Agenda and minutes

That the minutes of the meeting held on 3 November 2011 be taken as read and signed as a correct record.

RESOLVED:  That the minutes of the 3 November 2011 be taken as read and signed as a correct record.

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.

Item 8A – Integrated Planning: Corporate Plan 2012/13

Item 8B – Integrated Planning: Final Revenue Budget and MTFS 2012/13 to 2014/15

Item 9 – Final Housing Revenue Account and MTFS 2012/13 – 2014/15

Item 10 - Capital Programme 2012/13 - 2014/15

Item 11 – Treasury Management Strategy Statement, Prudential Indicators and Minimum Revenue Provision (MRP) Policy and Strategy 2012/13

Councillor Barry Macleod-Cullinane declared a personal interest in that his sister was a teacher at Hatch End High School.

            Item 16(1) – Motion – Proposed Privatisation of London Fire Brigade Merton Control Room

            Councillor Susan Hall declared a prejudicial interest as a member of the London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority (LFEPA).

            Councillor Navin Shah declared a prejudicial interest as a GLA Member of LFEPA and had taken legal advice on this issue.

Item 16(3) – Motion – Whitchurch Pavilion and Playing Fields

Councillor Amir Moshenson declared a prejudicial interest as he lived in the vicinity of the area in question.

            Councillor Nana Asante declared a personal interest as her church, on occasions, utilised Whitchurch Playing Fields.

            Councillor Camilla Bath declared a personal interest as she was the Chair of Governors of the Whitchurch First School and Nursery.

            Item 16(4) – Motion – HPCCG

            The Worshipful the Mayor (Councillor Mrinal Choudhury) declared a personal interest as he had chaired the last Annual General Meeting of the Harrow Police and Community Consultative Group (HPCCG).

Councillor Nana Asante declared a personal interest as she had attended the last Annual General Meeting of the HPCCG.

Councillors Susan Hall and Vina Mithani declared personal interests as they were Councillor representatives on the HPCCG.

            Item 16(5) – Motion – Fairtrade

            Councillor Nana Asante declared a personal interest in that she was Chair of the Fairtrade Campaign.

Councillors Husain Akhtar, Camilla Bath and Yogesh Teli declared personal interests as they had attended meetings of the Fairtrade Campaign.

Item 16(6) – Motion – NHS

Councillors Sue Anderson and Ann Gate declared prejudicial interests as employees of the NHS.

Councillor Husain Akhtar declared a personal interest as his children worked for the NHS.

Councillor Lurline Champagnie declared a personal interest as she was a member of the Royal College of Nurses.

Councillor Brian Gate declared a personal interest as he was married to an employee of the NHS.

Councillor Krishna James declared a personal interest as she was a qualified nurse and several of her relatives worked for the NHS.

Councillor Vina Mithani declared a personal interest as she worked for the Health Protection Agency.

Councillors Chris and Janet Mote declared personal interests as their daughter worked for the NHS.

            Item 16(7) – Motion – Step Free Access to Stations

            Councillor Camilla Bath declared a prejudicial interest as an appointed member of the Rail Liaison Committee.

Councillor James Bond declared a personal interest as an employee of Transport for London.

Item 16(8) – Motion – London Living Rent

Councillor Nana Asante declared a personal interest in that she was  ...  view the full minutes text for item 174.

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

The Mayor reported that he, together with the Deputy Mayor and Honorary Alderman, had attended nearly 500 engagements to date.  The Mayor paid particular attention to the following:

·                     attended the North Holocaust Memorial Day event held in the Council Chamber;

·                     hosted a visit from the Anglican Alliance which had involved representatives from across Africa developing their knowledge of the Council;

·                     hosted a Tea Reception for Harrow Bereavement Care.

The Mayor also congratulated, on behalf of the Council, those Harrow residents that had been awarded New Year Honours by Her Majesty the Queen.

RESOLVED:  That the report of the Worshipful the Mayor upon his official duties, as tabled, be noted and 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)                 The Mayor advised that he had received notice of the withdrawal of Motion 16(13) – Council Tax from its proposer and seconder.  The amendment contained in the tabled papers, would therefore not be considered;

(ii)               The Mayor stated that he had received notice of an alteration to the proposer and seconder for Motion 16(1) – Proposed Privatisation of London Fire Brigade Merton Control Room.  Councillor David Perry would now be the proposer and Councillor Brian Gate the seconder.

