Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Rachel Leighton, Donald Johnson, and Sue Macmillan.

Apologies for lateness were received from Councillor Larry Culhane.

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 Standards Committee.

To approve the minutes of the Annual Council meeting held on 28 April 2021 and note the minutes of the informal Council meeting held on 14 July 2021.

7.08pm – The minutes of the Annual Council meeting held on 28 April 2021 and the minutes of the informal Council meeting held on 14 July 2021 were agreed as accurate records.

The Mayor extended the Council’s congratulations to Councillors Leighton and Connell on the birth of their first child, Phoebe.

Death of David Amess MP

The Mayor noted the tragic murder of Sir David Amess, Conservative MP for Southend West. Speeches were made by the Leader of the Council, Councillor Stephen Cowan, the Leader of the Opposition, Councillor Victoria Brocklebank-Fowler, and Councillor Andrew Brown.

The Council observed a minute of silence in his memory.

The Mayor thanked all of the residents who submitted questions. He noted that public question time was limited to 20 minutes and it would not be extended as there were 16 public questions and a full agenda.

Questions 7 and 8 were addressed in the meeting. The Mayor noted that any questions not addressed in the meeting would receive written responses which would also be published in the minutes. All of the questions and responses can be found in Appendix 1 at the end of the minutes.

The Returning Officer reports the outcome of the by-election held in Wormholt and White City ward on 23 September 2021.

The Mayor congratulated Councillor Frances Umeh on her election victory and welcomed her to the Council.

Speeches of congratulations were made by the Leader of the Council, Councillor Stephen Cowan and the Leader of the Opposition, Councillor Victoria Brocklebank-Fowler.

7.32pm – The report on the party appointments for the 2021/22 Municipal Year was noted.

Council is asked to confirm the proportional division of committee seats following the outcome of the by-election held in the Wormholt and White City ward on 23 September 2021.

7.34pm – The report on the allocation of seats and proportionality on committees was noted.

The Council is asked to note updates to the Party Appointments for the 2021/22 Municipal Year.

The Mayor noted that an amendment had been circulated for this item.

7.35pm – The Council is asked to note updates to the Party Appointments for the 2021/22 Municipal Year including the appointment of Councillor Bora Kwon as the Chief Whip.

Council is asked to approve changes to committee memberships.

The Mayor noted that an amendment had been circulated for this item.

7.35pm – The amended report and recommendations were formally moved for adoption by the Leader of the Council, Councillor Stephen Cowan.

The amended report and recommendations were put to the vote:

FOR                        UNANIMOUS

AGAINST                0

NOT VOTING         0

The amended report and recommendations were declared CARRIED.

7.35pm – RESOLVED

1.    That Full Council approves the appointment of Councillor Frances Umeh to Planning and Development Control Committee and Licensing Committee.

2.    That Full Council notes that Councillor Sharon Holder is the nominated substitute for Commercial Revenue Committee.

3.    That Council agrees the appointment of Councillor Frances Umeh as a member and Chair of the Community Safety and Environment Policy and Accountability Committee.

This report asks Council to note updates to Contract Standing Orders and the Departmental Registers of Authorities.

7.35pm – The updates to Contract Standing Orders and the Departmental Registers of Authorities were noted.

This report seeks approval of a special dispensation granted to all Councillors for any non-attendance at meetings of the authority for Covid-19 related reasons to 9 November 2021.

7.35pm – The report and recommendations were formally moved for adoption by the Leader of the Council, Councillor Stephen Cowan.

The report and recommendations were put to the vote:

FOR                        UNANIMOUS

AGAINST                0

NOT VOTING         0

The report and recommendations were declared CARRIED.

7.35pm – RESOLVED

Full Council agreed that any member unable to attend a council meeting for a period greater than six months for Covid-19 related reasons, receives a dispensation further to section 85(1) of the Local Government Act 1972 to 9 November 2021.

7.36pm – Councillor Andrew Brown moved, seconded by Councillor Matt Thorley, the special motion in their names:

“This council is committed to work with all residents and put them at the heart of decisions on how we will decarbonise heat and transport, and build a sustainable future for economic, social and environmental prosperity in Hammersmith and Fulham.

We stand by the principal that no one is left behind, and everyone’s choice can and will be supported, allowing all residents to contribute to the 2050 net zero target, at their pace and without unnecessary upheaval.

We acknowledge climate change and the imperative for clean air, reduced pollution and minimal waste. And we also recognise that solutions must be pragmatic, flexible and fair, so no residents – especially those most vulnerable, lose out. One size does not fit all.

