Agenda and minutes

The Chair opened the meeting and said that before commencing the business of the evening he would like to hand over to Councillor Davis to make an announcement.

Councillor Davis advised the Assembly that former Councillor George Brooker and his wife had both been admitted to King George’s Hospital.

In accordance with the Council’s Constitution, Members are asked to declare any personal or prejudicial interest they may have in any matter which is to be considered at this meeting.  Members are reminded that the provision of paragraph 12.3 of Article 1, Part B in relation to Council Tax arrears applies to agenda item 10.

There were no declarations of interest

The minutes of the ordinary meeting and special meeting were agreed.

Chair noted with deep regret that two former Councillors had passed away – Douglas Waters and John Lawrence, and invited Cllr Fairbrass to present a tribute to them.

Cllr Fairbrass moved a tribute, saying that both were colleagues whom he had served with for many years.

John Lawrence had been a colleague in his ward, who very seldom missed a ward meeting.  He had worked in Fords in the furnace area.  John had worked very hard and had been an active trade unionist who never forgot his TU background.  For many years he served as the Chair of the Housing Committee

Douglas Waters, Councillor Fairbrass went on to say, had been a true socialist and also a co-operative man through and through.  It was only at the funeral that Councillor Fairbrass discovered that whilst serving in the Royal Engineers, Douglas had been at the liberation of Belsen which it seems had had a profound effect on his life.  His respect for humanity was absolute.  At his funeral, Councillor Fairbrass explained that it was obvious to see that his children had been brought up with respect for other people.

Councillor Fairbrass concluded by saying that both former colleagues had left a huge legacy behind them.

Councillors Davis and Justice passed their own tributes to both men.

The Chair then asked everyone to stand for a minute’s silence as a mark of respect.

There were none.

The lead petitioner, Darren Rodwell, presented the terms of a petition opposing the decision of the Council to use a developer’s contribution through Section 106 planning monies to resurface a pathway that runs through Dagenham and Redbridge Football Club and to instead use the money to upgrade and improve facilities in Pondfield Park for the benefit of the community as whole.  His view was that the monies were ring fenced for that purpose.

Mr Rodwell explained that whilst the petitioners did not have a problem with the upgrade of the pathway, they did object to it being at the expense of necessary works to the park and the surrounding area such as new play equipment, CCTV and a pelican crossing all of which had been agreed previously. 

Mr Rodwell referred to the two parts of the park – the field part and the play area part – and said that the play area is what the majority of local people use.  The Council claim that the works to the path are required to adhere to regulations including making it wheelchair accessible, but Mr Rodwell believed that people using wheelchairs would not be able to use the path because of the steepness of it.  He further stated that the pathways on that side of the park are in such a state that they have been eroded away. 

Mr Rodwell, speaking on behalf of the local Tenants’ and Residents’ Association, was also concerned that if they want play equipment, they still need to find £60,000 from the Big Lottery and other funders to get the money.  He said that the Section 106 monies were to be there for the community and should be used for the community and not for the benefit of football away fans. 

The Head of Leisure and Arts, referring to his report, explained that under the terms of the Section 106 Agreement the monies could only be used for environmental improvements to Pondfield Park.  As the path lies within the park leading to the rear of the Football Club ground, is in a serious state of disrepair and is a risk to health and safety, it is the view of officers that if the works are not done there would be a real risk of an accident, which could lead to claims against the Council as the owners of the park and pathway.

The Head of Leisure and Arts stated that he was more than happy to meet with Mr Rodwell and the petitioners to discuss the grant issues that had been raised by Mr Rodwell this evening.

Councillor Buckley referred to the comment in the report about the foundations of the path being unstable and consequently why and who in the Council was responsible for creating what appears to be a serious health and safety hazard?  He also asked whether there was any lighting along the path.

The Chief Executive responded that the fact that the pathway is now unstable did not mean it  ...  view the full minutes text for item 64.

Following consideration of a report from the Corporate Director of Resources:

Agreed that:

(1)  for reasons of best practice, timeliness and to enable more detailed consideration, in future the responsibility for approving the Council’s Annual Statement of Accounts at the end of each financial year should transfer from the Assembly to the Public Accounts and Audit Select Committee; and

(2)  the Constitution be amended accordingly.

Following the appointment of Tracie Evans as the permanent Corporate Director of Finance and Commercial Services (minute 38 refers),

Confirmed the continuation on a permanent basis of her role as the Council’s Section 151 Officer, and noted Jonathan Bunt as her nominated Deputy Section 151 Officer following his appointment to the post of Corporate Finance Controller.

The Chief Executive also reported on the proposed arrangements for covering his post when he leaves the Council in May to take up the position of Managing Director of the Improvement and Development Agency, in the light of which:

Agreed to delegate to the Assembly Appointments Panel, the selection of an Acting Chief Executive (Head of Paid Service) for ratification by Assembly on 24 March for the period commencing 17 May 2010 until a new permanent Chief Executive is in position.

The Divisional Director of Legal and Democratic Services (DDLDS) presented the Annual Report of the Independent Remuneration Panel (IRP), in the absence of Derek Johnson, the Chair of the Panel, who was unable to attend the meeting

The Panel is made up of five independent people and meets annually to have regard to the recommendations for the coming year in setting the level of Members’ allowances.  They have decided to recommend for the second year running that there be no increase in Members’ allowances in respect of both basic and special responsibility allowances. 

They did, however, have regard to the work undertaken by the Independent Members of the Standards Committee, taking into account the changes brought about by new regulations in May 2008.  In carrying out that review the Panel interviewed both the Independent Chair of the Standards Committee, and the Monitoring Officer, and had regard to the level of allowances paid by other authorities.

Councillor NN Gill in recognising the increased levels of work being undertaken by the Standards Committee fully supported the recommendation of the Panel to pay the Independent Members an allowance.

Councillor Bailey supported the recommendation to impose a continued freeze on all allowances which in his opinion should apply for the next five years.

Agreed:

1.  To apply for a second year a freeze of all Members’ allowances in 2010/11 to take account of the continuing difficult economic situation,

2.  To pay the Chair and other Independent Members of the Standards Committee allowances of £1000 and £500 per annum respectively on the basis the costs can be contained within the overall budgets,

And in so doing to:

(i)  agree the new Members’ Allowance Scheme for 2010/11 as set out in Appendix A to the report, to take effect from 9 May 2010 for the basic allowance,with all other allowances taking effect the day after the Annual Assembly which is scheduled for 19 May 2010, and

(ii)  incorporate the Scheme into the Council Constitution (Part F).

This report also includes the report “Council Plan Update 2010-11 Incorporating the Medium Term Financial Strategy 2010-11 to 2012-13” listed as Agenda Item 10.

The Corporate Director of Finance and Commercial Services (CDFCS) introduced the report by making a brief presentation covering:

• the background to a place survey carried out in 2009,
• the outcomes of that survey,
• Revenue Budget proposals for 2010/11,
• Council Tax,
• how the budget had been scrutinised, and
• the Alternative budget proposals (BNP)

Referring to the alternative budget proposals submitted by the British National Party (BNP) as presented as a supplementary report to the Council’s budget, the CDFCS confirmed that as the Council’s Section 151 Officer overall it was balanced and largely robust but she had previously made it known to the BNP Leader that there were areas within the budget that she would advise against implementing due to the severe service impact or erosion of base budgets.

Councillor Bramley, the Cabinet Member for Finance and Human Resources, introduced the budget proposals that were agreed by the Executive on 16 February 2010.  In presenting the detail he thanked the CDFCS and her staff for their support during the budget preparation process.

Councillor Bramley stated that in freezing the Council Tax for an unprecedented second consecutive year this Labour administration has delivered on its promises to the people of Barking and Dagenham.  The budget is balanced and robust and provides for a sound base to move forward in the difficult financial times ahead. 

It is recognised that the Council’s reserves need replenishing and this budget commences that process.  He spoke of his pride in the huge capital programme which commits the Council to investing a total of £394 million over the next three years.

This significant investment is only possible because of the careful financial approach taken by the Council over the past twelve months, and has enabled amongst other things the recommencement of a Council house building programme as well as major expenditure in the fabric of our school buildings, and in so doing creating new primary school places. 

Councillor Bramley referred to the superb nationally recognised Apprentice Scheme, the introduction of the Youth Access card, the support given to reduce domestic violence, as well as the three stars achieved in Adult Care as examples of how well this Council is doing and therefore it was with great satisfaction that he was presenting the budget to this Assembly for approval this evening.

Councillor Liam Smith in his capacity as the Leader of the Council, referring to the alternative proposals for the BNP, as he saw them, was pleased to see that the harebrained schemes dreamed up last year had now been dropped.  That said this BNP budget, which followed five days after the publication of the Labour budget, merely takes their Labour proposals with a few add ons.  He stated that it was not possible to keep tapping into reserves as the BNP suggests, but that what was needed was sustainable and robust budget planning for the next ten years, not the here and now that this alternative budget seeks to achieve.

He referred to the BNP suggestion of cutting  ...  view the full minutes text for item 68.

Received a report from the Corporate Director of Finance and Commercial Services setting out the Treasury Management Annual Investment Strategy Statement and the Council’s Prudential Indicators.

Agreed:

1.  The Treasury Management Annual Investment Strategy as set out in Appendix 1 to the report;

2.   An authorised borrowing limit of £200 million 2010/11; and

3.  The Treasury indicators for 2010/11 through to 2012/13 as also set out in Appendix 1.

M1.  British History Month

Moved by Councillor Rustem and seconded by Councillor Barnbrook.

“It is naturally important that all cultures should be recognised and not merged into a liberal-left-Marxist utopian melting pot that extinguishes all identities.  It is also important that all cultures are able to maintain a link with their relative histories as has been recently highlighted by Black History Month which was held throughout Barking and Dagenham in October.

It is understandable that people from different cultural and ethnic backgrounds are able to learn about who they are and where they have come from.  Therefore, in the interests of fairness and equality which this Council boasts of trying to maintain, it is the view of the British National Party that Barking and Dagenham Council should take the lead and be the first to stage a British History Month which would be similar to Black History month which provided "music, food, exhibitions, workshops, speeches, dance, debates and cultural performances".  British History Month should also be held throughout the borough and would be geared towards holding themed events which demonstrate an awareness of the "Inspirations from the past, Aspirations for the future".  It would also only be fair that Barking and Dagenham should look to spend the same amount of money as was spent on Black History Month £5,197.  This Council should also encourage the Primary Care Trust and the North East London Foundation Trust to contribute £1,000 each, just as these two organisations have done for the Black History Month.”

Councillor White disagreed that a separate series of events should be organised as black history forms an essential part of British history, as does St George’s Day, and the suggestion that the Council should be spending proportionate amounts of money on both was nonsense.

Councillor Alexander, in response to the BNP’s suggestion of increasing understanding and pride in the heritage of the Borough, referred to the funding of over £800,000 for the Heritage Service including the Borough’s heritage buildings such as Valence House and Eastbury Manor, which enabled local people to connect with their history and where they come from.  She said the fact that the motion says it would only be fair to spend the same as on Black History Month, i.e. £5,197, meant the BNP thought the Council should be reducing funding.  She concluded that as ever, the BNP do not research their motions and may now wish to withdraw it.

Councillor Fairbrass explained that Black History Month started so that people who had been forcibly removed from their homes could learn something about their history.  As an example, he referred to the fact that the cities of Bristol and Liverpool were born on slave trade.  He said that our history is all around us and suggested looking in the Borough archives to see information on, for example, the gunsite, the Battle of Britain Airfield, the trench in Central Park, the rivers, the Saxon rooms. 

Councillor L Smith supported the sentiments expressed by  ...  view the full minutes text for item 70.

Question from Councillor Barnbrook:

"Given that statistics from the Place Survey in 2009 reveal that 39.3% of residents felt that Anti Social Behaviour (ASB)  was a problem in the area, (the third highest in London), and that only 29.7% agreed that the Police and the Council were successfully dealing with local concerns over ASB and crime issues, should we not redirect the intrusive and antisocial Smart Car which is currently directed at motorists who commit minor parking offences, such as when picking up medicine from a chemist, and direct its working towards hotspots for ASB and knife crime?  Two examples are Marks Corner and Barking Town Centre, where a person nearly lost his life recently due to a stabbing, or is this Council more interested in picking up stealth tax as opposed to dealing with real crime?”

Response from the Leader of the Council

“Cameras do not always prevent crimes and consequently the best way to tackle this issue is to ensure that there are more police officers on the streets.”

GQ1  Question from Councillor Barnbrook:

“Could the Leader please confirm whether regrading/reduction of salaries of front-line Council staff has taken place within the last year and what the justification is for this?”

Response from Councillor Liam Smith:

“There have only been regradings/reductions in salaries for a small number of front-line staff where this has formed part of a wider review of a whole service area to ensure value for money.

There are two main areas and three roles which have been affected.

The Council itself goes through a process of normal reviews and in order to ensure that any staff affected by this will be given pay protection if a review results in a reduction in pay.  For the most part, the process of increments and pay awards narrows any gap over time.

The Council constantly looks to see how it can get better value for money and compares its costs with councils that face similar issues.  In doing so sometimes means we do need to review services from time to time to ensure that our terms and conditions our comparable.  The reality is that far more people will have gained from reviews than will have lost out.”

GQ2  Question from Councillor Rustem:

“In the last four years how many building approvals have been granted by the Council for the setting up of worship, religious studies and religious community facilities/activities?”

Response from Councillor McCarthy:

“One.”

The Chair announced that Mr Whiteman would be leaving the Council in May 2010 to take up a new post as the Managing Director of the Improvement and Development Agency.  Although there would be other opportunities for Members to say farewell, this would be his last Assembly meeting due to other work commitments in April.

Councillors Liam Smith and Fairbrass, the current and former Leaders of the Council, paid tribute to Mr Whiteman, recognising his significant contribution in taking the Borough from a two star “fair” to a four star “excellent” authority. 

Councillor Barns also personally thanked Mr Whiteman for his help and support to him as the Chair of the Assembly over the past year and for all the help he had given to Members of the Assembly generally.

Councillor Liam Smith wished Mr Whiteman and his family all the best for the future, a sentiment echoed by all Members present.

In response, Mr Whiteman stated that he regarded this as the best job he had ever had and that over the past five years or so he had established a great affinity with the Borough.  In conclusion he said that in his new role he would always be happy to help the Borough in any way he can.