Agenda item

Motion for Time Limited Debate 1:

 

1.Mr Heaver proposed and Mr Hood seconded the motion that:

 

“This Council resolves to:

 

1.    Welcome the Water Supply Short Focused Inquiry (SFI) report, thank the Members and Officers involved for their work examining the water outages in Winter 2025/2026 and note the requirement for the Executive to provide a response to the report and its recommendations to the Scrutiny Committee in due course but also recognise that there are a range of other water related issues that merit immediate consideration by the Council.

 

2.    Recommend that the Executive to write to Southern Water and request that its published CSO spill data is condensed into a concise Kent-wide Combined Sewer Outfall (CSO) spill report and submitted on a quarterly basis to enable more effective scrutiny of water borne pollution and the progress of spill reduction efforts, across the county.

 

3.    Recommend that the Executive to write to Southern Water to request a concise quarterly report on the county-wide progress of the Clean Rivers and Seas Task Force and to offer Southern Water any appropriate support from KCC for their efforts to reduce CSO spills across the county and with particular regard to encouraging SUDS on KCC owned buildings and infrastructure such as schools and libraries.

 

4.    Recommend that the Cabinet Member for Environment, Coastal Regeneration and Public Health to write to the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government to recommend that any future fines imposed by the regulator on water companies (or other private or public bodies) for water related failure incidents in Kent, are ring-fenced for water infrastructure and pollution/sewage release prevention improvements.

 

5.    Recommend that the Flood Risk and Water Management Committee consider; asking the Environment Agency to provide a report on the number of pollution incidents for each category report by the Water Companies, many of these resulted in inspections in Kent over the last 5 years; and consider recommending that the Quarterly Environment Agency updates on this matter form part of routine performance monitoring by the Committee.

 

6.    Request that the Executive investigate the feasibility of setting up, facilitating and promoting via Plan Sea or any other appropriate means, the development and support of citizen science testing teams on key bathing water areas and rivers seek greater partnership working between all responsible authorities, including water companies, Districts and the Environment Agency alongside supporting existing projects and research to improve monitoring of bathing water quality.

 

7.    Recommend that the Scrutiny Committee consider requesting a Public Health report on the impact, risks of and KCC responsibilities in relation to water outages and in particular, waterborne pollution in Kent.

 

8.    Recommend that the Executive engages with relevant stakeholders to ensure the first Kent and Medway Spatial Development Strategy has due regard to issues relating to water supply, wastewater management and water demand throughout the preparation, adoption and delivery of the strategy.” 

 

 

2.    The Chairman advised that he would be seeking written advice from the Monitoring Officer on the Green Motion for Time Limited Debate and that the motion would therefore be deferred pending consideration of that advice.

 

Motion deferred

 

Motion for Time Limited Debate 2:

 

3.   Mr Bradshaw proposed, and Mr Burns seconded, the following updated motion to the motion published as part of the agenda, which had received minor updates from the Liberal Democrat Group. The updated motion was agreed in advance by the proposer and seconder alongside the relevant political groups.

 

“This Council resolves to:

 

1.    Recommend that the Executive engage with Kent schools, hospitals, businesses, and other publicly funded organisations to encourage them to prioritise sourcing Kent produced food, fruit, vegetables, and game where possible, thereby supporting local farmers, and game dealers.

 

2.    Recommend that the Executive work with relevant partners to explore options for agricultural land management in Kent that maximise farming use and best support and promote the permitting of sustainable conservation practices and countryside pursuits.

 

3.    Recommend the Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport examines the impact of deer in Road Traffic Collisions (RTCs) across Kent and consider whether a county-wide Deer Management Plan could help mitigate such incidents and improve public safety.

 

4.    Recommend the Executive explores and reports on how country pursuits and other conservation activities can contribute to Kent’s environmental targets, biodiversity goals, Local Nature Recovery Strategies, and rural economic development.

 

5.    Recommend that the Executive develops a strategy for youth involvement in agricultural or agricultural adjacent fields by promoting apprenticeships, vocational opportunities or volunteering and the potential reopening of school farms to provide opportunities for young people and combat the growing level of NEETs (Not in Education, Employment or Training) in the County.

