Agenda for Council on Wednesday, 10th July, 2019, 7.00 pm

Agenda and minutes

Venue: Council Chamber, Civic Centre, Silver Street, Enfield, EN1 3XA. View directions

Contact: Penelope Williams  Email: penelope.williams@enfield.gov.uk

Items
No. Item

1.

The Mayor's Chaplain to give a Blessing

Minutes:

Father Emmanuel Ogunnaike from St Edmund’s Church, Edmonton gave the blessing. 

2.

Mayor's Announcements in Connection with the Ordinary Business of the Council

Minutes:

The Mayor began by wishing everyone good evening and welcoming them to first ordinary Council meeting since becoming Mayor. 

 

The Mayor said “I have embraced my Mayoral duties with great pride.  I am also lucky enough to be supported by two highly intelligent and thoroughly decent young individuals who have been nominated to be our new Young Mayor, Mr Okan Gurhan, and Deputy Young Mayor, Miss Christevie Ngoma.  I am very proud of them and eagerly await to see how their future pans out as I am sure they will be fine upstanding pillars of our community as they enter adulthood.”

 

1.            Citizenship

 

One of her first tasks as Mayor had been chairing the Citizenship ceremony.  She had been honoured to be part of this ceremony where so many members of the borough came to obtain their place in this country.  New citizens attended with great excitement and she said that she enjoyed them all.  She had attended six ceremonies so far. 

 

2.            Events

 

Over the last two months the Mayor had received many invitations and thanked the Deputy Mayor, Cllr Sabri Ozaydin, for helping her with some of the events, together with the Mayoral office, making a great team.

 

The Mayor had the pleasure of meeting many of those involved with the Mayor’s Office, some of whom she had known when she was last Mayor in 2012.  She named:  Ann Cable (Deputy Lieutenant), Kathy Worrall, Paul Everitt, Shaun Rogan, Andrea Clemons, and the very helpful press team. 

 

The Mayor had been extremely lucky to be able to meet many voluntary sector and community agency workers and had been overwhelmed by the amount of work that they all do for the community in our borough.  This helped her to decide which charities she had chosen to support in her Mayoral year.

 

The Mayor had visited many local organisations since becoming mayor and had been amazed at the work being done in the borough.  She said that she had met some wonderful people.

 

3.            The Mayor’s Charities

 

The Mayor’s chosen charities were Sickle Cell and Thalassaemia, Dementia Care, the Children’s Society, the Nightingale Cancer Support Centre, the Lefkara Association in Enfield, the Zebra Children and Adults Charity, Enfield Carers Centre, Stroke Action, Over 50’s Forum, Capel Manor Enriching Programme for Youth Clubs and Groups.

 

The Mayor had begun work on raising as much money as she could for her charities.  The first event was to be the quiz night on the 25th July 2019, which was to take place in the Civic Centre restaurant.  She hoped that as many people as possible would join her for what she hoped would be a very enjoyable evening.  Tickets would cost £10, all of the money collected was to go directly to her charity.

 

4.            Future Engagements

 

The Mayor was launching her autobiography in the Council Chamber on Friday 26th July 2019 at 7pm in the Council Chamber. She hoped members would join her to share this special moment.

 

On the 22nd September  ...  view the full minutes text for item 2.

3.

Minutes of the Meeting held on 8 May 2019 pdf icon PDF 158 KB

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 8 May 2019 as a correct record. 

Minutes:

The minutes of the Council meeting held on 8 May 2019 were received and agreed as a correct record. 

4.

Apologies

Minutes:

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Bond, Boztas, Dey, De Silva, Elif Erbil, Susan Erbil, Achilleas Georgiou, Greer, Ioannou, Lappage and Pite and for lateness from Councillor Alessandro Georgiou. 

5.

Declaration of Interests

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

Minutes:

Councillors Brett, Laban, Milne, Orhan, Rawlings, Smith, Taylor and Vince declared non-pecuniary interests in item 7 on The Response to Climate Change Emergency and Motion 2 in the name of Councillor Vicki Pite. 

