Agenda and minutes

None required. 

The Mayor’s Chaplain to give a blessing. 

The Reverend Stuart Owen from All Saints Church, Edmonton gave the blessing. 

The Mayor began her announcements by thanking the Reverend Stuart Owen for his blessing, the officers in the Mayoral Office, the Deputy Mayor, the Mayor’s consort, the Deputy Mayor’s consort for their support over the past month, and the people of Enfield for their invitations.

1.               Engagements over the past month

The Mayor announced that, in the past month, she had attended the following events and engagements: 

·       An event at Forty Hall, held to thank all the park volunteers for their commitment to the many parks and green spaces in the borough.

·       The Capel Manor Garden Party and Open Day, for local residents, which she had hosted.  This had also been attended by the Deputy Lieutenant and Mayors from several neighbouring boroughs.  The event had been greatly appreciated by many. 

·       Capel Manor Awards Ceremony – watching young people who had been given life chances helping to fulfil their potential. 

·       Ponders End Community Event along with other local councillors. 

·       Events to celebrate the Queen’s Birthday Weekend

·       A visit to the Mayor’s Parlour and Council Chamber from some children at Carterhatch School, which she had hosted. 

·       Judging the Glee Final at the Piccadilly Theatre – 18 Edmonton schools had taken part in the competition.  The Mayor’s award went to the pupils at West Lea School whose performance moved everyone. 

·       Armed Forces Day Commemorations, including taking tea with the participants at the British Legion. 

·       An afternoon garden party for elderly residents at Ingleborough Sheltered Housing, raising £750 for Macmillan Cancer Support.

·       The opening of the Oncu Supermarket in Freezywater

·       Barnet Arts Festival supporting the Enfield Harmony Singers, the Council’s staff choir. 

·       The youth games at Crystal Palace: the female swimming team had come third and the boys’ team sixth, in London.  She congratulated all participants and reported that she was arranging a tea for them in the Mayor’s Parlour.

·       The Youth Launch of Enfield Sounds Great, attended by many of the borough’s schools.  The Mayor reported that she was now working on a music charter for young people and had been amazed at the enthusiasm and the quality of the performances of the young people involved. 

·       Other Music Events – Over the last month, the Mayor had also attended as many concerts as possible, including the Battle of the Bands, the Blues and Beer Event at Forty Hall, singing with the choir above the King’s Head in the market square.  She commented on how  a famous composer had visited Enfield in the past month. 

2.               Future events

The Mayor announced the following future events: 

·       A Musical Instrument Amnesty to take place on Saturday 23 July 2016 starting at 11am between Pearson’s and Marks and Spencer in Palace Gardens.  People were being asked to bring along instruments they no longer needed so that they could be put to good use.  Susie Dawson from Standard Life was thanked for her support of this project.  Anyone who came along would be given an Enfield Sounds Great Badge – much sought after.

·       An International Busking Day was  ...  view the full minutes text for item 49.

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 8 June 2016 as a correct record. 

The minutes of the meeting held on 8 June 2016 were agreed as a correct record. 

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Dogan, During, Esendagli, Jemal, Maguire, McGowan, Milne, Steven, Oykener and Uzoanya.

Apologies for lateness were received from Councillor Lee David Sanders. 

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

None. 

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

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

Before the start of Opposition Business, it was reported that a petition of over 4,000 signatures had been received.  The Assistant Director, Legal and Governance, advised members that the petition had been received on the day before the Council meeting, that officers were in the process of verifying signatures, that it was subject to legal proceedings but that it would be brought forward to a future Council meeting if appropriate.

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

Issues highlighted were as follows: 

1.          She began by stating that Opposition Business enabled the opposition to bring forward issues affecting the community and that the level of customer service being provided was currently an issue of great concern to the local community.

2.          She felt that the problems were acknowledged by all and well documented on social media.  Members of the public were often being kept waiting, at times 42 and more minutes, to get through to the call centre.  The main Council number was frequently engaged, callers received no automatic message, were often kept on hold for long periods, and in her opinion there was little chance of speaking to anyone. 

3.          Customers were being asked to use the new website, but the website was not working well.  Problems logged on line were not responded to, the relevant pages did not appear and customers were sent backwards and forwards in a loop between the old and new websites.  The online payment system was frequently out of order.  There were long queues of people waiting to speak to officers on the reception desks, queues, on many occasions, out of the door.  It was also taking members much longer than the agreed standard of eight days to get any response through the Member Enquiries System. 

4.          An organisation which did provide help to members of the public was being threatened with closure by the administration. 

5.          These problems could not be blamed on a Government lack of funding, as it had been the current administration’s decision to adopt the transformation programme responsible.  On top of this the people in charge of implementing the new services had since left or were due to leave the Council. 

6.          She felt that it was the poorest and most vulnerable residents who were suffering the most.  This was a real issue for Enfield residents and particularly those that relied on the Council’s help: the Council owed it to them to sort out the problems as soon as possible. 

Councillor Levy, Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, responded on behalf of the Majority Group highlighting: 

1.     The Overview and Scrutiny Committee had set up a work stream to look into the Enfield 2017 Transformation Programme, including this area.  On 14 December 2015, a paper had been considered setting out the scale and scope of the work.  On 8 March 2016, a joint session with the Audit and Risk Management Committee had been entirely given over to an in depth study of the issues.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 53.

Following the item on Opposition Business, Councillor Stewart moved and Councillor Taylor seconded a proposal under paragraph 2.2(b) of the Council Procedure Rules to change the order of items on the agenda so that the following items were dealt with as the next items of business:

·       Item 8 Urgent Motion in the name of Councillor Alev Cazimoglu regarding the situation at the North Middlesex University Hospital NHS Trust. 

·       Item 8.9 Motion in the name of Councillor Brett regarding community cohesion. 

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

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

8.1     In the name of Councillor Ahmet Oykener

“Homelessness is unacceptable and all central and local government bodies have a duty to eradicate it.

This Council recognises that:

Homelessness comes in many forms, from rough sleeping and street homelessness through to sofa surfing and those languishing in temporary accommodation. The loss of Council housing has added greatly to the desperate need for greater social housing.

Homelessness is predominantly a London problem, yet the government funding to support Councils in tackling this serious issue is based on a Communities and Local Government funding model that is 15 years old.  Enfield has the fifth worst homelessness problem nationally yet only received £550K from central government while other boroughs receive sums up to £8m per annum.

The Council therefore agrees to:

1.               Publish on its website and through other means the details of all homeless shelters and charities that can assist those that are homeless, in particular those that offer services during the winter months.

2.               Lobby the Minister of State for Housing and Planning to fund London Borough of Enfield fairly so to prevent homelessness.

3.               Support the expansion and building of new council and social housing.”

8.2     In the name of Councillor Terry Neville:

“The Council notes the need for a last minute report to the Cabinet on 18 May 2016 seeking authority and substantial finance to purchase land at Meridian Water which the current owner had threatened to sell to a third party, and condemns the dilatory and potentially costly approach to assembling land for this “flagship development” shown by the administration over the past six years.”

8.3     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.”

8.4     In the name of Councillor Alan Sitkin: 

“Since 2010, Enfield's local economy has gone from a position of under-performing and below the London borough average, to one of out-performing other London boroughs. This is the result of the Administration's proactive, pro-enterprise interventions in the construction of an entrepreneurial state in Enfield. This Council resolves to continue with its successful policies and role to grow Enfield's economy further.”

8.5     In the name of Councillor Anne Marie Pearce

This Council is very concerned to learn of the failings identified in the recent Care Quality Commission Report on the Accident and Emergency Department at North Middlesex Hospital, particularly as it is the second finding of failure at the hospital in four years.

The Council believes that the residents are entitled to a better level of service from the Accident and Emergency Department and calls upon the  ...  view the full agenda text for item 55.

1.1           Urgent Motion

Council was asked to note that the Mayor had agreed to accept an urgent motion under Part 4 paragraph 11.6 of the constitution. 

The decision was accepted as urgent, as notice as under Part 4, Paragraph 11 could not reasonably have been given for the following reason: 

“Since the publication of the agenda and the inclusion of Councillor Anne Marie Pearce's Motion (Motion 8.5 on the agenda), there had been a major announcement from the Care Quality Commission (CQC), on 6th July 2016, in relation to fundamental changes to the Board, including the accountable officer being the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of another out of borough hospital.

The matter was of immense concern to Enfield residents who would have expected their local representatives to respond to these changes and request action from the appropriate decision makers.”

Councillor Alev Cazimoglu moved and Councillor Abdulahi seconded the following as the urgent motion: 

“The Care Quality Commission (CQC) report published on the 6th July 2016 rates the Urgent and Emergency Service at North Middlesex Hospital as inadequate.  This Council is seriously concerned to learn of the failings identified in the report; and of the CQC's statutory Warning Notice issued to the trust requiring it to improve the care of patients in the Emergency Department (ED) by 26th August 2016.

The CQC's latest report follows their comprehensive inspection of the Trust in June 2014, which rated the Medical Care and ED as Requires Improvement.

This Council notes that North Middlesex Hospital A&E is one of the busiest Emergency Departments in London, serving a very deprived area with significant health needs.  The Trust is under considerable strain, compounded by the financial underfunding of Enfield CCG; the lack of primary healthcare provision in Enfield; and government cuts to NHS services across the board.

This Council calls on the Secretary of State to urgently intervene to save our local hospital. The Secretary of State should ensure the Trust is adequately funded and supported in providing local people with safe, high quality services. We call on the Secretary of the State to guarantee the future of all current services at the hospital, including a fully functioning A&E department.”

During the debate Councillor Lavender put forward an amendment which was seconded by Councillor Neville. 

The amendment was to delete the final paragraph of the motion and the words in the third paragraph following “The Trust is under considerable strain” and to replace these words with the following phrase “as a result of increased demand for services.”  Also to add a new final paragraph “This Council calls on the new board to use the funds it receives efficiently in the best interests of the residents of Enfield”. 

The Mayor advised that she was not willing to allow the amendment due to time constraints. 

Following a debate the substantive motion was put to the vote with the following result:

For: 28

Against: 19

Abstentions: 0

1.2           Motion 8.9 in the name of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 55.

9.1     Urgent Questions (Part 4 - Paragraph 10.2.(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. 

9.2     Councillors’ Questions (Part 4 – Paragraph 10.2(a) of Constitution – Page 4 - 8)

The list of 35 questions will follow and the responses will be published on Tuesday 12 July 2016, the day before the meeting. 

1.1   Urgent Questions

Two requests for urgent questions had been received but these had not been accepted as urgent by the Mayor.

1.2.  Questions by Councillors

NOTED

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

2      The following supplementary questions and responses received, for the questions indicated below:

Question 1 (Camden Town Brewery) from Councillor Levy to Councillor Sitkin, Cabinet Member for Economic Regeneration and Business Development

“By way of clarity, please can the Cabinet Member confirm how many of the borough jobs to be created by the Camden Town Brewery will be new and how many will be bought over from Camden?.”

Reply from Councillor Sitkin

“There will be 250 – 300 new jobs in total.  One hundred being brought up from Camden and 150-200 newly created in Enfield”. 

Question 2 (Interim Appointments) from Councillor Neville to Councillor Lemonides, Cabinet Member for Finance and Efficiency

“Can Councillor Lemonides confirm that the Council employs no interims, as there are a number of officers that have “interim” in their title?  If the Council does have interims, can he confirm how many there are?” 

Reply from Councillor Lemonides

“A written answer will be provided.”

Question 4 (Cycle Enfield – Appointment of Traffic Consultants) from Councillor Neville to Councillor Anderson, Cabinet Member for Environment

“Does the Cabinet member not think that the appointment of Jacobs as traffic consultants, providing traffic modelling analysis for the Cycle Enfield Scheme, creates a perception in the mind of the public of a conflict of interest as they are an offshoot of the company already employed by the Council to carry out highway works?  Would it not be better to get an independent analyst to undertake the traffic modelling?” 

Reply from Councillor Anderson

“The contractors were appointed following a full open and compliant process.  The Council originally had its own framework agreement to find the required traffic analysis services.  The consultancy firm Sinclair Knight Merz (SKM) was called off from the framework agreement and helped pull the original mini Holland bid together.  They were subsequently taken over by Jacobs. 

The Council entered into a call off contract via LOPAC with Ringway Jacobs and they were the successful contractor for North East London, providing a wide range of services.  Following the award and for continuity it made sense from both a technical and economic point of view to employ them.  There are also efficiencies in having the design team and contractor working collaboratively.  Council officers have been engaged at every stage of the process.” 

Question 6 (Failings at North Middlesex University Hospital Accident and Emergency Department) from Councillor Anne Marie Pearce to Councillor Alev Cazimoglu, Cabinet Member for Health and Social Care

“Does the Cabinet Member know if any meetings been put in place to monitor the future situation at the North Middlesex University Hospital Accident and Emergency Department?” 

Reply from Councillor Alev Cazimoglu

“A meeting of the Programme Oversight Group would be held on Friday  ...  view the full minutes text for item 56.

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 the remaining items of business on the Council agenda were considered without debate.

To receive a report from the Chief Executive seeking approval for changes to Health and Wellbeing Board terms of reference.              (Report No: 47)

To note that the changes were approved by the Health and Wellbeing Board at their meeting held on 21 April 2016 and have also been considered by members of the Member and Democratic Services Group. 

Received the report from the Chief Executive seeking approval for changes to the Health and Wellbeing Board terms of the reference. (Report No: 47)

NOTED

1.               That the changes proposed had been approved by the Health and Wellbeing Board at their meeting held on 21 April 2016 and had also been considered by members of the Member and Democratic Services Group.

AGREED that the revised Health and Wellbeing Board Terms of Reference be adopted by the Council. 

To receive a report from the Director of Regeneration and Environment, seeking Council approval for changes to the remit and membership of the Public Transport Consultative Group.                                       (Report No:  46)

To note that the report has been considered by members of the Member and Democratic Services Group. 

RECEIVED the report of the Director of Regeneration and Environment seeking Council approval for changes to the remit and membership of the Public Transport Consultative Group (Report No:  46)

NOTED that the changes had been considered by members of the Member and Democratic Services Group. 

AGREED that

1.               The following changes are made to the membership and terms of reference of the Public Transport Consultative Group: 

1.1     New Membership

8 members of the Council (5 majority / 3 minority).

Representatives of the Voluntary Sector recommended by the Voluntary Sector Strategy Group and approved by the Cabinet Member for Environment.

One representative from each of Transport for London, the train operating companies providing services within the Borough and the London Borough of Enfield - Regeneration and Environment Directorate.

The chair shall be a member from the majority group of the Council.

The chair can invite, if deemed appropriate and necessary, other organisations to be members to make sure it reflects the demographic breakdown of the borough and those who regularly use the public transport network.

In addition the chair can invite guests where there are specific agenda items requiring their contribution.

1.2     Terms of Reference

a.     To consider and monitor the operation and provision of public transport facilities within the Borough.

b.     To share information on key developments relating to the public transport network including receiving reports from representative forums and groups.

c.     To identify strategic issues for public transport providers to address.

d.     To provide input into the development of council policies and responses to relevant consultations.

2.               To agree that corporate support is no longer provided for the Enfield Transport Users Group. Instead, there should be engagement with other groups which specifically represent transport modes, for example the Enfield Cycling Campaign and any community rail partnerships in the area.

It was noted that if there had been a vote on this matter, the Opposition Group would have voted against this decision. 

Council is asked to note the details provided of decisions taken under the Council’s urgency procedures relating to decisions taken by the Leader under the Council’s urgent action procedure, waiver of call in and waiver of the requirement for notice on the Key Decision List, along with the reasons for urgency.  

The decisions have been made in accordance with the urgency procedures set out in Paragraph 17.3 of Chapter 4.2 (Scrutiny) and Paragraph 16 of Chapter 4.6 (Access to Information) of the Council’s Constitution.  

NOTED the details provided of decisions taken under the Council’s urgency procedures.  The decisions were made in accordance with the urgency procedures set out in Paragraph 30 of Chapter 4.1 (Council Procedure Rules), Paragraph 17.3 of Chapter 4.2 (Scrutiny) and Paragraph 16 of Chapter 4.6 (Access to Information) of the Council’s Constitution.

·       Decision taken by the Leader under the Council’s urgent action procedure concerning the purchase of a site on Gibbs Road, Montagu Industrial Estate, N18 3PU as well as the call in waiver employed.

·       Extension of the interim contract with Ernst and Young (EY) to deliver procurement and commissioning activities on behalf of the Council until a full tender had been awarded for this work. 

To confirm the following changes to the committee memberships:

·       Councillor Ekechi to replace Councillor Brett on the Child Sexual Exploitation and Associated Risks to Children and Young People Task Group. 

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

AGREED the following changes to committee memberships:

·       Councillor Ekechi to replace Councillor Brett on the Child Sexual Exploitation and Associated Risks to Young People Task Group. 

To confirm any changes notified to the nominations 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. 

There were no changes to nominations to outside bodies. 

None received. 

None. 

To note that the date of the next meeting of the Council will be held on Wednesday 21 September 2016 at 7pm at the Civic Centre. 

NOTED that the next ordinary meeting of the Council was scheduled to take place on Wednesday 21 September 2016 at 7pm at the Civic Centre.