Liberal Democrat Spring Conference Conference Daily Saturday March 8th 2014 Stronger Economy Fairer Society. Final text version of Conference Extra. Note that page numbers refer to the pdf /printed Conference Daily and some ancilliary elements and notices may appear in a different location. Adverts and graphics have been omitted. Updates to the Conference Agenda and Directory, information from the Federal Conference Committee, timings for conference sessions, amendments, emergency motions and questions to reports; detailed information for Saturday 8th March and advance information for Sunday 9th March. Please read in conjunction with the Agenda and Directory. Contents Conference venue plan Ð updated 4 Exhibition update 5 Conference sponsors 5 Fringe guide update 6 Saturday 8th March timetable 7 Conference Daily for Saturday 8th March 8 Advance notice for Sunday 9th March 15 Emergency motions ballot 16 Please keep hold of this Conference Daily throughout conference, and make sure you pick up a copy of SundayÕs Conference Daily as you enter the York Barbican on Sunday 9th March. The Agenda and Directory and other conference publications, in PDF, plain text and clear print formats, are available online www.libdems.org.uk/conference_papers or ask at the Information Desk in York Barbican. Conference venue plan A plan of the conference venue, the York Barbican, is printed in the Saturday Conference Daily. Exhibition update Exhibitors listed by stand number R2 Glasgow City Marketing Bureau R3 Visit York R5 Connect and NationBuilder Drop-In R6 Yorkshire and the Humber Liberal Democrats R7 LGBT+ Liberal Democrats R8 Ethnic Minority Liberal Democrats R9 John Muir Trust 1 CentreForum 2 Parliamentary Candidates Association 3 Prater Raines Foci2 Websites 4 ALTER 6 Liberal Democrat Women 7 Liberal Democrat Lawyers Association 8 Liberator 9 Social Liberal Forum 10 Green Liberal Democrats 11 Lib Dem Education Association (LDEA) 12 Liberal Youth 13 Agents and Organisers Association 14 Liberal Democrats for Electoral Reform 15 Association of Liberal Democrat Engineers and Scientists 16 Humanist & Secularist Liberal Democrats 17 Lib Dem Friends of Palestine 18 Liberal Democrat Disability Association 19 Riso UK Ltd / Midshire Business Systems 20/21 ALDC and LGA Liberal Democrat Group 22 Airport Operators Association 23 Bishops Printers 24 ONEPOST 25 Liberal Democrat Image 26 Liberal Democrat History Group 27 Liberal Democrat Christian Forum Directory of exhibitors The following exhibitor is additional to those listed in the Agenda and Directory. Stand R9 John Muir Trust The John Muir Trust is campaigning for better statutory protection for the UKÕs wild land, alongside a strategic energy policy to prevent energy developments impacting adversely on wild land. Visit us on stand R9. www.johnmuirtrust.org Conference sponsors The Benenden Healthcare Society Limited Benenden Health, a mutual, not-for-profit health and wellbeing organisation, whose head office is based in York, welcomes the Liberal Democrats spring conference to the city. www.benenden.co.uk Campaign for Fairer Gambling The Campaign for Fairer GamblingÕs ÒStop The FOBTÕsÓ Campaign is exposing the most addictive form of gambling, Fixed Odds Betting Terminals Ð roulette machines in betting shops. www.stopthefobts.org Crowne Plaza London Ð The City Hotel Visit our award-winning business and lifestyle hotel, near Blackfriars station. With 203 rooms, 3 dining destinations and modern meeting rooms, itÕs the ultimate venue for work and play. www.cplondoncityhotel.co.uk National Asian Business Association Nationally representing nine British Asian Business Associations to promote the United Kingdom as the best destination for inward investment, trade and encouraging world class enterprise. SITA UK SITA UK is a recycling and resource management company. We deliver solutions to 12 million people and over 40,000 businesses across the UK, helping our customers to reduce the impact of their waste on the environment. Our purpose is to protect the environment by putting waste to good use. www.sita.co.uk Fringe guide update Key to fringe listings REF Refreshments provided The following events are additional to those listed in the fringe guide in the Agenda and Directory. Fringe Saturday mid evening 20.00Ð21.15 Liberal Left The Prostitute State Former FE deputy chair Donnachadh McCarthy expounds his thesis that we have become a Prostitute State and that the Liberal Democrats are as tainted as other parties. Linda Jack (Patrick Wintour) and (David Ward