The council is afraid of a vote, yet proclaims that the nickname will perpetuate stereotyping. Why not let the people decide.
It truly is amazing that Ron His Horse is Thunder and his ilk complained that they weren't asked to be included in discussions regarding the name and then when the settlement was announced he complained that it was all being put on him and now he won't even let the people decide for themselves.
If I were the ones attempting to get a resolution, I would start a petition, collect enough names so that the referendum's outcome would be obvious and take the data to the media.