Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Brar, Fyfe, Gardner, Ghei and MacDonald.

To receive the minutes of the meeting held on 16 January 2014

RESOLVED:  That the minutes of the meeting held on 16 January 2014 be agreed as a correct record. 

To note any declarations of interest in any matter before the Council

Councillor D Mills declared a non pecuniary interest in Agenda Item 6: High Speed 2 – Authority to Petition in Parliament, as a local resident affected by High Speed 2, and remained in the room during the consideration thereof.

The Mayor was delighted to announce that, to date, £47,000 had been raised for his rainbow charity appeal. 

(i) URGENT IMPLEMENTATION OF DECISIONS

 

Councillor Puddifoot moved the recommendation as set out on the Order of Business.  The motion was seconded by Councillor Simmonds and it was:

 

RESOLVED:  That the urgency decisions detailed in the report be noted.

 

 

(ii) AMENDMENT TO THE COUNCIL CONSTITUTION – THE LOCAL AUTHORITIES (STANDING ORDERS) (ENGLAND) (AMENDMENT) REGULATIONS 2014

 

Councillor Puddifoot moved the recommendation as set out on the Order of Business.  The motion was seconded by Councillor Simmonds and it was:

 

RESOLVED:  That, in accordance with the Local Authorities (Standing Orders) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2014, and with effect from 25 February 2014, Part 4A of the Council Constitution (Council Procedure Rules) be amended to require recorded votes to be taken at the annual budget setting meeting on any motion, amendment to motion or substantive motion regarding the General Fund Revenue Budget, Housing Revenue Account and Capital Programme.

 

 

(iii) AMENDMENT TO THE COUNCIL CONSTITUTION – RESIDENTS SERVICES SCHEME OF DELEGATIONS

 

Councillor Puddifoot moved the recommendation as set out on the Order of Business.  The motion was seconded by Councillor Simmonds and it was:

 

RESOLVED:  That the Deputy Chief Executive and Corporate Director Residents Services Internal Scheme of Delegation (referred to in Part 3 of the Council's Constitution) be amended so that all applications to which Paragraph A.4 of schedule 2 (Class A) of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995 applies (42 day prior approval applications) cannot be referred to a Planning Committee.

 

 

(iv) MEMBERS’ ALLOWANCES 2014/15

 

Basic Allowance

Councillor Puddifoot moved the Members’ basic allowance as detailed on the Order of Business.  The motion was seconded by Councillor Simmonds.

 

Councillor Retter moved the following amendment to the basic allowance in the Members’ Allowances Scheme 2014/15, which was seconded by Councillor Barnes:

 

“For 2014/15 an allowance of £7,586.35 will be payable to all Councillors. This figure will be increased each subsequent year in line with the annual Local Government Pay Settlement and it will be paid in equal monthly instalments. The basic allowance includes intra borough travel and subsistence costs.”

 

Following debate (Councillor Puddifoot), the amendment was put to the vote and lost. 

 

The original motion was put to the vote and it was:

 

RESOLVED:  For 2014/15 an allowance of £10,586.35 will be payable to all Councillors. This figure will be increased each subsequent year in line with the annual Local Government Pay Settlement and it will be paid in equal monthly instalments. The basic allowance includes intra borough travel and subsistence costs. ”

 

Special Responsibility Allowances – Mayor

Councillor Puddifoot moved the special responsibility allowance for the Mayor as stated on the Order of Business.  This was seconded by Councillor Bianco. 

 

Councillor Retter moved an amendment to vary all the special responsibility allowances.  The amendment was seconded by Councillor Barnes and, following debate (Councillor Puddifoot), was put to the vote and lost.

 

The original motion was put to the vote and it was:

 

RESOLVED:  That the special responsibility allowance for the Mayor be set as £21,287.91 in the Members’ Allowances Scheme 2014/15.

 

Special Responsibility Allowances – Deputy Mayor

Councillor Puddifoot moved the special responsibility allowance for the Deputy Mayor as stated on the Order of Business.  This was seconded by Councillor Bianco and, on being put to the vote, it was:

 

RESOLVED:  That the special responsibility allowance for the Deputy Mayor be set as £8,302.20 in the Members’ Allowances Scheme 2014/15.

 

Special Responsibility Allowances – Leader of the Council

Councillor Puddifoot moved the special responsibility allowance for the Leader of the Council as stated on the Order of Business.  This was seconded by Councillor Bianco and, on being put to the vote, it was:

 

RESOLVED:  That the special responsibility allowance for the Leader of the Council be set as £52,670.23 in the Members’ Allowances Scheme 2014/15.

 

Special Responsibility Allowances – Deputy Leader of the Council

Councillor Puddifoot moved the special responsibility allowance for the Deputy Leader of the Council as stated on the Order of Business.  This was seconded by Councillor Bianco and, on being put to the vote, it was:

 

RESOLVED:  That the special responsibility allowance for the Deputy Leader of the Council be set as £44,368.03 in the Members’ Allowances Scheme 2014/15.

 

Special Responsibility Allowances – Chief Whip of the Largest Party

Councillor Puddifoot moved the special responsibility allowance for the Chief Whip of the Largest Party as stated on the Order of Business.  This was seconded by Councillor Bianco and, on being put to the vote, it was:

 

RESOLVED:  That the special responsibility allowance for the Chief Whip of the Largest Party be set as £21,287.91 in the Members’ Allowances Scheme 2014/15.

 

Special Responsibility Allowances – Leader of 2^nd Party 

Councillor Puddifoot moved the special responsibility allowance for the Leader of the 2^nd Party as stated on the Order of Business.  This was seconded by Councillor Bianco and put to a recorded vote and agreed.

 

Those voting for:  Councillors Allam, Allen, Bliss, Duncan, East, Garg, Harmsworth, Jarjussey, Khursheed, Lakhmana, Major, Nelson, Sandhu and Sansarpuri. 

 

Those voting against:  Councillor Retter.

 

Those abstaining:  The Mayor (Councillor Kauffman), the Deputy Mayor (Councillor Dann), Councillors Baker, Barker, Barnes, Barrett, Benson, Bianco, Bridges, Bull, Burrows, Buttivant, G Cooper, J Cooper, Corthorne, Crowe, Curling, Dhillon, Gilham, Graham, Harper-O’Neill, Hensley, Higgins, Jackson, Jenkins, Kelly, Kemp, Lavery, Lewis, Markham, Melvin, D Mills, R Mills, Morgan, O’Brien, O’Connor, Payne, Puddifoot, Riley, Routledge Seaman-Digby, Simmonds, Stead, White and Yarrow.

 

RESOLVED:  That the special responsibility allowance for the Leader of the 2^nd Party be set as £21,287.91 in the Members’ Allowances Scheme 2014/15.

 

Special Responsibility Allowances – Deputy Leader of 2^nd Party

Councillor Puddifoot moved the special responsibility allowance for the Deputy Leader of the 2^nd Party as stated on the Order of Business.  This was seconded by Councillor Bianco and, on being put to the vote, it was:

 

RESOLVED:  That the special responsibility allowance for the Deputy Leader of the 2^nd Party be set as £5,474.22 in the Members’ Allowances Scheme 2014/15.

 

Special Responsibility Allowances – Chief Whip of 2^nd Party

Councillor Puddifoot moved the special responsibility allowance for the Chief Whip of the 2^nd Party as stated on the Order of Business.  This was seconded by Councillor Bianco and, on being put to the vote, it was:

 

RESOLVED:  That the special responsibility allowance for the Chief Whip of the 2^nd Party be set as £5,474.22 in the Members’ Allowances Scheme 2014/15.

 

Special Responsibility Allowances – Cabinet Member

Councillor Puddifoot moved the special responsibility allowance for Cabinet Members as stated on the Order of Business.  This was seconded by Councillor Bianco and, on being put to the vote, it was:

 

RESOLVED:  That the special responsibility allowance for Cabinet Members be set as £37,103.66 in the Members’ Allowances Scheme 2014/15.

 

Special Responsibility Allowances – Chairman of Scrutiny and Policy Overview Committee

Councillor Puddifoot moved the special responsibility allowance for Chairmen of Scrutiny and Policy Overview Committees as stated on the Order of Business.  This was seconded by Councillor Bianco and, on being put to the vote, it was:

 

RESOLVED:  That the special responsibility allowance for the Chairmen of Scrutiny and Policy Overview Committees be set as £21,287.91 in the Members’ Allowances Scheme 2014/15.

 

Special Responsibility Allowances – 2^nd Party Lead on Scrutiny and Policy Overview Committee

Councillor Puddifoot moved the special responsibility allowance for the 2^nd Party Leads on Scrutiny and Policy Overview Committee as stated on the Order of Business.  This was seconded by Councillor Bianco and, on being put to the vote, it was:

 

RESOLVED:  That the special responsibility allowance for the 2^nd Party Leads on Scrutiny and Policy Overview Committees be set as £5,474.22 in the Members’ Allowances Scheme 2014/15.

 

Special Responsibility Allowances – Chairman of Planning Committee

Councillor Puddifoot moved the special responsibility allowance for the Chairmen of Planning Committees as stated on the Order of Business.  This was seconded by Councillor Bianco and, on being put to the vote, it was:

 

RESOLVED:  That the special responsibility allowance for the Chairmen of Planning Committees be set as £21,287.91 in the Members’ Allowances Scheme 2014/15.

 

Special Responsibility Allowances – Party Lead on Planning Committee

Councillor Puddifoot moved the special responsibility allowance for the Party Lead on Planning Committees as stated on the Order of Business.  This was seconded by Councillor Bianco and, on being put to the vote, it was:

 

RESOLVED:  That the special responsibility allowance for the Party Lead on Planning Committees be set as £5,474.22 in the Members’ Allowances Scheme 2014/15.

 

Special Responsibility Allowances – All Other Allowances

Councillor Puddifoot moved the remaining special responsibility allowances as set out on the Order of Business.  This was seconded by Councillor Bianco and, on being put to the vote, it was:

 

RESOLVED:  That:

 

1. the following special responsibility allowances be approved:

	(£)
Chairman of Licensing Committee	9,000.00
Chairman of Licensing Sub-Committee	6,000.00
Chairman of Standards Committee	3,000.00
Standards Committee Independent Person	1,500.00
Chairman of Audit Committee*	2,854.07
Champion	5,474.22
Council representative on Adoption and Permanency Panel	12,000.00
Cabinet Assistant	8,302.20

           

and

 

2. the current Members’ Allowances Scheme be revoked as of 31 March 2014 and the new Scheme for 2014/15 be approved for implementation from 1 April 2014.

To consider the deposit of a petition in Parliament pursuant to Section 239 of the Local Government Act 1972.

 

Councillor Puddifoot moved the recommendations as set out on the Order of Business.  The motion was seconded by Councillor Burrows and, following debate (Councillors Barnes, Crowe, Harmsworth, Higgins, Kelly, Markham and Simmonds), it was unanimously:

 

RESOLVED:  That:

 

1. in the judgment of the Hillingdon London Borough Council, it is expedient for the Council to oppose the High Speed Rail [London - West Midlands] Bill deposited in the Session of Parliament 2013-14; and

 

2. the Leader of the Council and the Deputy Chief Executive and Corporate Director of Residents Services be authorised to take all necessary steps to carry the foregoing Resolution into effect, that the Common Seal be affixed to any necessary documents and that confirmation be given that Sharpe Pritchard [Parliamentary Agents] be authorised to sign the Petition of the Council against the Bill.

Section 106 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 will apply to the recommendations of this item. Any Member who is more than two months in arrears with their Council Tax or has arrears of Council Tax must declare that fact and must not vote on this item.

 

Budget Conflict Resolution Procedures – Council is asked to consider the Cabinet’s proposals. It may adopt the proposals, submit objections to Cabinet or invite the Cabinet to make amendments specified by Council. If Council votes to object to the Cabinet proposals or to invite Cabinet to make amendments then the Conflict Resolution Procedure will come into operation.

 

The Council meeting will be adjourned while a special meeting of the Cabinet is held, after which the Council will resume and consider any revised proposals submitted by the Cabinet or the reasons why the Cabinet disagrees with Council’s objections or proposed amendments. The budget would then be open for debate and amendment until a final decision is made.

