Agenda item

To consider the following motion submitted by Councillor N Clarke:

“That this Council –

a)    Reviews its position on HS2 in light of the declared final route through North West Leicestershire and Government’s decision not to proceed with electrification of the Midland Mainline, north of Kettering.

b)    Commits to engage with affected communities, businesses and other organizations along the North West Leicestershire section of the route, to help co-ordinate bids for community level mitigation or compensation.”

Having declared a pecuniary interest in this item, Councillors R Blunt, J G Coxon, T J Pendleton and S Sheahan left the meeting and took no part in the discussion or voting thereon.

Councillor N Clarke moved the following motion:

“That this Council –

a)    Reviews its position on HS2 in light of the declared final route through North West Leicestershire and Government’s decision not to proceed with electrification of the Midland Mainline, north of Kettering.

b)    Commits to engage with affected communities, businesses and other organizations along the North West Leicestershire section of the route, to help co-ordinate bids for community level mitigation or compensation.”

Councillor N Clarke spoke to the motion and stated that it had been well publicised that North West Leicestershire would gain little from HS2 however would benefit from the electrification of the Midland Mainline.  He felt it was important that the council review its position in light of the decision not to proceed with the electrification.  He emphasised the importance of the facilitation and co-ordination of bids for compensation.

Councillor A V Smith seconded the motion and reserved her comments. 

Councillor M Specht stated that he was somewhat surprised by the motion and made reference to a presentation received by the Policy Development Group.  He expressed support for the motion however he felt the points raised were already being addressed. 

Councillor D Everitt expressed concerns about the erosion of transport services in general and that the HS2 project may never come to fruition.

The Chairman reminded Councillor D Everitt to confine his comments to the subject of the motion only. 

Councillor T Eynon expressed support for the motion.  She made reference to the information received by the Policy Development Group and in particular the table which highlighted that a journey from Coalville to London would take 1 hour and 9 minutes longer following the implementation of HS2.  She felt it was important to refer to the electrification of the Midlands Mainline and the lack of connectivity which would leave Coalville further behind.  She added that mitigating measures needed to be considered. 

Councillor J Legrys welcomed the support for the motion from all sides.  He felt strongly that elected members should represent their communities on this matter and he felt it was right and proper that the council took the lead.

Councillor G Hoult offered her sincere thanks to the Chief Executive for her prompt actions in arranging a meeting to discuss and identify mitigation measures for the communities affected when the final route was announced. 

Councillor N J Rushton stated that the council’s policy was to support HS2 because of the ultimate benefits, however the economic benefits in the whole of Leicestershire relied upon the electrification of the Midlands Mainline.  He stated that the need for mitigation measures had been recognised and felt the council’s policy was sound. 

Councillor A C Saffell expressed support for the motion and agreed with the comments made by Councillor N J Rushton.  He added that electrification of the Midlands Mainline would be preferable to HS2.

Councillor A V Smith agreed with the comments made in respect of the electrification of the Midlands Mainline.  She highlighted that the council had been in touch with approximately 40 businesses affected by the proposals and meetings were taking place. 

The motion was then put to the vote and declared CARRIED.  It was therefore

RESOLVED THAT:

This Council –

a)    Reviews its position on HS2 in light of the declared final route through North West Leicestershire and Government’s decision not to proceed with electrification of the Midland Mainline, north of Kettering.

b)    Commits to engage with affected communities, businesses and other organizations along the North West Leicestershire section of the route to help co-ordinate bids for community level mitigation or compensation.

Councillors R Blunt, J G Coxon, T J Pendleton and S Sheahan returned to the meeting.