Minutes of Annual Council Meeting

Council meeting 1st February 2011

MINUTES OF COUNCIL MEETING

At a Meeting of the Council of the London Borough of Ealing held on Tuesday, 1st February 2011 at 7:00pm.

PRESENT: The Mayor and Deputy Mayor, Councillors Ahmed, Anand, Anderson, Anjum, Aslam, Bakhai, Ball, Bell, Brooks, Byrne, Ann Chapman, Costello, Cowing, D. Crawford, K. Crawford, Joanna Dabrowska, Dennehy, Dheer, Dhindsa, Sue Emment, Gordon, Isobel Grant, Gulaid, Eileen Harris, Iskanderian, Johnson, Kang, Anita Kapoor, Kapoor, Kausar, Langan, Mahfouz, Malcolm, G Mann, Manro, Midha, Millican, Mohan, Murtagh, Noori, Padda, Diana Pagan, Popham, Potts, Roz Reece, Reen, Reeves, Rennie, Rose, Sabiers, Scott, Stacey, Stafford, Steed, Sumner, Tailor, Taylor, Varma, Walker, L Wall, R Wall and Young.

ABSENT: Councillors Bagha, Dhami, Kaur, Said and Summers (from whom apologies for absence were received).

1. Procedure

It was moved by Councillor Reeves, duly seconded and agreed:

“That Council and Committee Procedure Rule 2 relating to the order of business be suspended so as to allow item 12, Annual Report of the Standards Committee, to be considered after item 8, Questions from Members of the Public.”

2. Declarations of Interest

No declarations were made.

3. Matters to be Considered in Private

There were no matters to be considered in private.

4. Minutes

Resolved:

That the Mayor be authorised to sign as a correct record of the proceedings the minutes of the meeting held on 14th December 2010.

5. Mayor’s Announcements

1. The Mayor referred to the recent deaths of Sue Machin, a Member Services Officer within the Democratic Services Section, and close relatives of Virendra Sharma, MP and Councillor Bagha.

2. The Mayor referred to several charity events, including the charity race night on 29th January, and thanked various individuals and companies for their contributions. The next event would be a charity night at the Milan Palace in Southall on 19th March 2011. 1 Council meeting 1st February 2011

3. On behalf of the Council, the Mayor congratulated the England cricket team on their recent Ashes success.

6. Petitions

A. Submitted Under Council and Committee Procedure Rule 9.1

From Members of the Public

The Mayor received a petition from Mr S Mahimaidass containing 227 signatures expressing concern about the increase in betting shops in the Southall area and the negative impact this had on local residents. The portfolio holder for Safer Communities responded on behalf of the Council.

From Members of the Council

The Mayor received a petition from Councillor Malcolm containing 585 signatures expressing concern about the proposed reduction in the number of Park Rangers.

B. Submitted Under the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009

None

7. Questions from Members of the Public

None.

8. Annual Report of the Standards Committee

Mr J Beastall, Chair of the Standards Committee, introduced the Committee’s annual report.

Resolved:

That the annual report of the Standards Committee be noted.

9. Questions from Members of the Council

1. Councillor Millican asked the Cabinet member for Children and Young People the following question:

“Does the portfolio holder agree with me the Government’s plans to open technical schools for 14 year olds would improve standards and offer additional opportunities for our young people? Would she propose and support the opening of one in the Borough?”

The Cabinet member said that she would propose and support the opening of a technical school in the Borough if she were persuaded that

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it would raise standards and that it would offer additional opportunities for our young people.

The Cabinet member answered supplementary questions from Councillors Millican and R Wall.

2. Councillor Iskanderian asked the Leader of the Council the following question:

“Can the Leader of the Council outline what effect December’s bad weather had on the local economy?”

The Leader of the Council said that it was always very difficult to accurately say what effect weather has had on an economy and it would be foolish to claim that you can with any degree of certainty.

