Agenda item

8.1

It was moved by Councillor Zahira Naz, and seconded by Councillor Ibby Ullah, that this Council:-

(a)      believes that our diversity is our greatest strength;

(b)      is proud that Sheffield is a welcoming city for people seeking asylum and is proud that we are a City of Sanctuary;

(c)      believes that the violence we saw across the country, and in South Yorkshire, last month was not protest, but far-right hate;

(d)      condemns those who tried to divide us by targeting asylum seekers, Muslims and minority communities and condemns everyone who engaged in criminal acts of violence and hate on the streets and online;

(e)      believes that racism and Islamophobia hurts all communities and creates fear and pain;

(f)       will not tolerate attacks on mosques or on Muslim communities;

(g)      is proud of the citywide response to the violence and records its appreciation and thanks to:-

(i)       the people of Sheffield who came together in a spirit of unity and compassion to reject racism and hate;

(ii)       Sheffield City Council staff for their hard work to support communities and particularly notes the work of Local Area Committee staff to coordinate the response;

(iii)      the voluntary, community, social enterprise and faith sector for their work to protect and reassure communities;

(iv)      South Yorkshire Police for their work to protect and support local communities, and sends its best wishes to all officers who were injured in the line of duty; and

(v)      the criminal justice system for taking swift action against those who broke the law;

(h)      believes that the Council’s work to reassure and engage with communities has highlighted excellent practice and partnership working, and further believes that learning from the past month should be captured to develop the Council’s community engagement and partnership work and to develop and strengthen our work on promoting community cohesion; and

(i)       resolves to continue to:-

(i)       celebrate our diversity and to stand firm against all forms of racism and Islamophobia, discrimination, and violence; and

(ii)       support our communities, promote unity and ensure that Sheffield remains a welcoming city.

8.2

Whereupon, it was moved by Councillor Andrew Sangar, and seconded by Councillor Shaffaq Mohammed, as an amendment, that the Motion now submitted be amended by the addition of a new paragraph (h) as follows and the re-lettering of original paragraphs (h) and (i) as new paragraphs (i) and (j):-

(h)      believes that community cohesion can be further achieved by allowing asylum seekers to work, and so integrate themselves into their communities and support the local economy;

8.3

It was then moved by Councillor Toby Mallinson, and seconded by Councillor Alexi Dimond, as an amendment, that the Motion now submitted be amended by:-

1.       the addition of new paragraphs (h) and (i) as follows, and the re-lettering of the original paragraph (h) as a new paragraph (j):-

(h)      therefore regrets that the Council has not declared Sheffield an Israeli apartheid free zone;

(i)       notes the “Israel Premier Tech Pro-Cycling Team” has funding connections to the Israeli Government and therefore regrets that it will be competing in the Tour of Britain;

2.       the addition of new paragraphs (k) to (p) as follows, and the re-lettering of the original paragraph (i) as a new paragraph (q):-

(k)      believes the divisive rhetoric of some mainstream politicians and media has fuelled the recent violence and the ‘Stop the Boats’ narrative has contributed to division;

(l)       notes comments by Dame Sara Khan, former independent adviser for social cohesion and resilience, that successive governments have failed the British people and left local authorities struggling to deal with consistent extremist challenges;

(m)     recognises that migrants have always contributed to our society and that segregation of asylum-seekers into different systems for homelessness, destitution and work creates further division;

(n)      condemns the ongoing policy of austerity, which causes hardship and resentment amongst the communities most left behind;

(o)      resolves to ask the Chief Executive to write to the Prime Minister with a copy of this motion and to ask him to consider implementing the recommendations of the Khan Review;

(p)      resolves to encourage every Sheffield elected member to work to ensure that dialogue around migration is not framed negatively, instead highlighting the human and ethical aspects, and the many positive economic and cultural benefits, of migration.

8.4

It was then moved by Councillor Qais Al-Ahdal, and seconded by Councillor Douglas Johnson, as an amendment, that the Motion now submitted be amended by:-

1.       the addition of a new paragraph (f) as follows and the re-lettering of the original paragraphs (f) to (h) as new paragraphs (g) to (i):-

(f)       believes that divisive rhetoric made by politicians such as Nigel Farage and Sir Keir Starmer against minoritised groups further exacerbates an already alarming rate of Islamophobia;

2.       the addition of a new paragraph (j) as follows and the re-lettering of the original paragraph (i) as a new paragraph (k):-

(j)       believes that councillors should speak against racist/Islamophobic rhetoric and actions of affiliated party members or party leaders.

8.5

After contributions from two other Members, and following a right of reply from Councillor Zahira Naz, the amendment moved by Councillor Andrew Sangar was put to the vote and was carried.

8.5.1

(NOTE: The result of the vote was FOR - 35 Members; AGAINST - 0 Members; ABSTENTIONS – 37 Members.) 

8.6

The amendment moved by Councillor Toby Mallinson was then put to the vote and was carried, except for Part 1 and paragraph (n) in Part 2 of the amendment, which were lost.

8.6.1

The votes on that Amendment were ordered to be recorded and were as follows:-

For Part 1 of the Amendment (12)

-

Councillors Maleiki Haybe, Brian Holmshaw, Douglas Johnson, Ruth Mersereau, Martin Phipps, Qais Al-Ahdal, Alexi Dimond, Marieanne Elliot, Paul Turpin, Christine Gilligan Kubo, Toby Mallinson and Henry Nottage.

Against Part 1 of the Amendment (56)

-

The Deputy Lord Mayor (Councillor Safiya Saeed) and Councillors Richard Shaw, Sophie Thornton, Kurtis Crossland, Ian Horner, Ann Woolhouse, Matthew Dwyer, Karen McGowan, Talib Hussain, Mark Jones, Tim Huggan, Ruth Milsom, Minesh Parekh, Mary Lea, Zahira Naz, Joe Otten, Martin Smith, Craig Gamble Pugh, Robert Reiss, Alan Woodcock, Barbara Masters, Shaffaq Mohammed, Fran Belbin, Nikki Belfield, Sue Alston, Andrew Sangar, Cliff Woodcraft, Steve Ayris, Rob Bannister, Mohammed Mahroof, Elle Dodd, Laura Moynahan, Glynis Chapman, Tony Downing, Gail Smith, Nighat Basharat,Ibby Ullah, Mia Drazaic, Ben Miskell, David Barker, Mike Drabble, Dawn Dale, Mark Rusling, Mike Chaplin, Gareth Slater, Penny Baker, Will Sapwell, Janet Ridler, Mark Whittaker, Tom Hunt, Laura McClean, John Wright, Alan Hooper, Mike Levery, Ann Whitaker and Mick Rooney.

Abstained from voting on Part 1 of the Amendment (5)

-

The Lord Mayor (Councillor Jayne Dunn) and Councillors Denise Fox, Terry Fox, Dianne Hurst and Julie Grocutt.

For paragraphs (k), (l), (m) & (p) in Part 2 of the Amendment (36)

-

Councillors Richard Shaw, Sophie Thornton, Kurtis Crossland, Ian Horner, Ann Woolhouse, Maleiki Haybe, Brian Holmshaw, Douglas Johnson, Ruth Mersereau, Martin Phipps, Tim Huggan, Qais Al-Ahdal, Joe Otten, Martin Smith, Robert Reiss, Alan Woodcock, Barbara Masters, Shaffaq Mohammed, Sue Alston, Andrew Sangar, Cliff Woodcraft, Alexi Dimond, Marieanne Elliot, Paul Turpin, Steve Ayris, Mohammed Mahroof, Christine Gilligan Kubo, Toby Mallinson, Henry Nottage, Glynis Chapman, Gail Smith, Penny Baker, Will Sapwell, Alan Hooper, Mike Levery and Ann Whitaker.

