Agenda item

Motion by Councillor J D Hough

 

It was moved, and seconded that

 

"We, as people of Lincolnshire, cannot ignore the plight of refugees across Europe and the Middle East or leave the situation for others to deal with.

The generous offers of help from individuals, community organisations, churches and others in Lincolnshire show the strength of the desire in our communities to help provide accommodation, food and places of safety for refugees who have been displaced by war.

None of this ignores the fact that we still have our own challenges of homelessness, lack of affordable housing, poverty and many other issues here at home which we must continue to tackle.

However Lincolnshire with its population of 731,500 people has the capacity and strength to not only deal with its own problems but also to play its part in providing a safe haven for refugees in this emergency.

The County Council has a long experience of looking after unaccompanied children who are asylum seekers. Last week we had 60 such children and young people being looked after or otherwise supported by our Leaving Care Service.

We can build on this experience and, with the work done by the community, we are in a strong position to provide further help now that it is needed. While cost is an issue and clearly financial help will be needed, we cannot just sit and wait.

Help is needed now and the County Council must provide a welcome for refugees and leadership in coordinating such help across the county.

It is therefore proposed that:

The Council recommends that the executive on behalf of all councillors says publicly and to Government that we as a Council welcome refugees to Lincolnshire alongside the wider Lincolnshire community and will play our part in providing a safe haven for them."

Notice of two amendments to this motion had been received, and it was agreed that both amendments would be heard and then one debate would take place on the motion and both amendments before being put to the vote.

 

An amendment (i) by Councillor C E D Mair was moved and seconded as follows:

 

"We, as people of Lincolnshire, cannot ignore the plight of refugees across Europe and the Middle East or leave the situation for others to deal with.

The generous offers of help from individuals, community organisations, churches and others in Lincolnshire show the strength of the desire in our communities to help provide accommodation, food and places of safety for refugees who have been displaced by war.

 

None of this ignores the fact that we still have our own challenges of homelessness, lack of affordable housing, poverty and many other issues here at home which we must continue to tackle.

 

However Lincolnshire with its population of 731,500 people has the capacity and strength to not only deal with its own problems but also to place its part in providing a safe haven for refugees in this emergency.

 

The County Council has a long experience of looking after unaccompanied children who are asylum seekers.  Last week we had 60 such children and young people being looked after or otherwise supported by our Leaving Care Service.

 

We can build on this experience and, with the work done by the community; we are in a strong position to provide further help now that it is needed.  While cost is an issue and clearly financial help will be needed, we cannot just sit and wait.

 

Help is needed now and the County Council must provide a welcome for refugees and leadership in co-ordinating such help across the county.

 

The speed of Lincolnshire County Council in showing leadership and preparedness to deal with any challenges thrown at us is to be commended.

 

Therefore we propose that this Council confirms its support for refugees through its already existing arrangement in Lincolnshire."

 

An amendment (ii) by Councillor M J Hill OBE was moved, and seconded as follows:

 

That the last paragraph of the motion is amended by replacing the existing text with the following:

 

"The council recommends that the executive notes the decision made by the government to accept 20,000 refugees from Syria into the UK, over a period of 5 years.

 

We as a council will work with our partners in Lincolnshire, East Midlands and government departments to play our part in this humanitarian mission, on the expectation that full funding will be forthcoming."

 

During debate, Councillor C E D Mair confirmed that UKIP would be withdrawing their amendment (i).

 

A vote was taken on the amendment (ii) and upon being put to the vote, was carried.  This then became the substantive motion.

 

The motion, on being put to the vote was carried.  Therefore, it was

 

RESOLVED

 

            That the council recommend that the executive note the decision    made by the government to accept 20,000 refugees from Syria into the        UK, over a period of 5 years.

 

            We as a council will work with our partners in Lincolnshire, East      Midlands and government departments to play our part in this          humanitarian mission, on the expectation that full funding will be        forthcoming.

 

Motion by Councillor S R Dodds

 

It was moved and seconded that

 

"Children’s Centres play a crucial role in child protection in Lincolnshire.

 

Over 95% of young children in the age range 0-5 are now registered at Children’s Centres across the county. This is a remarkable achievement; in the early years of Sure Start centres locally it was a struggle to get over 50% of children registered.

 

The services offered at Children’s Centres are wide ranging and provide support, education and encouragement for young children and their families. They enable early help and support to be provided for children at risk and vulnerable families. Positive links with other organisations, particularly the health service, have ensured a joined up approach to child development. In addition their work ensures all children start school with an equal chance of fulfilling their potential.

 

However continuing cuts in government support for local government may mean that their future is at risk.

 

It is proposed that: 

 

this Council thanks all those involved in this work, the staff at Children’s Centres, the health and social workers, the locality teams and everyone else involved for their dedication in ensuring every child gets an equal chance in their early years.

 

Furthermore, this Council believes in the importance of Children’s Centres and the crucial work they do in both protecting children and enhancing their development and therefore recommends that the Executive continue to support, fund and maintain the Children’s Centres across the county."

 

An amendment by Councillor Mrs P A Bradwell was moved and seconded as follows:

 

That the final paragraph of the motion be amended to replace the existing text, so that the whole of the motion reads as follows:

 

"This Council thanks all those involved in this work, the staff at the Children's Centres, the health and social workers, the locality teams and everyone else involved for their dedication in ensuring every child gets an equal chance in their early years.

 

Furthermore, this Council believes in the importance of Children's Centres and the crucial work they do in both protecting children and enhancing their development and recommends that the Executive will continue to work with all providers in a community to ensure that integrated services continue to be delivered so that early help and protection services are delivered within communities."

 

A vote was taken on the amendment, and upon being put to the vote was carried.  This then became the substantive motion.

 

The motion, being put to the vote was carried, therefore it was

 

RESOLVED

 

            That this Council thank all those involved in this work, the staff at the         Children's Centres, the health and social workers, the locality teams     and everyone else involved for their dedication in ensuring every child           gets an equal chance in their early years.

 

            Furthermore, this Council believes in the importance of Children's Centres and the crucial work they do in both protecting children and   enhancing their development and recommends that the Executive      continue to work with all providers in a community to ensure that     integrated services continue to be delivered so that early help and             protection services are delivered within communities.