• Agenda item
  • Agenda item

    A.    To consider the under-mentioned Notices of Motion standing in the names of M. Griffiths, J. Barton, L. M. Adams, D. R. Bevan, H. Boggis, J. Bonetto, S. Bradwick, J. Brencher, A. Calvert, G. Caple, A. Crimmings, A. Davies-Jones, L. De- Vet, J. Edwards, J. Elliott, S. Evans, G. Jones, M. Fidler Jones, M. Forey, A. Fox, E. George, J. Harries, G. Holmes, G. Hopkins, R. Lewis, W. Lewis, C. Leyshon, A. Morgan, S. Morgans, M. A. Norris, D. Owen-Jones, S. Pickering, S. Powell, S. Rees, A. Roberts, J. Rosser, G. Stacey, M. Tegg, G. Thomas, W. Treeby, R. K. Turner, M. Webber, D. Williams, R. Williams, T. Williams,  R. Yeo

     

     

    Over the course of the last 18 months, frontline heroes across the public and private sectors have led the fight against COVID-19, putting themselves at risk and making huge personal sacrifices to protect the NHS, save lives and ensure that the U.K. continues to operate.

    Their contributions have been widely recognised, with millions going to the doorstep to show their appreciation over various points throughout the pandemic.  This appreciation has also extended to the rhetoric of the U.K. Government who have been quick to offer regular soundbites of empty appreciation for the frontline heroes.

    However, in the one-year Comprehensive Spending Review last Autumn, the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced a public sector pay “pause” for this financial year, with only those earning under £24,000 and NHS staff being exempt.  In March, the U.K. Government came under fire after proposals for a 1% pay increase for those exempt from the “pause” were floated, whilst its improved offer of 3% following a recommendation from the NHS Pay Review body runs the risk of triggering industrial action.

    Frontline heroes across the public sector now face another real terms cut despite their tireless efforts in ensuring services were maintained and our communities kept safe over the last 18 months.  Senior representatives from Police forces across England and Wales have already expressed their dismay and opposition to a 0% pay increase – which comes at a time when assaults on police officers exceeded 100-a-day (20% increase on the previous year).  In addition, the thousands of staff employed by this Council have been offered a 1.75% increase, which will need to be wholly funded by the Council’s own resources if it is accepted.

    The Welsh Government’s Education Minister, Jeremy Miles MS has recently confirmed that he is minded to accept the recommended 1.75% rise in pay for teachers, although if agreed, it is likely that the funding will also need to be found from within existing resources, as the Welsh Government did not receive any additional funding through the Barnett formula to provide for public sector wide pay awards in 2021-22.  This is a decision of the UK Government’s making but once again it has a direct consequence for Wales.

    This Council therefore resolves for the Leader of the Council to write to the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Prime Minister to outline this Council’s view that our frontline heroes deserve a real and fair pay increase, and that this must be funded by the U.K. Government to avoid transferring the burden of the cost on to the Welsh Government and Welsh Local Authorities.

     

     

     

    B.    To consider the under-mentioned Notices of Motion standing in the names of W. Lewis, S. Evans, L. M. Adams, J. Barton, D. R. Bevan, H. Boggis, J. Bonetto, S. Bradwick, J. Brencher, A. Calvert, G. Caple, A. Crimmings, A. Davies-Jones, L. De- Vet, J. Edwards, J. Elliott, G. Jones, M. Fidler Jones, M. Forey, A. Fox, E. George, M. Griffiths, J. Harries, G. Holmes, G. Hopkins, R. Lewis, C. Leyshon, A. Morgan, S. Morgans, M. A. Norris, D. Owen-Jones, S. Pickering, S. Powell, S. Rees, A. Roberts, J. Rosser, G. Stacey, M. Tegg, G. Thomas, W. Treeby, R. K. Turner, M. Webber, D. Williams, R. Williams, T. Williams, R. Yeo

    Rhondda Cynon Taf Council continues to stand against all forms of racism and discrimination and is committed to working with partner organisations to combat such abhorrent beliefs and actions.

    One such form of racism and discrimination that has seen a rise in recent years is Islamophobia. The Equalities and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has highlighted how 70% of Muslims have experienced religious based prejudice within the last 12 months. Muslims face some of the worst outcomes in employment, health and education, and, as per Home Office data, have been the targets in over half of all religious based hate crime on record (2017-2019).

    Following two years of consultation, on 27th November 2018, the APPG on British Muslims published a report titled “Islamophobia Defined: the inquiry into a working definition of Islamophobia.”

    This report contained the following definition:

    “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.”

    Contemporary examples of Islamophobia in public life, the media, schools, the workplace, and in encounters between religions and non-religions in the public sphere could, taking into account the overall context, include, but are not limited to:

    · Calling for, aiding, instigating or justifying the killing or harming of Muslims in the name of a racist/ fascist ideology, or an extremist view of religion.

    · Making mendacious, dehumanizing, demonizing, or stereotypical allegations about Muslims as such, or of Muslims as a collective group, such as, especially but not exclusively, conspiracies about Muslim entryism in politics, government or other societal institutions; the myth of Muslim identity having a unique propensity for terrorism, and claims of a demographic ‘threat’ posed by Muslims or of a ‘Muslim takeover’.

    · Accusing Muslims as a group of being responsible for real or imagined wrongdoing committed by a single Muslim person or group of Muslim individuals, or even for acts committed by non-Muslims.

    · Accusing Muslims as a group, or Muslim majority states, of inventing or exaggerating Islamophobia, ethnic cleansing or genocide perpetrated against Muslims.

    · Accusing Muslim citizens of being more loyal to the ‘Ummah’ (transnational Muslim community) or to their countries of origin, or to the alleged priorities of Muslims worldwide, than to the interests of their own nations.

    · Denying Muslim populations the right to self-determination e.g., by claiming that the existence of an independent Palestine or Kashmir is a terrorist endeavour.

    · Applying double standards by requiring of Muslims behaviours that are not expected or demanded of any other groups in society, eg loyalty tests.

    · Using the symbols and images associated with classic Islamophobia (e.g. Muhammed being a paedophile, claims of Muslims spreading Islam by the sword or subjugating minority groups under their rule) to characterize Muslims as being ‘sex groomers’, inherently violent or incapable of living harmoniously in plural societies.

    · Holding Muslims collectively responsible for the actions of any Muslim majority state, whether secular or constitutionally Islamic.

    This Council resolves to formally adopt the above definition and pledges to do its utmost to tackle Islamophobia, support Muslim residents and communities who face the kind of discrimination described in the examples above, and build a common understanding of its causes and consequences.

     

     

    Minutes:

     

    12A

     

    The following Notice of Motion was received standing in the names of M. Griffiths, J. Barton, L. M. Adams, D. R. Bevan, H. Boggis, J. Bonetto, S. Bradwick, J. Brencher, A. Calvert, G. Caple, A. Crimmings, A. Davies-Jones, L. De- Vet, J. Edwards, J. Elliott, S. Evans, G. Jones, M. Fidler Jones, M. Forey, A. Fox, E. George, J. Harries, G. Holmes, G. Hopkins, R. Lewis, W. Lewis, C. Leyshon, A. Morgan, S. Morgans, M. A. Norris, D. Owen-Jones, S. Pickering, S. Powell, S. Rees, A. Roberts, J. Rosser, G. Stacey, M. Tegg, G. Thomas, W. Treeby, R. K. Turner, M. Webber, D. Williams, R. Williams, T. Williams and  R. Yeo.

     

    Over the course of the last 18 months, frontline heroes across the public and private sectors have led the fight against COVID-19, putting themselves at risk and making huge personal sacrifices to protect the NHS, save lives and ensure that the U.K. continues to operate.

    Their contributions have been widely recognised, with millions going to the doorstep to show their appreciation over various points throughout the pandemic.  This appreciation has also extended to the rhetoric of the U.K. Government who have been quick to offer regular soundbites of empty appreciation for the frontline heroes.

    However, in the one-year Comprehensive Spending Review last Autumn, the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced a public sector pay “pause” for this financial year, with only those earning under £24,000 and NHS staff being exempt.  In March, the U.K. Government came under fire after proposals for a 1% pay increase for those exempt from the “pause” were floated, whilst its improved offer of 3% following a recommendation from the NHS Pay Review body runs the risk of triggering industrial action.

