Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Canver and Kober.

See items 6 and 13.

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 Adje,  Amin, Brabazon, Basu, Browne, Bull,  Butcher, Davies, Demirci, Engert, Goldberg, Jenks, Khan, Mallett, Newton, Reid, Reith, Rice, Scott, Stewart, Strickland, Vanier, Watson, Whyte, and Winskill declared a personal interest in Item 14 – Motion C as Members of the Local Government Pension Scheme.

Councillor Wilson declared a personal interest in Item 14 – Motion C as he was an employee of the National Association of Pension Funds which campaigned on issues relating to public sector pensions and Local Government Pension Scheme at a national level.

Councillor Reid declared a personal interest in Item 14 – Motion C as he was a former UNISON Shop Steward.

Councillors Adje,  Alexander, Brabazon,   Browne, Egan, Gibson, Griffith,  Jenks, Peacock, Reece, Rice, Schmitz, Scott, Stennett, Strang, and Waters individually declared a personal interest in Item 10 – Haringey Debate    as School Governors of either Primary or Secondary Schools within the Borough.

Councillors Brabazon, Egan, Peacock, Rice, Schmitz, and Scott individually declared a personal interest in Item 9 – Petition receipt, as a Member of a Friends of either a Park, Common, or Recreation Ground, Group/Association, within the Borough.

NOTED

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meetings of the Council held on 18 July 2011, and 3 October 2011 be signed as a true record.

1.     Remembrance Sunday

The Mayor reported her attendance at two Remembrance services: On Armistice Day 11 November 2011 at the service at Tottenham Cemetery and on Remembrance Sunday 13 November 2011 at the service at Wood Green War Memorial.  The Mayor also reported that for the Poppy Appeal in Haringey over £1,300 had been collected.

2.     Silver Skills Opening Doors Event

The Mayor reported her delight in supporting the Opening Doors Event (hosted by Silver Skills in Partnership with Tottenham Hotspur Foundation) on 16 November 2011, and that throughout the day a 1,000 students were given the opportunity to meet with 50 businesses. The event was specifically designed to give Haringey’s young people information on opportunities or career paths and options.

3.     The Death of George Peacock

The Mayor, with regret, reported the death of George Peacock who was a former Labour Councillor for Noel Park Ward from 1971 – 1974, who died on 6 October at North Middlesex Hospital. On behalf of the Council the Mayor expressed her condolences to the family of George Peacock. As a mark of respect, the Council stood for a minute’s silence.

4.     Mayor Quiz Night and Fund raising event

The Mayor reported that there would be a Quiz Night on 30 November at the Wood Green Social Club to raise funds for Haringey Carers Association.

5.     Congratulations to Councillor Kober

The Mayor passed on the congratulations of Council at the birth of a son to Councillor Kober and her partner on 2 November 2011. There was a rapturous round of applause.

The Mayor agreed to the admission of an additional report as urgent business.

The Chief Executive advised that the originally circulated report detailed changes to the membership of the Regulatory Committee with effect from 1 January 2012.

In addition the Chief Executive advised that he wasreporting the appointment of Libby Blake as Director of Children and Young People's Services and the statutory Directorof Children's Services with effect from 14 November 2011.

The Chief Whip Moved and it was:

RESOLVED

1. That the changes to Council body memberships as detailed in the report in respect of the membership of the Regulatory Committee by the replacement of Councillor Reid with Councillor Hare, with effect from 1 January 2012 be agreed;
2. That the appointment of Libby Blake as Director of Children and Young People's Services and the statutory Directorof Children's Services with effect from 14 November 2011, be noted.

There were no matters to report.

The Mayor agreed to the admission of this report as urgent business.  Appointments had only recently been finalised at Party Group Meetings and needed approval to permit appointments to outside organisations to be made.

RESOLVED:

That the appointments to outside bodies be approved, as detailed in the Appendix to the report.

There was one deputation to address the meeting, and one petition.

The deputation was received from John Hadju – on behalf of the Muswell Hill and Fortis Green Association, and Hornsey Historical Society, asking for the continuation and financing of the Haringey Green Plaque scheme.

Members asked questions of the deputation and received responses thereto.

The Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Social Inclusion in the absence of the Cabinet Member Environment responded to the deputation.

The Mayor reported that a petition had been received from Haringey Friends of Parks Forum in respect of cuts to local park budgets and the effects of the cuts.  The Mayor advised that as the petition was in excess of 2200 signatures a debate would follow receipt of the petition.

The Mayor asked that the named representative give a brief presentation to the meeting for no more than 5 minutes. Ms Curtis spoke in respect of cuts to local park budgets and the effects of the cuts, for 5 minutes.

Members sought clarification on points of clarification of the petitioners.

A 15 minute debate amongst members of the essence of the petition took place.

The Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Social Inclusion, in the absence of the Cabinet Member Environment responded to the petitioners.

The Mayor thanked both the deputee and petitioners for their attendance.

NOTED

To consider the how the Council can help to improve the attainment of our young people whether in education, vocational training or work whilst highlighting the success of the past and challenges the future holds.

The Chief Executive outlined the procedure for the second occasion where the Council had a Haringey Debate.

The opposition spokesperson – Councillor Reece gave an introduction of the debate on building on the success of Haringey's young people - improving attainment for the next generation and to consider how the Council can help to improve the attainment of our young people whether in education, vocational training or work whilst highlighting the success of the past and challenges the future holds.

Councillor Reece introduced Dr Tony Sewell an education adviser, was formerly a teacher, a senior lecturer at the University of Leeds, and a non-executive board director of the Learning Trust. 

Dr Sewell addressed the meeting.

Following this the Mayor announced that there would be 45 minutes for debating, with a maximum of 3 minutes speaking time for each speaker.

A 45 minute debate then took place.

At the conclusion of the debate, the Mayor invited Councillor Reece to respond.

The Mayor thanked members for their participation.

a)     Corporate Committee – 27 September 2011 – Report No.2 2011/12

b)     Alexandra Palace and Park Board – 18 October 2011 – Report No.1 2011/12

) CORPORATE COMMITTEE REPORT NO 2  2011/12

(i)         Councillor Meehan – Chair of the Corporate Committee MOVED the recommendations as contained in the report of the Corporate Committee of 27 September 2011 in respect of Treasury Management 2011/12 Mid Year Activity &Performance Update.

RESOLVED:

a)      That the Treasury Management activity undertaken during the first half of 2011/12 and the performance achieved be noted; and

b)      That the revised 2011/12 Prudential Indicators: Capital Expenditure £79,874k   and Capital Financing Requirement £773,366k as set out in paragraph 18.3 be approved.

b )ALEXANDRA PALACE AND PARK BOARD REPORT NO1 2011/12

Councillor Cooke  – Chair of the Alexandra Palace and  Park Board MOVED the recommendations as contained in the report of the Alexandra Palace and  Park Board of 18 October 2011 in respect of the Governance Update – Amendment to the constitution of the Alexandra Palace and Park Consultative Committee.

RESOLVED

That approval be given to the amendment to the constitution of the Alexandra Palace and Park Consultative Committee in respect of the appointment of Chair of this Committee, as detailed in tracked changes appendix 1 attached to this report.

Report of the Director of Place and Sustainability – To seek a resolution from Full Council to adopt new powers provided in Part 5 of the London Local Authorities and Transport Act 2008, and to fix an ‘Appointed Day’ for bringing those new powers into operation.

On a MOTION by the Chief Whip it was:

RESOLVED

That the appointed day for which Part 5 of the London Local Authorities and Transport for London Act 2008 shall come into operation on public highways for which London Borough of Haringey is the Highways Authority shall be 1^st March 2012.

ORAL QUESTION 1 – TO THE CABINET MEMBER FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND SOCIAL INCLUSION FROM COUNCILLOR  WILSON:

How many responses has the Council received to its recent consultation on changing the designation of land at Pinkham Way to enable the building of waste disposal plant?

ORAL QUESTION 2 - TO THE CABINET MEMBER FOR FINANCE AND CARBON REDUCTIONFROM COUNCILLOR CHRISTOPHIDES:

Can the portfolio holder outline the impact of the Government’s recent decision to cut the feed – in tariff on the council’s plans to increase the use of solar panels across Haringey?

ORAL QUESTION 3 – TO THE LEADER OF THE COUNCIL FROM  COUNCILLOR WILLIAMS:

Does the Leader of the Council stand by her view that Charles Adje's conduct “fell well below the standards expected of any councillor” and he “failed to meet the high expectations that the Labour Party places on its members who hold elected office.”

ORAL QUESTION 4 - TO THE CABINET MEMBER FOR FINANCE AND CARBON REDUCTIONFROM COUNCILLOR DIAKIDES:

Can the portfolio holder outline what analysis has been done by the council so far on the impact of the reduction in funding for council tax benefit by at least 10% from 2013?   

ORAL QUESTION 5 – TO THE CABINET MEMBER FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND SOCIAL INCLUSION FROM COUNCILLOR WHYTE:

What is Haringey Council doing to ensure all the section 106 money relating to New River Village is spent on improvements that benefit local residents?

ORAL QUESTION 6 - TO THE CABINET MEMBER FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND SOCIAL INCLUSION FROM COUNCILLOR RICE:

Can the portfolio holder tell us what is planned for the I Love Tottenham campaign over the next few months?

ORAL QUESTION 7 - TO THE CABINET MEMBER FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND SOCIAL INCLUSION FROM COUNCILLOR BLOCH:

What discussions have the Council had with Tottenham Hotspur about reducing the section 106 levy due on the stadium redevelopment?

ORAL QUESTION 8 - TO THE CABINET MEMBER FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND SOCIAL INCLUSION FROM COUNCILLOR PEACOCK:    

Can the portfolio holder outline what the council can do to mitigate the affects of increasingly high levels of unemployment across Haringey?

Due to the late houroral questions 1-8  were not reached and written answers would be supplied to these questions

NOTED

Motion C (2011/12)

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

Local Government Pension Scheme

This Council Believes:

·        The arbitrary 3.2% increase in employee contributions to the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) planned by the Government will force many current members of the scheme to leave. This will have damaging consequences for them as individuals and for the future viability of the scheme itself.

·        The characterisation of local government pensions as ‘gold plated’ is unjustified and in 2009/2010 the average LGPS annual pension was just £4052.

·        The LGPS, being a funded scheme has been shown to be sustainable and affordable.        

This Council Resolves:

• To write to the chancellor asking he looks again at his proposals and demand the government enters into substantial dialogue with Local authorities and the trade unions to secure the future of the LGPS. 

Motion C (2011/12)

Motion C was not reached due to the late hour.