Agenda for Council on Wednesday, 25th March, 2015, 7.00 pm

Agenda and minutes

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

Contact: James Kinsella  Email: James.kinsella@enfield.gov.uk

Items
No. Item

160.

ELECTION (IF REQUIRED) OF THE CHAIR/DEPUTY CHAIR OF THE MEETING

Minutes:

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

161.

MAYOR’S CHAPLAIN TO GIVE A BLESSING

The Mayor’s Chaplain to give a blessing.

Minutes:

Rabi Levy from Palmers Green and Southgate Synagogue gave the blessing. 

162.

Mayor's Announcements (if any) in connection with the ordinary Council Business

Minutes:

The Mayor made the following announcements:

 

(a)           Review of Mayoral Year in Office

 

As this was the final ordinary meeting of Council prior to the Annual Council Meeting, the Mayor provided a brief review of his year in office.  He highlighted how much he had enjoyed carrying out his duties in every corner of the borough as well as events outside Enfield.  Being first citizen of the borough had been an honour and he thanked Council for nominating and supporting him throughout the year. 

 

He could not estimate how many events he had attended but pointed out that he had been very busy, as had Councillor Ekechi in support as Deputy Mayor.  He thanked her for attending the functions he had been unable to. 

 

He had enjoyed meeting a wide variety of people, young and old along with many different voluntary and community groups who did so much good work for the people of Enfield. 

 

He advised it was not possible to pick out a single highlight, as there had been so many, but had particularly enjoyed visiting many junior and secondary schools and welcoming lots of children into the Council Chamber for various debates and visits.

 

Finally he took the opportunity to thank officers for their support over the year with special mention of Melanie Harris, Peter Stanyon, Lisa McEwan, Alison Brookes, Norman, Andy and Mark, as well as John Austin, Asmat Hussain and James Kinsella for their help on Council itself.

 

(b)           Local Government Chronicle Award for Community Involvement. 

 

The Mayor advised that earlier in the month Enfield had won the top accolade for Community Involvement at the prestigious Local Government Chronicle awards. 

 

The work recognised innovation in partnership working with projects that directly sought out and involved the active participation of customers and service users to drive quality improvements.  Four service areas had been highlighted in the award.

 

·                Adults: Quality Checkers – users, family and friends acting as critical friends to enable service improvement.

 

·               Schools and Children’s Services:  (a) Youth Engagement Panel – A partnership programme with the police to develop a Youth Engagement Panel that worked to move young people from a position of disaffection to one of active involvement, social responsibility and achievement; (b) Young Inspectors – youth service participants as inspectors of provision, undertaking training alongside professionals and raising standards in youth based centres across the council; and (c) Parent Engagement Panel – the development of a network of peer support panels serving parents across the whole borough, preventing isolation and enabling greater participation in community based activities and services.

 

The Mayor informed Members that in each case these initiatives had facilitated the development of a skilled, aspirational, confident, resilient and self-supporting community.  Participants had developed a greater understanding of what the council did, how it worked and how they could play a part in service improvement.  This had enabled the creation of opportunities for work, enterprise, education and training and a community who were knowledgeable about and an asset to Enfield. 

 

The Mayor  ...  view the full minutes text for item 162.

163.

MINUTES pdf icon PDF 244 KB

To approve, as a correct record, the minutes of the Council meeting held on Wednesday 25th February 2015.

Minutes:

AGREED that the minutes of the Council meeting held on 25 Feburary 2015 be confirmed and signed as a correct record. 

164.

APOLOGIES

Minutes:

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Katherine Chibah, Sarah Doyle, Christine Hamilton, Ertan Hurer, Suna Hurman and Rohini Simbodyal.

165.

DECLARATION OF INTERESTS

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

Minutes:

The Mayor invited John Austin (Assistant Director Governance Projects) to make a short statement relating to the declaration of interests in respect of Agenda Item 7: Opposition Business – The cost of temporary accommodation and what can be done about it:

 

Members were advised that notice had been received by the Monitoring Officer, signed by the Leaders of both Groups, requesting that a dispensation be granted enabling all members to participate in the debate and decision on this item at the Council meeting.  The request had been made in view of the number of members who would otherwise be prevented from participating in the debate due to them needing to declare a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest, on the grounds this was likely to (a) impede the transaction of business; and (b) so upset the representation of different political groups on Council as to alter the outcome of any vote.  Having considered the request the Monitoring Officer had agreed to grant the dispensation which it was noted would only apply for this meeting.

 

The following interest were declared in relation to other items on the agenda:

 

Agenda Item 8: Update on the Strategy for the Provision of Secondary School Places

 

·               Councillor Laban declared a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest as a close family member was employed as a headteacher of a Secondary School operating within the Borough.

 

Agenda Item 10: Establishing a Local Pensions Board

 

·               Councillor Maguire declared a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest as a full time employee of UNISON;

·               Councillor Stewart declared a  Disclosable Pecuniary Interest given the interest declared by Councillor Maguire as a “close family member”.

166.

Order of Business

Minutes:

Before moving the first item listed on the main Council agenda, the Mayor advised Members that he had agreed to the inclusion of two urgent items for consideration at the meeting.  He then invited John Austin (Assistant Director Governance Projects) to make a brief statement advising how it was intended to deal with both items.

 

John Austin referred members to the Supplementary Council Agenda, which contained a report from the Director of Finance, Resources & Customer Services (No.213) detailing two petitions, which although still subject to final verification, appeared to contain the required number of signatures for debate at Council.  The required figure was 3124 (1% of the assessed population based on the 2011 census population).

 

Members were advised that the first petition related to the site of the Green Dragon Public House and the second to the former Middlesex University site in Trent Park.  It was confirmed that the Mayor had agreed to deal with both petitions as urgent items (pursuant to Section 100B(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, as amended) on the grounds that they had firstly been received after the dispatch of the main Council agenda and secondly as both petitions concerned live applications under the Assets of Community Value nomination process and could not therefore await consideration at the next ordinary business meeting in July 2015.

 

In addition, members were advised that the main Council agenda included a motion (Agenda Item 14.4) submitted in the name of Councillor J.Charalambous which also directly related to the petition on the former Middlesex University site in Trent Park.

 

Council was informed that the Leaders of both Groups had therefore agreed to recommend a change in the order of the agenda (under paragraph 2.2 (page 4-6) of the Council Procedure Rules) in order to enable both petitions to be considered as follows:

 

·                Firstly to receive and consider the petition on the Green Dragon Public House, in accordance with the Council’s Petition Procedure.  Under the procedure the lead petitioner (Mike McLean) would have 5 minutes to address Council.  This would be followed by a 15 minute period for debate by Council, prior to Members being asked to consider the recommendations in the report circulated with the Supplementary Agenda.

 

·                Having dealt with the petition on the Green Dragon Public House, Council would then move on to consider the petition relating to the former Middlesex University site in Trent Park as part of the motion submitted on the same issue with Councillor J.Charalambous (as lead petitioner) having agreed to combine both items.  The normal rules of debate in relation to motions would apply for this item.

 

The change in the order of agenda (as set out above) was agreed unanimously without a vote with the minutes reflecting the order in which the items were dealt with at the meeting.

167.

Petitions - Save the Green Dragon Public House & Save Trent Park pdf icon PDF 142 KB

To receive pursuant to Section 100B(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended) a report from the Director of Finance, Resources & Customer Services detailing two petitions that have been received which meet the criteria (in terms of the number of signatures) for debate at Council.

(Report No.213)

 

Council is being asked to consider these petitions as urgent items given the fact that both petitions were received after the Council agenda had been dispatched and both issues are the subject of live applications under the Asset of Community Value process, with the next ordinary business meeting of the Council not scheduled until mid-July.

Minutes:

Councillor Taylor moved and Councillor Stewart seconded the report of the Director of Finance, Resources and Customer Services (No.213) circulated as a Supplementary Council agenda which detailed two petitions being submitted for consideration by Council as urgent items, under the Petitions Procedure.

