Issue - meetings

To receive a report from the Director of Finance, Resources & Customer Services (No.179A) seeking approval to the adoption of a new Corporate Procurement Strategy 2011-2015.

Council is asked to note that this item is due to be considered by Cabinet on 18 January 2012 and an update on any decision made as a result will be provided for the Council meeting.  (Key Decision – Reference 3402)

Please note the Strategy document referred to in the report has already been circulated to all members as part of the Cabinet agenda for the meeting on 18 January 2012.  The cover report accompanying the Strategy has been included on this agenda with a copy of the full Strategy document placed, for reference, in the Members Library and Group Offices.  If required, additional copies can also be obtained by contacting James Kinsella (Governance Team Manager).

Councillor Stafford (as Cabinet Member for Finance & Property) moved and Councillor Goddard (as Cabinet Member for Business and Regeneration) seconded the report from the Director of Finance, Resources and Customer Services (No.179A) seeking approval to the adoption of a new Corporate Procurement Strategy.

NOTED

1.            The recommendations set out in the report had been endorsed by Cabinet on 14 December 2011.

2.            The Strategy had been designed to provide a clear policy direction on effective and sustainable procurement across the Council and enable the Authority to be in a good position to influence partners and the supply chain when procuring goods, services and works.  The Strategy was felt to represent best practice and showed the Council leading by example in promoting good social, economic and environmentally sustainable procurement.

3.            In response to concerns highlighted by the Opposition Group an assurance was provided that work would continue to engage with small and medium local businesses and the Third Sector with implementation of the policy in order to enable them to compete effectively. 

AGREED the Corporate Procurement Strategy and Sustainable Procurement Policy 2011-2015.

To receive a report from the Chief Executive (No.131) asking the Council to consider whether it wishes to submit the representations recommended by the Electoral Review Panel on 11 October 2011 to the Boundary Commission for England, in response to their initial proposals for review of Parliamentary constituency boundaries.

Councillor Stafford (as Cabinet member for Finance & Property) moved and Councillor Waterhouse seconded the report from the Chief Executive (No.130) outlining representations drafted by the Electoral Review Panel on 11 October 2011, on behalf of the Council, for submission to the Boundary Commission for England.  These were in response to the Commissions proposals for review of the Parliamentary Constituency boundaries.

NOTED

1.      The amendment tabled at the meeting, moved by Councillor Stafford, to the 1^st bullet point of the proposed submission to the Boundary Commission in section 3.6.1 of the report.  This amendment was seconded by Councillor Waterhouse and was approved by Council.

2.      The cross party and unanimous support for the representations (as amended) set out in section 3.6.1 of the report and concerns relating to the Commission’s proposals for Enfield, which were not felt:

(a)    to be in the best interests of the people of Enfield and its surrounding area;

(b)    to have recognised:

·              the nature of the geographical boundaries between Edmonton & Chingford or lack of historic and local ties between both areas;

·              the demographic differences between Edmonton & Chingford; and

·              the strength of historical ties between Edmonton & Enfield.

3.      The following additional recommendation moved by Councillor Rye and seconded by Councillor Prescott during the debate, for consideration as part of the Council’s final submission:

“Representations also be made to London Councils seeking development of a pan London response to the Commission’s proposals aimed at producing a more co-ordinated approach between Borough and Parliamentary boundaries.”

This additional recommendation was agreed by Council.

AGREED that subject to the following amendments, the representations set out in paragraph 3.6.1 of the report be approved by the Council for submission to the Boundary Commission for England:

(1)    First bullet point to read “We believe that the sub regionalisation of London into London North East and London North West does not work in the best interests of Enfield, particularly as the bulk of the borough is to the west of the River Lee, which the Commission has considered as a geographical boundary in its considerations.

(2)    Representations also be made to London Councils seeking development of a pan London response to the Commission’s proposals aimed at producing a more co-ordinated approach between borough and Parliamentary boundaries.

To receive the eighth annual report of the London Borough of Enfield’s Standards Committee for 2010/11.  The report sets out the key issues dealt with by the committee during the past year and looks ahead to its priorities for 2011/12.

The report was agreed at the Standards Committee meeting held on 21 April 2011.

Lawrence Greenberg Independent member and Chair of the Standards Committee, moved and Councillor Simon seconded the eighth annual report of the London Borough of Enfield’s Standards Committee 2010/11.

In moving the report Lawrence Greenberg highlighted:

1.      the varied work of the Committee and number of changes to the standards framework being considered, focussed around the Localism Bill currently going through Parliament.  Once agreed, the Committee would need to consider how these changes were implemented.

2.      the work undertaken by the independent members in attending various meetings of the Council in order to raise the profile of the Committee.

3.      that whilst it was possible to resolve most complaints informally, involving the Monitoring Officer and Party Groups, there had been one formal complaint dealt with during 2010/11 and another two to date during 2011/12.  It was hoped that the support of both Groups in resolving these issues informally would continue over the next and future years.

4.      his thanks to all members and officers involved in supporting the Committee for their contributions over the year.

Councillor Simon thanked the Independent members of the Standards Committee for their effort and work over the last year.

AGREED to endorse the 2010/11 Annual Report from the Standards Committee.