Decision details

Review of the County Council's Policy relating to the Supply of Halal Meat to Schools

Decision Maker: Full Council

Decision status: Recommendations Approved

Is Key decision?: No

Decisions:

The Leader moved a report, seconded by the Deputy Leader, setting out details of a review of the County Council's policy relating to the supply of halal meat.

 

In moving the report, the Leader presented the following draft resolution for Full Council's consideration:

 

Council recognises and respects the Muslim community's requirements for their food to comply with their religious beliefs.

 

However, Council is concerned that slaughtering animals without stunning them beforehand causes them unnecessary stress and suffering.

 

  Council therefore resolves:

 

(i)  Not to provide meat (other than poultry) to LCC establishments unless the animals were stunned before they were slaughtered.

(ii)  To consult with the Lancashire Council of Mosques and others on how the County Council can implement this whilst continuing to provide meals which comply with the Muslim community’s religious beliefs.

(iii) To undertake further investigations with the Lancashire Council of Mosques into the stunning of poultry before slaughter.

 

County Councillor Azhar Ali proposed the following amendment which was seconded by County Councillor John Fillis.

 

(i)  To consult with the Lancashire Council of Mosques, the Jewish Board of Deputies and others on how the County Council can implement this whilst continuing to provide meals which comply with the Muslim community’s religious beliefs.

(ii)  To undertake further investigations with the Lancashire Council of Mosques and the Jewish Board of Deputies into the stunning of poultry before slaughter.

 

In accordance with the requirements of procedural Standing Order 15.9.7, a recorded vote was taken. The names of the County Councillors who voted for or against the Amendment and those who abstained are set out below:

 

For (36)

 

A Ali

M Dad

P Hayhurst

J Mein

K Snape

L Beavers

B Dawson

N Hennessy

J Molineux

M Tomlinson

J Berry

F De Molfetta

S Holgate

Y Motala

C Wakeford

T Burns

G Dowding

M Iqbal

E Oades

D Whipp

L Collinge

K Ellard

H Khan

G Oliver

 

J Cooney

J Fillis

E Lewis

M Parkinson

 

L Cox

J Gibson

S Malik

J Parr

 

C Crompton

P Greenall

T Martin

M Pattison

 

 

Against (42)

 

T Ashton

S Clarke

A Hosker

P Rigby

C Towneley

A Atkinson

A Clempson

K Iddon

A Riggott

S Turner

M Barron

G Driver

A Kay

A Schofield

A Vincent

P Britcliffe

J Eaton

J Marsh

J Shedwick

G Wilkins

I Brown

C Edwards

E Nash

D Smith

P Williamson

P Buckley

D Foxcroft

D O'Toole

A Snowden

B Yates

J Burrows

A Gardiner

M Perks

D Stansfield

 

S Charles

G Gooch

E Pope

P Steen

 

A Cheetham

M Green

J Rear

J Sumner

 

 

Abstain (4)

 

T Aldridge

D Howarth

J Potter

J Purcell

 

 

The amendment was therefore LOST.

 

Following an adjournment, the Vice Chairman assumed the Chair.

 

County Councillor Mohammed Iqbal proposed the following amendment which was seconded by County Councillor John Fillis:

 

(i)  Not to provide meat (other than poultry) to LCC establishments unless the animals were stunned before they were slaughtered.

(ii)  To consult with the Lancashire Council of Mosques and others on how the County Council can implement this whilst continuing to provide meals which comply with the Muslim community’s religious beliefs.

(iii) To undertake further investigations with the Lancashire Council of Mosques into the stunning of poultry before slaughter.

(iv) Subject to a full public consultation with a report to May 2018 Council meeting.

 

Following a further period of debate, the amendment was put to the vote and was LOST.

 

Following a further period of debate, County Councillor Gina Dowding proposed the following amendment which was seconded by County Councillor Liz Oades:

 

This Council agrees to explore ways of increasing animal welfare standards in both meat and dairy procurement; and the percentage of vegetarian and plant based meals provided and taken up in all our institutions.

 

The amendment was ruled out of order by the Chair.

 

After a further period of debate, the substantive motion was put to the vote. In accordance with the requirements of procedural Standing Order 15.9.7, a recorded vote was taken. The names of the County Councillors who voted for or against the Motion and those who abstained are set out below:

 

For (41)

 

T Ashton

S Clarke

P Greenall

A Riggott

S Turner

A Atkinson

A Clempson

A Hosker

A Schofield

A Vincent

M Barron

G Driver

K Iddon

J Shedwick

G Wilkins

P Britcliffe

J Eaton

A Kay

D Smith

P Williamson

I Brown

C Edwards

J Marsh

A Snowden

B Yates

P Buckley

D Foxcroft

E Nash

D Stansfield

 

J Burrows

A Gardiner

D O'Toole

P Steen

 

S Charles

G Gooch

E Pope

J Sumner

 

A Cheetham

M Green

J Rear

C Towneley

 

 

Against (24)

 

A  Ali

M Dad

M Iqbal

J Mein

P Rigby

L Beavers

F De Molfetta

H Khan

J Molineux

M Tomlinson

J Berry

K Ellard

E Lewis

Y Motala

C Wakeford

J Cooney

J Fillis

S Malik

M Parkinson

D Whipp

L Cox

J Gibson

T Martin

J Parr

 

 

Abstain (15)

 

T Burns

B Dawson

N Hennessy

E Oades

J Potter

L Collinge

G Dowding

S Holgate

G Oliver

J Purcell

C Crompton

P Hayhurst

D Howarth

M Pattison

K Snape

 

It was therefore:

 

Resolved: - That:

 

Council recognises and respects the Muslim community's requirements for their food to comply with their religious beliefs.

 

However, Council is concerned that slaughtering animals without stunning them beforehand causes them unnecessary stress and suffering.

 

  Council therefore resolves:

 

(i)  Not to provide meat (other than poultry) to LCC establishments unless the animals were stunned before they were slaughtered.

(ii)  To consult with the Lancashire Council of Mosques and others on how the County Council can implement this whilst continuing to provide meals which comply with the Muslim community’s religious beliefs.

(iii) To undertake further investigations with the Lancashire Council of Mosques into the stunning of poultry before slaughter.

 

 

Divisions Affected: (All Divisions);

Report author: Josh Mynott

Date of decision: 26/10/2017

Decided at meeting: 26/10/2017 - Full Council

Accompanying Documents: