Agenda and minutes

Council - Thursday 21 July 2022 6.30 pm

Venue: Council Chamber, Harrow Civic Centre, Station Road, Harrow, HA1 2XY. View directions

Contact: Alison Atherton, Senior Professional - Democratic Services  Tel: 07825 726493 E-mail:  alison.atherton@harrow.gov.uk

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Items
No. Item

14.

Council Minutes pdf icon PDF 35 KB

That the minutes of the Annual Council Meeting held on 26 May 2022 be taken as read and signed as a correct record.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

RESOLVED:  That the minutes of the Annual Council meeting held on 26 May 2022 be taken as read and signed as a correct record.

15.

Declarations of Interest

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.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The following interests were declared:

 

Item 14 – Motion opposing Mayor Khan’s ULEZ Expansion

 

Councillor Susan Hall declared an interest in that she was a member of the Greater London Authority and would leave the Chamber for the discussion and vote on this item.

 

Councillor Asif Hussain declared a disclosable pecuniary interest and would leave the Chamber for the discussion and vote on this item.

 

Councillor Stephen Greek declared a non-pecuniary interest in that he was employed by the Greater London Authority.

16.

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.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Leader of the Council moved a procedural motion that the petitions for debate at items 5 and 6 on the Summons, Stop Closure of Harrow Viewpoint Car Park and Reinstate the right for people to Visit Old Redding Viewpoint and the Case is Altered Pub, be debated together for up to a maximum of 15 minutes.  Upon being put to the vote this was agreed.

17.

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.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

No petitions were received.

18.

Petition - Stop Closure of Harrow Viewpoint Car Park

A petition containing over 2,000 signatures has been received and has the following terms:

 

“Harrow Council have decided to close Harrow View Point car park from 6pm. This will not only effect all dog walkers / walkers who have used this space for decades but will also effect the pub The Case Is Altered which has bought life back to the area and made it a family friendly place for people to visit. The pub was previously shut for over 2 years which bought problems to the area where anti social behaviour started from. When the pub opened it stopped people from using the car park inappropriately. The closure of the car park will affect the pub and could potentially lead to closure ! Are they planning more flats ?? Harrow doesn’t need anymore flats and it would be a shame to lose such a beautiful part of Historic Harrow. There will also be severe traffic issues when the car park closes as people will start to park their cars on the road and this could be hazardous.

 

Sign this petition to help save a beautiful part of 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.

 

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

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

 

(i)              Petition submitted by Geoff Eldridge containing over 2,000 signatures stating

 

“Harrow Council have decided to close Harrow View Point car park from 6pm.  This will not only effect all dog walkers / walkers who have used this space for decades but will also effect the pub The Case Is Altered which has bought life back to the area and made it a family friendly place for people to visit.  The pub was previously shut for over 2 years which bought problems to the area where anti social behaviour started from.  When the pub opened it stopped people from using the car park inappropriately.  The closure of the car park will affect the pub and could potentially lead to closure !  Are they planning more flats ?? Harrow doesn’t need anymore flats and it would be a shame to lose such a beautiful part of Historic Harrow.  There will also be severe traffic issues when the car park closes as people will start to park their cars on the road and this could be hazardous.

 

Sign this petition to help save a beautiful part of Harrow.”

 

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

 

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

19.

Petition - Reinstate the right for people to visit Old Redding Viewpoint and The Case is Altered Pub

A petition containing over 2,000 signatures has been received and has the following terms:

“This petition is for Harrow Council to either increase the hours of operation of the car park until 11:30 pm as per their off-street parking places public notice and/or remove the double yellow lines which are now on both sides of the entire length of the road. The actions of Harrow Council have not considered the needs of Harrows’ residents and are discriminatory, unreasonable and show a complete disregard for the small business that operates from The Case is Altered. The Case is Altered relies on people being able to visit the area by car and Harrow Council have gone to great lengths to ensure that is no longer possible after 4 pm.

We the undersigned, request that Harrow Council increase the hours of operation of our public car park until 11:30 pm as per Harrow Council's public notice and/or remove the unnecessary double yellow lines in order to save The Case is Altered from closure.”

 

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.

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

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

 

(i)              Petition submitted by Geoff Eldridge containing over 2,000 signatures  stating

“This petition is for Harrow Council to either increase the hours of operation of the car park until 11:30 pm as per their off-street parking places public notice and/or remove the double yellow lines which are now on both sides of the entire length of the road.  The actions of Harrow Council have not considered the needs of Harrows’ residents and are discriminatory, unreasonable and show a complete disregard for the small business that operates from The Case is Altered.  The Case is Altered relies on people being able to visit the area by car and Harrow Council have gone to great lengths to ensure that is no longer possible after 4 pm.

We the undersigned, request that Harrow Council increase the hours of operation of our public car park until 11:30 pm as per Harrow Council's public notice and/or remove the unnecessary double yellow lines in order to save The Case is Altered from closure.”

 

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

 

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

20.

Public Questions

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.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

There were no public questions.

21.

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.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

(i)    The Leader of the Council, Councillor Paul Osborn, introduced the item highlighting the Administration’s achievements, challenges and plans since the last ordinary meeting.

 

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

22.

Honorary Alderman

Report of the Director of Legal and Governance Services

Additional documents:

Minutes:

RESOLVED:  That an Extraordinary Council meeting be convened on 29 September 2022 to consider conferring the title of Honorary Alderman on Camilla Bath.

23.

Scrutiny Annual Report 2022 pdf icon PDF 86 KB

Recommendation I: Overview and Scrutiny Committee

                                    (5 April 2022)

Additional documents:

Minutes:

RESOLVED:  That the Scrutiny Annual Report 2021-2022 be endorsed.

24.

Outside Body Appointment - Deputy Lord Lieutenant's Committee

The Conservative Group have notified that they wish to appoint Councillor Jean Lammiman in place of Councillor Nitesh Hirani on this Outside Body.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

RESOLVED:  That Councillor Jean Lammiman be appointed to the Deputy Lord Lieutenant’s Committee, in place of Councillor Nitesh Hirani.

25.

Information Report - Remuneration Packages of £100,000 or greater

Additional documents:

Minutes:

RESOLVED:  That the report be noted.

26.

Questions with Notice pdf icon PDF 101 KB

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.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

To note that one question from Councillors to the Leader of the Council and Portfolio Holders had been received and that the recording was on the Council’s website.

27.

Motions pdf icon PDF 125 KB

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 opposing Mayor Khan’s ULEZ Expansion

 

 

To be moved by Councillor Paul Osborn and seconded by Councillor Marilyn Ashton:

 

“This Council notes that:

 

·         On 4th March 2022 the Mayor Khan announced his plan to expand the Ultra-Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) from its current boundary to cover almost all of Greater London, including Harrow. These plans would see the ULEZ expanded by 29th August 2023.

·         On 25th October 2021, the ULEZ was already expanded to 18 times its original size.

§  The October 2021 expansion was a significant change which took place less than a year ago.

§  The ramifications of this change have not yet been fully assessed.

·         The proposed 2023 expansion would mean that those with non-compliant vehicles would pay £12.50 per day to drive within the ULEZ.

·         Residents would be forced to pay more to get to work, visit friends and family and take advantage of Harrow's local businesses and high streets.

·         This will likely cost jobs, damage the social fabric of Harrow, and encourage businesses to locate elsewhere.

·         The less well-off are disproportionately penalised.

·         The proposed 2023 expansion is fundamentally unfair on those Harrow residents, who would be unable to afford to replace their car or pay the £12.50 per day and would thus be forced to rely on public transport which is not always reliable.

·         The Mayor of London has set aside over £200 million towards expanding the ULEZ and related projects.

 

This Council resolves to:

 

·         Oppose measures to push up the cost of living in Harrow by imposing taxes and charges on Harrowresidents, who rely on their cars and trades vehicles to get about.

·         Call on the Mayor of London to withdraw his unworkable and discriminatory ULEZ expansion.

·         Recommend to Mayor Khan that the over £200 million set aside for the ULEZ and related projects should be invested in more equitable and effective ways of improving London’s air quality, such as:

§  A faster upgrade to a zero-emission bus fleet

§  Increasing the roll out of rapid charging points

§  Encouraging more freight consolidation schemes

§  Bringing back the previous Boiler Cashback Scheme to encourage Londoners to upgrade their boilers to reduce household emissions

§  Financing a generous scrappage scheme to support Londoners in replacing their vehicles.”

