Agenda item

EU Membership Referendum

6.1

RESOLVED: On the motion of Councillor Penny Baker and seconded by Councillor Peter Rippon, that, in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 9.1, the order of business as published on the Council Summons be altered as Notice of Motion 10 had generated significantly increased attendance by members of the public and it was therefore deemed appropriate to take this motion as the next item of business.

6.2

It was moved by Councillor Joe Otten, seconded by Councillor Colin Ross, that this Council:-

(a)      notes the result of the EU referendum;

(b)      condemns the reported rise in racially motivated abuses and attacks on people perceived as immigrants, as racists have been emboldened by the referendum result;

(c)      affirms that Sheffield is a tolerant and inclusive city where racial abuse and violence will not be tolerated and where all EU citizens remain welcome;

(d)      believes that the narrow margin of 52-48% (51-49 % in Sheffield) represents a weak mandate;

(e)      believes that the key promises of the “Leave” campaign on immigration and funding of the NHS unravelled within hours of the result;

(f)       notes early signs of a significant negative impact to the UK economy in the falling pound, the declining stock market, and the downgrading of the UK's credit rating;

(g)      believes that some “Leave” voters will have voted for the open, free-trading, service-sector-based economy proposition of Daniel Hannan, MEP, and Patrick Minford, Professor of Applied Economics, Cardiff University; others for the protectionism and socialism of Labour Leave; others still for the apparent xenophobia of Nigel Farage, MEP and Leader of UKIP; and that these are irreconcilable positions, making it impossible for any Leaver-led government to satisfy the 52%;

(h)      believes that it would be wrong to ignore the 48%, and to regard Brexit as settled, but rather that supporters of EU membership should campaign to try to win back more support, and that if public opinion changes, there should be an opportunity at the ballot box to remain in or rejoin the EU;

(i)       believes that it is in Sheffield's best interests for the UK to remain full members of the EU, and therefore welcomes the Liberal Democrats' policy commitment for the UK to remain in or rejoin the EU;

(j)       believes that with the “Leave” proposition so ill-defined and poorly mandated, and with Government so rudderless, it is more vital than ever for opposition parties, core cities, devolved administrations and others to make clear their demands for a UK withdrawal negotiating position that defends the interests and values of the people they represent; and

(k)      calls on the Administration to demand of the Government in particular that access to the EU marketplace for our manufacturing, participation in EU science programmes, co-operation on security, and regional regeneration funding are not lost as a result of UK withdrawal from the EU.

6.3

Whereupon, it was moved by Councillor Lisa Banes, seconded by Councillor Jackie Satur, as an amendment, that the Motion now submitted be amended by the deletion of paragraphs (d) to (k) and the addition of new paragraphs (d) to (f) as follows:-

(d)       believes that, on balance, it was in the best interest of Sheffield for the UK to remain in the European Union;

(e)       however, respects the outcome of the EU referendum and believes that we must work to ensure all communities pull together as a city to move forward; and

(f)        requests officers to examine the implications of the vote for Sheffield to ensure that our city can prosper outside of the European Union.

6.4

On being put to the vote, the amendment was carried. 

6.5

It was then moved by Councillor Robert Murphy, seconded by Councillor Magid Magid, as an amendment, that the Motion now submitted be amended by the addition of new paragraphs (g) to (m) as follows:-    

(g)       is pleased that so many residents used their right to vote and believes this reinforces the argument for electoral reform in British elections;

(h)       accepts the campaign has opened up divisions in our society and city, and believes an important first step in healing these is recognising the democratic result of the referendum, however much we may dislike it;

(i)        believes that it is important that politicians both locally and nationally recognise that we are in difficult and potentially dangerous times and we need to act responsibly in the best interests of our city and country;

(j)        will campaign to ensure environmental regulations and workers' rights are not watered down by future governments, and that, as far as possible, the benefits of being part of the EU family are not lost;

(k)       will work to identify all confirmed and anticipated EU funding coming in to the city and seek assurances from central government and the new Prime Minister that this money will be replaced from the savings from EU contributions;

(l)        requests officers to:-

(i)        identify all confirmed and anticipated EU funding coming to the city;

(ii)       identify the risks and opportunities for Sheffield in withdrawing from the EU; and

(iii)       report back to a future meeting of the full Council within three months; and

(m)      requests that a copy of this motion be forwarded to all Sheffield Members of Parliament.

6.5.1

(NOTE: With the agreement of the Council and at the request of the mover of the amendment (Councillor Robert Murphy), the amendment as circulated at the meeting was altered so as to propose the seven paragraphs as additional paragraphs to the substantive motion, and not to delete paragraphs (d) to (k) of the motion, as those paragraphs had already been deleted by the passing of the previous amendment.)

6.6

On being put to the vote, paragraphs (j) to (m) of the altered amendment were carried and paragraphs (g) to (i) were negatived.

