Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Adamou, Alexander, Bloch, Hoban, Oakes, Peacock, Rainger, Stanton and Winskill.

See minutes 24, 26, 30 and 31.

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.

There were no declarations received.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 19 May 2008 be signed as a true record.

1.  The Mayor was sad to report the death of Ronnie Harris the former Conservative Councillor for Muswell Hill ward who passed away in May. In commenting that Ronnie Harris served on Haringey Council from 1964 until 1994 and before that in the Highgate ward for Hornsey Borough Council, the Mayor, on behalf of the council, expressed sincere sympathy to her family and friends and acknowledged the outstanding contribution and service she had given to the Borough.

The Leader and Councillor Aitken paid personal tribute to Ronnie.

The Council stood and observed a one minute silence in memory of Ronnie Harris.

2. On behalf of the Council the Mayor gave a fond farewell to Tony Konieczny the Deputy Head of Pendarren House Outdoor Education Centre, who would be leaving at the end of July after 28 years of service. On behalf of Haringey Council, the Mayor sent him the Council’s very best wishes for the future and thanked him for his outstanding contribution to the education and development of young people of the Borough.

3. The Mayor expressed his delight in announcing that two Haringey residents have been chosen as joint winners of the Carers of the Year award.  Sharon Lindsay and Hilda Curry were chosen as the people who best exemplified the work and qualities of a carer.   The award was the Council’s way of recognising their hard work and commitment.  The Mayor passed on his and the Council’s congratulations to both and to the 16,000 unpaid carers in Haringey who also deserved the Council’s thanks and support.

4. The Mayor advised the meeting that members of the Council’s Road Safety Team were present in recognition of all the road safety work that they have done with Haringey schools.  In particular, the Mayor asked that the Council recognise that Haringey was one of only four boroughs that had ensured that every school in the borough had a School Travel Plan.  Haringey won the School Travel Plan Borough of the Year award for 2008. As well as attracting funding for this work from Transport for London, the team had made a major contribution to reducing road casualty figures, which were now at a record low.  The Mayor congratulated the team for all their hard work.  Councillor Haley also praised the Team for all their hard work and achievements and presented the Team with an award of recognition.

5. The Mayor expressed his sincere appreciation to the residents, community groups, council staff and voluntary organisations that do so much over the summer period, celebrating, acknowledging and enriching the lives of so many people.  The Mayor commented that it was impossible to select any particular group or organisation. The Mayor stated his delight in representing the Borough at events recognising achievements, talent and dedication.  Events included: garden parties, pensioner’s socials, numerous processions, community festivals, school productions, award ceremonies and sports events, and the Mayor expressed his particular delighted for the NMI  Tottenham based company  which received the Queens Award for Enterprise/Innovation the previous week.

6. The Mayor  ...  view the full minutes text for item 23.

(To follow)

The Mayor agreed to admit the report as urgent business. The report could not be circulated earlier as information was awaited from the Party Groups. The report needed to be admitted in order that the vacancies on committees could be filled for the remainder of municipal year 2008/09.

RESOLVED:

1.      That the changes to Political Group composition effective from Tuesday 10 June 2008 with Councillor Demirci ceasing to be a member of the Liberal Democrat Group and becoming  a member of the Labour Party and Labour Group be noted.

2.      That the membership of the Audit and Pensions Committees be reduced by one Liberal Democrat position in order to reflect their overall number of seats on the Council and the resultant Membership for those Committees for the Liberal Democrat Group be as follows:

Audit Committee
Cllr Davies

Cllr Gorrie
Cllr Mughal

Pensions Committee
Cllr Beacham
Cllr Butcher
Cllr Wilson

3.      That Councillor Newton be appointed to the vacant position on the Licensing Committee as a result of (1) above.
 

4.      That Councillor Wilson replace Councillor Demirci on the Planning Committee as a result of (1) above.

5.      That Councillor Demirci replace Councillor Adamou on Planning Committee

6.      That Councillor Bevan replace Councillor Diakides on Haringey Council and Employee JCC.

(To follow)

There were no matters to report.

(To follow)

The Mayor agreed to admit the report as urgent business. The report could not be circulated earlier as information was awaited from the Party Groups. The report needed to be admitted in order that the vacancies on outside bodies could be filled for the remainder of municipal year 2008/09.

RESOLVED:

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

A deputation was received from Ms Sue Hessel on behalf of the Faith Plant and Community Centre, which provided work and support for residents with learning disabilities.

Members asked questions of the deputation and received responses thereto.

The Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Wellbeing responded to the deputation.

The Mayor thanked the deputation for attending.

The opposition gave notice of their wish to debate Post Offices.

Councillors Gorrie and Oatway spoke on behalf of the Opposition Group. Councillor Bob Harris responded on behalf of the Majority Group.

The Mayor thanked Councillors for their contributions.

The Mayor requested the meeting to agree to the Deputy Mayor chairing the item on Council questions, whilst he left the room.

RESOLVED:

That the Deputy Mayor be appointed as Chair for the item on Council questions.

Oral Question  1 - To the Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Wellbeing from Catherine Harris:

If he would like to make a statement about last year’s performance indicator results for adult social services? 

Oral Question 2 – To the Leader of the Council from Councillor Gorrie:

Which of the recommendations made in the Roots Report to officers following the Middle Lane files fiasco in February 2008 has the Council formally adopted?

Oral Question 3 - To the Cabinet Member for Environment and Conservation from Cllr Cooke:

What recent progress has been made repairing potholes in the borough? 

Oral Question 4 - To the Cabinet Member for Leisure, Culture and Lifelong Learning from Councillor Reid:

How much money will the Council receive from the government to implement free swimming for over 65s and when will this start in Haringey?

Oral Question 5 – To the Cabinet Member for Community Cohesion and Involvement from Cllr Bull:

If the Cabinet Member can provide us with an update of awards made by Area Assemblies under the Making the Difference scheme and her assessment of the impact this scheme is having?  

Oral Question 6 - To the Cabinet Member for Enforcement and Safer Communities from Councillor Winskill:

Why has Haringey Council failed to prosecute or even fine contractors following a series of failures to protect trees on a Council building project in Crouch End?

Oral Question 7 - To the Cabinet Member for Children and Young People from Cllr Dogus:

What provision and activities will be available for our children and young people during the summer holidays?’ 

Oral Question 8 – To the Cabinet Member for Children and Young People from Councillor Engert:

How many schools in Haringey have a functioning and effective School Council and what action is the Council taking to provide support to encourage such school councils as was recommended in Scrutiny Review of Youth Democracy of 2005?

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 8 oral questions and 25 for written answer.

Oral Questions 6- 8 were not reached in the allotted time and written answers would be supplied to these questions.

a)     Standards Committee – Annual Report – Report No.1 – 2008/09 (to follow)

b)     The Cabinet – Report No.1 – 2008/09

c)      The Cabinet – Report No.2 – 2008/09

d)     The Cabinet – Report No.3 – 2008/09 (to follow)

e)     General Purposes Committee – Report No.1 – 2008/09

The Mayor agreed to admit the report of the Standards Committee and Cabinet report number 3 as urgent business. The reports could not be circulated earlier as information was still being compiled. The reports were urgent as the Cabinet report contained recommendations for the Council to consider and there was a requirement for the first meeting in the Municipal Year to consider the Annual report of the Standards Committee.

STANDARDS COMMITTEE – ANNUAL REPORT – REPORT NO.1 2008/09

The Chair of the Standards Committee presented the Annual report of the Committee for 2007/08. The Leader of the Council moved the Constitutional changes contained within the report.

RESOLVED:

That the Annual report of the Standards Committee be received and the following Constitutional recommendations contained therein be adopted:

(i)                 Changes to the role and function of the Standards Committee in Part 2, Article 9, as set out in Appendix 1 to the report

(ii)               Changes to the Functions of the Monitoring Officer in Part 2, Article 12, as set out in Appendix 2 to the report

(iii)             Changes to the terms of reference of the Standards Committee and the addition of its Assessment, Review and Hearings Sub-Committees in Part 3, Section C, as set out in Appendix 3 to the report

(iv)              Changes to the delegated powers of the Head of Local Democracy and Member Services in Appendix E Part F7 Section 9, as set out in Appendix 4 to the report.

CABINET REPORTS 1, 2 & 3  2008/09

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

RESOLVED:

That the Cabinet reports nos. 1, 2 & 3 be received and that the recommendations contained in Cabinet report No.3 as follows be adopted:

1.      That the draft Haringey Local Code of Corporate Governance be formally adopted and the measures outlined to publicise the Code after its adoption be approved.

2.      That the Haringey Greenest Borough Strategy as set out in Appendix B to the report be formally adopted.

3.      That authority to make any minor amendments to the Strategy be delegated to the Director of Urban Environment in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Environment and Conservation.

4.      That following adoption of the Strategy, a detailed implementation plan be prepared.

GENERAL PURPOSE COMMITTEE REPORT NO 1  2008/09

RESOLVED:

That the General Purposes Committee report no. 1 be received and adopted:

Motion A (2008/09)

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

“This Council celebrates the significance of the 90th birthday on 18 July 2008 of Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, former President of the Republic of South Africa. The struggle for freedom and multi-racial democracy by the people of South Africa is one that has had the support of this Council for many years.

During the height of the apartheid regime’s repression in the 1980’s, this Council was active in drawing attention to the efforts of the international community in bringing pressure to bear on the South African government, including calls for the unconditional release of Nelson Mandela and all political prisoners. The borough was home to Oliver Tambo, the then leader of the ANC and his family.  On the eve of independence in South Africa, as the Tambo family prepared to return home, Haringey Council bestowed the Freedom of the Borough on Oliver and Adelaide Tambo. 

Since the negotiated settlement and the advent of multi-racial elections in April 1994, this Council has continued to support efforts to build local democracy in the new South Africa; most recently through its links with schools and the support we have received from the High Commissioner for South Africa, Her Excellency Dr Lindiwe Mabuza.  Our links with schools in Johannesburg and Pretoria continue to develop with two visits from officers from the Children and Young People’s Service and from staff and young people from our schools.  Several schools have now good links, especially Alexandra Park Secondary school.  The party was honoured to meet Nelson Mandela whilst in South Africa. 

Last October, we were especially pleased to commemorate what would have been the 90^th birthday of Oliver Tambo by commissioning a bust which is now on display at the Albert Recreation Ground.  On that occasion the Council was honoured to welcome the first lady of South Africa Zanele Mbeke, the Secretary of State for Justice, the Rt Hon Jack Straw MP and other distinguished guests.

This Council applauds the extraordinary achievements of Nelson Mandela and the many millions of South Africans who made the sacrifices necessary to achieve democracy and to work together towards a better life for all.

This Council recognises that at a time of rising economic and political uncertainty in South Africa and the region, the need for ongoing practical support for South African local communities remains strong.”

Motion B (2008/09)

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

 “This Council recognises the cultural diversity of Haringey and wishes to celebrate the contribution of the Jamaican community, particularly in the fields of race relations, community and police relations, education, and the judiciary.

This Council notes that the proposal for this link has come from Councillor Sheik Thompson following discussions with the office of the Jamaican High Commission in London.  The proposal will establish links between organisations in the Borough, especially Haringey Young Musicians, and organisations in the  ...  view the full agenda text for item 32.

Motion A (2008/09)

RESOLVED:

That Council Procedure Rules be suspended for consideration of this item in order to permit outside speakers to take part in the debate.

It was moved by Councillor Meehan and seconded by Councillor Lister that:

“This Council celebrates the significance of the 90th birthday on 18 July 2008 of Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, former President of the Republic of South Africa. The struggle for freedom and multi-racial democracy by the people of South Africa is one that has had the support of this Council for many years.

During the height of the apartheid regime’s repression in the 1980’s, this Council was active in drawing attention to the efforts of the international community in bringing pressure to bear on the South African government, including calls for the unconditional release of Nelson Mandela and all political prisoners. The borough was home to Oliver Tambo, the then leader of the ANC and his family.  On the eve of independence in South Africa, as the Tambo family prepared to return home, Haringey Council bestowed the Freedom of the Borough on Oliver and Adelaide Tambo. 

Since the negotiated settlement and the advent of multi-racial elections in April 1994, this Council has continued to support efforts to build local democracy in the new South Africa; most recently through its links with schools and the support we have received from the High Commissioner for South Africa, Her Excellency Dr Lindiwe Mabuza.  Our links with schools in Johannesburg and Pretoria continue to develop with two visits from officers from the Children and Young People’s Service and from staff and young people from our schools.  Several schools have now good links, especially Alexandra Park Secondary school.  The party was honoured to meet Nelson Mandela whilst in South Africa. 

Last October, we were especially pleased to commemorate what would have been the 90^th birthday of Oliver Tambo by commissioning a bust which is now on display at the Albert Recreation Ground.  On that occasion the Council was honoured to welcome the first lady of South Africa Zanele Mbeke, the Secretary of State for Justice, the Rt Hon Jack Straw MP and other distinguished guests.

This Council applauds the extraordinary achievements of Nelson Mandela and the many millions of South Africans who made the sacrifices necessary to achieve democracy and to work together towards a better life for all.

This Council recognises that at a time of rising economic and political uncertainty in South Africa and the region, the need for ongoing practical support for South African local communities remains strong.”

The Council was also addressed by Mike Terry and Abdul Bham, who each gave an account of their personal knowledge and past involvement with Nelson Mandela.  Other members of the Council also spoke. 

The Motion was put to the vote and declared CARRIED unanimously.

Motion B (2008/09)

It was moved by Councillor Thompson and seconded by Councillor Meehan that:

 “This Council recognises the cultural diversity of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 32.