Agenda and minutes

That the minutes of the Annual meeting held on 19 May 2015 be taken as read and signed as a correct record.

RESOLVED:  That the minutes of the Annual meeting held on 19 May 2015 be taken as read and signed as a correct record.

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.

Councillor Susan Hall declared an interest in that she had a business in Wealdstone, an area that was mentioned throughout the agenda.  She would remain in the room whilst the matters were considered and voted upon.

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

(i)            The Mayor announced that details of his engagements would be circulated to Members on the Members’ Information Circular.

(ii)          The Mayor announced that the meeting of Full Council was taking place on Eid-Ul-Adha and requested that Council join in him in acknowledging this event.

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 drew Council’s attention to a tabled motion in relation to Police Community Safety Officers.  Upon being put to the vote, it was agreed that the motion was urgent.

(ii)          Having asked whether there were any further Procedural Motions, Councillor Graham Henson moved that the tabled urgent motion in relation to Police Community Safety Officers be considered as the next item of business.  The motion was duly seconded by Councillor David Perry.  Upon being put to the vote it was carried.

The Council received an urgent Motion in the names of Councillor Graham Henson and Councillor David Perry.

“Urgent Motion to Stop the Mayor of London putting our residents at risk

This Council notes:

·                Harrow is currently the safest Borough in London.

·                     Since May 2010, as a result of the Conservative Government cuts, London has lost 3,170 dedicated neighbourhood Police Community Safety Officers (PCSOs) – this is a cut of over 70%.

·                     In Harrow the number of PCSOs on our streets have been reduced from 114 in April 2010 to 28 in August 2015.

·                     As a result of the Government’s Spending Review in 2010 the Metropolitan Police have faced cuts of almost £600m. This 20% cut to its budget has devastated the police service in the capital, despite promises from the Mayor of London and Home Secretary that the cuts would not affect police numbers.

·                     At the upcoming Government’s Spending Review this November it is widely expected that the Metropolitan Police will face a minimum of another £800m in cuts, with reports that the budget could be cut by as much as 43%.

·                     The ‘Safer Neighbourhood Team’ (SNT) model introduced by the Labour Government was widely welcomed by communities and saw each ward allocated a dedicated team of six officers (1 Sergeant, 2 PCs and 3 PCSOs).

·                     In Harrow PCSOs are an invaluable part of making our communities and neighbourhoods safe.

·                     In Harrow fear of crime is a real concern amongst residents; cutting neighbourhood policing teams and PCSOs will reduce the presence of police on our streets and only add to the fear of crime locally.

·                     The introduction of Boris Johnson's Local Policing Model dismantled SNTs reducing them to just a single dedicated PC and PCSO per ward.

·                     On the 29th September the Metropolitan Police's Management Board will consider proposals to scrap neighbourhood PCSOs altogether, resulting in a loss of over 1,000 officers if approved.

This Council believes:

·                     That the introduction of neighbourhood policing teams transformed local policing, increased public confidence and provided an integral link between communities and the police.

·                     That whilst PCSOs have been informed of the Metropolitan Police’s intention to make this decision there has been no meaningful consultation with Council’s, the public or PCSOs about the impact of scrapping PCSOs.

·                     The Mayor is trying to force through measures that put our residents at risk, whilst hoping nobody realises; this lack of transparency shows that the Mayor of London is aware of how damaging these cuts will be to our communities.

·                     Scrapping neighbourhood PCSOs would be the final nail in the coffin for neighbourhood policing as SNTs would be reduced to just a single dedicated PC. This would make residents feel more unsafe in their neighbourhoods.

·                     A further cut of £800m to the Metropolitan Police would devastate local policing and make our communities and residents in Harrow less safe, whilst putting at risk all of the excellent work the Police, Harrow Council and community stakeholders have achieved in making Harrow a safe place to live and work.

This  ...  view the full minutes text for item 104.

In accordance with the Council’s Petition Scheme, a petition containing more than 2,000 signatures will be considered/debated by full Council.  The following Petition meets the threshold of signatures needed to engender a Council debate.

A representative of the petitioners 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 ten 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, a Committee or Corporate Director to determine the matter, taking into account the views expressed by Council.

In accordance with the Council’s Petition Scheme, Council received a petition containing over 2,000 signatures as follows:

(1)          Petition submitted by Belmont Circle businesses stating “We refer to one of the Corporate Priorities for 2015/19 of Harrow Council – “Making a difference for local business” and we hope, by that, you meant for better! Harrow Council recently implemented a parking and traffic management plan for Belmont Circle Area as approved at the TARSAP meeting of 10 December 2014.

