Agenda item

Motion 1

 

It was moved by Councillor Barbara Inman and seconded by Councillor Marc Besford:

 

“This Council notes:

 

·       The increasing use of artificial intelligence to create realistic but false images of real individuals.

·       Recent national concerns regarding the creation and circulation of AI generated imagery depicting women and girls in degrading, sexualised or otherwise inappropriate ways.

·       That AI generated imagery can also be used to ridicule, humiliate or misrepresent individuals through the manipulation of their appearance, body shape, personal relationships or conduct.

·       The growing concern that such behaviour may deter people from participating in public life, standing for election, or engaging in democratic debate.

 

This Council believes:

 

·       Robust political debate is an essential part of democracy.

·       Political disagreement should focus on policies, decisions and ideas rather than personal attacks on an individual’s appearance or private life.

·       Women and girls are disproportionately affected by online abuse, intimidation, misogyny and degrading portrayals.

·       Those serving in public life should be able to do so without being subjected to manipulated imagery intended to humiliate, denigrate or undermine them.

 

This Council therefore:

 

·       Condemns the use of AI generated imagery which seeks to degrade, intimidate, harass or misrepresent individuals.

·       Reaffirms its commitment to respectful political discourse and democratic engagement.

·       Encourages all elected representatives, political parties, campaigners and members of the public to engage in political debate responsibly and respectfully.

·       Recognises the importance of creating an environment in which women, young people and people from all backgrounds feel able to participate in public life and consider standing for elected office.

·       Resolves to support initiatives which promote civility, respect and participation in local democracy.”

 

Councillor Tony Riordan moved, seconded by Councillor Niall Innes that motion be amended as follows:

 

“This Council notes:

 

·       That abusive behaviour towards those involved in public life can take many forms, including manipulated imagery, intimidation, threats, harassment, discriminatory language, personal abuse and the dissemination of false or misleading information.

·       The increasing use of artificial intelligence and other digital technologies including photography to create realistic but false images, audio and video of real individuals.

·       Recent national concerns regarding the creation and circulation of AI-generated imagery depicting individuals in degrading, sexualised, misleading or otherwise inappropriate ways.

·       That advances in artificial intelligence and digital technology have increased the ability to create manipulated images, audio and video capable of causing distress, reputational harm and public misunderstanding.

·       That AI-generated imagery and other digitally manipulated content can be used to create false impressions, misrepresent individuals or events, spread misinformation, cause personal or reputational harm, and undermine public confidence in democratic debate and public institutions.

·       The growing concern that such behaviour may deter people from participating in public life, standing for election, or engaging in democratic debate.

 

This Council believes:

 

·       Robust political debate is an essential part of democracy.

·       Political disagreement should focus on policies, decisions and ideas rather than personal attacks on an individual's appearance or private life.

·       Civility, mutual respect and high standards of behaviour are fundamental to maintaining public confidence in local democracy and encouraging people from every background to participate in public life.

·       Everyone should be able to participate in public life without fear of intimidation, abuse, harassment, discrimination or the malicious manipulation or fabrication of images depicting them. While recognising that different individuals and groups may experience abuse in different ways, this Council believes every person is entitled to the same dignity, respect and protection regardless of gender, race, disability, religion, age, sexual orientation or background, and condemns abuse motivated by misogyny, misandry or any other form of prejudice.

·       Those serving in public life should be able to do so without being subjected to manipulated imagery, threats, intimidation, harassment, discriminatory behaviour or personal abuse intended to humiliate, denigrate or undermine them.

·       Respectful political debate should challenge ideas, decisions and policies rather than relying upon personal abuse, ridicule, threats, discriminatory language or misleading representations of individuals.

·       The standards expected of elected members apply equally within the Council Chamber, on social media, in public meetings and in all forms of political campaigning and communication.

 

This Council therefore:

 

·       Condemns the use of all imagery generated which seeks to degrade, intimidate, harass or misrepresent individuals.

·       Reaffirms its commitment to respectful political discourse and democratic engagement.

·       Encourages all elected representatives, political parties, campaigners and members of the public to engage in political debate responsibly and respectfully.

·       Recognises the importance of creating an environment in which everyone, regardless of their background or protected characteristics, feels able to participate in public life and consider standing for elected office.

·       Resolves to support initiatives which promote civility, respect and participation in local democracy, including the promotion of the Members' Code of Conduct and guidance on respectful behaviour in public life.

·       Reaffirms the expectation that all elected members, political parties, candidates, campaigners and supporters conduct themselves in a manner that promotes respectful debate, demonstrates mutual respect and maintains public confidence in local democracy.

·       Condemns intimidation, threats, harassment, discriminatory language and abusive behaviour directed at any individual involved in public life, whether in person, in correspondence, online, through social media or by any other means.

·       Encourages all elected members to consider the impact of both their words and actions, recognising that the tone and conduct of political debate can either encourage or discourage wider public participation in local democracy.

·       Supports the consistent application of the Members' Code of Conduct, the Council's Constitution and the Nolan Principles of Public Life in promoting respectful behaviour and maintaining the highest standards of conduct expected of elected representatives.

·       Recognises that maintaining a respectful, welcoming and inclusive democratic environment is a shared responsibility of all elected members, irrespective of political affiliation, and encourages members to lead by example both within and outside formal Council meetings.

·       Requests that the Monitoring Officer circulate to all Members the relevant provisions of the Members' Code of Conduct relating to respect, bullying, harassment, discrimination, the use of social media and conduct likely to bring the office of councillor into disrepute, together with any existing guidance on maintaining respectful standards of behaviour both within the Council Chamber and in public.

·       Establishes a cross-party working group, supported by the Monitoring Officer, to review the Members' Code of Conduct and bring forward recommendations to Council to ensure it remains fit for purpose in promoting civility, respect, accountability and high standards of conduct, including in relation to emerging technologies, online behaviour, any form of image alteration, intimidation, harassment and maintaining public confidence in local democracy.”

 

Councillor Barry Woodhouse suggested that the wording of the amendment be further amended by the insertion of the words “AI generated imagery and” into one of the proposed bullet points so that it would read:

 

·       “Condemns the use of AI generated imagery and all imagery generated which seeks to degrade, intimidate, harass or misrepresent individuals.”

 

Councillor Tony Riordan agreed to incorporate this additional wording into his amendment and it was:

 

RESOLVED

 

This Council notes:

 

·       That abusive behaviour towards those involved in public life can take many forms, including manipulated imagery, intimidation, threats, harassment, discriminatory language, personal abuse and the dissemination of false or misleading information.

·       The increasing use of artificial intelligence and other digital technologies including photography to create realistic but false images, audio and video of real individuals.

·       Recent national concerns regarding the creation and circulation of AI-generated imagery depicting individuals in degrading, sexualised, misleading or otherwise inappropriate ways.

·       That advances in artificial intelligence and digital technology have increased the ability to create manipulated images, audio and video capable of causing distress, reputational harm and public misunderstanding.

·       That AI-generated imagery and other digitally manipulated content can be used to create false impressions, misrepresent individuals or events, spread misinformation, cause personal or reputational harm, and undermine public confidence in democratic debate and public institutions.

·       The growing concern that such behaviour may deter people from participating in public life, standing for election, or engaging in democratic debate.

 

This Council believes:

 

·       Robust political debate is an essential part of democracy.

·       Political disagreement should focus on policies, decisions and ideas rather than personal attacks on an individual's appearance or private life.

·       Civility, mutual respect and high standards of behaviour are fundamental to maintaining public confidence in local democracy and encouraging people from every background to participate in public life.

·       Everyone should be able to participate in public life without fear of intimidation, abuse, harassment, discrimination or the malicious manipulation or fabrication of images depicting them. While recognising that different individuals and groups may experience abuse in different ways, this Council believes every person is entitled to the same dignity, respect and protection regardless of gender, race, disability, religion, age, sexual orientation or background, and condemns abuse motivated by misogyny, misandry or any other form of prejudice.

·       Those serving in public life should be able to do so without being subjected to manipulated imagery, threats, intimidation, harassment, discriminatory behaviour or personal abuse intended to humiliate, denigrate or undermine them.

·       Respectful political debate should challenge ideas, decisions and policies rather than relying upon personal abuse, ridicule, threats, discriminatory language or misleading representations of individuals.

·       The standards expected of elected members apply equally within the Council Chamber, on social media, in public meetings and in all forms of political campaigning and communication.

 

This Council therefore:

 

·       Condemns the use of AI generated imagery and all imagery generated which seeks to degrade, intimidate, harass or misrepresent individuals.

·       Reaffirms its commitment to respectful political discourse and democratic engagement.

·       Encourages all elected representatives, political parties, campaigners and members of the public to engage in political debate responsibly and respectfully.

