At Wednesday’s full Council meeting Cllr Jeffery (Green) called for increased fines and enforcement for fly tippers and for landlords who let out substandard homes. Cllr Jeffery also proposed a working group on sustainable transport across the Borough. All three suggestions were rejected by the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats however they were fully supported by the Labour Group.
Cllr Jeffery, Green Party: “It was sad to see all three of my sensible amendments to the council’s budget voted down by the Conservatives and it was strange to hear some of their comments and reasons.
“We can be stronger on fly tippers, we can stand up for tenants against unscrupulous landlords and we can start to sort out the madness on our roads but all of that requires us to take action. Despite Cllr Burton’s claim of boldness, I saw little evidence.
“We are in the midst of a polycrisis. Things are crumbling around our ears. Business as usual politics has to end and we do need bold actions to ensure that there is a viable future. I will keep fighting for this.”
Notes:
The three budget amendments were:
1. Sustainable Transport Package
This Council notes that transport around and through the Borough remains far from sustainable and that the current strategy and plans neither meet current needs nor the needs of the future. The Council therefore requests the formation of a working group to rapidly review options and to identify both short and long term options for travel in the Borough. The Council will allocate £10k of reserves for feasibility work on options that are generated.
Proposer: Cllr Stuart Jeffery (Green)
Seconder: Cllr Paul Harper (Labour)
2. Full costs of fly tipping
Recoup full economic cost of fly tipping from perpetrators to further increase resources to tackle waste crime.
While the fine for fly tipping is set nationally, the council can add to this the full cost of enforcement for that incident, e.g. officer time. This additional change can be reinvested in prevention.
Proposer: Cllr Stuart Jeffery (Green)Seconder: Cllr Tom Sams (Independent)
3. Energy standards in rented properties
Enforcement of minimum energy efficiency standards for rented properties (see Energy Efficiency (Private Rented Property)(England and Wales) Regulations 2015). These funds will be used to train insulation fitters.
Proposer: Cllr Stuart Jeffery (Green)Seconder: Cllr Maureen Cleator (Labour)