Agenda and minutes

Iman Raja Gulfraz Khan of EIC Almasjid Mosque in Edmonton gave a blessing.

There was no business transacted under this item.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Mahmut Aksanoglu, Nesil Caliskan, Alev Cazimoglu, Esin Gunes, James Hockney, Stephanos Ioannou, Ahmet Oykener and Edward Smith.

Since we last met, I have continued attending events in our community and I am pleased that the Mayoral duties are picking up speed again this year.

 

Black History Month in October has been busier than ever this year and I have attended many events in the borough and have been overwhelmed with the celebrations taking place. I attended “Celebrating the Windrush generation” event at Fore Street Library and the Black History Month event with Enfield Unison Black Members Group, in recognition of contributions made to British society and culture throughout history.” October serves as an opportunity for society at large to recognise these contributions, practice tolerance and learn about racism and inequality, allowing us to celebrate and acknowledge and give thanks to all backgrounds and cultures that live together in our diverse Borough, making Enfield such a wonderful place to live.

 

I try to go to all school invitations as the children are always so excited to see the Mayor. I was at the Mind Kind event at Edmonton County Primary School, and I was honoured to be at the Enfield High Achievers Evening at St Ignatius College, for those who achieved the highest grades in their GCSE’s, it is great to see the children of the borough thriving in their education.

 

The Citizenship Ceremonies are taking place most Thursdays now, with citizens arriving in their finery – it is lovely to see so many people settling into our diverse Borough. So far this year we have welcomed 1476 people as new citizens of this wonderful borough.

 

I attended the Remembrance Day Services both in Enfield, Edmonton and at City Hall which recognised the tremendous personal sacrifice made by so many people in the two world wars and other conflicts.

 

Members, may I thank you for your professional conduct at our last Council meeting where you adhered to my requests to conduct the meeting in an orderly fashion. Can I remind you that any members wishing to speak should stand when speaking unless they are not able to do so, and that you should address the meeting through me. Please continue to treat each other courteously and with respect during the debate. As I have said before, we may challenge robustly but we must remain polite and professional.

 

I intend to continue to preside over this meeting in a firm but fair manner. I will give opportunities to members on both sides of the Chamber to speak and I will not tolerate rude and discourteous interruption. I would remind members that when I stand then you will sit. Please wait for me to invite you to speak.

 

If you would like to ask for an extension of time, or if you wish to move any other type of procedural motion, please do so at the end of a speech and not in the middle of it.

 

Finally, please may I ask all members to speak up as there are no mics available. We are all used to speaking at  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

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

The following Councillors declared non-pecuniary interests in the following items:

 

Motion 10.9 – Squirrel Scouts 1^st Birthday – Councillors Chris Dey, Andrew Thorp and Emma Supple due to their involvement with the Guide and Scouts Associations, and

Motion 10.3 – Armed Forces Covenant - Councillor Adrian Grumi who is a veteran and a member of the Southgate Royal British Legion.

To receive and agree the minutes of the previous meetings of Council held on Wednesday 21 September 2022 and Wednesday 12 October 2022.

The minutes of the Council meetings held on 21 September 2022 and 12 October 2022 were received and AGREED as a correct record.

Council is asked to note the Annual Safeguarding Report for 2021-22.

Councillor Abdul Abdullahi moved, and Councillor Gunes Akbulut seconded, the report.

 

Councillor Abdul Abdullahi introduced the report and asked the Council to note the successes and challenges that have risen from safeguarding activity in the period 2021-22 and highlighted the hard work that had been done over this period to keep our vulnerable residents safe from abuse, neglect, and exploitation.

 

The report outlined the excellent progress that has been made with 455 practitioners being trained and more than 230 calls to the helpline as well as more than 3,600 concerns being addressed by the Adult safeguarding Team. The report reflects the Council’s commitment to safeguarding Adults, children, and young people at risk throughout the organisation.

 

The Opposition expressed disappointment with regards to their suggestions to clarify data not being taken into consideration, however, it was welcomed that further amendments to the report before publication were still to be made. Also, the way in which cases are currently categorised needed to be reviewed.

 

Members felt that the Council should support families across the borough who have been disproportionately affected by the pandemic, specifically with regards to mental wellbeing and young people retuning to education. Members welcomed the creation of a specific task force to deal with certain areas of safeguarding.

 

Members acknowledged the work of those who work in Safeguarding Adults and Children and suggested that it might be better if in future there could be two separate reports dealing with Adult Safeguarding and Children Safeguarding so that the reports can have a greater focus and information will be more easily accessible.

 

Following the debate, the recommendations in the report were NOTED.

Council is asked to note the Annual Corporate Parenting Board Report for 2021-22.

Councillor Abdul Abdullahi moved, and Councillor Chris James seconded, the report.

 

Councillor Abdul Abdullahi introduced the report and thanked social workers and all those who work so hard for those children in care, along with colleagues on Corporate Parenting board and our foster carers.

 

The report highlighted the importance of the Council’s Corporate Parenting role and the ways in which the Council had supported the children in our care and care leavers to achieve their potential.

 

There have been many achievements over 2021-22 which are mentioned in the report and service delivery remained of the highest standard despite the challenges of the COVID 19 pandemic. For instance, 74% of young people are in education, employment, or training in comparison to the national average of 70%. The Council is proud that 96% of the Council’s looked after children have a completed personal education plan and there has not been any permanent exclusions over the last 5 years. Enfield is one of the few boroughs that have an 18+ psychologist who offers emotional and mental wellbeing support to its care leavers and that 60% of children and young people are placed with in-house carers which is better than our statistical neighbourhoods.

 

The Opposition welcomed the report and highlighted the importance of the role of Corporate Parenting and thanked foster carers for all their hard work. Enfield has above the national average of looked-after children and care leavers in education, employment or training which is important if they are to go on to lead independent adult lives, reaching their full potential and playing a constructive role in society.

 

Members acknowledged that the Corporate Parent role is a collective responsibility of the Council and councillors for those in care and care leavers. The report provides the key priorities that were set in 2021 and the actions that have been taken which demonstrate the ambition that the Council has for looked after children and care leavers. A key priority was to ensure that all looked after children and care leavers were supported during the pandemic. Enfield had the 13^th best school attendance in England and the highest across all other London boroughs during lockdown.

 

Following the debate, the recommendations in the report were NOTED.

Council is asked to agree the recommendations within this report.

Councillor Ergin Erbil moved, and Councillor Sabri Ozaydin seconded, the report.

 

Councillor Ergin Erbil introduced the report and explained that the Staff Forum is a non-statutory committee of the Council where School Professional Associations, elected members, senior officers and others meet once a term to discuss issues relating to the school workforce.

 

The report highlighted that with the arrival of the Covid pandemic, there was a change to the way in which meetings between the authority and School Professional Associations were held. It was decided to have more frequent meetings in a virtual environment to support swift responses to any concerns raised and to discuss possible solutions. These meetings have proved to be a very beneficial way to work since they are swift, responsive and promote greater understanding of school workforce issues in a timely fashion. In discussion with members of the Staff Forum, it was proposed that there is a continuation with the new way of working, to include inviting not only the Cabinet Member for Education but also Lead Members for Education from other political groups, and to abolish the Staff Forum.

 

The Opposition welcomed and supported the proposed changes outlined in the report and looked forward to working constructively with the Cabinet Member for Children’s Services under the new regime. In order to allow the best education to be delivered to students across the borough, it is important that the relationship between School Staff, Officers and Councillors is a positive one.

 

Following the debate, the recommendations within the report were put to the vote and unanimously AGREED.

A procedural motion was moved by Councillor Sabri Ozaydin and seconded by Councillor Chris Dey under paragraph 13.20 (iii) of the Council’s Procedure Rules to change the order of business on the agenda so the Motions would be taken as the next item of business which was put to the vote and AGREED.

 

Councillor Sabri Ozaydin moved to change the order of Motions so that Motion numbers 10.3, 10.14, 10.15 and 10.6 would be taken in that order which was seconded by Councillor Chris Dey and AGREED.

 

10.1    Motion in the name of Councillor George Savva

Enfield Council congratulates the England Lionesses in their amazing achievements, winning in the 2022 Euro final, beating Germany 2-1, and bringing football home.

 

10.2    Motion in the name of Councillor Hannah Dyson

Enfield Council agrees to rethink its deal with Tottenham Hotspur Football Club and commit to serious investment in Whitewebbs Park, securing it for future of generations as a park for the community, a centre of ecology, biodiversity, and a thriving community hub.

 

10.3    Motion in the name of Councillor Adrian Grumi

Following the speeches by the Mayor and Deputy Leader regarding their support for serving personnel, veterans, and cadets in the borough at this years Armed Forces Day Event, Enfield as a borough join many other councils and organisations across the UK in renewing our Armed Forces Covenant that was first signed in 2012.

 

10.4    Motion in the name of Councillor Chris Joannides

This Council will sign up to the Miscarriage Association's Pregnancy Loss Pledge to tackle the stigma associated with miscarriage and supports the campaign which wants to introduce paid leave for families who experience a miscarriage.

 

Miscarriage is the most common kind of pregnancy loss, affecting around one in four pregnancies in the UK.

 

The Council recognises the emotional trauma and loss suffered by parents as a result of stillbirths and miscarriages. As such, Enfield Council aims to improve support for parents by encouraging work environments where employers show empathy and understanding so employees who have been impacted do not have to use sick or annual holiday leave.

 

10.5    Motion in the name of Councillor Christopher Dey

The following roads in Grange Park ward urgently need some traffic calming measures to slow the speed of the traffic. Residents do not want a ghastly ‘Low Traffic Neighbourhood’ they do want to be consulted on what can be done to slow the speed of the traffic. The affected roads concerned are Old Park Ridings, The Grangeway, Vera Avenue, Green Dragon Lane, Green Moore Link, Bush Hill. The Council agrees to allocate more funding to road safety projects.

 

10.6    Motion in the name of Councillor Maria Alexandrou

The celebration of International Day of Women and Girls in Science commemorates the invaluable role of women in this field.

 

Over the years, incredible women like Margaret Hamilton and Katherine Johnson pushed the boundaries in space travel and were pioneers in mankind’s quest to reach to moon.

 

The 11th February is the date this International Day is celebrated.

 

This year’s theme is Equality and Diversity.

 

Let us unite and acknowledge the accomplishments of women that continue to explore the depths of science and applaud the women that innovate and are an inspiration to others.

 

10.7    Motion in the name of Councillor Maria Alexandrou

We condemn the shocking brutality that led to the death of 22 year old Mahsa Amini on the 16th September, sparking world-wide protests.

 

We stand together in support of Amini’s family and the brave people of Iran demanding Freedom.  ...  view the full agenda text for item 10.

10.3 Motion in the name of Councillor Adrian Grumi:

“Following the speeches by the Mayor and Deputy Leader regarding their support for serving personnel, veterans, and cadets in the borough at this years Armed Forces Day Event, Enfield as a borough join many other councils and organisations across the UK in renewing our Armed Forces Covenant that was first signed in 2012.”

 

Following the debate, the Motion was AGREED.

 

10.14 Motion in the name of Councillor Ergin Erbil:

“Enfield Council has already established a clear record of commitment to Climate Action. The planting of 100,000 trees over the last two years as part of the Enfield Chase Woodland Restoration Project, the largest woodland creation project in London, was recently given the Trees & Water Award by the Forestry Commission.

 

Enfield Council has also recently introduced beavers as part of our rewilding agenda. We were saddened to learn that one of the beavers died from natural causes. The council are actively planning to introduce a new beaver at the appropriate season.

 

We note our thanks to local and national partners, such as the Beaver Trust, Capel Manor College and Forty Hall Farm for their efforts in making the project happen.

 

Enfield Council resolves to work to deliver similar projects to further enhance our environment to support the green agenda and animal welfare, such as the reintroduction of cattle.”

 

During the debate, a procedural motion was moved and seconded under paragraph 13.20 (viii) of the Council’s Procedure Rules to extend the debate for a further 30 minutes which was put to the vote and AGREED.

 

Following the extended debate, a procedural motion was moved and seconded under paragraph 13.20 (v) of the Council’s Procedure Rules that the question be now put which was put to the vote and AGREED.

 

A recorded vote on this item was requested by Councillor Chris Dey and another 11 members of the Council, having stood in support of the request by Councillor Chris Dey, Motion 10.14 was put to the vote and was AGREED with the following votes recorded:

 

For (54)

Abdul Abdullahi

Josh Abey

Nicki Adeleke

Gunes Akbulut

Nawshad Ali

Kate Anolue

Chinelo Anyanwu

Mahym Bedekova

Sinan Boztas

Mustafa Cetinkaya

Hivran Dalkaya

Guney Dogan

Elif Erbil

Ergin Erbil

Susan Erbil

Thomas Fawns

Margaret Greer

Ayten Guzel

Nelly Gyosheva

Ahmet Hasan

Suna Hurman

Mohammad Islam

Chris James

Rick Jewell

Tim Leaver

Gina Needs

Sabri Ozaydin

Bektas Ozer

George Savva MBE

Nia Stevens

Doug Taylor

Eylem Yuruk

Maria Alexandrou

Lee Chamberlain

Chris Dey

Hannah Dyson

Peter Fallart

Reece Fox

Alessandro Georgiou

Patricia Gregory

Adrian Grumi

Chris Joannides

Joanne Laban

Andy Milne

Elisa Morreale

Tom O’Halloran

Paul Pratt

Michael Rye OBE

Julian Sampson

Ruby Sampson

David Skelton

Jim Steven

Emma Supple

Andrew Thorp

 

 

The extended period for debate of Motions having then lapsed, a procedural motion was moved by Councillor Sabri Ozaydin and seconded by Councillor Ergin Erbil under paragraph 13.20 (viii) of the Council’s Procedure Rules to extend the debate for a further 30 minutes which  ...  view the full minutes text for item 10.

The list of questions and their written responses will be published prior to the meeting.

This item was noted under the guillotine arrangements. Answers to questions were provided in the supplementary agenda circulated at the meeting. There were no supplementary questions asked.  

To confirm any changes to committee memberships.

 

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

There were no changes to committee memberships.

Council is asked to agree the following changes to Outside Bodies:

 

Councillor Tim Leaver to replace Councillor Alev Cazimoglu on the Royal Free NHS Foundation Trust – Council of Governors.

 

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

There were no nominations to outside bodies.

To note the agreed date of the next Council meeting as Wednesday 25 January 2023.

The date of the next meeting was NOTED as 25 January 2023.