Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Butcher, Demirci and Erskine and from Councillor Reith for lateness.

See items Minutes 25 and 28.

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 Monitoring Officer advised that in relation to Motion C it would be reasonable for members of both Licensing and Planning Committees to contribute to the debate if they so wished. However members of these Committees were advised that if they did speak they should refrain from either expressing any view on related outstanding licensing or planning applications or from making any comments that might suggest that they had already formed a settled view on any such outstanding applications.

Councillor Davies declared a personal interest in items 11 & 13 – questions and reports of Committees, as he worked for Shelter.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 24 May 2010 be signed as a true record.

1. The Mayor reported the deaths of former Councillors Mavis Lambie and Errol Neckles.

Mavis Lambie passed away last month and I attended her funeral on 22^nd June in Islington Crematorium.  Mavis was the Labour Councillor for Fortis Green Ward from 1994 to 1998.

Errol Neckles passed away on 8^th July.  He was a Labour Councillor for High Cross from 1990 to 1994. His funeral will take place on 30^th July.

The Mayor commented that he had passed on condolences to their families on behalf of the Council. 

Councillors Meehan, Vanier and Stanton paid tribute.

As a mark of respect, the Council stood in silence for a minute.

2. The Mayor was delighted to announce that Haringey’s Enforcement Service had won First Prize in the National Municipal Journal Awards Public Protection Category.
   
   This prestigious award marked the achievement of Enforcement officers undertaking activity across the borough, but specifically working with members of the Green Lanes Strategy Group that was facilitated by the Neighbourhood Management service.  The submission was in the category of public protection and reflected a programme of enforcement that had been targeted at specific problem premises that were a magnet for crime and antisocial behaviour.
   
   The award sponsors had commented that Haringey shone out above all the other submissions in the category; showing how an enforcement service could make a real difference with its partners in particular with residents to a serious and challenging problem. 
   
   The Mayor presented the award to the Enforcement Team comprising: Robert Curtis, Brian Ellick, Sarah Benning, Chris Georgiou, and Gary Cooke.
   
   
3. The Mayor congratulated all those who were nominated for the Haringey Carer of the Year Award and especially the winner Tom O’Hara from Lordship Lane. This was the fourth year that Haringey has organised this event to highlight the commitment and dedication of the estimated 16,000 unpaid carers in the borough.
   
   
4. The Mayor commented that he was proud of the work and commitment undertaken by so many of Haringey’s staff and members of the community.  He had enjoyed attending numerous ceremonies across the Borough that celebrated and applauded the work of our young people in schools and in youth groups; that highlighted the care of the elderly and people with disabilities; that celebrated the green agenda in our parks and allotments and recognised the improvements to our environment. 

The Mayor wished all those taking a well deserved break a very enjoyable holiday and continued success.

5. The Mayor presented Councillor Bernice Vanier with a past Mayor’s Certificate. The Certificate read “with sincere thanks and appreciation for the services rendered to the borough” by both Councillor Vanier and her Escort Vernon King during the past year.

There were no matters to report.

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 2010/11.

The Chief Whip moved an amendment in relation to the appointment to the RFCA.

RESOLVED:

That the appointments to outside bodies as set out in Appendix 1 be approved, subject to Councillor Stewart being appointed to the vacancy on the Reserve Forces and Cadets Association for Greater London (RFCA).

There were no deputations or petitions to report.

The opposition gave notice of their wish to debate “20 mph limits in Haringey”.

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

The Mayor thanked Councillors for their contributions.

ORAL QUESTION 1 - TO THE CABINET MEMBER FOR ADULT AND COMMUNITY SERVICES FROM COUNCILLOR PEACOCK:

Can the Lead Member for Adult and Community Services please provide an update on the recent investment in tennis facilities in Albert Road Rec?

ORAL QUESTION 2 – TO THE CABINET MEMBER FOR FINANCE AND SUSTAINABILITY FROM COUNCILLOR GORRIE:

What planning assumption is the Administration currently making for the percentage fall in central government funding of the Council over the next three year financial planning period and will Haringey Council freeze Council Tax next year?

ORAL QUESTION 3 - TO THE CABINET MEMBER FOR FINANCE AND SUSTAINABILITY FROM COUNCILLOR EJIOFOR:

Can the Cabinet Member outline how the borough’s finances have changed since the Coalition Government came to power?

ORAL QUESTION 4 - TO THE CABINET MEMBER FOR PLANNING AND REGENERATION FROM COUNCILLOR ENGERT:

What has been the total cost to Haringey Council in legal fees, administration costs, consultants’ fees and officer time in relation to its representations to the Judicial Review and subsequent appeal on the Ward’s Corner planning application?

ORAL QUESTION 5 –TO THE CABINET MEMBER FOR CHILDREN’S SERVICES FROM COUNCILLOR STENNETT:

Can the Lead Member advise members of the outcome of the inspection of the Rowland Hill nursery, and how this centre is helping to tackle inequality and child poverty?

ORAL QUESTION 6 – TO THE CABINET MEMBER FOR HOUSING FROM COUNCILLOR WILSON:

How many Haringey-owned residential properties are currently un-occupied?

ORAL QUESTION 7 - TO THE CABINET MEMBER FOR FINANCE AND SUSTAINABILITY FROM COUNCILLOR STEWART:

Can the Lead Member for Finance and Sustainability please outline the likely impact of the coalition government’s decision to slash the cap on local housing allowance?

ORAL QUESTION 8 - TO THE CABINET MEMBER FOR CHILDREN’S SERVICES FROM COUNCILLOR SCHMITZ:

Will the Leader of the Council join in me congratulating the parents and staff at the South Harringay Infants School on the success of their very long campaign to obtain the funding necessary to provide their children with unimpeded access between their classroom and the outdoor play areas, the lack of this access being the only point of criticism in an otherwise glowing Ofsted Report?

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 23 for written answer.

Oral Questions 7 & 8 were not reached in the allotted time and written answers would be supplied to these questions.

The meeting agreed to an Opposition request that the thresholds be monitored and reviewed if necessary by the Constitution Review Working Group.

RESOLVED:

That the proposed petition scheme, as appended to the report, be agreed.

a)      Annual report of the Standards Committee 2009/10

b)      Report of the Standards Committee No. 01/2010-11

c)      Report of the Cabinet No. 01/2010-11

d)      Report of the General Purposes Committee No. 01/2010-11

STANDARDS COMMITTEE – ANNUAL REPORT  2009/2010

The Chair of the Standards Committee presented the Annual report of the Committee for 2009/10.

RESOLVED:

That Standards Committee Annual report for 2009/10 be endorsed.

STANDARDS COMMITTEE – REPORT No.1  2010/11

The Chair of the Standards Committee moved report No.1 of the Committee.

RESOLVED:

That report No.1 of Standards Committee for 2010/11 be agreed together with the recommendation to adopt the form for making advance written declarations of member’s interests at full Council.

CABINET REPORTS No.1  2010/11

The Leader moved Cabinet report No1 for 2010/11.

RESOLVED:

That the Cabinet report No.1 be received and adopted.

GENERAL PURPOSE COMMITTEE REPORT NO 1  2009/10

The Chair moved report No1 of the General Purposes Committee together with the recommendations contained therein.

RESOLVED:

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

1.      That Treasury Management activity and performance during 2009/10 and compliance with treasury limits and Prudential Indicators be noted.

2.      That Schedule 3 to the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982, as amended by Section 27 of the Policing and Crime Act 2009, shall come into force in the Borough of Haringey on 1 September 2010.

3.      That officers take steps in accordance with the legislation to publish notice of this resolution in the local press, Council website and other appropriate locations.

Motion B (2010/11)

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

This Council notes:

That the increase in VAT from 17.5% to 20% announced in the Government's June Budget will fall hardest on those least able to afford it.

That the increase in VAT will lead to higher prices for goods and services; will have a disproportionate impact on pensioners and other low income groups; and will have a severe impact on businesses, charities and community groups in Haringey.

That the effect of the increase in VAT, when taken with other measures in the Budget, will be unfair to pensioners, who have not had a compensatory increase in other benefits and allowances.   

That the way the VAT increase will affect pensioners and other low income groups runs counter to the Government's Coalition Agreement statement on 20 May 2010 that it would "ensure that fairness is at the heart of those decisions so that all those most in need are protected.”

That the Institute of Fiscal Studies has stated the VAT increase was not "unavoidable," as the Chancellor of the Exchequer said in his Budget speech.

This Council resolves:

To write directly to the Chancellor of the Exchequer raising concerns about the impact of the proposed VAT increase on pensioners, other vulnerable groups and businesses in Haringey. 

To call on the Members of Parliament representing Haringey to stand up for Haringey’s pensioners, businesses and wider community,  to voice their opposition to this unfair increase in VAT, and to vote against it in Parliament.

Motion C (2010/11)

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

This Council Notes:

• The Labour Party’s National Manifesto pledge “to protect the character of their areas, local authorities now have greater powers to reject applications for lap-dancing clubs and we will give councils new powers to oppose gambling licences if there are too many betting shops operating in a high street.”
• That there is no provision in the Coalition Government’s Agreement to empower local democracy through allowing councils to stop the clustering of betting shops

This Council Believes:

• That the clustering of betting shops deprives local people of diverse high streets
• Residents and local authorities should have a stronger say in whether betting shops are able to set up in an area.

This Council Resolves:

• To lobby the Government to give local councils the power to stop the clustering of betting shops and refuse licensing applications for betting shops on these grounds  

Motion D (2010/11)

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

This Council notes

·        There are currently areas with 20mph limits in Haringey.

·        Excessive speed is a direct factor in about a fifth of all collisions and is a major contributory factor in a third of all road deaths.

·        Research from the London Transport Committee show’s that reducing the speed limit increases road safety as well as offering other potential benefits, such as encouraging walking and cycling and  ...  view the full agenda text for item 31.

Motion B (2010/11)

It was moved by Councillor Browne and seconded by Councillor Waters that:

“This Council notes:

That the increase in VAT from 17.5% to 20% announced in the Government's June Budget will fall hardest on those least able to afford it.

That the increase in VAT will lead to higher prices for goods and services; will have a disproportionate impact on pensioners and other low income groups; and will have a severe impact on businesses, charities and community groups in Haringey.

That the effect of the increase in VAT, when taken with other measures in the Budget, will be unfair to pensioners, who have not had a compensatory increase in other benefits and allowances.   

That the way the VAT increase will affect pensioners and other low income groups runs counter to the Government's Coalition Agreement statement on 20 May 2010 that it would "ensure that fairness is at the heart of those decisions so that all those most in need are protected.”

That the Institute of Fiscal Studies has stated the VAT increase was not "unavoidable," as the Chancellor of the Exchequer said in his Budget speech.

This Council resolves:

To write directly to the Chancellor of the Exchequer raising concerns about the impact of the proposed VAT increase on pensioners, other vulnerable groups and businesses in Haringey. 

To call on the Members of Parliament representing Haringey to stand up for Haringey’s pensioners, businesses and wider community,  to voice their opposition to this unfair increase in VAT, and to vote against it in Parliament”.

An amendment to the motion was moved by Councillor Wilson and seconded by Councillor Davies that:

Delete from “This Council Notes” and insert:

·        “That the Coalition Government inherited the largest deficit of any country in Europe except the Republic of Ireland, and that after the election it was revealed that the UK’s structural deficit was significantly higher than previously revealed.

·        That the last Government failed to set aside money during economic good times to fund spending during the bad times, and Gordon Brown broke his own ‘Golden Rule’ on borrowing over the economic cycle by £485 billion.

·        None of the main political parties ruled out VAT increases in their recent election manifestos.

·        According to Lord Mandelson’s memoirs, Chancellor Alistair Darling wanted to increase VAT, and made sure that Labour made no commitment not to increase VAT during this parliament.

·        That the Coalition Government is committed to introducing the Liberal Democrat’s progressive tax policy of raising the income tax threshold to £10,000, that would take 4 million people on low pay out of income tax altogether.

·        That the budget includes plans to increase Capital Gains Tax and to introduce a new levy on banks to make sure the burden of repaying the deficit is spread fairly.

This Council calls on politicians of all parties to work together during this period of unprecedented economic difficulty to reduce the budget deficit, whilst doing everything possible to protect frontline services”.

On being put to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 31.