 

The Petitions were dealt with in the following order:

 

1.1    Petition: Green Dragon Public House

 

NOTED

 

1.         The background and history of the site on which the Green Dragon Public House had been located.

 

2.      The current use of the building on the site as a discount retail store, which had been converted from the public house under Permitted Development Rights.

 

3.      The Assets of Community Value nomination process, which Members were informed the property was now subject to following an application submitted on 6 March 2015.  The nomination process was governed by set criteria, which included as one element an assessment regarding the strength of local community feeling.  The nomination would be considered by an Evaluation Panel made up of officers with relevant knowledge and professional skills and it was therefore felt reasonable for the petition to be referred on to the Panel for consideration as part of that process.

 

4.      In terms of any further action in relation to the petition, it was not felt appropriate (whilst the application was subject to the live nomination procedure) for the Council to agree anything further outside of that procedure.  Should the property be successful in its nomination as an Asset of Community Value it would lead to a moratorium, in respect of any future disposal of the asset.

 

The Mayor then invited Mike McLean (as lead petitioner) to address the meeting, who highlighted the following issues:

 

·                The petition contained approximately 4,200 signatures which had been gathered in support of protecting the site from redevelopment and its continued use as a public house.

 

·                The long history of the site in terms of its use as a public house and its iconic status as a building at the centre of the local community.

 

·                Although business had declined in recent years it was felt that its use as a public house could generate significant interest, under the right style of management given its location at the heart of the community and good transport links.

 

·                Members of the local community had been disappointed at what they felt to have been the secretive nature of the sale of the site to the current owner, with other companies who specialised in the pub sector having since expressed potential interest in continuing to run the property as a public house.

 

·                Concerns were expressed at the current viability of the property in terms of its use as a “pop up” discount retail store and impact this may have on any future development or use.

 

·                The need to recognise the local community value of the premises and to support, in any way possible, the aims of the petition in safeguarding and protecting its future use as a public house and preventing any other form of development on  ...  view the full minutes text for item 167.

168.

Opposition Business - The cost of Temporary Accommodation and what can be done about it pdf icon PDF 104 KB

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

 

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

Additional documents:

Minutes:

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

 

1.         The opportunity was being taken to raise housing as an area for debate in view of the spiralling cost of Temporary Accommodation and action being taken to address this issue both in terms of managing supply and reducing the overall level of demand.

 

2.      The complexity of the issues to be addressed were recognised, with the paper looking to highlight the work also being undertaken by officers and members involved in the review currently being undertaken by the Temporary Accommodation Scrutiny Work Stream who had been looking at what could be done to resolve the issues around the rising level of need for temporary accommodation in Enfield.

 

3.      The cost of providing temporary accommodation for households accepted as homeless was now the single largest cost pressure facing the Council over the next financial year, with the cost pressure identified for 2015/16 identified as £7.7m.

 

4.      Whilst the obvious solution would be to provide more affordable homes the measures in place to increase housing supply were expensive and would also take time to deliver.  The Opposition Group were also not supportive of the approach being taken under the Housing Gateway initiative given the impact on the local housing market.  The paper had not, however, focussed on these measures as the need to build more housing was accepted between political parties at both a local and national level.  In addition the paper had not focussed on the impact of “Right to Buy” as an issue, given this was current Government policy that the Council had little, if any influence over.  Another major issue highlighted related to population increase and migration, although again it was accepted this was something beyond the immediate control of the Council.

 

5.      The Opposition Group had identified a number of more locally focussed measures which they felt would assist in addressing the current position and managing the overall cost of temporary accommodation.  These related to the following areas (as detailed within the Opposition Business Paper):

 

a.      acting to reduce the number of households accepted as homeless by tightening the burden of proof in relation to the criteria laid down in government guidelines;

 

b.      providing greater financial and more targeted incentives to private landlords; and

 

c.       increasing the number of homeless households in temporary accommodation being placed in accommodation outside of the Borough.  This would need to be based on a targeted approach which recognised the associated legal issues but it was felt could be achieved with the necessary political will by the Majority Group.  It was pointed out that more homeless households were placed in Enfield by other Councils than any other London Borough last year, with the exception of Lewisham and Croydon.

 

Whilst recognising that the issue was complex with no simple solutions and was not something for which the Council was entirely responsible, Councillor Smith concluded by highlighting the need for difficult decisions to have to be made and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 168.

169.

Order of Business

Minutes:

Following on from Opposition Business, Councillor Stewart moved and Councillor Taylor seconded a proposal to move the order of the items on the agenda under paragraph 2.2 (page 4-6) of the Council Procedure Rules to enable the meeting to consider the following as the next items of business:

 

·                Emergency Motion: – in the name of Councillor Orhan

 

·                Motion 14:5:  Motion -in the name of Councillor Stewart

 

The change in the order of the agenda was agreed, after a vote with the following result:

 

For: 30

Against: 21

 

Before considering either of the above items, Councillor Lavender then moved and Councillor Rye seconded a further change in the order of business in order to enable Agenda Item 9: Child Sexual Exploitation Task Group – Terms of Reference and Operational Arrangements to be considered in advance of the above motions.

 

This further change in the order of agenda was put the vote and not agreed, with the following result:

 

For: 21

Against: 30

 

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

170.

Emergency Motion

Minutes:

The Mayor advised that he agreed to accept the following item as an emergency motion, with copies tabled for members at the meeting.  This had been on the basis of the reasons for urgency provided in advance of the meeting.

 

Having welcomed the Mayor’s decision, Councillor Orhan moved and Councillor Neville seconded the following motion:

 

“This Council calls for cross party support of the 20 March 2015 online petition by Londra Gazette against the short sighted decision announced by the Oxford, Cambridge and RSA Exam Board (OCR) to drop the Turkish Language ‘A’ Level examination, particularly as there is strong evidence that the participation of students sitting the Turkish Language exams are higher than for German or Spanish which will not be discontinued.

 

Given that Turkish is one of the most spoken languages in Enfield, this Council calls on Nicky Morgan, the Education Secretary, to apply pressure on OCR to reverse the decision to scrap ‘A’ Level Turkish Language.”

 

Cross party support was expressed for the motion although as a result of the debate, Councillor J. Charalambous moved and Councillor Neville seconded as an amendment the inclusion of the following additional wording at the end of the motion:

 

and also calls for pressure to be applied into reversing the decision to scrap other language subjects that have been dropped.”

 

The amendment, as set out above was agreed without a vote, and the substantive motion (as amended and set out below) was then agreed unanimously without a vote:

 

“This Council calls for cross party support of the 20 March 2015 online petition by Londra Gazette against the short sighted decision announced by the Oxford, Cambridge and RSA Exam Board (OCR) to drop the Turkish Language ‘A’ Level examination, particularly as there is strong evidence that the participation of students sitting the Turkish Language exams are higher than for German or Spanish which will not be discontinued.

 

Given that Turkish is one of the most spoken languages in Enfield, this Council calls on Nicky Morgan, the Education Secretary, to apply pressure on OCR to reverse the decision to scrap ‘A’ Level Turkish Language and also calls for pressure to be applied into reversing the decision to scrap other language subjects that have been dropped.”

171.

Motion

Minutes:

Councillor Stewart moved and Councillor Jiagge seconded the following motion: 

 

“This Council believes that, since the General Election in 2010, the current Government has presided over one of the most devastating attacks on our society.  Our communities in Enfield have felt the effect of the Conservative led coalition government’s destructive policies and ideology to shrink the state and rely on market forces.  We now live in a borough that has over 1,000 claimants affected by the bedroom tax, two food banks operating in the borough to feed the rising number of hungry families, and an increase in homelessness.  These are just some of the indicators of a failed Government.  Enfield Council has been left to pick up the pieces, while facing increasing financial pressures imposed by Central Government. 

 

This Council calls upon the next Government elected on 7 May 2015 to put an end to this callous way of governing and to take responsibility for supporting the vulnerable and the rebuilding our society.” 

 

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

 

For: 32

Against: 21

Abstentions: 0

172.

Order of Business

Minutes:

Councillor Stewart then moved and Councillor Rye seconded a further proposal to change the order of business on the agenda under paragraph 2.2 (page 4-6) of the Council Procedure Rules to enable the meeting to take the following as the next item of business:

 

Item 9 Child Sexual Exploitation Task Group – Terms of Reference and Operational Arrangements.

 

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

 

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

173.

Child Sexual Exploitation Task Group - Terms of Reference & Operational Arrangements & Duration of Council Meeting pdf icon PDF 179 KB

To receive a report from the Director of Schools & Children’s Services setting out the draft Terms of Reference and operating arrangements for the Child Sexual Exploitation Task Group, established by Council on 25th February 2015.    TO FOLLOW

(Report No.206)

 

Members are asked to note that in establishing the Task Group, Council requested that a further report be submitted setting out the detailed Terms of Reference and operational arrangements for the Group, following initial consideration by members of the Task Group.

Minutes:

Councillor Orhan moved and Councillor Abdullahi seconded the report from the Director of Schools and Children’s Services (No. 206) setting out the proposed Terms of Reference and operating arrangements for the Child Sexual Exploitation Task Group, established by Council on 25 February 2015.

 

NOTED

 

1.         That in establishing the Task Group, Council had requested that a further report be submitted, setting out the detailed Terms of Reference and operational arrangements for the group, following initial consideration by members of the Task Group.

 

2.      The innovative and trailblazing nature of the Task Group in terms of Enfield’s approach towards strengthening the governance arrangements and political oversight around the safeguarding of vulnerable children and young people.

 

3.      The Terms of Reference proposed for the Task Group, as detailed in Appendix 1 of the report, which had been subject to consultation with members of the Task Group.

 

4.      Membership would consist of non-Executive Members with the Task Group required to report to full Council twice a year.

 

5.      The cross party support for the establishment of the Task Group and its role, as set out within the proposed Terms of Reference, including the need identified to undertake a review of relevant legislation.

 

6.      The need identified to ensure, in terms of maintaining political proportionality on the Task Group, that reference to its membership avoided mention of specific political groups and was instead based on members from the Majority and Opposition Group.

 

6.      Whilst supportive of the proposed remit of the Task Group, the need was also recognised to avoid any complacency in terms of the approach adopted towards investigating and tackling concerns raised in relation to the safeguarding of vulnerable children and young people within the Borough.  An assurance was provided by the Cabinet Member for Education, Children’s Services and Protection that all concerns raised were taken seriously and subject to robust investigation procedures.

 

There then followed a short debate on the report.  Given the time available before the meeting was due to end and number of members who had indicated they still wished to speak Councillor Taylor moved and Councillor Stewart seconded a procedural motion during the debate under Council Procedure Rule 11 (m) to extend the meeting for an additional period of 15 minutes.  This was agreed unanimously without a vote.

 

The recommendations in the report were then put to the vote and agreed unanimously without a vote.

 

AGREED to approve the Terms of Reference for the Task Group, as detailed in Appendix 1 of the report subject to its composition being amended to read 4 members of the Majority Group and 2 members of the Opposition Group.

174.

Council Procedure Rule 8 - Duration of the 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 8 would apply.

 

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.

175.

Update on the strategy for the provision of secondary school places pdf icon PDF 392 KB

To receive a report from the Director of Schools and Children’s Services providing an update on the strategy for provision of secondary school places across the borough.        (Report No.205)

 

Members are asked to note that the update was requested by Council (8th October 2014) as one of the outcomes of the debate on the strategy and approach towards the delivery of school places in Enfield, with agreement that the update be provided before the end of the current Municipal Year.

Minutes:

RECEIVED a report from the Director of Schools and Children’s Services (No: 205) providing an update on the strategy for the provision of secondary school places across the borough.

 

NOTED that the update was requested by Council (8 October 2014) as one of the outcomes of the debate on the strategy and approach towards the delivery of school places in Enfield, with agreement that the update be provided before the end of the current Municipal year.

 

AGREED to note the report provided.

 

The Leader of the Opposition asked for his Groups concern to be noted that it had not been possible to debate the report at the meeting.

 

Councillor Laban declared a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest in this item.  As the matter was dealt with under the guillotine procedure she did not withdraw from the meeting but took no part in the decision made on the report.

176.

Establishing a Local Pensions Board pdf icon PDF 152 KB

To receive a report from the Director of Finance, Resources & Customer Services regarding the introduction of a new pension governance structure, for implementation with effect from 1 April 2015.            (Report No.207)

 

Members are asked to note that the report was considered and recommended on to Council in order to approve the changes required to the Constitution, by the Members & Democratic Services Group on 18 February 2015.  Council is therefore being asked to approve the establishment of a Pension Board and a Pension Policy and Investment Committee, as detailed within the report.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

RECEIVED a report from the Director of Finance, Resources and Customer Services (No: 207) regarding the introduction of a new pension governance structure, for implementation with effect from 1 April 2015.

 

NOTED that the report had been considered and recommended on to Council by the Members and Democratic Services Group on 18 February 2015, in order to approve the changes required to the Constitution,. 

 

AGREED to approve the establishment of the Pension Board and Pension Policy and Investment Committee with the terms of reference as set out in Appendices 1 and 2 of the report and to amend the Council’s Constitution accordingly.

 

The Leader of the Opposition asked for all members of the Opposition Group present at the meeting to be recorded as voting against the above decision, given concerns relating to the composition of the Local Pension Board.

 

Councillors Maguire and Stewart declared a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest in this item.  As the matter was dealt with under the guillotine procedure they did not withdraw from the meeting but took no part in the decision made on the report.

177.

References from Members & Democratic Services Group: (a) Amendment to the policy on filming at meetings; (b) Adoption of a Protocol of Member Appointment Panels and update to Appointment Panel Terms of Reference and Procedure Rules pdf icon PDF 169 KB

To receive a report from the Director of Finance, Resources & Customer Services seeking approval to:

 

(a)       amend the Council’s policy on filming at meetings; and

 

(b)       adopt a protocol for Member Appointment Panels and update to Terms of Reference and Procedure Rules.

(Report No.208)

 

Members are asked to note that both of the above were considered and approved for recommendation on to Council by the Members & Democratic Services Group on 18 February 2015.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

RECEIVED a report  from the Director of Finance, Resources and Customer Services (No: 208)seeking approval to:

 

a.         amend the Council’s policy on filming at meetings; and

 

b.         adopt a protocol for Member Appointment Panels and update the Appointment Panel Terms of Reference and Officer Employment Procedure Rules.

 

NOTED that the proposed amendments and protocol had been considered and approved for recommendation on to Council by the Members and Democratic Services Group on 18 February 2015.

 

AGREED

 

(1)     The amendment to section (c) of the policy for filming at Council meetings, as set out in para 3.1.7 of the report and to the administrative change in terms of how the policy is cross referenced within the remainder of the Constitution, as detailed in section 3.1.8 of the report.

 

(2)     To adopt the Member Appointment Panel Protocol and approve the amendments to the Terms of Reference for the Appointments Panel and Officer Employment Procedure Rules, as detailed in section 3.2 and Appendix 1 of the report. 

178.

Members Allowances Scheme 2015/16

The Members’ Allowances Scheme forms Part 6 of the Constitution.  Paragraph 6.3 (c) states that “Annual Increases in allowances will be linked to average earnings, for the period ending the previous March of each year.  New rates will be effective from the new Municipal year.”

 

When considering the Scheme for the 2014/2015 financial year, Council resolved:  “That the current Members Allowances Scheme is re-approved and that the automatic increase in allowances by the average earnings as at March not be implemented for the 2014/15 financial year.  At the same time it be acknowledged that following the elections in May 2014, the Administration may wish to review allowances within the overall budgetary figure and in accordance with the recommendations of the Independent Remuneration Panel.”

 

There is a need to consider the level of allowances payable under the scheme for 2015/16, with Council asked to consider the following recommendation.

 

Recommendation

 

Council is invited to re-approve the current Members’ Allowances Scheme for the 2015/2016 financial year, as set out in Part 6 of the Constitution, and to confirm that the automatic increase in allowances by the average earnings as at March be not implemented again.

Minutes:

Members were asked to consider an update from the Director of Finance, Resources & Customer Services, listed on the agenda as Item 11 relating to the Members Allowance Scheme for 2015/16.

 

NOTED

 

1.         The Members Allowances Scheme (Part 6 of the Constitution - Paragraph 6.3 (c)) stated that “Annual Increases in allowances will be linked to average earnings, for the period ending the previous March of each year.  New rates will be effective from the new municipal year.”

 

2.         When considering the scheme for the 2014/15 financial year, Council had resolved “That the current Members Allowance Scheme is re-approved and that the automatic increase in allowances by the average earnings as at March not be implemented for the 2014/15 financial year.  At the same time it be acknowledged that following the elections in May 2014, the administration may wish to review allowances within the overall budgetary figure and in accordance with the recommendations of the Independent Remuneration Panel”.

 

3.         The need, following on from 2.above, to now consider the level of allowances payable under the scheme for 2015/16.

 

AGREED to re-approve the current Member’s Allowances Scheme for the 2015/16 financial year, as set out in Part 6 of the Constitution, and to confirm that the automatic increase in allowances by the average earnings as at March be not implemented again.

179.

COUNCILLORS’ QUESTION TIME (Time Allowed - 30 minutes) pdf icon PDF 441 KB

13.1  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.

 

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

 

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

Minutes:

1.1    Urgent Questions

 

None received

 

1.2    Questions by Councillors

 

NOTED the sixty one questions on the Council’s agenda and written responses provided by the relevant Cabinet Member, Associate Cabinet Members and Scrutiny Work Stream Chair.

180.

MOTIONS

14.1    In the name of Councillor Neville:

 

“It has recently come to light that Councillor Nesimi Erbil was convicted of two fraud related offences in relation to his license to drive a London taxi (black cab), the convictions having occurred last September.

 

The council is of the view that these offences, being offences of dishonesty render Councillor Erbil unfit to serve on the council and accordingly calls upon him to resign his seat forthwith.”

 

14.2    In the name of Councillor Laban:

 

“The Council calls upon the Cabinet Member for Environment and Community Safety to improve its relationship with the Friends of the Parks Groups by agreeing to consult them on council projects and decisions that relate to the parks in our borough in recognition of their status as a key partner in the delivery of our parks service.”

 

14.3    In the name of Councillor Laban:

 

“In light of recent events in relation to consultation, the Council calls upon the Leader of the Council to implement a review across all departments in order to provide residents with greater confidence in the way Enfield Council conducts consultation.”

 

14.4    In the name of Councillor J.Charalambous:

 

“In light of uncertainty over the future ownership of the former Middlesex University campus in Trent Country Park and overwhelming public support for the Save Trent Park Campaign, Enfield Council will take immediate steps to fulfil the requirements of the petition set up by the campaign group , which currently has over 3500 signatures – namely to grant the former Middlesex University campus the status of an Asset of Community Value (as per the application submitted by the Friends of Trent Country Park and Christ Church Cockfosters); amend planning rules to grant permanent public access across the grounds (as enjoyed for decades during Middlesex University’s ownership); actively encourage a long term public use for the listed mansion and grounds which will also promote the important role the Estate played in World War II; and re-evaluate the management and strategic vision of Trent Country Park as a whole.”

 

14.5    In the name of Councillor Stewart:

 

“This Council believes that, since the General Election in 2010, the current Government has presided over one of the most devastating attacks on our society. Our communities in Enfield have felt the effect of the Conservative-led Government’s destructive policies and ideology to shrink the state and rely on market forces. We now live in a borough that has over 1,000 claimants affected by the bedroom tax, two foodbanks operating in the borough to feed the rising number of hungry families, and an increase in homelessness. These are just some of the indicators of a failed Government. Enfield Council has often been left to pick up the pieces, while facing increasing financial pressures imposed by central Government.  

