Agenda and minutes

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

RESOLVED: To note that there were no declarations of interests made by Members in relation to the business to be transacted at this meeting.

Of the Cabinet meeting held on 14 April 2005, having been circulated, to be taken as read and signed as a correct record.

RESOLVED:  That the minutes of the meeting held on 14 April 2005, having been circulated, be taken as read and signed as a correct record.

To consider whether any of the items listed on the agenda should be considered with the press and public excluded.

The Chair indicated that he was prepared to admit two urgent items to the agenda, item 14(a), “Open Budget Process”, for the reason set out on the second supplemental agenda, and item 14(b), an oral report from the Chief Executive in relation to a reference from the Development Control Committee meeting held on 17 May 2005 on Bradstowe House.  Members noted that it had not been possible to include this item on the Cabinet agenda any earlier as the Development Control Committee had only met after the circulation of the main agenda, and it was not appropriate to delay making a decision on this matter.

RESOLVED:  That all business be considered with the press and public present with the exception of the following items for the reasons set out below:-

To receive petitions (if any) submitted by members of the public/Councillors.

(1)                 Councillor O’Dell presented a petition containing 178 signatures from the Herga Road and Masons Avenue Community Association.  He read the terms of the petition to the meeting which were as follows:

“We, the undersigned, support the proposal that the land at 18-28 Masons Avenue should be turned into a car park for local residents, businesses and users of the Navnat Bhavan Hall.

Car parking in the local area is desperately insufficient and the situation will only get worse as planned residential development takes place.  An additional car park at this end of the High Street, and the landscaping of this part of Masons Avenue, will help local businesses and improve the visual impact of the area, providing a significant contribution to the regeneration of the Wealdstone area.

We therefore urge the London Borough of Harrow to landscape and develop the land appropriately, and to manage the car park under a scheme that will allow its use by residents, businesses and users of the Navnat Bhavan Hall.  Our cross?representative Committee will present more detailed proposals.”

RESOLVED:  That the petition be received and noted.

(2)                 Councillor Knowles submitted a petition containing 250 signatures from the residents of 30 roads in Hatch End objecting to telephone mast – cell number 5490F, Pinner Green.

RESOLVED:  That the petition be received and noted.

To receive any public questions received in accordance with paragraph 15 of the Executive Procedure Rules.

(Note:  Paragraph 15 of the Executive Procedure Rules stipulates that questions will be asked in the order notice of them was received and that there be a time limit of 15 minutes.)

RESOLVED:  To note that the following public question had been received:-

1.

[Note:  An oral answer was provided to the above question. Under the provisions of Executive Procedure Rule 15.4, the questioner asked a supplemental question which was additionally answered. In addition, the Portfolio Holder for Social Care and Health undertook to provide the questioner with a written response].

Report of the Director of Organisational Performance

The Director of Organisational Performance introduced the report to the Performance Board and outlined the actions being taken.  He highlighted the significant areas of improvement over the fourth quarter and the areas requiring further work.

The Director of Organisational Performance reported that the Council had received positive comments in relation to its performance management in the fourth quarter. In particular, he highlighted that the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister had featured Harrow as an example of good practice in a recent publication.  There had been a number of inspections during the fourth quarter, which had indicated promising prospects.  The Supporting People Service had received a 2-star rating.

The Director of Organisational Performance reported that some progress had been made in filling key posts but that capacity issues remained in Urban Living.  He reminded Members that they should expect to see changes to the format of the report in the first quarter in line with the recently approved Corporate Plan.

Members sought clarification on a number of specific items within the report and requested that, where information was not updated quarterly, this should be indicated in future reports.

RESOLVED:  That the performance report and the actions being taken be noted.

Reason for Decision:  On 9 September 2004, Cabinet requested that quarterly performance information be reported to it in its role as Performance Board.  The Strategic Performance Report enabled Members to form a coherent strategic view of the Council’s performance in achieving corporate priorities and to provide leadership on performance management.

RESOLVED:  To note the contents of the Forward Plan for the period 1 May – 31 August 2005.

(if any).

RESOLVED:  To note that no reports had been received.

A range of Advisory Panels Consultative Forums are proposed to be re-established with the terms of reference unchanged from 2004/5, with the following exception:-

To rename the “National Non Domestic Ratepayer Consultative Panel” as the “Harrow Business Consultative Panel”, and to add the following to the existing terms of reference:-

“To facilitate consultation between the Council and representatives of the business community as required by the Authority”.

The Panel and Consultative Forum memberships are attached.

Members considered the appointment of Chairs and the proposed memberships of Cabinet’s subsidiary bodies. The appointment of Portfolio Holder assistants was also considered. 

Members noted the proposal to re-establish a range of Advisory Panels/Consultative Forums with their terms of reference unchanged from 2004/05, with the exception of the National Non-Domestic Ratepayer Consultative Panel.

RESOLVED:  (1) To rename the National Non-Domestic Ratepayer Consultative Panel as the Harrow Business Consultative Panel and to add the following to its existing Terms of Reference:

“To facilitate consultation between the Council and representatives of the business community as required by the Authority.”

(2)  that the appointments set out in the schedule attached at Appendix 1 to these minutes be confirmed.

Reason for Decision:  To re-establish the bodies for the new Municipal Year.  

Report of the Director of Legal Services

Members noted that the Council’s Constitution required the Executive to determine a timetable for the preparation and consideration of statutory plans and strategies.

A Member commented that Scrutiny should consider plans and strategies prior to Cabinet.

RESOLVED:  That the timetable for the preparation and consideration of the statutory plans and strategies set out at Appendix 2 to these minutes be approved.

Reason for Decision:  To comply with the requirements of Paragraph 3 of the Budget and Policy Framework Procedure Rules set out in Section 4C of the Council’s Constitution.

Report of the Group Manager (Communications)

An officer introduced the report and advised that the tourism strategy was in line with the Council’s objective of putting Harrow on the map.

A Member indicated that he had concerns in relation to the impact of the new Wembley Stadium in terms of parking in both Stanmore and Harrow.  The Chair advised that the parking issue would be embodied in the Council’s transport strategy.

Members welcomed the report and noted the opportunities to work with local businesses and to focus on what was available in Harrow for visitors.  

RESOLVED:  That the tourism strategy be endorsed.

Reason for Decision:  Improved tourism had economic benefits and created enhanced civic pride among residents.  The tourism strategy was in line with the Council’s objective of putting Harrow on the map. 

Report of the Director of Strategy (People First)

The Chair indicated that, following cross party discussion, it was proposed to adjourn the meeting for this item until 6.00 pm on 20 May 2005 when Cabinet would reconvene to take the decision on this matter.  He advised that Members had felt that more information was required before reaching a decision on this matter and that arrangements had been put in place for both bidders to attend informal meetings, open to all Members of the Council but closed to the press and public, at 3.00 pm and 4.00 pm respectively on 20 May 2005.  Each bidder would be invited to make a 15 minute presentation and 45 minutes would be allowed for questions from Members of the Council.  Members would then reconvene as Cabinet following Group Meetings, in public session, to take the decision. 

On 20 May 2005, the Director of Strategy (People First) introduced the report and advised that Cabinet were being requested to decide whether or not to submit a bid to the Department for Education and Skills (DfES) for Targeted Capital Fund (TCF) allocations in 2006-07 and 2007-08 to establish an LEA-maintained voluntary aided (VA) Hindu primary school in Harrow.

The Director of Strategy (People First) reported that two separate submissions to establish a Hindu primary school in Harrow had been received from Hindu faith organisations and, if Cabinet were minded to submit a bid to DfES, they would need to determine which of the two bids received should form the basis of the bid.  The deadline for the submission of the bid to the DfES was 27 May 2005. 

The Director of Strategy (People First) advised Members that both bids were strong but in different areas. Both organisations were keen to work with the Council and had done a considerable amount of work with the community.

The Director of Strategy (People First) advised Cabinet that there was currently a surplus of primary school places in Harrow, in the region of 2,600, and that Members had previously agreed action to reduce oversupply. The areas of oversupply varied across the borough.

In accordance with Executive Procedure Rule 18, the Chair indicated, and Cabinet agreed, that Councillors Miss Bednell and Jean Lammiman would be able to speak on this item.

Members indicated their gratitude to both the Sai School and the I-Foundation for their strong, but different bids. Members expressed their regret that only one bid could be submitted to the DfES and indicated that it had been extremely difficult to make a determination on this issue. Members thanked the officers for their work on the evaluation of the bids and the proposals, which had been carried out in a short timescale.

The Portfolio Holder for Education and Lifelong Learning expressed the view, which was endorsed by Cabinet, that whilst the bid submitted by the Sai School was strong in that it was based in Harrow and in terms of the work it was doing, the I-Foundation was strong on educational issues and had many innovative ideas.

RESOLVED (unanimously):  ...  view the full minutes text for item 758.

Report of the Director of Strategy (Urban Living)

The Area Director (Urban Living) introduced the report.  He advised that the first major phase of repairs to the Manor House was currently in progress and outlined proposals for the further development of the project.

RESOLVED:  (1)  That officers be authorised to prepare and submit a Project Planning Grant application to the Heritage Lottery Fund for up to £50,000;

(2)  that the use of an additional £75,000 from the Local Lottery Fund to finance development works on future phases of this project be approved.

Reason for Decision:  To enable the undertaking of a comprehensive scheme review and the preparation of a new grant application to the Heritage Lottery Fund for future works at Headstone Manor/Harrow Museum and Heritage Centre.  To maintain the current total Capital funding allocation of £1,000,000 arising from the shortfall in grant funding received from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Members considered a report which detailed a motion submitted by Councillor Mark Ingram to Annual Council on 12 May 2005.  An amendment in the name of Councillor D Ashton, which he had agreed with the Portfolio Holder for Business Connections and Performance, was moved and it was 

RESOLVED:  (1) To delegate to the Deputy Leader of the Council the responsibility for determining the details of the Open Budget process for Harrow Council, in consultation with the Members of the Open Budget Steering Group, following the motion approved by Council on 12 May 2005;

(2) that the Budget Review Working Group be responsible for constituting the initial Open Budget Steering Group from its Members, the membership of which shall consist of at least one Member from each political group (but not limited to those individuals) plus Councillors Mark Ingram and Williams.

Reason for Decision:  (1) In order to expedite the open budget process and (2) the development of an open budget process for Harrow would significantly improve the involvement of the citizens of Harrow and other stakeholders in the budget setting process and increase their awareness of the critical budget decisions which the Council had to make.

The Chief Executive made an oral report and advised that, on 17 May 2005, the Development Control Committee had received a confidential report from the Strategic Planning Director on planning matters relating to Bradstowe House. The Committee had deferred making a decision on the report and had made a reference to Cabinet.

The Portfolio Holder for Planning, Development and Housing advised Members that it had not been appropriate for the Development Control Committee to refer this matter to Cabinet as it was the responsibility of the Development Control Committee to deal with planning matters.

RESOLVED:  That the Portfolio Holder for Planning, Development and Housing prepare a full report, setting out all the issues and problems, for submission to the Development Control Committee with an instruction that the Committee should make a decision on the planning issues in relation to Bradstowe House.

Reason for Decision:  The determination of planning matters was the responsibility of the Development Control Committee.  

Report of the Executive Director (Business Connections)

Members considered a confidential report from the Executive Director (Business Connections) on the Business Transformation Partnership.

RESOLVED:  That the decision on whether to appoint a preferred supplier or to a request a Best and Final Offer from potential partners, be delegated to the Business Connections and Performance Portfolio Holder following consultation with the ICT Members’ Group.

Reason for Decision:  To allow the procurement of a strategic business partner to progress in line with an accelerated procurement timetable.

Report of the Area Director (Urban Living)

Members considered a confidential report from the Area Director (Urban Living) in relation to Petts Hill Bridge Land Acquisition.

RESOLVED:  That officers be authorised to acquire the land shown on the Plan attached as an Appendix to the report of the Area Director (Urban Living), by agreement with the owners and occupiers, on terms to be agreed by the Interim Director of Asset Management and Procurement.

Reason for Decision:  To enable officers to secure the land that is required for the scheme, regardless of which road improvement scheme is progressed.