Agenda and minutes

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 19 July 2017.

7.03pm - RESOLVED

That the minutes of the Council Meeting held on 19 July 2017were confirmed and signed as an accurate record.

Apologies for lateness were received from Councillors Greg Smith and Michael Adam.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Andrew Jones, Mark Loveday, Charlie Dewhirst, and Harry Phibbs.

With great sadness, the Mayor informed the Council of the death of Mr Robin Homan, the husband of Councillor Lisa Homan. The Mayor passed on the condolences of the Council to Lisa, their daughter Rhiannon, and their entire family.

Councillor Sharon Holder declared a non-pecuniary interest under Special Motion 4 – ‘Uber’ – as an employee of GMB who brought the initial action against Uber.

Councillor Donald Johnson declared a non-pecuniary interest under Special Motion 4 – ‘Uber’ – as his company had been contracted by one of Uber’s competitors.

Councillor Alex Karmel declared a non-pecuniary interest under Special Motion 6 – 'Royal British Legion ‘Count Them In’ Campaign’ – as a former member of the British Armed Forces.

Councillor Joe Carlebach declared a non-pecuniary interest under Special Motion 6 – 'Royal British Legion ‘Count Them In’ Campaign’ – as a member of the Royal British Legion.

In each of the cases above, the Councillors considered that they did not give rise to a perception of a conflict of interests and, in the circumstances it would be reasonable to participate in the discussions and vote on the motions.

Mr Al-Hairi was unable to attend so a response was sent to him in writing following the meeting. The original question and the response is copied below.

Public Question

Can loft conversions be permitted at the Old Oak & Wormholt Conversation area?

Response from the Cabinet Member for Environment, Transport and Residents’ Services – Councillor Wesley Harcourt

The roofscapes of the cottages on the Old Oak and Wormholt Estates are a key element of the garden suburb character of the Conservation Area and contribute greatly to its significance. The Council has a statutory duty to preserve or enhance the character and appearance of its Conservation Areas. The residential use of existing loft space as part of a single dwelling house does not require planning permission.  However, planning permission may be required for external alterations to properties in the Old Oak and Wormholt Conservation Area such as roof extensions and rooflights. Any planning applications submitted in the Old Oak and Wormholt Conservation Area will be assessed on a site by site basis against the relevant planning policies and legislation including the Council’s Development Management Local Plan and Planning Guidance SPD. 

The Council provides a pre-application advice service so that residents can seek planning advice from Officers in relation to their particular property and the specific design of their proposals.

This report recommends amendments of £20m to the Capital Programme for the Fire Safety Plus Programme - and provides an update on the acquisition of additional affordable homes.

7.07pm – The report and recommendations were formally moved for adoption by Councillor Max Schmid, Cabinet Member for Finance.

A speech on the report was made by Councillor Lisa Homan, Cabinet Member for Housing.

The report and recommendations were then put to the vote:

FOR                            25

AGAINST                  

NOT VOTING            15

The report and recommendations were declared CARRIED.

7.12pm – RESOLVED

1.    That Council approved the HRA and Decent Neighbourhood Capital Programme revised budget for 2017/18 at £69.7m including £10m of the £20m Fire Safety Plus Programme with the remaining £10m being planned for 2018/19 (Paragraph 5, Table 1 and Appendix 1 of the report).

2.    That Council approved the HRA and Decent Neighbourhood Capital Programme revised four year budget at £246.2m from 2017/18 to 2020/21 including the £20m Fire Safety Plus Programme (Paragraph 5, Table 1 and Appendix 1 of the report).

This report details changes to the Council's senior management structure, amendments to the Scheme of Delegation, the establishment of the Chief Officers Employment Panel and Chief Officers Appeals Panels, and changes to the Commercial Revenue Committee.

7.12pm – The report and recommendations for 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

The report and recommendations were declared CARRIED.

7.12pm – RESOLVED

1.    That the Strategic Leadership Team management structure (5.1 of the report) was noted.

2.    That the changes to the Scheme of Delegation to Officers and the internal scheme of delegation that reflect new personnel and legislative changes in Appendix 1 and 2 of the report, was approved.

3.    That the establishment of the Chief Officers Employment Panel and Chief Officers Appeals Panels and its terms of reference, as set out in Appendix 3 of the report, was agreed.

4.    That the changes to the Commercial Revenue Committee as set out in Appendix 4 of the report, was agreed.

7.13pm – Under Standing Order 15(e) 3, Councillor Colin Aherne moved a motion to change the order of the Special Motions as follows: Special Motion 2, Special Motion 3, Special Motion 7, Special Motion 6, Special Motion 4, Special Motion 5, Special Motion 1.

An amendment to the special motion was circulated at the start of the meeting.

