Agenda item - Petitions for Council Debate

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Agenda item

Petitions for Council Debate

Petitions to be debated at Council.  Reports of the Monitoring Officer.

 

(1)      Prioritise & Support Community Led Affordable Housing over Private Developers in the City. Lead petitioner Andrea Jones.

 

(2)      (a)  Re-open Madeira Drive to All Users. Lead petitioner Laura King.

          (b)  Keep Madeira Drive Closed for Traffic. Lead petitioner Ian Ross.

 

(3)      (a)  Remove Old Shoreham Road Cycle Lane Extension. Lead petitioner Peter Challis.

(b) Make the Old Shoreham Road Cycle Lane Extension Permanent and Establish a City-Wide Cycle Network Lead petitioner Chris Williams.

 

(4)      Declare Brighton & Hove to be an Anti-Racist City. Lead petitioner Mo Kanjilal.

Minutes:

32.1         The Mayor stated that where a petition secured 1,250 or more signatures it could be debated at the council meeting.  He had been made aware of six such petitions and would take each in turn, although those relating to Madeira Drive and Old Shoreham Road would be taken in one debate as there were petitions in favour and against the proposals.

 

32.2         The Mayor noted that there were amendments to the cover reports’ recommendations for the first petition, the second and third petitions which would be taken as part of the debate on the matter in question.

 

(1)   Prioritise & Support Community Led Affordable Housing over Private Developers in the City

 

32.3         The Mayor then invited Ms. Corina Edwards-Colledge to present the petition concerning the prioritisation of affordable housing in the city.

 

32.4         Ms. Edwards-Colledge thanked the Mayor and stated that the petition which had been signed by 1,351 people called on the Council to recognise the need to prioritise community-led housing over private developments. She stated that a thriving community-led housing sector would address many of the issues faced by people who wanted to secure an affordable home and would support the key aims of the city plan. She believed it would create supportive and secure communities with housing that met the highest environmental standards and support the growth of local communities. The hope was that the City Council would deliver on providing sites for truly affordable housing, access to funding through the public works loans board and to ensure that land prices are affordable. She hoped that a collaborative relationship with local Housing Groups could be developed so that strategic housing provision could become a reality.

 

32.5         Councillor Hugh-Jones thanked Ms. Edwards-Colledge for presenting the petition and stated that the Administration fully supported its aims. She noted that the community land trust focussed on building for the community and placed an emphasis on affordability. The key point being that the land was held in trust so that prices remained affordable for future buyers. It did allow for units to be sold to finance other building and developments could be of a mixed tenure although the aim would be that the majority of properties would be for rent. The difficulty for local authorities was managing the right to buy scheme which has its complexities and means the council is having to try to constantly catch-up to maintain its housing stock. There was a clear need to work with community led schemes to maximise housing availability at an affordable cost for those in need. Hence the amendment that she wished to move on behalf of the Green Group.

 

32.6         Councillor Gibson formally seconded the amendment and reserved his right to speak in the debate.

 

32.7         Councillor Appich welcomed the petition and stated that the planning policies set out in the City Plan parts 1 and 2 were strongly supportive of community-led housing. She noted that officers and councillors were working to find ways to support local schemes and enable access to funding streams and hoped that this would be progressed. She also expressed concern on the impact of the proposed changes to the planning process could have on the availability of affordable housing in the city.

 

32.8         Councillor Mears welcomed the petition and the Green Group amendment and stated that housing was an important issue for the city and the availability of suitable housing for everyone needed to be addressed. There was a need for a mixture of provision, and she acknowledged that community-led schemes were an important element in developing communities and ensuring that affordable housing was available in the city.

 

32.9         Councillor Janio questioned the approach and suggested that the provision of housing should be left to the private sector and the free market rather than the council selling assets to a particular group at a discount which would then disadvantage another group. He could not support the petition or the amendment.

