Agenda and minutes

The election of a Chair/Deputy Chair of the meeting was not required. 

The Mayor’s Chaplain to give a blessing.

The Mayor advised that her chaplain Father Emmanuel – Parish Priest of St Edmonds Church, Edmonton had given his apologies for the meeting, so no blessing would be offered.

The Mayor made the following announcements:

·              She introduced Andy Rippington to the Council, as the newly appointed chauffer attendant and wished him every success for his time at Enfield.

The Mayor highlighted the following achievements:

(a)         Mayor’s Award for Enfield’s Public Speaking Competition

The Mayor advised that she was delighted to be joined at the meeting by 2 pupils (Renee Kapuku and Chinma Johnson-Nwosu) from St Anne’s Catholic High School, as winners of the Mayor’s Award at the Enfield’s Public Speaking Competition.

The pupils had impressed the judges with their poise and ability and both were invited to read their winning speeches to the Council.

Although unable to attend the meeting, she also reported that Michael Deane from Bowes Primary School, had won the Primary Public Speaking competition for the second year in a row.

All three pupils were warmly congratulated by the Council for their achievements.

(b)        Fighting Fraud Award – Enfield’s Counter Fraud Team

The Mayor was delighted to report that Council’s Counter Fraud Team in partnership with the Enfield Police Payback Team, had won a Fighting Fraud Award, supported by the National Fraud Authority.

These inaugural awards were for public sector organisations and recognised the good work, innovation, and best practice being developed and implemented within the public sector to combat and prevent fraud.

The awards covered five categories which were collaboration, fraud awareness, innovation, prevention, and sanctions.  The Counter Fraud Team had picked up the top prize in the sanctions category, which was awarded for the success the joint partnership had achieved in using proceeds of crime legislation to recover funds from those people who committed fraud.  The collaboration had also resulted in the training and mentoring of a Counter Fraud Team investigation officer to become a fully accredited financial investigator and the training of another council officer.

The Counter Fraud Team had been one of three organisations shortlisted under the category of 'The Sanctions Award'.

The following members of the Team were invited by the Mayor to come forward and collect their award – Leslie Marshall (Counter Fraud Manager); Dectective Sergeant Angus Naismith (Enfield Police Payback Team); Michael Tobin (Counter Fraud Investigator); Bob Cundick (Counter Fraud Team Leader); Graham Soar (Senior Housing Investigator); Belma Mahmut (Intelligence Officer); Debra McIntosh & Michael Musgrave (Counter Fraud Investigator)

The Council congratulated the team for their success in winning the award.

(c)         Home Office – Crime Fighting Award

The Mayor was again delighted to announce that the work being undertaken within Enfield to tackle gangs and serious youth violence had won the prestigious national Tilley Award.  These awards recognised innovative crime fighting projects where local councils, police, community groups and the public had successfully worked together to deal with local problems. Enfield was the first London Borough to receive the prestigious award.

The award had recognised:

·              Enfield’s unique approach to tackling gangs had led to a long term reduction of 28% in youth violence. This had included inviting gang members to England’s first  ...  view the full minutes text for item 107.

To approve, as a correct record, the minutes of the Council meeting held on Wednesday 7 November 2012.

AGREED that the minutes of the Council meeting held on Wednesday 7 November 2012 be confirmed and signed as a correct record.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Ali Bakir, Jonas Hall, Don McGowan.

Apologies for lateness were received from Councillors Rohini Simbodyal & Lionel Zetter.

Members of the Council are invited to identify any disclosable pecuniary other pecuniary or non pecuniary interests relevant to items on the agenda.

John Austin (Assistant Director Corporate Governance) reminded members of the requirements within the new Member Code of Conduct, relating to the declaration of interests.  The code had introduced a new category of disclosable pecuniary interests (DPIs) which in effect had replaced the previous category of prejudicial interests.

Members were advised that:

·              these interests extended not only to themselves but also to those of their spouse, partner, civil partner, family members or persons with whom they had a close association or personal relationship, and where they were aware that they had an interest.