However what is certain is the excellent work by our officers in ensuring that disruption caused by the weather was minimised. During the worst of the snow over a 48-hour period, the Council spread over 600 tonnes of grit on main routes covering the equivalent of 2,550 miles of roads.

Gritting lorries were out in full force, spreading grit on primary routes, which were gritted six times with secondary routes being gritted five times. Busy footways around stations, hospitals and shopping centres were gritted three times. As well as this, sheltered housing was gritted ensuring the elderly and vulnerable were not isolated in their homes. This was the equivalent to what the Council would normally do over a 2-3 week period.

The Leader of the Council said that he would like to place on record his thanks to the officers who kept the borough moving at this difficult time.

The Leader of the Council answered supplementary questions from Councillors Iskanderian and Taylor.

3. Councillor L Wall asked the Cabinet member for Housing the following question:

“Can the portfolio holder outline how he is ensuring Council tenants get value for money from the Council?”

The Cabinet member said that all London boroughs would be increasing their rents in 2011/12. Ealing’s Cabinet had taken the decision to keep rents as low as possible to give tenants some help during hard times. Ealing was in a position to do this as it was an efficient service.

As such, Ealing had set one the lowest rent increases in London at 4.7% and this was much lower than the government wanted us to increase it by. Most, if not all, other London boroughs had indicated their rents would be in line with the government guideline rent which was between a 6% and 7% increase.

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In 2010 the Audit Commission inspected Ealing Homes. The report recognised the improvements that had made in delivering value for money in services to tenants. In particular the report noted:

 Value for money was being achieved through benchmarking costs with similar organisations to identify and eradicate high cost areas.  The costs of responsive repairs and voids turnaround were low in comparison to other similar organisations.  Costs of housing management had been reduced.

From 1st April 2011 the Council’s new integrated Housing Service would become operational. The combined services would provide opportunities to build on the successes of the council services and Ealing Homes. Further savings and efficiencies would be achieved through the eradication of duplicated posts and the realisation of economies of scale while ensuring that we provided a high quality housing management service to tenants.

The Cabinet member answered supplementary questions from Councillors L. Wall and Stacey.

4. Councillor Young asked the Cabinet member for Customer and Community Services the following question:

“What steps is the portfolio holder taking concerning voucher use in Controlled Parking Zones?”

The Cabinet member said that the application process for service vouchers was being reviewed with a view to introducing much tighter procedures.

Clear criteria would be attached to the new application forms controlling who vouchers are issued to and when / where they could be used. Internal applications by staff were likely to be from Service Heads or above who would be responsible for distribution within their team on a business need only.

Efforts were being made to pull forward the implementation of “electronic” service vouchers provided through the newly implemented “cashless parking system” – PayByPhone. This would allow for greater controls and monitoring of use and abuse if it should occur.

The Cabinet member answered supplementary questions from Councillors Young and Byrne.

5. Councillor Bakhai asked the cabinet member for Customer and Community Services the following question:

“Will the portfolio holder reassure users that the Council has no plans to close Hanwell or Perivale libraries or the Mobile Library Service?”

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The Cabinet member said that a review of the library service was currently being undertaken to inform the Council’s decisions on the future direction for libraries. This is looking at:

 Improving the service offer  Buildings and locations  Partnerships  Value for Money  Organisation and delivery

The cost effectiveness of the library service was being looked into as well as how the service offer met local needs. The Council would need to make decisions in the light of this. This would involve consideration of fewer but better buildings; deciding how a service might continue to be provided in different ways and, in some instances, stopping doing things that are no longer cost effective as well as improving the overall service offer.

Currently, the service operates from thirteen library buildings; a mobile library; home library service; the hospital library based at Ealing Hospital and an on-line access to the library service.

No decisions had yet been made and public consultation would commence at the end of the month.

The Cabinet member answered supplementary questions from Councillor Bakhai and Padda.

6. Councillor Mohan asked the Leader of the Council the following question:

“Can the Leader of the Council outline whether he has made progress on delivering a new car park for Southall?”

