Agenda item
TO CONSIDER MOTIONS SUBMITTED BY MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL
The motions submitted by Members of the Council for debate at this Council Meeting are set out in agenda item 11.
Decision:
Change to order of business
The meeting agreed under Procedure Rule 14.1.3 to vary the order of business within agenda item 11 as follows:-
(i) Motion 11.11 re: the Bow Gurdwara fire to be taken first
(ii) Motion 11.4 re: control over sex encounter venues to be taken second
(iii) The remaining motions to be taken in order as listed in the agenda.
11.11 Motion submitted by Councillor Fozol Miah regarding Bow Gurdwara fire
The motion as printed in the agenda was moved by Councillor Fozol Miah and seconded by Councillor Abjol Miah.
An amendment moved by Councillor Ohid Ahmed and seconded by Councillor Lutfur Rahman was accepted by the mover and seconder who, with the consent of the meeting, altered their motion accordingly.
The substantive motion as amended was then agreed as follows:
DECISION
This Council notes
a) the terrible fire which destroyed the Gurdwara Sikh Sangat, Harley Grove, Bow on 16th March 2009
b) the anguish, upset and anger this has caused in the Sikh community
c) the efforts of Council officers to ensure that facilities are found for the members of the Gurdwara to continue their worship
d) that the Police are giving the investigation of the causes of the fire and the identification of any perpetrator a very high priority
e) that the concerns for and sympathy with the Bow Gurdwara members and the Sikh Community extends across people of all faiths and none in Tower Hamlets
This Council urges
a) anyone who knows anything about the fire to contact the police and to co-operate fully in their investigation
b) the police and other authorities including the Council to continue to give this issue a very high priority and to provide all the help and support they can to the members of the Bow Gurdwara
This Council expresses the utmost sympathy and solidarity with the members of the Gurdwara Sikh Sangat and the wider Sikh community for this terrible fire which has destroyed a holy place revered across all faith communities and residents of Tower Hamlets.
This Council resolves to continue to offer whatever support is possible to the congregation of the Bow Gurdwara in finding alternative venues until such time as the permanent replacement can be found/constructed.
This Council resolves to do whatever it can to help in the reconstruction of the building or the conversion of an alternative site.
11.4 Motion submitted by Councillor Abjol Miah regarding control over sex encounter venues
The motion as printed in the agenda was moved by Councillor Abjol Miah and seconded by Councillor Harun Miah.
An amendment moved by Councillor Rachael Saunders and seconded by Councillor Rania Khan was accepted by the mover and seconder who, with the consent of the meeting, altered their motion accordingly.
The substantive motion as amended was then agreed as follows:
DECISION
This Council recognizes that the government has responded to the campaign led by Object and supported by Tower Hamlets to tighten up regulation on strip clubs, but is concerned that loopholes are being written into legislation.
Two issues are:
1. Venues providing lap dancing less than once per month will be exempt from the legislation. This will create a loophole for a growing number of venues that fall precisely into that category.
2. The legislation is adoptive. The result will be local residents face a postcode lottery over whether they have a say in lap dancing club license applications. While London local authorities are clearly leading the way in terms of working to gain greater control over lap dancing clubs, not all local authorities in England and Wales are similarly concerned and may choose not to adopt the legislation. In which case local people in those areas would continue to be denied a voice, and there would be an uneven licensing regime.
This Council supports the Fawcett Society and Object campaign to close these loopholes, and resolves to write to the Secretary of State accordingly.
This Council also resolves to provide more educational programmes to raise awareness of the impact of the objectification of women on young girl’s self-esteem, body image and sexual bullying.
Urgent Motion
Councillor Tim Archer MOVED and Councillor Ahmed Hussain SECONDED that Rule 13.2 be suspended to allow a motion on Towing Company ELV and a recent incident on Rainhill Way to be put as a matter of urgency. This was defeated.
Motions 11.1 – 11.3, 11.5 – 11.10 and 11.12 – 11.15 as listed below were not considered due to lack of time, the meeting having closed in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 9 (Duration of meeting).
