Agenda for Council on Wednesday, 22nd September, 2010, 7.00 pm

Agenda and minutes

Venue: Council Chamber

Contact: Stephen Addison  Tel: 0208 379 4097. E-mail:  stephen.addison@enfield.gov.uk

Items
No. Item

42.

Poetry Reading

Minutes:

Maggie Butt from Middlesex University read the following poem:

 

Trent Park

 

These mornings when the clouds come down

to drift in ghostly veils upon the hills,

to lick each branch and leaf with drips

disguising the familiar -   students

shrug on thread-bare coats and new

personas for their  boundless lives.

 

Mist lifts and slips away – a guilty lover

with the dawn, as curtains open on new life,

the leaves glow gold, and drop a fortune’s

worth of coin, clattering from hedge

and branch, lighting path and field.

They bend to gather it. All richness is their due.

 

The seasons live here still, cold-shouldered

out of town, old fashioned in exactitude.

When lawns are glazed with ice and sky is deep

with snow, the lake glints silver through the sculpted trees,

and cold swims up from it to set each face.

They long for snowball fight, taste the air for signs.

 

And then, before you know, daffodils

waggle gaudy heads, distract us from

the shyer mysteries of bud and furl and sap,

opening like a First Night, raising the curtain

hoping for rave reviews.  Loud laughs,

exuberance of yellow. This their time.

 

Trees climb the hills, dress in green, layered

upon green, form pools of calm fertility.

Ivy swarms up walls, fields remember sheep,

the stately step and slow chew of them.

Students emerge blinking from exams

lie on new-mown grass and dream.

43.

MAYOR'S ANNOUNCEMENTS

Minutes:

The Mayor made the following announcements:

 

1.         New art in the Council Chamber

 

You may have noticed the new art that is hanging on the walls of the Council Chamber this evening.  These come from a recent young people’s photography project and may I thank Loraine Cox and her Team for organising the project and for arranging for them to be hung here this evening.

 

2.         Summer Events

 

I attended a number of fantastic events over the summer including the Autumn Show.  I particularly enjoyed the music at the Autumn Show and hope this will be continued in future years.

 

3.         Quiz Night

 

I would like to invite everyone present to the Mayor’s Quiz night on 18 November 2010, tickets are £5 and are available from Rhoda.  I do hope this event will be well supported.

 

4.         70th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain

 

I was invited to a service last Sunday to commemorate the 70th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain.  It was a very moving service and it is important to commemorate the sacrifice of the men and women who served then and now in our armed forces and to those who gave their lives in the service of their country.

 

Can I ask you all to stand for a minutes silence in memory of the men and women who lost their lives during the Battle of Britain?

44.

MINUTES pdf icon PDF 64 KB

To approve, as a correct record, the minutes of the Council meeting held on 30 June 2010.

Minutes:

NOTED that with regard to Minute 36 Councillor Rye advised the Council that the written reply promised by Councillor Stafford to supplementary question 17 had not been received.

 

AGREED that the minutes of the Council meeting held on 30 June 2010 be confirmed and signed as a correct record.

45.

APOLOGIES

Minutes:

Apologies for absence were received fom Councillors Constantinides, Deacon, Kaye, Stafford, Zetter and Zinkin.  An apology for lateness was received from Councillor Barker.

46.

DECLARATION OF INTERESTS pdf icon PDF 25 KB

Members of the Council are invited to identify any personal or prejudicial interests relevant to items on the agenda. Please refer to the guidance note attached to the agenda.

Minutes:

At the request of the Mayor, the Assistant Director Corporate Governance advised the Councillors on the potential need for them to declare a prejudicial or personal interest in Item 13.1 if they were a member of a trade union that was directly involved in the dispute or which had expressed its support.

 

Councillors Brett, Taylor G Savva Simbodyal, Berryman, Keazor, Lemonides, Uzoanya, Murphy, Cole, Hamilton, Robinson, Cazimoglu, Hasan, Simon, Anwar and Headley declared personal interests being members of trade unions that may have expressed support for the industrial dispute set out in motion before Council (Agenda Item 13.1).

47.

