Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Max Schmid, Andrew Jones, Helen Rowbottom, David Morton, and Adronie Alford.

Councillor Ann Rosenberg was absent.

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.

Councillor Rory Vaughan declared non-pecuniary interests in Special Motions 1 and 7 due to his employment as a financial regulator. He left the room for the duration of both items.

To approve the minutes of the Council meeting held on 12 July 2023 as an accurate record.

7.08pm – RESOLVED

The minutes of the meeting held on 12 July 2023 were agreed as an accurate record.

National Apprenticeship Awards

The Mayor noted that in October, the Council was awarded ‘London Regional Winner for Large Employer of the Year’ at the National Apprenticeship Awards 2023 – and was through to the national finals.

On behalf of the Council, the Mayor congratulated the People & Talent team, led by Mary Lamont, and all of the apprentices and managers who made the programme such a success.

Israel Palestine Conflict

The Mayor invited the Leader of the Council, Councillor Stephen Cowan, to address the Council. Councillors Stephen Cowan and Dominic Stanton made speeches.

The Mayor then led the Council in a minute of silence for the victims of the conflict.

Death of Ronald Browne

With great sadness, the Mayor informed the Council of the death of Ronald Browne, former Councillor and Chair of Council. Councillors Lisa Homan, Wesley Harcourt, Mercy Umeh, and Alex Karmel made speeches of remembrance.

The Mayor then led the Council in a minute of silence in his memory.

The Mayor invited Nimah Faleye, Adam Semar, Albi Fenner, and Ealaf Al-Najar from the Youth Council to address the meeting. They gave a presentation on their work over the past year.

Speeches were made by Councillor Trey Campbell-Simon (for the Administration) and Aliya Afzal-Khan (for the Opposition).

The Leader/relevant Cabinet Member to reply to questions submitted by members of the public.

The Mayor thanked the residents who submitted questions. Questions 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 were addressed in the meeting. The Mayor explained that any questions not addressed in the meeting would receive written responses. All questions and responses can be found at Appendix 1.

Under Standing Order 15(e)12, Councillor Alex Karmel called for an extension of the time limit for public questions. Councillor Patrick Walsh made a short speech before the motion was put to the vote:

FOR                            9

AGAINST                   33

NOT VOTING 1

The motion was declared LOST.

This report outlines the performance of the H&F Academy and the impact of the services being delivered for our residents, employees and the organisation.

8.29pm – The report and recommendations were formally moved for noting by the Cabinet Member for Finance and Reform, Councillor Rowan Ree.

Speeches on the report were made by Councillor Rowan Ree (for the Administration) and Aliya Afzal-Khan (for the Opposition).

The report was noted.

8.35pm – RESOLVED

1.    That Full Council noted the report on H&F Academy.

This item presents the Youth Justice Plan for approval. The Plan sets out how the Council will work with partnership agencies and local communities to keep children and young people in the borough safe and support them to reach their full potential.

8.35pm – The report and recommendations were formally moved for adoption by the Cabinet Member for Children and Education, Councillor Alex Sanderson.

Speeches on the report were made by Councillor Alex Sanderson (for the Administration) and Councillor Andrew Dinsmore (for the Opposition).

The report and recommendations were put to the vote:

FOR:                      UNANIMOUS

AGAINST:               0

NOT VOTING:        0

The recommendations were declared CARRIED.

8.41pm – RESOLVED

1.    That Full Council noted and approved the contents of the report and the Youth Justice Plan attached at Appendix 1 of the report.

This report presents the London Local Government Anti-Racist Statement for adoption by Full Council.

8.42pm – The report and recommendations were formally moved for adoption by the Cabinet Member for Social Inclusion and Community Safety, Councillor Rebecca Harvey.

Speeches on the report were made by Councillors Rebecca Harvey, Frances Umeh, and Laura Janes (for the Administration) – and Councillor Alex Karmel (for the Opposition).

The report and recommendations were put to the vote:

FOR:                      UNANIMOUS

AGAINST:               0

NOT VOTING:        0

The recommendations were declared CARRIED.

8.58pm – RESOLVED

1.    That Full Council adopted the London Local Government Anti-Racist Statement (Appendix 1 of the report).

This report presents the proportional division of seats on the standing committees for noting.

8.58pm – The report on allocation of seats and proportionality on committees was noted.

The Council is asked to approve amendments to committee memberships for the remainder of the 2023/24 Municipal Year.

8.58pm – 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 recommendations were declared CARRIED.

8.58pm – RESOLVED

1. That Councillor Nikos Souslous replaced Councillor Sharon Holder as the substitute member on the North West London Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

This report asks Council to approve a minor addition to the Council’s borrowing strategy to allow greater flexibility in the Council's borrowing options and ensure that the most appropriate borrowing at the best rate available is being achieved.

8.58pm – The report and recommendations were formally moved for adoption by the Cabinet Member for Finance and Reform, Councillor Rowan Ree.

Speeches on the report were made by Councillors Rowan Ree and Wesley Harcourt (for the Administration).

The report and recommendations were put to the vote:

FOR:                      UNANIMOUS

AGAINST:               0

NOT VOTING:        0

The recommendations were declared CARRIED.

9.05pm – RESOLVED

1. That Full Council approved an amendment to the Council’s borrowing strategy (Appendix A of the report), allowing greater flexibility in the range of financing options available.

This report recommends updates to the Council’s Constitution.

9.05pm – 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 recommendations were declared CARRIED.

9.06pm – RESOLVED

1.    That Full Council approved the amended terms of reference for the Audit Committee attached at Appendix 1 of the report.

2.    That Full Council approved the amendments to the constitution related to Council owned companies detailed in Appendix 2 of the report.

3.    That Full Council noted the amendments to the Economy and Environment Registers of Authorities outlined in the report.

The Council is asked to approve amendments to Outside Bodies appointments.

9.06pm – 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 recommendations were declared CARRIED.

9.06pm – RESOLVED

1.    That Councillor Adam Peter Lang be appointed to Earls Court and Olympia Charitable Trust, replacing the two previous appointments following a restructure of the Board of Trustees.

2.    That Councillor Daryl Brown be appointed to Sir William Powell's Almshouse to fill a vacancy.

9.06pm – Councillor Patrick Walsh moved, seconded by Councillor Genevieve Nwaogbe, a motion under Standing Order 15(e)3 to change the order of the special motions as follows: 7, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9. The motion was agreed.

Councillor Rory Vaughan left the room for the duration of this item.

9.07pm – Councillor Ross Melton moved, seconded by Councillor Rowan Ree, the special motion in their names:

“The Council notes the award of the Hammersmith & Fulham Pension Fund as the Local Government Pension Scheme Investment Award's Fund of the Year, under £2.5 billion, for 2023.

The Council:

Celebrates the sector-leading skill, dedication and performance of the Council’s pensions fund officials, independent advisors and co-opted committee members, now recognised as delivering the best Pension Fund in the UK, during a period of significant economic volatility and uncertainty.

Congratulates the H&F Pension Fund's pioneering divestment programme for developing an innovative, world-first Environmental, Social and Governance dashboard which enables all fund members to see in detail how their pension contributions are delivering a robust response to global climate change.

Highlights the LGPS award as further evidence of Hammersmith and Fulham's responsible approach to local government fiscal management, delivering security and confidence to the residents of the Borough and members of the Hammersmith & Fulham Pension Fund.”

Speeches on the motion were made by Councillors Ross Melton, Rowan Ree, and Ashok Patel (for the Administration) – and Councillor Adrian Pascu-Tulbure (for the Opposition).

Councillor Ross Melton then made a short speech summing up the debate before the motion was put to the vote:

FOR:                      UNANIMOUS

AGAINST:               0

NOT VOTING:        0

The recommendations were declared CARRIED.

9.24pm – RESOLVED

The Council notes the award of the Hammersmith & Fulham Pension Fund as the Local Government Pension Scheme Investment Award's Fund of the Year, under £2.5 billion, for 2023.

The Council:

Celebrates the sector-leading skill, dedication and performance of the Council’s pensions fund officials, independent advisors and co-opted committee members, now recognised as delivering the best Pension Fund in the UK, during a period of significant economic volatility and uncertainty.

Congratulates the H&F Pension Fund's pioneering divestment programme for developing an innovative, world-first Environmental, Social and Governance dashboard which enables all fund members to see in detail how their pension contributions are delivering a robust response to global climate change.

Highlights the LGPS award as further evidence of Hammersmith and Fulham's responsible approach to local government fiscal management, delivering security and confidence to the residents of the Borough and members of the Hammersmith & Fulham Pension Fund.

Councillor Rory Vaughan left the room for the duration of this item.

The Mayor noted that an amendment to the special motion had been submitted by the Administration.

9.24pm – Councillor Bora Kwon moved, seconded by Councillor Omid Miri, the special motion in their names:

“This Council notes:

·       The Covid-19 pandemic posed unprecedented challenges to Hammersmith and Fulham and the country more widely, requiring strict adherence to public health and lockdown guidelines to protect lives and mitigate the spread of the virus.

·       Shaun Bailey was a candidate for Mayor in the elections held in 2021, which would have seen him have significant responsibility for policing, transport, planning and other important matters in Hammersmith in Fulham.

·       The Shaun Bailey campaign for London mayor held a party on 14 December 2020 at Conservative Central Office in violation of lockdown rules, demonstrating a concerning lack of judgment and disregard for public safety. At the time, London was under Tier-2 restrictions, meaning people were banned from socialising indoors. A video of the party showing people dancing and singing was subsequently shared with the Metropolitan Police.

·       On 13 October 2023, the Met issued fines to 24 attendees at the party. It said, “We would not routinely investigate breaches of the Covid regulations retrospectively, and only do so where there is evidence of a serious and flagrant breach.”

·       Cabinet minister Michael Gove on 18 June 2023 called the party “indefensible” and said, “I just want to apologise to everyone”. Mr Gove also said, “As I understand it, this was an event that was organised by the people who were running the mayoral campaign for Shaun Bailey.”

·       Greg Hands, Conservative MP for Chelsea and Fulham, was Chair of the Bailey campaign. He is now running the Conservatives’ campaign across the country as Chair of the Conservative Party. He has ignored questions asking what he knew about the Bailey party and what action he took once he became aware of it.

·       On 20 October 2023 Mr Hands gave a disingenuous reply to Nick Robinson on the Today programme when asked if he had sacked the 24 people fined for the illegal party. He said the event had occurred three years ago and long predated him being Chairman of the Conservative Party. He failed to mention that he had actually chaired the mayoral campaign that held the party.

This Council believes:

·       Hammersmith and Fulham residents made huge sacrifices during the periods when London was under lockdown and other public health restrictions.

·       Organising a campaign party during lockdown reveals a failure to prioritise public safety and displays a lack of respect for the sacrifices made by the wider community and the efforts to contain the virus.

·       A campaign chair is expected to be fully aware of their campaign's activities, decisions and any potential violations of regulations, particularly during a critical time like a lockdown. They set the culture for a campaign and also take accountability for its actions.

This Council resolves:

·       To call upon Greg Hands to show integrity  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.1

The special motion was withdrawn.

The special motion was withdrawn.

The special motion was withdrawn.

The special motion was withdrawn.

The special motion was withdrawn.

The special motion was withdrawn.

The special motion was withdrawn.