Agenda item

7.1

It was moved by Councillor Barbara Masters, and seconded by Councillor Sophie Thornton, that this Council:-

(a)      notes:-

(i)       Sheffield’s cultural and religious diversity – we are a growing and diverse city with around 120 languages spoken and people from a range of backgrounds living and contributing to every part of the city; our diversity is part of what makes Sheffield such an amazing place;

(ii)       our heritage as the UK’s first City of Sanctuary and pride in offering a welcoming home to people seeking safety, demonstrated in how we’ve welcomed those affected by the war in Ukraine;

(iii)      that in developing our City Goals, our communities have shown how much they value Sheffield’s diversity and its people; celebrating and respecting histories, heritage and cultures and finding common ground is embedded in the draft Goals;

(iv)      the progress that has been made, together with partners, on implementing the recommendations of the Race Equality Commission, and the importance of holding course towards the aim of being an anti-racist city; and

(v)      the contributions of many diverse communities to the UK, in particular, the service of millions of Christians, Hindus, Muslims, Jews, those of no faith, LGBTQ+ and others, in defeating the evil of the Nazis in the Second World War and upholding the values of civil rights, democracy and rule of law;

(b)      believes:-

(i)       that this Council stands with all our communities in their rights to live peacefully and safely;

(ii)       that even in difficult circumstances, Sheffield’s communities have shown amazing strength and unity, standing together to be kind and support one another; as they did 12 months ago, when the Stannington gas and water emergency turned people’s lives upside down, and we saw community groups, businesses, and local politicians including the late Councillor Vickie Priestley, working hard for each other;

(iii)      that our city provides the perfect stage for celebrating diversity, bringing people together into our city centre, local high streets and public spaces to celebrate, respect and learn about our cultures; next year this includes celebrating the Lunar/Chinese New Year of the Dragon, Easter, Eid-al-Fitr and our whole calendar of cultural events from Pride to Black History Month; and

(c)      resolves to:-

(i)       encourage communities, partners and Councillors to support the development of the city’s new Cohesion Framework, taking its lead from the City Goals, so that we have a shared approach for respecting and supporting each other now and for the long term; and

(ii)       wish everyone a belated happy Diwali, and Happy Hanukkah, Happy Christmas and Happy New Year.

7.1.1

(NOTE: With the agreement of the Council and at the request of the mover of the Motion (Councillor Barbara Masters), the Motion as published on the agenda was altered by the substitution of the words “Stannington gas and water emergency” for the words “Stannington floods” in sub-paragraph (b)(ii) of the Motion.)

7.2

Whereupon, it was moved by Councillor Laura Moynahan, and seconded by Councillor Karen McGowan, as an amendment, that the Motion now submitted be amended by:-

1.       the addition of the following words at the end of sub-paragraph (a)(ii) “and in welcoming refugees who have fled previous wars including in Chile, Somalia, Kashmir, Burma, Palestine and Yemen, among many other countries”; 

2.       the addition of a new sub-paragraph (a)(iv) as follows, and the re-lettering of original sub-paragraphs (a)(iv) and (v) as new sub-paragraphs (a)(v) and (vi):-

(iv)      that Equality, Diversity and Inclusion will be a central feature of the new Council Plan;

3.       the addition of the following words at the end of sub-paragraph (b)(i) “and will continue to do everything it can to bring communities together”;

4.       the addition of new sub-paragraphs (b)(ii) and (iii) as follows, and the re-lettering of original sub-paragraphs (b)(ii) and (iii) as new sub-paragraphs (b)(iv) and (v):-

(ii)       diversity in representation makes for good decision-making;

(iii)      it is important that all elected bodies and political parties take steps to ensure that political representation reflects the diversity within the communities that they represent, particularly ensuring that people with protected characteristics (age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation) are supported to play a full part in the democratic process;

5.       the addition of a new sub-paragraph (b)(vi) as follows:-

(vi)      that our city is delighted to welcome the MOBO Awards, the UK’s biggest celebration of Black music and culture, to Sheffield in February 2024.

7.3

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

1.       the addition of new sub-paragraphs (a)(vi) to (viii) as follows:-

(vi)      that all our residents, no matter their nationality, call this local authority their home and enrich Sheffield;

(vii)     that the Council estimates that up to 750 refugees could be affected by the Streamlined Asylum Process up to 15th December, which may put them at risk of homelessness;

(viii)    that denying people seeking asylum the right to work is dehumanising for the individual and harmful for the economy;

2.       the addition of new sub-paragraphs (b)(iv) and (v) as follows:-

(iv)      every Sheffield resident should have equal democratic rights and be able to vote in our local elections;

(v)      all Sheffield residents and members of all communities have a right to shelter, security, warmth and sustenance;

3.        the addition of new sub-paragraphs (c)(i) to (v) as follows, and the re-lettering of the original sub-paragraphs (c)(i) and (ii) as new sub-paragraphs (c)(vi) and (vii):-

(i)       raise the alarm locally about the refugee homelessness crisis and request the Housing Policy Committee to engage with VCS, faith groups, universities and housing providers to urgently discuss this;

(ii)       request the Chair of the Housing Policy Committee to write to the Government to demand a fully resourced national homelessness prevention programme;

(iii)      promote the right to vote and democratic participation opportunities to all communities in Sheffield through cultural-sensitive approaches such as:-

(A)      delivering training to councillors and officers on the changes brought by the Elections Act;

(B)      working collaboratively with the VCS to reach residents about current voter eligibility rules and how to vote; and

(C)      promoting voter registration and photo ID requirements to residents;

(iv)      apologise for flying the Israeli flag which caused hurt and division in Sheffield;

(v)      encourage all councillors to attend the launch of the local “Lift the Ban” campaign in the Town Hall on December 15th;

7.4

After contributions from six other Members, and following a right of reply from Councillor Barbara Masters, the amendment moved by Councillor Laura Moynahan was put to the vote and was carried unanimously.

