Agenda item

M1.  British History Month

 

Moved by Councillor Rustem and seconded by Councillor Barnbrook.

 

“It is naturally important that all cultures should be recognised and not merged into a liberal-left-Marxist utopian melting pot that extinguishes all identities.  It is also important that all cultures are able to maintain a link with their relative histories as has been recently highlighted by Black History Month which was held throughout Barking and Dagenham in October.

 

It is understandable that people from different cultural and ethnic backgrounds are able to learn about who they are and where they have come from.  Therefore, in the interests of fairness and equality which this Council boasts of trying to maintain, it is the view of the British National Party that Barking and Dagenham Council should take the lead and be the first to stage a British History Month which would be similar to Black History month which provided "music, food, exhibitions, workshops, speeches, dance, debates and cultural performances".  British History Month should also be held throughout the borough and would be geared towards holding themed events which demonstrate an awareness of the "Inspirations from the past, Aspirations for the future".  It would also only be fair that Barking and Dagenham should look to spend the same amount of money as was spent on Black History Month £5,197.  This Council should also encourage the Primary Care Trust and the North East London Foundation Trust to contribute £1,000 each, just as these two organisations have done for the Black History Month.”

 

Councillor White disagreed that a separate series of events should be organised as black history forms an essential part of British history, as does St George’s Day, and the suggestion that the Council should be spending proportionate amounts of money on both was nonsense.

 

Councillor Alexander, in response to the BNP’s suggestion of increasing understanding and pride in the heritage of the Borough, referred to the funding of over £800,000 for the Heritage Service including the Borough’s heritage buildings such as Valence House and Eastbury Manor, which enabled local people to connect with their history and where they come from.  She said the fact that the motion says it would only be fair to spend the same as on Black History Month, i.e. £5,197, meant the BNP thought the Council should be reducing funding.  She concluded that as ever, the BNP do not research their motions and may now wish to withdraw it.

 

Councillor Fairbrass explained that Black History Month started so that people who had been forcibly removed from their homes could learn something about their history.  As an example, he referred to the fact that the cities of Bristol and Liverpool were born on slave trade.  He said that our history is all around us and suggested looking in the Borough archives to see information on, for example, the gunsite, the Battle of Britain Airfield, the trench in Central Park, the rivers, the Saxon rooms. 

 

Councillor L Smith supported the sentiments expressed by Councillor Fairbrass and accused Councillor Rustem of singling out black people.  He said it was important for all young people from all backgrounds to be shown positive role models such as Jason Robinson, Dame Kelly Holmes and Lennox Lewis and that it was our duty to do this.  Councillor Smith said that he himself is of mixed race, being part Irish and, consequently, he celebrates both St Patrick’s and St George’s Days.  He concluded by saying that it is about being positive, not negative.

 

In making his closing remarks, Councillor Rustem said that it was a matter of balance.  He said that the Labour Party does not recognise British history such as Rorke’s Drift, where eleven Victoria Crosses were won, nor the industrial revolution and that this Labour Council is obsessed with British people not being entitled to an identity.

 

Before moving to the vote, Councillor L Smith as Leader of the Council, suggested that with the agreement of all Members, and at the Chair’s discretion, the normal Constitutional provisions for votes on motions to be taken by way of a roll call, be waived on the grounds of expediency on a one off basis this evening.  This was supported unanimously, following which a vote was taken and the motion was lost.

 

 

M2 – Sukhwinder Singh

 

Moved by Councillor Inder Singh Jamu, seconded by Councillor Liam Smith.

 

“This Council offers our sincerest condolences to the family of Sukhwinder Singh.  Mr Singh was a hero who lost his life trying to prevent a crime, and the death of this brave builder from Barking is a tragic loss to our community.”

 

Councillor Barnbrook stated that he was happy to support this motion and that he had gone to the Temple shortly after Sukhwinder Singh’s death.  He suggested that some a plaque of remembrance be erected and hoped that this Council now recognises that there is a problem with knife crime in this Borough.  Councillor Barnbrook then referred to the complaint made to the Standards Committee about his comments on the alleged knife murders.  The Chair declared him to be out of order.

 

Councillor N Gill stated that Sukhwinder Singh was a very strong young man, who took action in trying to prevent a crime.  He said that the whole community offered its condolences to his family and that if nothing else, people can all learn a lesson from this about helping others.

 

Councillor R Gill echoed what had been said.  He too knew Sukhwinder Singh to be an honest, hardworking, honourable man and stated that the Leader of the Council had taken up this issue and has made an offer that the renovation of Barking Park will be in honour of Sukhwinder Singh, something the Sikh community have welcomed.

Councillor Alexander spoke with great pride and humility about Sukhwinder Singh, saying that he was an ordinary young man, hard working and trying to do what he could for his family, so that they could enjoy the very best opportunities life can offer.  He did not know the young lady who was mugged, but what has been learnt is that he was the kind of man who did not need to know someone to offer help, all he knew was that someone needed help and he stepped up to the mark.  Tragically he paid the ultimate price, losing his life and our heartfelt condolences go to his family and friends.  An everyday hero, not wanting accolades or awards, he simply was helping a neighbour.  He was a man whose sense of community took him beyond race, colour or creed, this was simply the place he lived, his home, and he died trying to right a wrong and make it a safe place to be.

Councillor Alexander went on to say that Barking and Dagenham is a good place to live, that the streets are largely safe, the people friendly, and the diverse communities growing ever closer, and that people like Sukhwinder Singh make this a great place.

She urged each and every citizen to get involved in the life of the community, to think about what they can do for each other not just for themselves.  For most of us, she said that would not require bravery, just a little of our time to collect a prescription or some shopping for an elderly neighbour, help a child cross a busy road safely, or pick up litter rather than drop it.  For others, who want to do more, she suggested that they might join one of the many voluntary organisations that enrich the life of the borough, volunteer to help others through the flourishing faith communities or consider becoming a Special Police Constable.

She referred to newspaper reports about the breakdown in society and the lack of community spirit but said this is not the Barking and Dagenham that she recognises; rather that it is full of people who care about their homes and their neighbours.

Concluding, she said she commended Sukhwinder Singh’s bravery and that he was an examplar of a borough that was not broken but was deeply caring.  She commended the motion.

Councillor Justice expressed his total agreement with all the accolades, stating that a crime of this nature is an abomination, which had pulled apart a wonderful family, and that he is distraught for them.  He said that his wish and hope was that sooner or later the judiciary of this country will revert to a punishment that befits the crime, that the thug does not deserve to return to society at all and that it was a disaster to allow these people, who deserve nothing from us, to roam free in our society. 

Councillor Denyer fully supported the comments made by the previous speakers and said that people like Sukhwinder Singh need to be applauded.  He agreed that we must do all we can to support his family.

 

In his closing statement, Councillor Jamu said that Sukhwinder Singh had become a household name and part of our borough’s history through his outstanding sacrifice.  Whilst his death is a loss to the entire community of this borough and cannot be compensated for in a monetary sense, all communities have been very generous in their contribution with about £14,000 being raised through Gurdwara Singh Sabha London East, North Street, Barking without any appeal.  That money will be paid to his family in Punjab.  The management of the local Gurdwara in Barking has played a pivotal role in completing all formalities in repatriating his body to his native village in Punjab.

 

On behalf of the Sikh Community and Barking and Dagenham, Councillor Jamu said that he recognised the services rendered for free by A G Butler, a local funeral company, and commended the professionalism of our police force in the handling of this sensitive situation. 

 

He further stated that coverage in the worldwide press had been commendable, including India and Punjab.

 

The Management Committee of Golden Temple, Amritsar has recognised the bravery of Sukhwinder Singh and agreed to put up his portrait in the Sikh Museum, and is including financial help to his family and free education to his son up to University level. 

