Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Canver, Dodds, Haley, Oatway and Weber. Apologies for lateness were received from Adamou, Allison, Cooke and Peacock.

See Minutes 39 and 46.

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.

The Mayor reported that she had received notification from the Monitoring Officer that Members of the Planning Committee should not take part in the debate and decision on agenda item 13 - Motion D as it might impact on a forthcoming planning application. 

Councillors Butcher and Thompson both declared a personal interest in item 9 – Deputations as members of Friends of the Earth. Councillor Reith also declared a personal interest in item 9 both as a member of Friends of the Earth and as partner of the deputation’s spokesperson.

Councillor Catherine Harris declared a personal interest in item 12 – Report No.4 of the Cabinet - Care Quality Commission Service Inspection Report as she was the Council’s Dignity and Care Champion.

Councillors Engert and Reith both declared a personal interest in Item 13 – Motion B as they were members of London Travel Watch.

Councillor Dobbie declared a personal interest in Item 13 – Motion D as he was a member of the Tottenham Hotspur Supporters Club.

Councillors Aitken, Demirci, Mallett, Reid and Santry declared interests in item 13 – Motion D. The Monitoring Officer advised that this did not represent either a personal or prejudicial interest for these members, however in accordance with the earlier advice they should not take part in the debate. 

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 20 July 2009 be signed as a true record.

1. The Mayor, with great sadness reported the death of Yuniea Semambo - Head of Local Democracy and Member Services, whose funeral took place on Friday 16th October. The Mayor commented that Yuniea joined the Council in 2000 and would be fondly remember for her enthusiasm, her dedication and total professionalism.   On behalf of all the members and the officers who worked with Yuniea the Mayor would send this Authority’s sincere condolences to Yuniea’s family.

The Council stood and observed a one minute’s silence in memory of Yuniea Semambo.

2. The Mayor was delighted to announce that Haringey Council’s website has been ranked the second best in the country by a new independent survey.  The site was rated highly by web usability agency ‘Webcredible’.  The site was also rated as a national Top 20 best practice local authority website by the Society of Information Technology Management. The Mayor also passed on her congratulations to all the Web team staff for their hard work and this well deserved recognition.

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 committee changes could be made for the remainder of municipal year 2009/10.

RESOLVED:

1.      That the change to Council body membership be agreed as follows:

·        Councillor Alexander to replace Councillor Davies on General Purposes Committee.

2.      That Council Procedure Rule 9.5 (a) be waived to permit an oral question from the Conservative Member.

There were no matters to report.

There were no appointments to outside bodies.

A deputation was received from Mr Quentin Given on behalf of Haringey Friends of the Earth in respect of CO2 emissions.

Members asked questions of the deputation and received responses thereto.

The Leader of the Council responded to the deputation.

The Mayor thanked the deputation for attending.

The Mayor put to the vote a proposal to change the order of business to permit item 13 Motion C to be taken next.

The meeting agreed to the proposal.

Motion C (2009/10)

It was moved by Councillor Jones and seconded by Councillor Santry:

“This Council:

Notes

• Climate change is one of the most important issues facing our way of life and will have a huge impact on our children and future generations.
• The Council’s hard work to ensure that Muswell Hill was selected as one of the 10 Low Carbon Zones in London
• The Council has already signed up to the 10:10 campaign, and is currently on target to exceed 10% reductions in CO₂ emissions by 2010.
• That Haringey Council is the first major local authority to sign up to the  Friends of the Earth ‘Get Serious about CO₂’ campaign that calls for Councils to commit to carbon emission cuts of at least 40% by 2020 and produce an action plan detailing how this target will be achieved.

Believes

• There is much that Councils can and should do to tackle climate change, and that this is an important issue that Haringey should lead on.
• Through taking tough action on CO₂ emissions that it will provide help for local households to slash their householdfuel bills, helping residents save money particularly those living in fuel poverty as well as being environmentally friendly.
• That signing up to the Friends of the Earth ‘Get Serious about CO₂’ will create green jobs and form part of the Council’s regeneration agenda.

Resolves to

• Develop an action plan with yearly targets to reduce CO2 emissions by 40% by 2020 to become a leading member of the ‘Get Serious about CO₂’ Friend’s of the Earth campaign”.

An amendment to the motion was moved by Councillor Hare and seconded by Councillor Butcher that:

insert the following additional bullet point at the end of paragraph 2:

·        Believes that carbon reduction targets needs action by Central Government to decarbonise the national electricity grid

insert the following additional bullet points at the end of paragraph 3:

·        Engage with all political parties on the Council on the Climate Change agenda

·        That the Leader or Deputy Leader for the Council and Chief Executive should have overall responsibility for tackling climate change. 

·        Report annually to Full Council progress on C02 reduction targets and action plan

·        Engage the Local Strategic Partnership and encourage the local Police force, NHS trusts, universities and colleges to sign up to similar C02 reduction targets and report publicly to Council on their progress

·        Encourage community participation by investigating a one-stop shop to provide advice to residents on energy efficiency, transport, walking, cycling and renewable energy.

·        Lobby Central Government to ‘decarbonise’ the national electricity grid

·        Lobby the GLA and the Mayor of London to make the sea-change improvements needed in walking, cycling and public transport across Haringey and our neighbouring London areas.

·        Hold an annual Haringey Climate Change summit to enable the Council to engage and advise local residents, businesses, voluntary organisations and partners on reducing their C02 emissions.

On being put to the vote the amendment was declared CARRIED unanimously.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 44.

The Opposition gave notice of their wish to debate Improving safety in Haringey’s housing.

Councillor Davies spoke on behalf of the Opposition Group. Councillor Bevan responded on behalf of the Majority Group.

The Mayor thanked Councillors for their contributions.

Public Question to the Cabinet Member for Leisure, Culture and Lifelong Learning from Sarah Cope:

I would like to know how well the council is doing on acting on the recommendations made by the London Assembly's Environment Committee in their May 2007 review of London's street trees entitled 'Chainsaw Massacre'.

Oral Question 1 - To the Cabinet Member for Children and Young People from Councillor Dobbie:

Would the Cabinet Member agree with me that our residents can no longer, even if they did in the first place, trust Haringey Labour to secure the safety of vulnerable children within the Borough after failing to do proper CRB checks and allowing a foster child to have regular contact with a terrorist?

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

Why did the same Labour Group that now supports a Council Tax Freeze vote only eight months ago against the Liberal Democrat proposal to freeze Council Tax in the current year?

Oral Question 3 - To the Cabinet Member for Children and Young Peoplefrom Councillor Bull:

Can the Cabinet member for Children and Young People please summarise the outcomes of the Summer Uni in Haringey this year?

Oral Question 4 - To the Cabinet Member for Environment and Conservation from Councillor Alexander:

Has the Council any plans to lobby Transport for London for funding to install a new pedestrian crossing at the dangerous junction at Green Lanes, Alfoxton Avenue and Frobisher Road?

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

Can the Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Wellbeing please outline what work is being done to encourage older people to volunteer?

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

Do you believe it is acceptable that the Haringey councillor representative on the Board of Finsbury Park regeneration agency Fin Future never attends any of the meetings?

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

Can the Cabinet Member for Housing outline what the situation in Haringey is with regards to gas safety certificates for Council tenants?

Oral Question 8 - To the Cabinet Member for Environment and Conservation from Councillor Oakes:

The prospect of future work needed to make the Bounds Green tube station crossing safer is still uncertain, particularly the enforcement for the no left turn, and pedestrian safety at that crossing continues to be a grave local concern. Could the cabinet member please, as a matter of urgency, inform local residents of the current plans for this crucial junction? What response has the Council received from Transport for London and other agencies regarding funding and changes to this junction and when will work start to make this safer for local residents?

Oral Question 9 - To the Cabinet Member for Leisure, Culture and Lifelong Learning from Councillor Mallett:

Can the Cabinet Member for Leisure, Culture and Life Long Learning  ...  view the full agenda text for item 46.

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 was 1 Public Question and 9 Councillor Questions, and 26 for written answer.

The 1 Public Question and 7 oral questions were taken. Questions 8 and 9 were not reached and written responses would be given.

a)     Cabinet – Reports 4 & 5 – 2009/10

CABINET REPORTS 4 & 5  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 numbers 4 and 5 2009/10 be received.

(Councillor Dobbie asked that his dissent from item 3 of Report No. 4 – Cabinet response to Scrutiny Review of Animal Welfare be recorded).

Motion B (2009/10)

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

“This Council believes in affordable public transport and in the need to ensure that passengers who use “Pay As You Go” Oyster cards have a fair deal.

This Council notes:

·        that in other European capital cities bus passengers have the benefit of a time-limited bus ticket which enables them to use two or three buses within a set time without having to pay again.

·        that almost a million car journeys every day in London are less than one mile in length and supports effective ways of encouraging a shift to public transport.

·        that the average bus journey length is 3.54km (2.2 miles, 9 stops), and that TfL estimate that 16% of bus journeys on Oyster ‘Pay As You Go’ involve using a second bus within 60 minutes of the first and that Haringey has several interchanges where many people transfer buses to continue their journeys.

This Council is concerned, at this time of economic recession, that even short journeys in London may involve using two or three buses and can cost up to £3.00 if more than one bus is needed.

This Council supports the proposal for a One Hour Bus Ticket to be available on “Pay As You Go” Oyster card, enabling passengers to use more than one bus during a 60-minute period without paying more than £1.00.

Therefore the Council calls on the Leader of the Council and the Cabinet member for Environment and Conservation to write to the Mayor of London supporting the One Hour Bus Ticket proposal, and calls on the Mayor of London to instruct Transport for London to implement it as soon as possible”.

Motion C (2009/10)

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

Reducing our CO₂ Emissions

“This Council:

Notes

• Climate change is one of the most important issues facing our way of life and will have a huge impact on our children and future generations.
• The Council’s hard work to ensure that Muswell Hill was selected as one of the 10 Low Carbon Zones in London
• The Council has already signed up to the 10:10 campaign, and is currently on target to exceed 10% reductions in CO₂ emissions by 2010.
• That Haringey Council is the first major local authority to sign up to the  Friends of the Earth ‘Get Serious about CO₂’ campaign that calls for Councils to commit to carbon emission cuts of at least 40% by 2020 and produce an action plan detailing how this target will be achieved.

Believes

• There is much that Councils can and should do to tackle climate change, and that this is an important issue that Haringey should lead on.
• Through taking tough action on CO₂ emissions that it will provide help for local households to slash their household fuel bills, helping residents save money particularly those living in fuel poverty as well as being environmentally friendly.  ...  view the full agenda text for item 48.

Motion B (2009/10)

It was moved by Councillor Newton and seconded by Councillor Baker that:

“This Council believes in affordable public transport and in the need to ensure that passengers who use “Pay As You Go” Oyster cards have a fair deal.

This Council notes:

·        that in other European capital cities bus passengers have the benefit of a time-limited bus ticket which enables them to use two or three buses within a set time without having to pay again.

·        that almost a million car journeys every day in London are less than one mile in length and supports effective ways of encouraging a shift to public transport.

·        that the average bus journey length is 3.54 kilometres (2.2 miles, 9 stops), and that TfL estimate that 16% of bus journeys on Oyster ‘Pay As You Go’ involve using a second bus within 60 minutes of the first and that Haringey has several interchanges where many people transfer buses to continue their journeys.

This Council is concerned, at this time of economic recession, that even short journeys in London may involve using two or three buses and can cost up to £3.00 if more than one bus is needed.

This Council supports the proposal for a One Hour Bus Ticket to be available on “Pay As You Go” Oyster card, enabling passengers to use more than one bus during a 60-minute period without paying more than £1.00.

Therefore the Council calls on the Leader of the Council and the Cabinet member for Environment and Conservation to write to the Mayor of London supporting the One Hour Bus Ticket proposal, and calls on the Mayor of London to instruct Transport for London to implement it as soon as possible”.

An amendment to the motion was moved by Councillor Peacock and seconded by Councillor C. Harris that:

Delete all after “This Council believes in affordable public transport and in the need to ensure that passengers who use “Pay As You Go” Oyster cards have a fair deal”.

Insert

“This Council:

-          is alarmed by the announcement by Boris Johnson, the Conservative Mayor of London on 15^th October to:

·        raise the cost of a single bus fare by 20%, from £1 to £1.20

·        raise the cost of a weekly bus pass by over 20%, from £13.80 to £16.60

·        raise the cost of an off-peak tube journey from Haringey into central London by 12.5%, from £1.60 to £1.80

-          expresses concern at the commitment of the Mayor of London to abolish the Western Congestion Charge, at an estimated cost to TfL of £70m, and to abolish the £25 gas guzzler charge at an estimated cost to TfL of £50 million.

-          notes that as Haringey has comparatively low car ownership, rises in public transport fares affect Haringey residents disproportionately.

-          Condemns the use of inflation-busting fare rises to fund Boris Johnson’s vanity projects, at the expense of Haringey bus and tube users and calls on the Mayor of London to reverse his decision.

This Council  ...  view the full minutes text for item 48.