Agenda and minutes

The Worshipful the Mayor informed that she has visited Ramat Gan with a delegation of four other councillors from 29^th May to 1^st June as part of our twinning programme of the city which was a very enjoyable and informative visit. She also had the opportunity to meet other delegations from Germany, Hungary and Phoenix and exchanged many useful ideas.

The Worshipful the Mayor received a letter from King Charles III and Queen Camilla thanking the Council for congratulating them on their coronation. The letter reads ‘We were deeply touched by your most kind and thoughtful message following our Coronation. We are enormously grateful to everyone who took part in the celebrations, and particularly appreciate that you so generously took the time to write to us on this very special occasion’.

On behalf of the Council, The Worshipful the Mayor sent her congratulations to Saracens who won the Premiership Rugby Final on 27^th May 2023.

The Worshipful the Mayor informed that she had written to congratulate the following on their recognition in the King’s Birthday honours:

·         Laura Marks CBE – For services to Inter-faith relations, to Holocaust education and Women’s empowerment

·         Roy Martin MBE – Chair RAF Museum - Aerospace Museum Society for services to Heritage

·         Jacques Weisser BEM For services to the Jewish Community and Holocaust Remembrance

The Worshipful the Mayor informed that on 24^th June the London Borough of Barnet held a very successful military parade at the RAF Museum to honour our Armed Forces. There were approximately 200 personnel on parade including Reservists, Veterans and cadets and approximately 150 guests and public were also present. The Armed Forces flag was raised at the event.

The Worshipful the Mayor noted that Barnet has a large Gurkha Nepalese community in the borough with many Gurkha veterans. The Gurkha Brigade Association were presented with their new Banner by the Representative Deputy Lieutenant Martin Russell with other awards presented for notable achievements to cadets. The Worshipful the Mayor expressed her public thanks to the RAF Museum for providing their facilities to enable the parade to take place.

On Monday 19^th June the Worshipful the Mayor raised The Armed Forces Flag at Hendon Town Hall which was flown for the week.

On behalf of the Council the Worshipful the Mayor sent her warmest congratulations to Alma School and to all those involved in the success of winning the English School’s Football Association Under 11’s Small Schools Cup.

The Worshipful the Mayor commented that June was Pride Month and a cross-section of groups held Pride events this year from an art exhibition, a skate-boarding event, school event and flower show, with everyone in the community encouraged to attend.

The Worshipful the Mayor informed the Council rounded off its Refugee Week in Barnet which took place at the end of June with a celebratory event which was held for more than 200 refugees and asylum seekers in Victoria Park, Finchley, that comprised food, music, dance and entertainment. The event  ...  view the full minutes text for item 1.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Anne Clarke, Andrea Bilbow OBE, Zakia Zubairi, Val Duschinsky, Joshua Conway and Linda Lusingu.

The Worshipful the Mayor was present.

The Worshipful the Mayor invited Suren Ramanakumar, Ania Siad and Sina Ahani, members of the Barnet Youth Board to say a few words.

Cllr Rose declared a non-pecuniary interest in item 14.7 (Administration Motion in the name of Cllr Woodcock-Velleman – Alma Primary) as she is a governor at Alma Primary.

Cllr Mittra declared an interest in relation to a question contained within item 12 (Member Questions to the Leader, Portfolio Holders and Committee Chairs) by virtue of working for the Greater London Authority.

Cllr Edwards declared a non-pecuniary interest in item 14.9 (Administration Motion in the name of Cllr Edwards – Totteridge Academy School of the Year) as he is a governor at the Totteridge Academy.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 23 May 2023 be agreed as a correct record.

None.

None.

Charlotte Thompson from the Barnet Forum for Independent Living was invited to speak on the received deputation.

Members asked questions of the deputation.

Following the questioning of the deputation, debate ensued.  Following debate:

Councillor Thomas (Conservative) moved the following option from section 18.8 of the Council Procedure Rules: “Ask officers to prepare a report for the next meeting (of either Council or relevant committee) on the deputation.”  This was duly seconded by Councillor Alison Cornelius.

Councillor Edwards (Labour) moved the following option from section 18.8 of the Council Procedure Rules: “To note the deputation and take no action.”  This was duly seconded by Councillor Philip Cohen.

Upon the Conservative option being put to the vote, the votes were as follows:

For: 20

Against: 36

Abstain: 1

Absent: 6

Total: 63

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 18.5 (Recorded Vote by Division). 10 Members present at the meeting demanded a recorded vote on this decision.

The Conservative Group option was therefore LOST.

Upon the Labour Group option being put to the vote, the votes were as follows:

For: 36

Against: 20

Abstain: 1

Absent: 6

Total: 63

The Labour Group option was therefore CARRIED and it was therefore RESOLVED to note the Deputation and take no action.

None.

None.

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.

None.

Councillor Naqvi moved the motion in his name. Councillor Longstaff moved an amendment in his name. Councillor Houston moved an amendment in his name. Debate ensued.

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

For: 20

Against: 36

Abstain: 1

Absent: 6

Total: 63

The amendment to the motion in the name of Councillor Longstaff was LOST.

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

For: 36 

Against: 20

Abstain: 1

Absent: 6

Total: 63

The amendment to the motion in the name of Councillor Houston was CARRIED.

Votes on the motion as amended by Councillor Houston were recorded as follows:

For:  36

Against: 20

Abstain: 1

Absent: 6

Total: 63

The motion as amended by Councillor Houston was CARRIED.

RESOLVED that:

This council notes:

1.That approximately 9,000 Barnet families will have to pay more than £2,300 per year in mortgage payments when they remortgage this year according to independent research.

2.That this is due to interest rates soaring, after the Conservatives crashed the economy with their disastrous 2022 mini-budget.

3.That the increased mortgage payments - typically of almost £200 per month, amounts to a mortgage penalty caused by the Conservative Government.

4. That Finchley and Golders Green is one of the ten most adversely affected areas in the country, with households facing an average increase in annual mortgage payments of more than £7,800 per year.

5. That any increase in mortgage rates will inevitably impact those in the private rented sector, as landlords pass on the costs of remortgaging to their tenants, many of whom are among the most vulnerable residents of our borough. That this will hit particularly hard in Child’s Hill, Hendon and Golders Green where almost half of all residents are private sector tenants.

6. That, with Government nationally causing so much economic chaos, local government has to help residents with the cost-of-living crisis.

7. That Barnet’s Labour administration has put £9million into initiatives to help those affected by the cost-of-living crisis, including the Barnet Resident Support Fund, Council Tax Relief and Housing Payments.

8. That, despite the best efforts of local government, this is a national problem, which ultimately requires a national solution.

9. That the Labour Party has proposed a comprehensive five-point plan to help residents through this Tory-caused mortgage crisis.

This council resolves:

1.  To continue to administer the additional £2m Resident Support Fund, and the total £9m cost of living support package to help those Barnet residents most in need.

2.  To write to the borough’s three MPs to urge them to support Labour’s 5-point plan to tackle the mortgage crisis and help those affected by the Conservative-caused rocketing interest rates.

Councillor Thomas moved the motion and amendment in his name. Councillor Schneiderman moved an amendment in his name. Debate ensued.

The votes on the amendment in name of Councillor Thomas recorded as follows:

For: 20

Against: 36 

Abstain: 1

Absent: 6

Total: 63

The amendment in the name of Councillor Thomas was LOST.

The votes on the amendment in the name of Councillor Schneiderman were recorded as follows:

For: 36

Against: 20

Abstain: 1

Absent: 6

Total: 63

The amendment in the name of Councillor Schneiderman was CARRIED.

Votes on the motion as amended by Councillor Schneiderman were recorded as follows:

For: 36

Against: 0

Abstain: 21

Absent: 6

Total: 63

RESOLVED that:

Council notes:

1. The insufficient investment by the previous Conservative administration in road and pavements and the need for further investment.

Council therefore resolves:

1. To welcome the work that has been done to identify an increase in funding of an additional £8 million over two years for highways repairs which will be discussed and decided at the forthcoming 18^th July Cabinet meeting.

2. To welcome the additional £250,000 fund reactive repairs which has helped us repair 3,350 reported potholes and to continue to work to speed up pothole repairs.

3. To include ward councillors when deciding which pavements to resurface and to ensure this happens before the list is published as has been the council’s practice.

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

For: 36

Against: 20

Abstain: 1

Absent: 6

Total: 63

The motion in the name of Councillor Innocenti was CARRIED.

RESOLVED that:

This council notes:

1.  That minimising climate change - and therefore the carbon emissions which contribute to it, is one of the greatest challenges of our time.

2.  That the effects of continued pollution from carbon emissions, the general increase in temperature and extreme weather is affecting Barnet and the whole of the UK as well as:

·         The submerging of entire countries from rising sea levels

·         Increased deaths from natural disasters

·         Disruption of food supplies leading to food price inflation

·         Poor health and poverty

·         The risk that the planet, in the long term, becomes increasingly un-inhabitable

3.  That in view of those risks Barnet has set itself a target of becoming, in overall terms, a council that does not emit more carbon into the atmosphere than it removes, i.e. a Net Zero council, by 2030 and a Net Zero borough by 2042.

4.   That pollution-creating activities are so deeply entrenched in our society and economy that any attempt to cease them may cause disruption to the lives of our residents.

5.   That the potential disruption to the lives of our citizens places a moral obligation on decision-makers to involve residents in developing our plan to tackle the issue.

6.  That it is therefore necessary to build a consensus with the people of Barnet on how we achieve our Net Zero goals and are candid about the challenges it poses.

7.  That the recently completed Citizens’ Assemblies are a critical step to laying Barnet’s pathway to Net Zero

8.   That more than 60 residents - aged 12 to 90 - including 20 young people gave up much of their time to these efforts.

9.   That the Citizens’ Assemblies has generated 20 recommendations which the Council administration will now consider.

10.  That these recommendations call on both the council and citizens to take responsibility for tackling climate change.

Council Resolves:  

1.    To thank all those residents who participated in the Citizens’ Assemblies and confirm that their work was necessary and vital.

2.    To support Cabinet in its work of seriously examining the Citizen’s Assemblies’ recommendations and looking at the best way to achieve their objectives.

3.    To continue to work, as a council as a whole, with the participants of both Assemblies, the wider community, businesses and environmental groups in our plan to get to Net Zero.

The votes on the amendment in Councillor Mittra’s name were recorded as follows:

For: 57

Against: 0

Abstain: 0

Absent: 6

Total: 63

The amendment in the name of Councillor Mittra was CARRIED.

Votes on the motion as amended by Councillor Mittra were recorded as follows:

For: 57

Against: 0

Abstain: 0

Absent: 6

Total: 63

RESOLVED that:

Council notes that:

1.    Earlier this year Planning Committee A approved an application to fell an oak tree of special amenity value in Garden Suburb ward that had previously been protected by a Tree Preservation Order.

2.    Government guidance advises that in considering such applications the local planning authority should:

•     assess the amenity value of the tree and the likely impact of the proposal on the amenity of the area;

•     consider, in the light of this assessment, whether or not the proposal is justified, having regard to the reasons and additional information put forward in support of it;

•     consider whether any loss or damage is likely to arise if consent is refused or granted subject to conditions;

•     consider whether any requirements apply in regard to protected species;

•     consider other material considerations, including development plan policies where relevant; and

•     ensure that appropriate expertise informs its decision.

3.    All the appropriate policies and procedures were considered and applied in this case with the effect that sadly the tree needed to felled.

4.    Barnet’s Corporate Plan 2023-2026, ‘Caring for our people, our places and the planet’, commits the Council to: ‘put sustainability at the heart of everything we do’ and ‘enhance our green and open spaces so they are attractive places with excellent biodiversity and tree cover’.

This Council resolves to:

1.Instruct officers to ensure that all applicable laws, policies and procedures are being followed and that the Council is doing everything it can to maintain the protection of trees - and particularly trees subject to TPOs, in line with the commitments made in its Corporate Plan, and in the context of the council’s commitment to plant 1,000 trees per year.

2. Ask the relevant scrutiny committee to consider examining this issue and present the outcome of this review to the appropriate Committee or Cabinet for consideration and action as necessary.

Votes on the motion as amended by Councillor Thomas were recorded as follows:

For: 20

Against:36

Abstain: 1

Absent: 6

Total: 63

The amendment in the name of Councillor Thomas was LOST.

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

For: 56

Against: 0

Abstain:1

Absent:6

Total: 63

The motion in the name of Councillor Rose was CARRIED.

RESOLVED that:

Council Notes:

1)     That LGBT+ people are part of our community, our family and our friends and that we celebrate them.

2) That there has been hard won progress on equality for LGBT+ people in the UK such as the repealing of Section 28 and same-sex partnerships under the last Labour government and equal marriage less than a decade ago during the Coalition government. However, there is still far more that needs to be done. 

3) LGBT+ people still face discrimination in the UK: two thirds have experienced hate crime and/or abuse; one half feel they cannot be open about their identity to their family; one third feel they cannot be open about their identity at work. Barnet’s LGBT+ residents face similar challenges.

4) That Trans people in particular face a hostile environment at this time, often at the centre of a vitriolic national debate which is about them but often does not include them. 

5) That this environment risks further marginalising this group of our fellow citizens, who too often suffer from ostracisation, workplace discrimination and hate crime.

