Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Tom Davey. Councillor Mark Shooter attended as substitute Member.

Councillor Barry Rawlings declared a non-pecuniary interest noting he is a safeguarding advisor for Community Barnet.

Details are appended of the questions asked of, and the answers given by the Chairman. There were no supplementary questions.

Mr Julian Silverman provided a comment on agenda item 6, Corporate Plan and Medium Term Financial Strategy 2015/2016 to 2019/2020.

There were none.

The Committee considered a petition received by the Council which had been signed by 2,000 residents which called for 30 minutes parking to save our high street. 

The Lead Petitioner, Ms Loretta Patterson, addressed the Committee highlighting concerns raised by shopkeepers and residents in the Temple Fortune area in relation to a lack of free parking discouraging people from shopping in the local area and impacting negatively on local business.

Members asked questions about the petitioner’s knowledge of empty parking spaces during the day and her perception of the impact of the lack of free parking in the area. The Lead petitioner also responded to questions regarding some research she had undertaken of other local authorities which had introduced free parking on high streets.

Councillor Alison Moore, Councillor Paul Edwards and Councillor Alon Or-Bach addressed the Committee in support of the petition, noting their view that there would be merit in considering whether all town centres should have 30 minutes of free parking.

The Chairman of the Environment Committee, Councillor Dean Cohen, Pam Wharfe, Director for Place and Paul Bragg, Infrastructure and Parking Manager, Street Scene were in attendance and responded to the issues raised

Members noted that officers are currently working on a report on Parking Policy which is due to be considered by the Environment Committee on 24 July.

Jessica Farmer, HB Law clarified that the fourth option outlined in paragraph 5.3.3.5 of report to the Committee ‘Instruct an officer to prepare a report for a future meeting of the Committee on the issues raised’ refers to a future meeting of the relevant theme committee that is responsible for matters to which the petition subject matter pertains, which in this case is the Environment Committee.

Councillor Alison Moore moved that the petitioner’s request be agreed to, and that officers provide advice on the introduction of free parking on the high streets other town centres which do not currently have it. The motion was seconded by Councillor Paul Edwards. Votes were recorded as follows:

The motion was lost.

Councillor Dean Cohen moved that officers provide a report with recommendations on the possible introduction of free parking in Temple Fortune, to be considered by the Environment Committee on 24 July. The motion was seconded by Councillor Tom Davey. Votes were recorded as follows:

The motion was carried.

RESOLVED

That officers provide a report with recommendations on the possible introduction of free parking in Temple Fortune, to be considered by the Environment Committee on 24 July.

The committee considered the report. 

RESOLVED –

1.    That Policy and Resources Committee note the updated Medium Term Financial Strategy up to 2020 as set out in Appendix A and the assumptions underpinning this in section 1.3.

2.    That Policy and Resources Committee note the Priorities and Spending Review report as set out in Appendix B.

3.    That Policy and Resources Committee agree the process for updating the Corporate Plan, through the development of commissioning plans by Theme Committees, as set out in section 1.5.

4.    That Policy and Resources Committee agree the allocation of savings targets set out in section 1.6, and defer consideration of options for allocating the remaining budget gap.

5.    That Policy and Resources Committee agree the draw-downs from the transformation reserve as set out in paragraph 1.7.2.

6.    That Policy and Resources Committee agree the approach to consultation asset out in section 1.10, and that the Trade Unions be involved as part of this process.

7.    That Policy and Resources Committee recommend the General Functions Committee reviews the policy regarding facility time.

8.    That Policy and Resources Committee advises the Theme Committees that they should be mindful of disadvantaged communities when making their recommendations on savings proposals.

The Committee considered the report.

RESOLVED

That Policy and Resources Committee recommend that the Council inform the Local Government Association the Council is minded to give notice to leave the Association, and that Policy and Resources Committee reconsider this matter again at a later date, with officers to report back to the committee on value for money of the Local Government Association.

The Committee considered the report.

RESOLVED

1.    That the Committee approve the Declaration and Commitment Statement to Transparency (Appendix 4)

2.    That the Committee approve the Consultation Strategy (Appendix 1)

The Committee considered the report.

RESOLVED

1.    That £100,000 per annum be allocated in principle to the Area Sub-Committees in line with the new Committee System of Governance approved by Council on 21 January 2014.

2.    That no action is taken to either commit expenditure or spend any money until the Community Leadership Committee has approved the governance, accountability and priorities arrangements.

3.    That the detailed arrangements for the governance, accountability and priorities for the budgets allocated to the Area Sub-Committee be considered and agreed by the Community Leadership Committee.

4.    That the Chief Finance Officer in consultation with the Chairmen of the Policy and Resources and Community Leadership Committees be delegated authority to put in the place the financial arrangements and controls.

The Committee noted the report.

There were none.

There were no exempt items.

There were no exempt items.