Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Rahman Khan, Patel and C Harris. Apologies for lateness were received from Councillors C Baker and Hare.

The  Chief Executive reported that there were four late items of business (Items 8, 10, 11a, and 11c) which could not be available earlier, and which would need to be dealt with at this meeting.

See minute numbers 74, 76, 77 for reasons for lateness and urgency.

In respect of Item 11a, Councillor Jonathan Bloch moved that the item be deferred to another meeting date due to a lack of time to consider as a result of its lateness. This was seconded by Councillor Neil Williams and was put to the vote and declared LOST there being 28 against deferral, and 24 for it.

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 judgement of the public interest.

Members were asked by the Mayor to declare any personal interest in respect of items on the agenda.  In accordance with Part 2 of the Members Code of Conduct set out in the Council Constitution, any Member disclosing a personal interest which was also prejudicial would be asked to withdraw from the Chamber during consideration of the item and neither were they to seek to improperly influence a decision on the said item.

Councillor Adamou declared a personal and prejudicial interest in respect of Item 12 Motion L. Councillor Adamou advised that she would withdraw from the Council Chamber during consideration of this item.

Councillor Haley declared a personal interest in respect of Item 11a.

Councillor Thompson declared a personal interest in respect of Item 12 Motion L.

Councillor Davies declared a personal and prejudicial interest in Item 12 Motion L because he worked for an organisation campaigning on transport issues and climate change.

Councillor Ranger declared a personal and prejudicial interest in Item 12 Motion L.

Councillor Davies pointed out that he had declared a personal and prejudicial interest in Motion H and had withdrawn from the meeting.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 13 November 2006 be signed as a true record subject to Councillor Davies being shown as having declared a personal and prejudicial interest under Minute 51 and leaving the meeting prior to discussion of Motion H.

1. The Mayor took the opportunity to thank all those members of staff, voluntary organisations and groups who invited her to join them over the festive season.  A great many people gave their time during November and December to help the elderly and disabled and to raise money for charities, including the Mayor’s Special Fund – Building for Babies. The Mayor enjoyed meeting so many people over this busy period and looked forward to continuing to represent the Council throughout the Borough.

2. On behalf of the Council, the Mayor extended her warmest congratulations to Councillor Carolyn Baker who had a baby girl on 27 November 2006.  Our good wishes to Mum and baby Jenna.

3. The Mayor congratulated the Head of Adult Learning, Libraries and Culture, Diana Edmonds, who was honoured with an MBE in the New Year’s Honours List. The Mayor stated that It was very well deserved and a credit to Diana and her Team.

4. The Mayor congratulated Councillor Brian Haley on his appointment to the Thames Regional Advisory Committee of the Environment Agency.

5. The Mayor wished all councillors a Happy New Year!

There were no matters to report.

There were no matters to report.

The Mayor agreed to admit the report as urgent business. The report dealt with matters considered at Party group meetings within the last few days. It was urgent in order to permit changes to be made to outside body appointments.

Councillor Dobbie requested that Mr N Makanji be shown as the deputy in respect of Local Authority Action for Southern Africa.

RESOLVED

That the appointments to outside bodies, as set out in the appendix be approved subject to the above amendment.

A deputation from Dan Evans of the Queens Road Neighbourhood Watch in relation to a no left turn near Bounds Green tube station was received.

Questions were then put to Mr Evans.

The Mayor thanked Mr Evans and the deputation for their attendance.

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 nine oral questions and 27 written questions.

Oral  questions 5 to 9 were not reached in the allotted time and written answers would therefore be supplied to these questions.

a)     The Executive – Report 9, 10 and 11. 2006/7 (report 11 to follow)

b)     General Purposes Committee – Report 3. 2006/7

c)      Overview and Scrutiny Committee – Report 1. 2006/7 (to follow)

The Mayor agreed to the admission of the Executive report number 11 following a vote (see minute number 68). The Executive report was not available at the time of dispatch as the matters contained in it were not considered by the Executive until 19 December 2006 and potentially subject to call-in up to Tuesday 2 January 2007.

The Overview and Scrutiny Committee report was not available at the time of despatch on 21 December 2006 as the meeting had only recently been held. Consideration of the recommendations were urgent as they required the establishment of a joint body.

RESOLVED

1                    That reports 9, 10, and 11 of the Executive be received.

2                    That the preparation of the Joint Waste Development Plan Document be approved.

3                    That the preparation of the Central Leeside Joint Area Plan Document be approved

4                    That the Residential Involvement Agreement (Compact) be launched in March 2007.

5                    That report 3 of the General Purposes Committee be received.

6                    That the Council adopt the changes to Contract Standing Orders as set out in the appendix one of the report and that Part G.3 of the Council’s Constitution be amended accordingly with effect from 5 February 2007.

7                    That the Council adopt the amendments to the Statement of Licensing Policy as set out in the appendix three of the report.

8                    That report 1 of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee be received.

9                    That a joint scrutiny committee with the London Boroughs of Barnet and Enfield and Hertfordshire County Council be set up. This joint committee would consider the forthcoming NHS consultation exercise on the Barnet, Enfield and Haringey Clinical Strategy.

10               That Councillors Bull and Newton be appointed as Haringey’s representatives, with Councillor Jones as nominated Deputy.

MOTION L (2006/07):

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

“This Council notes that air travel is an exceptionally environmentally damaging form of travel, resulting in far larger quantities of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere than alternative rapid surface travel by train or coach.

This Council notes that with 1600 more train services each year than in 1997, 1850 new railway vehicles with better access for disabled people since 2002, greatly increased speeds of travel by rail from London, a 36% increase in the amount of freight moved by rail in the United Kingdom since 1997, and the Channel Tunnel Rail Link opened on time, the current government has worked hard to improve surface transport in Great Britain and to improve our links to cities in mainland Europe.

This Council believes that it has a duty, individually and corporately, to support the UK government in reducing carbon dioxide emissions and to secure the future of the planet for future generations.

This Council therefore resolves that, in order to help meet local, national and global targets for the reduction of CO2 emissions, Council members and officers will henceforth not travel by air on Council business within mainland Great Britain, or when representing the Council in Paris or Brussels.

This Council further resolves to make greater use of communications technology, such as video conferencing, in order to reduce the need to travel. Where travel is necessary, this Council will accommodate to the needs of members and officers by ensuring that sufficient time is allowed either side of an engagement in order to travel on land.”

MOTION M (2006/07):

Councillor Wilson has given notice that he will move in the following terms:

“This Council notes the damning Commission on Social Care Inspection (CSCI) report on the worsening performance of Adult Social Services in Haringey, which:

§         Found that Haringey Social Services are only serving ‘some’ people well, and failing the majority of vulnerable adults in the Borough

§         Gave Haringey 1 star – the lowest star rating awarded this year – putting the Council in the bottom 22% of English authorities.

§         Found Haringey is one of just 11% of social services departments actually getting worse, dropping down from 2 to 1 stars.

§         Determined that Haringey’s capacity to improve is ‘uncertain’ – the worst rating on ability to improve awarded by CSCI this year.

§         Scored Haringey worse than every other London Borough except one, with 30 London Boroughs getting a better star rating or capacity to improve rating.

This Council regrets that rather than taking action to improve social services, the Labour Executive has instead brought forward proposals for multi-million pound cuts to social services, with plans to close day centres, cut care beds and increase charges; and believes these cuts will further damage social services’ ability to help the most vulnerable elderly and disabled people, leaving many more without the access they need to essential help and support.

This Council therefore calls on  ...  view the full agenda text for item 78.

The Opposition Chief Whip moved to withdraw Motion O from the Agenda and this was unanimously agreed by Council.

At this stage in proceedings, the Mayor and Councillor Rainger left the Council Chamber having declared an interest in Motion L.

The Chief Executive invited Members to elect a chair in the absence of the Mayor. Councillor Dobbie, nominated Councillor Griffith as Chair. There being no other nominations, Councillor Griffith was duly elected as Chair for this item of the agenda.

MOTION L

It was moved by Councillor Jones and seconded by Councillor Reith that:

“This Council notes that air travel is an exceptionally environmentally damaging form of travel, resulting in far larger quantities of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere than alternative rapid surface travel by train or coach.

This Council notes that with 1600 more train services each year than in 1997, 1850 new railway vehicles with better access for disabled people since 2002, greatly increased speeds of travel by rail from London, a 36% increase in the amount of freight moved by rail in the United Kingdom since 1997, and the Channel Tunnel Rail Link opened on time, the current government has worked hard to improve surface transport in Great Britain and to improve our links to cities in mainland Europe.

This Council believes that it has a duty, individually and corporately, to support the UK government in reducing carbon dioxide emissions and to secure the future of the planet for future generations.

This Council therefore resolves that, in order to help meet local, national and global targets for the reduction of CO2 emissions, Council members and officers will henceforth not travel by air on Council business within mainland Great Britain, or when representing the Council in Paris or Brussels.

This Council further resolves to make greater use of communications technology, such as video conferencing, in order to reduce the need to travel. Where travel is necessary, this Council will accommodate to the needs of members and officers by ensuring that sufficient time is allowed either side of an engagement in order to travel on land.”

An amendment to the Motion was moved by Councillor Butcher and seconded by Councillor Newton:

Delete all after "on time” in the fifth line of paragraph 2 and replace with 

". Nevertheless, the current government has failed to curb the 120% increase in CO2 emissions from international aviation originating from the UK since 1990.

The Council notes with regret the procurement of a luxury Series 7 BMW as the official vehicle for the Mayor of Haringey. It is disappointed that the Labour administration has missed the opportunity for Haringey's first citizen to lead by example through its choice of a vehicle with high CO2 emissions instead of a greener alternative. The car's arrival, coming only weeks after the leader's signing of the Nottingham Declaration, is emblematic of the Labour administration's continued failure to provide vision and leadership to the residents of Haringey in fight against climate change."

The amendment was then put  ...  view the full minutes text for item 78.