Agenda item

To consider and debate the following motion, notice of which was given on 20 October 2020 by Cllr Boram.

 

‘West Sussex County Council:

 

(1)         Notes and embraces the challenges and requirements involved in balancing the needs of public health and economic growth, with the requirement that the latter has to be clean, green and sustainable;

 

(2)         Notes that the balancing of public health, economic growth and other considerations generates a diversity of opinion in the scientific, medical and government community, and therefore believes that the widest range of views should be considered by central government decision-making forums;

 

(3)         Recognises its role in supporting clean, green and sustainable economic growth and welcomes the feedback so far received on its Economy Reset Plan, which is designed to support these objectives;

 

(4)         Recognises the severe impact of Covid-19 on the West Sussex economy including but not limited to the aviation, travel, events, hospitality, horticulture and adult social care sectors;

 

(5)         Notes the prevalence and importance of some sectors in parts of the West Sussex economy and sees opportunities for jobs growth through targeted investment in new and innovative initiatives;

 

(6)         Welcomes the creative and imaginative nature of central government economic support initiatives including the furlough scheme, self-employed income support, sector-specific VAT reductions and ‘Eat Out to Help Out’;

 

(7)         Welcomes the establishment of the Global Travel Taskforce and looks forward to the publication of the Government’s Aviation Recovery Strategy;

 

(8)         Commends the efforts of West Sussex businesses to adapt to the new normal and expresses its support for all enterprises in these difficult times;

 

(9)         Acknowledges the importance of the local growth deals and thanks partner organisations for their participation in them; and

 

(10)      In its advocacy role asks the Cabinet to make the following requests to central government reflecting a number of current priorities:

(a)      To assist the hospitality sector by minimising the application of lockdown measures, consistent with the maintenance of public health, taking into account local R rates and other local factors;

 

(b)      Make further reforms to the taxation of digital businesses to achieve a better levelling of opportunity between digital and physical enterprises;

 

(c)      Bring forward initiatives for airport Covid-19 testing to assist in limiting the application and impact of quarantine;

 

(d)      Maintain sector-specific furlough and self-employed income support;

 

(e)      Support continued investment in our digital infrastructure including hard-to-reach rural premises, welcoming the progress that has been made to date in our county;

 

(f)       Ensure that the pre-Covid-19 agenda around adult social care reform is resumed;

 

(g)      To articulate clear and confidence-building messages on the role and utility of public transport with renewed emphasis on rural connectivity;

 

(h)     Apply clean, green, climate change and economic diversity and resilience considerations in the awards of funding for economic recovery; and

 

(i)       Support investment in reskilling and retraining to assist with diversifying and creating a sustainable economy.’

46.1     The following motion was moved by Cllr Boram and seconded by Cllr Hillier.

 

‘West Sussex County Council:

 

(1)         Notes and embraces the challenges and requirements involved in balancing the needs of public health and economic growth, with the requirement that the latter has to be clean, green and sustainable;

 

(2)         Notes that the balancing of public health, economic growth and other considerations generates a diversity of opinion in the scientific, medical and government community, and therefore believes that the widest range of views should be considered by central government decision-making forums;

 

(3)         Recognises its role in supporting clean, green and sustainable economic growth and welcomes the feedback so far received on its Economy Reset Plan, which is designed to support these objectives;

 

(4)         Recognises the severe impact of Covid-19 on the West Sussex economy including but not limited to the aviation, travel, events, hospitality, horticulture and adult social care sectors;

 

(5)         Notes the prevalence and importance of some sectors in parts of the West Sussex economy and sees opportunities for jobs growth through targeted investment in new and innovative initiatives;

 

(6)         Welcomes the creative and imaginative nature of central government economic support initiatives including the furlough scheme, self-employed income support, sector-specific VAT reductions and ‘Eat Out to Help Out’;

 

(7)         Welcomes the establishment of the Global Travel Taskforce and looks forward to the publication of the Government’s Aviation Recovery Strategy;

 

(8)         Commends the efforts of West Sussex businesses to adapt to the new normal and expresses its support for all enterprises in these difficult times;

 

(9)         Acknowledges the importance of the local growth deals and thanks partner organisations for their participation in them; and

 

(10)      In its advocacy role asks the Cabinet to make the following requests to central government reflecting a number of current priorities:

(a)      To assist the hospitality sector by minimising the application of lockdown measures, consistent with the maintenance of public health, taking into account local R rates and other local factors;

 

(b)      Make further reforms to the taxation of digital businesses to achieve a better levelling of opportunity between digital and physical enterprises;

 

(c)      Bring forward initiatives for airport Covid-19 testing to assist in limiting the application and impact of quarantine;

 

(d)      Maintain sector-specific furlough and self-employed income support;

 

(e)      Support continued investment in our digital infrastructure including hard-to-reach rural premises, welcoming the progress that has been made to date in our county;

 

(f)       Ensure that the pre-Covid-19 agenda around adult social care reform is resumed;

 

(g)      To articulate clear and confidence-building messages on the role and utility of public transport with renewed emphasis on rural connectivity;

 

(h)     Apply clean, green, climate change and economic diversity and resilience considerations in the awards of funding for economic recovery; and

 

(i)       Support investment in reskilling and retraining to assist with diversifying and creating a sustainable economy.’

 

46.2     An amendment was moved by Cllr Millson and seconded by Cllr Lord as set out below:

 

‘West Sussex County Council:

 

(1)         Notes and embraces the challenges and requirements involved in balancing the needs of public health and economic growth, with the requirement that the latter has to be clean, green and sustainable;

 

(2)         Notes that the balancing of public health, economic growth and other considerations generates a diversity of opinion in the scientific, medical and government community, and therefore believes that the widest range of views should be considered by central government decision-making forums;

 

(3)         Recognises its role in supporting clean, green and sustainable economic growth and welcomes the feedback so far received on its Economy Reset Plan, which is designed to support these objectives;

 

(4)         Recognises the severe impact of Covid-19 on the West Sussex economy including but not limited to the aviation, travel, events, hospitality, horticulture and adult social care sectors;

 

(5)         Notes the prevalence and importance of some sectors in parts of the West Sussex economy and sees opportunities for jobs growth through targeted investment in new and innovative initiatives;

 

(6)         Welcomes the creative and imaginative nature of central government economic support initiatives including the furlough scheme, self-employed income support, sector-specific VAT reductions and ‘Eat Out to Help Out’ the provision of vouchers in lieu of free school meals, from lock down until the start of the September term (though sadly not during October half term), which have been a substantial help to poorer families;

 

(7)         Welcomes the establishment of the Global Travel Taskforce and looks forward to the publication of the Government’s Aviation Recovery Strategy;

 

(8)         Commends the efforts of West Sussex businesses to adapt to the new normal and expresses its support for all enterprises in these difficult times;

 

(9)         Acknowledges the importance of the local growth deals and thanks partner organisations for their participation in them; and

 

(10)      In its advocacy role asks the Cabinet to make the following requests to central government reflecting a number of current priorities:

(a)      To assist the hospitality sector by minimising the application of lockdown measures, consistent with the maintenance of public health, taking into account local R rates and other local factors;

 

(b)      Make further reforms to the taxation of digital businesses to achieve a better levelling of opportunity between digital and physical enterprises;

 

(c)      Bring forward initiatives for airport Covid-19 testing to assist in limiting the application and impact of quarantine;

 

(d)      Maintain sector-specific furlough and self-employed income support;

 

(e)      Support continued investment in our digital infrastructure including hard-to-reach rural premises, welcoming the progress that has been made to date in our county;

 

(f)       Ensure that the pre-Covid-19 agenda around adult social care reform is resumed;

 

(g)      To articulate clear and confidence-building messages on the role and utility of public transport with renewed emphasis on rural connectivity;

 

(h)     Apply clean, green, climate change and economic diversity and resilience considerations in the awards of funding for economic recovery; and

 

(i)       Support investment in reskilling and retraining to assist with diversifying and creating a sustainable economy.’

 

46.3     The amendment was put to a recorded vote under Standing Order 3.36.

 

(a)         For the amendment – 14

 

Cllr Brunsdon, Cllr Buckland, Cllr N Dennis, Cllr Fitzjohn, Cllr M Jones, Cllr Lea, Cllr Lord, Cllr Millson, Cllr O’Kelly, Cllr Oxlade, Cllr Quinn, Cllr Smytherman, Cllr Sudan and Cllr Walsh.

 

(b)         Against the amendment - 43

 

Cllr Arculus, Cllr Atkins, Cllr Baldwin, Cllr Barling, Cllr Barnard, Cllr Barrett-Miles, Cllr Bennett, Cllr Boram, Cllr Bradbury, Cllr Bridges, Cllr Burgess, Cllr Burrett, Cllr Catchpole, Cllr Cloake, Cllr Crow, Cllr J Dennis, Cllr Edwards, Cllr Elkins, Cllr Hall, Cllr High, Cllr Hillier, Cllr Hunt, Cllr A Jones, Cllr A Jupp, Cllr N Jupp, Cllr Kennard, Cllr Kitchen, Cllr Lanzer, Cllr Magill, Cllr Markwell, Cllr Marshall, Cllr McDonald, Cllr Mitchell, Cllr Montyn, Cllr S Oakley, Cllr Pendleton, Cllr Russell, Cllr Sparkes, Cllr Turner, Cllr Urquhart, Cllr Waight, Cllr Whittington and Cllr Wickremaratchi.

