Agenda and minutes

The Mayor’s Chaplain offered prayer.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of themeeting of the Council held on 16 July 2013 be approved.

The Worshipful the Mayor informed Council that (on behalf of the Citizens of the Borough) he had written to their Royal Highness’ the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge congratulating them on the birth of their son His Royal Highness Prince George Alexander Louis of Cambridge. The Worshipful the Mayor confirmed he had received an acknowledgement in response to his letter.

There was none.

These questions, together with the answers provided and the text of any supplementary questions and answers, are set out in Appendix 1 to these minutes.

Councillor Richard Cornelius moved the Administration Business Item in his name. Councillor Brian Coleman moved his amendment. Debate ensued. Upon being put to the vote, the amendment in the name of Councillor Brian Coleman was declared lost. Upon being put to the vote the Administration Business Item in the name of Councillor Richard Cornelius was declared carried.

RESOLVED - Council notes its delight at the birth of His Royal Highness Prince George Alexander Louis of Cambridge, first son of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, on 22^nd July 2013. Council wishes to congratulate The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh, The Prince of Wales and the Middleton family at this very special time.

Council recognises that this is also a joyous occasion for the people of Barnet, the United Kingdom and, indeed, the Commonwealth, with the line of succession now confirmed for the next three generations. Council looks forward to Prince George one day becoming our monarch and hopes that he will be able to replicate the great success Her Majesty The Queen has achieved through over sixty years of inspirational and unwavering service.

Council welcomes the fact that the Royal Family continues to hold such a vital position in the cultural and constitutional life and spirit of the nation, and further believes that the royal birth strengthens the future prospects of both the monarchy and the lives of its citizens.

Council therefore asks the Mayor to write to The Queen to express the congratulations and warm wishes of the Council and the people of Barnet at this happy time.

Councillor Alan Schneiderman moved the Opposition Business Item in his name. Councillors Brian Coleman, Pauline Coakley Webb and Dean Cohen moved their amendments. Debate ensued. Upon being put to the vote the amendment in the name of Councillor Brian Coleman was declared lost. Upon being put to the vote the amendment in the name of Councillor Pauline Coakley Webb was declared lost. Upon being put to the vote the amendment in the name of Councillor Dean Cohen was declared carried. Upon being put to the vote the substantive Opposition Business Item as amended by Councillor Dean Cohen was declared carried.

RESOLVED - Council notes the recent ruling of the High Court that parking permit charge increases set by Council in 2011 were “unlawful” following the Appeal brought by the Barnet CPZ Action Group.

Council notes that LB Barnet has accepted the ruling and is reimbursing all affected residents who claim a refund.

It is further noted that the council is now actively working to notify all remaining affected residents through a variety of methods.

Council notes that the Cabinet Member for Environment has been amending parking policy on an ongoing basis, for example through the changes being implemented in town centres. Council believes these changes have shown positive signs thus far and therefore asks the Cabinet Member to continue with this process.

Councillor Joan Scannell, duly seconded, moved under Council Procedure Rule 6.3, that the order of business relating to Agenda Item 3 be varied so that Non-Executive Business Item 3.5 be heard first.  Upon being put to the vote, the Motion was declared carried.

RESOLVED – That the order of business be varied to allow Non-Executive Business Item 3.5 to be debated and voted upon in advance of votes being taken on the other Non-Executive Business Items on the Agenda.

Councillor Brian Gordon moved the Non-Executive Business Item in his name. Councillors Brian Coleman and Anne Hutton moved their amendments. Debate ensued. Upon being put to the vote the amendment in the name of Councillor Brian Coleman was declared lost. Upon being put to the vote the amendment in the name of Councillor Anne Hutton was declared lost. Upon being put to the vote the Non-Executive Business Item in the name of Councillor Brian Gordon was declared carried.

RESOLVED - Council notes this year’s GCSE and A-Level results and congratulates the Borough’s students and teachers for their remarkable achievements.

Council welcomes the fact that the Government has restored rigour to the public examinations system and notes that exams have become tougher as a result. Council notes that Barnet has bucked the trend of slightly falling results nationally, believing that the new system provides a truer reflection of ability.

Council notes that the percentage of pupils achieving at least five A* - C grades at GCSE, including English and Maths, has risen to 73% from 68% last year and that the percentage gaining five or more A* - C grades is up to 90% from 86%. These figures ensure Barnet remains firmly in the top few authorities nationwide for performance.

Council further welcomes the fact that high achievement is striven for, valued and celebrated in the Borough and is proud that three of our schools made the top ten nationally for A-Level results, including both the first and second ranked. Council further notes that many of the Borough’s schools achieved their best ever results, for which much credit is due.

Council asks the Cabinet Member to email all school Head Teachers to congratulate them for contributing to the best school system in the country. 

