Agenda and minutes

            The Chief Executive submitted the summons convening the meeting.

            Apologies were reported on behalf of Councillors Black, Hanvey, Howard, Mulholland and Newton.

No declarations of interest were reported.

Councillor De Faoite to propose:

“That Belfast City Council

·       Condemns the undemocratic actions of the Prime Minister, whose suspension of Parliament is an attempt to frustrate the efforts of a majority of MPs opposed to a no deal Brexit and to limit further scrutiny of the British Government’s preparatory planning for no deal Brexit which has already outlined the likelihood of checks along the border;

·       Expresses grave concern at the failure of the Government to recognise the damage which will be done by a no deal Brexit to the Good Friday Agreement, devolution, North/South relations and East/West relations;

·       Notes that Belfast City voted to remain in the European Union, and has since elected a majority of Belfast City Councillors who are opposed to a no deal Brexit; and

·       Resolves to take legal action against the Government to prevent the suspension of Parliament, to prevent a no deal Brexit and to ensure full democratic accountability at a vital moment for the future of these islands.”

The Special Meeting has been requisitioned by the following Members:

Councillor De Faoite

Councillor Whyte

Councillor Heading

Councillor Lyons

Councillor McKeown

            In accordance with notice on the agenda, Councillor de Faoite proposed:

“This Council

·        condemns the undemocratic actions of the Prime Minister, whose suspension of Parliament is an attempt to frustrate the efforts of a majority of MPs opposed to a no deal Brexit and to limit further scrutiny of the British Government’s preparatory planning for no deal Brexit which has already outlined the likelihood of checks along the border;

·        expresses grave concern at the failure of the Government to recognise the damage which will be done by a no deal Brexit to the Good Friday Agreement, devolution, North/South relations and East/West relations;

·        notes that Belfast City voted to remain in the European Union, and has since elected a majority of Belfast City Councillors who are opposed to a no deal Brexit; and

·        resolves to take legal action against the Government to prevent the suspension of Parliament, to prevent a no deal Brexit and to ensure full democratic accountability at a vital moment for the future of these islands.”

            The motion was seconded by Councillor Whyte.

            Councillor de Faoite sought and was granted approval by the Council to amend the final bullet point of his motion to read as follows:

“resolves to join and/or take legal action against the Government to prevent the suspension of Parliament, to prevent a no deal Brexit and to ensure full democratic accountability at a vital moment for the future of these islands.”

At the request of Councillor Ferguson, the proposer agreed to the inclusion of the following bullet point at the end of his motion: “notes that civic bodies, including the Irish Congress of Trades Unions and NUS-USI, have launched a “no to no deal” Brexit campaign and agrees to add Belfast City Council to the list of signatories supporting the initiative.

Amendment

Moved by Councillor McLaughlin,

Seconded by Councillor Nicholl,

            That the motion standing in the name of Councillor de Faoite and seconded by Councillor Whyte, as amended, be amended to provide for the deletion of everything after the words “This Council” in the first sentence and the insertion of the following:

“is concerned but not surprised by the actions of the British Prime Minister in his attempt to prorogue the British parliament to drive through his own “No Deal Agenda” and notes the concerns from the CBI, Chamber of Commerce and from local business and citizens at the potentially devastating impact of a no-deal Brexit on the economy of Belfast.

This Council strongly objects to the people of Northern Ireland and the rights of citizens being used as pawns in a British negotiation strategy.

While this Council is sympathetic to legal action currently being taken to stop the British Prime Minister, it believes, while this British Government is still in place, it will continue to circumvent its own institutions for its reckless agenda.

Therefore, the Council will write to the Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar, the British Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, and the European Union’s Chief Negotiator, Michel Barnier, to reaffirm our support for the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.