Agenda item

8.01pm – Councillor Andrew Brown moved, seconded by Councillor Victoria Brocklebank-Fowler, the special motion in their names:

“This Council believes that expansion of Heathrow Airport with a third runway, would cause very significant harm to the quality of life of residents of West London, including Hammersmith & Fulham, with regards to Air Quality, Noise Pollution & Traffic Congestion.

This Council will continue to oppose Heathrow expansion, working with other boroughs and the Mayor of London on a cross-party basis, and will participate fully in both public campaigns and legal challenges against the proposed third runway.

This Council recognises that airport expansion is important for the economy of the United Kingdom and the borough but believes that by solely focusing on expansion of Heathrow, which will be held-up by legal challenges, potentially indefinitely, much needed airport capacity will not be delivered quickly.

This Council further believes that expansion of other London Airports such as Gatwick and other airports around the country would be a quicker, cheaper and less environmentally damaging solution to that proposed at Heathrow.

This Council finally wishes to recognise the Leadership of the MP for Hammersmith, Andy Slaughter who resigned as PPS from the then Labour Government in January 2009 over Heathrow expansion, as well the MP for Chelsea & Fulham, Greg Hands, who resigned as Minister of State for International Trade to vote against Heathrow Expansion in June of this year. The borough is grateful to both our MPs for putting their commitment to the residents of Hammersmith & Fulham ahead of their Parliamentary careers.”

Speeches on the special motion were made by Councillors Andrew Brown and Victoria Brocklebank Fowler (her maiden speech) (for the Opposition).

Under Standing Order 15(e)(6), Councillor Wesley Harcourt moved, seconded by Councillor Fiona Smith, an amendment in their names:

“Delete all after ‘This Council’ and insert:

[This Council] …commends the work of the Resident Led Commission on Airport Expansion chaired by Christina Smyth and supports its conclusions that the negative impacts on the London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham of expansion at Heathrow would outweigh the positive impacts.

This Council agrees that expansion of Heathrow Airport with a third runway, would cause very significant harm to the quality of life of residents of West London, including Hammersmith & Fulham, with regards to Air Quality, Noise Pollution & Traffic Congestion.

This Council will continue to oppose Heathrow expansion, working with other boroughs and the Mayor of London on a cross-party basis, and will participate fully in both public campaigns and legal challenges against the proposed third runway.

This Council recognises that airport expansion is important for the economy of the United Kingdom and the borough but believes that by solely focusing on expansion of Heathrow, which will be held-up by legal challenges, potentially indefinitely, much needed airport capacity will not be delivered quickly.

This Council further believes that expansion of other London Airports such as Gatwick and other airports around the Country would be a quicker, cheaper and less environmentally damaging solution to that proposed at Heathrow.

The Council wishes to congratulate the MP for Hammersmith, Andy Slaughter, who took a principled stance and resigned as PPS from the then Labour Government in January 2009 over Heathrow expansion, his opposition to the closure of Charing Cross Hospital and Brexit.

The Council also notes the MP for Chelsea & Fulham, Greg Hands, resigned as Minister for State for International Trade to vote against Heathrow Expansion in June of this year but that he did not take such a position on Charing Cross Hospital, Brexit, or the Super Sewer.”

Speeches on the amendment to the special motion were made by Councillors Wesley Harcourt, Fiona Smith (her maiden speech), and PJ Murphy (for the Administration) and Councillor Andrew Brown (for the Opposition).

The amendment to the special motion was then put to the vote.

FOR                            32

AGAINST                    10

NOT VOTING             1

The amendment to the special motion was declared CARRIED.

Speeches on the special motion as amended were made by Councillors Mark Loveday, Matt Thorley, and Alex Karmel (for the Opposition). Councillor Andrew Brown then made a speech winding up the debate before the special motion as amended was put to the vote.

FOR                            UNANIMOUS

AGAINST                    0

NOT VOTING             0

The special motion as amended was declared CARRIED.

8.39pm – RESOLVED

This Council commends the work of the Resident Led Commission on Airport Expansion chaired by Christina Smyth and supports its conclusions that the negative impacts on the London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham of expansion at Heathrow would outweigh the positive impacts.

This Council agrees that expansion of Heathrow Airport with a third runway, would cause very significant harm to the quality of life of residents of West London, including Hammersmith & Fulham, with regards to Air Quality, Noise Pollution & Traffic Congestion.

This Council will continue to oppose Heathrow expansion, working with other boroughs and the Mayor of London on a cross-party basis, and will participate fully in both public campaigns and legal challenges against the proposed third runway.

This Council recognises that airport expansion is important for the economy of the United Kingdom and the borough but believes that by solely focusing on expansion of Heathrow, which will be held-up by legal challenges, potentially indefinitely, much needed airport capacity will not be delivered quickly.

This Council further believes that expansion of other London Airports such as Gatwick and other airports around the Country would be a quicker, cheaper and less environmentally damaging solution to that proposed at Heathrow.

The Council wishes to congratulate the MP for Hammersmith, Andy Slaughter, who took a principled stance and resigned as PPS from the then Labour Government in January 2009 over Heathrow expansion, his opposition to the closure of Charing Cross Hospital and Brexit.

The Council also notes the MP for Chelsea & Fulham, Greg Hands, resigned as Minister for State for International Trade to vote against Heathrow Expansion in June of this year but that he did not take such a position on Charing Cross Hospital, Brexit, or the Super Sewer.