Agenda item

(1)          Condemn Racism, Xenophobia and Hate CrimesMotion

To be moved by Councillor Georgia Weston and seconded by Councillor James Bond:

“We are proud to live in a diverse and tolerant society. Racism, xenophobia and hate crimes have no place in our country.  We, the London Borough of Harrow, condemn racism, xenophobia and hate crimes unequivocally. We will not allow hate to become acceptable. 

The London Borough of Harrow will work to ensure local bodies and programmes have support and resources needed to fight and prevent racism and xenophobia.

We reassure all people living in the London Borough of Harrow that they are valued members of our community.”

(2)          Southern Rail Motion

To be moved by Councillor Barry Kendler and seconded by Councillor Graham Henson:

“This Council supports the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, in his bid to persuade HM Government to move Southern Trains into TfL – London Overground - and requests that the chief executive and the leader of the council write to the government minister responsible stating our support and take any other action necessary in support of the bid.”

(3)          Mental Health Challenge Motion

To be moved by Councillor Adam Swersky and seconded by Councillor Varsha Parmar:

“This council notes:

·         1 in 4 people will experience a mental health problem in any given year.

·         The World Health Organisation predicts that depression will be the second most common health condition worldwide by 2020.

·         Mental ill health costs some £105 billion each year in England alone.

·         People with a severe mental illness die up to 20 years younger than their peers in the UK.

·         There is often a circular relationship between mental health and issues such as housing, employment, family problems or debt.

This council believes:

·         As a local authority we have a crucial role to play in improving the mental health of everyone in our community and tackling some of the widest and most entrenched inequalities in health.

·         Mental health should be a priority across all the local authority’s areas of responsibility, including housing, community safety and planning.

·         All councillors, whether members of the Executive or Scrutiny and in our community and casework roles, can play a positive role in championing mental health on an individual and strategic basis.

This council resolves:

·         To sign the Local Authorities’ Mental Health Challenge run by Centre for Mental Health, Mental Health Foundation, Mental Health Providers Forum, Mind, Rethink Mental Illness, Royal College of Psychiatrists and Young Minds.

·         We commit to appoint an elected member as ‘mental health champion’ across the council.

·         We will seek to identify a member of staff within the council to act as ‘lead officer’ for mental health.

The council will also:

·         Support positive mental health in our community, including in local schools, neighbourhoods and workplaces.

·         Work to reduce inequalities in mental health in our community.

·         Work with local partners to offer effective support for people with mental health needs.

·         Tackle discrimination on the grounds of mental health in our community.

·         Proactively listen to people of all ages and backgrounds about what they need for better mental health.

·         Sign up to the Time to Change pledge”

(4)          Childhood Obesity Motion

To be moved by Councillor Anne Whitehead and seconded by Councillor Kiran Ramchandani:

“The Council Notes

-          Harrow welcomes a sugar tax on soft drinks but is disappointed this will not be enforced for 2 years, and will not apply to sugary foods.

-          Harrow is disappointed that the strategy has been considerably watered down from the 'draconian measures' promised by the Government.

-          Harrow is also disappointed that nothing is to done to control the advertising of junk food on family television.

The Council Believes

-          That the two years producers have to reduce sugar in soft drinks is too long.

-          That a responsibility deal for producers to reduce sugar in processed foods will not work, and many of the more responsible food manufacturers would have preferred regulation to create a level playing field.

-          That the Government has failed our children. 21% of Harrows year 6 children; predominately poorer children, are obese, and the Governments obesity strategy is far too little to be of benefit to our children.

-          That the local NHS cannot afford the burden of costs caused by obesity in Harrow.

The Council Resolves

-          To continue to support Harrows residents through our Public Health team to help support residents to make healthier choices for diet and exercise.

-          For the Leader and the CEO to write to Government expressing Harrows concern at the lack of a robust obesity strategy and ask for this strategy to be re?introduced and include more robust regulation.

-          The Council to continue to lobby government to improve the obesity strategy.”

(i)            Motion in the names of Councillor Georgia Weston and Councillor James Bond. The tabled amendment was voted upon but not carried.

“Condemn Racism, Xenophobia and Hate CrimesMotion

We are proud to live in a diverse and tolerant society. Racism, xenophobia and hate crimes have no place in our country.  We, the London Borough of Harrow, condemn racism, xenophobia and hate crimes unequivocally.  We will not allow hate to become acceptable. 

The London Borough of Harrow will work to ensure local bodies and programmes have support and resources needed to fight and prevent racism and xenophobia.

We reassure all people living in the London Borough of Harrow that they are valued members of our community.”

Upon a vote, the Motion was agreed.

RESOLVED:  That the Motion set out at (i) above be adopted.