6) That for the first time this year, there was a specific Pride programme for Barnet, run in collaboration between the council and community groups such as Inkluder CiC and Masorti Judaism’s LGBT+ Network, which ran throughout June.

7)  The programme included a rollerskating event, a tea party at the Flower Bank, and The Identity Project – Barnet Edition, a collection of stories and portraits of the LGBTQ+ community of Barnet hosted by Middlesex University among other activities, and engaged 100s of Barnet residents.

8)     That the inaugural LGBT+ celebration Pride in the Park will be held on 20^th August 2023 in Victoria Park, Finchley

Council Resolves:

1)     To thank Inkluder CiC and Masorti Judaism’s LGBT+ Network, community volunteers and council officers for all their hard work in organising Pride events.

2)     To encourage members to attend the Pride Event in Victoria Park, Finchley, on 20^th August 2023

3) To call upon all political parties at a national and local level to work for the equality and protection of all LGBT+ people, and in particular trans people.

4)     To restate the Council’s determination to ensure Barnet is a borough where LGBT+ people are valued, celebrated and safe.

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

For: 20

Against:36

Abstain:1

Absent: 6

Total: 63

The motion in the name of Councillor Grover was LOST.

Votes on the motion in the name of Councillor Woodcock-Velleman were recorded as follows:

For: 57

Against: 0

Abstain:0

Absent: 6

Total: 63

The motion in the name of Councillor Woodcock-Velleman was CARRIED.

RESOLVED that:

This council notes:

1. That Barnet’s Alma Primary won the English School’s Football Association Under 11’s Small Schools Cup.

2. That to reach the finals day, the school’s team had to overcome rivals at borough, regional and national level.

3. That on finals day itself, the team competed against five other schools for the trophy at Leicester City’s King Power Stadium.

4. That Alma Primary is ten years old this year, has had a permanent home for seven years and does not have its own pitch, making the achievement all the greater.

Council Resolves:

1. To congratulate the pupils of the Alma Primary Under-11s Small Schools Cup on their fantastic win.

2. That the players - Nadav Okrent, Gilad Sasson, Levi Kay, Charlie Gelb, Ethan Lazarus, Ari Kaye, Yoni Shamash, Josh Norman and Oli Cohen - are heroes of the borough, a credit to their school and their parents.

3. To congratulate Alma Primary’s Sports leader, Yasmin Ahmed, Headteacher, Marc Shoffren, the team’s coach Alex Norman, team manager Caroline Norman, the school’s wider teaching body, governors and parents on this wonderful success.

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

For: 56

Against: 0

Abstain: 1

Absent: 6

Total: 63

The motion in the name of Councillor Schneiderman was CARRIED.

RESOLVED that:

Council notes:

•        The road closure at Golders Green Crescent is the result of an experimental traffic order.

•        An experimental traffic order enables a consultation where the seeking and receiving of the views of residents occurs concurrently to the trial of the measure being consulted upon. The receiving of views and the trial measures together constitute the consultation.

•        That the trial is the next step in a process following the Golders Green Strategic Plan being passed in January 2020 under the previous Conservative administration by the Conservative majority on the Housing and Growth Committee.

•        That as part of the work before that strategy was published, residents were consulted on the pedestrianisation of one end of Golders Green Crescent.

Council resolves:

•        Not to impose road closures on communities and to ensure there has been adequate consultation (except for emergencies, repairs to roads, pavements and utility works).

·         To ensure that residents are consulted, including those of surrounding roads, regarding proposals to alter local traffic flow and access to town centres, and that consultations enabled by experimental traffic orders are a legitimate form of this

•        To refrain from issuing permanent traffic orders before consultation results have been published and fully discussed with the relevant ward councillors.

·         To study closely the results of the Golders Green Crescent trial to ensure any permanent closure has support from the local community.

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

For: 56

Against: 0

Abstain: 1

Absent: 6

Total: 63

The motion in the name of Councillor Edwards was CARRIED.

RESOLVED that:

This council notes:

1.    That Totteridge Academy has been declared “Secondary School of the Year” in the Times Educational Supplement annual awards

2.    That this outstanding achievement is something of which the whole borough can be proud.

Council also notes:

1.The huge progress the school has made since 2016, when today’s school leavers would have been at the beginning of their secondary school career and Totteridge Academy had the lowest progress scores in Barnet.

2.That this national recognition reflects a school with a remarkable record of achievement and ethos which includes:

• Being one of the top 50 schools in the country for its GCSE progress score

• In 2022, being named one of the world’s best schools for Supporting Healthy Lives

• An onsite farm that support’s well-being, the development of healthy life-skills and unique learning opportunities

• The availability of individual mental health support for children

• 100 per cent of staff reporting that they are proud to work at the school

Council Resolves:

1.  To congratulate The Totteridge Academy on being named Secondary School of the year.

2.  To pay tribute to the Principal, Chris Fairbairn, his senior staff team, all the staff, the Governors, pupils and parents for all their efforts into making the school such a success.

3.     To thank the inspirational students of The Totteridge Academy, who collectively are a model to which schools across the country aspire, and to express how proud the borough is of their conduct and achievement.

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

For: 37

Against: 20

Abstain: 0

Absent: 6

Total: 63

The motion in the name of Councillor Whysall was CARRIED.

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

For: 20

Against:37

Abstain:0

Absent: 6

Total: 63

The motion in the name of Councillor Thomas was therefore LOST.

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

For: 57

Against:0

Abstain:0

Absent: 6

Total: 63

The amended motion in the name of Councillor Whysall was therefore CARRIED.

RESOLVED that: 

Council resolves:

• To invite all members from relevant committees and wards to community events organised by the council (as is the current practice).

·         To give all relevant members timely notice for events (as is the current practice

The Worshipful the Mayor introduced the report. Councillor Mittra 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: 57

Against: 0

Abstain: 0

Absent:6

Total: 63

RESOLVED that Council:

1. Note and approve the Annual Report of the Audit Committee for 2022/23 as an accurate record of the outcomes and work programme for the year.

The Head of Governance introduced the report, outlining to adopt powers available to the Council under Part 3 of the London Local Authorities and Transport for London Act 2013 (“the Act”), in order to decriminalise offences in relation to illegally operated skips on the highway.

In order to adopt the said powers, the Act requires a resolution of Full Council for an appointed day of adoption.

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

For: 57

Against: 0

Abstain: 0

Absent: 6

Total: 63

RESOLVED that Council:

1.    Adopt Part 3 of the London Local Authorities and Transport for London Act 2013.

2.    Fix a day on which Part 3 of the London Local Authorities and Transport for London Act 2013 will come into operation (‘the appointed day’), namely Monday 6 November 2023.

3.    Authorise the Deputy Chief Executive to arrange for the necessary notices be published in accordance with the requirements of the Act.

The Monitoring Officer introduced the report noting that an exemption from Call -in was granted for ‘Matters associated with the acquisition of properties at Colindale Gardens’ report considered at Cabinet on the 26th June 2023.

The Monitoring Officer also proposed some amendments to the Constitution regarding questions from members at Cabinet.

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

Recommendation 1:

For: 37

Against: 20

Abstain: 0

Absent: 6

Total: 63

Recommendation 2:

For: 57

Against: 0

Abstain: 0

Absent: 6

Total: 63

RESOLVED that:

1. That the exemption from call-in be noted

2. That the amendments to the Executive Procedure Rules and Council Procedure Rules be agreed.

The Head of Governance introduced the report, outlining the work programmes for the Overview and Scrutiny Committee and Sub Committees for 2023/24 which have been considered at their first meetings in June 2023.

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

For: 57

Against: 0

Abstain: 0

Absent: 6

Total: 63

RESOLVED that:

1. That Council receives the agreed 2023/24 Work Programmes for:

a) Overview and Scrutiny Committee

b) Adults and Health Overview and Scrutiny Sub-Committee

c) Children and Education Overview and Scrutiny Sub-Committee

2. To note that the Overview and Scrutiny Committees and Sub-Committee have commissioned Task and Finish Group Reviews to take place during 2023/24 on

a) Youth Homelessness

b) Elective Home education

c) Primary Care (GP) Access

d) The Discharge to Assess Model

e) Barnet Homes

f) Barnet Roads

g) Safe Parks

h) Culture Strategy

3. To note that the Overview and Scrutiny Committees and Sub-Committee will make amendments to the work programme in response to issues of concern or to request new pre decision items ahead of their consideration by Cabinet/Council.

The Head of Governance introduced the report, outlining the various administrative matters for Council’s agreement and noted the late amendment that Cllr Radford would no longer be standing down from the Eleanor Palmer Trust.

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

For: 57

Against: 0

Abstain: 0

Absent: 6

Total: 63

RESOLVED that Council:

1.  That Council note and approve the appointments to Outside Bodies in Appendix A.

2. That Council note and approve the non-councillor appointments to Committees in Appendix B.

Council moved a motion to exclude the press and public on the basis that the exempt items will involve discussion of confidential information. The public gallery was cleared.

RESOLVED that Council approve the recommendations set out in the exempt report.