Agenda and minutes

To appoint a relief Chairman.

Motion moved by the Lord Mayor and seconded by Councillor Tim Mitchell that Councillor Angela Harvey be elected as Relief Chairman.

Motion put, and on a show of hands, declared CARRIED.

To approve the Minutes of the Meeting of the Council meeting held on Wednesday 13 July 2016.

The Minutes of the proceedings at the Annual Council meeting held on Wednesday 13 July 2016 were, with the assent of the Members present, signed by the Lord Mayor as a true record of the proceedings.

(a)     The Lord Mayor to Report that on Thursday 14 July he visited HMS Westminster in dry dock in Portsmouth where she is coming to the end of a significant refit.

(b)     The Lord Mayor to report that on Monday 25 July he attended and made a speech at the unveiling of the new Chinese Gate as a guest of the London Chinatown Chinese association in the presence of HRH Prince Andrew followed by a reception.

(c)     The Lord Mayor to report that on Thursday 15 September he attended and made a speech at the unveiling of a commemorative paving stone in honour of the Victoria Cross won, exactly 100 years previously, at the Somme by Lieutenant Colonel John Vaughan Campbell VC, Coldstream Guards.

(d)     The Lord Mayor to report that on Friday 16 September he hosted, in the Reception Rooms, a visitation of the Mayor of Salzburg and 20 members of the Salzburg Association of Towns and Municipalities. The Austrian Ambassador was also present.

(e)     The Lord Mayor to report that on Sunday 25 September he attended the Pearly Kings and Queens, Costermongers Harvest Festival Parade at Guildhall Yard EC2 followed by a service at St Mary-le-Bow, Cheapside.

(f)      The Lord Mayor to report that on Tuesday 27 September he attended a Service of Thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey for the life and work of Sir Terry Wogan followed by a reception in the Jerusalem Chamber.

(g)     The Lord Mayor to report that on Monday 3 October he attended the annual WellChild awards, at the Dorchester Hotel in the presence of HRH Prince Harry, followed by a reception and dinner.

(h)     The Lord Mayor to report that on Thursday 13 October he attended a service at Westminster Abbey to celebrate the installation of His Grace the Duke of Buccleuch KBE as High Steward coupled with a sung Eucharist for the Feast of Edward the Confessor. This was followed by a reception and dinner in the Jerusalem Chamber.

3.1     The Lord Mayor, on behalf of the Council, congratulated the Leader on being made a Life Peer.

3.2     The Lord Mayor welcomed the Youth MP, Hamza Taouzzle to the meeting.  Hamza then addressed the meeting.

To receive any Declarations of Interest from Members and Officers of the Council.

4.1     There were none.

5.1     There were none.

See Order of Questions attached.

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

6.1     The questions, supplementary questions and replies are included in the recording on the Council’s website.

(a)      Councillor Jacqui Wilkinson – Animal Welfare in Westminster

(b)      Councillor Ruth Bush – Young Carers

(a)      Animal Welfare in Westminster

          Councillor Jacqui Wilkinson spoke and Councillor Nickie Aiken replied.

(b)      Young Carers

          Councillor Ruth Bush spoke and Councillor Danny Chalkley 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.

There were no urgent matters.

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

9.1     The meeting debated the items chosen for debate from the Future Policy Plan by the Majority Party – Health and Wellbeing Strategy and the Sustainability and Transformation Plan.  The debate will be referred to the relevant Executive Director for consideration when next reporting on the subject.

NOTICE OF MOTION

The Majority Party had selected for debate the Notice of Motion – Housing, Regeneration which was moved by Councillor Daniel Astaire and seconded by Councillor Susie Burbridge.

Councillor Tim Roca moved and it was seconded by Councillor Aicha Less that the Notice of Motion be amended, as follows:

To be added at end of Notice of Motion:

“The Council will work in consultation with residents and ensure that such regeneration proposals are supported by a ballot of those residents affected.

The Council will ensure that regeneration includes significant new social and genuinely affordable housing for rent, in addition to replacing existing homes, so that low and middle income families have access to good quality housing and so the Council can reduce the number of residents living in overcrowded and temporary accommodation.  The Council should explore innovative options for the provision of new private homes in the regeneration areas, such as building for private rent, to ensure much needed homes are not left empty and that these properties contribute to an active community.

All models will be looked at including low cost rental opportunities that allow low income families to access good quality housing for those living in overcrowded and temporary accommodation.

The Council will speed up regeneration projects in view of the significant delays already experienced in Church Street and Ebury Bridge, whilst being mindful of genuine consultation with residents as stated above”.

After debate, to which Councillor Daniel Astaire replied, the Lord Mayor put the amendment moved by Councillor Roca and seconded by Councillor Less to the vote and on a show of hands declared the amendment LOST.

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

RESOLVED:

That this Council notes the estate regeneration undertaken.  In the context of the national housing shortage, this Council recognises the opportunity created by this regeneration work and the potential for future regeneration projects within our estates and property holdings.

The Council will continue to look for ways to maximise what can be delivered in these areas, look at further regeneration opportunities as well as encouraging the private sector to deliver more intermediate housing proposals to help the local workforce.

This Council is committed to taking a proactive approach to regeneration and is open to further, credible private sector funding for regeneration.  The projects which the Council has delivered and is delivering at the moment demonstrate the authority’s commitment to quality housing regeneration schemes to deliver market housing and affordable housing, including intermediate housing, in areas of real need across the City.

NOTICE OF MOTION - LIBRARIES

The Minority Party had selected for debate the Notice of Motion – Libraries  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.

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

Cabinet/Cabinet Member/Committee                        Date

Pension Fund Committee (Annual Report)                  20 September 2016

Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member                          24 October 2016

for Built Environment – Adoption of the

Special Policy Areas and Policies Map –

Revision to the Westminster City Plan

General Purposes Committee                                    2 November

(To Follow)

Pension Fund Committee:  The Council noted the Annual Report.

The Lord Mayor then put the amended Notice of Motion to the vote and declared the amended Notice of Motion adopted.

Resolved:

That the Council believes that our librarians and all of our library staff form an essential part of the library service, their expertise, dedication and passion for reading and learning help make Westminster’s libraries a hugely valued part of our community backed up by the support of excellent volunteers.

This Council is proud that Westminster has probably the finest library services in London with first class professional staff, supported by terrific community volunteers and with the highest funding per resident of any council in the country.  The Council will continue to employ an excellent team with the right skills, knowledge and experience to deliver a high quality service.  Reflecting the Council’s commitment to the service, it notes that no one is far from one of our 12 libraries.  Working with the constraints of the financial climate, this Council, unlike so many others, has no plans either to close libraries or to cut the current long opening hours residents want.  This Council knows libraries provide an essential service and bring communities together and will provide fine future services.

Report of the Cabinet Member for Built Environment: Adoption of the Special Policy Areas and Policies Map Revision to the Westminster City Plan:

Resolved:  That the recommendations be adopted.

Report of the General Purposes Committee: Updates to Standing Orders:

Resolved:  That the recommendations be adopted.

Report of the General Purposes Committee: Programme of full Council Meetings 2017-2018

Resolved:  That the recommendations be adopted.