Issue - meetings

Cabinet welcome the positive principals contained within the petition presented to the Council on the 13th October, and re-iterated the position that Members took at Full Council that we do not condone any form of hate crime, racial abuse or xenophobic behaviour. No-one should ever find themselves targeted by violence or hatred because of the colour of their skin, their religion, gender, sexuality or disability.

Members further confirmed that the Council and community safety partners were committed to tackling hate crime which had featured as one of the actions within the local community safety plan for a number of years. Other actions, include initiatives such as SHARP (Stop Hate and Related Prejudice), Hate crime reporting line, and delivery of the PREVENT programme.

Councillor L. Fairbrass proposed, Councillor Brimm seconded and Cabinet agreed to report back to Council that since through its actions, Council are already showing its opposition to racism, xenophobia and hate-crimes, the petition is unnecessary.

Mr Wright presented a petition containing 340 valid signatures as follows:

“We call upon Thanet District Council to “stand against hate” – to state their opposition to racism, xenophobia and hate-crimes; ensure resources and support are available to do this and to affirm their continuing intent for unity, compassion and understanding.”

In accordance with the Council’s Petition Scheme, the petition was referred to Cabinet without debate for a report to the Council within three ordinary meetings.