6.7

Whereupon, it was moved by Councillor Keith Davis, seconded by Councillor Jack Clarkson, as an amendment, that the Motion now submitted be amended by the deletion of all the words after the words “That this Council” and the addition of the following words:-

(a)       notes the result of the referendum on membership of the EU, both locally and nationally;

(b)       totally condemns the reported increase in hate crime, whether it be racial or simply between opposition members of the “Remain”/“Leave” groups, as totally unacceptable;

(c)        believes that Sheffield being “The City of Sanctuary” should continue to support refugees and migrants with legal status, defending and protecting them from racial abuse;

(d)       believes that the “Leave” majority of 52%-48% (51%-49% locally) represents the majority of the British and local people and, as the results fall within the guidelines of the referendum, accepts this result should be upheld irrespective of political belief;

(e)       notes with interest that the early signs of a negative impact have abated and believes that the scaremongering tactics of the “Remain” campaign are being revealed as just that;

(f)        notes the angry response from some “Remain” campaigners and the abuse some “Leave” campaigners have suffered since the “Leave” vote and condemns all such attacks on democracy;

(g)       fully accepts the result of this referendum and pledges to work together, cross party, to implement the necessary actions needed to prepare for “Brexit”;

(h)       respects the choice of our community, with a vast number of votes coming from deprived areas where many migrants are housed;

(i)         believes that this rudderless Government and the weak Opposition, along with all political parties, should now pull together to develop a smooth process for “Brexit” and instigate Article 50 of the Treaty of Lisbon when it considers it is the right time to do so, thereby commencing the two year exit period;

(j)        suggests this Administration works closely with local companies to ensure they are kept fully aware of progress; and

(k)        believes that whatever the political belief, this Authority will work cross party to support the wishes of the majority of the community to leave the European Union.

6.8

Following a right of reply from Councillor Joe Otten, the amendment was put to the vote and negatived.

6.9

The original Motion, as amended, was then put to the vote as a Substantive Motion in the following form:-

“That this Council:-

(a)       notes the result of the EU referendum;

(b)       condemns the reported rise in racially motivated abuses and attacks on people perceived as immigrants, as racists have been emboldened by the referendum result;

(c)        affirms that Sheffield is a tolerant and inclusive city where racial abuse and violence will not be tolerated and where all EU citizens remain welcome;

(d)       believes that, on balance, it was in the best interest of Sheffield for the UK to remain in the European Union;

(e)       however, respects the outcome of the EU referendum and believes that we must work to ensure all communities pull together as a city to move forward;

(f)        requests officers to examine the implications of the vote for Sheffield to ensure that our city can prosper outside of the European Union;

(g)       will campaign to ensure environmental regulations and workers’ rights are not watered down by future governments, and that, as far as possible, the benefits of being part of the EU family are not lost;

(h)       will work to identify all confirmed and anticipated EU funding coming in to the city and seek assurances from central government and the new Prime Minister that this money will be replaced from the savings from EU contributions;

            requests officers to:-

            (i)      identify all confirmed and anticipated EU funding coming to the City,

            (ii)     identify the risks and opportunities for Sheffield in withdrawing from the EU; and

            (iii)    report back to a future meeting of the full Council within three months; and

(j)        requests that a copy of this motion be forwarded to all Sheffield Members of Parliament;

(NOTE: 1. Paragraphs (a) to (g) of the Substantive Motion were carried and paragraphs (h) to (j) were negatived.

2. Councillors Andy Nash, Bob Pullin, Richard Shaw, Adam Hanrahan, Joe Otten, Colin Ross, Martin Smith, Roger Davison, Shaffaq Mohammed, Sue Alston, Andrew Sangar, Cliff Woodcraft, Ian Auckland, Sue Auckland, Steve Ayris, David Baker, Penny Baker and Vickie Priestley voted for paragraphs (a) to (c) and (g) to (j) and abstained from voting on paragraphs (d) to (f) of the Substantive Motion and asked for this to be recorded.)

6.10

As a result of the vote, the motion approved was as follows:-

RESOLVED: That this Council:-

(a)       notes the result of the EU referendum;

(b)       condemns the reported rise in racially motivated abuses and attacks on people perceived as immigrants, as racists have been emboldened by the referendum result;

(c)        affirms that Sheffield is a tolerant and inclusive city where racial abuse and violence will not be tolerated and where all EU citizens remain welcome;

(d)       believes that, on balance, it was in the best interest of Sheffield for the UK to remain in the European Union;

(e)       however, respects the outcome of the EU referendum and believes that we must work to ensure all communities pull together as a city to move forward;

(f)        requests officers to examine the implications of the vote for Sheffield to ensure that our city can prosper outside of the European Union; and

(g)       will campaign to ensure environmental regulations and workers' rights are not watered down by future governments, and that, as far as possible, the benefits of being part of the EU family are not lost.