To receive questions from Councillors in accordance with Standing Order No.19.
*Question submitted by Councillor Fordham:
“To ask if the Council has plans regarding its links and relationship with the city of Yangquan in Shanxi Province, China, in the light of the planned review of the friendship cooperation between us (signed 2016 to last from 2017-2021). And to ask that this review takes into consideration the issue of human rights abuse and in particular the treatment of the Uyghur which includes forced re-education, forced labour, forced sterilisation and imprisonment. And to ask that this also includes consideration of the authoritarian repression of democracy in Hong Kong with the arrest of activists, secret trials, and crushing of political dissent?”
*Question submitted by Councillor Fordham:
“To ask if representations could be made to the Polish Embassy regretting the creation of LGBT-free zones and towns in Poland and to make clear our support for inclusion and diversity of all communities, and to share with the Chesterfield Polish Society?”
Question submitted by Councillor Fordham:
“In the light of growing concerns over hate crime, over the Police handling of women, and over the total silence of the Derbyshire Police and Crime Commissioner on LGBT+ issues during LGBT+ History Month, will the Borough Council book a stall at Chesterfield Pride 2021?”
Question submitted by Councillor Fordham:
“Given the Climate Change commitment to planting trees and the scale of opportunity with both Poolsbrook and Holmebrook within the Borough, and noting that in excess of 3,000 trees are being planted this year - how many of those are or will be fruit trees?”
Minutes:
Under Standing Order No. 19 Councillor Fordham asked the following questions:
· *“To ask if the Council has plans regarding its links and relationship with the city of Yangquan in Shanxi Province, China, in the light of the planned review of the friendship cooperation between us (signed 2016 to last from 2017-2021). And to ask that this review takes into consideration the issue of human rights abuse and in particular the treatment of the Uyghur which includes forced re-education, forced labour, forced sterilisation and imprisonment. And to ask that this also includes consideration of the authoritarian repression of democracy in Hong Kong with the arrest of activists, secret trials, and crushing of political dissent?”
Councillor Blank provided a verbal response, referring to the four formal Twinning Agreements that the Council had in place and advised that regular review periods for Twinning Agreements were not planned in, however, should there be a key anniversary or a formal delegation visit, the original Twinning Agreement would be reaffirmed as appropriate. Active Twinning activities had been temporarily ceased due to Covid-19 pandemic and the consequential need to prioritise Council resources on delivering essential services. The issues raised regarding human rights and democracy were issues for the United Kingdom Government to raise directly with China through the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.
· *“To ask if representations could be made to the Polish Embassy regretting the creation of LGBT-free zones and towns in Poland and to make clear our support for inclusion and diversity of all communities, and to share with the Chesterfield Polish Society?”
Councillor Blank provided a verbal response, noting that Chesterfield Borough Council did not have a formal link with the Polish Government and the diplomatic response required for this issue was in the remit of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office within Central Government. However, Chesterfield Borough Council supported and facilitated the Chesterfield Diversity and Equality Forum which aimed to bring together local community groups, partners and individuals to promote equality and diversity. Councillor Blank noted that she had raised Councillor Fordham’s question at a meeting of the Forum and it was agreed to ask the Chesterfield Polish Society to support the writing of a joint letter to the Polish Embassy.
· “In the light of growing concerns over hate crime, over the Police handling of women, and over the total silence of the Derbyshire Police and Crime Commissioner on LGBT+ issues during LGBT+ History Month, will the Borough Council book a stall at Chesterfield Pride 2021?”
Councillor Blank provided a verbal response, referring to Chesterfield Borough Council’s support of the Chesterfield Pride event and the significant work of the Chesterfield Pride organisers and volunteers. Cautious steps were being taken to emerge from the Covid-19 pandemic and Chesterfield Borough Council had provisionally booked a stall and would attend, Covid-19 restrictions allowing, to showcase the wide-range of Council services and enhance the LGBT+ research project underway. The project aimed to learn more about the Chesterfield LGBT+ community’s experiences of using key Council services, improvements that could be made to the services and broader community issues. Councillor Blank read out a statement from the Derbyshire Police and Crime Commissioner’s office responding to Councillor Fordham’s question.
· “Given the Climate Change commitment to planting trees and the scale of opportunity with both Poolsbrook Country Park and Holmebrook Valley Park within the Borough, and noting that in excess of 3,000 trees are being planted this year - how many of those are or will be fruit trees?”
Councillor Serjeant provided a verbal response, referring to the Chesterfield Borough Council Climate Action Plan’s commitment to planting 1,000 new trees each year of the plan. This target was exceeded in 2021 with over 3,000 trees planted. The trees would help to improve the biodiversity of the borough and over time absorb carbon to help mitigate the impact of harmful emissions. A diverse mixture of species had been planted which would create a habitat for wildlife. Plans for 2021/22 involved working with community groups to increase tree planting, including fruit trees, and work was underway with the Forestry Commission and Tree Council to apply for funding for a number of schemes.