There were no apologies for absence.

There were no declarations of interest.

A formal request has been received by the Mayor to call an extraordinary meeting of the Council under Part 4A, section 3.1(c) of the Council’s Constitution signed by the following Members:

Cllr Anthony Fairclough 

Cllr Eloise Bailey

Cllr Simon McGrath

Cllr Paul Kohler

Cllr Hina Bokhari

Cllr Jenifer Gould

In accordance with the Constitution, the extraordinary meeting will consider the following single item of business as specified in the requisition referred to above:

“The local response to violence against women and girls, focusing on understanding how men’s behaviour needs to change.”

The report was moved by Councillor Akyigyina and seconded by Councillor Skeete.

The Liberal Democrat amendment as set out in agenda item 4 was moved by Councillor Bailey and seconded by Councillor Bokhari.

Councillors Ward, McLean, McGrath, Ormrod, Irons, Gould, Moulton, Lanning, Kohler, Benbow, Fairclough and Stringer spoke in the debate.

The Liberal Democrat amendment was put to a vote and was carried – votes in favour: 58, votes against: 0, abstentions: 1.

The substantive report (as amended) was then put to a vote and was carried – votes in favour: 58, votes against: 0, abstentions: 1.

RESOLVED:

A.   That Council considered and noted the content of the report

B.   Recognising that misogyny is systemic, and acknowledging the hurt and anger expressed more recently by women and girls in response to the murder of Sarah Everard, which was in part calling for their lived experience to be listened to and real action taken to address their concerns, Council calls on Cabinet to:

(1) develop safe and confidential opportunities for women and girls to share their experiences with the Council and other appropriate authorities to inform their work in changing male behaviour to reduce VAWG; and

(2) to explore how restorative justice processes might be utilised to provide victims with an additional form of support and means of reducing VAWG.