The following motion has been proposed by Councillor Sohail Bashir and seconded by Councillor Ahsan Khan

 

“Council notes that in the Callowland Ward there has been a continuous and constant problem of street littering and flytipping with which residents of the ward have become increasingly concerned.

The Council also notes that firm action needs to be taken to significantly reduce the current levels of littering and flytipping in the ward.

We call upon this Council to increase the frequency of litter picking and street cleaning within Callowland. Furthermore, on behalf of residents, we call for a more proactive approach from this Council to deal with the chronic problems of flytipping in the Callowland Ward.”

 

The following motion has been proposed by Councillor Asif Khan and seconded by Councillor Sohail Bashir

 

“The council notes that the Kashmir issue has been ongoing for over 69 years.

 

Watford has strong ties with Kashmir as thousands of Watfordians have a Kashmiri heritage and links to the region.

 

The council is shocked and deeply concerned by the killing of over 150 people and hundreds of civilians blinded including children by the use of pellet guns by the Indian security forces since July 2016.

 

The council also believes in a diplomatic solution to this issue and once resolved it will bring peace and stability to the region.

 

We call upon the council to write to the Indian High Commissioner calling for the immediate cessation of the use of pellet guns on civilians, investigate human rights abuses and to engage in meaningful peace talks.

 

We call upon the council to write to the Watford MP, to raise with the foreign office to work harder for the implementation of UN resolutions on Kashmir and to push for a diplomatic solution.”

 

The following motion has been proposed by Councillor Matt Turmaine and seconded by Councillor Bilqees Mauthoor

 

“This council recognises that technological innovation is driving change in the taxi trade, with particular reference to companies like Uber.

 

Rider sharing drivers (e.g. Uber drivers) are operating in Watford already. It is important that they are brought within the council framework rules to ensure passenger safety and a thriving local taxi trade.

 

This council resolves that:

 

·       Drivers of such vehicles are subject to the same licensing regulations as existing private hire taxi cab drivers (e.g. licensed, regulated, trained, subject to inspection).

·       The conduct of rider sharing services is monitored to ensure that practices outside of permitted private hire are not engaged in, e.g. ranking and that perpetrators are fined/prosecuted.

·       The council should investigate offering compensation to existing licence plate holders for the negative pricing effect on their plate ownership, as numbers of Uber taxi drivers in Watford increases.

·       The council should establish/maintain a dialogue with relevant organisations in relation to the debate on minimum wage and workplace rights impacting this business sector.”

 

 

 

 

Council was informed that three motions had been received.

 

1)      The following motion was proposed by Councillor Sohail Bashir and seconded by Councillor Ahsan Khan

 

         “Council notes that in the Callowland Ward there has been a continuous and constant problem of street littering and flytipping with which residents of the ward have become increasingly concerned.

 

         The Council also notes that firm action needs to be taken to significantly reduce the current levels of littering and flytipping in the ward.

 

         We call upon this Council to increase the frequency of litter picking and street cleaning within Callowland.  Furthermore, on behalf of residents, we call for a more proactive approach from this Council to deal with the chronic problems of flytipping in the Callowland Ward.”

 

         Members debated the motion.

 

         On being put to Council the motion was LOST.

 

2)      The following motion was proposed by Councillor Asif Khan and seconded by Councillor Sohail Bashir

 

         “The council notes that the Kashmir issue has been ongoing for over 69 years.

 

         Watford has strong ties with Kashmir as thousands of Watfordians have a Kashmiri heritage and links to the region.

 

         The council is shocked and deeply concerned by the killing of over 150 people and hundreds of civilians blinded including children by the use of pellet guns by the Indian security forces since July 2016.

 

         The council also believes in a diplomatic solution to this issue and once resolved it will bring peace and stability to the region.

 

         We call upon the council to write to the Indian High Commissioner calling for the immediate cessation of the use of pellet guns on civilians, investigate human rights abuses and to engage in meaningful peace talks.

