Agenda and minutes

To approve the minutes of the Annual Council Meeting held on 15 May 2019.

7.02pm - RESOLVED

The minutes of the Annual Council meeting held on 15 May 2019 were agreed as an accurate record.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Adam Connell, Rachel Leighton, Alexandra Sanderson, Sue Macmillan, Mark Loveday, Dominic Stanton, Adronie Alford, and Victoria Brocklebank-Fowler.

Apologies for lateness were received from Councillors Ann Rosenberg, Zarar Qayyum and Rory Vaughan.

The Mayor informed the Council of the death of Mrs Christine Hammond, a former Labour Councillor who represented Addison Ward from 1974 to 1976. The Leader of the Council and Councillor Belinda Donovan made speeches paying tribute to her.

The Mayor then informed the Council of two young people who had been tragically killed in the borough earlier in the year – Ayub Hassan and Yusuf Mohammed.

The Council stood for a minute of silence in remembrance.

Councillor Rory Vaughan stated, as an employee of the Financial Services regulator, he had to declare an interest in Special Motion 3 – Remaining in the EU. He left the room before the debate started and did not vote on the motion.

The Executive to respond to the following questions submitted by members of the public:

·         Question 1 – Food Waste Collections for Flats

·         Question 2 – Capitalising on Awareness of Climate Change

·         Question 3 – The Closure of Hammersmith Bridge

QUESTION NO. 1 – FOOD WASTE COLLECTIONS FOR FLATS

From: William Reynolds, Resident

To: Councillor Wesley Harcourt, Cabinet Member for the Environment

Question

“H&F Council have made clear their laudable intentions to make the borough cleaner, greener and more sustainable.

Like many others in the borough I live in a block of flats. We share communal rubbish and recycling bins with the rest of building and the estate. We are lucky enough to have a wonderful community garden in our estate, where we have a small compost bin - however we can only use this for uncooked, fruit and vegetable waste, and even the small commitment it takes to walk to the other side of the estate means the compost bin is barely used by any residents.

What are the councils plans to introduce food waste collections to flats in the borough to divert a useful resource from landfill or incineration?”

William Reynolds was unable to attend so the question was taken as read.

Response from Councillor Wesley Harcourt

“We continue to work on many initiatives which are aimed at making the borough cleaner, greener and more sustainable. To date we have invested in more street cleaning, removed the use of harmful chemicals on our streets and are working on improving transport infrastructure, reducing noise and light pollution and cleaning our air.

In respect of estates we have a high proportion of people (73%) who live in flats and maisonettes.

We are already working with tenants and residents’ associations to improve their amenities and green the estates, by identifying buildings to install green rooves and green walls on, which will help with insultation and roof integrity; we are also looking at large paved areas which can be converted to grass and for planting of trees and plants, which is not only more aesthetically pleasing but improves drainage and also air quality.

As part of the Mayor’s Environmental Strategy, all London Councils are required to identify and carry out food waste collections where appropriate and as an authority we want to work with residents to help meet their demands for improved services.

Some estates already have wonderful community gardens and residents who routinely compost their fruit and vegetable matter but would like to extend into other areas of food waste.

Food waste tends to be one of the highest items in the residual waste stream (some 35%) whether from the kerbside properties or from flats, so there’s a significant opportunity for recycling. This is something that as a Council we are currently reviewing as it offers both environmental and economic benefits. (Reduced residual disposal costs and increased recycling).

Western Riverside Waste Authority currently handles all of our collected materials. Ideally, we would like to remove food waste from this waste stream so that it can be recycled. However, waste which cannot be re-used or recycled, which includes food waste at present, is compacted into containers before being loaded onto barges for its onward river journey down to Belvedere. This is  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

This report seeks the permanent appointment of the Council’s Monitoring Officer.

7.37pm – The report and recommendations were formally moved for adoption by the Leader of the Council, Councillor Stephen Cowan.

The report and recommendations were then put to the vote:

FOR                            UNANIMOUS

AGAINST                    0

NOT VOTING             0

7.37pm – RESOLVED

That Rhian Davies be confirmed as the Council’s Monitoring Officer.

This report asks Council to approve committee membership changes and appointment of new lead members.

7.37pm – The report and recommendations were formally moved for adoption by the Leader of the Council, Councillor Stephen Cowan.

The report and recommendations were then put to the vote:

FOR                            UNANIMOUS

AGAINST                    0

NOT VOTING            0

7.37pm - RESOLVED

1.    To note the full Committee Memberships for 2019-20 (Appendix 1 of the report).

2.    To note the appointment of Councillor David Morton as the Lead Member – Representative for the Armed Forces Community to replace Councillor Alan De’Ath.

3.    To note the appointment of Councillor Rebecca Harvey as the Lead Member for Child Refugees.

4.    That the Chief Executive make in-year appointments to Committees upon receipt of nominations by the Party Whips, be approved.

5.    That subject to the approval of recommendations above, the Council’s Constitution be adopted for the 2019/20 Municipal Year.

This report sets out the rationale for consulting with residents to explore the options for the central area of White City Estate, to:

·         Create additional affordable housing

·         Provide modern community facilities

·         Enhance the open space and play provision

·         Support thriving neighbourhoods

Exempt appendices

This report has two appendices which contain information exempt within the meaning of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act1972 and is not for publication. The appendices have therefore been circulated to Councillors only.

Any discussions on the contents of an exempt appendix will require Council to pass the proposed resolution identified at the end of the agenda to exclude members of the public and the press from the proceedings for that discussion.

7.38pm – The report and recommendations were formally moved for adoption by the Cabinet Member for the Economy, Councillor Andrew Jones.

The Cabinet Member for Finance and Commercial Services, Councillor Max Schmid, and the Cabinet Member for the Economy, Andrew Jones, made speeches on the report (for the Administration).

The report and recommendations were then put to the vote:

FOR                            UNANIMOUS

AGAINST                    0

NOT VOTING             0

7.43pm - RESOLVED

That Full Council approved the budget set out in exempt Appendix 2 of the report to acquire the NHS PS property and that this additional budget will need to be funded from retained right to buy receipts and HRA borrowing.

Under Standing Order 15(e)(3), Councillor Alex Karmel moved to give precedence to Special Motion 2. The motion was agreed.

7.43pm – Councillor Bora Kwon moved, seconded by Councillor Jonathan Caleb-Landy, the special motion in their names with the following amendment to the third bullet point:

·         Set a target date of 2030 for the whole of the Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham to be carbon zero.

“This Council notes with concern the recent Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report on global climate change impacts and the recent Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) reports on global species and habitat loss.

Further to this, Council:

1.    Declares its recognition of global climate and biodiversity emergencies.

2.    Agrees the Council will:

·         Set up a new cross-cutting climate change emergency unit to accelerate its strategy and actions across all Council departments and activities.

·         Initiate an independent, resident-led, climate change emergency commission to publicly develop ground-breaking policies that tackle climate change.

·         Set a target date of 2030 for the whole of the Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham to be carbon neutral.

·         Review our resident-led commissions on air quality and biodiversity to consider how the Council can further strengthen local protection and enhancement of species, habitats and ecosystems and air quality systems under available powers.

3.    Requests that the Chief Executive write to the Chancellor of the Exchequer stating the concern of the Council with respect to the above, the likely national impact on the economy and on the well-being of citizens, and requesting government funding be made available to implement swift appropriate actions in response.”

Speeches on the special motion were made by Councillors Bora Kwon, Jonathan Caleb-Landy, Sue Fennimore, and PJ Murphy (for the Administration) and Councillors Matt Thorley and Donald Johnson (for the Opposition).

Under Standing Order 15(e)(6), Councillor Andrew Brown moved, seconded by Councillor Donald Johnson, an amendment in their names:

“At end add:

Further to this, Council recognises that the Climate Emergency cannot wait for committees and commissions to take months or years to make changes, when action is needed now:

1.    Recognises the increase in electric car charging points in the borough but agrees that this is not sufficient to meet demand or to address the Climate Emergency.

2.    Notes the teething troubles with the new lamppost charging points in the borough which could damage residents’ confidence in this programme and resolves to improve the relevant signage.

