Agenda and minutes

An apology for absence was received from Councillor Kitty Lyons.

The Worshipful the Mayor was present.

The Mayor’s chaplain, Tristan Chapman, offered prayers.

The following members declared an interest:

Council noted that the minutes for the meeting of the previous meeting had been circulated as a supplement due to the minutes of the meeting held on 4 April 2016 being incorrectly included the agenda.

The minutes of the annual meeting of Council, held on 24^th May 2016, were agreed as a correct record.

The Worshipful the Mayor announced that, following the recent terror attack on Bastille Day in Nice, he was sure that Council would join him in extending sympathies to the people of Nice and the victims of the attacks.

The Worshipful the Mayor asked Council to join him in observing a minute’s silence in order to reflect on the life and achievements of Jo Cox, the Member of Parliament for Batley and Spen.

The Worshipful the Mayor congratulated the Chief Executive of Work Avenue, Shraga Zaltzman, on being awarded an MBE by Her Majesty the Queen for services to enterprise and employment in the Jewish community. The Worshipful the Mayor also congratulated Maureen West, Chairman of Barnet Borough Watch on being awarded an MBE. The Reverend Cindy Kent of St John the Apostle, Whetstone, had been awarded an MBE for services to religious broadcasting. The Worshipful the Mayor congratulated Councillor Joan Scannell on being awarded a BEM for services to local government as an officer and a ward councillor. It was noted that Councillor Scannell has served her Edgware residents since 1994 and he was sure Council would join him in congratulating this achievement.

The Worshipful the Mayor, on behalf of the Council, sent best wishes to all residents of the Borough, or those with connections to the Borough, who will be representing their country at the forthcoming Olympic and Paralympic games in Brazil. This includes Cllr Slocombe’s grandson James Andrew-Davis, and Richard Kruse from West Finchley who have been named as part of a four strong fencing squad to represent team GB.

The Worshipful the Mayor congratulated Saracens on winning the Aviva Premiership League and European Cup in the same season, and also Andrew Johnston – a golfer from Friern Barnet, Andrew came 8th in The Open Championship recently.

The Worshipful the Mayor also took the opportunity to wish Councillor Rebecca Challice the very best for the next month ago ahead of the birth of her first child.

The Mayor moved the following resolution:

The Council of the London Borough of Barnet do hereby place on record their sincere appreciation for the dedicated service to local government and to the residents of Barnet rendered over a period of 30 years by Councillor Brian Salinger.

Councillor Brian Salinger served as the Leader of the Council during the municipal year of 2005 to 2006.

During the leadership of Councillor Victor Lyon he was Cabinet Member for Housing.

He has also served as a Chairman of the:

• First Class Education and Children Overview and Scrutiny Committee and;
• Corporate Joint Consultation (Health, Safety and Welfare) Committee

He has served as a Vice-Chairman of the:

• General Functions Committee
• Special Committee to deal with Constitution and;
• Business Management Overview and Scrutiny Committee

Between 1986 and 1994 he held the following positions:

• Vice Chairman of Finance Committee
• Chairman of Northern Area Planning Committee and;
• Chairman of the Appeals Committee

During 1986 and 1994 he was put on the Barnet Health Authority and served as its Chairman from 1993-96.

He has also served on numerous other Committees including:

• Corporate Joint Negotiation and Consultation Committee
• Policy & Performance Overview & Scrutiny Committee
• Teachers Joint Negotiation and Consultation Committee
• Budget & Performance Overview and Scrutiny Committee
• Safeguarding Overview and Scrutiny Committee and;
• Chipping Barnet Area Environment Sub-Committee

Councillor Salinger currently serves as Chairman for the Audit Committee, Vice-Chairman on the Environment Committee, Vice-Chairman on the Licensing Committee, Chairman of the Local Pension Board and as a Member of the Corporate Parenting Advisory Board.

Councillor Salinger is currently appointed as a council representative on the Jesus Hospital Charity in Chipping Barnet and Valentine Poole Charity. Councillor Salinger has been a governor at Holly Park Primary School since 1995 and has been the Chairman of governors at Moss Hall Nursery for 30 years. He is also the Chairman of the Management Committee at the Pavilion Pupil Referral Unit.

Council extend their gratitude for his commitment to the residents of Oakleigh Ward and of the London Borough of Barnet and for his continued endeavour to represent their best interests.

RESOLVED that Council unanimously agree the motion.

Following agreement of the motion, Councillor Brian Salinger was asked to come forward to the dais and receive a framed, signed velum from the Mayor. Councillor Brian Salinger then said some words of thanks.

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.

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Each of the reports from committees were dealt with under the relevant sub-item.

Councillor John Marshall, as Chairman of the Constitution, Ethics and Probity Committee, moved reception and adoption of the recommendations set out in the report. Debate ensued.

The recommendations were unanimously agreed by Council, and therefore were declared carried.

RESOLVED:

1.    That Council approve the recommendations contained in the report from the Constitution Ethics & Probity Committee at Annex 1, and the track change versions attached at Appendix A to Appendix D.

2.    That the Monitoring Officer be authorised to implement these revisions and publish a revised Constitution.

Councillor Hugh Rayner left the meeting for the debate and voting on the item due to the disclosable pecuniary interest he had declared at the beginning of the meeting.

Councillor Daniel Thomas, Vice-Chairman of the Policy and Resources Committee, moved reception and adoption of the recommendations in the report. Debate ensued.

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

The recommendations in the report we therefore declared carried.

RESOLVED:

1.    That Council noted the public responses to the consultation carried out on the Grahame Park SPD and agree the Council responses in the consultation report attached at Appendix A;

2.    That Council adopted the Graham Park SPD attached at Appendix B.

Councillor Hugh Rayner re-entered the meeting.

Councillor Daniel Thomas, Chairman of the Assets, Regeneration and Growth Committee, moved reception and adoption of the recommendations in the report. Debate ensued.

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

The recommendations in the report we therefore declared carried.

RESOLVED:

1.    That Council acknowledge and note the contents of the Full Business Case (FBC);

2.    That Council approve the preferred option for Barnet Council’s office accommodation to start construction of a new build development at Colindale;

3.    That Council authorise the entering into a Design and Build Contact with Galliford Try Construction for the Colindale Office and agree to delegate to the Director of Resources authority to sign the contract;

4.    That Council approve the elements of the IT and IM strategy that are the main enablers to the Colindale programme as set out in para 1.4.6-12;

5.    That Council authorise the procurement of a supplier to operate the café on the ground floor of the new Colindale Offices as set out in paragraph 1.4.19 and agree to delegate to the Director of Resources authority to enter a contract and lease (or other document permitting use of premises) for the same, with such organisation.

Councillor Daniel Thomas, Chairman of the Assets, Regeneration and Growth Committee, moved reception and adoption of the recommendations in the report. Debate ensued.

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

The recommendations in the report we therefore declared carried.

RESOLVED:

1.    That Council acknowledged and noted the contents of the Full Business Case (FBC);

2.    That Council approved the preferred option for Barnet Council’s office accommodation to start construction of a new build development at Colindale;

3.    That Council authorised the entering into a Design and Build Contact with Galliford Try Construction for the Colindale Office and agrees to delegate to the Director of Resources authority to sign the contract;

4.    That Council approved the elements of the IT and IM strategy that are the main enablers to the Colindale programme as set out in para 1.4.6-12;

5.    That Council authorised the procurement of a supplier to operate the café on the ground floor of the new Colindale Offices as set out in paragraph 1.4.19 and agrees to delegate to the Director of Resources authority to enter a contract and lease (or other document permitting use of premises) for the same, with such organisation.

There was one report of an officer, which was dealt with under the relevant sub-item.

A Governance Team Leader introduced the report on behalf of the Head of Governance.

Councillor Geof Cooke noted that there had been a committee clash on 14^th July 2016, with both the Planning Committee and Environment Committee having occurred on that evening. It was noted that this should have been avoided. 

In respect to the outside body vacancy for the Arts Depot Trust Ltd, as detailed in Appendix B, Councillor Ammar Naqvi moved from the floor a Labour Group nomination in his name for Councillor Anne Hutton to replace Councillor Anthony Finn  Votes on the nomination were recorded as follows:

The nomination therefore did not carry.

Councillor Joan Scannell then moved the Conservative Group nomination in her name for Councillor David Longstaff to be reappointed and for Councillor Mark Shooter to replace Councillor Anthony Finn. Votes were recorded as follows:

The nominations were therefore carried.

Council unanimously agreed the recommendations in Appendix A and Appendix C.

RESOLVED:

1.    Council noted the changes to the Calendar of Meetings 2016/17 as outlined in Appendix A.

2.    That Councillor Mark Shooter be appointed, and that Councillor David Longstaff be reappointed, as outside body representatives on the Arts Depot Trust Ltd for a three year period (to 25 July 2019).

3.    That Council approved the officer appointments to the London Borough of Barnet Brent Cross Holdings Ltd. Board of the General Partner, as detailed at Appendix C.

There were none.

Councillor Wendy Prentice was absent for the remainder of the meeting.

The Labour Group Secretary stated that of the four motions put forward by the Opposition, the Opposition had chosen to debate the motion in the name of Councillor Barry Rawlings.

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 Gabriel Rozenberg.

The Worshipful the Mayor noted that under Council Procedure Rule 23.5 the Opposition Motion in the name of Councillor Arjun Mittra (agenda item 15.3) and the Opposition Motion in the name of Councillor Ross Houston (agenda item 15.5) would be referred to the Pension Fund Committee and Housing Committee respectively.

Councillor Barry Rawlings moved the Motion in his name, and stated that he would be happy to accept both amendments. Councillor Richard Cornelius and Councillor Kath McGuirk moved their amendments. Debate ensured.

The amendment in the name of Councillor Richard Cornelius was unanimously agreed by Council.

The amendment in the name of Councillor Kath McGuirk was unanimously agreed by Council.

The substantive motion as amended was unanimously agreed by Council.

RESOLVED that:

We are proud to live in a diverse and tolerant society. Racism, xenophobia and hate crimes have no place in our country.

We, the elected councillors of LB Barnet, condemn racism, xenophobia and hate crimes unequivocally. We will not allow hate to become acceptable.

We call on Barnet council to continue to work to ensure local bodies and programmes have the support and resources needed to fight and prevent racism and xenophobia.

We reassure all people living in Barnet, whatever their background, that they are valued members of our community.

We condemn the recent rise in hate crime since the EU Referendum and welcome the measures to tackle hate crime announced by the Government including tougher sentences for perpetrators of hate crime, £2.4 million for protective security at places of worship and more work to prevent anti-semitism and Islamophobia.

Given the small recent local increase in hate crime, and increases last year, we believe we should remain vigilant and ask that the Community Leadership Committee monitors incidents of hate crime and our own local action plan to combat hate crime on a more regular basis.

Council also requests that the Community Leadership Committee receives an update on local police resources, workloads and the impact these are having on policing in the Borough.

Council calls on all Members to sign this declaration.

Councillor Gabriel Rozenberg moved the Motion in his name. Councillor Barry Rawlings moved his amendment. Debate ensued.

The amendment in the name of Councillor Barry Rawlings was put to the vote.

Votes were recorded as follows:

The amendment was therefore lost.

Votes were taken on the motion and recorded as follows:

The motion was therefore carried.

RESOLVED:

Council congratulates The Rt Hon Theresa May MP on becoming Prime Minister, and welcomes her pledge to lead a One Nation Government for the good of all the citizens of the United Kingdom.

Council welcomes the Prime Minister's statement, delivered in front of 10 Downing Street on the day she took office, that her Government will be driven not by the interests of the privileged few, but by the needs of ordinary, working-class families. She promised: "We will do everything we can to give you more control over your lives."

Council notes the new Prime Minister's lifelong devotion to public service. Mrs May has served with distinction as Home Secretary for six years; has been an MP for 19 years; and began her political career as a councillor in Wimbledon, in the London Borough of Merton — like Barnet, an outer London borough.

Council is therefore confident that her government will pay close attention to the needs of residents of outer London.

For Barnet, a top priority is the Government's ongoing review of the needs assessment formula which underpins central funding of local government. For example, Barnet receives less than half the funding per person that Camden does.

Council urges the new Government to usher in a new financial settlement for London that properly reflects the capital's changing landscape of need. Council calls on the Leader to write to the new Chancellor of the Exchequer, the new Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, and the Mayor of London, to make this positive case for Barnet's residents.

Under Council Procedure Rule 23.5 it was noted that Councillor Gordon had requested his motion would be voted on in the meeting.

The votes were recorded as follows:

The motion was therefore carried.

RESOLVED:

Council believes that the Residents’ Forum provides an excellent democratic apparatus for members of the public within Barnet to raise local issues according to their choice and engage with Officers regarding those issues. 

Council wishes to reinforce the concept that Residents’ Forums should be user-friendly and not dominated by politicians, who already have sufficient and direct access to higher echelons of local government.

Council therefore calls for the Constitution, Ethics and Probity Committee to look at modifying the constitution to provide that elected politicians – be they councillors, assembly members or MPs – should not be permitted to submit questions or table motions for discussion at Residents’ Forums, although they may still be called upon during such meetings to comment on issues, entirely at the discretion of the Chair.

Under Council Procedure Rule 23.5 it was noted that Councillor Houston had requested his motion would be voted on in the meeting.

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

The amendment therefore carried.

The substantive motion as amended was then put to the vote, and was unanimously agreed by Council.

RESOLVED:

Council notes the 'Brexit' outcome of the EU Referendum.

Council also notes that the majority of residents in Barnet - 62 per cent - voted to 'Remain' in the EU.

Council respects the overall decision of the country, but notes the uncertainty this has caused, and the affect it has already had on the pound and the economy with the risk and opportunities that brings.

Council believes that, while a complete picture of the impact on Barnet is not yet clear, the Council should be doing all it can to ensure the best possible outcome for the Borough, including identifying risks and opportunities, and preparing for them.

Council believes that putting a plan together in this way helps to protect Barnet and its residents – as has always been the Council's responsibility.

Council also notes the responsibility of Parliament to protect its people, and that the invoking of Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty will be subject to debates in the courts as well as decisions by the PM and her Cabinet.

Council calls on the Policy & Resources Committee to properly consider the probable impact of Brexit on Barnet so that this can be communicated to Barnet's 3 Conservative MPs in order that they can raise these issues in parliamentary debates and fight for the best outcome for the Borough.

There were none.

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