6.

Opposition Business - Street Racing on the A10 Great Cambridge Road pdf icon PDF 180 KB

An issues paper prepared by the Opposition Group is attached for Council to consider. 

 

The Council rules relating to Opposition Business are also attached for information.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Councillor Laban introduced the issues paper, prepared by the Opposition Group.

 

1.            Issues highlighted by Councillor Laban were as follows: 

 

·           Racing on the A10 had been causing distress for a long time despite efforts on all sides to improve the situation. 

·           The wards abutting the A10 and further afield were disturbed by the noise and affected by the increased emissions. 

·           It was a key issue for residents, raised on the doorstep and as shown by comments on social media forums and had also been discussed on BBC London. 

·           Transport for London were aware of the issue and questions had been asked of the Mayor of London. 

·           Cameras monitoring average speeds which could help solve the problem had been promised in 2015, but had not materialised.

·           Detective Superintendent Andy Cox and his police team had helped to alleviate the problem, but this was only a temporary solution. A permanent solution was needed.

·           In Hertfordshire, further up the A10, average speed cameras had been installed and this had reduced racing. 

·           Lives were being put in danger and quality of life disturbed. 

·           Councillor Laban asked Council to agree the recommendations in the report. 

 

2.            Councillor Caliskan, the Leader of the Council, responded on behalf of the Majority Group highlighting:

 

·         Welcoming of the opportunity to discuss this important issue, where safety was paramount. 

·         Before 2015 there had been 60 slight, 1 serious and no fatal accidents. Since, there had been 11 serious and 2 fatal accidents, a marked increase. Members were right to be concerned.

·         Acknowledgement that the current police operation, while welcome, was a temporary solution and that a permanent solution was needed.

·         The Government had overseen a cut of 30,000 police officers in London and a £6 million cut in police budgets. This was unsustainable. 

·         The problem with the Opposition recommendations was that they gave no suggestion as to how the cameras were to be funded.  The Government had decimated funding in London and cut the Transport for London operational grant, which now received £1 billion less every year. This meant that they were forced to ration resources and were reviewing the criteria for safety cameras. 

·         The Leader had written to the Mayor of London, Transport for London and to Heidi Alexander (Deputy Mayor of London) to raise the issue and had offered a contribution from the Council towards the cost of installing cameras.

·         She had also written to Chris Grayling, Secretary of State for Transport asking for additional funding, which he had refused to provide. 

·         She felt that it was misleading to state that all transport funding had been devolved, as any fines collected were returned to the treasury. She felt that this money should be spent on safety measures. 

·         The Leader invited them to write to the Secretary of State with her to ask him to invest income from fines in road safety measures.  This could save lives. 

 

3.            Other issues highlighted during the debate were as follows: 

 

a.            The need highlighted by the members of the Opposition Group:  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

7.

Change in Order of Business

Minutes:

Councillor Ergin Erbil moved and Councillor Nesil Caliskan seconded a proposal under paragraph 2.2(B) of the Council procedure rules to change the timing and order of items on the agenda.

 

It was proposed that 120 minutes be allocated to motions and 10 minutes to reports and that motions should be taken in the following order: 15.2, 15.14, 15.8, 15.6, 15.7, 15.5. 

 

This was agreed after a vote with the following result:

 

For: 30

Against: 13

Abstentions: 2  

 

The minutes reflect the order of the meeting. 

8.

Response to Climate Change Emergency pdf icon PDF 211 KB

To receive a report from the Executive Director of Place on a response to the Climate Change Emergency.                                                   (Report No: 57) 

Key Decision Reference:  KD4950/U207

 

This report is due to be considered at a Cabinet meeting to be held on 8 July 2019.  The Cabinet decision will be reported to Council at the meeting. 

 

Cabinet is being asked to recommend that Council makes a commitment to make Enfield carbon neutral by 2030. 

