Agenda item

The Chairman has directed under Standing Order 36.9 (1) that the following Notice of Motion submitted by Councillor Taylor shall stand referred to the County Council.

We are concerned about the behaviour of some elected representatives in relation to the potential housing of asylum seekers in the Crowborough Training Camp. This is resulting in insecurity for residents and elected representatives. A strong moral leadership is essential and we, as the principal council, need to openly demonstrate positive behaviour in line with our code of conduct and the Nolan Principles, and to model behaviour that reduces hate and actively promotes community cohesion for all residents whether they be temporary or permanent residents.

The motion:

This Council calls on the Leader to:

·       Publicly condemn all forms of political discourse that inflame hatred and encourage racism in our communities.

·       Publicly condemn misinformation or inflammation of hate against any resident, business owner, local official or elected representatives across East Sussex. 

·       Remind Councillors that they must abide by the spirit and the letter of the Code of Conduct and Nolan principles to which we subscribe.

·       Encourage officers and relevant Councillors to collaborate and work together to ensure safety and security for all residents within the area.

60.1     The following motion was moved by Councillor Taylor and seconded by Councillor Cross.

This Council calls on the Leader to:

·     Publicly condemn all forms of political discourse that inflame hatred and encourage racism in our communities.

·     Publicly condemn misinformation or inflammation of hate against any resident, business owner, local official or elected representatives across East Sussex.

·     Remind Councillors that they must abide by the spirit and the letter of the Code of Conduct and Nolan principles to which we subscribe.

·     Encourage officers and relevant Councillors to collaborate and work together to ensure safety and security for all residents within the area.

60.2     The following amendment was moved by Councillor Maynard and seconded by Councillor Fox.

This Council calls upon the Leader to:

·     (delete the following wording) Publicly condemn all forms of political discourse that inflame hatred and encourage racism in our communities. [replace with the following wording] Publicly support freedom of speech within the law and the right of peaceful protest so long as the same does not encourage or condone violence or inflame racial hatred of any kind whether against one racial, ethnic or religious group or another.

?      (delete the following wording) Publicly condemn misinformation or inflammation of hate against any resident, business owner, local official or elected representatives across East Sussex [replace with the following wording] Condemn all misinformation and statements whether by elected representatives, residents or others calculated to encourage or condone violence or inflame racial hatred of any kind whether against one racial, ethnic or religious group or another including  anti-semitic  or Islamophobic statements.

·     Remind (delete the following wording) Councillors [replace with the following wording] elected representatives that they must abide by the spirit and the letter of the Code of Conduct and Nolan principles (delete the following wording) to which we subscribe.

?      (delete the following wording) Encourage officers and relevant Councillors to collaborate and work together to ensure safety and security for all residents within the area. [replace with the following wording] Encourage officers and elected representatives to listen to and consider the fears and concerns of all local residents and work together to ensure their safety and security.

60.3     The following motion was CARRIED after debate.

This Council calls upon the Leader to:

·     Publicly support freedom of speech within the law and the right of peaceful protest so long as the same does not encourage or condone violence or inflame racial hatred of any kind whether against one racial, ethnic or religious group or another.

·     Condemn all misinformation and statements whether by elected representatives, residents or others calculated to encourage or condone violence or inflame racial hatred of any kind whether against one racial, ethnic or religious group or another including anti-semitic or Islamophobic statements.

·     Remind elected representatives that they must abide by the spirit and the letter of the Code of Conduct and Nolan principles.

·     Encourage officers and elected representatives to listen to and consider the fears and concerns of all local residents and work together to ensure their safety and security.