Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Ambe, Clarke, Edwards, K Gurung, Ioannidis, Laithe, Monasterio, Wakeley, Wardle, Whysall and Zubairi.

The Worshipful the Mayor was present.

The Worshipful the Mayor invited Miki Weisfish, Michal Faith, Rimona Jacobson and Rina Serfarty to say a few words.

Councillor Whysall declared a pecuniary interest in Item 11 – ‘Referral of Report from Policy & Resources Committee Business planning - Budget 2023/24 and Medium Term Financial Strategy 2023-27’ by virtue of having provided advice to trade unions. She would leave the chamber for the duration of the debate.

Councillor Zinkin declared a pecuniary interest in Item 11.1 – ‘Referral of Report from Policy & Resources Committee Business Planning - Budget 2023/24 and Medium Term Financial Strategy 2023-27’ by virtue of being a Director of London Energy. Councillor Zinkin had been granted a dispensation by the Monitoring Officer.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 24 January 2023 be agreed as a correct record.

The Worshipful the Mayor invited officers and Councillors to attend the opening ceremony of the Civic Room in Hendon Town Hall for refreshments after the meeting.

None.

The Deputy Mayor moved the following resolution:

‘That we the Members of the Council of the London Borough of Barnet, hereby express to The Worshipful the Mayor, Councillor Alison Moore, our appreciation of the excellent service she has rendered to the London Borough of Barnet as its Mayor during the period May 2022 to May 2023, and for the friendly and conscientious way in which she has performed the duties of that office.

We offer her our sincere gratitude for the concern that she has shown at all times in promoting the welfare of the Borough and its residents, particularly for her willingness to support the many organisations and individuals who called on her time and services during her Mayoralty.

We congratulate her on the success of her appeals for her charities Homeless Action in Barnet (HAB), the Barnet Food Hub and the Space2Grow Children and Young Peoples Fund’.

This was duly agreed, with the foregoing resolution to be engrossed over the Common Seal of the corporation and presented to the Worshipful Mayor at the Annual Meeting. 

The Worshipful the Mayor called for nominations for election of Mayor of the London Borough of Barnet for the Municipal Year 2023/24. It was noted that there was one nomination for the Mayor Designate.

Councillor Sargeant, duly seconded by Councillor Khalick moved that Councillor Nagus Narenthira be proposed for the appointment of the Mayor of the London Borough of Barnet at the Annual meeting of the Council of the 23 May 2023.

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

For: 52

Against: 0

Abstain: 0

Absent: 11

RESOLVED that Councillor Nagus Narenthira be nominated as the Mayor designate for the municipal year 2023/24.

The Mayor designate Councillor Nagus Narenthira thanked those present for her nomination and nominated Councillor Tony Vourou as the Deputy Mayor designate for the municipal year 2023/24.

RESOLVED that Council note Councillor Tony Vourou as Deputy Mayor Designate for the municipal year 2023/24.

None.

Having declared an interest, Councillor Whysall left the chamber.

The Worshipful the Mayor moved suspension of Council Procedure Rule 17.7 to allow the initial speeches on the Budget to be up to the following lengths:

10 minutes for the Leader and 8 minutes for the Leader of the Opposition.

Councillor Rawlings, Chair of the Policy and Resources Committee moved the reception and adoption of the recommendations in the report. Councillor Thomas moved the Conservative Group alternative budget. Debate ensued.

The Head of Governance informed Council that theLocal Authorities (Standing Orders) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2014 and Council Procedure Rule 12.4 requires that voting decisions relating to the budget and Council Tax be recorded.

On the Conservative Group amendment being put to the vote, the votes were recorded as follows:

RESOLVED that the Conservative Group amendment in the name of Councillor Thomas is therefore LOST.

On the Labour Group proposal being put to the vote the votes were recorded as follows:

The Worshipful the Mayor introduced the report. Councillor Rawlings moved the reception and adoption of the recommendations in the report. Debate ensued.

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

For: 33

Against: 0

Abstain: 18

Absent:12

Total: 63

RESOLVED that Council:

Notes and approves the Corporate Plan 2023-2026 ‘Caring for people, our places and the planet: our plan for Barnet 2023-2026’.

The Worshipful the Mayor introduced the report.

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

For: 51

Against: 0

Abstain: 0

Absent:12

Total: 63

RESOLVED that:

Council notes the councillor elected at the Golders Green By Election held on Thursday 16 February as set out in Appendix 1 of the report.

The Monitoring Officer introduced the report outlining changes following the Constitution Review. Debate ensued.

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

For: 33

Against: 18

Abstain: 0

Absent:12

Total: 63

RESOLVED that Council:

1.    Considers and approves the second tranche of the Constitution as set out in the Appendices A to M of the report.

2.    Agrees that the Constitution sections attached as Appendices A to M of the report will come into effect at Annual Council in May 2023.

3.    Authority be delegated to the Monitoring Officer to make ‘housekeeping changes’ to the Constitution such as terminology to ensure consistency, numbering and formatting changes.

4.    Notes the Public Participation Consultation findings report and Equalities Impact Assessment as set out in Appendices N and O of the report.

The Head of Governance introduced the report on the Members’ Allowances Scheme 2023-24

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

For: 33

Against: 18

Abstain: 0

Absent:12

Total: 63

RESOLVED that Council:

1.    Have regard to the recommendations of the Independent Panel on the Remuneration of Councillors in London as attached at Appendix A.

2.    Approve the Members’ Allowances Scheme 2023/24 attached at Appendix B, with effect from 1 April 2023.

3.    Notes that a revised Members’ Allowances Scheme for 2023/24 will need to be adopted at Annual Council on 23 May 2023 to reflect the new governance arrangements coming into effect at that meeting (i.e., move from a Committee System to an Executive system)

4.    Notes that following approval of the Scheme, a notice will be advertised pursuant to Regulation 16 of the Local Authorities (Members’ Allowances) (England) Regulations 2003 (as amended).

The Head of Governance introduced the report on Political Proportionality.

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

For: 33

Against: 18

Abstain: 0

Absent:12

Total: 63

RESOLVED that Council:

1)    Note the political balance of the Council is:

? 40 Members of the Labour Group;

? 22 Members of the Conservative Group

? 1 Independent Member

2)    Agreed the allocation of seats as set out in the tables in Appendix A of the report in order to comply with the political balance regulations requiring seats to be allocated proportionately to the political groups on Council.

The Head of Governance introduced the report on Administrative Matters

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

For: 33

Against: 18

Abstain: 0

Absent:12

Total: 63

RESOLVED that Council:

1.    Notes and approves the appointments to Outside Bodies in Appendix A of the report.

2.    Notes and approves the calendar of meetings for 2023/24 in Appendix B of the report.

3.    Notes and approves the changes to committee memberships as detailed in Appendix C of the report.