Agenda item

Councillor Sutton presented his motion regarding Street Lighting and stated that;

‘As a result of the Local Government Reorganisation in 1974, there became inequality between towns and villages with regard to the cost of street lighting. Whereby the towns lighting stocks are owned and financed by Fenland District Council but the villages were left to pick up the cost themselves. This has resulted in double taxation.

However there is an anomaly with regard to the villages of Coates, Eastrea, Turves and Pondersbridge where, if you are fortunate to live in these villages, then the above does not apply.

We need to address the inequality of the cost provision and maintenance of street lighting provided by Fenland District Council. It cannot be acceptable for the towns and villages mentioned above, to be expected to continue with this favourable position at the expense of the majority of villages and their residents. It is time to level the playing field.

This Council should use it’s underspends from recent years to fund this resolution. I recommend that;

1.    refer this matter for consideration by Cabinet; and

2.    if the resolution at paragraph 1 is agreed, that Cabinet considers taking the following steps:

a.    Consult and agree with those Parish Councils that are willing to take ownership of all Parish Council owned street lighting;

b.    Recommend an amendment to the budget to incorporate responsibility for all ongoing costs associated with the provision of Street lighting, including power and maintenance, in respect of those Parish Councils wishing to take up this option.

Councillor Booth seconded the motion and Councillor Mrs Mayor opened the motion up for debate.

Councillor Mrs Davis stated;

‘Most of you here will understand why I support the sentiment of the motion. This is a drum that I have been beating since the idea of parishes taking full responsibility of their street lighting was discussed a number of years ago. Things have moved on and in that time a number of parishes have committed expenses to these street lights and indeed, some parish councils have spent in excess of £60,000. All of this money has been raised by the precept.

Councillor Connor and I have argued about the inequality of parish councils paying for their street lighting for a number of years. This was then compounded by the previous Cabinet agreeing that the parish councils should pay further costs towards their street lighting. This adds another huge financial burden to the parish councils and as a result, needs to be rectified.

Parish residents pay their Council Tax just as those that live in towns. It is incomprehensible that parish residents then have to pay an additional amount within their precept so they too can have their streets lit. This is unfair and indeed double-taxation. Parish councils who have already agreed ownership of street lights and some have already spent considerable sums replacing the lights, including the provision of LED lights in order to help reduce energy costs.

I propose that the motion is amended as follows;

‘As a result Local Government reorganization in 1974 there became an inequality between town and parish with regard to costs of  street lighting, whereby the towns lighting stock are owned and financed by FDC but the parishes were left to pick up the costs, this has resulted in ‘double taxation’.

We need, directly or indirectly, to address the inequality of the costs of provision and maintenance of street lighting provided by Fenland District Council and those of similar services by Parish Councils, it cannot be acceptable for the towns to be expected to continue with this favorable position at the expense of the majority of the Parish Councils and their residents.

This Council resolves to;

1. refer this matter for consideration by Cabinet.; and
2. if the resolution at 1 is agreed, that Cabinet considers taking the following steps:
   1. Consulting and communicating  with those Parish Councils affected by the referral to Cabinet regarding the ownership of all Parish Council owned street lighting;

b.   Recommend consideration of budgetary impact in relation to costs associated with the provision of Parish Street lighting, including power and maintenance.’

Councillor Connor seconded the amendment and Councillor Mrs Mayor opened the motion up for debate.

1.    Councillor Tierney agreed that whilst there are inequalities in relation to street lighting it was previous members of Cabinet that had agreed this policy. He said he welcomed the opportunity to reconsider this issue and fully supports the amendment to the motion.

2.    Councillor Boden stated that even as a member of Whittlesey Town Council, he admits that there is an inequality in relation to parish council’s street lighting.

3.    Councillor Booth stated that he was happy with this motion and the subsequent amendment and added that he has on many occasions raised this issue. He urged all members to support this motion to reverse the inequalities of the past few years.

Councillor Mrs Mayor invited Councillor Sutton to give his right to reply.

Councillor Sutton clarified that former Cabinet members had made the decision in relation to street lighting, based on financial information provided to them at the time. He confirmed that he supported the amendment.

A vote was taken on the amendment and the amendment to the motion was adopted.

Councillor Mrs Mayor asked for a vote to be taken on the substantive motion as proposed by Councillor Mrs Davis.

The motion was passed.

(Councillor Booth declared an interest by virtue of the fact that he is a member of Parson Drove Parish Council)

(Councillor Connor declared an interest by virtue of the fact that Doddington is within his Ward and could be affected)

(Councillor Mrs Davis declared an interest by virtue of the fact that she is a member of Wimblington Parish Council)

(Councillor Humphrey declared an interest by virtue of the fact he is a member of Gorefield Parish Council)

(Councillor Sam Clark declared an interest by virtue of the fact that she is a member of Newton-in-the-Isle Parish Council)

(Councillor Marks declared an interest by virtue of the fact that he is a member of Manea Parish Council)

(Councillor Wicks declared an interest by virtue of the fact that Benwick is in his Ward and could be affected)