b
COUNCIL MEETING
Thursday 6 th July 2006 at 7.00pm
MINUTES
The Worshipful the Mayor Councillor Elizabeth Atkinson in the Chair
COUNCILLORS PRESENT:
ABRAMS , K AKHTAR, P HASELDEN, N PALMER, B AMINU, A HEATHER, J PATIL, N ANYANWU, A HIPWELL, M PECK, L ATKINSON, L POOLE, S KAZANTZIS, J PRENTICE, S BANKS, R KIMM, I PYCOCK, G BENNETT, C BENNETT, M REED, S BOWYER, P LUMSDEN, A ROBBINS, P BRAITHWAITE, D MALLEY, D SABHARWAL, N CAMERON, M MALLEY, S SANDERS, D CAMPBELL, L MALONE, D SAWDON, A CLARKE, S SMITH, T CLYNE, J McGLONE, P McHUGH, K THACKRAY, R DICKSON, J McKENNA, A TRUESDALE, P DODSWORTH, G MEADER, A
EVANS-JACAS, B MORGAN, S VALCARCEL, C MORRIS, D FITZPATRICK, D WALKER, I WELLBELOVE, C GIBSON, A GIESS, R WHELAN, C GRAY, F WHELAN, J
ABSENT for whom APOLOGIES were received: Councillors ABRAMS (for lateness) FEWTRELL, HEYWOOD, LING, MELDRUM, NOSEGBE, TOWNEND and Clare WHELAN (for lateness) ABSENT Councillors MARCHANT and O’MALLEY
Council Minutes 06.07.06 PROCEDURAL MOTION
RESOLVED That in accordance with Standing Orders 2 & 23, the following timings and order for the conduct of this meeting be agreed:
Agenda item
1. Announcements (no speeches) 7.00-7.10 p.m. 2. Declarations of interest 3. Minutes
4. Petitions and deputations 7.10-7.30 p.m.
Short adjournment to practice the electronic voting
5. Questions, including public notice question 7.45 -8.15 p.m. (30 minutes) 6. Report of the Cabinet (Leader’s Statement) 8.15-8.55 p.m., (40 minutes)
10. Performance Plan 2006-07 8.55 -9.05 p.m.
7 Report of meetings of the Cabinet 9.05- 9.20 p.m. 8.& 11 Report of Corporate Committee and Amendments to Constitution etc 12 .Report on Key Decisions subject to special Urgency procedure
9 Motions (30 minutes) 9.20 -9.50 p.m.
The guillotine falls at 10.00 p.m. In accordance with Standing Order 9.1, all remaining business is dealt with under the guillotine Motions and amendments – Council is reminded that, in accordance with changes to the Constitution approved at the Annual Meeting, no amendments may be tabled or discussed if they are not already included on the agenda. Except with regard to such amendments, the provisions of Standing Order 15, in relation to motions which may be moved without notice, apply.
2. ANNOUNCEMENTS BY THE MAYOR
The announcements were received.
Council Minutes 06.07.06 2
3. DECLARATION OF INTERESTS
The Director of Law and Democratic Services advised that the members of the Planning Applications Committee should not vote on Motion 9 as it would comprise their ability to take part in the discussion at the meeting where the matter was to be discussed.
4. MINUTES (24.05.06)
RESOLVED : That the minutes of the meeting held on 26 th May 2006 are approved subject to the following corrections:
• On page 2 paragraph 1 Election of the Mayor
Delete “Councillor John Whelan” and replace with “Councillor Clare Whelan”.
• On page 4, paragraph 4, delete “Councillor Clarke” and replace with “Councillor Clive Bennett”.
• On page 5, paragraph 2, delete “Executive members for 2002-03” and replace with “Cabinet members for 2006-07”.
5. PETITIONS AND DEPUTATIONS a) PETITIONS
Councillor Subject of petition (Ward/Area)
Clive Bennett Traffic in Gleneldon Road (St Leonards, Streatham Wells)
40 Residents of Gleneldon Road requesting traffic management measures to enforce the one way system on Gleneldon Road and reduce the danger from this traffic.
Toren Smith a) Elm Park CPZ extension (Tulse Hill)
31 Elm Park residents calling for an extension of the Brixton Hill controlled parking zone to include Elm Park.
b) Craignair Road CPZ extension (Tulse Hill)
38 residents of Craignair Road calling for an extension of the controlled parking zone and voicing concerns over the access and parking available to residents in the street.
Robert Banks Street warden scheme (Stockwell)
115 residents requesting Community Street Wardens to support police in the Stockwell Station area.
Council Minutes 06.07.06 3 b) DEPUTATIONS
Closure of the Redfearn Centre
From: Mr Jeffers of the Save the Redfearn Centre campaign
The request for the deputation was made in the following terms:
Regarding the closure of the Redfearn Centre with a short period of notice.
Mr Jeffers addressed Council and stated that 294 residents had signed a petition to halt the closure of the centre and that there was anger within the community at the speed and manner of the closure. He noted that, as he had understood it, there had been a commitment from the Council for long-term funding of the centre. He informed council that the centre had been specially modified for disabled users under a PFI scheme and he believed that the closure of the centre would result in an unacceptable loss of investment in the centre. In addition he noted that in order to secure the PFI scheme the Council had proven that there was demand and need for the service in Lambeth and that this need remained.
He urged Council to reconsider the decision to close the centre.
Councillor Prentice responded for the administration stating that • the project had been poorly established and should not have been initiated without secure long-term funding; • funding had been provided by the Learning & Skills Council, not Lambeth Council; and • help finding alternative services was being provided and she understood that 8 children had already enrolled at Lambeth College.
Councillor Poole expressed concern for the current service users and asked why there are no alternative services within the borough.
Councillor Lumsden stated that the centre provided social support as well as education and therefore funding from Adult and Community Services should be investigated.
The Mayor thanked the deputation for attending and they left the chamber.
6. QUESTION TIME (Item 5)
1. By: Councillor Ashley Lumsden To: Cabinet Member for Housing – Councillor John Kazantzis
Title: Disposal of Council Owned Stock
The question and answer were taken as printed on the agenda paper.
Council Minutes 06.07.06 4 Supplementary Question
Why is the Cabinet Member trying to fudge the policy by saying that it only applies to four or five-bed family properties? What definition of “family” is he using?
Supplementary Answer
What is Councillor Lumsden’s definition of “overcrowding”? The Labour Administration is following its manifesto commitment. The previous administration did not count social housing in Liberal Democrat and Conservative areas.
2. By: Councillor Suzanne Poole To: Deputy Cabinet Member for Parking and Transport – Councillor Nigel Haselden
Title: Traffic and Parking around new School
The question and answer were taken as on the agenda paper.
Supplementary Question
While pleased with the assurance to consult with residents over moves to the new school, were there plans for things like walking buses to reduce the stress of parking at the school?
Supplementary Answer
New travel plans were being introduced. Rigorous questionnaires allowed examination of issues outside the school. There was engagement with local residents. The travel plans themselves were in place. Transport for London was adding capital grants to be channelled into the system. All current methods of transport were favoured.
3. By: Councillor Toren Smith To: Cabinet Member for Regeneration – Councillor Paul McGlone
Title: Brixton Central Square
The question and answer were taken as on the agenda paper.
Supplementary Question
In the face of strong local support, could assurance be given that the new Administration will push the proposals forward?
Council Minutes 06.07.06 5 Supplementary Answer
Since the May election, the Administration has been establishing constructive relations with the Mayor of London, and was working to close funding gaps on this and other Landmark schemes.
4. By: Councillor Andrew Sawdon
To: Deputy Cabinet Member for Parking and Transport – Councillor Nigel Haselden
Title: Parking Issues
The question and answer were taken as on the agenda paper.
Supplementary Question
Has the Council stopped imposing penalties on the contractor?
Supplementary Answer
Parking was left in a mess. Procedures are being instituted to disengage the unfair financial incentives as they are against natural justice. A constructive system will be at work to ensure a fair civic pattern of parking.
5. By: Councillor Graham Pycock To: Deputy Leader of the Council – Councillor Jackie Meldrum
Title: Electoral Registration
The question and answer were taken as on the agenda paper.
Supplementary Question
As the Council had been accused of racism by the Mayor of London, a bland answer would not do. The Administration must answer if Democratic Services is racist or not? Otherwise the Mayor of London used a vile slander which should be rooted out.
Supplementary Answer
(As Councillor Meldrum was absent, Councillor Reed provided this answer in her stead) Democratic Services are categorically not racist. Lambeth has the lowest percentage of black and minority ethnic residents on the electoral roll of any London Borough. The previous administration refused to vote money to address this issue.
Council Minutes 06.07.06 6
6. By: Councillor Imogen Walker To: Cabinet Member for Community Safety – Councillor Mark Bennett
Title: Potential Anti-Social Behaviour during World Cup
The question and answer were taken as on the agenda paper.
Supplementary Question
As youth provision was a priority, an update on the question and answer would be welcomed.
Supplementary Answer
Domestic violence was chronically under-reported. It affected one in four women and one in six men. There were more reports on women. 1440 incidents were reported every day. The cost to the Borough was £30 million every year, which included £6,250,000 on physical health and £13,710,000 in lost economic output. The council now has a domestic violence strategy. Domestic violence covers all races and social groups.
The World Cup is a festival of football which celebrates diversity. There has been no evidence of disturbance because of the World Cup, aside from one or two scuffles.
7. By: Councillor Diana Braithwaite To: Cabinet Member for Children and Young People – Councillor Sally Prentice Title: building Costs Arising from Construction Work for Olympics 2012
The question and answer were taken as on the agenda paper.
Supplementary Question
When will we be provided with a full statement on how the Administration plans to provide additional secondary places?
Supplementary Answer
During its first meeting, the Cabinet agreed Phase I of “Building Schools for the future”. Progress is ongoing for the business case. Progress is also being made on the Brixton Hill site. A feasibility study is being undertaken and serious talks with parents in Brixton. For Brixton Hill there would be a meeting to gain sponsorship from the Department for Education and Skills. Good progress has been made on the Shakespeare Road site. By the end of the year the numbers for sixth form provision would be finalised. It was clear that Labour had not been elected to send disadvantaged children out to other Boroughs for their education. The administration was committed to the new Elmgreen site.
Council Minutes 06.07.06 7 There was £200 million on the table for school improvements in Lambeth from the Government.
8. By: Councillor Andrew Gibson To: Cabinet Member for Environment – Councillor Lib Peck
Title: Vale Street Depot
The question and answer were taken as on the agenda paper.
Supplementary Question
What was the date and times for opening the sports facility and could an answer be given for changes to plans in the public consultation?
