Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Tom Papworth, Catherine Rideout, Charles Rideout and Pauline Tunnicliffe.

Councillors Benington, Bossard, Evans, Joel and Scoates all declared interests as they lived under one of the flight paths for Biggin Hill Airport.

The Mayor announced that he would take Members questions first. 

The Oral and Written Questions are attached as Appendices A and B.

The Mayor advised that in view of the public interest he would be taking all the oral public questions that had been received in order of priority.  He advised that in respect of this debate that the proceedings should be followed correctly and reminded everyone that supplementary questions should be questions and that he would not allow statements to be read out. 

The Oral and Written Questions are attached as Appendices C and D.

The Mayor emphasised that this was a special meeting of Council called to discuss this one item only and that was the application by Biggin Hill Airport Limited to vary the lease with the Council on two aspects during the period of the 2012 Olympics and Paralympics from 13^th July to 23^rd September 2012.  The Airport wished to secure additional flights and business expected to be generated by the Olympics and specifically requested a temporary relaxation of the user clause to permit fare paying passengers and an extension to the operating hours of the airport for that period.  For legal reasons the Council would not be making the final decision that would be made by the Executive who would meet immediately following the close of the Council Meeting.  The Executive wished to hear the views expressed by members and any recommendations from the Council beforehand to inform its decision later on.

The Mayor highlighted the position in respect of members of the Executive who were present to listen to the debate.  He advised that they could speak at the meeting but that it would be appropriate for them to consider refraining from voting or supporting any recommendations during the Council discussion, although it was a matter for the individual member to decide for themselves.

The Mayor asked the Leader of the Council and Chairman of the Executive, Councillor Stephen Carr, if he wished to speak before opening up the debate.

Councillor Carr said that he would listen closely to the views of the Council before concluding his own position.  He added that the Council had received a single application from BHAL and he would advise the Executive and members that it should be treated as such by either supporting or opposing the application as a whole.  He outlined the two distinct parts of the Lease as detailed in the report to the Executive that BHAL were requesting temporary amendment of.  Councillor Carr further referred to the issues around setting any precedent as described in the officer report that should be borne in mind whilst deliberating on the application. He emphasised that the Council decision needed to be taken in its capacity as both a local authority as well as a Landlord. 

Members debated the proposals as put forward by Biggin Hill Airport with the aim of informing the Executive of the overriding views of the Council which could be taken into consideration at its meeting later that evening.

The following Motion was moved by Councillor Simon Fawthrop and seconded by Councillor Tony Owen:-

“This Council recommends that the Executive rejects the Biggin Hill Olympic Airport proposals on one or more of the following grounds:-

1)  The proposals are not consistent with the lease and the High Court judgement A3/2000/3691 CHANF Court of Appeal (Civil Division 11 July 2001  - 2001 WL 753350 in that the application is not for Business Aviation. 

2)   The impact of such a proposal would be detrimental toBromley residents and particularly those  ...  view the full minutes text for item 60.