MP) respond. Novotel, Meeting Room 5 Oxfam, Christian Aid and CAFOD Greenest Government Ever? Have the Lib Dems delivered, whatÕs left to do? Looking at the Lib Dem climate change record, this discussion will address the key issues for 2015 election. Bring your ideas! Chair: Rt Rev James Jones. Speakers: Fiona Hall MEP (invited), Tessa Munt MP (invited), Gareth Epps, Steve Bradley and Layla Moran. Hilton, Minster Suite REF Free WiFi in the York Barbican Free Wifi is available in the York Barbican. Select network: Lib Dem Conference Enter password: ineurope Ministerial Q&A sessions There will be a series of Ministerial Q&A sessions during conference, where you can come along and ask questions of our Ministers on the issues relating to their responsibilities and their departments. A fantastic opportunity for members to find out more about what our Ministers are up to. All sessions will take place in the Lendal Room on the ground floor of the York Barbican and are scheduled as follows: Saturday 8th 11.30Ð12.30 Home Affairs & Justice with Norman Baker MP and Simon Hughes MP Saturday 8th 13.00Ð14.00 Local Government with Stephen Williams MP Saturday 8th 14.30Ð15.30 Treasury with Danny Alexander MP Sunday 9th 10.00Ð11.00 Health & Social Care with Norman Lamb MP These sessions are open to all, but party members will be given priority. Hearing loop provided. Saturday 8th March Timetable for Saturday 8th March Please note that timings are approximate only. Some items of business may occur earlier than indicated. Conference representatives wishing to speak in any of the debates are requested to fill in and submit a speakerÕs card as soon as possible. 09.00Ð09.15 F1 Report: Federal Conference Committee 8 F2 Report: Federal Policy Committee 8 09.15Ð09.45 F3 Policy motion: A Better, Fairer, More Sustainable Future for British Pubs 9 09.45Ð11.10 F4 Policy motion: Making Migration Work for Britain 9 11.10Ð12.05 F5 Policy motion: Reform of Planning 10 12.05Ð12.20 F6 Speech: Rt Hon Danny Alexander MP 12.20Ð12.40 F7 Reports: Parliamentary Parties 11 13.00Ð14.00 Consultative session: Internal Democratic Reform 14.20Ð14.40 F8 Report: Federal Executive 12 F9 Report: Federal Finance and Administration Committee F10 Report: Diversity Engagement Group F11 Report: Campaign for Gender Balance 14.40Ð14.55 F12 Speech: Jenny Willott MP 12 14.55Ð15.45 F13 Q&A session with Rt Hon Nick Clegg MP 15.45Ð17.00 F14 Policy motion: Power to the People 12 17.00Ð17.40 F15 Policy motion: Food Poverty 13 17.40Ð18.00 F16 Constitutional amendment: Conference Representatives 14 If no page number is indicated next to a session or item of business, there are no changes or additional information to that in the Conference Agenda and Directory. Taxi deal Streamline Taxis are offering an exclusive 10% discount off all city wide taxi journeys. Book online or call 01904 656565 to pre-book your journey. Simply mention you are attending conference when booking or show your conference pass to the driver at the start of your journey to get your discount. Bus tours offer York City Sightseeing Hop On Hop Off bus tours are offering conference-goers 50% off their tour prices. Present your conference photo pass to the driver and enjoy 24 hours of unlimited use for just £6 over the conference weekend. Details of route and timings are available at www.city-sightseeing.com/tours/united-kingdom/york.htm or pick up a flier from the literature points at conference. Saturday 8th March F1 Report: Federal Conference Committee Q1 Submitted by Steve Bolter (Braintree) Would it be possible to have a live spreadsheet for fringe bookings; so that those applying can see what other fringe events have already been booked into the time slots they are interested in? This could be used to minimise clashes between fringe events of interest to similar sections of the membership. Q2 Submitted by Zoe OÕConnell (Cambridge) In Glasgow, delegates were asked to show banners and other political material to security contractors, who had been instructed to vet the content of items entering conference. I would like to extend my thanks to the FCC members who responded quickly to end this practice, which was instigated unilaterally by the security company and not at the request of the party. Could FCC confirm what instructions, if any, have been given to security for this conference in regards to checking leaflets, banners and so on for content? Q3 Submitted by Alisdair Calder McGregor (Calderdale) Will FCC explain its failure to publish the dates and deadlines for submissions to this conference in accordance with standing order 1.6, and explain why my email to conferences@libdems.org.uk of 18/11/2013 asking for these dates was ignored? F2 Federal Policy Committee Q1 Submitted by Neil Stockley (Croydon Borough) Does the FPC plan to bring forward new policy proposals on preparing and adapting to climate change and its effects; if so, when? Q2 Submitted by Alisdair Calder McGregor (Calderdale) Does the Federal Policy Committee consider that the Federal Party website, in its current form, fulfils its obligation under article 5.9 of the Federal Party Constitution? Q3 Submitted by Alisdair Calder McGregor (Calderdale) Can FPC set out the progress towards greaterÊavailability, organisation and clarity of the previous conference materials, including which motions were passed and how amended (where applicable), explicit notation of which Policy Papers are still current and which have been superseded, and the implications of this for the institutional memory of the party, following from my question on this subject at Glasgow Conference, Autumn 2013? Q4 Submitted by Alisdair Calder McGregor (Calderdale) a) I welcome the FPCÕs report on the progress of the contact group on the motion referred back at Glasgow conference 2013. Can FPC undertake to ensure that policy formulation in related matters of digital and online civil liberties are not hindered by the reference back process?Ê b) When does the FPC anticipate the motion referred back from the Glasgow 2013Êconference will return to the conference floor for debate? F3 Policy motion: A Better, Fairer, More Sustainable Future for British Pubs The Federal Conference Committee has accepted the following drafting amendment to the motion: In A. (line 21), after ÔlawÕ insert Ôincluding pioneering local planning policies to protect pubs from changes to other uses and demolition introduced by Liberal Democrat-controlled Cambridge City CouncilÕ. After 8. (line 69), add: Conference also calls on Liberal Democrats in local government to press for similar planning extensions to planning protection to those introduced by Cambridge City Council. Background briefing This motion substantially develops policy on pubs. It calls for regulation to ensure pubs get a better deal out of the Ôbeer tieÕ and renting arrangements with pub companies. It proposes that Liberal Democrats accept recommendations from the Business, Innovation and Skills Select Committee to introduce a statutory code of practice for pub companies and outlines measures to empower local communities to save pubs from closing by giving them the right to buy local pubs that are up for sale at a fair market price. This motion builds on existing party policy set out in policy paper 77, Green and Prosperous Communities Ð Local Regeneration for the 21st Century (2007), and in conference motion Saving Village Pubs, Protecting Local Breweries (2000). Ê F4 Making Migration Work for Britain Mover: Dr Julian Huppert MP (Chair of the Parliamentary Party Committee on Home Affairs, Justice and Equalitiies) Summation: Sir Andrew Stunell MP (Chair of the Policy Working Group) The Federal Conference Committee has accepted the following drafting amendment to the motion: In 3 (line 41), delete Ôcan speakÕ and insert ÔlearnsÕ. Delete 2. b) (lines 28Ð31) and insert: b) Supporting Coalition plans to strengthen the Habitual Residence Test and Coalition proposals to support an EU framework whereby EU migrants do not claim benefits before spending six months in the UK. Amendment One 19 conference representatives Mover: Joe Otten Summation: Nick Thornsby Delete 2. d) (lines 34Ð37) and insert: d) Increasing the number of foreign students, taking them out of any future net migration target, and permitting all graduates to take up relevant skilled employment in the UK for up to three years after graduating. There will be a separate vote on the words Ôwithin 6 monthsÕ in 3. f) (line 59). Background briefing This motion and the accompanying policy paper significantly update party policy on immigration, asylum and identity. In particular it develops policy on ensuring entry and exit checks are implemented, an annual Parliamentary vote on immigration policy, taking students out of the net migration target, measures to speed up visa applications for businesspeople and tourists, improving migrantsÕ language skills, easing pressures on public services due to migration and ensuring asylum seekers and the families of migrants are treated with compassion. Existing policy is set out in the 2010 general election manifesto, Change That Works For You, policy paper 92 Thriving in Globalised World (2009), and conference motion Immigration in the 21st Century (2007). F5 Reform of Planning The Federal Conference Committee has accepted the following drafting amendment to the motion: In 8. (line 79), delete ÔstandardsÕ and insert Ôregulations. In 8. a) (line 81), delete ÔLocal Development FrameworksÕ and insert ÔLocal PlansÕ. In 8. b) (line 85), after ÔbuildingÕ insert ÔcontrolÕ. Amendment One Mole Valley and Guildford Mover: Kelly-Marie Blundell Summation: David Preedy In B. (lines 16Ð17) delete Ôand approvedÕ. After A. (line 12), insert: B. National housing targets should be achieved by incentives, encouragement and non-mandatory guidance rather than by imposing criteria which in effect compel Local Planning Authorities to reach an imposed and often inappropriate requirement. C. The Green Belt has had and will continue to have a vital role in preventing urban sprawl and maintaining separation between communities. D. That development in urban areas should be appropriate to the needs, design and density of that community. E. Democratically elected Local Planning Authorities are best able to determine the amount of new development needed in their area and the requirements for particular types and tenure of housing. After 1. d) (line 39) insert: e) The replacement of the nationally imposed housing and development requirements on local communities by a system of incentives, encouragement and non-mandatory guidance. f) Greater discretion for Local Planning Authorities to reserve allocated housing land for the type and tenure of housing development that they believe is most required in the communities that they serve. Background briefing This motion significantly develops policy on the planning system. In particular it develops policy on strengthening local decison-making, allowing communities to benefit from development windfalls and promoting garden communities. Existing policy on housing is set out in policy paperÊ104,ÊDecent Homes for AllÊ(2012).ÊÊExisting policy on planning and garden communities is set out in conference motions Relaxing of Planning Laws (2012), Eco-towns (2008), Homes for All (2008) and Sustainable Housing (2007). F7 Parliamentary Parties of the Liberal Democrats Q1 Submitted by Tom Lawrence What progress has been made on the promised review of public sector debt measures (F19 and LeaderÕs Q&A, Glasgow 2013)?Ê The current definition and accounting regime has other consequences besides limiting housing investment, e.g. severely limiting Tax Increment Financing and ending local authority capitalisation.Ê Will such a review consider these?Ê Will it draw on cross-sector expertise and consider accounting methodologies in other EU countries? Q2 Submitted by Tom Lawrence Last autumn, conference passed overwhelmingly a motion on reductions in housing benefit for social tenants considered to have a spare bedroom.Ê It was supported at all levels of the party.Ê The amended motion contained eight actions.Ê What have Liberal Democrats in the Coalition and in Parliament done to press for their implementation? Q3 Submitted by Kelly-Marie Blundell (Guildford) Please could the Parliamentary Party update us on the review of the Spare Room Subsidy, known as the Bedroom Tax, which was proposed by the Deputy Prime Minister. Q4 Submitted by Tom Lawrence Public sector workers and the wider public engaged enthusiastically with the Public Sector Spending Challenge in 2010.Ê Archived Treasury web pages imply that some suggestions were very rapidly implemented while others were kept under review.Ê What are Liberal Democrats in the Coalition and in Parliament doing to ensure the public is fully informed of which suggestions have been implemented, and the consequent cost savings, before the end of the Parliament? Q5 Submitted by Kelly-Marie Blundell (Guildford) Would the Parliamentary Party please explain why there has been no Department of Work and Pensions Commons Co-Chair since the resignation of Greg Mulholland MP? Q6 Submitted by Andrew Hudson (Barrow in Furness) Does the Transparency and Lobbying Bill play fair to third parties in their campaigning? Q7 Submitted by Andrew Hudson (Barrow in Furness) What is the point of pausing the Transparency and Lobbying Bill when the Commons rejected the Lords amendments and the Lords endorsed the government plans afterwards? Q8 Submitted by Andrew Hudson (Barrow in Furness) Will the Parliamentary Party seek to amend the Slavery Bill to give overseas domestic migrant workers the right to change employers within their employment field? F8 Federal Executive Q1 Submitted by Joe Otten (Sheffield) What information is available to conference delegates, as electors of Federal Executive members, on the work and voting record of those individual members whereby they might be held accountable? Q2 Andrew Hudson (Barrow & Furness) Why does a paper on Internal Democrat Reform intended to seek the views of all members contain no address for comments or closing date? F12 Speech by Jenny Willot MP Aide: Kelly-Marie Blundell F14 Power to the People Summation: Lord Marks QC The Federal Conference Committee has accepted the following drafting amendment to the motion: After 1.d) (line 49) insert: e) Introducing voter registration in educational establishments and modernising individual electoral registration further by encouraging registration whenever an individual interacts with government. Amendment One Calderdale Mover: Dr Michael Taylor Summation: To be announced Delete e) (lines 70Ð76) and insert: e) Establishing directly elected regional assemblies initially on the current regional boundaries and devolve power from the Westminster Parliament to include planning; intraregional transport, including, road, rail, passenger transport, airports, docks and inland waterways; fire, police, ambulance and other emergency services; welfare, education; health; housing; oversight of delivery of power and water; environment, including the powers of the environment agency. In order to allow for regional aspirations and boundary adjustments, a full review to be carried out by the boundary commission to finalise boundaries. f) Reducing the size of the House of Commons and central government in light of its reduced responsibilities, which would now be defence, foreign policy, overall economic policy, interregional transport and other powers reserved to the United Kingdom Parliament. g) Creating, where it does not already exist, a single tier of principal local authorities and retaining the possibility of community, parish and town councils. Amendment Two Calderdale, Cambridge and 42 conference representatives Movr: Crispin Allard Summation: David Rendel Delete 1. c) (lines 46Ð47) and insert: c) Extending from Northern Ireland to the whole of the United Kingdom the use of the Single Transferable Vote for elections to the European Parliament. There will be a separate vote on 1. g) (lines 55Ð56). Background briefing This motion and the accompanying policy paper substantially develop and update existing party policy on political and constitutional reform. In particular they develop new policy on Ôhome rule all roundÕ in a federal britain, decentralisation within England, job-sharing for MPs, open data and modernising parliamentary procedures. Existing policy on Lords reform can be found in conferece motion Reform of the House of Lords (2012); the last comprehensive statement of policy on constitutional reform was in policy paper 83, For the People, By the People (2007). F15 Food Poverty Aide: Liz Lynne Amendment One 10 conference representatives Mover: Lord German Summation: To be announced After III. (line 34) insert: IV) The publication of the results of research into foodbanks commissioned by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. V) The Government decision to give Jobcentre Plus advisers the ability to say to people who need help that they can go to a food bank Ð a referral process that did not happen under Labour. Delete 1. (lines 44Ð45) Delete 4. (lines 52Ð55) and insert: 4. In advance of such a review, package the following range of support measures into an easily accessible source of financial help, and ensure that the package is available through referral from food banks: i) Hardship payments for those on jobseekersÕ allowance or universal credit who have been sanctioned but have insufficient resources to meet their needs. ii) Benefit advances which provide support to those in financial need either at the start of a claim or who have a change of circumstances which increases the amount of benefit due (for which the claimant cannot wait). iii) Budgeting advances under universal credit, providing help to those least likely to be able to access mainstream credit. iv) Budgeting loans to help long term benefit recipients with the cost of essential items like household equipment. Background briefing This motion creates new policy on food banks. It also builds on policy set out in Policy Paper 108, A Balanced Working Life (2013),Êwhich proposed a commission to establish an official Living Wage. F16 Constitutional Amendment: Conference Representatives Aide: Dr Evan Harris Current article 6.2 (this is a correction in place of the table in the Agenda and Directory): Ê 6.2 Local Parties shall be represented on the following basis, modified where applicable by Article 4.3(b): Ê Membership of Local Party Number of Representatives 30 to 50 4 51 to 75 5 76 to 100 6 101 to 150 7 151 to 200 8 201 to 250 9 251 to 300 10 301 to 350 11 351 to 400 12 401 to 450 13 Ê together with a further representative for every 100 members (or part thereof) in excess of 450. Ê Sunday 9th March Advance notice for Sunday 9th March. F18 In Europe, In Work The Federal Conference Committee has accepted the following drafting amendment to the motion: In 2. (line 50) delete ÔtheÕ and insert ÔaÕ. In 2. (line 57) after ÔEuropean ArrestÕ insert ÔWarrantÕ. In 5. (line 84) delete ÔthoughÕ and insert ÔthroughÕ. In 7. (line 100) after ÔwithÕ insertÕ theÕ. In 8. (lines 109Ð112) delete all from ÔproposalÕ to ÔcountryÕ and insert ÔCoalition proposals to support an EU framework whereby EU migrants do not claim benefits before spending six months in the UKÕ. F19 A Digital Bill of Rights The Federal Conference Committee has accepted the following drafting amendment to the motion: Delete iv) (lines 14Ð16) and insert: iv) That the internet has the power to liberate, to educate, to bring people closer together, and to boost our economy; and that such potential will be undermined by government control, surveillance and censorship. There will be a separate vote on the words Ôdoes not undertake the bulk collection of data andÕ in 3. b) (lines 72Ð73). Emergency motions / topical issue ballot There will be a single ballot to select one of the following items to be taken at F17. Ballot papers should be returned to the ballot box in the auditorium before 13.00 on Saturday 8th March. Topical Issue Ð Crisis in Ukraine Suggested by Robert Woodthorpe Brown (Mid Worcestershire) Emergency Motion - Future of the Somerset Levels Western Counties Conference notes: a) The extreme weather conditions and consequential flooding on the Somerset levels and moors. b) he appalling consequences of these events for the local population and those dependent on the area for their livelihood. c) That the impact of such events would have been lessened had the practice of dredging not been abandoned over the last twenty years since the establishment of the Environment Agency. d) The sustained lack of understanding and sympathy reflected in the public statements of the Environment Agency. e) The decision at the time of the establishment of the Environment Agency to exclude from its responsibilities the area covered by the Norfolk Broads Authority. f) The success of the Norfolk Broads Authority in managing the parallel needs of conservation, enterprise and the community in the area for which it is responsible. Conference welcomes: 1. The belated decision of the government to provide additional resources to the afflicted area. 2. The prompt call by Sir Graham Watson MEP for appropriate aid from the European Union. 3. The efforts on the ground of the emergency services, the armed forces and local Environment agency staff. Conference therefore believes that the future interests of the Somerset levels would best be secured through the establishment of a locally representative body similar to the Norfolk Broads Authority, fully independent of the Environment Agency. Conference therefore calls on the coalition government to legislate at the earliest opportunity for the establishment of a Somerset Levels and Moors Authority (SLAMA), its membership to incorporate the local drainage boards alongside representatives of the local authorities in Somerset, local businesses and the farming community, and local community, conservation and amenity groups; its funding and resources to be reallocated as appropriate from the Environment Agency, along with those additional resources recently made available by the government. Conference urges Liberal Democrat Ministers to bring this proposal to the attention of fellow ministers and officials, and to explore the possibility of including such a proposal in the forthcoming QueenÕs speech. Emergency Motion Ð Stop EuropeÕs Largest Child Prison Luton Conference notes the success of the Liberal Democrats in government: I. Reducing the number of offences committed by children by 50% between 2009/10 and 2012/13. II. Reducing the number of children entering the criminal justice system for the first time by 55% between 2009/10 and 2012/13. III. Reducing the numbers of children in custody by 45%, from 2,136 children in May 2010 to 1,168 in December 2013. Conference further notes: i) In December 2013, only 263 children in custody, 23% of the total, had received Long-Term Sentences, handed down to children committing the most serious crimes. ii) 20% of children in custody are on remand (61% of whom are not sentenced to imprisonment) and 57% are on Detention and Training Orders of less than 12 months, serving an average of 115 days. iii) The Government announcement (17 January 2014) of plans to build a ÔSecure CollegeÕ, which, at 320 beds, will be the largest custodial institution for children in Europe. iv) The creation of the ÔSecure Training CentresÕ from 1994, offering the promise of training and education, contributed to a ballooning of the child prison population to around 3,000 in 2007 v) 88% of boys and 74% of girls in custody have been excluded from school. Conference reaffirms policy paper 99, Taking Responsibility, endorsed by conference in March 2011, which stated Òsecure accommodation for young people should be as small and local as is safely feasible to ensure young people are not institutionalised and are able to maintain links with their families and communities in anticipation of their release.Ó Conference believes that: A. Savings in the youth justice system are best achieved through continuing reductions in the number of children in custody rather than in reducing cost-per-place. B. Custody should be reserved for those children who have committed the most serious violent crimes. C. Reducing the number of children perennially committing less serious offences requires greater investment in effective alternatives to custody, including restorative justice, intensive fostering and substance abuse treatment. D. Poor educational outcomes for children in the criminal justice system are a symptom of more fundamental welfare needs, to be addressed through community sentences that focus on these needs and better early intervention with those excluded from school and through community sentences. Conference calls on Liberal Democrat Ministers to press within Government to: 1. Cancel plans for the £85 million ÔSecure CollegeÕ. 2. Seeking instead to invest in: a) alternatives to custody that promote welfare and education. b) better provision children who are excluded from school. Emergency Motion - UK Acceptance of Syrian Refugees Cambridge and 12 conference representatives Conference welcomes: a) The Deputy Prime MinisterÕs leadership in driving the UK Coalition Government to accept some of the most vulnerable Syrian refugees. b) The work of the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) in helping the Coalition identify those people most at risk. c) The UKÕs provision of over £600 million in humanitarian aid to those in Syria and to regional refugee programmes for Syrian refugees. Conference condemns the appalling violence that for three years has been inflicted on Syrian citizens by President Bashar al-Assad and his regime and has left over 100,000 people dead, more than 9 million people within Syria in need of humanitarian assistance and over 2 million Syrians as refugees. Conference believes in providing refuge to those in need is one of BritainÕs greatest, oldest traditions. Conference calls on: 1. The UK and countries across the world that are accepting Syrian refugees to follow the guidelines set out by the UNHCR as to which groups are considered the most vulnerable, which includes children, women, victims of torture and sexual violence, LGBT refugees, elderly people and people with disabilities. 2. The UK Government to keep the UNHCR guidelines used to identify the most vulnerable Syrian refugees under review, to ensure that those most at risk continue to be helped. 3. The UK and the international community to prioritise finding a political solution to the Syrian conflict. 4. The UK government to continue to put bilateral pressure on countries supporting the regime of President Assad to reconsider the humanitarian consequences of their actions. Emergency motions / topical issue ballot paper The ballot paper is printed on the Saturday Conference Extra and is available at the Information Desk in the York Barbican. Please return this ballot paper to the ballot box in the auditorium before 13.00 on Saturday 8th March. Please note that you will need to show your voting representativeÕs photo pass when submitting the ballot paper.