·              when considering registering or disclosing any interests, they would still need to consider whether a member of the public, with knowledge of the relevant facts, would reasonably regard the interest as so significant that it would be likely to prejudice their judgement of the public interest and if so the interest should be declared.

·              If they considered they had a DPI or prejudicial interest in any matter being considered at the meeting they would need to declare that interest and must leave the meeting until the conclusion of the matter under discussion.  They would not be permitted to discuss or vote on the matter in question and would also need to ensure that the Monitoring Officer was notified of the interest (if not already declared), unless a dispensation had been granted.

Given the number of enquiries from Members relating to potential DPIs in relation to Agenda Item 8 (Council Tax Local Support Scheme) the Councillor Conduct Committee had met on the 28 January 2013 to consider the granting of a general dispensation in relation to this item.  The Committee had agreed that the granting of any dispensation should be considered on an individual rather than general basis.  This would be based on the delegated authority available to the Assistant Director Corporate Governance to issue a dispensation on the grounds that the number of DPIs would mean that either:

·              the transaction of business would be impeded; or

·              the representation of different political groups on the Council would be so upset as to alter the outcome of any vote on the matter;

If the number of DPIs was not sufficient for the above conditions to apply then it would not be possible for the Assistant Director Corporate Governance to grant a dispensation and the members with the DPI would need to withdraw from the meeting and would not be able to participate in the discussion or vote on the item.

As a result of the advice provided, the following interests were declared at the meeting:

Agenda item 8 – Council Tax Support Local Scheme, Technical Changes, Council Tax & Business Rate Taxbase

Disclosable Pecuniary Interests were declared by the following members in the respect of the above item as either they or their spouse, partner or close family member or a person with whom they had a close association or personal relationship received or benefited from the receipt of Council Tax benefit:

Councillors Kate Anolue; Chaudhury Anwar; Caitriona Bearryman; Chris Bond;  ...  view the full minutes text for item 110.

An issues paper prepared by the Opposition Group is attached for the consideration of Council.

The Constitution Procedure Rules relating to Opposition Business are attached for information.

Councillor Lavender introduced the issues paper, prepared by the Conservative Group.  Issues highlighted were as follows:

·              The need to recognise the ongoing impact of previous government expenditure, borrowing and taxation policies on the need for current public sector austerity measures.  The Chancellors Autumn Statement had outlined that further public sector budget reductions would continue until at least 2018 for which local government could be expected to bear a significant amount.  Following the announcement of the Provisional Local Government Finance Settlement for 2013-14 and 2014-15 the Local Government Association had estimated that non schools revenue funding would decrease by an additional 4.8%, with limited opportunities to address the gap available through increase in Council Tax as a result of the referendum limits that had been confirmed.

·              The need to recognise the limited scope available to manage these ongoing funding reductions and retain services as a result of the continued maximisation of efficiencies and need to proactively plan for the budget reductions required.

·              The prudent approach adopted by the previous Conservative Administration towards management of the Council’s budget, which had seen the LEANER programme introduced and the build up of reserves and balances to protect services from unexpected pressures.

·              As a result of the concerns expressed the Opposition Group felt there was a need for tough decisions to be made in order to protect the long term financial health of the authority and avoid the risk of setting an unbalanced budget.  This would include the need to stop spending unnecessary money and look at new ways of reducing the increasing demand on services.

The Opposition Group felt there was a need to ensure that public awareness was raised around the scale of difficult decisions that needed to be made in order to protect the medium and long term financial position of the Council and that these were recognised and addressed by the current Administration.

Councillor Taylor, Cabinet, Leader of the Council, responded on behalf of the Majority Group, highlighting:

·              what was felt to be the fatalistic nature, wide scope and limited level of detail and substance in the Opposition Business Paper.

·              The need to recognise the impact of the current coalition Government’s economic policy in relation to the limited level of growth being experienced and pace of spending reductions in the public sector.