(iii)             The Leader of the Council, Councillor Bill Stephenson, moved a procedural motion under Rule 26.1 that in line with previous years and for the purposes of the debate on the Final Revenue Budget and MTFS 2012/13 to 2014/15, the rules of debate be varied, as set out in the tabled documents, and that the procedure therein be also applied to the reports on the Corporate Plan 2012/13, Final Housing Revenue Account and MTFS 2012/13 – 2014/15, Capital Programme 2012/13 to 2014/15 and Treasury Management Strategy Statement, Prudential Indicators and Minimum Revenue Provision (MRP) Policy and Strategy 2012/13, insofar as the recommendations and amendments be debated jointly.  This was agreed.

(iv)             The Mayor proposed that if the debate on items 8-11 continued beyond 10.30 pm, he would consider the guillotine as having been reached and that all remaining items on the Summons would be voted on without debate, in accord with Rule 9.3.

(v)               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 individually at the items concerned.

(vi)             The Mayor informed Council that Motions 16(3) - Whitchurch Pavilion and Playing Fields and 16(10) - Whitchurch Lease fell within the remit of the Executive and therefore, stood referred to the next meeting of Cabinet.

(vii)           The Council received notification within the tabled papers of an Urgent Motion (Council Prayers).  The Leader of the Council rose to request that the Urgent Motion not be admitted as the issue was currently under appeal and a legal ruling was awaited.  Upon a vote the Urgent Motion was refused.

RESOLVED:  That

(1)               the withdrawal of Motion 16(13) – Council Tax be noted;

(2)               the change of proposer and seconder for Motion 16(1) – Proposed Privatisation of London Fire Brigade Merton Control Room be noted;

(3)               the partial suspension under Rule 25.1, regarding the moving of recommendations from Cabinet and the rules of debate (including extended time for opening speeches by both political groups), as set out in the tabled papers, be approved for the purposes of the debate upon:

Item 8A – Integrated Planning: Corporate Plan 2012/13;

Item 8B – Final Revenue Budget and MTFS 2012/13 - 2014/15;

Item 9 – Final Housing Revenue Account and MTFS 2012/13 - 2014/15;

Item 10 - Capital Programme 2012/13 – 2014/15;

Item 11 – Treasury Management Strategy Statement, Prudential Indicators and Minimum Revenue Provision (MRP) Policy and Strategy 2012/13;

(4)               it be noted that should the debate on items 8-11  ...  view the full minutes text for item 176.

To receive any petitions to be presented:

(i)                 by a representative of the petitioners;

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

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

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

(i)                 Petition submitted by Councillor Susan Hall, containing 26 signatures of Members and residents, expressing concern over the impact of the Council’s proposed changes to Staff Terms and Conditions on non-teaching staff in schools and other low paid staff.

[The petition stood referred to the Portfolio Holder for Performance, Customer Services and Corporate Services].

(ii)               Petition submitted by Councillor Janet Mote, containing 30 signatures of residents, objecting to the application for a telephone mast at the junction of Pinner Road / George V Avenue, Planning No: P/0066/12”.

[The petition stood referred to the Planning Committee].

(iii)             Petition submitted by Councillor Chris Noyce, containing 45 signatures of residents, objecting to the proposed development situated at 6 The Glen, Pinner, Middlesex, HA5 5AY Ref: P/3271/11.

[The petition stood referred to the Planning Committee].

(iv)             Petition submitted by Councillor Chris Noyce, containing 10 signatures, requesting a security gate in the alleyway for Lucas Avenue and Clitheroe Avenue residents.

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

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 3.00 pm two clear working days prior to the day of this Meeting.  Any such questions received will be tabled.

In accordance with Rule 12, the questions submitted by members of the public and responded to by Portfolio Holders is contained at Appendix I.

At its meeting on 3^rd November 2011, the Council agreed to receive a Petition of over 2,000 signatures, submitted by Councillor James Bond, on behalf of petitioners and outlining the following terms:

“We, the undersigned, urgently request the Council of the London Borough of Harrow and NHS Harrow to reinstate the Admiral Nursing Service in Harrow. Admiral Nurses provide a unique and crucial service for Residents who have any form of Dementia, and their carers.”

The Petition has been subject to the validation process and meets the threshold of signatures needed to engender a Council debate.

