Issue - meetings
Adoption of the Local Government Association's Debate Not Hate Campaign
Meeting: 30/06/2026 - Governance Committee (Item 58)
PDF 107 KBAs recommended by Annual Council on Tuesday 19th May 2026:
The Monitoring Officer report to the Governance Committee on the adoption by the Council of the Local Government Association’s Debate Not Hate campaign and in particular the Ending Abuse in Public Life Council Self-Assessment toolkit as a means of creating a culture of safety and respect for members within and without the Council Chamber.
Additional documents:
Decision:
RESOLVED
The Governance Committee RECOMMENDS that Full Council:
(a) Adopt the Local Government Association ‘Debate not Hate’ campaign and sign up to the ‘Debate not Hate’ public statement available on the Local Government Association website.
(b) In doing so, makes a clear public statement that the Council is adopting a zero-tolerance approach to abuse, intimidation, and harassment of Members and Officers.
(c) Asks for Officers to share the appropriate ‘Debate not Hate’ resources with all Councillors.
(d) Agrees for the Chair of the Council, on behalf of the Council, to write to the local Members of Parliament and the Police on the Council’s adoption of the campaign.
(e) Agrees that the Council continues to engage with the Police and Operation Ford, ensuring that Councillors are aware of the reporting mechanisms available to report abuse and intimidation.
(f) Asks the Governance Committee report annually on the adoption of the campaign and review the safety of Councillors.
Minutes:
As recommended by Annual Council on Tuesday 19th May 2026:
“The Monitoring Officer report to the Governance Committee on the adoption by the Council of the Local Government Association’s Debate Not Hate campaign and in particular the Ending Abuse in Public Life Council Self-Assessment toolkit as a means of creating a culture of safety and respect for members within and without the Council Chamber.”
The Committee considered the report and the proposed recommendations within the report regarding the adoption of the LGA Debate Not Hate campaign.
Councillors asked for clarification regarding recommendation (f) and how the Council could report, monitor and review the safety of Councillors. The Monitoring Officer responded orally and highlighted that further information could be provided to the Full Council meeting where adoption is considered.
It was PROPOSED by Councillor Bullivant and SECONDED by Councillor Henderson and unanimously
RESOLVED
That the Governance Committee RECOMMENDS that Full Council:
(a) Adopt the Local Government Association ‘Debate not Hate’ campaign and sign up to the ‘Debate not Hate’ public statement available on the Local Government Association website.
(b) In doing so, makes a clear public statement that the Council is adopting a zero-tolerance approach to abuse, intimidation, and harassment of Members and Officers.
(c) Asks for Officers to share the appropriate ‘Debate not Hate’ resources with all Councillors.
(d) Agrees for the Chair of the Council, on behalf of the Council, to write to the local Members of Parliament and the Police on the Council’s adoption of the campaign.
(e) Agrees that the Council continues to engage with the Police and Operation Ford, ensuring that Councillors are aware of the reporting mechanisms available to report abuse and intimidation.
(f) Asks the Governance Committee report annually on the adoption of the campaign and review the safety of Councillors.