Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Alexander, Baker, Dogus, C. Harris, Mughal, and Rainger. Apologies for lateness were received from Councillors Beynon, Diakides, Griffith, and Lister.

See Minutes 55, 56, 59 and 61.

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.

Councillors Adamou, Basu, Egan, Engert, B Harris, Khan, Meehan, Patel, Peacock, Reid, Santry, Stanton, Thompson, and Vanier declared a personal interest in Motion F as Freedom Pass Holders.

Councillor Allison declared a personal interest in emergency motion H as a frequent user of the Whittington Hospital A& E Dept as a parent with small children.

Councillor Bloch declared a personal interest in emergency motion H as he was a non executive director of the Haringey PCT.

Councillor Davies declared a personal interest in emergency motionH as he was an employee of the Royal College of Surgeons.

Councillor Dobbie declared a personal interest in emergency motion H as he was an employee of the North Middlesex NHS Trust although not within  the A&E Department.

Councillor Williams declared a personal interest in Item 12 – Cabinet Report No. 07/2009-10 as he was an employee of a trade association within the Alcohol Licensing Industry.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 19 October 2009 be signed as a true record.

1.      The Mayor announced with great pleasure that Haringey had recently received five major awards.  The Mayor announced that Haringey had won three national awards for customer service in the prestigious Wow! Awards 2009.  Haringey Council won the award for the best local authority; Osborne Grove Nursing Home won the award for the best healthcare provider and Homes for Haringey’s Tenancy Management team won the award for the best team.   The mayor also advised that the Haven Day Centre, Alexandra Road Crisis Unit and Diane Sheridan of Customer Services were also finalists.  On behalf of the council the Mayor congratulated everyone on this outstanding achievement. The Award was visible in the reception area of River Park House. 

2.      The Mayor informed the Council of a further prestigious award from the National Noise Abatement Society to the Enforcement Response Service who manage the Council’s Out of Hours noise nuisance service. They balance the rights of residents to live without being disturbed, while at the same time making sure that vulnerable people are dealt with in an understanding and supportive way. The team approached the dais with the award and were personally congratulated by the Mayor, and then received a round of applause. 

3.      The Mayor also congratulated the Council’s Recycling Service for winning the 2009 Chartered Institute of Waste Management award in the category of Health and Safety – Best Practice. The Mayor reported that this award was made in recognition of the innovative engineering solution created to allow recycling bins to be carried on recycling collection lorries, which helps to reduce accidents for our recycling collection teams. The award recognised that this engineering solution was easily transferable to many other local authorities that had doorstep recycling box collections similar to Haringey.  The Mayor thanked the Service on behalf of the Council and stated that the Team should be very proud of the recognition and reward for its hard work.

4.      The Mayor alerted Members to the campaign against violence towards women that is commemorated internationally.  The Campaign comprising 16 days of action had commenced on 25^th November.

5.       The Mayor concluded by advising the Council of the planting of 12 trees at Tottenham Green in memory of Councillors who had passed away since 1965.

There were no matters to report.

The Mayor agreed to admit the report as urgent business. The Monitoring Officer had originally planned to give a verbal update in respect of two recent Standards Committee determinations but then decided that a formal written report would be more appropriate.

The Head of Legal Services and Monitoring Officer reported the outcome of the Standards Committee – Determination Hearing Panel of 21 and 22 October 2009 in respect of a Standards Complaint against two elected Members of this Council.

RESOLVED

That the decisions taken by the Hearing Panel as part of the Standard’s Committee’s new responsibility to determine complaints of breach of the Code of Conduct made against Members of this Council be noted.

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 1 be approved.

The Mayor moved and it was agreed that Council Procedure Order No.10 be waived to allow a deputation from Haringey Youth Council.

A deputation was received from the two Co-Chairs of the Haringey Youth Council – Funmi Abari and Areeb Ullah – who gave a brief resume of their activities for the past year.

Members asked questions of the deputation and received responses thereto.

The Cabinet Member for Children and Young People responded to the deputation.

The Mayor thanked the deputation for attending and the meeting gave a round of applause.

The Opposition gave notice of their wish to debate policing in Wood Green.

Councillor Aitken spoke on behalf of the Opposition Group. Councillor Canver responded on behalf of the Majority Group.

The Mayor thanked Councillors for their contributions.

Public Question to the Cabinet Member for Enforcement and Safer Communities from Justin Hinchcliffe:

Is She aware of the policy of Conservative-run Wandsworth Council, with Labour support there, to introduce compulsory dog chipping? Both parties in that Authority believe it will curb the number of stray, neglected, dangerous and stolen dogs. Owners who refuse to comply may be fined and may lose their right to keep their pet. This scheme is also supported by the National Dogs Trust.  Will  She have a look at this policy with an open mind and consider following Wandsworth's excellent lead, which I believe will be supported by the majority of our residents from across the borough?

Oral Question 1 - To the Cabinet Member for Enforcement and Safer Communities from Councillor Peacock:

How will restructuring the Street Enforcement Service help to tackle environmental crime?

Oral Question 2 – To the Cabinet Member for Environment and Conservation from Councillor Baker:

Does the Cabinet member and his colleagues support the campaign for a one hour bus ticket for Haringey’s bus users?

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

Could the Cabinet Member explain how enforcement and planning are dealing with rogue landlords who are responsible for multiple occupancy?

Oral Question 4 - To the Cabinet Member for Housing Services from Councillor Davies:

When did the Cabinet Member for Housing last review the payment terms offered to leaseholders and how do they compare to neighbouring boroughs?

Oral Question 5 –To the Cabinet Member for Children and Young Peoplefrom Councillor Santry:

Will the Cabinet Member join me in congratulating our Member of the Youth Parliament, Funmi Abrai, for making history as the first person to open a parliamentary debate by under-18s?

Oral Question 6 – To the Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Wellbeingfrom Councillor Scott:

How does the future of the St Ann’s MHT site fit into the plans for health provision in the Borough?

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

Can the Cabinet Member explain the progress the Council have made on planting trees in the Borough?

Oral Question 8 - To the Cabinet Member for Enforcement and Safer Communities from Councillor Aitken:

Will the Cabinet member give assurances that the changes to Police bases in Wood Green will not result in any reduction in public access to Police front counter services?

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.

There was 1 Public Question and 8 Councillor Questions, and 24 for written answer.

The Public Question and 7 oral questions were taken. Oral Question 8 was not reached and written responses would be given.

a)      Special Committee – Report 1 – 2009/10

b)      Cabinet – Reports 6 & 7 – 2009/10

c)      Audit Committee – Report 1 – 2009/10

d)      General Purposes Committee – Report 2 – 2009/10

SPECIAL COMMITTEE REPORT 1  2009/10

The Leader gave a brief resume of the report of the Special Committee to appoint a Chief Executive which had confirmed the findings of the cross party appointments panel in respect of the appointment. The Leader also welcomed Mr Crompton who was in attendance at the meeting.

RESOLVED

That Mr Kevin Crompton be appointed as Chief Executive and Head of Paid Service and that confirmation be given of the offer of a permanent employment contract for the post of Chief Executive.

CABINET REPORTS 6 & 7  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 6 and 7 2009/10 be received, and that the recommendation seeking approval of the revised Statement of Gambling Policy as set out in Appendix A to report number 7 be adopted.

AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT NO.1  2009/10

The Chair of Audit Committee gave a brief resume of the report of Audit Committee which was before the meeting for consideration.

RESOLVED:

That the Audit Report number 1 2009/10 be received.

GENERAL PURPOSES COMMITTEE – REPORT NO. 2  2009/10

The Chair of General Purposes Committee gave a brief resume of the report of General Purposes Committee which was before the meeting for consideration. Members questioned details of the report and the Chair responded accordingly.

RESOLVED

That the General Purposes Committee Report number 2  2009/10 be received and the recommendation seeking revision of Section 6.6 of the Treasury Management Statement to include “call accounts” as Specified Investments, be adopted.

Motion E (2009/10)

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

“This Council notes:

• The government’s proposal to scrap excess payments to local housing allowance claimants where their rent is lower than the rate of the allowance
• That this plan would see over 2,000 of the poorest families in Haringey up to £15 a week and £780 a year worse off
• As a result, £1.5million would be taken out of the local economy

This Council believes

• that these changes undermine the original objectives of local housing allowance which were to bring choice and fairness to the benefits system while combating poverty;

Therefore, this Council resolves

• To write to the Chancellor for the exchequer to reverse the government’s plan to scrap excess payments to local housing allowance claimants.
• Urges local MPs to sign Liberal Democrat Sarah Teather’s EDM 2069 to back the campaign against the change in policy”.

Motion F (2009/10)

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

“This Council notes:

1.      The Labour Government is currently consulting on plans to review the last year of the 3-year special grant for concessionary fares to support the introduction of the English National Concession which could very well lead to the grant to London Councils being cut by up to £29 million a year;

2.      that any move by central Government threatens the future of the much cherished Freedom Pass for elderly and disabled people;

3.      that as the concessionary fares scheme in London is currently only 66% funded by Government grant and that if the special grant is withdrawn this would reduce to about 50%;

4.      with alarm that London Councils estimate that the possible shortfall in funding could equate to £18 on the average Council Tax bill at a time of economic hardship;

Therefore, this Council resolves to:

1. Call upon the Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Sadiq Khan MP, to announce that he will not be withdrawing the special grant to London.

2. Urge local MPs to write to Ministers and demand funding for London is maintained at the promised level.

3. Continue to support efforts to ensure London gets an equal share of future concessionary fare funding”.

Motion G (2009/10)

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

“This Council

Notes that:

•         The current financial climate is difficult for Haringey residents

•         Haringey Council is taking steps to help those residents who are affected by the recession, through schemes such as the Haringey Guarantee

•         That all Labour controlled London boroughs have announced plans to help residents by freezing their council tax

Believes:

•         That the Council has a responsibility to help our residents when they need it the most

•         The Council must spend tax payer's money wisely and ensure value for money

•         That excessive Council Tax increases, like those introduced in Lib Dem controlled Kingston, Sutton and Richmond, really hit residents in their pockets

Resolves

•         To freeze  ...  view the full agenda text for item 61.

The Mayor agreed to receive Emergency MOTION H.

Motion H (2009/10)

It was moved by Councillor Scott and seconded by Councillor Gorrie that:

“This Council believes

·        that, as Haringey does not have a general hospital, residents in the borough have to rely heavily on services provided at the Whittington, North Middlesex and the Royal Free hospitals.

·        that local health services are vital to the well-being of local residents.

·        it is unacceptable to close A&E at either of these hospitals because this would result in longer journey times for patients in need of urgent care with potentially life threatening consequences.

This Council notes with great concern

·        information provided in a letter from North London Central NHS that 24-hour accident and emergency services are under threat of closure at the Whittington and North Middlesex hospitals.

Therefore resolves to

·        write to the North London Central NHS, the Chief Executive of the Whittington, North Middlesex NHS Trusts and the Secretary of State for Health highlighting our concerns that no 24-hour accident and emergency services should close that serve Haringey”.

The motion was then put to the vote and declared CARRIED unanimously.

MOTIONS E, F & G  were not reached.