Agenda item

To debate the following motions which have been submitted with advance notice, in accordance with the constitution.

Adoption of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance working definition of anti-Semitism

In December 2016, the Government formally adopted the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance the following working definition of anti-Semitism:

“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.”

The full text of the definition is included in your agenda pack.

The definition, although legally non-binding, is an important tool for public bodies to understand how anti-Semitism manifests itself in the 21st century, as it gives examples of the kind of behaviours which depending on the circumstances could constitute anti- Semitism.

The Rt Hon Sajid Javid MP has written to all local authority Leaders (attached) about the Government’s adoption of the working definition of anti-Semitism reminding us that anti-Semitism continues to be a problem in this country and encouraging us to formally adopt the definition ourselves. I therefore propose that CDC adopts the working definition of anti-Semitism.   

Proposer: Councillor Barry Wood

Condition of BT Phones Boxes in the District

BT phone boxes around our district are in a very poor condition. The advertisement on many has been left to peel rather than be replaced. The poor condition of the phone boxes are a magnet for regular vandalism and the disposal of rubbish. This problem is not restricted to a few street corners, but also to our town centres. Royal Mail look after their post boxes, why can't BT look after their phone box's?

I move that council formally request BT tidy up and clean up their phone box's around our district. We want them presentable, on the inside and out, or we do not want them at all.

Proposer: Councillor Sean Gaul

Seconder: Councillor Barry Wood

Public Sector Pay Cap

This council notes that by restraining the remit of the pay review bodies to a maximum uplift of no more than one per cent, since 2010 the government has cut in real terms the pay of public sector staff including nurses, firefighters, police officers and the armed forces. This has had a detrimental impact on morale, recruitment and retention at a time when demand for services is on the increase. This council thus calls on the government to scrap the cap on public sector pay and restore the independence of pay review bodies.

Proposer: Councillor Sean Woodcock

Seconder: Councillor Barry Richards

Resolved

(1)          That the following motion be adopted:

Adoption of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance working definition of anti-Semitism

That Cherwell District Council adopt the following working definition of anti-Semitism:    

“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.”

(2)          That the following motion, as amended, be adopted:

Condition of BT Phones Boxes in the District

That Cherwell District Council formally request BT tidy up and clean up their phone boxes around our district. We want them presentable, on the inside and out.

(3)          That the following motion, as amended, be adopted:

Public Sector Pay Cap

This council notes that by restraining the remit of the pay review bodies to a maximum uplift of no more than one percent there has been an impact on public sector staff including nurses, teachers, firefighters, police officers, the armed forces and the civil service. This has affected morale, recruitment and retention at a time when demand for services is on the increase. This council thus calls on the government to move to a more flexible position on public sector pay.

a)            Adoption of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance working definition of anti-Semitism

It was moved by Councillor Wood, and seconded by Councillor Hussain, that the following motion be adopted:

“In December 2016, the Government formally adopted the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance the following working definition of anti-Semitism:

“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.”

The definition, although legally non-binding, is an important tool for public bodies to understand how anti-Semitism manifests itself in the 21st century, as it gives examples of the kind of behaviours which depending on the circumstances could constitute anti- Semitism.

The Rt Hon Sajid Javid MP has written to all local authority Leaders about the Government’s adoption of the working definition of anti-Semitism reminding us that anti-Semitism continues to be a problem in this country and encouraging us to formally adopt the definition ourselves. I therefore propose that CDC adopts the working definition of anti-Semitism. “  

The motion was debated and subsequently agreed.

b)        Condition of BT Phones Boxes in the District

It was moved by Councillor Wood, and seconded by Councillor Hussain, that the following motion be adopted:

“BT phone boxes around our district are in a very poor condition. The advertisement on many has been left to peel rather than be replaced. The poor condition of the phone boxes are a magnet for regular vandalism and the disposal of rubbish. This problem is not restricted to a few street corners, but also to our town centres. Royal Mail look after their post boxes, why can't BT look after their phone box's?

I move that council formally request BT tidy up and clean up their phone box's around our district. We want them presentable, on the inside and out, or we do not want them at all.”

In the course of the debate, Councillor Richards proposed an amendment to the motion to delete the words “or we do not want them at all”, which was duly seconded by Councillor Woodcock:

On being put to the vote, the amendment was approved. The motion as amended was debated and on being put to the vote, was supported.

c)         Public Sector Pay Cap

It was moved by Councillor Woodcock, and seconded by Councillor Richards, that the following motion be adopted:

“This council notes that by restraining the remit of the pay review bodies to a maximum uplift of no more than one per cent, since 2010 the government has cut in real terms the pay of public sector staff including nurses, firefighters, police officers and the armed forces. This has had a detrimental impact on morale, recruitment and retention at a time when demand for services is on the increase. This council thus calls on the government to scrap the cap on public sector pay and restore the independence of pay review bodies.”

The following amendments to the motion were proposed by Councillor Wood and duly seconded by Councillor Reynolds.

“This council notes that by restraining the remit of the pay review bodies to a maximum uplift of no more than one percent there has been an impact on public sector staff including nurses, teachers, firefighters, police officers, the armed forces and the civil service. This has affected morale, recruitment and retention at a time when demand for services is on the increase. This council thus calls on the government to move to a more flexible position on public sector pay.”

On being put to the vote, the amendment was approved. The motion as amended was debated and on being put to the vote, was supported.

Resolved

(1)          That the following motion be adopted:

Adoption of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance working definition of anti-Semitism

That Cherwell District Council adopt the following working definition of anti-Semitism:    

“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.”

(2)          That the following motion, as amended, be adopted:

Condition of BT Phones Boxes in the District

That Cherwell District Council formally request BT tidy up and clean up their phone boxes around our district. We want them presentable, on the inside and out.

(3)          That the following motion, as amended, be adopted:

Public Sector Pay Cap

This council notes that by restraining the remit of the pay review bodies to a maximum uplift of no more than one percent there has been an impact on public sector staff including nurses, teachers, firefighters, police officers, the armed forces and the civil service. This has affected morale, recruitment and retention at a time when demand for services is on the increase. This council thus calls on the government to move to a more flexible position on public sector pay.