Issue - meetings

The Chairman reported receipt of the above mentioned motion from Councillors Mollie Groom and Ricky Rogers.  

Accordingly, Councillor Mollie Groom moved the following motion which was duly seconded by Ricky Rogers:

‘That Wiltshire Council has failed to consult on or consider fully the impacts that improvements to Junction 16 will have on Wiltshire’s environment and people and I request that:

a)         Junction 16 improvements are put on hold until the impacts are consulted on and considered, and

b)         effective public transport improvements for the Wootton Basset to Swindon corridor are sought urgently,  including rail, with the opening of Wootton Bassett station and one at Mannington, and that the cycle path is brought forward from the present schedule of 2021 to 2015’.

Councillor Mollie Groom presented her motion, explaining the history of the issue and urging Council to support her motion.

Councillor Fleur de Rhé-Philipe, Cabinet member for Economic Development, Skills and Strategic Transport responded to the motion. She explained that the motion even if adopted would not be able to change anything. She referred to Swindon Borough Council discharging of condition 99. She added that had this Council continued with its objection, it would not be engaged in the process. By remaining engaged, this Council would do all it could possibly to secure as good an outcome as possible. She emphasised that this was very important for the economy of north Wiltshire.

Having been moved by the Chairman and seconded and being put to the vote, it was

Resolved:

That the motion be debated.

The Chairman invited Group Leaders to speak on the motion before opening the debate to other members.

The Leader supported the views as put forward by Councillor Fleur de Rhé-Philipe. She considered that the Council had done all it could in originally objecting in 2007. However, following unsuccessful judicial review proceedings by others, it was clear there was no point in pursuing the matter any further.

Councillor Jon Hubbard pointed out that as this was an executive matter, Council would not be able to adopt the motion even if it was minded to.  The Chairman agreed but pointed out that if Council were minded, it could refer the matter back to Cabinet for reconsideration. The Leader explained that whilst she would refer to Cabinet should Council so request, in her opinion there was no new evidence to present to Cabinet. Ian Gibbons, Monitoring Officer advised Council confirmed the process over any referral to Cabinet.

Following debate, it was

Resolved:

That Motion Number 13 – Improvements to Junction 16 be NOT adopted.

Motion Lost