7.5

The amendment moved by Councillor Alexi Dimond was then put to the vote and was carried, but in part.  Parts 1 and 2 and sub-paragraphs (i), (ii), (iii) and (v) of Part 3 of the amendment were carried, and sub-paragraph (iv) of Part 3 of the amendment was lost.

7.5.1

(NOTE: The result of the vote was FOR - 72 Members; AGAINST - 0 Members; ABSTENTIONS – 0 Members. Although Labour and Liberal Democrat Group Members voted for, they abstained from voting on sub-paragraph (iv) of Part 2 of the amendment and voted against sub-paragraph (iv) of Part 3 of the amendment.)

7.6

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

RESOLVED: That this Council:-

(a)      notes:-

(i)       Sheffield’s cultural and religious diversity – we are a growing and diverse city with around 120 languages spoken and people from a range of backgrounds living and contributing to every part of the city; our diversity is part of what makes Sheffield such an amazing place;

(ii)       our heritage as the UK’s first City of Sanctuary and pride in offering a welcoming home to people seeking safety, demonstrated in how we’ve welcomed those affected by the war in Ukraine and in welcoming refugees who have fled previous wars including in Chile, Somalia, Kashmir, Burma, Palestine and Yemen, among many other countries;

(iii)      that in developing our City Goals, our communities have shown how much they value Sheffield’s diversity and its people; celebrating and respecting histories, heritage and cultures and finding common ground is embedded in the draft Goals;

(iv)      that Equality, Diversity and Inclusion will be a central feature of the new Council Plan;

(v)      the progress that has been made, together with partners, on implementing the recommendations of the Race Equality Commission, and the importance of holding course towards the aim of being an anti-racist city;

(vi)      the contributions of many diverse communities to the UK, in particular, the service of millions of Christians, Hindus, Muslims, Jews, those of no faith, LGBTQ+ and others, in defeating the evil of the Nazis in the Second World War and upholding the values of civil rights, democracy and rule of law;

(vii)     that all our residents, no matter their nationality, call this local authority their home and enrich Sheffield;

(viii)    that the Council estimates that up to 750 refugees could be affected by the Streamlined Asylum Process up to 15th December, which may put them at risk of homelessness; and

(ix)      that denying people seeking asylum the right to work is dehumanising for the individual and harmful for the economy;

(b)      believes:-

(i)       that this Council stands with all our communities in their rights to live peacefully and safely and will continue to do everything it can to bring communities together;

(ii)       diversity in representation makes for good decision-making;

(iii)      it is important that all elected bodies and political parties take steps to ensure that political representation reflects the diversity within the communities that they represent, particularly ensuring that people with protected characteristics (age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation) are supported to play a full part in the democratic process;

(iv)      that even in difficult circumstances, Sheffield’s communities have shown amazing strength and unity, standing together to be kind and support one another; as they did 12 months ago, when the Stannington gas and water emergency turned people’s lives upside down, and we saw community groups, businesses, and local politicians including the late Councillor Vickie Priestley, working hard for each other;

(v)      that our city provides the perfect stage for celebrating diversity, bringing people together into our city centre, local high streets and public spaces to celebrate, respect and learn about our cultures; next year this includes celebrating the Lunar/Chinese New Year of the Dragon, Easter, Eid-al-Fitr and our whole calendar of cultural events from Pride to Black History Month;

(vi)      that our city is delighted to welcome the MOBO Awards, the UK’s biggest celebration of Black music and culture, to Sheffield in February 2024;

(vii)     every Sheffield resident should have equal democratic rights and be able to vote in our local elections; and

(viii)    all Sheffield residents and members of all communities have a right to shelter, security, warmth and sustenance; and

(c)      resolves to:-

(i)       raise the alarm locally about the refugee homelessness crisis and request the Housing Policy Committee to engage with VCS, faith groups, universities and housing providers to urgently discuss this;

(ii)       request the Chair of the Housing Policy Committee to write to the Government to demand a fully resourced national homelessness prevention programme;

(iii)      promote the right to vote and democratic participation opportunities to all communities in Sheffield through cultural-sensitive approaches such as:-

(A)      delivering training to councillors and officers on the changes brought by the Elections Act;

(B)      working collaboratively with the VCS to reach residents about current voter eligibility rules and how to vote; and

(C)      promoting voter registration and photo ID requirements to residents;

(iv)      encourage all councillors to attend the launch of the local “Lift the Ban” campaign in the Town Hall on December 15th;

(v)      encourage communities, partners and Councillors to support the development of the city’s new Cohesion Framework, taking its lead from the City Goals, so that we have a shared approach for respecting and supporting each other now and for the long term; and

(vi)      wish everyone a belated happy Diwali, and Happy Hanukkah, Happy Christmas and Happy New Year.

7.6.1

(NOTE: The result of the vote on the Substantive Motion was FOR - 72 Members; AGAINST - 0 Members; ABSTENTIONS – 0 Members.  Although Labour and Liberal Democrat Group Members voted for, they abstained from voting on sub-paragraph (b)(vii) of the Substantive Motion.)