Issue - meetings

RESOLVED:

That the Cabinet:

1. Welcomes the Council’s resolution on 7 July 2011 reaffirming the London Borough of Hillingdon’s full opposition to HS2; 

2. Recognises the extensive resident consultation campaign led by the Leader of the Council and notes the overwhelming support against the proposed HS2 route from residents and local action groups across the Borough;

3. Notes the contents of the report and agrees the response to the Government’s Consultation for submission to the Department for Transport as set out in Appendix 1;

4. Agrees to grant delegated authority to the Deputy Chief Executive and Corporate Director of Planning, Environment, Education and Community Services in consultation with the Leader of the Council and the Cabinet Member for Planning, Transportation and Recycling to agree any further changes required to the Council’s consultation response;

5. Notes the response to the London Assembly Transport Committee as set out in Appendix 2;

6. Notes that in addition to residential properties, that there will be a number of council-owned properties that will be affected by the proposed route as set out in Appendix 3;

7. Endorses the 51M Group’s response to the Government’s High Speed Rail Consultation as set out in Appendix 4;

8. Instructs officers to continue work on opposing the Government’s current proposals for High Speed Rail, including joint working with the 51M Group, and to report back to Cabinet on any significant issues and;

9. Agrees the urgency of this matter so that the Council's response can be sent to the Government by the consultation deadline and therefore requests the call-in procedures be waived on the above recommendations so that any decisions take immediate effect.

Reasons for decision

Cabinet noted that the proposed High Speed 2 rail line was likely to be the most significant development proposal in Hillingdon since the 3rd Runway at Heathrow. Its adverse impacts were considered to be far in excess of the benefits that would ensue from the proposal.

Cabinet agreed an effective and robust response to the Government’s consultation on High Speed Rail to protect the interests of residents and businesses in the Borough. This had followed significant consultation with residents from across the whole Borough.

Cabinet thanked the local residents groups for their efforts to-date and in particular, paid tribute to the professional team of Council Officers who had worked on pulling the detailed response together.

Alternative options considered and rejected

None.

Officer to action:

Jales Tippell - Planning, Environment, Education and Community Services