 

In conclusion, Councillor Jamu said that knife crime is not just confined to the borough of Barking and Dagenham or the London Boroughs – it is countrywide and that the local community and the press must join hands and work together and pay our tributes to his departed soul.

 

The motion was put to the vote and was unanimously agreed.

 

 

 

M3.  Fanshawe, Galleon and East Barking Day Care Centres

Moved by Councillor Richard Barnbrook and seconded by Councillor Rustem:

 

“We note with concern the proposed closure of the Fanshawe, Galleon and East Barking Day Care Centres on 31st March, 2010.  We further note that Day Centres provide essential back-up for families and carers of the elderly and assist in maintaining independent living within the community.  We call on the Council to take over the running of these centres (wherever possible re-employing existing staff) or to guarantee equivalent services will be provided to the elderly within the local area.”

 

In accordance with the provisions of the Council Constitution, the Chair exercised his discretion in allowing Councillor Liam Smith to move the following amendment, which was seconded by Councillor Little:

 

  “This Council will do all it can to keep Active Age Centres open”

 

Councillor Liam Smith reminded the Assembly of his personal commitment to keep six Active Age Centres after Age Concern threatened them with closure.  He added that, where these other Centres were concerned, he had already promised staff, users and their families that the Council would work closely with them to find a solution to the current problem.  The aim, he explained, was to help clients continue to receive an appropriate service.  Consequently he opposed the wording of the original motion as it undermined that promise.

 

Councillor Barnbrook explained that his reasons for submitting the motion was that having spoken to frontline workers at Age Concern, he was given to understand that following the decision to withdraw the contract with Age Concern, the centres were due to close on 31 March 2010.  He therefore wanted assurances that the Council would step in to keep them open.

 

The amendment was put to the vote and was unanimously agreed, thus becoming the substantive motion, which was then also agreed.

 

 

Extension of Meeting

 

  In accordance with paragraph 5.3 of Article 1 of Part B of the Council Constitution, it was unanimously agreed at this stage of the meeting (9.25 pm) to extend the meeting beyond 9.30 pm to enable the business of the meeting to be concluded.

 

 

M4.  Protest against building a prison in Beam Park

 

The Divisional Director of Legal and Democratic Services explained that due to changed circumstances that had occurred since the original motion had been presented, the Chair had exercised his discretion in accordance with the provisions of the Council Constitution, to allow for the motion (as circulated with the agenda papers) to be reworded at the end as follows:

 

Moved by Councillor Liam Smith and seconded by Councillor Little:

 

“This Council would like to thank the thousands of residents across Dagenham who have taken the time to sign the petition, join the Facebook group or join protests against building a prison in Beam Park.  Because of the strength of the support and hard work, the decision to build the prison has been cancelled and we can look forward to ensuring a more positive future for the area.”

 

Councillor Bailey favoured the wording of the original motion as set out in the agenda as it recognised the people of the Borough acting together to oppose the prison.  He said that whilst both the Leader of the Council and Jon Cruddas MP had claimed a victory, both the BNP and Conservatives had campaigned against the prison, which in any event had been put forward by this Labour Government.  He said that this was not the way to do politics, as all people’s voices have to be listened to.

 

Councillor Fairbrass disagreed, saying the new wording sought to congratulate all parties.

 

Councillor Liam Smith emphasised that when he campaigned against the prison it was as a Londoner, not as a politician.  He said that London has already got six prisons and that this was not about party politics as there was nothing to stop this Council opposing the Government, whatever party is in power.  This was about what is best for Barking and Dagenham. 

 

The reworded motion was put to the vote and unanimously agreed.

 

M5.  St George’s Day celebrations

Moved by Councillor Mick McCarthy and seconded by Councillor Lee Waker:

“Following the success of last year’s St George’s Day celebrations – which were among the biggest in England – the Council agrees to put on even more events this year, and give our national saint’s day the recognition it deserves.”

 

The motion was put to the vote and unanimously agreed.