The Leader of the Council said that a new car park for Southall was a very important manifesto commitment for the administration. He was very pleased to report that, at the next Cabinet meeting, a property strategy update report would be discussed, which would include a proposal to demolish Disraeli Nursery and turn the site into a temporary car park.

Further to this, in the administration’s upcoming capital strategy a capital allocation of £5.5m would be made in order to build a new car park in Southall. Plans for the car park were currently at an advanced stage of negotiation so unfortunately further details could not be provided.

This would be a vital investment for the local economy in Southall and would help to secure jobs and businesses.

The Leader of the Council answered supplementary questions from Councillors Mohan and Taylor.

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7. Councillor Costello asked the Leader of the Council the following question:

“Given that the Cabinet has asked all council departments to share the burden of the cuts in as equal a way as possible, does the Leader of the Council agree with me that it is time that all councillors including backbenchers show leadership and take an immediate 10% across the board of all allowances?”

In response the Leader of the Council reminded Council that one the administration’s first acts in power was to freeze councillors allowances.

He said that he agreed with the sentiment of Councillor Costello’s question. It was right in these difficult times that councillors across the chamber led by example and found savings within their own budgets. Ealing paid a relatively low basic allowance but had a large number of special responsibility allowances.

The Budget Strategy report considered and approved (appendix 1, page 22) proposals for a saving of £127,000 from the members’ allowances budget over three years. This represented 11% of the total members’ allowances budget of £1,149,000.

The Leader of the Council said that an 11% cut to the allowance budget had been proposed and this would be achieved by changing the allowance system by eliminating some special responsibility allowances.

This would be done in consultation with members to ensure that the new allowance regime fairly reflected the hard work that councillors contributed whilst keeping in mind the financial realities that the Council faced.

The Leader of the Council answered supplementary questions from Councillors Costello and Langan.

10. Opposition Business

Save Our Park Rangers and Envirocrime Officers

Moved by Councillor Ann Chapman and duly seconded,

“This Council recognises the central role that parks and open spaces play in urban life and the crucial and enabling role of the dedicated team of Park Rangers in making our parks safe, clean, enjoyable and welcoming. Our Envirocrime Officers have an equally valuable role in keeping our streets clear of the effects of fly-tipping and taking action against the perpetrators. This Council therefore deplores the proposed cuts to both the Ranger and Envirocrime Teams, which will see the number of Rangers reduced from 20 to 4 and the Envirocrime Team reduced by 50%.

This Council welcomes and backs the strong public opposition to these proposed cuts as evidenced by the number of community organisations who 6 Council meeting 1st February 2011 spoke against the proposal at the 23rd December 2010 Overview and Scrutiny meeting, including the Friends of Blondin Park, Hanwell Community Forum, Brent River and Canal Society, Ealing Friends of the Earth and West Ealing Neighbours.

This Council therefore urges the Cabinet to rethink their decision to savagely cut these essential front line services.”

It was moved as an amendment by Councillor Dhindsa and duly seconded, that the motion be amended so that it reads,

This Council recognises that cuts have been made in other areas such as £5.5m in management, £2.2m in reducing contract spend and £9.8m in improving efficiency.

The Council recognises and deplores the Tory-led government’s decision to cut public spending by such a large amount, which is not only putting front line staff at risk but also putting economic recovery at risk.

The Council acknowledges that if the cuts were not this deep or this front loaded we would not have to make cuts to our park rangers or envirocrime officers. We therefore urge the government to reconsider its heavy-handed approach putting jobs and the economic recovery at risk.”

It was also moved as an amendment by Councillor Malcolm and duly seconded, that the motion be amended so that it reads,

This Council welcomes and backs the strong public opposition to these proposed cuts as evidenced by the number of community organisations who spoke against the proposal at the 23rd December 2010 Overview and Scrutiny meeting, including the Friends of Blondin Park, Hanwell Community Forum, Brent River and Canal Society, Ealing Friends of the Earth and West Ealing Neighbours.

