Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Portess.

See minutes 59 & 61

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’s 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 Diakides declared a personal interest in Item 11 Motion E  as a representative on the NDC Board.

Councillor Kober declared a personal interest in Item 11 Motion E as a representative on the NDC Board.

Councillor Amin declared a personal interest in Item 11 Motion E as a representative on the NDC Board.

Councillor B. Harris declared a personal interest in Item 11 Motion E  as a representative on the NDC Board.

Councillor Oakes declared a personal interest in Item 11 Motion F as a Trustee on the Alexandra Palace and Park Board.

Councillor Cooke declared a personal interest in Item 11 Motion F as a Trustee on the Alexandra Palace and Park Board.

Councillor Hare declared a personal non in Item 11 Motion F as a Trustee on the Alexandra Palace and Park Board.

Councillor Egan declared a personal interest in Item 11 Motion F as a Trustee on the Alexandra Palace and Park Board.

Councillor Dogus declared a personal interest in Item 11 Motion F as a Trustee on the Alexandra Palace and Park Board.

Councillor Beacham declared a personal interest in Item 11 Motion F as a Trustee on the Alexandra Palace and Park Board.

Councillor Patel declared a personal interest in Item 11 Motion F as a Trustee on the Alexandra Palace and Park Board.

Councillor Peacock declared a personal interest in Item 11 Motion F as a Trustee on the Alexandra Palace and Park Board and in item 8 as Chair of the local planning group for the Park Lane Children’s Centre.

Councillor Butcher declared a personal interest in Item 8 as a Governor of Stroud Green School and Stroud Green Children’s Centre.

Councillor Adje declared a personal interest in Item 8 as a Governor of South Harringay Junior School.

Copies of the Minutes of the last meeting having been circulated were taken as read.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 15 October  2007 be signed as a true record.

1.      The Mayor sadly reported that Lucy Arnold passed away on 12 November and her funeral took place this afternoon in Tottenham.  Lucy had been a Councillor in Bowes Park from 1994 to 2002.  She was Deputy Mayoress in 1995-96 and Mayoress in 1996-97 with her partner and fellow Councillor Ron Blanchard.  Lucy also chaired a number of Council bodies.

Councillor Adamou, Councillor Hare and the Leader of the Council, Councillor Meehan, each said a few words in memory of Lucy Arnold.

The Full Council then stood for a minute’s silence in memory of Lucy.

2.      The Mayor advised that  Ex-Mayor and Councillor Herbie Brown had been quite unwell lately.  The Mayor reported that Herbie was now making a good recovery.  On behalf of the Council the Mayor had sent best wishes to Herbie.  

3.      The Mayor thanked all those who attended and supported the Remembrance Services in the borough on 11 November. The Mayor commented that he believed it was important that the commitment and sacrifices of those who fought and suffered in the cause of freedom, and that the good work of the Royal British Legion be supported and recognised.

4.      The Mayor reported that Haringey took part in the 11 Million “Takeover Day” last Friday where young people in Haringey  had the opportunity to celebrate the Universal Day of the Child.  It also allowed young people to learn more about local institutions, organisations and decision making processes.  The Mayor thanked all those Councillors and officers who supported this new venture.

5.      On behalf of the Council the Mayor Congratulated Councillor Matt Cooke who had run the New York Marathon earlier in November, and despite injuring his hip early in the race, raised some £1,500 for the NSPCC.

6.       The Mayor was delighted to announce that earlier today Haringey had been presented with an award of distinction from the Mayor of London in recognition of the outstanding and innovative work to further the aims of the London Domestic Violence Strategy and to make London a safer place.

RESOLVED:

1.      That the changes to Political Group composition resulting from Councillor Catherine Harris joining the Labour Group be noted.

2.      That the membership of the General Purposes Committee be reduced by one Liberal Democrat position in order to reflect their overall number of seats on the Council.

3.      That the following resultant changes to Council body memberships be agreed:

§         That the Liberal Democrat membership of the General Purposes Committee be: Councillors Bloch, Beynon and Whyte.

§         That Councillor Gorrie replace Councillor C Harris on the Remuneration Committee.

§         That Councillor C Harris be shown as a Labour Member on the Disciplinary pool and the Wood Green Area Assembly.

4.      That it be noted that Gerald Almeroth had been appointed as the Council’s Chief Financial Officer and would retain the role of Section 151 Officer. 

There were no items to report.

A petition was received from residents of Claremont Road and Stanhope Gardens N6 requesting an extension of the CPZ to cover these roads.

Councillor Haley, Cabinet Member for Environment and Conservation responded to the petition. Councillor Williams also commented on Councillor Haley’s response.

One deputation was received from Haringey Youth Council. Adam Jogee and Shayan Mofitzadeh addressed the Council on behalf of the Haringey Youth Council Executive. Members asked questions of the deputation and received responses thereto.

The Council applauded both Adam and Shayan on their presentations and the Mayor thanked them both.

The Mayor agreed to the admission of this Item 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 8 oral questions and 25 for written answer. All questions were dealt with within the allotted time.

a)     The Cabinet – Report number 5 / 2007-8

Cabinet Report 5  2007/08

The Leader gave a brief resume of the report of Cabinet which was before the meeting for consideration. Other Members questioned details of the report and the Leader responded accordingly.

The Leader thanked all those who had been involved in the organisation of the recent Anti Bullying March.

RESOLVED:

1.      That the Cabinet report no. 5 be received and adopted.

2.      That the Council withdraw from the Upper Lee Valley Executive Board and the local economic partnership.

3.      That participation in the co-ordinating structures for the Upper Lee Vision North London’s Waterside as outlined in the report be approved and that the Leader and the Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Enterprise be appointed to serve on the Leader’s Forum.

Motion E (2007/08):

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

“This Council notes that the New Deal for Communities (NDC) is a key programme in the Government’s strategy to tackle multiple deprivation in the most deprived neighbourhoods in the country, giving some of the poorest communities the resources to tackle their problems in an intensive way and co-ordinated way. 

This Council recognises the successful bid for over £50 million of NDC funding for The Bridge Seven Sisters area, which has brought opportunities to tackle the five key NDC themes of:  poor job prospects; high levels of crime; educational under-achievement; poor health; and problems with housing and the physical environment in the Bridge Seven Sisters area.

This council further notes with concern however, that the observations and recommendations contained within the Final Internal Audit Report on The Bridge NDC, submitted to the Council in September 2006, highlighted significant problems relating to administration and delivery of the spending programme. The audit executive summary noted that a limited level of assurance can be provided in relation to the spending programme and identified that weaknesses in the system of controls are such as to put the system objectives at risk. This Council also notes that a petition signed by 600 local residents was delivered to the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister in November 2004 raising serious questions regarding the NDC accounts following dismissal of two public members of the Bridge NDC Board.

This Council therefore believes that full public confidence in this multi-million NDC ‘resident-led’ spending programme can only be restored through the implementation of a full independent financial forensic investigation of the NDC accounts.

Haringey Council therefore resolves to

1.      Commission an immediate independent financial forensic investigation of The Bridge Seven Sisters spending programme, covering the period 2001-2007

2.      Present the auditor’s findings and recommendations in full to full council at the earliest opportunity following receipt of the report”.

MOTION E(2007/08):

Itwas movedby CouncillorHoban andseconded byCouncillor Oakesthat:

“This Council notes that the New Deal for Communities (NDC) is a key programme in the Government’s strategy to tackle multiple deprivation in the most deprived neighbourhoods in the country, giving some of the poorest communities the resources to tackle their problems in an intensive way and co-ordinated way. 

This Council recognises the successful bid for over £50 million of NDC funding for The Bridge Seven Sisters area, which has brought opportunities to tackle the five key NDC themes of:  poor job prospects; high levels of crime; educational under-achievement; poor health; and problems with housing and the physical environment in the Bridge Seven Sisters area.

This council further notes with concern however, that the observations and recommendations contained within the Final Internal Audit Report on The Bridge NDC, submitted to the Council in September 2006, highlighted significant problems relating to administration and delivery of the spending programme. The audit executive summary noted that a limited level of assurance can be provided in relation to the spending programme and identified that weaknesses in the system of controls are such as to put the system objectives at risk. This Council also notes that a petition signed by 600 local residents was delivered to the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister in November 2004 raising serious questions regarding the NDC accounts following dismissal of two public members of the Bridge NDC Board.

This Council therefore believes that full public confidence in this multi-million NDC ‘resident-led’ spending programme can only be restored through the implementation of a full independent financial forensic investigation of the NDC accounts.

Haringey Council therefore resolves to

1.      Commission an immediate independent financial forensic investigation of The Bridge Seven Sisters spending programme, covering the period 2001-2007

2.      Present the auditor’s findings and recommendations in full to full council at the earliest opportunity following receipt of the report”.

On a vote there being 24 for the motion and 31 against the motion was declared LOST.

At this point in the proceedings the Mayor agreed to accept the submission of an emergency motion.

MOTION F (2007/08):

Itwas movedby CouncillorWilliams andseconded byCouncillor Whyte that:

‘This Council;

·        Deplores the ending of party proportionality by the Alexandra Palace board over the appointment of board members of Alexandra Palace Trading Limited

·        Expresses grave concern over the escalating additional costs to the Council of the recent high court decision in relation regarding the Alexandra Palace, now estimated at £1 million to March.

And therefore undertakes to:

·        Write to the board of trustees expressing the Council's dismay at the ending of proportionality asking the board to restore it.

·        Set out to councillors in detail how the £1 million additional costs have arisen and undertake to report to councillors on a monthly basis on this grave financial situation for the Council.’

An amendment to the emergency Motion was moved by Councillor Cooke and seconded  ...  view the full minutes text for item 61.