Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies for absence.

See Minute 22,  28 & 29.

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/orif 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.

Councillor Dobbie declared a personal and prejudicial interest in Oral Question 4 as a Council tenant.

Councillor Kober declared a personal and prejudicial interest in Motion V as a member of the NDC Partnership Board.

Councillor Davies declared a personal interest in those Oral Questions relating to housing, as an employee of the housing charity Shelter.

Councillor Bob Harris declared a personal and prejudicial interest in Motion V as a member of the NDC Partnership Board.

Councillor Thompson declared a personal interest as a Council tenant.

Councillor Bloch declared a personal interest in Opposition Business as a Non-Executive Member of the PCT.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 22 February 2010 be signed as a true record subject to the deletion of the words “living in sheltered accommodation” from Councillor Thompson’s declaration of interest.

1.      The Mayor said farewell to those Councillors who would not be standing for re-election. The Mayor thanked them on behalf of the Council for the many years of service they had given to Haringey. There was a round of applause in recognition of their dedication and public service.

2.      The Mayor congratulated the Haringey Council’s Sustainable Transport service who won the Transport Team/Partnership of the Year at the London Transport Awards in February. These awards showcase the best and brightest projects across the capital. Haringey’s team beat 11 other shortlisted entries to win the award for its road safety education work aimed at cutting road traffic accidents among ethnic communities and those living in areas of disadvantage. Dilek Sabri, Halema Uddin, Khoyrul Amin and Tony Kennedy received the award on behalf of the team, were personally congratulated by the Mayor and received a round of applause.

3.      The Mayor presented a Lifetime Achievement Award on behalf of Recreation Services to Derek Ives. Derek has supported and encouraged countless young people in the borough to excel in the field of Athletics. His 50 years as a coach is unique and Derek has helped to produce international sportsmen and women and made Haringey a brand name in Athletics. Mr Ives came forward to receive his award, was personally congratulated by the Mayor and received a round of applause.

4.      The Mayor wished farewell to the Chief Financial Officer, Gerald Almeroth, who was leaving the Council. The Mayor thanked Mr Almeroth on behalf of the Council for his service and professionalism in his work for the borough.

5.      The Mayor congratulated Councillor Matt Davies on behalf of the Council on the occasion of his civil partnership.

1.      To appoint the Chief Executive as electoral registration officer and returning officer for Council elections and to appoint the Assistant Chief Executive for People and Organisational Development as the scrutiny officer.

2.      To approve the Council Calendar for the 2010/11 Municipal Year.

The Mayor agreed to admit the calendar of meetings as urgent business. The report could not be circulated earlier as information was awaited from the Party Groups. The report needed to be admitted in order that the calendar of meetings may be agreed for 2010/11.

RESOLVED:
 

1.      That the Chief Executive be appointed as the “registration officer” for the two Parliamentary constituencies within the Borough under Section 8(2) of the Representation of People Act 1983 and the “returning officer” for elections of councillors in the Borough under Section 35 (1) and (3) of the same Act.

2.      That the Assistant Chief Executive for People and Organisational Development be designated as the “scrutiny officer” under Section 21 ZA of the Local Government Act 2000 and that the scheme of delegation to officers at Appendix E, section 9 of the Council’s Constitution be amended to include the designated “scrutiny officer” as shown in the appendix to the report.

3.      That the calendar of meetings for the 2010/11 Municipal Year be agreed, as detailed in the appendix to the report.

There were no matters to report.

There were no matters to report.

Councillor Jones presented a tabled report on the work and achievements of the Children’s Safeguarding Policy and Practice Advisory Committee.

Members asked questions regarding the report and received responses.

RESOLVED:

That the Report of the Chair of the Children’s Safeguarding Policy and Practice Advisory Committee on its work and suggested proposals for its future be received.

A deputation was received from Mr Panteli concerning the Belmont CPZ.

Councillor Khan declared a personal interest in the deputation as the area under discussion was within his Ward.

Members asked questions of the deputation and received responses thereto.

The Cabinet Member for Housing, Environment and Conservation responded to the deputation.

The Mayor thanked the deputation for attending.

The opposition gave notice of their wish to debate “The Whittington A & E”.

Councillor Gorrie spoke on behalf of the Opposition Group. Councillor Dogus responded on behalf of the Majority Group.

The Mayor thanked Councillors for their contributions.

Public Question 1 to the Cabinet Member for Housing Services & Environment and Conservation from Justin Hinchcliffe:

 Is the Cabinet Member for Housing even aware of the problem of damp that blights the lives of tenants in the flats on the Ermine and Plevna Crescent estates? Young families, the disabled and elderly are all affected. Some correspondence to the council from residents on this subject goes back over ten years. Why has the Council never got to grips with the problem of damp and condensation affecting these tenants?  What confidence can tenants have that their problems will ever be properly addressed by this Labour-run council given how they have failed vulnerable members of our community for so long?

Public Question 2 to the Cabinet Member for Leisure, Culture and Lifelong Learning from Carol Ingram:

I understand that Wood Green library is one of the busiest in the country. Can you explain what it is that the Council have done to encourage people to make use of their library, and how the Council intends to increase the number of people who use other libraries in Haringey?

Public Question 3 to the Cabinet Member for Housing Services & Environment and Conservationfrom Stephen Cooke:

Having a good home can make a real difference to the quality of someone's health.  How is the housing service working with residents to improve their health?

Public Question 4 to the Cabinet Member for Enforcement and Safer Communities from Hilary Kitchen:

The Council have recently introduced a street warden service. Can you explain how this service is going to help tackle fly-tipping?

Public Question 5 to the Cabinet Member for Children and Young People from Mr Mashfiqul Alam:

Can  the Cabinet member for Children and Young People explain  Haringey Council's thinking behind its plans to close the only educational facility in 2011 in the borough that can handle the educational and emotional support needs of the Borough’ severely disabled children and their parents? Furthermore, can you explain why Haringey appears to be on its own in thinking that the needs of our severely disabled can be met in mixed ability schools, when London Boroughs such as Barnet are providing the specialist care that many parents are looking for?

Public Question 6 to the Cabinet Member for Resources from Janet Harris:

Does the Council have any plans to re-open the public lavatories in Church Road or convert them into a community cafe? If so, which option and when? If not, why not?

Public Question 7 to the Cabinet Member for Cabinet Member for Children and Young People from Mrs Kerrie Mcronna :

Could the Cabinet member for Children and Young people justify the fact that the John Loughborough School has been taken into Special Measures, in the light of the fact that exam results have not improved, but fallen during the Special Measures period, and could she tell us as anxious parents, whose views have been totally ignored and over ridden, when we can  ...  view the full agenda text for item 28.

The Mayor agreed to the admission of this report as urgent business. Under Standing Orders, notice of questions was not requested until eight clear days before the meeting, following which matters raised had to be researched and replies prepared, in order to be given at the meeting.

There were 7 public questions, 10 oral questions and 28 for written answer.

Oral Questions  5-10 were not reached in the allotted time and written answers would be supplied to these questions.

a)     Cabinet - Report 11 – 2009/10

b)     Constitution Review Working Group – Report 7 – 2009/10

c)      Overview and Scrutiny Committee - Report 1 – 2009/10

The Mayor agreed to admit reports 13b and 13c as urgent business. The meeting of the Constitution Review Working Group and Overview and Scrutiny Committee were held after despatch of the Summons. The reports contained recommendations in relation to Constitutional changes and terms of reference for the joint health Overview and Scrutiny Committee, which needed to be considered by the Council.

The Mayor proposed that, due to the hour and in accordance with Council Rules of Procedures, the meeting close and moved that Cabinet Report 11 – 2009/10, Constitution Review Working Group Report 7 – 2009/10 and Overview and Scrutiny Committee Report 1 – 2009/10 be received and all the recommendations therein be agreed. The motion was agreed on a vote 26 for and 26 against, with the Mayor using her casting vote in favour of the motion.

RESOLVED:

1. That Cabinet Report 11 – 2009/10 be received and adopted and that the decision to delegated authority to the Leader of the Council, to agree the final refreshed version of the Local Area Agreement for submission to the Government Office for London following approval by Cabinet and including any final revisions required by GOL, be endorsed.
   
   
2. That report 7 of the Constitution Review Working Group 2009/10 be received and that the following recommendations contained within it be agreed:
   
   
   1. That the Members’ Allowances Scheme for 2010/11, set out at Appendix 1 to the report, be agreed and adopted as a replacement for Part 6 of the Council’s Constitution.

d.      That the changes to the terms of reference of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee as set out in Appendix 3 to the report and the changes to the Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rules as set out in Appendix 4 to the report be approved and that they be adopted as amendments to Part 3, Section C and Part 4, Section G of the Council’s Constitution.

3. That report 1 of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee for 2010/11 be received and that the following recommendations be agreed:
   
   
   1.  That the terms of reference for the joint health overview and scrutiny committee be approved.
      
      
   2. That the making of nominations from this Council to the joint health overview and scrutiny committee be delegated to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee.
      
      

Motion Q (2009/10)

Councillor Kober has given notice that she will move in the following terms:

“This Council welcomes the achievements that have been made in our community

Notes:

• Over £212 investment in Building Schools for the Future in 12 projects
• Over £200m on Decent Homes
• The £1.1m Playbuilder Funding
• Best ever GCSE results
• Record number of Green Flags
• Securing £3m funding for Muswell Hill Low Carbon Zone
• Children’s Centres- by 2011 the Council will be providing services to over 16,000 children under five and their families.
• Early intervention – rolled out most innovative programme of supporting children – including health visitors, midwifes, dieticians, nutritionists, family support teams,
• Built up housing stock that the Tories sold off
• Secured £1.4m from the Future Jobs Fund
• Created training for young people- Developed Apprenticeship Programme with 60 new places from 2009 onwards
• The Haringey Guarantee has helped 2300 resident access training and work and helped  nearly 480 gain qualifications for life
• Built CONEL
• Created the Bernie Grant Centre
• That Wood Green Library- top ten busiest libraries in the country
• The regeneration of Heartlands, Tottenham Hale, Hornsey and Seven Sisters has created new housing, jobs and schools
• That Heartlands High will be a brand new school for our children
• The New Deal for Communities Funding to Regenerate Seven Sisters, triangle children’s centre Young People and Communities Centre, St Anns Library, Laurels Centre, restored Seven Sister Bridge
• That Making the Difference Grants and Area Assemblies have allowed local people a role in decision making
• Introduced Neighbourhood Policing Teams for every ward
• That Haringey has been selected as a Biking Borough with TFL funding of £25k
• Haringey was the first Council to sign up to 40% reductions by 2020
• Introduced Personal Care Budgets
• Redeveloped the Hornsey Hospital- with £12.75m being spent on improving healthcare provision in the borough
• Increased Benefit Advice Support to 30 sites and increased benefit take up by £1.4m in response to the recession
• Introduced a Youth Council
• Introduced Breakfast Clubs across the borough
• Developed a Car Club and are expanding further
• Pledged a Council Tax Freeze for 2010/11
• Crime is down: Personal Robberies down by 26% and Youth Violence by 15%
• Tackling Fuel Poverty: £3.5 improving energy efficiency in deprived housing and a further £1.4m to make hard to treat properties in the borough more energy efficient.
• Increased year on year of numbers of people receiving drug rehabilitation.
• 94% success rate of enforcement action following surveillance and a 97% rate on other legal proceedings to protect the community.
• Rolled out new reporting structures for reporting Hate Crime.
• Spent £2.45m to upgrade and install new controlled entry door systems, communal lighting and CCTV to our estates to make residents feel safer.
• Replaced 16k street lighting columns across the borough
• £100k has been invested in   community led projects through our Green Innovation Fund.
• Reporting of Domestic Violence is up by 27% since 2006 and we have expanded and improved Hearthstone to support domestic violence
• Built Tottenham Sixth Form Centre -1200 places
• Invested in our  ...  view the full agenda text for item 30.

Due to the hour Motions Q, R, S, T, U, V and W were not considered.