 

(c)          Abstentions – 4

 

          Cllr Acraman, Cllr Duncton, Cllr Goldsmith and Cllr Patel.

 

46.4     The amendment was lost.

 

46.5     An amendment was moved by Cllr M Jones and seconded by Cllr Walsh as set out below:

 

‘West Sussex County Council:

 

(1)         Notes and embraces the challenges and requirements involved in balancing the needs of public health and economic growth, with the requirement that the latter has to be clean, green and sustainable;

 

(2)         Notes that the balancing of public health, economic growth and other considerations generates a diversity of opinion in the scientific, medical and government community, and therefore believes that the widest range of views should be considered by central government decision-making forums;

 

(3)         Recognises its role in supporting clean, green and sustainable economic growth and welcomes the feedback so far received on its Economy Reset Plan, which is designed to support these objectives;

 

(4)         Recognises the severe impact of Covid-19 on the West Sussex economy including but not limited to the aviation, travel, events, hospitality, horticulture and adult social care sectors;

 

(5)         Notes the prevalence and importance of some sectors in parts of the West Sussex economy and sees opportunities for jobs growth through targeted investment in new and innovative initiatives;

 

(6)         Welcomes the creative and imaginative nature of central government economic support initiatives including the furlough scheme, self-employed income support, sector-specific VAT reductions and ‘Eat Out to Help Out’;

 

(7)         Welcomes the establishment of the Global Travel Taskforce and looks forward to the publication of the Government’s Aviation Recovery Strategy;

 

(8)         Commends the efforts of West Sussex businesses to adapt to the new normal and expresses its support for all enterprises in these difficult times;

 

(9)         Acknowledges the importance of the local growth deals and thanks partner organisations for their participation in them; and

 

(10)      Calls on In its advocacy role asks the Cabinet to write make the following requests to central government as soon as possible calling on them to reflecting a number of current priorities:

(a)     Review measures in place to assist the hospitality sector by minimising the application of lockdown measures, consistent with the maintenance of public health, taking into account local R rates and other local factors;

 

(b)      Make further reforms to the taxation of digital businesses to achieve a better levelling of opportunity between digital and physical enterprises;

 

(c)      Bring forward initiatives for airport Covid-19 testing to assist in limiting the application and impact of quarantine as a matter of urgency;

 

(d)      Commit to maintaining sector-specific furlough and self-employed income support;

 

(e)      Support continued investment in our digital infrastructure including hard-to-reach rural premises, welcoming recognising the progress that has been made to date in our county;

 

(f)       Ensure that the pre-Covid-19 agenda around adult social care reform is resumed at pace;

 

(g)      To Aarticulate clear and confidence-building messages on the role and utility of public transport with renewed emphasis on rural connectivity;

 

(h)     Apply clean, green, climate change and economic diversity and resilience considerations in the awards of funding for economic recovery; and

 

(i)       Provide additional support and investment for in reskilling and retraining to assist with diversifying and creating a sustainable economy, prioritising support for those aged 16 to 24 years.’

 

46.6     The amendment was put to a recorded vote under Standing Order 3.36.

 

(a)         For the amendment – 14

 

Cllr Brunsdon, Cllr Buckland, Cllr N Dennis, Cllr Fitzjohn, Cllr M Jones, Cllr Lea, Cllr Lord, Cllr Millson, Cllr O’Kelly, Cllr Oxlade, Cllr Quinn, Cllr Smytherman, Cllr Sudan and Cllr Walsh.

 

(b)         Against the amendment - 46

 

Cllr Acraman, Cllr Arculus, Cllr Atkins, Cllr Baldwin, Cllr Barling, Cllr Barnard, Cllr Barrett-Miles, Cllr Bennett, Cllr Boram, Cllr Bradbury, Cllr Bradford, Cllr Bridges, Cllr Burgess, Cllr Burrett, Cllr Catchpole, Cllr Cloake, Cllr Crow, Cllr J Dennis, Cllr Edwards, Cllr Elkins, Cllr Hall, Cllr High, Cllr Hillier, Cllr Hunt, Cllr A Jones, Cllr A Jupp, Cllr N Jupp, Cllr Kennard, Cllr Kitchen, Cllr Lanzer, Cllr Magill, Cllr Markwell, Cllr Marshall, Cllr McDonald, Cllr Mitchell, Cllr Montyn, Cllr S J Oakley, Cllr Patel, Cllr Pendleton, Cllr Russell, Cllr Sparkes, Cllr Turner, Cllr Urquhart, Cllr Waight, Cllr Whittington and Cllr Wickremaratchi.

 

(c)         Abstentions – 2

 

Cllr Duncton and Cllr Goldsmith.

 

46.7     The amendment was lost.

 

46.8     The motion, as set out in minute 46.1, was carried.