Motion on behalf of the United Kingdom Independence Party Group

This Council recommends that the Executive conducts a poll before deciding whether or not to introduce Solar Parks at both Dagnam Park and Gerpins Lane.

Amendment by the Conservative Group

This Council notes that the Executive will consider carefully all responses to consultation before deciding whether or not to introduce Solar Parks at both land adjacent to Dagnam Park and land at Gerpins Lane and that if the solar farm project contained in the Medium Term Financial Strategy agreed by the Council does not proceed further substantial savings will be required.

Amendment by the Independent Residents’ Group

Many residents have no inclination to support a wind or solar farm as they are viewed as an environmental blight on the landscape and because they’re promoted on the back of a fraud called “man made climate change”, but council plans for a solar farm in Dagnam Park, Harold Hill and on land off Gerpins Lane, nr Rainham are proposed to raise money to provide council services, but are they financially viable following cuts in government subsidies for ground based solar farms?

Thus this Council calls on the Executive to investigate the full environmental and amenity costs and financial viability before progressing any plans for solar farms in Havering.

Amendment by the Labour Group

This Council opposes the Executive proposal to introduce a Solar Park at Dagnam Park.

Following debate, the amendment by the Conservative Group was CARRIED by 28 votes to 13 (see division 4); the amendment by the Independent Residents’ Group was NOT CARRIED by 43 votes to 3 (see division 5) and the amendment by the Independent Residents’ Group was NOT CARRIED by 29 votes to 18 (see division 6). The amendment by the Conservative Group was AGREED as the substantive motion by 32 votes to 12 (see division 7).

RESOLVED:

This Council notes that the Executive will consider carefully all responses to consultation before deciding whether or not to introduce Solar Parks at both land adjacent to Dagnam Park and land at Gerpins Lane and that if the solar farm project contained in the Medium Term Financial Strategy agreed by the Council does not proceed further substantial savings will be required.