Supplementary Answer
I will get back to you with a date for opening. This was a strategically important site. I guarantee that Ward Councillors will be contacted next week to start the consultation.
9. By: Councillor Michael Hipwell To: Cabinet Member for Community Safety – Councillor Mark Bennett
Title: Police Numbers in Lambeth
The question and answer were taken as on the agenda paper.
Supplementary Question
Could more information be given about the police numbers and warden service?
Supplementary Answer
There would be a review of the work of wardens on the streets. A decision would follow to provide an appropriate and affordable system. The previous administration opposed the Mayor of London’s extra investment in the police. In the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) area, numbers are up by more than 3000. The total number in the MPS area is 30,111. Labour is committed to a well-staffed police service. A letter received from Commander Bridger, Lambeth Borough Police, will be circulated to all councillors.
10. By: Councillor Roger Geiss To: Leader of the Council - Councillor Steve Reed
Title: New Secondary Schools
The question and answer were taken as on the agenda paper.
Council Minutes 06.07.06 8 Supplementary Question
Shakespeare Road is not entirely funded by Government and so the Council has had to fund it by committing money from the Lilian Baylis site. As the new administration does not want to sell the Lilian Baylis site, leaving a £9 million hole in the funds, when will we have a credible funding plan for the Shakespeare Road site?
Supplementary Answer
There is a need for a community sports facility at the Lilian Baylis site. The Liberal Democrats left a capital programme that was over-committed. Funding the purchase of the Shakespeare Road site is a high priority. A review will be undertaken on the depot site to minimise disruption to residents. I will publish a full answer on this as soon as possible.
Questions 11 – 52 were noted.
7. REPORT OF THE CABINET (Item 6)
The Leader’s statement was noted.
8. REPORT OF MEETINGS OF THE CABINET (Item 7) (Report 6/06-07)
VOTING
27-for; 17-against
RESOLVED: that the portfolios as set out in the Appendix to the report be agreed.
9. REPORT OF CORPORATE COMMITTEE MEETING (item 8) (report 12/06-07)
RESOLVED : that the amendments to the Constitution as sent out in the appendix to the report be adopted.
10. THE COUNCIL’S CONSTITUTION 2006-07 (Item 11)
RESOLVED :
(1) that the Council’s Constitution 2006-07, approved at the Annual Meeting of the Council on 24 th May 2006, be amended in accordance with the table of changes set out in the Appendix.
(2) That the Cabinet be invited to note and agree the changes to the Scheme of Delegation to Officers in relation to the discharge of executive functions.
Council Minutes 06.07.06 9 11. NOTICES OF MOTION (Item 9)
Motion 1 Squatted and Empty Homes in the Borough – Councillor Jeremy Clyne Seconded Councillor Julian Heather
Amendment 1 MOVED Councillor John Kazantzis and SECONDED Councillor Peter Bowyer
VOTING 27-for; 17 against
The amendment was carried
Amendment 2 MOVED Councillor Ashley Lumsden and SECONDED Councillor Peter Truesdale
VOTING 19 for; 33 against
The amendment fell.
Amendment 3 DEEMED MOVED
Agreed
Amendment 4 DEEMED MOVED
VOTING 19 -for; 33- against
The amendment fell.
Amendment 5 DEEMED MOVED
19- for; 33 against
The amendment fell.
Amendment 6 DEEMED MOVED
Agreed
Substantive Motion
33 for; 19 against
It was therefore RESOLVED : that Council notes the considerable pressures on housing in Lambeth: -
• The need in Lambeth to provide decent homes to the borough's tenants, whether in the public or private sector;
Council Minutes 06.07.06 10 • The demand for rented social housing in the borough;
• The blight inflicted on some parts of the borough by long term squatted and empty homes which often result in crime and a nuisance to neighbours
Council further notes that when he came to office in 2002, the very first action of the previous Executive Member for Housing, Councillor Keith Fitchett was to authorise the sell-off of family sized street properties despite the desperate shortage of such homes. A former Councillor then promptly went to an auction and bid for one of those very same properties as an investment for himself.
Council notes that the very first decision taken by the Labour Administration regarding the Housing Department was to end the Liberal Democrat sell-off of these street properties, which are so badly needed to provide homes to families in over-crowded accommodation.
Council further notes that the abject failure of the Liberal Democrat/Conservative coalition to manage the Housing Department properly left a £5.35m overspend in the Housing budget. The Labour Administration will now take decisive action to deal with the dire financial situation left behind by incompetent Tory-Liberal councillors.
Council shares the anger of tenants and leaseholders who now know that the disastrous Lib Dem and Tory "reframing" programme not only failed to produce £6.3 million of the much-trumpeted savings but in many areas actually led to an increase in costs despite cutting back services. It takes a particular excess of incompetence to cut services in such a way that they end up costing the Council more - but this is what the failed Tory-Liberal coalition achieved.
Council further notes that under the previous administration the Housing Department was defrauded of £3 million and was subsequently found to be almost completely devoid of even the most basic financial control systems. The Tory-Liberal response to this was to do nothing for 9 months after it first happened and then to over-react to such an extent that they caused meltdown in an already weakened management team. Ultimately, they left Lambeth Housing bereft of management leadership and, after the disgraced former Executive Member was forced out, without any political leadership either. Council notes that a combination of anger at the incompetence of the Liberal Democrat and Conservative mismanagement of the Housing Department and faith in the ability of a Labour Council to sort it out, contributed significantly to the Labour victory in the local elections. Council notes that the contrast between the first actions of the respective Administrations on housing suggest that the tenants and leaseholders of Lambeth have sound political judgement. Labour now has a mandate to put Lambeth Housing back on track.
