To sign as a true record the minutes of the Meeting of the Council held on 14 June 2017 (attached).

Minutes AGREED as a correct record.

The minutes of the meeting of Council held on 14 June 2017 were before the Council for approval.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 14 June 2017 be signed 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.

None.

There were no disclosures of interest.

To receive announcements (if any).

The Mayor read out the text of a letter received from dr Eva Lohse, Mayor of Ludwigshafen, passing on sympathy from the City of ludwigshafen regarding the recent terrorist attacks in London and Manchester.

The Mayor also congrtulated all those involved with the Havering teamm who had finished sixth in th London Youth Games.

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

Councillors Michael Deon Burton and Wendy Brice-Thompson have given notice of intention to present a petition.

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

Petitions presented by Councillors Deon Burton and Brice-Thompson.

Petitions were presented by Councillor Deon Burton concerning opposition to the use of Passive Close as an access road for cars goimng into the Havering College site and by and Councillor Brice-Thompson relating to opposition to parking restrictions in Carlton Road.

NOTE: The deadline for amendments to all reports published with the Council agenda is midnight, Monday 10 July 2017.

To consider a report of Cabinet on the Havering Community Safety Plan, 2017/18 – 2019/20 (attached, subject to approval by Cabinet).

Amendment by the Residents’ Group NOT CARRIED by 30 votes to16; deemed motion by Administration AGREED without division.

A report of Cabinet detailed the new version of the Community Safety Partnership Plan covering priorities for the Council and other responsible authorities. The strategic themes of the Plan covered a number of areas including protecting vulnerable individuals and victims, reducing the risk of reoffending and reducing the level of crime in areas disproportionately affected such as local town centres and burglary hotspots. Enhancing community engagement and public confidence would also be a cross-cutting area throughout the planned work. The strategic priorities for Havering were also broadly aligned to current and emerging regional and national strategies such as prevention of violence against women and girls and ending gang violence and exploitation.

Deemed motion on behalf of the Administration

That the report be adopted and its recommendations carried into effect.

Amendment by the Residents’ Group

This council agrees to refer this report to the Overview and Scrutiny Board before final approval by this council, in order that answers can be provided to the questions below and further challenge can be provided.

1.    Lack of detail on how all defined outcomes are measured and performance managed, together with the mechanism to report them within the partnership and members.

2.    Lack of detail on how the plan will be achieved, by whom and what individual resources will be allocated to each partners.

3.    Lack of details on how the various partners will engage with the local community.

4.    Lack of details on who is the lead partner to ensure that the plan is driven going forward and contained within budget.

5.    Lack of detail on what steps are taken to ensure the robustness of evidence and data.

6.    Lack of detail on the protocol for sharing data and information between partners. 

7.    Lack of detail in relation to the structure and governance arrangements of the partnership.

Following debate, the amendment by the Residents’ Group was NOT CARRIED by 30 votes to 16 (see division 1) and the deemed motion by the Administration was AGREED without division.

RESOOLVED:

That the Havering Community Partnership Plan 2017-18 be approved.

To consider a report of the Pensions Committee on the future of the Pensions Administration Serice (attached).

Four questions asked and responded to on report. Report AGREED without division.

A report of the Pensions Committee set out options for the future of the Pensions Administration Service. This proposed entering into an arrangement under section 101 of the Local Government act 1972 for the discharge by Lancashire County Council of the functions of Havering Council in respect of pensions administration from 1^st October 2017 for a rolling annual period.

In response to questions on the report submitted by the Residents’ Group, the Cabinet Member stated the following:

The proposed new provider (LPP) had a pool of more than 150 pensions administration staff working for multiple clients across the UK. This allowed the flexibility to address pressure points and still meeting targets in Service Level Agreements and Key Performance Indicators.

The proposals would secure the resilience of the service for broadly similar costs. It would not be sustainable to continue with the existing model in the medium term and the proposals would also mitigate against future cost pressures. The Council would work with LPP to identify further potential savings and opportunities to increase the income stream and generate local employment opportunities.

The agreement had a 12 month notice period on either side and shared services had been operated by LPP for more than 20 years. This was a proven model of operation that was used by Bexley and Newham Councils and separate IT contracts were not required.

Recruitment for the contract and project officer post would be in accordance with Havering HR policies. This was not a joint post with Newham knowledge etc would be shared.

The report was AGREED without division and it was RESOLVED:

1.    Option 4, of the attached report including exempt information be agreed, (subject to agreement by Lancashire County Council) that Havering Council enter into an arrangement under section 101 of the Local Government Act 1972 for the discharge by Lancashire County Council of the functions of Havering Council in respect of pensions administration from 1^st October 2017 for a rolling annual period.

2.    That authority be delegated to the Managing Director of oneSource, after consultation with the Cabinet Member for Financial Management, to agree the final terms of the arrangements with Lancashire County Council and incorporate those into an agreement subject to those terms being in the best interests of Havering Council.

3.    That, power be delegated to the Managing Director of oneSource after consultation with the Cabinet Member for Financial Management, to agree the final terms of the arrangements with Lancashire County Council and incorporate those into an agreement subject to those terms being in the best interests of Havering Council.

4.    That the recruitment of a Projects and Contract Manager be agreed and it be noted that over a 5 year period, the total cost of the service to the Pension Fund is estimated to decrease by £76,900 and will deliver a robust and resilient and future proofed service. This will include the recruitment of a Projects and Contract Manager for Havering at annual cost of up to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 27.

To receive the annual reports of Committees, Sub-Committees and Member Champions (attached).

All reports received, without division.

Council considered and received the Annual Reports of the following:

Audit Committee

Pensions Committee

Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education

Overview and Scrutiny Board

Children & Learning Overview and Scrutiny Sub-Committee

Crime & Disorder Sub-Committee

Environment Overview and Scrutiny Sub-Committee

Health Overview and Scrutiny Sub-Committee

Individuals Overview and Scrutiny Sub-Committee

Towns & Communities Overview and Scrutiny Sub-Committee

Member Champion for the Armed Forces

Member Champion for Equality and Diversity

Member Champion for the Historic Environment

Member Champion for the Over 50s

Member Champion for the Voluntary Sector Compact

Member Champion for Younger Persons

Each Annual Report was ADOPTED without debate or division.

RESOLVED:

That the Annual Reports as listed be approved.

Note: The text of the Leader’s Statement is appended to the minutes of the previous meeting, as shown at item 3 of the agenda papers.

Deemed Motion

That the statement given by the Leader of the Council to the Meeting of the Council held on 14 June 2017 be received.

Amendment by the Independent Residents’ Group

The Administration have made a number of difficult decisions to save and raise money as we are told “there is no alternative”, but Council agrees it was a mistake for the Council Leader to promote the Mayor of London’s as yet undeclared new housing target of 30,000 new properties, as a “Vision for Havering” in the Council booklet “Havering – Making a Greater London”!

Amendment by Independent Residents’ Group NOT CARRIED by 33 votes to 12; deemed motion agreed without division.

Deemed Motion

That the statement given by the Leader of the Council to the Meeting of the Council held on 14 June 2017 be received.

Amendment by the Independent Residents’ Group

The Administration have made a number of difficult decisions to save and raise money as we are told “there is no alternative”, but Council agrees it was a mistake for the Council Leader to promote the Mayor of London’s as yet undeclared new housing target of 30,000 new properties, as a “Vision for Havering” in the Council booklet “Havering – Making a Greater London”!

Following debate, the amendment by the Independent Residents’ Group was NOT CARRIED by 33 votes to 12; the deemed motion was AGREED as the substantive motion, without division.

RESOLVED:

That the statement given by the Leader of the Council to the Meeting of the Council held on 14 June 2017 be received.

Attached.

8 questions replied to.

Eight 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. 

Procedural motion that motion on housing (agenda item 12A) and motion on Greater London Authority (agenda item 12C) be deferred to extraordinary meeting of Council on 26 July AGREED without division.

A.   WASTE AND RECYCLING ISSUES

Amendment by Conservative Group CARRIED by 31 votes to 13; amendment by Labour Group NOT CARRIED by 40 votes to 8; amendment by Conservative Group AGREED as substantive motion, without division.

B.   ARDLEIGH GREEN BRIDGE REPLACEMENT WORKS

Motion on behalf of Conservative and East Havering Residents’ Groups AGREED by 50 votes to 0.

A procedural motion that Independent Residents’ Group motion on housing (agenda item 12A) and the United Kingdom Independence Party Group motion on the Greater London Authority (agenda item 12C) be deferred to the extraordinary meeting of Council on 26 July 2017 was AGREED without division.

Motion on behalf of the Independent Residents’ Group

The EU/UK recycling agenda promoted by climate change legislation has made waste disposal very expensive and resulted in waste mountains and an epidemic of fly-tipping and litter. Of particular concern is the threat to wildlife from plastic bags and bottles that pollute our rivers and oceans and many Third World countries where our rubbish is sent to be recycled/dumped!  

The solution is the incineration of waste and lower landfill costs

Council therefore agrees:

1.    That it recommends to Cabinet that it calls on the Local Government Association and Government to promote this green renewable solution as a local and national policy.

2.    That it further recommends to Cabinet to call on the Government to consider banning the production of plastic bags and bottles and promoting environmentally friendly alternatives until an effective post Brexit value for money waste disposal policy is in place to safeguard our environment.

Amendment by the Conservative Group

Whilst noting that ELWA, of which the Council is part, is facing the need to examine changes to its current waste disposal operations and recognising the possible advantages of incineration, this Council is mindful of the difficulty of locating an incineration plant in an area without unacceptable impact on the environment for local residents and, despite the apparent enthusiasm of Rainham and South Hornchurch councillors, would not wish to promote a site in that area, or anywhere else, without the fullest public consultation.

Amendment by the Labour Group

The Council calls on the Administration to review its Waste Management Policy to bring forward proposals to increase recycling and composting and to consider further incineration of waste.

Due to the lateness of the hour, this matter was dealt with on a vote only basis. The amendment by the Conservative Group was CARRIED by 31 votes to 13 (see division 3); the amendment by the Labour Group was NOT CARRIED by 40 votes to 8 (see division 4); the amendment by the Conservative Group was AGREED as the substantive motion, without division.

RESOLVED:

Whilst noting that ELWA, of which the Council is part, is facing the need to examine changes to its current waste disposal operations and recognising the possible advantages of incineration, this Council is mindful of the difficulty of locating an incineration plant in an area without unacceptable impact on the environment for local residents and, despite the apparent enthusiasm of Rainham and South Hornchurch councillors, would not wish to promote a site in that area, or anywhere else, without the fullest public consultation.

Motion on behalf of the Conservative and East Havering Residents’ Groups

Following the recent notification from Transport for London that the Ardleigh Green Bridge (A127) replacement works will not now be complete until the Spring of 2019, rather than the previously notified date of December 2017, this Council expresses its deep dissatisfaction with the situation and agrees to write to the Mayor of London, with a copy to the Secretary of State for Transport, conveying this Council’s disappointment and to seek further explanation and clarification in respect of the delay, including the following matters:

a.    A full explanation giving the reasons for the 15-month delay and how this was not foreseen at the project planning stage?

b.    What measures are being taken to expedite the completion of the works?

c.    This junction is a vital route through our borough, carrying considerable amounts of traffic. The ongoing delays has created rat-runs in nearby residential roads creating significant inconvenience, pollution and increased traffic flow for residents to contend with. What measures will be put in place to mitigate against this inconvenience until the Spring of 2019?

d.    What compensatory measures will be put in place against the loss of trade and significant inconvenience endured by local businesses affected by the ongoing works?

e.    What are the cost implications for the over-run of the project, originally budgeted at £32m, and how will this be funded?

f.    Given the considerable delay, how will this impact on the proposed improvement works at Gallows Corner (A127/A12)?

Due to the lateness of the hour, this matter was dealt with on a vote only basis. The motion on behalf of the Conservative and East Havering Residents’ Groups was AGREED by 51 votes to 0 (see division 5).

RESOLVED:

Following the recent notification from Transport for London that the Ardleigh Green Bridge (A127) replacement works will not now be complete until the Spring of 2019, rather than the previously notified date of December 2017, this Council expresses its deep dissatisfaction with the situation and agrees to write to the Mayor of London, with a copy to the Secretary of State for Transport, conveying this Council’s disappointment and to seek further explanation and clarification in respect of the delay, including the following matters:

a.    A full explanation giving the reasons for the 15-month delay and how this was not foreseen at the project planning stage?

b.    What measures are being taken to expedite the completion of the works?

c.    This junction is a vital route through our borough, carrying considerable amounts of traffic. The ongoing delays has created rat-runs in nearby residential roads creating significant inconvenience, pollution and increased traffic flow for residents to contend with. What measures will be put in place to mitigate against this inconvenience until the Spring of 2019?

d.    What compensatory measures will be put in place against the loss of trade and significant inconvenience endured by local businesses affected by the ongoing works?

e.    What are the cost implications for the over-run of the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 33.

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