Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Zakia Zubairi.

The Worshipful the Mayor was present.

The Mayor’s chaplain, Dayan Yonason Abraham, offered prayers.

The following interests were declared:

It was noted that the minutes of the meeting of 20 October 2015 had been amended to correct an error in the division tables for minute items 11.2 and 11.3 which had incorrectly listed Councillor Daniel Seal instead of Councillor Rohit Grover.

The minutes of the meeting of 20 October 2015 were agreed as a correct record, subject to an additional correction to page 2 Declarations of Interest to note that Councillor Dean Cohen rather than Councillor Melvin Cohen had declared an interest.

The Worshipful the Mayor advised Council that he had written to the district Mayors of Paris, the Mayor of Chaville and the Mayor of Le Raincy, to convey the sympathies of our Council. He read out the letter sent to them:

“Dear Monsieur Le Maire

On behalf of the residents of the London Borough of Barnet I extend our sincere sympathies, thoughts and prayers to all those affected by the recent atrocities that have had such a devastating impact on families and communities across Paris, France and indeed the world.

We have flown the French flag from our town hall at half-mast.

I wish you strength in the coming weeks as you contend with the emotions and practicalities of such a tragedy and should you feel there is anything I may be able to assist you with please so not hesitate to ask

The Worshipful the Mayor

Councillor Mark Shooter”

The Worshipful the Mayor noted he had a few announcements on notable local resident successes and achievements:

Recently the Deputy Mayor Cllr Alison Cornelius attended an awards ceremony for the Young People of the Year (YOPEY) Awards where Temi Mwali received a prize for Joint Senior YOPEY winner. Temi grew up in Barnet’s Grahame Park Estate and has been an advocate and spokesperson for tackling gang related crime for some years, including setting up the organisation Get Outta the Gang in 2012 which has led to her winning several awards and commendations.

He noted that the Barnet Refugee Service has recently celebrated its 10th Anniversary and extended congratulations to the Service.

It was noted that The Worshipful the Mayor had last night attended a civic dinner in honour of the Mayor of Mourphu, the Council’s twinned city in Cyprus.

The Worshipful the Mayor noted he would like to acknowledge that this was the last Barnet Council meeting for the Strategic Director of Commissioning Kate Kennally, who was moving on to take up the position of Chief Executive of Cornwall Council. Council thanked Kate Kennally for her contribution to the Council’s leadership over the last 10 years.

The Worshipful the Mayor noted that nominations for the 2016 Barnet Civic Awards were currently being sought, with nominations open until 31 December.  The Worshipful the Mayor invited every ward Councillor to think of one or two people in their ward that had done something notable deserving of recognition by the Council. He noted that details of how to apply were on the Council’s website.

The Worshipful the Mayor extended his congratulations to the incoming Labour Leader, Councillor Rawlings, and acknowledged and thanked Councillor Alison Moore for her 10 years of leadership of the Labour Group. He noted that members wished to say a few words in respect of Councillor Moore’s leadership, and time had been allowed for this under the next agenda item.

Lastly, the Worshipful the Mayor noted that it was with sadness he had to announce that former Deputy Lieutenant Laurie Baines had passed away at the weekend.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

The Worshipful the Mayor noted that a number of Members had asked to speak on this item.

Councillor Barry Rawlings, Councillor Richard Cornelius and Councillor Jack Cohen each spoke in tribute to the departing Labour Leader Councillor Moore. Councillor Moore then spoke to give thanks for Members’ comments, the support given to her by the Labour Group, and to congratulate Councillor Rawlings on his appointment.

Council noted the appointment of Councillor Barry Rawlings as Leader of the Opposition.

There was none.

The questions, together with the answers provided and the text of any supplementary questions and answers, are set out in Appendix 1 to the minutes.

There were none.

There were none.

The Worshipful the Mayor noted that that if there were any questions on the exempt report relating to this item, consideration and voting on the item would be deferred to the end of the meeting, in exempt session. It was noted there was a question relating to the exempt report and therefore consideration on the item was deferred to agenda item 18 in exempt session.

Councillor John Marshall moved reception and adoption of the recommendations set out in the report.

The recommendations as set out in the report were put to the vote, and were declared carried.

RESOLVED - That Council approve the recommendations contained in the report from the Constitution Ethics & Probity Committee at Annexe 1B, and the track change versions attached at Appendix A to Appendix F.

The Leader moved reception and adoption of the recommendations set out in the report.  Councillor Alison Moore moved her amendment. Debate ensued.

The amendment in the name of Councillor Alison Moore was put to the vote. Votes were declared as follows:

For:            61

Against:     1

Abstain:     0

Absent:      1

TOTAL:     63

The amendment was declared carried.

The recommendations as amended were put to the vote. Votes were declared as follows:

For:           61

Against:      0

Abstain:      1

Absent:       1

TOTAL:     63

The recommendations as amended were declared carried.

RESOLVED:

1.    To establish a new Standards Committee comprising four members of the Council and an Independent Person (as a co-opted member of the Committee) to replace the Group Leaders Panel. 

2.    Not to apply the political balance requirements contained in the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 to the new Standards Committee, and that each of the two political Groups on the Council shall have two seats on the Committee (with two substitute members for each Group). 

3.    To appoint the Independent Person as the Chairman of the Standards Committee.

4.    To approve the amended “Protocol – Complaints against Members” attached at Appendix 2 as the Council’s arrangements for the investigation of complaints that a Member has breached the Code of Conduct and for taking decisions on such complaints, as required by Section 28 of the Localism Act 2011, with the following addition:

4.1That the "Protocol - Complaints against Members" includes a clause setting out that in cases where the Standards Committee is tied on a particular allegation the Committee determines that the Member has not breached the Code of Conduct and the allegation is dismissed.

5. That the Monitoring Officer be authorised to implement and                     publish the consequential changes to the Constitution. 

The Chief Executive introduced the report.

The recommendations as set out in the report were put to the vote, and were declared carried.

RESOLVED –

1.    That Council approve the revised Memorandum of Understanding (as set out in Appendix 1) as the formal arrangement for Barnet’s continued involvement in the North London Waste Plan.

2.    That Council approve the Memorandum of Understanding with the London Legacy Development Corporation (LLDC) as set out in Appendix 3.

3.    That Council delegate authority to the relevant Chief Officer in consultation with the Chairman of Policy and Resources committee to agree such future Memoranda of Understanding which meet the strategic objectives as approved by Policy & Resources Committee at its meeting on 9 July 2015

The Head of Governance introduced the report and the supplemental report.

The recommendations as set out in Appendices A and B were put to the vote, and were declared carried.

With regard to Appendix C, The Worshipful the Mayor noted that the Labour Group had withdrawn its nomination for appointment to the Arts Depot Trust Ltd, and that the Conservative Group had a nomination. The Conservative Group Secretary moved to nominate Councillor Lisa Rutter for appointment to the Arts Depot Trust Ltd.

The recommendations regarding the nomination to the Fostering Panel as set out in Appendix C, and the amended nomination for appointment of Councillor Lisa Rutter to the Arts Depot Trust Ltd as moved were put to the vote, and were declared carried.

RESOLVED –

1.    That Council note the changes to the Calendar of Meetings 2015-16 in Appendix A.

2.    That Kevin McSharry be appointed as a co-opted Member of the Children Education Libraries and Safeguarding Committee, as set out in Appendix B.

3.    That Councillor Claire Farrier be appointed to fill the vacancy to the Fostering Panel for a three year period.

4.    That Councillor Lisa Rutter be appointed to fill the vacancy to the Arts Depot Trust Ltd for a three year period.

There were none.

The Conservative Group Secretary stated that of the two motions put forward by the Administration, the Administration had chosen to debate the motion in the name of Councillor Richard Cornelius.

Councillor Arjun Mittra moved the Motion in his name. Councillor David Longstaff moved his amendment. Councillor Alison Moore moved her amendment. Debate ensued.

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

For:                 29

Against:          32

Abstain:            0

Absent:             2

TOTAL:           63

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

For:                 32

Against:          29

Abstain:            1

Absent:             1

TOTAL:           63

The amendment in the name of Councillor David Longstaff was declared carried.

The substantive motion as amended by Councillor Longstaff’s amendment was then put to the vote. The Votes were declared as follows:

For:                 32

Against:          29

Abstain:          1

Absent:           1

TOTAL:           63

The motion as amended was declared carried.

RESOLVED –

Council notes concerns about the state of emergency services in London.

Council therefore welcomes the recent announcement by the Chancellor of the Exchequer that the overall policing budget is to be protected.

Council notes previously announced budget pressures of £400 million for the Metropolitan Police that still need to be found could still result in the loss of all London’s Police Community Support Officers, with the Met Commissioner, Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe, questioning whether PCSOs offer the best value to the public and the taxpayer. Council notes, however, that no firm proposals have been advanced.

In the last Parliament the Metropolitan Police had to save £600m from its budget. Council recognises that since 2010 the number of officers and PCSOs in Barnet has fallen, with safer neighbourhood teams cut from one Sergeant, two PCs and six PCSOs down to just a PC and a PCSO dedicated to each ward, while more officers work flexibly across a the neighbourhood cluster in support of the dedicated team; and led by a sergeant and an inspector. During this period overall crime is down 12%, with over 3,000 fewer offences in 2014/15 compared to 2009/10 and priority crimes like burglary and robbery are down 24% and 47% respectively when compared to 2012.