11.1 Motion submitted by Councillor Tim Archer regarding local bin taxes/Waste Incentive Pilot Schemes
11.2 Motion submitted by Councillor Lutfur Rahman regarding the Bethnal Green Tube Disaster Memorial
11.3 Motion submitted by Councillor Stephanie Eaton regarding future provision of a Multi-Faith burial ground
11.5 Motion submitted by Councillor Peter Golds regarding lighting in Brickfield Gardens
11.6 Motion submitted by Councillor Marc Francis regarding Strangers into Citizens campaign
11.7 Motion submitted by Councillor Tim O’Flaherty regarding eliminating excessive punishment for minor parking offences
11.8 Motion submitted by Councillor Harun Miah regarding market charges and parking
11.9 Motion submitted by Councillor Ahmed Hussain regarding local pharmacies throughout the borough
11.10 Motion submitted by Councillor Alex Heslop regarding support for the co-operative and social enterprise sector
11.12 Motion submitted by Councillor Sirajul Islam regarding condemning homophobia and prejudice
11.13 Motion submitted by Councillor Dulal Uddin regarding proliferation of Tescos
11.14 Motion submitted by Councillor Abdul Munim regarding housing crisis
11.15 Motion submitted by Councillor Mamun Rashid regarding support for Lifelong Learning
Minutes:
Councillor Abjol Miah MOVED and Councillor Stephanie Eaton SECONDED – “That under Rule 14.1.13 the meeting be extended for a further half an hour as provided for in Rule 9.”
On being put to the vote, the procedural motion was defeated.
Change to order of business
Councillor Fozol Miah MOVED and Councillor Joshua Peck SECONDED – “That under Rule 14.1.3 the order of business be changed to allow motion 11.11 to be considered as the next item of business”
On being put to the vote, the procedural motion was agreed.
11.11 Motion submitted by Councillor Fozol Miah regarding Bow Gurdwara fire
The motion as printed in the agenda was moved by Councillor Fozol Miah and seconded by Councillor Abjol Miah.
Councillor Ohid Ahmed MOVED and Councillor Lutfur Rahman SECONDED an amendment as follows:-
“Add to the end of the original motion –
‘This Council resolves to continue to offer whatever support is possible to the congregation of the Bow Gurdwara in finding alternative venues until such time as the permanent replacement can be found/constructed; and
This Council resolves to do whatever it can to help in the reconstruction of the building or the conversion of an alternative site.’”
The amendment was accepted by the mover and seconder of the original motion who, with the consent of the meeting, altered their motion accordingly.
The substantive motion as amended was then put to the vote and was agreed. Accordingly it was
RESOLVED
This Council notes
a) the terrible fire which destroyed the Gurdwara Sikh Sangat, Harley Grove, Bow on 16th March 2009
b) the anguish, upset and anger this has caused in the Sikh community
c) the efforts of Council officers to ensure that facilities are found for the members of the Gurdwara to continue their worship
d) that the Police are giving the investigation of the causes of the fire and the identification of any perpetrator a very high priority
e) that the concerns for and sympathy with the Bow Gurdwara members and the Sikh Community extends across people of all faiths and none in Tower Hamlets
This Council urges
a) anyone who knows anything about the fire to contact the police and to co-operate fully in their investigation
b) the police and other authorities including the Council to continue to give this issue a very high priority and to provide all the help and support they can to the members of the Bow Gurdwara
This Council expresses the utmost sympathy and solidarity with the members of the Gurdwara Sikh Sangat and the wider Sikh community for this terrible fire which has destroyed a holy place revered across all faith communities and residents of Tower Hamlets.
This Council resolves to continue to offer whatever support is possible to the congregation of the Bow Gurdwara in finding alternative venues until such time as the permanent replacement can be found/constructed.
This Council resolves to do whatever it can to help in the reconstruction of the building or the conversion of an alternative site.
Change to order of business
Councillor Abjol Mial MOVED and Councillor Dulal Uddin SECONDED “That under Rule 14.1.3 the order of business be changed to allow motion 11.4 to be considered as the next item.”
On being put to the vote, the procedural motion was agreed.
11.4 Motion submitted by Councillor Abjol Miah regarding control over sex encounter venues
The motion as printed in the agenda was moved by Councillor Abjol Miah and seconded by Councillor Harun Miah.
