Council decisions

To approve the award of a contract for Translation and Interpreting Services to DA Languages Limited for a period of three years from 1^st April 2017 to 31^st March 2020, with an option to extend for a further year to 31^st March 2021.

Committee to determine school admissions arrangements for 2018/19

The Programme Director, Education and Learning, introduced the item which outlined school admission arrangements for 2018/19.

 

Following consideration of the item, the Chairman moved to the recommendations, which were unanimously agreed.

 

The following was therefore RESOLVED:

 

1.    That the Children, Education, Libraries and Safeguarding Committee agreed the school admission arrangements for community schools for 2018/19 as set out in Appendix A.

 

2.    That the Children, Education, Libraries and Safeguarding Committee delegated to the Commissioning Director, Children and Young People (Director of Children’s Services) authority to determine future admission arrangements where no change is proposed.

Committee to receive a report on Commissioning Plan Addendums for 2017/18.

 

 

The Strategic Lead, Children and Young People, introduced the item which related to an addendum to the 2017/18 Commissioning Plan.

 

Following consideration of the item, the Chairman moved to the recommendations. Votes were recorded as follows:

 

For	8
Against	0
Abstain	0

 

The following was therefore RESOLVED:

 

·         That the Committee reviewed and approved the addendum to the Children, Education, Libraries and Safeguarding (CELS) Commissioning Plan for 2017/18 (Appendix A).

 

Committee to consider a paper relating cultural activities in the borough.

The Commissioning Director, Children and Young People, introduced the item which related to promoting arts and culture in Barnet.

 

The Programme Director, Education and Learning, then provided further information on the report’s contents.

 

She stated that, given the Council’s resource limitation, she would investigate the possibility of additional funding (such as from the London Mayor’s Office) for arts and culture and share any information with the committee.

 

Following consideration of the item, the Chairman moved to the recommendations, which were unanimously agreed.

 

The following was therefore RESOLVED:

 

1.    That the Children, Education, Libraries and Safeguarding Committee noted what Barnet is doing to promote culture and arts in the borough.

 

2.    That the Children, Education, Libraries and Safeguarding Committee approved the approach for the development of a strategic framework for arts and culture in Barnet as set out in paragraph 1.24 and for the ongoing support for arts and culture as set out in paragraph 1.25.

 

Committee to receive a report regarding the Corporate Parenting Strategy.

The Commissioning Director, Children and Young People, introduced the item which related to the Corporate Parenting Strategy (recently considered by the Corporate Parenting Advisory Panel).

 

Following consideration of the item, the Chairman moved to the recommendation, which was unanimously agreed.

 

The following was therefore RESOLVED:

 

·         That the Committee approved the Corporate Parenting Strategy as appended to the cover report.

 

Committee to receive a paper on Early Years Funding.

The Committee welcomed the Head of Early Years to the table to answer any questions from Members.

 

The Strategic Lead, Children and Young People, then introduced the item which related to Early Years Funding.

 

Following consideration of the item, the Chairman moved to the recommendations. The recommendations were unanimously agreed.

 

The following was therefore RESOLVED:

 

·         That the Committee noted that following consultation the local funding formula for early education and childcare has been amended to include a base rate of £5.17, a supplement for deprivation (5% of the funding allocation) up to a maximum of £1.53 and a SEND inclusion fund, as required by the DfE.

 

 

Committee to receive a paper on Schools Funding.

The Commissioning Director, Children and Young People, introduced the item which related to Schools Funding.

 

The Commissioning Director, Children and Young People, noted that a briefing would be arranged for members of the Committee with the Director of Education and Skills and the Deputy Schools Funding Manager on the implications of the proposed National Funding Formula.

 

Councillor Kathy Levine made the following comment in respect to Appendix B (Response to the Government Consultation):

 

·         That in respect to the response to question 14, consideration should be given to existing pressures on schools on top of the proposed National Funding Formula for schools. Specifically, the response should make reference to:

 

-       The rates at which efficiency savings can be made;

-       The need for retraining;

-       New process automation;

-       Losses in operational flexibility;

-       Increases required in staff productivity;

-       Potential redundancy costs;

-       Effective teaching quality and student outcomes;

-       The increases in the amount that schools have to pay to cover pensions and national insurance;

-       Pay rises promoted by the departments;

-       Reductions to services such as the Education Service Grants.

 

The Commissioning Director, Children and Young People, stated that not all those comments made would be relevant to the response to question 14, however he stated that the issues specifically regarding the reduction to the Education Service Grants and increased pressures identified by the National Audit Office would fit appropriately into the response to the question. The Committee agreed for those relevant comments to be added to the response to question 14.

 

Councillor Kathy Levine commented that, in response to question 1, she is concerned that a £250mn funding gap had been created by the design of the National Funding Formula. Councillor Kathy Levine moved a motion – seconded by Councillor Kath McGuirk – to add the following wording to the end of recommendation 3:

 

·         ‘…and that a comment is made in the response to question 1 of the Response to the Government Consultation [Appendix B to the report] that the Council would like to see the £250mn be put back into the budget for schools’.

 

Votes were recorded as follows:

 

For	4
Against	4*
Abstain	0

 

* The Chairman used his casting vote against the motion, therefore meaning that it was lost.

 

Following consideration of the item, the Chairman moved to recommendations 1, 2 and 4. Votes were recorded as follows:

 

For	8
Against	0
Abstain	0

 

Before proceeding to the vote on recommendation 3, Councillor Kath McGuirk stated that she believed the item should be reclassified as a ‘Key’ item. The Legal Officer and Governance Team Leader present outlined the reasons for classifying an item as ‘Key’ or ‘Non-Key’ as defined by Section 6 of the Responsibility for Functions, outlined in the Council’s constitution.

 

A simple vote was then offered by the Chairman on whether the report was incorrectly classified as non-key and should be reclassified as ‘Key’: :

 

For	4
Against	4*
Abstain	0

 

* The Chairman used his casting vote against the request, therefore meaning that it was not upheld. .

 

The Chairman then moved to recommendation 3, with votes recorded as follows:

 

For	4*
Against	4
Abstain	0

 

* The Chairman used his casting vote in favour of the recommendation.

