Agenda and minutes

Venue: Council Chamber - Hammersmith Town Hall

Contact: Kayode Adewumi  Tel: 020 8753 2499

Items
No. Item

1.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 249 KB

To approve minutes of the Council Meeting held on 17 October 2018.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

7.02pm – RESOLVED

 

That the minutes of the Council Meeting held on 17 October 2018were confirmed and signed as an accurate record.

2.

Apologies for Absence

Minutes:

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Donald Johnson, Patricia Quigley, Ann Rosenberg, David Morton, and Mark Loveday.

3.

Mayor's/Chief Executive's Announcements

Minutes:

The Mayor noted the Council’s congratulations to Pinakin Patel, Head of H&F’s Prevent Team, who was awarded an MBE in the New Year’s Honours. Pinakin had worked for the borough since 2005 – building the Prevent Team from scratch to become a national leader. The Mayor thanked him for his hard work and service to the community.

 

The Mayor then informed the Council of the death of Debbie Domb, local resident and campaigner for disabled people. Debbie also served on the Council’s Health, Inclusion and Social Care Policy and Accountability Committee as a co-opted member. The Leader of the Council, Councillor Stephen Cowan, and the Leader of the Opposition, Councillor Andrew Brown made speeches paying tribute to her.

 

The Mayor also informed the Council of the death of John Putnam, a former Conservative Councillor who represented Avonmore Ward from 1974 to 1986 – and served as Leader of the Council from 1985 to 1986. The Leader of the Council, Councillor Stephen Cowan, the Leader of the Opposition, Councillor Andrew Brown, and Councillor Amanda Lloyd-Harris made speeches paying tribute to him.

 

The Council then stood for a minute of silence in remembrance.

4.

Declarations of Interests

If a Councillor has a disclosable pecuniary interest in a particular item, whether or not it is entered in the Authority’s register of interests, or any other significant interest which they consider should be declared in the public interest, they should declare the existence and, unless it is a sensitive interest as defined in the Member Code of Conduct, the nature of the interest at the commencement of the consideration of that item or as soon as it becomes apparent.

 

At meetings where members of the public are allowed to be in attendance and speak, any Councillor with a disclosable pecuniary interest or other significant interest may also make representations, give evidence or answer questions about the matter.  The Councillor must then withdraw immediately from the meeting before the matter is discussed and any vote taken.

 

Where Members of the public are not allowed to be in attendance and speak, then the Councillor with a disclosable pecuniary interest should withdraw from the meeting whilst the matter is under consideration. Councillors who have declared other significant interests should also withdraw from the meeting if they consider their continued participation in the matter would not be reasonable in the circumstances and may give rise to a perception of a conflict of interest.

 

Councillors are not obliged to withdraw from the meeting where a dispensation to that effect has been obtained from the Audit, Pensions and Standards Committee. 

 

Minutes:

In respect of Special Motions 3 and 4 – Councillor Amanda Lloyd-Harris declared a non-pecuniary interest as former Chair of H&F Mind and a former Trustee of Mencap. She considered that this did not give rise to a perception of a conflict of interest and, in the circumstances, it would be reasonable to participate in the discussion and vote thereon.

 

In respect of Special Motion 2 – Councillor Rory Vaughan declared a non-pecuniary interest due to professional reasons. He considered that this may give rise to a perception of a conflict of interest and felt it would be best to leave the Chamber for the duration of the debate and not participate in the vote.

 

In respect of the tabled Opposition Amendment to Special Motion 2 – Councillor Lisa Homan declared a non-pecuniary interest as she worked for Liam Byrne MP. She considered that this did not give rise to a perception of a conflict of interest and, in the circumstances, it would be reasonable to participate in the discussion and vote thereon.

5.

Public Questions

No questions were submitted.

Minutes:

No public questions were received.

6.

Items for Discussion/Committee Reports

6.1

Local Government Boundary Commission - Electoral Review Briefing pdf icon PDF 77 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Mayor invited representatives from the Boundary Commission to present a briefing on the upcoming Electoral Review to the Council.

 

Susan Johnson and Mark Cooper from the Boundary Commission gave a presentation and answered questions about the review.

6.2

Council Tax Support Scheme 2019-20 pdf icon PDF 103 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

7.43pm – The report and recommendations were formally moved for adoption by Councillor Max Schmid, Cabinet Member for Finance and Commercial Services.

 

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

 

The report and recommendations were then put to the vote:

 

FOR                            UNANIMOUS

AGAINST                   

NOT VOTING            

 

The report and recommendations were declared CARRIED.

 

7.49pm – RESOLVED

 

That the Council agrees the changes to the Council Tax Scheme for 2019/20 as set out in the report.

6.3

Council Tax Base and Collection Rate 2019-20 and Delegation of the Business Rates Estimate pdf icon PDF 134 KB

Minutes:

7.49pm – The report and recommendations were formally moved for adoption by Councillor Max Schmid, Cabinet Member for Finance and Commercial Services.

 

The report and recommendations were then put to the vote.

