Agenda and minutes

Venue: Hendon Town Hall, The Burroughs, London NW4 4BG

Contact: Kirstin Lambert, Email: kirstin.lambert@barnet.gov.uk, 020 8359 2177 

Items
No. Item

1.

Apologies for absence

Minutes:

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Kitty Lyons.

2.

Elect a Member to preside if the Mayor or Deputy Mayor are absent

Minutes:

The Worshipful the Mayor was present.

3.

Prayer

Minutes:

Ms Suchita Rajadhyaksha of the Hindu faith was called upon by the Worshipful the Mayor to speak to Council and say prayers.

4.

Declarations of Interest

Minutes:

The following interests were declared:

 

Councillor

Subject

Interest declared

Cllr Jack Cohen

14.2 – Motion in the name of Cllr Alison Cornelius

A non-pecuniary interest by virtue of his bull terrier being walked by a dog walker at one of the sites where there are complaints.

Cllr Arjun Mittra

14.1 and 14.3 – Motions in the names of Cllr Rohit Grover and Cllr David Longstaff

A non-pecuniary and non-prejudicial interest, as he is an employee of the GLA (Greater London Authority).

Cllr Alan Schneiderman

14.4. – Motion in the name of Cllr Coakley-Webb

A pecuniary interest in connection with his employment. Cllr Schneiderman noted he would leave the chamber and would not participate in the voting on this item.

Cllr Ross Houston

14.3 – Motion in the name of Cllr David Longstaff

A non-pecuniary interest by virtue of being a council appointed director of the Barnet Group Board. Cllr Houston also declared an interest as he is a £1 shareholder in one of the companies mentioned.

Cllr John Marshall

14.3 – Motion in the name of Cllr David Longstaff

A non-pecuniary interest by virtue of being a council appointed director of the Barnet Group Board.

Councillor Rebecca Challice

14.4– Motion in the name of Cllr Coakley-Webb

A non-pecuniary interest by virtue of being employed in a school in Hertfordshire.

Councillor Paul Edwards

14.4– Motion in the name of Cllr Coakley-Webb

A non-pecuniary interest by virtue of being a governor of Totteridge Academy.

 

5.

Minutes of the last meeting pdf icon PDF 164 KB

Minutes:

The minutes of the meeting held on 25 July 2017 were agreed as a correct record.

6.

Official announcements

Minutes:

The Worshipful the Mayor on behalf of council extended congratulations to Cllr Adam Langleben on his marriage on 17 September to Tasha Adley.

 

The Worshipful the Mayor stated he was delighted to announce that children of Akiva school had recently won a trophy at the inter-schools Gardening competition. He then invited Headteacher Suzy Stone, teacher Nicola Bettis and pupils including Maddie Noah, Joe Rudling, Olicia Bohn and Harry Abrahams who were present at the meeting to approach the front of the Chamber to receive their trophy. The Worshipful the Mayor noted the competition had been sponsored by Finchley Nurseries and that the schools were very grateful for the support.

 

In other announcements The Worshipful the Mayor noted Mr Robert Blyth had recently entered some photos, on behalf of Barnet, to the Le Raincy twin towns photographic competition. It was noted that Mr Blyth had won a first prize and that on of his photographs was on display on the railings outside Le Raincy library. The Worshipful the Mayor noted he had travelled to Le Raincy on his behalf to collect Mr Blyth’s certificate as Mr Blyth was unable to attend. Mr Blyth was then invited to the front of the chamber where he was presented with his certificate.

 

The Worshipful the Mayor noted that the Mayor of Le Raincy was very keen to establish relations with a group in Barnet as the Friends of Le Raincy was no longer in existence. He invited Members to let him know if they knew of anyone interested in setting up a group, which he could then put in touch with the Mayor of Le Raincy. 

 

The Worshipful the Mayor noted he had recently visited Cyprus and extended the greetings to council on behalf of the Mayor of Morphou and the President of Cyrpus who he had also met. He noted he had had the pleasure of visiting Morphou and seeing the future potential of the city if there was a solution to the problems in Cyprus.