LONDON COUNCILS PRIVATE BILL - AMENDMENTS TO THE GREATER LONDON AUTHORITY ACT 1999 pdf icon PDF 26 KB

To receive the report of the Director of Finance and Corporate Resources (No. 70) setting out an outline of proposals for a new private parliamentary Bill which would amend the Greater London Authority Act 1999 in relation to concessionary fares.

Minutes:

Councillor Taylor advised that he was withdrawing this item from the Council agenda. 

 

Councillor Taylor confirmed that London Councils had advised that the proposed bill was not now going to proceed and set out the background to this decision.  He also highlighted the unusual circumstances relating to the provision of freedom passes, where the London Boroughs have to pay for the service at a price unilaterally set by Transport for London (TfL).  He went on to set out his view that with the likely increased pressure on budgets, TfL may try to increase charges in the future at a time when budgets are very difficult for the boroughs. 

 

He confirmed that he had recently met with representatives from the Enfield over 50s Forum on the bill and he thanked them for their work in lobbying locally and for leading the campaign against the bill across London.

The Mayor invited Mr Meth to address the Council to set out the reasons that the members of the Enfield Over 50s Forum were opposed to the bill.

 

Mr Meth hoped that lessons had been learnt from this whole process, as in his view this was the worst type of consultation.  The promoters of the bill had failed to consult with older people in London.  He felt that future decisions relating to the services provided for older people needed to be taken following consultation. 

48.

Annual programme of work for scrutiny 2010/11 pdf icon PDF 42 KB

To receive the report of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee (No. 46A) setting out the annual work programme for the Council’s Scrutiny Panels and Overview & Scrutiny Committee (OSC).

 

This report is to be considered at the Cabinet meeting to be held on 15 September 2010.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Councillor Simon presented the report of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee (No. 46A) setting out the annual work programme for the Council’s Scrutiny Panels and Overview & Scrutiny Committee (OSC).

 

NOTED

 

1.         that the combined Scrutiny Panel Work Programmes had been considered and endorsed at the Cabinet meeting held on 15 September 2010.

 

2.         that Councillor Simon requested that the Council procedure rules relating to the right of reply for a mover of a report at Council be considered at the next meeting of the Governance Review Group.

 

AGREED the annual Scrutiny Work Programme 2010/11 (as detailed in Appendix 1) of the report having considered the comments from CMB and Cabinet.

49.

Minor Changes to the Memorandum of Understanding for the Joint Waste Development Plan Document (JWDPD) pdf icon PDF 46 KB

To receive the report of the Director of Place Shaping and Enterprise (No. 56) seeking approval to minor changes to the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the production of the North London Joint Waste Development Plan Document, now known as the North London Waste Plan (NLWP).

 

This report is to be considered at the Cabinet meeting to be held on 15 September 2010.

Minutes:

Councillor Bond presented the report of the Director of Place Shaping and Enterprise (No. 56) seeking approval to minor changes to the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the production of the North London Joint Waste Development Plan Document, now known as the North London Waste Plan (NLWP).

 

NOTED that the report had been endorsed at the Cabinet meeting held on 15 September 2010.

 

AGREED

 

1.                  the Supplemental Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the production of a North London Waste Development Plan Document (NLWP) between the London Boroughs of Barnet, Camden, Enfield, Hackney, Haringey, Islington and Waltham Forest.

 

2.                  that the Local Development Framework Sub-Committee be authorised to consider and approve further revisions to the MoU.

50.

Recommendations from the Governance Review Working Group pdf icon PDF 19 KB

To receive the report of the Director of Finance and Corporate Resources (No. 71) setting out a recommendation to Council from the Governance Review Group meeting held on 9 September 2010.

Minutes:

Councillor Taylor presented the report of the Director of Finance and Corporate Resources (No. 71) setting out a recommendation to Council from the Governance Review Group meeting held on 9 September 2010.

 

AGREED the following changes to the Council’s Constitution:

 

1.         that paragraph 13.2 (g) (vi) of the Opposition Business Procedure within the Constitution should be amended to read:

 

“The debate should contain specific outcomes, recommendations or formal proposals.”

