Agenda item

(i)

Question to Councillor Brailey from Councillor Worden “In recent days the US Government has said any trade deals with the UK would require us to relax our current food standards such as the current ban on chlorinated chicken or hormone-fed beef. There’s a serious risk the UK will lower our food standards to secure a trade deal with the USA - introducing an unnecessary and unacceptable risk to our public health.  It could also increase animal suffering by opening the door to high-intensity beef production systems that are associated with overcrowding, poor cattle handling and heat stress. Allowing hormone-reared beef could also mean that EU Member States would stop buying British beef as hormone-treated beef would remain unlawful there. Does the Leader not agree that we should write to Michael Gove as a council expressing our concerns and asking him to commit to keeping British food safe, post-Brexit and to do everything possible to maintain the high welfare standards currently in operation on our farms?”  Councillor Brailey’s response “Councillor Worden, thank you for your email. Although this is an item for the Central Government to arrange, I sympathise with your sentiments. However, I trust that if the Government were to agree to receive food from the USA and that is by no means certain. I believe that consumers would be advised to read the labels to ensure they are happy with what they are going to consume. I agree that you should write to Mr Michael Gove MP to point out the concerns.”

(ii)

Question to Councillor Brailey from Councillor Worden “Is the Leader aware of the recent decision by the Westminster Delegated Legislation Committee’s intention, whose members include the current MP for North Devon, to raise probate taxes on the estates of deceased constituents?  This was move described by James Coney, Money Editor of The Sunday Times as a “callous, underhand tax raid on the bereaved”, where these MPs decided to plough on with this secret, undemocratic decision, without seeming to care about the effect on grieving families. As many N Devon families are already struggling to cope with the impact of austerity cuts, this is an added burden and an insult to those who have worked hard to buy their own homes.  To avoid legislation and the accompanying accountability, the Committee has decided, by statutory instrument, to effectively tax the bereaved by as much as £145 million in the first year of these new rules. For example, the costs of probate on some estates will rise from £155 to £6,000.  Will the Leader confirm whether the Council was consulted with regard to these increases and, if so, what reservations were expressed?”  Councillor Brailey’s response “Councillor Worden, thank you for your question. Of course any increase in fees is always difficult.  However, there are a number of assumptions made in Cllr Worden's question that are not correct.  Firstly, to address his direct question, this is a matter for parliament, and there is no requirement to consult local authorities.  Secondly, this is not a tax, it is a fee - the distinction is important. Fees are charged for many legal services and probate is no exception.  Thirdly, it is simply incorrect to say this was in any way secret or undemocratic. Delegated legislation committees are cross-party bodies which meet in public and vote on matters put before them; it is a long-standing parliamentary process.  To look at the substance of the matter, these changes are very different from the original proposals; the government has listened. The top fee has been cut from £20,000 to £6,000 and this will only be paid by estates in excess of £2million.  Around half of all estates will now pay no fees at all, and 80% of estates will pay £750 or less.  And all the money raised will be reinvested directly into the courts and tribunal service to improve access to justice.  Our MP, Peter Heaton-Jones as a Parliamentary Private Secretary at the Ministry of Justice, worked hard with ministers to ensure that the original proposals were significantly improved, and I thank him for that.”