 

The Worshipful the Mayor then noted he was sad to announce the death of John A Skitt who had passed away last month in Mallorca. He noted John was appointed Deputy Principal at Barnet College in 1981 rising to Principal in 1983. Former Governor of the College, Anthony Alderman who had been a Governor at Barnet college for 25 years and Chair for 15 years has advised of John’s outstanding leadership, during which time the college was always rated as good. He noted John was the person who oversaw the combination of Hendon College and Barnet College and memorably had contributed to the naming of the college by suggesting that the name be derived from a part of each colleges’ name; ‘College’ from Hendon College and ‘Barnet’ from Barnet College.

 

The Worshipful the Mayor was sad to announce the recent passing on 13th October 2017 of Tony Williams, who was a London Borough of Barnet councillor for Colindale ward from 1971 to 1978. In  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

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 227 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

Minutes:

None.

10.

Reports from the Leader

Minutes:

None.

 

11.

Annual Report of the Audit Committee 2016-17 pdf icon PDF 231 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Councillor Hugh Rayner, Chairman of the Audit Committee, moved reception and adoption of the recommendations in the report. Debate ensued.

 

On the recommendation in the report being put to the vote the recommendation was unanimously agreed.

 

RESOLVED that Council approve the Annual Report of the Audit Committee for 2016-17.

 

12.

Report of the Constitution Ethics and Probity Committee - Constitution Review pdf icon PDF 239 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Head of Governance noted that Members were asked to note that Article 2 – section 2.3F ‘Members Items for the Agenda’ should state that the deadline for Members Items is 10 days for applications to the Area Committee budget, not 19 days.

 

Councillor John Marshall, Chairman of the Constitution Ethics and Probity Committee, moved reception and adoption of the recommendations in the report, and moved that an amendment to Article 2 – section 2.3F be made to correct the error as noted. Debate ensued.

 

On the recommendations in the report being put to the vote the recommendations were unanimously agreed.

 

RESOLVED that:

 

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

 

2.      The Monitoring Officer and Chief Legal Advisor be authorised to implement these revisions and publish a revised Constitution.

13.

Report of Strategic Director for Environment pdf icon PDF 324 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Councillor Dean Cohen, Chairman of the Environment Committee, moved reception and adoption of the recommendations in the report. Debate ensued.

 

On the recommendations in the report being put to the vote the recommendations were unanimously agreed.

 

RESOLVED that Full Council approve the adoption and implementation of Barnet Waste Regulations 2017.

14.

Questions to Council Representatives on Outside Bodies

Minutes:

There were none.

15.

Motions

Minutes:

The Mayor called on the Group Secretaries to state which motions they wished to put forward for debate.

 

The Conservative Group Secretary stated that the Administration had chosen to debate agenda item 14.3 – Administration Motion in the name of Councillor David Longstaff – Is Mayor Khan an enemy of the people of Barnet?

 

The Labour Group Secretary stated that the Opposition had chosen to debate agenda item 14.4 – Opposition Motion in the name of Councillor Pauline Coakley-Webb – Planning school places in Barnet.

16.

Administration Motion in the name of Councillor David Longstaff - Is Mayor Khan an enemy of the people of Barnet? pdf icon PDF 46 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

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

 

The amendment in the name of Councillor Arjun Mittra 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.

 

The motion was then put to the vote, and the votes were recorded as follows:

 

For

32

Against

30

Abstain

0

Absent

1

TOTAL

63

 

The motion was declared carried.

 

RESOLVED – that

 

Council is growing increasingly concerned that Mayor Khan is making life harder for the people of Barnet for the sake of political point-scoring.

 

In the last six weeks alone Mayor Khan has made several rulings attacking the borough’s already strained transport infrastructure. Most recently the Aslef union revealed he had scrapped plans laid by his predecessor, Boris Johnson, to add 17 much-needed trains to the Northern line and increase services to 30 an hour. The explosion in demand projected for this vital but overcrowded service will now have to be met by current stock — and borne by residents.

 

At the beginning of this month he also overruled Barnet’s democratically elected Planning Committee in order to force a deeply unpopular development of 460 flats on the people of Mill Hill. Adding insult to injury, he removed 78 parking spaces from the original plans, meaning residents will have to fight for spaces on neighbouring residential streets. This is despite visiting the site himself by car rather than brave the Northern line.

