Agenda and minutes

Venue: Hendon Town Hall, The Burroughs, London NW4 4BQ

Contact: Salar Rida 020 8359 7113 Email: salar.rida@barnet.gov.uk 

Items
No. Item

1.

Minutes of last meeting pdf icon PDF 27 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Chairman of the Community Leadership Committee, Councillor David Longstaff welcomed the Committee Members to the meeting.

 

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 11 March 2015 and 14 April 2015 both be agreed as a correct record.

 

2.

Absence of Members (If any)

Minutes:

Apologies received from Councillor Lisa Rutter who was substituted by Councillor Brian Salinger.

3.

Declaration of Members' Disclosable Pecuniary interests and Non Pecuniary interests (If any)

Minutes:

Councillor Arjun Mittra declared a non-pecuniary interest in relation to Agenda Item 13 (Grants) by virtue of being a Member of Friern Barnet Community Library.

 

Councillor Nagus Narenthira declared a non-pecuniary interest in relation to Agenda Item 13 (Grants) by virtue of being a Member of Hanuman Community Centre.

 

Councillor Graham Old declared a non-pecuniary interest in relation to Agenda Item 13 (Grants) by virtue of being a Board Member of Edward Harvist Charity Trust.

 

Councillor Brian Salinger declared a non-pecuniary interest in relation to Agenda Item 13 (Grants) by virtue of his spouse being a Member of the Barnet Multi Faith Forum.

 

 

 

4.

Report of the Monitoring Officer (If any)

Minutes:

None.

5.

Public Comments and Questions (If any)

Minutes:

None were received.

6.

Members' Items (If any)

Minutes:

None.

7.

Introducing the new Local Infrastructure Organisation (LIO) arrangements pdf icon PDF 325 KB

Minutes:

The Chairman welcomed Katrina Baker, Area Manager of Groundwork London, Adam Goldstein and Julie Pal of CommUnity Barnet to join the meeting.

 

The Community Engagement, Participation & Strategy Lead introduced the item and noted the aim to build on the successful work of the Voluntary and Community Sector Development Partners. It was further noted that following consultation the contract was split into four slots, and that each slot was won as follows:

·         Lot 1: Empowering Local Communities and Volunteering (won by Groundwork London)

·         Lot 2: Voluntary Sector Support and Representation and Communication (won by CommUnity Barnet)

·         Lot 3: Safeguarding Children and Young People (won by CommUnity Barnet)

·         Lot 4: Insight and Database (won by Groundwork London)

 

The Committee received a joint presentation from Ms Baker and Ms Pal on the work undertaken by both Groundwork and CommUnity Barnet.

 

The Area Manager of Groundwork briefed the Committee on the details of the priorities and strategic objectives of the organisation and the work undertaken to deliver and support volunteering services. Ms Baker also informed the Committee about the importance of good partnership working and the development of the Volunteering services Database. 

 

CEO of CommUnity Barnet, Ms Julie Pal and Mr Adam Goldstein, Co-Chair of CommUnity Barnet briefed the Committee about the strategy of the organisation to help empower the local voluntary sector.

 

The Chairman thanked all attendants and commended the presentations and the verbal update provided to the Committee. The Chairman also noted the importance of the work undertaken to strengthen the links between the Council and the voluntary and community sector.  

 

Having been put to the vote, the Committee unanimously:

 

RESOLVED that the Committee notes the presentations from the two providers and comments on the support the Committee, and the Council more generally, can offer their work.

 

For

11

Against

0

Abstentions

0

 

8.

Update on the Council's new statutory duties, Council's progress and future partnership work on the 'Prevent' agenda pdf icon PDF 339 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Chairman introduced the item which set out the update on the Council’s response to implement the new statutory duty introduced under the Counter Terrorism and Security Act 2015.

 

The Safer Communities Strategic Lead, Kiran Vagarwal briefed the Committee about the new statutory duty for Local Authorities to ‘have due regard to’ in the exercise of its functions, to prevent people from being drawn to terrorism, as set out in the Counter Terrorism and Security Act 2015. 

 

Ms Vagarwal informed the Committee about the requirements on the Council in response to the statutory duty under the Counter Terrorism and Security Act 2015 and the planned initiatives as set out in Appendix One to the report which includes:

·         A programme of training for staff to raise awareness of Prevent

·         Single point of contact for referrals

·         Partnership working, links with other boards and the multi-agency action plan

·         Dialogue with community based organisations

·         Work towards draft action plan to respond to recommendations set out in CTLP



The Chairman moved to the vote. The Committee therefore

RESOLVED that

1.    The Committee note the new duty on Local Authorities to ‘have due regard, in the exercise of its functions, to prevent people from being drawn to terrorism’ and the challenges to implement this legislation highlighted in the report.

2.    The Committee note the action taken to date and the future partnership action.

 

*Votes were recorded as follows:

For

10

Against

0

Abstentions

0

*One Member was not present during the item

9.

Communities Together Network update pdf icon PDF 332 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Chairman introduced the report which presents the first annual report of Barnet’s Communities Together Network (CTN). The Committee noted that CTN has been established as a forum to operate at a proactive and reactive level in response to any emergency incidents.

 

The Committee RESOLVED to note the Communities Together Network Report 2014/15 and agree its publication on the Council’s website.

 

*Votes were recorded as follows:

For

10

Against

0

Abstentions

0

*One Member was not present during the item

10.

Police update pdf icon PDF 393 KB

Minutes:

The Chairman welcomed DCI Frankie Westoby to the meeting.

 

The Strategic Lead for Safer Communities, Kiran Vagarwal introduced the report which provides the Committee with an update on the partnership approach in response to Domestic Violence and Violence against Women and Girls (DV & VAWG).

 

DCI Westoby delivered a presentation on Domestic Violence and Hate Crime. The Committee received an update on the change in the way DV and Hate Crime is investigated and the test around necessity for arrest.

 

It was further noted that the Council currently commission the delivery of DV services which include refuge provision, advocacy and support for victims.

 

The Chairman commended the discussions and highlighted the importance of partnership working to deliver co-ordinated services to victims.

 

The Committee therefore RESOLVED that:

 

1.    The Committee note the progress and action taken by the Council and its partners to respond to DV & VAWG.

2.    The Committee note the role of Barnet Council in commissioning and delivering services to victims of DV & VAWG and delivering the DV and VAWG strategy.

3.    The Committee note the service review taking place to inform the re-commissioning of DV and VAWG services and the refresh of the DV and VAWG strategy.

4.    The Committee agree that the annual report on the progress of the DV and VAWG Strategy can be included in the annual update to the Committee by the Safer Communities Partnership Board.

 

 

*Votes were recorded as follows:

For

10

Against

0

Abstentions

0

*One Member was not present during the item

11.

Area Committees - Review of operations and funding pdf icon PDF 467 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Chairman welcomed the report on the review of Area Committees, operations and delegated budgets.

 

The Community Engagement, Participation & Strategy Lead introduced the item which sets out the findings of the review of the three Area Committees and Residents’ Forums and the recommendations for improving their working arrangements and the allocation of their budgets.

 

The Strategic Director for Environment Jamie Blake, informed the Committee about the recommendations contained in the report to address the issues around improving the operation of Area Committees and Residents’ Forums and to report updates on issues raised at Area Committees.

 

Following a query from the Committee, the Director of Strategy Stephen Evans, informed the Committee about the use of the CIL funding. The Committee noted that CIL is a planning charge that LA’s or the Mayor of London can set on new development to help pay for community infrastructure.

 

In response to a query from the Committee about the distribution of CIL funding, the Director of Strategy informed the Committee that CIL income varies year to year and area to area, depending on the number and size of developments which come forward in that area.

 

The Committee RESOLVED that:

 

1.    The Committee endorses the proposed measures to improve the operation of the Residents’ Forums and Area Committees (paragraphs 1.11-1.14)

2.    The Committee endorses the more formal and structured relationship between Area Committees and Theme Committees, particularly the Environment Committee (paragraphs 1.15-1.26).

3.    The Committee approved the proposed framework for allocating the Area Committee budgets from 2015/16 onwards (paragraphs 1.34-1.53).

4.    The Committee approves the proposed approach to considering projects and initiatives for Area Committee funding in 2015/16 and for 2016/17 onwards (paragraphs 1.37- 40, 1.49)

5.    The Committee supports the recommendation to Policy & Resources Committee on July 9 to allocate 15% of Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) income for their area to each Area Committee, capped at a total of £150,000 per Committee and aggregated in the first year of allocation from income received in 2013/14 and 2014/15; to be returned to the Council’s Capital Reserve for application towards borough-wide infrastructure priorities if not allocated by an Area Committee within two years, or spent within five years (paragraphs 1.41-1.43 and 5.2.4-5.2.11)

6.    The Committee supports the recommendation to each Area Committee on July 2 to allocate £17,000 of its available budget through the Corporate Grants programme, to ensure that a suitable level of grant funding remains available to resident groups who wish to bid for it (paragraphs 1.50-1.52 and 5.2.11-5.2.13)

 

*Votes were recorded as follows:

For

6

Against

0

Abstentions

4

*One Member was not present during the item

12.

Faith Covenant and Charter with the Voluntary Sector pdf icon PDF 345 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Committee noted the report and the Covenant and Charter attached to the report at Appendix A and Appendix B.

 

The Committee RESOLVED that:

 

1.    The Committee, on behalf of the 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.    The Committee 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 this report.

 

Immediately after the vote, ten Members of the Committee supported a referral of the decision to Full Council, in line with the provisions of the Council’s Constitution.

 

*Votes were recorded as follows:

For

10

Against

0

Abstentions

0

*One Committee Member was not present during the item

 

13.

Grants pdf icon PDF 352 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Committee noted the contents of the report and the grant applications by two not-for-profit organisations.

 

The Committee RESOLVED that, subject to the council’s Standard Conditions of Grant and the special conditions shown in the respective grant assessments enclosed:

(i)            A one-year start-up grant of £7,800 be awarded to Art Reach Barnet;

(ii)          A one-year start-up grant of £8,500 be awarded to Learning Through Horses.

 

*Votes were recorded as follows:

For

10

Against

0

Abstentions

0

*One Committee Member was not present during the item

14.

Committee Work Programme pdf icon PDF 313 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Committee noted the standing item on the agenda, the Forward Work Programme of the Community Leadership Committee for 2015/16.

 

The Committee RESOLVED that Committee consider and comment on the items included in the 2015/16 work programme.

 

*Votes were recorded as follows:

For

10

Against

0

Abstentions

0

*One Committee Member was not present during the item

15.

Any item(s) the Chairman decides are urgent

In line with the provisions under Section 7 Urgent Business of the Constitution Meeting Procedure Rules, the Chairman has decided to allow for an urgent item of business to be taken on the agenda in connection to a proposed demonstration on Saturday 4 July 2015.

 

 

 

 

Minutes:

The Chairman introduced the urgent item on the agenda in connection to a proposed demonstration due to take place on Saturday 4 July 2015. The Committee received a verbal update from DCI Frankie Westoby and Ms Vagarwal. 

 

DCI Frankie Westoby joined the table and informed the Committee about the mechanism in place in response to the proposed demonstration. DCI Westoby noted that the Public Order Branch of the Metropolitan Police will be considering the streams of information received and formulating a response on how this will be policed based on the most up-to-date information.

 

The Strategic Lead for Safer Communities informed that Street Scene, CCTV and Community Safety Teams will be co-ordinating a plan in consultation with the Police and that information will be assessed on a regular basis.

 

The Chairman moved a motion which was duly seconded and having been put to the vote became the substantive motion. The Committee therefore:

 

RESOLVED to note the update received from the Police and the Community Safety Team and to note the council’s actions in regards to Public Safety in connection to the proposed demonstration on Saturday 4 July 2015.

 

*Votes were recorded as follows:

For

10

Against

0

Abstentions

0

*One Committee Member was not present during the item