1.         The following motion has been proposed by Mayor Peter Taylor and seconded by Councillor Ian Stotesbury –

 

            Council notes

 

1.      The excessive profits being made by oil and gas companies.
 

2.      Since 2015, the Conservatives have scrapped zero carbon standards for new homes, and failed to insulate millions of older, energy inefficient homes.

 

            Council therefore supports calls for a “Robin Hood” tax – a one-off levy on the super-profits of oil and gas firms to raise money to support millions of families facing soaring energy costs which includes:

 

1.      A proposed one-off levy to raise an estimated £5 billion from companies that are making record profits from soaring energy prices. This would be used to support vulnerable families facing a 50% increase to their energy bills.
 

2.      This “one-off” tax could fund a substantial package of emergency support to help over 17 million people with their heating bills. 
 

3.      This package of support would include doubling and extending the Warm Home Discount, doubling the Winter Fuel Allowance
 

4.      A new ten-year home insulation scheme: This would be spent on reducing people’s energy bills in the long-term through an emergency home insulation programme to upgrade poorly insulated UK homes - including through fully funded grants for those in fuel poverty and on low incomes. This would cost an estimated £500 million in the next year.

 

            Council recognises any such one off tax should be followed by a widespread review to ensure energy companies pay their fair share.

 

            Council calls on the Mayor to write to the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, calling for a one off tax on excessive profits made by oil and gas companies in order to help vulnerable people with heating bills and upgrade poorly insulated homes.

 

2.         The following motion has been proposed by Councillor Jennifer Pattinson and seconded by Councillor Favour Ezeifedi –

 

            Council notes:

 

·      Sexual violence, sexual harassment, and domestic abuse remain endemic in modern society, highlighted most recently by the appalling murders of Sabina Nessa, Sarah Everard, and sisters Bibba Henry and Nicole Smallman.

·      According to national crime statistics in the UK, on average one woman is killed by a man every three days.

·      A 2021 YouGov national survey on behalf of UN Women UK found that among women aged 18-24, 97% said they had been sexually harassed, while 80% of women of all ages said they had experienced sexual harassment in public spaces.

·      The ONS reported that last year alone 618,000 women were victims of a sexual assault or an attempted sexual assault by a man

·      A recent OFSTED review into sexual harassment in schools has found that sexual harassment, including online sexual abuse, has become ‘normalised’ for children and young people.

·      Local Charity, Dignify, has conducted a study of more than 1,000 pupils, aged 14-18, from across South West Hertfordshire into the use and perceptions of porn by young people. Their research found that 55% of young people surveyed had viewed porn and 58% felt that people who use porn are likely to objectify others.

 

            Council recognises:

 

·      Dignify is doing fantastic work in Watford and the surrounding areas to help children and young people to have healthy relationships.

·      White Ribbon is the leading charity in the UK with a mission to end male violence against women and is part of the global White Ribbon movement which arose from a campaign started by men in Canada in 2004.

 

            Council believes:

 

·      Male violence against women and girls is part of a broader culture of misogyny in society.

·      More focus should be placed on changing men's behaviour than on women taking action to make themselves safer.

 

            Council resolves to:

 

1.      Encourage all male councillors to take the White Ribbon pledge, never to take part in, condone or stay silent about violence against women.

2.      Work towards White Ribbon accreditation, joining the large number of public sector bodies which have already done so; and

3.      As part of this, mark White Ribbon Day on 25 November each year and encourage participation among councillors, council staff and local organisations.

4.      Ask the One Watford group to look into how the council can support campaigns for the end of violence against women and the promotion of healthy relationships.

5.      Ask Mayor Peter Taylor to write to the Secretary of State for Education and the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport to request further work be done in support of all elements of this motion.

6.      Call out all forms of sexual objectification and all its negative outcomes and encourage others to do the same. Championing the wellbeing of everyone, particularly of women and girls, and encouraging the education of everyone, particularly of men and boys.

 

 

 

Council was informed that two motions had been received.

 

Motion 1

 

The following motion was proposed by Mayor Peter Taylor and seconded by Councillor Ian Stotesbury.

 

“Council notes:

1.                  The excessive profits being made by oil and gas companies.

2.                  Since 2015, the Conservatives have scrapped zero carbon standards for new homes, and failed to insulate millions of older, energy inefficient homes.

Council therefore supports calls for a “Robin Hood” tax – a one-off levy on the super-profits of oil and gas firms to raise money to support millions of families facing soaring energy costs which includes:

 

1.                  A proposed one-off levy to raise an estimated £5 billion from companies that are making record profits from soaring energy prices. This would be used to support vulnerable families facing a 50% increase to their energy bills.

2.                  This “one-off” tax could fund a substantial package of emergency support to help over 17 million people with their heating bills. 

3.                       This package of support would include doubling and extending the Warm Home Discount, doubling the Winter Fuel Allowance.

4.                       A new ten-year home insulation scheme: This would be spent on reducing people’s energy bills in the long-term through an emergency home insulation programme to upgrade poorly insulated UK homes - including through fully funded grants for those in fuel poverty and on low incomes. This would cost an estimated £500 million in the next year.

Council recognises any such one off tax should be followed by a widespread review to ensure energy companies pay their fair share.

 

Council calls on the Mayor to write to the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, calling for a one off tax on excessive profits made by oil and gas companies in order to help vulnerable people with heating bills and upgrade poorly insulated homes.”

 

The following amendment to the motion was moved by Councillor Khan and seconded by Councillor Bell:

 

to add the following after point 4:

 

“£600 can be saved from fuel bills by the following:

5. A one year freezing of VAT on fuel so that there is a saving of £100 of fuel bills

6. Plus an extra £94 can be saved by removing the cost of supplier failure next year and spreading it over five years.

7. More than nine million of the hardest hit households — including pensioners, families with children and the “squeezed middle” — would get an extra £400 off through an extended warm homes discount.”

 

Members debated the original motion and the amendment.

 

On being put to Council, the amendment was LOST.

 

Members then voted on the original motion, on being put to Council the motion was agreed.

 

RESOLVED –

 

Council notes:

 

1. The excessive profits being made by oil and gas companies.

 

2. Since 2015, the Conservatives have scrapped zero carbon standards for new homes, and failed to insulate millions of older, energy inefficient homes.

 

Council therefore supports calls for a “Robin Hood” tax – a one-off levy on the super-profits of oil and gas firms to raise money to support millions of families facing soaring energy costs which includes:

 

1.  A proposed one-off levy to raise an estimated £5 billion from companies that are making record profits from soaring energy prices. This would be used to support vulnerable families facing a 50% increase to their energy bills.

 

2.  This “one-off” tax could fund a substantial package of emergency support to help over 17 million people with their heating bills.

 

3. This package of support would include doubling and extending the Warm Home Discount, doubling the Winter Fuel Allowance.

 

4.  A new ten-year home insulation scheme: This would be spent on reducing people’s energy bills in the long-term through an emergency home insulation programme to upgrade poorly insulated UK homes - including through fully funded grants for those in fuel poverty and on low incomes. This would cost an estimated £500 million in the next year.

 

Council recognises any such one off tax should be followed by a widespread review to ensure energy companies pay their fair share.

 

Council calls on the Mayor to write to the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, calling for a one off tax on excessive profits made by oil and gas companies in order to help vulnerable people with heating bills and upgrade poorly insulated homes.

 

Motion 2   

             

The following motion, as published in the agenda, was proposed by Councillor Pattinson and seconded by Councillor Ezeifedi:

 

“Council notes:

·          Sexual violence, sexual harassment, and domestic abuse remain endemic in modern society, highlighted most recently by the appalling murders of Sabina Nessa, Sarah Everard, and sisters Bibba Henry and Nicole Smallman.

•                    According to national crime statistics in the UK, on average one woman is killed by a man every three days.

•                    A 2021 YouGov national survey on behalf of UN Women UK found that among women aged 18-24, 97% said they had been sexually harassed, while 80% of women of all ages said they had experienced sexual harassment in public spaces.

•                    The ONS reported that last year alone 618,000 women were victims of a sexual assault or an attempted sexual assault by a man

•                    A recent OFSTED review into sexual harassment in schools has found that sexual harassment, including online sexual abuse, has become ‘normalised’ for children and young people.

•                    Local Charity, Dignify, has conducted a study of more than 1,000 pupils, aged 14-18, from across South West Hertfordshire into the use and perceptions of porn by young people. Their research found that 55% of young people surveyed had viewed porn and 58% felt that people who use porn are likely to objectify others.

 

Council recognises:

•                    Dignify is doing fantastic work in Watford and the surrounding areas to help children and young people to have healthy relationships.

•                    White Ribbon is the leading charity in the UK with a mission to end male violence against women and is part of the global White Ribbon movement which arose from a campaign started by men in Canada in 2004.

 

Council believes:

·                Male violence against women and girls is part of a broader culture of misogyny in society.

·                More focus should be placed on changing men's behaviour than on women taking action to make themselves safer.

 

Council resolves to:

1.                  Encourage all male councillors to take the White Ribbon pledge, never to take part in, condone or stay silent about violence against women.

2.                  Work towards White Ribbon accreditation, joining the large number of public sector bodies which have already done so; and

3.                  As part of this, mark White Ribbon Day on 25 November each year and encourage participation among councillors, council staff and local organisations.

4.                  Ask the One Watford group to look into how the council can support campaigns for the end of violence against women and the promotion of healthy relationships.

5.                  Ask Mayor Peter Taylor to write to the Secretary of State for Education and the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport to request further work be done in support of all elements of this motion.

6.                  Call out all forms of sexual objectification and all its negative outcomes and encourage others to do the same. Championing the wellbeing of everyone, particularly of women and girls, and encouraging the education of everyone, particularly of men and boys.”

 

Since the publication of the agenda, an amended motion had been agreed. This became the substantive motion and was moved by Councillor Dychton and seconded by Councillor Ezeifedi:

 

“Council notes:

·                Sexual violence, sexual harassment, and domestic abuse remain endemic in the UK, highlighted recently by the appalling murders of Sabina Nessa, Sarah Everard, and sisters Bibba Henry and Nicole Smallman.

·                According to national crime statistics, on average one woman is killed by a man every three days.

·                A 2021 YouGov national survey on behalf of UN Women UK found that among women aged 18-24, 97% said they had been sexually harassed, while 80% of women of all ages said they had experienced sexual harassment in public spaces.

·                The ONS reported that last year alone 618,000 women were victims of a sexual assault or an attempted sexual assault by a man.

·                A recent OFSTED review into sexual harassment in schools has found that sexual harassment, including online sexual abuse, has become ‘normalised’ for children and young people

·                Local Charity, Dignify, has conducted a study of more than 1,000 pupils, aged 14-18, from across South West Hertfordshire into the use and perceptions of porn by young people. Their research found that 55% of young people surveyed had viewed porn and 58% felt that people who use porn are likely to objectify others.

·                The UK has failed to ratify the Istanbul Convention, a treaty creating a global framework for protecting women from violence.

 

Council recognises:

·                There are a number of organisations in Watford including Watford Women’s Centre and Dignify which are working to reduce violence against women, sexual violence, sexual harassment and domestic abuse and support victims.

·                White Ribbon is the leading charity in the UK with a mission to end male violence against women and is part of the global White Ribbon movement which arose from a campaign started by men in Canada in 2004.

Council believes:

·                Everyone, regardless of identity, has the right to live their life free from fear of violence, sexual violence, sexual harassment and domestic abuse.

·                Male violence against women and girls is part of a broader culture of misogyny in society and ending it must be a top priority for all levels of government.

·                The Conservative Government is failing to properly tackle continuing violence against women and girls in our society.

·                More focus should be placed on changing men's behaviour than on women taking action to make themselves safer.

Council resolves to:

1.                  Work towards White Ribbon accreditation, joining the large number of public sector bodies which have already done so.

2.                  As part of this, mark White Ribbon Day on 25 November each year and encourage participation among Councillors, Council staff and local organisations.

