Agenda and minutes

The Mayor’s Chaplain, Reverend Nigel Taylor offered prayer.

Apologies for absence had been received from Councillor Grocock, Councillor Simberg and Councillor Jajeh.

Apologies for lateness were received from Councillor Wardle and Councillor Greenspan.

The Worshipful the Mayor Councillor Alison Cornelius invited Councillor Melvin Cohen to step forward to accept a long service award on behalf of the Mayor and Burgesses of the London Borough of Barnet, in recognition of 40 years of loyal and dedicated service to the residents of the borough.

Councillor Melvin Cohen said a few words in thanks following receipt of the award.

The Worshipful the Mayor called for nominations for the election of the Mayor of Barnet for the ensuing municipal year.

Councillor Farrier moved, seconded by Councillor Mittra, that Councillor Alison Moore be elected Mayor.

Upon being put to the vote the nomination for Councillor Alison Moore was declared carried.

RESOLVED that Councillor Alison Moore be elected Mayor of the London Borough of Barnet for the ensuing municipal year 2022-23.

Councillor Alison Moore then left the Council Chamber to robe. Upon her return, she was invested with the badge and chain of the office of Mayor.

THEWORSHIPFULTHEMAYORCOUNCILLOR ALISONMOOREIN THECHAIR

TheWorshipful theMayorthanked theCouncil forthehonourconferreduponherby herelection.TheWorshipful theMayorannouncedthe appointmentofCouncillor Nagus Narenthirato actas DeputyMayor during her term of office.

TheMinutes of the Extraordinary Council meeting on the 1^st March 2022 and the BudgetCouncil meetingon 1^stMarch2022wereagreedas acorrectrecord.

There were none.

The Worshipful the Mayor informed Council that the Platinum Jubilee would be taking place on Sunday the 5th June at St Mary’s Church Hendon at 6pm. The Worshipful the Mayor said she would be sending a letter to Her Majesty, to congratulate her on her Platinum Jubilee, on behalf of the Council and the citizens of the London Borough of Barnet. The Jubilee Beacon lightning would be held on the 2nd June at Golders Hill Park.

The Worshipful the Mayor also reminded Council of the Armed Forces Day, which would be taking place on the 25th June at the RAF Museum Hendon at 10am.

Council considered the Results of the Local Government Elections on 5 May 2022 report which set out details of the number of votes recorded for each candidate, the turnout for the ward and the names of the persons elected as Councillors at the Local Government elections held on 5 May 2022.

Upon the recommendations within the report being put to the vote, the votes were declared as follows:

For: 60

Against: 0

Abstain: 0

Absent:3

Total: 60

RESOLVED:

1.         That the return of Councillors elected at the Borough Council elections held on Thursday 5 May 2022 as set out in Appendix 1 was noted.

2.         Council note the political balance of the Council is:

a.         41 Members of the Labour Group; and

b.         22 Members of the Conservative Group.

Councillor Houston, seconded by Councillor Coakley-Webb moved that Councillor Barry Rawlings be elected Leader of the Council for the ensuing four-year period. A vote was taken on the nomination, which was duly carried.

RESOLVED that Councillor Barry Rawlings be elected Leader of the Council for a four-year term of office.

RESOLVED that Council noted the Leader’s appointment of Councillor Ross Houston as Deputy Leader of the Council.

RESOLVED that Council note the appointment of Councillor Daniel Thomas as Leader of the Opposition.

Councilconsidered the report which outlined proposed amendments to the Constitution as set out in Appendix A (Article 7), Appendix C (Article 3) and Appendix E (Members Allowances Scheme 2022/23) of the report. Council also noted the addendum report which outlined further amendments.

Councillor Rawlings, Leader of the Council, moved reception and adoption of the recommendations in the report. Debate ensued.

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

For: 41
Against: 19
Abstain: 0
Absent: 3
Total: 63

RESOLVED that Council:

1.    Approve the amendments to the Constitution and as set out in Appendix A (Article 7), Appendix C (Article 3) and Appendix E (Members Allowances Scheme 2022/23) and as detailed in the addendum report; and

2.    Delegate authority to the Monitoring Officer to make amendments to the Code of Corporate Governance to remove references to the Financial Performance and Contracts Committee.

Councilconsideredtherevised Calculation of Political Balance (Proportionality) report which provided for the seats on each committee to be correctly allocated in accordance with legislation on proportionality. Council noted that a revised report had been published which reduced the number of seats on the Audit Committee from nine to six Members.

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

For: 60
Against: 0
Abstain: 0
Absent: 3
Total: 63

RESOLVED that:

1.    Council note the political balance of the Council is:

-       41 Members of the Labour Group;

-       22 Members of the Conservative Group

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

Council considered the report which outlined appointments to Committees and Boards, as set out in Appendix A of the report. Council noted a correction to Appendix B in that the Local Pension Board membership should include Deepani De Silva and should not include Rebecca Doctors. Council also noted the typographical corrections referred to in the Addendum report.

On the appointments to Committees outlined in Appendix A being put to the vote, the votes were recorded as follows:

For: 60
Against: 0
Abstain: 0
Absent: 3
Total: 63

On the non-councillor appointments outlined in Appendix B being put to the vote, the votes were recorded as follows:

For: 60
Against: 0
Abstain: 0
Absent: 3
Total: 63

RESOLVED that Council:

1.    Considered and made appointments to Committees as outlined in Appendix A.

2.    That Council noted the continuing appointments of Independent, Co-opted, Partner and Officers as listed in Appendix B and agreed any re-appointments where required.

Council considered the report which outlined the appointments to Outside bodies for Council’s agreement.

The Worshipful the Mayor advised that there was competition for membership on two of the outside bodies; Friends of the Moat Mount Campsite and London CIV shareholder representative.

On the Labour group nominations for the two contested outside bodies being put to the vote, the votes were recorded as follows:

For: 41
Against: 19
Abstain: 0
Absent: 3
Total: 63

On the Conservative group nominations for the two contested outside bodies being put to the vote, the votes were recorded as follows:

For: 19
Against: 41
Abstain: 0
Absent: 3
Total: 63

RESOLVED that the Labour group nominations for the Moat Mount Campsite and London CIV shareholder representative be agreed.

On the remaining uncontested nominations in Appendix A being put to the vote, the votes were recorded as follows:

For: 60
Against: 0
Abstain: 0
Absent: 3
Total: 63
RESOLVED that the uncontested nominations to Outside Bodies outlined in Appendix A be agreed.

On the uncontested nominations to Outside Bodies outlined in Appendix B being put to the vote, the votes were recorded as follows:

For: 60
Against: 0
Abstain: 0
Absent: 3
Total: 63

RESOLVED that the uncontested nominations to Outside Bodies outlined in Appendix B be agreed.

Council considered the report which outlined changes to the published calendar of meetings 2022/23 to reflect the changes to committees as agreed in agenda item 12. Council was also asked to note the following corrections to the published calendar of meetings:

- Change the date of Audit Committee from 19 July 2022 to 16 June 2022;

- Change the date of the Policy and Resources Committee on 30 June 2022 to 8 June; and

- Schedule an additional meeting of the Policy and Resources Committee on 19 July 2022;

- Delete the party group on 2 March 2023 as it is now scheduled for 23 February 2023;

- Delete the Financial Performance and Contract Committee meetings.

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

For: 60

Against: 0

Abstain: 0

Absent: 3

Total: 63

RESOLVED that the changes to the published calendar of meetings 2022/23 be approved.

Council considered the report which outlined the option to extend general dispensations from disclosable pecuniary interests to 23 May 2026 and to include them in the Members Code of Conduct. Council were also asked to agree a waiver for all Members of the authority to May 2023 should they be unable to attend a meeting of the Authority for 6 months due to illness, pregnancy or maternity.

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

For: 60
Against: 0

Abstain: 0
Absent: 3

Total: 63

RESOLVED that:

That Council agree that the following general dispensations for councillors are granted by the Monitoring Officer up to 23rd May 2026 and are included in the Member Code of Conduct:

1.1 General Dispensations to be granted by the Monitoring Officer:

To enable members to be present, speak and vote where they would otherwise have a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest on the grounds that it is appropriate to grant a dispensation to allow all Members to participate fully in the following matters:

 
a) Housing: where the Member (or spouse or partner) holds a tenancy or lease with the Council as long as the matter does not only relate to the Member’s particular tenancy or lease.

b) School meals or school transport and travelling expenses where the Member is a parent or guardian of a child in full time education, or is a parent governor of a school, provided that the matter does not only relate to the particular school which the child attends.

c) Housing Benefit: where the Member (or spouse or partner) directly receives housing benefit in relation to their own circumstances.

d) Decisions in relation to any Council Tax Benefit if the member or their spouse or partner are in receipt of any such benefit.

e) Membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme of either the councillor or their spouse or partner.

 2. That Council authorise the Monitoring Officer to implement these revisions and publish a revised Constitution.

3. Council agree a waiver for all members of the Authority until the end of May 2023 should they be unable to attend a meeting of the Authority for 6 months due to illness pregnancy or maternity.

Items contained within the addendum were considered under the relevant items on the agenda.