Agenda item

RESOLVED

That the Council

i)               committed to and accepted the following:

a)      To support the ‘Debate not Hate’ campaign and accept the Local Government Association recommendations in principle.

b)      To work together, across the political groups to promote and uphold high standards of civil behaviour in public and political debate.

c)      To establish a reporting mechanism to record and monitor incidents of harassment and abuse.

d)      To work with officers to ensure that support is provided to councillors who are experiencing intimidation and abuse.

e)      That the Democracy and Standards Committee will review this on an annual basis and will work with the Monitoring Officer to address and challenge ongoing issues and key concerns.

ii)              That the Leader of the Council signs the Debate Not Hate Public Statement on behalf of the Council.

Reasons for Recommendations -The ‘Debate not Hate’ campaign aims to raise public awareness of the role of councillors in local communities, encourage healthy debate and improve the response to and support those in public life facing abuse and intimidation.

Alternative Options Considered – To do nothing, however providing support to the campaign promotes high ethical standards in public life which is consistent with the Nolan principles and the Councillor Code of Conduct in accordance with the Localism Act 2011.

Consideration was given to a report that sought to update and inform Council of the Local Government Association’s “Debate Not Hate: The Impact of Abuse on Local Democracy” report and campaign.

A copy of the report is filed with the agenda for the meeting, marked as ‘Item 5’.

The recommendations in the report were proposed by the Leader of the Council, Cllr Jason Smithers and seconded by the Leader of the Opposition, Cllr Matt Keane.

Cllr Smithers stated that he was proud to propose the report and thanked the Chair and members of the Democracy and Standards Committee for recommending it to Full Council. Cllr Smithers noted that elected members were passionate about North Northamptonshire and its residents and although members may hold differing views and perspectives, they were united in doing their best for the area and should be united in supporting the Debate Not Hate campaign.

Cllr Smithers made reference to research carried out by LGA, the results of which detailed significant levels of public abuse and intimidation received by elected members whilst carrying out their roles. The LGA had subsequently produced a report and created the Debate Not Hate campaign to raise public awareness of the role of councillors in local communities, encouraged healthy debate and offered support to those who had been the victim of abuse and intimidation. It was noted as being a great opportunity for the Council as one of the largest unitary authorities in the country to show leadership in signing the public statement supporting the Debate Not Hate campaign. Proactive commitments detailed within the report that the Council could take to ensure the safety and wellbeing of its members were highlighted to the meeting.

Cllr Matt Keane welcomed the report, noting the importance of having a wide range of views representing the electorate, with Council support for the campaign setting a good example in encouraging future candidates to stand for election. Cllr Keane called for the creation of a cross-party working group to examine ways the Council could fully support the campaign and champion local democracy.

The Chair invited further debate and Cllrs Andy Mercer, Zoe McGhee, Emily Fedorowycz, Jim Hakewill, Dorothy Maxwell, Lee Wilkes, Mark Pengelly, Lora Lawman and Helen Howell all spoke to welcome the report and provided examples of their own experiences with abuse and intimidation whilst carrying out their roles.

Following conclusion of the debate, the motion was voted on, with 47 councillors in favour, 0 abstaining and 0 against.

RESOLVED

That the Council

i)               committed to and accepted the following:

a)      To support the ‘Debate not Hate’ campaign and accept the Local Government Association recommendations in principle.

b)      To work together, across the political groups to promote and uphold high standards of civil behaviour in public and political debate.

c)      To establish a reporting mechanism to record and monitor incidents of harassment and abuse.

d)      To work with officers to ensure that support is provided to councillors who are experiencing intimidation and abuse.

e)      That the Democracy and Standards Committee will review this on an annual basis and will work with the Monitoring Officer to address and challenge ongoing issues and key concerns.

ii)              That the Leader of the Council signs the Debate Not Hate Public Statement on behalf of the Council.

Reasons for Recommendations -The ‘Debate not Hate’ campaign aims to raise public awareness of the role of councillors in local communities, encourage healthy debate and improve the response to and support those in public life facing abuse and intimidation.

Alternative Options Considered – To do nothing, however providing support to the campaign promotes high ethical standards in public life which is consistent with the Nolan principles and the Councillor Code of Conduct in accordance with the Localism Act 2011.