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Agenda and minutes

Venue: Westminster Council House, 97-113 Marylebone Road, London, NW1 5PT

Contact: Reuben Segal, Acting Head of Committee and Governance Services  Email:  rsegal@westminster.gov.uk Tel: 020 7641 3160

Live Broadcast: recordingofmeeting

Items
No. Item

1.

Appointment of Relief Chairman

To appoint a relief Chairman.

Minutes:

1.1     It was 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.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 223 KB

To sign the Minutes of the Meeting of the Council meeting held on 7 November 2018.

Minutes:

2.1       RESOLVED: The minutes of the proceedings at the Council meeting on Wednesday 7 November 2018, with the assent of the Members present, signed by the Lord Mayor as true records of the proceedings.

 

3.

Councillor for Lancaster Gate Ward

To note that Councillor Margot Bright was elected at a by election on 22 November 2018 to fill the Lancaster Gate ward vacancy.

Minutes:

3.1     The election of Councillor Margot Bright to the Lancaster Gate ward following the by-election on the 22nd November was noted.

4.

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:

4.1     There were no urgent matters.

5.

Lord Mayor's Communications

1.      The Lord Mayor to report that, on 8 November, she attended a service to mark the 80th anniversary of Kristallnacht Westminster Abbey.

 

2.      The Lord Mayor to report that, on 11 November, she attended a service to Remembrance Sunday at Westminster Abbey.

 

3.           The Lord Mayor to report that, on 12 November, she attended a banquet to mark the installation of the Lord Mayor of the City of London at Guildhall.

 

4.           The Lord Mayor to report that, on 19 and 20 November, she visited Oslo to cut down the Trafalgar Square Christmas Tree with the Mayor of Oslo.

 

5.           The Lord Mayor to report that, on 21 November, she attended the official opening of London’s Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park.

 

6.           The Lord Mayor to report that, on 27 November, she hosted a reception for the Heartstone charity at Westminster City Hall.

 

7.           The Lord Mayor to report that, on 28 November, she attended the Community Champions Conference, at Porchester Hall.

 

8.           The Lord Mayor to report that, on 30 November, she hosted a reception and awards ceremony for Westminster City Council’s Long Service Awards.

 

9.           The Lord Mayor to report that, on 4 December, she attended a reception at Buckingham Palace for the diplomatic community in London.

 

10.        The Lord Mayor to report that, on 7 December, she attended an awards ceremony for the Active Westminster Awards at Lord’s Cricket Ground.

 

11.        The Lord Mayor to report that, on 9 December, she attended the Westminster Tea Dance at the Grosvenor House Hotel.

 

12.        The Lord Mayor to report that, on 12 December, she attended the Story of Christmas Annual Fundraising event at St George’s Church.

 

13.        The Lord Mayor to report that, on 17 December, she attended a carol service for Hospice UK, held at St Luke’s Church.

 

14.        The Lord Mayor to report that, on 18 December, she attended a carol service for Christians in the Civil Service, held at Westminster Abbey

 

15.        The Lord Mayor to report that, on 1 December, she attended the London New Year’s Day Parade in Westminster.

 

Minutes:

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

 

6.

Declarations of Interest

Minutes:

6.1     There were no declarations of interest.

7.

Petitions and Deputations

(a)      Councillor Karen Scarborough to present a petition to call on the Council to not proceed with any proposal to build on the Luxborough Tower playground, immediately adjacent to Luxborough Street W1, because it is listed as a Protected Open Space in the Council’s City Plan.

 

(b)      Any other Petitions or Deputations.

Minutes:

8.1     (a)      Petitions

 

          Councillor Karen Scarborough presented a petition from Luxborough Save our Space requesting the Council to not proceed with any proposal to build on the Luxborough Tower playground.  As the petition had received more than 500 signatures it was referred to the next Cabinet meeting on the 18th February.