 

FOR                            UNANIMOUS

AGAINST                   

NOT VOTING            

 

The report and recommendations were declared CARRIED.

 

7.49pm – RESOLVED

 

That the Full Council approved the following recommendations for the financial year 2019/20:

 

1.    That the Council charge a 100% council tax premium on empty properties equating to 200% of the council tax payable from the 1st April 2019 and agree to include the full subsequent increases in the premium in each future year.

 

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

 

3.    That an estimated Collection rate of 97.5% be approved.

 

4.    That the Council Tax Base of 79,257 Band “D” equivalent properties be approved

 

5.    To delegate authority to the Strategic Director of Finance and Governance in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Finance and Commercial Services, to determine the business rates tax base for 2019/20.

 

6.    Council will also be required to approve the recommendations in the Council Tax Support Scheme 2019/20 report, prior to the recommendations in this report, as they are reflected as Band “D” equivalents in the Council’s Tax base calculations in section 4.5 below.

6.4

West King Street Renewal Programme pdf icon PDF 329 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

7.50pm – The report and recommendations were formally moved for adoption by Councillor Andrew Jones, Cabinet Member for The Economy and the Arts.

 

Speeches on the report were made by Councillors Andrew Jones and Jonathan Caleb-Landy (who made his maiden speech) (for the Administration) – and Councillor Andrew Brown (for the Opposition).

 

The report and recommendations were then put to the vote:

 

FOR                            29

AGAINST                    0

NOT VOTING             9

 

The report and recommendations were declared CARRIED.

 

8.04pm – RESOLVED

 

1.    That the Council enters into a Joint Venture (JV) partnership with A2Dominion Developments Ltd. (A2DD), for the purposes of delivering the WKSR Programme;

 

2.    That the Council approves the conditional sale of Council land shown in the plan attached at Appendix 1 to the JV partnership (Council and A2DD), in exchange for a 50% share in the JV, subject to approval of the final best consideration valuation report by the Chief Executive, as recommended by the Head of Asset Strategy and Property Portfolio and advised by the Strategic Director, Finance and Governance;

 

3.    That the Council approves development funding of up to £90 million to the JV partnership (Council and A2DD), in accordance with state aid compliant market terms following receipt of state aid advice from professional advisors, to be funded from an increase in the Capital Financing Requirement until the loan is repaid;

 

4.    That the Council approve a capital budget of up to £45.6 million for the refurbishment and fit out of the Town Hall building and delegate final confirmation of funding to the Strategic Director, Finance and Governance, in consultation with the Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Finance and Commercial Services; and

 

5.    To approve additional decant budget of up to £27.3m to enable the leasing of properties in Hammersmith to be funded from revenue reserves and delegate final confirmation of funding to the Chief Executive, as advised by the Strategic Director, Finance and Governance, in consultation with the Leader of the Council, the Cabinet Member for the Economy and the Arts and the Cabinet Member for Finance and Commercial Services.

6.5

Review of the Constitution pdf icon PDF 115 KB

Minutes:

8.04pm – 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                   

NOT VOTING            

 

The report and recommendations were declared CARRIED.

 

8.04pm – RESOLVED

 

1.    That the changes to the Pensions Board’s terms of reference, as set out in Appendix 1 of the report, be agreed.

 

2.    That the changes to the Licensing Committee and Licensing Sub-Committee’s terms of reference, as set out in Appendix 2 of the report, be agreed.

7.

Special Motions

To consider and determine any Special Motions:

 

Minutes:

8.05pm – Under Standing Order 15(e)(3), Councillor Colin Aherne moved a motion that Special Motions 7 and 2 take precedence on the agenda. The motion was agreed.

 

Councillor Colin Aherne then gave notice that Special Motion 3 would be withdrawn.

7.7

Special Motion 7 - Protecting and securing Hartopp and Lannoy Points pdf icon PDF 49 KB

Minutes:

8.06pm – Councillor Lisa Homan moved, seconded by Councillor Larry Culhane, the special motion – with a tabled amendment – In their names:

 

This Council acknowledges and supports the extensive work undertaken by Hammersmith & Fulham’s Labour Administration to ensure the safety of all residents at Hartopp and Lannoy Points.

 

The Council reaffirms its support of the fire safety measures it has put in place including fire wardens, smoke alarms and a £600k investment in fire safety programme – all actions put in place after discussions with the London Fire Brigade and world-leading Fire Safety Experts, CS Todd Associates. 

The Council welcomes the Administration’s on-going commitment to work with residents of all the borough’s council estates which is in stark contrast to the council housing sell-off and demolition programme undertaken by Hammersmith & Fulham’s Conservative councillors during their two consecutive terms of administration ending in 2014 – many of those individuals still Conservative councillors now.

 

This Council reiterates its commitment to continue to work with Hartopp and Lannoy Points’ residents, providing them with full access to information, including Fire Risk Assessments, Structural Survey, a Hartopp and Lannoy webpage and weekly housing management surgeries. 

