Agenda, decisions and minutes

Apologies for lateness and possible non attendance was received from Councillor Stanton due to a School Governor’s meeting, for lateness from Councillors Lister and Q. Prescott, and for absence from Councillors Herbie Brown, Dillon, Santry, Sulaiman and Wynne

Apologies for lateness and possible non attendance was received from Councillor Stanton due to a School Governor’s meeting, for lateness from Councillors Lister and Q. Prescott, and for absence from Councillors Herbie Brown, Dillon, Santry, Sulaiman and Wynne

To ask the Mayor to consider the admission of any late items of business in accordance with Section 100B of the Local Government Act 1972

See items 61, 65 & 67.

See items 61, 65 & 67.

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 existience 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 members judgment 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.

Councillor Dobbie sought clarification from the Monitoring Officer in respect of the appropriateness of Members declaring an interest in Item 14 – MOTION F given the high number of members who owned and used Mobile phones and subsequently were users of telephone masts. Councillor Bull also sought clarification from the Monitoring Officer in respect of the appropriateness of Councillors Basu, Hoban and himself  also declaring an interest given that they were to embark on a review of this matter. 

The Monitoring Officer responded to both that if a member felt their interest was such that a member of the public would consider it to influence their decision, then they should declare. 

Councillor Hoban declared a personal interest in item 11 on petitions, as he was a resident of Bounds Green.

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.

Councillor Dobbie sought clarification from the Monitoring Officer in respect of the appropriateness of Members declaring an interest in Item 14 – MOTION F given the high number of members who owned and used Mobile phones and subsequently were users of telephone masts. Councillor Bull also sought clarification from the Monitoring Officer in respect of the appropriateness of Councillors Basu, Hoban and himself  also declaring an interest given that they were to embark on a review of this matter. 

The Monitoring Officer responded to both that if a member felt their interest was such that a member of the public would consider it to influence their decision, then they should declare. 

Councillor Hoban declared a personal interest in item 11 on petitions, as he was a resident of Bounds Green.

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

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 3 October 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 3 October 2005 be signed as a true record.

1.      The Mayor advised that former Mayor and Councillor Daisy Cunningham died at home on 18^th October.  Daisy Cunningham was a Councillor for over 10 years serving in Seven Sisters and Coleraine Ward.  She attended the 40^th Anniversary celebration in April 2005, and was reunited with many of her former colleagues and friends, who remembered her with great affection.

The Council meeting observed one minute’s silence in memory of the former Mayor and Councillor Daisy Cunningham.

2.      The Mayor was delighted to inform Council that Councillor Brian Haley had been awarded the Honorary Fellowship of the Chartered Institute of Waste Management. 

This was in recognition of Councillor Haley’s interest and involvement in matters relating to the protection of the environment and in particular the waste management industry.  The Mayor passed on the Council’s congratulations to Councillor Haley on this unique honour.

3.      The Mayor thanked all those who attended the Remembrance Sunday Services which took place on Sunday 13 November 2005 in Wood Green, Hornsey, Tottenham and Alexandra Park Road.  The mayor commented that it had been particularly heartening to see so many young people joining in the act of Remembrance. 

4.      The Mayor reminded members that tickets were now on sale for the Fundraising Karaoke Evening on 2 December at New River Sports Centre.  The Mayor advised that Councillor Gideon Bull would be hosting the event in aid of Prostate Cancer, and urged all members to support this event.

5.      On behalf of the Council and the people of Haringey the Mayor proposed a vote of thanks to the out-going Borough Police Commander Steve Bloomfield for his dedication and services to this borough.

The Mayor wished Ch. Supt. Bloomfield all the best for the future and hope that he will remember us in his new posting at Scotland Yard.

The Leader also commented on the close working relationship that Ch. Supt. Bloomfield had had with the Borough and the work that he had been involved in to combat crime and promote safer neighbourhoods.  The Leader commented that as a result of successful implementation of the safer neighbourhood work within Haringey the Commissioner had recalled Ch. Supt. Bloomfield to New Scotland Yard in order to promote this success across London and that Ch. Supt. Bloomfield should be applauded for his efforts in ensuring the successful outcome of the initiative.

1.      The Mayor advised that former Mayor and Councillor Daisy Cunningham died at home on 18^th October.  Daisy Cunningham was a Councillor for over 10 years serving in Seven Sisters and Coleraine Ward.  She attended the 40^th Anniversary celebration in April 2005, and was reunited with many of her former colleagues and friends, who remembered her with great affection.

The Council meeting observed one minute’s silence in memory of the former Mayor and Councillor Daisy Cunningham.

2.      The Mayor was delighted to inform Council that Councillor Brian Haley had been awarded the Honorary Fellowship of the Chartered Institute of Waste Management. 

This was in recognition of Councillor Haley’s interest and involvement in matters relating to the protection of the environment and in particular the waste management industry.  The Mayor passed on the Council’s congratulations to Councillor Haley on this unique honour.

3.      The Mayor thanked all those who attended the Remembrance Sunday Services which took place on Sunday 13 November 2005 in Wood Green, Hornsey, Tottenham and Alexandra Park Road.  The mayor commented that it had been particularly heartening to see so many young people joining in the act of Remembrance. 

4.      The Mayor reminded members that tickets were now on sale for the Fundraising Karaoke Evening on 2 December at New River Sports Centre.  The Mayor advised that Councillor Gideon Bull would be hosting the event in aid of Prostate Cancer, and urged all members to support this event.

5.      On behalf of the Council and the people of Haringey the Mayor proposed a vote of thanks to the out-going Borough Police Commander Steve Bloomfield for his dedication and services to this borough.

The Mayor wished Ch. Supt. Bloomfield all the best for the future and hope that he will remember us in his new posting at Scotland Yard.

The Leader also commented on the close working relationship that Ch. Supt. Bloomfield had had with the Borough and the work that he had been involved in to combat crime and promote safer neighbourhoods.  The Leader commented that as a result of successful implementation of the safer neighbourhood work within Haringey the Commissioner had recalled Ch. Supt. Bloomfield to New Scotland Yard in order to promote this success across London and that Ch. Supt. Bloomfield should be applauded for his efforts in ensuring the successful outcome of the initiative.

The Mayor agreed to admit the report as urgent business. The report dealt with matters considered by the Special Committee on 2 November 2005 and this decision required ratification of the Council in terms of its decision.

         RESOLVED:

That Dr Ita O’Donovan be appointed as Chief Executive and Head of Paid Service and that confirmation be given of this appointment as a permanent employment contract for the post of Chief Executive.

The Mayor agreed to admit the report as urgent business. The report dealt with matters considered by the Special Committee on 2 November 2005 and this decision required ratification of the Council in terms of its decision.

         RESOLVED:

That Dr Ita O’Donovan be appointed as Chief Executive and Head of Paid Service and that confirmation be given of this appointment as a permanent employment contract for the post of Chief Executive.

RESOLVED:

That the statement by the Leader of the Council in respect of the appointment of the Chief Executive – Dr Ita O’Donavan, the splendid firework display Alexandra Palace on 5 November and use of legislation to promote firework safety be noted. The Leader of the Opposition spoke in response. 

RESOLVED:

That the statement by the Leader of the Council in respect of the appointment of the Chief Executive – Dr Ita O’Donavan, the splendid firework display Alexandra Palace on 5 November and use of legislation to promote firework safety be noted. The Leader of the Opposition spoke in response. 

There were no matters to report.

There were no matters to report.

There were no matters to report.

There were no matters to report.

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 the appointment of Councillor Peacock to the vacancy detailed below, be approved.

The Trust                                                                         Category:  Trusts

Selby Trust                                                 3                  Term of Office:  4 year (s)

14/str                                                          3 Lab.

Granted Aid:      Yes

Representative (s) / Expiry                       Cllr L Santry                        31/05/2009

    Cllr  Peacock                      31/05/2009    

vacant                                 23/09/2005    

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 the appointment of Councillor Peacock to the vacancy detailed below, be approved.

The Trust                                                                         Category:  Trusts

Selby Trust                                                 3                  Term of Office:  4 year (s)

14/str                                                          3 Lab.

Granted Aid:      Yes

Representative (s) / Expiry                       Cllr L Santry                        31/05/2009

    Cllr  Peacock                      31/05/2009    

vacant                                 23/09/2005    

There were no deputations.  A petition was submitted on behalf of the Passmore Edwards Neighbourhood Watch in support of a CPZ for the area. Members asked questions of the petitioners and the answers were duly noted

There were no deputations.  A petition was submitted on behalf of the Passmore Edwards Neighbourhood Watch in support of a CPZ for the area. Members asked questions of the petitioners and the answers were duly noted

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 16 for written answer. Oral Questions 7-10 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 16 for written answer. Oral Questions 7-10 were not reached in the allotted time and written answers were supplied to these questions.

a)     The Executive – Reports, 7, 8 and 9 – 2005/6

b)     General Purposes Committee – Report 2 – 2005/6

The report of the General Purposes Committee contains recommendations in respect of changes to Council Procedure Rules and 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.

Councillor Rice requested that the process for appointment of Independent Members of the Standards Committee be reported to Council.

RESOLVED:

1.     That reports 7, 8 and 9 /2005-6 of the Executive be received and adopted;

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

3.     That the recommendation of the General Purposes Committee of 24 October 2005 in respect of amendments to Council Standing Orders on Deputations, petitions and other matters, and amendments to the Constitution on delegated powers and urgency be adopted as Part E8 and F7 of the Council’s Constitution.

That a report be considered by Council on the proposed process for the appointment of Independent Members of the Standards Committee.   

Councillor Rice requested that the process for appointment of Independent Members of the Standards Committee be reported to Council.

RESOLVED:

1.     That reports 7, 8 and 9 /2005-6 of the Executive be received and adopted;

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

3.     That the recommendation of the General Purposes Committee of 24 October 2005 in respect of amendments to Council Standing Orders on Deputations, petitions and other matters, and amendments to the Constitution on delegated powers and urgency be adopted as Part E8 and F7 of the Council’s Constitution.

That a report be considered by Council on the proposed process for the appointment of Independent Members of the Standards Committee.   

MOTION F (2005/06):

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

“This Council notes:

·                    Haringey residents' public health concerns about mobile phone masts, with particular concern about the siting of masts near to schools, hospitals and residential properties.

·                    Legislation is weighted in favour of mobile phone companies and Haringey Council currently has little power to act on our residents' concerns

·                    Masts below 15m are exempt from planning permission

This Council believes:

·                    More national research is required into the potential health risks of mobile phone masts

·                    The 'precautionary principle' should apply and Councils like Haringey should be able to reject mast applications on health grounds

·                    Mobile phone companies should be required to make a full planning application for masts of any size and should always be required to provide a statement of the intensity and direction of the signal

This Council resolves:

·                    To write to Haringey's two Members of Parliament requesting they lobby Ministers for a moratorium on mast sites near to schools, hospitals and residential properties

·                    To ask our Members of Parliament to support any Bills in Parliament which would mean safer siting of phone masts, including giving Councils clear authority to reject mast applications on local public health grounds

·                    To write to all other London Boroughs to ask for their support in using the 'precautionary principle'”

MOTION G (2005/06):

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

“This Council welcomes the government’s determination to further improve the quality of education for children in England, set out in the Government’s recently-published Education White Paper.

Like the Government, this Council believes in education as one of the most important means through which we lessen and eradicate the injustices which still disfigure our society, and with which we create a society where power, wealth and opportunity are in the hands of the many not the few.

This Council takes immense pride in the ever-improving educational attainment of the Borough’s children, supported by their teachers, parents, headteachers, and governors.

This Council welcomes several aspects of the Education White Paper, in particular

·         the extension of school/parent contracts;

·         tough new nutritional standards for school food ;

·         the abolition of the Schools Organization Committee;

·         the power to act as a champion for the interests of children and parents in schools across the borough;

·         the introduction of new measures to assist in maintaining school discipline and to manage exclusions;

·         more funding for bilingual learners and other minority groups subject to underachievement;

·         better provision for Looked After Children.

However, this Council is also concerned about a number of the proposals in the White Paper.

In particular, this Council is concerned by:

·         the market-based model of provision that runs through the White Paper, and the rigid split between purchaser and provider, which characterized so many of the last Tory government’s unsuccessful reforms of public services, in particular the GP fundholder and railway privatization schemes;

·         the difficulties of delivering a fair admissions policy across the Borough if schools need  ...  view the full agenda text for item 69.

It was moved by Councillor Hoban and seconded by Councillor Williams that:

“This Council notes:

·      Haringey residents' public health concerns about mobile phone masts, with particular concern about the siting of masts near to schools, hospitals and residential properties.

·      Legislation is weighted in favour of mobile phone companies and Haringey Council currently has little power to act on our residents' concerns

·           Masts below 15m are exempt from planning permission

This Council believes:

·           More national research is required into the potential health risks of mobile phone masts

·           The 'precautionary principle' should apply and Councils like Haringey should be able to reject mast applications on health grounds

·           Mobile phone companies should be required to make a full planning application for masts of any size and should always be required to provide a statement of the intensity and direction of the signal

This Council resolves:

·           To write to Haringey's two Members of Parliament requesting they lobby Ministers for a moratorium on mast sites near to schools, hospitals and residential properties

·           To ask our Members of Parliament to support any Bills in Parliament which would mean safer siting of phone masts, including giving Councils clear authority to reject mast applications on local public health grounds

·           To write to all other London Boroughs to ask for their support in using the 'precautionary principle'”

An amendment to the motion was MOVED by Councillor Bull, and seconded by Councillor Lister proposing :

To delete all after the third bullet point “Masts below 15m are exempt from planning permission” and insert the following:

·       “The Council has established a Scrutiny Review on Mobile Phone masts to identify residents’ concerns and produce recommendations designed to address them at the earliest possible opportunity and looks forward to its full report.

This Council believes:

·           More national research is required into the potential health risks of mobile phone masts.

·           Councils like Haringey should be able to take health concerns into account when considering grounds for rejecting mobile phone mast applications.

·           Mobile phone companies should be required to make a full planning application for masts of any size and should always be required to provide a statement of the intensity and direction of the signal.

This Council resolves:

·           To write to Haringey's two Members of Parliament requesting they lobby Ministers for a moratorium on mast sites near to schools, hospitals and residential properties

·           To ask our Members of Parliament to support any Bills in Parliament which would mean safer siting of phone masts, including giving Councils clear authority to reject mast applications on local public health grounds

·           To write to all other London boroughs to ask for their support in pushing for health concerns to be relevant”.

The Amendment was then put to the meeting and declared CARRIED.

The substantive Motion was then put to the meeting and unanimously declared CARRIED.

69.             MOTION G (2005/06):

It was moved by Councillor Meehan and seconded by Councillor Jean Brown that:

“This Council welcomes the government’s determination to further improve the quality of education for children in  ...  view the full decision text for item 69.

It was moved by Councillor Hoban and seconded by Councillor Williams that:

“This Council notes:

·      Haringey residents' public health concerns about mobile phone masts, with particular concern about the siting of masts near to schools, hospitals and residential properties.

·      Legislation is weighted in favour of mobile phone companies and Haringey Council currently has little power to act on our residents' concerns

·           Masts below 15m are exempt from planning permission

This Council believes:

·           More national research is required into the potential health risks of mobile phone masts

·           The 'precautionary principle' should apply and Councils like Haringey should be able to reject mast applications on health grounds

·           Mobile phone companies should be required to make a full planning application for masts of any size and should always be required to provide a statement of the intensity and direction of the signal

This Council resolves:

·           To write to Haringey's two Members of Parliament requesting they lobby Ministers for a moratorium on mast sites near to schools, hospitals and residential properties

·           To ask our Members of Parliament to support any Bills in Parliament which would mean safer siting of phone masts, including giving Councils clear authority to reject mast applications on local public health grounds

·           To write to all other London Boroughs to ask for their support in using the 'precautionary principle'”

An amendment to the motion was MOVED by Councillor Bull, and seconded by Councillor Lister proposing :

To delete all after the third bullet point “Masts below 15m are exempt from planning permission” and insert the following:

·       “The Council has established a Scrutiny Review on Mobile Phone masts to identify residents’ concerns and produce recommendations designed to address them at the earliest possible opportunity and looks forward to its full report.

This Council believes:

·           More national research is required into the potential health risks of mobile phone masts.

·           Councils like Haringey should be able to take health concerns into account when considering grounds for rejecting mobile phone mast applications.

·           Mobile phone companies should be required to make a full planning application for masts of any size and should always be required to provide a statement of the intensity and direction of the signal.

This Council resolves:

·           To write to Haringey's two Members of Parliament requesting they lobby Ministers for a moratorium on mast sites near to schools, hospitals and residential properties

·           To ask our Members of Parliament to support any Bills in Parliament which would mean safer siting of phone masts, including giving Councils clear authority to reject mast applications on local public health grounds

·           To write to all other London boroughs to ask for their support in pushing for health concerns to be relevant”.

The Amendment was then put to the meeting and declared CARRIED.

The substantive Motion was then put to the meeting and unanimously declared CARRIED.

69.             MOTION G (2005/06):

It was moved by Councillor Meehan and seconded by Councillor Jean Brown that:

“This Council welcomes the government’s determination to further improve the quality of education for children in  ...  view the full minutes text for item 69.