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 interest was declared: -

Of the Cabinet meeting held on 3 August 2006 be deferred until the next Ordinary meeting of Cabinet.

RESOLVED:  That the minutes of the meeting held on 3 August 2006 be deferred until the next ordinary meeting of Cabinet.

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).

[Note: This is a Special Meeting which has been convened for the purpose of considering the items referred to the Cabinet for re-consideration by the Call- In Sub Committee (Paragraph 22.9 of the Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rules). No other items will therefore be considered.]

The Chair indicated that he had been advised that a member of the public, who was present, wished to present a petition to the meeting.  Whilst there was no provision on the agenda for petitions as the meeting had been convened to consider a substantive item of business referred by the Call in Sub-Committee, as a concession, he indicated that he was prepared, on this occasion, to ask Cabinet to receive the petition.

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

Mic Sayer presented a petition containing approximately 200 signatures, the terms of which were as follows:-

“We the undersigned strongly urge Harrow Council not to abandon the locking of parks at night. We believe that the Council’s proposal will encourage crime and anti-social behaviour. The cost of this to the community is likely to exceed any savings claimed by the Council.”

RESOLVED:  That the petition be received and referred to the relevant Portfolio Holder for consideration.

(See also Minute 67).

Report of the Director of Financial and Business Strategy

An officer introduced the report, which sought confirmation of the original decision made by Cabinet on 3 August 2006 in relation to five of the items included in the Director of Financial and Business Strategy’s report on the Financial Position.  She advised that thirteen items included in that report had been called-in, six of which had been referred back to Cabinet for reconsideration.

The officer reminded Cabinet of the Council’s considerable financial difficulties and the low level of reserves.  She advised that the savings target of £19m had to be achieved for 2006/2007 in order to establish a balanced budget.  She added that there was a need to balance full consultation with the requirement to achieve the level of savings in a relatively short timescale.

RESOLVED:  That (1) the original decision in relation to the following items, considered by Cabinet on 3 August 2006, included in the Director of Financial and Business Strategy’s report be confirmed:-

(i)                   item 17 – Focus Clothing Grants on Real Need

(ii)                 item 35 – Peel House Car Park, Wealdstone – reduce opening hours to 8.30 pm

(iii)                item 47 – Reduce Agency staff in Development Control and reduce contract and permanent staff within conservation and design

(iv)                item 76 -  cease Music Teaching subsidy

(2)  in respect of item 44 – Public Realm Maintenance – Parks Locking, the decision to cease locking of parks by the Council be confirmed but be implemented on 2 January 2007 instead of 1 October 2006.

Reason for Decision:  Cabinet took the original decision as part of the agreed savings plan. The decision would ensure that the savings target of £19m in 2006/2007 was achieved and that key services were protected.  A balanced budget for 2006/2007 would be established as another step towards restoring financial stability within the Council.

(See also Minute 65).