Agenda and minutes

To appoint a Relief Chairman.

It was moved by the Lord Mayor and seconded by Councillor Tim Mitchell that Councillor Louise Hyams be elected as Relief Chairman and resolved accordingly.

To sign the Minutes of the Annual Meeting of the Council meeting held on 8 July 2015.

The minutes of the proceedings of the Council meeting held on 8 July 2015 were, with the assent of the Members present, signed by the Lord Mayor as a true record of the proceedings.

To note that Councillor Julia Alexander was elected at a by-election on 22 October 2015 to fill the Bryanston and Dorset Square ward vacancy.

3.1     The Lord Mayor welcomed Councillor Julia Alexander and Councillor Tim Roca, newly elected Councillors for Bryanston and Dorset Square Ward and Harrow Road Ward respectively to their first meeting.

(a)      The Lord Mayor to report with great sadness the death of Councillor Audrey Lewis who served as Lord Mayor in 2014-15 and as Councillor for Bryanston and Dorset Square ward from May 2002 until her death on 12 July 2015.

(b)            The Lord Mayor to report that on Thursday 9 July she attended the annual dinner of The German/British Chamber of Industry and Commerce at The Waldorf Hilton Hotel.

(c)            The Lord Mayor to report that on Wednesday 16 September she was guest of honour at a lunch on board HQS Wellington hosted by The Master of the Honourable Company of Master Mariners.

(d)            The Lord Mayor to report that  on Saturday 26 September she attended an annual event in support of the blind at The Methodist Central Hall.  

(e)            The Lord Mayor to report that over the Week End of 2-4 October she attended 17 different events organised for the Silver Sunday initiative across the City of Westminster. These ranged from “Sing-alongs” to a Cricket Match and a Concert to a Tea Dance.

(f)              That Lord Mayor to report that on Monday 5 October she represented The City of Westminster at a reception and dinner at The London Hilton hotel for The Annual Wellchild Awards in the presence of HRH Prince Harry of Wales.

(g)            The Lord Mayor to report that  on Wednesday 7 October she hosted a lunch for over 20 Head Teachers from schools within the City of Westminster

(h)            The Lord Mayor to report that  on Tuesday 13 October she hosted a Gala Fundraising dinner for 640 guests in aid of The Sir Simon Milton Foundation at The Royal Lancaster Hotel

(i)              The Lord Mayor to report that on Saturday 7 November she will attend the Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance at the Albert Hall followed on Sunday 8 November the Annual Service of Remembrance at Westminster Abbey.

4.1     The Lord Mayor referred to her communications as set out on the agenda.

4.2     The Lord Mayor advised that a Thanksgiving Service for former Councillor Audrey Lewis would be held on Monday 16 November 2015 at St Margaret’s Church.  The Leader of the Council and Councillor Paul Dimoldenberg spoke in tribute of the work of Councillor Lewis.  Councillors Robert Davis and Guthrie McKie also spoke in tribute of the work of former Councillor Illyted Harrington.  The Council then stood in memory of former Councillors Audrey Lewis, Illyted Harrington and also Iain Walker who had all died recently.

Councillors Nick Evans and Murad Gassanly declared interests as the Council questions they intended to ask related more closely to their property even though the questions were ward related.

Councillor David Boothroyd declared in respect of Item 11 that he is the Head of Research and Psephology for Thorncliffe, whose clients are companies applying for planning permission from various local authorities.  If any clients applied for premises relating to Westminster he would be precluded from working on them under the company’s Code of Conduct.

(a)      Councillor Adnan Mohammed to present a petition opposing the Baker Street Two-way Initiative.

(b)      Any other petitions or deputations.

6.1     Councillor Adnan Mohammed presented a petition from local residents objecting to the proposed Baker Street Two-way Traffic Scheme.  The petition was referred to the relevant Chief Officer for reporting to the Cabinet Member for Built Environment.

6.2     Councillor Angela Harvey presented a petition objecting to the Nine Elms Bridge.  The petition was referred to the relevant Chief Officer for reporting to the Cabinet Member for Built Environment.

Standing Order 9 limits the questions to matters relevant to the general work or procedure of the Council.

A list setting out the order of questions is attached.

The questions, supplementary questions and replies will be included on the Council’s website.

(a)      Councillor Jan Prendergast – Regeneration in Maida Vale

(b)      Councillor Angela Harvey – No to the Nine Elms Bridge

8.1     Regeneration in Maida Vale

          Councillor Prendergast spoke and Councillor Roe replied.

8.2     No to the Nine Elms Bridge

          Councillor Angela Harvey spoke and Councillor Roe replied.

With the approval of the Chairman of the meeting, the Leader of the Council may make a statement on an urgent matter and the Leader of the Opposition will have an equivalent right of reply.

9.1     There were no urgent matters.

To consider item chosen for debate from the attached Future Policy Plan.

No matters were selected for debate from the Future Policy Plan.

To receive, consider and debate, if chosen, the following reports which contain a recommendation to the Council for decision:

11.1    The Majority Party had selected the report of the Cabinet Member for Built Environment – Revisions to the Mixed Use Policies – City Plan and Revisions to the Basement Policies.  Following debate, the Lord Mayor put the recommendations in the report to the vote and on a show of hands declared the recommendations adopted.

          RESOLVED:

          1.       That in accordance with Regulation 19, approval be given to the      following documents:

·         The Basements Revision Submission Draft.

·         The consultation statement prepared in accordance with Regulation 22(1)(c) including a non-statutory Schedule of Minor Modifications as set out in Annex B for the convenience of the Inspector and other interested parties and showing the changes made between the Regulation 19 draft and the Revision submitted to the Secretary of State.

·         An Integrated Impact Assessment, prepared in accordance with          Regulation 22(1)(a).

2.       That in accordance with Regulation 19, to approve the following documents:

·       The Mixed Use Revision Submission Draft.

·       The consultation statement prepared in accordance with Regulation 22(1)(c) including a non-statutory Schedule of Minor Modifications as set out in Annex A for the convenience of the Inspector and other interested parties and showing the changes made between the Regulation 19 draft and the Revision submitted to the Secretary of State.

·       An Integrated Impact Assessment, prepared in accordance with Regulation 22(1)(a).

To be moved by Councillor Tim Roca and seconded by Councillor Rita Begum:

“The Council notes the contracts for commissioned youth services are due for renewal in 2016.

The Council believes in the value of comprehensive and accessible youth provision and the key role of a professionally co-ordinated youth service throughout the City, supported by statutory and voluntary youth facilities.

Members note that such provision supports government priorities in seeking a greater engagement with young people in cultural and sporting activities.

Members further note the value of investing in youth provision to help respond to the Prevent duty included in Section 26 of the Counter Terrorism and Security Act 2015 – underpinning initiatives that discourage gang activity, as well as tackling radicalisation.

The Council urges the Cabinet Member and the relevant Policy & Scrutiny Committee(s) to rapidly set up Westminster wide Task Group(s) to seek evidence from all interested stakeholders / residents and local young people; and to propose a set of recommendations on developing facilities for pre-teenage; 12 -18 year olds and post-secondary school age groups.

Membership of the Task group(s) should look to accommodate existing/past members of Youth Centres; sports clubs, sixth formers and young people who have experience of current provision and support services (including employment and further education advice). RSLs and voluntary sector agencies investing in support for young people should also form part of any Task Group(s) . The task group should be asked to produce a report of their findings in early 2016, prior to any further changes to the commissioning of services."

12.1    The Minority Party had selected for debate the Notice of Motion – Youth Service as set out on the agenda.  The Notice of Motion was moved by Councillor Tim Roca and seconded by Councillor Rita Begum.

          Councillor Danny Chalkley moved and it was seconded by Councillor Paul Church that the Notice of Motion be amended, as follows:

          Delete from second paragraph and substitute:

                    “The Council recognises the excellent work undertaken by the Children, Sports and Customer Services Policy and Scrutiny Committee on 26^th January 2015 in carefully considering Westminster’s Early Help Strategy (including youth provision) and making recommendations prior to implementation, effective 1^st April 2015.

                    The Council also acknowledges the outcome of the extensive public consultation and elected member briefing undertaken in developing the Early Help Strategy (including youth provision) and is grateful for the many submissions and contributions from youth providers, service users, statutory and non statutory partners including but not limited to Children’s Trust, Local Safeguarding Children’s Board, Corporate Parenting Board and Health and Wellbeing Board.

                    The Council agrees that Early Help Services (including youth provision) should be targeted to meet Westminster’s most needy young people.

                    Furthermore, the current contract arrangements for youth provision are long overdue for renewal and do not currently best serve Westminster’s young people”.

          After debate, the Lord Mayor put the amendment moved by Councillor Danny Chalkley and seconded by Councillor Paul Church to the vote and on a show of hands declared the amendment ADOPTED.

          The Lord Mayor then put the substantive motion to the vote and on a show of hands declared the substantive motion ADOPTED.

          Resolved:

          The Council notes the contracts for commissioned youth services are due for renewal in 2016.

          The Council recognises the excellent work undertaken by the Children, Sports and Customer Services Policy and Scrutiny Committee on 26^th January 2015 in carefully considering Westminster’s Early Help Strategy (including youth provision) and making recommendations prior to implementation, effective 1^st April 2015.

          The Council also acknowledges the outcome of the extensive public consultation and elected member briefing undertaken in developing the Early Help Strategy (including youth provision) and is grateful for the many submissions and contributions from youth providers, service users, statutory and non statutory partners including but not limited to Children’s Trust, Local Safeguarding Children’s Board, Corporate Parenting Board and Health and Wellbeing Board.

          The Council agrees that Early Help Services (including youth provision) should be targeted to meet Westminster’s most needy young people.

          Furthermore, the current contract arrangements for youth provision are long overdue for renewal and do not currently best serve Westminster’s young people.

The Lord Mayor, at the conclusion of the time for items selected for debate, put the remaining business to the vote in accordance with Standing Order 18.

Statement of Gambling Policy: The Lord Mayor put the recommendations of the Cabinet Member for Public Protection to the vote and on a show of hands declared the recommendations adopted.

Resolved: That the draft Statement of Licensing Principles for Gambling attached to the report (Appendix B) as Appendix 1 for publication on 1 December 2015 and effective from 31 January 2016 be approved and adopted.

Final Agreement to the Revised Statement of Licensing Policy: The Lord Mayor put the recommendations of the Cabinet Member for Public Protection to the vote and on a show of hands declared the recommendations adopted.

Resolved:  That the Statement of Licensing Policy attached to the report outlined in detail in Appendix C and attached as Annex 1 be adopted.

Programme of Council Meetings 2016-17: The Lord Mayor put the recommendations of the General Purposes Committee to the vote and on a show of hands declared the recommendation adopted.

Resolved:  That meetings of the Council be held as follows:

18 May 2016 (Annual), 13 July 2016, 9 November 2016, 25 January 2017, 1 March 2017, 3 May 2017 and 17 May 2017 (Annual).

Constitutional Issues – Policy and Scrutiny Committees:  The Lord Mayor put the recommendation of the General Purposes Committee to the vote and on a show of hands declared the recommendation adopted.

Resolved:  That approval be given to the name change and revised terms of reference set out in the report attached as Appendix D.

Appointment of Independent Persons:  The Lord Mayor put the recommendation of the General Purposes Urgency Sub-Committee to the vote and on a show of hands declared the recommendation adopted.

Resolved: That Baroness Julia Neuberger and Mr Gerard McEvilly be appointed as Independent Persons for the purposes of the Localism Act 2011.

The meeting ended at 9.45pm.

Chairman: _____________________________       Date: ________________