The Council supports the Labour Administration’s commissioning of the structural investigation of Hartopp and Lannoy Point and that it has engaged and consulted extensively with all Hartopp and Lannoy Point’s residents on this issue over the whole period this work has been on-going.

 

The Council notes with concern that on 22 January 2019, Greg Hands MP misled the House of Commons when he implied that Hammersmith & Fulham Council had not properly communicated with Hartopp and Lannoy Points tenants and leaseholders.

 

The Council recognises that the administration has worked extremely closely with the residents of Hartopp and Lannoy Points. It has properly consulted them and undertaken actions that have been more thorough than at any other council home consultation since 2006. That includes:

 

·         Thirteen letters updating residents on what is happening;

·         Having undertaken a thorough door-knocking canvass of all

·         residents so that they can be advised of the work the Council is doing and of their housing options;

·         So far, having held four public meetings by the cabinet member for housing;

·         Holding special surgeries each week, three times a week and one Saturday a month over the last year especially for Hartopp and Lannoy Points residents;

·         Undertaking all follow-up casework meetings with residents to deal with their issues;

·         Prioritising moves for tenants to alternative accommodation and offered to buy back resident leaseholders.

 

The Council also notes that Greg Hands failed to attend any of the above public meetings or raised a single query from any resident of the Hartopp and Lannoy Points flats about these matters.

 

The Council agrees that Greg Hands has an unhappy history of misrepresenting the facts and it must raise this particular matter with the Parliamentary authorities.

 

The Council also recognises the atrocious way the borough's former Conservative administration and Capital and Counties Properties Plc (Capco) side-lined the tenants, leaseholders and freeholders of the West  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.7

7.2

Special Motion 2 - Austerity is economically illiterate, cruel and no more than an ideologically conservative attempt to shrink the state which is why it must end pdf icon PDF 49 KB

Minutes:

8.42pm – Councillor Andrew Jones moved, seconded by Councillor Alexandra Sanderson, the special motion in their names:

 

“This Council calls on the Conservative government to immediately end austerity and not just talk of doing so.

 

The Council acknowledges that austerity was introduced in 2010 by the Conservative / Liberal Democrat government, not as part of good economic management, but to deliver that government’s ideologically conservative agenda.

 

The Council notes that austerity is economically illiterate and counter-productive which is why in 2010 it had the immediate effect of killing economic growth, driving the UK into recession and curtailing UK debt payments. It further notes that this policy has been widely condemned internationally, exemplified in particular by a 2016 IMF report concluding that it did ‘more harm than good’.

 

The Council notes the broad coloration between the areas of Great Britain hardest hit by austerity and the vote to leave the European Union during David Cameron’s flawed EU Referendum.

 

The Council views with sadness the consequences of austerity to our society most recently reported by the United Nation’s which detailed how it has caused extreme poverty and damaged people’s human rights.

 

The Council declares that it is a matter of shame for the Conservative / Liberal Democrat (2010-2015) and Conservative (2015-present) governments that the UN report was able to conclude:

 

“The UK is the world’s fifth largest economy, it contains many areas of immense wealth, its capital is a leading centre of global finance, its entrepreneurs are innovative and agile, and despite the current political turmoil, it has a system of government that rightly remains the envy of much of the world.  It thus seems patently unjust and contrary to British values that so many people are living in poverty. This is obvious to anyone who opens their eyes to see the immense growth in foodbanks and the queues waiting outside them, the people sleeping rough in the streets, the growth of homelessness, the sense of deep despair that leads even the Government to appoint a Minister for suicide prevention and civil society to report in depth on unheard of levels of loneliness and isolation.  And local authorities, especially in England, which perform vital roles in providing a real social safety net have been gutted by a series of government policies.  Libraries have closed in record numbers, community and youth centres have been shrunk and underfunded, public spaces and buildings including parks and recreation centres have been sold off.  While the labour and housing markets provide the crucial backdrop, the focus of this report is on the contribution made by social security and related policies.”

 

The Council recognises that since 2010 almost sixty pence out of every pound of government funding has been cut to this council’s budget.

 

The Council applauds the fact that the borough’s Labour councillors opposed austerity from its start at the beginning of this decade. It notes that Conservative councillors have consistently justified austerity and voted to support it.

 

The Council calls for all councillors to now oppose  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.2

7.1

Special Motion 1 - Lannoy and Hartopp pdf icon PDF 37 KB

Minutes:

The Special Motion was withdrawn.

7.3

Special Motion 3 - Call for a sea-change in the government’s treatment of disabled people pdf icon PDF 54 KB

Minutes:

The Special Motion was withdrawn.

7.4

Special Motion 4 - Disabled Access to Tube Stations pdf icon PDF 39 KB

Minutes:

The Special Motion was withdrawn.

7.5

Special Motion 5 - Council Housing Borrowing Cap pdf icon PDF 39 KB

Minutes:

The Special Motion was withdrawn.

7.6

Special Motion 6 - RingGo and the New Visitor Permit pdf icon PDF 41 KB

Minutes:

The Special Motion was withdrawn.

 

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