Minutes:
Housing
It was moved by Councillor Ajaib,
Seconded by Councillor Escott,
“The Council recognises:
The Council therefore resolves;
The report should include up-to-date information on, but not limited to, council house waiting lists, right to buys receipts, council lets, rough sleepers, temporary accommodation, housing supply, housing tenures, housing providers, conditions of housing stock, repairs and maintenance performance, voids, mould, complaints, local housing allowance rates, homelessness, overcrowding, landlord licensing, inspections, affordable housing and any other matters that are pertinent”.
It was moved by Councillor Bedi, as an amendment,
Seconded by Councillor Smith,
“The Council recognises:
a) Successfully contracted a Mediation Service to support tenants and communities to resolve issues.
b) Improved the Resident Board, which now has a direct link to councillors and the service – so issues can be addressed collaboratively and openly.
c) Changed the Housing Highlights magazine to a monthly magazine, for which the Lead Member writes an update to residents on the work undertaken by the service.
d) Implemented a new dedicated email address and scheme for residents to report damp and mould, allowing for quicker responses and repairs.
e) Installed solar panels on 12 bungalows within Slough, as part of a pilot project to support residents with the cost of living and greener energy efficiency.
f) Recruited two new Occupational Therapists who are specific to the Housing Department, in order for us to improve the service and reduce the backlog for those residents seeking much needed adaptations on their properties.
The Council therefore resolves:
1. To request Cabinet to agree to produce an annual ‘State of Housing’ report in Slough to be published at the start of each financial year.
The report should include up-to-date information on, but not limited to, council house waiting lists, right to buys receipts, council lets, rough sleepers, temporary accommodation, housing supply, housing tenures, housing providers, conditions of housing stock, repairs and maintenance performance, voids, mould, complaints, local housing allowance rates, homelessness, overcrowding, landlord licensing, inspections, affordable housing and any other matters that are pertinent”
The amendment was put to the vote and agreed with 21 votes for and 17 abstentions. The amended motion became the substantive motion.
The substantive motion was put to the vote and carried with 37 votes for and 1 abstention.
Resolved -
The Council recognises:
a) Successfully contracted a Mediation Service to support tenants and communities to resolve issues.
b) Improved the Resident Board, which now has a direct link to councillors and the service – so issues can be addressed collaboratively and openly.
c) Changed the Housing Highlights magazine to a monthly magazine, for which the Lead Member writes an update to residents on the work undertaken by the service.
d) Implemented a new dedicated email address and scheme for residents to report damp and mould, allowing for quicker responses and repairs.
e) Installed solar panels on 12 bungalows within Slough, as part of a pilot project to support residents with the cost of living and greener energy efficiency.
f) Recruited two new Occupational Therapists who are specific to the Housing Department, in order for us to improve the service and reduce the backlog for those residents seeking much needed adaptations on their properties.
The Council therefore resolves:
1. To request Cabinet to agree to produce an annual ‘State of Housing’ report in Slough to be published at the start of each financial year.
The report should include up-to-date information on, but not limited to, council house waiting lists, right to buys receipts, council lets, rough sleepers, temporary accommodation, housing supply, housing tenures, housing providers, conditions of housing stock, repairs and maintenance performance, voids, mould, complaints, local housing allowance rates, homelessness, overcrowding, landlord licensing, inspections, affordable housing and any other matters that are pertinent.
Conflict in the Middle East
It was moved by Councillor Smith,
Seconded by Councillor Naveed,
“Slough Borough Council extends and notes:
· Our deepest condolences to those who have lost their loved ones due to recent events in Israel and Palestine; and acknowledges that Slough residents have been horrified to see the horrific escalation of violence since 7th October in which thousands of innocent men, women and children have been killed, including over 4,000 Palestinian children.
· Our unequivocal condemnation of Hamas’s terror attack on 7th October; of the fact that whole Palestinian communities have been driven from their homes and that the Gaza Strip has been cut off from crucial water, food, fuel and medical supplies.
