Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence had been received from Councillor Steven Sowerby and Councillor Zakia Zubairi.

The Worshipful the Mayor was present.

Father Gladstone Liddle was called upon by The Worshipful the Mayor to speak to Council and say prayers.

Councillor Arjun Mittra declared a non-pecuniary interest in relation to the following agenda items: 14.2 (Administration Motion in the name of Cllr David Longstaff – Policing), 14.4 (Administration Motion in the name of Cllr Peter Zinkin – Ultra Low Emission Zone) and 14.6 (Administration Motion in the name Cllr John Marshall – Finchley Road entrance to Golders Green Station) – by virtue of being an employee of the Great London Authority.

Councillor Anne Hutton declared a non-pecuniary interest in relation to Agenda Item 8 – Questions to the Leader (question 31) by virtue of being a trustee of Barnet Charity. 

The minutes of the meeting dated 18 December 2018 were agreed as a correct record.

The Worshipful the Mayor was delighted to announce that The Barnet Christmas fayre raised over £800 for the Mayor’s Charity which was held in High Barnet.  He further noted that that Barnet’s entry in the London New Years’ Day parade won £5,000 which was donated to The Mayor’s Charity.  The Worshipful the Mayor expressed his thanks Sussi Earnshaw and the Bull Theatre, PB Donoghue for the donation of their vehicle and driver for the float entry, and to The Fake Grass company for their donation of free grass worth over £1,000, and Nick Staton for the loan of a four wheel drive. 

The Worshipful the Mayor congratulated “Chilli Tuk Tuk” in North Finchley for the Best Takeaway/Delivery UK at the ‘British Curry Awards’ 2018 as well as winning the Best Takeaway at the (Asian Restaurant Owners Network) Awards. 

The Worshipful the Mayor informed the Chamber that he attended the moving Holocaust Memorial Day in Barnet. The Holocaust Memorial Day Commemoration had been held at the Rickett Quadrangle, Middlesex University.  The Worshipful the Mayor noted that the theme this year from the Holocaust Memorial Trust was ‘Torn from Home’.  He noted that this year was also the 25^th anniversary of genocide in Rwanda and that a representative from the Embassy of the Republic of Rwanda had spoken at the event.  The Worshipful the Mayor expressed his thanks to all those who gave their time to participate in the commemoration.

The Worshipful the Mayor noted that Rabbi Mark Goldsmith had led the ceremony in place of Reverend Bernd Koschland MBE, who has recently undergone surgery.  He sent best wishes to Bernd for a speedy recovery.

The Worshipful the Mayor expressed his thanks to: the Barnet Band; The Alyth Youth Singers; The Youth Music Centre; East Barnet School Students who spoke of their recent visit to Auschwitz; and to Akiva school students for handing out snowdrops, plus the Sea Training Corps cadets and the Metropolitan Police cadets for their assistance.

The Worshipful the Mayor noted this this very important annual commemoration reminds us all of the atrocities of the past, the affect that genocide and the holocaust has had on individuals and families, many of whom live in the London Borough of Barnet.

There was 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.

There were none.

There were none.

Council noted that an amended Appendix 2 had been circulated.

Councillor Caroline Stock, Chairman of the Barnet Health and Wellbeing Board, 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 Council:

1.     Note the Local Government Declaration on Sugar Reduction and Healthier Eating Action Areas, as set out in Appendix 1, which were agreed by the Health & Wellbeing Board on 15 November 2018.

2.     Endorse the Local Government Declaration on Sugar Reduction and Healthier Eating as set out in Appendix 2 (as amended) which was signed by the Health & Wellbeing Board on 15 November 2018.

3.     Note the Barnet Healthier Weight Approach as set out in Appendix 3 as reported to the Health & Wellbeing Board on 15 November 2018

Councillor Melvin Cohen, Chairman of the Constitution and General Purposes Committee, moved reception and adoption of the recommendations in the report.

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

RESOLVED that Council approves the Annual Pay Policy Statement for the financial year 2019/20 (Annex A).

Councillor Melvin Cohen, Chairman of the Constitution and General Purposes Committee, moved reception and adoption of the recommendations in the report.

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 Committee at Annexe 1, and the track change versions attached at Appendix A to Appendix B.

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

3.     Council note that the Constitution & General Purposes Committee agreed the following amendment to Article 7 (Committees, Forums, Working Groups and Partnerships) for the Monitoring Officer to implement using delegated authority:

Add to the terms of reference of theme committees and Planning Committee: “To consider recommend for approval fees and charges for those areas under the remit of the Committee.”

The Worshipful the Mayor moved reception and adoption of the recommendations in the report.