 

          Councillor Paul Dimoldenberg presented a petition on behalf of the Dorset Square Trust calling on the Council to move the coach station from Dorset Square to a non-residential location.  The petition was referred to the Executive Director for Growth, Planning and Housing for reporting to the relevant Cabinet Member.

 

          Councillor Aicha Less presented a petition from Church Street businesses and residents calling for CCTV for Church Street and Lisson Grove.  The petition was referred to the Executive Director for City Management and Communities for reporting to the relevant Cabinet Member.

 

          Councillor James Spencer presented a petition from St James the Less Church seeking support from the Council for their plan to turn the old school building into an education centre for vulnerable people.  The petition was referred to the Executive Director for Children’s Services for reporting to the relevant Cabinet Member.

 

          (b)      Deputations

 

          There were no deputations.

 

8.

Questions

The Lord Mayor will call Members who indicate that they wish to ask a question after the Leader of the Opposition has asked his questions.

Minutes:

9.1     The questions, supplementary questions and replies are included as an audio recording on the Council’s website.

 

9.

Councillor Issues

(a)      Councillor Lorraine Dean:      Using the expertise of local partners to grow                     employment pathways with local employers for           Westminster adults with learning disabilities.

 

(b)      Councillor Maggie Carman:  The Proposed relocation of Victoria Coach                        Station to Royal Oak.

Minutes:

(a)          Using the expertise of local partners to grow employment pathways with local employers for Westminster adults with learning disabilities

 

Councillor Lorraine Dean spoke and Councillor David Harvey replied.

 

(b)      The proposed relocation of Victoria Coach Station to Royal           Oak

 

          Councillor Maggie Carman spoke and Councillor Tim Mitchell    replied.

 

 

10.

Future Policy Plan pdf icon PDF 61 KB

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

Additional documents:

Minutes:

10.1    The meeting accordingly debated the item chosen from the Future Policy Plan by the Majority Party:

 

          Policing

 

10.2    The Majority Party had selected item number 83 on the Future Policy Plan: Policing.  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 Butler Thalassis and seconded by Councillor Matt Noble:

 

“This Council notes the gridlock in Parliament over Britain’s future relationship with the European Union.

 

This Council also notes the rise in extremist political intimidation in Westminster, notably around Parliament, that has been fuelled by the Brexit debate.

 

This Council believes that a No Deal Brexit would be hugely damaging to Westminster and the country as a whole.

 

The Council believes that the Withdrawal Agreement and Political Declaration negotiated by the Government fails to deliver on the political promises made by the Leave Campaign in 2016.

 

The Council also believes that the Withdrawal Agreement and Political Declaration fail to ensure a strong and collaborative future relationship with the EU; they fail to deliver the exact same benefits as membership of the Single Market and Customs Union; they fail to ensure a fair future approach to migration; they do not fully defend rights and protections (including for Westminster’s EU citizens); they limit the scope for collaboration to protect national security and cross-border crime and will cause significant problems for the regions and nations of the UK. 

 

The council resolves to call on Parliament to take further urgent steps to prevent a No-Deal Brexit.

 

The council resolves to call for Parliament to trigger a General Election to attempt to break the deadlock in Parliament and help deliver a government with a mandate to tackle both the Brexit issue and the economic, social and political challenges facing the country.

 

The council resolves to argue that this future Government, or the current Government if an election cannot be achieved, should put any Brexit deal to a public vote through a second referendum, with an option to remain in the EU. It also believes that given the wide range of Westminster communities whose futures will be shaped by Brexit that, if achievable, such a vote would be open to 16-18 year olds and to residents who are EU citizens.”

 

 

Minutes:

11.1    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 Nafsika Butler-Thalassis and seconded by Councillor Matt Noble. 

 

11.2    The Majority Party had submitted an amendment to the notice of motion as set out on the order paper. 

 

11.3    Councillor Matt Noble raised a point of order that in the Minority party’s opinion the proposed amendment to their motion constituted a breach of the Council’s standing orders, namely SO 13 paragraph (5)(c), and should therefore be rejected.  Having taken advice from the Chief Executive and the Director of Law, the Lord Mayor determined that the amendment was within the law and in compliance with the Council’s Constitution and therefore rejected the request.

 

11.4    Councillor Iain Bott moved and it was seconded by Councillor Matthew Green that the notice of motion be amended, as follows:

 

          Remove from “the gridlock” in the first paragraph to “it also believes” in the final paragraph then delete “that, if achievable, such a vote would be open to 16-18 year olds and to residents who are EU citizens”.

 

          Then add:

 

         And recognises the contribution of the thousands of friends and neighbours who are citizens from other European Union countries who live in Westminster.

 

          The Council believes that EU nationals who live in Westminster deserve assurances over their future in the UK in order to feel certain that Westminster can remain their long-term home.

 

          The Council recognises the proactive work already undertaken to engage with EU citizens and to provide them with practical support in the run-up to Brexit.

 

          The Council notes the importance of providing funding to the service run by Citizens Advice to support EU nationals living in Westminster with guidance in person, online and by telephone and resolves to request that the Cabinet continues funding this service beyond Brexit.

 

          The Council welcomes the high level of participation by Westminster’s EU citizens at a series of seminars organised by the Council in co-operation with the Home Office which have proved successful in providing opportunities for EU citizens to ask questions and to discuss their concerns.

 

          The Council resolves to remain committed to Westminster’s EU residents, they are an essential part of our community. We shall to continue to offer them support to ensure that EU citizens feel that Westminster continues to be their home both now and after the UK has left the European Union.”

11.5    Following debate, to which Councillor Nafsika Butler-Thalassis replied, the Lord Mayor put the amendment moved by Councillor Bott and seconded by Councillor Green to the vote and on a show of hands declared the amendment CARRIED.

 

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

 

          RESOLVED:  

 

          This Council notes the wide range of Westminster communities whose futures will be shaped by Brexit and recognises the contribution of the thousands of friends and neighbours who  ...  view the full minutes text for item 12.

11.

Report of the Cabinet: 10 December 2018 pdf icon PDF 79 KB

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

 

Cabinet/Cabinet Member/                                      Date of Meeting

Committees                                                              or Decision

 

Report of the Cabinet meeting                             10 December 2018

 

Council Tax Discounts and Council Tax Base

 

Appendix 1 - https://committees.westminster.gov.uk/documents/s30183/Cabinet%20Report%20Council%20Tax%20Base%202019-2020.pdf

 

Report of the Cabinet Member for                          18 December 2018

Environment and City Management

 

London Local Authority and Transport for                

London Act 2013 – Lighting Attachments

and Street Signs.

 

Appendix 2

https://committees.westminster.gov.uk/documents/s30340/181210%20CMR%20LLA%20TfL%20Act%202013%20Final.pdf

 

Report of the General Purposes Committee         16 January 2019

(To follow)

 

Programme of Meetings 2019-2020

Appendix 3 –

https://committees.westminster.gov.uk/documents/s30456/Rpt%20Re%20Programme%20of%20Meetings%202019-2020.pdf

 

Members Allowances Scheme

Appendix 4 –

https://committees.westminster.gov.uk/documents/s30458/Rpt%20Re%20Members%20Allowances%20Scheme.pdf

 

Establishment of an Additional P&S Committee       

Appendix 5 –

https://committees.westminster.gov.uk/documents/s30459/General%20Purposes%20Committee%20Re%20Constitutional%20Issues%20New%20PS%20Cttee.pdf

 

 

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

14.1    The Lord Mayor, at the conclusion of the time for debates, then put the recommendation of the Cabinet report to the vote and on a show of hands declared the recommendation be ADOPTED.

 

          RESOLVED:

 

1.          The Council approved:

 

(i)              That the Council Tax discount for second homes remains at 0%.

 

(ii)             That the Council tax discounts for empty properties, including the discounts that replaced the previous Class A and C Council Tax exemptions remains at 0%.

 

(iii)           That a long term empty property premium continues at the maximum percentage allowed for by the current legislation, which is a 100% premium for 2019/20 (an increase on the 2018/19 level).

 

(iv)           That the Head of Revenues & Benefits determines any individual local discount applications received from vulnerable Council Taxpayers during the course of the 2019/20 financial year.

 

2.               The Council approved the same Council Tax Reduction Scheme for 2019/20 as operated successfully since 2013/2014 which is based on the Default Scheme Regulations and that War Disabled Pensions, War Widow, Pensions and Armed Forces Compensation Scheme payments are disregarded in full when calculating a claimant’s income.

 

3.          The Council resolved that the Council Tax Base for 2019/20 for the whole city is 130,319.70 equivalent Band D properties, for Montpelier Square alone 97.61 equivalent Band D properties and for Queen’s   Park 3,496.10 equivalent Band D properties.

 

4.          The Council resolved that the figures set out in Recommendation 3 above for the Council Tax Base for 2019/20 be used by the Council to make a determination pursuant to the requirements of the Local Government Finance Act 1992.

 

 

 

 

13.

Report of the Cabinet Member for Environment and City Management: 18 December 2018

Minutes:

13.1    The Lord Mayor, at the conclusion of the time for debates, then put the recommendations of the Cabinet Member for Environment and City Management report to the vote and on a show of hands declared the recommendations ADOPTED.

 

          RESOLVED:

 

1.              That the London Local Authority and Transport for London Act 2013 – Part 2 Section 4 Lighting Attachments and Street Signs be adopted.

 

2.              That the Executive Director of City Management and Communities be delegated the authority to exercise the functions bestowed by the legislation referred to in paragraph (i) to the report.

 

14.

Report of the General Purposes Committee: 16 January 2019

Minutes:

14.1    The Lord Mayor, at the conclusion of the time for debates, then put the recommendation of the General Purposes Committee report to the vote and on a show of hands declared the recommendations ADOPTED.

 

1.          Programme of Meetings 2019-2020:

 

                    RESOLVED:

 

(i)              That the programme of meetings set out in Appendix 3 to the Council agenda be approved.

(ii)             That the Council approved the programme for full Council meetings, as follows:

                              15 May 2019 (Annual); 26 June 2019; 18 September 2019; 13 November 2019 (Leader’s Speech and Budget); 22 January 2020; 4 March 2020 (including Council Tax); 20 May 2020 (Annual).

(iii)      That the Council approved the revised procedures for the Leader’s Speech and budget proposals set out in Appendix 3 to the Council agenda, including the associated changes to standing orders.

  (iv)      That the Council, for the reasons set out in paragraph (e) to the report, agreed that the Extraordinary meeting programmed to be held on Wednesday 6 March 2019 now be held as an Ordinary Council meeting.

2.          Members Allowances Scheme 2018-2019 (amendment) and Members      Allowances Scheme 2019-2020:

 

                    RESOLVED:

 

(i)               That the Council approved the amended Members’ Allowances Scheme with immediate effect as set out in paragraph (c) to the report.

 

(ii)              That the Council be recommended to approve the Members’ Allowances Scheme for 2019-2020 attached in Appendix 4 to the Council agenda with effect from 1 April 2019.

 

3.          Establishment of an Additional P&S Committee:

 

                    RESOLVED:

 

          (i)       That Council agreed to establish a new Policy and Scrutiny Committee (Communities and Customer Services Policy and Scrutiny Committee) with the terms of reference and proportionality as set out in Appendix 5 to the Council agenda.

 

          (ii)       That the Council amend the membership of the Westminster                     Scrutiny Commission by one Member to enable the Chairman of               the new P&S Committee to be a Member.

 

(iii)      That the Council authorised officers to adjust the terms of reference of those Policy and Scrutiny Committees whose Cabinet Member reporting lines are impacted as shown in paragraph 4.9 of Appendix 5 to the Council agenda.