Agenda, decisions and minutes

Venue: Council Chamber - Town Hall

Contact: Anthony Clements tel: 01708 433065  Email: anthony.clements@oneSource.co.uk

Items
No. Item

23.

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

To receive apologies for absence.

 

Apologies have been received from Councillor Barbara Matthews.

 

Decision:

Received from Councillors Davis, Martin, Matthews, Webb and M White (part of meeting).

Minutes:

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Meg Davis, Phil Martin, Barbara Matthews, Lawrence Webb and Michael White (part of meeting).

24.

MINUTES pdf icon PDF 598 KB

To sign as a true record the minutes of the Meeting of the Council held on 8 June 2016 (attached).

 

Decision:

Minutes AGREED as a correct record.

Minutes:

The minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 8 June 2016 were before the Council for approval.

 

It was AGREED that the minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 8 June 2016 be signed as a correct record.

 

RESOLVED:

 

That the minutes of the Council meeting held on 8 June 2016 be signed as a correct record.

25.

DISCLOSURE OF INTERESTS

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.

 

Decision:

No interests were disclosed.

Minutes:

There were no disclosures of interests.

26.

ANNOUNCEMENTS BY THE MAYOR, BY THE LEADER OF THE COUNCIL OR BY THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE pdf icon PDF 180 KB

To receive announcements (if any).

Minutes:

Tributes were paid and a minute’s silence held in memory of former Councillor Don Poole who had recently died.

 

The Mayor announced that her recent charity ball had raised in the region of £4,000 for the Mayor’s charity. A summer garden afternoon in aid of her charity had been arranged for 21 August. The Mayor also thanked Members and local residents who has supported the recent Armed Forces Day Parade as well as the flag raising event and Battle of the Somme commemoration service.

 

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

27.

PETITIONS

Councillors Graham Williamson, David Durant and Keith Darvill have each given notice of intention to present a petition. Councillor Darvill has given notice of intention to present two petitions.

 

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

Decision:

Received from Councillors Williamson, Durant and Darvill (two petitions).

Minutes:

Pursuant to Council Procedure Rule 23, the following petitions were presented:

 

From Councillor Williamson concerning parking problems in Harlow Road.

 

From Councillor Durant concerning a photograph that had appeared in an article in the Romford Recorder.

 

From Councillor Darvill concerning building on green space in Harold Hill.

 

From Councillor Darvill against the proposed appropriaton of land in Priory Road, Noak Hill.

28.

RATIFICATION OF THE HRA MAJOR WORKS CAPITAL PROGRAMME 2016/17 - 2018/19 pdf icon PDF 125 KB

To consider a report of the Cabinet on ratification of the HRA Major Works Capital Programme 2016/17 – 2018/19 (attached).

Additional documents:

Decision:

Report AGREED without division.

Minutes:

A report of Cabinet requested Council to ratify the HRA Major Works Capital Programme for 2016/17 and subsequent years. This had been approved by Cabinet at its meeting 15 June 2016 formed part of a framework within which the Council was proposing to manage, maintain and invest in its housing stock.

 

The report was AGREED without division and it was RESOLVED:

 

That the Council ratify the HRA Major Works Capital Programme, detailed in the HRA Budget for 2016/2017 and the HRA Major Works Capital Programme 2016/17 – 2018/19 (attached as appendi2 to these minutes).

 

29.

CONTRACT PROCEDURE RULES AND PROCUREMENT STRATEGY pdf icon PDF 71 KB

To consider a report of the Governance Committee on Contract Procedure Rules and Procurement Strategy (attached).

Additional documents:

Decision:

Report AGREED without division.

Minutes:

A report of the Governance Committee recommended that Council approve a revised version of the Contract Procedure Rules which set out the process for achieving improved procurement performance, greater efficiency and improvement in the delivery of community and economic outcomes from the Council’s procurement activity.

 

Council was also asked to note the latest version of the Council’s procurement strategy which reflected recent changes to EU thresholds and the introduction of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015.

 

The report was AGREED without division and it was RESOLVED:

 

1.      That the draft Contract Procedure Rules set out in Appendix 3 to these minutes be adopted with immediate effect and the Monitoring Officer be authorised to make any such changes as may be necessary to the Council’s Constitution.

 

2.      That the Procurement Strategy set out in Appendix B to the report to Council be noted..

 

 

 

30.

AMENDMENTS TO MEMBERSHIP OF THE HEALTH AND WELLBEING BOARD AND ASSOCIATED CHANGES TO THE COUNCIL'S CONSTITUTION pdf icon PDF 125 KB

To consider a report of the Governance Committee on amendments to membership of the Health and Wellbeing Board and associated changes to the Council’s Constitution (attached).  

Additional documents:

Decision:

Report AGREED without division.

Minutes:

A report of the Governance Committee proposed some minor changes to the Constitution to reflect the revised member of the Health and Wellbeing Board which now included representatives of the main provider trusts for the local area.

 

The report was AGREED without division and it was RESOLVED:

 

1.       That the section of the table in the Appendix to Article 12 of the Constitution dealing with the Number of Members and any special requirements for the Health and wellbeing Board be amended to read as follows:

 

Four Councillors

Four Council Officers (Chief Executive, Director of Public Health, Director, Adult Services and Director, Children’s Services)

Four representatives of Havering Clinical Commissioning Group

One member from Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals’ NHS Trust (BHRUT)

One member from North East London NHS Foundation Trust (NELFT)

One member from NHS England

One member from Healthwatch Havering

 

2.         Paragraph 16 (a) of the Committee Procedure Rules of the Constitution be amended to read as follows:

 

Quorum for Board meetings shall be nine members.

 

 

 

31.

SENIOR MANAGEMENT RESTRUCTURE pdf icon PDF 254 KB

To consider a report of the Chief Executive on the Senior Management Restructure (attached).

Additional documents:

Decision:

Report AGREED without division.

Minutes:

A report of the Chief Executive asked Council to note a new senior management structure for the Council’s workforce. This sought to reflect an unprecedented period of financial challenge along with new working relationships with both Health and Schools. The report also asked Council to approve the appointment of the new Monitoring Officer.

 

The report was AGREED without division and it was RESOLVED that:

 

1. Kathryn Robinson, Deputy Director for Legal & Governance, be appointed as the Monitoring Officer for the London Borough of Havering.

2. The change to the senior management structure for the Council as shown in Appendix 4 to these minutes be noted.

3. Power be delegated to the Monitoring Officer to make the necessary changes to the Constitution arising from this report.

 

32.

OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY RULES - EXCEPTIONS TO THE CALL-IN PROCEDURE pdf icon PDF 83 KB

To consider a report of the Chief Executive on Overview and Scrutiny Rules – Exceptions to the Call-in Procedure (attached).

Decision:

Report AGREED without division.

Minutes:

In accordance with paragraph 18e of the Overview and Scrutiny Pricdure Rules, a report of the Chief Executive summarised two recent decisions for which exemption to the call-in (requisition) procedure had been granted. These decisions covered the following issues:

 

1)    The acquisition of property 35 Briar Road Leasehold flat for vacant possession to enable site assembly for the proposed Briar Road development scheme

 

2)    The acquisition of property 23 Briar Road Leasehold flat for vacant possession to enable site assembly for the proposed Briar Road development scheme

 

The report was NOTED.

33.

ANNUAL REPORTS OF COMMITTEES, SUB-COMMITTEES AND MEMBER CHAMPIONS pdf icon PDF 7 MB

To receive the annual reports of the Audit Committee, Pensions Committee, Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education, the Overview and Scrutiny Board, Overview and Scrutiny Sub-Committees and the Member Champions (attached).

 

Note: The deadline for receipt of amendments to all reports published with the final agenda is midnight, Monday 11 July 2016.

Decision:

Reports of Audit Committee, Pensions Committee, SACRE, Overview and Scrutiny Board, Overview and Scrutiny Sub-Committees and Member Champions ACCEPTED without division.

Minutes:

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.

 

 

34.

MEMBERS' QUESTIONS pdf icon PDF 161 KB

Attached.

Additional documents:

Decision:

15 questions replied to.

Minutes:

Fifteen questions were asked and replies given.

 

The text of the questions, together with their answers, is shown as appendix 5 to these minutes.

35.

LOCAL LONDON INTER-AUTHORITY AGREEMENT pdf icon PDF 250 KB

Motions paper attached.

Decision:

A.   LOCAL LONDON INTER-AUTHORITY AGREEMENT

 

 

Amendment by Conservative Group CARRIED by 41 votes to 9; amendment by Labour Group NOT CARRIED by 40 votes to 9; Conservative Group amendment AGREED as substantive motion without division.

 

B.   COUNCILLOR CAR PARKING POLICY

 

Amendment by Conservative Group CARRIED by 42 votes to 0 and AGREED as substantive motion without division.

 

C.   ‘ROGUE LANDLORDS’

 

Motion withdrawn and resubmitted to next meeting of council.

Minutes:

Motion on behalf of the Independent Residents’ Group

 

         

This Council agrees to co-operate with other councils in an ad hoc way to promote mutual interests, but wishes to remain a unitary authority within a reformed GLA, rather than become part of a sub-region of the GLA (1 of 5) that could morph into a combined authority as part of the governments EU inspired devolution plans and thus calls on the Executive to withdraw from the Local London Inter-Authority Agreement, details of which contained in 15th June Cabinet agenda

 

 

Amendment by the Conservative Group

 

Amend motion to read:

 

This Council agrees to co-operate with other councils and notes that there are no proposals for combined authorities in London.

 

Amendment by the Labour Group

 

Amend motion to read:

 

This Council agrees to continue co-operating with other London Borough Councils as unitary authorities to ensure effective and wide reaching devolution of powers.

 

 

A procedural motion that this matter be dealt with on a vote only basis was AGREED without division. The amendment by the Conservative Group was CARRIED by 41 votes to 9 (see division 1) and the amendment by the Labour Group was NOT CARRIED by 40 votes to 9 (see division 2). The amendment by the Conservative Group was AGREED as the substantive motion, without division.

 

RESOLVED:

 

This Council agrees to co-operate with other councils and notes that there are no proposals for combined authorities in London.

 

36.

COUNCILLOR CAR PARKING POLICY

Minutes:

Motion on behalf of the Independent Residents’ Group

 

That Council recommend an Executive Decision be approved to agree the following revision to the policy on Member car parking:

 

Parking for councillors is free in the following circumstances:

 

·       Attendance at formal meetings or other briefings during the day (e.g Licencing Committee, School Appeals).

 

·       All evening meetings (using their ID pass to access the CMT/Members car park after 5.00pm or the adjacent public pay and display bays which are free after 6.00pm)

 

Beyond the circumstances above, paid parking is available as follows:

 

·       Councillors who need to attend the Town Hall on a daily basis can purchase a permit at a reduced rate.  Payment can be deducted at source from Members' Allowances.  Paying the full monthly/annual amount will also entitle permit holders to use any of the allocated staff car parks on weekdays and Saturdays (excludes Angel Way Multi-storey on a Saturday) - a windscreen permit will be provided.

·       Alternatively, for more occasional parking not involving formal meetings, councillors can purchase a Pay and Display ticket from the public machine near the entrance to the Town Hall.

 

Access to the CMT/Member car park before 5.00pm can be obtained by ‘buzzing’ Reception from the entrance barrier and Councillors stating they are engaged upon specified Bona-Fide Council business. Members are asked however to ensure that a valid permit (pre-paid or pay & display) is on display when required.

 

Amendment by the Conservative Group:

 

Amend motion to read:

 

This Council, in recognising that when the charges for staff car parking were introduced they also applied to councillors, who did not wish to impose on staff charges which they were unwilling to accept themselves, wishes this principle to continue and requests Governance Committee to review the implementation of the current scheme in order to ascertain whether any practical adjustments are appropriate.    

 

Following debate, the amendment by the Conservative Group was CARRIED by 42 votes to 0 (see division 3) and AGREED as the substantive motion, without division.

 

RESOLVED:

 

This Council, in recognising that when the charges for staff car parking were introduced they also applied to councillors, who did not wish to impose on staff charges which they were unwilling to accept themselves, wishes this principle to continue and requests Governance Committee to review the implementation of the current scheme in order to ascertain whether any practical adjustments are appropriate.    

 

37.

'ROGUE' LANDLORDS

Minutes:

Motion on behalf of the Labour Group

 

 

This Council reaffirms its decision to introduce an Article 4 Direction and an effective Licensing Scheme of Private Landlords as soon as it can and further agrees as a matter of priority to ensure that it takes action under the Housing Act 2004 when it has concerns about the quality of accommodation provided in residential property within the Borough and also to use both housing and planning powers simultaneously to take action against rogue Landlords.

 

Amendment by the Conservative Group

Amend motion to read:

(Amended wording shown in italics)

 

This Council reaffirms its decision to bring an Article 4 Direction into force on 13th July 2016 and an effective Licensing Scheme of Private Landlords as soon as it can and further agrees as a matter of priority to ensure that it takes action under the Housing Act 2004 when it has concerns about the quality of accommodation provided in residential property within the Borough and to work with the Council’s partners to use all available powers (including anti-social behaviour, housing and planning) to take action against rogue Landlords.

 

This motion was withdrawn by the Labour Group and resubmitted to the next meeting of Council.

38.

VOTING RECORD pdf icon PDF 101 KB

Minutes:

The record of voting decisions is attached as appendix 6.