Councillor Rachael Saunders MOVED and Councillor Rania Khan SECONDED, an amendment as follows:-
“Delete all and insert:-
‘That this Council recognizes that the government has responded to the campaign led by Object and supported by Tower Hamlets to tighten up regulation on strip clubs, but is concerned that loopholes are being written into legislation.
Two issues are:
1. Venues providing lap dancing less than once per month will be exempt from the legislation. This will create a loophole for a growing number of venues that fall precisely into that category.
2. The legislation is adoptive. The result will be local residents face a postcode lottery over whether they have a say in lap dancing club license applications. While London local authorities are clearly leading the way in terms of working to gain greater control over lap dancing clubs, not all local authorities in England and Wales are similarly concerned and may choose not to adopt the legislation. In which case local people in those areas would continue to be denied a voice, and there would be an uneven licensing regime.
This Council supports the Fawcett Society and Object campaign to close these loopholes, and resolves to write to the Secretary of State accordingly.
This Council also resolves to provide more educational programmes to raise awareness of the impact of the objectification of women on young girl’s self-esteem, body image and sexual bullying.’”
The amendment was accepted by the mover and seconder of the original motion who, with the consent of the meeting, altered their motion accordingly.
The substantive motion as amended was then put to the vote and was agreed. Accordingly it was
RESOLVED
This Council recognizes that the government has responded to the campaign led by Object and supported by Tower Hamlets to tighten up regulation on strip clubs, but is concerned that loopholes are being written into legislation.
Two issues are:
1. Venues providing lap dancing less than once per month will be exempt from the legislation. This will create a loophole for a growing number of venues that fall precisely into that category.
2. The legislation is adoptive. The result will be local residents face a postcode lottery over whether they have a say in lap dancing club license applications. While London local authorities are clearly leading the way in terms of working to gain greater control over lap dancing clubs, not all local authorities in England and Wales are similarly concerned and may choose not to adopt the legislation. In which case local people in those areas would continue to be denied a voice, and there would be an uneven licensing regime.
This Council supports the Fawcett Society and Object campaign to close these loopholes, and resolves to write to the Secretary of State accordingly.
This Council also resolves to provide more educational programmes to raise awareness of the impact of the objectification of women on young girl’s self-esteem, body image and sexual bullying.
Urgent Motion
Councillor Tim Archer MOVED and Councillor Ahmed Hussain SECONDED that Rule 13.2 be suspended to allow a motion on Towing Company ELV and a recent incident on Rainhill Way to be put as a matter of urgency.
The procedural motion was put to the vote and was defeated.
The Mayor then closed the meeting in accordance with Rule 9 (duration of meeting). Motions 11.1 – 11.3, 11.5 – 11.10 and 11.12 – 11.15 as listed below were not considered due to lack of time:-
11.1 Motion submitted by Councillor Tim Archer regarding local bin taxes/Waste Incentive Pilot Schemes
11.2 Motion submitted by Councillor Lutfur Rahman regarding the Bethnal Green Tube Disaster Memorial
11.3 Motion submitted by Councillor Stephanie Eaton regarding future provision of a Multi-Faith burial ground
11.5 Motion submitted by Councillor Peter Golds regarding lighting in Brickfield Gardens
11.6 Motion submitted by Councillor Marc Francis regarding Strangers into Citizens campaign
11.7 Motion submitted by Councillor Tim O’Flaherty regarding eliminating excessive punishment for minor parking offences
11.8 Motion submitted by Councillor Harun Miah regarding market charges and parking
11.9 Motion submitted by Councillor Ahmed Hussain regarding local pharmacies throughout the borough
11.10 Motion submitted by Councillor Alex Heslop regarding support for the co-operative and social enterprise sector
11.12 Motion submitted by Councillor Sirajul Islam regarding condemning homophobia and prejudice
11.13 Motion submitted by Councillor Dulal Uddin regarding proliferation of Tescos
11.14 Motion submitted by Councillor Abdul Munim regarding housing crisis
11.15 Motion submitted by Councillor Mamun Rashid regarding support for Lifelong Learning
Supporting documents: