Cabinet

30 October 2024

 

Council Actions in Response to the Israel Palestine Conflict

 

Will this be a Key Decision?

No

Urgency

Not applicable

Final Decision-Maker

Cabinet

Lead Head of Service

Angela Woodhouse, Director of Strategy, Insight and Governance

Lead Officer and Report Author

Democratic Services, for Council

Classification

Public

Wards affected

All

 

Executive Summary

 

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.

 

Purpose of Report

 

Decision

 

 

This report makes the following recommendations to the Cabinet:

 

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.

 

 

Timetable

Meeting

Date

Cabinet

30 October 2024



Council Actions in Response to the Israel Palestine Conflict

 

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

 

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