Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors G Bull, Doran, McNamara, Meehan, Morris, Patterson, and Peacock,  and for lateness from Councillors Adje, M.Blake, and Stennett.

NOTED

The Chief Executive advised that the following items were late items of business and the reasons for lateness were as follows:

Item 6 i – Report of the Chief Executive

The report was late as clearance through party whips was not confirmed by the time of the agenda publication date.

Item 7 –  Report of the Assistant Director Corporate Governance  & Monitoring Officer 

The report was late for consideration and could not be forwarded to Full Council until content of the report was finalised, which was after the agenda publication date .

Item 8 – Appointments to outside bodies

The report was late for consideration and could not be forwarded to Full Council until content of the report was finalised, which was after the agenda publication date .

Item 12  –  Questions and Written Answers

Notice of questions is not requested until 8 clear days before the meeting, following which the matters raised have to be researched and replies prepared to be given at the meeting.

The Mayor MOVED and it was agreed nemine contradicente to accept the items of urgent business.

Councillor Mallett  declared  a personal interest in Item 13 – Haringey Debate as she was a member of the congregation of Holy Trinity Church, which was the Church from which one of the speakers was the Father .

NOTED

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 23 February 2015 be signed as a true record.

The Mayor reported that since the last Full Council meeting on 23 February she had been very busy attending events and functions throughout the borough and across London as follows: 

Sunday 1^st March -  the annual London Mayor’s Walk.  The London Mayor’s Walk had taken place for the past 40 years and covered the original walk of Dick Whittington over 600 years ago.  It was a beautiful day and a very enjoyable walk.

Friday 6^th March – opening the Protecting Our Women (POW) awards ceremony at Haringey Civic Centre. The POW project was part of the Public Health prevention programmes and was developed by Solace Women’s Aid  as an educational training programme for young people aged 13-25 years as well as professional and volunteers who work with young people. The Mayor thanked Councillors Peter Morton and Bernice Vanier for their help at this event presenting certificates to the young people.

Sunday 8^th March - a splendid service at Westminster Abbey to celebrate the 50^th Anniversary of the re-organisation of Local Government in London.  The Mayor thanked Tara Scott and Reverend ‘Bunmi’ Fagbemi for accompanying her to this event and it was hoped that the specially invited guests enjoyed the occasion too.

Monday 9^th March.  – the Mayor advised that she had been honoured to read out a specially written message from the Queen at the annual fly a flag for the Commonwealth day event on Monday 9^th March. This was followed by a new initiative from the National Association of Civic Officers to commemorate the centenary of World War 1.  The Mayor advised that she had been joined by the  Chief Executive, Nick Walkley, Haringey’s Deputy Lieutenant, Captain Peter Baker, fellow councillors and ex servicemen and women.  The ceremony was based on a feeling of darkness that came over people all over Europe 100 years ago and used candle light as a symbol of hope for the future.

Monday  16^th  March – The Mayor hosted a reception in her  parlour and  was delighted to receive a cheque for £2000 for her special fund from the organisers of the London New Years Day Parade.  The donation was in recognition of Haringey’s Hornsey Carnival float winning 5^th prize at the New Years Day Parade.  Members of Hornsey Carnival Queens including their Chairman, Gordon Rathbone, were awarded medallions for their contribution to the parade.

Thursday 19^th March  - The Mayor thanked thank everyone who attended the Haringey’s Artistic Talent  event in support of her special fund.  In particular the Mayor thanked  Nitin Ganatra, Andy Abraham and the wonderful young people of Haringey whose performance always made her feel  very proud of Haringey.

NOTED

i.              Calendar of meetings 2015/16 – TO FOLLOW

The Chief Executive advised that the reports before the meeting for consideration sought  approval of Full Council to the Calendar of meetings for the Municipal Year 2015/16.

The Chief Whip moved and it was:

RESOLVED

That in respect of the circulated report the schedule of meetings for the 2015/16 Municipal Year be agreed, subject to any minor variations to meeting dates that may be required in the course of the Municipal Year 2015/16.

Approval of the 2015/16 Member Allowances Scheme

TO FOLLOW

The Assistant Director Corporate Governance & Monitoring officer  advised  that the) sought approval of Full Council to the Members Allowance Scheme for the period 1 April 2015 to 31 March 2016.

The  Assistant Director Corporate Governance & Monitoring officer  also advised the meeting that in respect of the £48K which was the amount of money available as a result of members of the Local Authority no longer contributing to the Local Government Pension as of 1 April 2014, a further report would be submitted to the Full Council at its annual meeting on 14 May 2015 which would distribute this amount within  the 2015/16 Member allowances.

The Chief Whip moved and it was:

RESOLVED

That in respect of the circulated report the current Members’ Allowances Scheme as from 31 March 2015 be revoked, and that the Members’ Allowances Scheme for 1 April 2015 – 31 March 2016 as set out in Appendix 1 to the report be adopted, and that this be adopted as the replacement for Part 6 of the Council’s Constitution, with an increase in the special responsibility allowance to be paid to the Chair of the Standards committee, and an increase in the Dependants’ Carers Allowance.

The Chief Executive advised that the circulated report sought approval to a change and appointment to an outside body.

The Chief Whip MOVED and it was:

RESOLVED

That the change and appointment to an outside body as detailed in the schedule attached to the report be approved.

The Chief Whip moved and it was:

RESOLVED

i.        That approval be given, pursuant to section 5 of the Public Sector Pensions Act 2013 and Section 106  of the Local Government Pension Scheme Regulations 2013,  to the establishment of a Local Pension Board, with effect from 1^st April 2015;

ii.      That  the terms of reference of the Local Pensions Board as set out in Appendix 1 of the report be approved;

iii.     That approval be given to appoint the  Cabinet Member for Resources and Culture as an Employer Representative member of the Local Pension Board;

iv.     That the s151 Finance Officer be delegate authority for responsibility for drafting the Pension Board Code of Conduct, Conflict of Interest Policy and any other ancilliary  documents necessary for the functioning of the Board: and

v.      That it be noted that pursuant to Article 15.03(a) of the Council’s Constitution the Assistant Director of Corporate Governance and Monitoring Officer will make any necessary and consequential amendments to the Constitution to give effect to these arrangements.

a)    Staffing & Remuneration Committee Report No 1 2014/15

a.    Staffing & Remuneration Committee Report No 1 2014/15

Councillor Arthur MOVED the the adoption of the recommendations report of the Staffing & Remuneration Committee of 19 February 2015 in respect of the Pay Policy Statement 2015/16.

RESOLVED

That approval be given to the Pay Policy Statement for 2015/16 as detailed and explained in the circulated report and stated  in Appendix B attached to the report.

There were no deputations or petitions.

NOTED

ORAL QUESTION 1 - TO THE Cabinet Member for Housing and Regeneration FROM COUNCILLOR Gallagher:

After many months of hard work, it is brilliant that the GLA has now publicly confirmed that Tottenham has been awarded Housing Zone status. Will the Cabinet Member tell us exactly what this means for Tottenham and what the next stages of this regeneration project will be?

ORAL QUESTION 2 - TO THE Cabinet Member for RESOURCES AND CULTURE FROM COUNCILLOR NEWTON:

Has the council or Homes for Haringey returned any EU funding in the last 3 years, if so much how much funding was returned?

ORAL QUESTION 3 - TO THE Cabinet Member for Economic Development, Social Inclusion and Sustainability FROM COUNCILLOR JOGEE:

This year marks the 50^th anniversary of our borough; can the Cabinet Member tell us what plans have been put in place to celebrate this great occasion?

ORAL QUESTION 4 - TO THE Cabinet Member for ENVIRONMENT FROM COUNCILLOR CARTER:

Why has Haringey Council refused to ban cigarette marketing units in Finsbury Park during large-scale ‘family’ concerts?

ORAL QUESTION 5 - TO THE leader of the council FROM COUNCLLOR bevan:

Can the Leader of the Council update us on the heritage restoration project at Alexandra Palace?

ORAL QUESTION 6 - TO THE Cabinet Member for RESOURCES AND CULTURE FROM COUNCILLOR HARE:

How many times in the last 3 years have the council and Homes for Haringey breached employment law?

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 6 oral questions and 9 for written answer.

Oral answers to oral questions 1 – 6 were asked and responded to.

Written answers to written Questions 1- 9 were received and noted

NOTED

The Chief Executive outlined the procedure for the Haringey Debate.

The Mayor introduced the debate topic.

The Mayor welcomed Iman Ahmed, Rabbi Mason, Father Bunmi, Catherine Smith (Pray Haringey co-ordinator) Gilda Daley , and Andrew Copson (Chief Executive – British Humanist Association)

Iman Ahmed, Rabbi Mason, Father Bunmi, Catherine Smith,  and Andrew Copson then addressed the meeting for a period of 3 minutes each.

Following the  address, the Mayor thanked each for their address,  and they received a round of applause.

The Mayor then advised that the debate time would be for approx 45 minutes with a maximum of 3 minutes speaking time for each speaker.

A debate then took place.

Councillor Vanier – Cabinet Member for Communities responded to the debate.

The Mayor  then summarised and concluded the debate. The Mayor then closed the debate and thanked members for their contributions.

MOTION G 2014/15

Councillor Connor has given notice that she will MOVE the following MOTION:

Protecting women and girls in Haringey from FGM

This council recognises that FGM is an issue in Haringey and commits to tackling the problem and raising awareness.

This council notes:

·         That performing FGM in the UK and taking a child abroad to undergo FGM are both illegal.

·         It is estimated that over 60,000 girls under the age of 15 are at risk of FGM in the UK, including girls in Haringey.

·         137,000 girls and women are living with the consequences of FGM in the UK.

This council also notes:

·         That FGM can cause a range of serious health problems including severe pain and emotional /psychological trauma to, in some cases, death.

·         Health issues caused by some types of FGM include– urinary problems, difficulty with menstruation, pain during sex, psychological problems, infertility, infections, problems during pregnancy and childbirth, flashbacks.

This council further notes:

·         While a minister at the Department for International Development, Lynne Featherstone announced a £35 million programme to support the African-led movement for change and help end FGM within a generation.

·         That the Coalition Government has introduced mandatory reporting of FGM

·         That the Coalition Government has also introduced mandatory recording so for the first time FGM is recorded by the NHS

·         That statutory guidelines on FGM are being introduced for all front line professionals

·         That Lynne Featherstone has organised a FGM conference in the borough bringing together communities and frontline professionals from health, education, police and social care sectors to discuss working together to end FGM

·         Lynne Featherstone has held roundtable discussions with the council, police and NHS.

This council calls for:

·         All schools in the borough to raise awareness of FGM.

·         The Cabinet Member to publish a FGM strategy setting out how the council will work together with partners such as the NHS, schools, police and religious leaders to stop FGM in Haringey, protecting the vulnerable and supporting victims.

Motion G (2014/15)

Councillor Connor MOVED, and Councillor Engert seconded, the substantive MOTION G as follows:

Protecting women and girls in Haringey from FGM

This council recognises that FGM is an issue in Haringey and commits to tackling the problem and raising awareness.

This council notes:

·         That performing FGM in the UK and taking a child abroad to undergo FGM are both illegal.

·         It is estimated that over 60,000 girls under the age of 15 are at risk of FGM in the UK, including girls in Haringey.

·         137,000 girls and women are living with the consequences of FGM in the UK.

This council also notes:

·         That FGM can cause a range of serious health problems including severe pain and emotional /psychological trauma to, in some cases, death.

·         Health issues caused by some types of FGM include– urinary problems, difficulty with menstruation, pain during sex, psychological problems, infertility, infections, problems during pregnancy and childbirth, flashbacks.

This council further notes:

·         While a minister at the Department for International Development, Lynne Featherstone announced a £35 million programme to support the African-led movement for change and help end FGM within a generation.

·         That the Coalition Government has introduced mandatory reporting of FGM

·         That the Coalition Government has also introduced mandatory recording so for the first time FGM is recorded by the NHS

·         That statutory guidelines on FGM are being introduced for all front line professionals

·         That Lynne Featherstone has organised a FGM conference in the borough bringing together communities and frontline professionals from health, education, police and social care sectors to discuss working together to end FGM

·         Lynne Featherstone has held roundtable discussions with the council, police and NHS.

This council calls for:

·         All schools in the borough to raise awareness of FGM.

·         The Cabinet Member to publish a FGM strategy setting out how the council will work together with partners such as the NHS, schools, police and religious leaders to stop FGM in Haringey, protecting the vulnerable and supporting victims.

Councillor Vanier  MOVED an amendment to MOTION G, which was seconded by Councillor Wright as follows:

 Protecting women and girls in Haringey from Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)

This Council recognises that FGM is an issue in Haringey and commits to tackling the problem and raising awareness.

This Council notes:

·         That performing FGM in the UK and taking a child abroad to undergo FGM are both illegal.

·         The World Health Organisation has condemned FGM for many years, and it has now been unanimously rejected by a Memorandum of the United Nations

·         It is estimated that over 60,000 girls under the age of 15 are at risk of FGM in the UK, including girls in Haringey.

·         137,000 girls and women are living with the consequences of FGM in the UK

·         Experts, including professionals and the third sector, believe that FGM will only be eradicated in the longer term by changing practice and custom in communities where it happens. This requires working with and empowering members of these communities to change their views towards FGM.

·         That  ...  view the full minutes text for item 79.