Tag Archive for 'council motion'

[BACKDATED] Local Councils Say NO-2-ID

Published
by
mark
on February 27, 2009
in Group Activities
. 0 Comments

It been so long since I updated this blog, so I think its best we had a few updates!

Well as the title suggests;

We have successfully gotten motions passed with both Worcestershire County Council and Wyre Forest District Council

It is thanks to some good councillors that the Worcestershire and Wyre Forest shall be shielded from the National Identity Scheme for as long as it is lawful. No pilot schemes and no feasibility studies etc..

Rather than me explain it in my words, here is the motion passed by both councils (names differing of course):

This Council notes the Government’s plans to introduce ID cards. This scheme will have an effect upon all of the people of the Wyre Forest District.

This Council believes:

1. That the disadvantages of such a scheme will outweigh any likely benefits to the people of Wyre Forest District.
2. That the scheme will do little, if anything, to prevent terrorism, crime or fraud.
3. That the national database that underpins the identity card scheme may facilitate criminal fraud, terrorism and potential state abuses of human rights.
4. That the ID card and database proposals are likely to fundamentally alter the relationship between the state and the individual.

According to Government estimates, the cost of such a scheme could reach

£7.5 billion, with independent commentators predicting substantially higher costs. Wyre Forest residents will be required to pay £93 for a passport and ID card together.

This Council resolves to:

1. Affiliate to the ‘No2ID’ campaign, which already includes MPs and several political parties.
2. Make representations at every possible stage, reiterating this Council’s opposition to ID cards.
3. Take no part in any pilot scheme or feasibility work in relation to the introduction of the national identity cards.
4. Make it a policy of the council to ensure that national identity cards would not be required to access council services or benefits unless specifically required to do so by law
5. Only co-operate with the national identity card scheme where to do otherwise would be unlawful.


Special Thanks to:

Councillors Fran Oborski and Howard Martin for their inital support on the initial proposed motion and all those who voted with the motion at their respective council meetings.

For those interested, the voting scores at each respective council were as follows:

WCC: 34 votes to two with 15 abstentions.

WFDC: 38 votes to 4

NO2ID Worcester - February Monthly Meeting Outcome

Published
by
mark
on February 11, 2009
in Group Activities and Meetings
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Attendees:

Mark Walker (Local Group Coordinator)

Brian Gladman

John Laws

Margaret Laws

Discussion

Issues associated with Clause 152 of the Justice and Coroners Bill

All of our attendees (even those attending in spirit) contacted their MP and mentioned their concern over this Bill. Shockingly none of them chose to reply. Now since I have not seen everyone elses letter I cannot hazard a guess why no reply was sent. They are supposed to reply regardless! Even so, what I do know is that I followed the previously mentioned guide to writing to your MP by the Open Rights Group to the letter.

I did get an opportunity to talk about the response I got from my local MP Dr Richard Taylor.

Council Motion Progress

Brought to the groups attention, was the progress made in getting councillors supporting an ID card motion. Wyre Forest DC’s Fran Oborski and Martin Howard; shown by their printed email dialogue got behind me on this one without hesitation. Very encouraging. A plan was discussed regarding sensitising other council members to the motion set to be tabled.

An Approach!

Our NO2ID trifolds got us in trouble… nah not really we just got some attention that we dont usually get. We were approached by someone froma nearby table. Great stuff I thought. Some of the group got a little too fired up with her questions, I was aiming to answer them calmly…but hey ho theres enough other people in Worcester to practice on!

See you all next month :)

NO2ID Worcester - December Monthly Meeting Outcome

Published
by
mark
on December 10, 2008
in Group Activities and Meetings
. 0 Comments

Attendees:

Mark Walker (Local Group Coordinator)

Brian Gladman

Stuart Herbert (newcomer/observer)

We did not really expect high numbers as notice of its happening were sent out at short notice and its the Christmas season.

Discussion

Plans for the Worcester Stall this coming Saturday (13th)

Going to be in front of the Guild Hall, at least two members of Birmingham NO2ID shall assist with numbers and that it was going to be happening in the Afternoon. I shall update you all with more detail shortly.

Guest/Observer introductions

Myself and Brian gave a brief rundown on the ID card issue we meet about - these included:

  • Costs
  • Mass Data Collection/Surveillance and the risks of that with recent Data losses.
  • Storing of Biometrics despite innocence

We also gave a briefing on what the group had been doing in the last few months.

Council Motion Strategy

Largely conservative council but some seemed unconcerned/uninterested about the ID cards issue. Methods of encouraging an interest talked about. Should be able to pursue one being put through before the end of January 2009 if action is taken.