Agenda item

To consider any Notices of Motion.

(a)       That the Notice of Motion from Councillor Dunbobbin, as amended by Councillor Peers, be supported.  The third paragraph to read: ‘By participating in the service and working with credit reference agencies, the Council would be able to offer tenants the opportunity to build a positive credit history and also be recognised for paying their rent on time - I believe it also has major benefits for things like applying for goods and services, including responsible and affordable financial services, online shopping or even helping a tenant who wants to apply for a mortgage as part of a transition into buying their own home.’; and

(b)       That the Notice of Motion from Councillor Hughes on the Brexit referendum be rejected.

Two Notice of Motion were received:

(i)         Rental Exchange scheme - Councillor Andy Dunbobbin

‘I would like the Council to consider the introduction of a service known as the Rental Exchange which is a national scheme being adopted by an increasing number of social landlords as a way of supporting tenants to be able to improve their credit rating.

It has come to my attention that Council tenants who pay rent on time do not have their payments recognised on their credit reference report. I think there is an inequality here because those who have a mortgaged property and make that payment on time, see it reflected on their credit file.

By participating in the service and working with credit reference agencies, the Council would be able to offer tenants the opportunity to build a positive credit history and also be rewarded for paying their rent on time - I believe it also has major benefits for things like applying for goods and services, including responsible and affordable financial services, online shopping or even helping a tenant who wants to apply for a mortgage as part of a transition into buying their own home.

This is a scheme that would help to support our Council tenants and as a progressive and forward thinking Council, could I ask for this scheme to be considered and implemented?’

As Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Housing, Councillor Attridge thanked Councillor Dunbobbin for his Notice of Motion.  He said that the mechanism for social housing landlords to sign up to the scheme would help tenants to access affordable credit and offer long-term financial benefits.  It would create an incentive for tenants to keep rental payments up-to-date, as well as supporting Council’s strategies.  He requested that Cabinet consider a report on the feasibility of implementing the scheme in Flintshire with information on setting-up costs and timescales.

The Motion was seconded by Councillor Gladys Healey.

Councillor Peers proposed a minor change to the wording in the third paragraph of the Motion to replace the word ‘rewarded’ with ‘recognised’ to provide greater clarity.  Councillor Dunbobbin indicated that he was satisfied with the amendment.  On being put to the vote, the amended Notice of Motion was unanimously supported.

The Chief Executive said that he and the Chief Officer (Housing and Assets) both welcomed the scheme in principle and that a report to Cabinet would be prioritised.

(ii)          Brexit Referendum - Councillor Kevin Hughes

‘On June 23^rd 2016 the British people voted to leave the European Union through the Brexit Referendum. Of the votes cast 51.89% voted to leave with 48.11% voting to remain. In Flintshire 56.4% voted to leave with 43.6% wishing to remain.  The Westminster Government invoked Article 50 on the Treaty of European Union by the Prime Minister signing a letter on March 28^th 2017.  That letter was delivered to the European Council President Donald Tusk by the British Ambassador to the European Union the following day.  Since then negotiations have been ongoing with no sign of a deal that can be agreed in Parliament or one that is acceptable to the British people.

Meanwhile the CEO of Airbus has warned that the company could leave the UK if it exits the European single market and customs union without a transitional deal.  This would have a devastating effect on the countless Flintshire workers who are employed by Airbus and the thousands of smaller companies that supply it with goods, equipment and services.

Further, the Executive Vice President of Toyota, Didier Leroy, is on record as saying that uncertainty over Brexit could jeopardise the company’s future investment in the UK which would again have a negative impact on Flintshire workers and the county’s on-going prosperity.

Hazel Wright, the senior policy officer of the Farmers’ Union of Wales, is advising Welsh farmers, including those that farm in Flintshire that the Basic Payment Scheme under the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy will end after Brexit and in 2021 move to a Welsh Government scheme based on environmental factors.

This would mean Flintshire farmers would be treated differently to their competitors in Northern Ireland, Scotland, England and the rest of Europe and leaves many in fear of their livelihoods and that their farms will no longer be financially viable.

Now we know the true facts and consequences of Brexit and its likely effect on Flintshire’s economy, jobs and prosperity coupled with Westminster’s inability to negotiate a suitable deal is it not time to give the electorate a second opportunity to have their say on the final Brexit outcome?  To not allow the British people a say on the final negotiated deal, now we know the full consequences, would be grossly unfair and an affront to democracy.

This council therefore calls upon the Westminster Government to allow the public to vote on the final Brexit deal that will see the UK leave the European Union.  And that vote should have three elements:

1)    To accept the final deal negotiated by the Government.

2)    To leave the European Union, its customs union and the single market without a negotiated deal.

3)    To remain a full member of the European Union, its customs union and the single market.’

In presenting his Notice of Motion, Councillor Hughes said that the aim of his Notice of Motion was not to generate discussion on how individuals voted or to encourage them to change their minds.  Instead the Motion took into consideration the current position on whether the deal was what people wanted and the implications for younger generations in Flintshire.

The Motion was seconded by Councillor Bithell who felt that the EU referendum was a complex matter that could not be resolved by a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answer.  He referred to issues such as immigration, jobs and tourism which were not known at the time of the EU referendum and highlighted concerns about local industry and the economy.

Councillor Legg spoke in favour of the Motion and highlighted the duty on individuals to exercise their right to vote.  Councillor Phillips also spoke in support.  His proposed amendment to remove the three options within the Motion was rejected by Councillor Hughes.  Councillor Phillips subsequently withdrew his amendment.  The Chief Executive said that the framing of the question of any referendum was the responsibility of the Electoral Commission.

Councillor Carver spoke against the Motion as he said that people had been clear in their minds when voting in the first referendum.  Councillor Woolley also spoke against the Motion and Councillor Rita Johnson questioned whether the Council’s voice would be heard.

Councillor Peers said that the terms of the final deal on Brexit should be subject to consultation before a public vote to accept or reject.

A similar view was shared by Councillor Butler who felt that such major constitutional matters should be determined on a minimum 70% of electorate votes.

In welcoming the debate, Councillor Heesom said that he was unable to support the Motion as it was important to recognise the will of the people who had voted.

Councillor Ellis said that elected Members did not have the mandate of Flintshire residents to change their vote.

Councillor Aaron Shotton said that the Labour group Members were undertaking a free vote on this matter.  Whilst acknowledging the principles of the Motion, he felt that making such representations at this crucial stage of negotiations was a risk.

Councillor Paul Johnson, who had taken part in the recent People’s Vote march on the Brexit referendum, spoke in support of the Motion.

Councillor Paul Shotton referred to the financial cost of Brexit and Councillor Ian Roberts was in favour of a vote on the actuality of leaving Brexit.

On being put to the vote, the Motion was lost.

The Chief Executive said that whilst the Council had no formal position on Brexit, work was underway on preparing for the risks of transition to be reported to a future meeting of Cabinet and Corporate Resources Overview & Scrutiny Committee.  He circulated a hand-out as a background paper.

RESOLVED:

(a)       That the Notice of Motion from Councillor Dunbobbin, as amended by Councillor Peers, be supported.  The third paragraph to read: ‘By participating in the service and working with credit reference agencies, the Council would be able to offer tenants the opportunity to build a positive credit history and also be recognised for paying their rent on time - I believe it also has major benefits for things like applying for goods and services, including responsible and affordable financial services, online shopping or even helping a tenant who wants to apply for a mortgage as part of a transition into buying their own home.’; and

(b)       That the Notice of Motion from Councillor Hughes on the Brexit referendum be rejected.

Following the item, the Chairman called a brief adjournment.