Agenda and minutes

A minute silence was held for Councillor Tony Ferrari of Dorset Council, and former Harrow Councillor, who had sadly passed away on the 6 November 2023.

To receive apologies for absence (if any).

Apologies were received from Councillor Pritesh Patel, Portfolio Holder for Adult Services & Public Health.

To receive declarations of disclosable pecuniary or non pecuniary interests, arising from business to be transacted at this meeting, from all Members present.

RESOLVED:  To note that the following interests were declared:

Agenda Item 10 - Electric Vehicle Charging Strategy: Draft for approval.

Councillor Paul Osborn declared a non-pecuniary interest in that he owned an electric vehicle. He would remain in the room whilst the matter was considered and voted upon.

Councillor David Ashton declared a non-pecuniary interest in that he owned an electric vehicle. He would remain in the room whilst the matter was considered and voted upon.

Councillor Marilyn Ashton declared a non-pecuniary interest in that she owned an electric vehicle. She would remain in the room whilst the matter was considered and voted upon.

Councillor Kanti Rabadia declared a non-pecuniary interest in that he owned an electric vehicle. He would remain in the room whilst the matter was considered and voted upon.

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

RESOLVED:  To note that no petitions had been received.

To note any public questions received.

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, Monday 13 November 2023.  Questions should be sent to publicquestions@harrow.gov.uk

No person may submit more than one question].

To note that one question had been received but in the absence of the questioner and in accordance with the Executive Procedure Rule 47.7.3.3,

 the question was not dealt with.

To receive any Councillor questions.

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, Monday 13 November 2023.]

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

Report of the Director of Children’s Services

Resolved to RECOMMEND:  (to Council)

That the Youth Justice Plan 2023-24 be approved.

Reason for Decision:  The establishment of a Youth Justice Service was a statutory requirement (under the Crime and Disorder Act 1998).  There were certain partners who must form part of the Multi-Disciplinary Team including Police, Probation, Education, Health and Social Work and others may form part of the team and partnership governing Board (in Harrow this is the Youth Justice Partnership [Management Board] which also reports to the Safer Harrow (Community Safety Partnership)).  Under the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 the authority was also required to produce (and implement) a Plan (Youth Justice Plan), and this Plan must be approved by Council.

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

Report of the Assistant Director of Digital, Data & The Customer Experience

RESOLVED:  That the recommendations set out in Section 4 in Appendix A of the Customer Experience Scrutiny Report be agreed.

Reason for Decision:  In agreeing the recommendation, officers prepare action plans to further enhance the customer experience.

[Call-in did not apply to the decision]

For consideration

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

Report of the Corporate Director of Place.

RESOLVED:  That

(1)            the results of the public consultation on the draft Climate and Nature Strategy be noted;

(2)            the Climate and Nature Strategy 2023-2030 be approved;

(3)            the Corporate Director of Place be authorised, following consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Highways, Infrastructure and Community Safety, to keep the Strategy under review and make minor amendments as were necessary; and

(4)            progress in implementing the Strategy and accompanying Strategic Action Plan be subject to annual reporting to Cabinet.

RESOLVED:  To provide a strategic framework for the Council and the Borough to take action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and enable the recovery of the natural world that supported us all.

Report of the Corporate Director of Place.

RESOLVED:  That

(1)            the draft Electric Vehicles Strategy be approved;

(2)            the Director of Environment be authorised, following consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Highways, Infrastructure and Community Safety, to make minor changes to the Electric Vehicles Strategy as and when necessary.

Reason for Decision:  To provide a strategic framework for the Council and the Borough to enable the expansion of electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure on public assets for the benefit of Harrow residents, whilst contributing to the decarbonisation of transport in Harrow.

Report of the Corporate Director of Place.

RESOLVED:  That

(1)            the draft Transport Strategy for public consultation be approved;

(2)            the results of public consultation reported back to Cabinet with the final Strategy for approval in principle;

(3)            the results of the public consultation and final Strategy be referred to full Council for final approval.

Reason for Decision:  This Long-Term Transport Strategy (LTTS) provided strategic direction for all aspect of transport within the London Borough of Harrow over the next 20 years.  This was the first Strategy of this kind for the Borough and set out the Council’s ambitions for a transport system that was more accessible, safer and greener, whilst recognising that cars would always be a vital link in the chain.  This Strategy could help to address transport aspects through meaningful actions.