Agenda item

9.00pm – Councillor Matt Thorley moved, seconded by Councillor Mark Loveday, the special motion in their names:

“This Council acknowledges the huge contribution local residents make to towards all aspects of life in Hammersmith & Fulham. The Council is committed to working with local residents, not doing things to them. The Council recognises that local residents have a deep understanding of their local area, its needs, shortcomings and importantly what improvements can and need to be made to make H&F an even better place to live.

The Council plays a vital role in formulating and implementing policies and change in H&F. However, the Council understands that there are other important local stakeholders involved in this process as well. Local residents in particular have an invaluable role given their deep understanding of their local area. As such the Council regrets that many residents recently have felt that the Council is doing things to them, not with them.

This Council regrets recent examples of their failure to properly consult with local residents, including over the South Fulham Traffic Scheme, the hugely unpopular Wheelie Bin fiasco and the controversial proposals to sell off playgrounds and redevelop two primary schools, and resolves to put right these situations that have caused such anger with local residents.

The Council’s resolves to adopt a LBHF Code of Good Practice to ensure that all future consultations with local residents and other local stakeholders are undertaken in a consistent manner that promotes genuine, wide public engagement. Such an approach will ensure all residents impacted by any scheme are properly consulted which will hopefully result in future schemes, when implemented, having the widest possible level of local support.”

Speeches on the special motion were made by Councillors Matt Thorley and Mark Loveday  (for the Opposition).

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

“Delete all after “As such...” in para 2, and insert:

“this Council notes the significant levels of engagement with local residents in developing the South Fulham Traffic, Congestion and Pollution Reduction Scheme. It further notes the involvement of Keep Britain Tidy in speaking to residents regarding the prototype waste collection scheme, the number of information leaflets provided and the continued direct contact with residents before, during and after the start of the scheme.

The Council is extensively consulting and listening to residents on rebuilding two primary schools in the absence of government funding since the Conservative-led coalition scrapped Building Schools for the Future.

The numerous resident-led commissions are also testament to this Council’s determination to put residents at the heart of decision-making and policy in the borough in a wide range of policy areas, including Disabled People, Older People, Biodiversity, Climate and Ecological Emergency, Air Quality, Parks, Policing and Crime, Teaching, Women’s Equality, Poverty and Worklessness, Business, Airport Expansion, Council Housing, and Rough Sleeping.””

Speeches on the amendment were made by Councillors Ben Coleman, Wesley Harcourt, and Lisa Homan (for the Administration) – and Mark Loveday (for the Opposition).

Councillor Matt Thorley made a short speech summing up the debate as the guillotine fell. The amendment was then put to the vote.

FOR                        34

AGAINST                10

NOT VOTING         0

The amendment was declared CARRIED.

The amended motion was then put to the vote.

FOR                        34

AGAINST                10

NOT VOTING         0

The amended motion was declared CARRIED.

9.33pm – RESOLVED

This Council acknowledges the huge contribution local residents make to towards all aspects of life in Hammersmith & Fulham. The Council is committed to working with local residents, not doing things to them. The Council recognises that local residents have a deep understanding of their local area, its needs, shortcomings and importantly what improvements can and need to be made to make H&F an even better place to live.

The Council plays a vital role in formulating and implementing policies and change in H&F. However, the Council understands that there are other important local stakeholders involved in this process as well. Local residents in particular have an invaluable role given their deep understanding of their local area. As such this Council notes the significant levels of engagement with local residents in developing the South Fulham Traffic, Congestion and Pollution Reduction Scheme. It further notes the involvement of Keep Britain Tidy in speaking to residents regarding the prototype waste collection scheme, the number of information leaflets provided and the continued direct contact with residents before, during and after the start of the scheme.

The Council is extensively consulting and listening to residents on rebuilding two primary schools in the absence of government funding since the Conservative-led coalition scrapped Building Schools for the Future.

The numerous resident-led commissions are also testament to this Council’s determination to put residents at the heart of decision-making and policy in the borough in a wide range of policy areas, including Disabled People, Older People, Biodiversity, Climate and Ecological Emergency, Air Quality, Parks, Policing and Crime, Teaching, Women’s Equality, Poverty and Worklessness, Business, Airport Expansion, Council Housing, and Rough Sleeping.