Councillor Geof Cooke moved the Non-Executive Business Item in his name. In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 23.5, the item was voted on without discussion. Councillors Brian Coleman and Dean Cohen moved their amendments. Upon being put to the vote the amendment in the name of Councillor Brian Coleman was declared lost. Upon being put to the vote the amendment in the name of Councillor Dean Cohen was declared carried.  Upon being put to the vote the substantive Non-Executive Business Item as amended by Councillor Dean Cohen was declared carried.

RESOLVED - Council notes that under Conservative Mayor Boris Johnson commuter fares have continued to increase, that the cost of a single bus journey has increased by 20% and that the annual cost of a zone 1-6 travel card is £440 more expensive. Council recognises though that the percentage increases in fares was even greater under Ken Livingstone.

Council notes that many residents across Barnet are struggling with the cost of rent and other bills and that rising travel costs do contribute to this. That is why Council believes that the four-year Council Tax freeze delivered by this administration has been very important to all the Borough’s residents.

Council further notes the Mayor’s early proposal to close manned ticket offices at stations across London, but also notes modern ticket purchasing habits and recognises that services may need to change to keep up with the times.

Council believes the Mayor is delivering substantial and noticeable improvements to services and recognises that fare increases are an unfortunate necessity in order to fund this.

Council calls on the Leader of the Council and the Cabinet Member to write to Boris Johnson calling for him to minimise ticket increases in the context of continuing with his much needed programme of improvements and efficiencies.

Councillor Barry Rawlings moved the Non-Executive Business Item in his name. In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 23.5, the item was voted on without discussion. Councillors Brian Coleman, Alison Moore, Kate Salinger and Helena Hart moved their amendments. Upon being put to the vote the amendment in the name of Councillor Brian Coleman was declared carried. Upon being put to the vote the amendment in the name of Councillor Alison Moore was declared lost. Upon being put to the vote the amendment in the name of Councillor Kate Salinger was declared carried. Upon being put to the vote the amendment in the name of Councillor Helena Hart was declared carried. Upon being put to the vote the substantive Non-Executive Business Item as amended by Councillors Brian Coleman, Kate Salinger and Helena Hart was declared carried.

RESOLVED - Council notes the Prime Minister’s announcement over the summer of a £500 million emergency fund to help A&E’s in crisis to cope with the increase in demand during winter.

Council notes that the Department for Health is deciding how to allocate the funds based on plans from the Urgent Care Boards around the country.

Council asks Cabinet to write to the Secretary of State in support of Barnet’s local hospitals receiving some of these funds - Barnet Hospital A&E, Chase Farm A&E,  Royal Free A&E and Whittington Hospital A & E -which have all had serious issues dealing with A&E wait times and have ongoing financial challenges.

Council recognises that some residents are turning up at A and E when they should really be visiting their GP or indeed a pharmacist, and calls on the Health Scrutiny Committee to investigate how an effective advertising campaign can be undertaken across the Borough to avoid unnecessary A and E visits.

Council also finds it totally unacceptable that the Breast Screening Service has been re-located from Finchley Memorial Hospital to St. Michael’s Hospital in Enfield.  Equally unacceptable is the fact that neither the Health & Wellbeing Board nor the Health Overview & Scrutiny Committee had been made aware of this proposal and that no consultation whatsoever had been carried out before this move was effected. Council notes the actions already taken by the Chairman of the HWB in seeking the early re-instatement of the service at Finchley Memorial Hospital which she has already taken up at the highest levels of NHS England as the Commissioners of the Service.  Council notes the urgent debate of this item at the next Meeting of the Health & Wellbeing Board on 19^th September.

Councillor Andrew Harper moved the Non-Executive Business Item in his name. In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 23.5, the item was voted on without discussion. Councillor Brian Coleman moved his amendment. Upon being put to the vote the amendment was declared lost. Upon being put to the vote the Non-Executive Business Item in the name of Councillor Andrew Harper was declared carried.

RESOLVED - Council notes that the Platforms Programme launched in June 2012 has come to the end of its First Phase. Council welcomes the positive outcomes it has achieved for many of Barnet’s 16-24 year olds formerly not in education, employment or training (NEET).

Over the course of the last fourteen months, more than 350 young people have been engaged with 220 actively participating in a range of schemes, which have provided among other things: apprenticeships; internships; voluntary sector jobs; Princes Trust placements; employment and enterprise support; and support for young people with learning difficulties.

In addition, the programme has helped 70 local businesses add capacity to their staff by incentivising the creation of work placements.

Council welcomes the fact that over this period the percentage of 18-24 year olds claiming Job Seekers Allowance has fallen from 4.3% to 3.2%, contributing significantly to the reduction in overall number of JSA claimants. Council further welcomes that the proportion of young people classed as NEET is down at 3.2%, well below the London average (4.5%) and national average (5.6%).

Council is pleased that many young people have reported positive experiences of the programme and that some participants have moved on to longer-term placements or permanent employment. However, as the job market remains challenging for young people – despite the economic uplift – Council recognises that there is more work to do.

Council therefore calls on the Cabinet to continue to work with the Council’s partners to identify the most successful strands of the Platforms Programme and utilise any under-spend from the First Phase to maximise outcomes in the Second Phase.

