Agenda and minutes

The Committee welcomed John Edwards, Director of Environmental Services, to his first meeting. Members expressed their appreciation of the work undertaken by Gareth Llywelyn?Roberts, Chief Environmental Health Officer who had recently left the Council.

The Committee received a report which set out the powers available to the Local Authority under the Local Authorities (Alcohol Consumption in Designated Public Places) Regulations 2007.  At its meeting on 3 March 2008 the Committee approved proposals for a 12 week consultation regarding an extension of the existing Controlled Drinking Zone to the whole of the Borough.

An officer updated the meeting and indicated that, if the Committee approved the proposed action, a recommendation would be made to the Council meeting on 10 July 2008, with a view to implementation two weeks later.  The two weeks was to allow for advertising of the intention to introduce the scheme.

In response to concern that the new zone would include parks and other areas where individuals might wish to have a drink such as at a picnic or football match, the Committee was informed that the enforcement by the police would be in accordance with Home Office guidance that action would only be taken if the police suspected that a nuisance was about to be caused.  It was not a total ban on drinking.  It was further noted that the ban would not be valid in private houses or forecourts of public houses.

Resolved to RECOMMEND:  (to Council)

That the existing Controlled Drinking Zone be extended to cover the whole of the Borough and that the current zone be withdrawn on the date of implementation of the new zone.

(See also Minute 86).

To note that there are no Reserve Members appointed to this Committee.

RESOLVED:  To note that no Reserve Members were included in the Committee’s membership.

The Chairman welcomed Councillors Husain Akhtar and Mrs Kinnear to their first meeting of the Committee.

To consider whether any of the items listed on the agenda should be considered with the press and public excluded on the grounds that it is thought likely, in view of the nature of the business to be transacted, that there would be disclosure of confidential information in breach of an obligation of confidence or of exempt information as defined in Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972.

RESOLVED:  That all items be considered with the press and public present.

To receive declarations of personal or prejudicial interests, arising from business to be transacted at this meeting, from:

(a)               all Members of the Committee, Sub Committee, Panel or Forum;

(b)               all other Members present in any part of the room or chamber.

RESOLVED:  To note that the following interests were declared:

That the minutes of the meetings held on 3 March 2008 and 12 May 2008 be taken as read and signed as a correct record.

[Note: The above minutes are published on the Council’s intranet and website.]

RESOLVED:  That the minutes of the meetings held on 3 March and 12 May 2008, be taken as read and signed as correct records.

To receive questions (if any) from local residents or organisations under the provisions of Committee Procedure Rule 19 (Part 4B of the Constitution).

RESOLVED:  To note that no public questions were put, or petitions or deputations received at this meeting under the provision of Committee Procedure Rules 19, 16 and 17 respectively.

Report of the Director of Legal and Governance Services.

Consideration was given to a proposal for a selected review of Harrow’s polling districts and polling stations arising from the duty placed on the local authority by the Electoral Administration Act 2006.

It was noted that this was the first review to be undertaken subsequent to the decision by Council in October 2007 that reviews would be carried out each year in respect of selected parts of the Borough.

In addition to the Polling Districts proposed by the officers, Members of the Committee requested that Tithe Farm, Whitefriars School and The Heights be considered in the review.  The officer was requested to ascertain whether there were any further suggestions for polling station review outstanding from the meeting held on 27 September 2007.  Consideration would not be given to use of the mosque pending its completion and health and safety clearance.

In response to a question, it was noted that meetings of the Working Group would take place in September/October depending on Member availability with a report back to the Committee on 24 November

RESOLVED:  That (1) an informal Review Working Group be re-established to undertake the review of the polling districts and polling stations in Harrow;

(2)  Councillors Husain Akhtar, Robert Benson, Mrinal Choudhury, G Chowdhury and Raj Ray be nominated to the Review Working Group;

(3)  a Liberal Democrat Councillor be invited to serve on the Review Working Group;

(4)  a representative from the Harrow Association of Disabled People be invited onto the Review Working Group; and

(5)  the terms of reference of the Review Working Group be agreed as set out in the report.

Report of the Corporate Director Community and Environment

(See Recommendation I).

Report of the Corporate Director - Finance.

Consideration was given to a report which detailed the Local Government Pension Scheme regulations and the proposed process to be followed in managing Tier 3 of the new ill health provisions.  The officer responded to queries raised by Members.

It was noted that although a process had been formulated by the officers and proposed to the Committee, government actuarial guidance was still awaited.  Should any future guidelines significantly change the process or operation, then a further report would be presented to the Committee.

It was agreed that the pension booklet and DVD would be made available to the new Members of the Committee, Councillors Husain Akhtar and Mrs Kinnear.

RESOLVED:  That (1) the Harrow Council pensions office acts as the lead body for the purpose of administering the Tier 3 ill health payments as made under Regulation 20 of the Local Government Pension Scheme (Benefits, Membership and Contributions) Regulations 2007 and amended under Regulation 13 of the Local Government Pension Scheme (Amendment) Regulations 2008; and

(2)  in circumstances where it is evidenced that the individual meets the test for gainful employment, but has failed to notify the authority of the same in a timely manner, the authority recovers any overpayment of Tier 3 ill health payments.

Report of the Corporate Director – Finance.

The Committee received a report which outlined the main elements of the new look Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) effective from 1 April 2008.

RESOLVED:  That the report be noted.