·              The ongoing impact of the reductions in local government funding had been recognised by the National Audit Office and also by the Leaders of 30 Conservative controlled local authorities who had written to the Secretary of State highlighting the consequences of the continued reductions in expenditure.  In addition there was a need to recognise the unfair impact of the current damping mechanism in relation to the funding formula allocation on Enfield.

·              The current Administrations commitment to maintain a sensible year by year fiscal policy, recognising the difficulty in predicting the future level of Government funding that would be available.

·              The impact of the increasing level of demand on local authority services had been recognised and the Administration had  ...  view the full minutes text for item 111.

To receive a report from the Director of Finance, Resources & Customer Services presenting the Council and Business Rate Tax Base for approval and updating members on proposals for Local Council Tax support scheme.

TO FOLLOW

(Report No.138A)

(Key Decision – Reference No.3588)

Members are asked to note that Cabinet are also due to receive an update on the scheme on Wednesday 23 January 2013.  Any comments made as a result of this will be reported to the Council, in order to inform consideration of the above item.

Councillor Stafford moved and Councillor Taylor seconded the report of the Director of Finance, Resources & Customer Services (No.138A) presenting the Council and Business Rate Taxbase and seeking approval on an option for introduction of a local Council Tax Support Scheme.

NOTED

1.      The need to set up a local Council Tax Support Scheme had arisen as a result of the Government replacing the national Council Tax Benefit scheme with local schemes of support.  The Council was required to approve a local scheme of Council Tax support by 31 January 2013.  If the deadline was not met the Government’s Default Scheme would be imposed.

2.      The changes to Council Tax Benefit were being progressed as part of the wider package of Welfare Reform changes by the Government but would involve a significant change in view of the fact that:

a.      they had been accompanied by a reduction in Government grant funding for the scheme.  This would involve the Council having to fund a net deficit of £4.0m (after Council Tax technical changes for 2013/14 had been taken into account) compared to the current benefit regime; and

b.      the risk of any increase in caseload would be borne locally and would not attract additional grant funding.

3.      The Council had, as required by law, consulted the Greater London Authority and local residents on a draft local scheme and the options available, as detailed within section 4 of the report.

4.      The scheme model options available for consideration, as detailed within section 4.7 and Appendix A of the report along with the Equalities Impact Assessment that had been undertaken on each option as detailed in section 6 and Appendix H of the report.

5.      In addition, consideration had also been given to the Governments one year Transitional Grant Scheme, which had been announced on the final day of the consultation period, as detailed in section 5 of the report.  Whilst providing a one off grant of £670k, if an 8.5% limit on reduced support was applied and various other criteria were met, this had been calculated to create a funding shortfall of £805k in 2013/14 rising to £1.5m in 2014/15.

6.      The difficult nature of the decision needing to be made, given the potential need to pass on any reduction in support in terms of families and individuals in receipt of the benefit on low income.

7.      The amendments to the report, as detailed on the amendment sheet tabled at the meeting.

8.      As a result of the consultation process and consideration given to the scheme options available, the Cabinet member for Finance & Property advised that Option B (fully funded percentage reduction 19.5%) was being recommended for approval.

9.      The intention to establish a hardship scheme, as detailed within section 7.2 of the report.

10.    The concerns highlighted by the Opposition Group in relation to:

a.      The limited notice provided by the Majority Group on the recommended model scheme option being proposed for consideration; and

b.      The outcome of the consultation process  ...  view the full minutes text for item 112.

Councillor Brett moved and Councillor Taylor seconded a proposal to change the order of business on the agenda under paragraph 2.2 (page 4-5) of the Council’s procedure rules to enable the meeting to take the following as the next items of business:

·              Item 14: Annual Public Health Report

·              Item 17.1: Motion in the name of Councillor Hamilton on reductions in the emergency services

The change in order of the agenda was agreed without a vote.

Please note the minutes reflect the order in which the items were dealt with at the meeting.