 

32.10      Councillor Gibson noted the comments and suggested that the current housing crisis had resulted from the failure of the free market to ensure that there was sufficient availability at an affordable rate. He believed the petition and the support of the council for a community land trust was an opportunity to begin to tackle the crisis and he welcomed the cross-party support for the amendment.

 

32.11      The Mayor thanked Ms. Edwards-Colledge for joining the meeting and presenting the petition and noted that the amendment had been accepted. 

 

32.12      The Mayor then put the recommendations as amended to the vote and called on each of the Group Leaders to confirm their position as well as the Groups in turn and each of the Independent Members:

 

Councillor Mac Cafferty stated that the Green Group were in favour of the recommendations as amended and this was confirmed by the Green Group Members;

 

Councillor Platts stated that the Labour Group were in favour of the recommendations as amended and this was confirmed by the Labour Group Members;

 

Councillor Wares stated that the Conservative were in favour of the recommendations as amended and this was confirmed by the Conservative Group Members;

 

Councillor Brennan confirmed that she was in favour of the recommendations as amended;

 

Councillor Fishleigh confirmed that she was in favour of the recommendations as amended;

 

Councillor Janio confirmed that he was against the recommendations as amended;

 

Councillor Knight confirmed that she was in favour of the recommendations as amended.

 

32.13      The Mayor confirmed that the recommendations as amended had been carried.

 

32.14      RESOLVED:

 

(1)      That the petition be noted and referred to the Tourism, Equalities, Communities & Culture Committee for consideration;

(2)      That the Council recognise and welcome the role of community-led housing projects in creating neighbourhoods while at the same time addressing the city’s housing shortage in a manner that focuses on the quality of the build, affordability, social value, sustainability, conservation and enhancement of the natural environment; and

(3)      That the Council continue to explore borrowing from the PWLB and on-lending to community-led housing projects as a matter of urgency as a way of supporting such community-led efforts.

 

(2)   (i)   RE-OPEN MADEIRA DRIVE

       (ii) KEEP MADEIRA DRIVE CLOSED

 

32.15      The Mayor then invited Ms. Laura King and Mr. Ollie Wilson to present the petition calling for Madeira Drive to be re-opened. However, due to technical difficulties Ms. King and Mr. Ross were unable to join the meeting and the Mayor therefore called on Mr. Ross to present the petition calling for Madeira Drive to remain closed.

 

32.16      Mr. Ross thanked the Mayor and noted that the petition had secured 2,884 signatures supporting the continued closure of Madeira Drive. He stated that Covid-19 was far from over and the closure of the road had enabled people to take exercise safely and helped to improve the environment. He recognised the need for disabled parking to be available at both ends of the Drive so that people with disabilities could also enjoy the benefit of the road closure. He believed that the closure would not prevent the use of the Drive for specific events in the city such as the Brighton Marathon or the veteran car race. He believed the council had the opportunity to take a bold decision and stop Madeira Drive from being a seafront car park and to look at the long-term future for the area and the city.

 

32.17      The Mayor thanked Mr. Ross and noted that Ms. King was still having technical difficulties and stated that he would adjourn the meeting for ten minutes to enable officers and Ms. King to try to resolve the problem. He then adjourned the meeting at 18.07pm.

 

32.18      The Mayor reconvened the meeting at 18.15pm and invited Ms. King and Mr. Wilson to present their petition.

 

32.19      Ms. King and Mr. Wilson thanked the Mayor and stated that the petition which had been signed by 9,748 people called on the Council to re-open Madeira Drive. They believed that the closure had been a temporary measure and that there was now a need to recognise that lockdown restrictions had been lifted and to give access back to the many motorists who used madeira Drive as well as enabling local businesses to re-open. The use of Madeira Drive for events such as the London to Brighton car run and filming of Quadrophenia brought visitors and tourists to the city and benefitted the economy. The continued closure would impact on people and prevent them from being able to gain access to the Pier etc. and be detrimental to the campaign to restore the Terraces. They therefore hoped that the council would see the need to re-open Madeira Drive and acknowledge the support for this request.

 

32.20      The Mayor thanked Ms. King and Mr. Wilson and invited Councillor West as Joint Chair of the Environment, Transport & Sustainability Committee to respond to the petitions.

 

32.21      Councillor West thanked the petitioners for presenting their petitions and acknowledged the strength and diversity of views held in regard to the matter. It does appear that a number of local people clearly support the continued closure of Madeira Drive, whilst others feel there is a need to open it to traffic to enable others to come into the city and enjoy the area. The intention is to review matter at the September Environment, Transport & Sustainability Committee and I note that adjustments have been made to enable parking at the far end. It will not be possible to undertake any further changes as there is a need for consultation and review which will need to be considered by the committee. In regard to the two amendments to be put forward, it will not be possible to support either of these given the required work that needs to be undertaken and time constraints. I will take a personal interest in the situation to ensure that all concerns can be considered, and any minor alterations put in place as necessary.

 

32.22      Councillor Fishleigh moved an amendment as an Independent Member and referred to the Facebook page of the Blue Badge holders, BADGE who felt that their needs were not being addressed by the implementation of such changes in Madeira Drive and across the city. The closure of Madeira Drive meant that toilets were in accessible and permission had to be obtained from marshals. She also stated that a full environmental impact was required and should be completed as part of the report to the committee in September. There was also a need to fully quantify the environmental and traffic impact for the whole area to assist in a rational informed decision for Madeira Drive.

 

32.23      Councillor Janio formally seconded the amendment as an Independent Member and reserved his right to speak.

 

32.24      Councillor Wares moved an amendment on behalf of the Conservative Group and noted that a considered evidenced based decision would be required, and that the amendment sought to support local businesses ahead of the scheduled meeting in September. The council has taken decisions quickly and he believed that a report could be produced ahead of that meeting for an urgent committee as officers would already have been preparing information for the September meeting. It was possible to alter the traffic regulation order and it was possible to consider the petitions and a report on the 21st August if the Administration had the desire to do so.

 

32.25      Councillor Miller formally seconded the amendment and thanked the petitioners for their work. He noted that the closure of Madeira Drive had had some adverse impact for users and local business in Madeira Drive hence the importance to act as quickly as they had in determining the closure. He therefore urged all councillors to support the amendment.

 

32.26      Councillor Wilkinson thanked all the petitioners and commended the work of those involved in bringing them forward. He believed there was a need for the petitions to come to the ETS committee in September along with an officer report so that the committee Members could give full consideration to the issues. He noted that the Government had encouraged local authorities to take action and improve walking and cycling facilities and road layouts and there had already been a significant increase in the people cycling across the city and the country. There was a need to consider the impact of changes in terms of parking income road use, environmental improvements and people’s health etc. and as such could not support the amendments that had been moved. He therefore looked forward to the petitions and the report being considered by the committee in due course.

 

32.27       The Mayor congratulated Councillor Wilkinson on his maiden speech on behalf of the council.

 

32.28      Councillor Janio stated that the decision to create temporary cycle lanes was not the answer and referred to the Dutch who he felt were the exemplar in relation to cycling. It has to be a shared experience and should not disadvantage any one group, and yet decisions were being taken without any real evidenced-based facts and such decision s should be stopped.

 

32.29      Councillor Williams stated that there was a need to remember that the swift action that had been taken was in response to the pandemic and it was far from over. She also noted that a consultation exercise was being undertaken and the results should be considered by the committee.

 

32.30      Councillor Mac Cafferty stated that the Green Group would not support the amendments and that having become Leader of the Council only in the last few weeks he had already met with interested parties and would continue to meet with those organisations with an interest in helping to bring the city out of the current economic climate. He was acutely aware of the need to invest in the area and noted that a review of the transport plan was due to come to committee in September. An urgent decision had been taken in relation to the pandemic and there was a need to consult with all users and local businesses involved. There were clear differences of opinion on the use of Madeira Drive and there was now an opportunity to give full consideration to best options for the area and how improvements could be made for everyone’s benefit. He hoped that the cross-party working group would continue with its work and that funding streams could be identified to support the necessary improvements and looked forward to progress reports coming to committee in due course.

