Council expresses deep concern that:
· Trades Union Congress (TUC) research revealed nearly half of workers had witnessed bullying at their workplace. https://www.tuc.org.uk/resource/bullying-work
· Female employees are more likely to be victims of bullying than males. https://www.tuc.org.uk/sites/default/files/Bullying%20at%20Work%202019.pdf
Council notes that:
· 16th to 20th? November 2020 is Anti-Bullying Week, organised by the Anti-Bullying Alliance.
· The theme of this year’s Anti-Bullying Week is ‘United against bullying’.
· The Anti-Bullying Alliance’s definition of bullying is: ?“the repetitive, intentional hurting of one person or group by another person or group, where the relationship involves an imbalance of power. It can happen face to face or online”?.
· Bullying behaviour can be done by an individual or by a group, and can be physical, verbal, emotional, sexual or online.
Council resolves:
· That bullying in any form, by any group or individual, in any walk of life, is unacceptable.
· To adopt the Anti-Bullying Alliance’s definition of bullying.
· That as councillors we should lead by example in our actions and interactions, and will support efforts in our communities to highlight and end bullying. We will further demonstrate this by asking members to sign a pledge that we will refrain from bullying behaviour.
· That once signed these pledges will be displayed on councillors’ official Council website profiles to show that we take bullying seriously and are determined to stand up for our communities.
· To launch a review to ensure that for Council colleagues and our residents, there is clear signposting to helplines and support groups- such as Childline, ACAS, Citizens Advice Bureau, Bullying UK, and others.
Decision:
Council
Agreed To refer the following motion to the Civic Affairs Committee.
Council expresses deep concern that:
Council notes that:
Council resolves:
Minutes:
Councillor Heather Williams proposed the following motion, as laid out in the agenda:
“Council expresses deep concern that:
· Trades Union Congress (TUC) research revealed nearly half of workers had witnessed bullying at their workplace. https://www.tuc.org.uk/resource/bullying-work
· Female employees are more likely to be victims of bullying than males. https://www.tuc.org.uk/sites/default/files/Bullying%20at%20Work%202019.pdf
“Council notes that:
· 16th to 20th? November 2020 is Anti-Bullying Week, organised by the Anti-Bullying Alliance.
· The theme of this year’s Anti-Bullying Week is ‘United against bullying’.
· The Anti-Bullying Alliance’s definition of bullying is: ?“the repetitive, intentional hurting of one person or group by another person or group, where the relationship involves an imbalance of power. It can happen face to face or online”?.
· Bullying behaviour can be done by an individual or by a group, and can be physical, verbal, emotional, sexual or online.
“Council resolves:
· That bullying in any form, by any group or individual, in any walk of life, is unacceptable.
· To adopt the Anti-Bullying Alliance’s definition of bullying.
· That as councillors we should lead by example in our actions and interactions, and will support efforts in our communities to highlight and end bullying. We will further demonstrate this by signing a pledge that we will refrain from bullying behaviour.
· That once signed these pledges will be displayed on councillors’ official Council website profiles to show that we take bullying seriously and are determined to stand up for our communities.
· To launch a review to ensure that for Council colleagues and our residents, there is clear signposting to helplines and support groups- such as Childline, ACAS, Citizens Advice Bureau, Bullying UK, and others.”
Councillor Heather Williams explained that a 2018 report discovered that every 1.2 minutes a woman was abused in her party and there was every reason to believe that this research would be replicated in other parties. Sutton Council had passed a similar motion in 2018 and she expressed the hope that the political parties of this Council could also unite against bullying.
The motion was seconded by Councillor Mark Howell.
Councillor Dr Claire Daunton proposed the following amendment, which was seconded by Councillor Pippa Heylings.
Following the words “Council resolves:”, delete the first four bullet points and replace with the following text:
“In order to keep all code of conduct guidance, including that on bullying and coercion, in one readily accessible place and up to date, to request that Civic Affairs Committee considers adopting the new LGA Member Code of Conduct, once it has been formally launched later this year.
The Deputy Head of Legal explained that the Council could refer this matter to the Civic Affairs Committee and that the amendment did not negate the original motion and so could be discussed.
Councillor Heather Williams stated that she would not accept the amendment.
Councillor Mark Howell stated that the amendment included a link to a document that councillors had not read and Council should not agree the motion without seeing the document.
On taking the advice of the Chief Executive and the Deputy Head of Legal, the Chair ruled the motion out of order as it was not possible for councillors to fully understand what they were agreeing in the time available for the motion.
Councillor Heylings proposed that the motion be referred to the Civic Affairs Committee to ensure that Council agreed a motion that complemented the work of the Local Government Association on the new Members’ Code of Conduct. Councillor Dr. Aidan Van de Weyer seconded this proposal.
Councillor Heather Williams did not accept this amendment, which would delay the agreeing of a motion for an unknown length of time, as the new Code of Conduct was not yet in place.
The Deputy Head of Legal explained that Standing Order 13.6(c) stated that the Council may by resolution agree to refer a motion to Cabinet or a Committee or other body without prior debate at the meeting.
Councillor Heather Williams expressed her regret at the fact that Council could not fully discuss this proposed amendment.
A vote was taken on the amendment and votes were cast as follows:
In favour (24): Councillors Henry Batchelor, John Batchelor, Anna Bradnam, Dr. Martin Cahn, Sarah Cheung Johnson, Dr. Claire Daunton, Clare Delderfield, Neil Gough, Jose Hales, Bill Handley, Geoff Harvey, Dr. Tumi Hawkins, Pippa Heylings, Steve Hunt, Alex Malyon, Tony Mason, Peter McDonald, Brian Milnes, Dawn Percival, Nick Sample, Hazel Smith, Dr. Aidan Van de Weyer, John Williams and Eileen Wilson.
Against (14): Councillors Ruth Betson, Dr. Shrobona Bhattacharya, Tom Bygott, Nigel Cathcart, Grenville Chamberlain, Gavin Clayton, Graham Cone, Sue Ellington, Mark Howell, Deborah Roberts, Bunty Waters, Heather Williams, Dr. Richard Williams and Nick Wright.
Abstain(1): Councillor Dr. Douglas de Lacey
Council
Resolved To refer the following motion to the Civic Affairs Committee.
Council expresses deep concern that:
Council notes that:
Council resolves: