Councillor Tim Valentine proposed the motion as set out in the agenda.  He said that the Retained European Union (EU) Law Revocation and Reform Bill was currently being considered by Parliament, and if agreed would repeal 2,400 regulations that had been retained from EU legislation, and 570 of the laws fell within the remit of Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA). Councillor Valentine expressed concern over the lack of time to review the laws which could be lost without consideration, and spoke about the negative impact this could have on nature. 

Referring to Environmental Land Management, Councillor Valentine said that new legislation that was more beneficial had been delayed and might not be considered at all.

Councillor Valentine said that although there were currently no investment zones planned for Swale, if these were agreed in the future, there would be no planning control, and this was concerning.

Finally, Councillor Valentine said that there were no mandates in place, and he urged the Prime Minister to enact the mandates set out by Government in 2019.

In seconding the motion, Councillor Sarah Stephen reserved her right to speak.

Members were invited to speak and made points including:

·         Would support the motion as agreed with the thought behind it, but sending a general statement to the Prime Minster would achieve nothing;

·         there needed to be more detail in the motion to identify the most important laws;

·         the motion was partially untruthful, quoted from DEFRA and said that they were fully committed to change;

·         motion should have acknowledged fruit production in the borough;

·         sought withdrawal of the motion to improve the wording;

·         did a letter to Government need a motion and agreement from Council, members could have communicated together more effectively?;

·         referred to criticism of motion at previous Council being too detailed, now members criticised not enough detail in this motion;

·         there was no realistic prospect of replacement legislation in time;

·         welcomed the important motion;

·         Government should be challenged;

·         could not be sure that Government would act;

·         motion focused on the negative and was on a subject out of SBC’s control;

·         DEFRA had no intention of doing anything;

·         it was important that Local MP’s knew members’ views; and

·         EU Regulations were protecting the environment.

In seconding the motion, Councillor Sarah Stephen stressed the importance of protecting future generations. She highlighted the many benefits of protecting green spaces including physical and mental well-being.

Councillor Valentine said that doing nothing achieved nothing. He said the statement from DEFRA did not include reference to the Environmental Land Management Scheme and to have a proper scheme would benefit the environment and farmers.

In accordance with procedure rule 3.1.19(2), a recorded vote was taken and voting was as follows:

For: Baldock, Beart, Bonney, Bowen, Carnell, R Clark, S Clark, Davey, Eakin, Fowle, Gibson, Gould, Hall, A Hampshire, Harrison, Henderson, Horton, Hunt, Jackson, Knights, Martin, McCall, Nissanga, Palmer, Perkin, Pugh, Rowles, Saunders, P Stephen, S Stephen, Tatton, Thomas, Truelove, Valentine, Whelan, Whiting and Winckless.  Total equals 37.

Against: Ingleton and Simmons. Total equals 2.

Abstain: N Hampshire. Total equals 1.

Resolved:

That the Leader of the Council writes to the prime minister:

1) Expressing the value which local people place on the green spaces, countryside and wild places in the Borough of Swale and the vital role of such amenity to maintaining good physical and mental health.

2) Reminding the prime minister of the appalling decline in wildlife, including bird and insect populations and the urgent need to reverse this decline.

3) Pointing out that local councils require government support and appropriate policies to deliver a step-change in use of active travel, energy efficiency of buildings and renewable energy that is essential to deliver a local plan which is compatible with Government’s statutory obligations on net zero emissions, and the Council’s ambitions for achieving net-zero and the restoration of nature in the Borough.

4) Demanding that the existing protections for wildlife habitats, nature and agricultural land, including the requirement for biodiversity net gain, are as a minimum retained, or better enhanced, in all aspects of the planning system including investment zones.