1. PROPOSED BY COUNCILLOR PULLEN
“For many years Gloucester has been home to a wide and diverse community with people from many nationalities, faiths and cultures living in the city.
The city has been pleased to offer homes to people from all backgrounds and has strived to be a welcoming and friendly place.
Gloucester recognises the contribution that people from diverse cultures and faiths make to the city and values the positive part they play.
Gloucester is committed to welcoming asylum seekers, refugees and those fleeing violence and conflict.
This council therefore wishes for the good work that is already in place to be further developed and recognised by supporting Gloucester to become a City of Sanctuary.
Whilst there are many aspects of good practice in place there is still a process to go through to ensure that the whole city fully understands and meets the City of Sanctuary framework. Specifically, this would include:
· Continuing to develop a culture of welcome, respect and hospitality for people from all backgrounds and particularly for those seeking sanctuary.
· Valuing the contribution those seeking sanctuary can make to the city.
· Developing a plan to work towards greater inclusion and equality for people seeking sanctuary.
· Creating greater public awareness of the needs and issues faced by those seeking sanctuary across the whole city, through a range of initiatives, projects and activities.
Council resolves:
1. To seek recognition as a City of Sanctuary.
2. To sign up to the City of Sanctuary Charter and its principles and values.
3. Join the City of Sanctuary local authority network.
4. To set up a task and finish group to oversee the process working in partnership with key partners and community groups to establish a timetable and action plan for achieving City of Sanctuary status.
5. That an initial report be bought to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee and Cabinet at the earliest possible opportunity outlining the actions needed to obtain City of Sanctuary designation.”
2. PROPOSED BY COUNCILLOR HYMAN
“This Council supports the Government in its commitment to abolish conversion therapy. It notes the consultation period which ends on 10th December and requests the Managing Director to complete the online consultation form on behalf of the City Council (https://equalityhub.citizenspace.com/government-equalities-office/banning-conversion-therapy/). Abolishing conversion therapy would help the work of support groups.
Conversion therapy is the practice of attempting to change an individual's sexual orientation from homosexual or bisexual to heterosexual using psychological, physical, or spiritual interventions. There is no actual evidence that sexual orientation can be changed and medical institutions warn that conversion therapy practices are ineffective and potentially harmful.
This Council considers, therefore, conversion therapy to be a barbaric outdated practice which has caused immeasurable harm to many both physically and mentally. It has no place in a civilised society.
Section 149 of the Equality Act 2010 places a public sector equality duty on the council to eliminate harassment and victimisation and to foster good relations between persons who share or don’t share a protected characteristic. Therefore, someone with a protected characteristic should not try to change that of another by conversion therapy.
This Council urges the Government to ban conversion practices outright whether 5 they be by physical means, such as electric shock treatment or hormone therapy, or by counselling including exorcisms. There is plenty of evidence from survivors that these methods do not work and adverse effects can include shame, guilt, depression, suicide, sacrificed same sex relationships, experimental opposite sex marriages, self-imposed isolation and loneliness. The list goes on.
This Council notes the current proposals allow adults to give “informed consent”. This is usually when people are at their most vulnerable. This Council urges the Government not to allow anti LGBT opinion to water down the legislation making it less effective.”
3. PROPOSED BY COUNCILLOR HILTON
“This council agrees that the kerbside collection of plastics and other materials for recycling is a positive action this council can take to protect the environment.
This council notes that the city council’s contractor Urbaser has been failing to meet its contractual obligations to collect dry waste put out for recycling, with neighbourhoods across the city suffering from missed collections.
This council calls on the cabinet to take urgent action to rectify the situation and to restore the weekly collection of dry recyclable materials so that no area of the city is missed out in the future.”
4. PROPOSED BY COUNCILLOR FIELD
“Council notes that Small Business Saturday 2021 is coming up on 4th December. Small Business Saturday has grown into a significant event – with a record £1.1 billion spent with small businesses during last year’s event.
Council recognises that this is an excellent opportunity to promote small businesses in Gloucester and to celebrate the contribution smaller businesses make to our city.
Council believes that Small Businesses are the heart and soul of our local high streets. It is only by supporting our local independent businesses that we can also help our local high streets to thrive.
Council resolves to:
(a) Ask the Leader of the Council to ensure that the Council participates fully in Small Business Saturday on 4th December 2021.
(b) Request that officers work closely with local business organisations and smaller enterprises across Gloucester to make them aware of the day and encourage them to sign up.