The Lead Petitioner, Mr Neville Hughes, will read the terms of the petition on behalf of the petition signatories.  There is a period of one minute allocated to present.  A period of 10 minutes is permitted for Members to debate the Petition terms and issues.

Following discussion the Council may choose to refer the petition to the Cabinet to determine the matter, taking into account the views expressed by Council. 

(i)                 In accordance with the Council’s Petition Scheme, Members considered a petition which had initially been received at its meeting on 3 November 2011;

(ii)               the petition contained over 2,000 signatures and its terms were read by Mr Neville Hughes, Head Petitioner, as follows:

‘We, the undersigned, urgently request the Council of the London Borough of Harrow and NHS Harrow to reinstate the Admiral Nursing Service in Harrow. Admiral Nurses provide a unique and critical service for Residents who have any form of Dementia, and their carers.’

(iii)             A debate was held on the content of the petition.

RESOLVED:  That the petition be referred to Cabinet for consideration.

(A)       Corporate Plan 2012/13

Recommendation I:             Cabinet

                                                            (9 February 2012)

(B)       Final Revenue Budget and MTFS 2012/13 to 2014/15

Recommendation II:                        Cabinet

                                                            (9 February 2012)

(i)                 Further to item 8A on the Supplemental Summons, the Leader of the Council, Councillor Bill Stephenson, moved Recommendation I of the Cabinet meeting held on 9 February 2012.  The Leader also tabled three amendments to the formal Recommendation, which proposed minor amendments to the Priority Actions concerning Affordable Housing, Waste Reduction and Delivering Improved Performance of Highways as follows:

·           Priority Action, ‘Affordable Housing’ to read:  “139 affordable housing units delivered.  This reflects an appropriate affordable housing proportion as set out in the Core Strategy for Housing target and the current delivery pipeline reported by Housing”.

·           Priority Action, ‘Reduce the amount waste produced by the borough’, to include the following measures:

1.        Number of Home composting kits taken up by Harrow residents.  Each Home Composter diverts 150kg of waste;

2.        Two West London Waste ‘Let’s Get Cooking Clubs’ set up in Harrow, which are projected to reduce waste by 27 tonnes.

·           Priority Action, ‘Deliver improved performance of our Highways through a more efficient contract’ to include the following measure - ensure the projected efficiencies are delivered.

(ii)               Further to the decision at Resolution 176 above, the amendments and Recommendation were debated jointly.

(iii)             Following a full debate, the amendments outlined at (i) above were voted upon and agreed.

(iv)             Upon the meeting moving to a vote upon the substantive Recommendation this was carried and adopted.

RESOLVED:  That the Corporate Plan 2012/13 be adopted.

Further to item 8B on the Supplemental Summons, the Leader of the Council,

Councillor Bill Stephenson, moved Recommendation II of the Cabinet meeting

held on 9 February 2012 together with the tabled version of the Council Tax Resolution, which had been subject to minor amendments to reflect new legislative requirements.

RESOLVED:  That

(1)               the budget be approved to enable the Council Tax for 2012/13 to be set;

(2)               the Policy on the Use of the Contingency be approved;

(3)               the Schools Budget be approved;

(4)               the Reserves Policy be approved;

(5)               the Virements Rules be approved;

(6)               Members’ Allowances be frozen for a further year and the current approved Members’ Allowances Scheme be adopted for 2012/13;

(7)               in the event that responsibility for public health is transferred to the Council during 2012/13, authority be delegated to the Interim Corporate Director Resources to incorporate the transferred amount into the budget;

(8)               the Council Tax resolution, set out at Appendix II to these minutes, be approved and published.

Recommendation III:           Cabinet

                                                (9 February 2012)

Further to item 9 on the Supplemental Summons, the Leader of the Council, Councillor Bill Stephenson, moved Recommendation III of the Cabinet meeting held on 9 February 2012.

RESOLVED:  That

(1)               the borrowing of additional debt, as a consequence of the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) reform, for a fixed rate of over 5 years with the continuation of a single pooled approach to the management of debt, be approved;

(2)               it be noted that the Tenants’, Leaseholders’ and Residents’ Consultative Forum had given conditional support to a 50 years loan and single pool arrangement, provided that there was some form of ‘guarantee’ that the Council would deliver the total package of measures to address housing service pressures;

(3)               the HRA Budget 2012/13, as set out at Appendix III to these minutes, be approved.

