Agenda and minutes

Please note this meeting may be filmed or recorded by the Council for live or subsequent broadcast via the Council’s internet site or by anyone attending the meeting using any communication method.  Although we ask members of the public recording, filming or reporting on the meeting not to include the public seating areas, members of the public attending the meeting should be aware that we cannot guarantee that they will not be filmed or recorded by others attending the meeting.  Members of the public participating in the meeting (e.g. making deputations, asking questions, making oral protests) should be aware that they are likely to be filmed, recorded or reported on.  By entering the meeting room and using the public seating area, you are consenting to being filmed and to the possible use of those images and sound recordings.

The Chair of the meeting has the discretion to terminate or suspend filming or recording, if in his or her opinion continuation of the filming, recording or reporting would disrupt or prejudice the proceedings, infringe the rights of any individual, or may lead to the breach of a legal obligation by the Council.

The Mayor drew attendees’ attention to the notice on the Summons regarding filming at meetings.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Carroll, Christophides, Hearn, Rice and Ayisi.

Apologies for lateness were received from Councillors Adje, Bevan, Tucker and Mark Blake.

The Chief Executive asked that responses to written questions be admitted at item 12 as tabled, explaining they were unavailable earlier given the time required to research and prepare answers.

None.

The minutes of the meeting of the Full Council held on 21 July were agreed.

The Mayor drew Members’ attention to a tabled note of his recent engagements tabled, and set out four particular matters – first, a careers event for young people he recently attended, second, the extremely well-attended commemoration in the borough of Remembrance Sunday. The Mayor invited the Council to thank Tanya Kennedy-Parker for her nearly-forty years of service to old and vulnerable people in the Borough.

Finally, the Mayor noted the passing recently of former Councillor Leonard Cohen, who had been among the first councillors elected to the Borough. He invited Councillor Peacock to make some remarks on her close friend, and then led the Council in a moment of silence in the memory of former Councillor Leonard Cohen.

The Chief Executive had no matters to report.

The Monitoring Officer and Assistant Director of Corporate Governance had no matters to report.

The majority group Chief Whip introduced the report, which sought to make some changes to Committee Memberships following recent resignations of councillors and subsequent by-elections, and a Member’s change of political groups.

RESOLVED

Full Council noted:

a)    The changes to Political Group composition detailed at 4.1 of the report

b)    The decision taken between meetings to ensure the Corporate Committee and Staffing and Remuneration Committee remained proportionate, as required by statute.

Full Council agreed:

a)    The changes in Committee membership, as detailed at 4.4 of the report

b)    The appointment of Cllr Barbara Blake to the Board of the Bridge Renewal Trust, as detailed at 4.6 of the report

1.         The Cabinet:

·         Acceptance of the CLG’s proposal for a 4 year settlement

·         Council Tax Reduction Scheme

·         The Housing Strategy

2.         The Standards Committee

·         Changes to the Council’s Contract Standing Orders

3.         The Overview and Scrutiny Committee

·         Overview and Scrutiny Annual Report 2015-16

The Mayor invited the Leader of the Council to introduce three reports from Cabinet.

The first report recommended that the Council accept the Department for Communities and Local Government’s offer of a four-year funding settlement, as set out in the Cabinet paper tabled as background. This required an efficiency plan, and would allow the Council to access a minimum funding allocation for Revenue Support Grant to 2019-20.

The second report asked Full Council to approve the maintain the current Council Tax Reduction Scheme for 2017-18.

The third report recommended Full Council adopt a revised Housing Strategy to cover the period 2017-22.

The Mayor then asked the Chair of the Standards Committee to introduce her report on proposed changes to the Council’s Contract Standing Orders, as set out in at Part 4, Section J of the Constitution.

Finally, the Mayor invited the Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee to introduce the Committee’s Annual Report.

RESOLVED

In relation to the first report from Cabinet, Full Council approved acceptance to the offer of a 4-year funding allocation for 2016-17 to 2019-20 and the submission of the existing MTFS with additional narrative for 2018-19 and 2019-20 as the Efficiency Plan to the Department of Communities and Local Government before 14th October 2016.

In relation to the second report from the Cabinet, Full Council:

a)    Noted that an Equalities Impact Assessment (at appendix E of the Report to Cabinethad been undertaken in relation to the Council Tax Reduction Scheme and that the findings of this EIA must be taken into account when making a decision regarding the Scheme for 2017/18.

b)    Agreed to adopt the Council Tax Reduction Scheme 2017/18 as contained in Appendix C of the Report to Cabinet and therefore retains the same Scheme agreed for 2013/14 and continued since.

c)    Accordingly, the scheme as summarised in Appendix Aof the Report to Cabinet and set out in full at Appendix C ofthe Report to Cabinet continue to apply for 2017/18:

                      i.        That pensioners will continue to receive support for the payment of Council Tax.

                    ii.        That those in receipt of certain disability benefits continue to receive support for the payment of Council Tax.

                   iii.        For all working age claimants, the extent of Council Tax Support available will continue to be capped at 80.2% of Council Tax liability. In other words, working age claimants will continue to receive the same level of Council Tax Support as 2013/14, this amount representing a 19.8% reduction in the level of Council Tax Support available as compared with the amount of Council Tax Benefit received in 2012/2013.

In relation to the third report from Cabinet, Full Council agreed and adopted the revised and final version of Haringey’s Housing Strategy, attached as appendix 2 to the Cabinet report, having considered the feedback from and the response to the second stage consultation conducted on Haringey’s Housing Strategy, set out in appendix 1 of the attached Cabinet report and the revised and final version of the Equalities  ...  view the full minutes text for item 40.

The Mayor informed Members that a petition had been received with sufficient signatures to trigger a debate at Full Council. He invited Rose Bernstein, on behalf of Refugees Welcome Haringey, to introduce the petition that called on the Council to ensure the resettlement of four Syrian refugee families by Christmas 2016 via the Vulnerable Person Resettlement Scheme.

Ms Bernstein welcomed the Council’s recent announcement that it would resettle ten Syrian refugee families and set out that there had been local interest in accommodating refugee families, which she encouraged the Council to accept.  She requested information on the Council’s lead on resettlement and who its main partner organisation was, that the Council work to resettle four of those accepted families by mid January, that there be a clear timescale for resettlement of the remainder and that there be a commitment to work with Refugees Welcome Haringey. Following a question from Councillor Morris, Ms Bernstein said the Council could welcome more than the three announced unaccompanied refugee children.

In the debate that followed, Councillor Engert noted the historically high levels of refugees globally and the Borough’s history of accepting refugees. She supported the target of three thousand unaccompanied children being accepted into the United Kingdom, and urged the Council to accept more unaccompanied refugee children.

Councillor Hare emphasised there was cross-party support for accepting refugees, but asked why it had taken so long for the Council to take action, particularly given alternative spending decisions.

Responding to the debate, Councillor Kober noted the cross-party action she had led within London Councils, and regretted the Government’s low-level commitment and lack of clarity on the support available to authorities accepting refugees under the Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Scheme.   She stressed that accommodation for the accepted families was the key issue in enabling their resettlement. In relation to unaccompanied refugee children, she noted that London had already accepted a good number, and that Haringey had already accepted 46 children – which is over the recommended threshold by the Government. She responded to Ms Bernstein’s questions by stating that the Deputy Chief Executive had overall responsibility for this matter, that the third sector partner was Embrace UK, that families would be resettled as soon as accommodation was provided and that she welcomed the offer of engagement with Refugees Welcome Haringey.

The Mayor then led a round of applause from the Council for the petitioners.

Public question to the Leader of the Council from Nathan Lee:

I'm very pleased to see that Haringey has recently accepted three refugee children, under the Dubs amendment. Can you tell me what the Council's position is on accepting refugee families from Syria - through the government VPRS scheme - and how do you envisage the role of local community organisations in supporting any resettlement?

Oral question one – Cllr Gail Engert to the Leader:

Do you agree the council should ensure that publicly owned historic buildings are maintained and kept open to the public?

Oral question two – Cllr Sarah Elliott to the Leader:

Given the significant public interest in the plight of refugees coming to this country, can the Leader update us on what the Council is doing to respond to this crisis?

Oral question three – Cllr Martin Newton to the Cabinet Member for Environment:

How many applications for licences for Houses in Multiple Occupancy have been rejected in the last year?

Oral question four – Cllr Charles Wright to the Cabinet Member for Children and Families:

Woodside High in my ward achieved record examination results this summer so will the Cabinet Member join me in congratulating all the students, staff and parents at the school for their success, along with all the other schools across the borough that also produced outstanding results?