· Our belief that Israel must not be given a blank cheque to continue operating in the manner it has done, and that every effort should be made by the UK Government to ensure the stability of the region.
Slough Borough Council resolves:
That the Leader of the Council write to the Foreign Secretary outlining the following:
· The multicultural nature of Slough and the pride which Slough places in our vibrant community relations;
· Our agreement that Israel must stop extremist settler violence in the West Bank; and that we recognise the calls from charities such as Christian Aid, Oxfam and Save the Children who have called a ceasefire ‘our only option to avert further loss of civilian life and humanitarian catastrophe’.
· That we call for Israel to protect Hospitals and allow food, water, electricity, medicine and fuel into Gaza; and to stop the aerial bombardment of any targets with likely civilian presence with immediate effect;
· That International law makes it clear that the intentional killing of civilians, collective punishment and hostage-taking may be deemed as war crimes; and that all members urge the Government and the Member of Parliament for Slough to work to uphold the international rules which underpins our collective human rights;
· That the United Kingdom should reaffirm its longstanding commitment to a diplomatic and political process to deliver an immediate ceasefire, and a pathway to the lasting peace of a two-state solution.”
It was moved by Councillor Instone, as an amendment,
Seconded by Councillor Ajaib,
“Slough Borough Council extends and notes:
Slough Borough Council resolves:
That the Leader of the Council write to the Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary outlining the following:
The amendment was put to the vote and a prior request having been made for the record of the voting -
There voted for the amendment to the motion:
Councillors Ajaib, Akram, Anderson, Carter, Dar, Escott, Gahir, Gill, Hulme, Instone, Mann, Matloob, Mohammad, Nazir, Qaseem and W.Sabah………. 16
There voted against the amendment to the motion:
Councillors E.Ahmed, I.Ahmed, Bedi, Chahal, Dauti, Dhillon, Iftakhar, Kelly, Khawar, Manku, Mohindra, Muvvala, Naveed, Satti, Shah, Shaik, Smith, Stedmond, Wright and Zarait……………………………………………………. 20
There abstained from voting:
Councillors Tomar and Abbasi (The Worshipful The Mayor) ………………… 2
The amendment to the motion was not carried.
The original motion was put to the vote and agreed unanimously.
Resolved -
Slough Borough Council extends and notes:
· Our deepest condolences to those who have lost their loved ones due to recent events in Israel and Palestine; and acknowledges that Slough residents have been horrified to see the horrific escalation of violence since 7th October in which thousands of innocent men, women and children have been killed, including over 4,000 Palestinian children.
· Our unequivocal condemnation of Hamas’s terror attack on 7th October; of the fact that whole Palestinian communities have been driven from their homes and that the Gaza Strip has been cut off from crucial water, food, fuel and medical supplies.
· Our belief that Israel must not be given a blank cheque to continue operating in the manner it has done, and that every effort should be made by the UK Government to ensure the stability of the region.
Slough Borough Council resolves:
That the Leader of the Council write to the Foreign Secretary outlining the following:
· The multicultural nature of Slough and the pride which Slough places in our vibrant community relations;
· Our agreement that Israel must stop extremist settler violence in the West Bank; and that we recognise the calls from charities such as Christian Aid, Oxfam and Save the Children who have called a ceasefire ‘our only option to avert further loss of civilian life and humanitarian catastrophe’.
· That we call for Israel to protect Hospitals and allow food, water, electricity, medicine and fuel into Gaza; and to stop the aerial bombardment of any targets with likely civilian presence with immediate effect;
· That International law makes it clear that the intentional killing of civilians, collective punishment and hostage-taking may be deemed as war crimes; and that all members urge the Government and the Member of Parliament for Slough to work to uphold the international rules which underpins our collective human rights;
· That the United Kingdom should reaffirm its longstanding commitment to a diplomatic and political process to deliver an immediate ceasefire, and a pathway to the lasting peace of a two-state solution.
Supporting documents: