MOTIONS
5.1 MOTION ONE – Proposer Cllr Anderson
The Government’s furlough scheme supported many businesses and individuals and saved the economy during the covid crisis, and the Government has provided welcome support with energy bills during the cost of living crisis.
However, energy bills have still risen by 80 to 100%, whilst wholesale energy prices have fallen away dramatically, and energy exploration profits have risen sharply.
The Council supports the introduction of a tax on the windfall profits made by energy firms as a result of high prices, but, with the reduction in wholesale prices, and the review of the price cap due at the end of March, the Council is keen to ensure that measures are put in place to support households and businesses, including where appropriate a reduction in energy costs.
The Council therefore calls on the Leader of the Council to write to the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, Grant Shapps MP, to ask for this help.
5.2 MOTION TWO – Proposer Cllr Sheron Wilkie
Female firefighters and police officers suffering sexist and misogynistic treatment.
Dorset and Wiltshire Fire Service have launched an independent review amid damning testimony shared with ITV News from female firefighters claiming sexist and misogynistic treatment within the organisation. This follows an investigation into South Wales Fire Service where comparable complaints were raised. A similar review was undertaken by the London fire brigade last year that revealed incidents of misogyny racism and bullying in UK’s largest firefighting service.
Several female firefighters told ITV News of experiencing persistent sexual harassment, including one male firefighter demanding sexual favours at the scene of a fire. The women also revealed dozens of explicit photographs and unsolicited messages they had been sent by male colleagues, including demands for sex.
The former Chief Crown Prosecutor for the North-West, Nazir Afzal OBE, has said ‘This isn’t a London problem — it’s a nationwide problem, and I think what we are seeing now is the Fire Service’s #MeToo moment.’
There are parallel issues in the police force with an official report from His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary stating that defective vetting and leadership failures have allowed a ‘prevalent’ culture of potentially thousands of officers who are ‘predatory’ towards women to join ,and stay in, the force.
Officers carried out unwarranted stops on women in an abuse of power known as ‘booty patrols’, with crimes such as sexual assault and large-scale harassment of female officers and members of the public, either ignored or covered up.
Within this context this Council:
1. Unequivocally condemns any such behaviour in Hertfordshire Fire Service and Hertfordshire Police Service and will take the following actions :
2. That the Leader of the Council write to the Chief Fire Officer for Hertfordshire Fire Service, to support the actions being taken to ensure that all complaints of sexual harassment and misogynistic behaviour within the Service are fully investigated and that any such complaint will immediately result in the suspension of that officer pending investigation.
3. That the Leader of the Council writes to the Police and Crime Commissioner to ask what steps he intends to take to ensure that female Police Officers are able to make complaints of sexual harassment and misogynistic behaviour and that any such complaint will immediately result in the suspension of that officer pending investigation.
4. That DBC give clear and accessible routes for any female firefighters or police officers to make a complaint , and ;
5. To support and assist any female firefighters and police officers in their complaint process.
Minutes:
5.1 Motion One
Cllr Anderson proposed the first motion that was seconded by Cllr England. Cllr Anderson noted that he had been informed that an amendment may be proposed and advised that he would move the main motion though would not accept the amendment that he had been alerted to.
The Mayor noted that any member can propose an amendment at any point and that in the absence of any amendment being proposed then he would need to ask Cllr Anderson to expand on the motion.
Cllr Anderson presented the motion, noting that the main issue around the cost of living crisis has been the effect on retail energy prices. It was noted that those facing increases in average monthly bills of around £6,700 a month, the government grants to households has helped considerably, and Cllr Anderson referred to those who have experienced increases of £200 per month, stating that he has been contacted by residents who have faced this impact. Cllr Anderson noted the profits made by energy companies as a result of high prices and stated that they were now at a level that was no longer acceptable.
Cllr Anderson stated that it is important to note that retail energy prices are used to calculate inflation and that they therefore need to keep prices as low as possible. It was also noted that high energy prices are stifling the economy, and the impact on people and businesses was raised.
Cllr Anderson asked members to support the motion so they could lobby the government to ensure further support for residents.
The Mayor noted the motion to call on the Leader of the Council to write to the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, Grant Shapps MP, to ask for his help.
The seconder reserved their right to speak.
Cllr Tindall presented the amendment, noting that he was in agreement with the motion, though there have been calls for action from the government for a considerable amount of time that have been resisted. Cllr Tindall noted that they have been through a winter with high prices when the windfall tax could've been brought in at an earlier date and that they therefore didn't agree with the first half of the statement congratulating the government.
Cllr Tindall asked that members support the amendment to allow for the motion to be supported.
The Mayor asked for the wording of the proposed amendment.
Cllr Tindall advised that the amendment was to remove the first two paragraphs of the motion and to insert 'Despite the government providing welcome support with energy bills during the cost of living crisis caused by Covid, international factors, including Brexit, made worse by the government's disastrous mini-budget in September 2022, energy bills have still risen by 80 to 100%. Also energy prices have fallen away dramatically and energy exploration and production profits have risen sharply. Still the government ignores requests for increased windfall taxes' as the first paragraph. Cllr Tindall stated that the rest of the motion would remain as set out by Cllr Anderson.
The Mayor noted that they would now debate the motion.
Cllr Anderson confirmed that he would not support the amendment.
Cllr England supported the amendment, noting that he wants to support the intention of the motion and ask the Secretary of State to help residents in a relevant way that is adapted to changing circumstances.
Cllr Freedman confirmed his support of the intention of the motion and stated that the current situation is clear evidence of the government's approach to the reviewing of the price cap over the last year has been flawed. Cllr Freedman noted that when energy companies came to the government asking for the cap to be reviewed, they pushed to keep the percentages of revenue splits the same rather than acknowledging with revenue doubling that the amount they needed for profit and investment should be maintained at previous levels. Cllr Freedman agreed that a review of the price cap was required but that he felt it was done in an oversimplified way that benefited larger energy companies. Cllr Freedman suggested that the process of how the price cap is reviewed is vital.
Cllr Pringle spoke in favour of the amendment, noting that businesses and residents require assistance that the motion asks for. Cllr Pringle stated that the amendment is necessary as many residents would find it insulting to congratulate a government that has brought economic chaos through the events of recent years. The mishandling of the economy was commented upon and Cllr Pringle stated that the money lost could have instead been spent on those who needed it. Cllr Pringle acknowledged the international macroeconomic instability caused by the war in Ukraine, though stated that economic instability has also been caused by labour shortages and inflation due to Brexit.
Cllr Taylor supported the amendment, stating that the opposition has had a practice over the last 40 years of privatising all utilities. Cllr Taylor commented on water companies pouring sewage into rivers, the almost collapse of the railway system and the energy market driven by the highest prices. Cllr Taylor stated that the costs of producing solar and nuclear power has not changed. Cllr Taylor noted his surprise regarding Cllr Anderson's motion and suggested that he would no longer be supporting the Party that he has been a member of. Cllr Taylor stated that the motion needs to be amended and should name the people responsible, namely the Conservative government.
Cllr Anderson noted his disagreement with the supporters of the amendment, stating that the majority of people will recognise that the government has been in a difficult situation in recent years. Cllr Anderson commented on the strain on resources caused by Covid and suggested that the government deserves credit for the furlough scheme. Cllr Anderson noted the concerns regarding how much the government could afford to support the public and that there is now an opportunity for the government to provide further support. Cllr Anderson advised that he has not had a conversion and assured members that he would not be converting from the Conservative Party. Cllr Anderson asked members to oppose the amendment.
Cllr Tindall suggested a further amendment, stating that the first two paragraphs be removed from the motion and that the remainder be left to allow the object of the motion to remain without criticising or praising the government. It was confirmed that Cllr Barry-Mears seconded the amendment.
Cllr Anderson raised a point of order and asked that only one amendment be dealt with at a time.
A vote was conducted on the amendment.
Cllr England stated that it was disappointing that an amended or counter amended motion could not be agreed. Cllr England suggested that the letter be specific and transparently candid about all obvious causes, and he stated that governments are the only organisation that can spend money when they need to. Cllr England advised that both sides need to confront and accept that not everything can be attributed their favourite factors and that he hoped the letter would be specific on what they want Grant Shapps to do, that being help for those facing economic disadvantage who are being forced to use pre-payment meters and tariff, and recognition that energy companies did not expect these profits off the back of a war.
