Proposed by Councillor David Burgess-Joyce

Seconded by Councillor Jeff Green

Council condemns the barbaric practice of female genital mutilation, regardless of where it takes place and among all cultures.

Statistics published in December showed that between July and September last year there were 1,385 newly recorded cases of FGM reported by healthcare professionals across England.

An estimated 20,000 girls are also identified at being most at risk from FGM in the UK.

Council, therefore, welcomes action, so far, by HM Government that includes:

·  From 31 October 2015, the mandatory requirement for regulated health and social care professionals and teachers in England and Wales to report visually confirmed or verbally disclosed cases of FGM in girls to the police.

·  New legislation to grant victims of FGM lifelong anonymity from the time an allegation is made.

·  The introduction of new civil orders designed to protect girls identified as being at risk of FGM.

·  New legislation that will mean parents can be prosecuted if they fail to prevent their daughter being cut.

Council calls on those organisations in Wirral that are working in the communities most at risk of this unacceptable and barbaric action to work with schools, police, health services and others to raise awareness of the dangers and the consequences of such action.

An amendment which had been circulated in advance of the meeting was submitted in accordance with Standing Order 12(1) and (9), as follows:

Proposed by Councillor Janette Williamson

Seconded by Councillor Treena Johnson

Add:

‘Council condemns all violence towards women and girls and acknowledges that 1,700 victims have been referred to specialist services since 2013.

Council notes that simply legislating against a cultural practice without acknowledging cultural sensitivities risks driving that practice underground.

Council supports working with the communities involved in FGM, through highly trained and professional practitioners and asks that funding be made available to Wirral to work collaboratively with the government in keeping our girls and women safe from FGM.’

Having applied the guillotine in accordance with Standing Order 9 the Council did not debate this matter.

The amendment was put and carried (59:0) (One abstention).

The substantive motion, as amended, was put and carried (59:0) (One abstention).

Resolved (59:0) (One abstention) –

(1)  Council condemns the barbaric practice of female genital mutilation, regardless of where it takes place and among all cultures.

(2)  Statistics published in December showed that between July and September last year there were 1,385 newly recorded cases of FGM reported by healthcare professionals across England.

(3)  An estimated 20,000 girls are also identified at being most at risk from FGM in the UK.

(4)  Council, therefore, welcomes action, so far, by HM Government that includes:

·  From 31 October 2015, the mandatory requirement for regulated health and social care professionals and teachers in England and Wales to report visually confirmed or verbally disclosed cases of FGM in girls to the police.

·  New legislation to grant victims of FGM lifelong anonymity from the time an allegation is made.

·  The introduction of new civil orders designed to protect girls identified as being at risk of FGM.

·  New legislation that will mean parents can be prosecuted if they fail to prevent their daughter being cut.

(5)  Council calls on those organisations in Wirral that are working in the communities most at risk of this unacceptable and barbaric action to work with schools, police, health services and others to raise awareness of the dangers and the consequences of such action.

(6)  Council condemns all violence towards women and girls and acknowledges that 1,700 victims have been referred to specialist services since 2013.

(7)  Council notes that simply legislating against a cultural practice without acknowledging cultural sensitivities risks driving that practice underground.

(8)  Council supports working with the communities involved in FGM, through highly trained and professional practitioners and asks that funding be made available to Wirral to work collaboratively with the government in keeping our girls and women safe from FGM.