POLICE will need to be present at a Full Council meeting when motions on Gaza are discussed, the leader of Bradford’s Conservative Group has claimed.

The two motions call for a permanent ceasefire amid the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict.

There has been a huge strength of feeling in the Bradford district over the past two months, with regular demonstrations and vigils held.

One motion will be moved by Bradford Council leader Susan Hinchcliffe and the other by Taj Salam, independent councillor for Little Horton.

Fears the situation could be 'inflamed'

But the move has been criticised by the Conservative Group on Bradford Council amid fears it could ‘inflame the situation locally’.

Group leader Rebecca Poulsen said: “My Conservative Group colleagues and I are greatly disappointed that some elected members have chosen to debate a situation over which the Council has absolutely no control and about which emotions are already inflamed.

“The business of the last Full Meeting of Council in October was repeatedly disrupted by emotional members of the public and it was apparent that many of them had no idea that the Council has no influence or authority whatsoever in relation to the situation.”

She added: “I, personally, had to assist the security staff in calming the situation and it is blatantly obvious that placing this item on an official Council agenda for debate again will increase confusion over the role and powers of the Council, whilst potentially placing Council officers in harm’s way, for no benefit to anyone whatsoever.

“The only way to guarantee their safety is to request a police presence and, again, this is a situation and expense that is wholly avoidable and brings no benefit to those affected by the conflict.  

“Local MPs and councillors have been threatened and local businesses attacked.  At such a difficult time the Council should not be inflaming the situation locally.”

Council 'building a rod for its own back'

She added: “The Council is building a rod for its own back and should focus on debating ways that it can protect the services it provides to residents as it attempts to mitigate the budgetary impact of the appalling mismanagement of Children's Services by the current Labour Executive. 

“To bring it into line with other councils across the country the Conservative Group will be submitting an amendment which includes a resolution to tighten the Council’s Constitution in order to ensure that future motions must relate to issues which the Council can directly influence and which do not risk inflaming already heightened emotions, for no constructive purpose."

Bradford Council's Full Council meeting will be held on Tuesday, December 12 at 4pm at Bradford City Hall.