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Agenda and minutes

Venue: Porchester Hall, Porchester Road, Bayswater, London, W2 5DU

Contact: Mick Steward, Head of Committee and Governance Services  Email:  msteward@westminster.gov.uk Tel: 020 7641 3134

Live Broadcast: audiorecordingofcouncilmeeting

Items
No. Item

1.

Appointment of Relief Chairman

To appoint a relief Chairman.

Minutes:

Motion, moved by the Lord Mayor and seconded by Councillor Tim Mitchell that Councillor Louise Hyams be elected as Relief Chairman.

 

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

2.

Lord Mayor's Communications

(a)      The Lord Mayor to report that on Monday 16th January he met a visiting Delegation from Chiyoda City in Tokyo, Japan.

 

(b)      The Lord Mayor to report that on Monday 23rd January he attended the Mayor of London’s and the London Assembly’s Holocaust Memorial Day Ceremony at City Hall, SE1.

 

(c)      The Lord Mayor to report that on Thursday 26th January he attended the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust’s Holocaust Memorial Day UK Commemorative Ceremony.

 

(d)      The Lord Mayor to report that on Tuesday 31st January he attended the Westminster Adult Education Service Launch of ‘A World in a Suitcase Project’ Exhibition.

 

(e)      The Lord Mayor to report that on Thursday 2nd February he attended the Launch of the 2018 London Landmarks Half Marathon.

 

(f)       The Lord Mayor to report that on Saturday 18th February he attended the London Mayors’ Association 116th Annual Dinner.

 

(g)      The Lord Mayor to report that on Tuesday 21st February he welcomed the UNESCO Reactive Monitoring Mission to Westminster World Heritage Site delegation. 

 

(h)      The Lord Mayor to report that on Saturday 25th February he attended the Official Opening of the ‘Reformation 500 Storymobile in London’ Storymobile Interactive Exhibition held by the Lutheran Churches and St Martin-in-the-Fields. 

 

(i)       The Lord Mayor to report that on Thursday 2nd March he attended the City of Westminster Guide Lecturers Association Guided Walk for Councillors. 

 

(j)       The Lord Mayor to report that on Thursday 9th March he attended a Drumhead Service followed by the Unveiling of the London War Memorial marking the UK’s Involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan.

 

(k)      The Lord Mayor to report that on Monday 13th March, Commonwealth Day, he raised a Flag for the Commonwealth, attended the Memorial Gates Commemorative Ceremony at Constitution Hill, attended Westminster Abbey for the Annual Observance of Commonwealth Day in the presence of HM The Queen and HRH The Duke of Edinburgh, followed by a Reception.  He also attended the Secretary-General of the Commonwealth’s Reception at Marlborough House on the occasion of Commonwealth Day in the presence of TRH The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall.

 

(l)       The Lord Mayor to report that on Saturday 18th March he departed for a Civic Visit to the USA to promote the London New Year’s Day Parade 2018.

 

(m)     The Lord Mayor to report that on Wednesday 29th March he visited St Mary’s Hospital Paddington following the Terror Attack in Westminster. 

 

(n)      The Lord Mayor to report that on Thursday 30th March he attended the HMS WESTMINSTER Re-dedication Ceremony in Portsmouth.  He also hosted a Reception to thank members of the Armed Forces and Reserve Forces and oversaw the presentation of the Westminster  Deputy Lieutenant’s Cadet Certificates later that day.

 

(o)      The Lord Mayor to report that on Tuesday 4th April he hosted a Luncheon in honour of The Rt Hon The Lord Mayor of the City of London and The Lady Mayoress.  ...  view the full agenda text for item 2.

Minutes:

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

 

4.2     In view of the recent terrorist attack in Westminster he asked the Council to stand for a minutes silence in memory of all the victims.

3.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 226 KB

To sign, upon approval of the Council, the Minutes of the meeting of the Council meeting held on 1 March 2017.

Minutes:

The minutes of the proceedings at the Council meeting held on Wednesday 1 March 2017 were, with the assent of the Members present, signed by the Lord Mayor as a true record of the proceedings.

4.

Vote of Thanks

To the Lord Mayor, Councillor Steve Summers and the Lady Mayoress Mrs Kate McCarthy.

Minutes:

(a)      Vote of Thanks to the retiring Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress, Councillor Steve Summers and Mrs Kate McCarthy

 

          Motion moved by Councillor Robert Davis and seconded by Councillor David Harvey that the full Council resolve to record a Vote of Thanks to Councillor Steve Summers for the distinguished service rendered by him as Lord Mayor and to Mrs Kate McCarthy for the constant and invaluable help given by her as the Lady Mayoress.

 

          We assure them of our gratitude for, and high appreciation of, the dignity and ability with which they have carried out their many duties in accordance with the highest traditions of the City and this Vote of Thanks be inscribed on Vellum under the Common Seal and presented to them.

 

          Motion put and on a show of hands declared CARRIED following which the Lord Mayor replied.

 

          RESOLVED:  That we assure them of our gratitude for, and high appreciation of, the dignity and ability with which they have carried out their many duties in accordance with the highest traditions of the City and this Vote of Thanks be inscribed in Vellum under the Common Seal and presented to them.

5.

Declarations of Interest

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

Minutes:

There were no Declarations of Interest.

6.

Petitions and Deputations

(a)            Councillor Jason Williams to present a petition asking for sanctuary to be given in Westminster to 50 Syrian refugees.

 

(b)            Any other petitions or deputations.        

Minutes:

Councillor Rita Begum presented a petition relating to the disabled toilet facilities at Paddington Recreation Ground.

 

Councillor Aicha Less presented a petition seeking the immediate re-opening of the public convenience at the junction of Church Street and Salisbury Street.

 

These petitions were referred to the relevant Chief Officer for reporting to the appropriate Cabinet Member.

7.

Questions pdf icon PDF 63 KB

The order of questioners is attached.

Minutes:

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

8.

Councillor Issues

(a)            Councillor Adnan Mohammed: Social Cohesion in Westminster.

 

(b)            Councillor Jonathan Glanz: Public Drinking Fountains in Westminster.

Minutes:

(a)      Social Cohesion in Westminster

 

          Councillor Adnan Mohammed spoke and Councillor Antonia Cox replied.

 

(b)      Public Water Fountains in Westminster

 

          Councillor Jonathan Glanz spoke and Councillor David Harvey replied.

9.

Statement on Urgent Matters

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.

Minutes:

There were no urgent matters.

10.

Future Policy Plan pdf icon PDF 141 KB

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

Minutes:

1.       The meeting debated the item chosen for debate from the Future Policy Plan      by the Majority Party.

 

          City for All

 

          The Majority Party had selected Item Number 21 on the Future Policy Plan: City for All. The debate will be referred to the relevant Executive Director for consideration when reporting on the subject.

 

         

12.

Notice of Motion

To be moved by Councillor Adam Hug and seconded by Councillor Patricia McAllister.

 

“The Council notes that a number of its major contractors do not pay the London Living Wage to staff who work on Westminster's behalf. 

 

It notes the dramatically increased rates of in-work poverty and food bank use in Westminster and across the country.

 

It also notes that a number of other London Boroughs such as Camden and Islington are committed to paying the London Living Wage to both their staff and their contractors, with 15 London Authorities and the GLA accredited by the Living Wage Foundation.

 

The Council believes that low pay is damaging to both workers and the quality of service provision.

 

It also believes that paying the London Living Wage or above can help improve service quality, staff recruitment and retention.

 

It also believes that if Westminster does not pay its staff and contractors at least the London Living Wage it will face increasing competition for staff from boroughs that do.

 

The Council resolves to develop a pay and contracts policy that ensures all directly employed staff and all staff employed by contractors for work in Westminster receive at least the London Living Wage.

 

It also resolves to enter into discussions with its existing long-term contractors to improve conditions for contracted staff who are currently being paid below the London Living Wage.”

 

Minutes:

The Minority Party had selected for debate the Notice of Motion as set out on the agenda.  The Notice of Motion was moved by Councillor Adam Hug and seconded by Councillor Patricia McAllister.

 

Councillor Angela Harvey moved and it was seconded by Councillor Gotz Mohindra that the Notice of Motion be amended as follows:

 

Add opening paragraph:

 

“The Council notes that all London-based staff employed directly by the local authority receive a salary that is equal to, or greater than, the London Living Wage”.

 

Delete third and subsequent paragraphs then add

 

“The Council recognises that it awards its contracts on a competitive basis, taking into account the need to provide the best value for money and the best services for our residents, businesses and visitors. This can only be achieved with contractors who have high regard for their employees and their development, something which the Council actively engages on during the tender process. The Council acknowledges that this approach brings positive results, with 73% of people who live in Westminster believing that the Council is well run and 65% thinking that it provides good value for money, both of which rate well above the national average.

 

The Council commends the outstanding work of its committed and talented employees, along with the partnerships formed with contractors who deliver many valued services throughout the city. The Council will continue to set out clear expectations around employment during procurement procedures and to take its role as a civic leader seriously.”

 

Councillor Adam Hug replied, following which the Lord Mayor put the amendment moved by Councillor Angela Harvey and seconded by Councillor Gotz Mohindra to the vote and on a show of hands declared the amendment CARRIED.

 

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

 

RESOLVED:

 

“The Council notes that all London-based staff employed directly by the local authority receive a salary that is equal to, or greater than, the London Living Wage.

 

It notes dramatically increased rates of in-work poverty and food bank use in Westminster and across the country.

 

The Council recognises that it awards its contracts on a competitive basis, taking into account the need to provide the best value for money and the best services for our residents, businesses and visitors. This can only be achieved with contractors who have high regard for their employees and their development, something which the Council actively engages on during the tender process. The Council acknowledges that this approach brings positive results, with 73% of people who live in Westminster believing that the Council is well run and 65% thinking that it provides good value for money, both of which rate well above the national average.

 

The Council commends the outstanding work of its committed and talented employees, along with the partnerships formed with contractors who deliver many valued services throughout the City.  The Council will continue to set out clear expectations around employment during procurement procedures and to take  ...  view the full minutes text for item 12.

15.

Report of the General Purposes Committee

Minutes:

The Lord Mayor put the recommendation in paragraph 1 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 changes to the Constitution and Standing Order 28(1) as set out in the report attached to the report of the General Purposes Committee (26.4.17) as Appendix A.