Agenda and minutes

Following a welcome of the receipt for the Municipal Journal Best Achieving Council Award and having been invited by the Mayor, the Leader of the Council, Councillor Bill Stephenson, spoke on the Council’s achievement.  He explained that the Award had been adjudicated on by a high calibre of judges and demonstrated the Council’s significant achievements which had to led to this success.

That the minutes of the Council meeting held on 14 April, the Annual Council meeting held on 10 May and the Extraordinary Council meeting held on 12 May 2011 be taken as read and signed as correct records.

RESOLVED:  That

(i)                 the minutes of the Council meeting held on 14 April and the Extraordinary Council meeting held on 12 May 2011, be taken as read and signed as correct records;

(ii)               the minutes of the Annual Council meeting held on 10 May 2011 be taken as read and signed as a correct record subject to the following minor amendment at minute 110:

“The retiring Mayor, Councillor Asad Omar, then invested the Mayoress, Mrs Rama Choudhury, with her medallion of office”.

To receive declarations of personal or prejudicial interests arising from business to be transacted at this meeting, from all members of the Council.

The Mayor invited appropriate declarations of interest. Members declaring interests considered these to be personal and that they could speak and vote thereon.

Item 10 – Revenue and Capital Outturn 2010/11

Councillor Husain Akhtar declared that his son worked for the NHS.

Councillor Sue Anderson declared that she worked for the NHS.

Councillor Ann Gate declared that she was employed by the NHS.

Councillor Brian Gate declared that his wife was an employee of the NHS.

Councillor Thaya Idaikkadar declared that his daughter worked for the NHS.

Councillor Chris Mote declared that a relative was in receipt of disability benefits and accommodation from the Council and his daughter was a nurse in the NHS.

Councillor Janet Mote declared that she was a member of ATL and a relative was in receipt of disability benefits and accommodation from the Council.

Item 14 – Amendments to Representatives on Outside Bodies

Councillor Husain Akhtar declared that he was a local authority appointed member on the Citizens Advice Bureau.

Councillor Sue Anderson declared that she was a trustee of the Welldon Activity Group, the Harrow Association of Disabled People and the Harrow Nature Conservation Forum.

Councillor Mrs Lurline Champagnie declared that she was a member of Relate North West London.

Councillor Ramji Chauhan declared that he was a member of Harrow Agenda 21.

Councillor Margaret Davine declared that she was a trustee of Relate North West London and a member of Harrow in Europe.

Councillor Brian Gate declared that he was a member of Harrow in Europe and Citizens Advice Bureau.

Councillor Susan Hall declared that she was the Chairman of the Community Safety Committee for LFEPA.

Councillor Manji Kara declared that he was a member of Harrow in Europe, Aid UK and the Harrow Refugees’ Forum.

Councillor Jean Lammiman declared that she was a member of Harrow in Europe, Harrow Young Musicians, Harrow Association of Voluntary Services, Harrow Equalities Centre and Relate North West London.

Councillor John Nickolay declared that he was the chairman of trustees for the Welldon Activity Group and a member of Harrow in Europe.

Councillor Joyce Nickolay declared that she was a member of the Harrow Association of Voluntary Services, Bentley Priory, Harrow Weald Common Conservators and Harrow in Europe.

Councillor Raj Ray declared that he was a member of the National Autistic Society – Harrow Branch.

Councillor Navin Shah declared that he was a member of the Harrow Equalities Centre and the Mahatma Gandhi Foundation.

Councillor Yogesh Teli declared that he was a trustee and Chairman of the Ashiana Trust.

Item 16(1) – Motions – London Grants

Councillor Barry Macleod-Cullinane declared that he was an employee of London Councils Ltd.

Item 16(2) – Motions – Strike Action

Councillor Sue Anderson declared that she was a member of Unison and the Public Commercial Services Union.

Councillor James Bond declared that he was an employee of the London Underground.

Councillors Bob Currie and Margaret Davine declared that they were retired members of Unison.

Councillor Keith Ferry  ...  view the full minutes text for item 132.

To receive any announcements from the Mayor.  Information as to recent Mayoral engagements will be tabled.

The Mayor requested that Council note the engagements he had undertaken. The Mayor paid particular attention to the following:

·                     that he had attended 95 engagements so far, the Deputy Mayor had attended 27 and the Alderman 11.  Additionally the Mayor had been supported by other Members of Council;

·                     the Mayor had particularly enjoyed the events relating to the Carers’ week and Harrow College.

The Mayor also congratulated those residents of Harrow who had recently been awarded in the recent Queen’s Birthday Honours.

RESOLVED:  That the report of the Worshipful the Mayor, as tabled, be received.

To receive and consider any procedural motions by Members of the Council in relation to the conduct of this Meeting.  Notice of such procedural motions, received after the issuing of this Summons, will be tabled.

(i)                 In accordance with Rules 14.6 and 14.7, the Mayor advised that the Leader of the Opposition, Councillor Susan Hall, had exercised her right that the referral of the London Grants Motion to Cabinet be disapplied.  This allowed Council to debate the Motion and offer comments or recommendations to Cabinet in its consideration of the matter.

(ii)               The Mayor announced that he had received notice within the tabled papers of 3 amendments in respect of Motions on the Summons.  These would be dealt with at the items concerned.

(iii)             Councillor Paul Osborn rose to request the Mayor to rule concerning the admission of the proposed amendment to the Motion at Item 16(1) – London Grants in that in his view, it negated the substantive Motion.  The Mayor ruled that the Motion was in order and was to be considered by Council.

RESOLVED:  That

(1)               It be agreed the London Grants Motion would be the final Motion debated by the Council;

(2)               the3 amendments submitted in respect of Motions on the Summons, be dealt with at the Motions concerned.

(3)               the ruling, by the Mayor, of the amendment to Motion 16(1) “London Grants” as being In Order, be noted.

To receive any petitions to be presented:

(i)                 by a representative of the petitioners;

(ii)               by a Councillor, on behalf of petitioners; or

(iii)             by the Mayor, on behalf of petitioners.

In accordance with Rule 10, the following petitions were presented:

(i)                 Petition submitted by Councillor James Bond containing 54 signatures of residents requesting the Council to maintain the road surface at Imperial Close, North Harrow including repairing potholes.

[The petition stood referred to the Deputy Leader of the Council and Portfolio Holder for Environment and Community Safety].

(ii)               Petition submitted by Councillor Susan Hall containing 25 signatures of Members and residents expressing their disappointment “that Harrow Council has received a rebate totaling at least £300,000 from the London Boroughs’ Grant Scheme, but has so far refused to allocate the entirety of this rebate to its central Grants pot”.

[The petition stood referred to the Leader of the Council and Portfolio Holder for Finance and Business Transformation].

(iii)             Petition submitted by Councillor Susan Hall containing 25 signatures of Members and residents expressing their concern “that Harrow Council has received £2.1 million from NHS Harrow (Under a s.256 agreement) for the purposes of funding adult care, but has instead chosen to allocate this money to the newly formed Transformation and Priority Initiatives Fund”.

[The petition stood referred to the Leader of the Council and Portfolio Holder for Finance and Business Transformation].

(iv)             Petition submitted by Councillor Ramji Chauhan containing 42 signatures of residents requesting the Council to repair potholes in Weald Rise.

[The petition stood referred to the Deputy Leader of the Council and Portfolio Holder for Environment and Community Safety].

(v)               Petition submitted by Councillor Ramji Chauhan containing 37 signatures of residents requesting the Council to repair potholes in The Avenue, HA3.

[The petition stood referred to the Deputy Leader of the Council and Portfolio Holder for Environment and Community Safety].

(vi)             Petition submitted by Councillor Ramji Chauhan containing 32 signatures of residents requesting the Council to repair potholes in the Chestnut Drive, HA3.

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

(vii)           Petition submitted by Councillor Tony Ferrari containing 31 signatures of residents requesting the Council to repair potholes in Whitegate Gardens.

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

(viii)         Petition submitted by Councillor Tony Ferrari containing 12 signatures of residents requesting repairs to the road surface at Bancroft Road and Courtney Gardens.

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

(ix)             Petition submitted by Councillor Tony Ferrari containing 22 signatures of residents requesting investment in repairs to Monro Gardens.

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

(x)               Petition submitted by Councillor Tony Ferrari containing 34 signatures of residents requesting the Council to repair potholes in Hampden Road.

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

(xi)             Petition submitted by Councillor Stephen Greek containing 24 signatures of residents requesting the Council to repair potholes in Hitherwell Drive, Harrow Weald.

[The petition stood referred  ...  view the full minutes text for item 135.

A period of up to 15 minutes is allowed for members of the public to ask questions of members of the Executive, Portfolio Holders and Chairmen of Committees, of which notice has been received no later than 5.00 pm two clear working days prior to the day of this Meeting.  Any such questions received will be tabled.

In accordance with Rule 11, the questions submitted by members of the public and responded to by Portfolio Holders are contained at Appendix I. 

To receive a presentation from the Leader of the Council on business since the last ordinary meeting, followed by a question and answer session.  The item is allotted 20 minutes.

The Leader of the Council introduced his report highlighting achievements and proposals since the last ordinary meeting.

At the conclusion of his report, the Leader responded to questions from Members of the Council.

RESOLVED:  That the report of the Leader of the Council be received and noted.

Recommendation I:             Cabinet

                                                (19 May 2011)

Further to Item 8 on the Summons, the Council received a Recommendation from the meeting of Cabinet held on 19 May 2011.

The Recommendation was formally moved by the Leader of the Council, Councillor Bill Stephenson.

RESOLVED:  That the revised Transport Local Implementation Plan (LIP2) be adopted.

Recommendation II:                        Cabinet

                                                (22 June 2011)

Further to Item 9 on the Supplemental Summons, the Council received a Recommendation from the meeting of Cabinet held on 22 June 2011.

The Recommendation was formally moved by the Leader of the Council, Councillor Bill Stephenson.

RESOLVED:  That the Community Safety Plan be adopted.

Recommendation III:           Cabinet

                                                (22 June 2011)

(i)                 Further to Item 10 on the Supplemental Summons, the Council received a Recommendation from the meeting of Cabinet held on 22 June 2011.

(ii)               The Recommendation was formally moved by the Leader of the Council, Councillor Bill Stephenson.

(iii)             Following a full debate an amendment was moved by Councillor Susan Hall, seconded by Councillor Barry Macleod-Cullinane to recommendation (ii) that “the transfer of 50% of the funding received from the PCT to establish a Voluntary Sector Fund be approved, to provide financial support for social care related voluntary organisations”.  Following the rising of 10 Councillors making the request a Roll Call Vote was held:

            FOR:  Councillors Akhtar, Bath, Bednell, Bond, Mrs Champagnie, Chana, Chauhan, Ferrari, Greek, Hall, Kara, Lammiman, Macleod-Cullinane, Mrs Mithani, Moshenson, Chris Mote, Janet Mote, John Nickolay, Joyce Nickolay, Noyce, Osborn, Romain, Anthony Seymour, Lynda Seymour, Sheinwald, Teli, Williams and Wright.

            AGAINST:  The Mayor (Councillor Choudhury), the Deputy Mayor (Councillor Ismail), Councillors Anderson, Currie, Dharmarajah, Ferry, Ann Gate, Brian Gate, Gawn, Green, Henson, Idaikkadar, Khalid, Marikar, Maru, Miles, O’Dell, Omar, Parmar, Perry, Phillips, Ray, Navin Shah, Mrs Rekha Shah, Sachin Shah, Silver, Stephenson, Stoodley, Krishna Suresh, Sasikala Suresh and Wealthy.

            ABSTAIN:  Councillors Asante and Davine.

(iv)             Upon the Roll Call vote, the amendment at (iii) was lost;

(v)               Following the loss of the amendment a second amendment was moved to recommendation (ii) by Councillor Susan Hall, seconded by Councillor Osborn that: “the transfer of 50% of the funding received from the PCT to establish a Transition Relief Fund be approved, for the purpose of providing transitional support to any social services users who face increased costs as the result of the outcome of the Adult Services Consultations”.  

(vi)             During the debate on the new amendment, Councillor Phillip O’Dell moved a Motion that the amendment now be put.  Upon a request by more than 10 Councillors a roll call vote was held with regard to the motion.

(vii)           During the voting process a Member rose in accord with Rule 18.1 to query whether a vote should be counted and the Mayor, after due consideration and receiving advice, stated that the Member’s vote would not be accepted as he had not been seated in the Chamber at the commencement of the Roll Call process.

            FOR:  Councillors Akhtar, Bath, Bednell, Bond, Mrs Champagnie, Chana, Chauhan, Ferrari, Greek, Hall, Kara, Lammiman, Macleod-Cullinane, Mrs Mithani, Moshenson, Janet Mote, John Nickolay, Joyce Nickolay, Noyce, Osborn, Romain, Anthony Seymour, Lynda Seymour, Sheinwald, Teli, Williams and Wright.

            AGAINST:  The Mayor (Councillor Choudhury), the Deputy Mayor (Councillor Ismail), Councillors Anderson, Currie, Dharmarajah, Ferry, Ann Gate, Brian Gate, Gawn, Green, Henson, Idaikkadar, Khalid, Marikar, Maru, Miles, O’Dell, Omar, Parmar, Perry, Phillips, Ray, Navin Shah, Mrs Rekha Shah, Sachin Shah, Silver, Stephenson, Krishna Suresh, Sasikala Suresh and Wealthy.

            ABSTAIN:  Councillors Asante, Davine and Stoodley.

(viii)         Upon the carrying of the Roll Call vote, a further vote held on the amendment at (v) was lost;

(ix)             Upon a final vote the substantive  ...  view the full minutes text for item 140.

Recommendation I:             Standards Committee

                                                (16 June 2011)

Further to Item 11 on the Summons, the Council received a Recommendation from the meeting of the Standards Committee held on 16 June 2011.

The Recommendation was formally moved by the Mayor.

RESOLVED:  That the Social Media Protocol be adopted and incorporated into the Constitution.

Recommendation I:             Overview and Scrutiny Committee

                                                (27 April 2011)

Further to Item 12 on the Summons, the Council received a Recommendation from the meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 27 April 2011.

The Recommendation was formally moved by the Chairman of the Committee, Councillor Jerry Miles, who also registered his thanks to all Councillors and officers involved in scrutiny.

RESOLVED:  That the Scrutiny Annual Report 2010/11 be noted.

Report of the Director of Legal & Governance Services.

The Council received a report of the Director of Legal and Governance Services providing information in relation to the operation of the Call-in and Urgency procedures during the Municipal Year 2010/11.

RESOLVED:  That the report be noted.

To receive proposals for changes in representation on the identified outside bodies as follows:

FOR DECISION

Item 14 on the Summons provided for the receipt of proposals to amend the representation of the Authority to serve on three Outside Bodies for the remainder of the Municipal Year 2011/12.  The nominations of the Groups were notified in the Summons. 

RESOLVED:  That the amendments to representatives of the following Outside Body appointments for the Municipal Year 2011/12, be approved:

A period of up to 15 minutes is allowed for asking written questions by Members of Council of a member of the Executive or the Chairman of any Committee:-

(i)                 of which notice has been received at least two clear working days prior to the day of this Meeting;

(ii)               which relate to urgent matters, and the consent of the Executive Member or Committee Chairman to whom the question is to be put has been obtained and the content has been advised to the Director of Legal and Governance Services by 12 noon on the day of the Council Meeting.

Any such questions received will be tabled.

In accordance with Rule 12, the questions submitted by Councillors and responded to by Portfolio Holders, are contained at Appendix II.  Responses to those questions which were not reached during the period allowed for questions are also included and were circulated to all Members in written form.

(i)                 At item 16(1) the Council received a Motion in the names of Councillors Susan Hall and Barry Macleod-Cullinane in the following terms:

“This Council commits to:

·                    allocating the entire rebate (totalling at least £300,000) obtained this year from the London Boroughs’ Grants Scheme to Harrow Council’s central Grants pot.

·                    allocating all and any such future rebates from the London Boroughs’ Grants Scheme to Harrow Council’s central Grants pot.

This Council believes such actions will be of enormous benefit to Harrow’s voluntary organisations.”

(ii)               There was an amendment in the names of Councillors Bill Stephenson and David Perry, which sought to amend the Motion as follows:

“This Council notesthatin an ideal world the Council would wish to use a significant part or all of the London Council’s grant refund for funding grants and commissioning the voluntary and third sector locally and regionally.

However this Council notes:

·                    that over the next four years it has to make £62 million savings which is equivalent to a third of its controllable budget and that every part of the Council needs to contribute to the savings;

·                    that the budget set in February had to make £19 million savings to deal with unprecedented cuts to Local Government grant and that savings of £357,000 made by London Councils to its grants programme were included in this budget;

·                    that in the light of the above the Council grants programme was only cut by 15% rather than 30% and that this compares favourably with many other councils which have made much larger cuts to their grants programmes;

This Council requests Cabinet to continue to press London Councils to further cut back its grants programme and asks Cabinet to consider how any money so saved may be used to support the voluntary and third sector both locally and regionally.”

(iii)             Upon a vote, the amendment as (ii) was carried;

(iv)              Upon a vote the substantive Motion, as amended, was agreed.

RESOLVED:  That the substantive motion as amended and set out at (ii)

above, be referred to the Executive.

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)                 At item 16(2) the Council received a Motion in the names of Councillors Barry Macleod-Cullinane and Susan Hall in the following terms:

“This Council welcomes the efforts made by Harrow East MP Bob Blackman and London Assembly Member Richard Tracey, among others, to convince the Government of the merits of Unions being required to secure a majority of their total membership in favour of strike action before undertaking a strike.

