Decision Maker:

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: No

Date of Decision: December 5, 2024

Purpose:

Content: (a)        Ban on arms sales to Israel, immediate unconditional ceasefire         and compliance with the International Criminal Court and      International Court of Justice rulings               For nearly a year, Blackburn with Darwen residents have gathered in       solidarity, protesting the ongoing conflict in Gaza.  Many have    expressed deep concerns to their local representatives, urging action      to stop arms sales to Israel and calling for an immediate ceasefire.               The trauma from witnessing the devastation in Palestine has deeply        affected our communities, leading to a rise in Islamophobia and Anti-        Semitism.  As a Council, we must listen to our residents and press the       government to work towards lasting peace and justice.               Airstrikes have continued and intensified the humanitarian crisis,   causing significant             civilian casualties, including children, and further       escalating the situation.  These actions are part of what the          International Court of Justice (ICJ) and global human rights             organisations have confirmed as genocide, with Israel’s policies in           occupied Palestinian territories violating international law, including      illegal settlements and systematic oppression.  The humanitarian     crisis demands urgent international intervention.               This Council calls on the government to:               Revoke all arms export licenses to Israel and suspend future sales.               Advocate for an unconditional ceasefire and prioritise the protection of     civilians.               Increase diplomatic pressure to halt illegal settlements and resume          peace talks, in line with the ICJ rulings.               Support international investigations into human rights violations,    including the confirmed genocide and war crimes.               Welcome and comply with the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) arrest warrants for Benjamin Netanyahu, Yoav Gallant and Mohammed Deif.               Facilitate peace talks that respect the security and rights of both    Palestinians and Israelis, while holding all parties accountable to   international legal standards.               The Council further requests that:               The Chief Executive and Leader of the Council write to the Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary to halt arms sales, call for an immediate ceasefire, and ensure adherence to international law,     including compliance with ICJ and ICC rulings.               The Council resolves to support humanitarian aid efforts, foster local        dialogue to             counter hate, and back peaceful initiatives that promote      justice and long-term peace for both sides of the conflict.               Additionally, the Council urges the government to review trade       agreements with companies involved in illegal activities in the region,    ensure no complicity in acts of genocide, and increase humanitarian       support for Gaza’s civilians.               Moved by Councillor Salim Sidat             Seconded by Councillor Mustafa Desai               Following debate, an Amended Motion was circulated to Members as      follows (amendments in italics and bold):   Amendment to the Motion on the ban on arms sales to Israel, immediate unconditional ceasefire and compliance with the International Criminal Court and International Court of Justice rulings                        For nearly a year, Blackburn with Darwen residents have gathered in       solidarity, protesting the ongoing conflict in Gaza.  Many have    expressed deep concerns to their local representatives, urging action      to stop arms sales to Israel and calling for an immediate cease fire.               The trauma from witnessing the devastation in Palestine has deeply        affected our communities, leading to a rise in Islamophobia and     Antisemitism.  As a Council, we    must listen to our residents and           press the government to work towards lasting   peace and justice.               Airstrikes have continued and intensified the humanitarian crisis,   causing significant             civilian casualties, including children, and further       escalating the situation.  These             actions are part of what the        International Court of Justice (ICJ) and global human rights             organisations have confirmed as genocide, with Israel’s policies in           occupied Palestinian territories violating international law, including      illegal settlements and systematic oppression.  While the      humanitarian crisis demands urgent international intervention, it             is vital that the international community recognises that the only      long-term solution will be through a two-state solution secured      through UN involvement.               This Council calls on the government to:               Revoke all arms export licenses to Israel and suspend future sales.               Advocate for an unconditional ceasefire and prioritise the protection of     civilians, with release of all hostages and prisoners on both sides,        whilst working towards lasting peace and a two-state solution as       agreed per UN resolution.               Continue to monitor the conflicted area and make sure access          for humanitarian aid is allowed in Gaza.               Increase diplomatic pressure to halt illegal settlements and resume          peace talks, in line with the ICJ rulings.               Support international investigations into human rights violations,    including the confirmed genocide and war crimes.               Welcome and comply with the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) arrest warrants for Bejamin Netanyahy, Yoav Gallant and Mohammed      Deif.               Facilitate peace talks that respect the security and rights of both    Palestinians and Israelis, while holding all parties accountable to   international legal standards.               The Council request that:               The Chief Executive and Leader of the Council write to the Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary to halt arms sales, call for an immediate ceasefire with lasting peace and a two-state solution as outlined in the Labour Party manifesto, and ensure adherence to             international law, including compliance with ICJ and ICC rulings.               The council resolves to support humanitarian aid efforts, foster local        dialogue to counter hate, and back peaceful initiatives that promote        justice and long-term peace for both sides of the conflict.               Additionally, the Council urges the government to review trade       agreements with companies involved in illegal activities in the region,    ensure no complicity in acts of genocide, and increase humanitarian       support for Gaza’s civilians.               Moved by Councillor Quesir Mahmood             Seconded by Councillor Mahfooz Hussain               This amendment was put to the vote and CARRIED, the amended           Motion, now being the Substantive Motion, was put to the vote:               RESOLVED – That the Substantive Motion be CARRIED.               (b)    Council Tax               At Prime Ministers Questions on 13th November Keir Starmer was non-committal when asked by the Leader of the Opposition to confirm        if he would keep the cap on Council Tax.               This failure to rule out changes came amid fiscal reforms rolled out by      the Chancellor during the Autumn Budget.               Downing Street has since said that the 5% cap will remain, this is three times the current rate of inflation; and if fully enacted by councils           will add to the financial pressures being felt by households.  Whilst       this was a definite statement of intent it will not inspire public             confidence given the chancellors propensity to change the tax       raising promises she repeatedly made during the General Election.               At the Executive Board meeting on 13th June this year, the Executive       Member for             Growth and Development highlighted the performance of    the borough’s growth programme which included:   ·       House building continuing to perform well with 598 housing completions delivered in 2023/24 – the highest ever recorded in the borough including new build homes as well as re-purposing existing buildings. ·       Since 2015/16 there have been 3,415 housing completions across the borough; with 2,934 new homes and 481 conversions. ·       The new Local Plan identifying a pipeline of circa 7,000 homes over the net 15 years with 56% already benefitting from planning permission. ·       In 2015/16 the council forecasted a total Section 106 income of £1.4m for infrastructure investment as a result of development, with the current Section 106 developers’ contributions forecast now being more than £12m and growing. ·       More than 6,000 additional jobs generated since 2017 with the borough home nearly 5,000 businesses with one of the highest rates of new business growth in the North West.               This council recognises the contribution this level of growth has made      to generating significant income.               In order to remove doubt about future Government policy changes to       Council Tax   and to protect our residents from further financial     hardship, we request that the Executive member for Finance and Governance present to the Finance Council a   budget that will include      a recommendation to cap Council Tax at the rate of inflation or 5%     whichever is the lower until 2026.               Further there is a commitment that any proposed change by          Government to banding or single persons discount will be vigorously     resisted.               Moved by Councillor Kevin Connor             Seconded by Councillor John Slater               Following debate, the Motion was put to the vote:               RESOLVED – that the Motion be LOST