Cabinet |
30 October 2024 |
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Council Actions in Response to the Israel Palestine Conflict |
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Will this be a Key Decision? |
No |
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Urgency |
Not applicable |
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Final Decision-Maker |
Cabinet |
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Lead Head of Service |
Angela Woodhouse, Director of Strategy, Insight and Governance |
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Lead Officer and Report Author |
Democratic Services, for Council |
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Classification |
Public |
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Wards affected |
All |
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Executive Summary |
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To consider the motion that was moved and seconded at Full Council on Wednesday 25 September 2024 relating to Council Actions in Response to the Israel Palestine Conflict.
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Purpose of Report
Decision
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This report makes the following recommendations to the Cabinet:
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1. To consider the motion relating to Council Actions in Response to the Israel Palestine Conflict and decide whether to approve, amend or not to approve the motion; and
2.
That
if minded to approve the motion and request further specific measures outside
the current budget and policy framework, a further report be requested on the
matter so the full implications can be considered. |
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Timetable |
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Meeting |
Date |
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Cabinet |
30 October 2024 |
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Council Actions in Response to the Israel Palestine Conflict |
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1. CROSS-CUTTING ISSUES AND IMPLICATIONS
Issue |
Implications |
Sign-off |
Impact on Corporate Priorities |
It is recommended that a further report be requested if further specific measures are recommended so that the implications can be fully assessed. |
Democratic and Electoral Services Manager |
Cross Cutting Objectives |
It is recommended that a further report be requested if further specific measures are recommended so that the implications can be fully assessed. |
Democratic and Electoral Services Manager |
Risk Management |
It is recommended that a further report be requested if further specific measures are recommended so that the implications can be fully assessed. |
Democratic and Electoral Services Manager |
Financial |
It is recommended that a further report be requested if further specific measures are recommended so that the implications can be fully assessed. |
Democratic and Electoral Services Manager |
Staffing |
It is recommended that a further report be requested if further specific measures are recommended so that the implications can be fully assessed. |
Democratic and Electoral Services Manager |
Legal |
The motion is a political matter forwarded by Council to the Cabinet. Any further specific measure taken as a result of the motion need to be fully assessed and comply with the budget and policy framework. It is therefore that if any further specific measures are recommended that a further report be requested so that the implications can be fully assessed. |
Democratic and Electoral Services Manager |
Privacy and Data Protection |
It is recommended that a further report be requested if further specific measures are recommended so that the implications can be fully assessed. |
Democratic and Electoral Services Manager |
Equalities |
It is recommended that a further report be requested if further specific measures are recommended so that the implications can be fully assessed. |
Democratic and Electoral Services Manager |
Public Health
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It is recommended that a further report be requested if further specific measures are recommended so that the implications can be fully assessed. |
Democratic and Electoral Services Manager |
Crime and Disorder |
It is recommended that a further report be requested if further specific measures are recommended so that the implications can be fully assessed. |
Democratic and Electoral Services Manager |
Procurement |
It is recommended that a further report be requested if further specific measures are recommended so that the implications can be fully assessed. |
Democratic and Electoral Services Manager |
2. INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND
2.1 At Full Council on Wednesday 25 September 2024 the motion attached at Appendix 1 was moved and seconded relating to the Israel and Palestine Conflict.
2.2 As the motion related to a sensitive and complex topic, the Mayor, in consultation with the Leader of the Council, agreed to apply Council Procedure Rule 12.12 to disapply Rule 12.9.
2.3 Consequently, the motion, having been moved and seconded, was referred directly to the Cabinet without debate.
2.4 The motion asks the Council to:
1. Explore how the Council can better support and facilitate events for people of all faiths and none, where they can come together and express solidarity and sadness in response to these events.
2. Offer appropriate support to any local resident who needs our assistance as a result of these violent events.
3. Ask the Leader of the Council to write to the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs to call on the UK Government:
a. to press all parties to agree:
i) to an urgent permanent, bilateral ceasefire in Gaza, Israel, West Bank and Lebanon and to work tirelessly to resume a just and sustainable peace process;
ii) to guarantee that international humanitarian law is upheld and that civilians are protected in accordance with those laws;
iii) to allow the Red Cross immediate access to hostages and detainees in Gaza and Israel and to ensure that all aid is allowed into the region including unfettered access to medical supplies, food, electricity, other fuel and water.
b. to suspend all arms exports to Israel given the plausible case for genocide and illegality of the occupation of Gaza and West Bank.
c. to exercise international advocacy for the right of return and compensation for all Palestinian refugees and their descendants.
Impacts
3.1 The Council currently signposts support to residents holding a repository of contacts including for Advice, Support, Welfare, Faith and Wellbeing https://maidstone.gov.uk/home/primary-services/community-support, as well as linking in with the Involve directory which seeks to connect residents with a range of different organisations within Maidstone and beyond. Information is also provided for those who may be concerned about Hate Crimes.
3.2 The Cabinet could choose to adopt the motion and maintain the level of support we offer to residents within the Council’s budget and policy provisions. This could include bringing this information together in one place in order to provide more tailored advice specifically for those who are affected by the conflict.
3.3
There
is no budget specifically allocated within this area. If the Cabinet was minded
to request specific further measures, in order to reach a procedurally sound
decision, the Cabinet would need to be aware of the full impacts and its
context within the budget and policy framework. As such a subsequent report
would be necessary to highlight the further impacts of the motion at a future
meeting of the Cabinet ahead of any final decision on the motion.
3. AVAILABLE OPTIONS
3.1 The Cabinet could be recommended to adopt the motion, amend the motion or not adopt the motion. If minded to adopt or amend the motion with specific further measures the Cabinet will need to fully evaluate the impacts of the motion. In that event it is therefore recommended that the Cabinet receive a report on the motion’s impacts at a future meeting before approval.
4. PREFERRED OPTION AND REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATIONS
4.1 There is no preferred option as this is a motion forwarded from Council. However, if the Cabinet is minded to adopt or amend the motion with specific further measures it will need to consider a further report on the implications in order to reach a sound decision on it.
5. RISK
5.1
Any risks arising from the motion with specific further measures
outside of the policy and budgetary framework would be considered in a future
report.
6. CONSULTATION RESULTS AND PREVIOUS COMMITTEE FEEDBACK
6.1 The motion was considered by Full Council on Wednesday 25 September 2024 and was resolved to be referred to the Cabinet on Wednesday 30 October 2024.
7. REPORT APPENDICES
· Appendix 1: Motion from Full Council on Wednesday 25 September 2024.
8. BACKGROUND PAPERS
None