(c) Ensure that Small Business Saturday is promoted thoroughly and prominently on the Council’s website, social media channels and other external communications.
(d) Develop a year round communications plan to continue promoting local small businesses and encouraging residents in Gloucester to shop small and shop local all year round.
(e) Investigate further ways to increase shopper numbers around Small Business Saturday and in the lead up to Christmas – such as free car parking in the city centre on busy shopping days – and establish a regular programme of measures to support small businesses.”
Minutes:
Motion from the Labour Group
52.1 Councillor Pullen moved and Councillor Chambers-Dubus seconded thefollowing motion:
“For many years Gloucester has been home to a wide and diversecommunity with people from many nationalities, faiths and cultures living inthe city. The city has been pleased to offer homes to people from all backgroundsand has strived to be a welcoming and friendly place. Gloucester recognises the contribution that people from diverse cultures andfaiths make to the city and values the positive part they play. Gloucester is committed to welcoming asylum seekers, refugees and thosefleeing violence and conflict.
This council therefore wishes for the good work that is already in place to befurther developed and recognised by supporting Gloucester to become a Cityof Sanctuary.
Whilst there are many aspects of good practice in place there is still aprocess to go through to ensure that the whole city fully understands and meets the City of Sanctuary framework. Specifically, this would include:
- Continuing to develop a culture of welcome, respect and hospitality for people from all backgrounds and particularly for those seeking sanctuary.
- Valuing the contribution those seeking sanctuary can make to the city.
- Developing a plan to work towards greater inclusion and equality for people seeking sanctuary.
- Creating greater public awareness of the needs and issues faced by those seeking sanctuary across the whole city, through a range of initiatives, projects and activities.
Council Resolves:
(1) To seek recognition as a City of Sanctuary.
(2) To sign up to the City of Sanctuary Charter and its principles and values.
(3) Join the City of Sanctuary local authority network.
(4) To set up a task and finish group to oversee the process working in partnership with key partners and community groups to establish a timetable and action plan for achieving City of Sanctuary status.
(5) That an initial report be bought to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee and Cabinet at the earliest possible opportunity outlining the actions needed to obtain City of Sanctuary designation.”
52.2 Councillor Hudson proposed and Councillor Lewis seconded the followingamendment:
“For many years Gloucester has been home to a wide and diversecommunity with people from many nationalities, faiths and cultures living inthe city. The city has been pleased to offer homes to people from all backgroundsand has strived to be a welcoming and friendly place. Gloucester recognises the contribution that people from diverse cultures andfaiths make to the city and values the positive part they play. Gloucester is committed to welcoming asylum seekers, refugees and thosefleeing violence and conflict.
This council therefore wishes for the good work that is already in place to be further developed and recognised by supporting Gloucester to become a City of Sanctuary.
Whilst there are many aspects of good practice in place there is still a process to go through to ensure that the whole city fully understands and meets the City of Sanctuary framework. Specifically, this would include:
- Continuing to develop a culture of welcome, respect and hospitality for people from all backgrounds and particularly for those seeking sanctuary.
- Valuing the contribution those seeking sanctuary can make to the city.
- Developing a plan to work towards greater inclusion and equality for people seeking sanctuary.
- Creating greater public awareness of the needs and issues faced by those seeking sanctuary across the whole city, through a range of initiatives, projects and activities.
Council Resolves:
(1) To seek recognition as a City of Sanctuary.
(2)
To sign up work to embed the City of Sanctuary
Charter and its principles and values in our policies and work,
where appropriate and promote these with all partners and
voluntary organisations.
(3)
Join the City of Sanctuary local authority network.
(4)
To set up a task and finish group to oversee the process working
in partnership with key partners and community groups to establish
a timetable and action plan for achieving City of Sanctuary
status.
(5)
That an initial report be bought to the Overview and Scrutiny
Committee and Cabinet at the earliest possible opportunity
outlining the actions needed to obtain City of Sanctuary
designation.”
(3) To work towards the criteria to register for local authority status as part of the City of Sanctuary network.
(4) To bring forward a report to Cabinet to update on the progress
made towards achieving City of Sanctuary status in 12 months’ time to determine future actions.”
52.3 The amendment was accepted and became the substantive motion. This was put to the vote and was carried.
52.4 RESOLVED that: -
“For many years Gloucester has been home to a wide and diversecommunity with people from many nationalities, faiths and cultures living inthe city. The city has been pleased to offer homes to people from all backgroundsand has strived to be a welcoming and friendly place. Gloucester recognises the contribution that people from diverse cultures andfaiths make to the city and values the positive part they play. Gloucester is committed to welcoming asylum seekers, refugees and thosefleeing violence and conflict.
