Agenda item

7.1

It was moved by Councillor Mark Rusling, and seconded by Councillor Matthew Dwyer, that this Council:-

(a)      reaffirms its commitment to the White Ribbon Campaign and the principles it represents: never to commit, excuse, or remain silent about male violence against women and girls (VAWG);

(b)      notes that it will be White Ribbon Day on 25th November, a day which encourages positive action to challenge harmful cultures and behaviours that lead to violence against women and girls;

(c)      notes the progress since the Council motion in November 2021 committing to the White Ribbon campaign, noting that, as an accredited organisation, we have a detailed action plan, as approved by White Ribbon, setting out our work until 2025;

(d)      notes statistics remain clear and shocking - in the year ending March 2023, South Yorkshire Police recorded 39,016 domestic abuse-related incidents and crimes;

(e)      believes these figures demand urgent action, and welcomes the Council’s upcoming Violence Against Women and Girls, Domestic and Sexual Abuse Strategy, which will build on our existing efforts and outline a strong, multi-agency response;

(f)       welcomes the Government’s recent enhancements to workers' rights around sexual harassment, including protections against third-party abuse, and supports VAWG being a key mission of this Government;

(g)      believes masculinity can be positive, but that too often toxic masculinity spread online has normalised misogyny among some young men and therefore welcomes the Government’s plans to tackle sexism in schools; and the critical importance of outreach work with men and boys;

(h)      renews our efforts and commits to:-

(i)       expanding Leadership and Outreach by increasing the number of White Ribbon Ambassadors and Champions among our councillors and workforce;

(ii)       encourage every male councillor to be a White Ribbon Ambassador;

(iii)      strengthen partnerships with communities, stakeholders and institutions, including our local football clubs, to engage young men;

(iv)      prioritising Education and Prevention, in line with our Action Plan, ensuring that each service has a dedicated Lead for the White Ribbon Campaign, and commit to prevention across all services; and

(v)      strengthening Safety in the Night-Time Economy; working closely with licensed premises to further promote the "Ask for Angela" campaign, and Sheffield’s Women and Girls Night-time Safety Charter and Toolkit for businesses in the night-time economy; and

(i)       urges all Members to continue championing the White Ribbon Campaign, support the forthcoming Strategy, and reaffirm the Council’s role in ending violence against women and girls, committed to changing the culture, supporting victims, and to make our city a safe and equal place for all.

7.2

Whereupon, it was moved by Councillor Joe Otten, and seconded by Councillor Penny Baker, as an amendment, that the Motion now submitted be amended by the addition of new paragraphs (g) and (h) as follows, and the re-lettering of the original paragraphs (g) to (i) as new paragraphs (i) to (k):-

(g)      notes that there was no indication at the Autumn Budget of how much funding has been allocated to tackle Violence Against Women and Girls, which will require specialist services to tackle meaningfully;

(h)      notes that the £813,311.02 secured in the South Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner area to tackle Violence Against Women and Girls since 2023 through the Safer Streets Fund is dwarfed by the £65million hole in the Police finances;

7.3

It was then moved by Councillor Martin Phipps, and seconded by Councillor Douglas Johnson, as an amendment, that the Motion now submitted be amended by the addition of new paragraphs (j) to (p) as follows:-

(j)       believes the city centre Safe Square pilot, which provided a safe space including medical assistance, phone charging, advice and signposting and assistance getting home if needed on Friday and Saturday evenings, was a great success;

(k)      notes that the Safe Square had positive feedback from women welcoming it as “providing a comfort and a support network for those out in the city centre” and providing an “extra feeling of security”; and that it has also had positive feedback from businesses in the night-time economy, the police and the Yorkshire Ambulance Service; 

(l)       notes the Yorkshire Ambulance Service estimated a potential saving of over £3000 a month due to reduced callouts thanks to the Safe Square, with a potential for further savings with greater signposting;

(m)     notes the South Yorkshire Police surveyed 24 officers on the Safe Square, with officers estimating a time saving on average between 30 minutes and an hour per shift it was operating;

(n)      believes it is important to re-launch a permanent Safe Square as soon as possible;

(o)      resolves to request the Strategy and Resources Policy Committee urgently work with and request funds from those organisations that have benefited from the resource, such as police, ambulance services, and partners, to urgently launch a permanent Safe Square, to be operating ahead of the festive season; and

(p)      asks the Chief Executive to forward a copy of this motion to the Yorkshire Ambulance Service and NHS Foundation Trusts, asking for a response.

7.4

Following contributions from another three Members, it was RESOLVED: On the motion moved by Councillor Mick Rooney, seconded by Councillor Joe Otten, that Council Procedure Rule 17.6 be suspended to enable the time limit for debate on this item of business to be extended to allow for contributions to be made by a further two speakers.

