Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Beynon and Bloch.

See items 6 & 13

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.

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 Kober declared a personal interest in Item 12 as a representative on the NDC Board.

Councillor Gorrie declared a personal and prejudicial interest in Items 10 and 15 as  a non executive Director of Ocado Ltd.

Councillor Williams declared a personal interest in Item 11 as he was an employee of a trade association within the Pub Industry.

Councillor Davies declared a personal interest in Item 13 as a Tottenham Hotspur seat holder and in Item 14 as an employee of the Healthcare Commission.

Councillor Mallett declared a personal interest in Item 13 as she was carer in the Borough.

Councillor Amin declared a personal interest in Item 12 as a representative on the NDC Board.

Councillor Diakides declared a personal interest in Item 12  as a representative on the NDC Board.

Councillor B. Harris declared a personal interest in Item 12 as a representative on the NDC Board.

Councillor Rainger declared a personal interest in Item 10 as an employee of the RAC Foundation.

Councillor Reith declared a personal interest in item 10, as she was an appointed Member of London Travel Watch.

Councillor Engert declared a personal interest in item 10, as she was an appointed Member of London Travel Watch.

Councillor Adje declared a personal interest in item 10, as he was an employee of the London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority.

Councillor Butcher declared a personal interest in item 10, as he was an appointed Member of the London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority.

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 26 November 2007 be signed as a true record.

1.      On behalf of the Council the Mayor sent congratulations to Cllr Sara Beynon of Fortis Green Ward who had a baby girl Megan on 28^th December 2007. 

2.      The Mayor reminded all Members of the fundraising Jazz evening on Wednesday 23^rd January 2008 at the Elements Wine Bar. All proceeds would go towards supporting Haringey Young Musicians.

The Mayor agreed to the admission of this item as urgent business. The report was not available at the time of despatch as it included recent changes to Council body memberships following a recent resignation. It was urgent in order to permit changes to be made to Council body appointments.

Councillor Williams thanked Councillor Portess for his contribution since his election to office.

RESOLVED:

1.      That the resignation of Councillor Portess with immediate effect from 18 January 2008 be noted.

2.      That the resultant vacancies to Council body memberships as follows, be noted:

Haringey Council and Employee Joint Consultative Committee.

Miscellaneous Functions Sub-Committee

Remuneration Committee

Muswell Hill Area Assembly

There were no items to report.

An addendum to the circulated report had been produced detailing changes to outside body memberships following the recent resignation.

RESOLVED:

That the appointments to outside bodies as set out in the attached appendix be approved.

There were no deputations or petitions.

Councillor Gorrie left the meeting having declared a personal and prejudicial interest in Item 10.

RESOLVED

That the resolution of this Council, passed at a meeting of the Council held on 15 October 2007 to promote a Bill or Bills in the last session of Parliament, pursuant to which the Bills intituled “A Bill to confer further powers upon local authorities in London; and for related purposes”; “A Bill to introduce in London a prohibition on the supply of certain bags by retailers, to confer powers upon the local authorities in London to enforce the prohibition; and for related purposes” and “A Bill to confer further powers upon local authorities in London and upon Transport for London;  and for related purposes” have been deposited in Parliament, be and the same be hereby confirmed.

(This resolution was unanimously agreed)

RESOLVED

1.      That Council’s new Statement of Licensing Policy be adopted with effect from 23^rd January 2008; and

2.      That officers publish the new Statement of Licensing Policy on the Councils website and to make copies of the new Statement of Licensing Policy available at Council offices to the public.

The opposition gave notice of their wish to debate “Wards Corner and the New Deal for Communities (NDC)”

Following a succinct commentary by Councillor Williams, Oakes and Mughal, Councillor Amin responded on behalf of the Majority Group.

The Mayor thanked Councillors for their contributions.

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.

Oral Question 8 was not reached in the allotted time and a written answer would be supplied to this question.

a)     The Cabinet – Reports number 6 & 7 /2007-8

b)     Overview and Scrutiny Committee – Report number 2 / 2007-8

CABINET REPORT 6 & 7  2007/08

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

The Leader thanked the following officer who had recently left the Council’s service or were about to leave, for their contributions to the work of the Authority:

Zena Brabazon

Stephen Clarke

Shifa Mustafa

RESOLVED:

That the Cabinet reports nos. 6 & 7 be received and adopted.

OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY COMMITTEE REPORT 2  2007/08

Councillor Bull gave a brief resume of the report of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee which was before the meeting for consideration.

RESOLVED:

That the Overview and Scrutiny Committee report no. 2 be received and the following recommendation be adopted:

That Haringey participate in the proposed London-wide Joint Overview and Scrutiny Committee being established to respond to the consultation document issued by the Joint Committee of PCTs on the models of care outlined in Healthcare for London: A Framework for Action by the statutory deadline.

That the terms of reference be agreed as outlined above.

That Councillor Gideon Bull be appointed as the representative and Councillor Newton as deputy representative from the London Borough of Haringey to the London Joint Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

Motion F (2007/8)

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

This Council congratulates the success of Crouch End residents and independent traders in the introduction of a Crouch End bag for life.

This Council seeks to support similar initiatives throughout Haringey and to encourage retailers, businesses and commercial manufacturers to reduce excessive packaging, in particular the widespread use of throwaway plastic carrier bags.

This Council notes:

1.      Annually an estimated total of around 17.5 billion throwaway plastic carrier bags are handed out by supermarkets in the UK and recognises the damage caused to the environment by throwaway plastic carrier bags

2.      A plastic bag can take between 400 to 1,000 years to break down in the environment, and in the UK alone at least 200 million plastic bags end up as waste on our streets and parks every year.

This Council therefore resolves to:

1.      Publicly encourage retailers to find ways of reducing the number of throwaway plastic bags they give out and to work with retailers to promote bags for life and promote ‘plastic bags free zones’.

2.      Endeavour to make Haringey a throwaway plastic bag free zone by 2010.

3.      Actively encourage consumers to use bags for life, especially those made of natural materials, instead of disposable bags.

4.      Set an example by only using biodegradable and reusable bags in Council promotions.

5.      Write to Haringey’s MPs, the Local Government Association and the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, informing them of this motion and urging them to use their respective influence to encourage the government to go further on their policy and find ways to encourage a reduction in throwaway plastic carrier bag usage on a national level.

6.      Provide a progress report in 12 months time to Full Council on these initiatives.

Councillor Gorrie left the meeting having declared a personal and prejudicial interest in Item 15.

MOTION G (2007/08):

Itwas movedby CouncillorHare andseconded byCouncillor Weberthat:

“This Council congratulates the success of Crouch End residents and independent traders in the introduction of a Crouch End bag for life.

This Council seeks to support similar initiatives throughout Haringey and to encourage retailers, businesses and commercial manufacturers to reduce excessive packaging, in particular the widespread use of throwaway plastic carrier bags.

This Council notes:

1.      Annually an estimated total of around 17.5 billion throwaway plastic carrier bags are handed out by supermarkets in the UK and recognises the damage caused to the environment by throwaway plastic carrier bags

2.      A plastic bag can take between 400 to 1,000 years to break down in the environment, and in the UK alone at least 200 million plastic bags end up as waste on our streets and parks every year.

This Council therefore resolves to:

1.      Publicly encourage retailers to find ways of reducing the number of throwaway plastic bags they give out and to work with retailers to promote bags for life and promote ‘plastic bags free zones’.

2.      Endeavour to make Haringey a throwaway plastic bag free zone by 2010.

3.      Actively encourage consumers to use bags for life, especially those made of natural materials, instead of disposable bags.

4.      Set an example by only using biodegradable and reusable bags in Council promotions.

5.      Write to Haringey’s MPs, the Local Government Association and the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, informing them of this motion and urging them to use their respective influence to encourage the government to go further on their policy and find ways to encourage a reduction in throwaway plastic carrier bag usage on a national level.

6.      Provide a progress report in 12 months time to Full Council on these initiatives. “

An amendment to MOTION G was moved by Councillor Haley and seconded by Councillor Bevan that:

Delete all after “…introduction of a Crouch End bag for life” and replace with:

“This Council notes the motion which was passed at the meeting of 15^th October 2007 committing the council to supporting the London Local Authorities Bill or Bills, which contain provisions for the prohibition of the provision of disposable shopping bags.

Council further notes the item on the agenda for the meeting of 21st January 2008 ‘To confirm participation in the three London Local Authorities' Bills recently deposited in Parliament’, one of which is “A Bill to introduce in London a prohibition on the supply of certain bags by retailers”.

This Council believes that undertaking a separate scheme to make Haringey a throwaway plastic bag free zone by 2010 would be duplicative and unenforceable, and will not be in the best interests of the residents of Haringey.

This Council therefore commits itself to fully supporting The London Local Authorities (Shopping Bags) Bill on its passage through parliament, and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 76.