Minutes Pack (Public)
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COUNCIL MINUTES (ORDINARY COUNCIL MEETING) WEDNESDAY 25 JANUARY 2012 ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ Minutes are subject to confirmation at the next meeting as a correct record of the proceedings and any amendments arising will be recorded in the minutes of that subsequent meeting. PRESENT The Mayor Councillor Frances Stainton Deputy Mayor Councillor Belinda Donovan Councillors: Michael Adam Stephen Cowan Lucy Ivimy Colin Aherne Oliver Craig Andrew Johnson Adronie Alford Tom Crofts Andrew Jones Helen Binmore Ali De-Lisle Alex Karmel Nicholas Botterill Charlie Dewhirst Jane Law Victoria Brocklebank-Fowler Gavin Donovan Mark Loveday Daryl Brown Rachel Ford Caroline Needham Jean Campbell Marcus Ginn Harry Phibbs Joe Carlebach Peter Graham Sally Powell Michael Cartwright Stephen Greenhalgh Greg Smith Alex Chalk Steve Hamilton Matt Thorley Elaine Chumnery Wesley Harcourt Mercy Umeh Iain Coleman Lisa Homan Rory Vaughan Georgie Cooney Robert Iggulden 25. MINUTES The minutes of the Council Meeting held on 19 October 2011 were confirmed and signed as an accurate record. 26. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Donald Johnson, PJ Murphy and Peter Tobias. 27. MAYOR'S/CHIEF EXECUTIVE'S ANNOUNCEMENTS (IF ANY) The Mayor’s Announcements were circulated and tabled at the meeting. (Copy attached as Appendix 1 to these minutes). 7.03pm - The Mayor announced with great sadness the deaths of former Councillors and a former Mayor, Mr Robert Gordon Field on 8 November 2011, Mr Simon Knott on 20 November 2011, and Captain Peter Prince (RN retired) on 3 ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ Minutes are subject to confirmation at the next meeting as a correct record of the proceedings and any amendments arising will be recorded in the minutes of that subsequent meeting. December 2011 in London. Mr Robert Field was elected as Councillor for Brook Green Ward in May 1959 and served until 1971. He was Deputy Mayor from 1969 – 1970 and elected Mayor from 1970 – 1971. He was elected again as Councillor for Brook Green Ward in May 1974 – 1978. Mr Simon Knott was elected as Councillor for Broadway Ward in 1967 and served until 1968. He was elected again as Councillor for Broadway Ward in May 1974 – 1989. Mr Peter Prince (RN Captain retired), was elected as Councillor for Brook Green Ward in May 1982 and served until 1994. He was elected Leader of the Opposition from 1986 – 1991. The meeting stood for one minute in their memory. Councillors Adronie Alford, Nicholas Botterill and Stephen Greenhalgh paid tribute to Mr Peter Prince and Councillor Greenhalgh paid tribute to Mr Simon Knott. 28. DECLARATIONS OF INTERESTS Councillor Georgie Cooney declared a personal interest in Special Motion 2 – Special Schools, as she was a governor at Queensmill and Cambridge Schools. 29. PUBLIC QUESTIONS There were no public questions received. 30. ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION/COMMITTEE REPORTS 30.1 Council Tax Base and Collection Rate 2012/2013 7.15 pm - The report and recommendations were formally moved for adoption by the Leader of the Council, Councillor Stephen Greenhalgh. The report and recommendations were put to the vote: FOR 29 AGAINST 0 NON VOTING 12 The report and recommendations were declared CARRIED . 7.15 pm RESOLVED: That the following recommendations for the 2012-2013 financial year be approved: (1) That the estimated numbers of properties for each Valuation Band as set out in the report, be approved. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ Minutes are subject to confirmation at the next meeting as a correct record of the proceedings and any amendments arising will be recorded in the minutes of that subsequent meeting. (2) That an estimated Collection rate of 97.5% be approved. (3) That the Council Tax Base of 80,087 Band “D” equivalent properties be approved. 30.2 Treasury Management Update for the First Six Months of 2011-12 7.16 pm - The report and recommendation were formally moved for adoption by the Leader of the Council, Councillor Stephen Greenhalgh. The report and recommendation were put to the vote: FOR Unanimous AGAINST 0 NON VOTING 0 The report and recommendation were declared CARRIED . 7.16 pm RESOLVED: That the Council’s debt, borrowing and investment activity up to the 30 September 2011 be noted. 31. SPECIAL MOTIONS 31.1 Special Motion 2 - Special Schools Under Council Procedure Rule 15 (e) (iii), Councillor Mark Loveday moved that Special Motion 2 – Special Schools have precedence and be debated as the next item which was agreed. 7.18 pm – Councillor Georgie Cooney moved, seconded by Councillor Helen Binmore, the special motion standing in their names: “This Council notes: 1) That 100% of the special schools in H&F; as well as the specialist provision at the Bridge Academy, are rated as Outstanding by Ofsted: Queensmill, Cambridge, Woodlane, The Bridge and Jack Tizard - this is an historical achievement. This Council welcomes: 1) The new autism unit attached to Fulham Primary 2) The increased number of schools which have at least BB93 acoustics for children with hearing impairments 3) The new SEN website which is to try and improve communication between all parties involved with SEN children ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ Minutes are subject to confirmation at the next meeting as a correct record of the proceedings and any amendments arising will be recorded in the minutes of that subsequent meeting. 4) The exciting new site committed to the development and co-location of Queensmill primary and secondary schools 5) The improved provision of Cambridge school due to the cost effective move to the Bryony Centre, next to the Phoenix. Pupils from each school can now attend lessons on either site, according to their needs 6) The new hydrotherapy pool at Jack Tizard school which is being used by children from all over the borough. There is even a bus available to pick the children up from different sites. 7) The commitment of the 5 newly qualified teachers of OCR Level 5 - 'teaching and understanding learners with specific learning difficulties' and the 7 who are currently undergoing the training. 8) The excellent work of the staff at the Medical Needs Unit, Woodlane school, managed by the headteacher, Peter Harwood. In addition, the success of the independent travel training, also managed by Peter Harwood. 9) The 3 students at Fulham Cross and William Morris who are visually impaired and are now accessing the entire curriculum through braille. A great achievement. 10) Queensmill school for autism, once again, has been accredited by the National Autism Society whilst also managing a new, bigger and stronger team of Occupational Therapists. This Council resolves to continue to strive to improve the provision and opportunities for all children with SEN in Hammersmith and Fulham.” Speeches on the special motion were made by Councillors Georgie Cooney, Helen Binmore and Marcus Ginn (for the Administration). Under Standing Order 15 (e) (vi), Councillor Caroline Needham moved, seconded by Councillor Elaine Chumnery, an amendment to the motion as follows: “Delete the last paragraph, and insert the following: “This Council resolves to continue to enhance the provision of support to all children with Special Education Needs by providing support to families through Short Breaks (respite care), the provision of appropriate youth services and specialist holiday play schemes. The Council recognises that children with special needs are particularly vulnerable to poverty and will provide targeted support to protect children with special needs from financial hardship.” Speeches on the amendment were made by Councillors Caroline Needham and Elaine Chumnery (for the Opposition) and Councillors Stephen Greenhalgh and Georgie Cooney (for the Administration) before it was put to the vote: FOR 14 AGAINST 29 ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ Minutes are subject to confirmation at the next meeting as a correct record of the proceedings and any amendments arising will be recorded in the minutes of that subsequent meeting. NON VOTING 0 The motion was declared LOST. The substantive motion was put to the vote: FOR Unanimous AGAINST 0 NON VOTING 0 The motion was declared CARRIED . 7.47 pm – RESOLVED : This Council notes: 1) That 100% of the special schools in H&F; as well as the specialist provision at the Bridge Academy, are rated as Outstanding by Ofsted: Queensmill, Cambridge, Woodlane, The Bridge and Jack Tizard - this is an historical achievement. This Council welcomes: 1) The new autism unit attached to Fulham Primary 2) The increased number of schools which have at least BB93 acoustics for children with hearing impairments 3) The new SEN website which is to try and improve communication between all parties involved with SEN children 4) The exciting new site committed to the development and co-location of Queensmill primary and secondary schools 5) The improved provision of Cambridge school due to the cost effective move to the Bryony Centre, next to the Phoenix. Pupils from each school can now attend lessons on either site, according to their needs 6) The new hydrotherapy pool at Jack Tizard school which is being used by children from all over the borough. There is even a bus available to pick the children