 

32.31      The Mayor thanked the petitioners for joining the meeting and presenting their petitions and noted that both of the amendments had not been accepted and he would therefore need to put each in turn to the vote.

 

32.32       The Mayor then put the Conservative amendment to the vote and called on each of the Group Leaders to confirm their position as well as the Groups in turn and each of the Independent Members.

 

Councillor Mac Cafferty stated that the Green Group were against the amendment and this was confirmed by the Green Group Members;

 

Councillor Platts stated that the Labour Group were against the amendment and this was confirmed by the Labour Group Members;

 

Councillor Wares stated that the Conservative were in favour of the amendment and this was confirmed by the Conservative Group Members;

 

Councillor Brennan confirmed that she was voting against the amendment,

 

Councillor Fishleigh confirmed that she was voting for the amendment;

 

Councillor Janio confirmed that he was voting for the amendment;

 

Councillor Knight confirmed that she was voting against the amendment.

 

32.33      The Mayor confirmed that the amendment had been lost.

 

32.34      The Mayor then put the Independent amendment to the vote and called on each of the Group Leaders to confirm their position as well as the Groups in turn and each of the Independent Members.

 

Councillor Mac Cafferty stated that the Green Group were against the amendment and this was confirmed by the Green Group Members;

 

Councillor Platts stated that the Labour Group were against the amendment and this was confirmed by the Labour Group Members;

 

Councillor Wares stated that the Conservative were in favour of the amendment and this was confirmed by the Conservative Group Members;

 

Councillor Brennan confirmed that she was voting against the amendment,

 

Councillor Fishleigh confirmed that she was voting for the amendment;

 

Councillor Janio confirmed that he was voting for the amendment;

 

Councillor Knight confirmed that she was voting against the amendment.

 

32.35      The Mayor confirmed that the amendment had been lost.

 

32.36      The Mayor then put the recommendations to the vote and called on each of the Group Leaders to confirm their position as well as the Groups in turn and each of the Independent Members:

 

Councillor Mac Cafferty stated that the Green Group were in favour of the recommendations and this was confirmed by the Green Group Members;

 

Councillor Platts stated that the Labour Group were in favour of the recommendations and this was confirmed by the Labour Group Members;

 

Councillor Wares stated that the Conservative were in favour of the recommendations and this was confirmed by the Conservative Group Members;

 

Councillor Brennan confirmed that she was voting in favour of the recommendations;

 

Councillor Fishleigh confirmed that she was voting in favour of the recommendations;

 

Councillor Janio confirmed that he was voting in favour of the recommendations;

 

Councillor Knight confirmed that she was voting in favour of the recommendations.

 

32.37      The Mayor confirmed that the recommendations to note the petitions and refer them to the Environment, Transport & Sustainability Committee had been carried.

 

32.38      RESOLVED: That the petitions be noted and referred to the Environment, Transport & Sustainability Committee for consideration.

 

(3)   (i)  REmove old shoreham ROAD cycle lane extension

(ii) MAKE OLD SHOREHAM ROAD CYCLE LANE PERMANENT AND ESTABLSIH A CITY-WIDE CYCLE NETWORK

 

32.39      The Mayor then invited Councillor Atkinson to present the petition on behalf of the petitioner, Mr. Challis which called for removal of the temporary cycle lane along Old Shoreham Road.

 

32.40      Councillor Atkinson thanked the Mayor and stated that the petition requesting the removal of the temporary cycle lane had over 4,400 signatures. The extension to the cycle lane had been made with little planning and no consultation and with little consideration of the impact for local residents and road users. There was a need to base the decision on traffic data and traffic modelling and no such information was available, but it was clear that the closure of one lane had had an impact on traffic flow, tradesmen and local businesses. Whilst there was a need for cycle lanes to encourage people to cycle and to have an alternative option, these needed to be in the right place and should not cause major traffic problems. As such the temporary cycle lane should be removed.

