Agenda item

To consider motions referred from council assembly on the following:

 

·  Culture and wellbeing

·  Southwark’s bid for London borough of culture

·  Southwark response to moped crime

·  Local government pay cap

·  Tideway

·  Support for Dulwich Hamlet football club (DHFC)

·  The Latin American community after Brexit

·  Adoption of the international holocaust remembrance alliance working definition of antisemitism

·  Upholding a woman’s right to a legal abortion.

RESOLVED:

 

Culture and Wellbeing

 

That the motion referred from council assembly as a recommendation to cabinet, set out below be noted and that it also be noted that the cabinet member for public health and social regeneration has asked officers to report back on a number of the issues raised in this motion.

 

1.  Council assembly notes:

•  Air quality is a significant problem across London, including in Southwark

•  In 2013, 45% of the population of Southwark was exposed to levels of NO2 above the annual average objective limit

•  That in Southwark, diesel accounts for 91% of the total NOx emissions in the borough and 58% of the total PM10

•  That poor air quality directly impacts on the health and wellbeing of Southwark residents, and affects children, older people, and those with conditions such as heart or lung disease, or asthma most severely

•  That across the UK, around 40,000 deaths are attributable to air pollution each year, incurring £20bn in health costs

•  That 30% of TfL’s bus fleet are diesel-electric hybrids, which produce up to 40% less emissions than standard diesel buses.

 

2.  Council assembly believes:

•  That Southwark Council is already taking proactive steps to tackle the problem of poor air quality by encouraging and facilitating a culture of active travel 

•  That promoting forms of active travel is an essential part of improving the wellbeing of our residents, both because it reduces the number of people travelling in pollutant emitting vehicles, and because physical activity improves wellness in itself

•  That facilitating a reduction in the number of diesel vehicles should be a priority for the government

•  That reducing the number of diesel buses should be a priority for Transport for London (TfL)

•  That small business, charities, schools and low income households might struggle to replace diesel vehicles due to financial constraints

•  The proposed National Diesel Scrappage Fund would provide support for small business, charities, schools and low income households to replace their diesel vehicles with lower emission vehicles

•  That poor air quality directly and negatively impacts on the wellbeing of residents in Southwark, and that this council should continue to work to tackle this problem.

 

3.  Council assembly therefore resolves to call on cabinet:

•  To lobby TfL to increase the number of diesel-electric hybrid buses on routes through Southwark.

•  To continue to press the government and the Secretary of State for Transport to reform the Vehicle Excise Duty and to create a National Diesel Scrappage Fund to encourage the removal of the most polluting vehicles on our roads.

•  To continue to promote active forms of travel, such as walking and cycling.

•  To extend the Cycle Hire scheme to Bermondsey and Rotherhithe by committing funding for the capital costs associated

•  To support the campaign for an extra station on the Bakerloo Line Extension at Bricklayer’s Arms/New Kent Road.

•  To install air pollution monitors in the most polluted schools, including all schools near main roads; and pilot the use of public pollution monitors outside these schools.

•  To strengthen air quality measures in local planning policy, by guaranteeing that all section 106 levied for air quality on new developments is spent on air quality mitigation.

 

Southwark’s bid for London borough of culture

 

That the motion referred from council assembly as a recommendation to cabinet, set out below be noted:

 

1.  Council assembly notes:

 

1.  In July 2017, the Mayor of London launched the London Borough of Culture - a new competition for the 32 London boroughs to apply for funding to lead a game changing cultural programme. Two winning boroughs will be named London Borough of Culture, one in 2019 and one in 2020, and up to six other boroughs will receive support to deliver bespoke cultural projects.

 

2.  As well as being named the London Borough of Culture, the winning boroughs will be awarded £1.1 million each.  The Heritage Lottery Fund and the Paul Hamlyn Foundation will also work with the winning boroughs to help them secure extra funding for bespoke cultural projects.

 

3.  The creative industry is one of Southwark’s fastest growing industries, with internationally acclaimed institutions matched by grassroots vibrancy across the borough.  

 

4.  A recent report produced by the Creative Industry Federation found that ‘For every pound invested in arts and culture, an additional £1.06 is generated in the economy’.

 

5.  The great reputation Southwark has as the home of cultural expression dating back to the completion of the Globe in the 16th Century.

 

6.  The recently published ‘Creative Southwark’, Southwark’s Cultural Strategy leading up to 2022. 

 

7.  Communities right across the borough have fed into process of putting Southwark’s bid together, with multiple workshops over a number of weeks. 

 

2.  Council assembly believes:

 

1.  The arts and culture plays a significant role in bringing communities together in the borough. 

 

2.  Cultural organisations across the borough have played a key part in addressing wellbeing issues, such as isolation, obesity and improving residents' mental health.

 

3.  Southwark is a diverse and culturally rich borough and if successful, the borough’s year of culture will amongst other things seek to promote this.

 

4.  Culture is not solely about a few large institutions, but also about multiple smaller-scale local projects. Moreover, cultural life does not emerge from nowhere but is produced by people and communities that have the opportunity, location and ability to create.

 

5.  Southwark’s exceptional cultural richness primarily derives from its breadth of communities of differing heritage and financial wealth.

 

6.  The much-needed development plans in Southwark must keep these communities in mind and ensure they can continue to afford to live and thrive in Southwark, in the years and decade ahead. Cultural events and programmes, which may well be welcome in themselves, will be skin-deep if the people that provide our communities’ hearts are in practice removed and the affordable homes and small businesses that provide their life-blood are effectively left to drain away.

 

3.  Council assembly therefore resolves:

 

1.  To endorse Southwark’s bid to be the London Borough of Culture. 

 

Southwark response to moped crime

 

That the motion referred from council assembly as a recommendation to cabinet, set out below be noted. The cabinet member for communities, safety and leisure updated cabinet with regard to actions taken in response to this motion.

 

1.  Council assembly notes:

 

·  The dramatic rise in ‘moped-enabled’ crime across London in the last year – from around 7,500 to 17,500 offences.

 

·  That, in Southwark, the number of robberies on mopeds rose from 581 in 2015/16 to 777 in 2016/17.

 

·  The numerous reports from residents who have witnessed or experienced these crimes in Southwark – and want to know how the council is going to respond.

  

2.  Council assembly calls on Southwark Council to explore if it is feasible to:

 

·  Introduce urgent preventative measures before moped crime culture becomes entrenched in the borough.

 

·  Establish an early intervention scheme, focused on areas where young people are most exposed to moped gangs.

 

·  Establish an outcomes-based re-offending scheme for prison leavers, tailored to those convicted of moped-enabled crime.

 

·  Install ‘moped hangars’ across Southwark to reduce theft – especially in high-risk areas.

 

·  Create incentives for moped dealerships in the borough (through a responsible retailers list and business rate reduction) to:

 

-  Bundle locking devices (disc locks, grip locks, chain locks), alarms, immobilisers and tracking technology with moped sales

-  Mark bike parts with the vehicle identification number (VIN) number

-  Check and record driving licences and CBT (Compulsory Basic Training) certificates

-  Require additional details from buyers (name, address, contacts)

-  Not to accept cash payments for mopeds, scooters or accessories

 

·  Recognise the work of Southwark Police on both thefts of mopeds and moped-enabled robberies and assaults – and work with the police to identify high-risk areas in Southwark.

 

·  Fill gaps in CCTV coverage at moped-enabled crime hotspots and fund wider use of RDCs (Rapid Deployment Cameras).

 

·  Introduce a ‘whistleblower’ policy for moped crime, signposting the Crimestoppers hotline and guaranteeing anonymity for residents who report on moped gangs. 

 

3.  Council assembly calls on the Mayor of London to:

 

·  Lobby for a change in the law to require mopeds and motorbikes to display both a front and rear number plate.

 

·  Create London-wide incentives for moped dealerships to:

 

-  Bundle locking devices (disc locks, grip locks, chain locks), alarms, immobilisers and tracking technology with moped sales

-  Mark bike parts with the vehicle identification number (VIN) number

-  Check and record driving licences and CBT (Compulsory Basic Training) certificates

-  Require additional details from buyers (name, address, contacts)

-  Not to accept cash payments for mopeds, scooters or accessories

 

·  Introduce warning signs for mopeds and motorbikes using cycle lanes.

 

·  Launch an awareness campaign at tourist spots, bus stops, tube stations and other target locations to warn the public about moped crime techniques, flag high-risk areas and discourage texting-and-walking.

 

·  Press the Home Office for a full review of police powers on moped-enabled crime. 

 

4.  Council assembly recognises that this Conservative Government has consistently underfunded the Metropolitan Police Service, and that the Met will have to make £400m of savings by 2021. Council assembly regrets that as a result of this underfunding front counters in police stations across London will have to close.

 

5.  Council assembly welcomes that despite the cuts to their budget, the Mayor of London has made, and is fulfilling, a commitment to have at least two Dedicated Ward Officers (DWO) in every ward in London.

 

Local government pay cap

 

That the motion referred from council assembly as a recommendation to cabinet, set out below be noted.  The cabinet member for finance, modernisation and performance confirmed that she had written to the Chancellor.

 

1.  Council assembly notes that: 

 

·  For workers in local government and schools, pay and other terms and conditions are determined by a negotiating body; the National Joint Council (NJC) for local government services

·  Local government basic pay has fallen by 21% since 2010 in real terms 

·  Local government workers had a three-year pay freeze from 2010-2012 

·  Local government pay is the lowest in the public sector 

·  The increased National Living Wage and the London Living Wage have led to pay scales being squeezed and distorted 

·  Local government has been hit hard by government cuts, with Southwark Council facing some of the harshest cuts losing £130m of funding since 2010 - a 44% cut.

 

2.  Council assembly believes that: 

 

·  Local government workers provide essential public services and should be fairly remunerated for the work that they do

·  Local government pay cannot be allowed to fall further behind other parts of the public sector

·  The Government should provide additional funding to fund a decent pay rise for council and other NJC employees.

·  Given the wide range in salaries at Southwark Council – with some as high as £197,000 a year – pay rises should be targeted towards those on low and medium incomes.

 

3.  Council assembly therefore: 

 

·  Welcomes the joint review of the NJC pay spine 

·  Supports the 5% NJC pay claim for 2018, submitted by the employee side on behalf of council and school workers

·  Supports the immediate end of the public sector pay cap.

 

4.  Council assembly calls on cabinet:

 

·  To call immediately on the Local Government Association to make urgent representations to Government to fund the NJC claim and the pay spine review and notify us of their action in this regard 

·  To write to the Prime Minister and Chancellor supporting the NJC pay claim and seeking additional funding to fund a decent pay rise and the pay spine review 

·  Meet with local NJC union representatives to convey support for the pay claim and the pay spine review. 

 

Tideway

 

That the motion referred from council assembly as a recommendation to cabinet, set out below be noted. It also be noted that discussions will continue.

 

1.  Council assembly notes that:

 

1.  That the construction of the Thames Tideway Tunnel 'Super Sewer' is expected to last until 2023 and is the largest infrastructure project in London since Crossrail.

2.  The Tideway Site at Chambers Wharf is one of the most compacted across London with approximately residential 500 properties within 75m of the site boundary.

3.  That the planning inspectorate considered the impact on residents surrounding the Chambers Wharf site to be the most severe along the 25km route of the tunnel.

4.  Local residents at Chambers Wharf have repeatedly voiced their concerns about the ways that Tideway are carrying out works.

