Agenda and minutes

Prayers were said by Pastor Derek Page.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Barrett, Bartram, Courtenay and Duncan. 

To receive the minutes of the meeting held on 14 January 2010

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting held on 14 January 2010 be agreed as a correct record.

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

Councillors Mills and Bianco declared a personal interest in agenda item 8: Council General Fund Reserve Budget and Capital Programme 2010/2011, as it affected members of their families, and remained in the room during the consideration thereof. 

 

Councillors Elizabeth Kemp, Peter Kemp, Retter, Routledge and Way declared a personal interest in agenda item 7: Housing Revenue Account Rent Setting 2010/11, as they were members of the Board of Hillingdon Homes, and remained in the room during the consideration thereof.

It was with sadness that the Mayor informed Members of the recent death of Mr Alan Blundell, a former Harefield councillor and Mayor's escort.  All present stood for a minute’s silence in his memory.  Members were advised that Mr Ted Harris, a former Hillingdon Mayor, and Mrs Beryl Double, a former Hillingdon Councillor, had also recently passed away.  All present stood for a minute’s silence in their memory. 

 

The Mayor advised that she had been present at an Holocaust Memorial Day event at the Northwood Synagogue which had also been attended by approximately 200 local children.  They had received a talk from an ex-serviceman on the suffering caused by the holocaust.

 

Mr Reg Payne had visited the Mayor’s Parlour to present the Mayor with his Merchant Navy shield.  Mr Payne had been involved in the D-Day landings making four trips to France. 

 

It was noted that the first presentation of the new volunteers’ medals would be made in the near future. 

 

The Mayor would be doing a sponsored walk on 11 April 2010 from Highgate Hill to Mansion House to retrace the 600 year old steps of Dick Whittington.  She welcomed any offers of sponsorship.

To receive the report of the Head of Democratic Services

Councillor Puddifoot moved all of the recommendations as set out in the Order of Business.  This was seconded by Councillor Mills.

 

Following debate (Councillors Eginton and Harmsworth), the motion was put to the vote and agreed.

 

(i) TIMETABLE OF MEETINGS 2010/11

 

RESOLVED: That the timetable of meetings for 2010/11 in Appendix A of the report be approved and the Head of Democratic Services, in consultation with the Chief Whip of the Majority Party, be authorised to make any amendments that may be required.

 

(ii) MEMBERS’ ALLOWANCES 2010/11

 

RESOLVED: That the current Members’ Allowances Scheme be revoked as of 31 March 2010 and the new Scheme for 2010/11 be approved as shown in Appendix B of the report for implementation from 1 April 2010.

 

(iii) URGENT IMPLEMENTATION OF DECISIONS

 

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

 

(iv) CABINET SCHEME OF DELEGATIONS

 

RESOLVED: That the change to the Cabinet Scheme of Delegations detailed in the report be noted.

 

(v) CHANGES TO STATUTORY OUTSIDE BODIES AND INTERNAL BODIES

 

RESOLVED: That Councillor Curling be reappointed as a Council representative on the Fassnidge Memorial Trust until May 2014.

To consider the appointment of Consultants in Communicable Disease Control.

Councillor Corthorne moved the motion which was seconded by Councillor Simmonds.  On being put to the vote, the motion was agreed.

 

RESOLVED: That the following Proper Officers be appointed to carry out public health functions within the London Borough of Hillingdon:

 

1. Dr Claude Seng
2. Dr Margaret Meltzer (Lead Officer)
3. Dr Sarah Anderson
4. Dr Yimmy Chow
5. Dr Lucy Thomas
6. Dr Deepti Kumar

To consider the level of rents for 2010/11

It was noted that the Council, as local housing authority, was required to review charges for rents, services and facilities to tenants in connection with the provision of dwellings.

 

It was moved by Councillor Corthorne, seconded by Councillor Higgins and:

 

RESOLVED: That:

 

1. formula rents under the DCLG rent restructure policy be used to calculate HRA dwelling rents for 2010/2011.
2. the average HRA rents, charges and allowances for 2010/11 as set out in Tables A to D of this report be approved.
3. the HRA Budget for 2010/11 as set out in Appendix 1 of the report be approved.

Budget papers as issued to Cabinet for the meeting on 18 February are attached as a separate appendix.

 

Following the Cabinet meeting, the formal Council Tax Resolution 2010/11 with the Cabinet’s proposals will be submitted to Council along with any other budget paperwork.

 

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 George Cooper moved the suspension of Council procedure rule 14.4 to allow unlimited time for the proposer of the recommendations to speak on the budget report.  This was seconded by Councillor Mills and, on being put to the vote, was agreed.

 

RESOLVED: That the mover of the budget motion be allowed to speak for an unlimited period on this item.

 

Councillor Bianco moved, and Councillor Puddifoot seconded, the following amendment to the budget report recommendations: 

 

1.      That the General Fund revenue budget proposals made by Cabinet be approved, resulting in a net budget requirement for 2010/11 of £194,194,200.

 

2.      That Council note that at its meeting on 14 January 2010 the Council calculated the amount of 97,952 as its Council Tax Base for the year 2010/11.  This was in accordance with the Regulations made under Sections 33 (5) and 34 (4) of the Local Government Finance Act 1992, being the amount calculated in accordance with Regulation 3 of the Local Authorities (Calculation of Council Tax Base) (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2003, as its Council Tax Base for the year (Item T under Section 33 (1) of the Local Government Finance Act 1992).

 

3.      That 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 £1,422.75 for the borough.

 

4.      That the following amounts be now calculated by the Council for the year 2010/11, in accordance with Sections 32 to 36 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 (the Act):

 

a) £773,320,030          being the aggregate of the amounts that the Council estimates for the items set out in Section 32 (2) (a) to (e) of the Act.  (Gross Expenditure including the amount required for additions to working balances).

 

b) £579,125,830          being the aggregate of the amounts that the Council estimates for the items set out in Section 32 (3) (a) to (c) of the Act.  (Gross Income including reserves to be used to meet Gross Expenditure).

 

c) £194,194,200          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 32 (4) of the Act, as its budget requirement for the year.  (Item R under Section 33 (1) of the Act).

 

d) £85,180,901            being the aggregate of the sums that the Council estimates will be payable for the year into its General Fund in respect of redistributed non-domestic rates and revenue support grant.  This is increased by the amount of the sums which the Council estimates will be transferred in the year to its General Fund from its Collection Fund.  This is in accordance with Section 97 (3) of the Local Government Finance Act 1998 (Council Tax Deficit) and pursuant to the Collection Fund (Community Charge) directions under Section 98 (4) of the Local Government Finance Act 1988 (Community Charge Surplus).  (Item P under Section 33 (1) and 33 (3) of the Act).

 

e)  £1,112.93                4 (c) – 4 (d)    =          194,194,200 – 85,180,901

2                                          97,952

 

                                       being the amount at 4 (c) above less the amount at 4 (d) above, all divided by the amount at 2 above.  This is, calculated by the Council in accordance with Section 33 (1) of the Act, as the basic amount of its Council Tax for the year. (Council Tax at Band D for the Council).

 

f)   

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 (e) 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.      That Council note that for the year 2010/11 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
£206.55	£240.97	£275.40	£309.82
Band E	Band F	Band G	Band H
£378.67	£447.52	£516.37	£619.64

 

6.      That the Council has calculated the aggregate in each case of the amounts at   4 (f) and 5 above.  The Council in accordance with Section 30 (2) of the Act hereby sets the Council Tax for the year 2010/11 for each category of dwelling below:

 

Total Council Tax 2010/11
Band A	Band B	Band C	Band D
£948.50	£1,106.58	£1,264.67	£1,422.75
Band E	Band F	Band G	Band H
£1,738.92	£2,055.09	£2,371.25	£2,845.50

 

7.      That the proposals for fees and charges set out in Appendix 7 of the attached report to Cabinet on 18 February 2010 (“the attached report”) are approved.

 

8.      That the capital programme be agreed as set out in Appendix 8 of the attached report.

 

9.      That the Treasury Management Strategy Statement, Annual Investment Strategy and Minimum Revenue Provision Statement for 2010/11 to 2012/13 be agreed as set out in Appendix 9 of the attached report.

 

10.That the adoption of the CIPFA Revised Code of Practice for Treasury Management in Public Services be agreed as detailed in Appendix 10.

 

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

 

12.That Council note the Corporate Director of Finance and Resources’ comments regarding his responsibilities under the Local Government Act 2003.

 

13.That Council authorises the Corporate Director of Finance and Resources to approve all virements after 31 March 2010 relating to the 2009/10 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 2009/10 financial year.

 

Councillor Harmsworth moved, and Councillor Eginton seconded, an amendment which, following debate (Councillors Bianco and Puddifoot), was put to the vote and lost.

 

Councillor Cox moved, and Councillor Rhodes seconded, a further amendment which, following debate, was put to the vote and lost.  

 

Following debate (Councillors Seaman-Digby, Simmonds, Major, Mills, Higgins, Burrows, Jenkins, Puddifoot, Bianco and Barnes), the original amendment was put to the vote and: 

 

RESOLVED:

 

1.      That the General Fund revenue budget proposals made by Cabinet be approved, subject to the off street parking charges being ratified at the next Cabinet meeting, resulting in a net budget requirement for 2010/11 of £194,194,200.

 

2.      That Council note that at its meeting on 14 January 2010 the Council calculated the amount of 97,952 as its Council Tax Base for the year 2010/11.  This was in accordance with the Regulations made under Sections 33 (5) and 34 (4) of the Local Government Finance Act 1992, being the amount calculated in accordance with Regulation 3 of the Local Authorities (Calculation of Council Tax Base) (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2003, as its Council Tax Base for the year (Item T under Section 33 (1) of the Local Government Finance Act 1992).

 

3.      That 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 £1,422.75 for the borough.

 

4.      That the following amounts be now calculated by the Council for the year 2010/11, in accordance with Sections 32 to 36 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 (the Act):

 

a) £773,320,030          being the aggregate of the amounts that the Council estimates for the items set out in Section 32 (2) (a) to (e) of the Act.  (Gross Expenditure including the amount required for additions to working balances).

 

b) £579,125,830          being the aggregate of the amounts that the Council estimates for the items set out in Section 32 (3) (a) to (c) of the Act.  (Gross Income including reserves to be used to meet Gross Expenditure).

 

c) £194,194,200          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 32 (4) of the Act, as its budget requirement for the year.  (Item R under Section 33 (1) of the Act).

 

d) £85,180,901            being the aggregate of the sums that the Council estimates will be payable for the year into its General Fund in respect of redistributed non-domestic rates and revenue support grant.  This is increased by the amount of the sums which the Council estimates will be transferred in the year to its General Fund from its Collection Fund.  This is in accordance with Section 97 (3) of the Local Government Finance Act 1998 (Council Tax Deficit) and pursuant to the Collection Fund (Community Charge) directions under Section 98 (4) of the Local Government Finance Act 1988 (Community Charge Surplus).  (Item P under Section 33 (1) and 33 (3) of the Act).

 

e)  £1,112.93                4 (c) – 4 (d)    =          194,194,200 – 85,180,901

2                                          97,952

 

                                       being the amount at 4 (c) above less the amount at 4 (d) above, all divided by the amount at 2 above.  This is, calculated by the Council in accordance with Section 33 (1) of the Act, as the basic amount of its Council Tax for the year. (Council Tax at Band D for the Council).

 

f)   

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 (e) 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.      That Council note that for the year 2010/11 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
£206.55	£240.97	£275.40	£309.82
Band E	Band F	Band G	Band H
£378.67	£447.52	£516.37	£619.64

 

6.      That the Council has calculated the aggregate in each case of the amounts at   4 (f) and 5 above.  The Council in accordance with Section 30 (2) of the Act hereby sets the Council Tax for the year 2010/11 for each category of dwelling below:

 

Total Council Tax 2010/11
Band A	Band B	Band C	Band D
£948.50	£1,106.58	£1,264.67	£1,422.75
Band E	Band F	Band G	Band H
£1,738.92	£2,055.09	£2,371.25	£2,845.50

 

7.      That the proposals for fees and charges set out in Appendix 7 of the attached report to Cabinet on 18 February 2010 (“the attached report”) are approved.

 

8.      That the capital programme be agreed as set out in Appendix 8 of the attached report.

 

9.      That the Treasury Management Strategy Statement, Annual Investment Strategy and Minimum Revenue Provision Statement for 2010/11 to 2012/13 be agreed as set out in Appendix 9 of the attached report.

 

10.That the adoption of the CIPFA Revised Code of Practice for Treasury Management in Public Services be agreed as detailed in Appendix 10.

 

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

 

12.That Council note the Corporate Director of Finance and Resources’ comments regarding his responsibilities under the Local Government Act 2003.

 

13.That Council authorises the Corporate Director of Finance and Resources to approve all virements after 31 March 2010 relating to the 2009/10 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 2009/10 financial year.

RESOLVED: That the Council meeting scheduled for 4 March 2010 be cancelled.

Councillor Puddifoot expressed his thanks to all Members for the interesting debates that had taken place in the Chamber over the last four years.  He thanked those Councillors who were retiring from the Council for their efforts and wished all Councillors restanding in the election the best of luck.