This Council notes that:

·                       the estimated cost to London for each strike on the Underground and transport system is around £50 million per day;

·                       a recent opinion poll shows fewer than 1 in 4 believe Unions should be able to call a strike without requiring a majority of their membership voting for strike action;

·                       last summer’s strikes on the Underground network were trigged by the votes of only a third of RMT members;

·                       as an outer-London borough, Harrow relies heavily on the transport links provided by London Underground, and is therefore severely impacted when strike action closes tube lines.

This Council believes that it is imperative that legislation is passed swiftly requiring Unions to secure a majority of their entire membership in favour of strike action before calling a strike and calls upon Harrow’s three local MPs – Bob Blackman, Nick Hurd and Gareth Thomas – to lobby for such legislation.

This Council further notes that, with barely a year to the start of the Olympics and the eyes of the world turning upon our great city, London’s public transport system cannot be allowed to be held hostage by a tiny minority of union militants.

This Council therefore also calls upon its three local MPs – Bob Blackman, Nick Hurd, and Gareth Thomas – to lobby for a “no-strike” deal to be in place in the run-up to and during the London 2012 Olympics.

This Council instructs the Chief Executive to write to The Mayor of London, the Greater London Assembly, Harrows three MPs and the Secretary of State for Transport to inform them of the content of this motion.”

(ii)               There was an amendment in the names of Councillors Nana Asante and Jerry Miles, which sought to amend the Motion as follows:

“This Council notes the efforts made by Harrow East MP Bob Blackman and London Assembly Member Richard Tracey, among others, to convince the Government of the merits of Unions being required to secure a majority of their total membership in favour of strike action before undertaking a strike.  This Council notes:

·                     that in 2007 the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry estimated the cost to London for each strike on the Underground and the transport system is around £50 million per day and further notes that the Chartered Institute of Management (CMI) survey of more than 900 managers, published in March 2010, showed that 54% believed their organisations were prepared "to a great extent" for remote working;

·                     that it would be hypocritical to ask that Unions have a  majority of their total membership in  ...  view the full minutes text for item 147.

(i)                 At item 16(3) the Council received a Motion in the names of Councillors Nana Asante and Phillip O’Dell in the following terms:

“This Council notes with great pleasure the contribution made by staff to winning the MJ Award for the Best Achieving Council.  The Council notes the impressive journey of improvement, achievement and ambition.  This Council also puts on record its thanks for the Leadership of the Chief Executive and his Senior Management Team who worked tirelessly with the present Administration to deliver £19 million in year savings.  We wish to place on record our thanks to staff for supporting residents in making Harrow the best performing borough for composting and second best for recycling.  It is a matter of record that Harrow is one of the safest London boroughs contributing less than 2% to London’s overall crime rate. 

We commend staff for embracing the Council’s new Vision:  ‘Working together, our Harrow, our Community’ and helping to deliver our new priorities:

·                     Keeping neighbourhoods clean, green and safe;

·                     United and involved communities: a Council that listens and leads;

·                     Supporting and protecting people who are most in need;

·                     Supporting our town Centre, our local shopping centres and businesses.

We place on record our thanks to all staff for their work in delivering the innovative ‘Let’s Talk’ campaign helping us transform service delivery and improve resident satisfaction.  It is thanks to our staff that Harrow is now a leader in personalisation, service for carers, engagement and reablement.  85% of Harrow’s schools are rated good or outstanding and our GCSEs place us in the top 12 LEAs in the country.  100% of Harrow’s Schools are judged by Ofsted to have good or outstanding standards of behaviour and safeguarding.  Harrow delivers the highest adoption rate in the country and credit for all the good work listed goes to our staff and partners.  Our staff led CREATE values have helped drive the transformation which has led to this well earned recognition by the MJ Awards.

The Council recognises that without our staff, we cannot keep the momentum and deliver innovation and improvements which benefit our residents.  It is a great pleasure to place on record our thanks and encourage them to keep the momentum for more extraordinary achievements in the future.”

(ii)               There was an amendment in the names of Councillors Susan Hall and Barry Macleod-Cullinane, which sought to amend the Motion as follows:

“This Councils notes with great pleasure the enormous contribution made by our staff to winning the 2011 Municipal Journal Award for Best Achieving Council.

This Council recognises that without our staff and the leadership of the Chief Executive and his senior management team, this award would not have been achieved.

This Council is delighted to place on record its thanks to all our staff, and pledges to continue encouraging them towards further excellent achievements in the future.”

(iii)             Upon a vote, the amendment at (ii) was lost.

(iv)             Upon a further vote the substantive  ...  view the full minutes text for item 148.