Agenda and minutes

In the absence of the Mayor’s Chaplin, Rabbi Schochet, Councillor Kate Salinger, the Deputy Mayor offered prayer.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of themeeting of the Council held on 11 September 2012 were approved.

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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 Helena Hart moved the Administration Business Item in her name. Councillors Barry Rawlings and Arjun Mittra moved their amendments.  Debate ensued. Councillor Helena Hart accepted Councillor Barry Rawlings amendment. Upon being put to the vote the amendment in the name of Councillor Mittra was declared lost. Upon being put to the vote, the substantive Administration Business Item as amended by Councillor Barry Rawlings was declared carried.

RESOLVED – Council welcomes the decision of Barnet & Chase Farm Hospitals NHS Trust to seek to partner with another NHS organisation in order to create a clinically excellent and financially sustainable NHS Foundation Trust

Noting that the Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust was the only appropriate NHS Trust both to fulfil the necessary criteria – particularly that of the successful implementation of the BEH Clinical Strategy – and to express an interest in considering such a partnership, Council would very much like to welcome and support the principle of such a partnership and the progression to a full Business Case for consideration by the respective Trust Boards and the SHA.

This Council has a long history of support for both the Royal Free and Barnet & Chase Farm hospitals and for much greater partnership working between them – our submission of the Barnet Option for the BEH Clinical Strategy being a prime example of this.  This is based not only on the essential part both institutions play in the provision of Acute hospital services for the people of Barnet but on the integral part they both play in the broader health economy of the Borough and to our dedication to the provision of high quality integrated health and social care for local residents.   

In the interests of securing a safe viable and sustainable future not only for Barnet and Chase Farm Hospitals but also for the very many opportunities that such a partnership would bring for the continued clinical excellence and sustainability of the Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust itself, Council requests that the Cabinet Member writes to the Chairman of both the Royal Free and Barnet & Chase Farm Hospitals expressing our firm support for such a partnership.

Council also asks that officers work with the relevant agencies to ensure that the properly funded Primary Care Strategy is implemented and that transport links between all three hospitals are enhanced, including the possible introduction of a bus route from East Finchley to the Royal Free Hospital, all as a matter of urgency.

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

RESOLVED - Council notes the many factors affecting our high streets across the country. However, Council believes we need to be doing all we can to support our town centres and our local traders and businesses, especially during the Christmas and New Year sales period.

Councillor Joan Scannell, duly seconded, moved under Council Procedure Rule 10.2.2, that the order of business relating to Agenda Item 3 be varied so that Non-Executive Business Item 8.6 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 8.6 to be debated and voted upon in advance of votes being taken on the other Non-Executive Business Items on the Agenda.

Councillor Melvin Cohen moved the Non-Executive Business Item in his name. Councillors Anita Campbell and Jack Cohen moved their amendments. Debate ensured. Councillor Melvin Cohen accepted Councillor Jack Cohen’s amendment subject to the deletion of point 1. Councillor Jack Cohen agreed to amending his amendment. Upon being put to the vote the amendment in the name of Councillor Anita Campbell was declared lost. Upon being put to the vote, the substantive Non-Executive Business Item as amended by Councillor Jack Cohen was declared carried.

RESOLVED - Council urges the government to introduce safeguards that will protect suburbia when making changes to what is allowed by permitted development.

Council note in particular that the Planning and Environment Committee at its latest meeting unanimously voiced its opposition to the Government Proposals to permit house extension up to 8 meters without the need for planning permission. Council notes that other councils such as Richmond and such as Sutton are already drawing up plans to circumvent proposed regulations as well as openly opposing these Government proposals. Council therefore requests that the Chief Executive writes to the relevant Secretary of State on behalf of the Council opposing these changes to permitted development

Councillor Pauline Coakley Webb moved the Non-Executive Business Item in her name. Councillors Dean Cohen and Andreas Ioannidis moved their amendments. In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 31.5, the item was voted on without discussion. 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 amendment in the name of Councillor Andreas Ioannidis was declared lost.  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 in Barnet with reference to the number of casualties from road traffic accidents there has been a sizeable reduction compared with the year before.

Council applauds the efforts of the Administration to improve road safety in the borough.

Council further urges the Administration to continue their good work in working closely with TFL to bring forward schemes such as the very successful and welcomed Henley’s corner scheme.