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

RESOLVED that:

1.     The recommendation of the London Councils Leaders’ Committee for an overall level of expenditure of £6,909,000 in 2019/20, involving total borough contributions of £6,668,000 and a levy on Barnet of £293,021, be approved.

2.     The Director of Finance be instructed to inform the Chief Executive of London Councils accordingly.

The Worshipful the Mayor 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:

1.     The Council of the London Borough of Barnet reaffirms the Municipal Link between the London Borough of Barnet and Kreis Siegen Wittgenstein which has been established for the purposes of furthering good will between the two communities through the exchange of views and ideas and by personal contact among the citizens of the two towns, and that the Council sincerely hope that the link will prosper and flourish in the coming years.

2.     An engrossment on vellum of the foregoing resolution over the Common Seal of the Corporation be presented to the representatives of the Kreis Siegen Wittgenstein.

The Head of Governance introduced the report.  Appendix A detailed a vacancy to an Outside Body which had arisen.  Appendix B detailed a change to the calendar of meetings.  Appendix C detailed the nominations referred to in Appendix A and a change to the Membership of the Financial Performance & Contracts Committee.

The Worshipful the Mayor moved to the vote on the two nominations received for the vacancy on the Valentine Pool Charity as set out in Appendix C.  Votes were recorded as follows:

Councillor Julian Tearewas duly appointed to the vacancy on the Valentine Pool Charity. 

RESOLVED that:

1.     Council appoint Councillor Julian Teare to the vacancy on the Valentine Pool Charity.

2.     Council note the changes to the Calendar of Meetings as set out in Appendix B.

3.     Council approves the changes to the membership of the Financial Performance & Contracts Committee as set out in Appendix C.

There were none. 

Councillor Alan Schneiderman moved the motion in his name.  Councillor Dean Cohen moved the amendment in his name.  Councillor Anne Clarke moved the amendment in her name.  Debate ensued.

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

The motion in the name of Councillor Dean Cohen was declared CARRIED.

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

The motion in the name of Councillor Anne Clarke was declared LOST.

The substantive motion as amended by Councillor Dean Cohen was put to the vote.

It was unanimously AGREED.

RESOLVED that:

Council knows how important a clean environment is to local residents, as well as how a neglected street scene can have a detrimental impact on levels of crime, disorder, and how safe people feel.

Council notes that the cleanliness of Barnet's streets has been deteriorating, with increasing complaints to local councillors about litter and detritus on pavements and roads, overflowing and uncollected street and park litter bins, fly-tipped rubbish and uncollected autumn leaves.

Council notes that this has been made significantly worse by the thousands of missed bin collections across the borough since 4 November.

Council notes that in 2007/08 every residential street in Barnet was swept 13 times a year, with regular cleaning of town centres and regular street litter bin collections. 

Council notes that LB Barnet's street cleaning policy for residential streets is now entirely re-active, and streets are only inspected or swept if someone reports an issue to the Council.

Council believes an urgent review of street cleaning and environmental enforcement is needed within the budget envelope

Council instructs the Environment Committee to:

·       review all current policies on street cleaning and environmental enforcement, together with the impact these are having on the level of litter and fly-tipping across the borough;

·       consider best practice in other boroughs including regular monitored community skips for bulky waste, closer working with private landlords and tenants on disposal of bulky waste, and ways to make it easier for residents to report issues to the Council - through a mobile device app for example;

·       improve engagement with the community on environmental issues, including more systematic support for community groups that are concerned about the state of our streets, and working with businesses, especially fast food outlets, to ensure they are minimising litter on surrounding streets;

·       and following this review, make recommendations to improve the cleanliness of Barnet's streets within the budget envelope; and

·       Consider developing a timed, alternate side, mechanical cleansing pilot with an appropriate parking initiative.

Councillor David Longstaff moved the motion in his name. Councillor Sara Conway moved the amendment in her name. Debate ensued.

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

The motion was declared LOST.

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

The motion was AGREED.

RESOLVED that:

Council rejoices that our borough is a nice place to live, where communities co-exist and residents live peacefully. It is important that Barnet residents can be confident in their own safety.  When crime increases or when fear of crime becomes more prevalent, that lifestyle is at risk.

Our police force is important to us and a visible police presence remains an effective deterrent to criminals. Efficient investigation and detection are fundamental to our justice system. All this costs money and Barnet pays more into the system than any other borough.  However, we have fewer police per capita than elsewhere.

Council calls on our GLA representative and Leader of the council to write to the Mayor insisting, that the Mayor provides more police resource in Barnet.

Councillor Barry Rawlings moved the motion in his name.  Councillor Gabriel Rozenberg moved the amendment in his name.  Councillor Ross Houston moved the amendment in his name. 

The amendment in the name of Councillor Gabriel Rozenberg was put to the vote.  The amendment was unanimously AGREED.

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

The amendment was declared LOST.

The substantive motion as amended by Councillor Gabriel Rozenberg was put to the vote. It was unanimously AGREED.

RESOLVED that:

Council notes the clear evidence that where Universal Credit has been rolled out more people are made homeless because of rent arrears. The main causes of arrears are the five-week delay in first payment of Universal Credit and other delays caused by Department of Work and Pensions error.

Council notes that as of October 85 per cent of Barnet Homes’ 321 Universal Credit claimants were in rent arrears and 20 per cent of their arrears had accrued since they transferred to Universal Credit.

Council calls on LB Barnet to Council to learn from Camden and other authorities in order to avoid evictions caused by rent arrears as a result of the adoption of Universal Credit.

Councillor Peter Zinkin moved the motion in his name.  Councillor Alan Schneiderman moved the amendment in his name. 

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

The amendment was declared LOST.

The motion in the name of Councillor Peter Zinkin was put to the vote.  Votes were recorded as follows:

RESOLVED that:

Council believes that all who live in Barnet are entitled to breathe fresh air.  The many main roads running through our borough are a source of pollution that is difficult to deal with.  All our goods are carried by motor vehicle and our transport system is dependent on the Motor car. Undoubtedly there are trade-offs to be considered. A large car with many passengers produces less pollution per passenger journey, than a smaller one with just the driver. An elderly vehicle making the occasional short journey will pollute less than a small car sitting for a long period on a very congested road.

The arbitrary siting of the Ultra-Low Emission Zone at the interior of the North Circular can only make the outer London situation worse as dirtier vehicles avoid venturing within the A406. Charging in a blanket way within the restricted zone is fundamentally unfair.

Council calls on the Leader to write to the Mayor expressing its concerns and ask that there is an early revision to the scheme

Councillor Ross Houston moved the motion in his name.  Councillor Barry Rawlings moved the amendment in his name.  Councillor John Marshall moved the amendment in his name.

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

The amendment was declared LOST.

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

The substantive motion as amended by Councillor John Marshall was put to the vote.  It was unanimously agreed. 

RESOLVED that:

Council notes that 62 per cent of Barnet residents that voted in the EU Referendum voted toremain in the EU, but the overall UK decision was to leave the EU.

Council celebrates Barnet's cultural and religious diversity, and its long history of welcoming refugees and migrants from all over the world, including the European Union.

Council notes that over 31,000 EU citizens live in Barnet and puts on record its appreciation of the contribution they make to the civic, economic and cultural life of the borough, and the role many play in delivering our public services.

Council notes that the Borough has already agreed to support our staff, who are EU citizens through the registration process and had indicated that it would pay the fees.  These fees are now being waived by the government.

Council expresses concern about the current situation within Parliament and any problems that may ensue within Barnet. Council instructs Policy and Resources Committee to receive a report at its next meeting detailing LB Barnet`s contingency plans in order to ensure service continuity, provide re-assurance and support for Council employees, residents and businesses at this time.

Councillor John Marshall moved the motion in his name.  Councillor Kath McGuirk moved the amendment in her name.

The amendment in the name of Councillor Kath McGuirk was put to the vote. The amendment was unanimously AGREED.

The substantive motion as amended by Councillor Kath McGuirk was put to the vote. It was unanimously AGREED.

RESOLVED that:

Council notes the Finchley Road entrance to Golders Green Station has been closed for many years. This has been an inconvenience for passengers. Increased passenger congestion at the station and in the forecourt needs to be ameliorated. 

Council instructs the Deputy Chief Executive to write to TfL requesting a meeting between LB Barnet, the relevant ward councillors, including Childs Hill, and TfL to discuss an early re-commissioning of this entrance.

The Mayor moved to the vote on Councillor Hart’s Motion.  It was unanimously AGREED.

RESOLVED that:

Council notes and welcomes the initiative to extend in all Commonwealth countries the protection in each of them, of an area of woodland, jungle or new plantation to be known as the Queen`s canopy and thereby saved in perpetuity for the benefit alike of humans and wildlife.

Council considers that the United Kingdom, as mother country of the Commonwealth, should be seen to support this green initiative and offer an area of woodland, open space or forest planting to be known forever, as the Queen`s Canopy.

Council instructs the Leader to write in support of this initiative to the appropriate bodies from Barnet.

There were none.