Minutes for Council meeting, May 9 2011, 7.00PM official page

A presentation by Andy Wilson, Chief Executive of Sutton Centre for the Voluntary Sector and Councillor Simon Wales, Executive Councillor with responsibility for the Voluntary Sector in Sutton.

To receive any petitions, which will either be dealt with at this Council meeting or stand referred for consideration by appropriate Committees of the Council. 

The Constitution provides for the Council’s Standards Committee to comprise five councillors and five independent members.  By virtue of Minute 460/06 independent members are appointed for three year terms and can serve a maximum of nine years.  At present there are four independent members (one having resigned towards the end of last year) and the appointments of two of those four will end on 19 May 2011.  One of them will then have completed nine years. 

 

The Localism Bill provides for the abolition of the ‘standards regime’.  However, as currently drafted, local authorities will still be required to have a standards committee and will still have a duty to promote and maintain high standards of conduct.  The Bill is not expected to receive Royal Assent until the late autumn and any regulations will follow some time after that.  Until then the current ‘regime’ will remain in force and requires a minimum of two independent members.

 

When the Bill is enacted the Authority will have to decide on the composition of its new standards committee and its functions, and whether or not it will have a code of conduct.  In view of the uncertainty and the need to maintain the current ‘regime’ for the time being the two retiring independent members have been asked if they would accede to the Council extending their appointments for one year until the Annual Meeting in May 2012, when the position should be clearer.  One of the independent members is willing to serve for a further year but the other is not.

 

It is RECOMMENDED that the decision in Minute 460/06 be waived to the extent necessary and the appointment of Mr Peter Struik as an independent member of the Council’s Standards Committee be extended for a period of one year until the Council’s Annual Meeting in May 2012.

 

The Hamptons Residents Association has asked if it could have one of its members appointed as a community representative to sit on the Cheam North and Worcester Park Local Committee.

 

It is RECOMMENDED that John Byrne be appointed as the Community Representative representing The Hampton’s Residents Association on the Cheam North and Worcester Park Local Committee with Joseph Savage as his deputy to serve until the annual meeting of the Council in May 2012.

 

 

 

 

 

To receive and consider the following recommendations of Committees

At the last Council meeting, consideration was given to proposed amendments to the Council’s constitution following consideration by the Community Leadership Advisory Group and The Executive.  However, consideration of changes to Sections 2 and 4 of the constitution were deferred, in accordance with Standing Order 1.7, until this Council meeting. 

 

It is RECOMMENDED that the proposed amendments to Sections 2 and 4 of the Constitution, as set out on pages 17 to 32 of this agenda, be adopted.

212.         SEX ESTABLISHMENTS LICENSING POLICY - ADOPTION

 

Further to Minute 691/10, it was reported that a consultation on the draft policy for the licensing of sex establishments had been open for a period of eight weeks, and relevant organisations and interested parties had been invited to comment.  The Council had not received any comments on the draft policy.

 

            RECOMMENDED: That the policy for the licensing of sex establishments, set out as an Appendix to these Minutes, be adopted.

 

The Policy is set out on pages 33 to 38 of the agenda

 

Written Notice having been received from four Councillors under Standing Order 24.3, on the grounds that to grant a lease of such a length at this stage is premature to final consideration by Asset Management Advisory Group and that in view of the policy precedents created, the decision to create such precedents should be debated and decided by Council taking into account the already expressed views by the Asset management Advisory Group, the above decisions are

 

RECOMMENDED:  for consideration by Council.

In accordance with notice given, Councillor Sean Brennan will propose:

 

“This council welcomes the key principles of the Localism Bill in

 

·        devolving power and decision making from Westminster to local authorities

·        and in particular the provisions for a General Power of Competence for councils

 

This Council also believes that the Secretary of State plays an important role as an advocate for local government – working with local councils in their drive to be even more efficient in providing services and meeting residents’ priorities

 

This Council notes with increasing concern the contradictory statements and approach of the Secretary of State in promoting a ‘localist’ agenda whilst at the same time demanding action from local councils on matters that should be for local decision making

 

This council therefore resolves to write to Rt. Hon David Cameron MP and Rt. Hon Nick Clegg MP to advise them of this council’s concerns and to urge them to promote the role of the Secretary of State in working with and supporting local government in implementing the localist agenda.”

 

In accordance with Standing Order 11.22 the Motion will be dealt with at this Council meeting.

In accordance with notice given, Councillor John Drage will move:

 

“This Council notes and welcomes the UK-wide campaign to end ‘legal loan sharking’.

 

This Council believes that the lack of access to affordable credit is socially and economically damaging with unaffordable credit causing a myriad of unwanted effects such as poorer diets, colder homes, rent, council tax and utility arrears, depression and poor health.

 

This Council further believes that unaffordable credit is extracting wealth from the most deprived communities.

 

This Council supports the principle that it is the responsibility of all levels of government to try to ensure affordable credit.

 

This Council therefore welcomes the fact that the Croydon Savers Credit Union has been authorised by the Financial Services Authority to operate in Sutton and Merton, as well as Croydon, and notes that the expansion in to Sutton was marked by a launch event on 6th May at which the Leader of the Council, the Chief Executive of Sutton Housing Partnership and the Borough's two MPs all expressed their support for the Credit Union by all applying to become members.

 

This Council urges residents who may have experienced difficulties in obtaining credit at reasonable rates to contact the local credit union and also encourages other residents to consider supporting the credit union by opening a savings account.

 

This Council calls on the Government to introduce a cap on the total lending rate that can be charged for providing credit.

 

This Council also calls on the Government to give local authorities the power to veto licenses for high street credit agencies where they could have negative economic or social impacts on communities.”

 

In accordance with Standing Order 11.22 the Motion will be dealt with at this Council meeting.

 

The following matter is brought forward as an Urgent Item to enable a timely discussion to take place on this matter

 

In accordance with notice given, Councillor John Leach will move

 

“That the Council places on record its grateful thanks to Councillor Margaret Court for her service as Mayor of the London Borough of Sutton during the past municipal year, for the able, courteous and impartial manner in which she has conducted the proceedings of the Council, and for her continuing devotion at all times to the welfare of the Borough.”

 

In accordance with Standing Order 11.22 the Motion will be debated at this Council meeting.