Council also notes efforts to make better use of resources, with over 2,600 officers across London being moved from back office and support roles to frontline duties since 2012, increasing the proportion of officers engaged on the frontline from 89% to 92%.

Council believes changes to policing methods, allied with the development of Barnet’s Safer Communities Partnership, the Integrated Offender Management Programme, intelligence-led policing and the multi-agency response used to tackle issues like Anti-Social Behaviour, have contributed to this reduction in crime.

Council is aware of plans to remove 13 fire appliances in a bid to save £8.1m for the Fire Service. Council notes that these engines have been out of service for two years already, as part of the Brigade’s strike contingency arrangements, and that none are located in the vicinity of Barnet. During this time the service has continued to meet its response time targets. Council further notes that returning the 13 appliances to service would improve average London-wide  ...  view the full minutes text for item 15.1

The Worshipful the Mayor noted that under Council Procedure Rule 23.5 no vote would be taken on the Administration Motion in the name of Councillor Helena Hart – Tackling the Growing Problem of Shisha.

Councillor Richard Cornelius moved the Motion in his name. Councillor Barry Rawlings moved his amendment. Debate ensued.

The amendment in 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.

Votes were taken on the Motion in the name of Councillor Richard Cornelius. The votes were declared as follows:

For:                 32

Against:          30

Abstain:            0

Absent:             1

TOTAL:           63

The motion was declared carried.

RESOLVED –

Council notes the content of the Chancellor’s recent Autumn Statement and Spending Review and welcomes both the strengthened financial outlook and the measures outlined to enhance our economic and national security.

Council notes that growth forecasts have once again been revised up, showing that the UK is continuing to build on the solid foundations of stability provided by the government. Council further notes that in Barnet unemployment has fallen another 8% in the last year and that average incomes in the borough are up over 17% on 2012.

With higher growth and tax receipt forecasts and reduced interest rates on debt, the Chancellor will be able to deliver a budget surplus by 2019/20, whilst avoiding cuts to tax credits, protecting police budgets and increasing investment in defence and security to keep us safe. Council welcomes these decisions.

Council also welcomes the government’s reaffirmation of £97m in funding for the new Thameslink Station at Brent Cross and notes their support for our plans to deliver 7,500 new homes as part of the redevelopment. Council believes that measures on housing outlined in the Autumn Statement, such as funding for new starter homes for first time buyers and a special Help to Buy for London, will boost our already considerable efforts to deliver the new homes people desire.

Council recognises that the Spending Review reinforces the requirement to make savings to our budget. Whilst we await all the final details in the Local Government Settlement, the likely 25% further cut is in line with our expectations and the approach taken in our forward planning. Council commits to facing up to this challenge, accepting that the level of savings set out in the council’s Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) are required.

However, Council calls on the Leader to continue to make representations to ensure that Barnet is not treated in a harsher way than other London boroughs.

There were none.

The Worshipful the Mayor moved that under Section 100A (4) of the Local Government Act 1972 the public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 9 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act (as amended).

Councillor Reuben Thompstone introduced the report and moved reception and adoption. Debate ensued.

Following consideration of the exempt information the public was re-admitted to the meeting.

The recommendations as set out in the report were put to the vote. Votes were declared as follows:

For:         32

Against:  30

Abstain:  0

Absent:   1

TOTAL:   63

The recommendations in the report were declared carried.

RESOLVED

1.    That Council note the powers reserved to it under paragraph 1.6 of the Constitution, Responsibility for Functions, which states that decisions on policy matters and new proposals relating to significant partnerships with external agencies and local authority companies, including the contracting out of functions, are reserved to the full Council.

2.    That Council, following consideration of the recommendations made by the Children, Education, Libraries & Safeguarding Committee, approves as follows:

a.     That Mott MacDonald Ltd trading as Cambridge Education be selected as the Council’s preferred bidder for the future delivery of Education and Skills services;

b.     That the Council enters into a strategic partnering arrangement with Mott MacDonald Ltd trading as Cambridge Education, including entering into a services contract and a partnering agreement;

c.     That the Commissioning Director – Children and Young People be delegated authority to finalise the contract documentation, in consultation with the Committee Chairman;

d.     That the functions set out in paragraph 1.45 of the report are contracted out to Mott MacDonald Ltd trading as Cambridge Education; and

e.     That the Commissioning Director – Children and Young People be delegated authority to proceed with all necessary planning and preparation for mobilisation of the contract, in consultation with the Committee Chairman

3.    That Council note the corrected “Revised Savings Profile” line in the table on page 11 of Appendix A (Full Business Case) which has been amended to reflect the figures in the report to the Children, Education, Libraries & Safeguarding Committee attached at Annex 1.