(a) Proposed by Cllr N Jory:
‘With immediate effect, this Council adopts the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) Working Definition of Antisemitism that reads as follows:
“Antisemitism is a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred towards Jews. Rhetorical and physical manifestations of antisemitism are directed toward Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/or their property, toward Jewish community institutions and religious facilities.”
(b) Proposed by Cllr J Yelland
“This Council will write to the Secretary of State for Transport, The Rt Hon Grant Schapps and the Prime Minister urging the government to set and announce the date for the re-opening of the railway line between Okehampton and Exeter as a matter of urgency.
OkeRAIL Forum has been lobbying central government since 2015 for the re-introduction of a regular daily passenger service between Okehampton and Exeter. The work that OkeRAIL Forum has undertaken has provided evidence of the demand for the service and the positive impact it would have directly on the wider area from North Devon to Cornwall. The benefits include the following:
1. The establishment of a complementary line to the Dawlish route which is seriously disrupted by severe weather on a regular basis. This will future proof and ensure resilience for the South West Peninsular.
2. Reduce the reliance on the private car
3. Improve air quality and reduce traffic congestion.
4. Reduce the carbon footprint business owners, employers, residents and visitors to the area wishing to travel for work, education and/or leisure.
5. Open up the South West to new investment in terms of job creation and business opportunities which will, in turn, stimulate the economy, increase productivity and reduce poverty.
6. Instill confidence in those who wish to move to the area that access to the South West is sustainable.
There is strong evidence from the community and stakeholders in the emerging Neighbourhood Plan for Okehampton and the Hamlets of the need for the railway line and WDBC’s Joint Local Plan fully supports it through Spatial Priority SP4 and Policy TTV13.”
Minutes:
CM 62
(a) It was moved by Cllr N Jory and seconded by Cllr L Samuel:
“With immediate effect, this Council adopts the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) Working Definition of Antisemitism that reads as follows:
“Antisemitism is a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred towards Jews. Rhetorical and physical manifestations of antisemitism are directed toward Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/or their property, toward Jewish community institutions and religious facilities.”
Cllr Jory introduced the motion and highlighted the importance of the issue and that the motion sought adoption of the recognised international definition of Antisemitism.
With no further debate ensuing, it was declared to be CARRIED and ”RESOLVED that, with immediate effect, this Council adopts the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) Working Definition of Antisemitism that reads as follows:
“Antisemitism is a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred towards Jews. Rhetorical and physical manifestations of antisemitism are directed toward Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/or their property, toward Jewish community institutions and religious facilities.”
(b) It was moved by Cllr J Yelland and seconded by Cllr K Ball:
“This Council will write to the Secretary of State for Transport, The Rt Hon rant Shapps and the Prime Minister urging the government to set and announce the date for the re-opening of the railway line between Okehampton and Exeter as a matter of urgency.
OkeRAIL Forum has been lobbying central government since 2015 for the re-introduction of a regular daily passenger service between Okehampton and Exeter. The work that OkeRAIL Forum has undertaken has provided evidence of the demand for the service and the positive impact it would have directly on the wider area from North Devon to Cornwall. The benefits include the following:
1. The establishment of a complementary line to the Dawlish route which is seriously disrupted by severe weather on a regular basis. This will future proof and ensure resilience for the South West Peninsular.
2. Reduce the reliance on the private car
3. Improve air quality and reduce traffic congestion.
4. Reduce the carbon footprint business owners, employers, residents and visitors to the area wishing to travel for work, education and/or leisure.
5. Open up the South West to new investment in terms of job creation and business opportunities which will, in turn, stimulate the economy, increase productivity and reduce poverty.
6. Instill confidence in those who wish to move to the area that access to the South West is sustainable.
There is strong evidence from the community and stakeholders in the emerging Neighbourhood Plan for Okehampton and the Hamlets of the need for the railway line and WDBC’s Joint Local Plan fully supports it through Spatial Priority SP4 and Policy TTV13.”
Cllr Yelland introduced the motion and made particular reference to:-
- the amount of work that had been undertaken to ensure that the line was reinstated and the project was now so close to being completed. As a result, it was considered to be vitally important for the momentum to be maintained with the motion urging Central Government to set a date for the re-opening of the line;
- reinstatement of the line would have significant social, economic and environmental benefits to the area;
- there being absolutely no impact arising from the leaseholder (who had not owned any assets) recently going into administration; and
- the similar importance of the reinstatement of the Tavistock to Bere Alston line.
During the subsequent debate, the following points were raised:-
(a) The lack of resilience of the existing Dawlish to Teignmouth rail line was highlighted;
(b) Having declared a Climate Change and Biodiversity Emergency, it was felt to be incumbent upon the Council to keep the pressure on Central Government;
(c) Assurances were given that copies of the letter would be sent to the local MPs as well as to the Secretary of State for Transport and the Prime Minister;
(d) A Member thanked the proposer for also highlighting the Tavistock to Bere Alston line in her introduction and, whilst acknowledging that the two projects were at different stages, emphasised that they were both of equal importance to the Council;
(e) With regard to the reference in the motion to the phrase ‘complementary line’, some Members were of the view that this could weaken the motion. In response, other Members stated that the intention of including this phrase was to highlight that the Okehampton to Exeter line would add to the resilience of the South West peninsula;
(f) The seconder highlighted that Plymouth was currently the only major city with one major rail line and emphasised the economic benefits that would arise from the re-establishment of both the Exeter to Okehampton and Tavistock to Plymouth rail lines.
Upon being submitted to the Meeting, it was then declared to be CARRIED and ”RESOLVED that:
“This Council will write to the Secretary of State for Transport, The Rt Hon Grant Shapps and the Prime Minister urging the government to set and announce the date for the re-opening of the railway line between Okehampton and Exeter as a matter of urgency.
OkeRAIL Forum has been lobbying central government since 2015 for the re-introduction of a regular daily passenger service between Okehampton and Exeter. The work that OkeRAIL Forum has undertaken has provided evidence of the demand for the service and the positive impact it would have directly on the wider area from North Devon to Cornwall. The benefits include the following:
1. The establishment of a complementary line to the Dawlish route which is seriously disrupted by severe weather on a regular basis. This will future proof and ensure resilience for the South West Peninsular.
2. Reduce the reliance on the private car
3. Improve air quality and reduce traffic congestion.
4. Reduce the carbon footprint business owners, employers, residents and visitors to the area wishing to travel for work, education and/or leisure.
5. Open up the South West to new investment in terms of job creation and business opportunities which will, in turn, stimulate the economy, increase productivity and reduce poverty.
6. Instill confidence in those who wish to move to the area that access to the South West is sustainable.
There is strong evidence from the community and stakeholders in the emerging Neighbourhood Plan for Okehampton and the Hamlets of the need for the railway line and WDBC’s Joint Local Plan fully supports it through Spatial Priority SP4 and Policy TTV13.”