northlincs.gov.uk

Extraordinary Meeting of the Council – 21 February 2012

Present

THE MAYOR – Councillor Keith Vickers

Councillors Ali, Allcock, Armitage, Bainbridge, Barker, Briggs, Mrs Bromby, Bunyan, Carlile, Clark, Collinson, Davison, Eckhardt, Ellerby, England, Evison, L Foster, T Foster, Glover, Godfrey, Grant, Jawaid, Kirk, Marper, Ogg, Oldfield, O’Sullivan, Poole, Mrs Redfern, Robinson, Rowson, C Sherwood, N Sherwood, Swift, P Vickers, Waltham, Wardle, Wells, Whiteley and Wilson.

The council met at The Civic Centre, Ashby Road, Scunthorpe.

2082  DECLARATIONS OF PERSONAL OR PERSONAL AND PREJUDICIAL INTERESTS – Councillors Ali, Armitage, Evison, K Vickers and P Vickers all declared a personal and prejudicial interest in relation to Item 2 – Notice of Motion – Humber Bridge.

(Councillors Ali, Armitage, Evison, K Vickers and P Vickers having declared a personal and prejudicial interest left the meeting for consideration of the following item – minute 2083 refers).

Councillor Glover, the Deputy Mayor took the chair for the item on the Humber Bridge – minute 2083 refers.

2083  NOTICE OF MOTION – HUMBER BRIDGE –

Moved by Councillor M Kirk and seconded by Councillor L Foster –

“In the interests of North Lincolnshire residents, this Council confirms its long-term aim for the total abolition of tolls and the ‘writing off’ of debts attributed to the Humber Bridge.

In the interim, Council accepts –

That in the event of an operating cost deficit arising in any one Humber Bridge Board financial year and upon the Bridge Board Treasurer confirming in writing that Bridge Board reserves have been applied exhaustively to reduce any such deficit, this Council, in line with the other three Unitary Authorities in the Humber, undertakes to meet 25% of any remaining operating deficit.

That Council notes the commitment of all four Humber Unitary Authorities to procure that the newly constituted Humber Bridge Board, as a matter of priority, seeks to implement arrangements whereby those citizens resident on the South Bank of the River Humber, requiring necessary hospital treatment on the North Bank are not required to pay a bridge toll in any event.

That Council notes the intention of the Humber Bridge Board and the four Humber Unitary Authorities to write to the Secretary of State for Transport setting out:

(a)  the proposed arrangements (to be agreed between the Humber Unitary Authorities and the Bridge Board) for addressing any operating deficit arising in one year;

(b)  the key assumptions and expectations underpinning the proposed arrangements;

(c)  the proposed board governance arrangements, including the role of each constituent local authority.’ and

(d)  that authority be given to the Leader and the Chief Executive in consultation with the Leader of the Opposition to finalise all outstanding matters in ways which best protect and take forward the interests of residents and businesses in North Lincolnshire.”

Moved by Councillor Mrs Redfern and seconded by Councillor Briggs as an amendment –

“This Conservative led council pledges to continue to work in the best interests of all its residents and businesses and those accessing health services on the north bank.

This council welcomes the decisive action of this Conservative led government for their £150m write down to enable Humber Bridge Tolls to be significantly reduced resulting in the following categories –

Furthermore this council condemns the weak political leadership of the North Lincolnshire Labour Leader for his stalling tactics and his attempts to derail a process which is vital to the Humber Region’s economy.”

Moved by Councillor Grant and seconded by Councillor Swift –

That in accordance with Procedure Rule D1.18(m), the vote now be taken.

Motion Carried

The council then proceeded to vote on the amendment to the original motion as set out above.

Amendment Carried
Substantive Motion Carried