The Speaker of the Council, Councillor M. A. Mukit, MBE in the Chair

The Speaker of the Council invited everyone to commemorate International Mother Language Day, observed by the local community on 21 February each year to promote peace and multilingualism and remember those who gave their lives for the recognition of Bengali as a national language of East Pakistan. He invited the Council to stand and observe a minute’s silence to remember them.

Apologies for absence were received on behalf of:

• Councillor Suluk Ahmed
• Councillor ShafiqulHaque

To note any declarations of interest made by Members, including those restricting Members from voting on the questions detailed in Section 106 of the Local Government Finance Act, 1992.  See attached note from the Monitoring Officer.

There were no declarations of Disclosable Pecuniary Interests.

The Speaker of the Council reminded everyone that if they knew of someone who deserved recognition for their community work or sporting/cultural achievements, to submit a nomination form for a Civic Award. Forms were available in hard copy or electronically and should be sent to the Speakers Office by 4^th March.

The Council Procedure Rules provide for the Budget Council Meeting to receive a maximum of three petitions, which must relate to the Council’s budget or the setting of the Council Tax.  The deadline for receipt of petitions for this meeting is noon on Thursday 18^th February 2016. 

The petitions received up to the time of agenda despatch are set out in the attached report.  Any further valid petitions received before the deadline will be notified separately.

4.1       Petition relating to Budget Cuts and Council Reserve Funds.

Ms Naomi Byronaddressed the meeting on behalf of the petitioners, and responded to questions from Members.

Mayor John Biggs then responded to the matters raised in the petition. He was respectful of the points raised, in particularly around the importance of the incontinence laundry service. He explained that a lot of effort had gone into making the service as cost effective as possible and although savings had to be found, it was important that this was done in an humane way.

He also stated that there had been a detailed scrutiny review of the incontinence service by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee and that in most London Boroughs, the NHS provided this service. He felt that consideration may need to be given to this option for delivering the service in view of the circumstances.

RESOLVED

That the petition be referred to the Corporate Director, Resources for a written response within 28 days.

4.2       Petition relating to Budget Cuts and Council Reserve Funds.

(Petition received after the agenda had been published but before the deadline for the submission of petitions and circulated in an addendum report)

Mr Pete Dickenson and Mr Hugo Pierreaddressed the meeting on behalf of the petitioners, and responded to questions from Members.

Councillor David Edgar, Cabinet Member for Resources then responded to the matters raised in the petition. He reported that whilst the Administration were opposed to the Government’s austerity plans and had successfully campaigned  against the  welfare changes, the Council needed to make some savings in the budget. He recognised that the Administration would over the next four years make use of the reserves when necessary, however to carry out the actions suggested in the petition to use the reserves in just one year, would be a dangerous approach to take. The Administration would therefore not be adopting this approach.

He also reported that the Administration would continue to work with local people and the Trade Unions in taking forward the proposals and in addressing the housing issues in the Borough.

RESOLVED

That the petition be referred to the Corporate Director, Resources for a written response within 28 days.

To consider the proposals of the Mayor and Executive for the Council’s Budget and Council Tax 2016/17.

Mayor John Biggs moved, the budget proposals of the Mayor and Executive as set out in the agenda pack. Councillor Sirajul Islam seconded the proposals.

Two amendments were moved as follows:

(i)    Amendment proposed by Councillor Oliur Rahman and seconded by Councillor Rabina Khan.

(ii)  Amendment proposed by Councillor  Chris Chapman and seconded by Councillor Andrew Wood

Following debate, the amendment proposed by Councillor Rahman was put to a recorded vote and was defeated.

Councillors recorded their votes on the amendment as follows:-

The amendment proposed by Councillor Chapman was put to a recorded vote and was defeated.

Councillors recorded their votes on the amendment as follows:-

Extension of time limit for the meeting

The Speaker of the Council, Councillor M. A. Mukitmoved, and Councillor Rachael Saunders seconded, a procedural motion, that “under Procedure Rule 15.11.7 the meeting be extended for 10 minutes, to complete the voting on the Budget and Council Tax 2016/17. The procedural motion was put to the vote and was agreed.

The substantive budget proposals were then put to a recorded vote and were agreed.

Councillors recorded their votes on the budget proposals as  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.