Agenda for Council on Thursday, 28th January, 2016, 7.00 pm

Agenda and minutes

Venue: Council Chamber

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

Items
No. Item

111.

Election (if required) of the Chair/Deputy Chair of the Meeting

Minutes:

Before the meeting began, the Mayor announced that the meeting was being filmed so that it could be watched by those members of the public who could not be accommodated in the public gallery and were being seated in the Conference Room.

 

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

112.

Mayor's Chaplain to Give a Blessing

The Mayor’s Chaplain to give a blessing. 

Minutes:

Rabbi Daniel Epstein, from the Cockfosters and North Southgate Synagogue, gave the blessing. 

113.

Mayor's Announcements in Connection with the Ordinary Council Business

Minutes:

The Mayor thanked Rabbi Daniel Epstein for his blessing.

 

She then informed members about the sad deaths of former Councillor, Mayor and Freeman of the Borough, Bill Price and of Lord Parkinson who served as MP for Enfield West from 1970-1974.  She asked members to join with her in sending condolences to their families. 

 

A minutes silence was held in their memories. 

 

Councillor Neville said a few words in memory of Bill Price and Lord Parkinson.  Councillor Taylor added his memories of Bill Price. 

 

The Mayor then made the following announcements:

 

1.            Update on Mayoral Engagements

 

The Mayor advised that she had attended many different engagements since the last Council meeting including:

 

·                The London New Year’s Day Parade – Enfield’s entry this year finished in eighth position. 

·                The Lord and Lady Mayoress’s Children’s Fancy Dress Party attended with two young Enfield residents.

·                The London Government Dinner.

·                Welcoming representatives from the Youth Parliament to the Mayor’s Parlour.

·                Being part of the audience for the opening of the new St Anne’s Catholic High School’s Sixth Form Centre. 

·                The Holocaust Memorial Day Commemoration at the Dugdale Centre, on 27 January 2016.

 

2.            London Healthy Workplace Charter Award

 

The Mayor was pleased to announce, following the presentation of evidence at the London Healthy Workplace Charter Accreditation Day, that Enfield had been awarded the top level “excellence” award - the first London borough to be accredited at this level. 

 

The workplace charter provided a framework and process for accreditation in workplace health and wellbeing.  The Charter had been developed by the Greater London Authority from the national workplace wellbeing charter.  Accreditation was open to London based organisations in the public, private and charity sectors.

 

The charter standard placed an emphasis on health and safety, occupational health, human resources, wellbeing policies and practices, along with health initiatives such as healthy eating and sport. 

 

The Mayor congratulated all involved and invited John Griffiths (Head of Occupational Health and Safety), Julie Mimnagh (Head of Human Resources – Operations) and Geoff Norburn (Senior Administrator Health, Housing and Adult Social Care) to come forward and formally receive the award.

 

3.            Lawyers in Local Government (LLG) Awards

 

The Mayor announced that the following officers had received Lawyers in Local Government awards.  Keiley Broadhead, legal officer, had been named Junior Lawyer of the Year.  Duncan Creevy had been a runner up in the Fellow of Chartered Legal Executives Category and Enfield’s Legal Team had been runners up in the Legal Team of the Year category.  She congratulated all involved for doing so well. 

 

Keiley Broadhead was formally presented with her award.

 

4.            Display of Enfield Vestry Minute Books

 

The Mayor drew members attention to the display of Enfield Vestry Minute Books from St Andrew’s Church, dated 1671 to 1744, set out on the table by the entrance to the Council Chamber.

 

The display had been provided by Enfield’s Library and Museum’s Service.  At the time St Andrew’s was the administrative and religious centre for Enfield.  These could therefore be said to be  ...  view the full minutes text for item 113.

114.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 351 KB

To approve, as a correct record the minutes of the following Council meetings:

 

4.1   Council - Wednesday 11 November 2015 (Pages 1 - 28)

 

4.2   Extraordinary Council – Monday 7 December 2015 (Pages 29 – 32)

Additional documents:

Minutes:

AGREED that the following minutes be confirmed and signed as a correct record: 

 

(1)     Ordinary Council Meeting – Wednesday 11 November 2015; and

 

(2)     Extraordinary Council Meeting – Tuesday 7 December 2015.

115.

Apologies

Minutes:

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Chris Bond, Ertan Hurer and Elaine Hayward. 

 

Apologies for lateness were received from Councillors Lee David-Sanders and Toby Simon. 

116.

Declaration of Interests

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

Minutes:

Before inviting members to declare any interests, the Mayor asked John Austin (Assistant Director Governance Projects) to make a short statement regarding dispensations and the declaration of interests requirements, in relation to Item 8 (Council Tax Support Scheme and Tax Base).

 

He reported that following a request from the Leader of the Council and the Leader of the Opposition, the Monitoring Officer had agreed to grant dispensations for all members under Section 33 (a) and (b) of the Members Code of Conduct in relation to the declaration of any disclosable pecuniary interest they may have relating to agenda items 7 (Opposition Business on Cycle Enfield) and 13.4 (Motion 13.4 on the Housing and Planning Bill)..

 

The Monitoring Officer was satisfied that were likely to be sufficient members with a disclosable pecuniary interest which would adversely affect the transaction of business that evening.  The political representation in the chamber would be similarly affected so as to alter the outcome of any vote on the matter.  Members were informed that any who may have a disclosable interest could on this occasion take part in the debates and vote on these matters.  The dispensations only related to this meeting. 

 

He also reported that in accordance with guidance from the Secretary of State, there was no requirement for members to declare disclosable pecuniary interests in Item 8 on the agenda, even though they may pay council tax within the borough, or may be in receipt of council tax support. 

 

He advised that there was, however, a legal requirement for any member who was two months or more in arrears on their Council Tax to declare that fact and not vote on any issue that could affect the calculation of the budget or council tax more specifically.  No declarations were made in this respect. 

 

The following interests were declared at the meeting: 

 

Agenda Item 7 (Opposition Business on Cycle Enfield):

 

·                Councillor Joanne Laban declared a disclosable pecuniary interest as a result of her employment in the office of one of the Deputy Mayors for London. 

 

Agenda Item 13 (Motions):

 

Motion 13.1 (Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership)in the name of Councillor Barry

 

·                Councillor Michael Lavender declared a non-pecuniary interest as he worked for an American company. 

117.

Opposition Business - Cycle Enfield pdf icon PDF 97 KB

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

 

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

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Before the start of this item Councillor Stewart moved, and Councillor Neville seconded a proposal that the time available for opposition business should be extended by 45 minutes, as there was so much public interest in the issue.

 

This was agreed without a vote.

 

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

 

1.          That this was a major issue for the borough and it was very important that it be debated fully in terms of local democracy.

 

2.          Although the initial funding bid had been signed by the Opposition Group, this had been on the basis that the final scheme proposals would be subject to extensive consultation.  The Opposition were not opposed to enhanced cycle provision but felt that the final schemes would need to demonstrate wide public support. 

 

3.          Concerns were raised in relation to the consultation process on the A105 scheme in terms of:

 

a.           The membership of the partnership boards and resident involvement in them;

b.           The complex nature of the consultation proposals;

c.           The lack of hard copy consultation documents and the distribution of them;

d.           That the opening up of the consultation on line invited too many comments from outside the borough.

 

4.          Concerns were raised in relation to the way the outcome of the consultation process had been presented.  It was felt that there had not been a clear majority in support of either the A105 or the Enfield Town schemes.

 

5.          It was felt that the consultation carried out by David Burrowes MP’s better reflected the views of local residents.  Out of 17,000 letters sent, 2,800 responses had been received with 75% of these against.  It was also pointed out that the former leader of the Labour Group had expressed opposition in the local media.

 

6.          Concerns were raised that the consultation documents on Enfield Town had not included Option 4, which in his view was more likely to have received support. 

 

7.          This was a scheme that would not reduce pollution and traffic congestion, as suggested.

 

8.          The Mayor of London was saying that there should be more extensive engagement with the public and local businesses.

 

9.          The Opposition Group had concerns about the scope of the economic impact assessment. 

 

10.       In view of the concerns raised he called on the whole Council to reject the implementation of the current A105 and Enfield Town proposals and to support the four recommendations set out in the Opposition Priority Business Paper.  He felt that the Council should respond to the views of local businesses and residents, the majority of whom, in his opinion, were against the proposals.

 

Councillor B.Charalambous, Associate Cabinet Member for Enfield West responded on behalf of the Majority Group highlighting: 

 

1.          There was a need for change to make Enfield a better place to live and work.  The Council had a responsibility to provide new services which would make Enfield fit for the twenty first century.  Cycle Enfield was such a proposal.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 117.

118.

Council Tax Support Scheme for 2016/2017 and 2017/18 and Council and Business Rate Tax Bases 2016/17 pdf icon PDF 277 KB

To receive a report from the Director of Finance, Resources & Customer Services reviewing and seeking approval to changes in the local Council Tax Support Scheme for 2016/17, which the Council is required to produce under section 13A(1)(a) and meeting 1A of the Local Government Finance Act 1992.

 

The report also recommends the 2016/17 council tax and business rate bases (Appendices D and E).                                                                                                             (Report No.168)

(Key Decision – Reference No. 4255)

 

Members are asked to note that the NNDR 1 DCLG Business Rate Base Return (Appendix E) has been marked as “To Follow”.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Councillor Stafford moved and Councillor Brett seconded the report (Report No.168) of the Director of Finance, Resources and Customer Services reviewing and seeking approval to changes in the local Council Tax Support Scheme for 2016/17, which Council was required to produce under section 13(A)(a) and 1A of the Local Government Finance Act 1992.  In addition approval was being sought to the Council Tax and Business Rate Taxbases for 2016/17.

 

NOTED

 

1.         As part of the Government’s welfare reform programme, the Council had adopted (in January 2013) a local Council Tax Support Scheme and was now required, on an annual basis, to consider whether it wished to revise or replace the scheme.

 

2.         Having reviewed operation of the scheme and undertaken a programme of consultation (as detailed in sections 4 and 5 and Appendix C of the report) along with an Equalities Impact Assessment (as detailed in Appendix B of the report) a number of amendments had been recommended to the Council Tax Support Scheme, as detailed in section 6 of the report.

 

3.         The following key amendments proposed to the Council Tax Support Scheme for 206/17:

 

a.      To reduce the savings threshold from £16,000 to £6,000;

 

b.      To increase the minimum contribution for working age households, not in a protected group, from 19.5% to 25%.  This would increase to 26.5% in 2017/18 to reflect a year’s worth of wider council funding reductions;

 

c.       The Council would continue to provide a level of subsidy to the scheme, in order to reflect the full loss in government grant from the Council Tax benefit scheme.  In order to ease transition and ensure the scheme remained self-financing a one off contribution of £500,000 had been recommended to the Council Tax Hardship Scheme reserve, which would be reviewed in January 2017.

 

4.         The full Council Tax Support Scheme had been included as Appendix A to the report. 

 

5.         The amendment to the amount calculated as the Council’s Tax Base for 2016/17 from 93,432 Band D equivalents, as stated in the report, to 94,317.

 

6.         In response to initial concerns raised regarding consultation on the proposed reduction in savings threshold, the Leader of the Opposition advised that he had received confirmation that the proposal had been included as part of the consultation process and the Opposition Group were therefore minded to support the proposed amendments on the basis they had been subject to full consultation.

 

The recommendations in the report were then put to the vote and agreed as follows:

 

AGREED

 

(1)          To approve the Local Council Tax Support Scheme for 2016/17 to provide financial support for households on low incomes in paying their Council Tax as detailed in Appendix A of the report, taking into account the consultation responses (detailed in Appendix C of the report) and the Equality Impact Assessment (detailed in Appendix B of the report).

 

(2)          For the 2016/17 scheme, the minimum contribution for working age households, not in a protected group, be increased to 25% and the savings threshold  ...  view the full minutes text for item 118.

119.

Upper Secondary Autism Provision pdf icon PDF 699 KB

To receive a report from the Director of Finance, Resources and Customer Services and the Chief Education Officer providing a strategy and solution to the rising need in school places for the Autistic Spectrum Disorder cohort of pupils within the Borough.        (Report No.154)

(Key decision number 4209)

 

Please note Report No. 156 on the Part 2 agenda also refers.

 

Members are asked to note:

 

·             The attached report is due to be considered by Cabinet on the 20January 2016.  Subject to Cabinet approval of the recommendations, Council is being asked to formally approve the addition of funds to the Capital Programme (as detailed within the Part 2 report) for the various elements of the scheme.

 

·             The decision made by Cabinet on 20 January 2016 will be reported to Council on the update sheet tabled at the meeting.

Minutes:

Councillor Orhan moved and Councillor Stafford seconded the report (No.154) from the Director of Finance Resources and Customer Services and the Chief Education Officer setting out a strategy and solution to the rising need in school places for the Autistic Spectrum Disorder cohort of pupils within the borough.

 

NOTED

 

1.            That the report had been considered and approved by Cabinet on 20 January 2016.

 

2.            As a result of 1. above, Council was being asked to approve the recommended addition of funds to the Council’s Capital Programme (detailed within the accompanying Part 2 & Super Part 2 report) relating to the acquisition of land and associated feasibility works.  Final confirmation of any decision would be subject to consideration of Report No.156 on the Part 2 & Super Part 2 report (Min.130 refers).

 

3.            The opportunity provided to address the needs of the increasing number of pupils with autism across the borough and acquire a much needed resource that would not only provide additional school places but also allow them to remain in the borough, thus reducing the reliance on more costly out of borough placements.  The proposal would also enable the Council to obtain a freehold interest in the former Minchenden School site with it being estimated that the associated costs could be recouped within a 5-6 year period.

 

4.            The increasing demand for school places for people with autism which the Council had a statutory responsibility to meet.

 

5.            The thanks offered by the Cabinet Member for Education, Children’s Services and Protection to officers for their efforts in delivering the increase in provision of both mainstream and special needs school places across the borough and to parents, carers and the Autism Society for their ongoing support in development and delivery of the Special Educational Needs Strategy.

 

6.            Whilst congratulating the Cabinet Member for Education, Children’s Services and Protection for the efforts being made to address the increasing demand for Special Educational Need provision across the borough, the Opposition Group highlighted specific concerns regarding the proposals in relation to:

 

a.         the financial implications in relating to funding of the wider elements of the scheme; and

 

b.         the potential impact of any associated housing development on the surrounding area.

 

It was pointed out that the decision made by Cabinet was subject to a call-in from the Opposition Group in order to provide further opportunity to scrutinise the detailed proposals particularly as they related to the funding and proposals for redevelopment of the wider council assets in the Southgate Circus area.

 

Following a short debate Council was then asked to consider the recommendations made by Cabinet.

 

AGREED

 

(1)       To note the decision made by Cabinet in relation to the report on 20 January 2016.

 

(2)       Subject to consideration and confirmation of the figures detailed within the Part 2 and Super Part 2 report, to approve the following recommendations made to Council in relation to the capital funding of the scheme:

 

(a)          The addition of the total acquisition budget to the Capital Programme

 

(b)         The  ...  view the full minutes text for item 119.

120.

Duration & Extension of Council Meeting

Minutes:

The Mayor advised, at this stage of the meeting, that the time available to complete the agenda was shortly due to expire.  In order to provide sufficient time to consider the Upper Secondary Autism Provision report on the Part 2 agenda it was agreed (unanimously), having been proposed by the Mayor:

 

(1)       that the guillotine procedure, under Council Procedure Rule 8, should be applied to the remaining items of business on Part 1 of the Council agenda meaning they would be considered without debate; and

 

(2)       having completed the business on the Part 1 agenda, to extend the time available for the meeting by an additional period of 15 minutes (under Council Procedure Rule 11m) to allow completion of the business listed on the Part 2 agenda.

121.

Reference from Member & Democratic Services Group: Structure of Council Meetings and Amendments to Council Procedure Rules pdf icon PDF 146 KB

To receive a report from the Director of Finance Resources and Customer Services detailing the outcome of a review into the structure and operation of Council meetings and proposing a range of amendments to the Council Procedure Rules.                                      (Report No.169)

(Non-Key)

 

Members are asked to note that the proposed amendments were referred on to Council for consideration by the Member and Democratic Services Group (13 January 2016).

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Mayor advised that this item had been withdrawn from the agenda.

122.

Reference from Member & Democratic Services Group: Enfield's Corporate Parenting Board for Looked After Children - Changes to Terms of Reference pdf icon PDF 158 KB

To receive a report from the Interim Director of Children’s Services seeking agreement to the proposal to increase the representation of elected members on the Council’s Corporate Parenting Group and deputy chairing arrangements.                                                                 (Report No.170)

(Non-Key)

 

Members are asked to note that the proposed changes to the Terms of Reference were considered and recommended to Council by the Member and Democratic Services Group (13 January 2016).

Additional documents:

Minutes:

RECEIVED a report from the Interim Director of Children’s Services (No.170) seeking agreement to an increase in representation of elected members on the Council’s Corporate Parenting Group and deputy chairing arrangements.

 

NOTED that the proposed changes to the Terms of Reference had been considered and recommended to Council by the Member and Democratic Services Group on 13 January 2016.

 

AGREED that the proposal to increase the representation of elected members on the Council’s Corporate Parenting Board from two to four (split 2:2 between both groups) along with the deputy chairing arrangements be approved, as detailed in the Terms of Reference as set out in Appendix 1 to the report.

123.

Councillor's Question Time (Time Allowed 30 minutes) pdf icon PDF 368 KB

12.1    Urgent Questions (Part 4 - Paragraph 9.2b 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 of 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. 

 

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

 

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

Additional documents:

Minutes:

1.1           Urgent Questions

 

There were no urgent questions.

 

1.2           Questions by Councillors

 

NOTED the seventy nine questions on the Council agenda and written responses provided by the relevant Cabinet Members.  

124.

Motions

13.1In the name of Councillor Barry:

 

“If the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) is agreed, the people of Enfield will lose many of the regulations that protect their environment, their food and their rights as workers.

 

A report commissioned by the Government concluded that TTIP offers “few or no benefits to the UK while having meaningful economic and political costs.”

 

This Council resolves:

 

      To call on the Government to put the national interests of our people above those of big businesses and to reject this agreement.

 

      To write to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, local MPs, MLAs, and all London MEPs raising our serious concerns about the impact of TTIP on local authorities and the secrecy of the negotiating process.

 

      To write to the Local Government Association to raise our serious concerns about the impact of TTIP on local authorities and ask them to raise these with Government on our behalf.

 

      To call for an impact assessment on the impact of TTIP on local authorities.

 

     To publicise the Council’s concerns about TTIP; join with other local authorities which are opposed to TTIP across Europe and work with local campaigners to raise awareness about the problems of TTIP.

 

     To contact the local authorities of municipalities twinned with Enfield asking them to consider passing a similar motion on TTIP.”

 

13.2      In the name of Councillor Alessandro Georgiou:

 

“This Council recognises that the Union Flag of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is a symbol of Freedom and represents all that is great about the United Kingdom.

 

The Council will therefore have the Union Flag of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland present in all full Council meetings.  The flag will have a prominent place either hanging behind the Mayor of Enfield’s chair or on a flagpole to the right of the Mayor.”

 

13.3In the name of Councillor Maguire: 

 

“This council is appalled that the services that out local communities rely on continue to face deep cuts in Government funding.  Enfield Council has already shouldered £118m of cuts since 2010 and is faced with further cuts in excess of £50m by 2020.

 

This Labour Administration, in partnership with officers, has worked hard to find innovation ways to save money, to continue to deliver services and to give best value to the people of Enfield.  This Council thanks officers and members for their dedication and commitment in dealing with those cuts in a sensitive and constructive manner. 

 

However, further cuts to funding will leave this Council struggling to deliver the services that the people of Enfield need and deserve.

 

This Council resolves to work with the Local Government Association, politicians, community organisations, the charity and voluntary sector, to expose the damaging and dangerous nature of these cuts and impress on the Government the need to reverse them and to fund local government properly.”

 

13.4In the name of Councillor Nesil Cazimoglu:

 

“The country, particularly London,  ...  view the full agenda text for item 124.

Minutes:

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

 

1.1         In the name of Councillor Barry:

 

“If the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) is agreed, the people of Enfield will lose many of the regulations that protect their environment, their food and their rights as workers.

 

A report commissioned by the Government concluded that TTIP offers “few or no benefits to the UK while having meaningful economic and political costs.”

 

This Council resolves:

 

             To call on the Government to put the national interests of our people above those of big businesses and to reject this agreement.

 

             To write to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, local MPs, MLAs, and all London MEPs raising our serious concerns about the impact of TTIP on local authorities and the secrecy of the negotiating process.

 

             To write to the Local Government Association to raise our serious concerns about the impact of TTIP on local authorities and ask them to raise these with Government on our behalf.

 

             To call for an impact assessment on the impact of TTIP on local authorities.

 

        To publicise the Council’s concerns about TTIP; join with other local authorities which are opposed to TTIP across Europe and work with local campaigners to raise awareness about the problems of TTIP.

 

        To contact the local authorities of municipalities twinned with Enfield asking them to consider passing a similar motion on TTIP.”

 

1.2      In the name of Councillor Alessandro Georgiou:

 

“This Council recognises that the Union Flag of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is a symbol of Freedom and represents all that is great about the United Kingdom.

 

The Council will therefore have the Union Flag of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland present in all full Council meetings.  The flag will have a prominent place either hanging behind the Mayor of Enfield’s chair or on a flagpole to the right of the Mayor.”

 

1.3      In the name of Councillor Maguire: 

 

“This council is appalled that the services that out local communities rely on continue to face deep cuts in Government funding.  Enfield Council has already shouldered £118m of cuts since 2010 and is faced with further cuts in excess of £50m by 2020.

 

This Labour Administration, in partnership with officers, has worked hard to find innovation ways to save money, to continue to deliver services and to give best value to the people of Enfield.  This Council thanks officers and members for their dedication and commitment in dealing with those cuts in a sensitive and constructive manner. 

 

However, further cuts to funding will leave this Council struggling to deliver the services that the people of Enfield need and deserve.

 

This Council resolves to work with the Local Government Association, politicians, community organisations, the charity and voluntary sector, to expose the damaging and dangerous nature of these cuts and impress on the Government the need to reverse them and to fund local government  ...  view the full minutes text for item 124.

125.

Committee Memberships

To confirm the following change to committee memberships:

 

Conservation Advisory Group:  Councillor Kepez to be replaced by Councillor Hurman. 

 

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

Minutes:

AGREED to confirm the following changes to committee memberships:

 

1.         Conservation Advisory Group

 

Councillor Kepez to be replaced by Councillor Hurman. 

126.

Nominations to Outside Bodies

To confirm any changes notified to the nomination on outside bodies.

 

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

Minutes:

There were no nominations to outside bodies. 

127.

Called in Decisions

None received. 

Minutes:

None received. 

128.

Date of Next Meeting

To note that the next meeting of the Council will be held on Wednesday 24 February 2016 at 7.00pm at the Civic Centre. 

Minutes:

NOTED that the next meeting of the Council will be held at 7.00pm on Wednesday 24 February 2016 at the Civic Centre. 

129.

