Agenda and minutes

To receive declarations of personal or prejudicial interests, arising from business to be transacted at this meeting, from:

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

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

RESOLVED:  To note that the following interests were declared:

(i)                 Of the Cabinet meeting held on 3 August 2006, having been circulated, be taken as read and signed as a correct record;

(ii)               Of the special Cabinet meeting held on 4 September 2006, having been circulated, be taken as read and signed as a correct record once printed in the Council Minute Volume.

RESOLVED:  That (1) the minutes of the meeting held on 3 August 2006 be taken as read and signed as a correct record;

(2)  the minutes of the Special Cabinet meeting held on 4 September 2006 be taken as read and signed as a correct record once printed in the Council Minute Volume subject to the correction that the decision on item 77 - Council Involvement in Community Sport Coaching Scheme, had also been reconfirmed.

To consider whether any of the items listed on the agenda should be considered with the press and public excluded on the grounds that it is thought likely, in view of the nature of the business to be transacted, that there would be disclosure of confidential information in breach of an obligation of confidence or of exempt information as defined in Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended).

RESOLVED:  That all business be considered with the press and public present.

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

(Note:  Paragraph 16 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 questions had been received:-

1.

2.

[Notes:  (i)  The Chairman indicated that, as he had been notified that questioner 2 was unwell, he would permit Joan Penrose to submit the question on her behalf.

(ii)  An oral answer was provided to each question.  Under the provision of Executive Procedure Rule 16.4, each of the questioners asked a supplementary question which was additionally answered.

(iii)  The Chairman indicated that a response to one aspect of a question submitted by Ann Freeman to Cabinet on 3 August had yet to be addressed but that he would ensure that a response was provided as soon as possible.]

Fifteen minutes will be allowed for Members of the Council to question members of the Executive on issues relating to items on the agenda for the meeting and issues arising from the minutes of the previous meeting.

RESOLVED:  To note that the following Councillor questions had been received:-

1.

2.

[Notes:  (i)  The Chairman indicated that he was prepared to allow Councillors to ask more than one question at Cabinet as their remit may cover several Portfolio areas. The time limit of 15 minutes would, however, be adhered to.

(ii)  The Chairman indicated that he had received late notification of a question from Councillor Paul Scott, which he was, on this occasion, prepared to receive.  He advised that it would, however, be necessary to provide a written, rather than an oral response.  In response, Councillor Scott indicated that he would submit a written question.

(iii)  Councillor Margaret Davine requested that, in addition to the oral responses received, she receive a written answer to both of her questions.  The Chairman indicated that Councillor questions and answers, as well as public questions and answers, would be made available on the Council’s website.  Copies of the answers would also be forwarded to the opposition Groups].

Report of the Director of People, Policy and Performance

The Director of People, Performance and Policy introduced the report to the Performance Board, which had been significantly updated in light of the new Corporate Plan and the new financial year.  He advised that the next report would be generated in the new management information system and that he would be discussing the new format of the report with members of Cabinet.  He added that it was a pleasing report and that none of the high level indicators were red.

The Chairman indicated that the change in reporting, due to the new management information system, would be discussed with opposition colleagues.  Each Portfolio Holder then outlined the key challenges and improvers within their remit.

RESOLVED:  That (1) the Performance Report and actions being taken be noted;

(2)  the Portfolio Holders work with officers to achieve improvement against key challenges and receive monthly updates.

Reason for Decision:  It had previously been agreed that Cabinet would receive a quarterly monitoring information report 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 September – 31 December 2006.

(if any).

RESOLVED:  To note that no reports had been received.

On 8 June 2005 Cabinet appointed 2 Councillors from the Rayners Lane ward to the Rayners Lane Estate Committee. However, the relevant ward for this Committee is Roxbourne. Cabinet are requested to consider the appointment of 2 Roxbourne ward Councillors to the Committee.

RESOLVED:  That Councillors Bob Currie and Graham Henson be appointed to the Rayners Lane Estate Committee.

Report of the Director of Business Transformation

Cabinet received the report, which had been prepared in response to comments made by the Business Transformation Project Partnership Board at its meeting on 27 July 2006.

RESOLVED:  That the revised terms of reference for the BTPPB, attached at Appendix 1 to the report of the Director of Business Transformation, be approved.

Reason for Decision:   To enable the Board to operate effectively.

Report of the Executive Director (People First)

The Executive Director (People First) introduced the report, which presented revised Joint Commissioning strategies for each of the four main (Adult) community care groups that had been updated and amended with stakeholder involvement in response to comments and concerns in relation to the 2005 versions.  The Health and Social Care Integration Board had considered the revised strategies and their comments had been taken into account.  She added that the Primary Care Trust (PCT) Board had approved the strategies.

The Portfolio Holder for Issues facing People with Special Needs outlined the content and key aims of each of the strategies.  The Portfolio Holders for People First and Issues facing Older People welcomed the report.

Cabinet noted that there appeared to be issues across London in relation to PCTs and their finances and that the Association of London Government would be making representations to Government on this matter.

RESOLVED:  That the proposed revised Joint Commissioning Strategies, which had been produced in conjunction with the Primary Care Trust, be approved.

Reason for Decision:  The proposed revised Joint Commissioning Strategies provided a joint vision for services for the four main (Adult) client groups and supported delivery of key Government policy requirements and elements of the Community Strategy and Corporate Plan.  The strategies would strengthen the basis for further work between the Council and the PCT and with other key stakeholders.

Report of the Executive Director (People First)

The Executive Director (People First) introduced the report, which was the first phase in establishing a clear direction and vision for the provision of sport, recreation and open space in Harrow.  She tabled A3 versions of the appendices and advised that there would be a report on Phase 2 submitted to Cabinet in 2007.

RESOLVED:  That the actions within Phase 1 of the Sport, Recreation and Open Space Plan detailed in Appendix 1 to the report of the Executive Director (People First) be approved.

Reason for Decision:  This was the first phase in establishing a clear direction and vision for the provision of sport, recreation and open space in Harrow.

Report of the Director of Strategic Planning

The Director of Strategic Planning introduced the report and advised that officers had been awaiting information from the promoter, some of which had only been received that day.  Officers had therefore had insufficient opportunity to assess the new information received and, in the circumstances, he recommended that Cabinet note the report and agree that a further report be submitted to Cabinet in October 2006.

RESOLVED:  That (1) the report be noted;

(2)  a further report be submitted to Cabinet on 4 October 2006, once officers had had the opportunity to assess the information provided by the promoter of the Hindu School.

Reason for Decision:  To enable officers to assess all the information received from the promoter in order to provide Cabinet with all the information required to make a decision in relation to the Hindu School.

Report of the Director of Strategic Planning

The Director of Strategic Planning introduced the report and advised that a retail capacity study had been undertaken in the town centre to identify the qualitative and quantitative gaps. The report detailed the recommendation from the Town Centre Project Panel.

RESOLVED:  That officers be authorised to investigate the potential benefits of appointing a Strategic Developer Partner to bring forward retail development opportunities in Harrow Town Centre.

Reason for Decision:  A strategic partnership with an experienced retail developer would improve the prospects of securing additional retail development in Harrow Town Centre and reduce the risk that development opportunities identified the Council would not be taken forward.