Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Baker.

See Minutes 72 & 78.

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 Engert and Reith declared a personal interest in public question number 4 as Board Members of London Travel Watch.

Councillor Bloch declared a personal interest in public question number 5 as a non executive director of the Haringey PCT.

Councillor Thompson declared a personal interest in questions as he lived on a Council estate.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meetings of the Council held on 30 November and 14 December 2009 be signed as a true record.

The Mayor stated that Members would be aware of the terrible events in Haiti following the dreadful earthquake and the following and on-going humanitarian tragedy that was occurring there.  Haringey’s diverse community includes Haitians and those of Haitian descent and our thoughts were with them at this difficult time. The Mayor urged everyone to contribute to the appeal that had been set up by the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) - a group of charities - to help the people of Haiti.  Information regarding making a donation could be found at the committee’s website: www.dec.org.uk  - a link to the website could also be found via the Council website.

There were no matters to report.

The Mayor agreed to admit the report as urgent business. The Standards Committee of 14 January 2010 agreed to increase the Independent Membership of the Committee by 1 additional Independent Member, and to request Full Council to endorse this recommendation and to amend the relevant section of the Council’s Constitution accordingly, and in accordance with the requirements in the Local Government Act 2000 and the Relevant Authorities (Standards Committee) Regulations 2001.

The report also detailed the outcome of the Standards Committee – Determination Hearing Panel of 2 December 2009 in respect of a Standards Complaint against an elected Member of this Council.

RESOLVED

1.      That the recommendation from Standards Committee that its Membership be increased by one independent member, to 6 in total, with this additional position being recruited to as part of the recruitment process for independent members embarked upon in January 2010, be agreed.

2.      That the relevant  part of the Council’s Constitution (Part Two – Articles of the Constitution – Article 9.02 (a) Membership) in relation to the Independent Membership of the Standards Committee be amended accordingly.

3.      That the decision of the Standards Committee – Determination Hearing Panel of 2 December 2009 in relation to the breach of Haringey Council’s Code of Conduct for Members by a member of the Council be noted.

There were no matters to report.

A deputation was received from Mr Akwasi – Ayisi seeking a freeze on Council Tax.

Members asked questions of the deputation and received responses thereto.

The Cabinet Member for resources responded to the deputation.

The Mayor thanked the deputation for attending the meeting.

It was proposed and duly seconded that the order of business be changed to permit Motion K on Council Tax to be taken next.

The meeting agreed to the change of order of business.

Motion K (2009/10)

Itwas movedby Councillor Egan andseconded byCllr Cooke that:

“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 Council Tax for all Haringey residents next year

•         To continue to improve services by moving resources from the back office to the frontline”

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

Delete all after “The current financial climate is difficult for Haringey residents” and replace with

• Many London Council’s have announced plans to freeze or reduce Council Tax next year
• Liberal Democrat-led Council’s in Brent, Islington, Southwark and Camden have proposed Council Tax freezes next year
• The Labour Group rejected Liberal Democrat proposals last year to freeze Council Tax for local residents in Haringey facing the effects of the recession

Further notes

• Liberal Democrat Council’s in Sutton, Richmond and Kingston receive approximately 75% less funding from the Labour government than Haringey
• Sutton’s Council Tax rate is less than Haringey’s despite receiving significantly less government funding than Haringey
• The Audit Commission rated Richmond and Sutton as 4 star Council’s improving strongly and Kingston as a 3-star Council improving well
• Haringey is considered as a 1-star Council not improving adequately

Resolves

• Freeze Council Tax for all Haringey residents next year
• To continue to improve services by moving resources from the back office to the frontline

On being put to the vote there were 25 in favour of the amendment and 28 against and 2 abstentions. The amendment was declared LOST.

The motion was then put to the vote and with 54 in favour and 1 abstention was declared CARRIED.

The Opposition gave notice of their wish to debate Haringey’s Comprehensive Area Assessment.

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

The Mayor thanked Councillors for their contributions.

Public Question 1 to the Cabinet Member for Environment and Conservation from Janet Harris:

Is the council aware of the traffic chaos outside Bruce Castle Museum in Lordship Lane?  Is it willing to consider replacing the current crossing with actual traffic lights and ensuring that a safe crossing from the east-west of the northern end of Bruce Grove be created. 

The current crossing is always busy and also serves two very local schools - the Lancasterian and Risley Avenue so, during term time, has a lot of pedestrian traffic comprising young children and their teachers/parents.  There is also the close proximity of the Drapers' Almshouses (sheltered accommodation for the elderly) to be considered. 

Traffic from Wood Green or The Roundway speeds around the mini roundabout at the junction of Lordship Lane and The Roundway and also the one at the junction of Lordship Lane and Bruce Grove with no regular interruption such as that caused by controlled traffic lights.  These junctions are a disaster waiting to happen, as there are so many near misses. 

In view of my remarks, will the council make representation to TfL to have this traffic blackspot made safer for both pedestrians and motorists?

Public Question 2 to the Cabinet Member for Community Cohesion and Involvement from Sarah Cope:

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender History Month has been marked in the US since 1994, and is promoted in the UK by School's Out.  What did the council and local schools do to mark LGBT History Month 2009, which fell in February?  Do you agree that such events, held to acknowledge and explore LGBT history, should have a place in the schools calendar and how will the council be marking LGBT History Month in 2010?

Public Question 3 to the Cabinet Member for Environment and Conservation from Anna Bragga:

The Green Party has been contacted by members of Haringey’s disabled community asking for help, having had their Blue Badge renewal applications either turned down or mysteriously lost by the council following the introduction of new rules. As a result, aside from causing immense stress and additional health problems, some disabled people have now clocked up parking fines that they cannot afford and are being chased by bailiffs. Others have become housebound – prisoners in their own home.

Can the council answer this question: In the light of recent cases highlighted, does the council now accept that the new Blue Badge application system, including the mobility assessment process and discretionary criteria, is flawed? What action is the council prepared to take to administer a fair and equal Blue Badge Scheme based on medical evidence rather than mobility assessments by Occupational Therapists which are clearly open to abuse and the misjudgment of serious health conditions?

Public Question 4 to the Cabinet Member for Environment and Conservation from Mahir Gul:

Does the Council back the campaign organised by Cllr. Simche Steinberger (L.B. Hackney), Cllr. Dean Cohen (L.B. Barnet), Justin Hinchcliffe and Isaac Revah (Seven Sisters Conservatives) to  ...  view the full agenda text for item 78.

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 were 5 Public Questions, 9 oral questions from Councillors, and 36 questions for written answer.

Oral Questions 7 - 9  were not reached and written responses would be given.

a)     Cabinet – Reports 8 & 9 – 2009/10

b)     Constitution Review Working Group – Reports 4 & 5 – 2009/10

CABINET REPORTS 8 & 9  2009/10

The Leader gave a 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 8 and 9 2009/10 be received.

CONSTITUTION REVIEW WORKING GROUP – REPORTS NO.4 & 5  2009/10

RESOLVED:

1.      That the crime and disorder scrutiny functions be added to the terms of reference of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee as set out in the Appendix to report number 4 and that these be adopted as amendments to Part 3 Section C of the Council’s Constitution.

2.      That changes to the Scheme of Delegation to Officers as set out in Appendices 1 & 2 to report number 5 be agreed and that these be adopted as amendments to Appendix E of the Council’s Constitution.

Motion I (2009/10)

Councillor Butcher 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 must take steps to help those residents who are affected by the recession, through schemes such as the Haringey Guarantee

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

Resolves

•         To freeze Council Tax for all Haringey residents next year

•         To continue to improve services by moving resources from the back office to the frontline”

Motion J (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 K (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 Council Tax for all Haringey residents next year

•         To continue to improve services by moving resources from the back office to the frontline”

Motion L (2009/10)

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

“This Council;

Notes

•         The difficulty faced by many local residents during recent severe winter weather, especially for elderly and disabled people.

•         Problems faced by motorists, pedestrians and buses travelling throughout the borough in icy and snowy conditions.

•         The cost to the local economy due to loss of business and absenteeism.

Commends the work of Haringey Council  ...  view the full agenda text for item 80.

MOTIONS I, J & L were not reached before the close of meeting at 10 pm.