Decision Session - Executive Member for Housing and Safer Neighbourhoods
Set out below is a summary of the decisions taken at the meeting of the Decision Session Executive Member for Transport and Planning held on Thursday, 17 December 2020. The wording used does not necessarily reflect the actual wording that will appear in the minutes.
Members are reminded that, should they wish to call in a decision, notice must be given to Democracy Support Group no later than 5pm on Monday, 21 December 2020.
If you have any queries about any matters referred to in this decision sheet please contact MichelleBennett.
4. Protest Vigil at BPAS Clinic Wenlock Terrace, York
Resolved: The Executive Member for Housing and Safer
Neighbourhoods confirmed that the following measures be taken in response to the petition:
i) For the City of York Council to commit to engaging closely with BPAS to support their service delivery in York.
ii) Through engagement with BPAS, to enable clinic users to report their experience of any future protests via BPAS with anonymity.
iii) That officers consider other ways that those affected can report their experience of any future protests in the vicinity of clinics, such as an online reporting form or contact point as other councils have used.
iv) For the City of York Council to work closely with North Yorkshire Police to monitor protest activity taking place in the vicinity of the clinic and to gather evidence that will support future enforcement action through the use of Community Protection Notice and/or a Public Space Protection Order as appropriate.
v) That the Executive Member will write to the appropriate Government Minister in support of the Demonstrations (Abortion Clinics) Bill 2019 – 21. A Bill to prohibit anti-abortion protests within a safe zone (approx. 150 meters) of abortion clinics.
Reason: To respond appropriately to objections raised in the petition and the request to prohibit anti-abortion protests within a safe zone of these services. To protect the users of the clinic, who have a legal right to access these services, from potentially being intimidated and deterred from accessing these services and to protect local residents from being subjected to material in the form of banners, posters and flyers which may be include distressing content.