Agenda and minutes

Reverend Michael Edge – St Andrews Church, Enfield gave the blessing.

The Mayor made the following announcements.

Reverend Michael Edge from St Andrews Church, was thanked for offering the blessing at the start of the meeting.

1.         The Mayor informed Members that:

a.         Armed Forces Community Covenant signing ceremony

On Wednesday 26 June 2013, he had hosted a reception for representatives from the military (Army, Navy and Air Force), reserve forces and cadets, armed forces charities (including the Royal British Legion), and other local dignitaries, as part of the signing ceremony for the first Enfield Armed Forces Community Covenant.

The Armed Forces Community Covenant was a local statement of mutual support between a civilian community and its local Armed Forces community.  Over 40 specially invited guests had attended the signing ceremony in order to demonstrate their support and commitment to the local Armed Forces community.

Enfield had been the 24^th London Borough to sign a local Armed Forces Community Covenant and the ceremony had preceded the Armed Forces Day parade, held on Sunday 30 June 2013.

b.        London Youth Games – Finals

On Sunday 7^th July 2013 he had attended the London Youth Games at Crystal Palace.  Over 900 young people in Enfield had trained and competed in the London Youth Games throughout the year, culminating in the finals weekend.  In scorching weather conditions and missing some of their highest ranking team members the participants had persevered with Enfield proudly achieving a ranking of 6th place in London.

Top scoring sports had included:

·                Gold medals in Fencing

·                Silver medals in the Male Judo, Female table tennis and Female Athletics

·                Bronze medals in Male Volleyball, Female Swimming, Male Football and Aquathon.

This represented a fantastic achievement for all players, coaches, volunteers and sports development staff involved in the Games.

2.         The Mayor announced the following award:

a.         GO Award

The Mayor was delighted to inform Members that the Enfield and Waltham Forest Shared Procurement Service had won the Team of the Year award at the Government Opportunities Excellence in Public Procurement Awards 2013/14.

This was one of the leading awards in the procurement sector, which the team had earned in recognition of the fact that the two Boroughs had developed the first genuine shared procurement service across London local government.  The shared service had enhanced the pool of procurement expertise available to both Councils as well as creating the potential to generate greater savings through a joint approach to procurement.  David Levy and representatives from the joint procurement team were then presented with the award and congratulated by all members of the Council.

3.         Presentation to Lawrence Greenberg (Independent Member & Person) Councillor Conduct Committee

The Mayor invited members to join with him in thanking Lawrence Greenberg (following the expiry of his term of office as Independent Person) for his service and dedication in upholding standards and ethical conduct within Enfield Council.  This was a role he had undertaken as an Independent Member of the Standards Committee from 2006 to 2013 and then as an Independent Person, under the new ethical  ...  view the full minutes text for item 24.

AGREED that the minutes of the Annual Council meeting held on Wednesday 8 May 2013 be confirmed and signed as a correct record.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Catriona Bearryman, Alev Cazimoglu, Marcus East, Jonas Hall, Christine Hamilton, Daniel Pearce & Tom Waterhouse.  Apologies for lateness were received from Councillors Jon Kaye & Simon Maynard.

None declared.

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

(a)       The Opposition Group were concerned at the current performance of the Council’s planning function in relation to:

·                the determination of major planning applications and possibility that this may lead to the Planning Authority being placed in “special measures” by the Department of Communities & Local Government.

·                the impact of being placed in “special measures” in terms of providing developers with the option of submitting major planning applications directly to the Planning Inspectorate (PINS) rather than the local Planning Authority for determination.

·                the adequacy of planning consultation & advice on specific applications.

·                the current level of planning contributions being required and potential deterrent in terms of encouraging development activity.

(b)       Wider concerns were also raised in relation to what were felt to be shortcomings in the strategic planning of the Authority.

(c)       The need for the relevant Cabinet members to take responsibility for the concerns highlighted in relation to planning performance, in order to ensure that Enfield’s attractiveness as a “place to do business” in wider regeneration terms was not adversely affected.

As a result of the concerns expressed the Opposition Group were seeking the commissioning of an independent peer review to examine all aspects of planning performance and benchmark this against other authorities, in order to identify the scope for any improvement.

Councillor Goddard, Cabinet member for Business & Regeneration, responded on behalf of the Majority Group, highlighting:

(a)       what was felt to be the lack of clear focus within the Opposition Business Paper, given the range of issues highlighted.

(b)       The need to recognise that the Council was operating (in strategic planning policy terms) under its Local Plan & Development Management Document and was now in the process of developing three Area Action Plans, involving substantial and wide spread public consultation.  Major developments were subject to planning briefs and had also been considered in accordance with the required planning processes.

(c)       In terms of planning contributions, the Authority was in the process of consulting on its Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) policy, with the level of contributions sought being consistent with other local authorities.

The concerns raised in relation to planning policy and the wider impact in terms of Enfield being seen as “open for business” were therefore refuted with examples provided of Enfield having been commended for its clarity of vision and the number of applications for major developments being submitted.  In addition the Council had recently launched a Planning Charter, to which a number of major developers had signed up, which it was felt again demonstrated the confidence in Enfield being an attractive borough in regeneration and development terms.

Other issues highlighted during the debate were as follows:

(a)       The wider strategic and business planning concerns identified by the Opposition Group in relation to:

·                the future use and development of the Southgate Town Hall site;

·                the development and delivery of new school places under the Primary Expansion Programme;

·                the procurement of services for vulnerable clients  ...  view the full minutes text for item 28.

Councillor Goddard moved and Councillor Prescott seconded the report from the Director of Regeneration, Leisure & Culture (No.44) outlining the key recommendations within the report “No stone unturned in the pursuit of growth” produced by Lord Heseltine and response published by HM Treasury and the Department for Business Innovation & Skills.

NOTED

1.         Council was being asked to consider the case for a cross party response to the national growth strategy outlined in the report in order to ensure that:

a.         adequate funding was made available under the single funding pot proposed within the report to promote real and sustained economic growth; and

b.         the move towards greater localism and a more decentralised approach towards decision making by relevant agencies in local areas involved in supporting the delivery of economic growth was encouraged and supported.

2.         Whilst willing to support the cross party approach recommended in the report the Opposition Group felt there was also a need to ensure action was being taken to support delivery of those recommendations which the Council was able to directly influence.

Following a period of further debate the recommendations in the report were agreed without a vote.

AGREED to support representations being made to the Coalition Government to promote the 89 recommendations of the Heseltine report and in order to seek clarity of the time scale for implementing the growth strategy set out in the report.

Councillor Orhan moved and Councillor Stafford seconded the report from the Director of Schools & Children’s Services (No.207A) seeking approval to the inclusion of the scheme for the re-provision of Garfield Primary School within the Council’s Capital Programme.

NOTED

1.        The item was accompanied by a separate Part 2 report (No.210A) containing the detailed funding proposals for the scheme.

2.        Cabinet on 24 April 2013 had approved the scheme for reprovision of the school.  The recommendations agreed by Cabinet had been detailed in section 2.2 of the Part 1 report with the funding proposals detailed in the accompanying Part 2 report.  Council was now being asked to formally approve the addition of the scheme to the Council’s Capital Programme.

3.        The proposal to reprovide rather than expand the existing school site with an additional form of entry (as originally included within the Council’s Primary School Expansion Programme) had been developed to reflect wide ranging consultation with the school and complexities identified in relation to the site.

4.        The additional community benefits arising from the scheme with the inclusion of a Multi Use Games Area (MUGA) & soft play area as part of the design proposals for use outside of school hours.

5.      Whilst supportive of the reprovision proposal, concerns were highlighted by the Opposition Group in relation to:

a.      the timescale for development of the reprovision scheme as an alternative to the original expansion proposal and any associated costs;

b.      the need to ensure a joined up approach between the reprovision scheme and redevelopment plans for the wider Ladderswood area;

c.      the challenging timescale identified under the key risks section within the report (para 7.2) for delivery of the new school by September 2014;

d.      the potential reduction in playing field provision under the scheme;

6.      The ongoing efforts highlighted by the Cabinet member for Children & Young People, being made by the Council under the Primary Expansion Programme to ensure that sufficient pupil places were provided to meet anticipated demand.  It was felt the redevelopment of the school would provide a cost effective strategy to deliver these additional places in the locality.

Following a period of further debate the recommendations in the report were agreed without a vote.

AGREED

(1)       To note the recommendations agreed by Cabinet on 24 April 13, as detailed in section 2.2 of the report.

(2)      To approve the addition of the scheme to the Council’s Capital Programme, subject to confirmation of the detailed financial implications within section 6 of the Part 2 report (Min.51 refers). (Key Decision – Reference KD3698)

Councillor Orhan moved and Councillor Stafford seconded the report from the Director of Schools & Children’s Services (No.13A) seeking approval to the inclusion of Phase 2 of the strategy for the provision of pupil places 2013-14 – 2017/18 within the Council’s Capital Programme.

NOTED

1.         Cabinet on 19 June 2013 had approved the updated strategy and budget, as detailed in section 2.1.1 – 2.1.6 of the report.  Council was now being asked to formally approve the addition of Phase 2 of the School Expansion Programme to the Council’s Capital Programme.

2.        The ongoing need identified for the provision of primary school places, as detailed in section 4 of the report in order to meet projected demand.

3.         The thanks expressed by the Cabinet member for Children & Young People to all schools and officers involved, for their support in delivery of the Primary Expansion Programme (PEP) to date. The PEP had been subject to ongoing monitoring, adaptation and development in order to reflect consultation, site constraints and planning issues with the major changes outlined in section 3.2 of the report.

4.         The updated programme and project management arrangements to be established for delivery of Phase 2 of the School Expansion Programme, as detailed in section 4.17 – 4.23 of the report.

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

a.         the basis of the independent review which the Council had commissioned in relation to projected pupil place demand in addition to the annual release of population projections by the Greater London Authority;

b.         the need to ensure a joined up approach in relation to the planning, design and delivery of each project to ensure that any association traffic and planning issues were addressed in a co-ordinated way;

c.         the development of associated plans to address secondary provision across the borough; and

d.         the limited level of detail within the report in relation to specific site proposals and availability of funding, given the dependency on future allocations of Government grants and outcome of the bid for Targeted Basic Need Grant which were still to be announced;

6.         The challenging nature of the delivery programme, given the projected level of demand for school places, recent changes in national policy and the funding regime, which Phase 2 of the strategy had been developed to recognise and address.

Following a period of further debate the recommendations in the report were agreed without a vote.

AGREED

(1)    To note the recommendations agreed by Cabinet on 19 June 13, as detailed in section 2.1.1 – 2.1.6 of the report.

(2)      To the approve and adopt Phase 2 of the School Expansion Programme in the Council’s Capital Programme on the basis of a provisional budget of up to £44.318m to deliver 1,680 extra Council funded Primary school reception places, including the cost of rebuilding and re-configuring existing schools between 2013/14 and 2017/18, subject to availability of funding, agreement of detailed scheme costs, and clear demonstration of value for money. (Key Decision – Reference KD3719)

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 20.2: Motion in the name of Councillor McGowan on protection of the National Health Service

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

Please note the minutes reflect the order in which the item was dealt with at the meeting.

1.1    Councillor McGowan moved and Councillor Taylor seconded the following motion:

“We recently celebrated the 65^th birthday of our beloved National Health Service.

Labour created the NHS in 1948, and it is one of our proudest achievements.  It’s 65^th birthday is an opportunity to celebrate.  However, if we are going to commemorate further milestones then we need to make sure our NHS is strengthened and protected for the future.

Will the Council do everything it can do to protect this most important public service to Enfield residents, and make sure on this important anniversary we stay true to the values that have made it the envy of the world”

Having moved the motion, Councillor McGowan immediately moved and Councillor Brett seconded the following amendment:

(a)       To amend the second paragraph to read:

“Enfield Council will do everything it can do to protect this most important public service to Enfield residents, and make sure on this important anniversary we stay true to the values that have made it the envy of the world.  We will also support the NHS by urging CCGs to make a commitment to maintain NHS services in the public sector where possible.”

(b)       To add as a final paragraph:

“Council notes the letter sent to the Secretary of State by the Council Leader and endorses the strategic approach to Chase Farm hospital agreed by Cabinet on July 10^th 2013.”

During the debate on this motion the Mayor advised the Council that in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 8 (page 4-8 – Part 4), the meeting was due to end at 10:15pm.  As there were still a number of members from both Groups who had indicated they would like to speak on the item the Leader advised that he was minded to recommend an extension to the time of the meeting in order to allow the debate to be concluded.

Councillor Taylor therefore moved and Councillor Constantinides seconded a procedural motion under Council Procedure Rule 8 to extend the time of the meeting for an additional period of 30 minutes.  This was agreed by Council, without a vote.

The debate then continued and at the end of the extended time period the amendment to the motion was put to the vote, with the following result:

For: 31

Against: 0

Abstention: 18

The substantive motion (as amended and detailed below) was then put to the vote, without further debate:

“We recently celebrated the 65th birthday of our beloved National Health Service.

Enfield Council will do everything it can do to protect this most important public service to Enfield residents, and make sure on this important anniversary we stay true to the values that have made it the envy of the world.  We will also support the NHS by urging CCGs to make a commitment to maintain NHS services in the public sector where possible.

Council notes the letter sent to the Secretary of State by the Council Leader and endorses the strategic approach to Chase Farm  ...  view the full minutes text for item 33.

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 (as extended) had elapsed.

RECEIVED the report of the Director – Environment (No.45) seeking approval for the date upon which a Section 16 notice to be served under the London Local Authorities and Transport for London Act 2003 would come into effect.

NOTED that serving of the notice for which approval was being sought, followed on from Cabinet approval of the Footway Crossover and Enforcement Policy on 24 April 2013.

AGREED that the appointed day for implementation of section 16 of the London Local Authorities and Transport for London Act 2003 be 1st November 2013. (Key Decision – Reference KD3664)

RECEIVED a report from the Director of Health, Housing & Adult Social Care (No.29) proposing a way forward in terms of next steps in the development and delivery of the reprovision.

NOTED

1.      The recommendations in Report (No.29) had been approved by Cabinet on 10 July 2013.  The item was accompanied by a separate Part 2 report (No.31), which had also been approved by Cabinet on 10 July 2012 and contained a recommendation to Council seeking approval for the addition of the scheme to the Council’s Capital Programme (Min.52 refers).

2.      In view of 1.above Report No.29 had been included on the Council agenda for information, as background to the recommendation made to Council.

AGREED to note the recommendations approved by Cabinet on 10th July 2013. (Key Decision – Reference KD3593)

The Assistant Director Corporate Governance advised Members that this item had been withdrawn for consideration from the agenda.

RECEIVED a report from the Director of Health, Housing & Adult Social Care updating on progress with the development of Healthwatch in Enfield and seeking formal approval (under the terms of the Council’s Constitution) to the creation of a Community Interest Company to deliver the Healthwatch function and associated grant funding.

AGREED

(1)     To note the progress to date on developing and implementing Healthwatch in Enfield.

(2)     To formally approve the creation of a Community Interest Company limited by guarantee, named as Enfield Consumers of Care and Health Organisation (ECCHO),that will take on functions described in the Health and Social Care Act 2012.

(3)     To note, following on from (2) above, that the Cabinet Member for Adult Services, Care & Health would be requested to agree by Portfolio decision, the provision of a grant (subject to conditions, including a satisfactory annual performance review) to ECCHO for delivery of the functions of the Local Healthwatch as provided under the Health and Social Care Act 2012.  (Key Decision – Reference KD3665)

RECEIVED a report from the Director of Finance, Resources & Customer Services (No.48) seeking approval to the amendment of the Terms of Reference for the Councillor Conduct Committee and to the Member Code of Conduct.

NOTED that the proposed amendments had been considered and approved for recommendation on to Council by the Councillor Conduct Committee (2 May 2013) and Members & Democratic Services Group (8 July 2013).

AGREED to approve the amendments to the Terms of Reference for the Councillor Conduct Committee and Member Code of Conduct, as detailed in section 3.1.2 of the report.

RECEIVED the 2012/13 Annual Report from the London Borough of Enfield Councillor Conduct Committee setting out the key issues dealt with during 2012/13.

NOTED that the Annual Report had been approved and recommended onto Council by the Councillor Conduct Committee on 25 June 2013.

AGREED that the Councillor Conduct Committee Annual Report 2012/13 be noted and approved.

RECEIVED the Scrutiny Annual Report 2012/13 detailing the work undertaken by the Council’s scrutiny function during the 2012/13 municipal year.

NOTED the Annual Report had been approved and recommended onto Council by the Overview & Scrutiny Committee on 12 March 2013.

AGREED

(1)     To endorse the Scrutiny Annual Report 2012/13.

(2)     To note the areas identified as future challenges for Enfield’s scrutiny function with the Annual Report.

RECEIVED the annual report from the London Borough of Enfield’s Audit Committee setting out the key issues dealt with by the Committee during the 2012/13 municipal year.

NOTED the annual report had been considered and recommended onto Council by Audit Committee on 9 July 2013.

AGREED that the Audit Committee Annual Report 2012/13 be noted and approved

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

1.1      In the name of Councillor Smith:

“This council agrees to put in place as soon as possible a transfer system itself or in collaboration with other housing organisations to assist social housing tenants in Enfield affected by the reduction of housing benefit who are under occupying their homes to enable them to swap with households that are entitled to social housing that are currently overcrowded, those transfer arrangements to include financial assistance to cover moving expenses where appropriate.”

1.2    In the name of Councillor Sitkin:

“Enfield Council’s 2020 Action Plan seeks a 40% reduction in the borough’s C02 emissions by 2020 vs a 2005 baseline, reflecting our conviction that it is a public responsibility to help incentivise eco-investment.  In Enfield, this approach is contributing to the creation of new career opportunities in the construction and manufacturing sectors; our workforce is being equipped with useful, high value skills; even as we are doing what we can to fight global warming.

This Council invites representatives from the Department of Energy & Climate Change (DECC), Department of Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) and Department for Business, Innovation & Skills (BIS) to Enfield in the hope that they may benefit from the work we are doing in this area and use it to inform policy.”

NOTED the details of the following decisions taken under the Council’s urgency procedure relating to the waiver of call-in and, where necessary, the notice required of a Key Decision along with the reasons for urgency. These decisions had been made in accordance with the urgency procedures set out in Paragraph 17.3 of Chapter 4.2 (Scrutiny) and Paragraph 16 of Chapter 4.6 (Access to Information) of the Council’s Constitution:

·                Purchase of Orchardside Nursery, Bullsmoor Lane, Enfield, EN1 4RL

AGREED to confirm the following changes to committee memberships:

(1)     Sustainability and the Living Environment Scrutiny Panel

Councillor Bakir to replace Councillor Murphy

(2)     Edmonton Partnership Working Group

Membership of Working Group to be increased from 5 to 7 members with an additional position to be allocated to each Group.  Councillor Eckechi and Councillor Hall to fill the additional vacancies and Councillor Chamberlain to replace Councillor Laban

AGREED to confirm the following changes to nominations to outside bodies:

(1)     Enfield Homes Board

Councillor Murphy to replace Councillor Bakir

NOTED that the next meeting of the Council would be held at 7.00pm on Wednesday 9 October 2013 at the Civic Centre.

AGREED to pass a resolution under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 to exclude the press and public from the meeting for the items of business listed on part 2 of the agenda on the grounds that they involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 3 (information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person – including the authority holding that information) of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Act (as amended by the Local Government (Access to Information) (Variation) Order 2006).

RECEIVED a report from the Director of Schools & Children’s Services (No.201A) setting out proposals for funding the reprovision of Garfield School.

NOTED that the report and recommended inclusion of the scheme on the Council’s Capital Programme had been approved for referral onto Council by Cabinet (24 April 2013).  Report No.207A (Part 1 Agenda) also refers (Min. * refers)

AGREED to note the funding proposals detailed within section 6 of the report and confirm addition of the reprovision scheme to the Council’s Capital Programme. (Key Decision – Reference KD3698)

(Exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 (information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information)) of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 as amended)

RECEIVED a report from the Director of Health, Housing & Adult Social Care (No.31) seeking approval of the next steps identified in relation to the reprovision project.

NOTED that the report and recommended inclusion of the scheme on the Council’s Capital Programme had been approved for referral onto Council by Cabinet (10 July 2013).  Report No.29 (Part 1 Agenda) also refers (see Min. * above).

AGREED to approve the addition of the Reprovision Project to the Council’s Capital Programme, as detailed within recommendation 2.4 of the report, at an estimated cost of £6.86m over 37 months.  This includes expenditure on professional and technical costs to facilitate undertaking inception, feasibility and scheme design stages estimated at £200,000. (Key decision – Reference KD3593)

(Exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 (information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information)) of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 as amended)