(4)               the HRA Capital Programme, as detailed in Appendix IV to these minutes, be approved and the balance of the £500k Section 106 monies allocated to extensions for Council homes, approved in March 2008 for the financial years 2008/10, be extended to 31 March 2013.

Recommendation IV:          Cabinet

                                                (9 February 2012)

Further to item 10 on the Supplemental Summons, the Leader of the Council, Councillor Bill Stephenson, moved Recommendation IV of the Cabinet meeting held on 9 February 2012.

RESOLVED:  That the Capital Programme for 2012/13 - 2014/15 be approved.

Recommendation V:           Cabinet

                                                (9 February 2012)

Further to item 11 on the Supplemental Summons, the Leader of the Council, Councillor Bill Stephenson, moved Recommendation V of the Cabinet meeting held on 9 February 2012.

RESOLVED:  That

(1)               the Treasury Management Strategy and Prudential Indicators be approved;

(2)               the Minimum Revenue Provision Policy and Strategy 2012/13 be approved.

Recommendation VI:          Cabinet

                                                (9 February 2012)

(i)                 Further to item 12 on the Supplemental Summons, the Leader of the Council, Councillor Bill Stephenson, moved Recommendation VI of the Cabinet meeting held on 9 February 2012.

(ii)               During the consideration of the item a Member rose to express concern that the item was not subject to debate.

(iii)             The Mayor reminded Councillors that following agreement at Resolution 176 above the guillotine procedure was in operation and that the item would be moved to an immediate vote.

(iv)             Upon a vote the Recommendation was agreed. 

RESOLVED:  That the Core Strategy be adopted, as part of the Development Plan for Harrow.

Recommendation I:             Licensing and General Purposes Committee   

                                                (21 November 2011)

Further to item 13 on the Summons, the Chairman of Licensing and General Purposes Committee, Councillor Mano Dharmarajah, moved Recommendation I of the meeting held on 21 November 2011.

RESOLVED:  That the following amendment to Harrow Council’s Licensing Policy (otherwise known as the ‘Statement of Licensing Policy’) be agreed and adopted as part of the Licensing Policy:

“The Council is fully committed to a safe and successful Olympic and Paralympic Games in London during 2012.  The Council recognises that the resources of the police, transport and emergency services will be planned out and prioritised for the security of major events before, during and after the Games, as a minimum from 15 July 2012 until 16 September 2012.

Due consideration will be given by the Council to representations from the Police in relation to licence applications for temporary and/or parallel events during Games time on the grounds of public safety and security when police and other emergency services resources are insufficient to deal with the risks presented.  Where, as a result of representations from a responsible authority, it is identified that a licence or proposed event presents a risk that the licensing objectives will be compromised, it is likely that such applications will not be granted.”

Report of the Chief Executive.

(i)                 In accord with legislative requirements Members considered a report detailing the Council’s draft Pay Policy Statement 2012/13 which required publication by 31 March 2012.

(ii)               During the consideration of the item the Leader of the Opposition rose, on a point of clarification, to question whether the report was sufficiently complete to be considered by Council, as the report did not identify fully the electronic link points referenced within it. 

(iii)             The Mayor confirmed that, following legal advice, he was satisfied the report was acceptable, noting that the query should have been raised as part of the Procedural Motions at Resolution 176 above.

(iv)             Several Councillors rose and withdrew for the remainder of the meeting.  The meeting remained quorate following the withdrawal of these Councillors.

(v)               Upon a vote the Recommendation was agreed. 

RESOLVED:  That the Pay Policy Statement 2012/13 be agreed for publication on the Council’s website.

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; or

(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.

As the guillotine procedure was in force no Councillors questions were heard.   The questions and subsequent responses by Portfolio Holders, are contained at Appendix VI to these minutes.

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(1) the Council received a Motion in the names of Councillors David Perry and Brian Gate in the following terms:

“This Council notes that:

·                     The Conservative-controlled London Fire & Emergency Planning Authority (LFEPA), supported by Mayor Boris Johnson, is proposing to privatise the 999 Control Room function and hand over the running of this essential component of one of London’s major emergency services to a private contractor.

·                     A quarter of a million emergency calls are made to the London Fire Brigade Control Room each year requiring an immediate and considered response by the highly-trained professional Brigade staff.

·                     No consideration has been given to any other option to provide the service, including an in-house bid, or to the financial implications of taking this route.

This Council is concerned that such a privatisation will:

·                     Put the safety of our local Harrow residents at risk due to the lack of any risk assessment being carried out.

·                     Outsource a vital service to a company whose primary focus, as a private enterprise, must be profit for its shareholders.

·                     Have a detrimental effect on the speed of response from the Control Room and the quality of advice given to those at the scene of a fire.

·                     Mean additional cost to Londoners in monitoring and ensuring the necessary high performance of the contractor.

·                     Further demoralise staff who have not only identified savings of £1.5m but worked extended shifts during times of need, such as the recent riots in London.

This privatisation is typical of the Conservative-led Government’s attack on our cherished public services including our schools, armed forces and the NHS.  The outsourcing of major London Fire Brigade functions, including essential 999 services, means that Conservative ideology is being put before the interests of ordinary Londoners. Londoners not shareholders must come first.

Harrow Council therefore opposes the plan to privatise the London Fire Brigade’s 999 Control Room function and instruct the Chief Executive to write to Mayor Boris Johnson to use his powers of direction to stop LFEPA proceeding with the proposal and to seek support from local MPs, the London Assembly and council unions.”

(ii)               Upon a vote the Motion was carried.

RESOLVED:  That the substantive Motion be adopted.

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

“This Council notes that every single London council is either freezing or cutting their council tax this year.

Additionally, this Council is aware of the difficult economic climate, and of the challenges faced by many residents in making ends meet.

Therefore, this Council commits, in principle, to freezing council tax for 2013/14 and 2014/15, with a view to cutting it if financial pressures allow.”

(ii)               The Motion was not carried.

RESOLVED:  That the Motion be not adopted.

In accordance with Rule 14.7, this Motion stood referred to the Executive.

(i)                 At item 16(4) the Council received a Motion in the names of Councillors Krishna James and Sasikala Suresh in the following terms:

“This Council notes with concern the risk that oversight of the Police and the Community Consultative work undertaken by HPCCG over the past 30 years will come to an end.  It is of real concern that no contingency plans have been made to ensure that the work continues.  It is important to note that the need for a systematic two way conversation between the community and its police service was recognised in Section 96 of the Police Act 1996; which requires ‘that arrangements be made in the Metropolitan Police District by the Metropolitan Police Authority, after consulting with the Commissioner, for obtaining the views of people in that area about matters concerning the policing of the area and for obtaining their cooperation with the police in preventing crime in the area’.

This Council instructs the Chief Executive to write to Harrow’s 3 MPs, GLA Member and the Mayor of London and ask that they work to ensure that Harrow residents are able to engage with the Police and help keep Harrow one of the safest boroughs in London.”

(ii)               The Motion was agreed by general assent.

RESOLVED:  That the substantive Motion be adopted.

(i)                 At item 16(5) the Council received a Motion in the names of Councillors Nana Asante and Sue Anderson in the following terms:

“This Council notes the close working relationship that Harrow Fairtrade Campaign and Brent Fairtrade Network have developed over the past year.

This Council also notes that the Fairtrade Cotton Bunting Challenge aims to link Brent Town Hall and Harrow Civic Centre. 

In light of these links, this Council congratulates our sister borough Brent on achieving Fairtrade status and instructs the Chief Executive to write to the Leader of the Council and Brent Fairtrade Network offering Harrow’s best wishes for their celebration on 3^rd March 2012.”

(ii)               The Motion was agreed by general assent.

RESOLVED:  That the substantive Motion be adopted.

(i)                 At item 16(6) the Council received a Motion in the names of Councillors Krishna James and William Stoodley in the following terms:

“This Council notes that the NHS bill currently going through Parliament is ill thought out and costly.  It is immoral to be wasting close to £1 billion at a time when austerity measures are being implemented in all areas of life, including this Council.  This Council notes with concern the risk to Patient Care being produced by this attack on the NHS.

Several Professional Health bodies, the Royal College of GPs, the Royal College of Nursing and the Chartered Society of Physiotherapists, have grave concerns regarding the reforms to the NHS.  Since these esteemed professional organisations have asked that the Bill be scrapped altogether, it can only mean that pushing through the reforms will lead to poor health care for Harrow residents.

This Council notes that the medical director of the largest commissioning cluster in the capital has said hospitals in north west London "will almost certainly" have to close. 

This Council wishes to record its clear support for the Royal College of GPs, the Royal College of Nursing and the Chartered Society of Physiotherapists in their opposition to these market driven plans to privatise the NHS from the backdoor in the name of modernisation.

This Council instructs the Chief Executive to write to the 3 MPs to express our concerns about the risk to the NHS and to ask that Harrow’s 3 MPs categorically reject these proposals and work to ensure that Harrow residents are guaranteed free health care at the point of use.”

(ii)               There was a tabled amendment in the names of Councillors Barry Macleod-Cullinane and Simon Williams, which sought to amend the Motion to read:

“This Council notes that the NHS bill currently going through Parliament is ill thought out and costly.  It is immoral to be wasting close to £1 billion at a time when austerity measures are being implemented in all areas of life, including this Council.  This Council notes with concern the risk to Patient Care being produced by this attack on the NHS.

Several Professional Health bodies, the Royal College of GPs, the Royal College of Nursing and the Chartered Society of Physiotherapists, have grave concerns regarding the reforms to the NHS.  Since these esteemed professional organisations have asked that the Bill be scrapped altogether, it can only mean that pushing through the reforms will lead to poor health care for Harrow residents.

This Council notes that the medical director of the largest commissioning cluster in the capital has said hospitals in north west London "will almost certainly" have to close. 

This Council wishes to record its clear support for the Royal College of GPs, the Royal College of Nursing and the Chartered Society of Physiotherapists in their opposition to these market driven plans to privatise the NHS from the backdoor in the name of modernisation.

This Council notes for information that, under the existing organisational structure  ...  view the full minutes text for item 194.

(i)                 At item 16(7) the Council received a Motion in the names of Councillors Sue Anderson and Bill Phillips in the following terms:

“This Council congratulates Campaigners who have continued to keep the issue of step free access at Harrow’s stations in the public eye.  This Council instructs that the Chief Executive write to the Mayor of London to remind him that Harrow residents would like the necessary investment to be made in public transport infrastructure so that residents can enjoy step-free access to local stations.”

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

“This Council congratulates Campaigners who have continued to keep the issue of step free access at Harrow’s stations in the public eye.  This Council instructs that the Chief Executive write to the Mayor of London.

This Council notes that the collapse of Metronet has delayed getting step-free access for Harrow on the Hill station.

This Council further notes that using capital presently earmarked for investment for revenue support purposes would necessarily reduce the funds available for infrastructure works on the Underground network and thus create further delays in securing the funds for implementing step-free access upgrades at Harrow on the Hill and other stations across Harrow.”

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

(iv)             Upon a further vote the substantive Motion at (i) was agreed.

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

(i)                 At item 16(8) the Council received a Motion in the names of Councillors Nana Asante and Thaya Idaikkadar in the following terms:

“This Council notes with concern the negative impact of Housing Benefit changes on Harrow residents and urges that Harrow’s 3 MPs campaign to ensure that Harrow residents are able to work and live in the borough.

This Council affirms the importance of family and community and wishes to place on record its support for the London Living Rent which would ensure that no one pays out more than 1/3 of their wages on rent enabling families to stay together and strong communities to be built in the borough.

This Council instructs the Chief Executive to write to Harrow’s 3 MPs and ask that they support the London Living Rent so that it becomes part of legislation.”

(ii)               There was a tabled amendment in the names of Councillors Barry Macleod-Cullinane and Paul Osborn, which sought to amend the Motion as follows:

“This Council notes with concern the negative impact of Housing Benefit changes on Harrow residents and urges that Harrow’s 3 MPs campaign to ensure that Harrow residents are able to work and live in the borough.

This Council affirms the importance of family and community and wishes to place on record its support for the London Living Rent which would ensure that no one pays out more than 1/3 of their wages on rent enabling families to stay together and strong communities to be built in the borough.

This Council notes for information that rent control, of which the London Living Rent is a variant, has been described by Swedish economist Assar Lindbeck ‘as the most efficient technique presently known for destroying a city – apart from bombing.’

This Council therefore refers this motion to Cabinet with a recommendation that it commission a report from the Housing Department on the impact the London Living Rent would have on Harrow; specifically with regard to housing demand and supply.

