Agenda item

Motion E (2009/10)

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

“This Council notes:

• The government’s proposal to scrap excess payments to local housing allowance claimants where their rent is lower than the rate of the allowance
• That this plan would see over 2,000 of the poorest families in Haringey up to £15 a week and £780 a year worse off
• As a result, £1.5million would be taken out of the local economy

This Council believes

• that these changes undermine the original objectives of local housing allowance which were to bring choice and fairness to the benefits system while combating poverty;

Therefore, this Council resolves

• To write to the Chancellor for the exchequer to reverse the government’s plan to scrap excess payments to local housing allowance claimants.
• Urges local MPs to sign Liberal Democrat Sarah Teather’s EDM 2069 to back the campaign against the change in policy”.

Motion F (2009/10)

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

“This Council notes:

1.      The Labour Government is currently consulting on plans to review the last year of the 3-year special grant for concessionary fares to support the introduction of the English National Concession which could very well lead to the grant to London Councils being cut by up to £29 million a year;

2.      that any move by central Government threatens the future of the much cherished Freedom Pass for elderly and disabled people;

3.      that as the concessionary fares scheme in London is currently only 66% funded by Government grant and that if the special grant is withdrawn this would reduce to about 50%;

4.      with alarm that London Councils estimate that the possible shortfall in funding could equate to £18 on the average Council Tax bill at a time of economic hardship;

Therefore, this Council resolves to:

1. Call upon the Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Sadiq Khan MP, to announce that he will not be withdrawing the special grant to London.

2. Urge local MPs to write to Ministers and demand funding for London is maintained at the promised level.

3. Continue to support efforts to ensure London gets an equal share of future concessionary fare funding”.

Motion G (2009/10)

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

“This Council

Notes that:

•         The current financial climate is difficult for Haringey residents

•         Haringey Council is taking steps to help those residents who are affected by the recession, through schemes such as the Haringey Guarantee

•         That all Labour controlled London boroughs have announced plans to help residents by freezing their council tax

Believes:

•         That the Council has a responsibility to help our residents when they need it the most

•         The Council must spend tax payer's money wisely and ensure value for money

•         That excessive Council Tax increases, like those introduced in Lib Dem controlled Kingston, Sutton and Richmond, really hit residents in their pockets

Resolves

•         To freeze Council Tax for all Haringey residents next year

•         To continue to improve services by moving resources from the back office to the frontline”

The Mayor agreed to receive Emergency MOTION H.

Motion H (2009/10)

It was moved by Councillor Scott and seconded by Councillor Gorrie that:

“This Council believes

·        that, as Haringey does not have a general hospital, residents in the borough have to rely heavily on services provided at the Whittington, North Middlesex and the Royal Free hospitals.

·        that local health services are vital to the well-being of local residents.

·        it is unacceptable to close A&E at either of these hospitals because this would result in longer journey times for patients in need of urgent care with potentially life threatening consequences.

This Council notes with great concern

·        information provided in a letter from North London Central NHS that 24-hour accident and emergency services are under threat of closure at the Whittington and North Middlesex hospitals.

Therefore resolves to

·        write to the North London Central NHS, the Chief Executive of the Whittington, North Middlesex NHS Trusts and the Secretary of State for Health highlighting our concerns that no 24-hour accident and emergency services should close that serve Haringey”.

The motion was then put to the vote and declared CARRIED unanimously.

MOTIONS E, F & G  were not reached.