Agenda and minutes

Moved from 5 November 2020 - Virtual Meeting, Cabinet - Wednesday 11 November 2020 6.30 pm

Venue: Virtual Meeting - Online. View directions

Contact: Nikoleta Nikolova, Senior Democratic & Electoral Services Officer  Tel: 020 8416 8284 E-mail:  nikoleta.nikolova@harrow.gov.uk

Link: View the meeting online

Media

Items
No. Item

365.

Apologies for Absence

To receive apologies for absence (if any).

Minutes:

None received.

 

366.

Declarations of Interest pdf icon PDF 69 KB

To receive declarations of disclosable pecuniary or non pecuniary interests, arising from business to be transacted at this meeting, from:

 

(a)          all Members of the Committee, Sub-Committee or Panel;

(b)          all other Members present in any part of the room or chamber.

Minutes:

RESOLVED:  To note that  the declaration of interests, which had been published on the Council website, be taken as read and that during the course of the meeting:

 

(1)          Councillor Simon Brown, declared a non-pecuniary interest in item 3: Petitions  in that he lived in an area covered by the Low Traffic Neighborhood (LTN) scheme, LTN-02.  He would remain in the meeting whilst the matter was considered.

 

(2)          Councillor Graham Henson, declared a non-pecuniary interest in item 15:  “People Services Strategic Commissioning – Adult Mental Health Review and Next Steps” in that his wife  worked for Rethink Mental Health.  He would remain in the meeting whilst the matter was considered;

 

(3)          Councillor Osborn, who was not a member of Cabinet, declared a non-pecuniary interest in item 3: Petitions in that he lived in an area covered by the Low Traffic Neighbourhood (LTN) scheme, LTN-04.  He would remain in the meeting whilst the matter was considered.

367.

Petitions

To receive any petitions submitted by members of the public or Councillors.

Minutes:

RESOLVED:  To note that the following petitions had been received:

 

(1)          Councillor Marilyn Ashton presented a petition on behalf of residents in Hilltop Way, Stanmore Park ward containing 27 signatures requesting the immediate introduction of  double yellow lines outside numbers 11 and 12 Hilltop Way to allow safe access to and from the properties.

 

RESOLVED:  That the petition be received and referred to the relevant Corporate Director for consideration.

 

(2)          PrashKotecha presented a petition on behalf of the FreeHarrow Team and local residents containing over 5000 signatures, requesting the removal of Low Traffic Neighbourhood (LTN) schemes in Harrow including LTN-02, LTN-03, LTN-04 and LTN-06.

 

RESOLVED:  That the petition be received and referred to the relevant Corporate Director and, in accordance with the Council’s petition scheme, be referred to Council for debate.

 

(3)          Dr Surangi Mendis presented a petition on behalf of residents of Manor Way and Priory Way containing 334 signatures objecting to Harrow Council’s Low Traffic Neighbourhood (LTN) scheme, LTN-06.

 

RESOLVED:  That the petition be received and referred to the relevant Corporate Director for consideration.

 

(4)          Monika Stachurska presented a petition on behalf of Whitchurch Primary School and Nursery staff containing 74 signatures regarding the affordability of the car park situated outside the school.

 

RESOLVED:  That the petition be received and referred to the relevant Corporate Director for consideration.

368.

Public Questions pdf icon PDF 214 KB

To receive any public questions received in accordance with paragraph 16 of the Executive Procedure Rules.

 

Questions will be asked in the order in which they were received.  There will be a time limit of 15 minutes for the asking and answering of public questions.

 

[The deadline for receipt of public questions is 3.00 pm, 6 November 2020.  Questions should be sent to publicquestions@harrow.gov.uk

No person may submit more than one question].

Minutes:

RESOLVED:  To note that eight public questions were received and responded to and the recording had been placed on the website.

369.

Councillor Questions pdf icon PDF 194 KB

To receive any Councillor questions received in accordance with paragraph 17 of the Executive Procedure Rules.

 

Questions will be asked in the order agreed with the relevant Group Leader by the deadline for submission and there be a time limit of 15 minutes.

 

[The deadline for receipt of Councillor questions is 3.00 pm, 6 November 2020.]

Minutes:

RESOLVED:  That the Councillor Questions were responded to and the recording placed on the Council’s website.

370.

Key Decision Schedule November 2020 - January 2021 pdf icon PDF 221 KB

Minutes:

Having noted that the report “Long Lease Opportunity to provide newly built homes for use as temporary accommodation or discharge of homelessness duty”  had been  deferred from the November to December Cabinet meeting, it was

 

RESOLVED:  To note the contents of the Key Decision Schedule for the period November 2020 – January 2021.

371.

Progress on Scrutiny Projects pdf icon PDF 139 KB

For consideration

Minutes:

RESOLVED:  To receive and note the current progress of the scrutiny reports.

372.

Covid-19 Update pdf icon PDF 391 KB

Verbal update by the Chief Executive.

Minutes:

Having varied the order of business, Cabinet received a presentation from the Chief Executive which  provided an update on the latest Covid-19 situation at  a national and local level, focusing specifically on the Council’s continuing response, wider service impact and additional Covid-19 funding announcements.  Acknowledging the ongoing challenges faced by the Council and potential further expenditures, Cabinet expressed their gratitude to staff at all levels as well as for the support received from the community and voluntary sector.

 

RESOLVED:  That

 

(1)          the verbal update and accompanying presentation from the Chief Executive  be noted;

 

(2)          the initial allocation of funding for Harrow’s Covid-19 response be endorsed;

 

(3)          Harrow’s scheme for distributing the “Additional Restrictions Grant” be considered by the Leader of the Council as quickly as possible, in accordance with Harrow Council’s agreed processes.

 

[Call-in does not apply to the decision above as it was a presentation].

Recommended Items

373.

Borough Plan Update pdf icon PDF 170 KB

Report of the Chief Executive.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Resolved to RECOMMEND:  (to Council)  That any of the proposed amendments to the Borough Plan took account of the Council’s response to the Black Lives Matters movement; tackling racial disproportionality and the Covid public health emergency, and the new corporate equality objectives.

 

[Call-in does not apply to the decision above as it was reserved to full Council]

 

RESOLVED:  That the progress against delivery of the Borough Plan to date be noted.

 

Reason for Decision:  To update the Council’s Policy Framework and set out the Council and partners’ intent with regard to tackling racial disproportionality and Covid.

 

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected:  As set out in the report.

 

Conflict of Interest relating to the matter declared by Cabinet Member/Dispensation Granted:  None.

374.

Harrow Strategic Development Partnership - Appointment of Directors pdf icon PDF 117 KB

Report of the Corporate Director, Community.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Resolved to RECOMMEND:  (to Council)

 

That

 

(1)          two Councillors be nominated for appointment by the Harrow Strategic Development Partnership (HSDP);

 

(2)          authority be delegated to the Chief Officers’ Employment Panel (COEP) to employ an independent director to be appointed to the HSDP board on terms the Panel considered appropriate.

 

[Call-in does not apply to the decision above as it was reserved to full Council]

 

RESOLVED:  That the intended governance structure for the Harrow Strategic Development Partnership (HSDP) be noted.

 

Reason for Decision:  To enable the formation of a shadow board for the HSDP pending the formal establishment of a limited liability partnership.

 

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected:  As set out in the report.

 

Conflict of Interest relating to the matter declared by Cabinet Member/Dispensation Granted:  None.

 

[Call-in does not apply to the decision above as it was a noting report].

Resolved Items

375.

Council's response to Black Lives Matter pdf icon PDF 185 KB

Report of the Chief Executive.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

RESOLVED:  That

 

(1)          the Equalities, Diversity and Inclusion Strategic Framework be endorsed;

 

(2)          the action to date in responding to the issues raised by Black Lives Matter be noted.

 

Reason for Decision:  To respond to the issues highlighted by Black Lives Matter and address the racial disproportionality experienced by people of black heritage as a first step in a new approach to equality diversity and inclusion in Harrow.

 

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected:  As set out in the report.

 

Conflict of Interest relating to the matter declared by Cabinet Member/Dispensation Granted:  None.

376.

Joining Capital Letters (London) Ltd pdf icon PDF 202 KB

Report of the Divisional Director, Housing.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

RESOLVED:  That

 

(1)          the decision to join Capital Letters (London) Ltd be approved;

 

(2)          the appropriate staffing cost to be transferred to enable Capital Letters to recruit directly be allowed.

 

(3)          Capital Letters’ governance structures including the Borough Representative Body on which all boroughs were represented be noted.

 

Reasons for Decision:

 

1.            This initiative was required to deliver additional affordable, suitable private sector accommodation to allow the Council to meet its homelessness duties at a cost it could sustain against the background of:

 

·         A challenging market with limited availability of accommodation for households on low incomes;

·         The likelihood of an increasing number of homeless households next year, following the cessation of the ban on evictions and once the extended Section 21 notice period expired;.

·         A shift in emphasis in homelessness policy towards use of resources to prevention;

·         The importance of working closely with other London boroughs to collaborate to secure accommodation.

 

2.            The Capital Letters’ governance process required the third wave of boroughs to secure internal approval to join the company so the Borough Representative Body could confirm their membership. However, the actual date of implementation would be designed to suit the London Borough of Harrow’s internal timescales and operational arrangements.

 

3.            The main financial benefit of joining the company was to access Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) funding and increase the number of private sector properties sourced in order to reduce the need for Temporary Accommodation.

 

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected:  As set out in the report.

 

Conflict of Interest relating to the matter declared by Cabinet Member/Dispensation Granted:  None.

377.

Children and Young People Strategic Commissioning - Emotional Wellbeing Service and Information, Advice and Guidance Service pdf icon PDF 313 KB

Report of the Corporate Director, People.

Minutes:

RESOLVED:  That

 

(1)          the Corporate Director of People Services be authorised,  following consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Children, Schools and Young People, together with the Portfolio Holder for Finance and Resources to:

 

·                     issue a direct award to the incumbent provider for the Harrow information advice and guidance service; and

 

·                     approve the financial contribution to be made by the Council to Harrow Clinical Commissioning Group, for the Harrow’s Emotional Wellbeing Service.

 

Reason for Decision:  To enable the Local Authority to fulfil its statutory duties to:

 

·                     meet the emotional and mental health needs of children and young people

 

·                     encourage, enable or assist young people’s participation in education or training and to assist the most vulnerable and risk of disengaging with education or work.

 

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected:  As set out in the report.

 

Conflict of Interest relating to the matter declared by Cabinet Member/Dispensation Granted:  None.

378.

People Services Strategic Commissioning Extra Care Strategy Up-Date pdf icon PDF 253 KB

Report of the Corporate Director, People.

Minutes:

RESOLVED:  That

 

(1)          the progress on the implementation of the Extra Care Strategy to date be noted;

 

(2)          the Corporate Director of People Services and the Director of Finance be authorised, following consultation with the Portfolio Holders for Adults and Public Health and Finance and Resources, to agree the final procurement strategy and undertake the  procurement of the provision of extra care wellbeing services.

 

(3)          the Corporate Director of People Services and the Director of Finance be authorised, following consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Adults and Public Health and Finance and Resources, to award the contracts for the provision of extra care wellbeing services.

 

Reason for Decision:  To progress the development and implementation of the strategy to increase Extra Care housing provision in Harrow.

 

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected:  As set out in the report.

 

Conflict of Interest relating to the matter declared by Cabinet Member/Dispensation Granted:  None.

379.

People Services Strategic Commissioning - Adult Mental Health Review and Next Steps pdf icon PDF 434 KB

Report of the Corporate Director, People.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

RESOLVED:  That

 

(1)          the findings of the Mental Health Commissioning Review be noted and the recommendations and next steps for implementation be agreed;

 

(2)          the Corporate Director of People Services and the Director of Finance be authorised, following consultation with the Portfolio Holders for Adults and Public Health and Finance and Resources, to procure and award contracts for mental health accommodation services and agree contract extensions where appropriate.

 

(3)          the Corporate Director of People Services and Director of Finance be authorised, following consultation with the Portfolio Holders for Adults and Public Health and Finance and Resources, to enter a section 75 agreement with Central North West London (CNWL) NHS Foundation Trust for the provision of mental health social care services in accordance with the Care Act 2014, subject to the annual review of delegated functions and integrated services.

 

Reason for Decision:  To fulfil the local authority’s statutory responsibility for adult social care mental health services.

 

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected:  As set out in the report.

 

Conflict of Interest relating to the matter declared by Cabinet Member/Dispensation Granted:  None.