Against paragraphs (k), (l), (m) & (p) in Part 2 of the Amendment (32)

-

The Deputy Lord Mayor (Councillor Safiya Saeed) and Councillors Matthew Dwyer, Karen McGowan, Talib Hussain, Mark Jones, Ruth Milsom, Minesh Parekh, Mary Lea, Zahira Naz, Craig Gamble Pugh, Fran Belbin, Nikki Belfield, Rob Bannister, Elle Dodd, Laura Moynahan, Tony Downing, Nighat Basharat, Ibby Ullah, Mia Drazaic, Ben Miskell, David Barker, Mike Drabble, Dawn Dale, Mark Rusling, Mike Chaplin, Gareth Slater, Janet Ridler, Mark Whittaker, Tom Hunt, Laura McClean, John Wright and Mick Rooney.

Abstained from voting on paragraphs (k), (l), (m) & (p) in Part 2 of the Amendment (5)

-

The Lord Mayor (Councillor Jayne Dunn) and Councillors Denise Fox, Terry Fox, Dianne Hurst and Julie Grocutt.

For paragraph (n) in Part 2 of the Amendment (12)

-

Councillors Maleiki Haybe, Brian Holmshaw, Douglas Johnson, Ruth Mersereau, Martin Phipps, Qais Al-Ahdal, Alexi Dimond, Marieanne Elliot, Paul Turpin, Christine Gilligan Kubo, Toby Mallinson and Henry Nottage.

Against paragraph (n) in Part 2 of the Amendment (56)

-

The Deputy Lord Mayor (Councillor Safiya Saeed) and Councillors Richard Shaw, Sophie Thornton, Kurtis Crossland, Ian Horner, Ann Woolhouse, Matthew Dwyer, Karen McGowan, Talib Hussain, Mark Jones, Tim Huggan, Ruth Milsom, Minesh Parekh, Mary Lea, Zahira Naz, Joe Otten, Martin Smith, Craig Gamble Pugh, Robert Reiss, Alan Woodcock, Barbara Masters, Shaffaq Mohammed, Fran Belbin, Nikki Belfield, Sue Alston, Andrew Sangar, Cliff Woodcraft, Steve Ayris, Rob Bannister, Mohammed Mahroof, Elle Dodd, Laura Moynahan, Glynis Chapman, Tony Downing, Gail Smith, Nighat Basharat,Ibby Ullah, Mia Drazaic, Ben Miskell, David Barker, Mike Drabble, Dawn Dale, Mark Rusling, Mike Chaplin, Gareth Slater, Penny Baker, Will Sapwell, Janet Ridler, Mark Whittaker, Tom Hunt, Laura McClean, John Wright, Alan Hooper, Mike Levery, Ann Whitaker and Mick Rooney.

Abstained from voting on paragraph (n) in Part 2 of the Amendment (5)

-

The Lord Mayor (Councillor Jayne Dunn) and Councillors Denise Fox, Terry Fox, Dianne Hurst and Julie Grocutt.

For paragraph (o) in Part 2 of the Amendment (68)

-

The Deputy Lord Mayor (Councillor Safiya Saeed) and Councillors Richard Shaw, Sophie Thornton, Kurtis Crossland, Ian Horner, Ann Woolhouse, Matthew Dwyer, Karen McGowan, Maleiki Haybe, Brian Holmshaw, Talib Hussain, Mark Jones, Douglas Johnson, Ruth Mersereau, Martin Phipps, Tim Huggan, Ruth Milsom, Minesh Parekh, Qais Al-Ahdal, Mary Lea, Zahira Naz, Joe Otten, Martin Smith, Craig Gamble Pugh, Robert Reiss, Alan Woodcock, Barbara Masters, Shaffaq Mohammed, Fran Belbin, Nikki Belfield, Sue Alston, Andrew Sangar, Cliff Woodcraft, Alexi Dimond, Marieanne Elliot, Paul Turpin, Steve Ayris, Rob Bannister, Mohammed Mahroof, Christine Gilligan Kubo, Toby Mallinson, Henry Nottage, Elle Dodd, Laura Moynahan, Glynis Chapman, Tony Downing, Gail Smith, Nighat Basharat,Ibby Ullah, Mia Drazaic, Ben Miskell, David Barker, Mike Drabble, Dawn Dale, Mark Rusling, Mike Chaplin, Gareth Slater, Penny Baker, Will Sapwell, Janet Ridler, Mark Whittaker, Tom Hunt, Laura McClean, John Wright, Alan Hooper, Mike Levery, Ann Whitaker and Mick Rooney.

