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Agenda and minutes

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Contact: Philippa Murphy Tel: 020 7527 3184 email:  Philippa.murphy@islington.gov.uk 

Items
No. Item

62.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 375 KB

The Minutes of the Council meeting held on 25 June 2015.

Minutes:

 

RESOLVED:

 

That with a correction to include that Councillor Una O’Halloran completed the borough boundary walk, the Minutes of the meeting on 25 June 2016 be confirmed as a correct record and the Mayor be authorised to sign them.

63.

Declarations of Interest

If you have a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest* in an item of business:

§  if it is not yet on the council’s register, you must declare both the existence and details of it at the start of the meeting or when it becomes apparent;

§  you may choose to declare a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest that is already in the register in the interests of openness and transparency. 

In both the above cases, you must leave the room without participating in discussion of the item.

 

If you have a personal interest in an item of business and you intend to speak or vote on the item you must declare both the existence and details of it at the start of the meeting or when it becomes apparent but you may participate in the discussion and vote on the item.

 

*(a)       Employment, etc - Any employment, office, trade, profession or vocation
            carried on for profit or gain.

(b)       Sponsorship - Any payment or other financial benefit in respect of your
expenses in carrying out duties as a member, or of your election; including
from a trade union.

(c)       Contracts - Any current contract for goods, services or works, between you or
     your partner (or a body in which one of you has a beneficial interest) and the
     council.

(d)      Land - Any beneficial interest in land which is within the council’s area.

(e)       Licences- Any licence to occupy land in the council’s area for a month or
longer.

(f)        Corporate tenancies - Any tenancy between the council and a body in which
     you or your partner have a beneficial interest.

(g)       Securities - Any beneficial interest in securities of a body which has a place of
     business or land in the council’s area, if the total nominal value of the
     securities exceeds £25,000 or one hundredth of the total issued share capital
     of that body or of any one class of its issued share capital. 

 

This applies to all members present at the meeting.

 

Minutes:

 

Councillor Poole declared an interest in his question regarding Pentonville as an employee of HM Prison Service.

Councillors Heather, Alice Perry and Andrews declared an interest in the Motion regarding Trade Union Members Check-off, as union members.


64.

Mayoral Announcements

(i)            Apologies

(ii)           Order of business

(iii)          Declaration of discussion items by the Majority and Opposition parties

 

Minutes:

(i) Apologies for absence

 

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Caluori, Court, Doolan, Erdogan, Gallagher and Spall.  Apologies for lateness were received from Councillor Poyser.


(ii) Order of business

 

The Mayor amended the order of business to allow an urgent motion on the Right to Buy extension to Housing Associations, under rule 10.2(n).  The item is urgent because the Prime Minister’s announcement took place after the deadline to submit motions had passed and the policy will be so detrimental in Islington that the Council does not wish to wait until the next meeting.

(iii) Declarations of discussion items

 

The urgent motion on the Right to Buy extension to Housing Associations is to be debated at the start of the Motions agenda item.

 

(iv) Mayor’s Announcements

 

The Mayor offered his congratulations to Jeremy Corbyn MP, who has been MP for Islington North since 1983, on becoming Leader of the Opposition with over 59% of the vote.

The Mayor congratulated all the students in the borough for their extremely good GCSE results and advised he felt privileged to meet some of the successful students at Elizabeth Garrett Anderson School and the City of London Academy earlier in the year.

The Mayor also congratulated all the residents, businesses, schools and community groups who had their hard work and the pleasure they bring to others recognised in the Islington in Bloom Awards.

 

The Mayor thanked all the councillors who attended the charity dinner in Fish Central, which raised £2,000 for Music First and invited all councillors to a charity dinner on 11 February 2016.  The event will be at Round Square in Finsbury Park and will also celebrate the Chinese New Year.

 

On a more sombre note the Mayor led the Council in a minute’s silence in memory of ex-councillor Pat Brown, the former Chair of Social Services Committee, and offered the Council’s condolences to family and friends.

 

The Mayor reminded all councillors of the events to mark Remembrance Sunday on 8 November at war memorials across the borough and hoped to see colleagues attend at least one of these.

 

Finally, the Mayor advised that he has entered the Milton Keynes marathon and will be pestering colleagues for sponsorship as all funds raised will go to charity.

65.

Leader's Announcements

Minutes:

 

Councillor Watts thanked the Mayor and added his congratulations to Jeremy Corbyn MP; his election was good news for the borough; we will all be working foursquare to get elected in 2020 and when the public get to know Jeremy as we do, they will like what they see and he will be a great Prime Minister.

 

Councillor Watts advised that councillors had been contacted by a number of residents regarding the consultation on changes to the Controlled Parking Zones and he was therefore reporting back in advance of the Executive papers being published.  It was high time we asked residents about the zones; they hadn’t been consulted for eight years and a number of problems had been raised by residents themselves.  The consultation was always going to be a genuine one and it is clear by the responses that residents support two of the five changes proposed, but not all of them.  The Executive paper will follow the lead set by residents, as is only right and proper.  I noted that we have been criticised for undertaking the consultation by the party which spent £850K on parking consultation, ten times more than we have spent.

I am sure that we were all shocked by the images of Aylan Kurdi, the three year old Syrian refugee whose body was washed up on a beach in Turkey. We have worked really hard since then, as have many other councillors.  The Prime Minister has now bowed to public pressure, but it is important that we do what we can in Islington. We have been involved in a range of meetings, with the Mayor of London, Councils and the Home Office and are working with the National Refugees Welcome Board, trying to get agreement on a scheme which works.   We are also working with Citizens UK and the Islington Refugee Forum to try to offer practical support.   My colleague Councillor Ngongo has led on collecting donations from around the borough; we have opened the Town Hall as a donation centre for tents and clothing and have been overwhelmed by the response from residents.  I’d like to thank the people of Islington for their generosity. 

 

I know we are having a motion on this subject later on, but the government’s proposals in the Housing Bill are appalling and will change the nature of the borough.  I am disappointed and angry that the national and local housing associations did a deal for themselves and that it is the residents of Islington that will suffer.  They have seen themselves alright at the expense of the council.

Finally, I wanted to mention the changes to business rates; the most important change in the financing of local government for 30 years.  It is very difficult to know what this means for Islington; we have already lost half our funding.  The devil will be in the detail, but we are not anticipating that it will make a positive difference in the short or medium term; it is ridiculous  ...  view the full minutes text for item 65.

66.

Petitions

Minutes:

 

Victor Kaufman presented a petition on behalf of the Islington Liberal Democrats regarding the consultation on proposed changes to the Controlled Parking Zones.

67.

Questions from Members of the Public pdf icon PDF 78 KB

Minutes:

 

Question (a) from Anita Frizzarin to Councillor Webbe, Executive Member for the Environment and Transport:

The Supreme Court has ordered the UK Government to present a plan to reduce air pollution by the end of 2015 because it is too high, and Islington has to do its bit to bring about that reduction. Most air pollution comes from transport, and only one third of people in Islington drive. Is Islington council going to be intimidated by a minority who want to carry on driving and parking anywhere they like and not go ahead with the proposed Controlled Parking Zones, although extended CPZs would help achieve a reduction in the illegally high air pollution that we are all forced to breathe in against our will, and which is particularly harmful to young children?

 

Reply:

 

Thank you for your question and welcome back again.  This Council is committed to tackling air quality.  As evidenced by our own Air Quality Strategy, the Diesel Surcharge, campaign for Transport for London to change its vehicles and the 20 MPH speed limit.  We go forward with what residents tell us.  It is hardly the record of a Council that is intimidated, more the record of a Council that is taking a national lead on these matters.

Supplementary question:

69% of households in the borough don’t own a car, but suggest to us that you want to put in a CPZ a couple shout loudly and you are terrified.  Can you explain what frightened you so much?

Reply:

Nothing frightened us.  We undertook a nine week consultation and asked residents to tell us what they thought about a range of proposals.  We think it is only fair to ask residents and to listen to what they say.  In two areas residents what measures to go ahead and we listened to what they said.  Anita, you make a strong case for air quality, but only 31% of residents own a vehicle; this is a progressive policy over time.

 

Question (b) from David Wilson to Councillor Watts, Leader of the Council:

Last year Council, in debating a motion on the Right to a Fair Trial, recognised that 2015 would be the 800th anniversary of Magna Carta and resolved to promote the celebrated qualities of that historic document throughout this year.  What has the Council done to fulfil that commitment?

 

Reply:

David, thank you for your question, it’s nice to see you again.  The Library and Heritage Service promoted the Magna Carta within the Council’s Word Festival 2015.  Included in the events was an Alternative Magna Carta gathering in Clerkenwell.  This alternative celebration recognised the importance of the Magna Carta in curtailing the powers of the executive, but also challenged and appraised modern Britain’s attitude to civil liberties in a modern setting.  In addition to this event we also added new titles to the library stock on the Magna Carter.  I have a list available if you would like it.

Supplementary Question:

That’s great to hear, I wondered what  ...  view the full minutes text for item 67.

68.

Questions from Members of the Council pdf icon PDF 76 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Cllr Andrews to Councillor Hull, Executive Member for Finance and Performance

 

I understand that the council has recently won the case against the current owner of Myddleton Square Gardens, the MCG, I would like to know why the council still do not have a new lease for Myddleton Square Gardens, what action is being taken and why it is taking so long?

Reply:

So far we have won the right to have a lease, but the terms have to be set by the court.  We can’t speed up the process and have to follow the court’s timetable.  I hope that the court will find in our favour.  A letter has been sent to residents to explain and I have a copy here for you to take.

Supplementary question:

This situation illustrates how vulnerable the council and people are to speculators holding plots of land that are almost of no use to them.  It looks like part of the borough is vulnerable to speculators and developers.

Reply:

I think as councils go, we are one of the local authorities who have resisted that most aggressively.  We have radical planning policies that help us get round the threat posed by those developers, which is a threat to the whole of London that is encouraged by government policy.

 

Councillor Andrews to Councillor Shaikh, Executive Member for Economic and Community Development

In Clerkenwell we have had 5 small businesses closed including a pub, a shop and newsagents. In view of the very uneven playing field  that  there is for small family business especially when it comes to tax can you tell me, so that I can tell my constituents, what help the council is providing to for small family business?

 

Reply:

This question reflects the council’s concerns about local businesses facing a hard time.  There are 10,000 small businesses in the borough whose situation is exasperated by rising property prices.  We are seeking to protect them through a variety of planning tools.

 

Supplementary question:

Unfortunately the south of the borough is so close to Farringdon that the development there is attracting large hotel chains and international businesses squeezing local businesses that have been here for many years.  Businesses are asking us what we are going to do for them.  It would be helpful if you could come and experience some of that.  The government is letting multinationals pay no tax and squeeze small businesses.

Reply:

I agree, it will be a good opportunity to find out first hand.


Councillor Poole to Councillor Convery, Executive Member for Community Safety

Would the Executive Member for Community Safety consider following Lambeth in banning the use and supply of new psychoactive substances (including nitrous oxide) in public places?

Reply:

This is specific legislation that in Lambeth they have chosen to use to target drug users.  We do have similar problems in Islington, but not on the same scale; it is a less pressing issue.  Lambeth are targeting users rather than suppliers, whilst our activities target suppliers.  We have  ...  view the full minutes text for item 68.

69.

