Agenda, decisions and minutes

To sign as a true record the minutes of the Meeting of the Council held on 11 July 2018 (attached).

Minutes AGREED as a correct record.

The minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 11 July 2018 were before the Council for approval.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 11 July 2018 be approved as a correct record.

Members are invited to disclose any interest in any of the items on the agenda at this point of the meeting. 

Members may still disclose any interest in an item at any time prior to the consideration of the matter.

There were no disclosures of interest.

There were no disclosures of interest.

To receive announcements (if any).

The Mayor reported on the following events he had attended or was planning:

·         Queen’s Garden Party

·         Langton’s Summer Concert

·         Visit of Duke of Kent

·         London Youth Games

·         Emergency Services Day

·         Great River Race

·         Mayor’s Charity Film Show

The text of the announcements made by the Leader of the Council is attached as appendix 1 to these minutes.

To receive any petition presented pursuant to Council Procedure Rule 23.

Councillor Tucker has given notice of intention to present a petition.

Received from Councillor Tucker.

A petition was presented by Councillor Tucker re keeping open Chafford Sports Centre.

To receive the Annual Report of the Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education (attached).

Report received.

The annual report of the Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education was accepted by Council, without division.

Attached.

15 questions asked and answered.

Fifteen questions were asked and replies given. The text of all questions submitted, together with their answers, is shown as appendix 2 to these minutes.

Attached.

A.   REVIEW OF COUNCIL CONSTITUTION

Amendment by Independent Residents’ Group NOT CARRIED by 27 votes to 22; amendment by Conservative Group CARRIED by 26 votes to 23 and AGREED as substantive motion by 26 votes to 22.  

B.   HAROLD WOOD POLYCLINIC

Motion by Labour Group AGREED unanimously by 48 votes to 0.

C.   USE OF BUS LANES BY MOTORCYCLES

Motion by Upminster and Cranham Residents Associations Group withdrawn and resubmitted to next meeting of Council.

Motion on behalf of the Residents’ Group

In order to ensure that this council operates in a fair, equitable and modern way, this council calls for a comprehensive cross party review of the constitution with the initial emphasis on the committee structure, in particular its functions and responsibilities.

Amendment on behalf of the Independent Residents’ Group

(amended wording shown in bold).

In order to ensure that this council operates in a fair, equitable and modern way, this council calls for a comprehensive cross party review of the constitution with the initial emphasis on the committee structure, in particular its size, functions and responsibilities.

During the course of debate, a motion that Councillor Tucker not be heard further was moved and seconded. Councillor Tucker however resumed his seat of his own accord.

Following debate, the amendment by the Independent Residents’ group was NOT CARRIED by 28 votes to 22 (see division 11); the amendment by the Conservative Group was CARRIED by 27 votes to 23 (see division 2) and AGREED as the substantive motion by 27 votes to 22 (see division 3).

RESOLVED:

This Council notes that the Governance Committee is charged with recommending amendments to the constitution to full council and further notes that no amendments to the current structure were proposed for consideration at the annual council after the local elections.

Motion on behalf of the Labour Group

This Council calls upon calls upon the Executive to urge the Clinical Commissioning Group to support the continuation of the health services provided at the Harold Wood Polyclinic and urges all members of the Council to participate in the current public consultation by supporting Option 1 to retain the Polyclinic.

Amendment on behalf of the Conservative Group

This Council calls on the Havering Clinical Commissioning Group to undertake a comprehensive review of the provision of GP services throughout the borough, with particular focus upon maintaining services that assist in relieving pressure on the Queen’s A&E, and requests that an all member briefing be held to update all members on this.

The amendment on behalf of the Conservative Group was withdrawn prior to the start of the debate.

Following debate, the motion on behalf of the Labour Group was AGREED unanimously by 49 votes to 0 (see division 4).

RESOLVED:

This Council calls upon calls upon the Executive to urge the Clinical Commissioning Group to support the continuation of the health services provided at the Harold Wood Polyclinic and urges all members of the Council to participate in the current public consultation by supporting Option 1 to retain the Polyclinic.

C. USE OF BUS LANES BY MOTOR CYCLES

Motion on behalf of the Upminster and Cranham Residents Associations Group

While motorcyclists make up 1% of traffic volume across London, they account for 27% of all killed and seriously injured casualties, with 33 fatalities over the last year.

Permitted use of bus lanes across London is inconsistent with some councils allowing motorcyclists to use the lanes, some not (Havering do not), and some partially.

Allowing motorcyclists to use bus lanes would not only improve the safety of motorcyclists and other road users but would add clarity over the potential to receive a £160 fine for entering a bus lane which may change from one borough to the next.

While this would ideally be a London wide aspiration, this Council calls upon the Executive to undertake measures, including the necessary consultations, to allow motorcyclists to use bus lanes in Havering.

Amendment on behalf of the Conservative Group

Amend motion to read:

This Council calls upon the Mayor of London to bring forward guidance on the use of bus lanes by non-bus traffic as to create a consistent approach across thecapital.

This motion was withdrawn by the Upminster and Cranham Residents Associations Group and resubmitted to the next meeting of Council.

The record of voting decisions is attached as appendix 3 to these minutes.