 

6.    Recommend the Executive explores the viability of offering support or incentives for farmers and similar rural business operators to aid in helping tackle winter services such as road gritting.

 

7.    Recommend that the Executive explores with District Councils and other relevant partners, the options for reviewing water extraction rights for farmers to reduce strain on the public water supply.

 

8.    Recommend that the Executive explore, with District Councils and other relevant partners, options for the active promotion, support and incentivisation of solar schemes focused on existing buildings and other infrastructure instead of on farmland itself.

 

9.    Recommend that the Executive, when making decisions that affect Kent’s farmers, consult with the National Farmers Union (NFU) to ensure that their views and experience and published evidence are taken on board and reflected in any decision-making.”

 

4.   Mr Harrison proposed and Mrs Emberson seconded the following amendment to the motion set out in paragraph 3:

 

“This Council resolves to:

 

1.    Recommend that the Executive continues to engage with Kent schools, hospitals, businesses, external partners and other publicly funded organisations to encourage them to prioritise produce and meat sourcing from Kent partners produced food, fruit, vegetables, and game where possible, thereby supporting local farmers, and local game dealers.

 

2.    Recommend that the Executive continues to work with relevant partners to explore options for agricultural land management in Kent that maximise farming use and best support and promote the permitting of sustainable conservation practices and countryside pursuits.

 

3.    Recommend the Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport examines the impact of deer in Road Traffic Collisions (RTCs) across Kent and consider whether a county-wide Deer Management Plan could help mitigate such incidents and improve public safety.

 

        4. 3. Recommend the Executive continues to promote and support explores and reports on how country pursuits and other conservation activities can that contribute to Kent’s environmental targets, biodiversity goals, Local Nature Recovery Strategies, and rural economic development.

 

        5. 4.  Recommend that the Executive continues efforts in promotingdevelops a strategy for youthand supporting youth involvement in agricultural activitiesor agricultural adjacent fields through its established farm- based education models by promoting apprenticeships, vocational opportunities or volunteering and the potential reopening of school farms to provide opportunities for young people and continue providing a Local Skills Improvement Plan and wider skills systems that offers a full range of opportunities and provision available within the sector that incorporates land- based learning and outdoor education. combat the growing level of NEETs (Not in Education, Employment or Training) in the County.

 

4.    5.  Recommend that the Executive explores the viability of offering support or incentives for continues offering service arrangements and contracts to farmers and similar rural business operators to aid in helping tackle winter services. such as road gritting.

 

5.    Recommend that the Executive explores with District Councils and other relevant partners, the options for reviewing water extraction rights  for farmers to reduce strain on the public water supply.

 

6.    5. Recommend that the Executive explore, with District Councils and other relevant partners, options for the active promotion, should both continue exploring the incentivisation of solar schemes that do not harm our rural economy and tourism industry support and incentivisation of solar schemes focused on existing buildings and other infrastructure instead of on farmland itself and continue resisting government plans to cover agricultural land with solar farms.

 

7.    Recommend that the Executive, when making decisions that affectKent’s farmers, consult with the National Farmers Union (NFU) toensure that their views and experience and published evidence aretaken on board and reflected in any decision making.”

 

5. Following the debate, the Chairman put the amendment set out in paragraph 4 to the vote and the voting was as follows.

 

For (44)

 

Mr J Baker, Mr M Brown, Mr C Burwash, Mr A Cecil, Mr P Chamberlain, Mr W Chapman, Mr B Collins, Mr J Defriend, Mr S Dixon, Ms S Emberson, Mr J Eustace, Mr L Evans, Mr P Evans, Mr J Finch, Mrs G Foster, Mr M Fraser Moat, Mr B Fryer, Mr M Harrison, Mr J Henderson, Mr C Hespe, Ms L Kemkaran, Mr A Kibble, Mr P King, Mrs M Lawes, Mr M Logen, Mr T Mallon, Mr R Mayall, Mr T Mole, Miss D Morton, Mr M Mulvihill, Mr P Osborne, Mrs C Palmer, Mr R Palmer, Mrs B Porter, Mrs S Roots, Mr T L Shonk, Mr D Sian, Dr G Sturley, Mr A Thorp, Mr D Truder, Mr P Webb, Mr N Wibberley, Mrs P Williams and Mr D Wimble.

 

Against (21)

 

Mr B Barrett, Mr B Black, Mr O Bradshaw, Mr D Burns, Mr R Ford, Mrs M Fothergill, Mr S Heaver, Mr M A J Hood, Mr A J Hook, Miss I Kemp, Mr J Moreland, Mr M Munday, Mr T Prater, Mr H Rayner, Ms C Russell, Mr G R Samme, Mr C Sefton, Mr M Sole, Mr P Stepto, Mr R G Streatfeild and Mr P Thomas.

 

Abstain (2)

 

Mr A Brady and Mr R Yates.

Amendment carried

 

 

6.    The Chairman put the substantive motion set out in paragraph 4 to the vote and the voting was as follows:

 

For (46)

Mr J Baker, Mr M Brown, Mr C Burwash, Mr A Cecil, Mr P Chamberlain, Mr W Chapman, Mr B Collins, Mr J Defriend, Mr S Dixon, Ms S Emberson, Mr J Eustace, Mr L Evans, Mr P Evans, Mr J Finch, Mrs G Foster, Mr M Fraser Moat, Mr B Fryer, Mr M Harrison, Mr J Henderson, Mr C Hespe, Ms L Kemkaran, Mr A Kibble, Mr P King, Mrs M Lawes, Mr M Logen, Mr T Mallon, Mr R Mayall, Mr T Mole, Miss D Morton, Mr M Mulvihill, Mr P Osborne, Mrs C Palmer, Mr R Palmer, Mrs B Porter, Mr H Rayner, Mrs S Roots, Ms C Russell, Mr T L Shonk, Mr D Sian, Dr G Sturley, Mr A Thorp, Mr D Truder, Mr P Webb, Mr N Wibberley, Mrs P Williams and Mr D Wimble.

 

Against (4)

Mr B Barrett, Mr O Bradshaw, Mr D Burns and Mr M Munday.

 

Abstain (13)

Mr B Black, Mr A Brady, Mr M Brice, Mr R Ford, Mrs M Fothergill, Mr A J Hook, Mr J Moreland, Mr T Prater, Mr G R Samme, Mr C Sefton, Mr M Sole, Mr R G Streatfeild and Mr P Thomas.

 

Substantive motion carried.

 

 

RESOLVED that Council:

 

1.    Recommends that the Executive continues to engage with external partners and other publicly funded organisations to encourage them to prioritise produce and meat sourcing from Kent farmers and local game dealers.

 

2.    Recommends that the Executive continues to work with relevant partners to explore options for agricultural land management in Kent that maximises farming usage and best supports and promotes the permitting of sustainable conservation practices and countryside pursuits.

 

3.    Recommends that the Executive continues to promote and support country pursuits and other conservation activities that contributes to Kent’s environmental targets, biodiversity goals, Local Nature Recovery Strategies, and rural economic development.

 

4.    Recommends that the Executive continues efforts in promoting and supporting youth involvement in agricultural activities through its established farm-based education models and continues providing a Local Skills Improvement Plan and wider skills systems that offers a full range of opportunities and provision available within the sector that incorporates land-based learning and outdoor education.

 

5.    Recommends that the Executive continues offering service arrangements and contracts to farmers and similar rural business operators to aid in helping tackle winter services.

 

6.    Recommends that the Executive should both continue exploring the incentivisation of solar schemes that do not harm our rural economy and tourism industry and continue resisting government plans to cover agricultural land with solar farms.

 

 

7.    The Chairman proposed that, under s14.48 of the Constitution, Council

resolve to extend the meeting beyond 4:30pm and it was agreed unanimously.

 

RESOLVED that the County Council agree to continue the meeting beyond 4:30pm.