Constitution Report pdf icon PDF 225 KB

Minutes:

 

Councillor Alice Perry, seconded by Councillor Poyser, moved the recommendations in the report.

The recommendations were put to the vote and carried.  Councillor Russell asked that her opposition to the recommendations be noted.
 
RESOLVED:

1.    That the amendments to the Constitution set out in the attached Appendix to the report be approved.

2.    That the Assistant Chief Executive (Governance and HR) be authorised to make any consequential amendments to the Constitution she considers necessary.

 

70.

Revised Chief Whips report pdf icon PDF 164 KB

Minutes:

Councillor Alice Perry, seconded by Councillor Poyser, moved the recommendations in the report.

The recommendations were put to the vote and carried.

RESOLVED:


COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS:

1.      APPOINTMENT TO POLICY AND PERFORMANCE SCRUTINY COMMITTEE

That Councillor Jeapes be appointed as a member of the Policy and Performance Scrutiny Committee, with immediate effect, for a period of one year or until a successor is appointed, be agreed.

2.      APPOINTMENT TO HEALTH AND CARE SCRUTINY COMMITTEE

That Councillor Ismail be appointed as a member of the Health and Care
Scrutiny Committee, with immediate effect, for a period of one year or until a
successor is appointed, be agreed.

That Councillor O’Halloran be appointed as a member of the Health and
Care Scrutiny Committee with immediate effect, for a period of one year or until a successor is appointed, be agreed.

  1. APPOINTMENTS TO HEALTH AND WELLBEING BOARD

    That the appointment of Cathy Blair to Health and Wellbeing Board for a period     of one year or until a successor is appointed, be agreed.

    That the appointment of Emma Whitby as the Healthwatch representative on
    Health and Wellbeing Board for one year or until a successor is appointed, be agreed.

That the following representatives be appointed as named substitutes to
the relevant member of Health and Wellbeing Board for a period of one year or until a successor is appointed, be agreed:

 

Committee Member

 

Named Substitute

Wendy Wallace, Chief Executive, Camden and Islington NHS Foundation Trust

Paul Calaminus, Deputy Chief Executive, Camden and Islington NHS Foundation Trust

Dr Henrietta Hughes, Medical Director, ?North East London, NHS England

Dr Helene Brown, Associate Medical Director, NHS England London Region

 

Simon Pleydell, Chief Executive, The Whittington Hospital NHS Trust

Siobhan Harrington, Deputy Chief Executive, The Whittington Hospital NHS Trust

Sorrell Brooks, Lay Vice Chair, Islington Clinical Commissioning Group

Lucy de Groot, Lay Chair of the Islington Clinical Commissioning Group Audit Committee

Emma             Whitby of Healthwatch

Olav Ernstzen of Healthwatch

Julie Billett, Director of Public Health Camden and Islington

Jonathan O’Sullivan, Islington Assistant Director of Public Health

Sean McLaughlin, Corporate Director Housing and Adult Social Services

Simon Galczynski, Service Director Adult Social Care

Cathy Blair, Director of Targeted and Specialist Children’s Services
 

Mark Taylor, Director of Learning and Schools



4.      PLANNING COMMITTEE

That Councillor Ismail stands down from Planning Committee with immediate effect and that Councillor Donovan be appointed as her replacement for a period of one year or until a successor is appointed, be agreed.


APPOINTMENTS TO OTHER POSITIONS

  1. MENTAL HEALTH CHAMPION

    That the appointment of Cllr Gantly as the Council’s Mental Health Champion for one year, or until a successor is appointed, be agreed.


  2. SOCIAL ENTERPRISE CHAMPION

    That the appointment of Cllr Hamitouche as the Council’s Social Enterprise Champion for one year, or until a successor is appointed, be agreed.


OUTSIDE BODY APPOINTMENTS

7.      CITY OF LONDON ACADEMY ISLINGTON

That Councillor Joe Caluori be appointed as the Local Authority School Governor to City of London Academy Islington in place of Felix Hebblethwaite, for a  ...  view the full minutes text for item 70.

71.

Urgent Motion - Right to Buy extension to Housing Associations pdf icon PDF 107 KB

Minutes:

 

Urgent Motion – Right to Buy extension to Housing Associations

Councillor O’Sullivan moved the motion. Councillor O’Halloran seconded.

 

Councillors Heather, Murray, Andrews, Russell contributed to the debate.

 

The recommendations in the motion were put to the vote and carried unanimously.

RESOLVED:

To support the Executive Member for Housing and Development in urging major housing associations operating in the borough to ring-fence any receipts from Right to Buy sales in Islington and invest them in like-for-like replacement homes for social rent within the borough.

72.

Notices of Motion pdf icon PDF 162 KB

Where a motion concerns an executive function, nothing passed can be actioned until approved by the Executive or an officer with the relevant delegated power.

 

Motion 1: Trade Union Members Check-Off

Motion 2: Black History All Year Round
Motion 3: Islington commits to the National Park City Initiative
Motion 4:
PREVENT Strategy

 

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Motion: Black History Month All Year Round
 

Councillor Comer-Schwartz moved the motion.  Councillor Webbe seconded.

 

Councillors Kaseki and Russell contributed to the debate.

The recommendations were put to the vote and CARRIED.

RESOLVED:

To consult schools about their curriculum support needs; to offer schools resources and partnership that can support and enrich their history curriculum; and to offer specialist training through Black History Month, because this council believes that a comprehensive, inclusive and all year round approach such as this will help Islington move towards our shared goal that all pupils should be able to see themselves in the history they study, not just for one month a year, but all the time.

 

 

MOTION: TRADE UNION MEMBERS CHECK-OFF

 

Councillor Heather moved the motion.  Councillor Alice Perry seconded.

 

Councillors Andrews and Russell contributed to the debate.

Councillors Heather, Alice Perry and Andrews declared an interest as union members.

The recommendations were put to the vote and CARRIED.

RESOLVED:

 

To ask the Leader of the Council to write to the Government Minister making it clear that local government will not be dictated to by removing check-off on the basis that it is an individual agreement between employer and employee, and part of employees’ national terms and conditions of service.

 

This council also resolves to encourage other local authorities and organisations, such as the Local Government Association and London Councils, to make representations to defend check-off.

 

 

MOTION: ISLINGTON COMMITTS TO THE NATIONAL CITY PARK INITIATIVE

Councillor Russell moved the motion.  Councillor Webbe, seconded by Councillor Watts, moved an amendment to the motion.

The recommendations in the amended motion were put to the vote and CARRIED.

 

The motions as amended was put to the vote and CARRIED.

RESOLVED:

 

To call on Cllr Claudia Webbe, Executive Member for Environment and Transport, and Cllr James Murray, Executive Member for Housing and Development to investigate the proposals further, paying specific attention to how the proposals would impact on the council’s development plans and to ensure that there would be no financial burden placed on the council by this proposal.

 

To show support for the organisation as it develops its vision, in particular by setting out how Islington Council and Islington residents can contribute towards its aims.

 

 

MOTION: PREVENT STRATEGY

 

Councillor Russell moved the motion.  Councillor Watts, seconded by Councillor Alice Perry, moved an amendment to the motion.

The recommendations in the amended motion were put to the vote and CARRIED.

 

The motions as amended was put to the vote and CARRIED.

RESOLVED:

To work with local schools, school governors and local faith groups to ensure that the implementation of Prevent is effective, sensitive and constructive.

To work with local groups to ensure extremism is challenged collaboratively rather than driven underground or over exaggerated.

To praise the many local community and faith groups who work across our borough to improve community cohesion and prevent violent extremism.

To work with local Trade Unions, universities and faith groups to make representations to government and local MPs to request the Government  ...  view the full minutes text for item 72.