Western Mail - 16 January 2009
Welsh councils were advised yesterday to concentrate on local services – such as collecting bins – instead of passing motions on global issues like ending poverty and the crisis in Gaza.
The Taxpayers’ Alliance branded the idealistic motions a “waste of time and taxpayers’ money” after details emerged of motions at one council meeting this week.
At their January full council meeting, Swansea councillors were debating notices of motion from nine Labour councillors, including group leader David Phillips, veteran campaigner Alan Lloyd and former mayor Robert Francis-Davies.
One motion called on the council to urge the Government to end the “dark and dangerous” battles going on in Gaza.
Another demanded the council begin talks with South Wales Police over the setting up of emergency shelters and a 24-hour hotline for trafficked people, and join the national “Not For Sale” campaign against trafficking.
A third motion asked that the council joins a national “stand up and take action against poverty” campaign.
But the motions, variants of which can be found in council chambers across Wales, were criticised yesterday.
Taxpayers’ Alliance campaigns director Mark Wallace said: “No matter how laudable these motions may be, the councillors were elected to look after local problems.
“When it comes to Hamas and Israel, both sides have failed to listen to the UN’s call for a ceasefire so I don’t see that Swansea Council is going to make a difference. It’s just going to waste taxpayers’ time and money when they should be concentrating on solving local problems.”
Independent Swansea councillor Ioan Richard accused fellow councillors of turning monthly council sessions into “a second rate polytechnic students’ union meeting”.
The Swansea Valley councillor said: “The sentiments in the motions are good ones that would be very hard to argue against. But shouldn’t local councils be concentrating on ensuring the bins are collected or that planning applications are looked at?”
Part of the Labour group motion on Gaza read: “The situation in Gaza is a very dangerous and dark moment in both Palestine and Israel’s histories.
“This council calls on the UK Government to redouble its efforts and, building on the links that already exist, urges both sides to start the dialogue that will end the carnage.”
Part of its motion on human trafficking reads: “This council resolves to adopt a Not For Sale policy and on behalf of the council, the leader and lord mayor should sign the Council of Europe’s fight against trafficking in human beings which the UK Government has already ratified.
“It also calls for talks with South Wales Police to establish for trafficked people, especially women forced into prostitution, “walk -in shelters” and secure long-term refuges plus medical and psychological assistance and 24-hour telephone emergency hotlines.”
In response to criticism of the motions, Swansea Labour Party leader David Phillips said: “I am really amazed Coun Richard is raising objections to us wanting to do our bit to help.”
His labour colleague Alan Lloyd, a founder president of the United Cities Local Government Campaign, said: “People will be shocked that a member of this council could speak out against this kind of humanitarian campaigning that we can all play a part in.”
A spokeswoman for the Welsh Local Government Association said: “It is up to each council how it runs its meeting agendas.”