Councillor O’Brien moved, and Councillor G Cooper seconded, the suspension of Council procedure rule 14.4 to allow unlimited speaking time for the mover and seconder of the motion and the principal speaker and seconder of the principal amendment from the Labour Group.

 

RESOLVED: That the mover and seconder of the budget motion and the principal speaker and seconder of the principal amendment from the Labour Group be allowed unlimited speaking time on this item.

 

Councillor Bianco moved, and Councillor Puddifoot seconded, the budget recommendations, as set out in the Order of Business. 

 

Councillor Harmsworth moved, and Councillor Curling seconded, the following

amendment:

 

1               That the Cabinet be invited to consider the Labour Group’s amendments to the Cabinet’s proposals set out in the Council Tax report and report back to Council. These amendments would result in a Council Tax requirement for 2014/15 of £99,326,777.

 

2               The proposals are based on the Cabinet’s budget proposals as approved by Cabinet on 13 February 2014, subject to the following amendments:

 

Labour Group Proposed Amendments	Budget 2014/15 (£000s)
Council Tax Requirement based on Cabinet Proposals	99,327
Calculated from the Budget Requirement based on Cabinet proposals	212,188
Budget Increases:
Bring all directly employed staff to the ‘London Living Wage’ level	5.7
Set up an Economic Regeneration Unit (3 officers full year impact is £165k, in 2014/15 only 9 month cost)	124
Recruit a Private Sector Housing procurement officer (Full year impact is  £43k, in 2014/15 only 9 month cost)	32
Transitional costs of moving Council to a Cooperative and a Committee system	100
Total Increases	261.7
Budget Reductions:
Reduce unallocated priority growth	(261.7)
Total Reductions	(261.7)
Net Revenue Budget Changes	0
Labour Group Budget Requirement	212,188
Labour Group Council Tax Requirement to Council	99,327

 

Following debate (Councillors Allen, Corthorne, Major and Puddifoot), the amendment was put to the vote and lost.

 

Councillor Retter moved, and Councillor Barnes seconded, the following

amendment:

 

1                    That the Cabinet be invited to consider the proposed amendments to the Cabinet’s proposals set out in the Council Tax report and report back to Council.  These amendments would result in a Council Tax requirement for 2014/15 of £94,360,438.

 

2                    The proposals are based on the Cabinet’s budget proposals as approved by Cabinet on 13 February 2014, subject to the following amendments:

 

Proposed Amendments	Budget 2014/15 (£000s)
Council Tax Requirement based on Cabinet Proposals	99,327
Calculated from the Budget Requirement based on Cabinet proposals	212,188
Budget Reductions to fund a 5% reduction in Council Tax:
Reduction in Unallocated Priority Growth	(1,000)
Reduction in Contingency	(2,000)
Drawdown from Balances	(1,967)
Net Revenue Budget Changes	(4,967)
Revised Budget Requirement	207,221
Revised Council Tax Requirement to Council	94,360

 

Following debate (Councillors Harmsworth, Puddifoot and Simmonds), the amendment was put to the vote and lost.

 

Following further debate (Councillors Barnes, Burrows, Corthorne, D. Mills and Simmonds), the original motion was put to the vote and it was:

 

RESOLVED: That:

 

1.            The General Fund revenue budget proposals be approved, resulting in a Council Tax requirement for 2014/15 of £99,326,777.

 

2.            Council note that at its meeting on 16 January 2014 the Council calculated the amount of 89,248 as its Council Tax Base for the year 2014/15.  This was calculated in accordance with the Local Authorities (Calculation of Council Tax Base) (England) Regulations 2012, as its Council Tax Base for the year (Item T in the formula in Section 31B (3) of the Local Government Finance Act 1992).

 

3.            Hillingdon’s own Council Tax be set at £1,112.93 for a Band D property. Taking into account the precept levied by the Greater London Authority, this results in an overall Band D Council Tax of £1,411.93 for the borough.

 

4.            The following amounts be now calculated by the Council for the year 2014/15, in accordance with Sections 32 to 36 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 (the Act):

 

a) £564,252,070         being the aggregate of the amounts that the Council estimates for the items set out in Section 31A(2) (a) to (f) of the Act.  (Gross Expenditure including the amount required for additions to working balances).

