Agenda item

To consider Motions of which notice has been given.

Minutes:

(a) Abolition of Section 21 of the Housing Act 1988

 

The following motion was moved by Councillor Kathy Bance and seconded by Councillor Josh King -

 

“This council strongly believes that a secure home is at the heart of all our lives. It gives security, enables aspiration and gives children a stable home in which to grow up.

 

This council believes that residents living in the private rented sector should have the security to build their lives and futures, and to become an active part of their community, just as residents in other housing tenures should expect. We note that nationally, the largest reason for homelessness is eviction from the private sector. We therefore call on the Government to: abolish 'section 21' of the Housing Act 1988 which allows eviction without the landlord having to establish fault on the part of a tenant.

 

Removing this unfair clause would help to make renting more secure, improve standards, increase tenant confidence and ultimately contribute towards making renting a viable long-term alternative to home ownership or social rent for the millions who currently cannot access either.”

 

It was moved by Councillor Colin Smith and seconded by Councillor Michael Rutherford that the motion be referred to Renewal, Recreation and Housing PDS Committee for more detailed consideration and report back - this amendment was CARRIED.

 

(b) Christchurch Attacks

 

The following motion was moved by Councillor Simon Jeal and seconded by Councillor Angela Wilkins -

 

“This Council expresses its utter shock and sympathy in the wake of the terrorist atrocity in New Zealand where 50 Muslim worshippers were killed by right-wing extremists inside two mosques. We mourn with our fellow commonwealth, we are one, you are us, and we send our wishes of love and compassion to all New Zealanders.

 

On Friday 15th March, millions of British Muslims in the UK were preparing to attend the Friday prayers at their local mosques. This weekly act of worship was overshadowed by the horrific news of a terrorist attack thousands of miles away in Christchurch, New Zealand. Muslims were targeted as they too went to attend the call to prayer at their local mosques, with 50 never to return.

 

This Council, alongside our local community, stands together to condemn the deadliest mass shooting in modern New Zealand history as proof and evidence that terrorism has no colour, has no race, and has no religion. We reaffirm our commitment to condemn those who demonise and dehumanise people because of the faith they follow.

Terrorists have sought to divide our great city apart with an evil ideology, but instead we have shown that London is strong, and that the world can see in us an example of love and unity. This Council resolves not to let anyone divide us and we wish to express unity and solidarity with communities in Bromley who are feeling the ripples of fear and sorrow following the events on 15th March.”

 

Councillor Gary Stevens, seconded by Councillor Colin Smith, moved an amendment to the motion to read -

 

“This Council expresses its utter shock and sympathy in the wake of the terrorist atrocity in New Zealand and notes other recent attacks in the Philippines, Kenya, Nigeria, Israel and elsewhere and extends its sympathy to all the victims of terrorist crimes wherever they occur.”

 

On being put to the vote, this amendment was CARRIED.

 

Councillor Angela Wilkins, seconded by Councillor Kevin Brooks, proposed that the original motion and the motion as amended by Councillor Stevens be combined. On being put to a recorded vote, this amendment was LOST.

 

The following members voted in favour of the amendment proposed by Councillor Wilkins -

 

Councillors Marina Ahmad, Vanessa Allen, Katherine Bance, Kevin Brooks, Ian Dunn, Simon Jeal, Josh King, Peter Morgan and Angela Wilkins. 

 

The following members voted against the motion -

 

Councillors Gareth Allatt, Graham Arthur, Yvonne Bear, Nicholas Bennett, Mike Botting, Katy Boughey, Mark Brock, Mary Cooke, Aisha Cuthbert, Peter Dean, Nicky Dykes, Robert Evans, Simon Fawthrop, Peter Fortune, Kira Gabbert, Will Harmer, Christine Harris, Samaris Huntington-Thresher, William Huntington-Thresher, Charles Joel, Kate Lymer, Christopher Marlow, Russell Mellor, Alexa Michael, Keith Onslow, Tony Owen, Angela Page, Neil Reddin, Will Rowlands, Michael Rutherford, Richard Scoates, Suraj Sharma, Colin Smith, Diane Smith, Kieran Terry, Michael Tickner, Pauline Tunnicliffe, Michael Turner and Stephen Wells.

 

The following Members abstained -

 

Councillors Julian Benington, Kim Botting, David Cartwright, Judi Ellis, Hannah Gray, Colin Hitchins, Robert Mcilveen, Chris Pierce, Gary Stevens, Melanie Stevens and Harry Stranger.

 

The substantive motion, as proposed by Councillor Gary Stevens, was put to the vote and CARRIED.

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