This Council recognises that a significant part of South Cambridgeshire’s economy is dependent on frictionless trade with the EU, both in goods and services.
This Council therefore requests that the Chief Executive write to the Secretary of State for Exiting the EU and to the Prime Minister to request that during the withdrawal negotiations, the government seeks to remain part of the single market and customs union.
Decision:
The following motion was LOST:
This Council recognises that a significant part of South Cambridgeshire’s economy is dependent on frictionless trade with the EU, both in goods and services.
This Council therefore requests that the Chief Executive write to the Secretary of State for Exiting the EU and to the Prime Minister to request that during the withdrawal negotiations, the government seeks to remain part of the single market and customs union.
Minutes:
Councillor Tumi Hawkins moved the following motion as set out on the agenda:-
“This Council recognises that a significant part of South Cambridgeshire’s economy is dependent on frictionless trade with the EU, both in goods and services.
This Council therefore requests that the Chief Executive write to the Secretary of State for Exiting the EU and to the Prime Minister to request that during the withdrawal negotiations, the government seeks to remain part of the single market and customs union.”
In moving her motion, Councillor Hawkins spoke strongly in support of maintaining the single market and customs union which she believed would be in the best interests of businesses and the local economy. She was concerned that without free access to trade with Europe, and given the anticipated higher staffing costs and reduced capacity, South Cambridgeshire’s current thriving economy would lose its cutting edge. Noting that 60% of South Cambridgeshire residents had voted to remain in the EU, Councillor Hawkins believed that the Council should write to the Secretary of State urging that the UK remain part of the single market and customs union.
Councillor John Williams seconded the motion. In so doing he commented on the current frictionless trade enjoyed with the EU and was concerned at the additional red tape and costs that he believed would arise if the UK no longer benefited from the single market and the customs union.
Councillor Cathcart spoke in support of the motion. He argued that margins were very tight and markets competitive and that any additional friction in trade would increase cost and delay. Referring to the important part business played in the District, he agreed that the Council should use its influence by requesting the Government to seek to remain in the single market and customs union and accordingly urged all Members to vote for the motion.
Councillor Hall expressed the view that the UK had the strength to be a counterweight to French and German influence in the European Union. With regard to the motion, he suggested that the correct protocol would be for the Council to write to the MPs, rather than the Prime Minister and Secretary of State. He felt that membership of the single market and customs union would mean accepting the jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice and spoke on the opportunities for developing trading opportunities with worldwide markets.
It was moved by Councillor Ray Manning and seconded by Councillor Sue Ellington:
“That the question be now put” .
Upon being put to the vote, votes were cast as follows on the procedural motion:-
In favour (28):
Councillors David Bard, Henry Batchelor, John Batchelor, Ruth Betson, Nigel Cathcart, Graham Cone, Christopher Cross, Kevin Cuffley, Neil Davies, Sue Ellington, Andrew Fraser, Roger Hall, Lynda Harford, Philippa Hart, Tumi Hawkins, Mark Howell, Douglas de Lacey, Janet Lockwood, Ray Manning, Raymond Matthews, David McCraith, Tony Orgee, Bridget Smith, Edd Stonham, Peter Topping, Richard Turner, John Williams and Tim Wotherspoon.
Against (7)
Councillors Brian Burling, Sebastian Kindersley, Cicely Murfitt, Deborah Roberts, Hazel Smith, Aidan Van de Weyer and Nick Wright.
Abstain (0)
The procedural motion was accordingly declared carried.
Prior to putting the original motion to the vote, the Chairman gave Councillor Hawkins the opportunity to sum up and she urged all Councillors to vote in support of her motion.
The Chairman therefore proceeded to put the original motion to the vote and votes were cast as follows:-
In favour (14)
Councillors Henry Batchelor, John Batchelor, Nigel Cathcart, Neil Davies, Tumi Hawkins, Sebastian Kindersley, Douglas de Lacey, Janet Lockwood, Cicely Murfitt, Bridget Smith, Hazel Smith, Edd Stonham, Aidan Van de Weyer and John Williams.
Against (20)
Councillors David Bard, Ruth Betson, Graham Cone, Christopher Cross, Kevin Cuffley, Sue Ellington, Andrew Fraser, Roger Hall, Lynda Harford, Mark Howell, Ray Manning, Raymond Matthews, David McCraith, Tony Orgee, Deborah Roberts, Peter Topping, Richard Turner, Robert Turner, Tim Wotherspoon and Nick Wright.
Abstain (1)
Councillor Brian Burling.
The motion was therefore declared lost.