 

32.41      The Mayor thanked Councillor Atkinson and invited Mr. Williams to present his petition calling for the temporary cycle lane along Old Shoreham Road to be made permanent.

 

32.42      Mr. Williams thanked the Mayor and stated that 5,135 people had signed the petition and stated that there had not been any consultation to install the dual carriageway and remove part of the local neighbourhood at the time. It was, however, possible to control traffic and tackle health and social inequalities and to make streets safe for all forms of transport. The Government’s drive was to encourage more people to cycle and yet many of the roads in the city including those with schools were unsafe for cyclists. There was a clear need to look at the situation and to find ways to improve the cycle network across the city and make cycling a safe alternative to using the car.

 

32.43      The Mayor thanked Mr. Williams and invited Councillor West as Joint Chair of the Environment, Transport & Sustainability Committee to respond to the petitions.

 

32.44      Councillor West thanked the petitioners for presenting their petitions. Clearly the situation with Covid has raised challenges in dealing with the pandemic and having been specifically asked by Government to take action to improve transport facilities to enable people to return to work and school, we have implemented changes. The council is getting significant funding from the Government for this and changes are temporary at this point and a report will come back to the committee in September. Any proposals to make permanent changes would need to be taken through the appropriate design and consultation process. In regard to the Conservative amendment that is going to be put forward, the request cannot be met and therefore it cannot be supported. There is a need for more facilities across the city such as this and as the opportunity to use them increases with more people returning to work it will be clear that they are necessary and important if the issue of congestion is to be addressed in the city.

 

32.45      Councillor Lewry moved an amendment on behalf of the Conservative Group and stated that the temporary cycle lane was putting people’s lives at risk and creating traffic jams which added to pollution levels. He believed there was  need to improve traffic flows in the city and to create an interconnected transport policy. He was an avid cyclist but could not support the continuation of the temporary cycle lane and called for the reinstatement of the dual carriageway to prevent lives from being put at risk.

 

32.46      Councillor Barnett formally seconded the amendment and stated the decision to create the temporary cycle lane had been taken without any consultation with residents or ward councillors. The impact on traffic had been disastrous with queues of traffic for miles and had created safety issues for everyone trying to access the recycling centre. She hoped that the situation could be reviewed, and the lane removed so that the road could be returned to how it was and wishes of the local residents acknowledged.

 

32.47      Councillor Wilkinson welcomed both petitions and stated that he felt they should be considered at the next Environment, Transport & Sustainability Committee meeting as that meeting was due to receive a report on the use of cycle lanes etc. He stated that the Labour Group would not be supporting the amendment and that there was a need to take positive action to improve the city’s economic and environment recovery and to reduce carbon emissions. The introduction of temporary cycle lanes across the city was one measure to help to address this and to achieve safe and clean transport options for the city.

 

32.48      Councillor Janio stated that one the schools returned the overall situation would become worst with more congestion and an increased risk of accidents unless the cycle lane was removed. He hoped that the right decision would be reached, and the cycle lane taken out as soon as possible.

 

32.49      Councillor Atkinson stated that it was clear that the introduction of the cycle lane had led to an increase in congestion and was not being used by that many cyclists because it was not safe. Having been installed with little consultation, they were in the wrong place and further consideration needed to be given to where in the city these temporary lanes would be effective. He noted that recently Greater Manchester had been forced remove similar temporary lanes that had been created in response the pandemic but without proper consideration of how they would work and their impact on the area and traffic flow. He had received an overwhelming number of complaints in regard to the Old Shoreham Road cycle lane and hoped that it could be reviewed as soon as possible.

 

32.50      Councillor Lloyd welcomed the petitions and noted that the level of cycling on the temporary cycle lane had increased by 61% which had to contribute to a reduction in air pollution in the area. The decisions to introduce the temporary lanes had been made because of the Government’s desire to enable people to travel safely during the pandemic and this had to be accepted. There was a clear need for the cycle lane along the Old Shoreham Road and it was time to start looking at how the council can reduce car use in the city and reduce air pollution levels.

 

32.51      Councillor Fishleigh stated that she would like to see more money spent on maintaining the current cycle lanes and ensuring they were safe to use.

 

32.52      The Mayor thanked the petitioners for joining the meeting and presenting their petitions and noted that the amendment had not been accepted and he would therefore need to put it to the vote.

 

32.53      The Mayor also noted that a request for a recorded vote on both the amendment and the subsequent recommendation had been made and he therefore asked the Head of Democratic Services to undertake a recorded vote on the Conservative amendment.

 

32.54      A recorded vote was then undertaken.

 

Note: Due to technical difficulties and some Members being unable to register their vote, the Mayor called an adjournment at 19.45pm for fifteen minutes and reconvened the meeting at 20.00pm.

 

32.55      The Mayor reconvened the meeting and noted that those Members who had not been able to confirm their vote had done so either orally or via the instant messaging facility.

 

32.56      The Head of Democratic Services confirmed that the vote had been completed and that the amendment had been lost by 12 votes to 33.

 

 

 

For

Against

Abstain

 

 

For

Against

Abstain

1

Allcock

 

x

 

28

Lewry

?

 

 

2

Appich

 

x

 

29

Littman

 

x

 

3

Atkinson

 

x

 

30

Lloyd

 

x

 

4

Bagaeen

?

 

 

31

MacCafferty

 

x

 

5

Barnett

?

 

 

32

Mcnair

?

 

 

6

Bell

Not present

33

Mears

?

 

 

7

Brennan

 

x

 

34

Miller

?

 

 

8

Brown

Not present

35

Moonan

 

x

 

9

Childs

 

x

 

36

Nemeth

?

 

 

10

Clare

 

x

 

37

Nield

 

x

 

11

Davis

Not present

38

O’Quinn

 

x

 

12

Deane

 

x

 

39

Osborne

 

x

 

13

Druitt

 

x

 

40

Peltzer Dunn

?

 

 

14

Gibson

 

x

 

41

Phillips

 

x

 

15

Grimshaw

Not present

42

Pissaridou

 

x

 

16

Ebel

Not present

43

Powell

 

x

 

17

Evans

 

x

 

44

Platts

 

x

 

18

Fishleigh

?

 

 

45

Rainey

Not present

19

Fowler

 

x

 

46

Robins

 

x

 

20

Hamilton

 

x

 

47

Shanks

 

x

 

21

Heley

 

x

 

48

Simson

Not present

22

Henry

Not present

49

Theobald C

?

 

 

23

Hill

 

x

 

50

Wares

?

 

 

24

Hills

 

x

 

51

Wilkinson

 

x

 

25

Hugh-Jones

 

x

 

52

Williams

 

x

 

26

Janio

?

 

 

53

West

 

x

 

27

Knight

 

x

 

54

Yates

Not present

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

12

33

 

 

 

32.57      The Mayor noted that the request for a recorded vote on the recommendation to refer the petitions to the Environment, Transport & Sustainability Committee had been withdrawn. He therefore moved to a vote on the recommendation and called on each of the Group Leaders to confirm their position as well as the Groups in turn and each of the Independent Members.

 

Councillor Mac Cafferty stated that the Green Group were in favour of the recommendation and this was confirmed by the Green Group Members;

 

Councillor Platts stated that the Labour Group were in favour of the recommendation and this was confirmed by the Labour Group Members;

 

Councillor Wares stated that the Conservative were in favour of the recommendation and this was confirmed by the Conservative Group Members;

 

Councillor Brennan confirmed that she was voting for the recommendation,

 

Councillor Fishleigh confirmed that she was voting for the recommendation;

 

Councillor Janio confirmed that he was voting for the recommendation;

 

Councillor Knight confirmed that she was voting for the recommendation.

 

 

32.58      The Mayor confirmed that the recommendation to note the petitions and refer them to the Environment, Transport & Sustainability Committee had been carried.

 

32.59      RESOLVED: That the petitions be noted and referred to the Environment, Transport & Sustainability Committee for consideration.

 

 

(4)      Declare Brighton & Hove to be an Anti-Racist City

 

32.60      The Mayor then invited Mo Kanjilal to present the petition concerning the prioritisation of affordable housing in the city.

 

32.61      Mo Kanjilal thanked the Mayor and stated that the petition which had been signed by 1,949 people called on the Council to declare Brighton and Hove as an Anti-Racist City. She noted that the petition had reached the required 1,250 signatures within two days and had then reached a total of 2,380 which showed the desire to be seen as an anti-racist city. There was a clear need to address the spectre of racism that existed in the city and action needed to be taken so that real change could be made, and this could be demonstrated to the rest of the country. She hoped that such change would be led by the city council and a clear pathway for a truly anti-racist city to be created.

 

32.62      Councillor Powell thanked Mo for presenting the petition and noted that a report had been considered at the special meeting of the Tourism, Equalities, Communities & Culture Committee on the 29 July outlining the council’s commitment to becoming an anti-racist city. The report had been unanimously agreed and set out the work programme to achieve the objective. The Council recognised the need for it as an organisation to change and intended to work with community groups to help to achieve that and to lead the city in becoming an anti-racist city.

 

32.63      Councillor Appich welcomed the petition and stated that the Labour Group would continue to support the work required to implement change that was required. She noted that the proposed anti-racism strategy had been approved at the Tourism, Equalities, Communities & Culture Committee meeting. She stated that it was a hugely important piece of work that had to be undertaken and welcomed the full support of all the Groups on the council.

 

32.64       Councillor McNair welcomed the petition but felt that there were questions that needed to be considered in taking matters forward such has how issues would be raised in schools, how would businesses ensure they can employ the best people for the job, and how will a holistic approach be taken to ensure all aspects of diversity are included as anti-racism was not just about colour. He hoped that in looking to the future people would also look to where we have come from.

 

32.65      Councillor Brennan welcomed the petition and stated that with the recent death of George Lloyd the need for action had been highlighted. In looking across the council chamber she was mindful of the need for the political groups to take action and encourage people from all ethnic groups to get involved and stand as councillors to reflect the community make-up of the city. She was pleased to see the anti-racism strategy had been agreed and looked forward to seeing that taken forward and the council taking action to become an anti-racist authority.

 

32.66      Councillor Powell noted the comments and thanked councillors for their contributions and noted that there was a lot to do. She believed that a start had been made and by working together change could be achieved.

 

32.67      The Mayor thanked Mo for joining the meeting and presenting the petition. 

 

32.68      The Mayor then put the recommendation to the vote and called on each of the Group Leaders to confirm their position as well as the Groups in turn and each of the Independent Members:

 

Councillor Mac Cafferty stated that the Green Group were in favour of the recommendations as amended and this was confirmed by the Green Group Members;

 

Councillor Platts stated that the Labour Group were in favour of the recommendations as amended and this was confirmed by the Labour Group Members;

 

Councillor Wares stated that the Conservative were in favour of the recommendations as amended and this was confirmed by the Conservative Group Members;

 

Councillor Brennan confirmed that she was in favour of the recommendations as amended;

 

Councillor Fishleigh confirmed that she was in favour of the recommendations as amended;

 

Councillor Janio confirmed that he was against the recommendations as amended;

 

Councillor Knight confirmed that she was in favour of the recommendations as amended.

 

32.69      The Mayor confirmed that the recommendations as amended had been carried.

 

32.70      RESOLVED: That the petition be noted and referred to the Tourism, Equalities, Communities & Culture Committee for consideration.

Supporting documents:

 


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