Agenda and minutes

Venue: Virtual

Contact: Alison Atherton, Senior Professional - Democratic Services  Tel: 020 8424 1266 E-mail:  alison.atherton@harrow.gov.uk

Link: View the meeting online

Media

Items
No. Item

166.

Minute Silence

Minutes:

Members of Council stood and observed a minute silence for former Mayor and Councillor Mrinal Choudhury who had passed away on 1 August 2020 and former Mayor and Councillor Manoharan Dharmarajah who had passed away on 30 October 2020.

167.

Council Minutes pdf icon PDF 17 KB

That the minutes of the Extraordinary Council meeting and ordinary Council meeting held on 16 July 2020 be taken as read and signed as correct records.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

RESOLVED:  That the minutes of the Extraordinary meeting and Ordinary meeting held on 16 July 2020 be taken as read and signed as correct records.

168.

Declarations of interest pdf icon PDF 103 KB

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.

Minutes:

RESOLVED:  To note that

 

(1)          the Declarations of Interests published in advance of the meeting on the Council’s website were taken as read;

 

(2)          Members who had declared interests remained in the virtual meeting whilst the matters were considered and voted upon;

 

(3)          during the course of the meeting, the following further interests were declared:-

 

Item 5 – Petitions – Low Traffic Neighbourhood Schemes

 

Councillor Paul Osborn declared a non-pecuniary interest in that he lived in the area of one of the schemes.

 

Item 5 – Petitions – Canons Park Station Development

 

The Worshipful the Mayor Councillor Nitin Parekh declared a non-pecuniary interest in that he was a resident of Canons Park.

 

Councillor Ameet Jogia declared a non-pecuniary interest in that he was the Canons ward councillor, the area of which covered both Canons Park and Stanmore Stations. He also declared that he was a reserve member of the Planning Committee and that he would not sit on the Committee when the application was considered.

 

Councillor Primesh Patel declared a non-pecuniary interest in that he was a resident of Canons Park.

 

Item 5 – Petitions – Stanmore Station Development

 

Councillor Ameet Jogia declared a non-pecuniary interest in that he was the Canons ward councillor, the area of which covered both Canons Park and Stanmore Stations. He also declared that he was a reserve member of the Planning Committee and that he would not sit on the Committee when the application was considered.

 

Councillor Amir Moshenson declared a disclosable pecuniary interest in that he lived in the area and would leave the meeting whilst the matter was debated.

 

Item 16(1) – Motion – Temporary Street Space Schemes

 

Councillor Paul Osborn declared a non-pecuniary interest in that he lived in the area of one of the schemes.

 

169.

Procedural Motions

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.

Minutes:

The Mayor indicated that given the earlier start time of the Council meeting he proposed that the closure time of the meeting be 9.30 pm.  Upon being put to the vote this was agreed.

 

The Leader of the Opposition Group proposed that the agenda be re-arranged so that Motion 1, Temporary Street Spaces, be considered after the debate on the Low Traffic Neighbourhood Schemes petition.  Having consulted Members, the Mayor indicated that agenda order would remain as published.

 

RESOLVED:  That the closure time for the meeting be 9.30 pm.

170.

Petitions

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.

Minutes:

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

 

(i)            Petition submitted by Shirley Sackwild on behalf of Stop the Development of Canons Park Station Car Park Group  containing 2,522 signatures requesting that the development of Canons Park Station Car Park be stopped.

 

(In accordance with the Council’s petition scheme, as the petition contained over 2,000 signatures it would be debated at Council).

 

(ii)          Petition submitted by Neil Sint on behalf of Keep Stanmore Station Car Park Alliance containing 2,285 signatures requesting that the development of Stanmore Station Car Park be stopped.

 

(In accordance with the Council’s petition scheme, as the petition contained over 2,000 signatures it would be debated at Council).

 

Upon being put to the vote it was

 

RESOLVED:  That the petitions in relation to both Canons Park Station Car Park Development and Stanmore Station Car Park Development be debated at this Council meeting.

171.

Petition - Low Traffic Neighbourhood Road Blocks

A petition containing approximately 5,500 signatures has been received and has the following terms:

 

“Remove Low Traffic Neighbourhood Road Blocks in Harrow”.

 

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 consider the matter, taking into account the views expressed by Council.

Minutes:

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

 

(i)            Petition submitted by Prash Kotecha, FreeHarrow Team, containing approximately 5,500 signatures  requesting the removal of Low Traffic Neighbourhood Schemes at a number of locations in Harrow.

 

(ii)          Debate was held on the content of the petition.

 

RESOLVED:  That the petition be referred to the Corporate Director of Community for consideration.

172.

Petition - Canons Park Station Car Park Development

Minutes:

In accordance with the Council’s Petition Scheme, Council having received a petition from the Stop the Development of Canons Park Station Car Park Group containing over 2,000 signatures debated the content of the petition, the terms of which were as follows:-

 

“Reject planning proposal P/0858/20 for the development of a site that is totally unsuitable for a project of this size.

 

We strongly object to the proposed redevelopment of Canons Park Station Car Park into 118 flats in 3 seven storey blocks.  The bulky over-intensive and overbearing proposal is totally out of character with the surrounding suburban area, goes against / contravenes Local, London and National planning policies and will have a devastating and detrimental effect on the views across

the Grade 2 listed registered Canons Park.  The loss of 100 commuter parking spaces will have a major effect on the locality especially on local and Wembley event days, problems that will be compounded by the application for development of Stanmore Station Car Park.  Please act now - there is no time to lose!”

 

RESOLVED:  That the petition be referred to the Planning Committee for consideration.

173.

Petition - Stanmore Station Car Park Development

Minutes:

In accordance with the Council’s Petition Scheme, Council having received a petition from the Keep Stanmore Station Car Park Alliance containing over 2,000 signatures debated the content of the petition, the terms of which were as follows:-

 

“Harrow Council Planning Committee should not grant planning permission to TfL/Catalyst to redevelop the Stanmore Station car park site.

 

As early as January 2021, a decision could be made by the Harrow Planning Committee that will turn Stanmore Station car park into an overcrowded housing development.  This is a totally unsuitable location, with limited open spaces, poor access from the main road and totally out of character with the area.  There will be several tower blocks, including an 11-storey tower next to

London Road.  The proposed development will also significantly cut the number of parking spaces at the station.  The chaos this development will cause will have far-reaching consequences for the whole area.

 

Harrow Council and Transport for London (TfL) must withdraw their planning application.

 

1.            The development will cause a steep increase in traffic along London Road both during construction and after completion.

2.            The traffic congestion and increased levels of exhaust and noise pollution created by the development will worsen air quality and should be a serious concern for everyone living in the area.

3.            Step-free access to Stanmore Station will be through a lift inside one of the tower blocks, far from the actual station platforms.  This is a clear failure to provide proper access within the station building for those with restricted mobility.

4.            There are no plans in place to increase the local infrastructure and amenities, including nurseries, schools and healthcare centres, to cope with the sudden increase in residents.

5.            The development does not provide any parking for its residents, so the hundreds of new families living there will be forced to park on surrounding streets, leading to chaotic scenes and a huge deficit in available spaces.

6.            As the first stop on the Jubilee Line, Stanmore Station is the main hub for people traveling into London by Public Transport.  The drastic cut in the number of parking spaces will force commuters to drive into London, adding traffic and congestion.

 

We’re calling on all residents, together with commuters and visitors using Stanmore Station car park to sign this petition.

 

We must send a strong message to Harrow Council and its Planning Committee that they should not grant planning permission to TfL/Catalyst to redevelop the site.”

 

RESOLVED:  That the petition be referred to the Planning Committee for consideration.

 

[Councillor Amir Moshenson left the meeting for the debate on the petition].

174.

Public Questions pdf icon PDF 369 KB

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.

Minutes:

To note that six questions from members of the public had been received and responded to, and the recording of these questions and the answers given had been placed on the Council’s website.

175.

Honorary Freedom of the Borough

Presentation of scroll

Minutes:

The Mayor and six other Members of the Council made speeches in tribute to the service of Alderman Keith Toms to the authority and the community of the Borough of Harrow. 

 

Given the restrictions due to the COVID 19 pandemic, the Mayor had presented Alderman Keith Toms with an illuminated scroll recording the Council’s decision to confer the Honorary Freedom of the Borough of Harrow on him at his home and a video and photographs of the event were displayed at the virtual meeting.

 

Alderman Keith Toms made a speech of thanks in response.

176.

Leader and Portfolio Holder Announcements

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.

Minutes:

(i)            The Leader of the Council, Councillor Graham Henson, introduced the item highlighting the achievements, challenges and proposals since the last ordinary meeting.  He advised Council of changes to a number of Portfolio Holder remits.

 

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

 

In light of the Leader’s notification of the change in Portfolio Holder remits the Mayor sought Council’s agreement to Monitoring Officer making the necessary changes to the Council’s Constitution.

 

RESOLVED:  That the Monitoring Officer be requested to amend the Constitution in light of the changes to the Portfolio Holder remits.

177.

Harrow Strategic Development Partner - Appointment of Directors pdf icon PDF 49 KB

Recommendation I:

Cabinet

 

(11 November 2020)

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Mayor sought nominations for appointment by the Harrow Strategic Development Partnership.  Three nominations were received and each having been seconded and put to the vote it was

 

RESOLVED:  That

 

(1)          Councillors Keith Ferry and Ajay Maru be nominated for appointment by the Harrow Strategic Development Partnership (HSDP);

 

(2)          the Chief Officers’ Employment Panel (COEP) be authorised to employ an independent director to be appointed to the HSDP board on terms the Panel considered appropriate.

 

Having been nominated for appointment by the HSDP, Councillor Keith Ferry indicated that he would step down from his role as Chair of the Planning Committee after the next meeting.

 

The Mayor sought nominations for the Chair of the Planning Committee.

 

RESOLVED:  That Councillor Sachin Shah be appointed as Chair of the Planning Committee with effect from 10 December 2020.

178.

Borough Plan Update pdf icon PDF 46 KB

Recommendation I:

Cabinet

 

(11 November 2020)

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

RESOLVED:  That any of the proposed amendments to the Borough Plan took account of the Council’s response to the Black Lives Matters movement; tackling racial disproportionality and the COVID public health emergency, and the new corporate equality objectives.

179.

Appointment of Active Scheme Member Representative to the Pension Board pdf icon PDF 20 KB

Report of the Director of Finance.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

RESOLVED:  That Patrick O’Dwyer be appointed as the Active Scheme Members’ Representative to the Pension Board.   

180.

Scrutiny Annual Report 2019/20 pdf icon PDF 47 KB

Recommendation I:

Overview and Scrutiny Committee

 

(20 October 2020)

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

RESOLVED:  That the Scrutiny Annual Report 2019-20 be endorsed.

181.

Refreshed Scrutiny Work Programme 2020/21 to 2021/22 pdf icon PDF 48 KB

Recommendation I:

Overview and Scrutiny Committee

 

(20 October 2020)

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

RESOLVED:  That the Scrutiny Work Programme 2020/21 to 2021/22 be endorsed.

182.

Information Report - Decisions Taken Under The Urgency Procedure - Executive pdf icon PDF 20 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

RESOLVED:  That the report be noted.

183.

Questions with Notice

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.

Minutes:

RESOLVED:  To note that no Councillor questions had been received.

184.

Motions

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:

 

(1)          Motion to remove Temporary Street Space Schemes

 

 

To be moved by Councillor Paul Osborn and seconded by Councillor Anjana Patel:

 

 

This Council requests that the Executive immediately removes all temporary Low Traffic Neighbourhood schemes (LTNs) from Harrow, all temporary Strategic Cycling routes, and those temporary Pedestrian Space schemes that were recommended for removal by TARSAP (Traffic and Road Safety Advisory Panel) of 10 August.

 

The LTN schemes and the Strategic Cycle routes, while well intentioned, have caused congestion, consternation, and chaos for local people across the borough.  The Pedestrian Space schemes have made negligible difference for pedestrian safety while seriously impacting local businesses.  It is now time for the Executive to acknowledge that these hastily implemented schemes are not working and should be removed.

 

This Council notes:

 

·                     These Street Space schemes have led to numerous petitions being set up by residents, signed by thousands of local people.

·                     The most recent petition, which calls for the removal of nearly all LTNs, gained over 5,500 signatures in a matter of days.

·                     Many Members of the Council have received numerous communications from residents expressing their dismay at the effect of these schemes.

·                     Many residents feel there was no meaningful consultation by the Council for these schemes, and that these schemes were not properly publicised.

 

This Council recommends that the Executive immediately removes all temporary LTNs, Strategic Cycling routes and those Pedestrian Space schemes that were recommended for removal by TARSAP in order to allow for a meaningful consultation with residents to take place and to restore confidence in this Council.

 

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 15.6, as this Motion relates to a matter within the powers of the Executive, the Leader of the Opposition moves that it does not stand automatically referred to the next meeting of the Executive but be dealt with as if Council Procedure Rule 15.7.1 applied.

 

(2)          London Living Wage Motion

 

 

To be moved by Councillor Adam Swersky and seconded by Councillor Kiran Ramchandanai:

 

This Council notes that:

 

·                     4.7 million people in Britain are low paid

·                     The real Living Wage is calculated independently by the Living Wage Foundation based on what people need to get by

·                     The real Living Wage is currently £9.50 per hour nationally and £10.85 per hour in London.  A GMB London study showed that 25% of jobs in Harrow are paid below the London Living Wage

·                     Harrow Council has committed to paying its own staff the London Living Wage.  It has also modified its procurement processes to encourage contractors to pay this rate to their staff

·                     121 Councils are accredited as Living Wage employers by the Living Wage Foundation

 

This Councils resolves to:

 

·                     Seek accreditation as a Living Wage employer with the Living Wage Foundation

·                     Ensure all staff employed by the Council are paid the real Living Wage

·                     Develop a plan for all contractors to  ...  view the full agenda text for item 184.

Minutes:

(i)            Motion to remove Temporary Street Space Schemes

 

 

Motion in the names of Councillor Paul Osborn and Councillor Anjana Patel:

 

 

This Council requests that the Executive immediately removes all temporary Low Traffic Neighbourhood schemes (LTNs) from Harrow, all temporary Strategic Cycling routes, and those temporary Pedestrian Space schemes that were recommended for removal by TARSAP (Traffic and Road Safety Advisory Panel) of 10 August.

 

The LTN schemes and the Strategic Cycle routes, while well intentioned, have caused congestion, consternation, and chaos for local people across the borough.  The Pedestrian Space schemes have made negligible difference for pedestrian safety while seriously impacting local businesses.  It is now time for the Executive to acknowledge that these hastily implemented schemes are not working and should be removed.

 

This Council notes:

 

·                     These Street Space schemes have led to numerous petitions being set up by residents, signed by thousands of local people.

·                     The most recent petition, which calls for the removal of nearly all LTNs, gained over 5,500 signatures in a matter of days.

·                     Many Members of the Council have received numerous communications from residents expressing their dismay at the effect of these schemes.

·                     Many residents feel there was no meaningful consultation by the Council for these schemes, and that these schemes were not properly publicised.

 

This Council recommends that the Executive immediately removes all temporary LTNs, Strategic Cycling routes and those Pedestrian Space schemes that were recommended for removal by TARSAP in order to allow for a meaningful consultation with residents to take place and to restore confidence in this Council.”

 

Upon the meeting moving to a vote, ten Members rose and requested a Roll Call vote and the Motion was lost. The voting on the Motion was a follows:

 

 

Roll Call Vote (In Favour of the Motion):  Councillors Almond, Ashton, Bath, Baxter, Benjamin, Chana, Chauhan, Greek, Halai, Hall, Hinkley, Hirani, Jogia, Lammiman, Dr Lewinson, Mithani, Moshenson, Chris Mote, Janet Mote, Osborn, Mina Parmar, Anjana Patel, Pritesh Patel, Rabadia, Seymour, Stevenson and Thakker.

 

 

Roll Call Vote (Against the Motion): Councillors Ali, Dan Anderson, Jeff Anderson, Sue Anderson, Assad, Borio, Brown, Butterworth, Dattani, Ferry, Fitzpatrick, Gilligan, Graham Henson, Maxine Henson, Jamie, Lee, Kairul Kareema Marikar, Maru, Miles, Murphy-Strachan, O’Dell, Varsha Parmar, Primesh Patel, Perry, Proctor, Ramchandani, Robson, Rekha Shah, Sachin Shah, Smith, Krishna Suresh, Sasikala Suresh, Swersky and Dr Weiss.

 

 

Abstain: The Worshipful the Mayor Councillor Nitin Parekh.

 

(ii)          London Living Wage Motion

 

 

Motion in the names of Councillor Adam Swersky and Councillor Kiran Ramchandani:

 

This Council notes that:

 

·                     4.7 million people in Britain are low paid

·                     The real Living Wage is calculated independently by the Living Wage Foundation based on what people need to get by

·                     The real Living Wage is currently £9.50 per hour nationally and £10.85 per hour in London.  A GMB London study showed that 25% of jobs in Harrow are paid below the London Living Wage

·                     Harrow Council has committed  ...  view the full minutes text for item 184.

185.

Procedure for the Termination of Meeting

Minutes:

At 9.19 pm, during the debate on Motion 1, Temporary Street Spaces it was proposed that the guillotine be extended until 9.45 pm.  This was lost.

 

RESOLVED:  That the provisions of Rule 9.3 be applied as set out above.