This council therefore wishes for the good work that is already in place to be further developed and recognised by supporting Gloucester to bcome a City of Sanctuary.
Whilst there are many aspects of good practice in place there is still a process to go through to ensure that the whole city fully understands and meets the City of Sanctuary framework. Specifically, this would include:
- Continuing to develop a culture of welcome, respect and hospitality for people from all backgrounds and particularly for those seeking sanctuary.
- Valuing the contribution those seeking sanctuary can make to the city.
- Developing a plan to work towards greater inclusion and equality for people seeking sanctuary.
- Creating greater public awareness of the needs and issues faced by those seeking sanctuary across the whole city, through a range of initiatives, projects and activities.
Council Resolves:
(1) To seek recognition as a City of Sanctuary.
(2) To work to embed the City of Sanctuary Charter and its principles and values in our policies and work, where appropriate and promote these with all partners and voluntary organisations.
(3) To work towards the criteria to register for local authority status as part of the City of Sanctuary network.
(4) To bring forward a report to Cabinet to update on the progress made towards achieving City of Sanctuary status in 12 months’ time to determine future actions.”
Motion from the Liberal Democrat Group
52.5 Councillor Hyman proposed and Councillor Wilson seconded the following motion:
“This Council supports the Government in its commitment to abolish conversion therapy. It notes the consultation period which ends on 10th December and requests the Managing Director to complete the online consultation form on behalf of the City Council (https://equalityhub.citizenspace.com/government-equalities-office/banning-conversion-therapy/ ). Abolishing conversion therapy would help the work of support groups.
Conversion therapy is the practice of attempting to change an individual's sexual orientation from homosexual or bisexual to heterosexual using psychological, physical, or spiritual interventions. There is no actual evidence that sexual orientation can be changed and medical institutions warn that conversion therapy practices are ineffective and potentially harmful. This Council considers, therefore, conversion therapy to be a barbaric outdated practice which has caused immeasurable harm to many both physically and mentally. It has no place in a civilised society.
Section 149 of the Equality Act 2010 places a public sector equality duty on the council to eliminate harassment and victimisation and to foster good relations between persons who share or don’t share a protected characteristic. Therefore, someone with a protected characteristic should not try to change that of another by conversion therapy.
This Council urges the Government to ban conversion practices outright whether they be by physical means, such as electric shock treatment or hormone therapy, or by counselling including exorcisms. There is plenty of evidence from survivors that these methods do not work and adverse effects can include shame, guilt, depression, suicide, sacrificed same sex relationships, experimental opposite sex marriages, self-imposed isolation and loneliness. The list goes on.
This Council notes the current proposals allow adults to give “informed consent”. This is usually when people are at their most vulnerable. This Council urges the Government not to allow anti LGBT opinion to water down the legislation making it less effective.”
52.6 Councillor Hudson proposed and Councillor Lewis seconded the following amendment:
“This Council supports the Government in its commitment to abolish conversion therapy. It notes the consultation period which ends on 10th December and requests the Managing Director to complete the online consultation form on behalf of the City Council (https://equalityhub.citizenspace.com/government-equalities-office/banning- conversion-therapy/ ). Abolishing conversion therapy would help the work of support groups.
Conversion therapy is the practice of attempting to change an individual's sexual orientation from homosexual or bisexual to heterosexual using psychological, physical, or spiritual interventions. There is no actual evidence that sexual orientation can be changed and medical institutions warn that conversion therapy practices are ineffective and potentially harmful. This Council considers, therefore, conversion therapy to be a barbaric outdated practice which has caused immeasurable harm to many both physically and mentally. It has no place in a civilised society and this Council fully endorses the work being carried out by the Government.
Section 149 of
the Equality Act 2010 places a public sector equality duty on
the council to eliminate harassment and victimisation and to
foster good relations between persons who share or
don’t share a protected characteristic. Therefore,
someone with a protected characteristic should not try to change
that of another by conversion therapy.
This Council
urges the Government to ban conversion practices outright
whether they be by physical means, such as electric shock
treatment or hormone therapy, or by counselling including
exorcisms. There is plenty of evidence from survivors that
these methods do not work and adverse
effects can include shame, guilt, depression, suicide,
sacrificed same sex relationships, experimental opposite sex
marriages, self-imposed isolation and loneliness. The list goes
on.
