Agenda and minutes

The Mayor expressed the Council’s deep sorrow for the events which lead up to the death of “Baby P” and for the suffering he endured and for the failure of all the child protection agencies involved to protect him.

The Mayor made a brief statement in respect of the conduct of the proceedings, the legal duty to safeguard against disclosure of confidential information, and webcasting of the meeting.

Councillor Whyte referred to the briefing note that had been circulated at the meeting covering the restrictions on debate for reasons of confidentiality. Councillor Whyte asked why the interaction between parties was an area of restriction. The Monitoring Officer responded explaining the basis for this restriction.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Davies.

See Minutes 58 and 62.

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.

Councillor Kober declared a personal interest in Item 11,12 and 15 as she was an employee of Family Action in a policy role. The organisation had been involved in advising on this case.

Councillor Lister declared a personal interest in Item 11,12 and 15 as he was an employee of UNISON. There may be implications for Council staff members of UNISON arising from the business under discussion.

Councillor Dobbie declared a personal interest in Item 11,12 and 15 as he was an employee of the North Middlesex  NHS Trust Eye Unit.

Councillor Adje declared a personal interest in Item 11,12 and 15 as he was an employee of the LFCDA and a Branch Official of the GMB Union. There may be implications for Council staff members of GMB arising from the business under discussion.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 13 October 2008 be signed as a true record.

1.      The Mayor expressed his deep sadness at the death of much-loved colleague, Councillor Fred Knight.

The Mayor advised that Councillor Knight had served on the former Tottenham Council from 1961 until Haringey became a Borough in 1965 and continually served on the Council in the Seven Sisters ward until his death two weeks ago.

The Mayor advised that Councillor Knight had been the only Councillor to have served this Borough three times as Mayor, in 1974-75, 1989-90 and 1991-92 with his beloved wife Bella by his side. He was active in politics holding numerous positions on the Council, but always caring passionately about youth and sports services in the Borough and right up until the end believed firmly in Civic duty, hence his attendance at the Remembrance Day service.

The Mayor commented that he knew that there would be many members who would have their own thoughts about Councillor Knight and would be sharing these at his funeral on Monday 8th December and memorial at the Fred Knight Centre in Tottenham afterwards.

The Mayor commented that one of the nicest comments he had seen expressed was from one Councillor who wrote; “Although life is for a fixed period, the death of Councillor Fred Knight is a great shock to me. I found him to be an excellent Councillor who discharged the duties of Mayor several times with dignity and honour, also I found him “super” as the Chair with responsibility of voluntary and community organizations in Haringey.  He was simple, responsible, not sectarian, very neutral, friendly and useful. I believe that we should follow his good qualities in governing the Borough of Haringey. I Pray for his eternal peace”.

The Mayor commented that he was certain that the comments expressed were something that the whole Council could agree upon and that the Council’s deepest sympathies be passed to Councillor Knight’s two daughters and family and to all who loved him.

2.      The Mayor also announced the death of former Councillor Glenys Atkinson. Councillor Atkinson had been born in Wales, but a Londoner for most of her life, who had been passionate in her desire to achieve a secondary education system that strove for high standards but included all young people. She had been in the forefront of the campaign to introduce Comprehensive Education in Haringey in the early 1960s, and later became an elected Councillor, representing West Green Ward from 1971-1982 and in her later years as a Councillor she was Chair of the Schools Sub-Committee, and Vice-Chair then Chair of the Education Committee.

The Mayor quoted her former ward councillor colleague, Stephen Whittle; “She will be remembered for her vivaciousness and the dedication and enthusiasm that she showed in all of the tasks she undertook.”

3.      The Mayor, further to his earlier comments at the commencement of the proceedings, informed the meeting that no one in Haringey and the Nation could have failed to have not been touched by the tragic death of baby “P”. The Mayor  ...  view the full minutes text for item 52.

The meeting received a statement by the Leader of the Council in respect of the tragic death of Baby ‘P’ and gave, on behalf of the London Borough of Haringey Council an unreserved and heart felt apology for the death of ‘Baby P’.

The Leader of the opposition responded to the sentiments expressed.

The Mayor reported that he had been advised of a proposal to vary the order of business to consider next the statement of the Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, followed by a response from Councillor Engert and then questions from members. This would be followed immediately by Opposition Business and then Motion K and amendments thereto. 

The meeting agreed to the variation of business.  

The Cabinet Member for Children and Young People made a statement in relation to the death of Baby ‘P’ and stated once again how sorry she was that we failed to protect him.  She also offered her personal apology and condolences to Baby P’s father.

The meeting heard the outline of the tragic facts of Baby P’s short life.

Councillor Santry concluded “that the important thing now was to make our child protection procedures as strong as possible. We need to wait until we know the outcome of the inspectors’ report and the Secretary of State’s decision in a week’s time.   At that point in time we shall have further decisions to make.  I say again how very sad we are about the death of Baby P and reiterate once again the Leader’s apology on behalf of the Council to all those close to the Baby P, the residents of Haringey, and the wider public”.

Councillor Engert responded on behalf of the Oppositon.

Councillor Santry responded to a number of questions and points of clarification from members.

The opposition gave notice of their wish to debate Baby ‘P’.

A number of Members spoke on behalf of the Opposition Group and Councillor Santry responded.

Motion H (2008/09)

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

Mobility Benefits for Blind Residents

This Council Notes:

1.      That blind people experience significant barriers to independent mobility

2.      That blind people are often isolated and find it difficult to access basic services without mobility assistance

3.      That blind residents face additional costs as a result of their impairment, such as using taxis or private hire vehicles

This Council Further Notes:

1.      That blind people are not entitled to the higher rate mobility component of disability living allowance

2.      Loss of usable sight clearly causes significant independent mobility problems and incurs significant additional and unmet costs

This Council resolves:

1.      To ask the Chief Executive and Leader of the Council to write to the Secretary of State for Work & Pensions, the Rt Hon. James Purnell MP, expressing these concerns

2.      To ask the Chief Executive and Leader of the Council to write to our local MPs asking that they sign up to EDM number 1982 and write to the Secretary of State expressing these concerns

3.      To support the Royal National Institute of Blind People’s (RNIB) campaign on securing the higher rate mobility component of DLA for blind people.

Motion I (2008/09)

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

This Council notes:

·        that 16 and 17 year olds can leave school, get married, have a full-time job, must pay taxes on their income, and can join the armed forces, but are not allowed to vote in public elections;

·        that 16 and 17 year olds have been calling for the right to vote for many years through the Votes at 16 coalition;

·        that disconnection between young people and the political establishment is growing.

·        the continuing good work by Haringey’s Youth  Council and its members

This Council believes:

·        that young people are interested in politics and have valid views on issues that affect them;

·        that 16 and 17 year olds are old enough to have the right to vote in public elections;

·        that refusing to allow 16 and 17 year olds to vote is likely to further depress turnout and encourage young people to give up on formal political structures.

This Council resolves:

·        to support the moves to lower the voting age for all public elections to 16;

·        to call on the Government to establish the Youth Citizenship Commission with a clear remit to develop the necessary framework for reducing the voting age to 16.

·        that the leader of the Council write to Bridget Prentice MP, minister in charge of reform in electoral administration, to show the Council’s commitment to pushing for votes for 16 and 17 year old and requesting that the government seriously considers decreasing the voting age. 

Motion J (2008/09)

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

This Council: 

1.      Welcomes the introduction of the Sustainable Communities Act, which became law in October 2007. It also welcomes the establishment of the  ...  view the full agenda text for item 57.

Motion K (2008/09)

It was movedby Councillor Gorrie andseconded byCouncillor Williams that:

This Council:

Expresses its profound regret over the tragic death of Baby P, and offers our greatest sympathy to all those who knew him and cared about him.

Acknowledges the swift apologies made by police and local health services, recognising that they could have done more to help baby P.

Regrets that it took councillors in charge 48 hours to apologise on behalf of the Council for the death of Baby P and the lack of responsibility shown for the failures of the their services.

Welcomes the investigation by the government as the beginning of the process to help restore public confidence in Haringey's children services but recognises that further actions are required. 

Therefore:

Recognising that this is firstly an issue of leadership, given the failures of services for which they are responsible, and in light of their public response to this tragedy, this Council has no confidence in the Leader of the Council and the Cabinet member for Children and Young people. 

Furthermore, calls for a fully independent public inquiry into this case and the state of Children's Services in Haringey in order that the residents of Haringey can have complete confidence in the protection of the most vulnerable members of our society.

An amendment to the Motion was moved by Councillor Reith and seconded by Councillor Lister as follows:

To leave out ‘and the lack of responsibility shown for the failures of their services’ at the end of the third paragraph.

To leave out the fifth and sixth paragraphs, beginning ‘Therefore:’

To insert, as the fifth and sixth paragraphs:

‘Therefore this Council:

Recognises that it is of the utmost importance that we are able to protect the children and young people of our borough and that the public has confidence in our ability to do so.

Resolves to implement, swiftly, decisively and fully, the recommendations of the Joint Area Review commissioned by the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families and will take whatever action is necessary to safeguard and protect our children.’

Other Members contributed to the debate.

Councillor Gorrie responded as mover of the original motion.

A named vote was requested in respect of the amendment to the Motion.

For the Amendment: Councillors Adamou, Adje, Amin, Basu, Bevan, Bull, Canver, Cooke, Demirci, Diakides, Dobbie, Dodds, Dogus, Egan, Griffith, Haley, B, Harris, C. Harris, Jones, Khan, Kober, Lister, Mallett, Meehan, Patel, Peacock, Reith, Santry, Stanton, Thompson, and Vanier

Against the Amendment: Councillors Aitken, Alexander, Allison, Baker, Beacham,  Beynon, Bloch, Butcher, Edge, Engert, Gorrie, Hare, Newton, Oakes, Oatway, Rainger, Reid, Scott, Weber, Whyte, Williams, Wilson, and Winskill.

The amendment to the MOTION was declared CARRIED 31 to 23.

Councillor Williams requested that Council Procedure Rules be suspended to permit the remaining two amendments to be put. This was put to the meeting and declared NOT CARRIED.

The meeting agreed that, as the overall time limit of 30 minutes for individual motions  ...  view the full minutes text for item 57.

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:

 That the Liberal Democrat membership of the following Committees be agreed as follows:

Licensing Committee

Councillor Scott appointed to replace Councillor Baker .

There were no matters to report.

There were no appointments to outside bodies.

There were no deputations or petitions.

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

Is the cabinet member confident of receiving a good star rating in our most recent Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI) assessment of adult social care?

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

What actions to recover the £37m invested by this Council in failed Icelandic Banks has the Leader taken since the last Full Council meeting?

Oral Question 3 - To the Cabinet Member for Housing Services from Councillor Diakides:

Given that works to Sheltered Accommodation schemes have not been included in the Council’s Decent Homes Programme on the basis that there is a review of the future of Sheltered Accommodation provision; will the cabinet member assure this meeting tonight that there will be no stock transfer proposals for any of its sheltered housing stock?

Oral Question 4 - To the Cabinet Member for Resources from Councillor Williams:

With regard to the recent findings of the Standards Board regarding the allegation that he disclosed confidential information in relation to the future of the Wellbourne Centre, will he apologise to the Council for yet another finding that calls into question his fitness to hold his portfolio?

Oral Question 5 –To the Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Enterprisefrom Councillor Peacock:

In the current economic climate it is essential to make sure that people in our borough have access to adequate jobs and training for employment; can the cabinet member update us on what the council is currently doing to provide this access?

Oral Question 6 - To the Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Enterprisefrom Councillor Edge:

Does the cabinet member agree with her colleague and former NDC board member Cllr Diakides that the NDC has been 'antagonistic and evasive' on Wards Corner?

Oral Question 7 - To the Cabinet member for Leisure, Culture and Lifelong Learning from Councillor Kober:

Can the cabinet member tell us what recent progress has been made towards our commitment to make every park in the borough a Green Flag Park?

Oral Question 8 – To the Cabinet Member for Resources from Councillor Weber:

With regard to the recent findings of the standards Board regarding the allegation that he disclosed confidential information in relation to the future of the Wellbourne Centre, will he state why did he not seek further legal advice from council officers and/or through council channels, rather than seek his own advice?

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 Question  1 – 8  were  not considered and written answer would be supplied to these questions.

a)     Cabinet – Report 7 – 2008/9

CABINET REPORT 7  2008/09

RESOLVED:

That the Cabinet report nos. 7 be received and adopted.

Motions  H, I and J  (2008/09) were withdrawn from the proceedings.