Agenda and minutes

Prayers were said by Pastor Derek Page.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Courtenay and Rhodes.

To receive the minutes of the meetings held on 5 November and 10 December 2009.

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meetings held on 5 November 2009 and 10 December 2009 be agreed as correct records.

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

Councillor Duncan declared a personal interest in agenda item 9, as she was awaiting an amended Council Tax bill, and remained in the room during the consideration thereof. 

The Mayor advised Members that Patrick Von Mahoney, the Mayor’s Officer, had been released from hospital today and that his state of health was improving.  She thanked the Richard Wallace, the stand in Mayor’s Chauffeur, for performing in Patrick’s absence at the Council meeting.

 

It was noted that the Mayor would be attending the Holocaust Memorial Day service on 27 January 2010. 

 

Members were advised that the London Borough of Hillingdon had become the first organisation in the UK to be awarded associate member status of the Normandy Veterans Association.  The Mayor had been presented with the Standard which would be used at future events.

 

The Council had entered a float into the traditional London New Year’s Day Parade and had come ninth in the competition, securing a prize of £1,500 which would go to the Mayor’s charities.  The Mayor thanked all those officers that had helped with the preparation for the parade as well as on the day. 

 

The Mayor advised the meeting that she would be holding a Race Night at the Battle of Britain Club in Uxbridge on Thursday 21 January 2010. 

To take questions submitted by members of the public in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 10.

Question 5.1 from Gay Brown of the Yiewsley Community Involvement Group to the Cabinet Member for Planning and Transportation – Councillor Burrows

 

“We have several times asked why the car parking charges vary so much from one end of the Borough to the other. Since it appears that prices in the South, for example in struggling Yiewsley are as high as £1.20 per hour whilst thriving Ruislip and other centres in the North pay only 40p per hour. Would you please explain the rationalisation for the differences in scale of charges?”

 

Councillor Burrows replied that Ms Brown’s information was incorrect and that the on-street parking charges in the town centres (with the exception of Uxbridge) were consistent across the Borough.  The cost to park on High Street, Yiewsley was exactly the same as the cost to park on the High Street in Ruislip, Northwood Town Centre or Eastcote Town Centre and all benefited from the first 30 minutes free parking.

 

There was some limited pay and display parking in residential areas across the Borough that had a £1.20 per hour charge for non-residents, although Hillingdon First Card holders were only charged 60p per hour.

To consider some proposed amendments to the Constitution

Councillor Puddifoot moved an amendment to the recommendation to replace paragraph 6 of the report with the following:

 

“That Council grant the necessary powers to the Licensing Committee to determine street trading applications and authorises the Head of Democratic Services, in consultation with the Leader of the Council, to agree any protocols or procedures or further constitutional changes required to effect this."

 

The amended motion was seconded by Councillor Simmonds and, following debate (Councillor Khursheed), the amendment was put to the vote and agreed.  

 

RESOLVED: That the proposed amendments to the Constitution, as detailed in the report and with the amendment to paragraph 6, be approved with immediate effect.

To consider the recommendations of the Central and South Planning Committee

The recommendation was moved by Councillor Burrows and seconded by Councillor Seaman-Digby.  Following debate (Councillor Allam), and on being put to the vote, the ratification of the objection to Transport and Works Act Order for Airtrack was agreed.

 

RESOLVED: That:

 

1. in accordance with section 239 of the Local Government Act, the Council resolves:

 

(a)   to oppose the draft Order promoted pursuant to the Transport and Works Act 1992 (the draft Order) by Heathrow Airport Limited submitted to the Secretary of State for Transport on 24 July 2009 and known as the Heathrow Airtrack Order (and any other application or Order made to the Secretary of State under related legislation in connection with the promotion of such Order);

(b)  to delegate to the Council’s Central and South Planning Committee the passing of such resolutions as may be necessary or expedient in connection with the Council’s opposition to such Order;

(c)   to ratify adopt and endorse the resolutions, and recommendations made by the Central and South Planning Committee to object to the Transport and Works Act Order for Heathrow Airtrack Order under the Transport and Works Act 1992 made by it at its Committee meeting on 15 September 2009; and

(d)  that the Director of Planning and Community Services may conduct the day to day opposition to such Order as may be necessary or expedient in connection with the opposition to such Order (including the withdrawal of opposition to such Order) subject to the direction of the Central and South Planning Committee, and subject to any further resolutions made by the Central and South Planning Committee as may be necessary or expedient in connection with the opposition to such Order.

 

2. the progress that has been made to date in resolving the issues raised in the report to the Central and South Committee be noted.

To consider the recommendation of Cabinet

The recommendation was moved by Councillor Jenkins and seconded by Councillor Seaman-Digby.  On being put to the vote, the changes to the Gambling Policy / Statement of Principles were agreed.

 

RESOLVED: That, following Cabinet recommendation of 17 December 2009, Council approves the changes to the Gambling Policy / Statement of Principles as set out in Appendix 1 of the report.

To consider the Council Tax Base 2010/11

The recommendation was moved by Councillor Bianco and seconded by Councillor Puddifoot.  On being put to the vote, the recommendation was agreed.

 

RESOLVED: That:

 

1. the report of the Director of Finance, for the calculation of the Council Tax Base for 2010/2011, be approved.

 

2. pursuant to the report of the Director of Finance, and in accordance with the Local Authorities (Calculation of Council Tax Base) (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2003, the amount calculated by the London Borough of Hillingdon as its Council Tax Base for the year 2010/2011 shall be 97,952.

To take questions submitted by Members in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 11

10.1 Question from Councillor Markham to the Cabinet Member for Planning and Transportation – Councillor Burrows

 

Is the recent settlement from Transport for London the best response Hillingdon has ever received?

 

Councillor Burrows responded that Hillingdon had been allocated £4.217m by TfL for transportation projects in 2010/11, which was the best financial settlement to date.  In comparison, Hillingdon had received £3.6m in 2009/10 and £3.7m in 2008/09.

 

This allocation was particularly good news considering that TfL’s total budget for London borough’s had dropped from £169m in 2009/10 to £155m in 2010/11.  This meant that, whilst TfL’s budget for London borough’s had dropped by £14m during this period, this Council had managed to secure a significant increase of £617,000 in its funding.  This measured 99.2% of the bid funding against this allocation, with just one scheme not supported.  The Council had also been successful in securing £200,000 from the Area Based Scheme programme to contribute towards the funding of the Yiewsley and West Drayton Town Centre Improvements.

 

Council officers were currently preparing additional bids to TfL, which, if successful, could further increase Hillingdon’s allocation from TfL.  This included a major area based scheme bid to improve Station Road in Hayes, including the town centre and station area.

 

The success of the Council was largely due to its ability to deliver transportation projects, which had earned it a high degree of credibility at TfL.  The Council had also been supported by the Mayor of London, who recognised its commitment and constructive working relationship with TfL.  Councillor Burrows believed that Council officers should be congratulated for their determination and commitment.

 

Councillor Markham, by way of a supplementary question, asked whether it was acceptable for a Ward Councillor to write to a resident with misleading information which stated that the Council had not taken action regarding a TfL matter when it had.  Councillor Burrows responded that, in his view, it was “shameful” and that the letter sent by the Ward Councillor had stated that the Portfolio Holder had not considered a petition on the matter in question.  However, a Petition Hearing had already been held on the issue (with this Ward Councillor present) and funding had been secured from TfL for the scheme.  He advised that he had written to all of the residents in the affected area to give them the correct information and advised that the Ward Councillor should have spoken to him before taking action.

 

10.4 Question from Councillor Allen to the Cabinet Member for Culture, Sport and Leisure – Councillor Higgins

 

Can the Cabinet Member please provide the Council with an opening date for the new Botwell Green Sports and Leisure Centre and an assurance that community groups using the current Hayes Library in Golden Crescent will be provided with equivalent accommodation in the new Centre?

 

Councillor Higgins responded that he was delighted to give the assurance that community groups using Hayes library would be provided with superior accommodation at the new centre which included Olympic standard facilities for participation and training.  The official opening was scheduled for May after the election purdah period and he looked forward to welcoming the Leader and all other Councillors to that event. 

 

Councillor Allen, by way of a supplementary question, asked whether the Golden Crescent site would continue to be used as a public facility once the current Hayes Library had moved out.  As the subject of this supplementary question did not fall within the Portfolio of Councillor Higgins, he asked Councillor Bianco to respond to the question.  Councillor Bianco advised that he would provide a written answer to Councillor Allen.

 

10.2 Question from Councillor Judith Cooper to the Cabinet Member for Planning and Transportation – Councillor Burrows

 

Can the Cabinet Member for Planning and Transportation please inform me of the gritting undertaken within the Borough during the recent bad weather?

 

Councillor Burrows congratulated Council staff for the good work they had done to keep the Council’s roads clear.  He stated that, since 13 December 2009, gritting crews had been out every day, with the exception of 29 and 30 December 2009 (contrary to a letter that had been published in a local newspaper).  They had done a magnificent job and worked very long hours to keep the traffic moving in Hillingdon.  The Council’s priority had been to keep the main roads and bus routes clear so that residents could have a relatively short distance to travel to a gritted route; then the Council had responded to requests for gritting on minor routes, as resources had allowed.

 

At times, the Council had been gritting around the clock, with crews who had gritted through the night being replaced by the "day shift" who continued keep priority routes clear.  Operational Staff from Streetscene Maintenance had been joined by colleagues from Waste Services and Fleet management.  Staff on out-of-hours gritting rotas had been joined during the day by colleagues who, as normal in snow situations, had been redeployed to grit priority pavements around town centres, hospitals, day centres, footbridges, etc.

 

Up to 11 January 2010, Hillingdon had used around 2,000 tonnes of salt.  By way of comparison, the Council had only used 1,700 tonnes in the whole of the 2008/09 gritting season. 

 

Councillor Judith Cooper, by way of a supplementary question, asked what action was being taken to conserve the Council’s salt supply.  Councillor Burrows responded that, on Friday 8 January 2010, the Secretary of State for Transport had requested that Highways Authorities make a significant reduction in their use of salt in order to help conserve limited national supplies.  Accordingly, the Council was taking steps to conserve its salt supply and, although stocks were running low and long-standing orders for resupply remained largely unfilled, the Council was continuing to grit its stated network.

 

Councillor Burrows believed that the work of many local authorities was being made more difficult by Government failings and its astounding inability to learn lessons from its past mistakes.  The news that the Government was to commandeer salt stock and decide where it could be sent was a major blow, one that was being criticised by many senior local government sources.  The London Borough of Hillingdon had made proper preparations for the cold weather, and had therefore been able to keep its residents moving.  Councillor Burrows thanked the Chief Executive for his efforts in securing a further 50 tonnes of salt from the London Borough of Hounslow.  He went on to state that the co-ordination of Hillingdon's effective response to the worst winter in nearly thirty years had involved staff from the Environment and Consumer Protection Directorate, Emergency Planning, Street Scene Maintenance and the Corporate Communications Team.  Operational staff had also taken time out of their punishing schedule to provide support for media enquiries.

 

Councillor Burrows believed that residents had appreciated the Council’s efforts which was encapsulated in the following:

 

“On behalf of Northwood Residents' Association I'd like to congratulate your gritting teams for the excellent job they have carried out, in very difficult circumstances, keeping our roads clear and safe during the current Ice Age. Please convey our thanks to all concerned. Kind regards, Tony Ellis”

 

10.5 Question from Councillor Eginton to the Cabinet Member for Finance and Business Services – Councillor Bianco

 

Can the Cabinet Member inform the Council of the timetable for the disposal of the Hayes Swimming Pool site once the new Botwell Sports and Leisure Centre is open and what consultation there will be with the local community about the future uses of the site?

 

Councillor Bianco responded that a planning application had been registered and that it was envisaged that the main use of the site would be largely residential units with car parking for Hayes town.  Public consultation would be via the usual planning application processes. 

 

Councillor Eginton, by way of a supplementary question, asked for assurance that consultation with residents’ and tenants’ groups would be comprehensive and better than the recent Playbuilder Scheme consultation.  Councillor Bianco responded that the normal level of consultation for planning applications would be undertaken.

 

10.3 Question from Councillor Peter Kemp to the Cabinet Member for Environment – Councillor Jenkins

 

Can the Cabinet Member for the Environment please give me an update on our 40% recycling target for 2010?

 

Councillor Jenkins advised that Hillingdon's approach to recycling continued to be based around education and encouragement rather than the big brother approach.  Residents’ views were at the forefront of service delivery and maintaining a customer focus was essential.

 

At end of November 2009, this year’s household recycling rate stood at 41.6%.  Over the winter months, the reduced garden waste tonnage would impact on this figure.  However, the early indication was that recycling tonnages from households over the Christmas / New Year period had been very good which might partially compensate for this.

 

The introduction of the Hillingdon First Card had also had a positive effect on the Council being on course to meet its target.  The use of the card had enabled the Council to stop waste generated outside the Borough from being disposed of in its amenity sites.

