Agenda and minutes

That the minutes of the meeting held on 5 July 2012 be taken as read and signed as a correct record.

RESOLVED:  That the minutes of the Council meeting held on 5 July 2012 be taken as read and signed as correct records.

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

The Mayor invited appropriate declarations of interest.

Item 6 – Public Questions

Councillor Camilla Bath declared a pecuniary interest in relation to the questions relating to the Whitchurch Pavillion as she was the Chair of Governors at Whitchurch First School and Nursery.  She would leave the Chamber during this item.

Councillor Christine Bednell declared a non-pecuniary interest in that she was a Governor at Vaughan School, which was referred to in a number of questions.

Councillor Amir Moshenson declared a pecuniary interest in relation to the questions relating to the Whitchurch Pavillion and would leave the Chamber during this item.

Item 9A – Community Safety Plan and Strategic Assessment and Item 9B – Community Safety Plan

Councillor Susan Hall declared a non-pecuniary interest in that she owned a business in Wealdstone, which was an area covered by the Community Safety Plan.

Item 14(4) – Motion – Change to Planning Laws and Regulations

Councillor Anthony Seymour declared a non-pecuniary interest in that he regularly advised clients on planning matters in his role as a solicitor.

Item 14(5) – Motion – Proposals to Re-organise the Health Service Motion

Councillor Husain Akhtar declared a non-pecuniary interest in that his son worked for the NHS.

Councillor Sue Anderson declared a pecuniary interest and would leave the Chamber during the discussion and decision making on this item.

Councillor Marilyn Ashton declared a non-pecuniary interest in that her mother received funding from the NHS to reside in a care home.

Councillor Ann Gate declared a pecuniary interest and would leave the Chamber during the discussion and decision making on this item.

Councillor Krishna James declared a non-pecuniary interest in that she was a registered nurse and had members of her family who worked for the NHS.

Councillor Vina Mithani declared a non-pecuniary interest in that she worked for the Health Protection Agency.

Councillors Chris Mote and Janet Mote declared non-pecuniary interests in that their daughter worked for Northwick Park Hospital.

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 advised that since his election in May 2011, he had attended almost 320 engagements.

The Mayor also congratulated, on behalf of the Council, Richard Hounslow and Naomi Riches, who had recently been successful at the Olympic and Paralympic Games respectively.

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

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 proposed that in relation to Item 8, Leader’s Announcements, both Councillor Stephenson and whomever was elected as Leader of the Council, be allowed to speak on this item. Upon a vote this proposal was agreed.

(ii)               Councillor Barry Macleod-Cullinane rose to move a Procedural Motion that Motion 14(7), be debated prior to Motion 14(1).  Upon a vote, the Procedural Motion was not carried.

RESOLVED:  That

(1)               both Councillor Stephenson and whomever was elected as Leader of the Council, be allowed to speak on Item 8, Leader’s Announcements;

(2)       the procedural Motion under Rule 15.1, seeking the consideration of Motion 14(7) (Children’s Services) before Motion 14(1) (Councillors’ Allowances), be not agreed.

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 Lynda Seymour containing 76 signatures of residents requesting pavement improvements on the south side of Vernon Drive.

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

(ii)               Petition submitted by Councillor Marilyn Ashton containing 84 signatures of residents requesting improvements to pavements and trees at Drummond Drive, Stanmore.

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

(iii)             Petition submitted by Councillor Lurline Champagnie containing 3 signatures of residents requesting the re-erection of 2 direction signs for the Parish Church in Hatch End.

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

(iv)             Petition submitted by Councillor Susan Hall containing 179 signatures of residents opposing the building development plans to expand Vaughan School.

[The petition stood referred to the Portfolio Holder for Children, Schools and Families].

(v)               Petition submitted by Councillor Richard Romain containing 22 signatures of residents to alter parking restriction times at Kerry Court, Stanmore.

The petition stood referred to the Portfolio Holder for Environment and Community Safety.

(vi)             Petition submitted by a resident containing 145 signatures of residents opposing the redevelopment of the Teachers Centre to provide accommodation for the Avanti School.

[The petition stood referred to the Portfolio Holder for Children, Schools and Families].

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.

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

(ii)               During this item, Councillor Thaya Idaikkadar rose to propose that the time limit for public questions be extended by 5 minutes.  Upon a vote, this proposal was agreed.

(iii)             Further during the item, Councillor Barry Macleod-Cullinane rose to propose that the time limit be extended to allow all public questions to be asked at the meeting.  Upon a vote, this proposal was not agreed.

[Councillors Ashton, Bath, Bednell, Champagnie, Chana, Chauhan, Ferrari, Greek, Hall, Kara, Lammiman, Macleod-Cullinane, Mithani, Moshenson, Chris Mote, Janet Mote, John Nickolay, Joyce Nickolay, Osborn, Romain, Anthony Seymour, Lynda Seymour, Teli, Williams and Wright wished to be recorded as having voted for the proposal that the time limit to be extended to allow all public questions to be asked at the meeting].

To appoint a Leader of the Council.

(i)                 Councillor Bill Stephenson rose to formally announce his resignation as Leader of the Council.

(ii)               Councillor Thaya Idaikkadar and Councillor Hall were each proposed and seconded for the position of the Leader of the Council.

(iii)             Upon a request by more than 10 Councillors a roll call vote was held on the election of a new Leader of the Council.

(iv)             On a point of order, a Member rose to seek clarification on whether a roll call could be requested for this item.  The Mayor ruled that the request was valid.

(v)               Upon a vote, Councillor Thaya Idaikkadar was elected as Leader of the Council.

RESOLVED:  That Councillor Thaya Idaikkadar be elected Leader of the Council.

Roll Call Vote:

In Favour of Councillor Thaya Idaikkadar:  Councillors Akhtar, Anderson,  Bond, Choudhury, Currie, Davine, Dharmarajah, Ferry, Ann Gate, Gawn, Green, Henson, Idaikkadar, James, Khalid, Marikar, Maru, Miles, O’Dell, Omar, Parmar, Perry, Phillips, Ray, Navin Shah, Rekha Shah, Sachin Shah, Silver, Stephenson, Stoodley, Krishna Suresh, Sasikala Suresh and Wealthy.

In Favour of Councillor Susan Hall:  Councillors Ashton, Bath, Bednell, Champagnie, Chana, Chauhan, Ferrari, Greek, Hall, Kara, Lammiman, Macleod-Cullinane, Mithani, Moshenson, Chris Mote, Janet Mote, John Nickolay, Joyce Nickolay, Osborn, Romain, Anthony Seymour, Lynda Seymour, Teli, Williams and Wright.

Abstain:  Councillors Noyce and Sheinwald.

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.

(i)                 The Leader of the Council, Councillor Thaya Idaikkadar, and Councillor Bill Stephenson, introduced their joint report highlighting achievements and proposals since the last ordinary meeting.

(ii)               At the conclusion of the report, The Leader, Councillor Thaya Idaikkadar, and Councillor Bill Stephenson responded to questions from Members of the Council.

(iii)             At the conclusion of the item, the Mayor proposed that the time limit for this item be extended by 10 minutes to allow tributes to be made to Councillor Bill Stephenson. Upon a vote, this proposal was agreed.

(iv)             Councillors Husain Akhtar, Camilla Bath, James Bond, Susan Hall, The Worshipful The Mayor Councillor Nizam Ismail, Jean Lammiman, Chris Mote, Chris Noyce, Richard Romain, Navin Shah and Sachin Shah spoke in tribute to Councillor Bill Stephenson.

RESOLVED:  That

(i)                 the report of the Leader of the Council be received and noted;

(ii)               the Council place on record its appreciation and thanks to Councillor Bill Stephenson for his term as Leader of the Council.

(A)       Community Safety Plan and Strategic Assessment

Recommendation I:             Overview and Scrutiny Committee

                                                            (20 September 2012)

(B)       Community Safety Plan

Recommendation I:             Cabinet

                                                            (13 September 2012)

(i)                 Further to item 9A on the Summons, Councillor Jerry Miles moved Recommendation I of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting held on 20 September 2012.

(ii)               Further to item 9B on the Summons, the Leader of the Council, Councillor Thaya Idaikkadar moved Recommendation I of the Cabinet meeting held on 13 September 2012.

RESOLVED:  That

(i)                 the comments of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee from its meeting held on 20 September 2012 be noted;

(ii)               the Community Safety Plan be agreed and adopted, as contained in Appendix II to these minutes.

Recommendation II:                        Cabinet

                                                (11 October 2012)

Further to item 10 on the Summons, the Leader of the Council, Councillor Thaya Idaikkadar moved Recommendation II of the Cabinet meeting held on 11 October 2012.

RESOLVED:  That the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) Draft Charging Schedule, at Appendix III to these minutes, be approved for the purposes of a six week period of public consultation, in accordance with the Council’s adopted Statement of Community Involvement.

Recommendation II:                        Overview and Scrutiny Committee

                                                (20 September 2012)

Further to item 11 on the Summons, Councillor Jerry Miles moved Recommendation II of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting held on 20 September 2012.

RESOLVED:  That a representative of Harrow’s Youth Parliament be appointed as a co-opted non-voting member of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

Recommendation III:           Cabinet

                                                            (11 October 2012)

(i)                 Further to item 12A on the Summons, Councillor Jerry Miles moved Recommendation III of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting held on 24 October 2012.

(ii)               Further to item 12B on the Summons, the Leader of the Council, Councillor Thaya Idaikkadar moved Recommendation III of the Cabinet meeting held on 11 October 2012.

(iii)             In accordance with Rule 12.1, a number of Questions Without Notice were asked and responded to.

RESOLVED:  That

(i)                 the comments of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee from its meeting held on 24 October 2012 be noted;

(ii)               the Youth Justice Plan be agreed and adopted, as contained in Appendix IV to these minutes.

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.

(i)                 In accordance with Rule 12, the questions submitted by Councillors and responded to by Portfolio Holders, are contained at Appendix V.  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.

(ii)               During this item, Councillor Barry Macleod-Cullinane rose to propose that the time limit be extended by 5 minutes to allow further Councillor questions to be asked at the meeting.  Upon a vote, this proposal was not agreed.

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 14(1) the Council received a Motion in the names of Councillors Graham Henson and Bill Stephenson in the following terms:

“Council notes that it currently pays the third lowest level of basic allowance to Councillors across London at around three quarters the rate recommended by the London Councils Independent Remuneration Panel.

This Council further notes the agreement signed by the Council and the recognised trade unions on the modernisation of its employment terms and conditions of directly employed staff, and congratulates the Trade Unions and the Council staff on the mature way this agreement has been negotiated.

Council further notes that in future no member of staff will be paid below the London Living Wage, staff will be able to work in a much more flexible and mobile way according to individuals’ aspirations and the council’s needs, and that all staff will receive an extra day’s holiday.

Council further notes that staff paid more than £21,000 have agreed to take a pay cut of 1% cut from 1^st January 2013 and the highest paid a cut of 2.5%.

Council fully endorses the commitment made by the former Leader of the Council that any cut in salaries agreed by staff would be matched by an exactly similar measure for councillors’ allowances.

Council therefore resolves that from January 1, 2013 the Special Responsibility Allowance (SRA):

·           For the Leader should be cut from £31,110 to £30,799 reducing the total remuneration by 1% from 39,270 to 38,959.

·           For Portfolio Holders should be cut from £19,890 to £19690 reducing the total remuneration by 1% from £28,050 to £27,850.”

(ii)               Upon a vote the Motion was carried.

RESOLVED:  That the substantive Motion be adopted.

(i)                 At item 14(2) the Council received a Motion in the names of Councillors Graham Henson and Ben Wealthy in the following terms:

“Council notes that the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights states that:

Article 19

(1) Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.

Article 26

(1) Everyone has the right to education. Education shall be free, at least in the elementary and fundamental stages.  Elementary education shall be compulsory.  Technical and professional education shall be made generally available and higher education shall be equally accessible to all on the basis of merit.

(2) Education shall be directed to the full development of the human personality and to the strengthening of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms.  It shall promote understanding, tolerance and friendship among all nations, racial or religious groups, and shall further the activities of the United Nations for the maintenance of peace.

(3) Parents have a prior right to choose the kind of education that shall be given to their children.

This Council wishes  to put on record its thanks to the Borough’s teachers and Council staff in the Children, Families & Schools Directorate who have worked relentlessly to ensure that high quality education is available to all children in Harrow regardless of gender.  This Council notes that this right to education is not available everywhere.

With the support of the Council and  in particular Officers from the Children, Families & Schools Directorate, fifty seven of our schools, including some academies, are working together as full or associate partners of the leading edge Harrow Schools’ Improvement Partnership to collaborate and secure continuing improvement.

The value of partnership and community will continue to work with all our schools to secure an education system that does continuously improve and provide the best possible start for all of Harrow’s young people.

This Council deplores the shooting and maiming of many children around the world, with the most recent being Malala Yousafzai and her friends, because they publicly fought for the right of every girl to go to school.

Council resolves to join the international call on all countries to fully implement the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights, in particular, by outlawing discrimination against girls and in line with this fully supports the international campaign to ensure that the world’s 61 million out of school children are in education by the end of 2015

This Council instructs the Chief Executive to send messages of support to Malala Yousafzai, one of many amazing young women for their courage and bravery in fighting for the cause which they have championed, Harrow Schools and through the Council’s e-bulletins and other means to publicise the 10^th November, which will be when the international petition will be handed to the United Nations to ensure international support for the push for girls education and the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 254.

(i)                 At item 14(3) the Council received a Motion in the names of Councillors Navin Shah and William Stoodley in the following terms:

“The Council notes and calls for urgent action in respect of the following 

Joint Borough Command

The Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC) is promoting the sharing of Borough Commanders between the Boroughs of Harrow and Barnet.

Council is opposed to any such proposal as it would undermine the effectiveness of policing in Harrow and risk the safety of the people of Harrow.  The Council urges MOPAC and the Mayor of London to withdraw this proposal.

New Policing Model for Harrow

Council is extremely concerned about the depleted Safer Neighbourhood Teams (SNTs) across in Harrow, the uncertainty of what the new policing model will comprise and the timetable for its implementation.

Safer Neighbourhood Boards (SNB)

Whilst MOPAC consults and puts forward its timetable for implementation of the proposed Safer Neighbourhood Boards, Council deplores the continuing failure to consult with residents on how to communicate and engage with them about local policing matters despite repeated calls to do from the Council itself as well as many other organisations such as HPCCG.

The Council instructs the Chief Executive to communicate the resolutions above to the Deputy Mayor of Policing and the Mayor of London, the local MPs and the GLA Member for Brent and Harrow.”

(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:

“The Council notes and calls for urgent action in respect of the following:

Joint Borough Command

Council is concerned at draft proposals from the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC) to share Borough Commanders between the Boroughs of Harrow and Barnet. Council is opposed to any such proposal as it would undermine the effectiveness of policing in Harrow.  The Council urges MOPAC and the Mayor of London not to adopt this proposal.

New Policing Model for Harrow

Council is additionally concerned about the inconsistency regarding the composition of Safer Neighbourhood Teams (SNTs) across Harrow, as well as the uncertainty of what the new policing model will comprise and the timetable for its implementation.  This Council notes the reduction in the Council-funded team by the present administration, and is therefore particularly eager to know how the new model will function and be funded.

Safer Neighbourhood Boards (SNB)

Whilst MOPAC consults and puts forward its timetable for implementation of the proposed Safer Neighbourhood Boards, Council requests a more concerted, corporative and cross-party effort to consult with residents and engage with them about local policing matters.

The Council instructs the Chief Executive to communicate the resolutions above to the Deputy Mayor of Policing and the Mayor of London, the local MPs and the GLA Member for Brent and Harrow.”

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

(iv)             Upon a further vote the substantive Motion at (i) was  ...  view the full minutes text for item 255.

(i)                 At item 14(4) the Council received a Motion in the names of Councillors Keith Ferry and William Stoodley in the following terms:

“This Council notes with rising concern, the ill thought out reforms to the UK’s planning system, in particular the proposals to enable applicants to avoid local decision making by applying direct to the Secretary of State for planning permission; proposals to allow Planning Inspectors to unilaterally determine affordable housing levels within a development at a time of housing crisis and the changes to permitted development that will enable monster extensions to homes destroying amenity and value without planning permission, the changes of use from offices to residential without the necessary controls to keep employment, or minimum standards to safeguard occupiers or the means to secure necessary contributions to infrastructure such as schools and health.

At a time of unprecedented uncertainty in the development sector, these changes are causing schemes to be delayed, whilst people wait and see, and will give rise to considerable anxiety to local communities being asked to accept new homes and development.  Meanwhile, those parties, including Harrow Council, who seek to engage constructively in the realisation of community benefit from new development, are finding the uncertainty compounding, rather than supporting enterprise and growth locally.  The proposals run counter to the government’s so called localism agenda and will instead allow important planning outcomes to be determined by Whitehall, rather than locally democratically elected Councillors.

This Council deplores the recent announcement by the Government that permitted development rights will be increased to allow house extensions of up to 8 metres to be built without local authority permission.

This Council agrees with the Local Government Association’s statement that “This policy potentially gives the green light to unsightly and out-of-place development without delivering a big enough boost to the construction industry to justify the potential damage”.

This Council notes that the Mayor of London has stated his opposition to this change in policy.

This Council resolves to oppose this measure and to opt out of the legislation if this is at all possible.

Council instructs the Chief Executive to communicate this motion to the Minister for Communities and Local Government, the Mayor of London, the three Harrow MPs and the GLA member for Brent and Harrow.”

(ii)               There was a tabled amendment in the names of Councillors Stephen Greek and Joyce Nickolay which sought to amend the Motion as follows:

“This Council deplores the recent announcement by the Government that permitted development rights will be increased to allow house extensions of up to 8 meters to be built without local authority permission.

This Council agrees with the Local Government Association’s statement that “This policy potentially gives the green light to unsightly and out of-place development without delivering a big enough boost to the construction industry to justify the potential damage”.

This Council notes that the Mayor of London has stated his opposition to this change in policy.

This Council resolves to oppose this measure and to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 256.

(i)                 At item 14(5) the Council received a Motion in the names of Councillors Margaret Davine and Navin Shah in the following terms:

“Council notes with great concern the impact on the health of local residents of three major changes of health provision

·           The totally under funded transfer of Public Health to the Council, although the transfer of Public Health to the Council is welcome.

·           The totally under funded, top down, bureaucratic, centralised, ill-thought out system of GP Commissioning.

·           The totally under funded proposals to re-organize hospital and specialist provision in North West London.

Council believes these proposals and the dramatic cuts to and privatisation of NHS services will have serious potential to negatively impact on the most essential care for people of Harrow.  The Council is particularly anxious about the detrimental impact the changes would have on the Northwick Park Hospital given that there are no guarantees that any of the proposed changes will be properly funded.

The Council calls on the government to review its proposals so as to maintain the highest levels of medical services.

Council instructs the Chief Executive to write to the Mayor of London, the three Harrow MPs and the Brent and Harrow Assembly member asking them to support Harrow Council and Harrow residents by lobbying the Government to stop deep cuts and erosion of local medical care and services.”

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

“Council notes with great concern the impact on the health of local residents of three major changes of health provision:

·           The totally under funded transfer of Public Health to the Council, due to Harrow PCT’s historical under-funding in this area; although the actual transfer of Public Health to the Council is welcome.  This Council is particularly concerned by the accuracy of the morbidity data which affects the size of the public health budget.  This Council is therefore ensuring that all mechanisms are in place to ensure data collection is as accurate as possible, so that the needs of Harrow’s residents are truly reflected in our Public Health budget allocation.

·           The totally under funded, top down, bureaucratic, centralized, ill?thought out system of GP Commissioning.

·           The totally under funded proposals to re-organize hospital and specialist provision in North West London.

Council believes these proposals and the dramatic cuts to and privatisation of NHS services will have serious potential to negatively impact on the most essential care for people of Harrow.  The Council is particularly anxious about the detrimental impact the changes would have on the Northwick Park Hospital given that there are no guarantees that any of the proposed changes will be properly funded.  Council further notes that prior to the 2005 General Election, Labour MP Gareth Thomas – Harrow West – promised that funding had been secured for a “brand new hospital costing £305 million” to be built by 2010 at Northwick Park.

The Council calls  ...  view the full minutes text for item 257.

(i)                 At item 14(6) the Council received a Motion in the names of Councillors Victoria Silver and Mitzi Green in the following terms:

“This Council recognises Harrow’s success in Early Intervention with the last Government's introduction of Sure Start Children's Centres and commends the current administration's innovative work.

The Council regards early intervention projects as incredibly important in both giving young children and young families the best start in life and in generating savings to the public sector in the longer-term through reduced levels of demand on public services.

Council notes that:

·           the cut in funding this Council is set to receive from the Government’s Early Intervention Grant in 2012/13, particularly in relation to the services it is expected to deliver, and that residents rightly demand.

·           the fears that further cuts to Harrow’s early intervention services may jeopardise all the work Harrow has achieved in this area.

·           in the future this might mean there being higher levels of crime, reduced levels of educational attainment and extra demand on Harrow’s health services.

Council calls on all political group leaders to write to the Secretary of State to call on him to exempt Harrow from any cuts in its 2013/14 grant, so that Harrow may continue its Early Intervention work as a matter of urgency.”

(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 recognises Harrow’s success in Early Intervention with the last Government's introduction of Sure Start Children's Centres.

The Council regards early intervention projects as incredibly important in both giving young children and young families the best start in life and in generating savings to the public sector in the longer-term through reduced levels of demand on public services. Council notes:

·           fears that cuts to Harrow’s early intervention funding may put at risk services and all the work Harrow has achieved in this area.

·           in the future this might mean there being higher levels of crime, reduced levels of educational attainment and extra demand on Harrow’s health services.

Council echoes the concerns of the Local Government Association and others regarding a lack of clarity on the future funding of the Early Intervention Grant, and pledges to write to the Secretary of State to call on him to provide said clarification, and to exempt Harrow from any cuts in its 2013/14 grant, so that Harrow may continue its Early Intervention work as a matter of urgency.”

(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 14(7) the Council received a Motion in the names of Councillors Susan Hall and Christine Bednell in the following terms:

“This Council notes with serious concern the findings of recent inspections of Harrow's Children’s Services.

An OFSTED inspection of Harrow's safeguarding and children looked after service rated the performance as 'adequate', and also judged the capacity to improve as merely ‘adequate’.

The Core Case inspection of Harrow's Youth Offending Team said that Harrow's performance was ‘very disappointing’, and recommended ‘substantial’ or ‘drastic’ improvement in all areas of the service.  This Council notes with additional concern that the Improvement Plan resulting from this inspection has taken over 10 months to produce.

This Council believes that safeguarding and protecting vulnerable children should be a top priority.  This Council therefore requests that the portfolio holder for Children, Schools and Families present an update on the progress of both the YOT Improvement Plan before Council tonight, and that relating to the OFSTED report, to all Council and Cabinet meetings for the next 12 months.

Additionally, this Council requests a formal report at the next Cabinet meeting to explain the delay in producing the YOT improvement plan – given the inspection outcome was known in December 2011.”

(ii)               Upon a vote, 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.

Report of the Director of Legal and Governance Services.

The Council received a report of the Director of Legal and Governance Services providing a summary of the urgent decisions taken by Cabinet, the Leader and Portfolio Holders, and the use of the special urgency procedure since the last meeting.

RESOLVED:  That the report be noted.

Report of the Director of Legal and Governance Services.

The Director of Legal and Governance Services advised of two urgent decisions taken in respect of matters 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.

(i)                 At 10.29 pm, during the debate on the Item 14(1) (Motion: Councillors’ Allowances), the Mayor put forward a proposal that the closure of time for the Council meeting be extended until the completion of all remaining business on the Summons.  This proposal was not agreed;

(ii)               at 10.30 pm, in the course of the consideration of Item 14(1) (Councillors’ Allowances), the Mayor advised that the ‘guilotine’ procedure had come into operation for the determination of the remaining business on the Summons and was applied to Items 14(1) (Motion: Councillors’ Allowances, 14(2) (Motion: The Right of Education), 14(3) (Motion: Harrow’s Policing), 14(4) (Motion: Change to Planning Laws and Regulation), 14(5) (Motion: Proposals to Re?organise the Health Service), 14(6) (Motion: Early Intervention), 14(7) (Motion: Children’s Services), 15 (Decisions Taken Under Urgency Procedure by Portfolio Holders, Leader and Deputy Leader and Use of Special Urgency Procedure) and 16 (Decisions Taken Under the Urgency Procedure – Council).

RESOLVED:  That the provisions of Rules 9.2 and 9.3 be applied as set out at (i) and (ii) above.