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Agenda and minutes

Venue: Council Chamber, Town Hall, Katharine Street, Croydon CR0 1NX. View directions

Contact: Annette Wiles 020 872 6000 x64877  Email: annette.wiles@croydon.gov.uk

Items
No. Item

71/20

Minutes of the Previous Meeting pdf icon PDF 193 KB

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 16 December 2019 as an accurate record.

 

Minutes:

The minutes of the meeting held on 16 December 2019 were agreed as an accurate record.

 

72/20

Disclosure of Interests

In accordance with the Council’s Code of Conduct and the statutory provisions of the Localism Act, Members and co-opted Members of the Council are reminded that it is a requirement to register disclosable pecuniary interests (DPIs) and gifts and hospitality to the value of which exceeds £50 or multiple gifts and/or instances of hospitality with a cumulative value of £50 or more when received from a single donor within a rolling twelve month period. In addition, Members and co-opted Members are reminded that unless their disclosable pecuniary interest is registered on the register of interests or is the subject of a pending notification to the Monitoring Officer, they are required to disclose those disclosable pecuniary interests at the meeting. This should be done by completing the Disclosure of Interest form and handing it to the Democratic Services representative at the start of the meeting. The Chair will then invite Members to make their disclosure orally at the commencement of Agenda item 3. Completed disclosure forms will be provided to the Monitoring Officer for inclusion on the Register of Members’ Interests.

 

Minutes:

There were no disclosures of interests.

 

73/20

Urgent Business (if any)

To receive notice of any business not on the agenda which in the opinion of the Chair, by reason of special circumstances, be considered as a matter of urgency.

Minutes:

There were no items of urgent business.

 

74/20

Announcements

To receive Announcements, if any, from the Mayor, the Leader, Head of Paid Service and Returning Officer.

Minutes:

The Mayor

 

The Mayor, Councillor Kabir, provided Council with his announcements. Firstly, the Mayor informed Council that the Borough’s entry into the London New Year’s Day parade had finished in the top 10 and had received £5K in prize money that would go towards the Mayor’s charity fund. The Mayor’s future fundraisers were also detailed. These were a Caribbean Ball being held on 7 February 2020, a fish and chips lunch at McDermott’s restaurant, Addington, on 12 February 2020 and the Our Croydon concert being held at the Fairfield Halls in March 2020 for which tickets could be booked through the venue’s website. Lastly, the Mayor encouraged entries into the Mayor’s Awards for Community Enterprise. It was explained that there were 10 categories for nominations and that the public would play a role in the judging process. The winners were to be announced at the Mayor’s final Gala Dinner on 22 April 2020 at the Grand Sapphire Hotel.

 

 

The Leader

 

The Mayor invited the Leader, Councillor Newman, to make his announcements. The Leader informed Council that his thoughts and those of everyone across the Council were with the family and friends of the 16 year old who had lost his life following a stabbing at East Croydon Station earlier in the day.

 

75/20

Croydon Question Time pdf icon PDF 68 KB

a)    Public Questions (30 minutes)

To receive questions from the public gallery and questions submitted by residents in advance of the meeting.

 

b)    Leader and Cabinet Member Questions (105 minutes)

To receive questions from Councillors.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Public Questions

 

The Mayor explained that Croydon Question Time would commence with thirty minutes of public questions to the Leader and Cabinet members with preference being given to those with questions who were in attendance at the meeting.

 

Croydon resident, Ms Patricia Blyghton asked Councillor Campbell, Deputy Cabinet Member for Families, Health and Social Care about the reduction in Council funding to Croydon Accessible Transport (CAT) which was to come into effect from April 2020. Specifically, the Cabinet Member was asked to explain how elderly residents would access their social clubs once the reduction in funding had been applied.

 

Councillor Campbell thanked Ms Blyghton for her question. It was explained that discussions were taking place with CAT and that the organisation had been invited to participate in a competitive tendering process. Whilst CAT had acknowledged the need to restructure to become financially sustainable it hadn’t been successful in the tendering process. However, regardless of funding or tendering, the Council had offered CAT three mini buses to support its work. CAT was reviewing the offer with a response anticipated.

 

In her supplementary question, Ms Blyghton asked to be informed how many charities in the Borough had been affected by a similar reduction and/or loss in funding from the Council? Councillor Campbell was not able to provide a detailed response and committed to respond outside of the meeting.

 

Croydon resident, Mr Todd Smith noted that the Council had committed to the installation of 400 electric car charging points across the Borough by 2022. He asked Councillor King, the Cabinet Member for Environment, Transport & Regeneration (Job Share) if the Council was on schedule to deliver this commitment.

 

Councillor King thanked Mr Smith for his question and noted that if the Council was going to be successful in encouraging the switch to electric vehicles, it had to ensure the charging infrastructure was in place to make this feasible. Councillor King explained that by the end of 2020, 200 charging points would be installed with the locations for the remaining 200 being identified. It was also reported that the first 18 of 60 charging points had been introduced powered by street lighting columns.

 

In his supplementary question, Mr Smith highlighted how research had demonstrated that fully automated on-demand driverless cars cost four times less and freed-up parking space that could be used for food production. Mr Smith asked to know if the Council was exploring on-demand driverless vehicle projects. Councillor King agreed that there were real benefits to be gained from driverless vehicles and confirmed the Council was a participant in a pilot with the aim to be the beneficiaries of technological advances.

 

Croydon resident, Mr Daniel Lukes asked Councillor Collins, Cabinet Member for Clean, Green Croydon about plastic waste management and why the incineration of plastic was classified as recycling and reuse.

 

Cabinet Member Collins thanked Mr Lukes for his question and explained that this was not accurate; incineration was not classed as recycling. It was highlighted that recycling in Croydon was up to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 75/20

76/20

Member Petitions pdf icon PDF 86 KB

To receive notice of petitions presented by Members on behalf of local residents.

Minutes:

The Mayor invited Councillor Shahul-Hameed to read out her petition. This was as stated in the agenda report: ‘‘We, the undersigned, the concerned residents, implore Croydon Council to consider changing Sutherland Road from a two-way to a one-way road. This is to address the incidents of road-rage (including verbal and physical abuse) and damage to parked cars.”

 

Councillor King, Cabinet Member for Environment, Transport & Regeneration (Job Share) thanked the Councillor for her petition and noted officers had been asked to outline a proposal for a one-way scheme which would be considered for funding from the Greater London Authority. However, the Cabinet Member expressed some caution noting that one-way working did not always provide the benefits that were being sought. This could result in speeding with no traffic coming in the opposite direction. Traffic could also be dispersed to surrounding roads causing knock-on traffic issues. Councillor King noted that the roads adjacent to Sutherland Road were already subject to one-way working and that a consultation would be conducted on the scheme.

 

77/20

Maiden Speeches

To hear the maiden speeches from Councillor Leila Ben-Hassel, elected at the by-election held in Norbury & Pollards Hill Ward on 14 March 2019 and Councillor Caragh Skipper, elected at the by-election held in Fairfield Ward on 7 November 2019.

Minutes:

The Mayor informed Council that Councillor Skipper had deferred her maiden speech. Councillor Ben-Hassel was invited by the Mayor to make her Maiden Speech, having been elected in the by-election held in Norbury & Pollards Hill ward on 14 March 2019.

 

Councillor Ben-Hassel said she was humbled by the trust placed in her as signified by her election and noted it was a year ago that Councillor Maggie Mansell had passed away unexpectedly. Councillor Ben-Hassel described how she was continually reminded of Councillor Mansell’s dedication to her residents in addition to being a successful scientist. It was noted how Councillor Mansell had turned the ward of Norbury & Pollards Hill red and had a role in establishing three residents’ associations in the ward. Councillor Mansell’s campaign against library closures had been successful with new libraries being opened and the Administration investing in culture despite cuts to local authority funding. Councillor Ben-Hassel described how, since she had been elected, she had met many residents who were passionate about the Norbury & Pollards Hill ward, its history, green spaces and historic buildings. The Councillor explained how her focus would be on cleaner air and encouraged residents to shop locally including at the new Co-op store. It was highlighted how Councillor Ben-Hassel would continue to lobby the Greater London Authority, Transport for London and Government to invest in electric buses. The Councillor noted her other areas of focus would be putting residents at the heart of decisions, addressing poor quality housing and HMOs, in addition to concern about Brexit. Councillor Ben-Hassel described how Norbury and Pollards Hill was a ward of contrasts, of both opportunities and challenges. She called for communities to come together and work together for a better Norbury and Pollards Hill.

 

78/20

Polling District and Polling Place Review pdf icon PDF 82 KB

For Members to receive the report detailing the polling district and polling place review.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Mayor invited the Leader, Councillor Newman, to move the recommendations in the Polling District and Polling Place Review report. Councillor Newman confirmed that he was happy to move the recommendations. Councillor Tim Pollard was asked and duly seconded the recommendations.

 

The Mayor moved the vote and Council unanimously agreed the recommendations in the report:

 

      i.        Approved the amendments to the existing schedule of polling districts set out in Appendix A to the report;

     ii.        Approved the revised schedule of polling places set out in Appendix B to the report; and

    iii.        Delegated to the (Acting) Returning Officer authority to approve an alternative polling place in the event that any polling place becomes unavailable or is found to be suitable in the run up to an election and to make this change on a permanent basis following the election.

 

79/20

Council Debate Motions

To debate any motions submitted in accordance with Council Procedure Rules.

Minutes:

The Mayor requested the Chief Executive read the first Council Debate Motion made on behalf of the Administration:

 

“This Council notes that fly-tipping incidents in England have risen to over one million per year, and records appreciation for the huge efforts of our workforce to address the problem within our own borough at a time of severe financial pressures.

 

We call upon the government to run a national media campaign against fly tipping that spells out the environmental impact and the waste of public money clearing up after those who fly tip, that further spells out how that money could be better spent on other public services.

 

We call upon the government to debate the issue in parliament with a view to legislating tougher penalties, giving additional funding to local authorities to address fly-tipping, and in consultation with local authorities to review guidance to courts so that the worst offenders face more severe penalties.

 

We call on the government to further consider legislation on deposit schemes and incentives for manufacturers delivering bulky household goods to provide a new for old collection service”.

 

The Mayor invited Councillor Collins to propose the motion.

 

Councillor Collins explained that the motion was seeking cross party support to lobby Government to take a stand against those who fly-tip. This was reported as having increased by 40% in six years with councils on average spending £87m on clear-ups which was money that could be spent on other services. The Cabinet Member congratulated enforcement officers for their work in the Borough dealing with fly-tipping.  Research had found that one in five residents admitted to fly-tipping and didn’t know what constituted fly-tipping. Councillor Collins called on Government to show it was taking the issue seriously. The comparison was made with drink driving; there was a need to demonstrate the consequences of fly-tipping to create a social stigma so that it was no longer thought acceptable. The Cabinet Member stressed that there could no longer be any excuses. Rather individuals had to take responsibility. Councillor Collins also called for positive Government action for schemes to reduce and return packaging. In closing, Councillor Collins called for penalties for fly-tipping to be tougher, for those convicted to be required to do Community Service to clear-up fly-tipped rubbish and for the Opposition to support the motion and to stand by what was right.

 

Councillor Jewitt seconded the motion and reserved her right to speak.

 

The Mayor invited Councillor Creatura to speak who remarked that the Labour Group, in its motion, was arguing fly-tipping was a national problem and that it had done all it could. However, Councillor Creatura emphasised that fly-tipping in Croydon had increased significantly more than in other London Boroughs which was due to poor local policies and a lack of political management. The Councillor described the experience of one resident in using the Council’s bulky waste service; they had waited three months for their collection which had happened but not on the day requested. This meant that Croydon was  ...  view the full minutes text for item 79/20

80/20

Recommendations of Cabinet or Committees to Council for decision pdf icon PDF 339 KB

To consider the recommendations made by Cabinet and the Ethics Committee since the last ordinary Council meeting relating to the following matters:

 

Cabinet – 16 December 2019

i)                 Pan London Dockless Vehicle Hire Byelaw

ii)               Addington Village Conservation Area Review – Adoption

iii)              Quarter 2 Financial Performance 2019/20

 

Ethics Committee – 7 January 2020

iv)             Proposed Updates to the Scheme of Co-option in Part 6D to the Constitution

 

Cabinet – 20 January 2020

v)               Education Estates Strategy

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

1)    Pan London Dockless Vehicle Hire Byelaw

The Mayor invited Councillor King, the Cabinet Member for Environment, Transport and Regeneration (Job Share), to move the recommendations referred by Cabinet on 16 December 2019 related to the Pan London Dockless Vehicle Hire Byelaw. The Cabinet Member explained that there wasn’t a power to regulate dockless vehicles and that those had been causing some disruption across the Borough when discarded. The byelaw would address this situation and therefore he was pleased to move the recommendations. These were seconded by Councillor Muhammad Ali.

                                      

The Mayor moved the vote and Council unanimously agreed the recommendations in the report:

  1. Delegated authority to the London Councils Transport and Environment Committee to make a byelaw to regulate dockless vehicles in Croydon; and
  2. Authorised the Executive Director of Place to sign any necessary documents to give effect to the recommendation above.

 

 

2)    Addington Village Conservation Area Review

The Mayor invited Councillor Scott, the Cabinet Member for Environment, Transport and Regeneration (Job Share), to move the recommendations referred by Cabinet on 16 December 2019 related to the Addington Village Conservation Area Review.

 

Councillor Scott noted that he was pleased to recommend the extension of the conservation area in order to achieve the protection of green spaces and places of distinctive character. Thanks were given for the support of residents and Councillors in undertaking the review. The recommendations were seconded by Councillor Muhammad Ali.

                                      

The Mayor moved the vote and Council unanimously agreed the recommendations in the report:

 

  1. Approved changes to the Addington Village Conservation Area boundary as set out in the report;
  2. Adopted the Addington Village Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan (CAAMP) as a Supplementary Planning Document;
  3. Delegated to the Director of Planning and Strategic Transport, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Environment, Transport & Regeneration (Job Share), the making of minor factual, editorial and image changes to the Addington Village CAAMP; and
  4. Included the former Stables (Addington Palace Golf Clubhouse) and Stable Lodge on the Council’s local list of buildings of special architectural or historic interest.

 

3)    Quarter 2 Financial Performance 2019/20

The Mayor invited Councillor Hall, the Cabinet Member for Finance & Resources, to move the recommendations referred by Cabinet on 16 December 2019 related to the Quarter 2 Financial Performance for 2019/20. Councillor Hall moved the recommendations noting the Administration’s commitment be able to offer more affordable housing. The recommendations were seconded by Councillor Clouder.

                                      

The Mayor moved the vote and Council unanimously agreed the recommendations in the report:

 

  1. Approved the increase to the capital programme by £2.660m as set out in Table 6 (of Appendix 2 to the report); and
  2. Adoption of the lending criteria as set out in section 9 (of Appendix 2 to the report).

 

4)    Scheme Of Co-Option

The Mayor invited Councillor Fraser, the Chair of the Ethics Committee, to move the recommendations referred by the Ethics Committee on 7 January 2020 related to the Scheme of Co-option. Councillor Fraser moved the recommendations noting they would provide a common approach to co-  ...  view the full minutes text for item 80/20

81/20

Exclusion of the Press and Public

The following motion is to be moved and seconded where it is proposed to exclude the press and public from the remainder of a meeting:

 

“That, under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act, 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information falling within those paragraphs indicated in Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972, as amended.”

 

Minutes:

This item was not required.