Councillor Philippa Davey proposed and Councillor Morris seconded the motion on Tackling Racism, xenophobia and hate crimes.

An amendment was moved by Councillor Downie and seconded by Councillor Bowyer as follows –

Words crossed through to be deleted and words in italics to be added:

?         Plymouth City Council states that we are proud to live in a diverse and tolerant society. Racism, xenophobia and all hate crimes have no place in our city. This Council condemns racism, xenophobia and hate crimes absolutely unequivocally. It is our duty to provide leadership to the city and we will never allow any form of hate crime to become acceptable.

·                    Plymouth City Council will work to ensure local programmes, organisations and individuals have support and the necessary resources to fight and prevent racism, xenophobia and crimes of hatred.

?         Welcomes appropriate work with organizations and individuals to fight and prevent racism, xenophobia and crimes of hatred.

?         We send a message of friendship and support to all people living in Plymouth, wherever they were born, whoever they may be, and further state that they are valued members of our community.

The City Council agrees to –

(1)       a.  Notes and welcomes recent statements from the Leader, Shadow Leader and Cabinet member for Safer and Stronger Communities and on ‘Staffroom’ condemning hate motivated incidents.

       b. Requests the Chief Executive to issue this statement as forcefully as possible in all forms and in all outlets available to us.

(2)       a.   Welcomes on going work to actively engage with partners and stake holders on this issue to help promote our message across Plymouth.

       b. Requests the Chief Executive to actively engage with all partners and stakeholders on this issue to send this message to the widest possible audience in Plymouth.

(3)       Welcomes staff training on how to report hate crimes and how to access support and requests that the Chief Executive also makes this available to councillors

(3)       Welcomes appropriate work with organisations and individuals to fight and prevent racism, xenophobia and crimes of hatred.

(4)       Request that the Chief Executive ensures all Councillors are aware of the schedule of Citizenship ceremonies and investigate appropriate measures to enable Councillors to attend ceremonies in order to welcome new citizens to the city.

The meeting was adjourned for 5 minutes to allow Members to read and consider the amendment.

(Following the adjournment the Lord Mayor left the meeting and the Deputy Lord Mayor took the Chair until the end of the meeting.  With the agreement of Council, Councillor Bowie acted as Vice-Chair until the end of the meeting.)

The debate continued and, following the vote, the amendment was carried.

Following further debate, a vote was taken on the motion as amended and the motion was carried as follows:

?       Plymouth City Council states that we are proud to live in a diverse and tolerant society. Racism, xenophobia and all hate crimes have no place in our city. This Council condemns racism, xenophobia and hate crimes absolutely unequivocally. It is our duty to provide leadership to the city and we will never allow any form of hate crime to become acceptable.

·                Welcomes appropriate work with organisations and individuals to fight and prevent racism, xenophobia and crimes of hatred.

?       We send a message of friendship and support to all people living in Plymouth, wherever they were born, whoever they may be, and further state that they are valued members of our community.

The City Council agrees to –

(1)     a.  Note and welcome recent statements from the Leader, Shadow Leader and Cabinet member for Safer and Stronger Communities and on ‘Staffroom’ condemning hate motivated incidents.

         b. Request the Chief Executive to issue this statement as forcefully as possible in all forms and in all outlets available to us.

(2)     a. Welcome on going work to actively engage with partners and stake holders on this issue to help promote our message across Plymouth.

         b. Request the Chief Executive to actively engage with all partners and stakeholders on this issue to send this message to the widest possible audience in Plymouth.

(3)          Welcome staff training on how to report hate crimes and how to access support and requests that the Chief Executive also makes this available to councillors.

(4)          Request that the Chief Executive ensures all Councillors are aware of the schedule of Citizenship ceremonies and investigate appropriate measures to enable Councillors to attend ceremonies in order to welcome new citizens to the city.