Agenda item

Motion One

This Council expresses alarm at the rise in antisemitism in recent years across the UK including:

1.    Physical and verbal abuse directed at Jewish children and adults.

2.    Damage and wanton vandalism driven by race hate against Jewish schools, homes, community centres and places of worship.

This council therefore:

1)    Condemns all forms of antisemitism whether on the right or the left of the political spectrum.

2)    Calls on political parties to expel any member engaging in antisemitism and to submit to the relevant authorities evidence of criminal offences involving antisemitism.

3)    Pledges to combat this pernicious form of racism wherever it manifests itself no matter where, how or when.

4)    Also reaffirms its condemnation of all forms of racism and discrimination based on religious belief, disability, race, ethnic origin, gender or sexual orientation.

5)    Welcomes the UK Government’s adoption in CM 9386 dated December 2016 of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) working definition of antisemitism, namely:

“Antisemitism is a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews. Rhetorical and physical manifestations of antisemitism are directed toward Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/or their property, toward Jewish community institutions and religious facilities”.

6)    Affirms its commitment to act in accordance with its legal obligations under Article 10 (Freedom of expression), Article 14 (Prohibition of discrimination) and Article 17 (Prohibition of abuse of rights) of the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms.

Proposer: Councillor Adams

Seconder: Councillor Doyle

Motion Two

This Council:

i)        Thanks the hard work and campaigning by parents, councils, teachers and trade unions against the Government’s proposed National Funding Formula a pause is now in place and a review of the policy is being conducted.

ii)       Nonetheless, the Government’s latest proposals mean 45 out of 50 of our schools in Gedling Borough still face severe cuts, whilst Nottinghamshire County as a whole still faces a £16.4 million cut in its school funding by 2020. This would have a detrimental impact on our children’s education and futures.

iii)     The total real terms reduction in funding for all our schools in Gedling Borough between 2015-2020 is £2,543,274.

This Council:

i)              Is deeply concerned by the current crisis in school places provision, which has recently been highlighted again by the Local Government Association.

This Council resolves to:

i)              Continue opposing cuts to our schools in Gedling Borough.

ii)             Support the Local Government Association’s demands forthe Government to:

·         give councils the power to open new maintained schools where that is the local preference;

·         hand back the responsibility for making decisions about opening new schools;

·         give councils the same powers to direct free schools and academies to expand that they currently hold for maintained schools.

iii)            Write to the Secretary of State for Education setting our opposition to cuts to our schools in Gedling Borough that will damage the futures of our young people.

iv)           Invite Nottinghamshire County Council to join us in our campaign against these cuts.

v)            Seek a meeting with Secretary of State for Education to demand urgent action by the Government and Nottinghamshire County Council to work with us and local school leaders to produce a solution to the current crisis in school places provision locally.

Proposed: Cllr. Viv McCrossen

Seconded: Cllr. Jenny Hollingsworth

Motion 1

Upon a notice of motion received in the name of Councillor Adams, a proposition was moved by Councillor Adams and seconded by Councillor Doyle in the following terms:

This Council expresses alarm at the rise in antisemitism in recent years across the UK including:

1.    Physical and verbal abuse directed at Jewish children and adults.

2.    Damage and wanton vandalism driven by race hate against Jewish schools, homes, community centres and places of worship.

This council therefore:

1)  Condemns all forms of antisemitism whether on the right or the left of the political spectrum.

2)   Calls on political parties to expel any member engaging in antisemitism and to submit to the relevant authorities’ evidence of criminal offences involving antisemitism.

3)   Pledges to combat this pernicious form of racism wherever it manifests itself no matter where, how or when.

4)   Also reaffirms its condemnation of all forms of racism and discrimination based on religious belief, disability, race, ethnic origin, gender or sexual orientation.

5)   Welcomes the UK Government’s adoption in CM 9386 dated December 2016 of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) working definition of antisemitism, namely:

“Antisemitism is a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews. Rhetorical and physical manifestations of antisemitism are directed toward Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/or their property, toward Jewish community institutions and religious facilities”.