This Council instructs the Chief Executive to write to Harrow’s 3 MPs and ask that they support the London Living Rent so that it becomes part of legislation.”

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

(iv)             Upon a further vote the substantive Motion at (i) was agreed.

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

(i)                 At item 16(9) the Council received a Motion in the names of Councillors Margaret Davine and Victoria Silver in the following terms:

“This Council celebrates:

·                     The valuable role performed by over 2000 carers in Harrow, in the majority of cases without any financial help from the public purse. 

·                     The contribution of Harrow Carers, Crossroads and other partners in the Voluntary Sector that provide support and services, commending the valuable work they do in supporting carers and in highlighting their needs.

This Council further congratulates:

Our Council officers, especially those in the Carers Teams, for their continued commitment to supporting carers, as the Council prepares to roll-out Personal Budgets for carers in April 2012  -  also welcomes the initiative by Lincolnshire City Council, Plymouth City Council and others who have appointed a 'Carers Champion' with cross-cutting responsibilities, across all departments; and we call on Harrow Council to follow this excellent example and appoint a similar champion in Harrow to promote better respite, care, respect and access to innovative support services for all of our carers.”

(ii)               The Motion was agreed by general assent.

RESOLVED:  That the substantive Motion be adopted.

In accordance with Rule 14.7, this Motion stood referred to the Executive.

(i)                 At item 16(11) the Council received a Motion in the names of Councillors Susan Hall and Barry Macleod-Cullinane in the following terms:

“This Council notes that, since the election of the present Mayor of London in 2008, he has delivered the following for Harrow and its residents:

·                     A frozen Mayoral precept for 3 years and a cut this year – following a 152% increase over the previous 8 years – saving Harrow households over £440.

·                     Over £2.5 of funding from the Outer London Fund to invest in the promotion and regeneration of Harrow Town Centre and North Harrow.

·                     35 more police officers, 7 more PCSOs, and 72 more Special Constables, with the introduction of single police patrols leading to over 3,000 more patrols each year.  The number of police across London as a whole has increased by 1,000, with Special Constables nearly doubling to almost 5,000.

·                     A 6% overall fall in crime, with 24% and 21% decreases in robberies and youth crime respectively.

·                     Nearly £1 million of Transport for London investment in Harrow’s roads and pavements.

·                     The expansion and improvement of 12 bus routes, with 3 more added.

·                     The planting of over 500 new trees, which is more than in almost any other London borough.

This Council therefore instructs the Chief Executive to write to the Mayor of London and London Assembly to express our gratitude for his investment and continued interest in and support for Harrow.”

(ii)               Upon a vote, the Motion was not carried.

RESOLVED:  That the Motion be not adopted.

(i)                 At item 16(12) the Council received a Motion in the names of Councillors Bill Stephenson and Nana Asante in the following terms:

“This Council is appalled to learn from a leaked report in the Guardian newspaper (Wednesday, Jan 25) that ‘The Ministry of Defence is thinking of selling off one of its oldest and most internationally renowned airports, RAF Northolt, and that ‘… there have been high level talks in Whitehall about whether the airfield could even become a satellite for nearby Heathrow.’ 

This Council notes this is not the first time that this has been suggested and each time, it has been overwhelmingly rejected by local residents for all the reasons for which the Government rejected the third runway at Heathrow Airport – noise, pollution and traffic congestion. 

This Council believes that this ‘stealth’ expansion of Heathrow through the sale and redevelopment of RAF Northolt would be a disaster for residents in Harrow and across West London. 

This Council calls on the Government to issue an immediate statement withdrawing this suggestion and instructs the Chief Executive to enlist the support of Harrow’s three MPs, the Brent and Harrow GLA member and other neighbouring local authorities, MPs and GLA members to oppose this catastrophic proposal.” 

(ii)               The Motion was agreed by general assent.

RESOLVED:  That the substantive Motion be adopted.

This Motion was withdrawn.

Report of the Director of Legal and Governance Services.

The Director of Legal and Governance Services advised of an urgent decision taken in respect of a matter reserved to Council since the last meeting.

RESOLVED:  That the decision taken under delegation by the Director of Legal and Governance Services, on behalf of Council, be noted.

At 10.40 pm, upon the conclusion of the debate on items 8-11 and as agreed at Resolution 176, the Mayor advised that the guillotine procedure was in operation for the determination of the remaining business on the Summons.  This was applied to the following Items: