Agenda, decisions and minutes

The minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 16 July 2014 were before the Council for approval.

It was AGREED, without division, that the minutes be signed as a correct record.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 16 July 2014, be signed as a correct record.

-       none.

There were no disclosures of interest.

The Leader of the Council will make some announcements.

To receive other announcements (if any).

The Mayor congratulated parks and grounds staff who had contributed to Havering winning a total of 19 awards at the recent London in Bloom awards. The Leader of the Council also congratulated the staff involved.

            The Leader of the Council announced that Cynthia Griffin – Group Director, Culture, Community and Economic Development was due to leave the Council in December and congratulated her on her excellent achievements over the last 13 years. It was noted that it may be necessary to call an extraordinary Council meeting to approve any resultant changes to the senior management structure.

            A consultation on the proposed budget savings would run until 29 December. This would include public meetings and a web-based consultation and ideas from others political groups would also be considered.

            A consensus with other groups on the review of Overview and Scrutiny had not been reached as yet. Proposals on Overview and Scrutiny and on Special Responsibility Allowances would therefore be brought forward at the next Council meeting.

To present an award to Councillor Michael White, past leader of the Council.

Award as past Leader of the Council – presented to Councillor Michael White.

The Leader of the Council (Councillor Roger Ramsey) proposed that an award as past Leader of the Council be presented to Councillor Michael White given Councillor White’s nearly 10 years as Leader of the Council as well as his work on London Councils and on the board of the local Hospitals Trust. The proposal was seconded by Councillor Damian White.

            The Mayor then congratulated Councillor White and, to Members’ applause, presented him with the past Leader’s badge.   

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

Councillor Linda Van den Hende has given notice of an intention to present a petition.

-       petition presented by Councillor Linda Van den Hende.

Pursuant to Council Procedure Rule 23, the following petition was presented:

From Councillor Linda Van den Hende concerning the provision of a safe traffic management scheme at Oakford School, Harwood Hall Lane, Upminster.

It was NOTED that the petition would be passed to Committee Administration for attention in accordance with the Council’s Petitions Scheme.

NOTE: The deadline for amendments is midnight, Monday 15 September 2014

To consider the report of the Chief Executive relating to the appointment of a Deputy Electoral Registration Officer (attached)

-       APPROVED without division.

            A report of the Chief Executive invited Council to agree to the appointment of a Deputy Electoral Registration Officer who would carry out the duties of the Electoral Registration Officer, such as maintaining the Electoral Register, in their absence.

The recommendation of the Chief Executive was APPROVED without division and it was RESOLVED that:

The Electoral Services Manager be appointed as the Deputy Electoral Registration Officer, with the full powers of the Electoral Registration Officer in their absence.

Attached.

-       14 questions replied to.

Fourteen questions were asked and replies given.

            The text of the questions, and their answers, are set out in Appendix 1 to these minutes.

Attached.

MOTIONS FOR DEBATE:

A.   20 MINUTES FREE PARKING – Procedural motion to end debate and move to vote CARRIED by 43 votes to 1; Administration amendment CARRIED as substantive motion by 44 votes to 0.

B.   GALLOWS CORNER JUNCTION – Administration motion CARRIED by 47 votes to 0.

C.   COUNCIL TAX EMPTY HOUSE PREMIUM – Administration amendment CARRIED by 40 votes to 1 and CARRIED as substantive motion without division.

D.   INGREBOURNE HILL EXTENSION – Administration amendment CARRIED by 44 votes to 0 and CARRIED as substantive motion without division.

E.   ACADEMY PROGRAMME AND CHAFFORD SWIMMING POOL -  Administration amendment CARRIED without division and CARRIED as substantive motion, without division

Motion on behalf of the United Kingdom Independence Party Group

Havering council should introduce 20 minutes free parking across the borough where it is practical to do so.

Amendment by the Administration

This Council notes that the proposed budget savings for the next two years include an option for an initial period of free parking in outlying car parks and on street and that the outcome of public consultation will be considered carefully before final decisions are taken. 

A procedural motion that the debate on this item be concluded and to move to the vote was CARRIED by 43 votes to 1 (see division 1); the Administration amendment was then CARRIED as the substantive motion by 44 votes to 0 (see division 2).

RESOLVED:

This Council notes that the proposed budget savings for the next two years include an option for an initial period of free parking in outlying car parks and on street and that the outcome of public consultation will be considered carefully before final decisions are taken. 

Motion on behalf of the Administration

This Council calls upon Transport for London to undertake an early review of measures to improve the Gallows Corner junction which is widely regarded as one of the most congested and dangerous road hazards in North East London.

Following debate, the Administration motion was CARRIED by 47 votes to 0 (see division 3). 

RESOLVED:

This Council calls upon Transport for London to undertake an early review of measures to improve the Gallows Corner junction which is widely regarded as one of the most congested and dangerous road hazards in North East London.

Motion on behalf of the Residents’ Group

In order to alleviate the pressure on the Council Tax Support scheme, this council agrees to apply the empty house premium on households which have been empty for at least two years at a rate of 50% above the standard council tax rate.

By applying the premium, it will:

a) bring Havering into line with the other 25 London Boroughs who apply the premium

b) avoid empty properties from being run down and becoming an eyesore in the community

c) with nearly 400 empty properties in the borough this will help ease the pressure on the local housing market

d) provide a significant additional income stream and help ease budgetary pressures

Amendment by the Administration

This Council agrees to the preparation for consideration of a report as to the application of an empty house premium on empty households above the standard council tax rate; such report to include an analysis of appropriate periods during which the household must be empty and of the implications for cases involving probate and major repairs and other exceptional situations.  

Following debate, the Administration amendment was CARRIED by 40 votes to 1 (see division 4) and CARRIED as the substantive motion without division.

RESOLVED:

This Council agrees to the preparation for consideration of a report as to the application of an empty house premium on empty households above the standard council tax rate; such report to include an analysis of appropriate periods during which the household must be empty and of the implications for cases involving probate and major repairs and other exceptional situations.  

Motion on behalf of the Independent Residents’ Group

Plans for an extension of Ingrebourne Hill into the Hornchurch Country Park will result in many years of severe highway disruption for the local residents of Elm Park, South Hornchurch, Rainham and beyond. The Rainham Road entrance to the site is on a TfL bus route and any closure will also involve closing part of the recently opened [Harold Hill to Rainham section] of the Sustrans around London cycling/walking route promoted by the Mayor of London that passes through the Hornchurch Country Park/Ingrebourne Hill and exits at the Rainham Road entrance.

Thus to ensure all interested parties are consulted this Council calls on the Administration to ensure the Greater London Authority are formally contacted for their views about plans for the extension and closure of Ingrebourne Hill.

Amendment by the Administration

This Council notes that a planning application to extend Ingrebourne Hill has been received and that there will be a full consultation in accordance with the requisite procedure, including the GLA. The planning application will be considered by Regulatory Services Committee on the basis of a comprehensive report on a quasi-judicial basis without bias or pressure from the remainder of the Council.

The Administration amendment was CARRIED by 44 votes to 0 (see division 5) and CARRIED as the substantive motion without division.

RESOLVED:

This Council notes that a planning application to extend Ingrebourne Hill has been received and that there will be a full consultation in accordance with the requisite procedure, including the GLA. The planning application will be considered by Regulatory Services Committee on the basis of a comprehensive report on a quasi-judicial basis without bias or pressure from the remainder of the Council.

Motion on behalf of the Independent Residents’ Group

The Government want all schools to leave local authority control and be managed by the Headteacher and Secretary of State for Education. This means the ownership and management of all school assets are transferred from the council to the school and means all school facilities, including sporting and swimming facilities, become school assets rather than council/community assets. And this means school sporting and swimming facilities face closure because 1) schools will prioritise funding for educational purposes 2) Councils will prioritise funding to assets they own and control. This is illustrated by events at Chafford [Academy], Rainham, where the swimming pool faces closure due to this change of ownership and control.

Thus Council regrets this aspect of the Governments Academy programme and calls on the Administration to negotiate with the Headteacher and Governing Body to seek an agreement that keeps the Chafford swimming pool open in the public health interest.

Amendment by the Administration

This Council regrets that following a contested independent adjudication the sports facilities on the Chafford School site in Rainham, including the swimming pool, are to transfer to the School in October 2016 and notes that officers are in discussion with the School as to the continued public use of the facility.

The Administration amendment was CARRIED without division and CARRIED as the substantive motion, without division.

RESOLVED:

This Council regrets that following a contested independent adjudication the sports facilities on the Chafford School site in Rainham, including the swimming pool, are to transfer to the School in October 2016 and notes that officers are in discussion with the School as to the continued public use of the facility.

The record of voting divisions is attached as Appendix 2.