6)     Affirms its commitment to act in accordance with its legal obligations under Article 10 (Freedom of expression), Article 14 (Prohibition of discrimination) and Article 17 (Prohibition of abuse of rights) of the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms.

An amendment to the motion was proposed in the name of Councillor D Ellis, and seconded by Councillor R Ellis in the following terms:

This Council expresses alarm at the rise in antisemitism, islamophobia, all forms of racism and hate crime in recent years across the UK, including:

·         Physical and verbal abuse.

·         Damage and wanton vandalism driven by race hate against schools, homes, community centres and places of worship.

This council therefore:

1)      Condemns all forms of antisemitism, islamophobia, racism and hate crime and agrees to invite local faith and community leaders to an urgent meeting with the Council’s leadership to discuss and agree a shared action plan on how we can further work to tackle the rise in antisemitism, islamophobia, all forms of racism and hate crimes.
 

2)     Calls on political parties to take tough, appropriate and proportionate action against any member engaging in antisemitism, islamophobia and/or all forms of racism and commits to working with the Police and relevant organisations to remind people that no-one is above the law in relation to such matters.

3)      Pledges to combat antisemitism, islamophobia, all forms of racism and hate crime wherever it manifests itself no matter where, how, or when or by whom.

4)   Also reaffirms its condemnation of all forms of racism and discrimination based on religious belief, disability, race, ethnic origin, gender or sexual orientation as agreed in the cross-party motion laid before this Council on 13 July 2016.

5)    Welcomes the UK Government’s adoption in December 2016 of the internationally recognised International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism and welcomes the cross-party support within this Council for combatting antisemitism and racism in all its manifestations.

In recognition of this, the Council hereby adopts the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition and guidelines on antisemitism.

6)     Affirms its commitment to act in accordance with its legal obligations as set out in the Human Rights Act duty to respect and protect the European Convention rights (right to life; freedom from torture and inhuman or degrading treatment; freedom from slavery and forced labour; right to liberty and security; right to a fair trial; no punishment without law; respect for private and family life; freedom of thought, belief and religion; freedom of expression; freedom of assembly and association; right to marry; protection from discrimination; protection of property; right to education; right to participate in free elections). Therefore condemns any attempt to withdraw the UK from the European Convention on Human Rights and the jurisdiction of its court.

In accordance with Standing Order 17.03, the proposition was put to a named vote as follows:

For the Substantive Motion with the amendment

Councillors Adams, Allan, Bailey Jay, P Barnes, S Barnes, Barnfather, Bexon, Brooks, Clarke, Collis, Creamer, Doyle, Elliott, D Ellis, R Ellis, Ellwood, Feeney, Fox, Greensmith, Gregory, Hewson, Hollingsworth, Lawrence,  McCrossen, Miller, Paling, Parr, Payne, Poole, Powell, Scroggie, Stirland, Truscott, Walker, Wheeler and Wilkinson.

Against the motion:

None

The Mayor declared the motion carried and it was

RESOLVED that:

This Council expresses alarm at the rise in antisemitism, islamophobia, all forms of racism and hate crime in recent years across the UK, including:

·         Physical and verbal abuse.

·         Damage and wanton vandalism driven by race hate against schools, homes, community centres and places of worship.

This council therefore:

1)      Condemns all forms of antisemitism, islamophobia, racism and hate crime and agrees to invite local faith and community leaders to an urgent meeting with the Council’s leadership to discuss and agree a shared action plan on how we can further work to tackle the rise in antisemitism, islamophobia, all forms of racism and hate crimes.
 

2)     Calls on political parties to take tough, appropriate and proportionate action against any member engaging in antisemitism, islamophobia and/or all forms of racism and commits to working with the Police and relevant organisations to remind people that no-one is above the law in relation to such matters.

3)      Pledges to combat antisemitism, islamophobia, all forms of racism and hate crime wherever it manifests itself no matter where, how, or when or by whom.