This council accepts that it has made mistakes in the past, forcing well intended but ill-conceived changes to local traffic management without considering the wider implications for the local area, the increased air pollution and congestion in key parts of the Borough, and the inherent risk that brings by increasing emergency response times for critical health and emergency services.

In future, the Council commits to deliver on its pledge to “do things with residents, not to them”, and will respect the views of all communities to find a balanced and fair path to achieve its goals that is acceptable to all. The Council facilitates – but the residents choose.”

Speeches on the motion were made by Councillors Brown and Thorley (for the Opposition).

Under Standing Order 15(e)(6), Councillor Wesley Harcourt moved, seconded by Councillor Stephen Cowan, an amendment in their names:

“Delete all after “This Council…” in line 1 and replace with:

…recognises the importance of climate change and so declared a Climate Emergency in 2019 with an ambitious target of net carbon zero by 2030, far sooner than nationally set target dates. The Council further recognises the importance of the work done by the resident led Climate and Ecological Emergency Commission which reported earlier this year.

This Council notes the work already undertaken by the Climate Unit in developing a climate strategy and the continued input of residents into leading the newly established Strategic Implementation Group.

This Council also acknowledges how clean air, reduced pollution and waste contribute to a cleaner, greener future for our residents and recognises the success of Council initiatives such as retro fitting of properties on Gibbs Green, the last mile delivery service and the rapidly increasing number of electric vehicle charging points to list just a few.

This Council hopes that members, residents and businesses will take part in its series of Climate Carnival events scheduled for later this month.

This Council looks forward to continuing to work with residents to bring about the necessary changes that will achieve its ambition for net carbon zero by 2030 and a greener future for our borough.”

Speeches on the amendment were made by Councillors Harcourt, Cassidy, Frances Umeh (her  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.1

8.27pm – Councillor Ben Coleman moved, seconded by Councillor Lucy Richardson, the special motion in their names:

“This Council:

·       Notes the replacement of Rt Hon Matt Hancock MP as Secretary of State for Health and Social Care by Rt Hon Sajid Javid MP;

·      Notes that one of the first matters in Mr Javid’s in-tray will be his predecessor’s proposals for a new Health and Social Care Bill, as set out in in a White Paper of 11 February 2021;

·      Is concerned that the Bill increases the power of the Secretary of State at the expense of local accountability and democracy;

·      Is deeply concerned that the Bill gives the Secretary of State a new power to intervene in local services configuration proposals “where required”, which could end the NHS’s current duty to consult local authorities about substantial variations or reconfigurations of health services and make it easier for the government to close Charing Cross Hospital;

·      Is concerned that the Secretary of State will have a new power over NHS appointments, enabling him to install compliant allies to run the new, regional Integrated Care Systems that bring together the NHS and local authorities;

·      Is concerned about the impact on residents’ health and wellbeing of proposals to transfer unspecified functions from Public Health teams, which are based in Councils close to their communities, to the more remote NHS;

·      Regrets that the White Paper prioritises new government control of Councils’ social care services over new funding as part of a much-needed national plan;

·      Regrets that the White Paper says nothing about requiring the NHS to share data better with Councils, despite the need for this being a key lesson of the Covid pandemic; and

·      Urges the Secretary of State to ensure that the Bill which he takes though Parliament addresses the concerns raised here and does not threaten Charing Cross Hospital by undermining local democracy and accountability.”

Speeches on the motion were made by Councillors Coleman, Richardson, and Cowan (for the Administration) and Councillors Brown and Lloyd Harris (for the Opposition).

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

FOR                        33

AGAINST                10

NOT VOTING         0

The motion was declared CARRIED.

8.59pm – RESOLVED

This Council:

Notes the replacement of Rt Hon Matt Hancock MP as Secretary of State for Health and Social Care by Rt Hon Sajid Javid MP;

·      Notes that one of the first matters in Mr Javid’s in-tray will be his predecessor’s proposals for a new Health and Social Care Bill, as set out in in a White Paper of 11 February 2021;

·      Is concerned that the Bill increases the power of the Secretary of State at the expense of local accountability and democracy;

·      Is deeply concerned that the Bill gives the Secretary of State a new power to intervene in local services configuration proposals “where required”, which could end the NHS’s current duty to consult local authorities about substantial variations or reconfigurations of health services and make it easier for  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.5

8.59pm – Councillor Andrew Jones moved, seconded by Councillor Lisa Homan, the special motion in their names:

“This Council notes the decision of the Secretary of State for Housing and Local Communities to call in the planning application for Edith Summerskill House on the Clement Attlee Estate in Fulham. This decision prevents the construction of 133 new homes for residents, the vast majority of which are urgently needed genuinely affordable or temporary housing. The Council notes that after an unnecessary deliberation which took 9 months, the housing scheme is now further delayed for up to 4 years and the replacement of affordable homes under threat. With respect to this decision, this Council further notes:

·      The Council and its partners have invested significant resources into replacing an uninhabitable building with social rented homes of the highest quality;

·      The call-in purports to be on the grounds of a tall building, but the new building is of very similar height and dimensions to the building it replaces;

·      The project has been granted planning permission after extensive consultation, and has the approval of the GLA and the Mayor of London;

·      The eleventh-hour call-in delay has a severely negative impact on the Council’s finances – it will delay the provision of 105 temporary housed households which will cost the Council on average £175,000 per month;

·      Further delays will severely impact the lives of over-crowded families and those on the housing register waiting for an offer of permanent accommodation;

·      By creating this delay the Government is imposing a further £840,000 to £1.26m to the overall costs of the project;

·      The Council will also have to continue to fund 24/7 site security at a cost of £8,000 per month;

·      Peabody, who are the final developer/operator, have also spent £1.5m to date; and

·      The delay threatens the project’s overall finances as some of the funding will time-out.

This Council further notes that Edith Summerskill was identified under the previous Conservative administration as an affordable/private tenure redevelopment and the current scheme is little different to that which has been proposed for nearly a decade.

The Council therefore calls upon the Government to cancel this unjustified, costly and detrimental eleventh-hour decision and to allow the scheme to proceed in order to deliver much need genuinely affordable housing.”

Speeches on the motion were made by Councillors Jones, Homan, Holder, and Rowbottom (for the Administration) and Councillors Thorley and Karmel (for the Opposition).

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

FOR                        33

AGAINST                10

NOT VOTING         0

The motion was declared CARRIED.

9.32pm – RESOLVED

This Council notes the decision of the Secretary of State for Housing and Local Communities to call in the planning application for Edith Summerskill House on the Clement Attlee Estate in Fulham. This decision prevents the construction of 133 new homes for residents, the vast majority of which are urgently needed genuinely affordable or temporary housing. The Council notes that after an unnecessary deliberation which took  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.4

9.33pm – Councillor Victoria Brocklebank-Fowler moved, seconded by Councillor Amanda Lloyd-Harris, the special motion in their names:

“This Council recognises the challenge facing people with disabilities and others with limited mobility, including older people and those with young families, of using the London Underground.

This Council notes that whilst some tube stations in our borough have step free access, many others do not.

This Council regrets that no progress has been made on important accessibility improvements to our transport infrastructure in over seven years.

This Council calls on Transport for London to put forward plans to give additional stations across the borough step-free access, such as Putney Bridge, Parsons Green and Barons Court Tube Stations.

This Council pledges to work with TfL, local residents, businesses and developers to support plans for step free access, and to provide Section 106 funding to support these schemes.”

Speeches on the motion were made by Councillors Brocklebank-Fowler and Lloyd-Harris (for the Opposition).

Under Standing Order 15(e)(6), Councillor Ben Coleman moved, seconded by Councillor Patricia Quigley, an amendment in their names:

“Delete all after "This Council" and insert:

…welcomes this administration's determination to make Hammersmith & Fulham the best borough for Disabled people and its commitment to work in co-production with Disabled people to remove the barriers they face.

This Council recognises the barriers that Disabled people and others, including older people and those with young families, face in using the London Underground.

This Council regrets that while some tube stations in our borough have step-free access, many others do not.

This Council regrets that at the time of the redevelopment of Shepherds Bush station, the then Conservative administration and the then London Mayor Boris Johnson did not support the local MP and Labour Party in insisting that step-free access to the station form part of the redevelopment.

This Council welcomes it that Transport for London (TfL) has made 21 stations step free in the past five years and that it will be launching a consultation in November to help shape its future approach to step-free tube stations should more funding become available.

This Council notes that prior to the pandemic TfL was on track to deliver an operating surplus by 2022/23, having reduced its net cost of operations by almost £1bn over the past four years and increased cash reserves to more than £2bn.

This Council regrets the catastrophic effect of the Covid pandemic on TfL's finances and notes that without government support, TfL may still face a £500m gap this year, which could inhibit the installation of step-free access at more stations.

This Council commits to:

·      Encouraging local residents, businesses and community groups to respond to the forthcoming TfL consultation to urge step-free access for more tube stations in our borough; and

·      Organising sessions with TfL and residents so that TfL can hear directly about the problems caused by the lack of step-free access.

This Council calls on the government to engage fully with TfL to secure a long-term funding agreement that will enable  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.2

The special motion was withdrawn.

The special motion was withdrawn.

The special motion was withdrawn.