14.          Veterans 

Councillor Jordan moved the Motion on Notice in relation to Veterans. This was seconded by Councillor Rebecca Smith.

An amendment to the Motion was moved by Councillor Derrick and this was seconded by Councillor Murphy.

The amendment proposed was as follows:

SUPPORT FOR ARMED FORCES VETERANS

As a city with strong military links, this Council welcomes the Government commitment for legislation designed to ensure service personnel and veterans are not subjected to repeated investigations on historical operations, many years after the events in question and applaud the hard work that our local MPs Johnny Mercer and Luke Pollard who in their different ways have helped has done in bringing this about. But like Johnny Mercer MP we are disappointed that this legislation will not include Norther Ireland.

This Council believes that those that served in Northern Ireland should also be included in the legislation, especially in light of the fact that over 200 members of the terrorist organisation the IRA received letters known as ‘comfort letters’, which exempted them from prosecution for their part in the troubles in Northern Ireland. that there is much more to be done in making adequate provision for veterans on a wide range of concerns relating to their former service, and that any additional support and protection should apply irrespective of where and when any veteran has served. We strongly support the views of many veterans of service in Northern Ireland during the “Troubles”, that they are not getting adequate support from the government. We also recognise that the important outcomes of the Good Friday Agreement are under threat currently and that there are increasing tensions in Northern Ireland across both nationalist and loyalist communities.

We are proud that members of our Armed Forces serve the United Kingdom, often in the most difficult and dangerous circumstances, and we know that our Armed Forces personnel having been trained to the highest professional standards, recognise their duty to operate within the law and accept that if allegations of misconduct arise, they must be properly investigated to establish whether a prosecution is necessary.

The Council notes that the government’s current intention is not to extend the provisions of the new legislation that will protect service personnel from repeated investigations to including matters of operational service in Northern Ireland, but believes strongly that our veterans deserve better.

Therefore, the The City Council therefore resolves to ask the Chief Executive (or Leader) to write to the new Prime Minister calling on them to end the witch hunt of former service personnel who served in Northern Ireland.

That the Leader of the Council should write to our MPs calling on them to continue their efforts to ensure that Armed Forces veterans are supported fully in respect of their needs post-service. Additionally, in order that the government can further consider the extension of additional protections to include service in Northern Ireland, to ask our MPs to ensure that a clear understanding is established in Parliament of the need for robust new evidence to be the principal precursor for any re-opening of previous investigations.

The meeting was briefly adjourned to consider the amendment.

On recommencement, the meeting was again briefly adjourned to consider a point of order.

Following a debate, the amendment to the motion was agreed.

For (31)

Councillors Allen, Mrs Aspinall, Buchan, Coker, Corvid, Dann, Derrick, Evans OBE, Goslin, Haydon, Hendy, Laing, Lowry, Mavin, McDonald, Morris, Murphy, Neil, Parker-Delaz-Ajete, Penberthy, Rennie, Singh, Pete Smith, Stevens, J Taylor, K Taylor, Tuffin, Tuohy, Vincent, Wheeler and Winter

Against (24)

Councillors Mrs Beer, Mrs Bridgeman, Bowyer, Mrs Bowyer, Carson, Churchill, Cook, Darcy, Deacon, Downie, Drean, James, Mrs Johnson, Jordan, Kelly, Leaves, Mrs Leaves, Loveridge, Nicholson, Mrs Pengelly, Riley, Rebecca Smith, Watkin and Wigens

Absent/Did Not Vote (2)

Councillors Davey and Ball (Lord Mayor)

Following a debate, Council voted on the motion as amended as follows:

For (55)

Councillors Allen, Mrs Aspinall, Mrs Beer, Bowyer, Mrs Bowyer, Mrs Bridgeman, Buchan, Carson, Churchill, Coker, Cook, Corvid, Dann, Darcy, Davey, Deacon, Derrick, Downie, Drean, Evans OBE, Goslin, Haydon, Hendy, Mrs Johnson, James, Jordan, Kelly, Laing, Michael Leaves, Mrs Leaves, Mrs Loveridge, Lowry, Mavin, McDonald, Morris, Murphy, Neil, Nicholson, Parker-Delaz-Ajete, Penberthy, Mrs Pengelly, Rennie, Riley, Singh, Pete Smith, Rebecca Smith, Stevens, J Taylor, K Taylor, Tuffin, Tuohy, Vincent, Wheeler, Ms Watkin, Wigens and Winter.

Absent/Did Not Vote (2)

Councillors Davey and Ball (Lord Mayor)