Agenda and minutes

Rabbi Levy from the Palmers Green & Southgate Synagogue gave the blessing.

The Mayor made the following announcements.

Rabbi Levy from Palmers Green & Southgate Synagogue was thanked for offering the blessing at the start of the meeting.

The Mayor informed Members that:

a.         Goldstein Award

Members of Enfield Council’s Community Safety Partnership had won the 2013 International Herman Goldstein Award for Excellence in Problem-Oriented Partnerships - a prestigious international award for reducing youth robbery by nearly 60%.  The Partnership had beaten worldwide competition from New Zealand and the United States of America for its work tackling “Robbery of School Age Children”.

The project, which had also won the London Problem Orientated Partnership Award in September, had started in 2009 and was aimed at reducing the number of crimes committed against and by school children.

The global Goldstein Award recognised effective problem-orientated projects that had successfully tackled recurring crime, disorder or public safety problems facing the police and communities.  With this in mind, the Mayor congratulated Enfield Council and the police for striving to constantly keep the residents of Enfield safe.

The Mayor asked Sandeep Broca (Enfield Council’s Community Safety Unit) and Sergeant Neil Standring (Metropolitan Police) who had led the project, to come forward and collect the award.  Both were congratuled by all Members at the meeting.

To approve, as a correct record, the minutes of the Council meeting held on Wednesday 9 October 2013.

AGREED that the minutes of the Council meeting held on Wednesday 9 October 2013 be confirmed and signed as a correct record.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Kate Anolue, Alan Barker, Chris Bond, Jonas Hall, Paul McCannah, Chris Murphy, Edward Smith &, Ann Zinkin.  Apologies for lateness were received from Councillors, Ali Bakir, Chris Deacon & Henry Lamprecht.

Councillors Del Goddard and CElaine Hayward declared an interest in Agenda Item 10 (Future Provision of Secondary Tuition Services) in their capacity as Chair and Vice-Chair of the Secondary Tuition Centre Governing Body.  John Austin (Assistant Director, Corporate Governance) confirmed the interest registered was of a non-pecuniary nature, so they would be able to remain in the meeting and participate in any discussion and vote on this item.

Councillor Bambos Charalambous also took the opportunity to declare, in respect of Motion 15.3 (Chickenshed) that all members of the Council had received two free tickets to attend a performance at Chickenshed Theatre.

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

1.         The need identified by the Opposition Group for the current Administration to recognise the need for action to be taken in order to preserve those aspects of the Borough most valued by residents, in terms of the day-to-day living environment, and which would make Enfield a place in which they wanted to stay and live.

2.         Areas of concern identified included:

a.         The need to support local businesses, particularly in town centres and those areas affected by the disturbances in 2011, utilising all available sources of funding;

b.         The proposed use of funding being made available by the Mayor for London to support local business on the Market Garden initiative within Enfield, as opposed to further investment in town and local retail centres;

c.         The time taken to redevelop small vacant housing sites across the borough;

d.         The impact of traffic calming schemes across the borough, which it was felt had failed to understand the local environment and been undertaken in an uncoordinated way.  It was felt these schemes, combined with a range of anti-car measures, had led to increased traffic congestion across the borough with a detrimental impact on local residents;

e.         The appearance of the physical street scene across the borough, which had seen paving slabs replaced in many areas by tarmac and unsatisfactory communication with residents in terms of them being able to report incidents during the recent bad weather;

f.          Planning enforcement activity, with measures needed to challenge the erosion of conservation areas and Green Belt as well as quality of developments and adherence to the planning process.

Whilst supportive of the Enfield 20:20 concept the Opposition Group felt there needed to be more focus on the issues highlighted in order to safeguard the living environment within the borough.

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

1.         What was felt to be a lack of clear focus within the Opposition Business Paper, given the range of issues highlighted and need to develop more evidence based solutions.

2.         The need to recognise the following national, regional as well as local policy context in terms of the issues raised and impact in terms of key drivers on the local environment:

a.         at local level the Council had continued with the Core Strategy almost entirely as adopted by the Opposition Group under the previous Administration, which included a range of housing and other soci-economic and development objectives.

b.         at regional level the Council was required to take account of the Mayor for London’s strategies and policy objectives as set out within the London Plan in relation to areas such as housing, planning development and the Green Belt

c.         nationally the Council was having to manage the impact of the Government’s programme of welfare reforms.

3.         In terms of support for local business and town centres the Market Garden initiative had been funded through the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 76.

To receive a report from the Director of Finance, Resources & Customer Services outlining a reference made to Council by the Overview & Scrutiny Committee in relation to the receipt of a petition regarding Deephams Sewage Plant.(Report No.138)

RECEIVED a report from the Director of Finance, Resources and Customer Services (No.138) outlining a reference from Overview and Scrutiny Committee (17 October 2013) in relation to the receipt of a petition regarding Deephams Sewage Plant.

Before inviting Councillor Simon (as chair of Overview & Scrutiny Committee) to formally move the report the Mayor invited Claire Whetstone (as lead petitioner) to introduce and present the petition to Council.  The following issues were highlighted during the presentation:

·                The detrimental and significant impact on the quality of life of local residents and businesses caused by the smell associated with the Plant, particularly during the summer months.

·                Whilst recognising the local demographic pressures behind the consideration being given to expanding capacity of the Plant, there was also a need to ensure (as part of the same process) that plans included the provision of new technology to tackle and reduce odour and the nuisance caused as a result to local residents and local businesses.

·             The need to recognise the wider benefits in tackling the nuisance being caused as a result of the odour, not only in terms of local residents and businesses but also the large scale regeneration activities in the surrounding area.

·             The support being sought from the Council in terms of the concerns identified and in working with Thames Water and Ofwat to ensure the necessary level of investment in new technology was provided to address the nuisance being caused by odour from the site and ensure, as far as practicable, all odours remained contained on site.  This to also include partnership working with the London Borough of Waltham Forest, whose residents are also affected by the same issues.

·             The strength of public feeling regarding the issue, as demonstrated by the number of people who had signed the petition in support of the action being sought.

The Mayor thanked Claire Whetstone for her introduction.  Councillor Simon then moved and Councillor Constantindies seconded the report.

NOTED

1.         Under the terms of the Council’s Petition Scheme, Overview and Scrutiny Committee (OSC) on 17 October 2013 had received and considered the petition requesting that the Council use all of its powers to urge Thames Water to work with Ofwat in order to take action to stop the smell for the Deephams Sewage Plant entering the atmosphere and impacting on the local environment.

2.         In considering the petition, OSC had also sought views from local residents and business representatives and had noted the strength of feeling expressed (particularly by young people) at the impact of the odour on the surrounding area.  The concerns expressed and action being sought under the Petition received unanimous support from OSC who were also advised of plans being prepared by Thames Water for a major upgrade of the Plant in order to address capacity needs.  As a result OSC had agreed to refer the Petition on to Council for consideration and endorsement of the actions identified in response.

3.         Whilst recognising the need for the major upgrade of the Plant, OSC were  ...  view the full minutes text for item 77.

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 15.1: Motion in the name of Councillor Headley on action to tackle the issue of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).

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 Headley moved the following motion:

“The Council notes the recent announcements made by Public Health Minister, Jane Ellison MP of planned measures to combat the threat of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).

In light of these announcements and comments made by the Minister in a recent London Evening Standard interview regarding her “determination to prevent child abuse that was leaving victims to face life-long physical and mental pain”.

This Council instructs the Cabinet members for Children & Young People and Community Well Being and Public Health to do the following:

1.    Support the Minister’s position on FGM

2.    Publicly declare that FGM will not be tolerated

3.    Find out the extent of this problem in Enfield.

This Council agrees to work in a non-adversarial and collaborative manner to investigate FGM in Enfield and how it is affecting our community and instructs the Cabinet Members for Community Well Being and Public Health and Wellbeing Board, the opposition lead on Health and Education and the Elders and Leaders in the affected communities, to find a mechanism to better understand the issue and how we can prevent any Enfield child enduring the procedure.”

Once the original motion had been moved, Councillor Hamilton immediately moved and Councillor Orhan seconded the following amendment:

To delete and replace all wording after the first paragraph in the original motion with the following:

“The Council also notes that 25^th November was White Ribbon Day and that Enfield Council was the first London Council to be awarded White Ribbon status for our work in tackling violence against women and girls.

FGM is a serious issue this Council will not tolerate.  The statement from the public health Minister reflects the view held by this Council and the work it is already progressing to tackle FGM in Enfield.  This includes the following:

·                A recent public event was held for residents and communities by “Forward UK”, a national charity that challenges the practice of FGM. This was a well-attended event with numerous communities contributing to discussions and both men and women challenging the acceptance of this abuse.

·                The Enfield Safeguarding Children’s Board has set up a task force which will be exploring FGM from January 2014.  Details of this can be found on their website which is for practitioners, parents and young people.

·                There is on-going discussion with health partners in respect of FGM.  These are in relation to the practice, identification and reporting of this issue.

·                A number of voluntary services operate in Enfield including Samafal, which provides information, support and advice on FGM and where to access help. This is both if someone is concerned about a future procedure or requires medical attention for any practice to her.

This council agrees to continue to build on the work already underway in order to stamp out this child abuse to ensure that no child in Enfield endures this procedure.

Moreover, to support the campaign against violence to women and girls, this Council calls on the coalition government to introduce  ...  view the full minutes text for item 79.

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.

To receive a report from the Director of Finance, Resources & Customer Services & Director of Regeneration, Leisure & Culture seeking approval to the inclusion of the refurbishment of Palmers Green Library within the Council’s Council Programme.         (Report No.96A)

Members are asked to note that:

·                the recommendations in the report were approved by Cabinet on 16 October 2013.

·                the Cabinet decision (16 October 13) was subject to a call-in considered by Overview & Scrutiny Committee on 5 November 2013. As a result of the call-in, an outline of the options considered and further detail on the associated financial implications have also been included as supplementarydetail within this report, for Council’s information.

Council is being asked to approve the addition of the scheme to the Council’s Capital Programme.  (Key decision – Reference 3791)

RECEIVED a report from the Director of Finance, Resources and Customer Services & Director of Regeneration, Leisure & Culture (No.96A) seeking approval to the inclusion of the scheme for the refurbishment of Palmers Green Library on the Council’s Capital Programme.

NOTED

1.         The recommendations in the report, approved by Cabinet on 16 October 2013.

2.         The Cabinet decision had been subject to a call-in considered by Overview & Scrutiny Committee on 5 November 2013.  As a result of the call-in, an outline of the options considered and further detail on the associated financial implications had been included as supplementary detail within the report, for Council’s information.

3.         The revision to the report tabled on the amendment sheet at the meeting with reference to Contract Procedure Rules in section 12.2.4 (Legal Implications) of the report being amended to Property Procedure Rules.

AGREED

(1)       To approve the addition of the scheme for the refurbishment of Palmers Green Library on the Council’s Capital Programme 2014-15.

(2)      To note the following recommendations agreed by Cabinet on 16 October 2013:

(a)       To approve the overall financial proposals for expenditure and funding, as detailed within section 6 the report, including all Professional, Technical and associated costs.

(b)      To delegate authority to the Cabinet Member for Finance and Property & the Director of Finance, Resources and Customers Services to accept a subsequent tender for construction works.  (Key Decision – Reference KD3791)

To receive a report from the Director of Schools & Children’s Services seeking approval to the addition of the scheme for the re-provision of the Secondary Tuition Services (also known as the Pupil Referral Unit) to the Capital Programme.    (Report No.98A)

Please note Report No.102A on the Part 2 agenda also refers.

Members are asked to note that the recommendations in the report where approved by Cabinet on 16 October 2013.  Council is only being asked to approve the addition of the scheme to the Council’s Capital Programme.  (Key Decision – Reference 3799)

RECEIVED a report from the Director of Schools and Children’s Services  (No.98A) seeking approval to the inclusion of the scheme for the re-provision of the Secondary Tuition Service (STS) also known as the Pupil Referral Unit (PRU) on the Council’s Capital Programme.

NOTED

1.         The item was accompanied by a separate Part 2 report (No.102) providing further valuation details in relation to the scheme.

2.        The recommendations in the report had been approved by Cabinet on 16 October 2013.

3.         The following amendments to the report, tabled on the amendment sheet at the meeting:

a.         Figure in recommendation 2.1 to read £3.099m; and

b.         Second sentence in section 7.1.1 to read “Based on preliminary estimates using benchmark data and assuming modular construction, the capital expenditure is expected to be £6.2m plus a £300k contingency sum, giving a total of £7.2m.”

AGREED

(1)       To note that Cabinet had agreed the following, in referring the report to Council:

(a)       To approve the additional capital funding for the proposed works and associated technical services totalling £3.099m as detailed in section 7.1 of the report and to include the revised total project value of £7.5m over 3 years in the Council's Capital Programme.

(b)      the Director of Schools & Children’s Services being authorised to:

·                approve expenditure for orders by operational decision for individual orders up to a maximum of £250,000 for works and technical services;

·                manage the project budget in a flexible way within the overall funding available to take account of variations between estimates and tender costs;

·                approve an appropriate procurement strategy by operational decision for works and technical services, subject to the financial restrictions set out above;

·                undertake work for and approve submission of a Planning Application.

(c)          The disposal of the two assets detailed in para 3.3 of the Part 2 report, subject to the approval of the Director of Finance, Resources & Customer Services and the Cabinet Member for Finance & Property. 

(2)       To approve the additional capital requirement of £3.099m being included on the Council’s Capital Programme, subject to the decision in relation to the accompanying Part 2 report being confirmed. (Key decision – reference number 3799)

To receive a report from the Director of Finance, Resources & Customer Services seeking approval to adoption of the revised Property Procedure Rules, as detailed within the report.   (Report No.114a)

Members are asked to note that the revised Property Procedure Rules were approved for recommendation on to Council by Audit Committee on 7 November 13 and Cabinet on 13 November 2013.

RECEIVED a report from the Director of Finance, Resources and Customer Services (No.114A) seeking approval to the adoption of revised Property Procedure Rules.

NOTED the revised Property Procedure Rules had been approved for recommendation on to Council by Audit Committee (7 November 2013) and Cabinet (13 November 2013).

AGREED to approve the revised Property Procedure Rules, as detailed within the report, for formal adoption and inclusion within the constitution.

To receive a report from the Director of Finance Resources & Customer Services seeking approval to a change to the Council’s Constitution relating to the way decisions regarding the establishing of companies and trusts and acquisition of share capital are agreed.   (Report No.135A)

Members are asked to note that the recommended change in the report was considered and approved for reference on to Council by the Members & Democratic Services Group (12 November 2013).

RECEIVED a report from the Director of Finance, Resources & Customer Services (No.135A) seeking approval to a change in the Constitution relating to the way in which decisions to establish companies and trusts and acquire share capital are agreed.

NOTED the proposed change in decision making arrangements had been considered and recommended on to Council by the Members & Democratic Services Group (12^th November 2013).

AGREED to approve the removal of approval for the establishment of any companies or trusts and acquisition of share capital as a matter in the Constitution reserved for Council and its inclusion, in accordance with the Local Authorities (Functions & Responsibilities) Order, as an Executive function under the remit for Cabinet.

To receive a report from the Director of Finance, Resources & Customer Services seeking approval to amendments made to the procedure for handling complaints against Members.   (Report No.139)

Members are asked to note that the revised procedure was considered and recommended on to Council for formal approval by the Councillor Conduct Committee on 22 October 2013.

RECEIVED a report from the Director of Finance, Resources & Customer Services (No.139) seeking approval to amendments made to the procedure for handling complaints against Members.

NOTED the revised procedure had been considered and recommended on to Council for approval by the Councillor Conduct Committee (22 October 2013).

AGREED

(1)       To approve the amended procedure for dealing with complaints against Councillors & Co-Opted Members, as set out in Appendix A to the report.

(2)       To note the flowchart, complaint and appeal forms attached to the procedure, which would be used to administer the complaints process.

14.1    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.

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

The list of forty one questions received and their written responses are attached to the agenda.

1.1    Urgent Questions

NOTED that in accordance with the criteria in the Constitution, the Mayor had accepted urgent questions from Councillor Georgiou to Councillor Taylor, Leader of the Council regarding the closure of TfL ticket offices in the Borough; and from Councillor Neville to Councillor Stafford, Cabinet Member for Finance & Property regarding the Council’s IT contract with SERCO.

As the guillotine was in effect both questions lapsed due to lack of time.

1.2    Questions by Councillors

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

15.1    In the name of Councillor Headley:

This Council notes the recent announcements made by Public Health Minister, Jane Ellison MP of planned measures to combat the threat of Female Genital Mutilation.

In light of these announcements and comments made by the Minister in a recent London Evening Standard interview regarding her “determination to prevent child abuse that was leaving victims to face life-long physical and mental pain”

This Council instructs the Cabinet Members for Children & Young People and Community Well Being and Public Health to do the following:

1.         Support the Minister’s position on FGM

2.         Publicly declare that FGM will not be tolerated

3.         Find out the extent of this problem in Enfield.

This council agrees to work in a non-adversarial and collaborative manner to investigate FGM  in Enfield and how it is affecting our community and instructs the Cabinet Members for Community Well Being and Public Health and Children & Young People  to work collectively with the Health and Wellbeing Board,  the opposition lead on Health and Education and the Elders and Leaders in the affected communities, to find a mechanism to better understand the issue and how we can prevent any Enfield child enduring the  procedure.

15.2    In the name of Councillor Hamilton:

We ask this Council to note that 25^th November is white ribbon day and that Enfield Council was the first London Borough to be awarded white ribbon status.

There will be a range of events during the week to call for the end of violence against women and girls; and we Enfield Council call on the coalition government to introduce statutory provisions to make personal, social and health education include a zero tolerance approach to violence and abuse in relationships.

15.3    In the name of Councillor Charalambous:

This Council acknowledges with pride Chickenshed’s contribution to arts, community and education in the London Borough of Enfield over the last 40 years and restates the Council’s commitment to a continued partnership which has benefited so many of the borough’s residents.

15.4    In the name of Councillor Hamilton:

I call on Enfield council to urge the Government, and in particular the Ministry of Justice, to think again about their proposals for the privatisation of the probation service where they are proposing G4S and the like running the probation service.

We oppose the government’s plan to privatise the probation service to make cost savings from centrally managing more offenders in the community and closing prisons.  This will increase risk to Enfield residents.

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

1.1      In the name of Councillor Hamilton:

“We ask this Council to note that 25^th November was white ribbon day and that Enfield Council was the first London Borough to be awarded white ribbon status.

There will be a range of events during the week to call for the end of violence against women and girls; and we Enfield Council call on the coalition government to introduce statutory provisions to make personal, social and health education include a zero tolerance approach to violence and abuse in relationships”.

1.2    In the name of Councillor Charalambous:

“This Council acknowledges with pride Chickenshed’s contribution to arts, community and education in the London Borough of Enfield over the last 40 years and restates the Council’s commitment to a continued partnership which has benefited so many of the Borough’s residents.”

1.3    In the name of Councillor Hamilton:

“I call on Enfield Council to urge the Government, and in particular the Ministry of Justice, to think again about their proposals for the privatisation of the probation service where they are proposing G4S and the like running the probation service.

We oppose the government’s plan to privatise the probation service to make cost savings from centrally managing more offenders in the community and closing prisons.  This will increase risk to Enfield residents”.

NOTED the details of the following decision 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. The decision 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:

(1)       Decision (Rule 16): Judicial Review of the Enfield Clinical Commissioning Group (ECCG)’s decision of 25^th September 2013 to close the Accident and Emergency and Maternity services at Chase Farm Hospital.

To confirm any changes notified to committee memberships.

No changes notified.

To confirm any changes notified to nominations on outside bodies.

No changes notified.

NOTED that the next meeting of the Council would be held at 7.00pm on Wednesday 29 January 2014 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 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Act (as amended by the Local Government (Access to Information) (Variation) Order 2006).

To receive a report of the Director of Schools & Children’s Services providing additional financial information in relation to the provision of the Secondary Tuition Service.   (Report No.102)

This report should be read in conjunction with Report No.96A (Agenda Part 1 refers)

Members are asked to note that the recommendation in the report was approved by Cabinet on 16 October 2013, with Council being asked to note the additional information provided as part of the approval being sought for the addition of the scheme to the Capital Programme.

(This document contains 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) (Key Decision – Reference 3799)

RECEIVED a report from the Director of Schools & Children’s Services (No.102) providing additional financial information in relation to the provision of the Secondary Tuition Service.

NOTED that recommendation in the report had been approved by Cabinet on 16 October 2013.  Report No.96A (Part 1 Agenda) also refers (see Min.82 above).

AGREED to note the valuation and risk implications associated with the scheme for the future provision of the Secondary Tuition Service, as detailed within the report and as a result to confirm its inclusion on the Council’s Capital Programme. (Key Decision – Reference KD3799).

(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).