Council encourages the Administration to continue to bring forward what ever measures can reasonably be applied in improving road safety in the borough.

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 31.5 Councillor Arjun Mittra requested that his item be referred directly to Cabinet. As the item related to matters concerning the Street Scene and Environment, it was deemed more appropriate that it is instead referred to the Finchley and Golders Area Environment Sub-Committee.

RESOLVED - Council notes with sadness the passing of Finchley legend Horace White whose funeral this month was attended by over 400 people.

Council asks Cabinet to fund and deliver a fitting tribute to Horace in the form of a Memorial Bench to be placed in an appropriate location in Finchley.

Councillor Pauline Coakley Webb moved the Non-Executive Business Item in her name.  In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 31.5, the item was voted on without discussion. 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 amendment in the name of Councillor Kath McGuirk was declared lost. Upon being put to the vote the amendment in the name of Councillor Robert Rams was declared carried.  Upon being put to the vote, the substantive Non-Executive Business Item as amended by Councillor Robert Rams was declared carried.

RESOLVED - Council notes the extraordinary events that have unfolded since the Conservative administration closed Friern Barnet Library in April due to financial problems caused by the previous government.

Notes;

·                     Over 4,300 residents signing a “re-open Friern Barnet Library” petition.  

·                     The failure of the administration to open a Landmark Library at the artsdepot that was supposed to be a replacement Library for Friern Barnet residents.  

·                     The occupation of the Library by campaigners who have re-built the book stock from donations from the public and are opening the Library to the community.  

·                     The Library campaigners making it known to the Council that they want a Library in Friern Barnet.

Council thanks officers for all their hard work for trying to make the Library in the Artsdepot happen but highlights its frustration towards the Artsdepot organisation who were initially very welcoming to the project but for some reason changed their mind.

Furthermore the Council is disappointed in the financial situation left by the previous government which means we have to make tough choices for our library service but welcomes the investment in new stock, that we are opening our libraries for longer and will make every primary school child a member of our library service.

Council further notes what is happening in other library services across London;

Barking and Dagenham have closed three libraries and by April 2014 will only have two council run libraries.

Brent have closed 6 Libraries.

Ealing have cut their opening hours by 9%

Islington have cut their opening hours by 11%.

And is pleased that we have not let this happen in Barnet.

Council welcomes the investment that is now going to happen in North Finchley Library.

Councillor Andrew Strongolou moved the Non-Executive Business Item in his name.  In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 31.5, the item was voted on without discussion. 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 Jack Cohen was declared lost. Upon being put to the vote, the Non-Executive Business Item was declared carried.

RESOLVED - Council is pleased that the procurement process for NSCSO is going so well and looks forward to an early conclusion.

Councillor John Marshall moved the Non-Executive Business Item in his name.  In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 31.5, the item was voted on without discussion. 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 Non-Executive Business Item was declared carried.

RESOLVED - Council welcomes the announcement by George Osborne that the Government will fund a freezing of Council Tax in 2013-14, which will be the fifth consecutive zero increase in Barnet. This will benefit in particular pensioners and hard working families.

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 31.5 Councillor Julie Johnson requested that her item is referred directly to Cabinet.

RESOLVED - Household energy bills have increased by around £200 in the last two years, and given the imminent onset of the cold weather Council asks Cabinet to urgently consider ways it can assist Barnet residents affected by fuel poverty – particularly the elderly and vulnerable.

Councillor Anita Campbell moved the Non-Executive Business Item in her name.  In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 31.5, the item was voted on without discussion. Upon being put to the vote the amendment in the name of Councillor David Longstaff was declared carried. Upon being put to the vote, the substantive Non-Executive Business Item as amended by Councillor Longstaff was declared carried.

RESOLVED – Council acknowledges that all local Councillors, of all parties who represent the areas adjacent to Stirling Corner are in agreement that further safety measures need to be implemented.

Council notes that on May 1^st, 2012 the residents of Arkley organised a ‘Meet your Local Representatives’ evening. The Conservative councillors of High Barnet and Underhill, along with the MP for Chipping Barnet and two members of the local Police Safer Neighbourhood Team met with residents. Those present agreed to pursue extended hours of operation for the Stirling Corner traffic lights. The Conservative local councillors then contacted the new GLA member, the new Cabinet Member and the interim Director of Environment, Planning and Regeneration in pursuit of this request.