5.  Southwark Council opposed the Thames Tideway Tunnel on this site, but the Conservative Government granted a development consent order which allowed for three concrete pours per week which are allowed to last until 10pm. Southwark Council also had no legal alternative but to consent to additional digging works to continue until 10pm on a strictly limited basis.

6.  On two occasions, works have overrun as late as 1.50am, and in response to these overruns Southwark Council warned contractors that this cannot happen regularly, and amended their s.61 consent to strengthen the community notification requirements.

7.  Southwark Council has persuaded Tideway to fund a community liaison officer to act as a mediator between Tideway and residents, and has asked Tideway to review their decision to change the format of Community Liaison Working Group (CLWG) meetings to ensure that residents’ concerns are being heard.

8.  Residents remain concerned about the level of dust and noise. Southwark Council has installed 11 permanent noise meters that are independently operated to investigate all resident complaints within 24 hours. There are also two Environmental Health Officers monitoring the site and enforcing Environmental Protection Act 1990 and the Control of Pollution Act 1974 to minimise dust, noise and vibrations as far as possible.

9.  Late working is exacerbating the issue of light pollution from floodlights.

10.  Lorries delivering to site persistently breach the vehicle access agreements, either by parking on local streets or driving along prohibited roads.

11.  The recent South London and Maudsley (SLAM) Mental Health and Wellbeing focus group report has highlighted the impact of this work on some residents. Although Southwark Council opposed the Thames Tideway scheme, Council Assembly notes that Southwark remains committed to working with Tideway to ensure the delivery of the scheme with minimal disturbance to the wellbeing of local residents.

 

2.  Council assembly asserts that Tideway must now:

 

1.  Abide by the directives and limitations that have been agreed and set.

2.  Take seriously the issues of noise, dust and light pollution, including following up on the mental health and wellbeing impact report.

3.  Look again at their decision to change the format of CLWG meetings to drop-in sessions, and to continue to work with Southwark Council to minimise disruption and inconvenience to local residents.

 

Support for Dulwich Hamlet football club (DHFC)

 

That the motion referred from council assembly as a recommendation to cabinet, set out below be noted and supported:

 

1.  Council assembly notes:

 

·  The leader of the council, Councillor Peter John’s support for DHFC and his statement that “We are never going to let the club fail” is welcome support for the club.

·  That Dulwich Hamlet has continuously occupied a site on the Green Dale site since 1902, first Freemans Field and finally settling on the adjacent plot its current location in 1931.  This followed moving from sites in the Dulwich area; Woodwarde Road, College farm and Sunray Avenue. The 1931 Stadium was in use until 1991 until it fell into poor repair and foul of legislation that required football clubs to adopt modern safety standards.

·  That the use of the site as a football stadium with its sporting facilities is a long established use and is one of the few remaining venues of those used in the 1948 London Olympics. The site, or an adjacent site, has been in continual use by the club since it moved to Green Dale and provides facilities for the local community, schools, charities and other professional football events.

·  The significant contribution Dulwich Hamlet Football Club has made to the national, London and Southwark’s sporting, cultural and social history to modern football. Rooted in working class communities organising themselves at the end of the 19th century, as a means of enriching the lives of those that played for and supported these clubs. The club shares its late Victorian origins with the Herne Hill Velodrome that was recently granted planning permission to improve its stadium and make better use of its site.  The DHFC hosted the amateur football games of the 1948 Summer Olympics on Green Dale in the identical way as the Veldrome hosted cycling events during the same Olympics. Dulwich Hamlet Football Club is meshed into the fabric of our borough and the hearts of fans since 1893, when founded by Pa Wilson. A club established on the key principles of “not just how we play the game… but how we improve the game”. 

·  That in the 20th century, club players lived up to the ideals of the amateur tradition; working gentlemen that contributed to their local communities and inspired others through loyalty, leadership, noble actions and sporting success. Men such as Charles Tyson, Hussein Hegazi, Edgar Kail, Reg Meritt, Tommy Jover and the current club President Jack Payne. This year, as we bid to become London Borough of Culture, these are true Southwark Pioneers.

·  DHFC’s popularity with residents in the borough, with over 2,800 supporters attending matches and recent league success.

·  That Gavin Rose, DHFC’s manager was recently awarded Isthmian League's Mitre Premier Division Manager of the month for October, and that award is recognition of not only recent league success, but of years of hard-work and effort that Gavin Rose, Junior Kadi, Kevin James and all the coaching and physio teams invest into both DHFC and Aspire Football Academy, week in week out. These men and women, together with the current squad are the latest generation of dedicated of DHFC stars, who are forever pink and blue.

·  That next year will be the Club’s 125th anniversary.

·  That the Club’s contribution to the Isthmian League was recognised in both 2015 and 2017 through the award of the Barry East Trophy at the League’s Annual Awards Ceremony for the Club’s outstanding community work off the pitch.

·  That the club received the accolade of “Football Foundation Community Club of the Year” at the National Game Awards last year.

 

2.  Council assembly recognises:

 

·  That since the relocation to the current stadium in 1991, the club has untaken a number of attempts to improve its facilities, to build a more efficient building to manage, maintain and to use for sporting and community events.

·  That the club has sought to improve the playing pitch to allow for greater use for playing and the community by replacing the grass pitch with a modern artificial, league compliant, playing surface.

·  That the recent attempt to improve clubs facilities combined with a residential development undertaken by Meadow Residential LLP has stalled and as a consequence has put the financial future of the club at serious risk.

·  That full disclosure of financial information to all those involved in the future of the club should happen as a matter of urgency to allow all stakeholders (Meadow, club owner, team management, club supporters, the council and any other interests that may be involved) to better understand the financial management and financial future of the club.

·  That as a consequence of Meadow Residential LLP’s stalled proposals, that DHFC is now crowd funding for the management costs and players' wages.

·  That the club is supportive of plans for an all-weather artificial pitch.

·  That this would raise revenue on weekdays – estimated in the region of £4,000 per week – helping to stabilise the club’s finances and allowing for future investment in the bar and other commercial activities.

·  That on non-matchdays, an artificial pitch would provide much-needed community facilities for sports and local events.

·  That local primary schools could also be given access to an artificial pitch.

·  That management of commercial activities – including the bar, food and merchandise – by the club or Supporters’ Trust is likely to dramatically increase profit margins.

 

3.   Council assembly resolves to:

 

·  Thank the DHST and DHFC 12th Man, for their hard work, dedication and effort in supporting the DHFC Football Committee, including recent actions to meet management costs and players wages and to maintain the financial viability of the club.

·  Commends and congratulates Gavin Rose, DHFC’s manager, on his recent award and the ongoing commitment given to young people in this community and beyond through the Aspire Academy.

·  To call on the leader of the council to use best endeavours for the council to work with DHFC; to provide practical support for the remainder of this season if needed; allowing the club to plan for the longer term.

·  To call on the leader of the council to use best endeavours for the Council to work with DHFC to ensure that the fans can be at the heart of determining its future.

·  To call on the leader of the council to write to Meadow Residential LLP to discuss how they may continue to support the club with the payment of management costs and players wages until such time as the future of any current proposals become clear; that for all involved demand that a clear timetable with key milestones for any future proposals for the renewal of the club facilities, the residential development and any continued financial support be drafted.

·  To stand with The Rabble. Forward the Hamlet.

·  Call on the council to support a fan ownership model for Dulwich Hamlet Football Club.

·  Calls on the council to acquire the pitch and stadium at its present location, and work with the club and Supporters’ Trust to secure the long term future of Dulwich Hamlet FC – with the objective for a fan-owned club, under a co-operative or mutual structure.