Exclusion of Press and Public

To consider passing a resolution under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 excluding the press and public from the meeting for the item of business listed on the part 2 of agenda on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in those paragraphs of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Act (as amended by the Local Government (Access to Information) (Variation) Order 2006) as listed on the agenda.

Minutes:

AGREED in accordance with Section 100(A) of the Local Government Act 1972 to exclude the press and public from the meeting for consideration of Item 1 listed on Part 2 of the agenda on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 (information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information) of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Act (as amended by the Local Government (Access to Information) (Variation) Order 2006).

130.

Upper Secondary Autism Provision

To receive a report from the Director of Finance, Resources and Customer Services and the Chief Education Officer providing additional detail in support of the Capital funding approvals being sought under the strategy for addressing the rising need in school places for the Autistic Spectrum Disorder cohort of pupils within the Borough.                                             (Report No.156)

(Key decision number 4209)

 

Please note Report No.154 on the Part 1 agenda also refers.

 

Members are asked to note:

 

·                The attached report is due to be considered by Cabinet on the 20January 2016.  Subject to Cabinet approval of the recommendations, Council is being asked to formally approve the addition of funds to the Capital Programme for the various elements of the strategy, detailed within the report.

 

·                Cabinet are due to be provided with further information in support of the strategy and financial approvals under restricted circulation, in accordance with the Council’s Super Part 2 procedure.  These details will also need to be provided for Council, under the same procedure.

 

·                The decision made by Cabinet on 20 January 2016 will be reported to Council on the update sheet tabled at the meeting.

 

(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).

Minutes:

Councillor Orhan moved and Councillor Stafford seconded a report from the Director of Finance, Resources & Customer Services and the Chief Education Officer (No.156) providing additional detail in support of the Capital funding approvals being sought under the strategy for addressing the rising need in school places for the Autistic Spectrum Disorder cohort of pupils within the borough.

 

NOTED

 

1.            The report had been submitted in conjunction with Report No 154 on the Part 1 agenda (Min.119 refers).  The recommendations in the report had been agreed and referred on to Council, at the Cabinet meeting held on 20 January 2016.

 

2.            Council was being asked to approve the addition of funds to the Capital Programme for the elements of the strategy detailed in the report.

 

3.            Further information in support of the strategy and financial approvals was circulated at the meeting under restricted circulation in accordance with the Council’s Super Part 2 procedure.

 

4.            Whilst aware of the need to maintain confidentiality in relation to the commercial terms of the proposed land transactions, concerns were raised by the Opposition Group at the restricted circulation of the additional detail contained within the Super Part 2 report and associated financial implications.  This was on the basis the information had only been tabled once the Council had moved into Part 2 of the agenda and at the limited time this had provided for members to consider the additional details provided.

 

Although recognising the concerns raised by the Opposition Group, the Leader of the Council confirmed that a briefing on the Super Part 2 report had been provided, in advance of the Cabinet meeting, for the Deputy Leader of the Opposition and that it would not be possible (given the timing of the decisions required) for consideration of the recommendations to be deferred.

 

Having received the additional information provided within the Super Part 2 report Council was then asked to consider and confirm the inclusion of the additional costs identified for the scheme within the Capital Programme in accordance with the recommendations made by Cabinet and supporting information in Report No.154 on the Part 1 agenda.

 

The recommendations were then put to the vote, with the Opposition Group advising that on the basis of the additional information provided within the Super Part 2 report and limited time available to consider it, they would no longer be prepared to confirm any of the recommendations considered under the accompanying Part 1 agenda item (Min.119 refers).

 

Having been put to the vote the recommendations were agreed with the following result:

 

For:  36

Against:  14

Abstentions:  2

 

AGREED having considered the additional supporting information within the Part 2 and Super Part 2 report to confirm, further to the decision in relation to Report No154 on the Part 1 agenda:

 

(1)     The addition of the total acquisition budget for acquisition of the Minchenden site and associated feasibility studies (as detailed within 2.2 of the Part 2 & Super Part 2 report) to the Council’s Capital Programme.

 

(2)     The addition of funds  ...  view the full minutes text for item 130.