 

 

 

(2)       Cost of Living Emergency in Harrow Motion

 

 

To be moved by Councillor David Perry and seconded by Councillor Natasha Proctor:

 

“This Council notes that: 

Harrow and its residents are suffering due to a cost of living crisis:

  • On 1 April 2022, Ofgem increased the energy price cap by 54 per cent and this is almost certainly going to increase in October.
  • In light of the increased energy price cap, the average standard tariff energy bill will increase by £600+ per year and the average pre-pay meter energy bills increasing by £700+ per year (Ofgem, 2022).  ...  view the full agenda text for item 27.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

(i)              “Motion opposing Mayor Khan’s ULEZ Expansion

 

 

Motion in the names of Councillor Paul Osborn and Councillor Marilyn Ashton

 

 

To be moved by Councillor Paul Osborn and seconded by Councillor Marilyn Ashton:

 

“This Council notes that:

 

·       On 4th March 2022 the Mayor Khan announced his plan to expand the Ultra-Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) from its current boundary to cover almost all of Greater London, including Harrow.  These plans would see the ULEZ expanded by 29th August 2023.

 

·       On 25th October 2021, the ULEZ was already expanded to 18 times its original size.

 

§  The October 2021 expansion was a significant change which took place less than a year ago.

§  The ramifications of this change have not yet been fully assessed.

 

·       The proposed 2023 expansion would mean that those with non-compliant vehicles would pay £12.50 per day to drive within the ULEZ.

 

·       Residents would be forced to pay more to get to work, visit friends and family and take advantage of Harrow's local businesses and high streets.

 

·       This will likely cost jobs, damage the social fabric of Harrow, and encourage businesses to locate elsewhere.

 

·       The less well-off are disproportionately penalised.

 

·       The proposed 2023 expansion is fundamentally unfair on those Harrow residents, who would be unable to afford to replace their car or pay the £12.50 per day and would thus be forced to rely on public transport which is not always reliable.

 

·       The Mayor of London has set aside over £200 million towards expanding the ULEZ and related projects.

 

This Council resolves to:

 

·       Oppose measures to push up the cost of living in Harrow by imposing taxes and charges on Harrowresidents, who rely on their cars and trades vehicles to get about.

 

·       Call on the Mayor of London to withdraw his unworkable and discriminatory ULEZ expansion.

 

·       Recommend to Mayor Khan that the over £200 million set aside for the ULEZ and related projects should be invested in more equitable and effective ways of improving London’s air quality, such as:

§  A faster upgrade to a zero-emission bus fleet

§  Increasing the roll out of rapid charging points

§  Encouraging more freight consolidation schemes

§  Bringing back the previous Boiler Cashback Scheme to encourage Londoners to upgrade their boilers to reduce household emissions

§  Financing a generous scrappage scheme to support Londoners in replacing their vehicles.”

 

Upon the meeting moving to the vote, the Conservative Group requested that their vote be recorded.  The Motion was carried.

 

[For the Motion:  Councillors Marilyn Ashton, Christopher Baxter, June Baxter, Benjamin, Bharadia, Blackman,  Chowdhury, Goodwin-Freeman, Chauhan, Greek, Halai, Hirani, Idaikkadar, Jogia, Karia, Kumaran, Lammiman, Moshenson, Osborn, Mina Parmar, Anjana Patel, Pritesh Patel, Rabadia, Seymour, Stevenson, Sumaria, Teli and Wagman].

 

Against the Motion:  None.

 

Abstain:  The Worshipful the Mayor Councillor Janet Mote,  Councillors Ghazanfar Ali, Dan Anderson, Assad, Brown, Chauhan, Choudhury, Gilligan, Graham Henson, Maxine Henson, Hickman, Kalu, Kulig, O’Dell, Parekh, Varsha Parmar, Perry, Proctor, Rekha Shah, Aneka Shah-Levy, Krishna Suresh and Sasikala Suresh.]

 

Absent: Councillors David Ashton, Dolor, Hall,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 27.