Agenda and minutes

An apology for absence was received from Councillor C. Harris.

See minutes 96, 101 & 102.

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.

Councillor Adje declared a personal interest in item 10 – Financial planning, as he was an employee of the London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority for which a portion of the precept was paid to.

Councillor Butcher declared a personal interest in item 10 – Financial planning, as he was an appointed Member of the London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority for which a portion of the precept was paid to.

Councillor Engert declared a personal interest in item 10 – Financial planning, as she was an appointed Member of London Travel Watch for which a portion of the precept was paid to.

Councillor Meehan declared a personal interest in item 10 – Financial planning, as he was in receipt of a freedom pass.

Councillor Reith declared a personal interest in item 10 – Financial planning, as she was an appointed Member of London Travel Watch for which a portion of the precept was paid to.

Councillor Williams declared a personal interest in Motion T – as he was an employee of a trade association within the Pub Industry.

To ask Members to consider whether they need to make a declaration in accordance with Section 106 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 in relation to unpaid community charge or council tax liability which is two months or more outstanding. Members to whom this applies must make a declaration if they are present at any part of the meeting and must not vote on any matter relating to the budget.  It is not sufficient for such members to refrain from voting or to absent themselves from the chamber for particular parts of the meeting.

Members were reminded of the need to consider whether they needed to make a declaration in accordance with Section 106 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 in relation to unpaid community charge or council tax liability which was two months or more outstanding.

No such declarations were made.

The Mayor agreed to admit the minutes as urgent business. Because of the short timescale between the last meeting and this, it was not possible to circulate the minutes with the summons. The minutes should be confirmed at the next available meeting of the Council.

Copies of the Minutes having been circulated, they were taken as read.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 5 February 2007 be signed as a true record.

The Mayor reported that she had attended the launch of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender history month at Wood Green Central Library.

The Mayor was sad to announce the death of Petra Clark wife of former Councillor Peter Clarke. Councillor Diakides paid tribute.

RESOLVED

1.      That the Acting Director of Finance undertake the role of Section 151 officer until permanent recruitment to the post of Director of Corporate Resources has been completed.

2.      That the Council’s Constitution be amended to reflect the matters at paragraphs 6.3, 6.4 and 6.5 of this report, until such time as the new Director of Corporate Resources takes up post.

There were no matters to report.

There were no deputations or petitions.

The Mayor agreed to admit the report as urgent business. The report could not be circulated earlier as vital information was awaited from the preceptors.  The report needed to be admitted in order that the Council Tax may be set for 2007/08.

On a Motion by Councillor Mallet there being 30 for and 25 against it was:

RESOLVED:

1.      That the final settlement be noted and the way forward as outlined in the circulated report in respect of the levying authorities and Local Authority Business Growth Incentive scheme be agreed.

2.      That approval be given to the reduction in non-HRA rent levels as set   out in the circulated report.

3.      That the uncertainty as a result of single status negotiations be noted.

4.      That the business unit cash limits, set out in Appendix C of the report, be agreed.

5.      That the Greater London Authority precept be noted.

6.      That the budget resolution in the specified format as set out in the attached appendix be agreed.

7.      That the reserves policy attached at Appendix E of the report, be agreed.

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 10 oral questions and 27 for written answer.

Oral Questions 7 – 10 were not reached in the allotted time and written answers were supplied to these questions.

a)     The Executive – Report 14. 2006/7

In accordance with Council Rules of Procedure No. 12(1), the Chief Executive will submit a report, if appropriate, listing any recommendations from the Overview and Scrutiny Committee requiring policy change or executive action.

RESOLVED:

That Executive report number 14 be received and adopted.

MOTION R (2006/07):

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

 “This Council recognises the vital role played by private sector businesses towards the present and future economic well being of Haringey and its residents, and believes that more work needs to be done to make Haringey an attractive place to do business, and to foster an enterprise culture within the Council.

This Council therefore resolves to make 2007 the 'year of business' for the Council, pursuing with greater vigour the promotion of enterprise in the borough wherever possible, including through the production and promotion, through council publications, of business directories for the borough; the creation of a business services desk in the Council, with the establishment of identified business champions in appropriate council departments, and the development and promotion of a brand for Haringey as a great place to do business”.  

MOTION S (2006/07):

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

“This Council believes that the Freedom of Information Act 2000, which came into force on 1^st January 2005, is a significant and most welcome piece of legislation in empowering citizens and ensuring all forms of government and public bodies are effectively scrutinised and held to account.  This Council celebrates the significant benefits of this legislation to the public which far exceed its administrative costs.

This Council believes that it is vital that the Freedom of Information legislation is better publicised throughout Haringey and that every step should be taken to ensure that this Council meets all relevant requests for information within the specified time requirements set out by the legislation.

This Council also opposes current proposals to significantly change, after a very short period of time, the administration of this significant legislation, especially relating to the dangerous proposal that unrelated requests by the same individual or organisation to an authority should be aggregated and refused if the aggregated cost exceed the specified financial limits.   This Council believes this proposal could severely ration use of the Act by the local media and campaigning organisations.

This Council urges Haringey’s two Members of Parliament to defend the basic principles of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and to ensure that the harmful proposals as set out in the current consultation by the Department of Constitutional Affairs are opposed”.

MOTION T (2006/07):

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

“Council recognises that:

1.      Crime and the fear of crime remain major concerns of residents of Haringey in particular fuelled by the persistence of so-called low level crime and antisocial behaviour, the shortage of police officers on the beat, and the difficulty in getting an adequate response to incidents from an overstretched police force;

2.      The general public's confidence in safely visiting by day and night all parts of Haringey must be reinforced, in particular by tackling at source known centres of disorder;

3.      Whilst partnerships arrangements have led to better co-ordination between agencies on  ...  view the full agenda text for item 104.

MOTION R (2006/07):

It was moved by Councillor Mughal and seconded by Councillor Hoban that:

 “This Council recognises the vital role played by private sector businesses towards the present and future economic well being of Haringey and its residents, and believes that more work needs to be done to make Haringey an attractive place to do business, and to foster an enterprise culture within the Council.

This Council therefore resolves to make 2007 the 'year of business' for the Council, pursuing with greater vigour the promotion of enterprise in the borough wherever possible, including through the production and promotion, through council publications, of business directories for the borough; the creation of a business services desk in the Council, with the establishment of identified business champions in appropriate council departments, and the development and promotion of a brand for Haringey as a great place to do business”.  

An amendment to motion R was moved by Councillor Amin and seconded by Councillor Cooke that:

Delete all after “Haringey and its residents,” in the first sentence, and insert

“and welcomes the Council’s clear focus on promoting enterprise and its string of successes in making Haringey a great place to do business.

This Council notes that our borough has levels of new business VAT registrations 16% above the London average and that rates of self employment in Haringey are rising, and welcomes the success of the Trade Local project which showed how increasing the supply chain opportunities for local business has benefited the local economy, with over 1,000 businesses in the borough engaged in the programme. 

This Council welcomes the success of the 2006 Haringey City Growth Business Awards in attracting 300 businesses to the event, and looks forward to an equally successful ceremony on 8 March 2007, building on the considerable amount of work done to consolidate and improve the Council’s relationship with local business.

This Council welcomes the wealth of information to support businesses now being made available on the Council website and looks forward to the future development of this as a resource for local businesses.  A new business lounge was recently launched at Wood Green Library, providing a range of services including access to cashflow and business planning software and dedicated one-to-one business advice and support.

This Council, mindful that physical regeneration must always be accompanied by social regeneration through new employment opportunities and new skills training, recognizes the crucial importance of partnership working with the local private sector to tackle worklessness in our borough through active intervention.

This Council therefore resolves to continue its policies throughout the term of this council and to launch a charter with local businesses, within the next four months, to encourage businesses to sign up to the Haringey Guarantee, providing an opportunity for employers to gain support in accessing a local committed and skilled workforce as well as providing local residents with job opportunities.”

The amendment was then put to the meeting and declared carried. There being  30 for, 0 against, and 25  ...  view the full minutes text for item 104.