Agenda, decisions and minutes

Apologies for lateness and possible non attendance was received from Councillor Robertson, and for absence from Councillors Gilbert, Makanji, Oatway and Reynolds.

Apologies for lateness and possible non attendance was received from Councillor Robertson, and for absence from Councillors Gilbert, Makanji, Oatway and Reynolds

See items 7, 9 &11.

See minutes 78, 82 & 83.

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 judgement of the public interest.

Members were asked by the Mayor to declare any personal interest in respect of items on the agenda.  In accordance with Part 2 of the Members Code of Conduct set out in the Council Constitution, any Member disclosing a personal interest which was also prejudicial would be asked to withdraw from the Chamber during consideration of the item and neither were they to seek to improperly influence a decision on the said item.

Members were asked by the Mayor to declare any personal interest in respect of items on the agenda.  In accordance with Part 2 of the Members Code of Conduct set out in the Council Constitution, any Member disclosing a personal interest which was also prejudicial would be asked to withdraw from the Chamber during consideration of the item and neither were they to seek to improperly influence a decision on the said item.

No such declarations were made.

Copies of the Minutes having been circulated, they were taken as read.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 14 November 2005 be signed as a true record.

Copies of the Minutes having been circulated, they were taken as read.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 14 November 2005 be signed as a true record.

1.      The Mayor asked and the full Council meeting joined him in congratulating the Stars in the Sky friendship service for adults with learning difficulties, which had won the top prize in the National Community Care Awards 2005.

The Mayor reported that this unique Haringey-based service was run by people with learning difficulties themselves, supported by Haringey Association for Independent Living, and funded by Social Services. He also advised that it was a fantastic project which fully deserved this top award, and stated  his delight that Haringey had been able to support it from the start.

2.      The Mayor congratulated the Council’s Social Services’ Home Care Night Service, which was regional winner and national finalist in the national Health and Social Care Awards announced just before Christmas 2005.

In reporting that the service was just a year old, the Mayor commented that the Authority’s Home Care Services can now offer 24 hour personal care at home, helping older people stay in the community, in their own homes, or leave hospital knowing that their needs will be met.

At the national awards ceremony the team’s commitment and dedication were described as “exemplary”.  They were at the front line of modern, high quality social care, and a credit to the council.

3.      The Mayor reported of a number of local people being honoured in the New Year’s Honours List.   An MBE went to Richard Sumray who would be known to councillors for his work as chair of Haringey Teaching Primary Care Trust and  Joyce Levy with the Department of Trade and Industry

OBE’s go to Dr Roberta Jacobsen, director of the London Health Observatory, Ann Robinson, principal of Woodhouse 6^th form college in Finchley, Graham Stegmann, Department of international Development, and Professor Edmund Penning-Rowsell, for services to flood risk

management.

4.      The Mayor I take this opportunity to thank all those who gave their time and services to help others during the Christmas Season.  I attended numerous events across the borough over the last few weeks, and was very moved by the amount of time and care that is given to support and help the elderly and the vulnerable members of our society.

5.      The Mayor regretfully announced the death of former conservative Councillor Terry Pope who passed away on 22 December 2005. The meeting observed a 1 minute’s silence in his memory.

1.      The Mayor and the full Council congratulated the Stars in the Sky friendship service for adults with learning difficulties, which had won the top prize in the National Community Care Awards 2005.

The Mayor reported that this unique Haringey-based service was run by people with learning difficulties themselves, supported by Haringey Association for Independent Living, and funded by Social Services. He also advised that it was a fantastic project which fully deserved this top award, and stated his delight that Haringey had been able to support it from the start.

2.      The Mayor congratulated the Council’s Social Services’ Home Care Night Service, which was regional winner and national finalist in the national Health and Social Care Awards announced just before Christmas 2005.

In reporting that the service was just a year old, the Mayor commented that the Authority’s Home Care Services could now offer 24 hour personal care at home, helping older people stay in the community, in their own homes, or leave hospital knowing that their needs would be met.

At the national awards ceremony the team’s commitment and dedication were described as “exemplary”.  They were at the front line of modern, high quality social care, and a credit to the council.

3.      The Mayor reported of a number of local people being honoured in the New Year’s Honours List.   An MBE went to Richard Sumray who would be known to councillors for his work as chair of Haringey Teaching Primary Care Trust and  Joyce Levy with the Department of Trade and Industry

OBE’s go to Dr Roberta Jacobsen, director of the London Health Observatory, Ann Robinson, principal of Woodhouse 6^th form college in Finchley, Graham Stegmann, Department of International Development, and Professor Edmund Penning-Rowsell, for services to flood risk management.

4.      The Mayor thanked all those who gave their time and services to help others during the Christmas Season. He attended numerous events across the borough over the last few weeks, and was very moved by the amount of time and care that was given to support and help the elderly and the vulnerable members of our society.

5.      The Mayor regretfully announced the death of former conservative Councillor Terry Pope who passed away on 22 December 2005. The meeting observed a 1 minute’s silence in his memory.

RESOLVED:

That the statement by the Leader of the Council in respect of welcoming a wonderful victory for Haringey Council in being awarded a 3 star status by the audit commission in their comprehensive performance assessment be noted. The Leader of the Opposition spoke in response

RESOLVED:

That the statement by the Leader of the Council in respect of welcoming a wonderful victory for Haringey Council in being awarded a 3 star status by the Audit Commission in their comprehensive performance assessment be noted. The Leader of the Opposition spoke in response. 

The Mayor agreed to admit the report as urgent business. The report dealt with matters considered at Party Group meetings within the last few days. These required approval to permit appointments to Council committees to be made.

RESOLVED:

That Councillors Hoban and Hare be appointed to the two Liberal Democrat vacancies on the Alexandra Palace and Park Board.

The Mayor agreed to admit the report as urgent business. The report dealt with matters considered at Party Group meetings within the last few days. These required approval to permit appointments to Council committees to be made.

RESOLVED:

That Councillors Hoban and Hare be appointed to the two Liberal Democrat vacancies on the Alexandra Palace and Park Board.

(a) Report on new legislation affecting the Council.
(b) Report on the appointment of Independent Members of the Standards Committee.

(a)   New Legislation affecting the Council in accordance with Article 18.03(h) of the Constitution

           RESOLVED

That the updated details of the new and forthcoming legislation                          as detailed in Appendix A of the report be noted.

(b)   Recruitment of Independent Members for Standards Committee

RESOLVED

i.                    that the contents of the circulated report and the recommendations from the Standards Committee contained therein that one new independent member be recruited from the current recruitment exercise to serve for 4 years from May 2006 be noted; and 

ii.                  that approval be given to the endorsement of the recommendation of the Standards Committee that Nicholas Weber, Irene Francis and Roger Lovegrove be appointed to serve as independent Members on the Standards Committee from May 2006 for a period of two years.     

(a)   New Legislation affecting the Council in accordance with Article 18.03(h) of the Constitution

RESOLVED

That the updated details of the new and forthcoming legislation                          as detailed in Appendix A of the report be noted.

(b)   Recruitment of Independent Members for Standards Committee

RESOLVED

1.                That the report be noted together with the recommendations from the Standards Committee, that one new independent member be recruited from the current recruitment exercise to serve for 4 years from May 2006 ; and 

2.                That the endorsement of the recommendation of the Standards Committee that Nicholas Weber, Irene Francis and Roger Lovegrove be appointed to serve as independent Members on the Standards Committee from May 2006 for a period of two years, be endorsed.

The Mayor agreed to admit the report as urgent business. The report dealt with matters considered at Party Group meetings within the last few days. These required approval to permit appointments to outside bodies to be made.

RESOLVED:

That appointments to outside bodies as detailed in the attached appendix be agreed.

The meeting received a tabled addendum to the report.

RESOLVED:

That appointments to outside bodies as detailed in the attached appendix be agreed.

            Council Meeting - 09 January 2006

                                              Proposed Appointments to Outside Bodies

Body Name                                                                   No of Reps

The Management Committee                                                                                          Category: Community

Wood Green Urban District Charity                          5                      Term of Office:  4 year (s)                

14/wgu/a                                                                        5 Lab.

Retiring Representative (s) / Expiry                                                          Ms J Acott     31/07/06

                                                               Ms M Dewar                                     31/05/07

                                                               Cllr A Dobbie                                    31/05/08

                                                               Ms C McAskill                                   31/12/05      Appointment Expired

                                                               Neville Watson                     09/01/10     To Fill Vacancy 

Schools Organisation Committee                                                                                     Category:        Statutory

Haringey Council - Schools Organisation Committee                                         7  Term of Office:    3 year (s)      

14/soc                                                                            5 Lab.              2 Lib.

Retiring Representative (s) / Expiry                                                           Cllr J Bax     31/05/08

                                                               Cllr J C Brown                                  31/05/07

                                                               Cllr G Engert                                    31/05/08

                                                               Cllr B Harris                                     31/05/07

                                                               Cllr G F Meehan                              31/05/07

                                                               Cllr L Santry                                      31/05/08

                                                               Cllr Newton                          31/05/08     To Fill Vacancy

London Limited                                                                                                              Category:  Partnership

Urban Futures                                                              1                      Term of Office:  4 year (s)             

14/uf                                                                               1 Lab.

Granted Aid:    No

Retiring Representative (s) / Expiry                                               Cllr Reynolds     09/01/10             To Fill Vacancy

The Board                                                                                                                        Category:               Trusts

Haringey Buildings Preservation Trust                   5                      Term of Office:  1 year (s)                

14/HBP                                                                          5 Lab.

Retiring Representative (s) / Expiry                                                  Cllr H A Brown     31/05/06

                                                               Cllr R Dodds                                    31/05/06

                                                               Cllr V Manheim                                31/05/06

                                                               Cllr S Peacock                                 31/05/06

                                                               Cllr Bull                                31/05/06      To Fill Vacancy

Advisory Committee (Statutory)                                                                                       Category:  Statutory

Alexandra Park and Palace                                       8                      Term of Office:  1 year (s)             

14/aps                                                                            5 Lab.              3 Lib.

Granted Aid:    No

Retiring Representative (s) / Expiry                                                       Cllr J Bloch      31/05/06              

                                                               Cllr S Gilbert                                     31/05/06     

                                                               Cllr B Millar                                       31/05/06     

                                                               Cllr E Prescott                                  31/05/06

                                                               Cllr Q Prescott                                 31/05/06

                                                               Cllr W Hoban                                   31/05/06      Replaced Cllr Beacham

                                                                 vacant                                              22/07/05     

                                                                 vacant                                              18/07/05     

There were no deputations or petitions. 

There were no deputations or petitions. 

The Mayor agreed to the admission of this report as urgent business.  Under Standing Orders, notice of questions was not requested until five 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 10 oral questions and 20 for written answer. Oral Questions 8-10 were not reached in the allotted time and written answers were supplied to these questions.

The Mayor agreed to the admission of this report as urgent business.  Under Standing Orders, notice of questions was not requested until five 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 10 oral questions and 20 for written answer. Oral Questions 8-10 were not reached in the allotted time and written answers were supplied to these questions.

(a)   The Executive – Reports 10, 11 & 12 – 2005/06.

(b)   General Purposes Committee – Report 3 – 2005/06.

The report of the General Purposes Committee contains recommendations in respect of changes to the Constitution.

In accordance with Council Rules of Procedure No. 12(1), the Chief Executive will submit a report, if appropriate, listing any recommendations from the Overview and Scrutiny Committee requiring policy change or executive action.

RESOLVED:

1.          That reports 10, 11 and 12 /2005-6 of the Executive be received and adopted;

2.     That report 3 of the General Purposes Committee be received;

3.     That the recommendation of the General Purposes Committee of            19 December 2005 in respect of amendments  to the Overview               and Scrutiny provisions and the full Council provisions set out in             Appendices 1,2,3,4 & 5 (attached) ) to this report be adopted and           that Parts I.1,I.2, I.3, E.1 and E.7 of the Council’s Constitution be            amended accordingly;

4.          That the recommendation of the General Purposes Committee of    19 December 2005 in respect of amendments to the Council’s        Scheme of Delegation to Officers as set out in Appendix 6               (attached) to this report be adopted and that Parts F.7 of the Council’s Constitution be amended accordingly;

5.           That the recommendation of the General Purposes Committee of    19 December 2005 in respect of recommended changes to the   terms of reference of the Licensing Sub Committees be adopted as follows:

i.                    the ‘Haringey Council – Local Licensing Procedure Rules for Hearings under the Licensing Act 2003’ set out in Appendix 7 (attached) as a new C.9 of the Council’s Constitution;

ii.                  the amendments to the Scheme of Delegation to officers as set out in Appendices 8 and 9 (attached) to this report  and that Part F.7 of the Council’s Constitution be amended accordingly; and

iii.                the  amendments to the terms of reference of the Licensing Sub-Committees as set out in Appendix 10 (attached) to this report and Part E7 of the Council’s  Constitution be amended accordingly.

The Executive report number 12 was late because it was only considered by the Executive on 20 December 2005, following which decisions taken at that meeting were subject to a call in period.

The report was too urgent to await the next meeting because a decision of the full Council was required to approve the Housing Strategy so that a summary version could be produced for publication and dissemination.

RESOLVED:

1.      That reports 10, 11 and 12 /2005-6 of the Executive be received and the recommendation on the Housing Strategy be adopted;

2.      That report 3 / 2005-6 of the General Purposes Committee be received;

3.      That the recommendation of the General Purposes Committee of 19 December 2005 in respect of amendments  to the Overview and Scrutiny provisions and the full Council provisions set out in Appendices 1,2,3,4 & 5 of the report be adopted and that Parts I.1,I.2, I.3, E.1 and E.7 of the Council’s Constitution be amended accordingly;

4.      That the recommendation of the General Purposes Committee of 19 December 2005 in respect of amendments to the Council’s Scheme of Delegation to Officers as set out in Appendix 6 of the report be adopted and that Parts F.7 of the Council’s Constitution be amended accordingly;

5.      That the recommendation of the General Purposes Committee of    19 December 2005 in respect of recommended changes to the   terms of reference of the Licensing Sub Committees be adopted as follows:

i.                    the ‘Haringey Council – Local Licensing Procedure Rules for Hearings under the Licensing Act 2003’ set out in Appendix 7 of the report be agreed as a new Section C.9 of the Council’s Constitution;

ii.                  the amendments to the Scheme of Delegation to officers as set out in Appendices 8 and 9 of the report be agreed  and that Part F.7 of the Council’s Constitution be amended accordingly; and

iii.                the amendments to the terms of reference of the Licensing Sub-Committees as set out in Appendix 10 of the report be agreed and Part E7 of the Council’s Constitution be amended accordingly.

MOTION I (2005/06):

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

“This Council welcomes the recent Comprehensive Performance Assessment Ratings which gives Haringey Council 3 stars out of a possible 4 stars. This Council notes that the new rating system provides a tougher assessment than previous years. This makes the Council’s three star success an even greater achievement.

This Council believes that this success has only been possible with the hard work, initiative and dedication of all Council staff.  We thank them for their wonderful efforts in securing this achievement and congratulate them on helping to make a better Haringey.

Haringey received 3 stars in 4 out of 6 core service areas: Children and Young People, Social Care (adults), Benefits and Culture. In addition Haringey kept its 3 stars for Use of Resources which includes areas such as value for money and financial management.

This Council has been recognised as improving well with the CPA report noting “this year has seen positive outcomes in services for children and young people and for vulnerable adults”. Our borough contains large pockets of deprivation and the Council is particularly proud that the report acknowledges the targeting of resources to reflect local social, economic and demographic challenges. Haringey also performs well against equalities and diversity targets.

This Council believes that this achievement has been underpinned by a series of forward looking and prudent budgets since 2002. The Council has drawn up a successful strategy which is now getting the recognition it deserves. The Labour Manifesto in 2002 committed this Council to achieving “Good” status by 2006, and through careful planning, strategic budgets and hard work this pledge has been delivered.

A Labour Council working with a Labour Government has secured this improvement demonstrating the importance of a positive partnership between local and national government. 

The CPA report notes that ‘the Council is improving well’, and this Council resolves to embrace the challenge for the next fours year which is to move from Good to Excellent, because the people of Haringey deserve excellence”.

MOTION J (2005/06):

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

“This Council notes that Holocaust Memorial Day falls on 27 January.

Council believes that the Holocaust, an attempt at the industrialized slaughter of an entire people, was a uniquely evil event in world history.

Council believes that understanding and remembering the nature of the Holocaust is a powerful part of the effort to prevent its recurrence, and of the fight against racial and religious prejudice in all their forms.

Council notes the ceremonies being arranged by the Council for Holocaust Memorial Day, especially the commemorative ceremony at Bruce Castle on  24 January from 6.45–9.30pm, the special screening of Hotel Rwanda at Cineworld in Wood Green on 26 January at 7.00pm, and the exhibition of children’s art from the Czechoslovak concentration camp Theresienstadt, which will be displayed at Bruce Castle Museum, Hornsey Central Library and Wood Green Central Library in January,  ...  view the full agenda text for item 82.

It was moved by Councillor Adje and seconded by Councillor Sulaiman that:

“This Council welcomes the recent Comprehensive Performance Assessment Ratings which gives Haringey Council 3 stars out of a possible 4 stars. This Council notes that the new rating system provides a tougher assessment than previous years. This makes the Council’s three star success an even greater achievement.

This Council believes that this success has only been possible with the hard work, initiative and dedication of all Council staff.  We thank them for their wonderful efforts in securing this achievement and congratulate them on helping to make a better Haringey.

Haringey received 3 stars in 4 out of 6 core service areas: Children and Young People, Social Care (adults), Benefits and Culture. In addition Haringey kept its 3 stars for Use of Resources which includes areas such as value for money and financial management.

This Council has been recognised as improving well with the CPA report noting “this year has seen positive outcomes in services for children and young people and for vulnerable adults”. Our borough contains large pockets of deprivation and the Council is particularly proud that the report acknowledges the targeting of resources to reflect local social, economic and demographic challenges. Haringey also performs well against equalities and diversity targets.

This Council believes that this achievement has been underpinned by a series of forward looking and prudent budgets since 2002. The Council has drawn up a successful strategy which is now getting the recognition it deserves. The Labour Manifesto in 2002 committed this Council to achieving “Good” status by 2006, and through careful planning, strategic budgets and hard work this pledge has been delivered.

A Labour Council working with a Labour Government has secured this improvement demonstrating the importance of a positive partnership between local and national government. 

The CPA report notes that ‘the Council is improving well’, and this Council resolves to embrace the challenge for the next fours year which is to move from Good to Excellent, because the people of Haringey deserve excellence”.

An amendment to the motion was MOVED by Councillor Williams, and seconded by Councillor Hoban proposing :

Delete all after “ This Council” and replace with:

“congratulates the continued hard work, dedication and initiative of all Council staff in achieving an improvement in the Corporate Performance Assessment Ratings to Three Stars at a time of turbulence and change within the Council.

This rating brings Haringey into line with the majority of Councils in London, with the new “Harder Test” CPA returning 23 of the 33 London Boroughs with a 3 or 4 star rating and all 33 judged to be improving with 28 placed in the upper categories of “improving strongly” or “improving well”.

However, Council acknowledges that although this belated elevation into the mainstream is welcome it is based upon an Inspection by the Audit Commission and counts for little if residents themselves do not feel that they are experiencing improved services. The 3 Star ratings for some services do  ...  view the full decision text for item 82.

MOTION I (2005/06):

It was moved by Councillor Adje and seconded by Councillor Sulaiman that:

“This Council welcomes the recent Comprehensive Performance Assessment Ratings which gives Haringey Council 3 stars out of a possible 4 stars. This Council notes that the new rating system provides a tougher assessment than previous years. This makes the Council’s three star success an even greater achievement.

This Council believes that this success has only been possible with the hard work, initiative and dedication of all Council staff. We thank them for their wonderful efforts in securing this achievement and congratulate them on helping to make a better Haringey.

Haringey received 3 stars in 4 out of 6 core service areas: Children and Young People, Social Care (adults), Benefits and Culture. In addition Haringey kept its 3 stars for Use of Resources which includes areas such as value for money and financial management.

This Council has been recognised as improving well with the CPA report noting “this year has seen positive outcomes in services for children and young people and for vulnerable adults”. Our borough contains large pockets of deprivation and the Council is particularly proud that the report acknowledges the targeting of resources to reflect local social, economic and demographic challenges. Haringey also performs well against equalities and diversity targets.

This Council believes that this achievement has been underpinned by a series of forward looking and prudent budgets since 2002. The Council has drawn up a successful strategy which is now getting the recognition it deserves. The Labour Manifesto in 2002 committed this Council to achieving “Good” status by 2006, and through careful planning, strategic budgets and hard work this pledge has been delivered.

A Labour Council working with a Labour Government has secured this improvement demonstrating the importance of a positive partnership between local and national government. 

The CPA report notes that ‘the Council is improving well’, and this Council resolves to embrace the challenge for the next fours year which is to move from Good to Excellent, because the people of Haringey deserve excellence”.

An amendment to the motion was MOVED by Councillor Williams, and seconded by Councillor Hoban proposing :

Delete all after “ This Council” and replace with:

“congratulates the continued hard work, dedication and initiative of all Council staff in achieving an improvement in the Corporate Performance Assessment Ratings to Three Stars at a time of turbulence and change within the Council.

This rating brings Haringey into line with the majority of Councils in London, with the new “Harder Test” CPA returning 23 of the 33 London Boroughs with a 3 or 4 star rating and all 33 judged to be improving with 28 placed in the upper categories of “improving strongly” or “improving well”.

However, Council acknowledges that although this belated elevation into the mainstream is welcome it is based upon an Inspection by the Audit Commission and counts for little if residents themselves do not feel that they are experiencing improved services. The 3 Star ratings for  ...  view the full minutes text for item 82.