 

2.         that a new paragraph 13.2 (g) (ix) be inserted in the Opposition Business Procedure to read:

 

“If requested by the Leader of the Opposition or a nominated representative, a vote will be taken.”

51.

ANNUAL TREASURY MANAGEMENT OUTTURN REPORT 2009/10 & REVISED INVESTMENT STRATEGY 2010/11 pdf icon PDF 69 KB

To receive the report of the Director of Finance and Corporate Resources (No. 50A) reviewing the activities of the Council’s Treasury Management function over the financial year ended 31 March 2010.  The report makes recommendations to extend the Council’s investment criteria to allow specified investments up to 364 days.

 

This report is to be considered at the Cabinet meeting to be held on 15 September 2010.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Councillor Lemonides presented the report of the Director of Finance and Corporate Resources (No. 50A) reviewing the activities of the Council’s Treasury Management function over the financial year ended 31 March 2010. 

 

NOTED

1.         that the report made recommendations to extend the Council’s investment criteria to allow specified investments up to 364 days.

 

2.         that the recommendations set out in the report were endorsed at the Cabinet meeting held on 15 September 2010.

 

AGREED

 

1.         the Treasury Outturn report for the financial year ended 31 March 2010.

 

2.         the changes to the 2010/11 investment criteria as set out in Appendix 2 of the report.

52.

COUNCILLORS’ QUESTION TIME pdf icon PDF 103 KB

12.1    Urgent Questions (Part 4 - Paragraph 9.2.(b) of Constitution – Page 4-9)

 

With the permission of the Mayor, questions on urgent issues may be tabled with the proviso of a subsequent written response if the issue requires research or is considered by the Mayor to be minor.

 

Please note that the Mayor will decide whether a question is urgent or not. 

 

The definition of an urgent question is “An issue which could not reasonably have been foreseen or anticipated prior to the deadline for the submission of questions and which needs to be considered before the next meeting of the Council.”

 

Submission of urgent questions to Council requires the Member when submitting the question to specify why the issue could not have been reasonably foreseen prior to the deadline and why it has to be considered before the next meeting. 

 

A supplementary question is not permitted.

 

12.2    Councillors’ Questions (Part 4 – Paragraph 9.2(a) of Constitution – Page 4 - 8)

 

The forty nine questions and responses are attached to the agenda.

 

The Council may decide to set aside more than the 30 minutes provided in the Constitution for questions.  Any extension to the time allowed must be moved and seconded, with the duration of the proposed extension being stated at the time.

Minutes:

1.         Urgent Questions (Part 4 - Paragraph 9.2.(b) of Constitution – Page 4-9)

 

NOTED

 

1.         that the following urgent question had been received and accepted by the Mayor in accordance with the criteria set out in the constitution. 

 

2.         that the written response from Councillor Bond set out below was tabled at the meeting.

 

Urgent question from Councillor Prescott to Councillor Bond (Cabinet Member for Environment, Street Scene & Parks)

 

“In the meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny yesterday evening Cllr Bond announced the council had taken a decision to open a new civic amenity site “in the eastern side of the borough”

 

Where is the report that this decision was made from and more importantly what is the location?”

 

Reply from Councillor Bond:

 

“The draft minutes of Overview & Scrutiny meeting last  night stated that Councillor Bond was looking into the reprovision of a HWRC (Household Waste and Recycling Centre) in the north east of the Borough.   This is to replace the closed Carterhatch Lane site closed by the previous administration which has proved exceedingly unpopular in the eastern part of the Borough.  Officers have been discussing options to take this forward with NLWA as part of the replacement of the main waste disposal contract in 2014.  The NLWA procurement work has identified that one of the value for money approaches to achieving high recycling rates is through the provision of further HWRC's in the north of the NLWA area, based upon a 2 mile distance for residents to travel to the nearest HWRC.  The current provision shows one of the areas currently not covered by this would be North Enfield.

 

At the NLWA meeting on the 30th June 2010 it was agreed that the NLWA adopt the following policy for HWRC provision:

 

"The Authority aims for 95% of residents to live within a two mile radius of a Household Waste and Recycling Centre (or Reuse and Recycling Centre as referred to by the London Mayor)".