Against paragraph (o) in Part 2 of the Amendment (0)

-

None.

Abstained from voting on paragraph (o) in Part 2 of the Amendment (5)

-

The Lord Mayor (Councillor Jayne Dunn) and Councillors Denise Fox, Terry Fox, Dianne Hurst and Julie Grocutt.

8.7

The amendment moved by Councillor Qais Al-Ahdal was then put to the vote and was carried, except for Part 1 of the amendment, which was lost.

8.7.1

(NOTE: The result of the vote was FOR - 36 Members; AGAINST - 32 Members; ABSTENTIONS – 5 Members.  Although Labour Group Members voted against, they voted for Part 2 of the amendment. Although Liberal Democrat Group Members voted for, they abstained from voting on Part 1 of the amendment.)

8.8

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

RESOLVED:  That this Council:-

(a)      believes that our diversity is our greatest strength;

(b)      is proud that Sheffield is a welcoming city for people seeking asylum and is proud that we are a City of Sanctuary;

(c)      believes that the violence we saw across the country, and in South Yorkshire, last month was not protest, but far-right hate;

(d)      condemns those who tried to divide us by targeting asylum seekers, Muslims and minority communities and condemns everyone who engaged in criminal acts of violence and hate on the streets and online;

(e)      believes that racism and Islamophobia hurts all communities and creates fear and pain;

(f)       will not tolerate attacks on mosques or on Muslim communities;

(g)      is proud of the citywide response to the violence and records its appreciation and thanks to:-

(i)       the people of Sheffield who came together in a spirit of unity and compassion to reject racism and hate;

(ii)       Sheffield City Council staff for their hard work to support communities and particularly notes the work of Local Area Committee staff to coordinate the response;

(iii)      the voluntary, community, social enterprise and faith sector for their work to protect and reassure communities;

(iv)      South Yorkshire Police for their work to protect and support local communities, and sends its best wishes to all officers who were injured in the line of duty; and

(v)      the criminal justice system for taking swift action against those who broke the law;

(h)      believes that community cohesion can be further achieved by allowing asylum seekers to work, and so integrate themselves into their communities and support the local economy;

(i)       believes that the Council’s work to reassure and engage with communities has highlighted excellent practice and partnership working, and further believes that learning from the past month should be captured to develop the Council’s community engagement and partnership work and to develop and strengthen our work on promoting community cohesion;

(j)       believes the divisive rhetoric of some mainstream politicians and media has fuelled the recent violence and the ‘Stop the Boats’ narrative has contributed to division;

(k)      notes comments by Dame Sara Khan, former independent adviser for social cohesion and resilience, that successive governments have failed the British people and left local authorities struggling to deal with consistent extremist challenges;

(l)       recognises that migrants have always contributed to our society and that segregation of asylum-seekers into different systems for homelessness, destitution and work creates further division;

(m)     resolves to ask the Chief Executive to write to the Prime Minister with a copy of this motion and to ask him to consider implementing the recommendations of the Khan Review;

(n)      resolves to encourage every Sheffield elected member to work to ensure that dialogue around migration is not framed negatively, instead highlighting the human and ethical aspects, and the many positive economic and cultural benefits, of migration;

(o)      believes that councillors should speak against racist/Islamophobic rhetoric and actions of affiliated party members or party leaders; and

(p)      resolves to continue to:-

(i)       celebrate our diversity and to stand firm against all forms of racism and Islamophobia, discrimination, and violence; and

(ii)       support our communities, promote unity and ensure that Sheffield remains a welcoming city.

8.8.1

(NOTE: The result of the vote on the Substantive Motion was FOR - 68 Members; AGAINST - 0 Members; ABSTENTIONS – 5 Members.  Although Labour Group Members voted for, they abstained from voting on paragraph (h) and voted against paragraphs (j), (k), (l) & (n) of the Substantive Motion.)