 

b) £464,925,293         being the aggregate of the amounts that the Council estimates for the items set out in Section 31A(3) (a) to (d) of the Act.  (Gross Income including reserves to be used to meet Gross Expenditure).

 

c) £99,326,777           being the amount by which the aggregate at 4 (a) above exceeds the aggregate at 4 (b) above.  This is calculated by the Council in accordance with Section 31A(4) of the Act, as its council tax requirement for the year.  (Item R under Section 31B of the Act).

 

d) £1,112.93               being the amount at 4 (c) above divided by Item T (2 above).  This is, calculated by the Council in accordance with Section 31B of the Act, as the basic amount of its Council Tax for the year. (Council Tax at Band D for the Council).

 

e)                                 

The London Borough of Hillingdon Council Tax
Band A	Band B	Band C	Band D
£741.95	£865.61	£989.27	£1,112.93
Band E	Band F	Band G	Band H
£1,360.25	£1,607.57	£1,854.88	£2,225.86

 

                                      being the amounts given by multiplying the amount at 4 (d) above by the number which, in the proportion set out in Section 5 (1) of the Act, is applicable to dwellings listed in a particular valuation band divided by the number which in that proportion is applicable to dwellings listed in valuation Band D.  This is calculated by the Council in accordance with Section 36 (1) of the Act, as the amounts to be taken into account for the year in respect of categories of dwellings listed in different valuation bands.

 

5.            Council note that for the year 2014/15 the Greater London Authority and its functional bodies have stated the following amounts in precepts.  These have been issued to the Council, in accordance with Section 40 of the Act, for each of the categories of dwellings shown below:

 

The Greater London Authority Precept
Band A	Band B	Band C	Band D
£199.33	£232.56	£265.78	£299.00
Band E	Band F	Band G	Band H
£365.43	£431.89	£498.33	£598.00

 

6.            The Council has calculated the aggregate in each case of the amounts at   4 (e) and 5 above.  The Council in accordance with Section 30 and 36 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 hereby sets the Council Tax for the year 2013/14 for each category of dwelling below:

 

Total Council Tax 2014/15
Band A	Band B	Band C	Band D
£941.28	£1,098.17	£1,255.05	£1,411.93
Band E	Band F	Band G	Band H
£1,725.69	£2,039.46	£2,353.21	£2,823.86

 

7.            The Housing Revenue Account budget proposals made by Cabinet be approved.

 

8.            The proposals for fees and charges and housing rents for both the General Fund and Housing Revenue Account set out in Appendix 12 of the report to Cabinet be approved.

 

9.            The capital programme as set out in Appendix 8 of the report to Cabinet be approved.

 

10.       The Treasury Management Strategy Statement, Annual Investment Strategy and Minimum Revenue Provision Statement for 2014/15 to 2018/19 as set out in Appendix 10 of the report to Cabinet be approved.

 

11.       The London Borough of Hillingdon Pay Policy Statement for 2014/15 as set out in Appendix 11 of the report to Cabinet be approved.

 

12.       The Council Tax Discount for Older People be retained at 4.87% of Hillingdon’s element of the Council Tax.

 

13.       Council agree to adopt the proposed local scheme for business rate retail relief as set out in relevant DCLG guidance.

 

14.       Council note the Corporate Director of Finance’ comments regarding his responsibilities under the Local Government Act 2003.

 

15.       Council authorises its Corporate Director of Finance to approve all virements after 31 March 2014 relating to the 2013/14 financial year of any value beyond the levels currently delegated to Corporate Directors necessary to the closure of accounts, within the deadline set for the 2013/14 financial year.

 

16.       Council (as set out in Schedule C of the Constitution - Budget and Policy Framework Procedure Rules) resolves that Cabinet may utilise the general reserves or balances or approve virements between the General Fund budget, Housing Revenue Account budget or Capital budgets during the MTFF financial years 2014/15 to 2018/19 in respect of those functions which have been reserved to the Cabinet in Article 7 of the Constitution.

 

17.       Council confirm that the Council’s relevant basic amount of Council Tax for 2014/15 is not excessive in accordance with principles approved under Section 52ZB Local Government Finance Act 1992 and therefore a referendum will not be triggered.