Oral question five – Cllr Pippa Connor to the Cabinet Member for Finance and Health:

Are you satisfied that the Targeted Operating Model for care will meet the needs of the most vulnerable people in the borough?

Oral question six – Cllr Gideon Bull to the Cabinet Member for Finance and Health:

What assessment has the Cabinet Member made of the impact proposed funding cuts will have on pharmacies in the borough?

The Mayor accepted this late item of urgent business, as the answers to questions had needed to be researched and prepared after the summons had been dispatched.

Nathan Lee, a member of the public asked his question, which was responded to by the Leader.

Oral questions one to six were then asked and responded to.

The Mayor invited Councillor Goldberg to introduce to introduce the Annual Carbon Report.

Councillor Goldberg noted that Haringey was unique in presenting transparently the progress of reducing carbon, and welcomed the progress made in the last year despite an increase in population. He noted that carbon reduction had been impressive in the borough, despite starting from a relatively low base, and set out some concerns at the impact of international political developments on the carbon reduction agenda.

Following questions from Councillors Hare, Doron, J Mann and Ejiofor, Councillor Goldberg commended the report to Council.

Noted:

·         That the Annual Report be made publically available, to engage residents in the Haringey 40:20 initiative.

·         That Councillors engage with the initiative and lead action in their community, promoting the importance of reducing carbon emissions whilst increasing prosperity.

·         That the future projects outlined on pages 46 to 50 of the report are implemented and further opportunities are identified, subject to the availability of external funding and grants.

·         That Haringey continues to report annually on our progress to reduce emissions 40% by 2020, delivering growth and increasing prosperity.

The Mayor invited Councillor Engert to introduce the topic for the Haringey Debate.

Councillor Engert set out that there would be no external speaker, given the time expected to reach this item – and she hoped the handling of the debate would be considered as part of the governance review. She set out that the Renters’ Bill had passed the Lords since tabling the motion on the same issue (the following item), and how it would improve the treatment of renters financially and in terms of their safety. 

Councillor Wright set out that rented accommodation was prevalent in the borough though not preferable, and that poor treatment of renters in the private sector led to an increased demand on the social rented sector. He set out how the Housing Strategy, agreed earlier in the meeting, would help improve matters, and that the Council should press the Government to allow it to provide more homes.

Councillor J Mann welcomed the debate, which was of great importance to residents, but felt the Renters’ Bill did not go far enough and hoped the Commons would strengthen the Bill. She further welcomed action taken by the Council in relation to housing.

Councillor Morris noted the rise in the number of renters, and how that increased the potential for rogue landlords. She was particularly concerned at the impact of poor housing on children and young people, particularly their health and learning. While the Renters’ Bill would not solve all issues, it would be a helpful step forward.

Councillor Sahota expressed his concern at the Government’s Housing Bill, and regretted that previous attempts to provide similar improvements seen in the Renters’ Bill, in amendments to the Consumer Rights Bill, were not successful.  

Councillor Blake set out concerns of local residents in relation to renting, and the lack of rights they have, particularly given the high costs paid. She stressed that the quality of building by the Council was as important as the quantity.

Councillor Carter believed there was cross-party support for ending letting fees, and for many of the proposals in the Bill, which should also be welcomed by reputable landlords. He was also keen on a London-wide landlord registration scheme to help ensure their quality.

Responding on behalf of the Cabinet, Councillor Strickland welcomed the debate on housing and renting in particular. He had visited very poor quality properties with the enforcement team. He also regretted that the earlier efforts to provide renters’ rights were not successful, and set out where the Renters’ Bill fell short of what was required. He outlined that there would be a renting policy in the near future following the agreement of the Housing Strategy, which would build on the wider agenda of providing more housing.

Responding, Councillor Engert set out the Renters’ Bill would provide key improvements, and would tackle some of the worst practices, as observed by Councillors. She then proposed that the business be amended to allow the motion on the renters’ bill be moved forward to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 44.

Motion D - Making London a National Park City

Proposer: Cllr Lorna Reith

Seconder: Cllr Liz McShane

Over the last 18 months, a movement has been growing in London to make the city a greener, healthier, fairer and even more beautiful place to live. The objective of the movement is to achieve National Park City status for Greater London.

This Councilnotes:

·         That the Greater London Nation Park City initiative has already gained support from more than 100 organisations, ranging from small community groups to universities and large companies. In addition, the London Assembly unanimously passed a motion to help develop the proposals and further support has been given from Parliament and local government.

·         That turning London into a National Park City will help:

o    Ensure 100% of Londoners have free and easy access to high-quality green space

o    Connect 100% of London’s children to nature

o    Make the majority of London physically green

o    Improve London’s air and water quality, year on year

o    Improve the richness, connectivity and biodiversity of London’s habitats

o    Inspire the building of affordable green homes

o    Inspire new business activities

o    Promote London as a Green World City

o    Nurture a shared National Park City identity for Londoners

This Council further notes:

·         That to become a National Park in England, Natural England (the Government’s adviser for the natural environment in England) must view a landscape as an ‘extensive tract of country’.

·         That, with its distinctive, urban natural and cultural heritage, historic landscape, and many opportunities for outdoor recreation, London meets many requirements for becoming a National Park but it isn’t, however an ‘extensive tract of country’ in the spirit of existing legislation. As such, the intention of this initiative is to transform Greater London into a National Park City, a new kind of National Park that sits outside of current legislation.

·         That London can become a National Park City once at least two-thirds (436) of London’s 654 wards, the Mayor of London and the London Assembly have declared their support.

·         That 85% of Londoners think that making London a National Park City is a good idea and 84% think that it is something London Councils and the Mayor of London should support

·         That Labour London Mayor Sadiq Khan has already given his backing and 210 wards, including many in Haringey, across 30 boroughs have also declared their support.

This Council recognises:

·         That London’s landscape is central to our health and prosperity and the quality of the capital’s built and natural environment – its green, blue and open spaces – is what makes it one of the world’s most desirable cities in which to live, work and invest.

·         That all Haringey’s green spaces, including 22 parks and open spaces managed by the Council which have been awarded Green Flag status, are incredibly important and provide many health and recreation benefits for residents.

This Council resolves:  ...  view the full agenda text for item 45.

The Mayor set out that there were two motions tabled for debate, and invited Councillor Reith to introduce the first motion.

Councillor Reith set out the background to her motion, and the broad support for London being a National Park City. It would make London be seen differently, and ensure pride in its parks, and give a greater sense of public ownership and guardianship over them. Ultimately, this would make London greener and a more healthy place to live.

Seconding the motion, Councillor McShane outlined the number parks and green spaces in the borough, and thanked the parks service for its work to maintain them. The motion would show Haringey’s support for the value of its parks.

Councillor Doron echoed the sentiments made, and set out Haringey was one of the greenest boroughs in one of the greenest capital cities in the world. He encouraged all members to agree the motion.

Councillor Carter welcomed the motion, particularly as the nineteenth ward in the borough had expressed support for this motion very recently.

Councillor Berryman welcomed the improvement to Haringey’s parks over many years, and believed there was a public interest in maintaining good parks with public funds, given their environmental and social benefits.

Councillor Ahmet welcomed the motion and support for the campaign across the borough, and added her thanks to the parks staff.

Responding, Councillor Reith set out this was the beginning of the campaign, which Haringey had showed clear support for.

The Mayor then put the motion to Council, when it was agreed by acclamation.

Proposing the second motion, Councillor Engert referred to her earlier remarks and recommended it be moved without discussion. Councillor Morris seconded the motion.

Responding, Councillor Kober said that the matter was of great importance to residents and beyond party politics, and that her group would support it.

The Mayor then put the motion to Council, when it was agreed by acclamation.

RESOLVED

Motion D - Making London a National Park City

Over the last 18 months, a movement has been growing in London to make the city a greener, healthier, fairer and even more beautiful place to live. The objective of the movement is to achieve National Park City status for Greater London.

This Council notes:

·         That the Greater London Nation Park City initiative has already gained support from more than 100 organisations, ranging from small community groups to universities and large companies. In addition, the London Assembly unanimously passed a motion to help develop the proposals and further support has been given from Parliament and local government.

·         That turning London into a National Park City will help:

­   Ensure 100% of Londoners have free and easy access to high-quality green space

­   Connect 100% of London’s children to nature

­   Make the majority of London physically green

­   Improve London’s air and water quality, year on year

­   Improve the richness, connectivity and biodiversity of London’s habitats

­   Inspire the building of affordable green homes

­   Inspire new business activities

­   Promote  ...  view the full minutes text for item 45.