·       Recognises the importance of creating an environment in which everyone, regardless of their background or protected characteristics, feels able to participate in public life and consider standing for elected office.

·       Resolves to support initiatives which promote civility, respect and participation in local democracy, including the promotion of the Members' Code of Conduct and guidance on respectful behaviour in public life.

·       Reaffirms the expectation that all elected members, political parties, candidates, campaigners and supporters conduct themselves in a manner that promotes respectful debate, demonstrates mutual respect and maintains public confidence in local democracy.

·       Condemns intimidation, threats, harassment, discriminatory language and abusive behaviour directed at any individual involved in public life, whether in person, in correspondence, online, through social media or by any other means.

·       Encourages all elected members to consider the impact of both their words and actions, recognising that the tone and conduct of political debate can either encourage or discourage wider public participation in local democracy.

·       Supports the consistent application of the Members' Code of Conduct, the Council's Constitution and the Nolan Principles of Public Life in promoting respectful behaviour and maintaining the highest standards of conduct expected of elected representatives.

·       Recognises that maintaining a respectful, welcoming and inclusive democratic environment is a shared responsibility of all elected members, irrespective of political affiliation, and encourages members to lead by example both within and outside formal Council meetings.

·       Requests that the Monitoring Officer circulate to all Members the relevant provisions of the Members' Code of Conduct relating to respect, bullying, harassment, discrimination, the use of social media and conduct likely to bring the office of councillor into disrepute, together with any existing guidance on maintaining respectful standards of behaviour both within the Council Chamber and in public.

·       Establishes a cross-party working group, supported by the Monitoring Officer, to review the Members' Code of Conduct and bring forward recommendations to Council to ensure it remains fit for purpose in promoting civility, respect, accountability and high standards of conduct, including in relation to emerging technologies, online behaviour, any form of image alteration, intimidation, harassment and maintaining public confidence in local democracy.

 

Motion 2

 

It moved by Councillor Marcus Vickers, seconded by Councillor Niall Innes and

 

RESOLVED

 

The Council notes:

 

·       The courageous and profound contribution made by members of the Armed Forces community to the safety and security of the United Kingdom.

·       The physical and mental health benefits of regular exercise, which is vital for veterans transitioning to civilian life or managing service-related injuries and PTSD.

·       That there are approximately 8,200 veterans living within the borough of Stockton-on-Tees (UK armed forces veterans, England and Wales - Office for National Statistics)

 

The Council further notes:

 

·       That Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council is a signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant, a pledge that those who serve or have served, and their families, should be treated with fairness and respect.

·       That several other local authorities, including Manchester, Bolton, and Wigan, have already successfully implemented free leisure access schemes for veterans.

·       That while concessions currently exist for those on War Disablement Pensions, many veterans fall outside these specific criteria but still face financial barriers to accessing leisure facilities.

 

The Council believes:

 

·       That cost should not be a barrier to physical activity for those who have courageously served their country.

·       That providing free access to council-operated gyms, swimming pools, and fitness classes is a tangible way to demonstrate our commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant.

·       That such an initiative has the potential to reduce the long-term burden on local social care and health services by improving the overall wellbeing of our veteran population.

 

The Council resolves to:

 

1)    Request the Cabinet to undertake a feasibility study into providing free gym, swim, and fitness class memberships for all veterans residing in the borough in line with current provider Tees Active.

 

2)    Request that the feasibility study consider:

 

a)    eligibility criteria;

b)    the financial implications, sustainability and funding options;

c)    operational and administrative arrangements;

d)    potential partnership arrangements with Tees Active and other providers;

e)    equality and legal implications; and

f)      any other matters Cabinet considers relevant.

 

3)    Request Cabinet, as part of the feasibility study, to engage with Group Leaders; Shadow Portfolio Holders; Tees Active and any other relevant partners to explore how such a scheme could be integrated into existing leisure provision, having regard to affordability, contractual arrangements and the continued sustainability of existing services.

 

4)    Cabinet to consider the outcome of the feasibility study and report back to Council on its findings and any recommendations within six months. Ensure that any such scheme is accessible via the HM Armed Forces Veteran Card or other recognised service ID.

 

5)    Should Cabinet resolve to introduce a scheme, it be requested to work with Tees Active, local leisure providers, veterans’ organisations and community groups to promote the scheme and maximise awareness and uptake.

 

6)    Should Cabinet determine that a scheme is appropriate following the feasibility study, Cabinet be requested, where practicable, to seek implementation in time for Armed Forces Day on 26 June 2027.