7.5

After contributions had been made by a further two Members, and following a right of reply from Councillor Mark Rusling, the amendment moved by Councillor Joe Otten was put to the vote and was carried.

7.5.1

(NOTE: The result of the vote was FOR - 39 Members; AGAINST - 34 Members; ABSTENTIONS – 1 Member.)

7.6

The amendment moved by Councillor Martin Phipps was then put to the vote and was also carried.

7.6.1

(NOTE: The result of the vote was FOR - 73 Members; AGAINST - 0 Members; ABSTENTIONS – 1 Member. Although Labour Group Members voted for, they abstained from voting on paragraphs (n) to (p) of the amendment.)

7.7

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

RESOLVED: That this Council:-

(a)      reaffirms its commitment to the White Ribbon Campaign and the principles it represents: never to commit, excuse, or remain silent about male violence against women and girls (VAWG);

(b)      notes that it will be White Ribbon Day on 25th November, a day which encourages positive action to challenge harmful cultures and behaviours that lead to violence against women and girls;

(c)      notes the progress since the Council motion in November 2021 committing to the White Ribbon campaign, noting that, as an accredited organisation, we have a detailed action plan, as approved by White Ribbon, setting out our work until 2025;

(d)      notes statistics remain clear and shocking - in the year ending March 2023, South Yorkshire Police recorded 39,016 domestic abuse-related incidents and crimes;

(e)      believes these figures demand urgent action, and welcomes the Council’s upcoming Violence Against Women and Girls, Domestic and Sexual Abuse Strategy, which will build on our existing efforts and outline a strong, multi-agency response;

(f)       welcomes the Government’s recent enhancements to workers' rights around sexual harassment, including protections against third-party abuse, and supports VAWG being a key mission of this Government;

(g)      notes that there was no indication at the Autumn Budget of how much funding has been allocated to tackle Violence Against Women and Girls, which will require specialist services to tackle meaningfully;

(h)      notes that the £813,311.02 secured in the South Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner area to tackle Violence Against Women and Girls since 2023 through the Safer Streets Fund is dwarfed by the £65million hole in the Police finances;

(i)       believes masculinity can be positive, but that too often toxic masculinity spread online has normalised misogyny among some young men and therefore welcomes the Government’s plans to tackle sexism in schools; and the critical importance of outreach work with men and boys;

(j)       renews our efforts and commits to:-

(i)       expanding Leadership and Outreach by increasing the number of White Ribbon Ambassadors and Champions among our councillors and workforce;

(ii)       encourage every male councillor to be a White Ribbon Ambassador;

(iii)      strengthen partnerships with communities, stakeholders and institutions, including our local football clubs, to engage young men;

(iv)      prioritising Education and Prevention, in line with our Action Plan, ensuring that each service has a dedicated Lead for the White Ribbon Campaign, and commit to prevention across all services; and

(v)      strengthening Safety in the Night-Time Economy; working closely with licensed premises to further promote the "Ask for Angela" campaign, and Sheffield’s Women and Girls Night-time Safety Charter and Toolkit for businesses in the night-time economy;

(k)      urges all Members to continue championing the White Ribbon Campaign, support the forthcoming Strategy, and reaffirm the Council’s role in ending violence against women and girls, committed to changing the culture, supporting victims, and to make our city a safe and equal place for all;

(l)       believes the city centre Safe Square pilot, which provided a safe space including medical assistance, phone charging, advice and signposting and assistance getting home if needed on Friday and Saturday evenings, was a great success;

(m)     notes that the Safe Square had positive feedback from women welcoming it as “providing a comfort and a support network for those out in the city centre” and providing an “extra feeling of security”; and that it has also had positive feedback from businesses in the night-time economy, the police and the Yorkshire Ambulance Service;

(n)      notes the Yorkshire Ambulance Service estimated a potential saving of over £3000 a month due to reduced callouts thanks to the Safe Square, with a potential for further savings with greater signposting;

(o)      notes the South Yorkshire Police surveyed 24 officers on the Safe Square, with officers estimating a time saving on average between 30 minutes and an hour per shift it was operating;

(p)      believes it is important to re-launch a permanent Safe Square as soon as possible;

(q)      resolves to request the Strategy and Resources Policy Committee urgently work with and request funds from those organisations that have benefited from the resource, such as police, ambulance services, and partners, to urgently launch a permanent Safe Square, to be operating ahead of the festive season; and

(r)       asks the Chief Executive to forward a copy of this motion to the Yorkshire Ambulance Service and NHS Foundation Trusts, asking for a response.

7.7.1

(NOTE: The result of the vote on the Substantive Motion was FOR - 73 Members; AGAINST - 0 Members; ABSTENTIONS – 1 Member.  Although Labour Group Members voted for, they voted against paragraphs (g) and (h) and abstained from voting on paragraphs (p) to (r) of the Substantive Motion.)