MINUTES OF COUNCIL MEETING

At the meeting of the Council of the Borough of

Date: Tuesday, 07 June 2016

Time: 19:00

Venue: Council Chamber, Town Hall, New Broadway, Ealing, W5 2BY

1 Apologies for Absence

Councillors Midha, Joy Morrissey and Sumner had given their apologies.

2 Urgent Matters

There were none.

3 Declarations of Interest

Councillor Blacker declared a pecuniary interest in the subject of the motion at 11.2 by virtue of his wife’s employment in a local school.

4 Matters to be Considered in Private

There were none.

5a Minutes of meeting 12 April

The minutes of the meeting were agreed.

5b Minutes of meeting 10 May

The minutes of the meeting were agreed with the proviso that the appointments list would be attached to ensure a clear and accurate record.

6 Mayor's Announcements

The Mayor welcomed Mr James Wizeye, First Secretary at the Rwanda High Commission in London to the meeting.

She thanked Councillors for attending her Mayor Making and Inauguration Service on the 10th May. She said it had been a wonderful ceremony.

She mentioned her first successful fund raising event – Ealing Chamber of Commerce. .

The Mayor also said that she had had the honour to celebrate Lane being named London’s best high street where she unveiled a plaque alongside the Minister for Local Government, Marcus Jones MP.

Finally she extended her invitation to Ealing ’s Civic Mass to all members of

1 the Council and asked them to join her on Sunday 12th at 10:15am.

7 Petitions from Members of the Public

Mr Snow of Seaford Road W13 presented a petition with 200 signatures stating

“Due to tube/train commuters and holidaymakers parking their vehicles in our roads parking capacity is severely restricted for residents, home workers, 'school runners', visitors and shoppers in the West Walpole area in . With the freshly painted double yellow lines in Sherwood Close together with Crossrail coming and the estate regeneration this parking pressure will only increase. (Area of CPZ to include north from Leighton Road, west of Northfield Ave, east of Grosvenor/Seward Roads, south of The Broadway in West Ealing - inclusive of those roads)”

Councillor Mahfouz responded saying that tomorrow (8th June) they would be publishing a list of areas which were a priority for consultation on a potential CPZ and the West Walpole area was on that list. He anticipated that the consultation would start in a few months’ time.

7a Public Petition for Debate

The Mayor introduced Siobhan Bryar who had a petition with 11,468 signatures asking Ealing Council to consider a third option for the provision of respite care for children with learning disabilities in the borough. As the petition had over 1,500 signatures it triggered a debate under Rule 9.9.2.

Ms Bryar spoke about the subject of the petition.

Councillor Bell responded

Councillor Millican responded

Councillor Ball responded

Councillor Theresa Mullins responded

Councillor Rai summed up.

Councillor Ball rose and moved under Rule 9.10 to refer the matter to Cabinet. Councillor G. Stafford seconded the motion.

Council agreed that the two feasibility studies currently underway would be presented to Cabinet at the earliest opportunity.

One shall consider the use of the Heller House site, including the details of the third option, and the other shall be about the development of a 16 plus service to support the transition into adulthood for young people with disabilities.

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8 Petitions from Members of the Council

Councillor R. Mann presented a petition signed by 2,000 residents concerning developments at Maypole Dock in .

9 Questions from Members of the Council

Question: 1.

Councillor Malcolm asked the Portfolio Holder for Transport, Environment & Leisure

Can you confirm that the smaller, recycling wheelie bins, in the arrangement agreed between the ‘Bedford Park Residents’ Association and Ealing Council, will or have been emptied on the correct date?

Councillor Mahfouz replied

“Bedford Park has a recycling collection this week and all bins were delivered. All scheduled collections were completed”.

Councillors Malcolm and Byrne asked supplementary questions.

Question: 2

Councillor D, Crawford asked The Leader of the Council

“Does the Leader agree with me that it is cowardly of the local Conservatives to refuse to give their view on how Ealing residents should vote in the EU Referendum."?

Councillor Bell replied

“This is the most important political question in front of the nation, whether we should be part of Europe or whether we should pull up the drawbridge and pretend that the rest of the world doesn't exist.

It is Ealing Labour's position that we should remain in, we have been clear and united on that point and we have joined the labour In campaign which has been out speaking to residents across the borough.

On the other hand the Ealing Tories can even agree what they will say. I have no idea why you would get into public life and seek the responsibility of elected office if you have no intention of having a view on the biggest question we currently face as a nation.

I understand that it’s very contentious within the Ealing Conservative group but Cllr Stafford was elected to be the leader of that group. He aspires to be leader of the council, however unlikely that is to happen, he needs to show some leadership on this issue and tell the people of Ealing what he thinks.”

Councillors D. Crawford and G. Stafford asked supplementary questions. 3

Councillor G. Stafford rose, under Rule 14.14 to make a point of personal explanation. He explained that the like the Conservative Party more generally, the Conservative Group had been given a free vote on the matter and that the views of individual Conservative members were clearly shown in the record of the recorded vote in the minutes of the meeting of April 12th. For the avoidance of any doubt, he reaffirmed that he would be voting to leave.

Question: 3

Councillor A. Stafford asked The Leader of the Council “What retailer will be replacing ‘Waitrose’ in the ‘Oaks’ development?”

Councillor Bell replied

"The developers of the Oaks development are in discussion with a number of retailers who are keen to be located in Acton. This includes other supermarket operators and national retailers seeking premises in Acton. The developers are not yet in contract with any retailer and will advise the Council of who the retailer will be as soon as can be announced."

Councillors A. Stafford and Steed asked supplementary questions.

Question 4:

Councillor Padda asked the Portfolio Holder for Transport and Environment

“Would the portfolio holder like to commend ‘King Georges’ playing field project on their recent victory in the London tree and woodland awards”

Councillor Mahfouz replied

“I am delighted to commend ‘King Georges’ playing field project on their recent victory in the London tree and woodland awards. Cllr Bell was also on hand at the ceremony to help collect the award with Trees for Cities.

Ealing Council in partnership with Trees for Cities (TfC) has successfully planted 20,000 trees at King George’s Field in Ealing, achieving TfC’s largest mass urban tree planting project in London so far. The newly planted whips transform part of the amenity grassland and create a beautiful new woodland habitat along the boundary of the field”.

The local community were involved from start to finish, through consultation and planting activities to ensure the project met local need and to instil a sense of pride and ownership in their new woodland. Consultation included flyering the neighbouring houses and putting up posters in the area to inform people about the project and encourage them to get involved through inputting on the designs and helping with planting activities. Community feedback informed particular aspects of the design, such as planting edibles for people to forage, leaving a five metre gap between new planting and neighbouring residents’ properties and ensuring that the 4 field will still be able to accommodate a full sized football pitch at either end.

A total of 698 people were engaged in helping to plant the trees over a series of planting days; 582 people over 2 large weekend community planting days and 116 people over 10 corporate volunteering days.

Councillors Padda and Millican asked supplementary questions.

Question: 5

Councillor Theresa Mullins asked the Portfolio Holder for Transport, Environment & Leisure

“How many complaints has the Council received, about the ‘wheelie bins’ across the borough?”

Councillor Mahfouz replied

We have received a total of 343 complaints about wheeled bin deliveries from the public via the call centre. 98,000 properties received wheeled bins this is 0.35% of properties.

Councillors Theresa Mullins and Kelly asked supplementary questions.

Question 6:

Councillor Raza asked the Portfolio Holder for Transport, Environment & Leisure

“Does the portfolio holder welcome the ‘Mayor of London’s announcement of a ‘one hour ticket stopper’?”

Councillor Mahfouz replied

Yes it is a positive development for residents who rely on buses. The hopper fare will automatically be given to those who use Oyster cards or contactless payments on Transport for London buses, saving them an additional £1.50. The ticket, which would cost a single £1.50 fare, would help people who rely on multiple buses to get to work. Many parts of West London are heavily reliant on the bus network. There were an estimated 2.5 billion bus journeys in the capital in 2015, including 600 million pay-as-you-go journeys. Of these, an estimated 86 million went on to make another bus journey within one hour.

Councillors Raza and Ball asked supplementary questions.

Question 7:

Councillor Seema Kumar asked The Leader of the Council

“Does the Leader of the Council join us in welcoming the ‘Secretary of State’s Call- in of the planning decision on 9-42 the Broadway?

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Councillor Bell replied

“No I do not welcome the call-in of the 9-42 The Broadway scheme. The decision by the secretary of state is very disappointing. The call-in creates uncertainty and delay for the development of Ealing Town Centre and prevents the benefits of the scheme. I wholeheartedly believe the scheme will transform Ealing Town Centre, creating new shops and restaurants, as well as enhancing Ealing's cultural offer with a new music venue which will particularly be enjoyed by young people. This key space opposite the new Crossrail Station needs to be transformed in time for Crossrail's arrival in Ealing Town Centre in 2019. The rundown buildings and shops need to be replaced and Ealing has a pressing need for the significant number of new homes this scheme would bring.

At its meeting in February 2016 members of the Council’s Planning Committee fully considered the scheme and its impact resolved to grant planning permission subject to the completion of a S106 agreement and referral to the Mayor. The scheme was strongly supported by the GLA and Mayor.

The call-in by the Secretary of State, whilst within his powers, takes this important decision away from local decision makers - elected councillors. There will be significant costs to Ealing Council associated with resourcing the Public Inquiry and more importantly the even greater cost to the people of Ealing from the uncertainty that will cause unnecessary delay to the overall regeneration

Programme within the Borough and Ealing Town Centre in particular and hinder the economic growth and benefits to the people of Ealing.

Councillors Seema Kumar and Murray asked supplementary questions

10 Shadow Cabinet Motion

Councillor Conti moved the motion

Councillor A Stafford seconded the motion

Councillor Rai moved an amendment to the motion

Councillor Tailor seconded the amendment

Councillor Busuttil moved an amendment to the motion

Councillor Malcolm seconded the amendment

Councillor A. Stafford responded

Councillor D, Crawford responded

Councillor Proud responded

Councillor Tailor responded

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Councillor Bell responded

Councillor Young responded

Councillor Busuttil summed up

Councillor Rai summed up

Councillor Conti summed up

After a vote Councillor Busuttil’s amendment was lost

After a vote Councillor Rai’s amendment was agreed

After a vote the motion, as amended, was agreed unanimously.

The amended motion read:

“This Council notes that on the 19 May, her Majesty delivered her 63rd Queen's Speech and notes the government’s legislative programme for the coming year. On behalf of all the children in Ealing and the country who are in care, this Council particularly welcomes, with caution, the Children and Social Work Bill which will speed up the adoption process, and provide a new ‘Care Leavers Covenant which set out clearly the entitlements for care leavers including housing, jobs and healthcare.”

11 Other Motions for Debate

At this point Councillor Blacker declared a pecuniary interest in the subject of the motion by virtue of his wife’s employment in a local school and left the chamber; taking no part in the debate.

Councillor Rai moved the motion

Councillor Johnson seconded the motion

Councillor Millican responded

Councillor Steed responded

Councillor Shaw responded

Councillor Johnson responded

Councillor Rai summed up

After a vote the motion was agreed. It read

“This council notes that all high schools in the borough are currently rated good or outstanding by Ofsted.

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This council commends the professionalism of the work undertaken every day by teachers and school staff across the borough. The council also commends the excellent work done by parent governors and the vital link they provide between parents and the school. We oppose government plans to abolish parent governors.

This council notes that one of the reasons for Ealing facing a huge demand for additional school placements is the growing numbers of parents who want their children to be educated within our school system and are therefore specifically moving to the borough or remaining in the borough to do so.

Council notes that our school effectiveness team has an excellent reputation as being one of the best in the country; 98% of our local schools buy into the service, which is a clear indicator of how much this service is valued by our local schools. Council believes there is no justification for wholesale forced academisation of Ealing’s school system. Council welcomes the Government’s decision to provide a reprieve from forced academisation but retains significant concerns over academisation being forced through the back door.

The council also has significant concerns about the proposed reforms to the school funding formula. The council is opposed to:

- The proposed redistribution method of funding and believes the government should level up funding, so our schools in Ealing and others across London do not lose out.

- The cut in the Education Services Grant (ESG) because education authorities will still have responsibilities for maintained schools.

- Removal of Local authority and the Schools Forum for the distribution of the dedicated Schools Grant because it forfeits local flexibility in responding to quickly changing circumstances and needs.”

12 Review of Gambling Policy

Councillor Dheer moved the report

Councillor Roz Reece seconded the report. After a vote council agreed unanimously

To approve the revised Statement of Gambling Policy as set out in Appendix 1 and as recommended by the Licensing Committee on 28th April 2016.

The meeting ended at 21.31

The next meeting is on 19th July

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