Agenda and minutes

To receive apologies for absence (if any).

There were none.

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

Agenda Item 8 - Local Areas of Special Character (LASC) - recommendation to designate two areas following consultation

Councillor Paul Osborn declared a non-pecuniary interest in that he lived close to one of the areas of special character.  He would remain in the room whilst the matter was considered and voted upon.

Councillor Janet Mote declared a non-pecuniary interest in that she lived close to one of the areas of special character.  She 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 there were no petitions received at this meeting.

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 11 November 2024.  Questions should be sent to publicquestions@harrow.gov.uk

No person may submit more than one question].

To note that one public question had been received and responded to and in line with the statement made by the Leader of the Counci, the recording had been placed on the website.

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 11 November 2024].

RESOLVED:  That 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 November 2024 – January 2025.

For consideration

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

Report of the Chief Planning Officer

RESOLVED:  That

(1)            the consultation responses on the two proposed ‘Local Areas of Special Character’ summarised in section 5 and at Appendix 1 of the officer report, be noted;

(2)            the Planning Policy Advisory Panel’s considerations as set out in paragraph 6.18 and Appendix 3 of the officer report, be noted; and

(3)            the areas shown in Appendix 2 of the officer report, namely: in West Harrow: 3-29 (odd) and 2-40 (even), Butler Avenue and 2-26 (even) 1-33 (odd), Lance Road and West Harrow Recreation Ground, and in Pinner: 1 and 3 - 40 (all) West End Avenue, 1-38 (all) Meadow Road and 24-38 (even) Eastcote Road be designated as Local Areas of Special Character (LASC).

Reason for Decision:  Harrow benefited from an exceptionally diverse historic environment.  It included conservation areas designated under the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 as ‘areas of special architectural or historic interest, the character or appearance of which it was desirable to preserve or enhance’.  The National Planning Policy Framework [NPPF] cautions against ‘the concept of conservation not [being] devalued through the designation of areas that lack special interest’.  At the same time the NPPF and Historic England’s national guidance recognised the importance and necessity of identifying and maintaining up to date records of the significance of local heritage assets.  There were many local areas in Harrow that might not meet the strict criteria for conservation area status but had local heritage interest.  Accordingly, this report proposed the designation of two LASCs.  These proposed designations were parallel to the existing local designations of locally listed buildings and locally listed parks and gardens in Harrow for those buildings and areas that did not meet the strict criteria for national heritage designation.  The local consultation undertaken was in accordance with national best practice.

Report of the Strategic Director for Adults and Public Health

With the Non-Executive Voluntary Sector Representative’s comments about flat funding structures and the needs of smaller organisations being considered, it was

RESOLVED:  That

(1)            the commencement of a procurement for a mental health community service be approved;

(2)            the Strategic Director for Adults and Public Health be authorised, following consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Adult Services and Public Health, to make any changes required to the tender documents following approval;

(3)            the Strategic Director for Adults and Public Health be authorised, following consultation with the Director of Finance, the Portfolio Holder for Adult Services and Public Health and the Portfolio Holder for Finance and Highways to award the contract.

Reason for Decision:  This would enable the Council to meet its statutory responsibilities under the Care Act 2014, the Mental Health Act 1983 (amended 2007) (MHA) and the Health and Social Care Act 2012.  

This procurement focused on securing a new contractual arrangement for services identified as being needed for Harrow, so they could respond to the changing mental health needs of residents.  The voice of people who used services had informed the service specification

Report of the Director of Public Health

RESOLVED:  That

(1)            the direct award of the children and young people substance misuse contract to incumbent provider ‘Compass - Services to Improve Health and Wellbeing’ (Charity no. 518048) for a term of 3 years from 1 April 2025 until 31 March 2028 be approved; and

(2)            the direct award of the adult’s substance misuse contract to incumbent provider, Via Community Ltd for a term of 3 years from 1 April 2025 until 31 March 2028 with the option to extend for a further 2 years until 31 March 2030 be approved.

Reason for Decision:  The Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023 (PSR), which came into force on 1 January 2024, applied to the arrangement of relevant health care and public health services arranged by the Council.  This included substance misuse services.  The Council had identified that direct award process C was applicable, which enabled the Council to award new substance misuse contracts to the existing providers.