Agenda item

The Vice Chair, Cllr Pat Antcliff, spoke in the absence of the Chair to offer Cllr Carol Huckerby’s apologies for not being able to attend the meeting.

She reported that the Chair had attended Remembrance Services in Barlow and Chesterfield to mark Remembrance Sunday and the Armistice.  In addition she attended the Council’s local commemoration of the two minutes’ silence.  The forthcoming year would see the seventy-fifth anniversary of D-Day, and Cllr Antcliff reminded all present of sacrifices made by the people of North East Derbyshire in the cause of freedom.

The success of the 61^st Brass Band Festival was reported on which included an additional £125 raised through the Chair’s Charity collection in support of Sheffield Parents Association of Children with Leukemia (PACT).

Thanks were expressed for invitations for which the Chair attended to represent the District, as well as details of forthcoming events over the festive season.

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Martin Thacker MBE JP was invited to speak in reference to the impact of the recent floods within the area and detail a letter he had received from the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government in relation to a working definition of Anti-Semitism.

He advised that during the recent floods the Council’s Contact Centres received many calls from residents and business seeking help and advice, with most calls relating to the north of the district.  Streetscene staff worked tirelessly to support local communities with a sandbagging operations filling over 300 bags (10 tonnes).  Despite the efforts of staff to protect Eckington Depot, it flooded in early hours of Friday morning with up to 9 inches of water in some places.  Redirection of services during this emergency period allowed for bin collections to continue to take place as scheduled, and the call centre remained open. 

28 formal road closures were in place with many impassible areas, and NEDDC staff continued to operate with many setting up office at home, or walking miles to work.  Senior officers set up the emergency planning response for the Council and worked with others across the county to coordinate resources.  40 road closures across the County were reported on Friday as well as many flooded properties, and a report of a fatality.  Services were maintained, and the communications team worked hard to ensure all were kept up to date with latest advice and information. 

The Leader advised that DCC had set up a business recovery fund to support those with premises affected by flooding. All members thanked the dedicated staff at NEDDC who supported communities during this difficult period. 

The Leader expressed his deep sadness to learn of the death of Annie Hall as a result of the floods.  He advised that she was an amazing High Sherriff of Derbyshire and a real advocate for the people of this County.  Council expressed their sincere condolences to her husband and family at this distressing time.

The Leader advised all present that he was in receipt of correspondence from the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government regarding the adoption of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance working definition of Anti-Semitism.  The letter detailed that earlier during 2019 the Community Security Trust released a report showing the highest total on record of Anti-Semitic incidents.  This was a worrying trend showing that 18% of religiously motivated hatred was targeted at the Jewish community.

The definition of Anti-Semitism as set out in the letter was as follows:

“Antisemitism is a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews. Rhetorical and physical manifestations of antisemitism are directed toward Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/or their property, toward Jewish community institutions and religious facilities.”

Whilst this definition was not legally binding, it was an invaluable tool for Council to understand how Anti-Semitism manifests itself in the 21^st Century.

The Chief Executive was asked to take the necessary steps to ensure that the definition was reflected in all relevant Council policies and practices, and Group Leaders spoke in support of this action.