Issue - meetings

a)      Cabinet – Report 10 – 2009/10

b)      Constitution Review Working Group – Report 6 – 2009/10

The Mayor agreed to admit report 12b as urgent business. The meeting of the Constitution Review Working Group was held after despatch of the Summons. The report contained recommendations in relation to Constitutional changes, which needed to be considered by the Council.

Councillor Kober introduced the Cabinet Report 10- 2009/10 – Financial Planning 2010/11 to 2012/13, and moved the recommendations contained therein.

Councillor Butcher, seconded by Councillor Gorrie, moved the following amendment to the MOTION:

Action on Crime

The Liberal Democrats want to make Haringey safer.  We will create six 24 hour Safer Neighbourhood Teams in the wards that are worst affected by crime.

Revenue cost: £912,000

Helping Residents out of Recession

Local residents have been hit hard by the economic downturn.  The quickest and fairest way for Haringey Council to help is by taking less money out of residents’ pockets.  Therefore, we propose a one year freeze on all charges paid by residents.

Revenue cost: £700,000

Young people have been amongst the hardest hit by the recession.  We want to help them gain the experience that will give them the edge in a difficult jobs market.  We propose 125 paid internships.

Revenue cost: £750,000

Action on the Environment

Labour’s record on the environment is poor.  The threat of climate change demands action now. 

We propose a ten-fold increase in invest-to-save environmental projects.  We will invest £5m in green projects that will pay back their costs in an average of 5 years.

Revenue cost: neutral

Batteries are one of the most toxic household waste products.  Haringey Council only has two sites for people to safely dispose of batteries.  We propose 100 new sites in schools, libraries and community buildings, improving local residents’ opportunity to recycle batteries.

Revenue cost: £10,000

We believe Haringey Council should do more to encourage local residents to make the greenest choice.  Therefore we propose abolishing all residential parking charges for the greenest cars. 

Revenue cost: £750

Helping the Local Economic

Local businesses have been badly hit by the economic downturn.  Haringey Council needs to do more to help them through, and reinvigorate our local economy.

Haringey Council is one the borough’s largest landlords of commercial property with a high vacancy rate.  We propose offering genuine start-up companies 12 months rent free in vacant properties.    This would be carefully managed to prevent unfair competition to existing businesses.

Revenue cost: £188,000

Haringey Council can support businesses in way that benefits local residents.  We propose expanding business subsidies for companies that offer free public access to their toilets.  Labour has failed to successfully implement this scheme.

Revenue cost: £20,000

For many small traders the cost of parking adds significantly to the cost of doing business in Haringey.  We want to ease this burden and at the same time incentivise local business to be greener.  We therefore propose reducing traders’ parking fees for the greenest vehicles.

Revenue cost: £10,000

Securer Funding Future for Children Services

The Liberal Democrats are determined that financial uncertainty does not prevent Haringey Council from protecting  ...  view the full minutes text for item 12