Agenda item

Councillor Stan Pajak will move:

“This Council Believes:

1.        That there is mounting and undisputable evidence of the damage that ‘Brexit’ would cause both to the national economy and to our regional economy.

2.        The damage to our international relationships, the reducing influence with other states and the complete loss of say and control over the rules of the European Single Market and Customs Union, the largest market in the world.

3.        That the Government has totally mismanaged the Brexit negotiations and has failed to work closely with large cities and towns such as Swindon and listen to our concerns on the direction followed.

4.        That businesses within Swindon, like those elsewhere in the UK, are reconsidering investment plans in new production and new jobs while they await the Brexit deal.

5.        That the current rights of EU citizens living in the UK should always be fully protected and not used as a bargaining chip by the UK Government.

Council Notes:

1.        The increasing problems that the NHS is having in recruiting nurses and doctors since the decision to leave the European Union was made and that this is having a real impact on the health of local residents.

2.        With concern the potential impact of Brexit both on our local economy and on established mutually beneficial partnerships and links with European cities.

3.        That the UK economy is now the slowest growing economy in Europe, reducing the prosperity of the UK and Swindon residents;

4.        That new investment in the region is being jeopardised and new job opportunities are being lost;

5.        That Inflation caused by Brexit-related depreciation of the pound is driving up living costs for the poorest residents a further squeezing of living standards.

6.        That Brighton Council and Hammersmith and Fulham Council have already passed motions that back a referendum on the final deal and an option to stay within the European Union.

This Council Resolves:

1.       That the Mayor and the Party Group leaders be requested to write to the Prime Minister, Swindon’s two MPs and Sajid Javid, Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, expressing this Council’s and Swindon’s strong desire for a referendum on the final terms of a Brexit deal, including the option to maintain full EU membership.

2.       That the Leader of the Council be requested to submit a report to Cabinet setting out the likely effects to Swindon of a no deal conclusion to EU negotiations which must result in a treaty by 11pm on March 2019.

Councillor Stan Pajak moved and Councillor Andy Spry seconded:

“This Council Believes:

1.        That there is mounting and undisputable evidence of the damage that ‘Brexit’ would cause both to the national economy and to our regional economy.

2.        The damage to our international relationships, the reducing influence with other states and the complete loss of say and control over the rules of the European Single Market and Customs Union, the largest market in the world.

3.        That the Government has totally mismanaged the Brexit negotiations and has failed to work closely with large cities and towns such as Swindon and listen to our concerns on the direction followed.

4.        That businesses within Swindon, like those elsewhere in the UK, are reconsidering investment plans in new production and new jobs while they await the Brexit deal.

5.        That the current rights of EU citizens living in the UK should always be fully protected and not used as a bargaining chip by the UK Government.

Council Notes:

1.        The increasing problems that the NHS is having in recruiting nurses and doctors since the decision to leave the European Union was made and that this is having a real impact on the health of local residents.

2.        With concern the potential impact of Brexit both on our local economy and on established mutually beneficial partnerships and links with European cities.

3.        That the UK economy is now the slowest growing economy in Europe, reducing the prosperity of the UK and Swindon residents;

4.        That new investment in the region is being jeopardised and new job opportunities are being lost;

5.        That Inflation caused by Brexit-related depreciation of the pound is driving up living costs for the poorest residents a further squeezing of living standards.

6.        That Brighton Council and Hammersmith and Fulham Council have already passed motions that back a referendum on the final deal and an option to stay within the European Union.

This Council Resolves:

1.       That the Mayor and the Party Group leaders be requested to write to the Prime Minister, Swindon’s two MPs and Sajid Javid, Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, expressing this Council’s and Swindon’s strong desire for a referendum on the final terms of a Brexit deal, including the option to maintain full EU membership.

2.       That the Leader of the Council be requested to submit a report to Cabinet setting out the likely effects to Swindon of a no deal conclusion to EU negotiations which must result in a treaty by 11pm on March 2019.

Councillor Mary Martin moved and Councillor Maureen Penny seconded that the Motion be amended to read:

“This Council requests that the Cabinet Member for Economy bring a report to the Growing the Economy Overview and Scrutiny Committee outlining the Council's response to Brexit through both its inward investment and business retention programs ensuring the Borough is well placed to exploit any economic opportunities that may manifest in the future.”

The Amendment was put to the vote and declared carried becoming the Substantive Motion.

The Substantive Motion was put to the vote and declared carried.

(Councillor Jim Robins made a prejudicial declaration of interest in respect of this item as he was employed by a Member of the European Parliament.)