Minutes for Council meeting, Jun 24 2009, 7.00PM official page

Apologies for absence are listed above. There were no apologies for lateness.

The Speaker welcomed all those present to the meeting and advised Members of some of the engagements he had attended since the start of his term of office on 13^th May 2009. These included opening a new play area at the Lea View House Estate, attending a concert where Hackney’s local primary choirs had performed with the international award winning group Voces8, presenting cluster council badges to students from school councils in two clusters in Stoke Newington and Stamford Hill, and a tour of the House of Commons at the invitation of the Mayor of Camden.

The Speaker informed members that his confirmed nominated charities for 2009/10 were St Joseph’s Hospice, Catch22 East London Parents and Community Project, and ReachOut. He advised that he would be very appreciative of support from Members to raise funds for these organisations during his Speakership.

Finally, the Speaker paid personal thanks to Councillor Faizullah Khan who had stepped in at the last minute while the Speaker was in Turkey to visit his mother, who had sadly passed away at the age of 87.

Cllr Coggins proposed an amendment to these minutes so that the third paragraph of Item 10 would read as follows:

‘Cllr Steinberger, by way of a personal explanation, said that he had received a telephone call from an officer about an urgent report that needed to be agreed and the potential loss of significant income to the Council if the matter is delayed. He suggested to the officer that the Residential Extensions report should be pulled from the Cabinet agenda and deferred for further discussion. He had not been informed of any impact on Council rents.’

The amendment was seconded by Cllr Middleton.

The proposed amendment was put to the vote which was as follows:

For:   8

Against:    The majority of Members present

Abstentions:  None.

The vote was not carried. 

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the ordinary meeting on 29^th April 2009 be approved as a correct record.

Cllrs Coggins, Odze and Steinberger asked that their dissent be recorded in the minutes.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the Annual General Meeting on 13^th May 2009 be approved as a correct record.

This is the time for Members to declare any personal or prejudicial interests, or dispensations they may have in any matter being considered at this meeting having regard to the guidance attached to the agenda.

There were no declarations of interest or dispensations.

Members noted the response to the petition submitted to the previous meeting of the Council regarding the redevelopment of Clissold House and the loss of seating at the café terrace.

7.1 From Mr Christopher Sills to the Mayor:

‘When I was on the Council, members were told that there was a sharp increase in road accidents at the end of every October. Is this still the case and if so what steps, if any, is the Council taking to reduce road accidents at this time of year?’

7.1 From Mr Christopher Sills to the Mayor (this question was answered by the Cabinet Member for Regeneration and the Olympic and Paralympic Games:

‘When I was on the Council, members were told that there was a sharp increase in road accidents at the end of every October. Is this still the case and if so what steps, if any, is the Council taking to reduce road accidents at this time of year?’

Cllr Nicholson explained that while it was difficult to predict a trend, there were concerns that an increase in road accidents at that time of year was likely due to the changing of the clocks as people adjusted to travelling during darkness.  He detailed a number of measures the Council carried out to mitigate against this, which included Road Safety Officers visiting schools, the Be Safe Be Seen campaign in schools, and pre-driver training in secondary schools. Cycle training was provided through the use of external contractors, and the previous financial year 1028 children and 235 adults had received Level 1 and 2 Bikeability training. Additionally, cycle training was offered to people with special needs; and road safety education for parents of young children was also offered. The Council would continue to be proactive in addressing road safety issues.

In response to a supplementary question about whether the Council would warn all schools in October about the possibility of road accidents at that time of year, Cllr Nicholson reiterated that the Council engaged with schools about road safety on a regular and routine basis.     

8.1 From Councillor Geoff Taylor to the Mayor:

‘Given the shock and disgust citizens have clearly expressed over the expenses and allowances claimed by some out-of-London MPs from all parties, what more can be done to make our system of councillors’ allowances and expenses clear and accountable at all times?’

8.2 From Cllr Michael Levy to the Cabinet Member for Community Services:

 ‘In view of the recent publication of the Houghton report what steps are the Council taking to implement its recommendations?’

8.3 From Cllr Louisa Thomson to the Cabinet Member for Customer Services and Sustainability:

‘What steps are Hackney Homes and the Council taking to help tenants and residents in the borough to make their homes more energy efficient? What further measures will be brought forward?’

8.4 From Cllr Mischa Borristo the Cabinet Member for Customer Services and Sustainability:

‘When will Hackney Council complete an audit of the total energy that the Council uses on its public buildings and its own social housing?  Will it then publish the results?’

8.5 From Cllr Dan Kemp to the Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods:

‘With the early completion of the Mayor's commitment to plant 1,000 street trees, is there a possibility of finding more resource to continue this incredibly popular scheme for this financial year and beyond?’

8.6 From Cllr Matthew Coggins to the Deputy Mayor:

‘What is the Council’s policy on charging residents who wish to close a road for a community event (e.g. a street party)?’

8.7 From Cllr Darren Parker to the Deputy Mayor:

‘Can the Deputy Mayor reassure us that contrary to claims by the opposition, leaseholders on regeneration estates continued to be bought out, dependant on individual circumstances?’

8.8 From Councillor Jonathan McShane to the Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods:

‘What will the Council do to improve safety for residents of Fellows Court?’

‘Could she explain how children’s and youth services will be provided on a redeveloped Woodberry Down?’

Questions from Members of the Council and their oral and written responses are set out in Appendix 1 and Appendix 2.

The Mayor reported that Communities and Local Government Secretary Rt Hon John Denham MP had visited the Borough on 23 June 2009 to launch the national results of the Place Survey.  Mr Denham had met with Council Staff and local residents at the London Fields Lido to discuss perceptions of Council Services.  Hackney’s survey was undertaken by MORI and the Mayor emphasised the importance of the Place Survey in helping to prioritise the spending of local residents’ money.

The Mayor stated that Mr Denham chose Hackney to launch the results due to the excellent improvements shown in the Borough’s Place Survey, and the Mayor cited a number of examples of Hackney’s improvement. 

Cllr Coggins noted that the place survey is supposed to help the Council in deciding where to allocate resources.  He asked what lessons were being drawn from the survey in this regard.  He questioned whether the Council’s resources could be better directed, and specifically queried whether the production of a new staff magazine represented value for money. Given the current economic situation, Cllr Coggins also urged the Mayor to look at how the Council treated its creditors and local residents who owed money to the Council.

In response the Mayor advised that the Council was sensitive to the problems a number of its residents were experiencing during these difficult economic times and was responding accordingly.

The Mayor explained that the new magazine was to provide staff with information in one place, and to reduce duplication of leaflets.  He advised that a number of frontline staff also do not have access to the Council’s intranet and the magazine was therefore an effective way of communicating with them.  The Mayor stated that he was happy to supply breakdown costs to Cllr Coggins if he wished to see them.

Mayor Pipe stated that this was the first annual report that had been produced jointly by the Council and Team Hackney. It focused on the work that both parties were doing to improve the lives of residents.  The Mayor commended the report to Council.

Cllrs Coggins, Taylor and Odze contributed to the debate and a number of points were raised. 

It was said that there was no mention of the importance of parenting or early intervention in relation to youth crime, nor mention of children’s centres, despite reference being made in the report to the work of the Children and Young People Scrutiny Commission and to the fact that separation of responsibilities across Council directorates regarding youth crime could lead to failure to integrate prevention and early intervention services. It was important that the findings of scrutiny commissions were seen to be followed through.

It was further commented that the report asserted that Hackney had no tube stations, and while the East London Line extension was welcome, Manor House was partially in Hackney. Mayor Pipe responded that a stairwell at Manor House tube station was in the borough, but this did not equate to a tube network that was of benefit to residents, and he spoke of the Council’s long-running campaign to address transport issues in the borough.

Discrepancies and grammatical errors in the document were highlighted.

Council then voted to note the annual report.

For:  The majority of Members present

Against:  8

Abstentions:  None

RESOLVED: that the annual report be noted.

RESOLVED:

1.  To approve the Local Development Framework Core Strategy Submission Draft and supporting documents package, as detailed in paragraph 2.4 of the report for publication under Regulation 27 of the Town and Country Planning (Local Development) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2008 and to note and approve the addendum to the Local Development Framework Core Strategy, including the Proposals Map Development Plan Document circulated at the meeting.

2  To approve the Statement of Consultation on the Preferred Options as a summary of the main issues raised at earlier stages of public involvement and explanation of how they have been taken into account.

3.  To authorise the Assistant Director of Regeneration and Planning, in consultation with Executive Members, to progress the Local Development Framework Core Strategy Submission Draft and supporting documents under Regulations 28, 29 and 30 taking account of representations and the statement of general conformity from the Mayor of London and forwarding the submission to the Secretary of State as detailed in paragraph 8.1 of the report.

Cllr Coggins raised a point of order.  He informed the meeting that the appendix to the report had not been circulated in advance of the meeting.  The report advised members to access the appendix via a URL, but Councillor Coggins said that he had found the URL cited to be defective.  He asked whether the Access to Information provisions had been complied with.

The Speaker consulted the Monitoring Officer and informed the meeting that the document had been made available on the website.  The report clearly states that the appendix can be accessed on the URL.

The Speaker ruled that the report could be presented and invited Cllr Nicholson to proceed.

Cllr Nicholson introduced the report.  He referred to the extensive consultation that the Local Development Framework draft Core Strategy had been through within the Council, as well as with partners and residents.  Subject to approval by Council, the draft Core Strategy would go through a second phase of consultation and would then be submitted to the Planning Inspector in late autumn for decision.  Cllr Nicholson highlighted the amended recommendations from Cabinet, as tabled.  He commended the report to Council. 

Cllrs Borris, Boyd, Coggins, C McShane, Middleton, Odze and Stops contributed to the debate.

It was highlighted that, unlike the Unitary Development Plan (UDP), the draft Core Strategy made no specific reference to BME communities need for differently ordered living space, as well as community and religious needs.

It was confirmed that Stamford Hill would be a designated Town Centre.

The plan would help meet the Borough’s growth agenda by delivering 1000 new homes every year, identifying employment opportunities, available land and protecting green spaces.

The draft Core Strategy’s biodiversity strategy was welcomed.

Some discrepancies in the document were highlighted.

Officers were thanked for their hard work on producing the LDF draft Core Strategy.

During Cllr Nicholson’s closing submission, he thanked Members for their comments and informed Council that the lead officer was in attendance and would note their comments and any discrepancies.  He also assured Members that Hackney’s waterways would be protected by the policy.

Council then voted on the report.

For:  The majority of Members present

Against:  8

Abstentions:  1

RESOLVED:

1.  To approve the Local Development Framework Core Strategy Submission Draft and supporting documents package, as detailed in paragraph 2.4 of the report for publication under Regulation 27 of the Town and Country Planning (Local Development) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2008 and to note and approve the addendum to the Local Development Framework Core Strategy, including the Proposals Map Development Plan Document circulated at the meeting.

2  To approve the Statement of Consultation on the Preferred Options as a summary of the main issues raised at earlier stages of public involvement and explanation of how they have been taken into account.

3.  To authorise the Assistant Director of Regeneration and Planning, in consultation with Executive Members, to progress the Local Development Framework Core Strategy Submission Draft and supporting documents under Regulations 28, 29 and 30 taking account of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 11.

RESOLVED:

That no casino premises licence shall be granted in respect of premises licensed under the Gambling Act 2005 in the London Borough of Hackney from 31 January 2012 until 30 January 2013.

Cllr Brian Bell as Vice Chair of Licensing Committee introduced this report and commended the recommendation of the Licensing Committee to Council.

Cllr Shaikh asked for assurances that there would not be a casino in the Borough after 30 January 2013.  In response, Cllr Boyd stated that the Gambling Act required adoption of this resolution every three years and that the Council would have to decide again in three years time whether to adopt a no casino resolution.

Council unanimously RESOLVED:

That no casino premises licence shall be granted in respect of premises licensed under the Gambling Act 2005 in the London Borough of Hackney from 31 January 2012 until 30 January 2013.

Cllr Steinberger introduced the report to Council.  He thanked officers and Members for their work over the previous municipal year.

Cllr Odze and Siddiqui contributed to the ensuing debate.

RESOLVED:

That the Overview and Scrutiny Annual Report and Work Programme be noted.

Cllr Jonathan McShane introduced this item. He stated that the review’s recommendations were challenging but necessary, and he looked forward to working with all partners on this issue in order to tackle the prevalence of childhood obesity.

In the absence of Cllr Krishna, Cllr Nargis Khan welcomed the report and its recommendations on behalf of Cabinet.

Cllrs Borris and J McShane contributed to the debate.

RESOLVED: that the report and the Executive response be noted.

Cllr Taylor introduced the report to Council. 

The Mayor welcomed the report and its recommendations, as well as Councillor Taylor’s comments.

Cllr Odze also welcomed the report, in particular recommendation six encouraging greater communication between councillors and children’s centres.

RESOLVED: that the report and the Executive response be noted.

The Council approved the changes to the Constitution and the delegation of functions as set out in Appendix 1 to the report and as amended by Regulatory Committee.

The Corporate Director of Legal and Democratic Services introduced this report which proposed changes to the Council’s Constitution in accordance with legislative changes and which recommended the delegation of the functions specified as recommended by Regulatory Committee.

In response to a comment from Cllr Aussenberg about the need to reduce the number of betting shops in the borough, it was noted that Cllr Linden was leading on a project aimed at using the Sustainable Communities Act to limit the number of betting shops in the borough.

Mayor Pipe advised that in recent years, two betting shops had opened in Hackney and five had closed, although there were still too many in the borough; the Council would continue to seek to influence government in this regard.

RESOLVED: - that the changes to the Constitution and the delegation of functions as set out in Appendix 1 of the report as recommended by Regulatory Committee be approved.

The Council noted the following biennial appointments which had been agreed on 29^th October 2008 but omitted from the Annual General Meeting report on 13^th May 2009:

Health in Hackney Overview and Scrutiny Commission:

Sebastian Taylor, Clare Wykes and Joy Beishon.

The Council also noted the following clarification:

Children and Young People’s Scrutiny Commission for 2009/10:

With voting rights: Saleh Ahmed, Edith Akinnawonu, Vera Edwards

Without voting rights: Ralph Bergman, Mary Ludlow, Lisa Neidich, Mohamed Zeena.

Meeting finished: 10.00 pm
Appendix 1.

The following questions were taken at the meeting and received an oral response:

8.1  From Cllr Geoff Taylor to the Mayor:

‘Given the shock and disgust citizens have clearly expressed over the expenses and allowances claimed by some out-of-London MPs from all parties, what more can be done to make our system of councillors’ allowances and expenses clear and accountable at all times?’

Response from the Mayor:

The Mayor stated that the Local Government allowances and expenses system was completely different to that of MPs, and he was confident that the London Borough of Hackney had a robust system in place.  Hackney was one of the few London boroughs to have its allowances recommended by its own Independent Remuneration Panel (IRP), unlike the majority of other London authorities who received a report and recommendations from London Councils.  Full details of all allowances claimed were published annually in Hackney Today and the Hackney Gazette, with last year’s allowances due to be published in the next few weeks.  The Mayor was keen to ensure transparency and had asked officers to display information about the IRP, Members’ allowances scheme and information on what each Member claimed in a more prominent place on the website.  The Mayor had also met with the IRP to ask them to monitor how the Council could continue to ensure that Hackney’s allowances scheme was as transparent as possible.

In response to a supplementary question regarding the use of the information requested from IRP on the allowances that members’ received from outside bodies, the Mayor said that all allowances needed to be published but that it was important to show things in context as councillors undertook a lot of their responsibilities on outside bodies without receiving any remuneration.  The IRP needed to find a way of transparently and fairly showing the work members did and the remuneration that they received.

8.2 From Cllr Michael Levy to the Cabinet Member for Regeneration and 2012)

 ‘In view of the recent publication of the Houghton report what steps are the Council taking to implement its recommendations?’

Response from Cllr Nicholson:

Cllr Nicholson stated that Hackney had received a number of visits from Stephen Houghton’s Review Team which had considered Hackney’s work in relation to skills, employment and training, and a number of the Houghton report’s recommendations reflected the Council’s good practice.  Cllr Nicholson paid tribute to the Tackling Worklessness scrutiny review of the Community Safety and Social Inclusion Scrutiny Commission. He also  ...  view the full minutes text for item 17a