    Frontline heroes across the public sector now face another real terms cut despite their tireless efforts in ensuring services were maintained and our communities kept safe over the last 18 months.  Senior representatives from Police forces across England and Wales have already expressed their dismay and opposition to a 0% pay increase – which comes at a time when assaults on police officers exceeded 100-a-day (20% increase on the previous year).  In addition, the thousands of staff employed by this Council have been offered a 1.75% increase, which will need to be wholly funded by the Council’s own resources if it is accepted.

    The Welsh Government’s Education Minister, Jeremy Miles MS has recently confirmed that he is minded to accept the recommended 1.75% rise in pay for teachers, although if agreed, it is likely that the funding will also need to be found from within existing resources, as the Welsh Government did not receive any additional funding through the Barnett formula to provide for public sector wide pay awards in 2021-22.  This is a decision of the UK Government’s making but once again it has a direct consequence for Wales.

    This Council therefore resolves for the Leader of the Council to write to the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Prime Minister to outline this Council’s view that our frontline heroes deserve a real and fair pay increase, and that this must be funded by the U.K. Government to avoid transferring the burden of the cost on to the Welsh Government and Welsh Local Authorities.

    At the meeting the Chair announced that in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 10.4.1 the following amendment to the Notice of Motion had been received from County Borough Councillors P. Jarman, A. Cox, J. Williams, S. Rees Owen, M. Weaver, E. Griffiths, D. Grehan, H. Fychan MS, K. Morgan, L. Jones, E. Stephens, E. Webster, S. Evans, A. Chapman, G. Davies, J. Davies and J. Cullwick.

    The amended motion read:

    Over the course of the last 18 months, frontline heroes across the public and private sectors have led the fight against COVID-19, putting themselves at risk and making huge personal sacrifices to protect the NHS, save lives and ensure that the U.K. continues to operate.

    Their contributions have been widely recognised, with millions going to the doorstep to show their appreciation over various points throughout the pandemic.  This appreciation has also extended to the rhetoric of the U.K. Government who have been quick to offer regular soundbites of empty appreciation for the frontline heroes.

    However, in the one-year Comprehensive Spending Review last Autumn, the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced a public sector pay “pause” for this financial year, with only those earning under £24,000 and NHS staff being exempt.  In March, the U.K. Government came under fire after proposals for a 1% pay increase for those exempt from the “pause” were floated, whilst its improved offer of 3% following a recommendation from the NHS Pay Review body runs the risk of triggering industrial action.

    Frontline heroes across the public sector now face another real terms cut despite their tireless efforts in ensuring services were maintained and our communities kept safe over the last 18 months.  Senior representatives from Police forces across England and Wales have already expressed their dismay and opposition to a 0% pay increase – which comes at a time when assaults on police officers exceeded 100-a-day (20% increase on the previous year).  In addition, the thousands of staff employed by this Council have been offered a 1.75% increase, which will need to be wholly funded by the Council’s own resources if it is accepted.

    Despite the above we welcome the Written Statement made on the 8th September 2021 by Jeremy Miles MS, Minister for Education and Welsh Language confirming the 1.75% uplift in Teachers Pay, backdated to 1st September 2021 and awarding a further £6.4 million towards the cost of the pay award in schools and 6th Forms in this financial year

     

    This Council therefore resolves for the Leader of the Council to write to the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Prime Minister to outline this Council’s view that our frontline heroes deserve a real and fair pay increase, and that this must be funded by the U.K. Government to avoid transferring the burden of the cost on to the Welsh Government and Welsh Local Authorities.

     

    In accordance with the Council’s Rules of Procedure 12.7, a vote was taken in respect of the amendment to the Notice of Motion and it was RESOLVED not to adopt the amendment.

     

    Following discussion in respect of the substantive motion and in accordance with the Council Rules of Procedure 12.7, it was RESOLVED to adopt the substantive motion.

