Agenda, decisions and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Brown, Bull, Davidson, Bloch, Aitken and Patel

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Brown, Bull, Davidson, Bloch, Aitken and Patel

To confirm and sign the minutes of the meeting of the General Purposes Committee held on 24 October 2005. 

            RESOLVED 

That the minutes of the meeting held on 24 October 2005 be confirmed and signed as a correct record.

            RESOLVED 

That the minutes of the meeting held on 24 October 2005 be confirmed and signed as a correct record.

i.                              Planning Applications Sub Committee – 4/10; 10/10; 31/10

ii.                            Miscellaneous Functions Sub Committee – 2/8

iii.                     Council and Employee Joint Consultative Committee – 17/10

iv.                           Pensions Panel – 10/10; 21/11

RESOLVED  

That the minutes of the General Purposes sub bodies, as circulated with the agenda to this meeting, be noted.

RESOLVED  

That the minutes of the General Purposes sub bodies, as circulated with the agenda to this meeting, be noted.

To consider amendments to the procedures for Scrutiny Reviews and Call-In and to make recommendations on these to Full Council. 

RESOLVED

That the changes to the procedures for Scrutiny Reviews and Call-in, as set out in Appendices 1,2,3, 4 and 5 this report, and the further amendments as set out above, be recommended to Full Council for  amendment to Parts 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, E1 and E7 of  the Constitution.

The Monitoring Officer’s representative introduced this item which asked members of General Purposes Committee to consider amendments to the procedures for Scrutiny Reviews and Call-in and make recommendation on these to Full Council.   The officer asked for a late item to be tabled which showed an amendment to Appendix 3 (part 1.3 of the Constitution; Call-in Procedure Rules).  An additional sentence had been appended to item 1 ‘The right to call-in  does not apply to a decision by way of an appeal hearing of a quasi-judicial procedure.’  Members also asked that the sentence ‘on behalf of the Council’ as set out in item b (i) of Appendix 2 to the report be kept in. 

RESOLVED

That the changes to the procedures for Scrutiny Reviews and Call-in, as set out in Appendices 1,2,3, 4 and 5 this report, and the further amendments as set out above, be recommended to Full Council for  amendment to Parts 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, E1 and E7 of  the Constitution.

To consider amendments to the scheme of delegation to officers relating to Planning Enforcement and Prosecution Powers

               RESOLVED

               That the amendments to the Scheme of Delegation to Officers as set out in the para 8.4 and in the Appendix to this report, and the further amendment as set out above, be recommended to Full Council for amendment to Part F7 of the Constitution.

               The Monitoring Officer’s representative introduced this item which asked members of General Purposes Committee to consider amendments to the scheme of delegation to officers relating to planning enforcement and prosecution powers.  The officer explained to members that this report was of a precautionary nature, in response to the outcome of the Kirklees case, details of which were set out in the report.  The Chair suggested that this matter would benefit from further discussion at a future Planning Applications Sub Committee.  Members suggested that the last page of the Appendix (Section 43) be amended to say a ‘Listed Building Notice’.

               RESOLVED

               That the amendments to the Scheme of Delegation to Officers as set out in the para 8.4 and in the Appendix to this report, and the further amendment as set out above, be recommended to Full Council for amendment to Part F7 of the Constitution.

                        RESOLVED

o       That the progress on the Equal Pay and Conditions Review project be noted.

o       That the Project Board and Member Working Group continue to work on developing pay systems and structures that take account of the findings of the equal pay audit.

               The Head of Personnel introduced this item which outlined progress to date on the Equal Pay and Conditions Review.  Members were advised that this project would be in four phases and we were currently at the end of Phase 1.  Paragraph 5 set out an update of progress and the Head of Personnel advised members that he would provide regular updates.   Members noted that the member and officer working groups had met for the first time last week.

               RESOLVED

o       That the progress on the Equal Pay and Conditions Review project be noted.

o       That the Project Board and Member Working Group continue to work on developing pay systems and structures that take account of the findings of the equal pay audit.

                        RESOLVED

               That the same appointment panel for each post be appointed; to consist of the Executive Member for Housing, the Leader’s nominated representative, a Shadow Board Member and a Non-Executive (General Purposes Committee) Member.

