Agenda item

Lizzie Bishop asked the Leader of the Council the following question:


Question

Councillor Halsall, you kindly committed last year that you would support an LGBT Pride event in Wokingham in 2020, and you reaffirmed that commitment in the last Full Council meeting.  When the rainbow flag was flown last year, many residents and businesses in the town centre responded with enthusiasm, and with their own gestures of support.  Even in the current very difficult circumstances, we are hoping to build on this in 2020.  During the week leading up to 11th July 2020, we are hoping that residents will look to find ways of building greater mutual understanding, respect for differences, and friendship between residents.

 

I am aware that no Council funding is available, and that all events must be safe, but in this spirit of building understanding, respect and friendship, could you please tell us what support the Council will be giving to Wokingham Pride in 2020?

 

Minutes:

 

Question

My question is for Councillor John Halsall.  Councillor Halsall, you kindly committed last year that you would support an LGBT Pride event in Wokingham in 2020, and you reaffirmed that commitment in the last Full Council meeting.  When the rainbow flag was flown last year, many residents and businesses in the town centre responded with enthusiasm, and with their own gestures of support.  Even in the current very difficult circumstances, we are hoping to build on this in 2020.  During the week leading up to 11th July 2020, we are hoping that residents will look to find ways of building greater mutual understanding, respect for differences, and friendship between residents.

 

I am aware that no Council funding is available, and that all events must be safe, but in this spirit of building understanding, respect and friendship, could you please tell us what support the Council will be giving to Wokingham Pride in 2020?

 

Answer

Thank you for your question.  I did indeed agree to support the pride event in Wokingham and reaffirmed this at Full Council.  I strongly believe that we should all do what we can to understand and respect our differences and through this, we can forge stronger, safer and collective communities working for each other and supporting each other.  This not only applies to the LGBT campaign for equality but also every part of the community, including the BME community.

 

Wokingham Borough Council’s DNA is hardwired to treat everybody equitably, fairly and without discrimination.  We with our partners, such as the BME Forum, recognise that we can do better and we are committed to doing so.  Just to make it clear whilst you are on the line, we cannot support the BLM movement, as it has become a political organisation.  The Council should not be a political football or used inadvertently or advertently for political motives.  Regrettably, in the US, the message has become an anti-police message and whilst this may or may not be appropriate there; we cannot associate with such a message in Wokingham. 

 

However, I welcome playing my part in full with working with the LGBT community to ensure that all human beings should be able to have the same opportunities and be treated with dignity and respect, regardless of race, sexual orientation or colour of skin.

 

As for the specific Pride event, I can confirm the Council will be raising the Flag in support and publicising it on our Website.  I will also be wearing the badge, whatever it might be, to show my personal support and will be present at the march, assuming I can be, or clapping from the sidelines in whatever way is permissible under the social distancing guidelines in place at the time, or wherever I can be of support.  I think at a time when we have all had a sort of restricted existence such a march or festival could be fun and bring colour to the lives of our residents.  Good luck and you have my support.

 

Supplementary Question:

It is really appreciated, the thought you have put in to it.  We understand the situation and everything.  I am just wondering if it is possible for the Council to agree to look at maybe how the Council can support equality initiatives for its workforce, or encourage Council run facilities like libraries to consider appropriate ways of marketing the Pride and the week itself, by finding practical ways to educate on LGBT issues and stuff like that?

 

Supplementary Answer:

As I said in my reply to you, we are committed to equalities and diversity, and I shall do what I can to help foster that throughout the Council.