Agenda item

9.37pm – Councillor Stephen Cowan moved, seconded by Councillor Max Schmid, the special motion standing in their names:

“The Council notes the damage done by the government’s bedroom tax and agrees to oppose any proposals to introduce a mansion tax.

The Council is appalled at research which found that 28% of tenants affected by the bedroom tax are in rent arrears for the first time. And notes the University of York conclusion that this policy will end up costing more overall to the public purse whereas it had been intended to save public money. The Council regrets the unnecessary hardship brought about by the bedroom tax and calls on the government to end this unfairness and repeal the bedroom tax.

Furthermore, this Council notes that the mansion tax is flawed in design and in principle.

The Council agrees to oppose such measures and to lobby against them.”

Speeches on the Special Motion were made by Councillors Stephen Cowan and Max Schmid (for the Administration).

Under Standing Order 15(e) (vi), Councillor Charlie Dewhirst moved, seconded by Councillor Robert Largan, an amendment to the motion as follows:

“In title, delete “Bedroom and”

In body of motion, delete all from “This Council” to “Furthermore”.”

Speeches on the amendment to the Special Motion were made by Councillors Charlie Dewhirst and Robert Largan (for the Opposition).

Under Standing Order 24.3, Councillor Mark Loveday moved a motion to extend the guillotine until after Councillor Natalia Perez Shepherd’s maiden speech had finished, which was agreed.

A speech on the amendment to the Special Motion was then made by Councillor Natalia Perez Shepherd (for the Administration).

The amendment was put to the vote:

FOR                            20

AGAINST                   24

NOT VOTING            0

The amendment was declared LOST.

A speech on the substantive motion was made by Councillor Stephen Cowan (for the Administration). The substantive motion was put to the vote and a roll-call was requested:

FOR                                                           AGAINST

FOR                            24

AGAINST                   20

NOT VOTING            0

The motion was declared CARRIED.

10.09pm – RESOLVED:

The Council notes the damage done by the government’s bedroom tax and agrees to oppose any proposals to introduce a mansion tax.

The Council is appalled at research which found that 28% of tenants affected by the bedroom tax are in rent arrears for the first time. And notes the University of York conclusion that this policy will end up costing more overall to the public purse whereas it had been intended to save public money. The Council regrets the unnecessary hardship brought about by the bedroom tax and calls on the government to end this unfairness and repeal the bedroom tax.

Furthermore, this Council notes that the mansion tax is flawed in design and in principle.

The Council agrees to oppose such measures and to lobby against them.

(as the guillotine had passed, all remaining items on the agenda were considered without discussion).