This Council notes the current proposals allow adults to give “informed consent”. This is usually when people are at their most vulnerable. This Council urges the Government not to allow anti LGBT opinion to water down the legislation making it less effective.”
52.7 The amendment was accepted and became the substantive motion. This was put to the vote and was carried.
52.8 RESOLVED that:-
This Council supports the Government in its commitment to abolish conversion therapy. It notes the consultation period which ends on 10th December and requests the Managing Director to complete the online consultation form on behalf of the City Council (https://equalityhub.citizenspace.com/government-equalities-office/banning- conversion-therapy/ ). Abolishing conversion therapy would help the work of support groups.
Conversion therapy is the practice of attempting to change an individual's sexual orientation from homosexual or bisexual to heterosexual using psychological, physical, or spiritual interventions. There is no actual evidence that sexual orientation can be changed and medical institutions warn that conversion therapy practices are ineffective and potentially harmful. This Council considers, therefore, conversion therapy to be a barbaric outdated practice which has caused immeasurable harm to many both physically and mentally. It has no place in a civilised society and this Council fully endorses the work being carried out by the Government.
This Council notes the current proposals allow adults to give “informed consent”. This is usually when people are at their most vulnerable. This Council urges the Government not to allow anti LGBT opinion to water down the legislation making it less effective.
Motion from the Liberal Democrat Group
52.9 Councillor Hilton proposed and Councillor Field seconded the following motion:
“This council agrees that the kerbside collection of plastics and other materials for recycling is a positive action this council can take to protect the environment.
This council notes that the city council’s contractor Urbaser has been failing to meet its contractual obligations to collect dry waste put out for recycling, with neighbourhoods across the city suffering from missed collections.
This council calls on the cabinet to take urgent action to rectify the situation and to restore the weekly collection of dry recyclable materials so that no area of the city is missed out in the future.”
52.10 The motion was put to the vote and was lost.
Motion from the Liberal Democrat Group
52.11 Councillor Field proposed and Councillor Conder proposed the following motion:
“Council notes that Small Business Saturday 2021 is coming up on 4th December. Small Business Saturday has grown into a significant event – with a record £1.1 billion spent with small businesses during last year’s event. Council recognises that this is an excellent opportunity to promote small businesses in Gloucester and to celebrate the contribution smaller businesses make to our city.
Council believes that Small Businesses are the heart and soul of our local high streets. It is only by supporting our local independent businesses that we can also help our local high streets to thrive.
Council resolves to:
(a) Ask the Leader of the Council to ensure that the Council participates fully in Small Business Saturday on 4th December 2021.
(b) Request that officers work closely with local business organisations and smaller enterprises across Gloucester to make them aware of the day and encourage them to sign up.
(c) Ensure that Small Business Saturday is promoted thoroughly and prominently on the Council’s website, social media channels and other external communications.
(d) Develop a year round communications plan to continue promoting local small businesses and encouraging residents in Gloucester to shop small and shop local all year round.
(e) Investigate further ways to increase shopper numbers around Small Business Saturday and in the lead up to Christmas – such as free car parking in the city centre on busy shopping days – and establish a regular programme of measures to support small businesses.
52.12 The motion was put to the vote and was carried.
52.13 RESOLVED that:-
“Council notes that Small Business Saturday 2021 is coming up on 4th December. Small Business Saturday has grown into a significant event – with a record £1.1 billion spent with small businesses during last year’s event. Council recognises that this is an excellent opportunity to promote small businesses in Gloucester and to celebrate the contribution smaller businesses make to our city.
Council believes that Small Businesses are the heart and soul of our local high streets. It is only by supporting our local independent businesses that we can also help our local high streets to thrive.
Council resolves to:
(a) Ask the Leader of the Council to ensure that the Council participates fully in Small Business Saturday on 4th December 2021.
(b) Request that officers work closely with local business organisations and smaller enterprises across Gloucester to make them aware of the day and encourage them to sign up.
(c) Ensure that Small Business Saturday is promoted thoroughly and prominently on the Council’s website, social media channels and other external communications.
(d) Develop a year round communications plan to continue promoting local small businesses and encouraging residents in Gloucester to shop small and shop local all year round.
(e) Investigate further ways to increase shopper numbers around Small Business Saturday and in the lead up to Christmas – such as free car parking in the city centre on busy shopping days – and establish a regular programme of measures to support small businesses.