 

All options will be looked at to fulfil the known need for a new HWRC in Enfield.  There is no report as there is no decision, therefore there is no location agreed and when there is, hopefully sooner rather than later, the proper procedures will be followed by this administration.  The residents of Enfield were clear in May that this was one of their main concerns which we are responding to and hopefully be able to bring recommendations forward as soon as we can.”

 

2.         Questions by Councillors

 

NOTED

 

1.         the forty nine questions, on the Council’s agenda, which received a written reply by the relevant Cabinet Member.

 

2.         the following supplementary questions received for the questions indicated below:

 

Question 2 from Councillor Simon to Councillor Georgiou, the Cabinet Member for Public and Service Delivery

 

“Would Councillor Georgiou agree with me that spending Council money for political advantage in an election year is a serious matter and would he ask the Monitoring Officer to undertake an investigation to ensure there was  ...  view the full minutes text for item 52.

53.

MOTIONS

13.1    In the name of CouncillorRye OBE

 

“Enfield Council does not support the action of the Transport Unions in London taking strike action, when they have been given a guarantee of no compulsory redundancies (unlike many workers across the country) causing massive inconvenience to all Londoners, including many Enfield residents,  and instructs the Leader of the Council to write to the appropriate union leaders informing them of this view.”

 

13.2    In the name of Councillor Taylor

 

“This Council notes with concern the implications of cuts to public spending which are expected to be announced by the Government in October. At the heart of this Council’s vision is its desire for fairness and community cohesion. Large Government cuts threaten that.

 

This Council instructs the Leader of the Council to write to the Chancellor of the Exchequer to point out the ramification of the Government’s cuts for people across the whole of Enfield.

 

The Leader of the Opposition is invited to support this letter.”

 

13.3    In the name of Councillor Lavender

 

“This Council welcomes the efforts by all three political parties to lobby London Councils for the repatriation to the constituent boroughs of grants for the voluntary sector.

 

It calls upon the council to ringfence to the voluntary sector any monies repatriated subject to ensuring that value for money is achieved by adhering to the decision of the Audit Committee to carry out full risk assessments before grants are awarded.”

Minutes:

1.         Councillor Rye moved and Councillor East seconded, the following motion:

 

“Enfield Council does not support the action of the Transport Unions in London taking strike action, when they have been given a guarantee of no compulsory redundancies (unlike many workers across the country) causing massive inconvenience to all Londoners, including many Enfield residents, and instructs the Leader of the Council to write to the appropriate union leaders informing them of this view.

 

”During the debate Councillor Brett moved and Councillor Charalambous seconded the following amendment:

 

“Enfield Council calls upon Transport for London to negotiate in good faith with the Rail Unions to resolve the current Industrial Relations issues and to ensure that the health and safety of Londoners is protected, and a good service is provided for passengers.”

 

Councillor Lavender moved and Councillor Waterhouse seconded the following further amendment:

 

“Enfield Council calls upon Transport for London and the Rail Unions to negotiate in good faith to resolve the current Industrial Relations issues and to ensure that the health and safety of Londoners is protected, and a good service is provided for passengers.”

 

The revised amendment was agreed by the Council.

 

The following substantive motion was then agreed by the Council.

 

“Enfield Council calls upon Transport for London and the Rail Unions to negotiate in good faith to resolve the current Industrial Relations issues and to ensure that the health and safety of Londoners is protected, and a good service is provided for passengers.”

 

2.         Councillor Taylor moved and Councillor Sitkin seconded the following motion:

 

“This Council notes with concern the implications of cuts to public spending which are expected to be announced by the Government in October. At the heart of this Council’s vision is its desire for fairness and community cohesion. Large Government cuts threaten that.

 

This Council instructs the Leader of the Council to write to the Chancellor of the Exchequer to point out the ramification of the Government’s cuts for people across the whole of Enfield.

 

The Leader of the Opposition is invited to support this letter.”

 

After a lengthy debate, the motion was then put to the vote and agreed with the following result:

 

For: 30

Against: 19

Abstained: 0

 

3.         Councillor Lavender moved and Councillor Hall seconded the following motion:

 

“This Council welcomes the efforts by all three political parties to lobby London Councils for the repatriation to the constituent boroughs of grants for the voluntary sector.

 

It calls upon the council to ringfence to the voluntary sector any monies repatriated subject to ensuring that value for money is achieved by adhering to the decision of the Audit Committee to carry out full risk assessments before grants are awarded.”

 

During the debate Councillor Anwar moved and Councillor Goddard seconded the following amendment:

 

First paragraph second line after "London Councils...," delete the rest and insert, "and the announcement made by the London Councils AGM on 8th June 2010 to review its grants programme. This meeting appreciates the additional funding of £1.9 million made available  ...  view the full minutes text for item 53.

54.

URGENT DECISIONS REQUIRING THE WAIVING OF THE CALL-IN PROCEDURE (PART 4.2 – PARAGRAPH 17.3 – PAGE 4-34)

Council is asked to note the decisions taken and the reasons for urgency.  The decisions set out below were made in accordance with the Council’s Constitution and Scrutiny Rules of Procedure (Paragraph 17.3 – relating to the waiving of the requirement to allow a 5-day call-in period):

 

i.          Turin Grove and Gladys Ayward Academies – Transfer of Assets and Staff

 

Decision:

 

To approve the asset and staff transfer agreement relating to Turin Grove and the Gladys Aylward Schools.

 

Reason for Urgency:

 

The Council had not been in a position to take a decision prior to this and the school was opened as an Academy from 1 September 2010.

Minutes:

NOTED the decision taken and the reason for urgency set out below was made in accordance with the Council’s Constitution and Scrutiny Rules of Procedure (Paragraph 17.3 – relating to the waiving of the requirement to allow a 5-day call-in period):

 

i.          Turin Grove and Gladys Ayward Academies – Transfer of Assets and Staff

 

Decision:

 

To approve the asset and staff transfer agreement relating to Turin Grove and the Gladys Aylward Schools.

 

Reason for Urgency:

 

The Council had not been in a position to take a decision prior to this and the school was opened as an Academy from 1 September 2010.

55.

MEMBERSHIPS

To confirm the following change to committee memberships:

 

i.          Edmonton Partnership Working Party

 

Councillor Hall to fill vacancy.

Minutes:

AGREED the following change to committee memberships:

 

1.         Edmonton Partnership Working Party - Councillor Hall to fill vacancy.

56.

NOMINATIONS TO OUTSIDE BODIES

To confirm the following changes to nominations to outside bodies:

 

i.          Edmonton United Charities

 

Councillors During and Simbodyal to be appointed to vacancies.  Councillor Headley to replace Councillor Vince.

 

ii.         EREC Executive Committee

 

Councillor Anolue to replace Councillor During and Councillor Jukes to be appointed to vacancy.

 

iii.        EREC

 

Councillor Ekechi to replace Councillor Anolue.

 

iv.        North London Waste

 

Councillor Stafford to replace Councillor Bond. 

 

v.         North London Waste Planning Members Group

 

Councillor Bond to fill vacancy.

Minutes:

AGREED the following changes to nominations to outside bodies:

 

1.         Edmonton United Charities - Councillors During and Simbodyal to be appointed to vacancies.  Councillor Headley to replace Councillor Vince.

 

2.         EREC Executive Committee - Councillor Anolue to replace Councillor During and Councillor Jukes to be appointed to vacancy.

 

3.         EREC - Councillor Ekechi to replace Councillor Anolue.

 

4.         North London Waste - Councillor Stafford to replace Councillor Bond. 

 

5.         North London Waste Planning Members Group - Councillor Bond to fill vacancy.

57.

Called in decisions

None received.

Minutes:

None.

58.

DATE OF NEXT MEETING

The next meeting of the Council will be held on 10 November 2010 at 7.00 p.m. at the Civic Centre.

Minutes:

NOTED that the next meeting of the Council was to be held on 10 November 2010 at 7.00 p.m. at the Civic Centre.