Agenda and minutes

Report of the Director of Economic Growth and Neighbourhood Services

Report of the Chief Officers Executive

Report of the Managing Director

Report of the Managing Director

‘The group More In Common Darlington (MICD) were inspired by Jo Cox, the MP for Batley and Spen, who became a victim of hate when she was murdered in 2016. Like Jo Cox, MICD believes that people have more in common than anything that might divide them. The group's aim is to find ways of reducing animosity towards people from different nations and faiths, towards women, the LGBTI community, those with disabilities, the homeless and others.

As part of Hate Crime Awareness Week MICD created a United Darlington Charter. It asks us to make a declaration to afford everyone who lives, or works, or visits Darlington to equal respect, status, trust, hospitality, friendship, and kindness.

This Council therefore resolves and agrees to:

a)    Commend the work done by More In Common Darlington and The Jo Cox Foundation;

b)    Adopt the United Darlington Charter.’

‘Council resolves:

To ask Cabinet to consider a report at its meeting on 12th January 2021 which will prevent vehicular highway access between the proposed Skerningham development and the existing highway network between the A167 at its junction with the A1150 to the west, and the river Skerne to the east.

This report to specifically give consideration to preventing access from the Skerningham development onto Whitebridge Drive, Beauly Drive, Sparrowhall Drive, Whinbush Way (including any potential access between Caithness Way and Galloway) and Barmpton Lane, and to maintain the integrity of Green Lane from its junction with Whinfield Road to its junction with Glebe Road.’

‘Council resolves:

To ask Cabinet at its meeting on 12th January 2021to consider a report which will protect Springfield Park on its current boundaries from any future development, including highways work. This report will include consideration of creating a Deed of Dedication for the park.’

Motion to reinstate the Climate Change Working Group

‘This Council notes that:

On 18 July 2019 an amended Climate Emergency motion was passed.

One of the resolutions (h) contained in the motion, as amended, was to “Set up a cross-party working group to develop an action plan and milestones to achieve carbon neutral status.”

Our view is that the working group was systematically undermined and its terms of reference changed, without explanation, contrary to the motion, including that it should limit itself to monitoring progress only and should only meet quarterly or twice a year and recently stood down altogether

At this time, the action plan referred to in the motion is still not ready for implementation and there are no milestones in place.

The motion that was passed required this council to undertake various actions (including but not limited to): 

• Set up a cross party working group

• To develop an action plan and milestones

• To achieve carbon neutral status

At this time, these actions remain undone.

This Council resolves to:

Ask Cabinet to bring forward a plan at its meeting on 12 January 2021 to reinstate the cross-party working group.

That this plan include terms of reference that provide confidence to any members serving on the working group that they will be allowed to work towards meeting the resolutions contained in the Climate Emergency motion.’