 

The following was therefore RESOLVED:

 

1.    The Committee noted the annual report on school funding in Barnet including:

 

·         The National Funding Formula for schools

·         The Barnet Schools Budget for 2017/18 set out in Appendix A and the submission of the Authority Pro-forma Tool as set out in Paragraph 1.9

·         The Education Services Grant

 

2.    That the Committee delegated to the Commissioning Director, Children and Young People (Director of Children’s Services) authority to consult the Schools Forum and schools on any potential changes to the School Funding formula for 2018/19 and possible retention of part of the DSG budget to fund services to maintained schools currently funded from the Education Services Grant and any other significant changes to the Schools Budget that may be necessary as a consequence of published Government regulations or guidance.

 

3.    That the Committee commented on the proposed responses to the government’s second round of consultation on the Schools national funding formula and the High Needs funding reform as set out in:

 

·         Appendix B: Draft Barnet response to the government consultation on the introduction of a national funding formula (stage 2)

 

·         Appendix C: Draft Barnet response to the government consultation on the reform of high needs funding.

 

and delegated final submission of the response to the Commissioning Director, Children and Young People.

 

4.    That the Committee noted that a report on the results of any consultation and any proposed amendments to Barnet’s Funding Formula for 2018/19 and any other significant changes to the Schools Budget or in respect of funding of services to maintained schools currently funded from the Education Services Grant will be submitted to the Children, Education, Libraries and Safeguarding Committee by December 2017.

This strategy sets out how LB Barnet will meet our sufficiency duty to looked after children and care leavers. It identifies current and projected gaps in provision and sets out our plans to address them. 

The Commissioning Director, Children and Young People, introduced the item which related to the Placements Commissioning Strategy (recently considered by the Corporate Parenting Advisory Panel).

 

Following consideration of the item, the Chairman moved to the recommendations, which were unanimously agreed by the Committee.

 

The following was therefore RESOLVED:

 

1.    That the Committee approved the Placements Commissioning Strategy.

 

2.    That the committee noted that the strategy aims to achieve the following: to better enable children and families to build their resilience, to increase the number of local placements through improving support for foster carers and to reduce the long term costs associated with residential placements.

 

Committee to receive an item relating to the Care Leavers Strategy.

The Commissioning Director, Children and Young People, introduced the item which related to the Care Leavers’ Strategy and Needs Analysis (recently considered by the Corporate Parenting Advisory Panel).

 

Following consideration of the item, the Chairman moved to the recommendation, which was unanimously agreed by the Committee.

 

The following was therefore RESOLVED:

 

·         That the Committee approved the Barnet Care Leaver’s Strategy as appended to the cover report.

Committee to consider the Metropolitan Police response to HMIC report on safeguarding.

The Committee noted that an addendum had been published, which had been provided by the Barnet Borough Commander for Metropolitan Police, Mr Simon Rose. The addendum provided an interim response to the HMIC report from the Metropolitan Police Borough Commanders, pending a full response later in the year.

 

Mr Simon Rose was then invited to the table to introduce the report and answer questions from the Committee.

 

Councillor Helena Hart stated that she was pleased about the new computer system, as stated in the addendum, and asked what specific problems have been raised in Barnet. Mr Simon Rose responded by saying that the criticism in the report was of the Metropolitan Police as a whole, and that the thrust of it was a lack of co-ordination across London. He stated that a mind-set change was needed of Borough Commanders in order to adequately address the issues highlighted.

 

The Commissioning Director, Children and Young People, stated that the Council has introduced a new adolescent service named Reach, which will have a police officer as part of it. He further stated that the Council will also be strengthening the work of the MASH service. In addition to this, he stated that the Council has recently introduced a new missing persons protocol, which has been developed with colleagues in the Metropolitan Police. He clarified that these actions were being taken by the Council in response to the need of the borough, and not just in response to the HMIC’s report. 

 

Mr Simon Rose added to the comment made by the Commissioning Director, Children and Young People, by stating that the MASH service is of a very high quality in Barnet.

 

Councillor Val Duschinsky questioned what improvements have already been made following the Committee’s receipt of the report. Mr Simon Rose stated that much of the training (as stated in the addendum) has already been delivered, and that the local police force is continuing to provide training to all officers. Specifically, the 4-day course of training – as highlighted in the addendum – has already been delivered.

 

Councillor Kath McGuirk stated that a report on violence against women is scheduled for the March meeting of the Community Leadership Committee, and urged that integration of systems should be prioritised by the Metropolitan Police.

 

Councillor Alison Cornelius questioned whether the loss of local knowledge in Barnet would be a problem if the London Boroughs of Brent, Harrow and Barnet are amalgamated into one police area. Mr Simon Rose stated that in the event that this happens, there is a significant possibility that the headquarters would be based in the London Borough of Barnet. He stated that in the event of this happening, there would be no loss of Barnet inspectors who have local knowledge. However, he stated that the main risk that this would present would be establishing where officers patrol from, and how it is ensured that there is adequate coverage in all areas.

 

Councillor Anne Hutton asked about resource allocation, with Mr Simon Rose stating that he believed Barnet has enough officers, and crime reported to be declining. Whilst certain crime rates remain high, and that there would always be a preference for more resource allocation, it remained the fact that the demand on resources has been decreasing.

 

The Chairman stated that, at present the Metropolitan Police give very littleresource to fund the LSCB. He asked what the Committee could do to challenge this and with whom. Mr Simon Rose responded by stating that the Leader of the Council could be the most helpful figure in Barnet to consult in respect to increasing the available funding.  

 

The Chairman then asked what the Metropolitan Police in Barnet are doing in respect to approaching missing persons, child sexual exploitation and serious youth violence. Mr Simon Rose stated that he is aware of a lot of work going on, but was not at liberty to share the majority of the information. He mentioned that there is a progressive and ambitious data sharing system that would streamline information sharing and integration. Furthermore, he stated that the integration of the MASH service at Barnet Council was working proactively with the Metropolitan Police in respect to relevant issues.

 

The Chairman queried what Mr Simon Rose’s thoughts were on how partners view the Metropolitan Police Service’s performance on safeguarding. Mr Simon Rose responded by stating that one of the biggest criticisms would be the lack of adequate and timely information sharing. To resolve this, he stated that the Metropolitan Police would need to be more proactive in respect to working with partners.

