Council decisions

1. To approve award of the NEC Contract to John Graham Construction Ltd for the development of Barnet Copthall Leisure Centre and New Barnet Leisure Centre, for a fixed total construction fee of £35,890,000

2. To provide authority to officers to implement the required NEC contract requirements and monitoring arrangements to be delivered

3. To provide authority to the Strategic Director, Adults, Communities and Health to approve and instruct changes in accordance with the NEC contract.

Resolved – the minutes of the meeting held on 15 October 2018 were approved as a correct record.

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

The amendment was carried. 

The substantive motion was then put to the vote. The substantive motion was unanimously agreed.

RESOLVED that:

Council looks forward to Diwali in November this year, and recognises the importance of the celebration in the lives of the Hindu, Sikh and Jain communities. The Council notes that the teaching of Diwali has happened in Barnet schools for many decades, and is a welcome contribution to community relations, promoting a better understanding of the customs of our friends and neighbours.

Council believes that though we are all different, we are one community, and that our diversity and multiculturalism is a strength. It helps to promote an open and accepting culture, which in turn helps make Barnet a place for trade and business, as well as expanding our cultural horizons. Council believes schools are best placed to decide how best to teach students about different faiths and their festivals.

Councillor Reema Patel moved the motion in her name. 

Councillor Richard Cornelius MOVED that the motion now be put.  The Worshipful the Mayor moved to the vote.  Votes were recorded as follows:

The motion in the name of Councillor Richard Cornelius was carried and the submitted amendment in the name of Councillor Ross Houston fell.

The Mayor moved to the vote on the motion in the name of Councillor Patel.  Votes were recorded as follows:

The motion was declared lost. 

ThThe amendment in the name of Councillor Farrier was put to the vote.  Votes were recorded as follows:

The amendment was declared lost.

The amendment in the name of Councillor Rozenberg was put to the vote. 

The amendment was declared carried.  The substantive motion was agreed.   

RESOLVED that:

Council notes that:

·       rough sleeping nationally has increased 169% since 2010.

·       7,484 rough sleepers in London were seen by outreach workers in 2017/18.

·       it is extremely dangerous to sleep outdoors in the UK in winter.

·       some homeless people die while sleeping on London streets.

Council thanks Homeless Action in Barnet (HAB) and the many volunteers and charitable and religious organisations working hard to help the homeless in Barnet.

Council welcomes improvements already made by our Labour Mayor of London which include:

·       87% of people helped by Mayoral services left the streets last year.

·       An 8% drop in the number of London’s rough sleepers last year, for the first time in a decade.

·       The Mayor’s new Plan of Action to tackle rough sleeping.

Council notes that the Council's draft Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy seeks to procure accommodation specifically for entrenched rough sleepers and for those with low to medium support needs, but that this has only just gone out to consultation and will not be formally agreed until April 2019.

Council resolves:

·       To call on the Mayor of London to set up and fund a homeless winter shelter in one building in Barnet throughout the winter as Severe Weather Emergency Provision for rough sleepers.

·       That this shelter should be well-equipped to support rough sleepers, and should be opened as soon as possible and close at the end of March.

·       To publicise streetlink.org.uk, which members of the public can contact to connect people sleeping rough with local services that can support them.

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

The amendment was declared lost.

The original motion was put to the vote.  Votes were recorded as follows:

The motion was declared lost. 

The amendment in the name of Councillor Coakley Webb was put to the vote. The amendment was unanimously agreed and was declared carried.

The amendment in the name of Councillor Longstaff was put to the vote.  The amendment was unanimously agreed and was declared carried.

The Mayor moved the substantive motion to the vote which was unanimously agreed.

RESOLVED that:

Council notes that because of ongoing Government work to balance the economy, a new funding formula has been introduced. Barnet schools will see increased pressure on their budgets, resulting in lower reserves for many.

Council notes that Barnet schools, under current arrangements, will fund the National Insurance increases.

Council also notes the shortfall in High Needs Block Funding is being topped-up by the Schools Forum.

Some Barnet schools have depleted their reserves to the point where they have asked the Council to assist them, in the short term, while they balance their budgets.

Council supports our schools and notes that pupils' education attainment remains excellent.

Council resolves:

1.     To call for more national funding in schools and for the Government to fund any cost increase for teachers.

2.     Council asks the Children's, Education & Safeguarding Committee to continue to monitor the funding situation for all Barnet Schools and to assist those schools in need where possible.

Councillor Dean Cohen moved the motion in his name.  Councillor Jo Cooper moved the amendment in her name.  Debate ensued.

The amendment in the name of Councillor Jo Cooper was put to the vote.

Votes were recorded as follows:

The amendment was declared lost.

The motion in the name of Councillor Dean Cohen was put to the vote. Votes were recorded as follows:

The motion was declared carried.

RESOLVED that:

Council recognises the distinct social, environmental, health, housing and transport needs of outer London boroughs such as Barnet and their differences to those of inner London boroughs. These relate to, among other things, less developed public transport infrastructure, an older and more sparsely settled population, and links with areas beyond the borders of Greater London.

Council therefore supports the adoption of a Barnet-focused view in responding to the current consultations, particularly in support of Local Implementation Plan (LIP) funding applications, which should reflect the priorities of this borough and its residents and not those of inner London.

Council calls on the Environment Committee to ensure that we maximise LIP receipts and allocate them in line with the Barnet view.

The motion in the name of Councillor David Longstaff was put to the vote.  Votes were recorded as follows:

The motion was declared carried.

RESOLVED that:

Council notes that some cracked paving stones don’t reach the criteria that warrant replacement from the Highways department, but are unsightly.

Council supports residents and businesses who wish to pay for our term contractor to replace cracked paving stones on a like-for-like basis.

Council requests that the Environment Committee develop proposals to make this service available to all residents and businesses.

Councillor Mark Shooter, Chairman of the Pension Fund Committee, introduced the report.  Debate ensued.

On the recommendations in the report being put to the vote the recommendations were unanimously agreed.

RESOLVED:

That Council agrees to:

1.     Revoke the Council’s delegation of the joint discharge of the relevant functions to the Pensions CIV Joint Committee (“PCSJC”).

2.      Endorse the new governance arrangements referred to in the paper and in the letter signed by the Chief Executive of London CIV and the Chief Executive of London Councils dated 13 June 2018 (Appendix 1) “New Arrangements”).

3.     Confirm and accept that the new governance arrangements supersede the PCSJC, support the dissolution of the PCSJC, and the making of appointments to the new Shareholder Committee and additional non-executive appointments and a Treasurer observer.

Councillor Richard Cornelius, Chairman of the Policy and Resources Committee, moved reception and adoption of the recommendations in the report. Debate ensued.

On the recommendations in the report being put to the vote, votes were recorded as follows:

RESOLVED that:

Council:

1.    Note the Treasury Management Outturn 2017/18 (Appendix 1)

2.    Note the – Mid-Year Treasury Management Review 2018/19

           (Appendix 2)

3.   Approve the amended Appendix 5.3 Credit and Counterparty Risk   Management to the 2018-19 Treasury Management Strategy Statement as highlighted in Appendix 3.

Councillor Melvin Cohen, Chairman of the Constitution and General Purposes Committee, moved reception and adoption of the recommendations in the report. Debate ensued.

On the recommendations in the report being put to the vote the recommendations were unanimously agreed.

RESOLVED that:

1.    Council approve the recommendations contained in the report from the Committee at Annexe 1, and the track change versions attached at Appendix A to Appendix B.

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

The representative of the Head of Governance introduced the report.  Appendix A detailed changes to Committees during 2018-19.  Appendix B set out nominations to Outside Bodies and to Committee Membership.  Appendix C included further nominations to Outside Bodies and a correction to the number of nominations to the Finchley Charities, which was 3, not 2.

RESOLVED that:

1.    That Council notes the changes to the calendar of meetings as set out in Appendix A.

2.    Council makes appointments to the Outside Bodies as listed in Appendix B.

3.    Council makes appointments to the following Outside Bodies as set out in Appendix C, which are The Finchley Charities, London CIV Shareholder Committee, and Fostering Approvals Panel.

The Worshipful the Mayor congratulated The Royal Air Force Museum, Hendon, on being awarded Freedom of the Borough and noted that he, alongside other Members and distinguished guests, had attended the ceremony on 24 October 2018. 

The Worshipful the Mayor congratulated Chris Flathers, who has served as Headteacher for the Orion Primary School, Edgware, since 2000, and nearby Goldbeaters Primary School since 2004, on being awarded the prestigious national award of being named Primary School Headteacher of the Year.  The Worshipful the Mayor further noted the inspirational work of Mr. Flathers as a headteacher, as well as his support of pupil’s families and the wider community through the numerous projects such as the five week long learning festival ‘GO FEST’, holiday clubs, weekend football and the recently launched ‘BYT’ charity.

Councillor Arjun Mittra MOVED under Council Procedure Rule 10.3 (move that an item of business in the summons takes precedence) that Part 4 of Council Business take place before the break.  This was duly SECONDED.

The Worshipful the Mayor Moved to the vote.  Votes were recorded as follows:

The motion was declared lost. 

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the Meeting of Council, and the Minutes of the Extraordinary Meeting of Council, both dated 31 July 2018, be agreed as a correct record. 

Councillor Arjun Mittra declared a non-pecuniary interest in relation to Agenda Items 14.2 (Administration motion in the name of Councillor Dean Cohen – The Barnet View) and 14.5 (Opposition motion in the name of Councillor Paul Edwards – Winter Homeless Shelter) by virtue of being an employee of the GLA.

Councillor Paul Edwards advised that he wished to give notice that he is a recipient of the London Borough of Barnet Pension Scheme, as set out in Agenda Item 11.3 (Report of the Pension Fund Committee - London CIV (Collective Investment Vehicle) Governance Changes)

Father Gladstone Liddle was called upon by the Worshipful the Mayor to speak to Council and say prayers.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Anthony Finn.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 15^th October 2018 be agreed as a correct record.

This report seeks authority for the direct purchase of properties for use as part of the Housing Acquisition Programme:

1.    To authorise the private treaty acquisition at a purchase price of £360,000 for Flat 15, Mowbury House, The Grange, N2 8LU

2.    To authorise the private treaty acquisition at a purchase price of £265,000 for 20a Turkey Street, Enfield, Middlesex, EN3 5TR

3.    To authorise the private treaty acquisition at a purchase price of £255,000 for 101 Cunningham Avenue, Enfield, EN3 6LA

4.    To authorise the private treaty acquisition at a purchase price of £255,000 for 218 Magpie Close, Goat Lane, Enfield, Middx, EN1 4JG

5.    To authorise the private treaty acquisition at a purchase price of £190,000 for Flat 12, 84 South Street, Enfield, EN3 4BF