Agenda item

Motion B – Protecting Haringey’s Citizens

Proposer: Cllr Liz Morris

Seconder: Cllr Gail Engert

This Council notes the result of the European Union referendum and the Government's affirmation that this country will leave the European Union.

This Council is concerned about the impact of leaving the EU on Haringey's local residents.

This Council is deeply disturbed by reports from across the country of increases in xenophobic and racist attacks following the referendum.

This Council notes that:

·         there are thousands of people from many different countries living in Haringey and contributing to our local economy and culture

·         many Haringey residents are from the EU and will be understandably concerned about their future and safety following the referendum

·         there are many people who were born in Haringey who now live, study and work in other EU countries who are concerned about their future

·         many of Haringey's communities have family and cultural ties with other EU countries

This Council believes that Haringey is enriched by the diversity of its residents.

This Council further believes that people from other EU countries who live and work in Haringey are a boon and not a burden to our borough.

This Council calls on our local MPs to:

·         Fight to ensure that EU citizens already settled here can continue to: live, work and study here, and use public services for free, as they currently do.

·         Call for negotiations with other EU countries to give the same rights to British Citizens living abroad in EU countries.

This Council affirms its commitment to work with the police and other public services to protect local residents and stamp out xenophobia and racism.

Motion C – Crown Post Offices

Proposer: Cllr McShane

Seconder: Cllr J Mann

This Councilnotes:

·         The Post Office has announced this year its plans for a further franchising programme, which means that up to 100 Crown Offices in the UK are vulnerable to closure or franchising via 2 tranches.

·         Tranche 1 -

• 39 Crown Offices to be franchised
• 3 actual closures
• The proposed franchised Crown Offices in tranche 1 include those in Crouch End and Muswell Hill.

·         Tranche 2 -

• A further 40-50 Crowns to be franchised which could include other Haringey offices.

This Council believes:

·         Closure and franchising of our High Street Crown Post Offices is detrimental to our local communities.

·         The plan to move Post Offices into shops such as WH Smiths will mean a worsening of services, a potential loss of experienced staff and a possible deterioration of workers conditions such as pay and pensions.

This Council resolves:

·         To support local residents and community groups and businesses, the Communication Workers Union and other relevant local unions' who are campaigning to save the Haringey Crown Post Offices and helping to protect decent local jobs.

·         To write to Baroness Neville-Rolfe, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills and Minister stating the council’s opposition to the Crown Post Office closure and franchising programme.

·         To write to local MPs informing them of our position and encouraging them to oppose the Crown Post Office closure and franchising programme.

Councillor Morris moved Motion B on the agenda, and was pleased that there had been cross-party support for it. Councillor Engert seconded the motion.

On a vote, the motion was agreed unanimously.

The time being 2200, the meeting concluded at this point.

RESOLVED

This Council notes the result of the European Union referendum and the Government's affirmation that this country will leave the European Union.

This Council is concerned about the impact of leaving the EU on Haringey's local residents.

This Council is deeply disturbed by reports from across the country of increases in xenophobic and racist attacks following the referendum.

This Council notes that:

·         there are thousands of people from many different countries living in Haringey and contributing to our local economy and culture

·         many Haringey residents are from the EU and will be understandably concerned about their future and safety following the referendum

·         there are many people who were born in Haringey who now live, study and work in other EU countries who are concerned about their future

·         many of Haringey's communities have family and cultural ties with other EU countries

This Council believes that Haringey is enriched by the diversity of its residents.

This Council further believes that people from other EU countries who live and work in Haringey are a boon and not a burden to our borough.

This Council calls on our local MPs to:

·         Fight to ensure that EU citizens already settled here can continue to: live, work and study here, and use public services for free, as they currently do.

·         Call for negotiations with other EU countries to give the same rights to British Citizens living abroad in EU countries.

This Council affirms its commitment to work with the police and other public services to protect local residents and stamp out xenophobia and racism.