Last Thursday evening saw Crawley Council at its best when it held the debate on what submission it wants to make on the possible Gatwick expansion. I feel this was one of the best debates held since rejoining the Council in 2006.
All 37 Councillors attended and all but one voted. As this was a free vote for the Conservative and labour groups, we were able to hear the views of councillors who were not bound by their Party allegiance. Councillors had through contact with their ward forums and discussions with residents been able to gain their views.
There was discussion and support from some Councillors on all three options being:-
Option 1 The Council does not support the second runway at Gatwick based on current evidence available
Option 2 The Council does not wish to express a view on the second runway at this current time until more information is available particularly on the environmental impacts.
Option 3 The Council supports the option that a second runway at Gatwick should go forward for further consideration.
.I spoke in favour of option 2 which was adopted by 22 votes to 14 with one abstention. I feel that this is the most appropriate way forward as it sends a message that when the Council reaches a decision it will be based on accurate and up to date information which currently is not available. This shows that Crawley Council is opened minded and will reach a decision based on informed evidence at the appropriate time.
An amendment submitted a few hours before the meeting committing the council to hold a town wide referendum was not supported by the majority of the Councillors. I feel that it is too important to ask residents to comment on future actions at this stage without all the facts being made available. Additionally a commitment by the Council without any idea of costs is not good practice and whether the referendum would be binding on the council’s submission in the future cannot be decided on, without careful thought by its elected members.
It was important that all councillors had a free vote to ensure that their individual ward views were taken into account. A referendum may only give the town wide view and reduce the voice of those wards that would be particularly affected by any proposed Gatwick expansion and reduce the individual input of Councillors in representing their wards in future discussions and debates.
Councillor Dr Howard Bloom
Leader of Crawley Borough Council
29th September 2013