To consider the following Notice of Motion proposed by Cllr Noc Lacey-Clarke and seconded by Cllr Les Fry. Supported by Cllrs John Worth, Val Pothecary, Tony Ferrari, Kate Wheller, Cherry Brooks, Mike Parkes, Spencer Flower, Rob Hughes, Susan Cocking, Toni Coombs, Graham Carr-Jones, Sherry Jespersen, Ray Bryan, Simon Christopher, Barry Goringe, Carole Jones, Andrew Kerby, Andrew Parry, Jane Somper, David Shortell and Paul Harrison.
We must always support our democracy by ensuring the rights
to peaceful protest are respected. However, the behaviour of two climate
protesters at Full Council on the 14 April 2022 ruined
the potential for an active debate by elected members, prevented any further
amendments to the motion being put forward and encroached on the safety
of members and officers of this council. The security of those in public office
has very largely been self-policed through common decency and respect for the
rule of law. Recent events across the country and in this Council chamber have
caused concern and anxiety for the safety of those in public life who, abide by
the principles of democracy and are elected to represent the interests of the
people of Dorset.
Security measures will now need to be stepped up to protect
elected members and officers of this council from a repeat of any unauthorised
public access to the council chamber, which will sadly be at a cost to the
local taxpayer.
MOTION:
That members of Dorset Council condemn the behaviour of
those who disrupted the Full Council meeting on Thursday 14 April.
Minutes:
The following Notice of Motion was proposed by Cllr Noc
Lacey-Clarke and seconded by Cllr Les Fry. Supported by Cllrs John
Worth, Val Pothecary, Tony Ferrari, Kate Wheller, Cherry Brooks, Mike Parkes,
Spencer Flower, Rob Hughes, Susan Cocking, Toni Coombs, Graham Carr-Jones,
Sherry Jespersen, Ray Bryan, Simon Christopher, Barry Goringe, Carole Jones,
Andrew Kerby, Andrew Parry, Jane Somper, David Shortell and Paul
Harrison.
Notice of Motion
“We must always support our democracy by ensuring the
rights to peaceful protest are respected. However, the behaviour of two climate
protesters at Full Council on the 14 April 2022 ruined the potential for an
active debate by elected members, prevented any further amendments to the
motion being put forward and encroached on the safety of members and officers of this
council. The security of those in public office has very largely been
self-policed through common decency and respect for the rule of law. Recent
events across the country and in this Council chamber have caused concern and
anxiety for the safety of those in public life who, abide by the principles of
democracy and are elected to represent the interests of the people of Dorset.
Security measures will now need to be stepped up to
protect elected members and officers of this council from a repeat of any
unauthorised public access to the council chamber, which will sadly be at a
cost to the local taxpayer.
The Motion:
That members of Dorset Council condemn the behaviour of
those who disrupted the Full Council meeting on Thursday 14 April.”
Cllr Robin Legg proposed, Cllr Nick Ireland seconded the
following amendment:
“That members of Dorset Council whilst regretting the
behaviour of those who disrupted the full council meeting on Thursday 14th
April are critical of the leadership of the authority who allowed such
disruption to take place and used this interference with the democratic process
as an opportunity to curtail debate.”
There was a short comfort break while the legitimacy of the
amendment was confirmed with the Corporate Director, Legal & Democratic.
On returning to the Chamber the Chairman confirmed that the amendment was legitimate.
Members debated the amendment
On being put to the vote the amendment was LOST.
The debate continued and a number of views were expressed by members both in support and against the motion.
Proposed by Cllr Harrison. In accordance with procedure rule 19.6 a recorded vote was taken.
Those who voted in favour of the Motion: Cllrs: Rod Atkins, Anthony Alford, Michael Barron, Shane Bartlett, Pauline Batstone, Cherry Brooks, Piers Brown, Ray Bryan, Simon Christopher, Susan Cocking, Robin Cook, Toni Coombs, Jean Dunseith, Tony Ferrari, Spencer Flower, Les Fry, Simon Gibson, Barry Gorringe, Paul Harrison, Jill Haynes, Robert Hughes, Carole Jones, Sherry Jespersen, Andrew Kerby, Rebecca Knox, Nocturin Lacey-Clarke, Cathy Lugg, Laura Miller, Louis O’Leary, Emma Parker, Mike Parkes, Andrew Parry, Mary Penfold, Bill Pipe, Valerie Pothecary, Byron Quayle, Belinda Ridout, Mark Roberts, Julie Robinson, David Shortell, Jane Somper, Gary Suttle, William Trite, David Walsh, Peter Wharf, Kate Wheller and John Worth.
Those who voted against the Motion: Cllrs: Belinda Bawden, Richard Biggs, Kelvin Clayton, Tim Cook, Beryl Ezzard, Brian Heatley, Ryan Hope, Nick Ireland, Stella Jones, Paul Kimber, Robin Legg, Howard Legg, David Morgan, Jon Orrell, Molly Rennie, Maria Roe, Andrew Starr, Clare Sutton, David Taylor, Gill Taylor and Sarah Williams.
Those who abstained: Cllrs Derek Beer, Alex Brenton, Matt Hall, Ryan Holloway and David Tooke.
Following a recorded vote, 47 for, 21 against and 5 abstentions the Motion was carried.
Decision: that members of Dorset Council condemned the behaviour of those
who disrupted the Full Council meeting on Thursday 14 April.