Minutes:

Councillor Nesil Caliskan moved and Councillor Ian Barnes seconded the report of the Executive Director Place on a response to the Climate Change Emergency.  (Report No:  57)

 

NOTED

 

1.            This report had been considered at a Cabinet meeting held on 8 July 2019.  Cabinet had agreed to recommend that the Council should make a commitment to make Enfield carbon neutral by 2030. 

 

2.            The Leader’s view that: 

 

·         This report provided clarity on an important issue which was subject to protest.

·         The issue was also due to be debated in a motion later in the agenda. 

·         The issue required urgent attention.  It was important that the Council should take the lead on making the borough carbon neutral by 2030, if not before.  It represented a step change in attitudes. 

·         The Council will establish a Climate Emergency Task Force to determine how to achieve the target. 

·         The Council has a role to play in making sure that Enfield residents and businesses know the risks of climate change and how it will affect them. 

·         The Council will work with schools to get young people more involved in decision making that will affect their future lives and ensure that they help us make Enfield as green and sustainable as possible. 

·         The Council should be looking to divest in fossil fuel companies that increase carbon emissions.

·         The Pension Policy Investment Committee had already begun to consider their investments, as was right and proper. 

·         The Leader thanked the Extinction Rebellion members for meeting her and for their campaign which had brought the issue to the fore. 

·         Further details would be considered during the discussion on the motion. 

 

3.            The response of the Leader of the Opposition, saying that she could not support the report and expressing: 

 

·           Concern that this issue had not been urgent when the motion was originally presented in January. 

·           Concern that it had only been bought forward because of pressure from local campaign groups. 

·           Concern that the report was weak, too narrowly focussed and contained little financial information on how the targets would be met.

·           Concern that not all Cabinet members had been present when the declaration was originally signed.

·           Concern that the new local plan had identified areas of the Green Belt for possible building, which she felt was contrary to the ambitions on climate change. 

·           Concern that the report had not included more on proposals to increase electric charging points and planting more trees.

 

4.            Thanks to Extinction Rebellion for their brilliant campaign and for bringing the matter to the fore. 

 

5.            That the Cabinet had had a target and that members had signed a pledge on carbon reduction. They had also made a significant investment in green energy. 

 

After the debate a vote was taken on the report recommendations and they were agreed with the following result:

 

For:  28

Against:  1

Abstentions: 14

 

AGREED

 

1.      To note that this report was considered by Cabinet at a meeting on 8 July 2019 and that Cabinet agreed to recommend the report to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

9.

Change in the Order of Business

Minutes:

Councillor Ergin Erbil moved and Councillor Gina Needs seconded a proposal under paragraph 2.2(B) of the Council procedure rules to change the order of items on the agenda to take the motions as the next item: 

 

This was agreed after a vote with the following result:

 

For:  30

Against: 12

Abstentions: 0

 

The minutes reflect the order of the meeting. 

10.

Motions pdf icon PDF 187 KB

Motion 1 in the name of Councillor Achilleas Georgiou

 

“This Council believes: 

 

  1. Children in Enfield receive a good education in good schools.
  2. Schools, and the education of children, are best served when they are part of the local authority working collectively and collaboratively.
  3. Support should be given to schools to remain with the local authority, as opposed to seeking academy status.
  4. The government should reinstate the education services grant to local authorities to ensure children get the education they deserve.”

 

Motion 2 in the name of Councillor Vicki Pite

 

More than 92 councils, including the London Assembly, have now made Climate Emergency Declarations since the IPCC “Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5O C”, published in October 2018, described the enormous harm that a 2°C rise in world temperature is likely to cause, urging that governments and authorities world-wide seek to limit global warming to 1.5O C. Two thirds have set a target date for net zero carbon of 2030. Others have set no target date or have aimed for 2050.

 

On May 1st Parliament approved an opposition motion to declare an environment and climate emergency; a citizens’ assembly on climate change is to meet this autumn and the Prime Minister used one of her last major acts to set 2050 as the date for Britain to end greenhouse gas emissions, making it the first major economy in the world to do so.

 

Research from Greener UK and the Climate Coalition revealed that two thirds of Britons want faster action to tackle climate change.

 

Extinction Rebellion Enfield Enfield has petitioned the Council to declare a climate emergency immediately and come up with concrete plans to get Enfield to net zero carbon emissions by 2025.

 

The London Assembly, in a unanimous vote, called on the Mayor of London to put an emergency plan in place and declare a Climate Emergency in London.

Reflecting our ambitions for Enfield, our children’s future and the demand for action not words, Enfield council notes:

 

  • the IPCC’s Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5°C and endorses the proposal that limiting Global Warming to 1.5°C may still be possible with ambitious action from national and sub-national authorities and others
  • the Mayor of London’s climate change mitigation and adaptation responsibilities and recognises his aims to make London a zero-carbon city by 2050 but welcomes, and supports, further ambitious steps.
  • the declarations by other councils in the UK and around the world that commit resources to tackling the ‘Climate Emergency’
  • that strong policies to cut emissions have associated health, wellbeing and economic benefits

And therefore Enfield Council agrees:

 

  • to declare a climate emergency that requires urgent action
  • that all strategic and policy decisions, budgets, and approaches to planning decisions are in line with a shift to carbon neutrality by 2030
  • that cabinet and officers determine what more can be done locally to cut emissions, and publish a plan setting out these actions for debate and approval by 2020
  • that the Pensions Policy & Investment Committee should  ...  view the full agenda text for item 10.

Minutes:

Motion 15.2

 

Councillor Levy moved, on behalf of Councillor Vicki Pite who had originally put the motion forward, and Councillor Barry seconded the following motion: 

 

“More than 92 councils, including the London Assembly, have now made Climate Emergency Declarations since the IPCC “Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5O C”, published in October 2018, described the enormous harm that a 2°C rise in world temperature is likely to cause, urging that governments and authorities world-wide seek to limit global warming to 1.5O C. Two thirds have set a target date for net zero carbon of 2030. Others have set no target date or have aimed for 2050.

 

On May 1st Parliament approved an opposition motion to declare an environment and climate emergency; a citizens’ assembly on climate change is to meet this autumn and the Prime Minister used one of her last major acts to set 2050 as the date for Britain to end greenhouse gas emissions, making it the first major economy in the world to do so.

 

Research from Greener UK and the Climate Coalition revealed that two thirds of Britons want faster action to tackle climate change.

 

Extinction Rebellion Enfield Enfield has petitioned the Council to declare a climate emergency immediately and come up with concrete plans to get Enfield to net zero carbon emissions by 2025.

 

The London Assembly, in a unanimous vote, called on the Mayor of London to put an emergency plan in place and declare a Climate Emergency in London.

Reflecting our ambitions for Enfield, our children’s future and the demand for action not words, Enfield council notes:

 

  • the IPCC’s Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5°C and endorses the proposal that limiting Global Warming to 1.5°C may still be possible with ambitious action from national and sub-national authorities and others
  • the Mayor of London’s climate change mitigation and adaptation responsibilities and recognises his aims to make London a zero-carbon city by 2050 but welcomes, and supports, further ambitious steps.
  • the declarations by other councils in the UK and around the world that commit resources to tackling the ‘Climate Emergency’
  • that strong policies to cut emissions have associated health, wellbeing and economic benefits

And therefore Enfield Council agrees:

 

  • to declare a climate emergency that requires urgent action
  • that all strategic and policy decisions, budgets, and approaches to planning decisions are in line with a shift to carbon neutrality by 2030
  • that cabinet and officers determine what more can be done locally to cut emissions, and publish a plan setting out these actions for debate and approval by 2020
  • that the Pensions Policy & Investment Committee should continue to play its part in reducing carbon and mitigating its effects by looking, in consultation with pension beneficiaries, to invest in assets which contribute to a decarbonised economy; including divesting from assets, in a managed way, which do not contribute to meeting the objectives
  • that our partners, especially young people, are involved in these plans so that our communities have a voice in  ...  view the full minutes text for item 10.

11.

Duration of Council Meeting

Minutes:

The Mayor advised, at this stage of the meeting, that the time available to complete the agenda had now elapsed so Council Procedure Rule 9 would apply.

 

NOTED that in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 9 (page 4-8 – Part 4), the remaining items of business on the Council agenda were considered without debate.

12.

LED Conversion Project 2019 for Highway Street Lighting pdf icon PDF 213 KB

To receive a report from the Executive Director Place on the LED Conversion Project for Highway Street Lighting.                    (Report No: 7) 

Key Decision Reference:  KD: KD4863

 

Council is asked to approve additional funding for the Council’s Capital Programme to cover the cost of the project.

 

This report was considered and agreed at Cabinet on 12 June 2019.  The recommendations in the report have since been called in and the call in is due to be considered at a meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 9 July 2019.  The outcome of the call-in meeting will be reported to Council at the meeting. 

Minutes:

RECEIVED: the report from the Executive Director Place on the LED Conversion Project for Street Lighting. (Report No: 7)

 

NOTED

 

1.            That Cabinet had agreed at their meeting held on 12 June 2019 and had recommended that Council approve additional funding for the Council’s Capital Programme to cover the cost of the project.

2.            The Cabinet decision had been called in and was considered at a meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 9 July 2019.  At the meeting, the Overview and Scrutiny Committee agreed to confirm the original Cabinet decision. 

 

AGREED: 

 

1.         To note that Cabinet had approved at their meeting on 12 June 2019:

 

ii)         A project to replace the existing street lights with LED lighting in line with current design standards and introduce a smart central management system.

ii)         A recommendation to Council, for the inclusion of the Street Lighting Project in the Council’s approved Capital Programme at a cost of £6.375m.

iii)        A recommendation to Council, for funding arrangements as set out in the report being external borrowing of £6.375m of which there is a five-year interest free loan of £4.09m from SALIX.

iv)        To note that the updated net savings will be reflected in the MTFP for 2020/21 and future years.

v)        To delegate to the Director of Environment and Operational Services, in consultation with the Director of Law and Governance, approval to make any necessary changes to the terms of the Street Lighting PFI contract.

 

2.            To approve:

 

i)          The inclusion of the Street Lighting Project in the Council’s approved Capital Programme at a cost of £6.375m.

ii)         Funding arrangements as set out in the report being external borrowing of £6.375m of which there is a five-year interest free loan of £4.09m from SALIX.

13.

Councillor Conduct Committee Annual Report 2018/19 pdf icon PDF 288 KB

To receive the annual report from the London Borough of Enfield’s Councillor Conduct Committee for 2018/19.  The report sets out the key issues dealt with by the committee during the past year. 

 

This report is due to be considered at the next meeting of the Councillor Conduct Committee on 3 July 2019 which is after the agenda has been published.  Any changes agreed will be reported to Council at the meeting. 

Minutes:

RECEIVED the Annual Report of the Councillor Conduct Committee setting out the work carried out over the past year (2018/9).

 

NOTED

 

1.            The report was considered and agreed at the meeting of the Councillor Conduct Committee held on 3 July 2019 with the following additional information: The monitoring officer had dealt with 22 complaints in total during the year and there were 6 outstanding complaints, subject to further investigation”. 

 

AGREED to note the Annual Report 2018/19 of the Councillor Conduct Committee.

14.

Independent Person - Extension of Term of Appointment pdf icon PDF 140 KB

To receive a report from the Director of Law and Governance on a proposal to extend the term of appointment of Christine Chamberlain as Independent Person for two years.  (Report No:  55)

 

This report is due to be considered at the next meeting of the Councillor Conduct Committee on 3 July 2019 which is after the agenda has been published.  The Councillor Conduct Committee recommendation will be reported to Council at the meeting. 

Minutes:

RECEIVED the report of the Director of Law and Governance regarding the extension of the appointment of Christine Chamberlain as Independent Person.  (Report No:  55)

 

NOTED that the Councillor Conduct Committee at their meeting held on 3 July 2019 had agreed to recommend that Council extend the term of appointment of Christine Chamberlain for two years to 30 June 2021. 

 

AGREED to extend the term of appointment of Christine Chamberlain, Independent Person, whose current term of office comes to an end on 30 June 2019, by two years to 30 June 2021.

15.

Membership of Audit and Risk Management Committee pdf icon PDF 84 KB

To receive a report from the Director of Law and Governance on changes to the Audit and Risk Management Committee Membership.    (Report No: 59)

Minutes:

RECEIVED a report from the Director of Law and Governance on changes to the Audit and Risk Management Committee Membership.  (Report No:  59)

 

AGREED to determine the membership of the Audit and Risk Management Committee to be a committee of nine with seven Labour and two Conservative members.   

16.

Council Housing Board - Changes to Terms of Reference pdf icon PDF 181 KB

To receive a report from the Director of Housing and Regeneration on changes proposed for the Council Housing Board.  (Report No: 61)

 

Council is asked to approve the changes including the terms of reference. 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

This item was withdrawn. 

17.

Urgency Report pdf icon PDF 149 KB

Council is asked to note the details provided of three decisions recently taken under the Council’s urgency procedure relating to the waiver of the Council’s key decision and call in processes along with the reasons for urgency. 

 

The decisions were 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.

 

Minutes:

NOTED

 

1.            The details provided of three decisions recently taken under the Council’s urgency procedure relating to the waiver of the Council’s key decision and call in processes along with the reasons for urgency. 

2.            The decisions were 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. 

 

Councillor Laban indicated that if there had been a vote on this issue the Opposition would have voted against. 

18.

Councillor Question Time pdf icon PDF 461 KB

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. 

 

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

 

The list of questions and their written responses will be published on Tuesday 9 July 2019. 

Minutes:

1.            Urgent Questions

 

There were no urgent questions.

 

2.            Questions by Councillors

 

NOTED

 

1.            The forty questions on the Council agenda and the written responses provided by the relevant Cabinet Members.

19.

Committee Membership

To confirm changes to Committee memberships:

 

·         Audit and Risk Management Committee:  Councillor Tim Leaver to be appointed Vice Chair of the committee. 

·         Pension Policy and Investment Committee – to confirm the appointment of Councillor Tim Leaver as Chair and Councillor Claire Stewart as Vice Chair

·         Conservation Advisory Group – Councillor Ayfer Orhan to replace Councillor Charith Gunawardena. 

 

Any further changes received once the agenda has been published with be tabled on the Council update sheet at the meeting. 

Minutes:

AGREED to confirm the following changes to Committee memberships: 

 

·         Audit and Risk Management Committee:  Councillor Tim Leaver to be appointed to the Committee as Vice Chair and Councillors Claire Stewart and Councillor James Hockney to be appointed to the new vacancies. 

·         Pension Policy and Investment Committee – to confirm the appointment of Councillor Tim Leaver as Chair and Councillor Claire Stewart as Vice Chair.

·         Conservation Advisory Group – Councillor Ayfer Orhan to replace Councillor Charith Gunawardena

·         Electoral Review Panel – to appoint Councillor Nesil Caliskan as Chair and Councillor Ian Barnes as Vice Chair. 

20.

Nominations to Outside Bodies

To confirm any changes to the nominations on outside bodies: 

 

No changes notified at present. 

 

Members are asked to note that any changes notified after the agenda has been published will be reported to Council on the update sheet to be tabled at the meeting. 

Minutes:

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

·         North London Waste Authority – Councillor Bond to replace Councillor Barnes as the Council representative. 

21.

Date of Next Meeting

To note the date agreed for the next Council meeting:

 

·         Wednesday 18 September 2019 at 7pm at Enfield Civic Centre. 

Minutes:

NOTED that the next ordinary Council meeting will take place on Wednesday 18 September 2019 at 7pm.