Minutes for Council meeting, Oct 27 2010, 7.00PM official page

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.

Deputation from Stoke Newington Neighbourhood Panel: Decent Homes – Kitchens and Bathrooms Programme:

 ‘There is evidence to suggest that the original stock condition surveys on which the Decent Homes Kitchens and Bathrooms Programme is based on is flawed, as a lot of properties were not included in the surveys. The Stoke Newington Neighbourhood Panel has therefore decided to go to deputation (to the Council) in regards to this matter, as it is a borough-wide problem.

 

Examples: On Hawksley Court, Lillian Close (built in 1983/84) is in the programme whereas the original Hawksley Court Estate (built in 1948) is not.  On Londesborough Estate, Londesborough House is not in the programme whereas Knebworth House is.  On Smalley Road Estate, only Clevedon Close is in the programme.  Parts of Yorkshire Grove are included in the programme, whereas other parts of the estate are not.  Parts of Rhodes Estate were not in the programme (however this has now been rectified).  On Downs Estate only one block is included in the Kitchens and Bathrooms programme, the rest of the estate has been excluded.

 

We are requesting for the Council to put into place an appropriate procedure where these matters can be resolved. We are also requesting for the Council to commission Hackney Homes to carry out a new stock condition survey highlighting the real picture of homes not included in the Kitchens and Bathrooms programme, including a 100% internal survey of all properties. Part of this issue has been down to the fact that only 10% of properties were surveyed internally originally back in 2003/2004.’

 

Deputation to be introduced by Cllr Fajana-Thomas 

Speaker: David Larkin. 

6.1 From Jed Keenan to the Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods:

‘In the agreed 2010 Street Markets Strategy, a key element of the Council's Economic Development Strategy, there is a plan for a Borough-wide governing body for the 9 traditional public street markets. How is this Street Markets Board proposed to be constituted? How will it function as an authority in the strategic governance of the Borough's private markets? How will the recruitment of the Board's membership be carried out and what is the initial budget allocated for this Board's functions? Finally when is the 2010 Street Markets Action Plan to be published in full, when is the Street Markets Board steering committee to commence meeting, and who are its members?’

 

6.2 From Christopher Sills to the Mayor:

‘Can you confirm that the London Borough of Hackney has the highest levels of unemployment in London, and can you advise what steps you are taking to improve Hackney's position, including increasing the level of apprenticeships available to young people in Hackney?’

 

7.1 Questionfrom Cllr Laing to the Cabinet Member for Crime, Sustainability and Customer Services:

‘Given the evidence held by the Council showing how emergency vehicles sirens are repeatedly causing ongoing disruption to residents, particularly at night - at noise levels likely to disrupt sleep - will the Council seek agreement from the emergency services over the limitation of the use of sirens after dark across the borough?’

 

7.2 Questionfrom Cllr Papier to the Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods:

‘Can the Cabinet member please advise what the Council proposes to do with the disused public toilets located on Stamford Hill at the junction of Amhurst Park which has been closed for many years.’

 

7.3 Question from Cllr Brown to the Cabinet member for Crime, Sustainability and Community Services:

'What is the Council doing to support the Metropolitan Police's efforts to tackle prostitution, and anti-social behaviour caused by prostitution, in the Lordship Road and Manor Road area? Are any additional resources available to tackle the problems faced by residents of Lordship ward as a result of prostitution and vice in their local area?'

 

7.4 Questionfrom Cllr Taylor to the Mayor:

‘Can the Mayor reassure me that RIPA (Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act) is being used by the Council exclusively for the purposes for which it was intended?’

 

7.5 Question from Cllr Kennedy to the Cabinet Member for Regeneration and 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games:

‘The Olympic Media and Press Centre and International Broadcast Centre buildings will hopefully secure a lasting and varied employment legacy in Wick Ward. How is the Council working with partners to ensure that this is the case?’

 

7.6 Question from Cllr Icoz to the Cabinet Member for Children and Young People:

‘Could she reassure us that arrangements are being made to ensure the future provision of education within Hackney, once the current contract with the Learning Trust ends?’

 

7.7 Question from Cllr Stops to the Cabinet Member for Finance

‘In light of the Coalition Government's announcement to cap benefits at £26,000, on top of their previous proposed changes to cap housing benefit, I am concerned about local residents being forced to move out of the Borough. What steps can the Council take to help keep people in their homes and in Hackney?’

 

7.8 Question from Cllr Webb to the Cabinet Member for Regeneration and 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games:

‘What was the outcome of this summer's CREATE10 festival for the arts in terms of resident participation and engagement and is this ensuring there is a legacy for the arts and cultural sector in our borough from 2012 onwards?’

Amendments to Membership of the Standards Committee, Health in Hackney Scrutiny Commission, and Inner North East London Joint Overview and Scrutiny Committee for Health:

 

Standards Committee: To replace Cllr Alcock with Cllr Linden.

 

Health in Hackney Scrutiny Commission: Cllr Papier to fill the vacancy.

 

Inner North East London Joint Overview and Scrutiny Committee for Health: To replace Cllr McShane with Cllr Akehurst, and to reconfirm Cllr Kemp’s membership.