 

New initiatives this year included: the introduction of recycling for household batteries at libraries and other Council outlets; further expansion of recycling for flats; a pilot textile collection scheme; a number of school initiatives; wood and cooking oil recycling at the Civic Amenity sites; and the introduction of recycling some of the Borough’s street cleansing waste.

 

During the current economic climate, waste tonnages were difficult to predict but Hillingdon was hopeful of reaching its 40% target for 2010.  This target was always ambitious, but it demonstrated that the Council’s sound financial management and resident focussed vision had enabled residents of Hillingdon to benefit from not only improved facilities and services, but also from a clean and attractive Borough. 

 

Councillor Peter Kemp, by way of a supplementary question, asked what action had been taken to address the issue of waste and recycling in the south of the Borough since the closure of the Hayes Civic Amenity site.  Councillor Jenkins advised that temporary civic amenity collection days had taken place at the Old Railway Sidings in West Drayton on 9 and 10 January 2010 with further days planned for February and March 2010.  This temporary service had received positive feedback from residents. 

 

10.6 Question from Councillor Jarjussey to the Cabinet Member for Culture, Sport and Leisure – Councillor Higgins referred the question to the Cabinet Member for Finance and Business Services, Councillor Jonathan Bianco

 

Can the Cabinet Member inform the Council what action will be taken to prevent the vacated Hayes Swimming Pool building becoming a target for vandalism, intruders and graffiti, pending its demolition?

 

Councillor Bianco responded that, following the opening of the new Sport and Leisure Centre at Botwell Green, Hayes Swimming Pool would be closed and have hoarding erected around the perimeter to secure the site from vandalism.  The cost of demolishing the site was anticipated to be in the region of £300,000 so it would be left to a future owner of the site to carry out, should demolition be required. 

 

There was no supplementary question.

 

10.9 Question from Councillor Kauffman to the Cabinet Member for Culture, Sport and Leisure – Councillor Higgins

 

I have had many reports from people who enjoyed using the ice rink this year, will the Cabinet Member for Culture, Sport and Leisure assure me that this facility will be available again next Christmas?

 

Councillor Higgins responded that the ice rink facility had provided Hillingdon residents with an excellent opportunity to enjoy outdoor skating in a safe and well organised environment over the Christmas period.  Feedback from users, including several special schools, had been extremely positive and it was estimated that around 10,000 people had enjoyed this activity.  Councillor Higgins was delighted to receive a number of cards thanking the Council for its decision to provide the ice rink, in particular one from the Sunshine House School.  Feedback from the user survey had indicated that everyone who used the rink was very satisfied with the facility and would like to see it return for Christmas 2010.    

 

The Council intended to build on this success and drive forward its plans for next year which would include investigations into the addition of live music and other entertainment during skating sessions.  Councillor Higgins would update Members on the plans nearer the time.

 

There was no supplementary question.

 

10.7 Question from Councillor Khursheed to the Leader of the Council – Councillor Puddifoot

 

As a Councillor for Hayes, I am pleased to see that both Hillingdon and Ealing Councils have agreed to oppose the granting of planning permission for the current scheme to develop the former Southall Gas Works site. However, I am concerned that the final decision will now be taken by the Mayor of London in view of the fact that the Greater London Authority has previously expressed support in principle for the development of the site and appears to have given little attention to the potential adverse effects on this Borough, particularly with regard to the impact on Minet Country Park and excess traffic on the Hayes By-Pass and in Hayes Town.  In view of this, can the Leader of the Council explain what action he is taking to ensure that Hillingdon’s views are given proper weight by the Mayor?

 

Councillor Puddifoot responded that this was not a political issue in Hillingdon and that there could be absolutely no doubt that the Southall Gas works site would be redeveloped in due course – it was a matter of getting the right development.  Councillor Puddifoot had maintained an open dialogue with the leader of the opposition on this matter with regards to the stance being taken by the Council.  He was also liaising with the Chairman of Hayes Town Partnership.

 

Councillor Puddifoot advised that Councillor Kursheed had correctly identified that the GLA and the Mayor of London regarded this as a strategic development for London and had expressed support in principle for the development.  There was a procedure to follow which would be adhered to.  However, at this time, GLA officers were being made aware of this Council’s concerns regarding the impact on the ecology and Green Belt with respect to Minet Country Park, as well as concerns regarding traffic congestion on the Hayes Bypass, as outlined in the Council’s refusal reasons agreed by the Central and South Planning Committee. The Council had a proud track record of putting the needs and wishes of its residents first and it made no apologies for doing so - it was, after all, why it was here.  Councillor Puddifoot was satisfied that officers continued to do all they could to ensure that, when the Mayor made his decision, he was fully aware of the impacts on Hillingdon and its residents.  It was also of tremendous comfort to residents of the Borough that the Council had a Mayor of London who had concern for the West of London, someone the Council could talk to and who was prepared to listen.  Councillor Puddifoot would keep Councillor Kursheed briefed of developments.

 

There was no supplementary question.

 

10.10  Question from Councillor Riley to the Cabinet Member for Planning and Transportation – Councillor Burrows

 

What can the Council do for residents to provide practical support during the consultation period once the High Speed 2 proposals are announced in March?

 

Councillor Burrows responded that this was a matter to which the Council would give careful consideration once the details of the HS2 proposals were announced and it had had an opportunity to assess the implications for local residents.  The Council always put the interests of its local residents’ first and it would therefore look at these proposals in detail and hold a public meeting in the summer, before giving its views.

 

After carefully assessing and considering the implications of the HS2 proposals, the Council would make firm representations to the Government to ensure that the interests of local residents were protected.  In light of the Government’s refusal to see sense over its illogical decision to pursue the Heathrow expansion, the Council expected, and would be ready for, a very complex and drawn out exercise.  However, Councillor Burrows hoped that, following the General Election, the Government would be one of change and of delivery, and that it would put an end to the Heathrow madness and engage in sensible discussions about what was best for the infrastructure of this country whilst at the same time protecting the interest of those who would be directly affected. 

 

There was no supplementary question.

 

10.11  Question from Councillor Banks to the Leader of the Council – Councillor Puddifoot

 

Would the Leader of the Council please inform me of the protocols and any problems that may arise if the general election is called for on the same day as the local election?

 

Councillor Puddifoot responded that the date of the General Election was awaited with eager anticipation.  The Prime Minister could call the election as early as March or as late as June 2010.  However, the strong favourite remained 6 May 2010, being the same date as local elections in London and several other areas.  A joint election could cause some logistical headaches.

 

The timetable for the Parliamentary election was potentially considerably shorter than the local election, which might cause some delays in issuing certain election materials such as postal vote packs.  However, the Elections Team were well aware of the potential alterations to the process that might need to be made and appropriate publicity would be issued if required.

 

Whilst many of the costs associated with an election might be shared between the two polls (such as poll cards, postal vote packs and the like), on Polling Day itself there would be a need to have increased staffing at many Polling Stations to assist voters who might be confused about the combined voting process.  This would, in turn, necessitate additional training for those staff.

 

Additional staffing would also be required at the two separate counts.  If there was a joint election, it was intended to count the three Parliamentary Constituencies on the traditional Thursday night / Friday morning with the local count taking place later in the day on the Friday.  This raised many issues, not least in the two sets of staff that would need to be recruited to ensure both counts were carried out accurately (bearing in mind the health and safety issues raised by the long hours some staff might be required to work during the election).

 

Further potential logistical difficulties to be overcome would be in relation to: the opening and verifying of joint postal votes; the sharing of part of the Ruislip / Northwood and Pinner constituency with the London Borough of Harrow; and the joint verification of all votes, whether local or national, on the Thursday night.

 

On the plus side, the higher turnout expected for a Parliamentary election did mean that the local election would also receive a much higher response than the average ‘third’ experienced in recent years.

 

For the candidates and agents too, this could be a confusing time and those who were standing in both the local and national elections would need to be particularly mindful of the different rules governing elections expenses and should bear in mind that the expenses returns might be heavily scrutinised.

 

Councillor Puddifoot had every confidence in the Returning Officer and his Elections Team to run a smooth and efficient operation producing a set of results that the public, candidates and agents alike would be sure were accurate and reliable.

 

As far as the ‘Political’ preparation for the election was concerned, Councillor Puddifoot reported that the Conservative Group had 65 candidates in place and was urging the other parties to do the same.  He appreciated that, at this time, Conservative popularity (both locally and nationally) was high and that having more people wishing to be candidates than the 65 seats to be allocated was a luxury that the other parties did not have.

 

There was no supplementary question.

 

10.8 Question from Councillor Gardner to the Leader of the Council – Councillor Puddifoot

 

Does the Leader of the Council agree that the developers of Stockley Park have, to date, failed to take sufficient action to provide jobs for local people and to involve the local community?

 

Councillor Puddifoot responded that he did not agree that the developers of Stockley Park had failed to take sufficient action.

 

There was no supplementary question.