Agenda and minutes

The Assembly stood and observed a minute’s silence as a mark of respect for the victims of the Paris terrorist attacks.

There were no declarations of interest.

The Assembly paid tribute to former Councillor Mrs Jean Bruce who passed away on Tuesday 24 November 2015.

The Assembly noted that Mrs Bruce was first elected as a Councillor for Abbey Ward in May 1974. Mrs Bruce transferred to Valence Ward where she was re-elected in 1986 and continued to serve until her retirement in 2006.  A number of Members paid tribute to Mrs Bruce’s huge contribution to the Council.

The Assembly stood and observed a minute’s silence in memory of Mrs Bruce.

The minutes of the meeting held on 23 September 2015 were confirmed as correct.

To note the minutes of the:

·  JNC Appointments Panel held on 22 September 2015

·  JNC Salaries and Conditions Panel held on 17 November 2015

The Assembly received and noted the minutes of the JNC Appointments Panel held on 22 September 2015 and the JNC Salaries and Conditions Panel held on 17 November 2015.

The Leader will present his statement.

The Leader of the Council presented a verbal statement updating the Assembly on a range of matters which included:

·  The Chancellor’s Comprehensive Spending review, which was announced last week.  Although precise details of the Council’s position would not be available until after the local government finance settlement was announced shortly before Christmas, the Ambition 2020 programme would continue to be looking at ways the Council could deliver better services with less money.

·  The One Borough Newsletter, which was being emailed to no less than 55,000 residents every fortnight.  Thanks were given to the Communications Team for producing the newsletter.  The Leader took the opportunity to thank all staff in general for their hard work during the year.  There was a special mention for staff recently involved in Operation Shutdown, where an illegal race event in Renwick Road was prevented following proactive action by the Police and the Council.

The Labour Group Secretary will announce any nominations to fill vacant positions on Council committees or other bodies.

There were no appointments to Council Committees and/or other bodies.

The Cabinet Member for Finance and Central Services introduced a report regarding the appointment of a parent governor (Secondary) Co-optee to the Children’s Services Select Committee.

The Assembly resolved to agree the appointment of Tracy MacDonald to the position of Parent Governor (Secondary) Co-optee on the Children’s Services Select Committee for a term of four years.

The Cabinet Member for Regeneration introduced a report regarding the adoption of London Councils’ Code of Practice for Affixing Traffic Signs and Street Lighting to Buildings in London.

The Assembly resolved to:

(i)  Note the new powers in the London Local Authorities and Transport for London Act 2013 (the 2013 Act) with regard to the erection of signage and street lighting on buildings in private ownership;

(ii)  Agree to adopt the London Council’s Code of Practice “Affixing Traffic Signs and Street Lighting to Buildings in London” in relation to the London Local Authorities and Transport for London Act 2013 Part 2(4) with effect from 1 February 2016 to enable the Council to exercise the new powers; and

(iii)  Authorise the Strategic Director of Customer, Commercial and Service Delivery to publish notice of the passing of the resolution in (ii) above, in accordance with the requirements of section 3(4) of the 2013 Act.

The Cabinet Member for Finance and Central Services introduced a report detailing the Council Tax Support Scheme 2016/17. There was a statutory duty on the Council to review the scheme on an annual basis. 

In response to questions from Councillor Gill, the Cabinet Member confirmed that:

·  The Council would implement a clear policy to ensure it could set its own criteria of whom would qualify for a discretionary reduction;

·  There had been no applications as yet; and

·  Whilst there had been a reduction from 85% to 75% in discretionary housing payments, this has not resulted in any noticeable reduction in Council Tax collection rates to date.

The Assembly resolved to agree that the Council Tax Support Scheme implemented for 2015/16 be retained for 2016/17, subject to the following minor amendments:

·  To adopt the same non-dependant deductions that apply to Universal Credit applicants;

·  Apply the lowest non-dependant deduction for those receiving work related or sickness benefits (to be specified);

·  To realign Council Tax Support with the Housing Benefit legislation so that entitlement ends on the Monday following the last day of entitlement.

The Cabinet Member for Finance and Central Services introduced the Treasury Management Strategy Statement Mid Year review for 2015/16.

The Cabinet Member referred to the low energy street light replacement programme, which the Cabinet had approved at its meeting on 10 November 2015. The proposals would involve the replacement of the borough’s existing street lights with low energy light emitting diode (LED) lanterns and entering into an agreement with the Green Investment Bank (GIB) to finance the procurement and replacement on an ‘invest to save’ basis. 

In response to questions from Councillors, the Cabinet Member confirmed that:

·  The Treasury Team were monitoring the Councils investments, particularly those at RBS and Lloyds, and would make sure the Council would not be exposed to risk;

·  With regard to the Council’s existing borrowing commitments, that they did not include any ‘toxic’ LOBO (Lender Option Borrower Option) arrangements, as stated at Assembly in July 2015; and

·  The Council would continue to invest in schemes, where appropriate, with the GIB.

Clarification was sought by Assembly regarding the following end dates for LOBO’s and the following confirmed by the Strategic Director, Finance and Investment:

·  Barclays (LOBO) – confirmed end date 30/05/2078

·  Dexia (LOBO) – confirmed end date 30/05/2077

·  RBS (LOBO) – confirmed end date 30/05/2060

·  RBS B (LOBO) – confirmed end date 30/05/2059

The Assembly resolved to:

(i)  Note the Treasury Management Strategy Statement Mid-Year Review 2015/16;

(ii)  Note that in the first half of the 2015/16 financial year that the Council complied with all 2015/16 treasury management indicators;

(iii)  Agree to maintain the delegated authority given to the Strategic Director of Finance and Investment, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Finance, for the duration of the 2015/16 financial year to proportionally amend the counterparty lending limits agreed within the Treasury Management Strategy Statement to take into account the additional £89m from the European Investment Bank; and

(iv)  Authorise the Strategic Director of Finance and Investment to make the necessary adjustments to the Treasury Management Strategy to reflect the borrowing of funds and the Capital Financing Requirement to accommodate the additional borrowing arising from the Cabinet’s decision under Minute 67, 10 November 2015 to finance the Low Energy Street Light Replacement Programme via the UK Green Investment Bank’s Green Loan

Moved by Councillor Twomey and seconded by Councillor Quadri.

“This Council notes, with regret, that the Housing and Planning Bill currently being debated in Parliament will have a negative impact on residents in Barking and Dagenham.

If passed in its current form, the Bill would threaten this Council’s ability to provide truly affordable homes to rent and buy. It does nothing to help families and young people on average incomes in our borough and fails to address the recent rise in homelessness.

This Council resolves to make our concerns public and support the Leader in writing to the Secretary of State to outline the negative impact that this Bill will have on residents in Barking and Dagenham.”

Members spoke in support of the motion and expressed their concerns that the Bill severely threatened the Council’s ability to provide affordable homes for the Boroughs residents.  Concerns were also raised that the Bill had the potential to deplete the Councils housing stock by approximately 800 homes due to the changes proposed to the Right to Buy Scheme.

In response, Councillor Twomey expressed his thanks to Members for their supporting comments and expressed his disappointment with the Housing Associations acceptance of the Bill. 

The motion was put to the vote by way of a show of hands and was carried.

Question 1

From Councillor Ahammad

“Can the Cabinet Member update us, after fifteen months of introducing the Private Rented Licensing Scheme (PRLS), what has been done so far to improve the quality of private rented housing in this borough?” 

Response

Councillor Butt, Cabinet Member for Crime and Enforcement, advised that as from 1 September 2014, any landlord operating a privately rented house was required to have applied for a licence.  Since the scheme started the Council had received over 11,000 PRLS applications and over 7,000 properties had been visited and assessed. 

Of the circa 450 properties being visited a month, approximately 15% were being identified as initially failing the licensing standard and requiring enforcement.  In most cases the Council were able to work with landlords to obtain compliance but for those that did not, the Council would use powers to enforce repairs, remove overcrowding or improve standards of safety.  Where a notice was served, not only would the landlord be treated as a potential ‘Landlord of Concern’, meaning that their properties may be restricted to annual licensing, but they were also liable for a charge of £490 for any Housing Act notice served. 

Supplementary Question

Councillor Ahammad asked if the Council had taken any action against landlords in the Borough.

Councillor Butt confirmed action had been taken.

Question 2

From Councillor Ghani

“Can the Leader update the Assembly on the proposals to build a tunnel called the Riverside tunnel beneath the A13, and what benefits it will bring our community of B&D?”

Response

Councillor Geddes, Cabinet Member for Regeneration advised that the new tunnel would bring many benefits to the Borough, including unlocking land for 5,000 new homes and the creation of 100 jobs, removal of the Lodge Avenue flyover and the replacement of old industrial buildings with new homes.  The proposal would also reduce pollution along the stretch of the A13 which was one of the five most polluted roads in London.

Supplementary Question

Councillor Ghani enquired as to whether there was an update on the new river crossing which had been proposed for 2025.

Councillor Geddes advised that work on the crossing would follow the commencement of the works on the tunnel.

Question 3

From Councillor Shaukat

“I am sure the Cabinet Member for Housing will share my concern at last week’s report in the Evening Standard about the rising rate of homelessness in London which has risen by 38% since 2012. The grant the Government gives local councils to tackle homelessness has dropped by £5m during the same period, and outer London Boroughs like Barking and Dagenham have been worst hit with B&D suffering a cut of 31%.

Can the Cabinet Member for Housing explain what we are doing to tackle the crisis in homelessness given the massively reduced support we are receiving from the Government?”

Response

Council Ashraf, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Housing, advised that in order to mitigate the impact of the reduction in homeless grant from Central Government from £650,000  ...  view the full minutes text for item 39.