Cllr Douris commented on the first two paragraphs of the motion, stating that it was correct that the furlough scheme had helped individuals and businesses during the Covid crisis and that the government had provided welcome support with energy bills during the cost of living crisis. Cllr Douris noted that the second paragraph was also factually correct and that the first two paragraphs form the basis for the further paragraphs and instruction within the motion. Cllr Douris confirmed that he was in support of the motion.
Cllr Maddern noted her focus on what the motion is looking to achieve and that she would therefore support the motion.
Cllr Pringle confirmed she would be publicly abstaining as she stated that they should not be forced to speak misleadingly in front of residents. Cllr Pringle noted the need to acknowledge Brexit and the mini-budget, adding that they had predicted a cost-of-living crisis in 2016 and that they could see the impact that Brexit has had on the labour market.
Cllr Williams advised that they had worded the motion carefully to recognise the support the government has given in response to Covid and the cost of living crisis, and that he didn't feel it congratulates the government. Cllr Williams stated that he does not support excessive taxes on businesses as this can drive investment into other countries, though there could be excessive profits and the government could offset some costs to the public purse by having a more robust windfall tax on energy firms. Cllr Williams advised that his letter to the Secretary of State will not mention Brexit.
Cllr Anderson noted his disagreement with the comments made by the opposition and stated that the motion had nothing to do with Brexit.
A vote was conducted on the motion. The motion was carried with 26 votes in favour, 1 against and 19 abstentions.
5.2 Motion Two
The motion was proposed by Cllr Wilkie and seconded by Cllr Barry-Mears.
Cllr Wilkie read out the motion regarding female firefighters and police officers suffering sexist and misogynistic treatment.
The Mayor proposed that members take a 5-minute comfort break.
Cllr Griffiths confirmed that she would be voting against the motion, stating that the Council is not responsible for the Fire Service and that it would therefore have no form of input into personnel records or staffing, and asked how staff could be instructed to act in relation to another organisation's staffing. Cllr Griffiths asked why the motion only spoke about women, stating that this could affect women, men and non-gender specific people, and stated that she could not support a discriminatory policy. Cllr Griffiths commented that public sector organisations have a number of policies and asked how often the Leader of the Opposition has been asked to contact these bodies or if the proposers of the motions have also written. Cllr Griffiths noted that this was the only motion raised by the opposition during their last Council meeting before purdah and asked if they were comfortable with how the administration has run the Council given that there is no motion on what the Council can take as direct action.
Cllr Pringle referred to the motion proposed by Cllr Anderson regarding writing to Westminster, and stated that whilst they can write individually, which many do, there is a further opportunity when writing as a collective Council regarding endemic misogyny within society. Cllr Pringle referred to Cllr Griffiths' suggestion that the motion was discriminatory and advised that this denies that misogyny exists. Cllr Pringle noted that many men are allies of women and will call out misogyny, and noted that there is also internalised misogyny and unconscious bias. Cllr Pringle congratulated Cllr Wilkie for putting the motion before the chamber, stating that they can't ignore that four women are murdered every week and that she was offended by the men she could hear muttering whilst she was talking. Cllr Pringle stated that she would not be silenced on the issue as she has seen the physical and psychological abuse inflicted upon women as well as the double standards applied to women who stand up on the issue. Cllr Pringle began to comment on another woman in the chamber wanting to deny that four women a week are being killed.
Cllr Griffiths raised a point of order, stating that she did not deny that four women a week are killed and asked that the comment be withdrawn.
Cllr Pringle apologised for misspeaking and continued that the denial is that they are immersed in misogyny.
Cllr Pringle stated that she has received misogynistic abuse whilst in the chamber, being told, 'Sit down, woman,' and members speaking over women in particular.
Cllr Beauchamp supported all actions taken against individuals engaging in sexist and misogynist behaviour though he would not be supporting the motion. Cllr Beauchamp stated that the implication that Hertfordshire firefighters and police officers are engaging in such abhorrent behaviour without any evidence of such is offensive and disingenuous to the work that they do within the borough.
Cllr Tindall raised corrections as the Chair of the Dacorum Domestic Abuse Committee and an ex-trustee of the Hertfordshire Domestic Abuse Helpline for 10 years. Cllr Tindall thanked Council staff for the booklet regarding community safety services, including how the borough supports vulnerable people who require help. Cllr Tindall noted the inclusion of the request that DBC provide clear and accessible routes for any female firefighter or police officer to make a complaint within the motion, and that this service is part of the Council's service. Cllr Tindall noted that the Chief Fire Officer takes the reports very seriously and is actively making sure that there will be no further incidents, and this is why the motion states the support of the actions taken by the Chief Fire Officer as well as acknowledging that they currently don't know what actions the Police and Crime Commissioner is taking. Cllr Tindall confirmed his support of the motion.
Cllr Maddern clarified that she was not offended by hearing people talking whilst she was speaking earlier and that she did not see this as a misogynistic act. Cllr Maddern confirmed she would be abstaining on the motion, noting that whilst she acknowledged the sentiment behind it, this is a County Council issue. Referring to points 4 and 5 within the motion, Cllr Maddern queried how DBC could give clear or accessible routes or assist female firefighters or police officers in the complaints process given that they could go through HCC.
Cllr England asked if they should have a community voice for affected female residents or stand on the sidelines. Cllr England noted that the behaviour raised has been reported as happening against women in the Fire Service and that they could not state that this is not happening in Dacorum. Cllr England stated that the motion was raised to allow members to discuss this on behalf of residents that they represent and asked if the Council unequivocally condemns any such behaviour in Hertfordshire Fire Service and Hertfordshire Police Service and if they agreed with the actions set out within the motion.
Cllr Barry-Mears noted her shock regarding the arguments against the motion and that she was disgusted by some of the responses within the chamber. Cllr Barry-Mears commented on the severity of the situation and noted that residents are working for the services set out within the motion. Cllr Barry-Mears stated that they should stand up for those who have elected them and that she hoped there were not women who looked to some of the men present in the chamber for support.
Cllr Imarni suggested that the Council should consider their community as well as their powers, and that the motion is a key and not often discussed topic that should be taken seriously. Cllr Imarni noted her role as Chair of the Housing OSC and advised that they have recently discussed the Council's approach to domestic abuse and that members have worked closely with officers to ensure that people are kept safe. Cllr Imarni stated that she did not believe that points 4 and 5 within the motion had not been well thought out as firefighters and police officers do not work for DBC and DBC does therefore not manage their complaints procedure. Cllr Imarni addressed comments on the issue not being taken seriously and asked that the minutes from the Housing OSC held two months ago be read to show how seriously the issue was taken. Cllr Imarni stated that policies and intentions need to be written correctly to ensure that a motion can be fully implemented correctly.
Cllr Freedman commented that the Council is an authority and has a voice, and therefore statements about behaviours matter. Cllr Freedman noted his own privilege, stating that whilst he has not personally experienced misogyny, he can still use his voice against it and asked that any tools available, including the Council's voice, be used to also speak out against it. Cllr Freedman noted the high profile cases that have come to light and noted that there is also a pervading culture where these behaviours are acceptable, and any actions or statements by the Council helps push that message to these sub-cultures that this behaviour is not acceptable. Cllr Freedman acknowledged concerns regarding DBC's responsibilities and stated that DBC officers working with someone should be aware of complaints to allow them to look at how they are dealing with the individual. Cllr Freedman stated that DBC can help people know where to go to raise a complaint and ensure that it is part of the holistic view of their situation.
Cllr Wilkie commented that they had opened up dialogue and stated that female firefighters and police officers are Dacorum residents and that members must collectively act as their voice. Cllr Wilkie clarified that the motion looks to broaden the guidance available and provide tools to those who are already experts within the community. Cllr Wilkie stated that all members had been appalled by the news reports and that she hoped they had all taken the time to view the links included within the motion. Cllr Wilkie advised that she has met with a number of retired and serving officers in recent days and stated that they are aggrieved that their reputations are sullied by the individuals, adding that although a large proportion of those who work in the services are deeply committed to serving their community, this is still a national issue. Cllr Wilkie stated it would be naïve to suggest that there is not an issue within Hertfordshire and noted that residents will come to members with issues when they have nowhere else to go. The motion was described by Cllr Wilkie as a call to arms and asked members to support the motion.
A vote was conducted on the motion. The motion fell with 13 votes in favour, 21 against and 10 abstentions.