3.    Regrets the £200 charge for a smart cable to use the these charging points and resolves to reduce this to £20.

4.    Welcomes the discount for parking permits for greener hybrid vehicles of £60 and resolves to reduce this to £30.

5.    Welcomes the free parking permits for fully electric vehicles and resolves to provide a cash back scheme of at least £50 to incentivise use of these vehicles.

6.    Resolves to extend the partial discount scheme for hybrid and fully electric vehicles to business permit holders to incentivise electric commercial vehicles.

7.    Resolves to replace the Council fleet of diesel vehicles with electric vehicles as soon as is practically possible, bearing in mind the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.2

8.43pm – Councillor Wesley Harcourt moved, seconded by Councillor Stephen Cowan, the special motion in their names:

“The Council recognises the complex engineering issues that led to the closure of Hammersmith Bridge to motorised traffic.

The Council thanks Mayor Sadiq Khan and Deputy Mayor Heidi Alexander for their robust and effective support to fully restore Hammersmith Bride and is grateful for the close working relationship with TfL for working with LBHF on this important work.

The Council agrees to continue to work together with all those committed to genuinely supporting the residents and businesses affected by the bridge’s closure.”

Speeches on the special motion were made by Councillors Wesley Harcourt and Stephen Cowan (for the Administration) and Councillor Andrew Brown (for the Opposition).

Under Standing Order 15(e)(6), Councillor Andrew Brown moved, seconded by Councillor Matt Thorley, an amendment in their names:

“Replace all after the Council

notes the traffic chaos in the Borough following the emergency closure of Hammersmith Bridge. The Council further notes that when repairs finally get under way that the estimated repair time is three years.

The Council therefore resolves to expedite works so that Hammersmith Bridge can reopen at the earliest opportunity.

This Council recognises the complex engineering issues, however pledges to have a fully funded plan for the full refurbishment of the bridge as a matter of urgency with the goal to have the bridge safely reopened within the shortest possible time-frame.”

Speeches on the amendment to the special motion were made by Councillors Andrew Brown, Belinda Donovan, Amanda Lloyd-Harris, Frances Stainton, Alex Karmel, and Matt Thorley (for the Opposition) and Councillors Stephen Cowan, Lisa Homan, Alan De’Ath, and Andrew Jones (for the Administration).

The amendment to the special motion was then put to the vote:

FOR                            7

AGAINST                   28

NOT VOTING             0

The motion was declared LOST.

Under Standing Order 15(e)(6), Councillor Andrew Brown moved, seconded by Councillor Matt Thorley, an amendment in their names:

“At end add

This Council further notes that LBHF is not a participant in the London Air Quality Network and resolves to become a participant as soon as possible.

This Council recognises the significant impact on air quality in many parts of the borough following the closure of the bridge and the cumulative impact of congestion, worsened by non-critical road works being carried out across the borough.

This Council therefore resolves to postpone all non-critical roadworks under its control and encourage utility companies, with a statutory right to carry out roadworks, to carry them out at weekends, or during school holidays to minimise further congestion.”

Under Standing Order 15(e)(12), Councillor Colin Aherne moved a motion to extend the meeting by two hours. The motion was then put to the vote:

FOR                            28

AGAINST                    0

NOT VOTING             7

The motion to extend the meeting was CARRIED.

Speeches on the amendment to the special motion were made by Councillor Donald Johnson (for the Opposition) and Councillor Stephen Cowan (for the Administration).

The amendment to the special motion  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.5

Councillor Rory Vaughan stated that as an employee of the Financial Services regulator he had to declare an interest in this special motion. He left the room before the debate started.  He did not vote on the motion.

9.58pm – Councillor Andrew Jones moved, seconded by Councillor Christabel Cooper, the special motion in their names:

“This Council agrees that the best possible deal for all Britons is for the UK to remain a full member of the European Union and calls on the government to ensure that is an option.

The Council regrets that following the referendum result the government falsely argued it had a mandate for a Hard Brexit; allowed hardline Brexiteers to dictate its agenda; set naïve and unachievable ‘red lines’; triggered Article 50 without a clear plan for what would happen next; and then arranged a Conservative Party leadership contest that has squandered the short amount of time available to stop this Brexit madness and govern for all the people of our country – not just the few.

The Council therefore:

·         Re-affirms its demand that the Government rule out a No Deal Brexit

·         Re-affirms its call for the Government to carry out a People’s Vote with the option to Remain

·         Calls on the government to revoke Article 50 rather than leave the EU with No Deal.

The Council notes that both current contenders for the leadership of the Conservative Party have stated they will deliver Brexit even if that means No Deal. It also notes one of these candidates, Jeremy Hunt, stated he regarded that numerous businesses going bankrupt was an acceptable price to pay for delivering Brexit in this manner. It also notes the support Mr Hunt has from the MP for Chelsea and Fulham, Greg Hands.

This Council recognises the gravity of such a reckless and irresponsible position for the future well-being of Borough residents and those across the UK. It notes that such a course of action will most likely lead to a recession, wreck significant numbers of businesses, increase unemployment and lead to falling standards of living for Borough residents. It is likely to have a negative impact on the life chances of both current and future generations in this Borough for decades to come.”

Speeches on the special motion were made by Councillors Andrew Jones, Christabel Cooper, Ben Coleman, Patricia Quigley, Guy Vincent, Max Schmid, Fiona Smith, Stephen Cowan, and Bora Kwon (for the Administration) and Councillors Alex Karmel and Andrew Brown (for the Opposition).

Councillor Andrew Jones made a speech winding up the debate before the motion was put to the vote. Councillors called for a named vote.

FOR                            28

AGAINST                    5

NOT VOTING            1

The motion was declared CARRIED.

10.47pm – RESOLVED

This Council agrees that the best possible  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.3

10.47pm – Councillor Iain Cassidy moved, seconded by Councillor Max Schmid, the special motion in their names:

“This Council supports the plans our Borough officers have developed in partnership with TfL to deliver world-class neighbourhood improvements to Wood Lane and Shepherd’s Bush Green, which will encourage walking, cycling and public transport use, helping to make our Borough greener and healthier. 

This Council expresses concern that the Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea decided to pull out of this project without waiting for the results of the formal consultation and without putting forward any realistic alternative proposals that would fulfil the project’s stated aims of improving and enabling walking and cycling in that area of West London.

This Council recognises that many residents in Kensington & Chelsea have legitimate concerns about the proposed scheme. However, it notes that Kensington & Chelsea Conservative Councillors did little to address those concerns and simply decided to cancel their portion of the scheme without making any effort to work with their residents or with TfL and LBHF to improve or enhance the existing proposals.

This Council commits to continue working with TfL, and more importantly with our residents, to ensure that the neighbourhood improvements in Shepherd’s Bush will benefit those living locally as well as those visiting the area.”

Speeches on the special motion were made by Councillors Iain Cassidy, Max Schmid, and Lisa Homan (for the Administration) and Councillor Andrew Brown (for the Opposition).

Councillor Iain Cassidy made a speech winding up the debate before the motion was put to the vote.

FOR                            29

AGAINST                    0

NOT VOTING             5

The motion was declared CARRIED.

23.13pm – RESOLVED

This Council supports the plans our Borough officers have developed in partnership with TfL to deliver world-class neighbourhood improvements to Wood Lane and Shepherd’s Bush Green, which will encourage walking, cycling and public transport use, helping to make our Borough greener and healthier. 

This Council expresses concern that the Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea decided to pull out of this project without waiting for the results of the formal consultation and without putting forward any realistic alternative proposals that would fulfil the project’s stated aims of improving and enabling walking and cycling in that area of West London.

This Council recognises that many residents in Kensington & Chelsea have legitimate concerns about the proposed scheme. However, it notes that Kensington & Chelsea Conservative Councillors did little to address those concerns and simply decided to cancel their portion of the scheme without making any effort to work with their residents or with TfL and LBHF to improve or enhance the existing proposals.

This Council commits to continue working with TfL, and more importantly with our residents, to ensure that the neighbourhood improvements in Shepherd’s Bush will benefit those living locally as well as those visiting the area.

The special motion was withdrawn.