Agenda item

To debate the motions submitted in accordance with Standing Order 41.

 

Members are asked to note that the motions submitted will be circulated as part of a republished agenda in advance of the meeting, in accordance with Standing Order 41(c).

(1)      The following motion submitted by the Conservative Group was declared lost:

 

Illegal use of E-Scooters

 

This Council is concerned at the rise in the illegal use of E-scooters which are often dangerously ridden and ridden on pavements without insurance.

 

This Council is especially concerned that it is only a matter of time before a pedestrian, cyclist or other vulnerable person is seriously injured or killed as a result of the illegal actions of the E-scooter rider.

 

This Council will not take part in any plans to join a scheme, whereby riders can hire these scooters as there is no guarantee that they will be ridden safely.

 

This Council notes and praises the Police for taking action against illegal scooter riders by confiscating the scooter and charging the rider with driving without insurance and driving not in accordance with a licence.

 

This Council would also like to see those individuals who are caught riding E-scooters on the pavement, charged with dangerous driving as well as having no insurance.

 

Having given consideration to the above, this Council agrees to lobby the Government to ban the sale, importation and use of these dangerous machines in the UK.

 

Councillors Colwill, Kansagra and Maurice voted in favour of the above motion.

 

All other members present at the meeting voted against the above motion.

 

(2)      The following Motion submitted by the Labour Group was AGREED unanimously:

 

End the Fire and Rehire Practice

 

This council notes the unethical use of the fire and rehire tactics by certain employers, forcing their staff to accept unfair terms and conditions, leaving many having to work longer hours and for lower pay.

 

While the Prime Minister has called this “unacceptable” he has continually refused to take action to outlaw the practice, raising concerns that he will not intervene in this race to the bottom by some employers.

 

This council notes that this practice has been rejected here at Brent as is specifically outlined in the procurement strategy. Furthermore, we have ensured all our service providers abide by these terms.

 

This council stands with the campaign that has been promoted by our local member of parliament, Barry Gardiner MP who has spotlighted this unsavoury practice, working with trade union partners to defend the right of workers against unscrupulous employers.

 

Workers should not be scapegoated to carry the burden of lost profits.

 

This council therefore believes action is required to ensure local residents are protected against such unethical practices and agrees:

 

(1)      To request that the Leader of the Council write to the Prime Minister demanding the full protection of employees subject to these terms and conditions.

 

(2)      To continue to encourage fellow councils to exclude from their authorised list of suppliers any business’ using these Fire and Rehire Tactics and to update their procurement and social value policy to reflect that of ethical practices. Furthermore we call upon them to update existing contracts with suppliers in accordance with this commitment.

 

(3)      To continue to foster good working relationships with Trade Unions here at Brent.

 

(4)      To work with our anchor institutions and key partners to bring forward plans for the introduction of a local employer charter for companies to work toward with Trade Unions. This should include worker rights, support for the TUC Great Jobs’ agenda and with the real living wage campaign at its heart.

 

Brent council notes its records as a good and ethical employer, and truly believes that all workers deserve well-paid secure and meaningful work.

 

(3)      The following Motion submitted by the Labour Group was also AGREED unanimously:

 

Refugee Support

 

This Council notes with deep sadness the unfolding and ongoing humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan.

 

This Council profoundly regrets the developments over the last few months following two decades of progress towards a more stable, and prosperous Afghanistan. Our thoughts are with the Afghan people and our residents who have family there at this time.

 

This Council is therefore ashamed at the slow and inadequate efforts this government has pledged for the near quarter of a million displaced Afghan people, the number which continues to grow rapidly.

 

As a Council we call on the UK government to stand by what should be a non-negotiable obligation to provide sanctuary to those in need, not least our British Nationals and Afghan partners who remain in-country desperately awaiting evacuation.

 

Thus far, this government has pledged to home 5000 Afghan refugees this year who have supported the Armed Forces through the ‘Afghan locally employed scheme’, with a view to increase this number to 20,000 in the coming years.  This would equate to a meagre six people rehomed per constituency in the UK, falling extremely short of our humanitarian duty as a nation. 

 

Focussing on the humanitarian crisis, the Council remains committed to providing as much direct and immediate help and support as possible to inbound refugees, and is determined – highlighting the need for adequate resources to be made readily available by government – to enable our newest residents to regain control of their lives and, in time, build for themselves real and lasting futures.

 

As part of this approach, the Council is working closely with the Home Office and has provided shelter for two Afghan families, whilst planning a more cohesive welcome programme for further Afghan families arriving in Brent in the coming months.

 

Furthermore, this Council notes the lobbying efforts it and other Councils have launched to highlight the needs of its migrant communities and the necessity to appropriately resource Councils in this endeavour. In terms of the wider picture, this Council also notes the support and shelter it has provided for refugees from other parts of the world and is committed to continuing to lead these efforts for our new residents.

 

The Council recognises that the scale of the refugee crisis will require an international response and urges the UK to lead that effort by committing to a much more extensive and balanced Afghan resettlement scheme. Along with the creation of safe and legal routes for those suffering at the hands of the Taliban.

 

The Council therefore reiterates its call:

 

(1)      For open safe and legal routes for all those seeking a sanctuary from danger.

 

(2)     To increase the number of families given asylum and the need for a balanced refugee resettlement across the UK. Not just a heavy focus on London.

 

(3)      To increase funding to support councils such as our own, in further more extensive resettlement schemes as well as humanitarian aid.

 

This Council is proud that it is able to give sanctuary to the thousands of refugees that call Brent home. We want to be able to offer a brighter future for families through a chance at a proper education, good employment opportunities and a safe place to call home.

Before moving on to consider the motions listed on the summons, the Mayor advised members that a total of 30 minutes had been set aside for the consideration of the three motions submitted for debate, based on an initial allocation of 10 minutes per motion. Should the time taken to consider the first motion be less than 10 minutes she advised that the remaining time available would be split between the remaining motions on a rolling basis.

 

17.1  1^st Motion (Conservative Group) – Illegal use of E-Scooters

 

The Mayor invited Councillor Maurice to move the first motion which had been submitted on behalf of the Conservative Group.  Councillor Maurice, in moving the motion, began by highlighting what he felt to be the dangerous and often illegal use of e-scooters especially when ridden on pavements.  In highlighting his concerns Councillor Maurice felt it was only a matter of time before the use of an e-scooter caused either a serious injury or death and whilst praising the efforts of the police in taking action against their illegal use, advised that his motion was calling on the Council not to support their use, or participate in any trial e-scooter schemes.

 

The Mayor then invited other members to speak on the motion, with the following contributions received.

 

Councillor Tatler, in responding to the motion, advised that whilst the safe and properly regulate use of e-scooters was seen to support the development of more active and sustainable forms of travel the Council had decided at this stage not to participate in the trial scheme being operated across a number of London Boroughs by Transport for London (TfL).  Whilst not ruling out the Council’s future participation in the scheme, the basis of this decision had been to allow more time to review how the trial scheme was operating and the safety concerns identified were being addressed in order to ensure any future use was appropriately regulated.  For these reasons she advised she would not be supporting the motion.

 

As no further members had indicated that they wished to speak the Mayor invited Councillor Maurice to exercise his right of reply.

 

In summing up, Councillor Maurice advised that given the concerns raised he would continue to lobby against the sale and illegal use of e-scooters and given the safety issued identified urged members to support the motion.

 

The Mayor then put the motion, as set out below, to a vote by show of hands which was declared LOST.

 

“This Council is concerned at the rise in the illegal use of E-scooters which are often dangerously ridden and ridden on pavements without insurance.

 

This Council is especially concerned that it is only a matter of time before a pedestrian, cyclist or other vulnerable person is seriously injured or killed as a result of the illegal actions of the E-scooter rider.

 

This Council will not take part in any plans to join a scheme, whereby riders can hire these scooters as there is no guarantee that they will be ridden safely.

 

This Council notes and praises the Police for taking action against illegal scooter riders by confiscating the scooter and charging the rider with driving without insurance and driving not in accordance with a licence.

 

This Council would also like to see those individuals who are caught riding E-scooters on the pavement, charged with dangerous driving as well as having no insurance.

 

Having given consideration to the above, this Council agrees to lobby the Government to ban the sale, importation and use of these dangerous machines in the UK.”

 

Councillors Colwill, Kansagra and Maurice voted in favour of the above motion.

 

All other members present at the meeting voted against the above motion.

 

17.2  2^nd Motion (Labour Group) – End the Fire and Rehire Practice

 

The Mayor then invited Councillor Kennelly to move the second motion which had been submitted on behalf of the Labour Group.  Councillor Kennelly in moving the motion began by expressing concern at the increase in what he felt to be the unethical use of fire and rehire tactics by certain employers, often as a means of forcing staff to accept unfair terms and conditions and a reduction in wages.  Whilst welcoming the stance taken by the Council against the practice, as outlined in Brent’s procurement strategy, the motion was seeking to support the campaign promoted by Barry Gardiner MP, in seeking to end the practice in order to protect employees and safeguard local residents.

 

The Mayor then invited other members to speak on the motion, with the following contributions received.

 

In supporting and co-moving the motion, Councillor Grahl also expressed concern at what she felt to be the unethical nature of the practice given its impact on workers rights and their terms and conditions.  Highlighting the TUC’s research regarding the practice and significant number of workers who had already been impacted, she expressed her pride at the actions taken by the Council as an ethical employer to defend workers rights and in seeking to work with Trade Unions to support the campaign against the practice along with the Great Jobs agenda and real living wage campaign as a means of securing fair pay and meaningful work.

 

As a further contribution, Councillor Chan also spoke in support of the motion with the pandemic, he felt, having been used as a basis for justifying the implementation of a number of poor practices by certain employers.  Supporting the stance taken by the Council in recognising the loyalty and dedication shown by so many workers in responding to the pandemic, he was pleased to be able to support the proposed actions in order to ensure that ordinary workers were not scapegoated by corporations or large scale businesses as a result of their loss of profits or business.

 

Councillor Miller, again speaking in support of the motion, thanked Councillors Kennelly and Grahl for bringing forward the motion and felt it was encouraging to see the campaign against the fire and rehire practice not only building locally but also nationally.

 

Councillor Maurice also spoke to highlight his support for the motion, based on his own personal experience.

 

Speaking on behalf of the Conservative Group, Councillor Kansagra also expressed his support for the motion as a means of tackling the practice by those employers seeking to exploit their workforce.  At the same time, however, he also highlighted to need to recognise that employers would need to maintain some flexibility in being able to adapt their working practices, where appropriate, to ensure they could continue as viable businesses.

 

As a final contribution, Councillor Stephens, as Lead Member for Schools, Employment and Skill, also expressed his support for the motion in seeking to end what he felt was an unacceptable and unethical employment practice which had no place in the borough or nationally.  Highlighting the earlier reference made by Councillor Grahl to research undertaken by the TUC, he felt it important to recognise that according to their study during the pandemic 1:10 employees had been forced to reapply for their jobs on reduced terms and conditions which increased to 1:5 for young people.  He felt the fact this had been allowed to happen, was a worrying indictment of the Government’s levelling up agenda and their lack of focus, as part of the economic recovery strategy from the pandemic, in seeking to raise standards and support workers.  In terms of the actions identified within the motion, Councillor Stephens highlighted the work already underway to address the issues and concerns raised, focussed around the Council’s ethical and social value commitments within the Procurement Strategy and work also being developed to bring forward plans for a local employer charter based around the Mayor of London’s Good Work Standards.  These actions were also designed to reflect on the objectives and commitments made within the Borough Plan, Black Community Action Plan and Poverty Commission to ensure that Brent’s economic recovery plan was focussed on supporting local residents and in the provision of good work and jobs.

 

At this stage the Mayor advised that the remaining time available for the debate on this motion (within the overall time limit provided) had expired so then invited Councillor Kennelly to exercise his right of reply.

 

In summing up, Councillor Kennelly thanked Councillor Grahl for her support in moving the motion and all members for their support and contributions in seeking to end what he felt to be such an unscrupulous and unethical employment practice,.  He ended by expressing concern at the extent to which the practice was still being used by employers and at the Government’s stance and unwillingness to end the practice in order to protect employees terms and conditions, and again urged all members to support the motion.

 

The Mayor then put the motion, as set out below, to a vote which was unanimously declared CARRIED.

 

It was therefore RESOLVED to approve the following motion:

 

“This council notes the unethical use of the fire and rehire tactics by certain employers, forcing their staff to accept unfair terms and conditions, leaving many having to work longer hours and for lower pay.

 

While the Prime Minister has called this “unacceptable” he has continually refused to take action to outlaw the practice, raising concerns that he will not intervene in this race to the bottom by some employers.

 

This council notes that this practice has been rejected here at Brent as is specifically outlined in the procurement strategy. Furthermore, we have ensured all our service providers abide by these terms.

 

This council stands with the campaign that has been promoted by our local member of parliament, Barry Gardiner MP who has spotlighted this unsavoury practice, working with trade union partners to defend the right of workers against unscrupulous employers.

 

Workers should not be scapegoated to carry the burden of lost profits.

 

This council therefore believes action is required to ensure local residents are protected against such unethical practices and agrees:

 

(1)      To request that the Leader of the Council write to the Prime Minister demanding the full protection of employees subject to these terms and conditions.

 

(2)      To continue to encourage fellow councils to exclude from their authorised list of suppliers any business’ using these Fire and Rehire Tactics and to update their procurement and social value policy to reflect that of ethical practices. Furthermore we call upon them to update existing contracts with suppliers in accordance with this commitment.

 

(3)      To continue to foster good working relationships with Trade Unions here at Brent.

 

(4)      To work with our anchor institutions and key partners to bring forward plans for the introduction of a local employer charter for companies to work toward with Trade Unions. This should include worker rights, support for the TUC Great Jobs’ agenda and with the real living wage campaign at its heart.

 

Brent council notes its records as a good and ethical employer, and truly believes that all workers deserve well-paid secure and meaningful work.”

 

17.3  (3^rd Motion) Labour Group Motion – Refugee Support

 

The Mayor invited Councillor Hassan to move the third and final motion submitted on behalf of the Labour Group. In doing so, Councillor Hassan highlighted the sadness widely expressed at the unfolding and ongoing humanitarian crisis being witnessed in Afghanistan along with the concern at what was felt to be the inadequate efforts of the UK Government to assist and provide the necessary levels of support and sanctuary for those who had been displaced.  As a contrast she highlighted the work being undertaken by the Council to welcome and support refugees, not just from Afghanistan but also other parts of the world, in seeking to provide sanctuary and offer those fleeing persecution the chance to regain control of their lives and build real and lasting futures.  Whilst recognising the scale of the refugee crisis and need for a co-ordinated international response, Councillor Hassan advised members that the motion was calling on the Government to commit to a more extensive and balanced Afghan resettlement scheme as well as the creation of safe and legal routes for all those seeking sanctuary from danger and persecution.

 

The Mayor then invited other members to speak on the motion, with the following contributions received.

 

Councillor Conneely in supporting the motion, highlighted the specific need to ensure that the move towards more extensive and balanced settlement schemes was also supported by provision of the necessary funding by the Government.  This was in order to support Councils in being able to deliver the levels of humanitarian aid, health, education and social care often required given the traumatic experiences faced by so many of those seeking sanctuary.

 

Speaking on behalf of the Conservative Group, Councillor Kansagra also expressed his support for the motion and need for a co-ordinated international response referring to his families own personal experience in having to resettle in the UK.

 

As a further contribution Councillor Afzal also spoke in support of the motion expressing concern at what he felt to be the lack of compassion shown by the Government in the way those seeking refuge were treated along with the inadequacy of the current Afghan resettlement scheme for those most in need of support and care.

 

As a final contribution Councillor Knight, as Lead Member for Community Safety & Engagement, in expressing her support for the motion, outlined the Council’s commitment to continue doing all it could to provide sanctuary and shelter for refugees in order to ensure they had a safe place to call home within the borough and access to the necessary support.

 

As no further members had indicated that they wished to speak and given the support expressed during the debate, Councillor Hassan indicated she did not want to exercise her right of reply.  The Mayor therefore moved on to put the motion, as set out below, to a vote which was unanimously declared CARRIED.

 

It was therefore RESOLVED to approve the following motion:

 

“This Council notes with deep sadness the unfolding and ongoing humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan.

 

This Council profoundly regrets the developments over the last few months following two decades of progress towards a more stable, and prosperous Afghanistan. Our thoughts are with the Afghan people and our residents who have family there at this time.

 

This Council is therefore ashamed at the slow and inadequate efforts this government has pledged for the near quarter of a million displaced Afghan people, the number which continues to grow rapidly.

 

As a Council we call on the UK government to stand by what should be a non-negotiable obligation to provide sanctuary to those in need, not least our British Nationals and Afghan partners who remain in-country desperately awaiting evacuation.

 

Thus far, this government has pledged to home 5000 Afghan refugees this year who have supported the Armed Forces through the ‘Afghan locally employed scheme’, with a view to increase this number to 20,000 in the coming years.  This would equate to a meagre six people rehomed per constituency in the UK, falling extremely short of our humanitarian duty as a nation. 

 

Focussing on the humanitarian crisis, the Council remains committed to providing as much direct and immediate help and support as possible to inbound refugees, and is determined – highlighting the need for adequate resources to be made readily available by government – to enable our newest residents to regain control of their lives and, in time, build for themselves real and lasting futures.

 

As part of this approach, the Council is working closely with the Home Office and has provided shelter for two Afghan families, whilst planning a more cohesive welcome programme for further Afghan families arriving in Brent in the coming months.

 

Furthermore, this Council notes the lobbying efforts it and other Councils have launched to highlight the needs of its migrant communities and the necessity to appropriately resource Councils in this endeavour. In terms of the wider picture, this Council also notes the support and shelter it has provided for refugees from other parts of the world and is committed to continuing to lead these efforts for our new residents.

 

The Council recognises that the scale of the refugee crisis will require an international response and urges the UK to lead that effort by committing to a much more extensive and balanced Afghan resettlement scheme. Along with the creation of safe and legal routes for those suffering at the hands of the Taliban.

 

The Council therefore reiterates its call:

 

(1)      For open safe and legal routes for all those seeking a sanctuary from danger.

 

(2)     To increase the number of families given asylum and the need for a balanced refugee resettlement across the UK. Not just a heavy focus on London.

 

(3)      To increase funding to support councils such as our own, in further more extensive resettlement schemes as well as humanitarian aid.

 

This Council is proud that it is able to give sanctuary to the thousands of refugees that call Brent home. We want to be able to offer a brighter future for families through a chance at a proper education, good employment opportunities and a safe place to call home.”