Council Minutes 06.07.06 11
Council congratulates the Empty and Derelict Homes Unit in the Housing Directorate for its diligent and painstaking work during the past four years in tracing owners of vacant property and in using a range of measures including compulsory orders to bring some 180 plus empty and derelict homes back into use. Council expresses the hope that the new administration will continue and strengthen the work of this valuable team of officers.” Council further condemns Cllr Kazantzis for sending out a message to private sector landlords that leaving properties empty is acceptable. Council notes the success of the last administration in introducing a compulsory purchase process which has led to numerous properties being brought back into use. His decision makes it more difficult for the Council to criticise private landlords for allowing properties to be left empty and become a nuisance and a blight on the local neighbourhood when the Council is doing just that. His mistaken and misconceived change of policy will damage efforts to increase the supply of accommodation in the borough, while simultaneously reducing the supply of funding for repairing and improving the homes of council tenants.
Motion 2 Flooding into Blenheim Gardens DEEMED MOVED
Amendment 1 DEEMED MOVED
VOTING 19 for; 33 against
The amendment fell
Amendment 2 DEEMED MOVED
VOTING 19 for, 33 against
The amendment fell
Motion
VOTING 31 – for, 6- against, 14- abstaining
It was therefore RESOLVED:
For many years, water has been flooding out of the Thames Water Site into the garage area of the Blenheim Gardens Estate. This causes considerable damage and nuisance, but the previous Tory-Liberal administration refused even to speak to Thames Water to try and find a solution. Council calls on the Acting Executive Director of Housing to instigate discussions with Thames Water with a view to finding a solution to the problem of flooding into the estate, and to involve the RMO Estate Manager in the discussions.
Council Minutes 06.07.06 12
Motion 3: Valerie Shawcross, GLA member
Amendment 1 DEEMED MOVED
VOTING 19 for, 32 against; 1 abstaining
The amendment fell
Motion
VOTING 32 for; 19 against, 1 abstaining
It was therefore RESOLVED that Council notes with appreciation the hard work carried out on behalf of Lambeth's residents by our excellent GLA Member, Valerie Shawcross. Council is keen to build much stronger relationships with the GLA and to play its full role as part of the family of London Government, bringing to an end four years of self-imposed isolation and political posturing by the defeated Tory-Lib Dem administration that hurt the interests of Lambeth's residents. As part of that improved relationship, Council will work in close cooperation with Lambeth's GLA member and, to that end, instructs officers to liaise with Ms Shawcross's office to ensure that she is formally invited to future council meetings and other occasions when issues relevant to her role are likely to arise.
Motion 4: Faith Boardman DEEMED MOVED
The motion was agreed
RESOLVED : Faith Boardman served as Chief Executive of Lambeth Council between 2000 and 2005. During that time, she made a significant personal and professional contribution to the Council's improvement programme. Following her departure, Council failed to record its appreciation to her. Council wishes to correct that oversight by thanking Faith Boardman for her years of service to the Council and for her invaluable contribution to setting the council on the road to recovery. Council asks the Chief Executive to write to Ms Boardman to let her know that our appreciation has been formally recorded, and to send her Council's best wishes for her future.
Motion 5: Proposed Closure of Redfearn Centre DEEMED MOVED
Amendment 1 Withdrawn
Amendment 2 DEEMED MOVED
VOTING 20 for; 31 against; 1 abstaining
The amendment therefore fell.
Council Minutes 06.07.06 13
Motion
VOTING 18-for; 32 against
The motion therefore fell.
Motion 6 Brockwell Lido DEEMED MOVED
Amendment 1 DEEMED MOVED
Agreed
Substantive Motion
Agreed
It was therefore RESOLVED that this Council warmly welcomes the signing of Brockwell Lido's lease by Fusion, after an extraordinary five years of negotiation and looks forward to the significant injection of investment that this deal should provide these much loved Lambeth facilities.
This Council also pledges to ensure that Whippersnappers, a social enterprise based within the lido providing services to a diverse range of local people, is kept as a vital part of Brockwell Park and is allowed to operate within suitable facilities.
In addition, this Council looks forward to seeing frontbenchers of all political parties flexing their muscles as they take advantage of the lido's early morning swimming sessions, in an effort to achieve work/life balance prior to arriving at the town hall to serve the local people.
“Council is grateful to all the members of the local community who worked with the Council to determine the arrangements for securing the future of the Lido, in particular members of the Brockwell Lido steering group.
Motion 7 Special Responsibility Allowances DEEMED MOVED
VOTING 27 for, 13 against
It was therefore RESOLVED that after the last council elections in 2002, the Liberal Democrats made repeated demands that outgoing Labour cabinet members should repay their special responsibility allowances for the period between the council election and the Council AGM at which they were formally replaced. Although Labour councillors have not made any similar demand, it would clearly be hypocritical of the Liberal Democrats not to practise what they preach. Council therefore asks the Leader of the Liberal Democrats to advise the Director of Finance when he can expect to receive a cheque repaying the special responsibility allowances retained by former Lib Dem members of the Executive for the period between the election on 4 May and the AGM on 24 May.
Council Minutes 06.07.06 14 Motion 8 Herne Hill Junction Regeneration DEEMED MOVED
Amendment 1 DEEMED MOVED
Agreed
Substantive motion
Agreed
It was therefore RESOLVED that the Council supports the Herne Hill Forum in calling on the new administration to make more effective the previous approach to the Herne Hill junction improvement and related regeneration works. It is very important for the area that these works now move ahead. The Council notes that Mayor and TfL have made a commitment to the scheme and to provide the funding to help see it implemented and that forward movement is very much needed. The council should identify the resources to ensure that design work can continue during this financial year.
The Council believes it is important that the principle of the project board - of officers, Forum representatives and residents - managing the development of the scheme should be retained and that the commitment of officers in the transport section to partnership working with the community should remain. Furthermore, the Council commends the Herne Hill Forum for its effective work as an advocate for the interests of Herne Hill residents, both in Lambeth and Southwark
The Council therefore commits itself to work in partnership with residents in this way to ensure that the full scheme is taken forward as quickly and effectively as possible.
Motion 9 Sternhold Avenue DEEMED MOVED
Amendment 1 DEEMED MOVED
VOTING A recorded vote was requested by more than 25% of the members present at the meeting standing.
For - Councillors Abrams, Akhtar, Anyanwu, Bennett, M, Bowyer, Cameron, Campbell, Dickson, Evans-Jacas; Fitzpatrick; Haselden; Hipwell, Kazantzis; McGlone, McKenna; Malley, S; Malone; Morgan; Dr Patil; Peck, Prentice; Reed; Robbins; Thackray; Valcarcel; Walker; Wellbelove (27)
Against –Councillors Banks; Bennett, C; Braithwaite; Clarke; Clyne; Dodsworth; Gray; Kimm; Lumsden; Meader; Poole, Pycock. Sanders; Whelan,C (14)
Abstaining- Councillors Aminu; Gibson; Heather; Malley, D; Morris: Palmer, Sabharwal; Sawdon; Smith; Whelan, J (10)
The amendment was carried.
Council Minutes 06.07.06 15
Substantive Motion
VOTING 32 for; 10 Against; 1 abstaining
It was therefore RESOLVED that Council notes with concern the continued disturbance and nuisance suffered by residents close to the development on the railway alongside Sternhold Avenue.
Council further notes that the new administration has been extremely concerned by recent developments with regard to South Rail's activities next to Sternhold Avenue. This issue came to our attention in the week following the May local elections. The Council has raised strong concerns with the rail company for ignoring the views of local residents and pressing ahead with this work without consultation or local authority Planning approval in any form.
Council lawyers were asked for legal advice about what the council can do about this issue. The legal advice received was that the work the train company wants to carry out is deemed "permitted development", which means that it can go ahead without the need to get planning permission from the council. Their advice was also that Lambeth Council had no legal basis to seek any planning enforcement action what so ever.
Council believed that this is simply an unacceptable situation. Council must now put pressure on the train company and force them to listen to the concerns of residents of Sternhold Avenue. The managing director of Southern Railways has been written to asking him to outline what should be a minimum response from them as a good neighbour and major employer. We must now identify and pursue any possible legal or other means that may be available to mitigate the impact of this development and the distress it is causing to local residents.
Residents have expressed their wish to meet a senior representative of the Council's new Administration to discuss this matter, and this will be organised at the earliest opportunity.
Motion 10 Knife-related attacks ; DEEMED MOVED
Amendment 1 DEEMED MOVED
Agreed
Substantive motion
Agreed
Council Minutes 06.07.06 16 It was therefore RESOLVED that the Council condemns the recent knife-related attacks in Streatham and on the Ethelred Estate, and regrets the loss of life resulting from these and other attacks involving knives.
Council believes that it must give a lead in trying to reduce knife-related crimes and notes the following recommendations from the Liberal Democrat spokesperson on community safety, Councillor Darren Sanders:
1) release funds to set up a hotline to encourage people to report knife crime, similar to that used so successfully by the Borough to deal with gun crime;
2) establish a programme of test purchasing by trading standards of shops in the borough to ensure that they are not selling knives to children under 16;
3) lobby the government by backing moves to increase the maximum sentence for possessing a knife from 2 to 7 years, so there are the same penalties for carrying a knife as for carrying a firearm;
4) work through the youth service with the police and local schools on a campaign to discourage those under 17 from carrying knives as a means of personal protection;
5) work with the police to gather intelligence on stores of knives and other weapons used by gangs of youths in the borough so these can be seized and confiscated; and
6) work with Lambeth's Youth Council on developing other measures to reduce knife-related crime in the borough.
Council welcomes the above suggestions from Cllr Sanders, and offers the following points of clarification.
On setting up a hotline, a consultation exercise with the Police is required in order to scope out the need for such a phone line and funding would need to be identified. Council does not rule out such an exercise or such a hotline if funds can be identified.
On test purchasing, Cllr Sanders may not be aware that during the last 12 months, during a period when he had responsibility for community safety, Trading Standards visited over 300 premises in a rolling programme of test purchases of age-restricted sales of alcohol, knives and tobacco.
In the first two weeks of April 2006, 160 test purchase attempts were made as follows: • 60 attempts for alcohol; resulting in 23 sales, where £80 fixed penalty notices were issued by the Police; • 15 attempts for knives; resulting in 4 sales, and formal cautions being issued; • 85 attempts for tobacco; resulting in 3 sales, and formal cautions being issued.
Council Minutes 06.07.06 17 A range of premises were visited, including larger retailers such as Sainsbury's, B & Q, Woolworths, etc.
Trading Standards has also objected to convenience stores' alcohol licences, where it was not the first time they sold alcohol. Additionally, Trading Standards have objected to a 24hr licence change as the premises sold previously. The objection was upheld and the amendment was refused. The programme is part of the Alcohol Misuse Enforcement Campaign (AMEC) undertaken in co-operation with the Police, and Council is pleased to note it is ongoing.
Council also notes the existence of ‘Risky Business’ a personal safety programme for Key Stage 3 pupils has been developed and piloted and will soon be available on the Interactive Whiteboard system’ for all teachers to access. Council awaits with interest the outcome of discussions regarding the development of a personal safety programme for primary School pupils.
Council welcomes the forthcoming launch of the Violent Crime Joint Action Group on 4 th July allowing closer partnership with the Police and enhancing the gathering of intelligence and thus the targeting of resources.
Council resolves to lobby the Labour Government for tougher sentences on knife possession and carry out work in partnership with the Youth Council and the Borough’s Youth Forums to develop appropriate measures to reduce knife crime in Lambeth.
Motion 11 Contacting Councillors DEEMED MOVED
Amendment 1 DEEMED MOVED
VOTING 29 for; 20 against
The amendment was carried
Substantive motion
VOTING 30 for; 20 against
It was therefore RESOLVED that Council notes the importance of residents being able to contact their councillors. However Council also notes that under the recently revised Members’ Allowance Scheme for 2006/07 all new councillors cannot seek reimbursement for the installation and rental costs for a dedicated council landline. Councillors have been offered the opportunity to use their allocated Blackberry device as their contact phone number for incoming calls.
Council Minutes 06.07.06 18 The previous Lib Dem administration made the decision to allocate all councillors elected in the May 2006 elections with a laptop and blackberry device. This followed a successful pilot by Executive councillors who found that the blackberry device enabled residents to make immediate contact with their councillor. No charges were made to councillors for calls during the pilot.
Unfortunately the telephone budget for councillors during the previous administration was wholly inadequate and only sufficient for 19 out of 63 councillors to make any claims. A few Lib Dem councillors made large claims up to £300 per quarter due to lengthy dial up internet calls. Councillors with broadband were not able to claim any internet expenses.
The new administration is reviewing support arrangements for all councillors and will look to contain telephone costs at a reasonable level. In the meantime councillors have a choice of options should they wish to claim any telephone expenses.”
Council believes that it may be inappropriate for some residents without a mobile phone that residents who want to get in touch with their local councillors to have to call them up on their Blackberries at premium mobile rates. Call charges may be significantly higher and could well put off the most disadvantaged members of our community from calling on councillors for help. Council therefore confirms that all councillors have the option to install a council landline if they so choose.
Motion 12 Bus 137 DEEMED MOVED
The motion was agreed
It was therefore RESOLVED that Council notes the continuing uncertainty hanging over the future of the 137 bus service since consultation on TfL’s proposed changes to the route ended in January 2006. The proposed cuts to vital peak hour services from Streatham and through Clapham to the tube network and central London will hit passengers hard and lead to overcrowding on the remaining services. Council instructs the Chief Executive to write to the Mayor of London and Peter Hendy, the Transport Commissioner, expressing Lambeth Council's vigorous opposition to these service cuts and calling on them to drop their proposals.
Motion 13 Council Code of Conduct DEEMED MOVED
Amendment 1 DEEMED MOVED
VOTING 30 for; 20 Against
The amendment was carried.
Amendment 2 DEEMED MOVED 20 for; 31 against
The amendment fell
Council Minutes 06.07.06 19 Substantive motion
VOTING 32 for; 20 against
It was therefore RESOLVED that Council calls on all members to pledge that they will follow the Council's Code of Conduct, Council notes that the Leader of the Conservative Group and former Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group were both invited by the Leader of the Labour Group before the election campaign to agree a joint protocol on the conduct of campaigning in the borough elections. Both refused the offer. Complaints now coming from the Liberal Democrats calling for a protocol are therefore typically hypocritical and confused.
Council condemns the personal attacks and disgraceful tactics used by the Liberal Democrats during the election campaign. This included, but was not limited to, repeating an unsubstantiated personal attack on the Labour Group Whip. This contrasts with the campaign fought by Labour councillors and candidates which highlighted the positive programme of a potential Labour Council contrasted with the numerous damaging political failures of the Liberal Democrat and Conservative Coalition. Quite reasonably, the Labour Party's winning campaign also highlighted - with evidence that had been presented before a court of law - acts of criminality and rule-breaking by Liberal Democrat councillors and candidates which the public had a right to know about before deciding whether to vote for such people and entrust them with public resources.
Motion 14 Community Cohesion : DEEMED MOVED
Amendment 1 DEEMED MOVED
Agreed
Substantive motion
Agreed
It was therefore RESOLVED : that this Council takes pride in Lambeth's rich diversity and the high level of community cohesion in the borough, reaffirms its commitment to foster even greater tolerance and cohesion among all the borough's residents. The council also welcomes the efforts the Lambeth Borough Police has made to develop good links, in partnership with council and community partners, with the range of different communities in Lambeth.
The Council looks to recent events in the London Borough of Newham and notes with concern the effects of the Forest Gate raid by officers from SO19, the Metropolitan Police specialist firearms division, on community relations in that area and notes the concern this has produced among some parts of the Muslim community in Lambeth.
Council Minutes 06.07.06 20 The Council recalls the various repercussions for Lambeth’s Muslim communities of a number of tragedies - the 7 July 2005 bombings, the failed bombings of 21 July and the shooting the next day of Tulse Hill resident Jean Charles de Menezes by officers of SO19 at Stockwell tube station. The Council notes the substantial work done by Lambeth police, councillors of all parties and local community and faith leaders was extremely valuable in the days following each of those sad events.
The Council believes that interests of security and community are not mutually exclusive. The Council commends the work of Lambeth Borough Police in, for example, the Lambeth United initiative led by Superintendent Jonathan Tottman of Streatham and calls on police, councillors and other leaders to find new ways to connect with the Muslim community and all hard to reach groups in our borough.
Further, the Council recognises that borough boundaries are not boundaries of faith and asks the Metropolitan Police Authority to consider how the Metropolitan Police Service can better promote community engagement with Muslims across London.
The Council also requests that the MPA looks urgently at the work of the SO19 specialist firearms division.
Motion 15 Adult Education DEEMED MOVED
VOTING 20 for; 31 Against
The motion therefore fell.
Motion 16 Gun Crime DEEMED MOVED
Amendment 1 DEEMED MOVED
VOTING 32 for; 20 against
The amendment was carried
Substantive motion
Agreed
It was therefore RESOLVED that the Council welcomes the establishment of the Gun Crime Programme Board. Council views this as a successful example of partnership working between the Council, the Police and other agencies and wishes it success in the future.
Motion 17 Tackling Crime DEEMED MOVED
Amendment 1 DEEMED MOVED
Council Minutes 06.07.06 21 VOTING 32-for; 20-against
The amendment was carried.
Substantive motion 32-for; 19-against
It was therefore RESOLVED that Council welcomes the announcement that in financial year 2005-06 compared to the previous year, for all total notifiable offences Lambeth achieved the second highest reduction of all London boroughs.
Council believes that this is an excellent example of partnership working between Lambeth Council and Lambeth Police and others to ensure that the days of massive rises in street crime and burglaries were halted.
Motion 18 Warden Scheme in Stockwell DEEMED MOVED
Amendment 1 DEEMED MOVED
VOTING 14-for; -33-against; 5-abstaining
The amendment fell.
Amendment 2 DEEMED MOVED
VOTING 33-for; 18-against
The amendment was carried
Substantive motion
VOTING 30-for; 19-against
It was therefore RESOLVED that Council instructs Cabinet to review the previous administration's support of and investment in the URBAN II wardens’ scheme in Stockwell, welcomes the Labour Administration’s decision to review warden schemes across the borough with a view to reform and value for money. Additionally Council welcomes the sergeant-led “Safer Neighbourhood” police teams starting up in all wards, and therefore resolves to ensure residents’ money will be spent wisely before making a decision on the future of borough-wide warden schemes.
Council values the work of a number of existing warden schemes. However, Council deplores the decision of the then Lib Dem Tory administration to employ £15 an hour agency staff to patrol in the place of permanent staff. Council does not believe this can be a sensible long term use of council tax payers’ money, particularly when council tax payers are also paying for permanent police officers to patrol their streets.
Council Minutes 06.07.06 22 Council notes with concern that a bid for a Stockwell warden scheme was put together at the direction of the Lib Dems – presumably in the hope of winning more votes in Stockwell.
Council notes the background to the Stockwell wardens bid. The original bid consisted of 1x manager and 6 x wardens to the Stockwell URBAN II board. This bid was rejected mainly because it failed to hit the employment targets. However, the project to engage wardens was welcomed and it was anticipated that a revised proposal would be submitted for consideration in June.
Council understands that following this a number of concerns were highlighted that brought into question the viability of the project and particularly with regards to a funding shortfall of £140k , and Hyde Housing specified remit that the wardens take responsibility for the monitoring of their CCTV system as a condition of the matching funding that they had offered.
In light of these factors, Council notes that several days before the deadline, officers made clear to the Cabinet Member for Community Safety that the bid was weak, unrealistic and almost certain to fail - a fitting legacy for the Lib Dems.
Council therefore supports the decision of the Cabinet Member for Community Safety not to submit the bid and instead to explore other ways of providing wardens in Stockwell. In the unlikely event the bid had been successful, unsustainable funds would have been tied up in years to come and instead of patrolling the streets, wardens would have been reduced to looking at streets from a CCTV control room. Wardens are not paid to watch TV – they should be out talking to local people, supporting police in a community safety role. “Labour has ensured that Lambeth wardens from the borough-wide team are currently patrolling Stockwell and nearby areas. Labour is also taking action to close the notorious Brooklands Passage, which residents have asked for and the Lib Dems failed to do for years. Other community safety plans are in the pipeline.”
Motion 19 Clapham Common Bandstand DEEMED MOVED
Amendment 1 DEEMED MOVED
VOTING 32 for; 20 against
The amendment was carried
Amendment 2 DEEMED MOVED
Agreed
Substantive motion
Agreed
Council Minutes 06.07.06 23 It was therefore RESOLVED that the Council welcomes the restoration and re- opening of the Clapham Common bandstand and congratulates the Heritage Lottery Fund, the Clapham Society, the Friends of Clapham Common and many local people in the area for their financial support.
Council resolves that following the welcome commitment of the previous administration to the bandstand that the current administration ensures it is properly maintained from now on and an appropriate programme of events for the enjoyment of the local community is arranged for the bandstand.
Council recognises that there are also bandstands in Myatts Fields and Ruskin Parks and resolves that these two be restored to their former glory.”
Motion 20 Limited Hour Parking Controls DEEMED MOVED
Amendment 1 DEEMED MOVED
VOTING 33-for; 19- against
The amendment was carried
Substantive motion
VOTING 33 for; 19 against
It was therefore RESOLVED that Council notes that limited-hour parking controls in Wandsworth, the Abbeville village and the Hyde Farm Estate work Council notes the Labour Administration’s manifesto commitment that there should be “More choice for residents over what hours parking restrictions apply”. Council supports this approach and looks forward to proposals being brought forward which promote this objective.
Council also notes that the previous administration caused unprecedented chaos for drivers in Lambeth by introducing a parking contract which gave financial incentives to a private contract to meeting an arbitrary ticketing target. Such an approach encouraged parking wardens to unfairly issue parking tickets to people who had not necessarily parked illegally. The Labour Administration is now conducting a comprehensive review of the parking service to remedy this situation to deliver on the manifesto promise to return fair parking to Lambeth.
Motion 21 Clapham and Stockwell Town Centre Office DEEMED MOVED
VOTING 18 for; 33 against
The motion therefore fell
Council Minutes 06.07.06 24
Motion 22 Housing Benefit Service DEEMED MOVED
19 for; 33 against.
The motion therefore fell.
Motion 23 Administration’s Policies DEEMED MOVED
Amendment 1 DEEMED MOVED
VOTING 19 for; 33 against
The amendment fell.
Substantive motion
VOTING 20 for; 32 against
The motion therefore fell
Motion 24 Streatham Transport Links DEEMED MOVED
Amendment 1 DEEMED MOVED
VOTING 20 for; 32 against
Substantive motion
Agreed
It was therefore RESOLVED that Council notes that Streatham public transport continues to have significant gaps. Residents remain very keen to see a connection to Croydon tram link, but none is planned at present.
Council resolves to call on TfL and the Mayor to put Streatham on the tram link map.
Motion 25 Vehicle Clamping DEEMED MOVED
Amendment 1 DEEMED MOVED
VOTING 33 for; 18 against
The amendment was carried
Substantive motion
VOTING 33-for; 19-against
Council Minutes 06.07.06 25
It was therefore RESOLVED that the Council notes Camden have ceased clamping Parked Vehicles.
Council notes that the Conservative Party was in Administration in Lambeth for the previous four years and yet oddly did not introduce this policy. Council also notes that Conservative councillors used the parking service as a cash cow during their time in office by introducing a parking contract which contained unfair financial incentives. This ridiculous approach did nothing but undermines confidence in parking enforcement within the borough and gave Lambeth a national reputation for unfair parking enforcement.
The Labour Administration is now conducting a comprehensive review of the parking service to remedy this situation to deliver on the manifesto promise to return fair parking to Lambeth.
Motion 26 Sustainable Communities DEEMED MOVED
VOTING 20 for; 32 against
The motion therefore fell.
Motion 27 Knight’s Hill Safer Neighbourhood Teams DEEMED MOVED
Amendment 1 DEEMED MOVED
VOTING 19 for; 32 against
The amendment fell
Amendment 2 DEEMED MOVED
VOTING 19 for; 32 against
The amendment fell
Motion
VOTING 32 for; 6 against; 13 abstaining
It was therefore RESOLVED that the Ward of Knights Hill now has a Safer Neighbourhoods Team of dedicated police officers. Thankfully Knights Hill now joins the rest of Lambeth in this regard, as a result of funds from a Labour Government and local campaigning by the Labour Party.
Crime and anti-social behaviour are the number one concerns for both the residents of Knights Hill and Lambeth generally, therefore the Council should do everything in its
Council Minutes 06.07.06 26 power to support our police and our Safer Neighbourhood Teams in tackling crime and anti-social behaviour.
Motion 28 St Matthew’s Triangle DEEMED MOVED
Amendment 1 DEEMED MOVED
VOTING 32 against; 19 for; 1 abstaining
The amendment fell
Motion
VOTING 19 against; 33 for
It was therefore RESOLVED that Council recalls that the last administration sold off land on St Matthew’s estate, including green open space, to a Housing Association consortium for £5m. A working group of residents & councillors was established in early 2003 by the Executive & tasked with producing a master plan for the St Matthew’s triangle area. Unfortunately despite the employment of external consultants, staffing resources within Lambeth Housing were insufficient to enable the working group to complete its report by May 2006. Two public consultation events have taken place and residents are impatient for action. We therefore wish to see the working group‘s report completed as a matter of urgency and residents consulted on the findings. An action plan should be developed to implement the preferred course of action as soon as possible.
12. PERFORMANCE PLAN 2006-07 (Item 10
RESOLVED that the Performance Plan for 2006/07 be approved.
13. LEADER’S REPORT ON KEY DECISIONS SUBJECT TO THE SPECIAL URGENCY PROCEDURE (Item 12)
The report was noted
Council Minutes 06.07.06 27
14. CLOSE OF MEETING
Meeting ended at 10.35 p.m.
MAYOR 22 nd November 2006
Date of Despatch: 14 th July 2006 Contact for Enquiries: Caroline Strallen - Tel: (020) 7926 0028 - Fax: (020) 7926 2755 - Email: [email protected] - Net: www.lambeth.gov.uk
Council Minutes 06.07.06 28