As a result of the scheme, especially introduction of double yellow lines, a good number of available parking spaces have been removed and parking displaced.  This has resulted in shoppers not being able to park and continue to bring business to the area.  We can categorically confirm that this has resulted in a substantial drop in business to the detriment of the sustainability of once flourishing business.

We, the business owners along with our valued customers, urge Harrow Council to urgently review the scheme and revert the implementation of at least the restrictive double yellow lines.  If the double lines were introduced for safety measure, we would like the council to produce evidence of any accidents in recent years.

We welcome the full support of our ward councillors in this matter.”

Debate was held on the content of the petition.

RESOLVED:  That the petition be referred to the Traffic and Road Safety Advisory Panel for consideration.

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.

RESOLVED:  To note that no petitions had been received.

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 Chairs 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.

RESOLVED:  To note that no public questions were received.

To receive a presentation from the Leader of the Council and Portfolio Holders 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 David Perry, introduced the item highlighting the achievements, challenges and proposals since the last ordinary meeting.

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

Further to the decision of Annual Council on 19 May 2015, there will be a presentation to Councillor Mrs Camilla Bath, marking her 25 years’ service on Harrow Council which she completed in May 2015.

Council had previously agreed, by Resolution 192 on 18 July 1985, that Members who completed 25 years’ service with the Council be presented with framed, illuminated copy resolutions of appreciation.  Councillor Mrs Camilla  Bath had completed 25 years’ service as a Member of the Authority in May 2015, and her resolution of appreciation had been adopted by Council on 19 May 2015.

The Mayor, Councillor Krishna Suresh, on behalf of the Council, now formally congratulated Councillor Mrs Bath and presented her with a framed, illuminated copy resolution to mark her long service achievement.  Councillors Christine Bednell, James Bond, Simon Brown, Susan Hall, Ameet Jogia, Jean Lammiman, Barry Macleod-Cullinane, Kareema Marikar, Christopher Noyce, David Perry, Lynda Seymour and Anne Whitehead spoke in appreciation of Councillor Bath’s service.

Councillor Bath returned thanks for her presentation.

Further to the decision of Annual Council on 19 May 2015, there will be a presentation to Councillor Christopher Noyce, marking his 25 years’ service on Harrow Council which he completed in May 2015.

Council had previously agreed, by Resolution 192 on 18 July 1985, that Members who completed 25 years’ service with the Council be presented with framed, illuminated copy resolutions of appreciation.  Councillor Christopher Noyce  had completed 25 years’ service as a Member of the Authority in May 2015, and his resolution of appreciation had been adopted by Council on 19 May 2015.

The Mayor, Councillor Krishna Suresh, on behalf of the Council, now formally congratulated Councillor Noyce and presented him with a framed, illuminated copy resolution to mark his long service achievement.  His Worshipful the Mayor and Councillors Jeff Anderson, James Bond, Jean Lammiman,  Paul Osborn and David Perry spoke in appreciation of Councillor Noyce’s service.

Councillor Noyce returned thanks for his presentation.

RESOLVED:  That the Corporate Parenting Strategy be noted and the position that all Members should undertake training to ensure they understood and were able to meet their Corporate Parenting responsibilities be endorsed.

Upon the meeting moving to a vote upon the substantive Recommendation and the report of the Corporate Director of Resources it was carried.  The voting was as follows:

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

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

Abstain:  Councillor James Bond

RESOLVED:  That there was no need to review the Council Tax Support (CTS) Scheme for 2016/17 financial year and the existing CTS scheme, as previously adopted by full Council, for the 2016/17 financial year, be continued with.

RESOLVED:  That an addition of a total of £30m to the Capital Programme be approved to enable the Council to proceed with the purchase and repair of properties, as set out in resolution 1 of the Cabinet minutes of 14 July 2015; an initial spend profile to assume a spend of £7.5m in 2015-16, £15m in 2016-17 and the final £7.5m in 2017?18, though this might vary depending on how quickly appropriate properties could be sourced.

RESOLVED:  That the proposed revised Counterparty Policy, as described in Appendix 6 to the Cabinet report, be approved.

RESOLVED:  That the Community Safety Strategy be adopted.

RESOLVED:  That

(1)          an addition to the 2015/16 Capital Programme for site assembly for the Wealdstone re-development, as set out in the confidential Appendix A  to the Cabinet report, be approved;

(2)          the allocated capital funding of £1,150k be brought forward from 2016/17 to 2015/16 and the re-allocation of this funding and £750k of existing capital funding in 2015/16, as detailed in paragraph 2.4.5 of the Cabinet report.

RESOLVED:  That

(1)          a capital budget of up to £15m for the social affordable and private housing elements, as per option 3 of the report, be approved;

(2)          additional borrowing of up to £15m to fund the capital expenditure in Cabinet resolution 3 (i) be approved.

RESOLVED:  That the addition to the Capital Programme, set out in paragraph 107 of the Cabinet report in respect of Grange Farm Regeneration be approved.

Report of the Director of Legal and Governance Services.

RESOLVED:  That

(1)          a Committee be established under Section 102(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 with terms of reference and membership as set out in Appendix 1 to the Director of Legal and Governance Services report;

(2)          the Leader of the Council, Deputy Leader of the Council and Leader of the Opposition Group be appointed to the Committee;

(3)          the Leader of the Council be appointed as Chair of the Committee;

(4)          amendments to the terms of reference of the Chief Officers’ Employment Panel and to the functions and terms of reference of full Council as set out in Appendix 2 to the report of the Director of Legal and Governance Services be agreed;

(5)          other consequential and additional changes to the Constitution as set out in Appendix 2 to the report of the Director of Legal and Governance Services be agreed.

Report of the Director of Legal and Governance Services

RESOLVED:  That

(1)          Councillors Adam Swersky and Keith Ferry be appointed as representatives to London Councils' Pensions Collective Investment Vehicle for the remainder of the Municipal Year 2015/16;

(2)          Councillor Keith Ferry be appointed as representative to London Councils' Employment and Skills Lead Member for the remainder of the Municipal Year 2015/16;

(3)          Alderman Keith Toms be appointed as representative to Mayor of Harrow's Charity Fund Trustees.

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 Chair 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 Chair 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.

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

The following Motions have been notified in accordance with the requirements of Council Procedure Rule 14, to be moved and seconded by the Members indicated:

At item 22 the Council received four Motions:

(i)            Motion in the names of Councillor Pamela Fitzpatrick and Councillor Sachin Shah.  The tabled amendment was voted upon but not carried.

“Budget cuts to Welfare Motion

Council notes that:

·           In George Osborne’s emergency Budget, £12bn of cuts to the UK’s vital safety net for people who have hit on hard times were laid out, with a further £19bn to be cut from non-protected government departments, including the Department for Communities & Local Government. 

·           In the budget many of the welfare cuts will detrimentally affect Harrow’s residents, including:

-        18 – 21 year olds in Harrow will no longer be automatically eligible for housing benefit.

-        Employment & Support Allowance, which helps people with severe medical conditions will be cut (i.e. Working age benefits will be cut in real terms each and every year for four years).

-        Cutting the benefit cap to below the level needed by a family with two children living in the private rented sector. Tax credit, housing benefit and universal credit will be limited to two children from April 2017.

-        A new national ‘living wage’ to be introduced for over 25s, which is set almost £2 an hour lower than the London living wage.

Council believes that:

·           Making 18 – 21 year olds exempt from housing benefit will be a further hit to a generation of young people both in Harrow and across the UK who are struggling to get on the housing ladder.

·           The cut to Employment & Support Allowance is unjustified and will penalise people with disabilities through no fault of their own; people with severe medical conditions may no longer be able to afford to eat or heat their homes, leading to their condition deteriorating.

·           The effects of these cuts will push more and more people in to severe poverty, rent arrears and homelessness.

·           Setting the benefit cap at £23,000 will force families out of Harrow and London, forcing children to move schools and putting more pressure on families. 

·           Limiting certain benefits to families with a maximum of two children has put families in a terrible place by making no allowance for women who have become pregnant with a third child after being a victim of a traumatic sexual crime.

·           The new national ‘living wage’ is solely an increase to the minimum wage, and falls below the actual living wage, which in London is £9.15.

Council resolves that:

·           The Council will monitor the impacts of these welfare cuts on our residents.

·           The Council is committed to supporting the most vulnerable, and is prohibited in doing this within the financial constraints placed on it by the Conservative Government.

·           The Leader of the Council and the Chief Executive jointly writes to Harrow’s three MPs and the Chancellor of the Exchequer to express our concern about these changes on Harrow’s residents.

·           The Council will lobby national government to reverse some cuts if they are found to impoverish or have a significant and damaging impact on the lives of our  ...  view the full minutes text for item 122.

Report of the Divisional Director of Human Resources, Development and Shared Services.

RESOLVED:  That the report be noted.

At 10.28 pm, during the consideration of item 12 – Review of the Council Tax Support (CTS) Scheme for 2016/17 Financial Year, the Mayor sought agreement to the extension of the guillotine.  Councillor Keith Ferry moved that the guillotine be extended until the after the completion of item 16 – ‘Building a Better Harrow’ – Delivery Programme.  This was agreed.

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