 

Before clogging up the borough’s roads and scuppering improvements to its Underground service, however, Mayor Khan decided to make private hire vehicles more expensive and less available for residents of outer London boroughs like Barnet. His decision against renewing Uber’s private hire licence not only risks putting 1,789 Barnet-based Uber drivers out of work; it will increase the costs for residents using black cabs.

 

Council agrees that any concerns about Uber’s safeguarding procedures must be addressed. However, Council is baffled as to why data revealed under the Freedom of Information Act showed TfL inspectors had given Uber a clean bill of health on no less than 10 occasions in the last four years (the last after an annual compliance audit in April this year) and why Mayor Khan failed to meet with Uber representatives to discuss concerns. In revoking Uber's licence, Khan's message is that London is closed to innovation and business.

 

Council is also deeply concerned by Mayor Khan’s intervention on the Grahame Park development. In making public an error-riddled letter from GLA planners he ensured the retraction, which Barnet was on the cusp of negotiating, would not happen. The planning application now risks being refused or amended by the Mayor.

 

Council calls on the Leader of the Council and the Leader of the Opposition to write to the Mayor to address these concerns and request he rectify them for the benefit of the people of Barnet over party political gain.

17.

Opposition Motion in the name of Councillor Pauline Coakley-Webb - Planning school places in Barnet pdf icon PDF 39 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Councillor Alan Schneiderman left the chamber for consideration and voting on this item.

 

Councillor Pauline Coakley-Webb moved the Motion in her name. Councillor Reuben Thompstone moved the amendment in his name. Councillor Paul Edwards moved the amendment in his name. Debate ensued.

 

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

 

 

For

32

Against

29

Abstain

0

Absent

2

TOTAL

63

 

The amendment was declared carried.

 

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

 

 

For

29

Against

32

Abstain

0

Absent

2

TOTAL

63

 

The amendment was declared lost.

 

The motion as amended by Councillor Reuben Thompstone was then put to the vote, and the votes were recorded as follows:

 

For

32

Against

29

Abstain

0

Absent

2

TOTAL

63

 

The motion as amended by Councillor Thompstone was declared carried.

 

RESOLVED – that

 

Council notes the revolution in school organisation which began with the introduction of academies through the Learning and Skills Act 2000 and continued with the enabling of free schools through the Academies Act 2010 has moved the education sector from a centralised command economy to a system which offers parents real choice on how they wish to have their children educated.

 

Council believes the benefits of this shift are obvious in the increased academic attainment of Barnet pupils; not least in the percentage of those on free school meals going to university, which has increased from 27% in 2006/07 to 44% eight years later. Furthermore, according to a Department for Education report published in September 2016, 83% of free schools opened since 2013 did so in areas which required extra school places.

 

Nonetheless, Council believes a dialogue between local government, central government, and those wishing to open free schools and academies, is an important element of good government. Council also notes that at the most recent Children, Education, Libraries and Safeguarding Committee members were advised that:

 

“The free school programme is a central government programme administered by the Department for Education. The council has no role in assessing or approving free school applications. In more recent years, the Department for Education has invited the council to provide a view of the local need for school places."

 

Council therefore makes known its disappointment that the Labour Group has so often opposed the creation of new secondary school places — whether through expansion of an existing school or the introduction of a new school — despite knowing these are much-needed due to the fast approaching primary school ‘bulge’.

 

Council resolves to continue to work with various levels of government as it already does; successfully planning school places, identifying new sites, and undertaking widespread consultation without creating extra and wasteful bureaucracy.

 

Following the decision-making on this item Councillor Alan Schneiderman re-entered the meeting room.

 

18.

Administration Motion in the name of Councillor Alison Cornelius - Keep our dog walkers under control pdf icon PDF 45 KB

Minutes:

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 2.15 The Worshipful the Mayor called for a vote on whether Council agreed to the debate of additional motions. Votes were recorded as follows:

 

For

36

Against

11

Abstain

15

Absent

1

TOTAL

63

 

It having been duly agreed to debate additional Motions, The Worshipful the Mayor stated that in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 2.15 Motions would be debated in rotation between the Political Parties, and called on the Conservative Group Secretary to state which Administration Motion would first be debated.