This Council notes that the Cabinet re-considered these cuts at its meeting on 25th January but that the revised proposals for the front line Park Ranger and Envirocrime Prevention officers will still have a detrimental effect on meeting 7 Council meeting 1st February 2011

the needs of our parks and streets.”

The amendment to the motion as submitted by Councillor Malcolm was put to the meeting and lost.

The amendment to the motion as submitted by Councillor Dhindsa was put to the meeting and carried.

The motion as amended was put to the meeting and carried.

11. Notice of Motions

1. VAT Increase

Moved by Councillor Manro and duly seconded,

“Council notes:

- George Osborne said in The Times on 10th April 2010 “We have no plans to raise VAT.” - Nick Clegg said in a Liberal Democrat Press Release on 8th April 2010 “Our plans do not require a rise in VAT. The Conservative plans do. Their promises on marriage and jobs may sound appealing. But they come with a secret VAT bombshell close behind.” - David Cameron said in a speech in Exeter on 8th May 2009 “If you look at the effect of a sales tax, it’s very regressive, it hits the poorest hardest. It does, I absolutely promise you.” - As from the 4th January the Tory-led government have increased VAT from 17.5% to 20%. - According to Treasury’s own figures, on average the increase will cost a couple with children £450 a year, a one parent family £225 a year, a single pensioner £125 a year and a pensioner couple £275 a year. - That because VAT is a tax on consumer spending, a rise in the VAT rate will result in less spending – which, in turn, means jobs will be lost. The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development estimated on 1st November 2010 that a 2.5% increase in VAT would cost 250,000 jobs over the next five years.

Therefore Council resolves: 1. To condemn the Tory-led government’s regressive tax bombshell. 2. To condemn the fact that Government ministers have yet again broken specific unequivocal promises they made to the electorate during the election campaign and that breaking promises in this way seriously erodes public confidence in politicians. 3. To lobby the Government to reverse this regressive and unfair policy.”

It was moved as an amendment by Councillor Reen and duly seconded, that the motion be amended so that it reads,

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“Council notes:

- George Osborne said in The Times on 10 April 2010 “We have no plans to raise VAT.” - Nick Clegg said in a Liberal Democrat Press release on 8th April 2010 “Our plans do not require a rise in VAT. The Conservative plans do. Their promises on marriage and jobs may sound appealing. But they come with a secret VAT bombshell close behind.” - David Cameron said in a speech in Exeter on 8th May 2009 “If you look at the effect of a sales tax, it’s very regressive, it hits the poorest hardest. It does, I absolutely promise you.” - As from the 4th January, the Tory-led government have increased VAT from 17.5% to 20%. - That the changes to the rate of VAT are necessary because of the budget deficit inherited from the previous Labour Government which is currently the largest in the G20 and which this year will require the British Government to borrow £151bn in the international bond market. - That although the changes in the rate of VAT will increase the average VAT bill by £450 a year for a couple with children, a single pensioner by £125 per year and by a one parent family by £225, these figures need to be considered against the average debt interest cost of £1,200 per year for every man woman and child in this country.

Therefore Council resolves:

To support the Coalition Government in its determination to return the finances of the British Government to solvency and to reduce the crippling debt burden on the poorest in our community inherited from the previous Labour Government."

It was also moved as an amendment by Councillor Steed and duly seconded, that the motion be amended so that it reads,

“Council notes that the full extent of the UK’s financial crisis was not known at the last General Election and that the perilous state of the nation’s finances was worse than expected when the Coalition Government came into office.

This Council therefore believes that the outgoing Labour Secretary to the Treasury, Liam Byrne’s letter, to his successor, stating “I’m afraid to tell you there’s no money left,” was not funny and he should have apologised for the economic mess caused by his Government’s failure to control spending and regulate the banks.

This Council also agrees that tough action was needed to reduce Britain's record £163 billion budget deficit left by the last Labour Government and that the Labour Party does not have any answers on how to deal with the economic problems they left behind.”

The amendment to the motion as submitted by Councillor Steed was put to the meeting and lost.

9 Council meeting 1st February 2011

The amendment to the motion as submitted by Councillor Reen was put to the meeting and lost.

The motion was put to the meeting and carried.

During discussion on the above item the Mayor informed those present that the guillotine was now in force.

2. Public Transport Fare Increases

Moved by Councillor Mahfouz and duly seconded,

“Council notes:

- The increases in public transport fares across London will hurt some of the least well off in the borough including unfair changes such as the ending of the zone 2-6 travelcard. Transport for London (TfL) estimates that these fare increases will bring in around £60m in additional income.

- The decision to scrap the western section of the congestion charge zone will cost TFL an estimated £50-70m in lost income.

- That Mayor Johnson has raised fares above inflation every year he has been in power. This amounts to a stealth tax on low incomes and those who use green transport.

- Services are being reduced across London.

- That if elected Ken Livingstone has made a commitment to have lower bus fares and tube fares.

Therefore Council resolves:

1. To campaign in all possible forums against these unfair and excessive fare increases.

2. To ask the Cabinet member for Transport and Environment to write to the Mayor of London calling for him to ensure that the increased revenue raised through this and future fare increases are ring-fenced for improvements in public transport to respond to the concerns of users; that a breakdown of how and where this investment will be made is available; and that future fare increases will not be above the rate of inflation.”

It was moved as an amendment by Councillor Millican and duly seconded, that the motion be amended so that it reads,

“Council notes:

- The increase in public transport fares across London will hurt some of the least well off in the borough including the ending of the Zone 2-6 travel cards. Transport for London (TfL) estimates that these fare increases will bring in around £60m in additional income. 10 Council meeting 1st February 2011

- All free and concessionary travel for older people, the young, the poorest and disabled travellers has been protected in full. This means that 40% of all bus travel is still free or at a substantial discount. It also means that the average bus fare of just 60p for Londoners compares favourably with the average price of £1 across the rest of the country. - The decision to scrap the western section of the congestion charge zone honours an election pledge. - Whilst this Council regrets any increases made in fares for public transport, it notes that the previous Mayor, Ken Livingston, increased respectively tube fares each year in 2005 and 2006 by 4% and buses by 13% each year.

Council therefore resolves to support Mayor Boris Johnston in returning the financial viability to TfL despite the unfunded promises made by Mayor Livingston and to ensure that TfL continues to serve all Londoners free from political posturing.”

It was also moved as an amendment by Councillor Malcolm and duly seconded, that the motion be amended so that it reads,

“Council notes:

- The decision to scrap the western section of the congestion charge zone will cost TFL an estimated £50-70m in lost income.

- That Mayor Johnson has raised fares above inflation every year he has been in power. This amounts to a stealth tax on low incomes and those who use green transport.

- That Boris Johnson has developed the hugely expensive new Routemaster bus which is not suitable for some wheelchair-bound residents; only expanded one existing orbital bus route despite promising more; his cycling initiatives have focused on Central London, are expensive and not seen the shift from car use to cycling as planned; has cancelled the upgrade to Greenford station.

- Services are being reduced across London including the loss of tube ticket office opening hours, from Sunday 6th February 2011.

- That if elected Ken Livingstone has made a commitment to have lower bus fares and tube fares.

Therefore Council resolves:

1. To campaign in all possible forums against these unfair and excessive fare increases.

11 Council meeting 1st February 2011

The amendment to the motion as submitted by Councillor Malcolm was put to the meeting and lost.

The amendment to the motion as submitted by Councillor Millican was put to the meeting and lost.

The motion was put to the meeting and carried.

3. Inspection Results

Moved by Councillor Ananad and duly seconded,

“Council notes:

- In the 2010 annual performance assessment (APA) for services for children and young people the council was awarded Grade 3 (out of 4) performing well. Many areas of the service were rated as Grade 4 performing excellently.

- In the 2009/2010 annual performance assessments for adult social care services the council was awarded Grade 3 (out of 4) performing well. Many areas of the service were rated as Grade 4 performing excellently.

- Given the massive scale of the cuts that the Tory-led government have made to council funding and grants the Council have received it will be difficult to maintain this level of performance.

Council resolves:

1. To welcome these results.

2. To congratulate our staff on their dedication and commitment, which is vital in achieving this level of performance.

3. To redouble our efforts to ensure that, despite the harsh financial climate we face, we do all we can to ensure that high levels of performance are maintained.”

It was moved as an amendment by Councillor Stacey and duly seconded, that the motion be amended so that it reads,

“Council notes:

- In the 2010 annual performance assessment (APA) for services for children and young people the council was awarded Grade 3 (out of 4) 12 Council meeting 1st February 2011

performing well. Many areas of the service were rated as Grade 4 performing excellently.

The Council also remembers that such high achievement was not always the case in Ealing and notes that under the previous Labour administration the standard of adult social care was rated as the worst in London and the standard of children social care was criticised by a Labour Minister for putting children’s lives at risk.

The Council notes the efforts of the Conservative led Council from 2006 to 2010 who succeeded in improving and enhancing service delivery whilst also delivering over £60 million of efficiencies during the same period.

Council therefore resolves:

1. To welcome these results. 2. To congratulate our staff on their dedication and commitment which is second to none and vital in achieving this level of performance. 3. To redouble our efforts that, despite the harsh financial climate we face, we do all we can to ensure that high levels of performance are maintained and that we never return to the dark days of the previous Labour administration.”

The amendment to the motion as submitted by Councillor Stacey was put to the meeting and lost.

The motion was put to the meeting and carried.

4. Boris Johnson’s Record on Transport

Councillor Malcolm withdrew this motion.

5. Working Towards A Better Ealing Broadway Station

Moved by Councillor Ball and duly seconded,

“This Council notes that Crossrail's latest design proposals for Ealing Broadway station would delay the station completion by at least two years and downgrade the planned station by:

1. deleting the three planned escalators,

2. deleting the two new footbridges planned across the tracks.

This Council regrets that the Mayor of London has failed to take leadership in fighting for a fair deal for outer London Crossrail stations. 13 Council meeting 1st February 2011

This Council resolves:

1. to work strenuously to implement the recommendations of the Crossrail Scrutiny Panel including pressing for a fit for purpose transport interchange at Ealing Broadway,

2. to respond to Crossrail's consultation by rejecting the downgrading of Ealing Broadway station.”

Moved as an amendment by Councillor Millican and duly seconded that the motion be amended so that it reads,

“This Council notes that the Crossrail programme is being delayed whilst it finds £1billion in savings.

This Council congratulates the Mayor of London for keeping the project going and giving hope to all the Londoners who are eagerly awaiting the benefits the completed project will bring to the city.

This Council resolves to work strenuously and to respond positively to Crossrail’s consultation to implement the recommendations of the Crossrail Scrutiny Panel including pressing for a fit for purpose transport interchange at Ealing Broadway, as well as at Southall, Hanwell, West Ealing and Acton Mainline stations.”

The amendment to the motion as submitted by Councillor Millican was put to the meeting and lost.

The motion was put to the meeting and carried.

6. England’s Ashes Success

Moved by Councillor Bakhai and duly seconded,

“This Council congratulates Ealing resident Andrew Strauss on the success of the England cricket team under his captaincy in the recent Ashes series in Australia.”

The motion was put to the meeting and carried.

12. Appointments to Committees and Other Bodies

Resolved:

1. That Councillor Iskanderian be appointed as a member of the Schools Forum in place of Councillor Walker.

2. That he following governing body appointments be noted:

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Name School Start Date End Date

Ms M Crosby Three Bridges 20th December 19th December Primary 2010 2014

Councillor Maples Children’s 20th December 19th December Y Gordon Centre 2010 2014

Mr A Kelly St Ann’s 16th December 15th December 2010 2014

Councillor St Gregory’s 20th December 19th December I Potts Catholic Primary 2010 2014

The Council rose at 9.48pm