Issue - meetings

Notice of Motion received:

Meeting: 10/03/2020 - Council (Item 6)

6 Notice of Motion received: North Essex Economic Strategy (NEES) pdf icon PDF 37 KB

To consider the motion regarding the North Essex Economic Strategy (as attached).

 

A briefing paper on the subject of NEES is to follow.  

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Councillor Pavitt put forward his motion which proposed that Council note the North Essex Economic Strategy (NEES), but requested that Cabinet pause further work on the strategy pending detailed further clarification of:

 

a. the economic benefits that the NEES will bring to Uttlesford.

b. the role of Uttlesford within this strategy given our proximity to Cambridge and the knowledge based economy centred there.

c. the opportunities for deeper cooperation and coordination with the local authorities, including the Mayoralty, of the Cambridge sub region.

 

It was the view of some Members that it was necessary to take a holistic approach. It was important to be pragmatic and build partnerships to improve infrastructure. Being a part of the NEES would not stop constructive conversation with South Cambridgeshire and other local authorities.

 

It was the view of some Members that the NEES needed more work, and did not at present address the needs and realities of the District, and offered too few benefits. Where Uttlesford was concerned, it was strongly focused on garden communities and the expansion of Stansted Airport, both of which might not occur.

 

In response to a Member question, the Chief Executive said Cabinet had adopted the strategy in November. Councillor Pavitt would therefore need to request a pause in the strategy’s implementation.

 

The Leader of the Council said he had been working on strategic issues, and there were an enormous number of threads to consider. There was money available from participating in the North Essex Economic Strategy and the Council should not endanger its chances of receiving this.

 

Councillor Pavitt said this reflected a pattern whereby a strategy was prepared and rubberstamped.

 

 

RESOLVED to reject the motion on the North Essex Economic Strategy.

 

 


Meeting: 16/12/2019 - Council (Item 12)

12 Notice of Motion received: North Essex Economic Strategy (NEES) pdf icon PDF 37 KB

To consider the motion regarding the North Essex Economic Strategy (as attached).

Minutes:

Councillor Pavitt presented the motion to Council. He said the purpose of the motion was to request a pause in proceedings before taking the next steps with the economic strategy. He said NEES provided little benefit to Uttlesford and would tie the district’s future with Stansted Airport, which was at odds with the climate change concerns expressed during the item before. He said Uttlesford’s future should instead be aligned with that of Cambridge, a high wage and tech-driven economy.

 

The Leader said he was sympathetic to the motion although it was north Uttlesford centric. He said the district had a number of economic partners and the Council could not turn to one area alone.

 

The Chair said there was insufficient information before members to make a decision and asked the proposer whether he would be willing to withdraw the motion. The motion then could be reconsidered at a later date with additional information on NEES provided.

 

Councillor Gregory said he was surprised that Members were unaware of NEES but made the point that the strategy would tie Uttlesford to a low wage – high carbon economic approach.

 

Councillor Pavitt said he was willing to withdraw the motion in light of the lack of awareness regarding NEES.

 

The motion was withdrawn.

 

The meeting ended at 9.30pm.