Agenda and minutes

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meetings held on May 26 2021 be

confirmed and signed as correct records.

Councillor John Paschoud declared a personal interest in Item 7 as a close

family member held an NHS role. He also declared a personal interest in Item

6 as a close family member was receiving a package of Adult Social Care

support. Councillor Jacq Paschoud declared corresponding interests as his

wife.

Councillor Liam Curran declared a personal interest in Item 6 as a Director of

the Baring Trust.

Councillor Mark Ingleby declared a personal interest in Item 6 as Chair of the

Friends of the Grove Park Nature Reserve and as a member of the Fabian

Society.

Obituaries

The Council was notified of the deaths of former staff members Gloria Phillips

and Malcolm Ball.

The Mayor paid tribute to Malcolm Ball noting his incredible contribution to

Lewisham and expressing deepest gratitude for the contributions he had

made. He praised his deep commitment to public service rooted in a Deptford

experience and illustrated by his involvement with the internationally

acclaimed Young Mayor programme which former Mayor Sir Steve Bullock

claimed as his proudest achievement. The Mayor indicated that thought would

be given to ways in which Malcolm’s legacy could be commemorated by the

Council.

Malcolm Ball’s partner, Amanda Brown responded to the words of the Mayor

by saying how touched she had been by them and also by the tribute website 

and the compilation of a treasured photo album. She thanked the Council for

inviting her to the meeting and for the tribute offered to Malcolm.

All present observed a 1 minute silence in memory of Gloria Phillips and

Malcolm Ball.

Staffing matters

The Council marked the retirement of two long serving Council officers, Kevin

Sheehan and Ralph Wilkinson and  and noted the resignation of the Director

of Law, Suki Binjal.

Tokyo Olympic Games

The Council sent its best wishes to Alex Yee from Lewisham who was

competing in the Triathlon.

Councillor Stephen Penfold presented a 22 page petition requesting extra

street lighting for Lucas Street SE4.

70 questions were received from members of the public which were

answered by the Cabinet Member indicated. Thirty minutes were made

available at the meeting for questioners to raise supplementary questions.

A copy of the questions and answers was circulated separately and can be

viewed on the Council website with the meeting papers.

18 questions were received from Councillors which were answered by the

Cabinet Members indicated. A copy of the questions and answers was

circulated separately and can be viewed on the Council’s website with the

meeting papers.

The first motion was moved by Councillor Bonavia and seconded

by Councillor Latouche . Following contributions from Councillor Slater and

Speaker Anwar the motion was then put to the vote and declared to be clearly

carried. Councillor Gibbons asked that his vote in abstention be recorded.

RESOLVED that the following motion be agreed:

1. Adopting the All Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims

working definition of Islamophobia

This council notes:

•           The huge contribution that Muslim residents make to the borough

whether that is through the participation of civic life, contributions to voluntary

work or cultural events.

•           This council is a borough of sanctuary, which is proud of its diversity

and standing against all forms of racism

•           In 2019/20 over 50% of religious hate crimes recorded by the police

was targeted towards Muslims (Home Office, 2020)

This council resolves to:

1.         Adopt the All Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims working

definition of Islamophobia:

 “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets

expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.”

Contemporary examples of Islamophobia in public life, the media, schools, the

workplace, and in encounters between religions and non-religions in the

public sphere could, taking into account the overall context, include, but are

not limited to:

•           Calling for, aiding, instigating or justifying the killing or harming of

Muslims in the name of a racist/ fascist ideology, or an extremist view of

religion.

•           Making mendacious, dehumanizing, demonizing, or stereotypical

allegations about Muslims as such, or of Muslims as a collective group, such

as, especially but not exclusively, conspiracies about Muslim entryism in

politics, government or other societal institutions; the myth of Muslim identity

having a unique propensity for terrorism, and claims of a demographic ‘threat’

posed by Muslims or of a ‘Muslim takeover’.

•           Accusing Muslims as a group of being responsible for real or imagined

wrongdoing committed by a single Muslim person or group of Muslim

individuals, or even for acts committed by non-Muslims.

•           Accusing Muslims as a group, or Muslim majority states, of inventing or

exaggerating Islamophobia, ethnic cleansing or genocide perpetrated against

Muslims.

•           Accusing Muslim citizens of being more loyal to the ‘Ummah’

(transnational Muslim community) or to their countries of origin, or to the

alleged priorities of Muslims worldwide, than to the interests of their own

nations.

•           Denying Muslim populations the right to self-determination e.g., by

claiming that the existence of an independent Palestine or Kashmir is a

terrorist endeavour.

•           Applying double standards by requiring of Muslims behaviours that are

not expected or demanded of any other groups in society, e.g. loyalty tests.

•           Using the symbols and images associated with classic Islamophobia

•           Holding Muslims collectively responsible for the actions of any Muslim

majority state, whether secular or constitutionally Islamic.

The second motion was moved by Councillor Walsh and seconded

by Councillor Kalu. Following a contribution from Councillor Smith the motion

was then put  ...  view the full minutes text for item 25.

Councillor Joan Millbank moved that the recommendations be approved and

this was seconded by Councillor Hilary Moore and it was then unanimously:

RESOLVED that the Council in accordance with Section 85 of the Local

Government Act 1972, approves Councillor McGeevor’s non-attendance at

meetings until the end of January 2022 so as to accommodate her parental

leave.

The Mayor informed the Council that the members, listed below, will serve as

members of the Cabinet in the remainder of this municipal year.

Proposed Champions – July 2021

RESOLVED that the constitution and composition of the Executive for the

municipal year 2021/22 be noted.

The meeting closed at 9.32pm