 

The Conservative Group Secretary stated that the Administration would first debate agenda item 14.2 – Administration Motion in the name of Councillor Alison Cornelius – Keep our dog walkers under control.

 

Councillor Alison Cornelius moved the Motion in her name. Debate ensued. On the motion being put to the vote it was unanimously agreed by council.

 

RESOLVED that:

 

Council notes a marked increase in the number of complaints from residents regarding large groups of up to 20 dogs being walked in public spaces by individual professional dog walkers. Residents have complained of personal distress when confronted with seemingly out of control dogs and of dog excrement which is not picked up. 

 

Council recognises professional dog walkers provide a welcome service to those in the borough without the time or ability to walk their own dogs, but that this needs to be balanced with the safety of other residents and the cleanliness of our parks and open spaces.

 

Council further notes that, while it is an offence punishable by imprisonment under Section 3 of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 for an individual in charge of a dog to allow it to be so out of control that it causes reasonable apprehension to a person that they will be injured, enforcement and prosecution of offences can be difficult. However the Council has powers under the Antisocial Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 to introduce Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPOs) to prevent their happening in the first place.

 

Guidelines by the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) quote expert advice suggesting the maximum number of dogs which a person can control is six. Many authorities have responded by introducing PSPOs limiting the number of dogs which can be walked by a person at once. Haringey and Waltham Forest have set this at six; Brent, the City of London, Greenwich, Royal Parks, and Wandsworth have set the limit at four. It is a criminal offence to breach a PSPO, though the Council can offer a £100 Fixed Penalty Notice as an alternative to conviction. Wandsworth also issues up to 50 licences to walk a maximum of eight dogs under a bye-law applicable to certain parks and open spaces.

 

Council therefore requests the Environment Committee investigates introducing of a PSPO limiting the number of dogs an individual can walk at once, as well as issuing licences, and makes early contact with interest groups prior to a statutory consultation.

 

 

 

 

19.

Opposition Motion in the name of Councillor Barry Rawlings - Local Government Pay pdf icon PDF 50 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Councillor Barry Rawlings moved the Motion in his name. Councillor Ammar Naqvi moved his amendment. Debate ensued.

 

The amendment in the name of Councillor Ammar Naqvi 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.

 

The motion was then put to the vote, and the votes were recorded as follows:

 

 

For

30

Against

32

Abstain

0

Absent

1

TOTAL

63

 

The motion was declared lost.

20.

Administration Motion in the name of Councillor Rohit Grover - Safety of the Ossulton Way/ Kingsley Way/A1 Junction pdf icon PDF 43 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Councillor Rohit Grover moved the Motion in his name. Councillor Gill Sargeant moved her amendment. Debate ensued.

 

The amendment in the name of Councillor Gill Sargeant 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.

 

The motion was then put to the vote and was unanimously agreed by council.

 

RESOLVED that:

On 4 April 2017 Council unanimously agreed to call an urgent meeting between Transport for London (TfL), officers of Barnet's Highways Department and local councillors to assess and improve the safety of the Ossulton Way/ Kingsley Way/A1 Junction. This urgent meeting took place three months later on 13 July.

During this meeting it was noted that the all-red  phase of the traffic lights at the above junction is inadequate to non-existent, meaning that pedestrians do not have sufficient time to cross the A1. As there are parades of shops and cafes on both sides of the A1 at this junction, this crossing is frequently used, particularly by elderly residents who need to cross from the surgery on the south side to the chemist on the north.

Excessive speed levels were also observed on the stretch of the A1, in both directions, leading from this junction to Henlys Corner. 

While the TfL representative who was present noted these concerns, it was mentioned that 'political pressure' would likely be required for action to take place, given concerns over the impact on bus schedules in the event that further traffic calming measures are implemented.

In view of the fact that since 2010, 11 serious collisions have taken place  on this stretch of the A1, including the death of an elderly resident at the Ossulton Way junction earlier this year, Council calls for a further meeting to take place, at a high level, where those with senior decision-making authority at TfL are required to seriously consider what can be done to improve pedestrian safety. Options could include a longer all-red phase at the Kingsley Way/Ossulton Way/A1 junction where traffic from all sides is stopped, an improved pedestrian crossing facility, or speed cameras for this stretch of road generally.