Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Butcher, Rainger, Williams and Winskill and from Councillor Bull for lateness.

See items 7, 9, 13 and 14d..

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 Aitken declared a personal interest in Item 14b – Draft Housing Strategy as he was a tenant of Homes for Haringey.

Councillor Reith declared a personal interest in item 10 – deputations as she was a Haringey leaseholder.

Councillor Santry declared a personal interest in item 10 – deputations as she was a resident in Fortis Green.

Councillor Dobbie declared a personal interest in Item 14b – Draft Housing Strategy as he was a tenant of Homes for Haringey.

Councillor Thompson declared a personal interest in Item 14b – Draft Housing Strategy as he lived on a Council Estate.

The Mayor reported that she had received notification from Alexandra Palace and Park Board members that they had received advice from the Monitoring Officer that they had a conflict of interest in taking part in the debate and decision at agenda item 12 tonight and should therefore treat this as prejudicial interest and absent themselves from the Council chamber during the debate and decision on this item unless they needed to make a statement.

Councillors Stanton and Dogus stated that this applied to them.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 18 May 2009 be signed as a true record.

1. The Mayor was delighted to inform members that a Wood Green resident, Mr Andreas Petinou, has been chosen as this year’s winner of our Carer of the Year Award. It’s estimated that there were around 16,000 unpaid carers in Haringey. Each one deserved our thanks and support. This award was our way of recognising their hard work and commitment. As a council we acknowledge and thank the tremendous dedication of all the unpaid carers in our borough.

2. Haringey Council announced the winners of the Young Haringey Heroes 2009 at a ceremony at the Bernie Grant Arts Centre on 10 July. This year there were almost 200 nominations for children and young people. There were award categories covering a wide range of achievements by young people, including awards for caring for others, academic and sporting achievements as well as contributions to the environment and music and performing arts. Amongst the guests at the Ceremony were John Obike, Tottenham Hotspur player, and Olympic medallist Leon Taylor.

At the event a special plaque commemorating Wood Green soldier Patrick Azimkar, was presented to his family. Patrick gave his life while serving his Country, and the plaque will be a permanent commemoration of his life and the sacrifice he made for his country. It will be displayed in a public building in the borough, following discussion with Patrick’s family.

3. The Mayor was delighted to announce that 11 Parks and open spaces managed by Haringey Council have this year won the prestigious green flag award. Nine parks have retained the award with 2 open spaces winning the flag for the first time this year, including Coldfall Wood and Wood Green Cemetery. We also congratulatied Alexandra Park, Highgate Woods and Tottenham Marshes for retaining their green flags. Well done to all those involved for this outstanding achievements. 

4. The Mayor presented Councillor Alan Dobbie with a past Mayor’s Certificate, which reads “with sincere thanks and appreciation for the services he rendered to the borough during the past year.

No statement was made.

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 Cabinet and committee changes could be madefor the remainder of municipal year 2009/10.

RESOLVED:

1.      That the changes to Political Group composition effective from 8 July 2009 with Councillor Dobbie ceasing to be a member of the Labour Group and becoming  a Conservative Councillor  be noted.

2.      That the membership of the Audit Committee be increased by one Conservative position in order to reflect proportionality in the overall number of seats on the Council.

3.      That Councillor Dobbie be offered a seat on the Audit Committee.
 

4.      That Councillor Cooke replace Councillor Bob Harris on the Pensions Committee.

5.      That Councillor Dodds replace Councillor Jones on the Standards Committee

6.      That the changes to Cabinet portfolios and reduction of one Cabinet member, as detailed in Appendix 1, be agreed.

There were no matters to report.

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 2009/10.

RESOLVED:

That the appointments to outside bodies as set out in Appendix 2 be approved.

A deputation was received from Ms Anne Goodhew on behalf of Homes for Haringey Leaseholders concerning the installation of IRS for digital television.

Members asked questions of the deputation and received responses thereto.

The Cabinet Member for Housing responded to the deputation.

The Mayor thanked the deputation for attending.

A deputation was received from Martin Page on behalf of Homes for Haringey Leaseholders concerning the proposed extension of the Fortis Green Controlled Parking Zone.

Members asked questions of the deputation and received responses thereto.

The Cabinet Member for Environment responded to the deputation.

The opposition gave notice of their wish to debate Regeneration in Haringey.

Councillors Allison spoke on behalf of the Opposition Group. Councillor Kober responded on behalf of the Majority Group.

The Mayor thanked Councillors for their contributions.

In accordance with the notification read by the Mayor under declarations of interest, the following members left the Council Chamber during the debate on this item: Councillors Dogus, Egan, Hare, C. Harris, Mughal, Oakes, Peacock, Scott, Stanton and Thompson.

RESOLVED:

That the Council does not discharge the historic debt owed to it by the Alexandra Park and Palace charitable trust.

Oral Question 1 - To the Leader of the Council from Councillor Santry:

Can the Leader please outline how, with the proposed changes to the cabinet portfolios, she will continue to make Enterprise and Regeneration a priority?

Oral Question 2 – To the Cabinet Member for Children and Young Peoplefrom Councillor Engert:

Does the recent inspection of the Council’s Safeguarding and Child Protection Services by Ofsted represent a failure by the Council to make substantial progress to ensure children in Haringey are safe?

Oral Question 3 - To the Cabinet Member for Enforcement and Safer Communities from Councillor Cooke:

Given that the recently conducted place survey highlights street cleanliness as paramount, can you let us know what is being planned to address resident’s concern about littering?

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

How did a detail listing of individuals subject to debt recovery proceedings by the Council, including full names and amounts, come to be found in a Wood Green café?

Oral Question 5 –To the Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Wellbeing from Councillor Peacock:

Can the Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Wellbeing outline her priorities for her portfolio for the coming year?

Oral Question 6 – To the Leader of the Council from Councillor Newton:

Will the Council protect the allotments on the Fortis Green Reservoir Site from development?

Oral Question 7 - To the Cabinet Member for Housing Servicesfrom Councillor Meehan:

This Labour Government recently announced, as part of Building Britain’s Future plans, new measures that aim to provide new homes and reform of council housing finance; what impact does he think policies such as these will have on a borough like Haringey?

Oral Question 8 - To the Cabinet Member for Housing Servicesfrom Councillor Davies:

What is the average cost to leaseholders for the installation of digital aerials?

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.

All Oral Questions were taken.

a)     Standards Committee – Annual report – Report No.1 – 2009/10

b)     The Cabinet – Report Nos. 1-3– 2009/10

c)      General Purposes Committee – Report No. 1– 2009/10

d)     Constitution review Working Group – Report No.2 – 2009/10

A revised Appendix B was tabled in relation to the registration of gifts and hospitality detailed in the Standards Committee report.

STANDARDS COMMITTEE – ANNUAL REPORT – REPORT NO.1 2009/10

The Chair of the Standards Committee presented the Annual report of the Committee for 2008/09.

RESOLVED:

That Standards Committee Annual report be endorsed.

CABINET REPORTS 1, 2 & 3  2009/10

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 following recommendations be agreed:

1.      That the draft Housing Strategy as set out in the Appendix to report number 2 be approved and authority to make amendments required be delegated to the Director of Urban Environment in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Housing.

2.      That the proposed delegation to the Director of the Children and Young People’s Service in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Children and Young People of authority to agree the final version of the Children and Young People’s Strategic Plan and Implementation Plan Local Area Agreement for submission to the Department of Children, Families and Schools be endorsed.

GENERAL PURPOSE COMMITTEE REPORT NO 1  2009/10

The Chair moved the report and recommendations.

RESOLVED:

That the General Purposes Committee report no. 1 be received and the following recommendations agreed:

1.      That Full Council agree revise the Treasury Management Strategy Statement (TMSS) to include the Clydesdale Bank as a permitted institution for investment purposes on the same terms as the other institutions already on the approved list, i.e. a maximum exposure of £20m and a duration of up to 12 months.

2.      That the proposed use of the following treasury management actions which are already approved or contained within the TMSS be noted:

a)         The Council’s Treasury Management advisors will be asked to identify a minimum of two and a maximum of four AAAm Money Market Funds allowing total investments of up to £10m in accordance with the current TMSS.

b)         Investments will be made of up to £10m in bonds issued by the European Investment Bank with redemptions due in December 2010 and March 2011.

c)         The premature repayment of Public Works Loan Board (PWLB) loans of up to £25m will be made on favourable terms as approved by the Chief Financial Officer.

d)         The use of available cash balances to fund, in the short or medium term, a number of approved capital schemes in 2009/10.

CONSTITUTION REVIEW WORKING GROUP REPORT NO 2  2009/10

Councillor Reith in moving the report and recommendations spoke to the tabled reasoning for adopting the Leadership model, as follows:

“The indirectly elected Leader model is considered more likely than the alternative to assist in securing continuous improvement in the manner of exercising the local authority's functions having regard to a combination of economy, efficiency and effectiveness. This option is most likely to maintain the democratic accountability of the Council  ...  view the full minutes text for item 32.

Motion A (2009/10)

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

This Council notes

·        the unanimous support from the whole Council for Motion N (2008/09) passed on 19^th January 2009 on the Sustainable Communities Act

·        the specific immediate actions committed to by the Council in that motion

·        the deadline for submissions to use the Sustainable Communities Act is 31^st July 2009

·        That, in the current round, the LGA will be considering proposals from over 117 councils in England, including over one third of London boroughs, but not from Haringey.  

·        that no further deadline has yet been set by the government for further proposals to be put forward by local authorities

This Council regrets

• that none of the actions committed to in Motion N (2008/09) have been undertaken and that, as such, the administration has failed to follow the clear instructions and wishes of this Council.
• the failure of the administration to take the opportunity of challenging the excessive and ineffective centralisation of government by bringing more responsibility and control back to local residents and communities.

This Council resolves

• to undertake the actions agreed in the January 2009 motion before the end of the year
• to lobby central government and the LGA for an extension to the submission deadline or the establishment of a rolling programme of submissions and to publish full ‘spending reports’ which have yet to be published.

Motion A (2009/10)

Itwas movedby Councillor Oakes andseconded byCouncillor Scott that:

 This Council notes

·        the unanimous support from the whole Council for Motion N (2008/09) passed on 19^th January 2009 on the Sustainable Communities Act

·        the specific immediate actions committed to by the Council in that motion

·        the deadline for submissions to use the Sustainable Communities Act is 31^st July 2009

·        That, in the current round, the LGA will be considering proposals from over 117 councils in England, including over one third of London boroughs, but not from Haringey.  

·        that no further deadline has yet been set by the government for further proposals to be put forward by local authorities

This Council regrets

• that none of the actions committed to in Motion N (2008/09) have been undertaken and that, as such, the administration has failed to follow the clear instructions and wishes of this Council.
• the failure of the administration to take the opportunity of challenging the excessive and ineffective centralisation of government by bringing more responsibility and control back to local residents and communities.

This Council resolves

• to undertake the actions agreed in the January 2009 motion before the end of the year
• to lobby central government and the LGA for an extension to the submission deadline or the establishment of a rolling programme of submissions and to publish full ‘spending reports’ which have yet to be published.

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

‘Delete  ‘all after the second bullet point ’  and insert “the text in italics”

This Council notes:

·        the unanimous support from the whole Council for Motion N (2008/09) passed on 19^th January 2009 on the Sustainable Communities Act

·        the specific immediate actions committed to by the Council in that motion

·        that Haringey is not alone in believing that there has been a lack of detailed guidance on bidding criteria from the LGA and the promised supporting information from the Department for Communities and Local Government.

·        that clear, concise and transparent guidance are essential in undertaking the high quality and informed public consultation necessary to produce meaningful submissions from local authorities to LGA and then on to Government 

This Council further notes:

·        the Council’s strong track record of on-going engagement and responsiveness to the needs of local residents.

• that the measure of a successful submission - by the definition of the spirit of the Act and as stated by the campaigning organisation ‘local works’ – is a submission which is based on quality consultation with local people
• Its own policy around the length of time which is needed for basic public consultation by the Council and that the deadline for submissions, given that guidelines for the process were so delayed, made meeting this impossible

·        that the Council, in preparing and developing its approach for the initial round of the Sustainable Communities Act, is in an excellent position in terms of any second round of submissions,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 33.