Agenda item

Fracking (2)

12.1

It was formally moved by Councillor Gail Smith, and formally seconded by Councillor Andrew Sangar, that this Council:-

(a)       notes that it has a responsibility to tackle climate change and protect the environment and the wellbeing of local communities;

(b)       notes the recent landmark decision by the Government to overturn the decision of the local council and approve a planning application to start fracking in Lancashire, and believes this sets a very dangerous precedent for the Government to ignore the views of local people in relation to fracking;

(c)        notes that areas in and around Sheffield have been licensed for investigations for shale gas and notes that some people in the South East of Sheffield have received letters from companies who wish to perform seismic surveys for this purpose on land they own;

(d)       acknowledges that exploration of unconventional fossil fuel undermines action on climate change and diverts resources away from investment in a safe and secure renewable energy future;

(e)       notes that there are possible significant adverse impacts from shale gas exploration and exploitation, including water contamination and air pollution, and supports a ‘Frack-Free’ declaration for this area;

(f)        calls on the Administration to draw up a ‘Minerals Strategy’ as part of the Local Plan;

(g)       calls on Her Majesty’s Government to impose a moratorium on shale gas exploration within the UK to prevent the adverse impact it will have on greenhouse gas emissions and climate change; and

(h)       directs that a copy of this motion be sent to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, and the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government.

12.2

Whereupon, it was formally moved by Councillor Tony Downing, and formally seconded by Councillor David Barker, as an amendment, that the Motion now submitted be amended by the deletion of all the words after the words “That this Council” and the addition of the following words:-

(a)       notes that the Government have granted exploratory licenses to allow companies to conduct shale gas testing at a number of sites across the country, which has included areas within Sheffield, mainly areas bordering the local authority;

(b)       further notes that approaches have been made to property owners to start surveying around Mosborough and many members of the local community have opposed the prospect of fracking in their area, including hosting public meetings to raise objections;

(c)        regrets that the Government now appear to be determined to force fracking on areas, regardless of local opinion;

(d)       supports the position taken by the Labour Party calling on the Government to ban fracking and focus on unlocking the jobs and growth that a low-carbon energy infrastructure can provide for our industry, workforce and communities;

(e)       commits to not permitting fracking on Council-owned land and to reject approaches to do so;

(f)        regrets that the 2015 Liberal Democrat manifesto would have allowed fracking and notes that, under the Coalition Government, the national ban on fracking was lifted by the then Liberal Democrat Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, the Rt. Hon. Sir Ed Davey; and

(g)       regrets comments made by the Rt. Hon. Nick Clegg MP in 2013 “Fracking has a role”, and believes that the actions of the Coalition Government have paved the way for fracking to come to Sheffield.

12.3

On being put to the vote, the amendment was carried.

12.4

The original Motion, as amended, was then put as a Substantive Motion in the following form and carried:-

RESOLVED: That this Council:-

(a)       notes that the Government have granted exploratory licenses to allow companies to conduct shale gas testing at a number of sites across the country, which has included areas within Sheffield, mainly areas bordering the local authority;

(b)       further notes that approaches have been made to property owners to start surveying around Mosborough and many members of the local community have opposed the prospect of fracking in their area, including hosting public meetings to raise objections;

(c)        regrets that the Government now appear to be determined to force fracking on areas, regardless of local opinion;

(d)       supports the position taken by the Labour Party calling on the Government to ban fracking and focus on unlocking the jobs and growth that a low-carbon energy infrastructure can provide for our industry, workforce and communities;

(e)       commits to not permitting fracking on Council-owned land and to reject approaches to do so;

(f)        regrets that the 2015 Liberal Democrat manifesto would have allowed fracking and notes that, under the Coalition Government, the national ban on fracking was lifted by the then Liberal Democrat Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, the Rt. Hon. Sir Ed Davey; and

(g)       regrets comments made by the Rt. Hon. Nick Clegg MP in 2013 “Fracking has a role”, and believes that the actions of the Coalition Government have paved the way for fracking to come to Sheffield.

12.4.1

(NOTE: 1. Councillors Bob Pullin, Richard Shaw, Adam Hanrahan, Joe Otten, Colin Ross, Martin Smith, Roger Davison, Shaffaq Mohammed, Sue Alston, Andrew Sangar, Cliff Woodcraft, Ian Auckland, Sue Auckland, Steve Ayris, Gail Smith, David Baker, Penny Baker and Vickie Priestley voted for paragraphs (a) to (c) and (e), voted against paragraphs (f) and (g) and abstained from voting on paragraph (d) of the Substantive Motion, and asked for this to be recorded;

2. Councillors Magid Magid, Douglas Johnson, Robert Murphy and Alison Teal voted for paragraphs (a) to (e), and abstained from voting on paragraphs (f) and (g) of the Substantive Motion, and asked for this to be recorded; and

3. Councillor Steve Wilson, having earlier declared a disclosable pecuniary interest in the above item, was not present for the duration of the item.)