               The Head of Personnel introduced this item which briefed members about the arrangements for recruiting to the above posts. 

               RESOLVED

               That the same appointment panel for each post be appointed; to consist of the Executive Member for Housing, the Leader’s nominated representative, a Shadow Board Member and a Non-Executive (General Purposes Committee) Member.

To propose revisions to the Code of Conduct and introduce standard systems for registering staff interests and for making declarations of hospitality in line with Audit Commission recommendations on financial aspects of corporate governance

               RESOLVED

o                   That the proposed amendments to the Code of Conduct be agreed, including those set out in the letter from Unison tabled at this meeting and detailed above

o                   That the standard format and process for making declarations of hospitality for registering interests be agreed.

            That Personnel Services hold, co-ordinate and monitor the declaration and registration files.

               The Head of Personnel introduced this item which proposed revisions to the Code of Conduct and introduced standard systems for registering staff interests and declarations of hospitality in line with Audit Commission recommendations on financial aspects of corporate governance.  For clarity, amendments were shown in colour on the Appendix to this report.  The proposed forms for declaring interests and hospitality were also included in the Appendix.

               Unison asked the Chair to receive a tabled letter setting out their concerns and requesting some minor amendments on pages 5, 9 and 12 of the report (Working with Members, Working with Debt and Contact with the Media).  They had discussed these with the Head of Personnel prior to the meeting and members were happy that they be actioned.

               RESOLVED

o                   That the proposed amendments to the Code of Conduct be agreed, including those set out in the letter from Unison tabled at this meeting and detailed above

o                   That the standard format and process for making declarations of hospitality for registering interests be agreed.

            That Personnel Services hold, co-ordinate and monitor the declaration and registration files.

To seek Members’ views on the operation of the Local Licensing Procedure Rules and to recommend certain amendments prior to the adoption of these Rules as part of the Council’s Constitution.

               RESOLVED

o             That the adoption of the Haringey Local Licensing Procedure Rules for Hearings, as set out in Appendix 1 to this report, as a new Part C.9 of the Council’s Constitution be recommended to Full Council.

o             That the amendment of Part E.7 of the Constitution, as set out in Appendix 4 to this report;  to add certain gaming regulation functions to the Terms of Reference of the Licensing Sub Committees be recommended to Full Council.

o             That the amendment of the Scheme of Delegation to Officers, at Part 7 of the Constitution, as set out in Appendices 2 and 3 to this report, with the minor amendment to Appendix 3 as detailed above, be recommended to Full Council to give powers to :

o             The Head of Legal Services to make arrangements for disposing of cases remitted by the Magistrates after Licensing appeals, and

·              The Assistant Director, Enforcement, to grant permits for no more than two amusements with prizes gaming machines in premises licensed to sell or supply alcohol in accordance with policy agreed by the Licensing Committee.

               The Monitoring Officer’s representative introduced this item which asked members of General Purposes to consider the adoption of Local Licensing Procedure Rules; an addition to the terms of reference of the Licensing Sub-Committees and amendments to the Scheme of Delegation to Officers relating to the Licensing Act 2003 and gaming machine regulation.  

               Members noted that the extra delegated power to the Head of Legal Services was in response to cases referred to the Council on Appeal by the Magistrates’ Court for up to two gaming machines.   Members also noted that they could not  refuse to renew permits for gaming machines but they retained the jurisdiction to refuse new applications or existing permits if there was evidence to prove they were in breach of current conditions.  

               Members suggested a small change to Appendix 3, under the Gaming Act 1968 (Section 34) ‘ in premises licensed for the sale or supply of alcohol’; to add ‘for consumption on the premises’. 

               RESOLVED

o             That the adoption of the Haringey Local Licensing Procedure Rules for Hearings, as set out in Appendix 1 to this report, as a new Part C.9 of the Council’s Constitution be recommended to Full Council.

o             That the amendment of Part E.7 of the Constitution, as set out in Appendix 4 to this report;  to add certain gaming regulation functions to the Terms of Reference of the Licensing Sub Committees be recommended to Full Council.

o             That the amendment of the Scheme of Delegation to Officers, at Part 7 of the Constitution, as set out in Appendices 2 and 3 to this report, with the minor amendment to Appendix 3 as detailed above, be recommended to Full Council to give powers to :

o             The Head of Legal Services to make arrangements for disposing of cases remitted by the Magistrates after Licensing appeals, and

·              The Assistant Director, Enforcement, to grant permits for no more than two amusements with prizes gaming machines in premises licensed to sell or supply alcohol in accordance with policy agreed by the Licensing Committee.

            RESOLVED

·        That the contents of the report considered and approved by the Licensing Committee on 6 December be noted.

·        That the commencement of statutory public consultation on the revisions to paragraphs 8.1 and 8.3 of the Statement of Licensing Policy, as set out in Appendix 2 to this report, be authorised.

            The Monitoring Officer’s representative introduced this item which asked members of General Purposes to consider authorising public consultation on proposed changes to the Statement of Licensing Policy relating to the relationship between Town Planning and the Licensing function; following the consideration of Counsel’s opinion that Planning and Licensing applications must be considered independently of each other. 

            The Chair commented that the change being sought was a technicality that effectively ‘tied the hands’ of General Purposes Committee members and suggested that consultations be kept as brief and concise as possible.  Councillor Haley, in his capacity of Chair of the Licensing Committee, said he would be writing to the Secretary of State on this matter. 

            RESOLVED

·        That the contents of the report considered and approved by the Licensing Committee on 6 December be noted.

·        That the commencement of statutory public consultation on the revisions to paragraphs 8.1 and 8.3 of the Statement of Licensing Policy, as set out in Appendix 2 to this report, be authorised.

To seek approval for a range of measures to improve Physical Disabilities/Sensory Impairments, HIV/AIDS and Learning Disabilities performance

            RESOLVED

o                   That proposals to reconfigure the Physical Disabilities/Sensory Impairment and HIV/AIDS Services be agreed.

o                   That proposals to restructure the Assessment and Care Management Learning Disabilities Service be agreed.

o                   That proposals to stabilise staffing and the consequent changes to salary scales as set out in Appendix D be agreed

o                   That a further report be brought back to General Purposes Committee to consider the matter of backpay.

            The Director of Social Service’s representative introduced this item which set out a range of measures to improve Physical Disabilities/ Sensory Impairments, HIV/AIDS and Learning Disabilities performance.  Unison representatives attended the meeting and asked members to consider backdating the proposed pay award, as set out in the report, to April 2005.  The Head of Personnel explained to members that recruitment/retention awards should be considered separately from regradings; with each case decided on merit.  Members noted that it was a co-incidence that this issue was before General Purposes Committee shortly after it had been asked to consider another function area within Social Services.  Members agreed that there was no provision in the report before them to consider the issue of backpay and asked if this could be brought back to a future General Purposes Committee.  Members noted that this pay award would regulate pay scales across Social Services. 

            RESOLVED

o                   That proposals to reconfigure the Physical Disabilities/Sensory Impairment and HIV/AIDS Services be agreed.

o                   That proposals to restructure the Assessment and Care Management Learning Disabilities Service be agreed.

o                   That proposals to stabilise staffing and the consequent changes to salary scales as set out in Appendix D be agreed

o                   That a further report be brought back to General Purposes Committee to consider the matter of backpay.

       The following item(s) is likely to be the subject of a motion to exclude the press and public from the meeting as it contains “exempt” information as defined in Section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972, namely information relating to a particular employee.

RESOLVED

            That the following item exclude the press and public from the meeting as it contains ‘exempt’ information as defined in Section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972, namely information relating to a particular employee.

RESOLVED

            That the following item exclude the press and public from the meeting as it contains ‘exempt’ information as defined in Section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972, namely information relating to a particular employee.

            RESOLVED

            That the minutes of the dismissal and grievance panel hearings, attached at the exempt part of this agenda be noted.

            The Head of Personnel advised members that he would bring an Annual Review of all Dismissal and Grievance cases to the meeting on 2 March 2006.

            RESOLVED

            That the minutes of the dismissal and grievance panel hearings, attached at the exempt part of this agenda be noted.