To consider motions from councillors in accordance with Council procedure rule 38.
(1) Motion to be proposed by Councillor Katherine Foxhall, seconded by Councillor Eric de la Harpe:
This council recognises that:
· The UK is committed by the Climate Change Act and by the Glasgow Climate Pact to reducing its carbon emissions to net zero by 2050, and to reducing them by 68% from 1990 levels by 2030.
· The Climate Change Committee has estimated that Local Authorities have powers or influence over roughly a third of emissions in their local areas.
· This council is already committed to reducing its own carbon emissions to net zero by 2030 and to supporting our District to achieve the same by 2045.
This council resolves to:
· Ask Cabinet to consider the use of SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time-bound) targets and reporting to deliver and monitor our carbon emissions reduction targets for Council and District emissions.
· Consider innovative financing options to deliver the climate action that we need to meet our targets and to support a just transition for our residents.
· Ask the Leader to write to the Secretary of State to request that all Local Authorities are given statutory duties, powers and funding to enable them to deliver locally for a Net Zero transition in line with the UKs legal commitments.
(2) Motion to be proposed by Councillor Max Thompson, seconded by Councillor Jill Rayner:
LGBTQ+ people have a long contributed to political, economic, social and cultural life in the Vale of White Horse, the UK, and the wider world. However, their stories have often been omitted from history books and wider discourse.
Vale has a proud record of recognising and supporting the importance of equality and diversity. Examples include the fact that Council has an adopted Diversity and Inclusion strategy and since 2019 has reconfirmed its commitments to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in motions on Islamophobia, and anti-Semitism, and trans rights and we strive to embed those values across our service delivery.
Regrettably however, some politicians and political campaigns still seek to vilifying and ridicule members of the LGBTQ+ community and there has been an uptick of violence and hate crimes towards LGBTQ+ persons in recent years.
There are many important international days for LGBTQ+ awareness that Council does not currently mark externally, including International Day against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia, which falls on 17 May, and Transgender Day of Remembrance, which falls on 20 November. February 2025 marks 20 years of LGBT+ history month, which Council has not hitherto marked with any large-scale external communications or events.
Council therefore resolves to:
· Recognise the damage done to individuals across the LGBTQ+ community by Section 28 of the Local Government At (1988), which required local authorities to take restrictive approaches across areas such as education, publicity and communications, which means that the harm done to the LGBTQ+ community, and others, has extended long past the legislation’s removal in 2003.
· Restate its belief that LGBTQ+ persons are valued members of our community.
· Endorse the view that support for LGBTQ+ groups is not, and must not, be limited to raising the flag during Pride month.
· Ask cabinet to consider developing a communications strategy that highlights and marks the International Day against Homophobia; Biphobia and Transphobia , the Transgender Day of Remembrance 17th May, 20th November and LGBT+ History month. The development of such a strategy could support and make visible the various initiatives across the Vale and periods of LGBTQ+ awareness beyond pride.
· Ask Cabinet to consider how the Council could best support organising an annual public event from February 2025 to mark LGBT+ history month.
· Ask the Leader of the Council to write to the relevant Government Minister asking that they note the commitment to supporting equality for all of this Council, emphasising the importance of education and understanding as key drivers against intolerance in all spheres.
· Note that the Leader has asked the EDI Champions to meet with officers and report back to her, and update Council as required, on matters relating to the above on a bi-annual basis.