Agenda item
Motions
To debate any motions submitted in accordance with standing order 45.
Minutes:
White Ribbon Campaign
Councillor Matthews moved the motion circulated in her name urging support for the White Ribbon Campaign and expressed the hope that it would be uncontroversial.
Councillor John expressed her support for the campaign and Councillor Beswick did likewise but added that resources would be needed. Councillor HB Patel referred to some of the history to the campaign and expressed his support.
Following a vote the motion was declared unanimously CARRIED.
RESOLVED:-
(i) that it be:
- noted that the White Ribbon Campaign is the largest effort in the world of men working to end men's violence against women, by encouraging men to pledge never to commit, condone or remain silent about violence against women,
- understood that raising awareness plays a huge part in changing the cultural and social norms which are recognised as being highly influential in shaping individual behaviour, including the use of violence,
- recognised that local councils such as Brent working directly in the community are ideally placed to raise awareness and notes the excellent work Brent has undertaken, supported by all political parties, in tackling domestic violence and dealing with its consequences,
- noted that White Ribbon Day takes place on 25 November (United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women);
(ii) that a commitment be made to organising, encouraging and supporting local initiatives that commemorate and mark this day as a major opportunity to raise awareness and involve the entire local community in the activities;
(iii) that the Council commits to become a White Ribbon Accredited Authority.
Library service
Councillor HB Patel moved the motion circulated in his name which deplored the plans to close six libraries subject to consultation. It urged the Leader of the Council to reconsider the matter. Councillor Patel referred to previous plans to cut the library service being resurrected. He disputed that closing six libraries was the sign of a progressive Council as referred to in the Borough Plan.
Councillor Hashmi felt the issue was extremely important to people and questioned the future of the investment put into the library service. He urged that careful thought be given before any library was closed. Councillor Lorber added that he was surprised that the discussion seemed to suggest a decision to close the libraried had already been taken when it was still subject to public consultation. He felt this undermined the validity of the consultation process. Councillor Lorber stated that the Council only had twelve libraries left and that they should be retained by improving efficiency.
Councillor Powney disputed that there had ever been previous plans to close libraries. The decision of the Executive had been clear in going out to public consultation on a library strategy. He stated that 82% of the local population did not use the library service and so the vast majority of residents were not benefitting from it. The issue confronting the Council was one of having to make significant cuts very quickly in response to government actions. There needed to be a serious debate on the future of the library service as the cost of maintaining twelve library buildings would mean employing fewer staff and thereby offering a reduced service.
Following a vote the motion was declared LOST.
Liberal Democrat policies
Councillor John moved the motion circulated in her name and indicated that she accepted the proposed amendment circulated in the name of Councillor Powney. She referred to a number of undertakings made by senior Liberal Democrats before the General Election which she submitted had not been kept to.
Councillor Lorber referred to a past time when the Labour Party made commitments which then saw if face many years in opposition to Conservative rule and warned this could be the beginning of the same happening again. He stated that the Labour Party did not campaign on tuition fees before it then introduced them in the first place. Whilst he personally did not agree with tuition fees he felt there was no other choice otherwise the country would face cuts in the number of university places and university closures because they could not be afforded. Councillor Lorber moved an amendment to the motion seeking to add reference to the Labour Party's undertakings prior to the 1997 General Election on foreign policy, tuition fees and an end to 'boom and bust'. This was put to the vote and declared LOST.
Following a vote the motion submitted, as amended by agreement, was put to the vote and declared CARRIED.
RESOLVED:-
(i) that this Council notes that, at the last General Election, the Liberal Democrat party promised not to cut the deficit too far too fast; promised to abolish tuition fees; opposed proposals to means test or time-limit secure council tenancies; opposed any changes in child benefit and dismissed the Alternative Vote system as “a miserable little compromise”. It is further noted that the cancellation of the Education Maintenance Allowance will detract from any supposed rise in the pupil premium, further impoverish hard working families and deter students from further educational achievement; that this Council entirely disagrees with hitting the poorest hardest; that the Liberal Democrat leadership made these promises in the full knowledge of the structural deficit as, apart from making extravagant promises, they talked of little else during the election campaign;
(ii) that this Council regrets that local people especially those who depend on public services and students who were duped into voting Lib Dem by shameless lies about their intention to scrap tuition fees are those who will suffer the most from the present government’s policies and resolves to do all it can to protect local people from this government’s attempt to destroy the welfare state under the guise of reducing the deficit.
In accordance with the provisions of Standing Order 47(c) the voting on the above decision was recorded as follows:
For: |
The Mayor, The Deputy Mayor, Councillors Aden, Adeyeye, Al-Ebadi, Arnold, Mrs Bacchus, Beckman, Beswick, Butt, Chohan, S Choudhary, Crane, Daly, Denselow, Gladbaum, Harrison, Hector, Hirani, Hossain, John, Jones, Kabir, Kataria, Long, Mashari, Mistry, McLennan, J Moher, R Moher, Moloney, Naheerathan, Ogunro, Oladapo, RS Patel, Powney, Sheth, Thomas and Van Kalwala (39) |
Against: |
Councillors Ashraf, Beck, Cummins, Hashmi, Hunter, Lorber, Matthews, CJ Patel and Sneddon (9) |
Abstentions: |
Councillors Baker, Colwill, HB Patel and HM Patel (4) |