Councillor Rowan Quigley Turner moved the Non-Executive Business Item in his name. In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 23.5, the item was voted on without discussion. Councillors Brian Coleman and Brian Salinger moved their amendments. Upon being put to the vote the amendment in the name of Councillor Brian Coleman was declared lost. Upon being put to the vote the amendment in the name of Councillor Brian Salinger was declared carried. Upon being put to the vote the substantive Non-Executive Business Item as amended by Councillor Brian Salinger was declared carried.

RESOLVED - Council notes that, in winning the IBF World Middleweight Title in Atlantic City last month, Darren Barker has become the Borough’s latest world professional boxing champion. Council wishes to congratulate him and his team on this great achievement. Council believes Mr Barker’s determination and hard-work to overcome adversity and fulfil his ambition to be a great example to us all.

Council therefore calls on the Mayor to write to Mr Barker to congratulate him on his victory.

There was none.

There was none

Councillor Joan Scannell introduced the report which dealt with Chief Officer Job Titles.

RESOLVED - That Council note the resolution set out in the report of the General Functions Committee dated 22 July 2013.

Councillor Richard Cornelius introduced the report which dealt with the appointment of the Service Director for Education and Skills

RESOLVED - That Council note the resolution set out in the report of the Remuneration Committee dated 1 August 2013.

Councillor Lord Palmer moved adoption and reception of the report. Upon being put to the vote the recommendations were declared carried.

RESOLVED- That Council approve the Audit Committee Annual Report 2012/13.

1.         Changes to the Calendar of Meetings

RESOLVED – That Council note the changes to the calendar of meetings contained in the report of the Head of Governance.

2.         Vacancies on School Governing Bodies

            RESOLVED - That

(a)        Ms Emma Howardbe appointed a Governor to Brookland Infant and Junior School’s Governing Body.

(b)        Mr Colin Page be appointed a Governor to Northway School’s Governing Body.

3.         Executive Decisions Exempted from the 28 day Notice

RESOLVED - That Council note the decisions exempted from the Advanced Notification of Executive Decisions.

4.         Director Induction and Awareness

RESOLVED - That Council note the report on Director Induction and Awareness was considered by the General Functions Committee on 9 September 2013.

5.         Changes to Committee Membership

RESOLVED - That Councillor Alison Cornelius be appointed as a Member of the Corporate Parenting Advisory Panel.

6.         Appointment to Outside Bodies

RESOLVED - That Councillor Wendy Prentice be reappointed as trustee to the Eleanor Palmer Trust.

The Worshipful the Mayor in accordance with the Constitution moved that the period for the transaction of business be extended to 10.30pm.

The Worshipful the Mayor introduced the report of the Monitoring Officer relating to two complaints under the Code of Conduct for Councillors. The Group Leaders Panel on the 23 July 2013 recommended that Councillor Brian Coleman be censured in relation to the two complaints.

Councillor Brian Coleman exercised his right of appeal. The Chairman of the Panel Councillor Daniel Thomas responded.

Councillor Jack Cohen stated he would not be voting on the matter as he believed that members of the Group Leaders’ Panel who made the initial decision should not vote on this again.

Upon being put to the vote Councillor Brian Coleman’s appeal was declared lost.

Council then considered the recommendations from the Group Leaders Panel. Upon being put to the vote the recommendations in relation to Mr Paul Merchant’s complaint were declared carried. Upon being put to the vote the recommendations in relation to Dr Julia Hines’ complaint were declared carried.

RESOLVED -

Mr Paul Merchant Complaint:

1.         That Councillor Coleman breached paragraph 3 (1) of the Members Code of Conduct – You must treat others with respect (the Code applicable as at April 2012 when the breach occurred).

2.         That in view of (1) above, the Panel recommends censure of Councillor Coleman for his failure to treat others with respect, a breach of the Members Code of Conduct applicable at the time of the breach.

Dr Julia Hines Complaint

1.         That in respect of the complaint about email correspondence, Councillor Coleman breached paragraph 3 (1) of the Members Code of Conduct – You must treat others with respect (the Code applicable as at April 2012 when the email correspondence occurred), when he sent the two emails of 10 April 2012 (sent at 3.46pm and 4.07pm) to Dr Hines.  The third email of 10 April 2012 (sent at 4.51pm) was not viewed by the Panel as an attempt to defame Dr Hines and that this was tempered by the word "seems”.

2.         That in view of (1) above, the Panel recommends censure of Councillor Coleman for his failure to treat others with respect, a breach of the Members Code of Conduct applicable at the time of the breach.

RESOLVED - That Council hereby censure Councillor Brian Coleman.

From Councillor Brian Coleman

Does Councillor Cornelius consider the criticism of the Governors of Frith Manor in the recent Ofsted report to be justified?

Response from Councillor Richard Cornelius

There was adverse comment in the report about Frith Manor’s Governing Body and despite the down grade it remains an excellent school. The Governing Body is reinvigorated and is moving very fast to meet the short comings indentified in the report.