Agenda item

Having complied with the advance written notice requirement in Standing Order 18.1 and the subject requirement in Standing Order 18.2 of the Chichester District Council Constitution the attached motion will be proposed by Cllr Moss and if duly seconded it will then be discussed at this meeting.

The Chairman invited Cllr Moss to move his motion. Cllr Moss moved his motion which was seconded by Cllr Bangert.

Cllr Moss then outlined his motion below:

This Council believes that in these unprecedented times the District needs an overarching coronavirus recovery plan for the local economy. A Recovery Framework Document is being developed by officers for consideration by Overview and Scrutiny Committee in June Council resolves to invite Overview and Scrutiny to consider the following:

·         Once the worst of the short-term health impacts are over the Council needs a plan to drive and promote economic recovery in changed circumstances. The success of this strategy will be crucial to the wellbeing of our residents and all our communities now and in the years and decades to come.

·         The first and key element of this strategic recovery plan will be to set up an all party taskforce.

·         The task force will work on the strategy for the short / medium and long term recovery plan.

·         The Task Force's Terms of Reference will require it to focus not only on economic recovery but critically in view of the climate emergency on the long-term environmental impact of its plans as well.

·         Chichester District Council to consider leading the task force and will invite membership including outside experts representing the best thinking and insight of the business community, retailers, hospitality, horticulture, tourism, culture, the education sector and the City, Town and Parish Councils.

Cllr Moss then thanked officers for their hard work and requested members consider the motion as an opportunity to discuss ideas to support recovery.

Cllr Lintill then responded. She explained that officers would be working closely with members over the coming months to agree a recovery plan with reports scheduled for Overview and Scrutiny Committee, Corporate Governance and Audit Committee, Cabinet and Council. She added that she could not support the motion as the discussions would be taking place at the meetings outlined above.

Cllr O’Kelly explained the importance of having the debate as early as possible to utilise the better weather. She suggested a number of ideas for use of outside space including drive in cinemas and outdoor bars.

Cllr Plowman added that it was important to bring the right people together to create a taskforce.

Cllr Evans requested members consider the impact on young people and requested schools, colleges and universities be included in a taskforce.

Cllr Sharp and Cllr Apel suggested including community groups in the taskforce.

Cllr Bangert wished to congratulate Mrs Bushby and Mrs Peyman for their hard work during the pandemic.

Cllr Sutton explained that members would have the opportunity to provide input via the meetings referenced above.

Cllr Hughes agreed with members who had suggested careful consideration of who should be involved in the taskforce.

Cllr Brown explained the need to involve the public and the right experts as early as possible.

Cllr Briscoe reiterated that members should use the meetings referenced above to discuss the officer reports and work that had and is already being carried out.

Cllr Bell and Cllr Hobbs both explained that members were all in agreement that a recovery needs to be planned but in the right forums.

Cllr Oakley emphasised the importance of not duplicating the work that has already been done.

Cllr Plant suggested that the Overview and Scrutiny Committee could choose who to invite into its discussions.

Mrs Shepherd assured members that recovery options would be included in the report to members.

Cllr Moss then asked that any member who felt they could not approve the motion could instead choose to abstain from the vote.

Following a vote the motion and its recommendations were not carried.