To receive Motions on Notice under Council Procedure Rule 12.

Proposed nuclear waste site at Theddlethorpe

With reference to the proposed nuclear waste site at Theddlethorpe, we request that the executive of this council responds to both proven, overwhelming democratic public opinion, and motions passed recently by the district's town and parish councils and declares support for both our residents and visitors to this district by calling for an immediate test of public support to take place within 12 months or withdrawal of this council from the geological disposal facility process.

Proposer: Robert Watson

Seconder: Travis Hesketh

The following Motion was received in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 12:

Proposed nuclear waste site at Theddlethorpe

With reference to the proposed nuclear waste site at Theddlethorpe, we request that the executive of this council responds to both proven, overwhelming democratic public opinion, and motions passed recently by the district's town and parish councils and declares support for both our residents and visitors to this district by calling for an immediate test of public support to take place within 12 months or withdrawal of this council from the geological disposal facility process.

Proposer: Robert Watson

Seconder: Travis Hesketh

In his introduction, Councillor Watson highlighted that further to discussions with fellow Members, the common thread was to represent and do the best for communities and residents in the wards of Theddlethorpe, Withern and Mablethorpe.  Councillor Watson stressed that the Motion was not about the merits of a geological disposal facility for nuclear waste but how residents felt threatened by the proposal.  He referred to a local council in Holderness who had rejected a proposal for a nuclear waste site by withdrawing from the siting process after less than one month and queried why ELDC did not support its residents in the same way.

It was further highlighted that since the general election, the national perspective had changed on projects such as nuclear waste sites and pylons with the intention to bring in sweeping planning reforms that could fast track such projects.

Councillor Watson added that it was the view of the majority of residents in Theddlethorpe for the uncertainty to stop and for a referendum to be held in the next 12 months and asked that this community be given the democratic voice it was asking for, or to support them by withdrawing from the Community Partnership.

Councillor Watson strongly urged all Members to support the Motion.

Upon being put to the debate, Councillor Stef Bristow supported the Motion and considered that a change in national government meant that a test of public support or withdrawal needed to happen as soon as possible.

In response, the Leader of the Council stated that he fully understood the sentiment and rationale for the Motion and the role of Councillors representing their communities.  However, he stressed that the Council had a role to understand all of the issues that it faced, including deprivation, flood defence issues, the longevity of the economy and the ability to educate its residents so that it had a viable and thriving economy.

The Leader of the Council acknowledged that the Community Partnership and Nuclear Waste Services had not progressed the engagement as quickly and effectively as it should have done.  It was highlighted that the engagement process was initially going to be over a 10 to 15-year period, however further to engagement with Lincolnshire County Council it had been determined that it would be better to hold this by the end of 2027.  Since that time, due to a change in government the plans could change and technically  ...  view the full minutes text for item 32