Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor David Jefferys.

Apologies for lateness were received from Councillors Will Harmer and Michael Rutherford.

The Mayor informed Members that the Monitoring Officer had advised that there was no need for Members who were assured shorthold tenants, or who let property to assured shorthold tenants, to make a declaration in respect of the motion on abolition of Section 21 of the Housing Act 1988 (Minute 100). 

Councillor Simon Jeal declared that he was a volunteer for Bromley Homeless Shelter.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 25^th February 2019 be confirmed.

Report CSD19067

A petition had been received from Ms Ruth Fabricant calling for the Council to introduce more 20mph traffic speed restriction zones outside schools and along shopping parades or in locally defined risk areas. Ms Fabricant addressed the Council in support of the petition and Cllr William Huntington Thresher responded, thanking the petitioners but explaining that these concerns were already being addressed as part of the Council’s Local Improvement Plan (LIP.)

A motion to take no further action on the petition was moved by Councillor William Huntington-Thresher, seconded by Councillor Colin Smith and CARRIED.

Questions must be received by 5pm on Tuesday 2nd April 2019

(a)  Questions from members of the public for oral reply.

(b) Questions from members of the public for written reply.

(c) Questions from members of the Council for oral reply.

(d) Questions from members of the Council for written reply.

Five questions had been received from members of the public for oral reply. The questions, with the answers given, are set out in Appendix A to these minutes.

Five questions had been received from members of the public for written reply. The questions, with the answers given, are set out in Appendix B to these minutes.

Nineteen questions had been received from members of the Council for oral reply. The questions, with the replies given, are set out in Appendix C to these minutes.

Five questions had been received from members of the Council for written reply. The questions, with the answers given, are set out in Appendix D to these minutes.

A statement was made by the Portfolio Holder for Renewal, Recreation and Housing, Cllr Peter Morgan, about the agreement that had now been reached with Mytime Active for new forty year leases for the twelve facilities that they managed in the borough.   

Report CSD19065

A motion to agree the recommendations from the Executive to set aside £7.5m in the Housing Investment Fund earmarked reserve from underspends in the 2018/19 Central Contingency for the Council’s housing transformation strategy as detailed in paragraph 3.2.12 of the report, and set aside £2m of Bromley CCG funding to support health and social care as an earmarked reserve, was moved by Councillor Graham Arthur, seconded by Councillor Colin Smith and CARRIED.  

Report CSD19053

A motion to approve the recommendations from the Executive on changes to the Constitution arising from the Constitution Improvement Working Group, to note other matters considered by the Working Group and authorise the Director of Corporate Services to make any consequent minor changes to the wording and numbering of the Constitution was moved by Councillor Mary Cooke, seconded by Councillor Pauline Tunnicliffe, and CARRIED.

Report CSD19068

A motion to note the report on special urgency decisions was moved by Councillor Graham Arthur, seconded by Councillor Colin Smith and CARRIED.

Report CSD19058

A motion to receive the fourth report of the Education, Children and Families Select Committee and invite the Leader and appropriate Portfolio Holders to consider the recommendations and (a) refer the recommendations to service Directors and Partners, where appropriate, and (b) provide a written response to the Select Committee at a future meeting, was moved by Councillor Nicholas Bennett, seconded by Councillor Neil Reddin and CARRIED.

Report CSD19059

A motion to receive the Annual Policy Development and Scrutiny report for 2018/19 was moved by Councillor Simon Fawthrop, seconded by Councillor Keith Onslow and CARRIED.

Report CSD19054

A motion to receive the Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education (SACRE) Annual Report for the 2017/18 academic year was moved by Councillor Kevin Brooks, seconded by Councillor Robert Evans and CARRIED.

(a) Abolition of Section 21 of the Housing Act 1988

The following motion was moved by Councillor Kathy Bance and seconded by Councillor Josh King -

“This council strongly believes that a secure home is at the heart of all our lives. It gives security, enables aspiration and gives children a stable home in which to grow up.

This council believes that residents living in the private rented sector should have the security to build their lives and futures, and to become an active part of their community, just as residents in other housing tenures should expect. We note that nationally, the largest reason for homelessness is eviction from the private sector. We therefore call on the Government to: abolish 'section 21' of the Housing Act 1988 which allows eviction without the landlord having to establish fault on the part of a tenant.

Removing this unfair clause would help to make renting more secure, improve standards, increase tenant confidence and ultimately contribute towards making renting a viable long-term alternative to home ownership or social rent for the millions who currently cannot access either.”

It was moved by Councillor Colin Smith and seconded by Councillor Michael Rutherford that the motion be referred to Renewal, Recreation and Housing PDS Committee for more detailed consideration and report back - this amendment was CARRIED.

(b) Christchurch Attacks

The following motion was moved by Councillor Simon Jeal and seconded by Councillor Angela Wilkins -

“This Council expresses its utter shock and sympathy in the wake of the terrorist atrocity in New Zealand where 50 Muslim worshippers were killed by right-wing extremists inside two mosques. We mourn with our fellow commonwealth, we are one, you are us, and we send our wishes of love and compassion to all New Zealanders.

On Friday 15th March, millions of British Muslims in the UK were preparing to attend the Friday prayers at their local mosques. This weekly act of worship was overshadowed by the horrific news of a terrorist attack thousands of miles away in Christchurch, New Zealand. Muslims were targeted as they too went to attend the call to prayer at their local mosques, with 50 never to return.

This Council, alongside our local community, stands together to condemn the deadliest mass shooting in modern New Zealand history as proof and evidence that terrorism has no colour, has no race, and has no religion. We reaffirm our commitment to condemn those who demonise and dehumanise people because of the faith they follow.

Terrorists have sought to divide our great city apart with an evil ideology, but instead we have shown that London is strong, and that the world can see in us an example of love and unity. This Council resolves not to let anyone divide us and we wish to express unity and solidarity with communities in Bromley who are feeling the ripples of fear and sorrow following the events on 15th March.”

Councillor Gary Stevens, seconded by Councillor Colin Smith, moved an amendment to the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 100.

The Mayor thanked Members for their support for the Friendship Agreement that had been signed with Thunder Bay, Canada, on 7^th March 2019, and informed the Council that she had hosted the Mayor of Niewied on an official visit which had included a formal dinner at the East India Club organised by the Deputy Mayor and a visit to Down House.

The Mayor urged Members to attend the special charity screenings of the film “The Bromley Boys” Live at the Churchill Theatre at 2.30pm and 7.30pm on Monday 6^th May 2019.