This Council calls upon the next Government elected on 7th May 2015 to put an end to this callous way of governing and to take responsibility for supporting the vulnerable and rebuilding our society.

 

14.6  ...  view the full agenda text for item 180.

Minutes:

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

 

1.1       In the name of Councillor Neville:

 

“It has recently come to light that Councillor Nesimi Erbil was convicted of two fraud related offences in relation to his license to drive a London taxi (black cab), the convictions having occurred last September.

 

The council is of the view that these offences, being offences of dishonesty render Councillor Erbil unfit to serve on the council and accordingly calls upon him to resign his seat forthwith.”

 

1.2       In the name of Councillor Laban:

 

“The Council calls upon the Cabinet Member for Environment and Community Safety to improve its relationship with the Friends of the Parks Groups by agreeing to consult them on council projects and decisions that relate to the parks in our borough in recognition of their status as a key partner in the delivery of our parks service.”

 

1.3       In the name of Councillor Laban:

 

“In light of recent events in relation to consultation, the Council calls upon the Leader of the Council to implement a review across all departments in order to provide residents with greater confidence in the way Enfield Council conducts consultation.”

 

1.4       In the name of Councillor Sitkin:

 

“Under this pro-enterprise Labour Administration, Enfield Council commits to remaining open for business.”

 

1.5       In the name of Councillor Maguire:

 

“This Council calls on Conservative Members and Enfield Conservative MPs Nick De Bois and David Burrowes to exert maximum pressure on the Conservative led Government to reverse its tax cut for millionaires.

 

This Council believes that the decision to cut the top rate of tax from 50p to 45p was misguided and irresponsible.

 

This Council agrees that the money raised from reinstating the 50p top rate of tax should be used to invest in Council and Health Services that would benefit all the people, including the many thousands in Enfield who rely on them.”

181.

MEMBERSHIPS

To confirm any changes to committee memberships:

 

Please note any changes notified once the final agenda has been published will be tabled on the Council amendment sheet at the meeting.

Minutes:

AGREED the following changes to committee memberships:

 

(1)       Child Sexual Exploitation and Associated Risks to Children and Young People Task Group

 

To note the membership appointed following the last Council meeting had been as follows - Councillors Abdullahi, Chibah, E Hayward, Jemal, Lappage and Vince.

 

(2)     Deaf Forum

 

Councillor Simbodyal to cease serving as a member of the Forum as a result of the membership being reduced from 7 to 6 members.

 

(3)     Pension Policy & Investment Committee

 

6 members to be appointed (names to be notified) split 4 Majority: 2 Opposition.

 

(4)     Local Pension Board

 

3 members to be appointed (names to be notified) split 2 Majority: 1 Opposition.

182.

NOMINATIONS TO OUTSIDE BODIES

To confirm the following change to nominations on outside bodies:

 

(a)     Lee Valley Heat Network Ltd

 

Councillor Lemonides to be replaced by Councillor Oykener.  Chief Executive and Director-Regeneration & Environment to be added and Assistant Director Legal & Governance to be removed from membership list.

 

Please note any further changes notified once the final agenda has been published will be tabled on the Council amendment sheet at the meeting.

Minutes:

AGREED the following changes to nominations on outside bodies: 

 

(1)     Lee Valley Heat Network Ltd

 

Councillor Oykener to replace Councillor Lemonides.  The Chief Executive and Director of Regeneration and Environment be added and the Assistant Director of Legal and Governance be removed from the membership list.

183.

Called in decisions

None received.

Minutes:

None received.  

184.

DATE OF NEXT MEETING

To note that the next meeting of the Council will be held on Wednesday 13 May 2015 at 7.00 p.m. at the Civic Centre.  This will be the Annual Council Meeting & Mayor Making Ceremony.

Minutes:

NOTED the next meeting of the Council would be held at 7.00pm on Wednesday 13 May 2015 at the Civic Centre.  This would be the Annual Council meeting and Mayor Making Ceremony.