disturbed. With BAA and the Government's desire to increase capacity at Heathrow, there are concerns that night flights will increase over the Borough to the detriment of residents.
This Council moves:

1. That The Royal Borough reaffirm opposition to night flights in and from Heathrow and works with other members of the 2M Group to oppose night flights in and from Heathrow.
2. That the Royal Borough lobby BAA and the Government to ensure that residents', and particularly childrens' quality of life is not further lessened by more aircraft noise.
3. That the Royal Borough oppose any measure taken by BAA which would impact on the educational opportunities of young people in the Royal Borough.

Lead Member: Councillor Rayner
Lead Officer: Terry Gould
Action Taken: Work with with 2M Group and the Head of Public Protection and Sustainability, in conjunction with Lead Member, to lobby on behalf of the Council.

Council Meeting - 29 July 2008

Motion - Lap Dancing Establishments

Proposer: Councillor Dudley
Seconder: Councillor D Wilson
RESOLVED: That this Council notes that since The Licensing Act 2003, lap dancing establishments have only required the same licensing arrangements as karaoke bars and café's.  This has resulted in a doubling of such establishments in the United Kingdom to over 300. The Department for Culture, Media and Sport is currently conducting a review which may result in these establishments being reclassified as "sex encounter establishments". 

This Council requests that a letter be sent to The Culture Minister, The Rt Hon Margaret Hodge, requesting that any such new legislative changes be retrospective, in order that The Royal Borough can have the opportunity to review the individual cases of these establishments currently in operation in The Royal Borough.

Lead Member: Councillor Grey
Lead Officer: Alan Barwise
Action Taken:  Letter written to the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (pdf 168kb)

Motion - Women's Land Army and Women's Timber Corps

Proposer: Councillor Baskerville
Seconder: Councillor Mrs Howes
RESOLVED: That the Council welcomes the recognition members of the Women's Land Army and Women's Timber Corps are somewhat belatedly getting from the Government. We are only sorry that many of the women who were eligible for a badge of honour are no longer around to receive it. In an effort to rectify this all haste should be made to trace surviving members of these valuable groups and give them the awards their contribution to the war effort undoubtedly deserves. In addition the borough will facilitate a suitable ceremony to mark this recognition.

Lead Member: The Mayor
Lead Officer: Ian Hunt
Action Taken:  Work commencing to research surviving members with a view to a suitable ceremony being held.

Motion - Sponsorship of Roundabouts

Proposer: Councillor Mrs Newbound
Seconder: Councillor Mrs Proctor
RESOLVED: That in view of residents' concerns, about the advertising, in particular of development land, currently in place, this Council should review its policy of sponsorship of roundabouts. This policy should be open and transparent to the public.

Lead Member: Councillor Rayner
Lead Officer: David Scott
Action Taken:   Lead Officers working with Lead Member to undertake this work.

Motion - 42 days limit for detaining residents without charge

Proposer: Councillor Werner
Seconder: Councillor Adams
RESOLVED: That this Council notes the votes on the Government proposal to set 42 days limit for detaining residents without charge. As with many local authorities this Council has striven to generate community cohesion and prevent extremism by working with diverse communities seeking to understand their aspirations and concerns. This Council notes this positive approach is in stark contrast with the counterproductive action taken by the Government in reducing basic freedoms which are likely to heighten fears amongst residents about discrimination and possible targeting. This Council therefore resolves to write to the Prime Minister and Home Secretary expressing this Council's concern about the implications of the 42 day limit.

Lead Member: Councillor Grey
Lead Officer: Brian Martin
Action Taken:   Letters written to the Prime Minister and Home Secretary (pdf 322kb) and Reply from the Home Office (pdf 167kb)

Council Meeting - 24 June 2008

Motion - Parking at St Mark's Hospital, Maidenhead

Proposer: Councillor Baskerville
Seconder: Councillor Mrs Newbound
RESOLVED: That This Council resolves that no resident or business within the vicinity of St Marks Hospital should be either inconvenienced or financially disadvantaged by the imposition of parking charges by the Primary Care Trust.

Lead Member: Councillor Dudley
Lead Officer: Allan Brown
Action Taken: Representations made.

Motion - "Walkers are Welcome" Campaign

Proposer: Councillor Mackay
Seconder: Councillor Beer
RESOLVED: This Council notes that Hebden Bridge pioneered the concept of Walkers are Welcome in Spring 2007, and that a growing number of towns and villages have followed their example. This Council further notes the benefits to the countryside and local economy from visitors enjoying the outdoors. The Council therefore resolves to continue to work with parish councils, community groups, landowners and others, and through its own resources, to ensure that its footpaths are in a good state such that any campaign for Walkers Are Welcome has an increased likelihood of success.

Lead Member: Councillor Rayner/Majeed
Lead Officer: Stephen Brown
Action Taken: Working with Parish Councils, Community Groups, landowners etc to maintain footpaths in good state.

Motion - Ballon Release at Events

Proposer: Councillor Etherington
Seconder: Councillor Bateson
RESOLVED: That this Council notes the prevalence of balloon releases at events; believes that despite their popularity these releases cause problems with litter and damage the environment; further believes that the council should discourage mass/deliberate releases of balloons in Windsor & Maidenhead; resolves to use Council resources to look at how best to achieve this aim.

Lead Member: Councillor Rayner
Lead Officer: Terry Gould
Action Taken:  Matter under consideration as to how best to use Council resources in this regard.

Motion - Disposal of Lock Keepers' Homes

Proposer: Councillor Adams
Seconder: Councillor Beer
RESOLVED: This Council is horrified by the planned disposal of lock keepers' homes by the Environment Agency and resolves to campaign against this in the most vigorous manner.
 
Lead Member: Councillor Rayner
Lead Officer: David Perkins
Action Taken: Letters written to the Environment Agency, (DEFRA) and the local MP's

Motion - Cookham Lock Keeper's House

Proposer: Councillor Stretton
Seconder: Councillor Kellaway
RESOLVED: That this Council notes the Environment Agency's intention to remove the resident Lock Keeper from Cookham Lock Keeper's house; access to the Lock crosses the Odney Common, over which there are no vehicle access right; further notes that Cookham Parish Council would have to give permission to use this roadway across the Common; resolves to request that the Leader put the full resources of the Royal Borough behind supporting Cookham Parish Council should they choose to deny access.

Lead Member: Councillor Rayner
Lead Officer: David Perkins
Action Taken: Letters written to the Environment Agency (DEFRA) and the local MP's (pdf 861kb)

Motion - Cessation of 24/7 on site cover at Locks and Wiers

Proposer: Councillor Beer
Seconder: Councillor Bicknell
RESOLVED: This Council strongly opposes the EA proposal to cease 24/7 on site cover of experienced staff at locks and weirs in favour of income generation by sale or lease of a significant number of lock keepers' houses, and that appropriate letters be sent to EA, MPs, and Central Government.

Lead Member: Councillor Rayner
Lead Officer: David Perkins
Action Taken: Letters written to the Environment Agency (DEFRA) and the local MP's

Contact Details:

For further information contact:
Head of Democratic Services
Tel: (01628) 796186
E-mail: democratic.services@rbwm.gov.uk