Agenda and minutes

The Mayor’s Chaplain offered prayer.

Apologies were received from Councillor Eva Greenspan and Councillor Kitty Lyons.

RESOLVED –

That the minutes of the meeting held on 2 June 2014 be approved as a correct record.

It was noted that dispensations may apply to consideration of item 14.1, subject to item 11.1 on the agenda (Supplementary Report of the Monitoring Officer – Special Dispensations – Disclosure of Pecuniary Interests).

The Worshipful the Mayor made the following announcements:

With regret, the Mayor announced the passing of Baroness Doreen Miller. Baroness Miller MBE was created a life peer on 14 October 1993 as Baroness Miller of Hendon, of Gore in the London Borough of Barnet.  Baroness Miller passed away on 21-Jun-2014. The Mayor attended the funeral on 26 June in a private capacity.

Dr Irene Hart wife of Councillor John Hart, passed away on 25 June 2014 after a long illness. The Mayor attended the funeral on 10 July in a private capacity.

The Chaplain offered a few words of condolence.

Congratulations were extended to Councillor Thompstone and his wife Dorothy on the birth of a son Thomas.

Congratulations were extended to Councillor Thomas who got married to Victoria in June.

James-Andrew Davis (Cllr Slocombe’s grandson) has become the first ever Britain to win the recent European Fencing Championship 2014 title in Strasbourg, France. It was hoped a presentation could be made to the next Council meeting if he is available, as he was currently abroad representing his country.

The Worshipful the Mayor stated that item 10 related to issues that have arisen since the Annual Council meeting. There was no other business arising from the last meeting.

VARIATION TO THE ORDER OF BUSINESS

The Worshipful the Mayor moved that under 6.2 of the Full Council Procedure Rules that the order of business be varied so that items 10.1, 10.2, 10.4 and 10.5 be taken as the next items of business.

The Leader, duly seconded, moved that under Rule 7.2 that Rule 22.2 of the Full Council Procedure Rules regarding the 6 month rule be suspended for Items 10.2, 10.4 and 10.5 only to allow reconsideration of issues related to the outcome of the Constitution, proportionality and committee allocations. Upon being put to the vote, the Motion was declared carried.

RESOLVED - That the 6 month rule be suspended for Items 10.2, 10.4 and 10.5 only to allow reconsideration of issues related to the outcome of the Constitution, proportionality and committee allocations. Upon being put to the vote, the Motion was declared carried.

There were none.

There was none.

Councillor Dean Cohen, Chairman of the Environment Committee, introduced the report.

RESOLVED – That Council agree the recommendations in the report as follows:

1.    That Environment Committee note the Policy and Resources Committee report as set out in Appendix A;

2.    That Environment Committee note the savings target of £5.9 million, and the allocation of the remaining budget gap of £2.5m;

3.    That Environment Committee agree membership of working group(s) to develop savings proposals;

4.    That Environment Committee agree to report back in the autumn with an agreed commissioning plan and savings proposals for inclusion in the Policy and Resources Committee meeting on 2 December 2014. 

5.    That Environment Committee note the service information packs included in Appendix B which provide some contextual information on budgets, past spend and performance data, contracts, customer and staffing data.

Votes were recorded as follows:

For: 31

Against: 0

Abstain: 30

Absent: 2

RESOLVED

That Council note the results of the Colindale Ward Election held on  Thursday 26 June 2014.

The Chief Executive introduced the item. Debate ensued. 

Councillor Alison Moore, seconded by Councillor Barry Rawlings, moved an amendment as follows:

To change the size of the following committees:

1. Reduce Policy & Resources to 11 seats

2. Increase to 11 seats the following committees:

·        Children, Education, Libraries & Safeguarding

·        Assets Regeneration & Growth

·        Adults & Safeguarding

·        Housing

·        Health Overview & Scrutiny

Votes were recorded as follows:

In favour: 29

Against: 31

Absent: 2

Abstentions: 0

The amendment in the name of Councillor Alison Moore was declared lost.

Council considered the report, and separate votes were taken on the recommendations.

RESOLVED:

1.    That Council agree that the Constitution be amended to incorporate the changes set out in this report and the track change versions attached at Appendix A to Appendix H.

Votes were recorded as follows:

In favour: 31

Against: 29

Absent: 2

Abstentions: 0

RESOLVED:

2.    That, subject to these amendments, the Council adopt its Constitution.

In favour: 31

Against: 29

Absent: 2

Abstentions: 0

The Chief Executive introduced the report. Debate ensued.

RESOLVED -That :

In so far as Committees and Sub Committees of Council have made any decisions since the annual Council meeting held on 2 June 2014, full Council now reaffirms all those decisions.

Votes were recorded as follows:

In favour: 31

Against: 30

Abstain: 0

Absent: 2

The Chief Executive introduced the report. Debate ensued.

Councillor Alison Moore moved an amendment, which was seconded by Councillor Barry Rawlings, as follows:

1.    Reduce Policy & Resources to 11 seats (Conservatives 6 / Labour 5)

2.    Increase to 11 seats (Conservatives 6 / Labour 5 ) the following committees:

·        Children, Education, Libraries & Safeguarding

·        Assets Regeneration & Growth

·        Adults & Safeguarding

·        Housing

·        Health Overview & Scrutiny

3.    Bring Health & Wellbeing Board into political balance with 3 seats (Conservatives 2 / Labour 1)

Votes were recorded as follows:

In favour: 29

Against: 31

Absent: 2

Abstentions: 0

The amendment was declared lost.

Council considered the recommendations in the report.

RESOLVED –

1.    That Council note the political balance of the Council is 32 Members of the Conservative Group; 30 Members of the Labour Group; 1 Liberal Democrat. 

2.    That Council agree the allocation of seats as set out in the table to this report in order to comply with the political balance regulations requiring seats to be allocated proportionately to the political groups represented on Council.

Votes were recorded as follows:

In favour: 31

Against: 29

Absent: 2

Abstentions: 0

The Worshipful the Mayor noted that recommendation 3 in the report, as below, would be dealt with under item 10.5 on the agenda:

3.    That Council determine whether it wishes to allocate a seat(s) to the member not part of a political group on such Committee as Council may determine.

The Worshipful the Mayor noted that there was one amendment to the schedules circulated. The Conservative Group have moved Dr Debbie Frost as Vice-Chairman of the Health and Well Being Board, not Cllr Rajput.

Councillor Joan Scannell moved the Conservative Group Membership nominations in her name.

Councillor Ammar Naqvi moved the Labour Group Membership nominations in his name.

RESOLVED – That the Memberships for the Committees and Sub-Committees be agreed.

The Worshipful the Mayor noted that there was contest for the roles of Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Chipping Barnet Area Committee, the Chipping Barnet Area Planning Committee, and the Chipping Barnet Residents Forum. Separate votes were taken on the nominations for the roles of Chairman and Vice-Chairman of those committees.

At least ten members called for a formal division on the voting on the Conservative Group nominations for the roles of Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Chipping Barnet Area Committee. Upon the vote being taken the results of the Division were declared as follows:

For: 31

Against: 29

Abstain: 1

Absent: 2

TOTAL: 63

RESOLVED – That the Conservative Group nominations for Chairperson and Vice-Chairman of the Chipping Barnet Area Committee be agreed to.

At least ten members called for a formal division on the voting on the Conservative Group nominations for the roles of Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Chipping Barnet Area Planning Committee. Upon the vote being taken the results of the Division were declared as follows:

The Chief Executive introduced the report, noting that an amendment in the name of Councillor Alison Moore had been circulated. Debate ensued.

At least ten members called for a formal division on the voting on Councillor Moore’s amendment. Upon the vote being taken the results of the Division were declared as follows:

For: 30

Against: 31

Abstain: 0

Absent: 2

TOTAL: 63

The amendment was declared lost.

RESOLVED – That Council

1.    Note the changes to the calendar of meetings contained in the table in the report.

2.    Agree 28th July 2014 as the date for the rescheduled     meetings of the Area Planning Committees

The Chief Executive introduced the report and supplemental report.

The Conservative Group Secretary, Councillor Joan Scannell, moved the Conservative Group nominations for the London Borough of Barnet representation on the North London Waste plan and Planning Members Groupin her name.

RESOLVED – That Councillor Melvin Cohen be appointed as the LBB representative on the North London Waste Planning, Planning Members Group and Councillor Braun as Deputy.

The Conservative Group Secretary, Councillor Joan Scannell, moved the Conservative Group nominations for the London Borough of Barnet representation on the North London Waste Authority in her name.

RESOLVED – That Councillor Mark Shooter be appointed as the LBB representative on the North London Waste Authority.

The Labour Group Secretary, Councillor Ammar Naqvi, moved the Labour Group nominations for the London Borough of Barnet representation on the Grahame Park Partnership Board

RESOLVED – That Councillors Gill Sargeant and Zakia Zubairi be appointed as representatives on the Grahame Park Partnership Board.

RESOLVED – That Council specifically delegates authority to the representatives and substitutes appointed to the London Councils Grants Committee on 2 June 2014 to act on its behalf in connection with the Grants Scheme.

The Chief Executive introduced the report.

RESOLVED – That Council approve the appointment of Mrs Marilyn Nathan as co-opted member to the Children, Education, Libraries and Safeguarding Committee, representing voluntary aided Jewish schools.

The Worshipful the Mayor introduced the Report of the Monitoring Officer: Scheme of Members Allowances 2014/15. Debate ensued. A separate vote was taken on each of the recommendations.

On recommendation 1 being put to the vote, votes were recorded as follows:

For: 31

Against: 0

Abstain: 30

Absent: 2

RESOLVED –

1             That Council have regard to the recommendations of the Independent       Panel on the Remuneration of Councillors in London as attached at          Appendix ‘A’.

2             That Council approve the Scheme of Members Allowances attached at Appendix ‘B’ covering the period 1 April 2014- 31 March 2015 and revokes the existing scheme.

3             The Council ratifies payments made to councillors between 31st March to the 3rd June 2014.

At 8.21pm the Worshipful the Mayor invoked Meeting Procedure Rules paragraph 8.2 to adjourn the meeting due to disruption. 

The meeting re-convened at 8.40pm.

The Chief Executive introduced the Supplemental Report of the Monitoring Officer: Dispensations – Disclosable Pecuniary Interests.

At least ten members called for a formal division on the voting on recommendation 1. Upon the vote being taken the results of the Division were declared as follows:

For: 31

Against: 30

Abstain: 0

Absent: 2

Supplementary Report of the Monitoring Officer

The chief executive introduced the supplementary report of the Monitoring Officer detailing applications received from Councillors for dispensations under s33 of the Localism Act 2011.

RESOLVED – That Council having considered those applications grant the requests for dispensations to remain, speak and vote on specified matters as set out in the report in paragraphs 2.4 and 3.1, with the dispensations being effective until the next Council elections for paragraph 2.4 and for this meeting only for paragraph 3.1.

On recommendation 2 being put to the vote, votes were recorded as follows:

For: 31

Against: 0

Abstain: 27

Absent: 2

RESOLVED – That  ...  view the full minutes text for item 10.9

There were 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.

The Worshipful the Mayor moved that time for transaction of business be extend to 10:30pm under Meeting Procedure rule 14.2.

The Conservative Group Secretary stated that of the two business items put forward by the Administration, the Administration had chosen to debate item 13.1.

Councillor Richard Cornelius moved the Administration Business item in his name. Debate ensued. Upon being put to the vote, the Administration Business item in the name of Richard Cornelius was declared carried. The votes were recorded as follows:

For: 31

Against: 30

Abstain: 0

Absent: 2

RESOLVED – Council notes that the council has saved over £70m from our budget since 2010 and welcomes the fact that, in doing so, we have been able to meet the funding challenge that we faced as a result of the financial crisis, growing demographic pressures and a substantial reduction in funding from central government.

Council recognises, though, that despite strong growth returning to Barnet and the economy as a whole, as result of the Conservative-led Coalition’s long-term economic plan, there are still demographic-related increases in service demand and a further necessity to cut local government funding to help remove the nation’s budget deficit. Council notes that both the Conservative Party and the Labour Party have indicated that significant reductions in spending will follow the 2015 General Election.

Council believes that we will be required to save a further £72m from the budget by 2020. Council notes that this target was accepted by both parties at the inaugural Policy and Resources Committee. Council welcomes that the new committee system will enable this consensus to be democratically expressed. Council believes that the system provides the scope for all

members to actively engage with the policy-making process. Council applauds the committees that have met for acknowledging the reality of the situation, unanimously agreeing their savings targets and, generally, beginning to work in a collegial manner.

Council further recognises that there remains a £20m budget gap, to be addressed in order to reach the £72m savings requirement, and calls upon committees and their working groups to give consideration to this in their work. In this spirit, Council calls upon all Members to think of, and work towards achieving, economies and cost savings in order both to meet our new financial challenge and protect the services we want to protect. Council calls on Members to keep this context in mind throughout the policy-making process and thus, similarly, not bring forward proposals to reverse policy without having identified an appropriate compensating saving.

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 23.5 Councillor Helena Hart moved the Administration Business item in her name, which was put the vote without discussion. Upon being put to the vote the item was declared carried.

RESOLVED - Council welcomes the recent launch of Outdoor Gyms in seven parks across the Borough and believes that, in conjunction with the nine Marked and Measured Routes installed earlier this year, they will help residents of all ages and abilities to keep fit and healthy. Council notes their introduction is part of the wider Fit and Active Barnet scheme, which is encouraging residents across the Borough to take more exercise. These new Outdoor Gyms, mainly funded by the Council’s new Public Health Department in co-operation with the Greenspaces team, are a prime example of how the Council can work together across departments to encourage and support residents to live more healthily. Council recognises the importance of encouraging and achieving healthy lifestyles for our residents, both in terms of preventing and managing long term health issues and reducing the demand on public services. Measures to manage and reduce demand on local health services and social care services will be crucial both if the Council is to stand any chance of finding the savings it requires and to prevent yet further calls upon its finances. Council therefore calls upon the relevant committees and the Health and Wellbeing Board in particular to work alongside our partner organisations to find further ways to assist and encourage residents to lead healthy lives.

The Labour Group Secretary stated that of the two business items put forward by the Opposition, the Opposition had chosen to debate item 14.1.

Councillor Tim Roberts left the meeting for consideration of this item.

Councillor Ross Houston moved the Opposition Business item in his name. Councillor Graham Old moved his amendment. Debate ensued. Upon being put to the vote, the amendment in the name of Councillor Graham Old was declared carried. Votes were as follows:

For: 31

Against: 29

Abstentions: 0

Absent: 3

On being put to the vote, the substantive motion, as amended by Councillor Old was declared carried. Votes were as followed:

For: 31

Against: 0

Abstentions: 25

Absent: 3

RESOLVED – 

That Council notes that

·        The private rented sector is not regulated, standards in the sector are variable with action taken by the council against hazards at 469 tenanted dwellings in the last three years, and poor standards can lead to anti-social behaviour.

·        Barnet has some of the highest private sector rents in outer-London, with some landlords charging rents at a higher Local Housing Allowance rate than market rents - a practice that costs the tax payer more in housing benefit.

·        There is a voluntary accreditation scheme (London Landlord Accreditation Scheme) for private landlords endorsed by Mayor Boris Johnson and LB Barnet which aims to ensure good standards and fairness in the sector, as well as Mayor Johnson’s London Rental Standard which sets universal standards for landlord accreditation schemes.

• Increasing housing supply is vitally important in keeping rents down.

Council therefore asks that the Housing Committee:

• Considers ways of persuading more landlords to join the voluntary accreditation scheme.
• Works with the relevant public and private agencies to find initiatives to increase the supply of property in the private sector to rent.