(a)      To consider the following notice of motion received by Councillor Patrinos

“In reaction to the devastating decision by central government to vote against protecting farming the environment and food standards, I propose the following:

Motion:

“That North Devon Council write to the Secretary of State for the Environment Food and Rural Affairs to expresses our disappointment at the government’s decision to vote against protecting food standards in the Agriculture Bill. This is a devastating blow to farmers and consumers, impacting upon animal welfare, the environment and public health. It will also drive small farmers out of business and change our landscape.  That we also write to our own MP, Selaine Saxby to ask her try to urge the SOS to save our agricultural industry and Save British Farming.”

(b)      To consider the following notice of motion by Councillor Hunt:

“This Council notes:

·       That North Devon is one of the hardest hit regions economically in the South West as the result of the Covid 19 pandemic with, for example the number of families on Universal Credit rising from 3885 in March to 7999 in September.

·       That numbers of pupils entitled to Free School Meals is rising fast.  

·       That every child who is entitled to Free School Meals is a sign of a family under significant financial pressure.

·       That this picture of increasing child poverty is supported by the rapid rise in the number of families dependent on food banks. 

·       That the Trussell trust reported an 81 per cent increase in food bank dependency in March 2020, and other food banks reported similar increases.  It is said that the figures show that the number of children relying on food banks more than doubles during lockdown.

·       That children who are hungry are less able to learn and thrive at school.

·       That the extension of the school meals voucher scheme (campaigned for by Marcus Rashford) to cover the period of the summer holiday was incredibly important and valuable to families in food poverty. 

·       The very welcome commitment and generosity shown by many local businesses and individuals in North Devon to provide free meals for children of families who are struggling to provide food.

·       This Council recognises that the withdrawal of the furlough scheme, along with fears of a second lockdown are likely to lead to further increases in child poverty.

This Council therefore supports the calls by the Child Food Poverty Task Force, supported by Marcus Rashford and many leading food suppliers and producers, which calls for:

·       The expansion of free school meals provision to every child whose family is in receipt of Universal Credit or equivalent, or with a low-income and no recourse to public funds.

·       That provision be made for food vouchers to cover school holidays and periods of lockdown for all families in receipt of Universal Credit or with low-income and no recourse to public funds.

·       That Healthy Start vouchers should be increased in value to £4.25, and expanded to be made available to all those in receipt of Universal Credit or with a low-income and no recourse to public funds.

This Council therefore resolves to write to the Secretary of State for Education, the Chancellor and our member of Parliament to call for: 

1. An extension of eligibility for free school meals to every pupil whose parents or guardians are in receipt of Universal Credit
2. Food vouchers for every one of those pupils in every school holiday and during any period of lockdown
3. An extension of eligibility for free school meals to pupils from low-income families whose parents or guardians have no recourse to public funds and destitute asylum seekers under s4 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999.”

(c)      To consider the following notice of motion by Councillor Worden:

“This council recognises the importance of agriculture to the livelihood of many families and the economy of North Devon and in the maintenance and protection of our environment. The future viability of our farms, the contribution they make to our economy and the high standard of what is produced is of great importance to the residents of our area and beyond.

This council expresses its concern that the House of Lords amendment to the agricultural bill which would have ensured agricultural and food imports meet domestic standards was rejected by the government. Unless high standards are maintained it will be a devastating blow to farmers and consumers, impacting upon animal welfare, the environment and public health.

This council notes that peers had made the change to block the import of foodstuffs produced abroad with lower animal welfare standards, amid warnings over chlorinated chicken or hormone-treated beef entering the UK market from the US.

This council is concerned that the government should not sell out the UK’s animal welfare for a quick trade deal as we do not want animals over treated with antibiotics and pesticide-laced food on our plates. Crucial climate and public health targets should also be included in the Agriculture Bill.

This council calls for:

• Our food, farming, environmental and animal welfare standards to be written into law and for public health to be protected in trade deals
• Better parliamentary scrutiny of trade deals and an improved Trade and Agriculture Commission to oversee standards protection

·       A letter to be written to central government as well as our own MP Selaine Saxby along with the MPs from surrounding constituencies (Geoffrey Cox for Torridge and West Devon and Mel Stride for Central Devon), who all voted against the amendment to protect food standards asking them to support our Devon farmers.

·       A meeting of the Policy Committee to discuss with representatives of the farming community the possible implications and impact on North Devon farmers of not enshrining quality standards in law.

·       #AgricultureBillUK #SaveOurStandards #SaveBritishFarming”

(d)      To consider the following notice of motion by Councillor Pearson:

“This Council resolves:

· to require all public firework displays within the local authority boundaries to be advertised in advance of the event, allowing residents to take precautions for their animals and vulnerable people

· to actively promote a public awareness campaign about the impact of fireworks on animal welfare and vulnerable people – including the precautions that can be taken to mitigate risks

· to write to the UK Government urging them to introduce legislation to limit the maximum noise level of fireworks to 90dB for those sold to the public for private displays

· to encourage local suppliers of fireworks to stock ‘quieter’ fireworks for public display.”

(a) and (c) To consider the following notices of motions received by Councillor Patrinos and Councillor Worden

The Chair advised that the notice of motions submitted by Councillors Patrinos and Worden as detailed under items (a) and (c) on the agenda would be considered together.

Councillors Patrinos and Worden addressed the Council in relation to the notices of motions. 

It was moved by Councillor Patrinos and seconded by Councillor Worden “that the Policy Development Committee be requested to look at the subject matter of the notice of motions in respect of the impact on agriculture, consumers and the potential impact of the Agricultural Act 2020 on the agricultural sector, environmental standards and food safety.”

Councillor Yabsley declared a personal interest as he was in receipt of a basic farm payment.

RESOLVED that the Policy Development Committee be requested to look at the subject matter of the notice of motions in respect of the impact on agriculture, consumers and the potential impact of the Agricultural Act 2020 on the agricultural sector, environmental standards and food safety.

(b) To consider the following notice of motion by Councillor Hunt

Councillor Hunt declared a personal interest as she had volunteered for the Northern Devon Foodbank since March 2020.

Councillor Hunt presented her notice of motion to Council.  She advised that since the submission of the notice of motion, that following Marcus Rashford’s campaigning the Government had announced that £170m would be available to support children and families to ensure that children would be supported over the winter months.  Vouchers would be issued to those children in receipt of free school meals.  Therefore number two in the notice of motion was no longer relevant.

It was moved by Councillor Hunt and seconded by Councillor Worden “that this Council write to the Secretary of State for Education, the Chancellor and our member of Parliament to call for:

1. An extension of eligibility for free school meals to every pupil whose parents or guardians are in receipt of Universal Credit
2. An extension of eligibility for free school meals to pupils from low-income families whose parents or guardians have no recourse to public funds and destitute asylum seekers under s4 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999.”

The Chief Executive advised that the Council provided an exceptional hardship fund inadvertently affected by Covid which had been funded by Devon County Council.  There was no opportunity to take a report to Committee as the scheme had to be implemented with immediate effect.  To date there was approximately £80,000 remaining in the fund. The free school meals provided during the October half term had been publicised.

The Head of Resources advised that the Council had received the fourth tranche of funding of £385,000 from the Government.  The Winter Fund announced by Council would be awarded to Devon County Council and discussions were ongoing as to how this would be distributed locally.

Councillor Biederman requested that Councillors be advised of the financial schemes available to enable them to signpost individuals.

RESOLVED that this Council write to the Secretary of State for Education, the Chancellor and our member of Parliament to call for:

1. An extension of eligibility for free school meals to every pupil whose parents or guardians are in receipt of Universal Credit
2. An extension of eligibility for free school meals to pupils from low-income families whose parents or guardians have no recourse to public funds and destitute asylum seekers under s4 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999.

(d) To consider the following notice of motion by Councillor Pearson

Councillor Pearson presented the notice of motion and provided an explanation on the reasons for submitting the notice of motion to Council.

It was moved by Councillor Pearson and seconded by Councillor Jenkins and amended during consideration thereof to the following “that the Council resolve to:

1.    to encourage all public firework displays within the local authority boundaries to be advertised in advance of the event, allowing residents to take precautions for their animals and vulnerable people

2.    to actively promote a public awareness campaign about the impact of fireworks on animal welfare and vulnerable people – including the precautions that can be taken to mitigate risks

3.    to write to the UK Government urging them to introduce legislation to limit the maximum noise level of fireworks to 90dB for those sold to the public for private displays

4.    to encourage local suppliers of fireworks to stock ‘quieter’ fireworks for public displays

An amendment was moved by Councillor York and seconded by Councillor Bushell “that the notice of motion be amended to include that the Council lobby the MP and Government urging the ban of the sale of fireworks to the general public”.

Councillors Pearson and Jenkins agreed to amend paragraph three of the notice of motion paragraph to take this on board to read as follows “to write to the UK Government urging them to introduce legislation to restrict the sale of fireworks to the general public”.

Councillor York withdrew her amendment to the motion.  Councillor Bushell confirmed that he would abstain from voting.

RESOLVED that the Council resolve to:

1.    to encourage all public firework displays within the local authority boundaries to be advertised in advance of the event, allowing residents to take precautions for their animals and vulnerable people

2.    to actively promote a public awareness campaign about the impact of fireworks on animal welfare and vulnerable people – including the precautions that can be taken to mitigate risks

3.    to write to the UK Government urging them to introduce legislation to restrict the sale of fireworks to the general public

4.    to encourage local suppliers of fireworks to stock ‘quieter’ fireworks for public displays