Issue - meetings
Motions
Meeting: 26/11/2018 - Council (Item 18)
To debate the motions submitted in accordance with Standing Order 41.
Members are asked to note that the motions submitted will be circulated as a supplementary paper in advance of the meeting, in accordance with Standing Order 41(c).
Additional documents:
- 17.2 Motion - Conservative Group, item 18 PDF 64 KB
- 17.3 Motion - Labour Group, item 18 PDF 81 KB
- Webcast for Motions
Decision:
17.1 The following motion submitted by the Labour Group was approved:
This Council notes:
· It is now twenty-eight months since the referendum in which 72,523 Brent residents voted by a clear majority, to maintain the current benefits Britons enjoy, by staying in the European Union.
· In the months since, the “Vote Leave” campaign has been fined by the Electoral Commission, and, the Chancellor has conceded that leaving the EU without a deal would blast an £80bn black hole in the creaking public finances.
· Those that voted to leave, did not vote to be poorer. But it is some of our poorest residents that will be hardest hit; with a squeeze in living standards brought on by increased inflation and the depreciation of the pound.
· That, despite promises to the contrary, Government engagement of local political leaders has been virtually non-existent.
· That the London Assembly, the neighbouring boroughs of Camden, Ealing, Hammersmith and Fulham have all passed motions that back a “People’s Vote” on the final deal and an option to stay within the European Union.
This Council believes:
· That Brent is better off together. And put simply, we are a global borough, united in opposition to any form of Brexit that has deleterious effects on our residents.
· That leaving the EU will disproportionately impact Brent, not least because Brent has the second highest number of European residents in London. Moreover, many of the public services our residents rely upon, from their GP to their waste collection, are provided by dedicated European citizens.
· That any deal which undermines the principles of the hard-fought “Good Friday Agreement” should face wholesale rejection.
· It is evident that a calamitous Brexit will hurt all but the very richest, and that it will be our children, for the first time, poorer, less prosperous, with fewer opportunities than the generation before.
With this in mind, this Council resolves to:
· Voice its concern against any arrangement that damages the rights or prospects of EU nationals in this proudly diverse borough.
· Work with organisations representing EU nationals to help address the uncertainty that this careless Government has left in its wake.
· To liaise with local businesses, public sector partners, trade unions and our colleagues at the West London Alliance to ensure that Brent remains open for business throughout any transition period.
· Call upon Parliament to entrust the British people with a meaningful vote on the final deal; with options to remain in the European Union upon the ballot paper.
17.2 The following motion submitted by the Conservative Group was not approved:
This Council calls upon the Executive to undertake to repair all of the pavements across the Borough within the next 12 months, in light of the increasing numbers of residents being admitted to hospital after tripping on poor quality pavements. Brent Council acknowledges that it has a duty of care to its residents, ensuring that the elderly can walk safely without fear of injury, that children can ride their bikes and scooters without being thrown off by rubbish ... view the full decision text for item 18
Minutes:
18.1 Motion from the Labour Group – People’s Vote
The Mayor invited Councillor Nerva to move the motion he had submitted on behalf of the Labour Group who began by highlighting, in respect of the 22% of residents currently living in Brent that were EU citizens, how they were regarded by the Council as community makers and not “queue jumpers”. Having reminded members of the background to the original Referendum he felt the biggest challenge remained tackling austerity which Brexit would only make worse. Given that Brent had voted to remain at the original Referendum and that recent research had demonstrated the extent to which a majority of individuals were expected to be worse off financial as a result of Brexit he felt there was a need to demonstrate true leadership in the form of support for a People’s Vote, including remain as an option in order to allow reform from within.
Before moving on to open up the debate, the Mayor reminded Members of the procedure now in operation for Motions as a result of the changes agreed earlier to Standing Orders. A total of 30 minutes was now set aside for dealing with Motions, based on a total of 10 minutes being allocated for debate on each of the three motions received. Within this time, once each Motion had been moved the debate would be opened up for any other Members to speak for which they would each have up to 2 minutes prior to any right of reply. The Mayor then invited other Members to speak on the motion, with the following contributions received.
Councillor Daly, in seconding the motion, made reference to a quote from Tony Blair in 1998 relating to signing of the Good Friday Agreement and to the significance of the peace delivered as a result, which she felt was now at risk as a result of Brexit. Given the greater understanding around the impact of Brexit not only economically, but also in terms of the Union, local communities and on relationships with neighbouring countries she felt people deserved to be given an opportunity to pause and to think again and was therefore supportive of the motion and call for a People’s Vote.
In terms of other contributions, Councillor Naheerathan highlighted a need to consider the impact of the current process on the rights of those EU citizens currently living in the UK whilst Councillor Colwill felt it important to recognise that the overall majority of those who had voted in the Referendum had chosen to leave with the result needing to be honoured.
In view of the remaining time available, the Mayor then invited Councillor Nerva to exercise his right of reply who thanked Members for their contributions and responded by highlighting what he felt had been the cry for help from many communities seeking relief from the impact of austerity, which the vote for Brexit had represented. Given the implications of Brexit were now much clearer than they had been at the ... view the full minutes text for item 18