Agenda and minutes

The audio of this meeting is not available due to a technical problem with the recording equipment.

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 14 November 2017.

RESOLVED

That the minutes of the Council Meeting held on 14^th November 2017 were confirmed and signed as an accurate record.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Michael Cartwright, Alan De’Ath, Andrew Jones, Charlie Dewhirst, Jane Law, Mark Loveday and Viya Nsumbu.

Apologies for lateness were received from Councillor Caroline Ffiske.

The Council wished Councillor Michael Cartwright a speedy recovery.

There were no announcements.

Councillors Joe Carlebach, Wesley Harcourt and Lisa Homan declared interests in Special Motion 2 – Universal Credit, as trustees of the Hammersmith and Fulham Citizens Advice.

7.05pm - The Deputy Mayor called on Mr Matthew Uberoi who had submitted a question to the Leader of the Council, Councillor Stephen Cowan, to ask his question. The Leader responded. Mr Matthew Uberoi asked a supplementary question which was also answered.

A copy of the public question and the response is attached at Appendix 1 to these minutes.

Council is asked to note the appointment of Councillor Alex Karmel as Opposition Whip.

The Deputy Mayor requested that the consideration of this additional report take precedence.

7.12pm - The report on the appointment of Councillor Alex Karmel as Opposition Whip for the remaining part of the 2017/18 Municipal Year was noted.

This report seeks approval for the support scheme that ensures residents are no worse off than they would have been under the original council tax benefit regulations.

7.13pm – The report and recommendations were formally moved for adoption by Councillor Max Schmid, Cabinet Member for Finance.

Speeches on the report were made by Councillor Harry Phibbs (for the Opposition) and Councillor Max Schmid (for the Administration). 

The report and recommendations were then put to the vote:

FOR                            UNANIMOUS

AGAINST                   0

NOT VOTING            0

The report and recommendations were declared CARRIED.

7.13pm – RESOLVED

That the Council continues with its Council Tax support scheme with no changes from the current scheme.

This report contains an estimate of the council tax collection rate and calculates the council tax base for 2018/19.

7.19pm – The report and recommendations were formally moved for adoption by Councillor Max Schmid, Cabinet Member for Finance.

The report and recommendations were then put to the vote:

FOR                            UNANIMOUS

AGAINST                   0

NOT VOTING            0

The report and recommendations were declared CARRIED.

7.19pm – RESOLVED

1.1       That Council approve the following recommendations for the financial year 2018/19:

(i)            That the estimated numbers of properties for each Valuation Band as set out in this report be approved.

(ii)          That an estimated Collection rate of 97.5% be approved.

(iii)         That the Council Tax Base of 77,856 Band “D” equivalent properties be approved

(iv)         To delegate authority to the Strategic Finance Director in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Finance, to determine the business rates tax base for 2018/19.

(v)          To agree that the Council charge a 100% council tax premium on empty properties equating to 200% of the council tax payable. When regulations allow

1.2      In relation to the London Business Rates Pooling Pilot the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham resolves to:

(i)            Approve and accept the designation by the Secretary of State as an authority within the London Business Rates Pilot Pool pursuant to 34(7)(1) of Schedule 7B Local Government Finance Act 1988.

(ii)          Participate in the London Business Rates Pilot Pool with effect from 1 April 2018.

(iii)         Delegate the authority's administrative functions as a billing authority in relation to the Non-Domestic Rating (Rates Retention) Regulations 2013, to the City of London Corporation acting as the Lead Authority.

(iv)         Authorise the Lead Authority to sub-contract certain ancillary administrative functions regarding the financial transactions within the Pool to the GLA as it considers expedient.

(v)          Delegate authority to the Chief Finance Officer, to agree the operational details of the pooling arrangements with the participating authorities.

(vi)         Authorise the Chief Finance Officer to make any amendments to the Memorandum of Understanding, attached at Appendix 1, as may be required by the Secretary of State, and to enter into the final Memorandum of Understanding on behalf of the authority.

(vii)        To authorise the Cabinet member for Finance to represent the authority in relation to consultations regarding the London Business Rates Pilot Pool consultative as may be undertaken by the Lead Authority pursuant to the Memorandum of Understanding.

This report seeks adoption of the Council’s Local Plan. The Local Plan sets out the Council’s vision for the regeneration of the borough over the next 15 to 20 years.

7.20pm – The report and recommendations were formally moved for adoption by Councillor Wesley Harcourt, Cabinet Member for Environment, Transport and Residents Services.

The report and recommendations were then put to the vote:

FOR                            UNANIMOUS

AGAINST                   0

NOT VOTING            0

The report and recommendations were declared CARRIED.

7.20pm – RESOLVED

1.1.       That approval be given by Full Council for the adoption of the Local Plan incorporating the main modifications recommended by the Inspector (set out at Appendix 2) and the minor modifications (detailed at Appendix 3) and for adoption and publication of the Local Plan to take affect from 28^th  February 2018.

1.2.       That approval be given by Full Council for the revocation of the supplementary planning guidance identified in paragraph 4.6 of this report and for revocation to take affect from 28^th February 2018.

7.21pm – Under Standing Order 15(e) 3, Councillor Alex Karmel moved a motion that Special Motions 5 and 6 take precedence on the agenda. The motion to give precedence was then put to the vote:

FOR                            16

AGAINST                  21

NOT VOTING            0

The motion was declared LOST.

7.22pm – Councillor Iain Cassidy moved, seconded by Councillor Adam Connell, the special motion in their names:

“It’s now eighteen months since the referendum and it’s now plain to see that Leave campaigners told the British people a pack of lies. We were told the negotiations would be easy but the Rt Hon David Davis MP, Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, described Brexit being “as complicated as moon landing”. We were told that by leaving the EU, we would save “£350 million a week” which would then be given to the NHS but instead we now see the madness of a government spending more of our taxes on Brexit than it is on our NHS or dealing with the horrendous increases in child and pensioner poverty. And people were told that Brexit would cut immigration, but the Rt Hon Michael Gove MP stated that Brexit could see Britain accept more immigrants albeit from outside of the EU.

Meanwhile:

·         The UK economy is now the slowest growing economy in Europe, reducing the prosperity of the UK and Borough residents;

·         Businesses within Hammersmith and Fulham, like those elsewhere in the UK, are cutting or delaying investment in new production and new jobs while they await the Brexit deal;

·         Both private business and public-sector organizations such as the NHS are facing labour shortages;

·         New investment in the Borough is being jeopardised and new job opportunities are being lost for residents in this Borough;

·         Inflation caused by Brexit-related depreciation of the pound is driving up living costs for the poorest residents in this Borough and further squeezing living standard;

·         The long-term prospects for the City of London remaining the most significant finance centre in the world have been undermined.

It’s evident that Brexit will hurt all but the richest of our citizens. So, while Boris Johnson, Nigel Farage and Jacob Rees-Mogg are wealthy enough to avoid its consequences the rest of us, and our children, will most likely be poorer and less secure.

The Council agrees that the current rights of EU citizens living in the UK should always be fully protected.

At the Referendum over 70% of Borough residents voted to remain in the European Union and that nobody voted to spend £50 billion of tax payers’ money on Brexit.

This Council calls on the government to abandon any plans for a hard Brexit and to give the British people a vote on whatever deal they end up getting along with the opportunity to vote on keeping the many benefits Britons currently enjoy by staying in the European Union.”

Councillors Iain Cassidy and Adam Connell gave speeches on the special motion (for the Administration).

Under Standing Order 15(e) 6, Councillor Andrew Brown moved, seconded by Councillor Donald Johnson, an amendment to the special motion as follows:

“Delete from: “It’s now eighteen months” …. to “and less secure”.

After “fully protected”, insert “This council further agrees to support residents of LBHF, who are from the other 27 EU countries, with  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.1

8.42pm – Councillor Sue Fennimore moved, seconded by Councillor Lisa Homan, the special motion in their names:

“Universal credit is the most radical reform to the British welfare system since The Beveridge report in 1942.

The Council agrees that supporting people into sustainable work and careers is key to ending poverty for those who are able to work. Whilst universal credit is in principle an approach that could have genuinely helped achieve these aims and simplify the benefits system, its inception was ill-conceived by Iain Duncan Smith MP and its implementation has been badly executed. These fundamental flaws have caused considerable harm particularly to vulnerable people.

Since Universal Credit was fully rolled out in this borough, the food bank has reported a huge increase in its use and has projected a 100% increase in its distribution of food parcels and requests for support by the end of this financial year. This is just one of the consequences of this policy and one which the government should be ashamed of.

Further roll out across the country has been described as a 'disaster waiting to happen'.

This Council calls on Prime Minister, the Rt Hon Teresa May MP and Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Esther McVey MP…

·         to halt the roll-out of Universal Credit before it damages the lives of anymore of our residents.

·         to listen to ‘Citizens Advice’ and other agencies who are publicly calling for this to happen before anymore households face financial devastation and the very real possibility of homelessness.

·         to fix the inherent problems with the system and acknowledges the mistakes they made in its design.

·         to stop ignoring those who are “just about managing” and listen to MPs of all parties who are deeply concerned about this reform.

·         to acknowledge the vote in the House passed by 299 to zero in favour of halting Universal Credit.

·         to listen to Housing Associations who say it could seriously affect their house building plans.

·         to listen to private landlords who are refusing to rent properties to people who claim Universal credit because of its innate flaw in their ability to ensure they receive rent owed to them.

·         put pressure on the DWP to significantly improve and provide proper help to those who are entitled it.”

Speeches on the special motion were made by Councillors Sue Fennimore, Lisa Homan, Max Schmid and Natalia Perez (for the Administration) – and Councillors Harry Phibbs and Andrew Brown (for the Opposition).

Councillor Sue Fennimore then made a speech winding up the debate before the special motion was put to the vote:

FOR                            21

AGAINST                   16

NOT VOTING            0

The special motion was declared CARRIED.

9.12pm – RESOLVED

Universal credit is the most radical reform to the British welfare system since The Beveridge report in 1942.

The Council agrees that supporting people into sustainable work and careers is key to ending poverty for those who are able to work. Whilst universal credit is in principle an approach that could have genuinely helped  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.2

9.13pm – Councillor Ben Colemen moved, seconded by Councillor Sharon Holder, the special motion in their names:

“This Council welcomes the Labour administration’s scheme to build a new Sands End Arts and Community Centre. It recognises that this important new facility will provide new arts, cultural and community activities and will add to the wellbeing of residents and to civic life in Sands End.

The Council notes the stark contrast of this with the previous Conservative administration which closed the old Sands End Community Centre and sold it off to property speculators in the face of massive opposition from residents, including a 7,000-signature petition.

The Council is particularly grateful to the many residents who have helped with every stage of the development and design of the new Sands End Arts and Community Centre and welcomes the fact that the new centre will be run by local people for local people, with facilities and services chosen according to what they want.

The funding for this was negotiated by the Labour administration from Thames Tideway and Chelsea FC and we thank those organisations for their support.”

Councillors Ben Coleman and Sharon Holder gave speeches on the special motion (for the Administration).

Under Standing Order 15(e) 6, Councillor Steve Hamilton moved, seconded by Councillor Jacqueline Borland, an amendment to the special motion as follows:

“Delete all after: “This Council welcomes the”….

…and insert “scheme for new community facilities in South Park. The provision of community facilities were identified as an important part of the masterplan for South Park, which was developed in partnership with the Council and the Friends of South Park.

This Council is grateful to the many residents who have helped with the development and design of the new facilities. The Council is also thankful for the support from Thames Tideway, who are in part funding the scheme as part of the legacy requirements of their scheme.

This Council commits to complete the other areas of the masterplan for South Park, which have been delayed as the Council negotiated the community facilities. In particular, the Council agrees to resurface the paths, so that no more people are injured in the park.”

Speeches on the amendment to the special motion were made by Councillors Steve Hamilton and Jacqueline Borland (for the Opposition) – and Councillor Wesley Harcourt (for the Administration).

The amendment was then put to the vote:

FOR                            16

AGAINST                  21

NOT VOTING            0

The amendment was declared LOST.

Councillor Ben Coleman then made a speech winding up the debate before the substantive motion was put to the vote:

FOR                            20

AGAINST                   16

NOT VOTING            0

The special motion as amended was declared CARRIED.

9.40pm – RESOLVED

This Council welcomes the Labour administration’s scheme to build a new Sands End Arts and Community Centre. It recognises that this important new facility will provide new arts, cultural and community activities and will add to the wellbeing of residents and to civic life in Sands End.

The Council  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.3

9.41pm – Councillor Wesley Harcourt moved, seconded by Councillor Larry Culhane, the special motion in their names:

“This Council thanks all those that have given or are giving their time, expertise and wisdom as part of the many independent policy commissions that have been run by residents since 22nd May 2014. Those commissions include:

·         The Airport Expansion Commission

·         The Air Quality Commission

·         The Biodiversity Commission

·         The Business Commission

·         The Disabled People’s Commission

·         The Older People’s Commission

·         The Poverty and Worklessness Commission

·         The Residents’ Commission on Council Housing

·         The Residents Hammersmith Town Centre Working Party

·         The Rough Sleeping Commission

·         The Town Hall Commission

The Council recognises that this work, undertaken by residents, has been an important part of the administration’s aim of seeking new ways of working with residents rather than doing things to them and that all the commissions have achieved significant and positive change that will continue to deliver benefits for the borough long into the future.”

Speeches on the special motion were made by Councillors Wesley Harcourt, Larry Culhane, Sue Macmillian and Rory Vaughan (for the Administration) – and Councillor Joe Carlebach (for the Opposition).

FOR                            Unanimous

AGAINST                   0

NOT VOTING           0

The motion was declared CARRIED.

10.04pm – RESOLVED

This Council thanks all those that have given or are giving their time, expertise and wisdom as part of the many independent policy commissions that have been run by residents since 22nd May 2014. Those commissions include:

·         The Airport Expansion Commission

·         The Air Quality Commission

·         The Biodiversity Commission

·         The Business Commission

·         The Disabled People’s Commission

·         The Older People’s Commission

·         The Poverty and Worklessness Commission

·         The Residents’ Commission on Council Housing

·         The Residents Hammersmith Town Centre Working Party

·         The Rough Sleeping Commission

·         The Town Hall Commission

The Council recognises that this work, undertaken by residents, has been an important part of the administration’s aim of seeking new ways of working with residents rather than doing things to them and that all the commissions have achieved significant and positive change that will continue to deliver benefits for the borough long into the future.

10.05pm – Councillor Harry Phibbs moved, seconded by Councillor Nick Botterill, the special motion in the names:

“This Council notes that according to figures provided by the Mayor of London:

1.    Only 306 new affordable homes were completed over the past three and half years in Hammersmith and Fulham, an average of 87 a year.

2.    A total of 1,162 new affordable homes were completed over the last 6 years of the previous Conservative administration, an average of 194 a year.

The Council regrets:

1.    That the present Labour administration are completing affordable homes at less than half the rate of the previous administration.

2.    Labour’s failure to meet the challenge of building enough affordable homes for local residents.”

Under Standing Order 15(e) 6, Councillor Lisa Homan moved, seconded by Councillor Ben Coleman, an amendment to the special motion:

“Delete all after “This Council” and add:

applauds the tough approach taken by the Labour administration that has resulted in it winning funds from developers to build the largest amount of genuinely affordable homes for Hammersmith & Fulham’s residents in ten years.

The council notes that the data quoted in the Conservative motion is out of date and not complete. It recognises that no social housing was built by the borough’s former Conservative administration and that while it built 611 properties between 2010-2014 its definition of “affordable” was simply not affordable for most Hammersmith & Fulham residents.

The Council supports the Labour administration who (despite the Conservative/Lib Dem government’s weakening of planning regulations on affordable housing and ending of government grant to build genuinely affordable homes) will have completed 717 genuinely affordable homes between 2014-2018.

The Council further notes that this is just the start and that the Labour administration has negotiated the necessary funds from developers to build many hundreds more genuinely affordable homes for borough residents early in the 2018-2022 term.

The Council notes that the Conservative administration offered thousands of council and housing association residents’ homes for sale to developers and that this policy was immediately stopped by the Labour administration.

The Council calls on the former Conservative council leader and his administration to hang his head in shame and apologise for doing this and in particular for the dreadful deal it did with Capital and Counties PLC (Capco) in selling 756 residents’ homes on the West Kensington and Gibbs Green estates.

The Council notes with disgust that the Conservative administration sold the West Kensington and Gibbs Green estates:

·         Against the wishes of the vast majority of residents

·         For the knock-down price of just £105 million land payment while the Earls Court scheme (as it has become known) was valued at £12.05 billion at the time

·         That in planning terms the two estates formed a ransom site for the larger scheme Capco says it always planned to build

• While agreeing an obligation for the council to cover all BuyBack and compensation costs for delivering vacant possession but failing to index link the funds it negotiated to do this with  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.5

10.07pm – Councillor Joe Carlebach moved, seconded by Councillor Caroline Ffiske, the special motion in the names:

“This Council:

1.    Notes the Special Motion passed at the Ordinary Council Meeting on 18 October 2017 in relation to the proposals for Cycle Superhighway 9.

2.    Supports measures to reduce road congestion and pollution in Hammersmith & Fulham and to make cycling safer and healthier for all.

3.    Is very concerned that the proposed route for Cycle Superhighway 9 does not meet those objectives and believes the route will cause misery to residents in and around Ravenscourt Park, King Street, Brook Green, Hammersmith Road, Sinclair Road and its surrounds, Avonmore and Olympia.

4.    Is particularly concerned about the disproportionately negative impact the current proposals will have on elderly residents and residents with disabilities, and their ability to access and commute swiftly on local public transport.

This Council calls on the Mayor for London and the administration to:

1. Abandon the proposed route for Cycle Superhighway 9.

2. Re-examine alternative and better routes for Cycle Superhighway 9.

3. Explore alternative measures to improve cycling and to reduce congestion and air pollution for the benefit of all residents.

4. Engage in proper consultation with local businesses and residents.”

Under Standing Order 15(e) 6, Councillor Wesley Harcourt moved, seconded by Councillor David Morton, an amendment to the special motion:

“Delete all after “This Council “(1^st paragraph), and insert the following,

·         Notes the previous administration left the north west of the borough without access to cycle hire schemes and had no plan for improving cycling infrastructure in the borough

·         Notes this administration launched Hammersmith & Fulham’s Council’s first ever cycling strategy in July 2015, which set out to increase cycling by women and children and to increase cycling in the borough from 5% to 8%.

·         Notes the aims within the Cycling Strategy to:

1.      Enhance and extend cycle routes to create a comprehensive network;

2.      Create more space for cycling to improve cycle safety;

3.      Reduce the dangers (and the perception of the dangers) of cycling and reduce conflicts, both between cyclists and motor vehicles and between cyclists and pedestrians; and

4.      Provide more cycle parking and cycle hire locations within the borough

·         Notes that this administration has introduced the East Acton Quietway, the Brackenbury parklet, increased the number of cycle parking stands and secure cycle parking lockers.

·         Notes this administration does things with residents not to them including:

1.      Introducing speaking rights for applicants and objectors at Planning Committee

2.      Setting up resident led Commissions on Airport Expansion, Air Quality, Biodiversity and others

3.      Giving a voice to residents in developing policy at PACs

·         This administration took the unprecedented step of extending the consultation period for CS9 to allow for further suggestions and comments from local residents and businesses

·         The council has already submitted concerns to TfL and will continue to do so as part of the extended consultation

·         The extended consultation is still live, including an agenda item at the next CSERS PAC on Monday  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.6

10.09pm – Councillor Lucy Ivimy moved, seconded by Councillor Adronie Alford, the special motion in their names:

“This Council notes:

1.    The passage of the Representation of the People Act 1918 on 6 February 1918 with cross party support. The 1918 Act enabled the enfranchisement of women, permitting them to vote in local and national elections and to stand for election to Parliament for the first time.

2.    The centenary of this great land mark in our democracy.

3.    The involvement of local women in the war effort during the Great War of 1914 – 1918, especially as much of the work was hazardous and dangerous. This significant contribution to the nation underscored the value of women to the nation’s wellbeing, easing the path to women suffrage.

4.    The contribution of Hammersmith and Fulham public figures at the forefront of the women’s suffrage movement, including Mary Lowndes who established The Artists' Suffrage League in 1907.

This Council resolves that in the centenary of women’s suffrage we commit to ensuring that the sacrifices and achievements of those local heroines and heroes who fought for equal suffrage are remembered and celebrated in our borough, in our schools and across our community.”

Under Standing Order 15(e) 6, Councillor Sue Fennimore moved, seconded by Councillor Caroline Needham, an amendment to the special motion:

“Delete everything after ‘This council notes’ and replace it with...

1.    The Representation of the People’s act granted the vote to women in 1918 (not 1908) who were over the age of 30 and who owned property.

2.    It was not until 1928 before women were given the same full equal voting rights as men.

3.    Women in 2018 still do not enjoy equal pay, equal access and equal rights and still find themselves having to campaign to achieve this.

4.    Across the world, women are fighting for justice and equality.

This Council recognises the enormous sacrifices of all those who fought for equal suffrage and will champion everything that they achieved, whenever and wherever it can.

It recognises that there is still a long way to go before we genuinely achieve true equality and it commits to doing all that it can to ensure that this is achieved.

It commits to continuing to celebrate “International Women’s Day” as it has done since 2014.

It also commits to supporting the equal rights of women, including campaigns such as “End Period Poverty” and “End the Pay Gap” and calls on the Government to take action and put forward an agenda of legislation that will eradicate gender inequality from our society.”

The amendment was then put to the vote:

FOR                            Unanimous

AGAINST                   0

NOT VOTING            0

The amendment was declared CARRIED.

The special motion as amended was then put to the vote:

FOR                            Unanimous

AGAINST                   0

NOT VOTING            0

The motion as amended was declared CARRIED.

10.08pm – RESOLVED

‘This Council notes:

1.    The Representation of the People’s act granted the vote to women in 1918 (not 1908) who were over  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.7

10.10pm – Councillor Joe Carlebach moved, seconded by Councillor Greg Smith, the special motion in the names:

“This Council:

1.    Resolves to work towards a tunnel replacement for the Hammersmith Flyover.

2.    Recognises that it is important to run an effective cross-party campaign that demonstrates to the public and key government and GLA decision makers how all of the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham Council’s elected representatives back the Hammersmith Flyunder project.”

Under Standing Order 15(e) 6, Councillor Colin Aherne moved, seconded by Councillor Wesley Harcourt, an amendment to the special motion:

“Delete all after “This Council” and add:

This Council notes that the Labour administration is working to deliver a flyunder and set up the Hammersmith Residents Working Group to develop a new master plan for Hammersmith which has the flyunder intrinsic to any future development in Hammersmith.

The Council notes that the former Mayor Boris Johnson (Con) set no funds aside and had no project team working on the flyunder during which appears to have been little more than an empty PR stunt from that Conservative GLA administration.

The Council therefore agrees to continue working with residents and local businesses and to seek a private sector partner and an agreement with TfL to ensure that we get rid of the flyover, replace it with a flyunder and reconnect Hammersmith with the river.”

The amendment was then put to the vote:

FOR                            20

AGAINST                   16

NOT VOTING            0

The amendment was declared CARRIED.

The special motion as amended was then put to the vote:

FOR                            20

AGAINST                   16

NOT VOTING            0

The special motion as amended was declared CARRIED.

10.08pm – RESOLVED

This Council notes that the Labour administration is working to deliver a flyunder and set up the Hammersmith Residents Working Group to develop a new master plan for Hammersmith which has the flyunder intrinsic to any future development in Hammersmith.

The Council notes that the former Mayor Boris Johnson (Con) set no funds aside and had no project team working on the flyunder during which appears to have been little more than an empty PR stunt from that Conservative GLA administration.

The Council therefore agrees to continue working with residents and local businesses and to seek a private sector partner and an agreement with TfL to ensure that we get rid of the flyover, replace it with a flyunder and reconnect Hammersmith with the river.

The motion was withdrawn.