 

The Latin American community after Brexit

 

That the motion referred from council assembly as a recommendation to cabinet, set out below be noted and endorsed:

 

1.  Council assembly reiterates its belief in the importance of Southwark’s cultural, ethnic and religious diversity, and that this diversity helps to make our borough such an exciting and vibrant area to live in.

 

2.  In particular, council assembly recognises the role played by Latin American residents in Southwark. Their presence has greatly enhanced the unique cultural character of our borough for many decades. 

 

3.  Council assembly notes its concern at reports from Latin Elephant, Teléfono de la Esperanza UK (TEUK), Latin American Disabled People’s Project, Su Mano Amiga (SMA) and others, of an increase in mental health problems among Southwark’s Latin American community following last year’s Brexit vote. The widespread uncertainty brought about by the referendum result has led to higher anxiety and stress levels among many residents who have lived in Southwark all their lives. In addition to the higher costs everyone has faced because of a weaker pound, many of Southwark’s Latin American community have for over a year been unsure as to their future status as citizens in this country. Hate crime has soared by 41% after the Brexit vote. This is a further factor facing the Latin community.

 

4.  The psychological effects of Brexit are especially noticeable in the Latin community. The levels of anxiety fear and uncertainty caused by the Referendum and the daily news of the negotiations and possibility of a hard Brexit has created a further insecurity.

 

5.  There is recent growing research that highlights the consequences for patient’s physical and mental health, of being unable to resolve difficulties with problems like housing, welfare benefits, relationship breakdown, and immigration employment.

 

6.  TEUK have experienced a fourfold increase in crisis intervention since Brexit. SMA has seen a similar rise, with many cases related to Brexit anxiety.

 

7.  Council assembly resolves to ensure that Latin American residents are fully informed about the full range of mental health services on offer in Southwark. It is more important than ever, during this time of uncertainty, that all our residents know how to access council services when they need them most.

 

8.  People who receive welfare advice experience lower anxiety, better general health, better relations and housing stability. The right advice at the right time helps people to manage their own lives and promotes better physical and mental health.

 

9.  Council assembly fully acknowledges, however, that mental health and general well-being are not purely matters of individuals having access to the Council’s mental health services. Being included as part of a flourishing, closely-knit and strongly rooted community that provides mutual support, friendship and enjoyment is even more important. Southwark’s Latin American community has taken generations to organically develop, as have the distinctive local traders and businesses that have emerged to serve and sustain it. They must be cherished and protected.

 

10.  As plans to develop areas like the Elephant & Castle proceed, Council Assembly acknowledges the importance of ensuring that any temporary disruptions do not result in permanent dispersion of local communities, including the Latin American community, and welcomes the steps that the Council has already taken to ensure existing traders benefit from the investment in the area.

 

11.  Council assembly again reaffirms its deeply-held and cross-party belief that the Latin American community is a cherished, embedded, and intrinsic part of Southwark. Furthermore, it wishes to reassure EU citizens and other ethnic and cultural minorities that despite Brexit, London remains open, London remains progressive, and London remains their home.

 

Adoption of the international holocaust remembrance alliance working definition of antisemitism

 

That the motion referred from council assembly as a recommendation to cabinet, set out below be agreed:

 

1.  Council assembly notes:

 

·  That the committee on Antisemitism and Holocaust Denial called on the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) Plenary in Budapest in 2015 to adopt a working definition of antisemitism

·  That in December 2016, the UK Government formally adopted the IHRA working definition of antisemitism; and was the first EU country to do so

·  That antisemitism is a significant and growing problem in the UK

·  That the number of antisemitic incidents reported  in the UK rose by more than a third in 2016 and reached the highest ever recorded levels

 

2.  Council assembly believes:

 

·  That examples of antisemitism include, but are not limited to:

-  Calling for, aiding, or justifying the killing or harming of Jews in the name of a radical ideology or an extremist view of religion.

-   Making mendacious, dehumanizing, demonizing, or stereotypical allegations about Jews as such or the power of Jews as collective — such as, especially but not exclusively, the myth about a world Jewish conspiracy or of Jews controlling the media, economy, government or other societal institutions.

-   Accusing Jews as a people of being responsible for real or imagined wrongdoing committed by a single Jewish person or group, or even for acts committed by non-Jews.

-  Denying the fact, scope, mechanisms (e.g. gas chambers) or intentionality of the genocide of the Jewish people at the hands of National Socialist Germany and its supporters and accomplices during World War II (the Holocaust).

-  Accusing the Jews as a people, or Israel as a state, of inventing or exaggerating the Holocaust.

-  Accusing Jewish citizens of being more loyal to Israel, or to the alleged priorities of Jews worldwide, than to the interests of their own nations.

-  Denying the Jewish people their right to self-determination, e.g., by claiming that the existence of a State of Israel is a racist endeavour.

-  Applying double standards by requiring of it behaviour not expected or demanded of any other democratic nation, taking criticism further than would be expected and using Nazi comparisons when criticising Israel.

-  Using the symbols and images associated with classic antisemitism (e.g., claims of Jews killing Jesus or blood libel) to characterize Israel or Israelis.

·  That Southwark Council takes all incidents of antisemitism very seriously

·  That adopting this definition would demonstrate the seriousness with which we take antisemitism

 

Council assembly resolves:

 

·  To therefore adopt the IHRA’s non legally binding working definition of antisemitism:

 

“Antisemitism is a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews. Rhetorical and physical manifestations of antisemitism are directed toward Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/or their property, toward Jewish community institutions and religious facilities.”

 

 

Upholding a woman’s right to a legal abortion

 

That the motion referred from council assembly as a recommendation to cabinet, set out below be noted.

 

Council assembly notes:

 

1.  That 50 years ago the Abortion Act 1967, was introduced by Liberal MP David Steel as a Private Members Bill, and passed in a free vote, making abortion legal in Great Britain, although not Northern Ireland.

 

2.  That this motion is not about the arguments for or against abortion but rather about a woman’s legal right to go to a clinic without intimidation or harassment.

 

3.  That members will have their own personal views about abortion and that these should be respected.

 

4.  That anti-abortion protesters have been protesting outside Blackfriars Medical Centre in Colombo Street, SE1, which is an NHS GP practice, for at least 3 years where a British Pregnancy Advisory Service (BPAS) clinic is based.

 

5.  That the anti-abortion protestors have emotional and distressing images and have body cameras, that they claim to have for their own protection, which can also capture those coming and going from the clinic.

 

6.  The cross party campaign by a number of members of parliament, including Labour MPs Diane Abbott and Rupa Huq, to introduce “buffer zones” and notes a recent YouGov survey that showed that over half the MPs who responded supported a change in the law.

 

7.  The motion passed by Ealing Council which “commits to fully explore every possible option” and “to take all necessary actions within its powers, utilising all necessary resources, to prevent anti-abortion protesters from intimidating and harassing women outside the Marie Stopes Clinic on Mattock Lane”. 

 

Council assembly resolves:

 

8.  That while the right to protest is an important right in a free society, the right to advice and a legal safe abortion without intimidation and harassment for women should not be compromised by these protests.

 

9.  To engage with other interested parties including BPAS, Blackfriars Medical Centre, Southwark Police, Neil Coyle MP, Cathedrals ward councillors, Southwark CCG (Clinical Commissioning Group) and local residents to consider whether similar action should be pursued outside the Blackfriars Medical Centre/BPAS clinic in Colombo Street and if necessary any other clinics in Southwark.

 

10.  To investigate whether Southwark Council should work with Ealing Council, and other interested local councils such as Lambeth Council in regards to identifying the appropriate legislation to use to install a “buffer zone” outside our clinics and defend any potential legal challenge, recognising that Southwark residents may travel outside the borough to access abortions.

 

11.  To support the campaign for new legislation to be introduced by the Government to legalise “buffer zones” outside abortion clinics.