Agenda item - Notices of Motion.

The following Notices of Motion have been submitted by Members for consideration (copies attached):

(a)          Female Genital Mutilation – Proposed by Councillor Hawtree;

(b)          GP Surgery Provision – Proposed by Councillor Mitchell;

(c)          ‘Time to Change’ – Pledge – Proposed by Councillor Wilson;

(d)          City of Sanctuary – Proposed by Councillor Littman;

(e)          Setting a Reserve Budget Council Meeting Date – Proposed by Councillor G. Theobald.

83          (a) Female Genital Mutilation

83.1         The Notice of Motion as listed in the agenda was proposed by Councillor Hawtree and seconded by Councillor Powell.

83.2         The Mayor then put the following motion to the vote:

“This Council recognises the work done by local public services to prevent the illegal practice of female genital mutilation, and to help those affected by it. It has been estimated that 20,000 girls under the age of 15 in the UK are at risk of it.

We urge this Government to add their weight to the growing international campaign, and work with community groups here and abroad campaigning to stop this barbaric practice.”

83.3         The Mayor confirmed that the motion had been carried unanimously.

83             (b) GP Surgery Provision

83.4         The Notice of Motion as listed in the agenda was proposed by Councillor Mitchell and seconded by Councillor Morgan.

83.5         The Mayor then put the following motion to the vote:

“This Council resolves to:

1)        Write to the Secretary of State for Health asking what is being done to mitigate the consequences of six in ten GPs nationwide considering early retirement and the effects this would have on GP provision in Brighton and Hove.

2)        Additionally ask the Secretary of State which health bodies in England have responsibility to ensure the adequate provision of GP services.”

83.6         The Mayor confirmed that the motion had been carried unanimously.

83             (c) ‘Time to Change’ - Pledge

83.7         The Notice of Motion as listed in the agenda was proposed by Councillor Wilson and seconded by Councillor Daniel.

83.8         The Mayor then put the following motion to the vote:

“This Council believes that mental health should be given equal priority with physical health as outlined in the government’s mental health strategy implementation framework.

This Council resolves:

(a)    To support Time to Change, the mental health anti-stigma campaign;

(b)    To request that the Health & Wellbeing Board explores the adoption of the Time to Change pledge, better workplace practices and encourage others to do so as well.”

83.9         The Mayor confirmed that the motion had been carried unanimously.

83             (d) City of Sanctuary

83.10      The Notice of Motion as listed in the agenda was proposed by Councillor Littman and seconded by Councillor Phillips.

83.11      The Mayor then put the following motion to the vote:

“Brighton and Hove City Council recognises and welcomes the good work going on in the city to make it a welcoming, inclusive and supportive community which offers safety to those who need it. As a city we celebrate diversity and recognise that our lives are enriched by those who come here seeking sanctuary.

Brighton and Hove City Council supports the movement to have Brighton and Hove recognised as a City of Sanctuary: a place where people fleeing persecution and violence can feel safe, welcomed, and included.

Brighton and Hove City Council recognises that there is still a great deal more we in the city could do, and will work with partners across the city to take practical steps towards welcoming refugees and asylum seekers to a place of safety, for example through the Vulnerable Persons' Relocation Scheme.

To these ends, the Council supports the principle of Brighton and Hove becoming a City of Sanctuary, and to continue to work with partners across the city, towards accommodating more refugees including those from Syria's ongoing civil war.

The Council also supports working with other local authorities and the Local Government Association to share best practice in this area and further the aims of the wider City of Sanctuary movement.”

83.12      The Mayor confirmed that the motion had been carried.

83             (e) Setting a Reserve Budget Council Meeting Date

83.13      The Notice of Motion as listed in the agenda was proposed by Councillor G. Theobald and seconded by Councillor Peltzer Dunn.

83.14      The Mayor then put the following motion to the vote:

“This Council resolves to set a formal reserve date for Budget Council meetings on an annual basis beginning in February/March 2016.”

83.15      The Mayor confirmed that the motion had been carried.