Agenda and minutes

Members of the Council stood and observed a minute silence for the late Councillor Bob Currie and Renee Feakins, former Mayoress.

That the minutes of the meeting held on 1 December 2016 be taken as read and signed as a correct record.

RESOLVED:  That the minutes of the meeting held on 1 December 2016 be taken as read and signed as a correct record.

Item 18 – Motions – Better funding for Harrow’s school’s Motion

Councillor Michael Borio declared a pecuniary interest in that he was an employee of the Department for Education. He would not vote on this item.

Item 8 – Final Revenue Budget 2017/18 and Medium Term Financial Strategy 2017/18 – 2019/20

Councillor Ghazanfar Ali declared an interest in that he was a Trustee of the Board of Harrow Association of Disabled People.  He would remain in the Chamber for consideration of this item.

Councillor Richard Almond declared a non pecuniary interest in that he was a Council appointed representative on Harrow Citizens’ Advice Bureau.  He would remain in the Chamber for consideration of this item.

Councillor Mrs Chika Amadi declared a non pecuniary interest in that she worked in Wealdstone.  She would remain in the Chamber for consideration of this item.

Councillor Jeff Anderson declared a non pecuniary interest in that he was a volunteer for Mencap, his son was in receipt of  adult social care services and used the facilities at the Bridge Day Centre.  He would remain in the Chamber for consideration of this item.

Councillor Sue Anderson declared a non pecuniary interest in that she was a Friend of Harrow Association of Disabled People, a member of the Centre of ADHD and Autism Support, a member of the Autistic Society of Harrow, a Trustee of the Welldon Activity Centre, a Trustee of Cultura London, her son was in receipt of  adult social care and used the facilities at the Bridge Day Centre.  She would remain in the Chamber for consideration of this item.

Councillor Susan Hall declared an interest in that she was a member of LFIFA which was on the Board of the Fire Brigade and owned a business in Wealdstone.  If the interest became pecuniary during the meeting she would leave the Chamber for the consideration and voting on this item.

Councillor Graham Henson declared an interest in that his wife was a part-time employee of Rethink Mental Health and sometimes worked in the borough.  He would remain in the Chamber for consideration of this item.

Councillor Ameet Jogia declared an interest in that his registered place of work was based in the Wealdstone Regeneration Area which was mentioned throughout the agenda.  He would remain in the Chamber for consideration of this item.

Councillor Jean Lammiman declared an interest in that she was a Trustee of Harrow Association of Disabled People.  She would remain in the Chamber for consideration of this item.

Councillor Barry Macleod-Cullinane declared a non pecuniary interest in that he was an employee of the Citizens’ Advice Bureau and accredited peer reviewer for the Local Government Association and sat on the Resources Board.  He would remain in the Chamber for consideration of this item.

Councillor Kairul Kareema Marikar declared an interest in that she was a Trustee of Age UK.  She would remain in the Chamber for consideration of this item.

Councillor Chris Mote declared a non pecuniary interest in  ...  view the full minutes text for item 210.

The procedural motion under Rule 26.1 was agreed so that, in line with previous years and for the purposes of the debate on the Final Revenue Budget 2017/18 and Medium Term Financial Strategy 2017/18 to 2019/20, the rules of debate be varied, as set out in the tabled documents, and that the procedure therein also be applied to the reports on the Corporate Plan, the Treasury Management Strategy Statement including Prudential Indicators, Minimum Revenue Provision Policy Statement and Annual Investment Strategy for 2017/18, the Final Capital Programme 2017/18 to 2019/20, the Housing Revenue Account Budget and Medium Term Financial Strategy 2017/18 to 2019/20, in so far as the recommendations be debated jointly.

The procedural motion in terms of varying the order of business to enable Agenda Item 17, Questions with Notice, to follow Agenda Item 5, Public Questions, was not agreed.

RESOLVED:  That the partial suspension under Rule 26.1, regarding the moving of recommendations from Cabinet and the rules of debate (including extended time for opening speeches by the political groups), as set out in the tabled papers be approved for the purposes of the debate upon

Members paid tribute to the late Councillor Bob Currie.

In accordance with Rule 10, the following petitions were presented

(i)            Petition submitted by Bill Phillips, a representative of Harrow Association of Disabled People (HAD), in relation to the HAD Welfare Benefits Team containing approximately 3,000 signatures.

[The petition stood referred to the Portfolio Holders for Community, Culture and Resident Engagement and Adults and Older People. In accordance with the Council’s Petition Scheme, the petition would be debated at the next ordinary Council meeting].

(ii)          Petition submitted by Julie Waller in relation to the development of Waxwell Lane car park containing approximately 1,200 signatures.

[The petition stood referred to the Portfolio Holder for Environment, Crime and Community Safety].

(iii)         Petition submitted by Phillip Kors, a representative of the residents of Courtens Mews, Stanmore in relation to parking controls in their street containing 28 signatures.

[The petition stood referred to the Portfolio Holder for Environment, Crime and Community Safety].

No questions had been received.

(i)            The Leader of the Council, Councillor Sachin Shah, introduced the item highlighting the achievements, challenges and proposals since the last ordinary meeting.

(ii)          Other Members of the Council spoke and/or asked questions of the Leader of the Council which were duly responded to.

Having agreed that the guillotine be extended until all notified speakers had spoken on agenda items 7-11 the Mayor advised that the ‘guillotine’ procedure would come into operation for the determination of the remaining business on the Summons.

RESOLVED:  That the Corporate Plan, as amended by Cabinet, be adopted.

(i)            Further to item 8 on the Summons, the Council received Recommendation I of the Cabinet meeting held on 16 February 2017 and a report of the Chief Finance Officer.

(ii)          The Mayor requested that Members, in making the decision on this item, have regard to the Cabinet report of 16 February 2017, the sections on equalities, the equality impact assessments and the results of the budget consultation.

(iii)         The Leader of the Council, Councillor Sachin Shah, formally moved the Recommendation.

(iv)         Upon the meeting moving to the vote upon the substantive Recommendation and the report of the Chief Finance Officer it was carried.  The voting was as follows:

In Favour of the Motion:   Her Worshipful the Mayor Councillor Rekha Shah, Councillors Ali, Mrs Amadi, Jeff Anderson, Sue Anderson, Borio, Brown, Dattani, Davine, Dooley, Ferry, Ms Fitzpatrick, Hearnden, Henson, Marikar, Maru, Miles, O’Dell, Parekh, Varsha Parmar, Primesh Patel, Perry, Ramchandani, Mrs Robson, Aneka Shah Levy, Sachin Shah, Krishna Suresh, Sasikala Suresh, Swersky, Weiss and Whitehead.

Against the Motion:  Councillors Almond, Ashton, Mrs Bath, Baxter, Bednell, Bond, Chana, Chauhan, Greek, Hall, Hinkley, Jogia, Kara, Lammiman, Macleod-Cullinane, Mrs Mithani, Moshenson, Chris Mote, Janet Mote, Noyce, Osborn, Ms Mina Parmar, Pritesh Patel, Rabadia, Seymour, Stevenson and Thakker.

RESOLVED:  That

(1)          whilst being mindful of the results of the various consultations and equality impact assessments, the 2017/18 budget be approved to enable the Council Tax for 2017/18 to be set, Appendix 2 to the Cabinet report refers;

(2)          the Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) at Appendix 2 to the Cabinet report be approved;

(3)          the 2017/18 Schools’ Budget at Appendix 6 to the Cabinet report be approved;

(4)          the 2017/18 Members’ Allowance Scheme at Appendix 12 to the Cabinet report be approved;

(5)          the 2017/18 Annual Pay Policy Statement at Appendix 13 to the Cabinet report be approved;

(6)          the Capital Receipts Flexibility Strategy at Appendix 15 to the Cabinet report be approved;

(7)          the Model Council Tax Resolution 2017/18, at Appendix 1 to the Council report, be approved;

(8)          in accordance with section 38(2) of the Local Government Finance Act 1992, Council instructs the Chief Finance Officer to place a note of the amounts set out in (4) of Appendix 1 to the Council report  in the local press within a period of 21 days following the Council’s decision.

RESOLVED:  That the Treasury Management Strategy Statement for 2017/18 be approved, including the:

•           Prudential Indicators for 2017/18;

•           Minimum Revenue Provision Policy Statement for 2017/18;

•           Annual Investment Strategy for 2017/18;

•           increase in investments held over 364 days, as referred to  in paragraph 83 of the Cabinet report.

RESOLVED:  That the Capital Programme, as detailed in Appendix 1 to the report, be approved.

RESOLVED:  That

(1)          the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Budget for 2017/18 be approved;

(2)          the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Capital Programme, as detailed at Appendix 7 to the Cabinet report be approved.

RESOLVED:  That the Statement of Licensing Policy, as amended by the Licensing and General Purposes Committee, be approved.

Report of the Head of Paid Service

RESOLVED:  That

(1)          the fees and charges for the financial year 2017/18 listed in Appendix 1 to the report be approved;

(2)          the Director of Finance and relevant Corporate Director be authorised, following consultation with the relevant portfolio holders, to amend fees and charges in year with the introduction of a discount rate for fees that are discretionary if there is a business need to do so.

Report of the Section 151 Officer

RESOLVED:  That a sector led approach be agreed and that the Council opt in to appointing person arrangements as set out in Option 3 in the report.

Report of the Section 151 Officer.

RESOLVED:  That the Council’s Corporate Anti-Fraud and Corruption Strategy be included in the Constitution.

RESOLVED:  That the report be noted.

To note that thirty-five questions from Councillors to the Leader of the Council and Portfolio Holders had been received and that a written response would be provided and placed on the Council’s website.

The following Motions have been notified in accordance with the requirements of Council Procedure Rule 15, to be moved and seconded by the Members indicated:

(i)            Motion in the names of Councillor Kiran Ramchandani and Councillor Christine Robson.  The tabled amendment was voted upon and was carried:

“Better Funding for Harrow’s schools Motion

This Council notes that as a result of the Government's proposed plan to change the way schools are funded, Harrow schools will lose £15 million by 2019.  This equates to £504 per pupil.

Harrow is known for our excellent schools and this Council does not want these funding cuts to jeopardise our high education standards.  We do not want to end up with cash-strapped schools that struggle to give our children a good education, with larger classrooms and overworked teachers.

Whilst the School's National Funding Formula consultation proposals will benefit some schools, the vast majority will be worse off.

Harrow Council instructs the Council Leader and Chief Executive to write to the Secretary of State for Education, the Rt Hon Justine Greening MP, and the Chancellor of the Exchequer, the Rt Hon Phillip Hammond MP, to call on them to protect and enhance funding for Harrow's schools.”

Upon a vote, the Motion was agreed.

RESOLVED:  That the Motion set out at (i) above be adopted.

(ii)          Motion in the names of Councillor Barry Kendler and Councillor Michael Borio:

“Harrow Council recognises working definition of anti-Semitism

2016 will be the year remembered for a number of reasons historically. Tragically one of the factors that have marked out 2016 has been the rise in all forms of hate crime and we have witnessed or read about increased attacks and humiliation heaped on Eastern Europeans and Muslims living in the UK.  2016 has also seen the rise of anti-Semitism.  Harrow has always had excellent community relations and tolerance of peoples of different faith and it is right that a public body like the Council demonstrates its seriousness in fighting the causes and perpetrators of racial and religious hatred.  In December 2016, HM Government formally adopted the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance working definition of anti-Semitism, as quoted below:

“Anti-Semitism is a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews. Rhetorical and physical manifestations of anti-Semitism are directed toward Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/or their property, toward Jewish community institutions and religious facilities.”

The guidelines highlight manifestations of anti- Semitism as including:

“·     Calling for, aiding, or justifying the killing or harming of Jews in the name of a radical ideology or an extremist view of religion.

·           Making mendacious, dehumanizing, demonizing, or stereotypical allegations about Jews as such or the power of Jews as collective — such as, especially but not exclusively, the myth about a world Jewish conspiracy or of Jews controlling the media, economy, government or other societal institutions.

·           Accusing Jews as a people of being responsible for real or imagined wrongdoing committed by a single Jewish person or group, or even for acts committed by non-Jews.

·           Denying the fact, scope, mechanisms (e.g. gas chambers) or intentionality of the genocide of the Jewish people at the hands of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 227.

RESOLVED:  That the report be noted.

At 10.28 pm, during the debate on items 7-11 it was proposed that the guillotine be extended until all speakers that had been notified to the Mayor in advance had spoken on the budget items.  This was agreed.

RESOLVED:  That the provisions of Rules 9.2 and 9.3 be applied as set out above.