Issue - meetings

In accordance with Standing Order 21, Cllr J Davies will move the following motion:-

“This Council notes:

·        February is LGBT+ History Month; and

·        the great strides our society has taken towards accepting and supporting the needs and rights of LGBT+ community, including the recognition of sexuality as a protected characteristic under equalities legislation; and

·        that there are still huge challenges to be faced, including over a third of LGBT+ employees having experienced harassment or bullying at work.

This Council therefore resolves:

·        to declare our support for the holding of a New Forest Pride event to celebrate the New Forest’s LGBT+ Community; and

·        to fly the rainbow flag at Appletree Court throughout the month of February in support of LGBT+ History Month; and

·        To ensure that all Council services, both directly provided and through partners, are fully accessible to all, regardless of their sexuality or gender identity; and

·        To work to provide at least one gender neutral toilet where possible in every public building, including public conveniences, owned or operated by the Council.”

Under the provisions of Standing Order 41, the above motion, after being proposed and seconded (without speeches), should stand referred to the Cabinet, or to the Cabinet or such Committees or Panels as the Council may determine.  However, the Chairman may allow the motion to be dealt with at this meeting if he considers it urgent, convenient or conducive to the despatch of business.

In accordance with Standing Order 21, Cllr J Davies moved the following motion:-

“This Council notes:

·         February is LGBT+ History Month; and

·         the great strides our society has taken towards accepting and supporting the needs and rights of LGBT+ community, including the recognition of sexuality as a protected characteristic under equalities legislation; and

·         that there are still huge challenges to be faced, including over a third of LGBT+ employees having experienced harassment or bullying at work.

This Council therefore resolves:

·         to declare our support for the holding of a New Forest Pride event to celebrate the New Forest’s LGBT+ Community; and

·         to fly the rainbow flag at Appletree Court throughout the month of February in support of LGBT+ History Month; and

·         to ensure that all Council services, both directly provided and through partners, are fully accessible to all, regardless of their sexuality or gender identity; and

·         to work to provide at least one gender neutral toilet where possible in every public building, including public conveniences, owned or operated by the Council.”

Cllr A Wade seconded the motion.

The Chairman confirmed that, in his opinion, it was convenient and conducive to the despatch of business to deal with the motion at this Council meeting.

Many Members spoke in support of the motion, as a small gesture to promote the Council’s inclusivity to all parts of society, regardless of their background.  The Portfolio Holder for Environment and Regulatory Services highlighted the Council’s commitment to single cubicles in Council public conveniences.

Those speaking against the motion suggested that the Council should not give official approval to any particular groups over others, and that the flying of a flag at Appletree Court should be reserved for those civic functions such as the Union flag.

The motion was put to a recorded vote, the outcome of which was as follows:-

Voting for:- Cllrs Andrews, Bellows, Blunden, Brand, Brunsdon, Carpenter, Cerasoli, M Clark, R Clark, Clarke, Cleary, Corbridge, Craze, J Davies, S Davies, Davis, Delemare, Dowd, Dunning, Glass, Gossage, Harris, Harrison, E Heron, J Heron, Hoare, Holding, Kidd, Murray, O’Sullivan, Osborne, Rackham, Rickman, Rippon-Swaine, Russell, Sevier, Steele, Thierry, Tungate, A Wade, M Wade and C Ward.

Voting against:- Cllrs Bennison, McEvoy and Tipp.

Abstaining: Cllrs Alvey, Kangarani, Penman, Reilly and Ring.

The motion was carried – 42 in favour, 3 against, 5 abstaining.

RESOLVED:

This Council notes:

·         February is LGBT+ History Month; and

·         the great strides our society has taken towards accepting and supporting the needs and rights of LGBT+ community, including the recognition of sexuality as a protected characteristic under equalities legislation; and

·         that there are still huge challenges to be faced, including over a third of LGBT+ employees having experienced harassment or bullying at work.

This Council therefore resolves:

·         to declare our support for the holding of a New Forest Pride event to celebrate the New Forest’s LGBT+ Community; and

·         to fly the rainbow flag at Appletree Court throughout the month of February in support of LGBT+ History Month; and

·         to ensure that all  ...  view the full minutes text for item 126