Agenda and minutes

To note the apology for absence from Councillor Ann Waters who will be substituted by Councillor Kaushika Amin.

Apologies for absence were received from Cllr Waters, for whom Cllr Amin was substituting, and from Cllr Wilson, for whom Cllr Jenks was substituting.

The Chair will consider the admission of any of any late items of urgent business. (Late items will be considered under the agenda item where they appear. New items will be dealt with at items 12 & 13 below).

There were no items of urgent business.

A member with a personal interest in a matter who attends a meeting of the authority at which the matter is considered must disclose to that meeting the existence and nature of that interest at the commencement of that consideration, or when the interest becomes apparent.

A member with a personal interest in a matter also has a prejudicial interest in that matter if the interest is one which a member of the public with knowledge of the relevant facts would reasonably regard as so significant that it is likely to prejudice the member's judgment of the public interest and if this interest affects their financial position or the financial position of a person or body as described in paragraph 8 of the Code of Conduct and/or if it relates to the determining of any approval, consent, licence, permission or registration in relation to them or any person or body described in paragraph 8 of the Code of Conduct.

Cllr Khan declared a personal interest in respect of agenda item 6, as former Chair of the Pensions Committee.

Cllr Jenks declared a personal interest in respect of item 6 as a member of the Pensions Committee.

To consider any requests received in accordance with Part 4, Section B, paragraph 29 of the Council’s constitution.

There were no deputations or petitions.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 29^th March 2010.

RESOLVED

That the minutes of the meeting held on 29 March 2010 be approved and signed by the Chair.

The report seeks approval of the Council’s financial statements. (TO FOLLOW)

Kevin Bartle, Head of Corporate Finance, and John Holden, Head of Finance – Accounting and Control, presented the Council’s financial statements to the Committee for approval. The report outlined changes made further to the provisional outturn reported to the Cabinet in June 2010 and highlighted matters for attention, primary of which was the requirement for reporting remuneration of senior officers and how the Council was implementing this. Members were advised of a correction to paragraph 9.7 in the report, namely that the Statement of Accounting Policies had been approved by the General Purposes Committee on 29 March 2010, and not the Audit Committee as stated. Members were also advised that Appendix 1 relating to Alexandra Park and Palace should be marked as in draft form throughout.

Mr Bartle and Mr Holden responded in detail to questions from Members on the Statement of Accountsm including on the current position in respect of the funds invested in Iceland, and the Alexandra Palace and Park debt.

RESOLVED

That the Council’s financial statements for 2009/10 be approved.

To note the Treasury Management activity and performance during 2009/10.

Kevin Bartle, Head of Corporate Finance, gave a brief presentation to members on the responsibilities of the General Purposes Committee in relation to Treasury Management, and the approved third party counterparty list of institutions approved for investment.

Nicola Webb, Head of Pensions and Treasury, presented the report on treasury management 2009/10 outturn, in accordance with the CIPFA Treasury Management Code of Practice and the Prudential Code. This report would also be presented to Cabinet and Full Council. The report presented a summary of activity during 2009/10 and it was confirmed that the Council had complied with all treasury limits and Prudential indicators during the year. Members were invited to note the report.

Mr Bartle and Ms Webb responded to questions from the Committee in respect of investment issues.

RESOLVED

That Treasury Management activity and performance during 2009/10 and compliance with treasury limits and Prudential Indicators be noted. 

To note the Treasury Management activity and performance for the 1^st  Quarter of 2010/11.

Nicola Webb, Head of Pensions and Treasury, presented the item on the Council’s treasury management activities and performance in the first quarter of 2010/11. The Committee was advised that possible changes to the lending list had been considered in relation to building societies and non-UK banks. Further to discussion with Arlingclose, it was not recommended that any further building societies be added to the lending list at present due to the lack or, or relatively low credit ratings and reliance on the property sector of the market.  Due to current economic conditions, it was proposed that a decision on any non-UK banks should be postponed to the September meeting of the Committee.

In response to a question from the Committee, it was confirmed that any non-UK institution would only be considered for adding to the approved list if recommended by the Council’s treasury advisers and could not be added without the approval of General Purposes Committee, Cabinet and Full Council. Kevin Bartle, Head of Corporate Finance, confirmed that the issue of yield would only be considered in the event that the Council was fully satisfied in respect of security and liquidity for any investment.

RESOLVED

That Treasury Management activity undertaken during the first quarter of 2010/11 and the performance achieved be noted.

To note the changes to and to endorse the draft Haringey Statement of Licensing Policy 2011-2014 to go out for public consultation.

Dale Barrett, Licensing Manager, presented the report on the revision of the Statement of Licensing Policy 2011-2014, for the Committee’s endorsement before going out to public consultation. Ms Barrett advised the Committee that the Council was required to review its Statement of Licensing Policy every three years. The report outlined the proposed changes, including legislative changes affecting Minor Variations and Sex Establishment Venues, requirements in respect of the provision of tap water, new powers for Elected Members in respect of applications and reviews, Tables and Chairs Policy and street drinking zones.

The Committee expressed a series of concerns in respect of enforcement relating to licensing, and it was agreed that the wording of the revised policy should be strengthened in relation to enforcement matters as far as possible while adhering to the 2003 Licensing Act. It was also agreed that the comments and concerns expressed by the Committee in relation to licensing issues should be fed into the Government review in relation to Licensing legislation and asked to be taken into consideration as part of this process.

RESOLVED

i)                    That, taking into account the agreed strengthening of wording in relation to enforcement, the changes to the draft Haringey Statement of Licensing Policy 2011-14 be noted and the draft be endorsed to go out for public consultation.

i)                    That the comments and concerns expressed by the Committee in relation to licensing issues be fed into the Government review in relation to Licensing legislation.

To recommend adopting the amendment to Schedule 3 of the Local Government Act 1982 (the 1982 Act) as inserted by Section 27 of the 2009 Act. The effect of this provision, if adopted, is to bring the licensing of lap dancing and pole dancing clubs and other similar venues under the regime set out in the 1982 Act, which is currently used to regulate establishments such as sex shops and sex cinemas.

Dale Barrett, Licensing Manager, presented the report to seek approval for the adoption of powers contained in Section 3 of the 1982 Local Government Act as inserted by Section 27 of the Policing and Crime Act in relation to bringing the licensing of lap and pole dancing clubs and similar venues under the regime currently used for sex shops and sex cinemas. It was reported that the proposal would give local residents greater say in making representations in respect of such establishments. The proposed fee for such licences was £2,700, taking into account that this could only reflect the administrative costs of dealing with the application.

It was reported that the recommendation would be put to Full Council on 13 July 2010 for adoption, and, if adopted, a notice must to be published that the resolution had been passed, this to be published no fewer than 28 days before the date of the provisions coming into force.

RESOLVED

i)                    That a referral be made to Full Council to adopt the amendment to Schedule 3 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982, as inserted by Section 27 of the Policing and Crime Act 2009, to allow the licensing of sexual entertainment venues.

ii)                  That the fee of £2,700 for an application be agreed. No part of this fee will be returnable.

To consider any items admitted at item 2 above

There were no new items of unrestricted urgent business.

The meeting closed at 21:00hrs.