1.      The following motion has been proposed by Councillor Collett and seconded by Councillor Wenham –

 

          “This Council notes that: 

·         The charity Crohn’s and Colitis UK is encouraging venues providing accessible toilets to install new signage.  This is to help stop stigma and discrimination towards people with Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis and other invisible conditions. 

·         There have been instances nationally where such individuals using an accessible toilet have been accused by staff members of being ineligible to use them. 

·         The charity signs have two standing figures and a wheelchair user with the words Accessible Toilet and the logo ‘Not every disability is visible’. 

·         The Government has decided recently that large accessible toilets for severely disabled people - known as Changing Places - will be made compulsory for large new buildings, such as shopping centres, supermarkets, sports and arts venues.

 

Council resolves to: 

·         Ensure that accessible toilets on Council operated and / or directly managed premises bear these signs. 

·         Ask town and district centre retailers and leisure outlets to do likewise with their accessible toilets. 

·         Seek advice from the charity Crohn’s & Colitis UK on the information and training we should provide to council staff members. This is so they understand these conditions and to prevent potential embarrassment for those who suffer with them. 

·         Ensure that any Changing Places toilets in our buildings are properly signposted for visitors.” 

 

2.      The following motion has been proposed by Councillor Hofman and seconded by Councillor Khan –

 

          “Council notes that:

1.             Covid-19 has had a huge impact on the lives and livelihoods of residents in Watford and across the rest of the UK;

2.             Key workers have put themselves on the frontline throughout the pandemic to keep society going;

3.             The Covid-19 vaccination roll out has been going well across the UK and it is one of the key routes out of lockdown alongside having an effective track and trace programme;

4.             Watford Borough Council have been working hard to ensure the successful roll out of the Covid-19 vaccine across the borough, converting the town hall into a vaccination hub, providing free transport to vaccination appointments, and redeploying council staff to support the vaccination programme;

5.             Local government elections are due to take place on 6^th May, when it is anticipated that not everyone will have received even their first dose of vaccination.

 

Council believes that:

1.             High vaccination rates are essential to protecting everyone in our community and further afield, but vaccine hesitancy still exists among some people and the impact it may have on vaccination take-up is concerning;

2.             An effective test, track and trace system is also essential in keeping our economy going and protecting lives, but so far in the pandemic the government have not succeeded in making this system the most effective it can be;

3.             Teachers, police and frontline key workers need to be prioritised for vaccinations after the most vulnerable cohorts in our community to protect people and ensure public services and the economy can stay open;

4.             While precautions will be taken to ensure a safe election day, the safest way for people to vote will be to stay at home and vote by post.

 

Council therefore resolves to:

1.             Engage with the local community to understand and overcome vaccine hesitancy;

2.             Call on the government to provide funding for local authorities to fully operate track and trace schemes;

3.             Call on government to require commissioners for vaccine delivery to provide flexible, local solutions to enable access, remove barriers and reduce inequalities;

4.             Pledge our support for teachers, police and frontline key workers to be vaccinated as a matter of priority;

5.             Implement a comprehensive communications campaign to encourage people to sign up for a postal vote and provide information on how to do so;

6.             Ask the Mayor to write to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care to ask him to implement these policies regarding track and trace and vaccinations, and copy in the MP for Watford asking him to make representations in support of the Council’s position.”

 

3.      The following motion has been proposed by Councillor Bell and seconded by Councillor Collett –

 

“This Council recognises the brave and determined campaign by the Indian Farmers and their families to stand up for their rights against the Indian Government’s agricultural reforms.

 

Watford Council condemns the violence being directed against farmers and their families who are protesting peacefully.

 

We recognise the importance of protesting as a fundamental part of any democracy, and aggression towards peaceful protestors or their allies goes against the basics of a democratic society.

 

These inhumane acts must stop with immediate effect.

 

There are over 500,000 people in Britain who have settled here whose families originally came from the Punjab area of India and many families settled in and around Watford.

 

This Council resolves to call on the Mayor to write to the Foreign secretary, Mr Dominic Raab and the Indian High Commissioner to protest in the strongest possible terms to the Indian Government at the human rights abuses that they have carried out against the Farmers and their families and others who have supported them in their peaceful campaign.”

 

Council was informed that three motions had been received.

 

Motion 1

 

The following motion was proposed by Councillor Collett and seconded by Councillor Wenham.

 

“This Council notes that: 

·        The charity Crohn’s and Colitis UK is encouraging venues providing accessible toilets to install new signage.  This is to help stop stigma and discrimination towards people with Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis and other invisible conditions. 

·        There have been instances nationally where such individuals using an accessible toilet have been accused by staff members of being ineligible to use them. 

·        The charity signs have two standing figures and a wheelchair user with the words Accessible Toilet and the logo ‘Not every disability is visible’. 

·        The Government has decided recently that large accessible toilets for severely disabled people - known as Changing Places - will be made compulsory for large new buildings, such as shopping centres, supermarkets, sports and arts venues.

 

Council resolves to: 

·        Ensure that accessible toilets on Council operated and / or directly managed premises bear these signs. 

·        Ask town and district centre retailers and leisure outlets to do likewise with their accessible toilets. 

·        Seek advice from the charity Crohn’s & Colitis UK on the information and training we should provide to council staff members. This is so they understand these conditions and to prevent potential embarrassment for those who suffer with them. 

·        Ensure that any Changing Places toilets in our buildings are properly signposted for visitors.” 

 

Members debated the motion.

 

On being put to Council, the motion was agreed. 

 

RESOLVED –

                  

This Council notes that: 

·        The charity Crohn’s and Colitis UK is encouraging venues providing accessible toilets to install new signage.  This is to help stop stigma and discrimination towards people with Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis and other invisible conditions. 

·        There have been instances nationally where such individuals using an accessible toilet have been accused by staff members of being ineligible to use them. 

·        The charity signs have two standing figures and a wheelchair user with the words Accessible Toilet and the logo ‘Not every disability is visible’. 

·        The Government has decided recently that large accessible toilets for severely disabled people - known as Changing Places - will be made compulsory for large new buildings, such as shopping centres, supermarkets, sports and arts venues.

 

Council resolves to: 

·        Ensure that accessible toilets on Council operated and / or directly managed premises bear these signs. 

·        Ask town and district centre retailers and leisure outlets to do likewise with their accessible toilets. 

·        Seek advice from the charity Crohn’s & Colitis UK on the information and training we should provide to council staff members. This is so they understand these conditions and to prevent potential embarrassment for those who suffer with them. 

·        Ensure that any Changing Places toilets in our buildings are properly signposted for visitors. 

 

Motion 2  

                                     

The following motion was proposed by Councillor Hofman and seconded by Councillor Khan.

 

“This Council notes that:

1.      Covid-19 has had a huge impact on the lives and livelihoods of residents in Watford and across the rest of the UK;

2.      Key workers have put themselves on the frontline throughout the pandemic to keep society going;

3.      The Covid-19 vaccination roll out has been going well across the UK and it is one of the key routes out of lockdown alongside having an effective track and trace programme;

4.      Watford Borough Council have been working hard to ensure the successful roll out of the Covid-19 vaccine across the borough, converting the town hall into a vaccination hub, providing free transport to vaccination appointments, and redeploying council staff to support the vaccination programme;

5.      Local government elections are due to take place on 6^th May, when it is anticipated that not everyone will have received even their first dose of vaccination.

 

Council believes that:

1.      High vaccination rates are essential to protecting everyone in our community and further afield, but vaccine hesitancy still exists among some people and the impact it may have on vaccination take-up is concerning;

2.      An effective test, track and trace system is also essential in keeping our economy going and protecting lives, but so far in the pandemic the government have not succeeded in making this system the most effective it can be;

3.      Teachers, police and frontline key workers need to be prioritised for vaccinations after the most vulnerable cohorts in our community to protect people and ensure public services and the economy can stay open;

4.      While precautions will be taken to ensure a safe election day, the safest way for people to vote will be to stay at home and vote by post.

 

Council therefore resolves to:

1.      Engage with the local community to understand and overcome vaccine hesitancy;

2.      Call on the government to provide funding for local authorities to fully operate track and trace schemes;

3.      Call on government to require commissioners for vaccine delivery to provide flexible, local solutions to enable access, remove barriers and reduce inequalities;

4.      Pledge our support for teachers, police and frontline key workers to be vaccinated as a matter of priority;

5.      Implement a comprehensive communications campaign to encourage people to sign up for a postal vote and provide information on how to do so;

6.      Ask the Mayor to write to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care to ask him to implement these policies regarding track and trace and vaccinations, and copy in the MP for Watford asking him to make representations in support of the Council’s position.”

 

Members debated the motion and on being put to Council, the motion was agreed.

 

 

 

RESOLVED –

 

This Council notes that:

1.      Covid-19 has had a huge impact on the lives and livelihoods of residents in Watford and across the rest of the UK;

2.      Key workers have put themselves on the frontline throughout the pandemic to keep society going;

3.      The Covid-19 vaccination roll out has been going well across the UK and it is one of the key routes out of lockdown alongside having an effective track and trace programme;

4.      Watford Borough Council have been working hard to ensure the successful roll out of the Covid-19 vaccine across the borough, converting the town hall into a vaccination hub, providing free transport to vaccination appointments, and redeploying council staff to support the vaccination programme;

5.      Local government elections are due to take place on 6^th May, when it is anticipated that not everyone will have received even their first dose of vaccination.

 

Council believes that:

1.      High vaccination rates are essential to protecting everyone in our community and further afield, but vaccine hesitancy still exists among some people and the impact it may have on vaccination take-up is concerning;

2.      An effective test, track and trace system is also essential in keeping our economy going and protecting lives, but so far in the pandemic the government have not succeeded in making this system the most effective it can be;

3.      Teachers, police and frontline key workers need to be prioritised for vaccinations after the most vulnerable cohorts in our community to protect people and ensure public services and the economy can stay open;

4.      While precautions will be taken to ensure a safe election day, the safest way for people to vote will be to stay at home and vote by post.

 

Council therefore resolves to:

1.             Engage with the local community to understand and overcomevaccine hesitancy;

2.             Call on the government to provide funding for local authorities to fully operate track and trace schemes;

3.             Call on government to require commissioners for vaccine delivery to provide flexible, local solutions to enable access, remove barriers and reduce inequalities;

4.      Pledge our support for teachers, police and frontline key workers to be vaccinated as a matter of priority;

5.      Implement a comprehensive communications campaign to encourage people to sign up for a postal vote and provide information on how to do so;

6.             Ask the Mayor to write to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care to ask him to implement these policies regarding track and trace and vaccinations, and copy in the MP for Watford asking him to make representations in support of the Council’s position

 

Motion 3

 

The motion was proposed by Councillor Bell and seconded by Councillor Collett.  Following the publication of the agenda an amendment had been suggested by Councillor Martins.  As a result of discussions, Councillors Bell and Collett accepted the amendment.

 

“This Council recognises the brave and determined campaign by the Indian Farmers and their families to stand up for their rights against the Indian Government’s agricultural reforms.

 

Watford Council condemns the violence being directed against farmers and their families who are protesting peacefully.

 

Such acts must stop with immediate effect. 

 

We recognise the importance of protesting as a fundamental part of any democracy, and aggression towards peaceful protestors or their allies goes against the basics of a democratic society.

 

Council believes that use of physical force against individuals protesting peacefully is inhumane and unacceptable.

 

There are over 500,000 people in Britain who have settled here whose families originally came from the Punjab area of India and many have families settled in and around Watford.

 

This Council calls on the Mayor to raise our concerns about the physical restrictions on farmers in India engaged in peaceful  demonstrations over introduction of new laws with the High Commission of India and the Foreign Office and to seek assurances that farmers in the affected areas will be allowed to demonstrate against the proposed changes in a peaceful manner.

 

Council further resolves to speak up for the Right to Peaceful Protest as defined by the European Convention of Human Rights whenever it affects Watford residents or their families whether in the UK or elsewhere in the world.”

 

Members debated the motion.

 

On being put to Council, the motion was agreed. 

 

RESOLVED –

 

This Council recognises the brave and determined campaign by the Indian Farmers and their families to stand up for their rights against the Indian Government’s agricultural reforms.

 

Watford Council condemns the violence being directed against farmers and their families who are protesting peacefully.

 

Such acts must stop with immediate effect. 

 

We recognise the importance of protesting as a fundamental part of any democracy, and aggression towards peaceful protestors or their allies goes against the basics of a democratic society.

 

Council believes that use of physical force against individuals protesting peacefully is inhumane and unacceptable.

 

There are over 500,000 people in Britain who have settled here whose families originally came from the Punjab area of India and many have families settled in and around Watford.

 

This Council calls on the Mayor to raise our concerns about the physical restrictions on farmers in India engaged in peaceful  demonstrations over introduction of new laws with the High Commission of India and the Foreign Office and to seek assurances that farmers in the affected areas will be allowed to demonstrate against the proposed changes in a peaceful manner.

 

Council further resolves to speak up for the Right to Peaceful Protest as defined by the European Convention of Human Rights whenever it affects Watford residents or their families whether in the UK or elsewhere in the world.