Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Melvin Cohen, AlonOr Bach, Reema Patel and Amy Trevethan.

The Worshipful the Mayor was present.

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

There were none.

The minutes of the meeting of 8 December 2015 were agreed as a correct record.

Students from JCoSS, the Wren Academy and St Mary Church of England School were welcomed to the Council meeting by the Worshipful the Mayor.

The Worshipful the Mayor announced that it was with deep sadness and greatest sympathies he had to advise that Cllr Alison Moore’s father recently passed away; John Moore at the age of 91.

The Worshipful the Mayor announced the birth of a grandson to the Chaplain Dayan Yonason, in Israel, and wished him Mazel Tov.

The Worshipful the Mayor noted that Barnet recently marked Holocaust Memorial Day with a service held at Middlesex University. It was noted that around 300 people attended the event, including many Barnet councillors, and there were some very moving and poignant words spoken by those in attendance, including by the Chief Executive of the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust, Olivia Marks-Woldman, Joshua Castellino, Professor of Law and Dean of the School of Law at Middlesex University, and students from JCoSS.

It was noted that a number of Barnet residents who are holocaust survivors had been honoured in the New Years honours list this year. Lily Ebert, of Golders Green received the British Empire Medal (BEM), Susan Pollack, from Temple Fortune, received an MBE for her services to Holocaust Education and awareness, and Agnes Grunwald-Spier, of Golders Green, former Trustee of the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust also received an MBE. The survivors were congratulated at a tea party at the Holocaust Survivors Centre in Hendon, which the Worshipful the Mayor attended earlier in the month. It was further noted that the Worshipful the Mayor had attended a Holocaust Memorial Service at City Hall earlier that day, which was also attended by Boris Johnson. It was noted there were some moving speeches by Holocaust survivors as well as two young students from the borough who had recently visited Auschwitz.

The Worshipful the Mayor thanked everyone who promoted applications to the Civic Awards over the last month, noting that a very large number of applications had been received, and that the results would be announced shortly. Members were requested to note that there was a revised date for the Civic Awards which would now take place on Tuesday 12 April 2016.

The Worshipful the Mayor invited as many people as possible to sign up to the Mayor of Barnet's Community Challenge taking place on Sunday 13 March. It was noted there was the option to take part in either a 20-mile cycle ride around the borough or a three-mile walk or run around the Copthall site to raise money for the Mayor's charities. The Worshipful the Mayor further reminded that his Gala Charity Dinner would be held on 7 April and that tickets were selling out fast.

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.

There were none.

There were none.

There were none.

Councillor Shimon Ryde left the Chamber at the start of consideration of this item.

The Chief Executive introduced the report.

The recommendations as set out in the report were put to the vote, and were declared carried.

RESOLVED –

1.    That Council agree to be a party to the Inter Authority Agreement (IAA) and to authorise the Commissioning Director - Environment, following consultation with the Chief Operating Officer and the Leader to agree the final form of the IAA on the basis set out in this report.

2.    That Council agree to the introduction of Menu Pricing and to authorise the Commissioning Director - Environment, following consultation with the Chief Operating Officer and the Leader to agree the final form of Menu Pricing, on the basis set out in this report.

3.    That Council note that the Chief Operating Officer shall be nominated in the IAA as the Council’s Representative for the purposes of the IAA and shall discharge that responsibility either personally or by a nominated deputy as appropriate.

The Chief Executive introduced the report. Debate ensued.

The recommendations as set out in the report were put to the vote, and were declared carried.

RESOLVED –

1.    That the recommendation of the London Councils Leaders’ Committee for an overall level of expenditure of £10,486,000 in 2016/17, involving total borough contributions of £9,000,000 and a levy on Barnet of £373,835, be approved.

2.    That the Director of Resources be instructed to inform the Chief Executive of London Councils accordingly.

The Head of Governance introduced the report and the supplemental report.

The recommendations as set out in Appendices A, B, B1, C and C1 were put to the vote, and were declared carried.

It was noted there were amendments to recommendations 4 and 5 in the Head of Governance report which had been published as Appendix D1. Councillor Geof Cooke moved an amendment to Appendix D1 as follows:

That Recommendation 2 of Appendix D1 be replaced with:

2.    Note that any further variations to the Council calendar will be made by the Head of Governance in consultation with the Chairman of the General Functions Committee and the Leaders of the main Political Parties as agreed by Council on 20 October 2015, and requests that Constitution, Ethics & Probity Committee report back to Council with recommendations to change the Constitution accordingly.

Debate ensued. The amendment in the name of Councillor Cooke was put to the vote and was declared carried.

The substantive recommendations as amended by Councillor Cooke’s amendment were then put to the vote and were declared carried.

RESOLVED –

1.    That Council note the changes to the Calendar of Meetings 2015/16 in Appendix A

2.    That the Monitoring Officer  in consultation with the Chairman of the Constitution, Ethics and Probity Committee be delegated the power to appoint an existing Independent Member of the previous Group Leaders Panel as Chairman to the Standards Committee, should the need arise prior to the appointment of a pool of Independent Persons.

3.    That Council approve changes to Council Constitution Contract Procedure Rules as attached in Appendix C1.

4.    That Council approve the Calendar of Meetings 2016/17 and 2017/18 as attached, subject to an amendment to change the dates of the Children Education Libraries and Safeguarding Committee from 9 January 2017 and 8 January 2018 to 17 January 2017 and 16 January 2018 respectively.

5.    That Council note that any further variations to the Council calendar will be made by the Head of Governance in consultation with the Chairman of the General Functions Committee and the Leaders of the main Political Parties as agreed by Council on 20 October 2015, and requests that Constitution, Ethics & Probity Committee report back to Council with recommendations to change the Constitution accordingly.

There were none.

The Worshipful the Mayor moved under Council Procedure Rules 7.1 and 7.2 for the Suspension of Full Council Procedure Rule 2(14) to ask Council to agree to take a joint motion in the names of Councillor Reuben Thompstone and Councillor Anne Hutton. The suspension of Council Procedure Rules was duly agreed, and debate ensued.

Council voted on the joint motion, and the motion was duly carried.

RESOLVED –

Barnet’s Corporate Parenting Pledge

Council recognises that councillors are, individually and collectively, Corporate Parents to all children and young people in care in the London Borough of Barnet. Council notes our special responsibility for those in our care and takes most seriously our role in championing their needs and protecting them from harm.

Council believes the safeguarding of young people to be among the primary functions of the council and a key part of our duties as councillors. Council, therefore, reaffirms our commitment to improving the lives of children in care and care leavers in the borough, by working across the council, with partners and with the young people themselves.

To demonstrate this renewed commitment, Council notes, welcomes, and subscribes to, the following Corporate Parenting Pledge, which sets out what we offer as Corporate Parents and what we expect from our young people in return.

Council notes that the themes around which the Pledge is based were the result of an extensive engagement process involving those in our care and what they told us was important to their prospects and wellbeing.

As Corporate Parents we want to support you to achieve the best in your childhood, adolescence and adulthood. As with all parents we know we won’t always get things right, but we pledge to do our best.

A Good Education

• We, your Corporate Parents, pledge that;

• I, the child or young person, pledge that;
  • I will do my very best to take advantage of the education, training or employment that is provided.
  • I will speak to my social worker, personal assistant, teacher, the Virtual  ...  view the full minutes text for item 14.1

Councillor John Hart moved the Motion in his name. Debate ensued.

Votes were taken on the Motion in the name of Councillor John Hart, and the motion was declared carried.

RESOLVED –

Campaign for a cleaner Barnet

Council notes that the quality of Barnet’s environment, its neighbourhoods and open spaces is among our most distinguishing and popular features.

However, Council notes that, despite the best efforts of hard-working council staff and conscientious residents, levels of grime and litter in parts of the borough are greater than they should be.

Council recognises that keeping our borough clean and tidy is the responsibility of the whole community, from individuals and businesses to the council itself. Council believes that Barnet works best when it works together.

Council notes these ideas and values are at the heart of the ‘Clean for the Queen’ campaign being run in partnership between Country Life and Keep Britain Tidy. The campaign notes the nationwide increases in litter and pledges to the give the country a thorough spring-clean ahead of Her Majesty’s much anticipated 90th Birthdaycelebrations.

Council notes the thousands of volunteers across the country who have signed up for the big clean weekend from 4th-6th March and resolves that Barnet should take part in this initiative, in order to improve some of the borough’s grot-spots and to show our gratitude for the Queen’s committed service to the nation. Council calls on officers to organise Barnet’s involvement, including bidding for one of the professional cleaning teams being dispatched to locations around the country.

Council believes, though, that we can go much further – using the impetus of this campaign to launch an on-going and wide-reaching scheme. Council believes we can all do more to look after our neighbourhoods and keep our local areas clean.

Council therefore encourages volunteers to get out and make a difference, even if just by looking after the area directly outside their own homes and, moreover, recognises that councillors should lead by example and be among the first out there involved. Council believes that if we all do our little bit we can make a huge difference to the look and feel of the borough.

The council will promote, support and facilitate this where possible. It will also take more direct action. Council notes the work being undertaken to maximise the efficiency and effectiveness of street cleansing activities and calls on officers to continue to think innovatively to deliver the best outcomes for residents.

Council also believes it is right to explore how those required to perform community service or community payback can be utilised to help keep the borough clean.

Finally, Council welcomes the forthcoming enforcement policy, initially requested by frontline staff, which sends the message that we are all individually responsible for the litter and mess we create and which should act as a deterrent to those who cause the untidiness.

Council therefore calls upon officers to progress the suggestions set out in this motion and bring forward  ...  view the full minutes text for item 14.2

Councillor Geof Cooke moved the amendment in his name. Debate ensued.

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

For: 30

Against: 28

Abstain: 0

Absent: 5

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:                 28

Against:         30

Abstain:          0

Absent:           5

TOTAL:           63

The motion was declared to be lost.

There were none.