Agenda and minutes

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 2 December 2014 be approved as a correct record.

None.

Councillor Barry Rawlings declared a non-pecuniary interest in agenda item 8 (Initial Consultation Strategy: Graham Park Estate Development Framework SPD) as he is a member of Genesis.

Councillor Ross Houston declared a non-pecuniary interest in agenda item 8 (Initial Consultation Strategy: Graham Park Estate Development Framework SPD) as he is a member of Genesis and a Council appointed representative on the Board of The Barnet Group Ltd.

Councillor Dean Cohen declared a personal non-prejudicial interest in agenda item 8 (Initial Consultation Strategy: Graham Park Estate Development Framework SPD) as he is involved with Genesis at a business level outside the borough.

None.

Mr Marc Francis made public comments on agenda item 7 (Council tax support: options for a revised scheme (post consultation)).

Details of the questions asked and the published answers were provided with the agenda papers for the meeting.  Verbal responses were given to the supplementary questions at the meeting.

None.

The Committee considered the report.

Councillor Alison Moore, seconded by Councillor Barry Rawlings, moved that an 8.5% rate be retained. The votes were recorded as follows:

The motion was lost.

Councillor Richard Cornelius, seconded by Councillor Daniel Thomas, moved that a 20% rate be adopted. The votes were recorded as follows:

The motion was carried.

The Chairman noted that officers had advised that recommendation two in the report required amendment to clarify that Full Council is responsible for making the decision, and that Policy and Resources Committee would be making a recommendation to Council.  This was noted and agreed by the Committee.

The recommendations were then put to the vote.

RESOLVED –

1.    That the Committee make recommendation to Full Council for the adoption of the draft Barnet Council Tax Support scheme 2015 basedon Option 3 (Increase the Council Tax contribution rate to 20%)

2.    That the Committee make recommendation to Full Council to the uprating of the scheme in line with Department for Work and Pension changes for Housing Benefit and working age non-dependent deductions as set out in appendix 3.

The Committee considered the report.

RESOLVED –

1.    That the Committee approve the initial options consultation on the Grahame Park Development Framework SPD, as described in the report.

2.    That the Committee note the overall Consultation Strategy on the Grahame Park Development Framework SPD.

The Committee considered the report.

RESOLVED – That the Committee

1.    Extend the waiver of Contract Procedure Rules for a further 9 month period from 1st April 2015, to regularise and continue arrangements with existing suppliers which enables and provides business continuity whilst a procurement process is undertaken.

2.    Increase the approved suppliers’ spend and the overall annual value as set out in paragraph 1.2 Table 1 and Appendix 1 of the various approved suppliers for the a further 9 months, up to 31st December 2015.

The Committee considered the report.

RESOLVED – That approval be given to officers to proceed with procurement activity as set out in the Procurement Forward Plan 2015/2016.

The Committee noted the report. It was noted that Councillor Richard Cornelius and Councillor Moore would discuss meetings currently scheduled in early May, which may need re-scheduling due to the General Election.

None.