Agenda item

To consider Motions submitted under procedure Rule 14.

Minutes:

Motion A – 1984 Sikh Genocide

 

It was moved by Councillor Akram,

Seconded by Councillor W Sabah,

 

"Slough Borough Council resolves:

 

  • The Council agrees to be supportive of local campaigns in raising awareness of anti-Sikh discrimination. Recognising that Slough is home to a large Sikh community.
  • The Council recognise and commemorate the 40th anniversary of the 1984 Sikh genocide in India and condemns the recent killings of Sikh activists in foreign countries;

 

That the Leader of the Council write to the Prime Minister, Foreign Secretary, Defence Secretary and our Member of Parliament outlining the following:

 

  • This council supports efforts to seek justice for the victims of the 1984 Sikh genocide and urges the government to hold accountable those responsible for these atrocities;
  • Strongly convey the very deep concerns felt by Slough residents by UK intelligence reports of Indian Government agencies targeting Sikh activists in Slough;
  • The UK Government unequivocally condemn all human rights violations and abuses against Sikhs and minorities in India and Indian Administered Jammu & Kashmir;
  • The Member of Parliament for Slough to convey the demand of Slough Sikh’s to support a referendum on Independence in Punjab, India;
  • Call upon the Foreign Secretary to investigate and advocate for the release and safe return of Jagtar Singh Johal, also known as Juggy Johal, a British Sikh, imprisoned in India under controversial circumstances, raising serious concerns about his human rights and treatment whilst in incarceration."

 

Under Procedure Rule 14.4, Councillor Smith submitted a Challenge to Inclusion to the motion.  As per the procedure rule, Councillor Smith spoke to his challenge.  As the mover of the motion Councillor Akram replied to the challenge.  No other Members were entitled to speak on the challenge.

 

The Challenge to Inclusion was put to the vote and a prior request having been made for the record of voting –

 

There voted for the Challenge to Inclusion:

 

Councillors Abbasi, Ejaz Ahmed, Chahal, Dauti, Kelly, Khawar, Manku, Mohindra, Muvvala, Naveed, O’Kelly, Rana, Satti, Shah, Shaik, Smith, Stedmond, Tomar and Wright ………………………………………….19

 

There voted against the Challenge to Inclusion:

 

Councillors  Ajaib, Akram, Dar, Iftakhar, Nazir, Qaseem, Jamila Sabah and Waqas Sabah ………………………………………………………….8

 

There abstained from voting:

 

Councillors Dhillon and Matloob………………………………………2

 

Those not voting were:

 

Councillors Anderson, Carter, Escott, Gill, Hulme, Instone, Mohammad and Parmar……………………………………………………………………8

 

The Challenge to Inclusion was upheld and the motion was therefore considered to be withdrawn and was not debated.

 

Motion B – Slough High Street

 

It was moved by Councillor Hulme,

Seconded by Councillor Mohammad,

 

"The Council notes that it has been over 8 months since an update was provided to council regarding ADIA/British Land’s approved planning permission. In that time, more shops are closing, crime and anti-social behaviour is rampant, and no further investment seems has been secured for our town centre, that is making a positive material impact to the lives of residents that live, work and visit in the town centre.

 

The Council therefore resolves to;

 

(a)  Instruct the council to get a formal response for councillors from ADIA/British Land over the current status of their plans.

 

(b)  Instruct the administration to develop a ‘meanwhile use’ policy within 6 months and present to councillors for scrutiny.

 

(c)  Facilitate the setting up of a Town Centre residents’ group that can be properly consulted on issues affecting their neighbourhood.

 

(d)  Initiate a 3 monthly deep clean of the town centre and surrounding streets.

 

(e)  Report back to councillors on ‘Plan B’ should the British Land proposals not be implemented."

 

It was moved by Councillor Ajaib, as an amendment,

Seconded by Councillor Dar,

 

"The Council notes that it has been over 8 months since an update was provided to council regarding ADIA/British Land’s approved planning permission. In that time, more shops are closing, crime and anti-social behaviour is rampant, and no further investment seems has been secured for our town centre, that is making a positive material impact to the lives of residents that live, work and visit in the town centre.

 

The Council therefore resolves to;

 

(a)  Instruct the council to get a formal response for councillors and Slough residents from ADIA/British Land over the current status of their plans.

 

(b)  Instruct the administration to develop a ‘meanwhile use’ policy within 6 months and present to councillors for scrutiny.

 

(c)  Facilitate the setting up of a Town Centre residents’ group that can be properly consulted on issues affecting their neighbourhood.

 

(d)  Initiate a 3 monthly deep clean of the town centre and surrounding streets.

 

(e)  Report back to councillors on ‘Plan B’ should the British Land proposals not be implemented.

 

(f)  Instruct the Council to undertake a review and contact landowners of all vacant and abandoned sites in the town centre.

 

(g)  Instruct the Council to take serious steps in enforcement against landowners of all vacant sites, failing to maintain and secure sites from ASB, nuisance and fly-tipping.

 

(f)  Instruct the council’s housing enforcement to investigate and assess the poor quality private sector housing offer in town centre area, to raise the standard and quality of living for tenants.

 

(g)  Instruct the Council’s planning department and committee to review and where applicable place conditions to prevent short term rental such as Air BnB accommodation. ”

 

The amendment was put to the vote and lost with 16 votes for, 20 against and 1 abstention.

 

The original motion was put to the vote and lost with 16 votes for, 20 against and 1 abstention.

Supporting documents: