Pink Protesters Win Wedding Day Battle

14 October 2005

COUNCILLORS have responded to months of protest and a growing national controversy to allow same-sex marriage ceremonies to go ahead in the borough.

Bromley's nine-man ruling executive were applauded by a packed council meeting on Monday night, when they decided to offer gay couples full use of council facilities when the Civil Partnership Act comes into force in December.

Six councillors voted in favour of the motion but three Conservative members, including council leader Stephen Carr, abstained.

The council had an opportunity to sanction same-sex marriage ceremonies in March but deferred its decision to 'reflect the fact that Bromley council considers it vitally important to encourage traditional marriage'.

However, on Monday night several Tory councillors spoke of their relief that the 'months of controversy' surrounding the row, which saw legal threats issued by London Mayor Ken Livingstone and provoked derision at both Labour and Conservative party conferences, had come to an end.

Proposing a motion in favour of partnership ceremonies, community safety and leisure executive Neil Reddin welcomed the opportunity for councillors to have a free vote on the issue.

He was seconded by environment executive George Taylor, who said he welcomed the proposal 'as another Conservative councillor supporting civil partnerships here'.

Despite abstaining, Mr Carr said the vote demonstrated the council's 'respect' for its residents.

He said: "As councillors, we owe it to residents to provide clear information about council policies; this decision does exactly that.

"Civil partnership ceremonies have been the subject of much debate and discussion, a process which has shown that, without doubt in Bromley, we listen to, value and respect the views of all our residents."

Couples who wish to hold their civil wedding or civil partnership ceremony in Bromley can choose to hold it in the civic centre at the rose room, garden room, old palace or the council chamber. Alternatively, they may choose a ceremony at one of eight other licensed venues in Bromley with a member of the council registration team in attendance.