7.15pm – Councillor Stephen Cowan moved, seconded by Councillor Sue Fennimore, the special motion as amended in their names:

“The Council condemns the cowardly terrorist attack which took place on a tube train in Parsons Green station on Friday 15th September 2017.

This Council salutes the bravery, dedication and professionalism of all those who rushed towards the danger to protect our community and serve the victims of the attack including: London Transport staff, the Police, the Fire Brigade, the Ambulance Service, the NHS, our Council staff and the security agencies.

The Council is proud of all in our community and recognises that while the terrorist sought to divide us, our citizens responded with defiance and presented an image to the world that is diverse, resilient and united.”

Tabled Amendment

Add the following paragraphs after the words “…diverse, resilient and united”:

“Deplores the injuries, distress, disruption and anxiety this disgusting attack caused to people of all ages and abilities.

And notes that:

·         The administration had already arranged for an independent review of how it performed during the Parson’s Green attack immediately after the emergency occurred.

·         Prior to the attack, the administration had already begun a wider programme to build up the borough’s resilience including the Community Resilience Event which had already been booked for 19 September 2017 and involved 120 participants which included residents, local businesses and community groups.

·         Is pleased that the London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham’s performance during the attack has been praised by the Police, Fire Brigade, Home Office, London Local Authority Gold Command, and the Lancaster Court TRA.”

Speeches on the special motion were made by Councillors Stephen Cowan, Sue Fennimore, and Caroline Needham (for the Administration) – and Councillors Frances Stainton, Donald Johnson, Andrew Brown, and Nicholas Botterill (for the Opposition).

The tabled amendment was then put to the vote.

FOR                            UNANIMOUS

AGAINST                   0

NOT VOTING            0

Councillor Stephen Cowan then made a speech winding up the debate before the special motion as amended was put to the vote.

FOR                            UNANIMOUS

AGAINST                   0

NOT VOTING            0

The special motion as amended was declared CARRIED.

7.49pm – RESOLVED

The Council condemns the cowardly terrorist attack which took place on a tube train in Parsons Green station on Friday 15^th September 2017.

This Council salutes the bravery, dedication and professionalism of all those who rushed towards the danger to protect our community and serve the victims of the attack including: London Transport staff, the Police, the Fire Brigade, the Ambulance Service, the NHS, our Council staff and the security agencies.

The Council is proud of all in our community and recognises that while the terrorist sought to divide us, our citizens responded with defiance and presented an image to the world that is diverse, resilient and united.”

The Council deplores the injuries, distress, disruption and anxiety this disgusting attack caused to people of all ages and abilities – and notes that:

·         The  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.2

7.49pm – Councillor Joe Carlebach moved, seconded by Councillor Andrew Brown, the special motion in their names:

“This Council expresses alarm at the rise in antisemitism in recent years across the UK including:

1.    Physical and verbal abuse directed at Jewish children and adults.

2.    Damage and wanton vandalism driven by race hate against Jewish schools, homes, community centres and places of worship.

This Council therefore welcomes the UK Government’s formal adoption of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) guidelines on antisemitism.

This Council:

1.    Resolves to adopt the definition of antisemitism in full as set out by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance.

2.    Pledges to combat this pernicious form of racism wherever it manifests itself no matter where, how or when.

3.    Reaffirms its condemnation of all forms of racism and discrimination based on religious belief (including Islamophobia), disability, race, gender or sexual orientation.”

Councillor Joe Carlebach gave a speech on the special motion (for the Opposition).

Under Standing Order 15(e) 6, Councillor Ben Coleman moved, seconded by Councillor Sue Fennimore, an amendment to the special motion as follows:

“Delete everything after “Damage and wanton vandalism driven by race hate against Jewish schools, homes, community centres and places of worship” and substitute the following:

“This Council therefore:

1.            Condemns all forms of antisemitism whether on the right or the left of the political spectrum.

2.            Calls on political parties to expel any member engaging in antisemitism and to submit to the relevant authorities evidence of criminal offences involving antisemitism.

3.            Pledges to combat this pernicious form of racism wherever it manifests itself no matter where, how or when.

4.            Also notes the rise in Islamophobia and reaffirms its condemnation of all forms of racism and discrimination based on religious belief, disability, race, ethnic origin, gender or sexual orientation.

5.            Welcomes the UK Government’s adoption in CM 9386 dated December 2016 of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) working definition of antisemitism, namely:

“Antisemitism is a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews. Rhetorical and physical manifestations of antisemitism are directed toward Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/or their property, toward Jewish community institutions and religious facilities”.

6.            Reaffirms its commitment to act in accordance with its legal obligations under Article 10 (Freedom of expression), Article 14 (Prohibition of discrimination) and Article 17 (Prohibition of abuse of rights) of the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms.

Furthermore, the Council welcomes the actions of the Borough’s Labour administration which has, following its election victory in 2014, marked Holocaust Memorial Day with an event each year and has, since 2016, organised a Unity Day to “March Against Racism” in all its forms and pledges to continue with and to build on these important initiatives.

Furthermore, the Council welcomes the actions of the Borough’s Labour administration which has since its election victory in 2014:

·         Marked International Holocaust Memorial Day with events each year.

·         Has since 2016 organised a Unity Day to “March  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.3

8.38pm – Councillor Ben Coleman moved, seconded by Councillor Max Schmid, the special motion in their names:

“This Council:

·         Regrets the sale of community assets and council homes and the closure of children’s Sure Start centres by the previous Conservative administration

·         Welcomes the fact that since May 2014, under a Labour administration, our precious community assets, council homes and Sure Start provision have been protected.”

Speeches on the special motion were made by Councillors Ben Coleman, Max Schmid, Sue Macmillan, and Lisa Homan (for the Administration) – and Councillors Caroline Ffiske and Joe Carlebach (for the Opposition).

The special motion was then put to the vote:

FOR                            24

AGAINST                   16

NOT VOTING            0

The special motion was declared CARRIED.

9.12pm – RESOLVED

This Council:

·         Regrets the sale of community assets and council homes and the closure of children’s Sure Start centres by the previous Conservative administration

·         Welcomes the fact that since May 2014, under a Labour administration, our precious community assets, council homes and Sure Start provision have been protected.

9.12pm – Councillor Alan De’Ath moved, seconded by Councillor Colin Aherne, the special motion in their names:

“This Council places on record its gratitude for the courage, service and sacrifice of members of Her Majesty’s armed forces, past and present, during military conflicts, in countering terrorism and in carrying out peacekeeping and humanitarian duties.

Council notes:

·         The obligations it owes to the Armed Forces community within the Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham as enshrined in the Armed Forces Covenant; that the Armed Forces community should not face disadvantage in the provision of services and that special consideration is appropriate in some cases, especially for those who have given the most.

·         The absence of definitive and comprehensive statistics on the size or demographics of the Armed Forces community in Hammersmith & Fulham. This includes serving Regular and Reserve personnel, veterans, and their families.

·         That the availability of such data would greatly assist the Council, local partner agencies, the voluntary sector, and national Government in the planning and provision of services to address the unique needs of the Armed Forces community in Hammersmith & Fulham.

In light of the above, this council moves to support and promote The Royal British Legion’s call to include a new topic in the 2021 census that concerns military service and membership of the Armed Forces community. We further call upon the UK Parliament, which will approve the final census questionnaire through legislation in 2019, to ensure that the 2021 census includes questions concerning our Armed Forces community.

Council therefore resolves to:

·         Support and promote The Royal British Legion’s campaign ‘Count Me In’ to include a new topic in the 2021 census that concerns military service and membership of the Armed Forces community.

·         Urge Hammersmith & Fulham's elected members to sign up as individual supporters to the ‘Count Me In’ campaign.

·         Ask the Leader of the Council write to the Secretary of State for Defence, setting out the Council’s position that we wish to see the UK Parliament approve a final census questionnaire in 2019, which includes questions concerning our Armed Forces community, for use in the 2021 Census.”

Speeches on the special motion were made by Councillor Alan De’Ath and Ali Hashem (for the Administration) – and Councillors Alex Karmel and Frances Stainton (for the Opposition).

Councillor Alan De’Ath then made a speech winding up the debate before the special motion was put to the vote:

FOR                            UNANIMOUS

AGAINST                   0

NOT VOTING            0

The special motion was declared CARRIED.

9.24pm – RESOLVED

This Council places on record its gratitude for the courage, service and sacrifice of members of Her Majesty’s armed forces, past and present, during military conflicts, in countering terrorism and in carrying out peacekeeping and humanitarian duties.

Council notes:

·         The obligations it owes to the Armed Forces community within the Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham as enshrined in the Armed Forces Covenant; that the Armed Forces community should not face disadvantage in the provision of services and that special consideration is appropriate in some cases, especially for those  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.6

9.24pm – Councillor Steve Hamilton moved, seconded by Councillor Greg Smith, the special motion in their names:

“This Council notes:

1.    The decision of Transport for London, with the support of the Mayor of London, not to renew Uber London Ltd’s private hire operating licence.

2.    The contribution of Uber to the London economy, creating some 40,000 jobs, mainly amongst disadvantaged and minority communities, including many hundreds in Hammersmith and Fulham.

3.    That Uber provides choice for our residents. 

This Council recognises:

1.    The concern and distress a ban on Uber will have for residents of Hammersmith and Fulham who currently drive for Uber and/or use Uber as customers.

2.    The importance of providing a level playing field across the private hire market.

3.    That a ban on Uber will cause massive inconvenience to millions of Londoners including many of our residents here in Hammersmith and Fulham.

This Council:

1.    Expresses its regret that the Mayor of London and the Labour Party are (once again) closed to business and innovation.

2.    Calls on the Mayor and Transport for London to reconsider the ban on Uber, subject to addressing safety concerns.”

Speeches on the special motion were made by Councillors Steve Hamilton and Greg Smith (for the Opposition).

Under Standing Order 15(e) 6, Councillor Larry Culhane moved, seconded by Councillor Iain Cassidy, an amendment to the special motion as follows:

“Delete everything after ‘This Council’ and insert:

·         Welcomes the Labour administration’s new borough Industrial Strategy and its determination to make Hammersmith & Fulham the best place for businesses and business growth in Europe.

·         Welcomes the business strategy produced by the independent Business Commission which formed a critical part of the borough’s Industrial Strategy

·         Welcomes the work of the council’s current leadership in introducing a new reach-out programme to local businesses, of all sizes, which involved meeting with them, hearing about the issues they face and thanks those businesses for their advice as the administration developed the borough’s Industrial Strategy and its approach to supporting businesses.

·         Supports the new measures being introduced by the Labour administration to help make it easier for entrepreneurs to start a business in H&F by creating affordable workplaces, exploring business rate cuts for key sectors and creating a new venture capital fund to support new businesses.

·         Recognises the contribution that Uber has made to the economy within London, and recognises that many of our residents value its ease of use and speed of service. This is especially true for those travelling alone at night who may otherwise feel unsafe using public transport.

·         Recognises that all businesses must act responsibly and must abide by all the relevant regulations governing the safety of their customers and the rights of their employees.

·         Welcomes the news that Uber’s CEO has recently met with Transport for London to discuss TfL’s concerns about safety and corporate responsibility.

·         Notes that the decision to not renew Uber’s license is subject to appeal, a process which is currently underway and means that Uber can continue to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.4

9.56pm – Councillor Caroline Ffiske moved, seconded by Councillor Lucy Ivimy, the special motion in their names:

“This Council:

1.    Recognises the benefits of any reduction in congestion on our roads and the resultant reduction in pollution and harm to residents.

2.    Notes the proposals from TFL and the London Mayor for a new Cycle Super Highway through the heart of our Borough.

3.    This Council understands that this is a complex issue with many local residents and business wanting to have their voices heard and their concerns and opinions taken into account.

4.    Recognises that the current consultation period is much too short and is driven by the needs of TFL not our residents and businesses.

5.    Formally requests the consultation period be extended until the end of this year in order to ensure that all stakeholders have the opportunity to have their say.”

A speech on the special motion was made by Councillor Caroline Ffiske (for the Opposition).

10.00pm – The Mayor called the guillotine and called for all remaining special motions and tabled amendments to be voted on.

The following tabled amendment standing in the names of Councillors Wesley Harcourt and Iain Cassidy was put to the vote:

“Delete points 4 and 5 and add new points:

4.    Notes the work the Council has already carried out to encourage cycling and make it safer including the introduction of the Borough’s first Cycling Strategy.

5.    Recognises the extensive consultation that has been undertaken with residents, schools and local businesses.

6.    Further notes that the administration has already decided to carry on the on-going consultation until January 2018

7.    Will continue consulting during the design process including resident and stakeholder advisory groups to look at the detailed design.”

FOR                            24

AGAINST                   15

NOT VOTING            0

The amendment was declared CARRIED.

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

FOR                            24

AGAINST                   15

NOT VOTING            0

The special motion as amended was declared CARRIED.

22.03pm – RESOLVED

This Council:

1.    Recognises the benefits of any reduction in congestion on our roads and the resultant reduction in pollution and harm to residents.

2.    Notes the proposals from TFL and the London Mayor for a new Cycle Super Highway through the heart of our Borough.

3.    This Council understands that this is a complex issue with many local residents and business wanting to have their voices heard and their concerns and opinions taken into account.

4.    Notes the work the Council has already carried out to encourage cycling and make it safer including the introduction of the Borough’s first Cycling Strategy.

5.    Recognises the extensive consultation that has been undertaken with residents, schools and local businesses.

6.    Further notes that the administration has already decided to carry on the on-going consultation until January 2018

7.    Will continue consulting during the design process including resident and stakeholder advisory groups to look at the detailed design.”

The special motion was withdrawn.

This report details the work of the Committee in 2016/17. The Committee has overseen transformation in all areas of its audit responsibilities and has actively contributed to leading and shaping those changes.

10.05pm – RESOLVED

The report was noted.