 

         We call upon the council to write to the Watford MP, to raise with the foreign office to work harder for the implementation of UN resolutions on Kashmir and to push for a diplomatic solution.”

 

         Councillor Peter Taylor moved the following amendment, seconded by Councillor Rabi Martins

 

         “The council notes that the Kashmir issue has been ongoing for over 69 years.

 

         Watford has strong ties with Kashmir as thousands of Watfordians have a Kashmiri heritage and links to the region.

 

         The council is shocked and deeply concerned by the killing of over 150 people and hundreds of civilians blinded including children by the use of pellet guns by the Indian security forces since July 2016.

 

         The council also believes in a diplomatic solution to this issue and once resolved it will bring peace and stability to the region.

 

         Delete:

 

         We call upon the council to write to the Indian High Commissioner calling for the immediate cessation of the use of pellet guns on civilians, investigate human rights abuses and to engage in meaningful peace talks.

 

         Replace with:

 

         We call upon the council to write to the High Commissioners of both India and Pakistan demanding:

 

-              the immediate cessation of violence including the use of pellet guns on civilians

-              the immediate lifting of the curfew and restrictions on free speech

-              the investigation of human rights abuses in the region

-              the restarting of diplomatic talks to resolve the situation peacefully

-              immediate help and support for those who have been injured

 

         We call upon the council to write to the Watford MP, to raise with the foreign office to work harder for the implementation of UN resolutions on Kashmir and to push for a diplomatic solution.”

 

         Following a discussion it was agreed that the proposed amendment would be altered to show that the High Commissioner for Pakistan would be written to regarding the immediate cessation of violence as well as the last two bullet points and not regarding the use of pellet guns or the second and third bullet point.

 

         Members discussed the substantive motion.

 

         On being put to council the substantive motion was AGREED.

 

         RESOLVED –

 

         The council notes that the Kashmir issue has been ongoing for over 69 years.

 

         Watford has strong ties with Kashmir as thousands of Watfordians have a Kashmiri heritage and links to the region.

 

         The council is shocked and deeply concerned by the killing of over 150 people and hundreds of civilians blinded including children by the use of pellet guns by the Indian security forces since July 2016.

 

         The council also believes in a diplomatic solution to this issue and once resolved it will bring peace and stability to the region.

 

         We call upon the council to write to the High Commissioner of India demanding:

 

-              the immediate cessation of violence including the use of pellet guns on civilians

-              the immediate lifting of the curfew and restrictions on free speech

-              the investigation of human rights abuses in the region

 

         We call upon the council the write to the High Commissioner of Pakistan demanding:

 

         -        the immediate cessation of violence

 

         We call upon the council to write to the High Commissioners of both India and Pakistan demanding:

 

-              the restarting of diplomatic talks to resolve the situation peacefully

-              immediate help and support for those who have been injured

 

         We call upon the council to write to the Watford MP, to raise with the foreign office to work harder for the implementation of UN resolutions on Kashmir and to push for a diplomatic solution.

 

3)      The following motion was proposed by Councillor Matt Turmaine and seconded by Councillor Bilqees Mauthoor

 

         “This council recognises that technological innovation is driving change in the taxi trade, with particular reference to companies like Uber.

 

         Rider sharing drivers (e.g. Uber drivers) are operating in Watford already.  It is important that they are brought within the council framework rules to ensure passenger safety and a thriving local taxi trade.

 

         This council resolves that:

 

·             Drivers of such vehicles are subject to the same licensing regulations as existing private hire taxi cab drivers (e.g. licensed, regulated, trained, subject to inspection).

·             The conduct of rider sharing services is monitored to ensure that practices outside of permitted private hire are not engaged in, e.g. ranking and that perpetrators are fined/prosecuted.

·             The council should investigate offering compensation to existing licence plate holders for the negative pricing effect on their plate ownership, as numbers of Uber taxi drivers in Watford increases.

·             The council should establish/maintain a dialogue with relevant organisations in relation to the debate on a minimum wage and workplace rights impacting this business sector.”

 

         Members debated the motion.

 

         On being put to council the motion was LOST.