(ii)          Motion in the names of Councillor Barry Kendler and Councillor Graham Henson.  The tabled amendment was voted upon but not carried.

“Southern Rail Motion

This Council supports the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, in his bid to persuade HM Government to move Southern Trains into TfL – London Overground - and requests that the chief executive and the leader of the council write to the government minister responsible stating our support and take any other action necessary in support of the bid.”

Upon a vote, the Motion was agreed.

RESOLVED:  That the Motion set out at (ii) above be adopted.

(iii)         Motion in the names of Councillor Adam Swersky and Councillor Varsha Parmar.  The tabled amendment was voted upon and was carried.

“Mental Health Challenge Motion

This council notes:

·         1 in 4 people will experience a mental health problem in any given year.

·         The World Health Organisation predicts that depression will be the second most common health condition worldwide by 2020.

·         Mental ill health costs some £105 billion each year in England alone.

·         People with a severe mental illness die up to 20 years younger than their peers in the UK.

·         There is often a circular relationship between mental health and issues such as housing, employment, family problems or debt.

This council believes:

·         As a local authority we have a crucial role to play in improving the mental health of everyone in our community and tackling some of the widest and most entrenched inequalities in health.

·         Mental health should be a priority across all the local authority’s areas of responsibility, including housing, community safety and planning.

·         All councillors, whether members of the Executive or Scrutiny and in our community and casework roles, can play a positive role in championing mental health on an individual and strategic basis.

This council resolves:

·         To sign the Local Authorities’ Mental Health Challenge run by Centre for Mental Health, Mental Health Foundation, Mental Health Providers Forum, Mind, Rethink Mental Illness, Royal College of Psychiatrists and Young Minds.

·         We commit to appoint an elected member as ‘mental health champion’ across the council, who shall produce an annual written report to the council of his or her achievements in that role and appear on invitation before the Overview and Scrutiny Committee to answer questions thereon.

·         We will seek to identify a member of staff within the council to act as ‘lead officer’ for mental health.

The council will also:

·         Support positive mental health in our community, including in local schools, neighbourhoods and workplaces.

·         Work to reduce inequalities in mental health in our community.

·         Work with local partners to offer effective support for people with mental health needs.

·         Tackle discrimination on the grounds of mental health in our community.

·         Proactively listen to people of all ages and backgrounds about what they need for better mental health.

·         Sign up to the Time to Change pledge”

Upon a vote, the Motion was unanimously agreed.

RESOLVED:  That the Motion set out at (iii) above be adopted.

(iv)         Motion in the names of Councillor Anne Whitehead and Councillor Kiran Ramchandani.

“Childhood Obesity Motion

The Council Notes

-          Harrow welcomes a sugar tax on soft drinks but is disappointed this will not be enforced for 2 years, and will not apply to sugary foods.

-          Harrow is disappointed that the strategy has been considerably watered down from the 'draconian measures' promised by the Government.

-          Harrow is also disappointed that nothing is to done to control the advertising of junk food on family television.

The Council Believes

-          That the two years producers have to reduce sugar in soft drinks is too long.

-          That a responsibility deal for producers to reduce sugar in processed foods will not work, and many of the more responsible food manufacturers would have preferred regulation to create a level playing field.

-          That the Government has failed our children. 21% of Harrows year 6 children; predominately poorer children, are obese, and the Governments obesity strategy is far too little to be of benefit to our children.

-          That the local NHS cannot afford the burden of costs caused by obesity in Harrow.

The Council Resolves

-          To continue to support Harrow’s residents through our Public Health team to help support residents to make healthier choices for diet and exercise.

-          For the Leader and the CEO to write to Government expressing Harrow’s concern at the lack of a robust obesity strategy and ask for this strategy to be re?introduced and include more robust regulation.

The Council to continue to lobby government to improve the obesity strategy.”

Upon a vote, the Motion was agreed.

RESOLVED:  That the Motion set out at (iv) above be adopted.

(v)          Urgent Motion in the names of Councillor Graham Henson and Councillor Sachin Shah.

“Urgent Motion - Boundary commission proposal

Harrow Council is concerned about the new parliamentary boundaries announced on September 13, which are proposed by the Boundary Commission for England.  We believe that the new boundaries will divide our cohesive communities and do not take into consideration the increased voter registration prior to the European Union referendum.

Harrow Council instructs the Council Leader and the Chief Executive to write to the Boundary Commission with detail around how their proposals will affect Harrow’s diverse and cohesive communities.

Harrow Council encourages councillors and members of the public to respond the consultation and attend the public meeting organised by the Boundary Commission, that is due to take place in Kenton Hall on October 24 and 25.”

Upon a vote, the Motion was agreed.

RESOLVED: That the Motion set out at (v) above be adopted.