Council asks the Cabinet Member to further pursue discussions with Hertsmere Council and Transport for London for urgent safety improvements to take place; and to look at the following:

·         Extended hours of traffic light operation

·         Safer pedestrian crossing

·         Safety measures for cyclists

• Safety for cars joining the roundabout from Barnet Lane, Barnet Road and Stirling Way.

the issue is about joining the roundabout, not leaving it; and adding Stirling Way, which is the service road for Morrisons and Screwfix et al where traffic movements have increased.

Council asks the Leader to support this request and sign a cross party letter including the Chipping Barnet MP, Cabinet Member, the local councillors concerned and the GLA Member asking the Mayor of London for action.

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Councillor Melvin Cohen moved adoption and reception of the report. Councillor further moved that the report be amended to reflect that Councillor Andrew Harper was present at the meeting.

RESOLVED – Council approved the report of the Constitution, Ethics and Probity Committee date 22 October 2012.

1.      APPOINTMENT OF INTERIM CHIEF EXECUTIVE/ INTERIM HEAD OF PAID SERVICE:

RESOLVED – That the appointment of Mr. Andrew Travers as Interim Head of Paid Service be confirmed, with effect from 3 December 2012.

2.      APPOINTMENT OF SECTION 151 OFFICER

RESOLVED – That Council note;.

 (1)       Mr. Chris Naylor is appointed as the Chief Operating Officer (Director of Finance/Section 151 Officer) effective 7 January 2012

 (2)       Mr. John Hooton is appointed as acting Section 151 Officer for the period 3 December 2012 to 7 January 2013 (i.e. for the period when the interim Chief Executive takes up his post on 3 December 2012 and when the            newly appointed Chief Operating Officer (Director of Finance / Section 151 Officer) takes up post on 7 January 2013.)

3.      CHANGES TO COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP

Budget and Performance Overview and Scrutiny Committee

·         Councillor Anthony Finn replaces Councillor Brian Coleman as a Member of the Committee.

RESOLVED – That the above change to the membership of the Budget and Performance Overview and Scrutiny Committee be approved by Council.

4.            CHANGES TO COMMITTEE CHAIRMANSHIP AND VICE-CHAIRMANSHIP

Budget and Performance Overview and Scrutiny Committee

·         Councillor Anthony Finn to replace Councillor Brian Coleman as Chairman of the Committee.

          Pension Fund Committee

·         Councillor Mark Shooter to replace Councillor Anthony Finn as Chairman of the Committee.

·         Councillor Anthony Finn to replace Councillor Mark Shooter as Vice-Chairman of the Committee.

            RESOLVED – That the above changes to Committee Chairmanship and Vice-Chairmanship be approved by Council.

5.      CHANGES TO APPOINTMENTS TO OUTSIDE BODIES

North London Waste Authority

·         Councillor Daniel Thomas to replace Councillor Brian Coleman as a Council representative on the North London Waste Authority.

RESOLVED – That the above change to the Council’s representation on the North London Waste Authority be approved by Council.

6.      CHANGES TO SUB-COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP

Chipping Barnet Area Environment Sub-Committee

·         Councillor Richard Cornelius replaces Councillor Brian Coleman as a substitute Member of the Sub-Committee.

East  Area Planning Sub-Committee

·         Councillor Richard Cornelius replaces Councillor Brian Coleman as a substitute Member of the Sub-Committee.

RESOLVED – That Council note that the proposed changes to Sub-Committee membership will be reported to the next meeting of the Planning and Environment Committee for approval

7.      ADDITIONAL COMMITTEE MEETINGS:

         NSCSO

         DRS

RESOLVED – That Council approve that the additional meetings listed above be added to the calendar of the meetings

8.      NOTICE THAT COUNCILLOR BRIAN COLEMAN HAS CEASED TO BE A MEMBER OF THE CONSERVATIVE GROUP

RESOLVED - Council is asked to note that Councillor Brian Coleman has, until  ...  view the full minutes text for item 61.

RESOLVED - Council is asked to note the decision of the First Tier Tribunal General Regulatory Tribunal (Local Government Standards in England) and that the sanction imposed by the Standards Sub-Committee has been compiled with.

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