Issue - decisions

In accordance with Standing Order 21, Cllr Tipp moved the following motion:-

“This Council:-

·        is concerned about the number of cases reported to the RSPCA each year, regarding pets being given as prizes via fairgrounds, social media and other channels in England - and notes the issue predominantly concerns goldfish.

·        is concerned for the welfare of those animals that are being given as prizes.

·        recognises that many cases of pets being given as prizes may go unreported each year.

·        supports a move to ban the giving of live animals as prizes, in any form, on New Forest District Council land.

The Council agrees to:

·        ban outright the giving of live animals as prizes, in any form, on New Forest District Council land.

·        write to the UK Government, urging an outright ban on the giving of live animals as prizes on both public and private land.”

Cllr Bennison seconded the motion.

The Vice-Chairman confirmed that, under the provisions of Standing Order 41, the above motion, having been proposed and seconded, should stand referred to the Cabinet, or to the Cabinet or such Committees or Panels as the Council may determine.  Given the subject matter, it was proposed that the motion be referred to the Community, Partnerships and Wellbeing Overview and Scrutiny Panel.

RESOLVED:

That the motion be referred to the Community, Partnerships and Wellbeing Overview and Scrutiny Panel.

In accordance with Standing Order 21, Cllr M Wade moved the following motion:-

“The cost of living crisis affects all areas of our nation.  However, many members of the farming community, so important in the production of 54% of the nation’s food supply, are struggling to survive in the current financial environment and this includes many of New Forest’s farmers.  A thriving agricultural sector is crucial to New Forest’s economy, landscape, and environment.

This Council notes the cost of animal feed is up by 60% and fertilizer cost by 200%. In the last year, these and other increased costs are against a backdrop of a changing subsidy regime from the government with some farms at risk of losing up to 20% of their income this way.  This is leading to many farmers to decide to give up their farms or raise food prices to survive further impacting the cost of living of ordinary New Forest residents.

This Council sees that some farmers are being forced to sell their back up land, which has Forest Rights and the loss of this land has serious impact on the sustainability of the ancient New Forest tradition of commoning if alternative support for local farmers is not made available.

This Council recognises that government funding schemes to help farmers exist but due to the current financial environment different approaches need to be considered to improve on the ongoing support.

Therefore, this Council will write to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs expressing its concerns about financial state of the farming community and request greater financial support for Farmers to be able to continue to produce food for the UK market at sustainable prices.”

Cllr Harrison seconded the motion.

The Vice-Chairman confirmed that, under the provisions of Standing Order 41, the above motion, having been proposed and seconded, should stand referred to the Cabinet, or to the Cabinet or such Committees or Panels as the Council may determine.  Given the subject matter, it was proposed that the motion be referred to the Environment and Sustainability Overview and Scrutiny Panel.

RESOLVED:

That the motion be referred to the Environment and Sustainability Overview and Scrutiny Panel.