Agenda item - Green Pride

Proposed by Councillor Miller on behalf of the Conservative Group.

137.1      The Mayor noted that a revised version of the notice of motion had been circulated with addendum 1 and that he was requited to call on Councillor Miller to explain the revision and see Council’s agreement to the revised motion be taken in place of the original one listed in the agenda.

137.2      Councillor Miller stated that following the publication of the agenda he had received legal advice which required a revision to the wording of the motion.

137.3      The Mayor sought Council’s agreement to the revised motion being taken which was agreed.

137.4      The Notice of Motion as listed in addendum 1 was proposed by Councillor Miller on behalf of the Conservative Group and formally seconded by Councillor Bagaeen.

137.5      Councillor Clare moved an amendment on behalf of the Green Group which was formally seconded by Councillor Littman.

137.6      Councillors Childs and Brennan spoke in favour of the original motion and Councillor Miller confirmed that he was not prepared to accept the amendment.

137.7      The Mayor noted that the amendment had not been accepted and therefore put the amendment to the vote and called on each of the Group Leaders to confirm their position as well as the Groups in turn followed by each of the Independent Members:

Councillor Mac Cafferty stated that the Green Group were in favour of the amendment and this was confirmed by the Green Group Members;

Councillor Platts stated that the Labour Group were against the amendment and this was confirmed by the Labour Group Members;

Councillor Bell stated that the Conservative were against the amendment and this was confirmed by the Conservative Group Members;

Councillor Brennan confirmed that she wished to abstain from voting on the amendment;

Councillor Fishleigh confirmed that she was voting for the amendment;

Councillor Janio confirmed that he was voting for the amendment;

Councillor Knight confirmed that she wished to abstain from voting on the amendment.

137.8      The Mayor confirmed that the amendment had been lost.

137.9      The Mayor then put the following motion the vote:

This Council agrees to:

1.  Request the Policy & Resources Committee to consider the prohibition of the use of Preston Park and any other council property, park, green or open space for the event Green Pride as a commercial event, in which the organiser charges stall holders and accepts sponsorship, or takes money in relation to the event, save if agreed by Council officers  and to call for a report as necessary in order to be able to approve the prohibited use of council land and property as outlined; and 

2.  Support the use of medicinal cannabis and CBD oil in line with national legislation and the right to protest on the issue of cannabis use, using areas designated by Council officers, other than when the organiser seeks to make money.

137.10   The Mayor then called on each of the Group Leaders to confirm their position as well as the Groups in turn followed by each of the Independent Members:

Councillor Mac Cafferty stated that the Green Group were against the motion and this was confirmed by the Green Group Members;

Councillor Platts stated that the Labour Group were in favour of the motion and this was confirmed by the Labour Group Members;

Councillor Bell stated that the Conservative were in favour of the motion and this was confirmed by the Conservative Group Members;

Councillor Brennan confirmed that she was voting against the motion;

Councillor Fishleigh confirmed that she was voting for the motion;

Councillor Janio confirmed that he was voting for the motion;

Councillor Knight confirmed that she wished to abstain from voting on the motion.

137.11   The Mayor confirmed that the motion had been carried.