Councillor Peter Zinkin

Overview and Scrutiny Committee - Monday 28th October, 2024 7.00 pm

The meeting considered a proposal for the extension of three contracts with Capita and the proposed new Fees and Charges for 2025/26. The committee requested further information from officers on business and Council tax collection rates and asked that an informal group be set up to look at the future of the Capita contracts. The committee also requested that officers investigate the possibility of tapering the proposed charge for arranging care for people above the capital and savings threshold.

Council - Tuesday 15th October, 2024 7.00 pm

The meeting began with a series of speeches on the topic of Black History Month and then moved on to approve the minutes of the previous meeting held on 9 July 2024, note the contents of a number of reports, appoint new officers, and approve a new constitution for the council. Two motions were debated and voted on: a motion to celebrate the achievements of the Labour administration, which was carried, and a motion to regret the government's decision to means-test Winter Fuel Allowance, which was lost.

Cabinet - Tuesday 8th October, 2024 7.00 pm

The Cabinet approved the adoption of the new Agreed Syllabus for Religious Education (RE), approved the conditional sale of 213 West Hendon Broadway to Barratt Metropolitan Limited Liability Partnership, and authorised officers to consult on proposals to set fees and charges for 2025/26.

Overview and Scrutiny Committee - Wednesday 18th September, 2024 7.00 pm

The Overview and Scrutiny Committee noted the Council Tax Support Scheme.

Cabinet - Tuesday 17th September, 2024 7.00 pm, NEW

The meeting began with a discussion on the council's financial position. Councillor Peter Zinkin raised concerns about the council's finances, referring to an in-year recovery plan that he said had appeared out of nowhere . Councillor Ammar Naqvi, Cabinet Member for Financial Sustainability and Reducing Poverty, responded to Councillor Zinkin's concerns. He stated that the plan had come about as a result of extensive discussions with officers and cabinet members over the course of August, where in quite excruciating detail, disgust [sic] why spend was happening at all . He added that the council is committed to dealing with its finances responsibly and would soon be able to present a fully costed recovery plan. Councillor Zingavala also raised concerns about the council's HMO licensing scheme. He argued that the council seemed to be more interested in making money from the scheme than ensuring that the quality of HMO accommodation is good. Councillor Geofree Perrin, Cabinet Member for Housing, Economy and Placemaking, responded that this is not the case. He explained that the council has to ensure that the scheme covers its costs, but that the team also provides a valuable service to landlords and tenants by ensuring that shared accommodation is safe and well-managed.