Agenda and minutes

To receive apologies for absence (if any).

None received.

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.

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

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

RESOLVED: To note that no petitions had been received.

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, 7 September 2020.  Questions should be sent to publicquestions@harrow.gov.uk  

No person may submit more than one question].

RESOLVED:  To note that one public question had been received and responded to and the recording had been placed on the website.

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, 7 September 2020].

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

RESOLVED:  To note the contents of the Key Decision Schedule for the period - September - November 2020.

For consideration

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

Report of the Chief Executive

RESOLVED:  That

(1)          the plans to manage a local outbreak of Covid-19 within Harrow be noted, including liaison with partner agencies, communications strategy, community engagement and exercise of enforcement power;

(2)          the Chief Executive be authorised, following consultation with the Leader of the Council, the Leader of the Opposition and the Director of Public Health, to issue communications for the purpose of reducing transmission of  Covid-19, including communicating advisory restrictions on movement in advance of legal restrictions;

(3)          the Corporate Director, Community, be authorised, following consultation with the Leader of the Council, to issue a direction under the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (England) No.3 Regulations 2020. 

Reason for Decision:  The Council was responsible for having a Local Outbreak Plan to manage the outbreak of any communicable disease, including Covid-19.  Whilst this plan was led by the Director of Public Health, the success of any plan would be dependent on multi-agency working, effective enforcement and timely communications and community engagement. 

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.

Report of the Corporate Director, Community

In emphasising the importance of the strategic development partnership, the Leader wished to express his gratitude towards all officers and advisers involved in the process.  Having noted the confidential appendices to the report and taken into account the reference from the Special Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting held on 1 September 2020, it was

RESOLVED:  That

(1)          the outcome of the Competitive Dialogue stage of the procurement process under the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 as outlined in the report, be noted;

(2)          the appointment of Bidder B as Preferred Bidder with whom the Council would seek to establish the Harrow Strategic Development Partnership (HSDP) be approved;.

(3)          the procurement process proceed to the Preferred Bidder Stage (‘PB Stage’) so the Preferred Bidder’s proposal could be clarified, specified and optimised in accordance with the procurement regulations, in particular to formalise the structure of the vehicle, finalise legal documents and conclude the HSDP Business Plan;

(4)          a further report be submitted to Cabinet, anticipated in the early part of 2021, which would seek authority to approve the HSDP Business Plan, make the procurement award, enter into the contractual documents and formally incorporate the Harrow Strategic Development Partnership.

Reason for Decision:  In order to appoint a Preferred Bidder to establish the Harrow Strategic Development Partnership, enabling the development of the Council’s three Core Sites and delivery of the Council’s regeneration objectives.

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.

Report of the Corporate Director, People

RESOLVED:  That

(1)          the update on the implementation of the school expansion programme, the School Roll Projections 2020-2032 report and the changes in the overall school organisation landscape, be noted;

(2)          the Corporate Director, People be authorised, following consultation with the Portfolio Holders for Finance & Resources and Children, Young People & Schools to undertake all procurement required to deliver the programme, including the amalgamation projects set out in the report;

(3)          the Corporate Director, People, be authorised, following consultation with the Portfolio Holders for Finance & Resources and Children, Young People & Schools to award contracts following each procurement associated with the Schools Expansion Programme;

(4)          the Corporate Director, People, be authorised, following consultation with the Portfolio Holders for Resources and Children, Young People & Schools, to:

a.            identify schools, including academy schools, to receive capital funding for projects required for SEND education provision in accordance with the SEND Strategy;

b.            for any maintained/community schools identified, to undertake a procurement process and award the contracts

Reason for Decision:  To enable the Local Authority to fulfil its statutory duties to provide sufficient school places in its area.

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.

Report of the Corporate Director, Resources.

RESOLVED:  That

(1)          the revenue and capital forecast positions set out in paragraphs 1.2 and 1.4 of the report, be noted;

(2)          the grave concerns being expressed at the legacy impact of COVID-19 over the Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) and the work being undertaken on finance sustainability, as set out in paragraphs 2.47 to 2.48 of the report, be noted;

(3)          the proposed additions to the Capital Programme as set out in paragraphs 3.28 to 3.31 of the report, be approved;

(4)          progress on the Council’s Trading Update as at Quarter 1, as detailed in Appendix 6 to the report, be noted.

Reason for Decision:  To report the 2020/21 forecast financial position as at Quarter 1 (30th June 2020), to update Cabinet on trading company performance and to seek approval for Capital Programme adjustments which required Cabinet approval in accordance with the Financial Regulations.

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.