 

Cllr Kath McGuirk stated on 8^th March 2017 a report would be received by the Community Leadership Committee on violence against women. She requested that this report be circulated to Members of the Children, Education, Libraries and Safeguarding Committee when it becomes available. The Committee agreed, and the Governance Team Leader present stated that he would fulfil this request.

 

Following consideration of the item, the Chairman moved to the recommendations, which were unanimously agreed. The following was therefore RESOLVED:

 

1.    That the Committee noted the report.

 

2.    That the Committee offered its comments on the report published by the HMIC on 25th November 2016 and noted that the comments made will be fed back to the London Borough of Barnet Metropolitan Police.

 

3.    That the Committee noted that, when it is available, the Metropolitan Police Service’s (MPS) action plan will be brought as a report to a future meeting for the Committee’s consideration.

 

This work is being carried out under the Grahame Park Principal Development Agreement which was approved by Cabinet in July 2006 and executed on 30th January 2007.

 

This report seeks approval to award a contract to Barnet Mencap for the provision of Support Parent Carers of Children with a Disability including LDD, Autism, and ADHD services.

 

The services which will be delivered within this contract are as follows.

 

·         Lot 1. Barnet Mencap for the provision of Information, Advice and Guidance to parent carers of children with a disability including LDD, Autism and ADHD

 

-        The support for Parent Cares includes an Information, Advice and Guidance service for parent carers of children and young people aged 0-25, that supports parent carers to make decisions regarding the needs of their child/ren.  

 

·         Lot 2. Barnet Mencap for the provision of Parenting Programmes for parent carers of children with LDD, Autism, and ADHD. 

 

-        The parenting programmes equips parent carers with the tools and techniques to increase confidence in their parenting skills, develop strategies for managing complex and challenging behaviour and enable effective communication with their child. 

 

The contract will commence on 3 April 2017 until 31 March 2019, with an option to extend for up to two years.

 

The contract value is £320,000 over the contract life time. The annual costs will not exceed £80,000 across all contract Lots.

Publication of Summary DPR List for February 2017 by the Governance Service.

The Committee;

 

RESOLVED that the information contained in the exempt report be noted.

 

The Committee considered the report.  The Chairman invited Members to indicate whether they had any questions regarding the information contained in the exempt report, which would require the Committee to go into private session. There were none.

 

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

 

For	12
Against	0
Abstain	0
Absent	0

 

RESOLVED  - That the Policy and Resources Committee notes the decision taken by Adults and Health Commissioning Director through emergency waiver of Contract Procedure Rule (CPRs), under the Council’s Constitution.

 

Councillor Helena Hart spoke on this item, having provided notice to the Chairman in advance of the meeting.

 

The Committee considered the report and discussed the issues raised. It was noted that the issues raised were of significant political interest and warranted further consideration by all Members as part of a collective discussion, but not necessarily in a full council meeting. It was noted that a meeting could be convened via an informal meeting of Members, a special meeting of Policy and Resources Committee, or another option.  The Committee agreed that officers should liaise with Members following the meeting to agree a meeting format and time to further consider these matters, and that it may be appropriate to hold the meeting when more is known about the Sustainability and Transformation Plan. It was noted that the discussion could lead to formal recommendations and that there was a need to consider the possible outcome of the meeting to ensure that decisions can be made and implemented.

 

RESOLVED that officers liaise with Members to agree a meeting for further consideration of the matters raised in the motion.

 

Councillor Arjun Mittra left the room for consideration and voting on this item.

 

Councillor Peter Zinkin spoke on this item, having provided notice to the Chairman in advance of the meeting.

 

The Committee considered the report. On the recommendations in the report being put to the vote, the votes were declared as follows:

 

For	11
Against	0
Abstain	0
Absent	1

 

RESOLVED –

 

1.         That the Committee approve the draft Golders Green Station Planning Brief for public consultation.

 

2.         That the proposed final Planning Brief is reported back to the Committee for adoption after taking into account comments made as part of the consultation.

 

The Committee considered the report.

 

Councillor Ross Houston noted the overall target for new homes of 2,313 for 2017-18 as set out in Appendix N, page 687 of the agenda report pack, and queried whether the affordable homes target of 122 represented 4% of that. The Commissioning Director Growth and Development clarified that the figures represented a phasing of big schemes rather than an overall representation.

 

Councillor Barry Rawlings requested that the Regeneration and Investment in Infrastructure targets set out in the Corporate Plan also include a target for 2018-19. The Commissioning Director Growth and Development agreed to develop a range figure for the 2018-19 year, noting this would be indicative.

 

The Director of Resources noted that amendments to recommendations 1.16 and 1.19 had been made to update the figures in recommendation 1.16a and 1.16b and to reference additional housing fees and charges in 1.19. The committee noted the updates which had been tabled.

 

The Director of Resources provided an update on which reserves were deleted to balance the MTFS as follows:

 

·         Risk Reserve;

·         London Borough Grants Scheme underspend;

·         Business Rates Deficit Reserve, as this is now being funded from CF surplus;

·         Welfare Reserve, as this will now be funded through an on-going budget rather that a reserve;

·         Grahame Park Reserve; being held to fund library which is no longer needed;

·         Area Committee – Non-CIL; corporate grants programme in place to partly mitigate impact;

·         Benefit Subsidy Error Mitigation Reserve; and

·         Underspend on other smaller specific reserves

On the recommendations in the report as amended being put to the vote the votes were declared as follows:

 

For	7
Against	0
Abstain	5
Absent	0

 

RESOLVED – That the Committee

 

1.1      Consider the issues that have emerged from the consultation when making their decisions. That the committee are also mindful of the equalities impact assessments, including the cumulative equalities impact assessments, when making the decision below;

 

1.2      Recommend to Council for approval the MTFS attached as Appendix A and the detailed revenue budgets in Appendices B1 and B2. The MTFS sets out all of the budget changes over the period 2017-20, including assumptions around inflation, changes to levies, pressures, savings and grant funding. It is the model around which the council’s financial strategy is based. Taking the consultation responses and the equality impact assessments into consideration;

 

1.3      Recommend to Council that the budget for 2017/18 is prepared on the basis of no increase to council tax in 2017/18, other than for the increase set out below in 1.4;

 

1.4      Recommend to Council applying a social care precept at 3% in 2017/18 – to help fund care for the elderly;

 

1.5      Note that the Chief Finance Officer, under their delegated powers in accordance with para 4.3.2 of the Financial Regulations, has calculated 139,049 (band D equivalents) as the amount for the Council Tax base for the year 2017/18 [item T in the formula in Section 31B (1) of the Local Government Finance Act 1992, as amended (the “Act”)];

 

1.6      Recommend to Council for approval, the following amounts calculated for the year 2017/18 in accordance with Sections 31(A) and (B), 34, 35 and 36 of the Act:

 

a)     £936,231,444 being the aggregate of the amounts which the council estimates for the items set out in Section 31A(2) (a) to (f) of the Act;

b)     £775,671,564 being the aggregate of the amounts which the council estimated for the items set out in Section 31A(3) (a) to (d) of the Act;

c)     £160,559,880 being the amount by which the aggregate at 1.6(a) above exceeds the aggregate at 1.6(b) above, calculated by the council in accordance with Section 31A(4) of the Act as its Council Tax requirement for the year (Item R in the formula section 31A(4) of the Act);

d)     £1,154.70 being the amount at 1.6(c) above (item R), divided by Item T (Item 1.5 above), calculated by the council, in accordance with Section 31B(1) of the Act, as the basic amount of its Council Tax for the year;

 

London Borough of Barnet Valuation Bands (£)

A	B	C	D	E	F	G	H
769.80	898.10	1,026.40	1,154.70	1,411.30	1,667.90	1,924.50	2,309.40

 

Being the amounts given by multiplying the amounts at 1.6(d) above by the number which, in proportion set out in Section 5(1) of the Act, is applicable to dwellings listed in valuation band D, calculated by the council, in accordance with Section 36(1) of the Act, as the amounts to be taken into account for the year in respect of categories of dwellings listed in different valuation bands;

 

1.7      Recommend to Council, on the advice of the Chief Finance Officer, that it determines that the council’s basic amount of Council Tax for 2017/18 as set out in 1.6(d) above is not excessive in accordance with the principles approved under section 52ZB and 52ZC of the Local Government Finance Act 1992, set out in the Referendums Relating to Council Tax Increases (Principles)(England) Report 2017/18 - subject to any changes to that Report; which at the time of publication of this report was still in draft; 

 

1.8      Note that for the year 2017/18 the Greater London Authority has provisionally indicated that the following amounts in precepts will be issued to the council, in accordance with Section 40 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992, for each of the categories of the dwellings shown below:

 

Greater London Authority Valuation Bands (£)

A	B	C	D	E	F	G	H
186.68	217.79	248.91	280.02	342.25	404.47	466.70	560.04

 

1.9      Recommend that having calculated the aggregate in each case of the amounts at 1.6(d) with the amounts at 1.8, the council, in accordance with Section 30(2) of the Local Government Finance Act 1992, sets the following amounts as the amounts of Council Tax for the year 2017/18 for each of the categories dwellings shown below:

 

Council Tax for Area (£)

A	B	C	D	E	F	G	H
956.48	1,115.89	1,275.31	1,434.72	1,753.55	2,072.37	2,391.20	2,869.44

 

1.10   Recommend to Council for approval the Barnet Council Tax Support Scheme, adopted in January 2015, remain unchanged except for uprating in line with Department for Work and Pension changes for housing benefit (see 1.11 below).

 

1.11   Notes that the working age non-dependent (ND) charges be uprated as set out in paragraph 1.7.13

 

1.12   Recommend to Council that in accordance with Section 38(2) of the Act the Chief Executive be instructed to place a notice in the local press of the amounts set under recommendation 1.9 above within a period of 21 days following the Council’s decision;

 

1.13   Recommend to Council for approval the capital programme as set out in Appendix C1 and C2, and the capital budget changes as set out in Appendix C3 and that the Chief Officers be authorised to take all necessary actions for implementation;

 

1.14   Recommend to Council that the Chief Finance Officer be authorised to adjust capital project budgets and financing in 2017/18 throughout the capital programme after the 2016/17 accounts are closed and the amount of slippage and budget carry forward required are known;

 

1.15   Recommend to Council the approval of the Treasury Management Strategy for 2017/18 as set out in Appendix I;

 

1.16   Approve the following in relation to the Housing Revenue Account:

 

a)     The proposed rent decrease by 1% for council dwelling as set out in paragraph 1.10.3 to take effect from 1 April 2017;

b)     The proposed increase to service charges for council dwelling as set out in paragraph 1.10.9 to take effect from 1 April 2017; and

c)     The proposed rent increase of 2.2% for council garages as set out in paragraph 1.10.9 to take effect from 1 April 2017.

 

1.17   Approve the Housing Revenue Account estimates for 2017/18 as set out in Appendix D;

 

1.18   Note the submission of the Authority Proforma Tool in relation to the Dedicated Schools Budget as set out in Appendix E;

 

1.19   Approve the fees and charges for hire of Hendon Town Hall as detailed in Appendix F2 and note the Adult’s, Children’s, Environment and Housing fees and charges that were approved at their relevant Theme Committee as detailed in Appendix F1 and F3;

 

1.20   Note the summary equality impact assessment (EIA) and cumulative assessment set out in section 5.6. Appendix H provides the cumulative impact and individual Delivery Unit assessments where significant changes to service delivery are proposed;

 

1.21   Recommend to Council approval of the reserves and balances policy as set out in Appendix K and indicative amounts as set out in para 1.12 and the Chief Finance Officer’s assessment of adequacy of reserves in section 1.12. The Committee recommend to Council that the CFO be authorised to adjust balances in 2017/18 after 2016/17 accounts are closed  and the amount of balances carry forward required are known;

 

1.22   Approve revenue budget movements as set out in para 1.14;

 

1.23   Note the progress of the transformation programme as detailed in Appendix J;

 

1.24   Recommend to Council to approve the debt write offs as detailed in Appendix L and summarised in para 1.14.11;

 

1.25   Note the corporate risk register and recommend it to Council as set out in Appendix M; and

 

1.26   Recommend to Council for approval the Corporate Plan – 2017/18 addendum attached as Appendix N.

 

The Committee agreed to vary the order of the agenda to allow for consideration of Item 13 – Any other items the Chairman decides are urgent, as it was noted that an urgent item had been requested by Councillor Barry Rawlings, and that the remaining agenda item 15 (Decision taken under delegated powers – Integrated Community Equipment Service (ICES) – Agreement of short extension of existing service for safe transition to new single provider contract framework) involved exempt papers.

 

Councillor Barry Rawlings introduced the item, citing the recent DWP proposals to close Finchley and Edgware Job Centres and deliver these services instead at Barnet and Hendon respectively. It was noted that building leases are up for renewal shortly, and the Government are trying to save money by merging with a closing date of 28 February. The Committee noted that the consultation had been launched on 30 January with a closing date of 28 February.

 

The Commissioning Director Growth and Development provided the committee with an update on the issue. Following consideration it was noted that a response to the consultation was being drafted which addressed many of the concerns raised. The Committee requested that the draft consultation response be circulated to the Committee for their comment which was duly agreed.

 

RESOLVED that officers circulate the draft consultation response to Policy and Resources Committee members for their comment.

 

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 10 January 2017 be agreed as a correct record.

 

The Commissioning Director, Environment, introduced the item which related to the East Finchley CPZ and a review of the hours of operation in roads in the vicinity of Cherry Tree Wood, N2.

 

During the course of discussion, Councillor Marshall moved a motion to alter the wording of recommendation 1, so that it read:

 

·         That the Finchley and Golders Green Area Committee note the results of the East Finchley CPZ review of the hours of operation in roads in the vicinity of Cherry Tree Wood, N2 parking consultation and instruct officers to undertake a further consultation with a question on whether to create a sub-zone for Edmunds Walk.

 

There was no seconder, and the motion therefore fell.

 

Councillor Or-bach then moved a motion to alter the wording of recommendation 1 so that it read:

 

·         That the Finchley and Golders Green Area Committee note the results of the East Finchley CPZ review of the hours of operation in roads in the vicinity of Cherry Tree Wood, N2 parking consultation and instruct officers to undertake a further consultation with a question on whether to create a sub-zone.

 

The motion was duly seconded, and votes were recorded as follows:

 

For	4
Against	1
Abstain	2

 

The motion was therefore carried, and took the place of the original recommendation as the substantive motion.

 

Councillor Zinkin then moved a motion to alter the wording of the substantive motion, so that it read:

 

·         That the Finchley and Golders Green Area Committee note the results of the East Finchley CPZ review of the hours of operation in roads in the vicinity of Cherry Tree Wood, N2 parking consultation and instruct the Commissioning Director, Environment, to prepare a scheme for a potential sub-zone to reflect the issues that emerged in the consultation where residents cited the need for a sub zone, and that a report be brought back to a future meeting of the committee for consideration.

 

The motion was duly seconded, and votes were recorded as follows:

 

For	6
Against	0
Abstain	1

 

The motion was therefore carried and therefore became the substantive motion as amended.

 

The Chairman then moved to recommendation 1 as amended, which was unanimously agreed by the Committee. A vote was taken on recommendation 2, with votes recorded as follows:

 

For	0
Against	5
Abstain	2

 

The recommendation therefore fell.

 

The following was then unanimously RESOLVED:

 

·         That the Finchley and Golders Green Area Committee noted the results of the East Finchley CPZ review of the hours of operation in roads in the vicinity of Cherry Tree Wood, N2 parking consultation and instructed the Commissioning Director, Environment, to prepare a scheme for a potential sub-zone to reflect the issues that emerged in the consultation where residents cited the need for a sub zone, and noted that a report will be brought back to a future meeting of the committee for consideration.

 

The Committee considered three applications for Area Committee Grants (with one application published as an addendum) in turn.

 

Councillor Cooke introduced and endorsed the application he had sponsored, submitted by the Jewish Deaf Association. Following comments from the Committee, the application was unanimously agreed.

 

The Chairman invited Councillor Alison Moore to the Committee table to introduce the application submitted by ADDISS, which she had sponsored. Following comments from the Committee, the application was unanimously agreed.

 

The Chairman invited Councillor Arjun Mittra to the Committee table to introduce the application submitted by Grange Big Local, which he had sponsored. Following comments from the Committee, the application was unanimously agreed.

 

The following was therefore RESOLVED:

 

1.    That the Committee approved the application submitted by the Jewish Deaf Association (sponsored by Councillor Geof Cooke) for funding of £9,884 from the Area Committee Grants funding stream, subject to due diligence tests being met.

 

2.    That the Committee approved the application submitted by ADDISS (sponsored by Councillor Alison Moore) for funding of £9,999 from the Area Committee Grants funding stream, subject to due diligence tests being met.

 

3.    That the Committee approved the application submitted by the Grange Big Local (sponsored by Councillor Arjun Mittra) for funding of £1,500 from the Area Committee Grants funding stream, subject to due diligence tests being met.

 

The Commissioning Director, Environment, introduced the item which related to the results of a parking consultation on Golders Gardens and Powis Gardens NW11.

 

Following consideration of the item, the Committee unanimously agreed the recommendations. The following was therefore RESOLVED:

 

1.    The Finchley and Golders Green Area Committee noted the results of the Golders Gardens, Gainsborough Gardens and Powis Gardens parking consultation and the recommendation not to take any further action in these roads.

 

2.    That the Finchley and Golders Green Area Committee gave instruction to the Commissioning Director for Environment to write to all those previously consulted to update them on the Committee’s decision.

The Commissioning Director, Environment, introduced the item which related to the results of a parking consultation on Friary Way and Valley Avenue, N12.

 

Following consideration of the item, the Committee unanimously agreed the recommendations. The following was therefore RESOLVED:

 

1.    That the Finchley and Golders Green Area Committee noted the results of the Friary Way and Valley Avenue, N12 parking consultation and the recommendation not to seek to introduce a Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ) in these roads.

 

2.    That the Finchley and Golders Green Area Committee, gave instruction to the Commissioning Director for Environment to liaise with Ward Councillors in developing proposals to:

 

a.            Introduce waiting restrictions (yellow lines) around the junction of Friary Way and Valley Avenue; and

 

b.           Introduce waiting restrictions on Valley Avenue to deter obstructive parking from taking place.

 

3.    That the Finchley and Golders Green Area Committee gave instruction to the Commissioning Director for Environment to, once proposals have been developed following liaison with Ward Councillors, to carry out a statutory consultation on proposals to:

 

a.            Introduce waiting restrictions (yellow lines) around the junction of Friary Way and Valley Avenue; and

 

b.           Introduce waiting restrictions on Valley Avenue to deter obstructive parking from taking place.

 

4.    That subject to no objections being received to the statutory consultation, referred to in recommendation 3, the committee instructed officers to introduce the proposed waiting restrictions.

 

5.    That the Committee agreed that if any objections are received as a result of the statutory consultations, referred to in recommendation 3, the Commissioning Director for Environment will consider and determine whether the proposed changes should be implemented or not, and if so, with or without modification.

 

6.    That the Finchley and Golders Green Area Committee gave instruction to the Commissioning Director for Environment to write to all those previously consulted to update them on the Committee’s decisions and proposed future action.

 

7.    That the Committee agreed to allocate £4,000 (from this year’s CIL Area Committee budget) for the waiting restrictions to be designed and carry out statutory consultation and, subject to the outcome of that consultation, introduce the waiting restrictions.

 

The Commissioning Director, Environment, introduced the item which related to Highways Progress update on Finchley and Golders Green Area Committee actions.

 

The Committee considered each recommendation in turn:

 

·         Recommendations 1-3: The Committee noted the update and actions set out in Appendix 1 to the report. .

 

·         Recommendation 4: Councillor Cooke stated that he was dissatisfied with the officers’ response and – given the fatal incident that happened at the junction of Buxted Road and Ashurst Road– urged that officers to reassess the response. He stated that he did not believe installing yellow lines and additional signage would adequately improve the situation or address the issues previously considered by the Committee. The Committee made further comments relating to the safety issues at this junction.

 

Councillor Graham Old then moved a motion to reword the recommendation so that it read:

 

o   In the matter of Buxted Road/Ashurst Road: That the Committee agree – subject to consultation with ward members – to fund the yellow lines at the junction of Buxted Road and Ashurst Road, N12 at a cost of £2,500 from the Area Committee (CIL) Budget, and that a future report will be brought back to a future meeting concerning the use of traffic islands and any other potential traffic calming/safety measures that can be used to address the issue.

 

The motion was duly seconded and unanimously agreed by the Committee. The recommendation, as amended, was then unanimously agreed.

 

·         Recommendation 5: Councillor Zinkin commented that the issue was yet to be fully resolved, and subsequently moved a motion to alter the wording of the recommendation so that it read:         

 

o   In the matter of Bute Mews, NW11, further consideration be given as to how to address the issue of Bute Mews, and that an update be brought to a future meeting of the committee concerning this.

 

The motion was duly seconded and unanimously agreed by the Committee. The recommendation, as amended, was then unanimously agreed.

 

The following was therefore RESOLVED:

 

1.    That the Committee noted the update and actions set out in Appendix 1 of the report.

 

2.    In the matter of Lodge Lane, N12 that the Committee noted the update in the report.

 

3.    In the matter of double yellow lines on Horton Avenue, NW2 that the Committee agreed to fund the double yellow lines around the mini-roundabout on Horton Avenue, NW2, at a cost of £2,000 from the Area Committee (CIL) budget.

 

4.    In the matter of Buxted Road/Ashurst Road that the Committee agreed – subject to consultation with ward members – to fund the yellow lines at the junction of Buxted Road and Ashurst Road, N12 at a cost of £2,500 from the Area Committee (CIL) Budget, and noted that a report will be brought back to a future meeting concerning the use of traffic islands and any other potential traffic calming/safety measures that can be used to address the issue.

 

5.    In the matter of Bute Mews, NW11, that further consideration will be given as to how to address the issue of Bute Mews, and that an update will be brought to a future meeting of the committee concerning this.

 

 

The Commissioning Director, Environment, introduced the item which related to the Area Committee’s grants funding, specifically the allocation of grants and balance available from the general reserve and also the CIL Reserve.

 

Following a comment from Councillor Dean Cohen, the Commissioning Director, Environment, noted that ‘Oakfields road parking’ as listed in Appendix 1 should instead be listed in Appendix 2 (relating to the CIL Reserve).

 

Following consideration of the item, the Committee unanimously agreed the recommendation. The following was therefore RESOLVED:

 

·         That the Finchley and Golders Green Area Committee noted the amount available for allocation during 2016/17, as set out in Appendices 1 and 2.

The Chairman introduced the item, which related to three petitions referred up from the 24^th January 2016 meeting of the Finchley and Golders Green Residents’ Forum. Each petition was introduced and considered in turn.

 

Parking petition from the residents of Station Road and Station Close, Finchley, N3:

 

The Chairman read out a statement from the Lead Petitioner, Ms Coleman, who was unable to be present. Following comments from members, it was unanimously agreed that the Commissioning Director, Environment, would prepare a report to a future meeting of the Committee to consider the issues raised on Station Road, Station Close, Lichfield Grove, Dollis Park and any other relevant roads, with a recommended course of action.

 

Petition to Barnet Council by Residents of Temple Gardens for an increase in hours of the CPZ Parking Zone in Our Street Only, Temple Gardens, NW11 0LL:

 

The Lead Petitioner, Ms Helen Fry, introduced her petition. Following comments from members, the Committee unanimously agreed to refer the matter to the Commissioning Director, Environment, to respond to the Lead Petitioner within 20 working days. The Committee requested that he arranges a site visit with the Lead Petitioner in respect to the issue.

 

Petition requesting for change of resident parking only hours on Beresford Road, N2:

 

The Lead Petitioner, Mr J King, introduced his petition. Following comments from members, the Committee unanimously agreed ­­ to refer the matter to the Commissioning Director, Environment, to respond to the Lead Petitioner within 20 working days. The Committee requested that he arranges a site visit with the Lead Petitioner in respect to the issue.

 

The following was therefore RESOLVED:

 

1.    In the matter of the referred petition titled ‘Parking petition from the residents of Station Road and Station Close, Finchley, N3’ the Commissioning Director, Environment, was instructed to prepare a report to a future meeting of the Committee to consider the issues raised on Station Road, Station Close, Lichfield Grove, Dollis Park and any other relevant roads, with a recommended course of action.

 

2.    In the matter of the referred petition titled ‘Petition to Barnet Council by Residents of Temple Gardens for increase in hours of the CPZ Parking Zone in Our Street Only, Temple Gardens, NW11 0LL’ the Committee referred the matter to the Commissioning Director, Environment, to respond to the Lead Petitioner within 20 working days. The Committee requested that he arranges a site visit with the Lead Petitioner in respect to the issue.

 

3.    In the matter of the referred petition titled ‘Petition requesting for change of resident parking only hours on Beresford Road, N2’ to refer the matter to the Commissioning Director, Environment, to respond to the Lead Petitioner within 20 working days. The Committee requested that he arranges a site visit with the Lead Petitioner in respect to the issue.

 

This report seeks approval for the following changes to the Council’s Fairer Contributions Policy:

1)    Raising the maximum charge rate for home care services from £13.84 per hour to the lowest hourly rate the Council pays to its strategic home care providers (currently £15.28 per hour). This will start on 3 April 2017 and be reviewed annually.

2)    Raising the maximum charge for day care to reflect the actual amounts the Council pays to its day care providers for an individual’s day care. This will start on 3 April 2017 and be reviewed annually.

3)    Including the full amount of higher rate care component of the Disability Living Allowance and higher rate of Attendance Allowance as income when determining how much someone can afford to contribute towards the cost of their care. This would start on 3 April 2017.

4)    Treating Personal Independence Payments daily living component (standard and enhanced rate) in full as income. This would start on 3 April 2017.

Aligning the Council’s guaranteed minimum income within our Fairer Contributions Policy to the Department of Health’s guaranteed minimum income or the current level as set out in the Fairer Contributions Policy (2016/17) whichever is the highest.

RESOLVED – The minutes of the meeting of 1 December were agreed as a correct record.

Under Council Procedure Rule 23.5 the Motion in the name of Councillor Barry Rawlings was put to the vote without debate. On being put to the vote the motion was agreed unanimously by Council.

 

RESOLVED –

Council expresses alarm at the rise in antisemitism in recent years across the UK. This includes incidents when criticism of Israel has been expressed using antisemitic tropes. Criticism of Israel can be legitimate, but not if it employs the tropes and imagery of antisemitism.

We therefore welcome the UK Government’s announcement on 11^th December 2016 that it will sign up to the internationally recognised International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) guidelines on antisemitism which define antisemitism thus:

“Antisemitism is a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews. Rhetorical and physical manifestations of antisemitism are directed toward Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/or their property, toward Jewish community institutions and religious facilities.”

The guidelines highlight manifestations of antisemitism as including:

“• Calling for, aiding, or justifying the killing or harming of Jews in the name of a radical ideology or an extremist view of religion.

• Making mendacious, dehumanizing, demonizing, or stereotypical allegations about Jews as such or the power of Jews as collective — such as, especially but not exclusively, the myth about a world Jewish conspiracy or of Jews controlling the media, economy, government or other societal institutions.

• Accusing Jews as a people of being responsible for real or imagined wrongdoing committed by a single Jewish person or group, or even for acts committed by non-Jews.

• Denying the fact, scope, mechanisms (e.g. gas chambers) or intentionality of the genocide of the Jewish people at the hands of National Socialist Germany and its supporters and accomplices during World War II (the Holocaust).

• Accusing the Jews as a people, or Israel as a state, of inventing or exaggerating the Holocaust.

• Accusing Jewish citizens of being more loyal to Israel, or to the alleged priorities of Jews worldwide, than to the interests of their own nations.

• Denying the Jewish people their right to self-determination, e.g., by claiming that the existence of a State of Israel is a racist endeavour.

• Applying double standards by requiring of it behaviour not expected or demanded of any other democratic nation.”

Having declared an interest, Councillor Alan Schneiderman left the chamber for consideration and voting on this item.

 

Councillor Anne Hutton moved the Motion in her name. Councillor Kathy Levine moved the amendment in her name. Debate ensued.

 

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

 

For	29
Against	32
Abstain	0
Absent	2
TOTAL	63

 

The amendment was declared lost.

 

Votes were then taken on the motion, and recorded as follows:

 

For	29
Against	32
Abstain	0
Absent	2
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	Against	Not Voting	Absent
Maureen Braun		ü
Rebecca Challice	ü
Pauline Coakley Webb	ü
Dean Cohen		ü
Jack Cohen	ü
Melvin Cohen		ü
Philip Cohen	ü
Geof Cooke	ü
Alison Cornelius		ü
Richard Cornelius		ü
Tom Davey		ü
Val Duschinsky		ü
Paul Edwards	ü
Claire Farrier	ü
Anthony Finn		ü
Brian Gordon		ü
Eva Greenspan		ü
Rohit Grover		ü
Helena Hart		ü
John Hart		ü
Ross Houston	ü
Anne Hutton	ü
Andreas Ioannidis	ü
Devra Kay	ü
Sury Khatri		ü
Adam Langleben	ü
Kathy Levine	ü
David Longstaff		ü
Kitty Lyons	ü
John Marshall		ü
Kath McGuirk	ü
Arjun Mittra	ü
Alison Moore	ü
Ammar Naqvi	ü
Nagas Narenthira	ü
Charlie O’Macauley	ü
Graham Old		ü
Alon Or-Bach	ü
Reema Patel	ü
Bridget Perry		ü
Wendy Prentice		ü
Sachin Rajput		ü
Barry Rawlings	ü
Hugh Rayner		ü
Tim Roberts	ü
Gabriel Rozenberg		ü
Lisa Rutter		ü
Shimon Ryde		ü
Brian Salinger		ü
Gill Sargeant	ü
Joan Scannell		ü
Alan Schneiderman				ü
Mark Shooter		ü
Agnes Slocombe	ü
Stephen Sowerby		ü
Caroline Stock		ü
Daniel Thomas		ü
Reuben Thompstone		ü
Jim Tierney	ü
Amy Trevethan	ü
Laurie Williams	ü
Peter Zinkin		ü
Zakia Zubairi				ü

 

For	29
Against	32
Abstain	0
Absent	2
TOTAL	63

 

The motion was declared lost.

 

Under Council Procedure Rule 23.5 the Motion in the name of Councillor Barry Rawlings and the amendment to the Motion in the name of Councillor Richard Cornelius, were put to the vote without debate

 

The amendment in the name of Councillor Richard Cornelius was put to the vote, and was agreed unanimously by Council.

 

The substantive motion as amended was then put to the vote, and was unanimously agreed by Council.

 

RESOLVED –

 

Council welcomes the recent 5-party talks in Geneva on Cyprus, and the progress made so far towards finding a lasting and viable solution that reunifies Cyprus and its people - an issue affecting the significant Cypriot community in Barnet.

 

Council hopes that the talks and ongoing process are given the time needed to find an equitable solution for all.Council trusts that any settlement will reflect the views of those residents of Cyprus residing in Barnet, exiled from their homes in parts of the island that are occupied.

 

Council asks the Leader of the Council and the Leader of the Opposition to jointly write to the Foreign Secretary and three Barnet MPs in support of the current process and the UK Government's efforts and role in working towards a united Cyprus.

Councillor Brian Gordon moved the Motion in his name. Councillor Barry Rawlings moved the amendment in his name. Debate ensued.

 

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

 

For	30
Against	32
Abstain	0
Absent	1
TOTAL	63

 

The amendment was declared lost.

 

The motion was then put to the vote, and was unanimously declared carried.

 

RESOLVED –

 

Council deplores the marked increase in anti-Semitic incidents in this country. Council notes the variety of guises in which anti-Semitic hate-mongering can be manifested and the indirect tactics often employed to promote animosity towards Jews, such as inflammatory, slanderous attacks on Israel and Zionism.   Such tactics are equally deplorable, be they from extreme Right, Left or fundamentalist sources.

 

Council considers these developments to be of particular concern within this Borough, which has the largest Jewish population in the country, and prides itself on the good inter-community relations existing among its citizens Council accordingly welcomes the lead taken by HM Government in promoting the adoption of an internationally recognised definition of antisemitism, consistent with that adopted last year by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance. These states: “Antisemitism is a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred towards Jews. Rhetorical and physical manifestations of antisemitism are directed toward Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/or their property, toward Jewish community institutions and religious facilities.” Council hereby adopts the said definition as part of its own efforts to combat antisemitism and all other forms of racism and hate crime.

 

Councillor Richard Cornelius, Chairman of the Chief Officer Appointment Panel, moved reception and adoption of the recommendations in the report.

 

The recommendations in the report were then put to the vote, and were unanimously agreed.

 

RESOLVED – that

 

1.    Mr John Hooton be appointed as Chief Executive and Head of Paid Service.

 

2.    The appointment be subject to the clearance of satisfactory employment checks.

The Head of Governance introduced the report. He noted that the items set out at agenda item 12.1 detailed in-year changes to the 2016/17 and 2017/18 calendar of meetings and changes to committee memberships. It was noted that some meetings which had been scheduled for the period between the local elections on 3 May 2018 and Annual Council on 22 May 2018 may need to be re-scheduled, and officers would liaise with Group Leaders, relevant committee Chairmen and the Chairman of General Functions Committee to establish dates.

 

The recommendations as set out in Appendix A were put to the vote and were unanimously agreed with the exception of the Chipping Barnet Area Committee which had been scheduled to take place on 4 May 2017. The Head of Governance undertook to find an alternative date for this meeting.

 

The recommendations as set out in Appendix B and B1 were put to the vote and were unanimously agreed.

 

RESOLVED – that Council

 

1.    Note the changes to the Calendar of Meetings 2016/17 and 2017-18 as attached in Appendix A, with the exception of the Chipping Barnet Area Committee which had been scheduled to take place on 4 May 2017. The Head of Governance undertook to find an alternative date for this meeting.

 

2.    Approve the Conservative Group nominations for change of membership on the Finchley and Golders Green Area Committee as set out in Appendix B.

 

3.    Approve the Labour Group nominations for change of membership on the Adults and Safeguarding Committee as set out in Appendix B1.

 

 

The Chairman of the Audit Committee, Councillor Brian Salinger moved reception and adoption of the report.

 

The recommendation in the report was then put to the vote and was unanimously agreed.

 

RESOLVED that Full Council approves the decision to accept the invitation for the Authority to opt into the sector-led procurement of external audit services.

 

The Worshipful the Mayor noted that the Opposition had proposed that Council agree to debate an emergency motion in the name of Councillor Barry Rawlings on ‘Ban on people from Muslim-majority countries entering the US’.

 

The reasons given for urgency were that:

 

1.    The executive order was signed this week after the deadline for motions;

2.    Barnet residents affected may be caught up in current and imminent travel difficulties.

 

It was noted that to consider this item Council would need to invoke Council Procedure Rules 7.1 and 7.2 to resolve to suspend Full Council procedure Rules 2.1 and 23.1 to agree to the additional agenda item.

 

A vote was taken on whether to suspend Full Council Procedure Rules 2.1 and 23.1 to agree to the additional agenda item, and the votes were declared as follows:

 

For	30
Against	32
Abstain	0
Absent	1
TOTAL	63

 

The vote was declared lost.

 

The Mayor then called on the Group Secretaries to state which motions they wished to put forward for debate.

  

The Conservative Group Secretary stated that the Administration had chosen to debate the motion at 14.3 – Administration Motion in the name of Councillor Brian Gordon - An internationally recognised definition of anti-Semitism.

 

The Labour Group Secretary stated that the Opposition had chosen to debate the motion at 14.5 – Opposition Motion in the name of Councillor Anne Hutton - Impact of National Funding Formula on Barnet’s Schools.

The minutes of the meeting held on 13 December 2016 were agreed as a correct record, subject to the addition of Councillor Rohit Grover’s surname on the attendee list.

 

 

This report details the decision of the Chief Executive to write-off of individual sundry income debts within Adult Social Care of less than £5,000.00, which are uncollectable for reasons provided in this report, with a total write off sum of £451,157.89.