Agenda and minutes

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

Contact: Abigail Lewis Email: abigail.lewis@barnet.gov.uk 020 8359 4369 

Items
No. Item

1.

Apologies for absence

Minutes:

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Byers, Councillor Finn, Councillor Fluss, Councillor Mearing-Smith, Councillor Patel, Councillor Rozenberg and Councillor Ryde.

 

2.

Elect a Member to preside if the Mayor is absent

Minutes:

The Worshipful the Mayor was present.

 

3.

Prayer

Minutes:

Rabbi Hackenbroch was called upon by the Worshipful the Mayor to speak to Council and say prayers.

4.

Declarations of Interest

Minutes:

None.

5.

Minutes of the last meeting pdf icon PDF 696 KB

Minutes:

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the Council Meeting held on the 19 October 2021 were agreed as a correct record.

 

6.

Official announcements

Minutes:

The Worshipful the Mayor informed Council that the Borough had held a Holocaust Memorial Day Service on Sunday 23 January at Middlesex University and that she would like to thank all those who made the occasion so special and memorable including, not only the two guest speakers, but also everyone else who took part in the event or was on the organising team.

 

The Worshipful the Mayor also had the sad task of informing the Council that Councillor Michael Hill had died on 20 November 2021. He was born and educated in North London and started his career as a press officer at London Transport and worked at the Ministry of Defence before becoming Head of Public Relations at the Royal Navy’s Fleet Headquarters.

 

His political career began in 1974 when he was elected to Barnet Council as a Conservative Councillor representing Totteridge Ward where he served for 12 years.

 

Afterwards, he moved to Northampton and served on Northampton Borough Council for 18 years and was Mayor in the Municipal Year 2009/2010. He also served for four years as a Northamptonshire County Councillor from 2005 to 2009.

 

Michael and his wife, Margaret, moved to Bradley Stoke in 2017 and two years later he stood as a Councillor representing Bradley Stoke South Ward. He had the honour of being elected as Mayor of the current Municipal Year 2021/2022 and sadly died in office after a short illness.

 

The Worshipful the Mayor also had the sad task of announcing that Bridget Perry, former Conservative Councillor for High Barnet Ward, had died on 18 January this year. She served on Barnet Council from 2006 until 2018 and was Deputy Mayor in the Municipal Year 2013/2014 when Councillor Melvin Cohen was Mayor.

 

Councillor Wendy Prentice and Councillor David Longstaff, who were her two Ward colleagues, gave their tributes followed by Councillor Laurie Williams.

 

The Worshipful the Mayor then asked the Council to join in a minute’s silence to reflect on the achievements of both of their lives and to remember their families and friends, as well as those who had died in the Holocaust, in their prayers.

 

7.

Any business remaining from last meeting

Minutes:

None.

8.

Questions to the Leader (and Committee Chairmen if he/she has delegated) pdf icon PDF 803 KB

Minutes:

Answers to the questions submitted were provided as a supplementary paper to the Agenda.

 

Supplementary questions were then asked and answered within the allotted time given for the item.

9.

Petitions for Debate (20 minutes)

Minutes:

None.

10.

Reports from the Leader

Minutes:

None.

11.

Reports from Committees

11.1

Referral from Policy & Resources Committee - Recommendation from Financial Performance and Contracts Committee - Review of Capita Contracts pdf icon PDF 281 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Councillor Thomas, Chairman of the Policy and Resources Committee, moved the 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:

 

For: 33

Against: 23

Abstain: 0

Absent: 7

Total: 63

 

RESOLVED that Council:

 

1.    a) Does not seek to extend those elements of the RE and CSG contracts that relate to the Procurement Service, Regulatory Services (Trading Standards, Licensing, Environmental Health), the Regeneration Service and Highways;

b) upon expiry of those elements of the contract, these services be returned to the Council;

c) the future strategy for the Highways Service should be the subject of a separate report to the Environment Committee;

d) the Recruitment Service be returned to the Council in February 2022; and

e) the Chief Executive be authorised to take the necessary action relating to any transfers, upon expiry of the contracts or sooner if deemed necessary, or actions associated with the services, subject to the conclusion of the necessary due diligence.

 

2.    That Council notes the direction of travel for each service that was agreed previously as set out in section 1.8 of the report (Annex 2) including the services listed for further review, with short extension: Accounts Payable/Integra, HR/Core HR*, Estates* (*with some element of the service potentially returning to the Council upon expiry of the contract) and Cemetery and Crematorium.

 

3.    That Council notes the content of the Review of Capita Contracts Public Engagement report (Annex 3) and ORS Report (Appendix 3A).

 

4.    That Council notes that the Policy and Resources Committee will consider any extension requirements that are required in respect of the Review of Integra and Core HR systems and supports that Review.

11.2

Referral from Licensing Committee - Revised Gambling Statement of Principles (Policy) pdf icon PDF 256 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Councillor Marshall, Chairman of the Licensing Committee, moved the 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:

 

For: 56

Against: 0

Abstain: 0

Absent: 7

Total: 63

 

RESOLVED that Council approved the adoption of the revised Gambling Statement of Principles Policy as outlined in Appendix 1 and that the commencement date in section 21 be amended to 25 January 2022.

 

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11.3

Report of the Constitution & General Purposes Committee - Revised Boundaries and Arrangements Resident Forums and Area Committees pdf icon PDF 404 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Councillor Jajeh, Vice-Chairman of the Constitution and General Purposes Committee, moved the reception and adoption of the recommendations in the report. 

 

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

 

For: 33

Against: 23

Abstain: 0

Absent: 7

Total: 63

 

RESOLVED:

1.     

That Council noted the report of the Constitution & General Purposes Committee held on 6 January 2022 (Appendix 1).

 

2.    That Council noted that the Constitution & General Purposes Committee agreed the following:

That the preferred option for revised arrangements for Residents Forums and Area Committees is the following:

a)    Option 2 is preferred in terms of geographical composition, but with East renamed as Chipping Barnet, South as Finchley & Golders Green and West as Hendon.

b)   For Member composition, political proportionality will not apply, and appointments will be area based so each ward sends one member to their respective committee. For three-Member split wards, the party with most members in that ward will decide the representative. For two-Member split wards, Full Council will appoint.

c)    It is noted that the number of councillors and residents per committee is unequal, and it proposed that the principles of the committee structure be established first, then at a later date the financial allocations for each committee can be decided.

d)   The new structure should be implemented from 6 May 2022.

 

3.    That Council approved the Constitution amendments as set out in Appendix 2 of this report, which will come into effect on 6 May 2022.

 

4.    That Council authorised the Monitoring Officer to implement these revisions and publish a revised Constitution.

 

12.

Reports of Officers

12.1

Report of Director of Resources - London Boroughs Grants Scheme - Borough Contributions 2022/23 pdf icon PDF 581 KB

Minutes:

The Worshipful the Mayor introduced the report of the Director of Resources on the London Boroughs Grants Scheme and Borough Contributions for 2022/23.

 

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

 

For: 56

Against: 0

Abstain: 0

Absent: 7

Total: 63

 

RESOLVED that Council:

 

1.    That the recommendation of the London Councils Leaders’ Committee for an overall level of expenditure and borough contributions of £6,668,000 in 2022/23, involving a levy on Barnet of £295,545, be approved.

 

2.    That the Director of Resources & Section 151 Officer be instructed to inform the Chief Executive of London Councils accordingly.

 

12.2

Report of Head of Governance pdf icon PDF 168 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Head of Governance introduced the report, outlining various constitutional and administrative matters for Council’s agreement. 

 

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

 

For: 56

Against: 0

Abstain: 0

Absent: 7

Total: 63

 

RESOLVED that Council:

 

1.    That Council agree the Calendar of Meetings 2022/23 as set out in Appendices A and B.

 

2.    That Council approve the appointments to Outside Bodies in Appendix C.

 

3.    That Council approve the appointments to the Local Pension Board in Appendix D.

 

12.3

Report of the Barnet Returning Officer (RO) - Polling District and Polling Place proposals for four new Barnet wards pdf icon PDF 559 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Worshipful the Mayor introduced the report of the Returning Officer on the Polling District and Polling Place Proposals for four new Barnet Wards,

 

On recommendations 1 and 2 outlined in the report being put to the vote, the votes were recorded as follows.

 

For: 56

Against: 0

Abstain: 0

Absent: 7

Total: 63

 

On recommendation 3 Option A (St Peters Church) being put to the vote, the votes were recorded as follows:

 

For: 33

Against: 23

Abstain: 0

Absent: 7

Total: 63

 

RESOLVED that Council:

 

  1. Noted that the Constitution and General Purposes Committee approved the Returning Officers proposed arrangements for May 2022 onwards, except for four Wards.

 

  1. Approved the polling district place proposals for Barnet Vale Ward, Garden Suburb Ward and Whetstone Ward as the official polling arrangements to be used in these Wards at future elections within the Borough.

 

  1. Adopted High Barnet Option A (St Peters Church) to be designated as the polling district and polling place arrangements for use within the High Barnet Ward.

 

13.

Questions to Council Representatives on Outside Bodies

Minutes:

None.

14.

Motions (45 minutes)

14.1

Administration Motion in the name of Cllr Daniel Thomas - Combatting Crime in Barnet (Agenda item 14.1) pdf icon PDF 350 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Councillor Thomas moved the motion in his name. Councillor Conway moved an amendment in her name. Debate ensued.

 

Votes on the amendment in the name of Councillor Conway were recorded as follows:

 

For: 22

Against: 33

Abstain: 1

Absent: 7

Total: 63

 

The amendment in the name of Councillor Conway was declared LOST.

 

Votes on the substantive motion in the name of Councillor Thomas were recorded as follows:

 

For: 33

Against: 23

Abstain: 0

Absent: 7

Total: 63

 

The substantive motion in the name of Councillor Thomas was declared CARRIED.

 

RESOLVED that:

 

Council notes:

 

1.    The Government increased its funding to the Metropolitan Police by £138.9m last year and have committed to a further increase of £164.2m in the year to come.

 

2.    Sadiq Khan has failed to combat crime, including violent crime, throughout his term in office as Mayor of London – both in Barnet and across London.

 

3.    2021 was, sadly, the worst year on record for the murder of teenagers in London.

 

4.    The Mayor of London has not supported initiatives from Barnet Council to counter crime, such as reopening the Vivian Avenue Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT) hub, which he shut in July 2019

a.    A potential SNT Hub was identified in West Hendon by Cllr Richman, which the Metropolitan Police have refused to utilise.

 

5.    Barnet’s Labour Group supported the closing of the SNT Hub and opposed its reopening.

 

6.    The Mayor of London also closed and is selling the High Barnet Police Station.

 

7.    Barnet Council is currently conducting a full review of its CCTV.

 

8.    Barnet Council is restructuring and expanding our Community Safety Team (CST), in order to better combat crime and make our residents safer

a.    As a part of this decision, 15 new permanent posts will be created

b.    This is further to recent improvements to the Team, such as the introduction of a CCTV patrol vehicle.

 

9.    Barnet taxpayers pay more for each police officer than the residents of any other London borough

a.    For each police officer in Barnet, the Mayor of London charges our taxpayers approximately:

                                         i.    25% more than Enfield’s

                                        ii.    40% more than Camden’s

                                      iii.    50% more than Brent or Haringey’s

                                      iv.    69% more than Harrow’s

 

10. The Mayor of London spends 26% more on PR and 82% on staffing than his predecessor.

This Council believes that:

 

1.    The people of Barnet should feel safe in their borough, their neighbourhoods and their homes.

 

2.    In order to make our residents feel safe, it is important that there is a visible police presence across the borough.

 

3.    Currently Barnet is under-policed, and that emboldens criminals to attack and rob residents. As a geographically larger borough, lower numbers of officers have a direct impact on response times; currently Barnet taxpayers have 7% fewer officers than those of any other Council.

 

4.    To give our residents their fair share of officers, the increases to the Metropolitan Police’s budget should filter through to a significant increase in police numbers in  ...  view the full minutes text for item 14.1

14.2

Opposition Motion in the name of Cllr Ross Houston - Development in Barnet (Agenda item 14.5) pdf icon PDF 315 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Councillor Houston moved the motion in his name. Councillor Narenthira moved an amendment in her name. Debate ensued.

 

Votes on the amendment in the name of Councillor Narenthira were recorded as follows:

 

For: 23

Against: 33

Abstain: 0

Absent: 7

Total: 63

 

The amendment in the name of Councillor Narenthira was declared LOST.

 

Votes on the substantive motion in the name of Councillor Houston were recorded as follows:

 

For: 23

Against: 33

Abstain: 0

Absent: 7

Total: 63

 

The substantive motion in the name of Councillor Houston was declared LOST.

 

RESOLVED that the substantive motion and amendment were lost.

 

14.3

Opposition Motion in the name of Cllr Anne Clarke - Levelling-Up in Barnet (Agenda item 14.2) pdf icon PDF 317 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Votes on the amendment to the motion in the name of Councillor Moore were recorded as follows:

 

For: 22

Against: 33

Abstain: 0

Absent: 7

Total: 63

 

The amendment in the name of Councillor Moore was declared LOST.

 

Votes on the substantive motion in the name of Councillor Clarke were recorded as follows:

For: 22

Against: 33

Abstain: 0

Absent: 7

Total: 63

 

The substantive motion in the name of Councillor Clarke was declared LOST.

 

RESOLVED that the substantive motion and amendment were lost.

 

14.4

Administrative Motion in the name of Cllr Thomas - Political discourse within Barnet (Agenda item 14.3) pdf icon PDF 345 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Votes on the amendment in the name of Councillor Rawlings were recorded as follows:

 

*Cllr Sargeant left the meeting before the voting took place.

 

For: 21

Against: 33

Abstain: 1

Absent: 8

Total: 63

 

The amendment in the name of Councillor Rawlings was declared LOST.

 

Votes on the substantive motion in the name of Councillor Thomas were recorded as follows:

 

For: 33

Against: 22

Abstain: 0

Absent: 8

Total: 63

 

The substantive motion in the name of Councillor Thomas was declared CARRIED.

 

RESOLVED that:

 

Council notes that:

 

1. The Barnet Labour Party and members of the Opposition have made misleading claims about this Administration’s policies and achievements.

 

2. Contrary to Barnet Labour’s misinformation:

a. Barnet has not only maintained weekly collections of refuse and recycling under this Conservative administration, unlike any neighbouring borough – which are all run by Labour– but we also have the lowest number of missed bin collections in London.

b. Council Tax in Barnet has been kept lower than that of any of our neighbouring boroughs for the past decade, and will remain so. In real terms, Council Tax in Barnet has been reduced by 5.2% over the past decade — despite the Labour Mayor of London taking an ever-increasing sum from Council Tax.

c. Barnet has zero “non-decent” Council homes, while our neighbouring boroughs have thousands. Labour Enfield alone have over 4,000.

d. Barnet’s outsourcing has saved millions – ensuring value for money for our residents.

e. Barnet has successfully stood up to developers and has been successful in having storeys removed from proposed towers. The ineffectual Labour group is impotent to influence the Labour Mayor of London’s desire for ever larger tower blocks in London. This is evidenced by the Mayor’s support for the original B&Q proposal and those regarding tower blocks over tube stations, such as a recent High Barnet application.

f. This Conservative Council would not and will not build on our parks or green spaces. This has been made clear a number of times over the past year in various committees and at Full Council.

 

3. The above are responses to only some examples of the misinformation by the Labour group.

 

4. The Labour Party and Labour councillors made exaggerated claims during the East Barnet by [1] election, which the people of East Barnet clearly saw through. However, such claims risk causing polarisation, unnecessary upset and worry amongst local residents.

 

Council believes that:

 

1. Misinformation about the state of the Council, and this administration’s policies and history, are little more than a sign of desperation from the Labour group.

 

2. Over the past term and beyond, this Conservative Council has consistently made decisions based on value for money for our residents, while ensuring that they receive the best possible services.

 

Council resolves to:

 

1. Condemn misinformation by the Barnet Labour Party and its councillors.

 

14.5

Opposition Motion in the name of Cllr Nagus Narenthira - Barnet Tamil Community (Agenda item 14.4) pdf icon PDF 340 KB

Minutes:

Votes on the motion in the name of Councillor Narenthira were recorded as follows:

 

*Cllr Weeden-Sanz left the meeting before the vote.

 

For: 54

Against: 0

Abstain: 0

Absent: 9

Total: 63

 

The substantive motion in the name of Councillor Narenthira was declared CARRIED.

 

RESOLVED that:

 

Council notes that:

 

1.    London’s Tamil community, originating from Sri Lanka, India, Malaysia, Singapore, South Africa and elsewhere, makes a strong contribution to the life of our borough Barnet.

2.    There is a sizeable number of Tamils living in Colindale and other parts of the Borough.

3.    There are an estimated 15,000 Tamils working for NHS England as doctors, nurses and front-line health professionals, thousands of Tamils serving as teachers and teaching assistants at schools across the capital.

4.    Over a hundred adult social care facilities are operated by Tamils in and around London, caring for some of the most vulnerable in our society.

5.    Tamils have made significant contributions to the social, economic, cultural and political fabric of the UK; from serving in the Royal Air Force during the Second World War to Tamil scientists working on the Astra Zeneca vaccine. 

6.    This incredible work takes place against the backdrop of persecution and abuse abroad, deeply affecting the wellbeing of the family and friends of Tamils in the UK. 

7.    January marks Tamil Heritage Month and that Pongal – the Harvest Festival – commences on 14th January each year.

Council resolves to:

 

1.    Mark Tamil Heritage Month and Pongal and ensure that our much-valued Tamil community is supported across the borough.

2.    Thank the Tamil community for their invaluable contribution to our borough and our city. We are profoundly grateful for the work that they do.

14.6

Opposition Motion in the name of Gabriel Rozenberg (Agenda item 14.6) pdf icon PDF 475 KB

Minutes:

*Cllr Sargeant returned to the meeting,

 

Votes on the motion in the name of Councillor Rozenberg were recorded as follows:

 

For: 23

Against: 32

Abstain: 0

Absent: 8

Total: 63

 

The motion in the name of Councillor Rozenberg was declared LOST.

 

RESOLVED that the substantive motion was LOST.