(time limit 30 minutes)
Motion 1
Councillor Shah to MOVE and Councillor Chadderton to SECOND:
Islamophobia
Oldham has a rich history of people from different backgrounds and cultures living and working together. However, we know that there are groups of people that are marginalised, who are more likely to face inequality and discrimination than others. We believe the people of Oldham want to live in a place that is committed to fairness and equality of opportunity, a borough that tackles discrimination and prejudice, helping communities come together and celebrating our differences.
As champions of inclusivity, we take a no-tolerance approach to hate crimes. Hate crime victims are more likely to suffer repeat victimisation, more likely to suffer serious psychological impacts, and are less likely to report these crimes to the police. Hate crime can limit people’s opportunities and can lead to isolation and segregation. It is also damaging to the community, undermining integration and cohesion, and eroding shared values of acceptance and respect for others.
The Council adopted the working definition of Anti-Semitism as set out by the International Holocaust remembrance Alliance in 2017, and recognises the need additionally to recognise the working definition of Islamaphobia set out below.
A study by the Muslim Council of Britain found that 59 percent of headlines in the British Press portray Muslims in a negative light, with Islam being misinterpreted and utilised by racists to create fear and promote hatred. Following an extensive consultation, the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for British Muslims has formulated a working definition of Islamophobia as:
"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, considering 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 endeavor.
• Applying double standards by requiring of Muslims behavior’s that are not expected or demanded of any other groups in society, e.g. loyalty tests.
• Using the symbols and images associated with classic Islamophobia.
• Holding Muslims collectively responsible for the actions of any Muslim majority state, whether secular or constitutionally Islamic.
This list is not exhaustive but forms guidelines to recognise markers of Islamophobia in today’s context.
Oldham Council resolves:
1. To formally adopt the working definition of Islamophobia as formulated by the APPG for British Muslims.
2. To ask the Leader and Chief Executive of the Council to write to government ministers asking them to listen to Muslim communities and the cross-party group of MPs and peers and to adopt this definition of Islamophobia which classifies discrimination against Muslims as a form of racism.
Motion 2
Councillor Stretton to MOVE and Councillor Goodwin to SECOND:
Fully funded and proper pay rise for council and school workers
This council notes:
Local government has endured central government funding cuts of more than 50% since 2010. Between 2010 and 2020, councils lost 60p out of every £1 they have received from central government. Over the last year, councils have led the way in efforts against the Covid-19 pandemic, providing a huge range of services and support for our communities. Local government has shown more than ever how indispensable it is. But the pandemic has led to a massive increase in expenditure and loss of income, and the Government has failed to provide the full amount of promised support. Local government workers have kept our communities safe through the pandemic, often putting themselves at considerable risk as they work to protect public health, provide quality housing, ensure our children continue to be educated, and look after older and vulnerable people. Since 2010, the local government workforce has endured years of pay restraint with the majority of pay points losing at least 23 per cent of their value since 2009/10. At the same time, workers have experienced ever-increasing workloads and persistent job insecurity. Across the UK, 900,000 jobs have been lost in local government since June 2010 – a reduction of more than 30 per cent. Local government has arguably been hit by more severe job losses than any other part of the public sector. The funding gap caused by Covid-19 will make local government employment even more precarious. There has been a disproportionate impact on women, with women making up more than three-quarters of the local government workforce. Recent research shows that if the Government were to fully fund the unions’ 2021 payclaim, around half of the money would be recouped thanks to increased tax revenue, reduced expenditure on benefits, and increased consumer spending in the local economy.
This council believes:
Our workers keep our communities clean and safe, look after those in need and keep our towns and cities running, without the professionalism and dedication of our staff, the council services our residents rely on would not be deliverable. Local government workers deserve a proper real-terms pay increase. The Government needs to take responsibility and fully fund this increase; it should not put the burden on local authorities whose funding been cut to the bone and who have not been offered adequate support through the Covid-19 pandemic.
This council resolves to:
Minutes:
Motion 1
Councillor Shah MOVED and Councillor Chadderton SECONDED the following MOTION:
Islamophobia
Oldham has a rich history of people from different backgrounds and cultures living and working together. However, we know that there are groups of people that are marginalised, who are more likely to face inequality and discrimination than others. We believe the people of Oldham want to live in a place that is committed to fairness and equality of opportunity, a borough that tackles discrimination and prejudice, helping communities come together and celebrating our differences.
As champions of inclusivity, we take a no-tolerance approach to hate crimes. Hate crime victims are more likely to suffer repeat victimisation, more likely to suffer serious psychological impacts, and are less likely to report these crimes to the police. Hate crime can limit people’s opportunities and can lead to isolation and segregation. It is also damaging to the community, undermining integration and cohesion, and eroding shared values of acceptance and respect for others.