To receive a report from the Director of Public Health presenting the Annual Public Health report.   (Report No.121)

(Non Key)

Members are asked to note that:

·              the report was considered by Cabinet on 5 December 2012 and recommended onto Council for information and noting.

·              the Annual Report has already been circulated to members.  A copy has not, therefore, been included with the Council agenda but will be available in the Members Library, Group Offices and also with the agenda via the Democracy page of the Council’s website.  If required, additional copies will also be available by contacting James Kinsella (Governance Team Manager.

Councillor Hamilton moved and Councillor Charalambous seconded the report of the Director of Public Health (No.121) presenting, for information only, the Council’s Annual Public Health Report 2012.

NOTED

1.      The legal requirement on the Council to publish the Director of Public Health’s Annual Report.

2.            The thanks expressed by both Groups to officers for their hard work in managing the Public Health transition process and in preparing the report.

3.            The five main priorities for Public Health (as detailed below) and actions outlined within the report to address these issues:

·              Tackling childhood obesity;

·              Narrowing the life expectancy gap;

·              Making health everybody’s business;

·              Making every contact count;

·              Putting Health in every policy

4.      The opportunity provided as a result of Public Health responsibilities being transferred back under Local Authority control to ensure a more integrated approach towards delivery of the priorities outlined in 3. above.

5.      The level of health inequalities within Enfield identified within the report and the support expressed by members for the specific activities and action designed to address child obesity.

6.      Whilst members welcomed the transfer of Public Health responsibilities back to the Local Authority, concern was highlighted at the allocation of funding to accompany the transfer which was approx 13.6% below the target budget.  The Cabinet Member for Community Wellbeing & Public Health advised that this would not affect the commitment towards tackling the priorities identified, but lobbying would continue in relation to the funding allocation.

AGREED to note the Annual Public Health Report and to ensure that future strategic decisions were mindful of the wider determinants of health and informed by the findings of the report.

The above recommendation was agreed unanimously without a vote

1.1       Councillor Hamilton moved and Councillor Charalambous seconded the following motion:

“This Council believes that the safety and security of Enfield residents and Londoners generally and the residents of our borough is being put at risk as a result of cuts to emergency services being pushed through by the Mayor and the Conservative led government to our key emergency services – the Metropolitan Police Service, the London Fire Brigade alongside the London Ambulance Service and the city’s Accident & Emergency Departments.

This Council believes that the cuts are going too far and too fast and that the many millions of pounds being cut from the budgets of the NHS, the Metropolitan Police Service and the London Fire Brigade will inevitably endanger families and communities across the capital.

This Council believes that the cuts are being carried out without consideration of the impact on Enfield residents and Londoners’ safety. The closures of police front desks, fire stations and A & E departments will mean various pockets of London could see the safety of residents threatened by longer response times.

This Council is opposed to the Mayor’s position that the scale of the cuts are necessary and acceptable. This Council calls on the Mayor to stand up for Enfield residents and Londoners against the cuts being imposed by the Conservative-led government and to think again about his own draconian cuts to the emergency services on which we rely to keep Enfield residents and Londoners safe.”

Following a debate the motion was put to the vote and agreed with the following result:

For: 32

Against: 23

Abstention: 0

NOTED that in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 8 (page 4-8 – Part 4), the remaining items of business on the Council agenda were considered without debate, as the time available for the meeting had elapsed.

To receive a report from the Director of Health, Housing & Adult Social Care presenting Enfield Council’s Tenancy Strategy 2013-2018 for approval.

(Report No.139A)

(Key decision – reference number 3527)

Members are asked to note that the report is due to be considered by Cabinet on Wednesday 23 January 2013.  Details of the decision made by Cabinet will be reported at the Council meeting.

RECEIVED the report from the Director of Health, Housing & Adult Social Care presenting Enfield Council’s Tenancy Strategy 2013-2018 for approval.

NOTED the strategy had been recommended onto Council for approval by Cabinet on 23 January 2013.

AGREED

(1)       To approve Enfield’s new Tenancy Strategy.

(2)       To note the requirement for a Tenancy Policy to be developed for Registered Providers with housing stock in the borough, including Enfield Homes.

To receive a report from the Director of Health, Housing & Adult Social Care seeking agreement to a Joint Enfield Carers Strategy between Enfield Council and NHS Enfield.      (Report No.141A)

(Key Decision – Reference No.3591)

Members are asked to note that:

·              the report is due to be considered by Cabinet on Wednesday 23 January 2013.  Details of the decision made by Cabinet will be reported at the Council meeting; and

·              a copy of the full Strategy will be available (for reference) in the Members Library, Group Offices and also with this agenda via the Democracy page of the Council’s website.  If required, additional copies will also be available by contacting James Kinsella (Governance Team Manager).

RECEIVED the report of the Director of Health, Housing & Adult Social Care seeking agreement to the Joint Enfield Carers Strategy.

NOTED that the Joint Strategy had been recommended onto Council for approval by Cabinet on 23 January 2013.

AGREED to note the content of the report and approve the Enfield Joint Carers Strategy 2013-16 and associated delivery plan

To receive a report from the Director - Environment seeking approval to the Enfield 2020 Sustainability Programme and Action Plan.                                                       (Report No.142A)

(Key Decision – Reference No.3562)

Members are asked to note that:

·              the report is due to be considered by Cabinet on Wednesday 23 January 2013.  Details of the decision made by Cabinet will be reported at the Council meeting; and

·              a copy of the full Programme and Action Plan will be available (for reference) in the Members Library, Group Offices and also with this agenda via the Democracy page of the Council’s website.  If required, additional copies will also be available by contacting James Kinsella (Governance Team Manager).

RECEIVED the report of the Director-Environment seeking approval of the Enfield 2020 Sustainability Programme & Action Plan.

NOTED the Programme and Action Plan had been recommended onto Council for approval by Cabinet on 23 January 2013.

AGREED to approve the final designed version of the Enfield 2020 Sustainability Programme and Action Plan.

To receive a report from the Director – Environment seeking approval to the Statement of Principles and Licensing Policy under the requirements of the Gambling Act 200.      (Report No.150)

(Key decision – reference number 3644)

Members are asked to note that the recommendations in the report were considered and approved for reference onto Council by the Licensing Committee on 10 December 2012.

RECEIVED the report of the Director – Environment seeking approval to the Statement of Principles & Licensing Policy under the requirements of the Gambling Act 2005.

NOTED the Statement of Principles and Policy had been recommended onto Council for approval by the Licensing Committee on 10 December 2012.

AGREED

(1)    To approve the Statement of Principles, under the Gambling Act 2005, attached as Appendix A of the report.

(2)    To resolve not to issue casino premises licences, under the Gambling Act 2005 with immediate effect.

To receive a report from the Director of Finance, Resources & Customer Services detailing the outcome of a review of the Council’s Contract Procedure Rules and changes being proposed as a result.

(Report No.108A)

(Non-Key)

Members are asked to note that the review and recommendations in the report were considered and approved for reference onto Council by Audit Committee on 20 November 2012.

RECEIVED the report of the Director of Finance, Resources & Customer Services seeking approval, following their review, of amendments to the Council’s Contract Procedure Rules.

NOTED the Contract Procedure Rules had been recommended onto Council for approval by the Audit Committee on 20 November 2012.

AGREED to approve the changes to the Contract Procedure Rules, as detailed within the report.

At the Council meeting (4 July 2012) approval was given for the Councillor Conduct Committee to commence recruitment of the 2 Independent Persons, required under the new standards framework introduced by the Localism Act 2011.

Following a selection process, Council (7 November 2012) agreed to appoint Lawrence Greenberg as the first Independent Person for a term of office to expire on 30 June 2013.

Another recruitment process was undertaken following this appointment and as a result of the final interviews held on 16 January 2013, the Councillor Conduct Committee has recommended the appointment of Christine Chamberlain to the second of the Independent Person positions.  This appointment will be for a term of office to expire on 30 June 2015.

Recommendation:

Council is asked to approve and confirm the appointment of Christine Chamberlain as an Independent Person for a term of office to expire on 30 June 2015

NOTED the update provided on the recruitment process for the appointment of Independent Person(s) required under the new Standards framework introduced under the Localism Act 2011.

AGREED following the recommendation made by the Councillor Conduct Committee,to appoint Christine Chamberlain as an Independent Person under Enfield’s new standards regime for a term of office to expire on 30 June 2015.

16.1    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.

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

The list of fifty questions and their written responses are attached to the agenda.

1.1    Urgent Questions

None received.

1.2    Questions by Councillors

NOTED the fifty questions on the Council’s agenda which had received a written reply from the relevant Cabinet Member or Scrutiny Chair.

17.1In the name of Councillor Hamilton

“This Council believes that the safety and security of Enfield residents and Londoners generally and the residents of our borough is being put at risk as a result of cuts to emergency services being pushed through by the Mayor and the Conservative led government to our key emergency services – the Metropolitan Police Service, the London Fire Brigade alongside the London Ambulance Service and the city’s Accident & Emergency Departments.

This Council believes that the cuts are going too far and too fast and that the many millions of pounds being cut from the budgets of the NHS, the Metropolitan Police Service and the London Fire Brigade will inevitably endanger families and communities across the capital.

This Council believes that the cuts are being carried out without consideration of the impact on Enfield residents and Londoners’ safety. The closures of police front desks, fire stations and A & E departments will mean various pockets of London could see the safety of residents threatened by longer response times.

This Council is opposed to the Mayor’s position that the scale of the cuts are necessary and acceptable. This Council calls on the Mayor to stand up for Enfield residents and Londoners against the cuts being imposed by the Conservative-led government and to think again about his own draconian cuts to the emergency services on which we rely to keep Enfield residents and Londoners safe.”

17.2    In the name of Councillor Goddard

“This Council believes that the recent report, No Stone Unturned - In pursuit of Growth - by the Right Honourable Lord Heseltine, provides a possible framework for sustainable growth not only in the UK but in Enfield and our region and sub region.

This Council endorses the general principle within the report that Local Government (Local and Regional) has the capability to generate growth if only it was supported by Government.

Whilst there may be issues regarding some of the 89 recommendations which may be open to debate, Council calls upon the Government and The Mayor to begin the process of considering and implementing the proposals and therefore suggests to the LGA a range of regional seminars to discuss the report.”

The following motion listed on the agenda, lapsed due to lack of time:

1.1    In the name of Councillor Goddard:

“This Council believes that the recent report, No Stone Unturned - In pursuit of Growth - by the Right Honourable Lord Heseltine, provides a possible framework for sustainable growth not only in the UK but in Enfield and our region and sub region.

This Council endorses the general principle within the report that Local Government (Local and Regional) has the capability to generate growth if only it was supported by Government.

Whilst there may be issues regarding some of the 89 recommendations which may be open to debate, Council calls upon the Government and The Mayor to begin the process of considering and implementing the proposals and therefore suggests to the LGA a range of regional seminars to discuss the report.”

To confirm the following changes to committee memberships:

(a)    Conservation Advisory Group

Councillor Laban to replace Councillor Lavender

(b)    Edmonton Partnership Working Party

Councillor Chamberlain to replace Councillor Lavender

AGREED the following changes to committee memberships

a.      Conservation Advisory Group – Councillor Laban to replace Councillor Lavender.

b.      Edmonton Partnership Working Party – Councillor Chamberlain to replace Councillor Lavender.

To confirm any changes to nominations to outside bodies.

There were no nominations to outside bodies.

None received.

None received.  

To note that the next meeting of the Council will be held on Wednesday 27 February 2013 at 7.00 p.m. at the Civic Centre.

NOTED that the next meeting of the Council would be held at 7.00pm on Wednesday 27 February 2013 at the Civic Centre.