The Council meeting on 4th February 2009 saw significant debate and decisions regarding the expansion of Heathrow Airport and the introduction of parking charges at Richmond Park. Councillors also received reports on various council business, including capital expenditure plans and the Housing Revenue Account budget.

Opposition to Heathrow Airport Expansion

A major focus of the meeting was the proposed expansion of Heathrow Airport. Councillor Guy Senior moved a motion expressing deep concern over the Secretary of State for Transport, Geoff Hoon's, announcement in support of a new runway. The motion condemned what it described as sleight of hand in environmental controls and criticised the comparison of noise impacts with the last year Concorde was flying. It also highlighted the potential for new flight paths over areas including Southfields, Tooting, and possibly Balham, leading to increased aircraft noise for residents. The motion commended the Leader of the Council for his role in forming a coalition of local authorities and groups opposing the expansion and advocating for sustainable alternatives like high-speed rail. An amendment proposed by Councillor Tony Belton sought to remove specific condemnations of environmental controls and misrepresentations, but it was not carried. The substantive motion, reaffirming the Council's intention to continue its opposition, including legal action if necessary, was passed by 42 votes to 6.

Objection to Richmond Park Parking Charges

The Council also resolved to object strenuously to the Royal Parks Agency's proposal to introduce paid parking at Richmond Park. Councillor Malcolm Grimston moved a motion noting that the agency planned to harmonise parking charges across its parks, introducing a £2 per hour rate at Richmond and Bushy Parks, which currently have no charge. The motion argued that this logic was flawed, as outlying parks like Richmond are not served by convenient public transport and do not experience commuter parking pressures, unlike central London parks. It warned that such charges would cause displacement and disruption to adjacent residential areas, leading to disturbance, congestion, and pollution. The motion further stated that the proposed charges would violate the tradition of free access to the park and disproportionately affect low-income and elderly users, particularly during the current recession. The Council resolved to relay these concerns to the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, Andy Burnham.

Council Business and Reports

The meeting began with the suspension of Standing Orders to allow for the use of an electronic video and voting system. Following a moment of silence for former Councillor Bernard Rosewell, the Council received and confirmed the minutes of the previous meeting held on 10th December 2008, with a specific note regarding concerns about the preservation of features at Bolingbroke Hospital.

The Council received and adopted recommendations from the Corporate Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee regarding paragraph 3 of the Executive's report, which concerned capital expenditure plans for 2009/10 and beyond. Similarly, recommendations from the Housing Overview and Scrutiny Committee regarding paragraph 12 of the Executive's report, concerning the Housing Revenue Account Budget Framework and setting rents and other charges for April 2009, were adopted.

Reports from the General Purposes Committee were also considered, with proposed changes to the Code of Governance and the Council's financial regulations being received as information.

Several other reports from various Overview and Scrutiny Committees, including Regeneration and Community Safety, Adult Care Services, Health, Environment and Leisure, Children and Young People's Services, and Planning and Transportation, were received as information.

The Regulatory Licensing Committee and Licensing Committee reports were also received.

Appointments and Urgent Questions

Councillor Ian Hart was appointed to represent the Council on the newly-created Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee on Stroke and Major Trauma Services, with Councillor Miss Jenny Nickels as his deputy.

An urgent notice question was raised by Councillor Tony Belton to the Leader of the Council regarding the sudden closure of the Yvonne Carr Centre. The Leader confirmed that the matter would be presented for discussion at the appropriate Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

Petitions

Two petitions were presented to the Council. One, with 103 names, called for a ban on heavy lorries using Rectory Lane and for the repair of its potholed road surface. The second petition, with 45 names, requested the installation of appropriate fencing at the back of South Thames College's car park by the Bingo Hall to address nightly disturbances experienced by residents of Bickley Street, Tooting, from groups of youths.