Agenda and minutes

There were none.

The Worshipful the Mayor was present.

The Mayor’s chaplain, Dayan Yonason Abraham, offered prayers.

Councillor Richard Cornelius made a general declaration on behalf of all Councillors that all the interests that are declared in the published Members register of Interests are taken as declarations of interest for this meeting.

The following interests were declared:

RESOLVED - That the minutes of the Annual Council meeting held on

13 May 2015 be agreed as a correct record.

The Worshipful the Mayor made the following announcements:

On behalf of Council, The Worshipful the Mayor noted he was pleased to announce the receipt of letters from Kensington Palace and Buckingham Palace acknowledging receipt of the Council’s letters congratulating the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and the Queen on the birth of the royal baby, Princess Charlotte. 

The Mayor noted he had attended three services since the last Council meeting:

·        The memorial service for the Hendon School Headteacher, Kevin McKellar;

·        The memorial service for the former MP for Chipping Barnet, Sydney Chapman; and

·        A memorial service at St. Paul’s Cathedral to commemorate the 10 year anniversary of the 7/7 London bombings.

He had also attended an event at the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham marking the 50th anniversary since the creation of the London Boroughs.  The event was attended by the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh. 

The Worshipful the Mayor noted he had attended a farewell service for Reverend Colin Smith, the Methodist Superintendent for Barnet from 2001 – 2015.  

The Worshipful the Mayor requested Council join him in congratulating Father John Hawkins of West Hendon who has been appointed Archdeacon of Hampstead.

The Worshipful the Mayor requested Council join him in congratulating Saracens who won the rugby world premiership title on 30^th May.

In relation to procedural matters, the Worshipful the Mayor made the following points:

He was proposing to take the break slightly earlier this evening prior to the consideration of all of the committee referrals and reports.  He would aim to conclude all of the business by 10pm.

Council was asked to note that the Housing Committee took decisions on 29th June to refer both the Housing Strategy and Housing Rents Policy to Council.

Subsequently, on 8th July, the Chancellor announced that social rents will be subject to a reduction of 1% per annum for the next 4 years.

The Council had received advice from the Department for Communities and Local Government on the implications of this policy, which was being included in current draft legislation. As a result officers have advised that the approach to increasing the supply of affordable housing and associated targets in the draft Housing Strategy will need to be reconsidered. In addition the Housing Rents Policy proposed in the draft Housing Strategy will not be possible to implement.

In view of this, the Worshipful the Mayor proposed that the Housing Strategy and Housing Rents Policy are not presented to Council on 28th July, and that the Housing Committee is asked to reconsider the Council’s approach on these matters.

Council were advised there were typographical errors on the headings of the published Motions the names of Cllr Levine, Cllr Sargeant and Cllr McGuirk. It was noted these were in fact Opposition Motions.

With regard to Petitions, Worshipful the Mayor moved that Council suspend Council Procedure Rule 2.1, Part 3, 9 and Public Participation and Engagement Rules 6.10 to allow two petitions to be considered at the same meeting,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

Councillor Alison Moore MOVED under Council Procedure Rules 7.1 and 7.2 that Council Procedure Rules 2.1 and 23.1 be suspended to allow for the debate of an urgent motion in the name of Councillor Gill Sargeant. The motion was duly seconded and agreed.

RESOLVED - That Council Procedure Rules 2.1 and 23.1 be suspended to allow for the debate of an urgent motion in the name of Councillor Gill Sargeant.

The Worshipful the Mayor then put to the vote whether Council agreed to suspend Full Council Procedure Rule 2(14), to allow the opposition to debate two motions, which was duly agreed.  The Worshipful the Mayor noted that the emergency motion would be considered directly before the other motions on the agenda in Part 4 (Business for Debate).

RESOLVED – That Council suspend Full Council Procedure Rule 2(14).

There was none.

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

Council Procedure Rules allow for only one petition to be heard in a Council meeting. For 2 petitions to be heard, leave of full Council is required to suspend Standing Orders.

Details of the procedure to be followed at the meeting

are set below:

1. Lead Petitioner is given up to five minutes to

present the petition

2. Council Members have an opportunity to ask

questions of the Lead Petitioner then debate

the item.

3. The relevant Committee Chairman will respond

to the issues raised in the petition and outline

the decision route (if any) he/she proposes to

take

A representative for the lead petitioner, Ms Philippa Whitecross, addressed Council.

The following Members asked a question of the lead petitioner:

·        Councillor Brian Salinger;

·        Councillor Nagus Narenthira;

·        Councillor Maureen Braun; and

·        Councillor Ross Houston.

The Leader responded to the issues raised in a closing address.

RESOLVED – That the petition be noted.           

The lead petitioner, Ms Jasmine Parsons, addressed Council.

The following Members asked a question of the lead petitioner:

·        Councillor Brian Salinger;

·        Councillor Adam Langleben;

·        Councillor John Hart; and

·        Councillor Ross Houston.

The Chairman of the Assets Regeneration and Growth Committee responded to the issues raised in a closing address.

RESOLVED – That the petition be noted.

There were none.

Councillor David Longstaff moved reception and adoption of the recommendations set out in the report from the Community Leadership Committee. Debate ensued.

Upon being put to the vote the recommendations in the report of the Community Leadership Committee were declared carried.

RESOLVED -

1. That Council adopts the All Parliamentary Party Covenant for Engagement between Faith Communities and Local Authorities, endorses its principles and authorises officers to carry out the planned actions under the five commitments, set out in paragraphs 1.10 to 1.14 of this report. 

2. That Council notes and endorses the planned actions to further develop and mainstream use of the Council’s Charter with the Voluntary Sector, as set out in paragraph 1.17 of the report.

Councillor Daniel Thomas introduced the report and moved reception and adoption. Councillor Ammar Naqvi moved his amendment. Debate ensued.

The amendment in name of Councillor Ammar Naqvi was put to the vote. Votes were recorded as follows:

For:          31

Against:    32

Abstain:     0

Absent:      0

TOTAL:    63

The amendment was declared lost.

The recommendations as set out in the report were put to the vote. Votes were declared as follows:

For:         32

Against:    0

Abstain:  31

Absent:     0

TOTAL:   63

The recommendations in the report were declared carried.

RESOLVED -

1.    That Council note the  responses to the public advertising of the Council’s intended appropriation of the Site as shown edged red on drawing number 23839 to planning purposes under Section 122 (2A) Local Government Act 1972: and

2.    That, subject to planning consent being granted for (1) the temporary school as shown edged green on drawing number 23839/2  and (2) the permanent free school on the Site, Council approves the  appropriation of the Site pursuant to S122 (1) of the Local Government Act 1972 for the above planning purposes.

3.    That, subject to planning consent being granted for the temporary school, Council approves the grant of a Tenancy at Will to the Bellevue Place Education Trust for the temporary school.

4.    That Council note the  additional response to the public advertising of the Council’s intended appropriation of the Site as shown edged red on drawing number 23839 to planning purposes under Section 122 (2A) Local Government Act 1972

5.    That Council note the amendment to paragraph 3.1 of the main report as detailed below.

The following words highlighted should be included at the beginning of the second sentence as follows:

“The three current objections received as a result of the public advertising”….        

6.    That Council agree to  delegate authority to the Chief Operating Officer in consultation with the Chairman of the Assets Regeneration and Growth Committee to make such determinations as shall be required in relation to any objections to the public notice advertising the proposed disposal of the Site to the Trust pursuant to s 233(4) of the TCPA; and

7.    That Council agree to delegate authority to the Chief Operating Officer in consultation with the Chairman of the Assets Regeneration and Growth Committee to negotiate and finalise the terms of the 125-year academy lease to the Trust, together with any ancillary or related legal documentation.

Councillor John Marshall introduced the report and moved reception and adoption. Councillor Alison Moore moved her amendment. Debate ensued.

A vote was taken on part 1 of the amendment in name of Councillor Alison Moore. Votes were recorded as follows:

For:           31

Against:    32

Abstain:    0

Absent:     0

TOTAL:     63

The amendment was declared lost.

A vote was taken on part 2a of the amendment in name of Councillor Alison Moore. Votes were recorded as follows:

For:           31

Against:    32

Abstain:    0

Absent:     0

TOTAL:     63

The amendment was declared lost.

A vote was taken on part 2b of the amendment in name of Councillor Alison Moore. Votes were recorded as follows:

For:          31

Against:    32

Abstain:     0

Absent:      0

TOTAL:    63

The recommendations as set out in the report were put to the vote. Votes were declared as follows:

For:         32

Against:    31

Abstain:  0

Absent:     0

TOTAL:   63

The recommendations in the report were declared carried.

RESOLVED –

1.      That Council approve the recommendations contained in the report from the Constitution Ethics & Probity Committee at Annexe 1A, and the track change versions attached at Appendix A to Appendix I

2.      That the Monitoring Officer be authorised to implement these revisions and publish a revised Constitution.

Councillor Dean Cohen introduced the report and moved reception and adoption. Councillor Alan Schneiderman moved his amendment. Debate ensued.

The amendment in the name of Councillor Alan Schneiderman was put to the vote, and votes were recorded as follows:

For:          31

Against:    32

Abstain:     0

Absent:      0

TOTAL:    63

The amendment was declared lost.

Upon the recommendations as set out in the report being put to the vote, the recommendations were declared carried.

RESOLVED –

1.    That Council notes the powers granted to it under the London Local Authorities and Transport for London Act 2003, regarding Civil Enforcement of Moving Traffic Contraventions.

2.    That Council approve that the enforcement responsibility is transferred from the Police to the Traffic Authority (the Council) and that the Council will use the London Local Authorities and Transport for London Act 2003 (LLA & TfL Act 2003) to take on the Civil Enforcement of certain moving vehicle contraventions (Moving Traffic Contraventions, MTC) with an anticipated ‘Appointed Day’ of 1 January 2016.

Councillor Daniel Thomas introduced the report and moved reception and adoption. Debate ensued.

Upon the recommendations as set out in the report being put to the vote, the recommendations were declared carried.

RESOLVED – That Council notes the proposed Responses to Representations in Appendix B and adopts the Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) (attached at Appendix A). 

Councillor Daniel Thomas introduced the report and moved reception and adoption. Debate ensued.

Upon the recommendations as set out in the report being put to the vote, the recommendations were declared carried.

RESOLVED –

1.    That Council note the work being undertaken to develop an Economic Prosperity Board across west London.

2.    That Council

a)    approve the functions and procedure rules for the West London Economic Prosperity Board

b)   set up the section 102 Joint Committee and appoint the member and substitute member to sit on it

c)    amend the constitution to reflect the governance arrangements of the West London Economic Prosperity Board.

3.    That Council instructs officers to develop proposals on a referral mechanism for the joint committee, in consultation with the chair of the Constitution, Ethics and Probity Committee, to be agreed at the next Council meeting on 20 October 2015.

4.    That Council delegate responsibility to the Chief Executive Officer, inconsultation with the Leader, to incorporate and clear any minor amendments to the functions and procedure rules made after 28 July 2015.

The Head of Governance introduced the report.

It was agreed that votes would be taken on Appendices A, D, E, and F together, and that separate votes be taken on Appendices B, C and E1, to be moved by the Group Secretaries.

Appendices A, D, E and F

The recommendations as set out in Appendices A, D, E and F of the report were put to the vote. The recommendations were declared carried.

RESOLVED – That Council

1.    Note the changes to the calendar of meetings contained in Appendix A.

2.    Approve the updated terms of reference for the Local Pensions Board, as set out at Appendix D1, and that the Monitoring Officer be delegated authority to make any further minor amendments following the first meeting of the Board on 29 July 2015.

3.    Approve the appointment of members to the Pensions Board as outlined in Appendix E

4.    Approve the appointment of Geraldine Chadwick to the Audit Committee, as Independent Member.

5.    Approve the replacement of Cllr Pauline Coakley Webb with Cllr Claire Farrier as member of the Adults and Safeguarding Committee.

6.    Note the designation of Davina Fiore as the Monitoring Officer

7.    Approve the amendment of the Constitution, Responsibility for Functions, Annex B (Scheme of Delegated Authority to Officers) as follows:

·        Responsibility for Functions, Annex B, Scheme of Delegated Authority to Officers -  Under “Delegated Authority to the Chief Operating Officer” delete the following provision: “The delivery of all assurance functions for the Council including the functions of the Corporate Anti-Fraud Team and Internal Audit” and allocate this to the Monitoring Officer.

Appendix C

The Conservative Group Secretary moved the Administration nominations for Appointments to School Governing Bodies as tabled in her name, and also moved:

1.    To defer nominations to:

·        Dollis Junior school…

·        Sachs Morasha Free school

·        St Joseph’s Catholic Primary

·        St Paul’s CE School, NW7

2.    To nominate Mr Michael Jordan for appointment to Barnet Early Years Alliance

The recommendations as moved were put to the vote. The recommendations were declared carried.

RESOLVED –

1.    That the following nominations to school governing bodies be approved

2.     That Mr Michael Jordan be appointed to Barnet Early Years Alliance.

3.     That nominations to the following be deferred:

·        Dollis Junior school

·        Sachs Morasha Free School

·        St Joseph’s Catholic Primary

·        St Paul’s CE School, NW7

Appendix B

The Conservative Group Secretary moved the Administration nominations for appointments to Outside Bodies as tabled in her name, and also moved to nominate Councillor Alison Cornelius for appointment to the Eleanor Palmer Trust.

The Labour Group Secretary moved the Opposition nominations as tabled in his name.

Upon the Conservative Group nominations being put to the vote, the votes were declared as follows:

For:                 32

Against:          30

Abstain:          1

Absent:  ...  view the full minutes text for item 15.1

RESOLVED - That Council note the action taken by the Monitoring Officer in granting the dispensation for this meeting as set out in the report.

FromCouncillor Anthony Finn

1.    As a recently appointed member of the North London Waste Authority, what are your first impressions as to the effectiveness of the organisation?

Response from Councillor Peter Zinkin, Council representative on the North London Waste Authority

In responding to the question I would like to note that, as has just been voted on, that Councillor Dean Cohen and I resigned today from the North London Waste Authority for reasons I will explain later but do go to the heart of the question about the efficiency of that body. Since being appointed I have visited the waste plant twice but I have also been with Councillor Dean Cohen and the Commissioning Director for Environment to the recycling centre where the blue bins are taken. I would like to reassure Councillors because we were asked by the Leader to visit this to check that the blue bins had done to them what was supposed to happen to them in terms of the mixed waste being separated, and I can assure Councillors that having seen the process that the substance put into the blue bin is separated, that it is separated very efficiently and to an extraordinarily high standard given the mix and volume of waste that actually goes to that facility. And that residents should be encourages to use the blue bins as it is a very efficient process.

The reason that we resigned was because as soon as we were appointed and the calendar came out it became clear that the meeting in September was one that neither Councillor Cohen nor I could attend, and despite strenuous efforts to persuade the North London Waste Authority to move that meeting so that there could be representation for Barnet they refused to do so and so the Councillors substituted members for that meeting who will be able to attend because it is an important meeting for the Authority.

2.       As an experienced member of the North London Waste Authority, what is your view with regards to the efficiency and effectiveness of the authority?

Response from Councillor Dean Cohen, Council representative on the North London Waste Authority

I won’t answer what Councillor Zinkin has just said, merely I certainly feel that the North London Waste Authority does need to look at tightening its belt to save money the same way as any other public bodies have and need to do.

Councillor Gill Sargeant moved the Motion in her name. Councillor Richard Cornelius moved his amendment. Debate ensued.

The amendment in name of Councillor Richard Cornelius was put to the vote. Votes were recorded as follows:

For:                 32

Against:          0

Abstain:          31

Absent:           0

TOTAL:           63

The amendment was declared carried, and became the substantive motion.

Council voted on the substantive motion as carried. The votes were declared as follows:

For:                 32

Against:          0

Abstain:          31

Absent:           0

TOTAL:           63

At least ten members called for a formal division on the voting.  Upon the vote being taken, the results of the division were declared as follows:

For:                 62

Against:          0

Abstain:          1

Absent:           0

TOTAL:           63

The motion was declared carried.

RESOLVED -Council notes the deep concern of Colindale Councillors that long standingplans to locate a community centre at Plot 8 in Grahame Park have beendropped because of the space required for the new council office block. Council therefore re-affirms its commitment to building a new community centre at the heart of the Grahame Park development in line with the agreed Masterplan and at the earliest opportunity.

The Conservative Group Secretary stated that of the three motions put forward by the Administration, the Administration had chosen to debate the motion in the name of Councillor Gabriel Rosenberg.

Councillor Gabriel Rosenberg moved the Motion in his name. Councillor Kath McGuirk moved her amendment. Debate ensued.

The amendment in name of Councillor Kath McGuirk was put to the vote. Votes were recorded as follows:

For:                 31

Against:          32

Abstain:          0

Absent:           0

TOTAL:           63

The amendment was declared lost.

Council voted on the Councillor Rozenberg’s motion, and the votes were declared as follows:

For:                 30

Against:          31

Abstain:          2

Absent:           0

TOTAL:           63

The motion was declared lost.

Under Meeting Procedure Rule 15.2, The Worshipful the Mayor moved that the time for transaction of business be extend to 10:30pm.

The Labour Group Secretary stated that of the two motions put forward by the Opposition, the Opposition had chosen to debate the motion in the name of Councillor Kathy Levine.

Councillor Kathy Levine moved the Motion in her name. Councillor Geof Cooke moved his amendment. Debate ensued.

The amendment in name of Councillor Geof Cooke was put to the vote. Votes were recorded as follows:

For:                 31

Against:          32

Abstain:          0

Absent:           0

TOTAL:           63

The amendment was declared lost.

Council voted on the Councillor Kath McGuirk’s motion, and the votes were declared as follows:

For:                 31

Against:          32

Abstain:          0

Absent:           0

TOTAL:           63

At least ten members called for a formal division on the voting.  Upon the vote being taken, the results of the division were declared as follows:

For:                 31

Against:          32

Abstain:          0

Absent:           0

TOTAL:           63

The motion was declared lost.

There were none.

The Worshipful the Mayor announced that in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 23.5 votes would be taken on the relevant remaining motions.

Administration Motion in the name of Councillor Helena Hart – Public Health Funding

Votes were taken on Councillor Barry’s Rawling’s amendment to the Motion in the name of Councillor Helena Hart. The votes were declared as follows:

For:                 31

Against:         32

Abstain:         0

Absent:          0

TOTAL:           63

The amendment was declared lost.

Votes were taken on the Motion in the name of Councillor Helena Hart. The votes were declared as follows:

For:                 63

Against:         0

Abstain:         0

Absent:          0

TOTAL:           63

The motion was declared carried.

RESOLVED – Council notes the Chancellor’s plan to eliminate the UK’s budget deficit during this Parliament and the mandate given for this at the General Election. Council believes that it is vital that the UK lives within its means to ensure a strong and stable economy and understands that this necessitates further reductions in our expenditure. In Barnet, we are far more advanced than most Local Authorities in planning ahead for future reductions in our revenue budget.

Council is, however, concerned by proposals for an in-year cut to Public Health funding. A £200m cut across the Country equates to about 7% of the total Public Health budget. It is unclear how this cut would be apportioned, but effected on a pro rata basis could see a reduction in excess of £1m for Barnet. This would create significant challenges. In addition, whilst increases in the prevalence of sexually transmitted diseases and TB further emphasise the necessity for vital preventative work, Barnet is already, per head, the third lowest funded Authority in London at the same time as experiencing rapid population growth in both young and older residents.

Council notes and welcomes the fact that the Leader has already written to the Chancellor, the Health Secretary and the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, arguing against a blanket cut.

Council understands that the upcoming Consultation now may consider how the cut should be implemented. Council calls on the Leader, the Chairman of the Health and Wellbeing Board and officers to continue lobbying (including via the consultation) for the protection of Barnet’s Public Health funding, with any cuts being weighted towards those Authorities which have historically and are currently far better funded on a per capita basis and away from our own already underfunded service.

Administration Motion in the name of Councillor Brian Salinger – Holocaust Memorial Centre

Council voted on the Motion in the name of Councillor Brian Salinger. The votes were declared as follows:

For:                 63

Against:         0

Abstain:         0

Absent:          0

TOTAL:           63

The motion was declared carried.

RESOLVED – Council congratulates the Government on the announcement made earlier this year that there will be a major Holocaust Memorial Centre set up in the UK. Council notes that the Leader has previously written to the Prime Minister welcoming this announcement and offering Barnet as a potential location. Council supports this  ...  view the full minutes text for item 21.