3.                  Ask the One Watford group, to look into how the Council can support local and national campaigns for the end of violence against women and girls, as well as the promotion of healthy relationships.

4.                  Support the work being done in local schools and colleges on (educating students, about issues of equality, respect for others and healthy relationships.

5.                  Ask Mayor Peter Taylor to write to the Secretary of State for Education and the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport to:

·                Improve and reform the Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) curriculum, including age-appropriate education on consent.

·                Give Local Authorities the duty and the necessary funding to provide the tools and services needed to address the issues raised within this motion

6.                  Call out all forms of sexual objectification and all its negative outcomes and encourage others to do the same. Championing the wellbeing of everyone, particularly of women and girls, and encouraging the education of everyone, particularly of men and boys.

7.                  Keep a watching brief on the reported growing rise of sexual abuse and violence against  individuals from other diverse groups and to immediately raise any issues with the police and to bring forward proposals to address the problem with the relevant agencies.”

 

Members debated the motion.

 

On being put to Council, the substantive motion was agreed.

 

RESOLVED –

             

Council notes:

·                Sexual violence, sexual harassment, and domestic abuse remain endemic in the UK, highlighted recently by the appalling murders of Sabina Nessa, Sarah Everard, and sisters Bibba Henry and Nicole Smallman.

·                According to national crime statistics, on average one woman is killed by a man every three days.

·                A 2021 YouGov national survey on behalf of UN Women UK found that among women aged 18-24, 97% said they had been sexually harassed, while 80% of women of all ages said they had experienced sexual harassment in public spaces.

·                The ONS reported that last year alone 618,000 women were victims of a sexual assault or an attempted sexual assault by a man.

·                A recent OFSTED review into sexual harassment in schools has found that sexual harassment, including online sexual abuse, has become ‘normalised’ for children and young people

·                Local Charity, Dignify, has conducted a study of more than 1,000 pupils, aged 14-18, from across South West Hertfordshire into the use and perceptions of porn by young people. Their research found that 55% of young people surveyed had viewed porn and 58% felt that people who use porn are likely to objectify others.

·                The UK has failed to ratify the Istanbul Convention, a treaty creating a global framework for protecting women from violence.

Council recognises:

·                There are a number of organisations in Watford including Watford Women’s Centre and Dignify which are working to reduce violence against women, sexual violence, sexual harassment and domestic abuse and support victims.

·                White Ribbon is the leading charity in the UK with a mission to end male violence against women and is part of the global White Ribbon movement which arose from a campaign started by men in Canada in 2004.

Council believes:

·                Everyone, regardless of identity, has the right to live their life free from fear of violence, sexual violence, sexual harassment and domestic abuse.

·                Male violence against women and girls is part of a broader culture of misogyny in society and ending it must be a top priority for all levels of government.

·                The Conservative Government is failing to properly tackle continuing violence against women and girls in our society.

·                More focus should be placed on changing men's behaviour than on women taking action to make themselves safer.

Council resolves to:

1.                  Work towards White Ribbon accreditation, joining the large number of public sector bodies which have already done so.

2.                  As part of this, mark White Ribbon Day on 25 November each year and encourage participation among Councillors, Council staff and local organisations.

3.                  Ask the One Watford group, to look into how the Council can support local and national campaigns for the end of violence against women and girls, as well as the promotion of healthy relationships.

4.                  Support the work being done in local schools and colleges on (educating students, about issues of equality, respect for others and healthy relationships.

5.                  Ask Mayor Peter Taylor to write to the Secretary of State for Education and the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport to:

·                Improve and reform the Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) curriculum, including age-appropriate education on consent.

·                Give Local Authorities the duty and the necessary funding to provide the tools and services needed to address the issues raised within this motion

 

6.                  Call out all forms of sexual objectification and all its negative outcomes and encourage others to do the same. Championing the wellbeing of everyone, particularly of women and girls, and encouraging the education of everyone, particularly of men and boys.

7.                  Keep a watching brief on the reported growing rise of sexual abuse and violence against  individuals from other diverse groups and to immediately raise any issues with the police and to bring forward proposals to address the problem with the relevant agencies.