4)   Also reaffirms its condemnation of all forms of racism and discrimination based on religious belief, disability, race, ethnic origin, gender or sexual orientation as agreed in the cross-party motion laid before this Council on 13 July 2016.

5)    Welcomes the UK Government’s adoption in December 2016 of the internationally recognised International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism and welcomes the cross-party support within this Council for combatting antisemitism and racism in all its manifestations.

In recognition of this, the Council hereby adopts the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition and guidelines on antisemitism.

7)     Affirms its commitment to act in accordance with its legal obligations as set out in the Human Rights Act duty to respect and protect the European Convention rights (right to life; freedom from torture and inhuman or degrading treatment; freedom from slavery and forced labour; right to liberty and security; right to a fair trial; no punishment without law; respect for private and family life; freedom of thought, belief and religion; freedom of expression; freedom of assembly and association; right to marry; protection from discrimination; protection of property; right to education; right to participate in free elections). Therefore condemns any attempt to withdraw the UK from the European Convention on Human Rights and the jurisdiction of its court.

Motion 2

Upon a notice of motion received in the name of Councillor McCrossen, a proposition was moved by Councillor McCrossen and seconded by Councillor

Hollingsworth in the following terms:

This Council:

i)   Thanks the hard work and campaigning by parents, councils, teachers and trade unions against the Government’s proposed National Funding Formula a pause is now in place and a review of the policy is being conducted. 

ii)   Nonetheless, the Government’s latest proposals mean 45 out of 50 of our schools in Gedling Borough still face severe cuts, whilst Nottinghamshire County as a whole still faces a £16.4 million cut in its school funding by 2020. This would have a detrimental impact on our children’s education and futures.

iii)  The total real terms reduction in funding for all our schools in Gedling Borough between 2015-2020 is £2,543,274. 

This Council:

i)         Is deeply concerned by the current crisis in school places provision, which has recently been highlighted again by the Local Government Association.

This Council resolves to:

i)         Continue opposing cuts to our schools in Gedling Borough.

ii)        Support the Local Government Association’s demands for the    Government to:

·         give councils the power to open new maintained schools where that is the local preference;

·         hand back the responsibility for making decisions about opening new schools;

·         give councils the same powers to direct free schools and academies to expand that they currently hold for maintained schools.

iii)       Write to the Secretary of State for Education setting our opposition to cuts to our schools in Gedling Borough that will damage the futures of our young people.

iv)       Invite Nottinghamshire County Council to join us in our campaign against these cuts.

v)        Seek a meeting with Secretary of State for Education to demand urgent action by the Government and Nottinghamshire County Council to work with us and local school leaders to produce a solution to the current crisis in school places provision locally.

In accordance with Standing Order 17.03, the proposition was put to a named vote as follows:

For the Motion:

Councillors Allan, Bailey Jay, P Barnes, S Barnes, Brooks, Clarke, Collis, Creamer, D Ellis, R Ellis, Ellwood, Feeney, Fox, Gregory, Hewson, Hollingsworth, Lawrence,  McCrossen, Miller, Paling, Payne, Scroggie, Truscott, Wheeler and Wilkinson.

Against the motion:

None

Abstentions

Councillors Adams, Barnfather, Bexon, Doyle, Elliott, Greensmith, Parr, Poole, Powell, Stirland, Walker.

The Mayor declared the motion carried and it was

RESOLVED to:

i)         Continue opposing cuts to our schools in Gedling Borough.

ii)        Support the Local Government Association’s demands for the    Government to:

·         give councils the power to open new maintained schools where that is the local preference;

·         hand back the responsibility for making decisions about opening new schools;

·         give councils the same powers to direct free schools and academies to expand that they currently hold for maintained schools.

iii)       Write to the Secretary of State for Education setting our opposition to cuts to our schools in Gedling Borough that will damage the futures of our young people.

iv)       Invite Nottinghamshire County Council to join us in our campaign against these cuts.

v)        Seek a meeting with Secretary of State for Education to demand urgent action by the Government and Nottinghamshire County Council to work with us and local school leaders to produce a solution to the current crisis in school places provision locally.