    12B

     

    The following Notice of Motion was received standing in the names of W. Lewis, S. Evans, L. M. Adams, J. Barton, D. R. Bevan, H. Boggis, J. Bonetto, S. Bradwick, J. Brencher, A. Calvert, G. Caple, A. Crimmings, A. Davies-Jones, L. De- Vet, J. Edwards, J. Elliott, G. Jones, M. Fidler Jones, M. Forey, A. Fox, E. George, M. Griffiths, J. Harries, G. Holmes, G. Hopkins, R. Lewis, C. Leyshon, A. Morgan, S. Morgans, M. A. Norris, D. Owen-Jones, S. Pickering, S. Powell, S. Rees, A. Roberts, J. Rosser, G. Stacey, M. Tegg, G. Thomas, W. Treeby, R. K. Turner, M. Webber, D. Williams, R. Williams, T. Williams, R. Yeo

     

    Rhondda Cynon Taf Council continues to stand against all forms of racism and discrimination and is committed to working with partner organisations to combat such abhorrent beliefs and actions.

    One such form of racism and discrimination that has seen a rise in recent years is Islamophobia. The Equalities and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has highlighted how 70% of Muslims have experienced religious based prejudice within the last 12 months. Muslims face some of the worst outcomes in employment, health and education, and, as per Home Office data, have been the targets in over half of all religious based hate crime on record (2017-2019).

    Following two years of consultation, on 27th November 2018, the APPG on British Muslims published a report titled “Islamophobia Defined: the inquiry into a working definition of Islamophobia.”

    This report contained the following definition:

    “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.”

    Contemporary examples of Islamophobia in public life, the media, schools, the workplace, and in encounters between religions and non-religions in the public sphere could, taking into account the overall context, include, but are not limited to:

    · Calling for, aiding, instigating or justifying the killing or harming of Muslims in the name of a racist/ fascist ideology, or an extremist view of religion.

    · Making mendacious, dehumanizing, demonizing, or stereotypical allegations about Muslims as such, or of Muslims as a collective group, such as, especially but not exclusively, conspiracies about Muslim entryism in politics, government or other societal institutions; the myth of Muslim identity having a unique propensity for terrorism,and claims of a demographic ‘threat’ posed by Muslims or of a ‘Muslim takeover’.

    · Accusing Muslims as a group of being responsible for real or imagined wrongdoing committed by a single Muslim person or group of Muslim individuals, or even for acts committed by non-Muslims.

    · Accusing Muslims as a group, or Muslim majority states, of inventing or exaggerating Islamophobia, ethnic cleansing or genocide perpetrated against Muslims.

    · Accusing Muslim citizens of being more loyal to the ‘Ummah’ (transnational Muslim community) or to their countries of origin, or to the alleged priorities of Muslims worldwide, than to the interests of their own nations.

    · Denying Muslim populations the right to self-determination e.g., by claiming that the existence of an independent Palestine or Kashmir is a terrorist endeavour.

    · Applying double standards by requiring of Muslims behaviours that are not expected or demanded of any other groups in society, eg loyalty tests.

    · Using the symbols and images associated with classic Islamophobia (e.g. Muhammed being a paedophile, claims of Muslims spreading Islam by the sword or subjugating minority groups under their rule) to characterize Muslims as being ‘sex groomers’, inherently violent or incapable of living harmoniously in plural societies.

    · Holding Muslims collectively responsible for the actions of any Muslim majority state, whether secular or constitutionally Islamic.

    This Council resolves to formally adopt the above definition and pledges to do its utmost to tackle Islamophobia, support Muslim residents and communities who face the kind of discrimination described in the examples above, and build a common understanding of its causes and consequences.

     

    Following consideration, it was RESOLVED to adopt the Notice of Motion.

     

    (Note: The following Members of the Plaid Cymru Group wished to have it recorded as voting in favour of the Notice of Motion: County Borough Councillors P Jarman, A Cox, S Evans, G R Davies, E Griffiths, S Rees-Owen, E Stephens, M Weaver, E Webster and J Williams).

     

    N.B

     

         During the discussion Members RESOLVED to continue the meeting in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 8, to allow consideration of the remaining agenda items and continuation of Council business.

     

    Supporting documents: