Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Baker, Bloch, Mughal and Rainger and for lateness from Councillors Edge and Hare.

See items 8.2, 10, 12  & 15.

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 Adje declared a personal interest in item 13 – Financial Planning and approval of the Council Tax for 2010/11, as he was an employee of the London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority for which a portion of the precept was paid to.

Councillor Butcher declared a personal interest in item 13 – Financial Planning and approval of the Council Tax for 2010/11 as he was a Member of the London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority for which a portion of the precept was paid to and was also a leaseholder.

Councillor Thompson declared a personal interest in item 13 – Financial Planning and approval of the Council Tax for 2010/11 as he was a Council tenant living in sheltered accommodation in the east of the Borough.

Councillor Davies declared a personal interest in Motion M – Item 16 – as he was employee of the housing charity – Shelter.

Members to whom this applies must make a declaration if they are present at any part of the meeting and must not vote on any matter relating to the budget.  It is not sufficient for such members to refrain from voting or to absent themselves from the chamber for particular parts of the meeting. Failure to make a relevant declaration constitutes a criminal offence.

Members were reminded of the need to consider whether they needed to make a declaration in accordance with Section 106 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 in relation to unpaid community charge or council tax liability which was two months or more outstanding.

No such declarations were made.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 18 January 2010 be signed as a true record.

The Mayor on behalf of the Council congratulated George Cooper – Head of Electoral Registration Service on his promotion as Chairman of the AEA (Association of Electoral Administrators).

The Mayor also announced that as this was to be the last meeting attended by the Chief Executive – Dr O’Donovan due to her retirement on 28 February 2010, she wished to place on record the Council’s sincere thanks to Dr O’Donovan for her sterling, calm and excellent leadership in the past 4 years, and her un-swathing duty to the residents and officers of LB Haringey. The Mayor wished Dr O’Donovan all good wishes for the future. 

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Claire Kober, gave the following “State of the Borough” address:

Madame Mayor I am proud to be making this state of the borough address, I would like to outline just some of the Council’s achievements this municipal year. I do hope that Members from all parties will join me in recognising the huge amount of progress that the Council and its officers have made in spite of very challenging circumstances.

In my address last year I touched on the looming recession and the impact it could have on Haringey residents. The Council has put in place a raft of measures over the year to support businesses and residents alike. I believe that the steps we have taken have made a real difference to the lives of the people living in this borough, and are a testament to the difference a Labour Council working with a Labour Government can make.

We recognise that the difficult economic climate has posed problems for many residents, and along with all the other Labour boroughs in London have pledged to freeze Council Tax. We hope that freezing council tax will relieve some of the pressure and ease the anxiety of rising bills. It has been through efficiency savings, and producing a costed budget that we have been able to achieve this. As Leader of this Council I could not stand here today and propose a Council Tax freeze without having fully scrutinised the numbers – we provide services that people rely on and cannot jeopardise them to make political gain.

I certainly hope the opposition won’t use this as a chance to scaremonger about the future of services under a Labour Administration. As a Labour Party we are committed to delivering the services that people rely on – yet I note the Liberal Democrat Leader has called for savage cuts. I think its time the opposition were honest about what they really have in store for residents.   

Haringey is home to a huge number of small businesses and we have taken a number of steps to safeguard their future. Over 2009-10, five town centre business partnerships have met and developed a range of local improvements including a loyalty parking scheme, Christmas events, local newsletters, loyalty shopping projects, local festivals and shop safely programmes across the borough.

The future of young people in our borough is an absolute priority and we have also worked with the Labour Government to secure £1.4 million for the future jobs fund to create 221 jobs in 2010 -11. Double what the Lib Dems have called for.

In addition £647k was won from the Working Neighbourhoods Fund to spend on job training and job brokerage. This again demonstrates what a Labour team working together can deliver – solid job and training opportunities, giving our young people the chance of a brighter future. The Borough’s main employment support programme, the Haringey Guarantee, is on target for delivering its 218 sustained jobs in 2009-10.

I am extremely  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

1. Appointment of Interim Section 151 Officer / Chief Financial Officer: To appoint an Interim Section 151 Officer / Chief Financial Officer.

2. Changes to Political Groups, Cabinet Portfolios and Appointments to Committees and Sub Bodies:  To note the changes to Political Groups as notified to the Chief Executive; to agree changes to Committee membership numbers resulting from the recent changes in political group composition; to agree changes to Cabinet portfolios.

Appointment of a Section 151 Officer/Chief Financial Officer

RESOLVED

1.      That Janice Willis be appointed to the post of Section 151 Officer / Chief Financial Officer on an interim basis for a period of 6 months, as described in the report, pending a permanent appointment.

2. That the procedures for appointment and termination of employment in Part 4 Section K of the Council’s Constitution be waived in this case having regard to the reasons given in paragraph 6.4 of the report.

Changes to Political Groups, Cabinet portfolios and Appointment to Committees and Sub Bodies

The Mayor agreed to admit the report as urgent business. The report could not be circulated earlier as information was awaited from Party Groups. The report was urgent to permit changes to be made to Committee Memberships.

RESOLVED

1. That the changes to Political Group composition be noted whereby on 18 January 2010 Councillor Haley resigned the Labour Whip and joined the Liberal Democrat Group, and on 2 February 2010 Councillor Thompson resigned from the Labour Group and announced he would sit as an Independent Councillor representing the Tottenham Hale Ward.
   
   
2. That the proposal for the allocation of Committee places as detailed in paragraph 8.8 of the report be agreed.
   
   
3. That the membership of the Pensions Committee and General Purposes Committee be each increased by one Liberal Democrat position in order to reflect proportionality in the overall number of seats on the Council (as detailed in paragraph 8.8of the report), and that Councillor Whyte be appointed to the Pensions Committee and to the General Purposes Committee.
   
   

4.      That the membership of the Alexandra Palace and Park Board be increased by one place (as detailed in paragraph 8.8 of the report) and that Councillor Thompson remain as an Independent Member.

5. That the membership of the Alexandra Palace and Park Panel be decreased by one Labour position in order to reflect proportionality in the overall number of seats on the Council.
   
   
6. That the resultant changes to Council body memberships as detailed in paragraphs 8.8, 8.11 & 8.12 of the report be agreed and that Councillor Jones replace Councillor Thompson on Pensions Committee and Councillor Peacock replace Councillor Thompson on Licensing Committee.
   
   
7. That the changes to Cabinet portfolios and reduction of one further Cabinet member, as detailed in paragraphs 8.13 & 8.14 and Appendix 1 of the report, be agreed and that Article 7.02 in Part 2 of the Constitution be suspended until the implementation of the new executive leadership arrangements, when the Leader will determine the number of Cabinet Members at a figure between  2 and 9.

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 Party Groups. The report was urgent to permit changes to be made to outside body memberships.

RESOLVED

That appointments to outside bodies as set out in the attached Appendix 1 be approved.

There were no deputations or petitions received.

a)      Cabinet – Report 10 – 2009/10

b)      Constitution Review Working Group – Report 6 – 2009/10

The Mayor agreed to admit report 12b as urgent business. The meeting of the Constitution Review Working Group was held after despatch of the Summons. The report contained recommendations in relation to Constitutional changes, which needed to be considered by the Council.

Councillor Kober introduced the Cabinet Report 10- 2009/10 – Financial Planning 2010/11 to 2012/13, and moved the recommendations contained therein.

Councillor Butcher, seconded by Councillor Gorrie, moved the following amendment to the MOTION:

Action on Crime

The Liberal Democrats want to make Haringey safer.  We will create six 24 hour Safer Neighbourhood Teams in the wards that are worst affected by crime.

Revenue cost: £912,000

Helping Residents out of Recession

Local residents have been hit hard by the economic downturn.  The quickest and fairest way for Haringey Council to help is by taking less money out of residents’ pockets.  Therefore, we propose a one year freeze on all charges paid by residents.

Revenue cost: £700,000

Young people have been amongst the hardest hit by the recession.  We want to help them gain the experience that will give them the edge in a difficult jobs market.  We propose 125 paid internships.

Revenue cost: £750,000

Action on the Environment

Labour’s record on the environment is poor.  The threat of climate change demands action now. 

We propose a ten-fold increase in invest-to-save environmental projects.  We will invest £5m in green projects that will pay back their costs in an average of 5 years.

Revenue cost: neutral

Batteries are one of the most toxic household waste products.  Haringey Council only has two sites for people to safely dispose of batteries.  We propose 100 new sites in schools, libraries and community buildings, improving local residents’ opportunity to recycle batteries.

Revenue cost: £10,000

We believe Haringey Council should do more to encourage local residents to make the greenest choice.  Therefore we propose abolishing all residential parking charges for the greenest cars. 

Revenue cost: £750

Helping the Local Economic

Local businesses have been badly hit by the economic downturn.  Haringey Council needs to do more to help them through, and reinvigorate our local economy.

Haringey Council is one the borough’s largest landlords of commercial property with a high vacancy rate.  We propose offering genuine start-up companies 12 months rent free in vacant properties.    This would be carefully managed to prevent unfair competition to existing businesses.

Revenue cost: £188,000

Haringey Council can support businesses in way that benefits local residents.  We propose expanding business subsidies for companies that offer free public access to their toilets.  Labour has failed to successfully implement this scheme.

Revenue cost: £20,000

For many small traders the cost of parking adds significantly to the cost of doing business in Haringey.  We want to ease this burden and at the same time incentivise local business to be greener.  We therefore propose reducing traders’ parking fees for the greenest vehicles.

Revenue cost: £10,000

Securer Funding Future for Children Services

The Liberal Democrats are determined that financial uncertainty does not prevent Haringey Council from protecting  ...  view the full minutes text for item 12.

Councillor B Harris highlighted the recommendations as detailed in the report, as altered during the previous budget debate.

Councillor B. Harris then moved the budget report and  it was:

RESOLVED:

1.    That  the earlier debate on the ‘state of the borough’ and the proposed budget package agreed by Cabinet on 26 January 2010 be noted, subject to the following alterations:

20 new sites will be identified in libraries and community buildings, improving local residents’ opportunity to recycle batteries.

Revenue cost: £2,000

Encourage local residents to make the greenest choice  by abolishing all residential parking charges for the greenest cars. 

Revenue cost: £750

Small traders cost of parking adds significantly to the cost of doing business in Haringey -  ease this burden and at the same time incentivise local business to be greener.  We therefore propose reducing traders’ parking fees for the greenest vehicles.

Revenue cost: £10,000

Councillors to share the burden of the recession and accept a freeze on their allowances.

Revenue Saving: £14,000

2. That the final grant settlement be noted and the way forward as outlined in the report in respect of the additional budget changes and the position on levying authorities be agreed;
3. That the final general fund budget at Appendix A to the report and the business unit cash limits set out in Appendix C  of the report be agreed;
4. That the  final housing rent subsidy determination be noted and the proposed Housing Revenue Account budget and average rent increase of 1.3% be agreed;
5. That the Greater London Authority precept be noted;
6. That the reserves policy attached at appendix E of the report be agreed;
7. That the budget resolution in the specified format as set out in the attached appendix 2 (appendix F of the report) and the consequent freeze in council tax be agreed; and
8. That the comments of the General Purposes Committee and the Audit Committee be noted and the revised Treasury Management  Strategy Statement attached at appendix G of the report be agreed.

The Opposition gave notice of their wish to debate “Haringey 2006 -2010”.

Councillor Williams 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 Dan Isebor:

Does the Council have any plans to introduce much-needed speeding restrictions on Devonshire Hill Lane and Norfolk Avenue, both residential roads, to reduce rat-running and make the lives of local residents safer and quieter?

Public Question 2 to the Cabinet Member for Environment and Conservation from Sarah Cope:

In Kirklees Council in Yorkshire, Green Party Councillors fought to introduce a free mass insulation scheme, which, as well as reducing carbon emissions, is now delivering fuel-bill savings of around £150 per year for each household.

The scheme has also stimulated the local economy, with the establishment of a new national training centre and depot in the district. It has directly helped those on low incomes who experience ‘fuel poverty’, and contributes to improved health in terms of dealing with cold-related and respiratory illnesses.

The scheme was funded in part by an energy company, as part of their Carbon Emissions Reduction Target.

Although many of houses in Haringey don't have cavity walls, it is possible to improve the level of insulation, with increased loft insulation, cladding, underfloor insulation, draught stripping and secondary/double glazing.

As part of Haringey council’s commitment to reduce the borough’s emissions by 40% by 2020, would the council look into introducing a free mass insulation scheme, funded in part by an energy company?

Public Question 3 to the Cabinet Member for Resources from Anne Gray:

How much did the Council, including the Education Service, spend on gas, electricity and water during the financial year 2008-2009  and how much is budgeted for these items in 2009-10?

Public Question 4 to the Cabinet Member for Enforcement and Safer Communities from Justin Hinchcliffe:

Will the Council take this opportunity to publicly support the Shomrim patrols carried out by members of the Orthodox Jewish Community in Seven Sisters and Stamford Hill? The Shomrim patrol scheme has around a dozen volunteers who are the eyes and ears on the ground for the police and a key ally in the fight against crime. They are also active in safety and rescue operations. What practical support and encouragement will she give to any volunteer organisation that wishes to work with the Met Police to reduce street crime and allow local residents feel safer on our streets?

Public Question 5 to the Cabinet Member for Environment and Conservation from Pamela Harding:

I would like to ask if the Council are considering dropping charges for roads wanting to hold a Big Lunch this year?  This year it will be on Sunday 18 July.
 
Last year I gather that people wanting to hold an event in their roads were charged for street closure (£60), an event licence (£21), road closure signs (£32) AND liability insurance (£50 to £100). 
 
The whole point of the event is for people to celebrate their communities by eating together and if possible to also celebrate local food growing. I would like to think that the council  ...  view the full agenda text for item 15.

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, 8 oral questions from Councillors, and 24 questions for written answer.

TERMINATION OF MEETING:

The Mayor proposed that due to the hour and in accordance with Council Rules of Procedures, that written answers be given to oral questions 2 - 8.

Motion M (2009/10)

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

Tackling unauthorised conversions and HMO’s

“This Council Notes:

·        The announcement from the Labour Government that there will be new local powers for Councils to control the spread of high concentrations of shared rented homes and to tackle pockets of unsafe and substandard accommodation run by bad landlords.

·        That this legislation, due to come into effect from April would change the planning rules, giving local authorities the powers to manage the development of HMOs in their area

·        The changes also mean that landlords will need to apply for planning permission in order to establish a new HMO with a change of use and the Council also would have extra flexibility to license landlords

·        That badly managed HMO’s can create serious problems for residents, when the landlord does not comply with the law and does not provide safe and adequate facilities.

·        The current trials of risk rating systems to assess HMO’s in the borough, which targets resource at high risk accommodation.

·        The plan to target those problem HMO’s on the Ladder and carry out compliance inspections to ensure building and housing standards are in accordance with Building and Planning Law

·        The recent work by the Housing Improvement team in Harringay ladder area, via a letter drop informing residents in HMO’s of the standards required

·        That the recently allocated migration fund is being used to identify and co-ordinate speedy multi-agency action

·        The new strategic Corporate HMO Strategy currently under development which will target at problem premises through coordinating services in Street Action plans.

·        The strengthening of the application process for Certificates of Lawfulness, including reinvestigating suspicious applications.

·        The Council has begun to revoke Certificates of Lawfulness where relevant

·        The development of a Rogue Landlords/Property Initiative, which will establish a target list of offenders who will face action from a number of services including Legal Services, Police and Enforcement Officers.

·        The work of the HMO Members Advisory Group in tackling problem HMO’s and unauthorised developments.

This Council Believes

·        That we have a duty of care to all residents to ensure that standards of housing are of a decent level, and do not have a negative effect on vulnerable residents.

·        That badly managed HMO’s can be a source of anti social behaviour in the borough, particularly issues relating to noise.

·        The increased number of HMO’s provides strain on infrastructure and services in Haringey, specifically regarding parking and waste collection.

·        We should engage with cooperative landlords whilst ensuring that those landlords who fail to work proactively with the council and its strategic partners shall face repercussions.

·        That prosecuting those landlords who do not comply with legislation sends a strong message to other rogue landlords but the courts need to use the full powers available to them

·        That as soon more information on the recent legislative change is available the Council should commit to use all of the powers available

This Council Resolves:

·        To liaise with the Department of Communities and  ...  view the full agenda text for item 16.

Due to the hour Motions M, N, O & P (2009/10) were not considered.

The meeting ended at hours 22:01HRS