 

 

Motion for Time Limited Debate 3:

 

8.    Mr Prater proposed and Mr Hook seconded the motion that:

 

“The County Council resolves to:

 

1.    Recognise that there is a real risk of significant traffic delays in Kent during the forthcoming summer due to tourist and other traffic subject EES, in addition to the well-known delays caused by freight management through Operations Brock.

 

2.    Request the Cabinet Member for Highways produce and publish an action plan to mitigate the impact on Kent residents, so far as the council is able to do so with the tools available to it.

 

3.    Agree that Kent’s unique national role as the UK’s principal gateway to mainland Europe should be recognised by Government and that Government should:

-        Put forward a credible plan to manage freight traffic without Operation Brock.

-        Provide additional funding, policy levers, and operational powers to support Kent County Council in actively managing traffic subject to EES during peak travel periods and periods of cross?Channel disruption.

-        Work in partnership with Kent County Council, National Highways, border agencies, and port operators to deliver a coordinated national approach to tourist traffic management that reflects the risks associated with the Entry Exit-System and seasonal travel demand.

-        Utilise Sevington, or another suitable facility, for offline queuing or traffic management purposes, to alleviate pressure on the strategic and local road network, and to minimise the impact on Kent residents and businesses.

 

And that the Clerk to the County Council should provide a copy of the motion to the relevant Government Officers.”

 

9.  Following the debate, the Chairman put the motion in paragraph 8 to the vote and the voting was as follows.

 

For (67)

Mr J Baker, Mr B Barrett, Mr B Black, Mr O Bradshaw, Mr M Brice, Mr M Brown, Mr D Burns, Mr C Burwash, Mr A Cecil, Mr P Chamberlain, Mr W Chapman, Mr B Collins, Mr J Defriend, Mr S Dixon, Ms S Emberson, Mr J Eustace, Mr P Evans, Mr L Evans, Mr J Finch, Mr R Ford, Mrs G Foster, Mrs M Fothergill, Mr M Fraser Moat, Mr B Fryer, Mr M Harrison, Mr S Heaver, Mr J Henderson, Mr C Hespe, Mr M Hood, Mr A Hook, Ms L Kemkaran, Miss I Kemp, Mr A Kibble, Mr P King, Mrs M Lawes, Mr M Logen, Mr T Mallon, Mr R Mayall, Mr T Mole, Mr J Moreland, Ms D Morton, Mr M Mulvihill, Mr M Munday, Mr P Osborne, Mrs C Palmer, Mr R Palmer, Ms B Porter, Mr T Prater, Mr H Rayner, Mrs S Roots, Ms C Russell, Mr G Samme, Mr C Sefton, Mr T Shonk, Mr D Sian, Mr M Sole, Mr P Stepto, Mr R Streatfeild, Dr G Sturley, Mr P Thomas, Mr A Thorp, Mr D Truder, Mr P Webb, Mr N Wibberley, Mrs P Williams, Mr D Wimble and Mr R Yates

 

Against (0)

 

Abstain (1)

Mr A Brady

 

Motion carried.

 

 

RESOLVED that Council:

 

1.    Recognise that there is a real risk of significant traffic delays in Kent during the forthcoming summer due to tourist and other traffic subject EES, in addition to the well-known delays caused by freight management through Operations Brock.

 

2.    Request the Cabinet Member for Highways produce and publish an action plan to mitigate the impact on Kent residents, so far as the council is able to do so with the tools available to it.

 

3.    Agree that Kent’s unique national role as the UK’s principal gateway to mainland Europe should be recognised by Government and that Government should:

-        Put forward a credible plan to manage freight traffic without Operation Brock.

-        Provide additional funding, policy levers, and operational powers to support Kent County Council in actively managing traffic subject to EES during peak travel periods and periods of cross?Channel disruption.

-        Work in partnership with Kent County Council, National Highways, border agencies, and port operators to deliver a coordinated national approach to tourist traffic management that reflects the risks associated with the Entry Exit-System and seasonal travel demand.

-        Utilise Sevington, or another suitable facility, for offline queuing or traffic management purposes, to alleviate pressure on the strategic and local road network, and to minimise the impact on Kent residents and businesses.

 

And that the Clerk to the County Council should provide a copy of the motion to the relevant Government Officers.