The Council adopted the working definition of Anti-Semitism as set out by the International Holocaust remembrance Alliance in 2017 and recognises the need additionally to recognise the working definition of Islamaphobia set out below.
A study by the Muslim Council of Britain found that 59 percent of headlines in the British Press portray Muslims in a negative light, with Islam being misinterpreted and utilised by racists to create fear and promote hatred. Following an extensive consultation, the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for British Muslims has formulated a working definition of Islamophobia as:
"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, considering 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 endeavor.
• Applying double standards by requiring of Muslims behavior’s that are not expected or demanded of any other groups in society, e.g. loyalty tests.
• Using the symbols and images associated with classic Islamophobia.
• Holding Muslims collectively responsible for the actions of any Muslim majority state, whether secular or constitutionally Islamic.
This list is not exhaustive but forms guidelines to recognise markers of Islamophobia in today’s context.
Oldham Council resolves:
1. To formally adopt the working definition of Islamophobia as formulated by the APPG for British Muslims.
2. To ask the Leader and Chief Executive of the Council to write to government ministers asking them to listen to Muslim communities and the cross-party group of MPs and peers and to adopt this definition of Islamophobia which classifies discrimination against Muslims as a form of racism.
Councillor Mushtaq spoke in support of the Motion.
Councillor Al-Hamdani spoke in support of the Motion.
Councillor Hamblett spoke in support of the Motion.
Councillor Akhtar spoke in support of the Motion.
Councillor Shah exercised her right of reply.
On being put to the vote, Members voted unanimously in FAVOUR of the MOTION. The MOTION was therefore CARRIED.
Motion 2
Councillor Stretton MOVED and Councillor Goodwin SECONDED the following MOTION:
Fully funded and proper pay rise for council and school workers
This council notes:
Local government has endured central government funding cuts of more than 50% since 2010. Between 2010 and 2020, councils lost 60p out of every £1 they have received from central government. Over the last year, councils have led the way in efforts against the Covid-19 pandemic, providing a huge range of services and support for our communities. Local government has shown more than ever how indispensable it is. But the pandemic has led to a massive increase in expenditure and loss of income, and the Government has failed to provide the full amount of promised support. Local government workers have kept our communities safe through the pandemic, often putting themselves at considerable risk as they work to protect public health, provide quality housing, ensure our children continue to be educated, and look after older and vulnerable people. Since 2010, the local government workforce has endured years of pay restraint with the majority of pay points losing at least 23 per cent of their value since 2009/10. At the same time, workers have experienced ever-increasing workloads and persistent job insecurity. Across the UK, 900,000 jobs have been lost in local government since June 2010 – a reduction of more than 30 per cent. Local government has arguably been hit by more severe job losses than any other part of the public sector. The funding gap caused by Covid-19 will make local government employment even more precarious. There has been a disproportionate impact on women, with women making up more than three-quarters of the local government workforce. Recent research shows that if the Government were to fully fund the unions’ 2021 payclaim, around half of the money would be recouped thanks to increased tax revenue, reduced expenditure on benefits, and increased consumer spending in the local economy.
This council believes:
Our workers keep our communities clean and safe, look after those in need and keep our towns and cities running, without the professionalism and dedication of our staff, the council services our residents rely on would not be deliverable. Local government workers deserve a proper real-terms pay increase. The Government needs to take responsibility and fully fund this increase; it should not put the burden on local authorities whose funding been cut to the bone and who have not been offered adequate support through the Covid-19 pandemic.
This Council resolves to:
1. Support the pay claim submitted by GMB, Unison and Unite on behalf of council and school workers, for a substantial increase with a minimum of 10 per cent uplift in April 2021.
2. Call on the Local Government Association to make urgent representations to central government to fund the NJC pay claim.
3. Ask the Chief Executive to write to the Chancellor and Secretary of State to call for a pay increase for local government workers to be funded with new money from central government.
4. Meet with local NJC union representatives to convey support for the pay claim and consider practical ways in which the council can support the campaign.
5. Encourage all local government workers to join a union
Councillor C Gloster spoke in favour of the motion.
Councillor Williamson spoke in favour of the motion.
Councillor Jabbar spoke in favour of the motion.
Councillor Stretton exercised her right of reply.
On being put to the vote, 44 votes were cast in FAVOUR of the
MOTION and 1 vote was cast AGAINST with 1 ABSTENTION. The MOTION was therefore CARRIED.