Agenda and minutes

The Portfolio Holder for Finance and Portfolio Co-ordination introduced the Council’s Corporate Plan 2007?2010, which also incorporated the Best Value Performance Plan.  He drew attention to the Council’s new long term vision ‘To be recognised as one of the best London Councils by 2012, in a borough that was cosmopolitan, confident and cohesive’, which also linked into the Council’s Corporate priorities.  The Plan identified various flagship actions, some long term and some short term, which the authority was under an obligation to fulfil, and by which the Council would be assessed.  He emphasised that the Plan was a partnership document and had been subject to extensive consultation.

Having agreed that the commitments the Corporate Plan 2007?2010 proposed for the Council were compatible with Harrow’s vision, priorities and strategy, it was

Resolved to RECOMMEND: 

That the draft Corporate Plan 2007?2010 be adopted.

Reason for Recommendation:  To outline what the Council was going to achieve during 2007? 08 in relation to the Administration’s corporate priorities

(See also Minutes 248 and 260).

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:

Of the Cabinet meeting held on 15 May 2007 to be taken as read and signed as a correct record.

RESOLVED:  That the minutes of the meeting held on 15 May 2007 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.

RESOLVED:  (1) That all business be considered with the press and public present with the exception of the following items for the reasons set out below:-

(2)  to note that agenda item 14 - Improvement Programme - was withdrawn from the agenda.

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

(1)            Councillor Mrs Camilla Bath presented a petition containing 30 signatures requesting the provision of car parking for the residents of Bruce House.  She read the terms of the petition to the meeting, which were as follows:-

“We all residents of Bruce House, Sovereign Place request that you please provide us permanent resident parking for one car for each flat.  Please find attached signature of all flat holders for permanent resident parking facility.  Please also avoid double yellow line in our street.“

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

(2)            Councillor Mrs Camilla Bath presented a petition containing 7 signatures requesting the provision of a street sign for the residents of Holland Walk, Stanmore.  She read the terms of the petition to the meeting, which were as follows:-

“I agree with the request by my neighbour Mr Ziegler for a sign underneath the Holland Walk street sign, stating “Leading to Holland Close”.  We also often get people ringing our doorbell who really want Holland Close.  This would be ameliorated if there was such a sign.”

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

(See also Minute 248).

(3)            Councillor Bill Stephenson presented a petition containing 200 signatures requesting the installation of a push button crossing near Harrow View, Headstone Gardens and Headstone Drive.  He read the terms of the petition to the meeting, which were as follows:-

“Two partially sighted people were nearly knocked down on the crossing at Harrow View, Headstone Gardens and Headstone Drive, we are, therefore, proposing to Harrow Council that a push?button crossing be installed and would ask your help by signing the petition”

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

(4)            Councillor Mrs Kinnear presented a petition containing 100 signatures requesting that BRS Hardware be permitted to display their wares outside the shop premises.  She read the terms of the petition to the meeting, which were as follows:-

“We the undersigned agree that BRS Hardware should be permitted to leave the stock display of buckets and brooms etc in front of the shop.  And in doing so, keep up the tradition of the traditional Hardware and Ironmongers shop.”

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

(5)            Councillor Ms Nana Asante presented a petition containing 161 signatures requesting funding from Harrow Council for the Black History Month. A petition in the same terms had previously been submitted to Cabinet on 15 May 2007. She read extracts from the petition to the meeting, as follows:-

“We, the undersigned, petition Harrow Council to fund Black History Month (BHM) 2007.  Harrow Council has supported BHM for a number of years, and it is an event to which all sections of the community are invited to celebrate and find out more about Black History.  This promotes community cohesion.”

RESOLVED:  That  ...  view the full minutes text for item 251.

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.

[Note:  An oral answer was provided to this question.  Under the provisions of Executive Procedure Rule 16.4, the questioner asked a supplementary question which was additionally answered].

Fifteen minutes will be allowed for Members of the Council to ask a Portfolio Holder a question on any matter in relation to which the Executive has powers or duties.

RESOLVED:  To note that the following Councillor Questions had been received:

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

[Notes:  (i)  In accordance with Executive Procedure Rule 34.1, the time limit in relation to Councillor Questions, as set out in Rule 17.1, was waived to enable all of the questions to be put;

(ii)  an oral answer was provided to all questions. Under the provisions of Rule 17.4, each of the questioners asked a supplementary question which was also duly answered;

(iii) the Leader of the Labour Group, Councillor Navin Shah, reported that due to the late circulation of the Corporate Plan 2007?2010, Members had not had time to digest the Plan and submit written questions.  The Chairman agreed that written questions could be submitted to the Portfolio Holder, Finance Co?ordination for a response].

Report of the Director People, Performance and Policy.

The Portfolio Holder for Strategy and Business Support introduced the report and highlighted key challenges, the areas requiring further work and the key improvers for the last quarter.  The Portfolio Holders made the following statements referring to the Best Value indicators detailed in the officer report.

The Portfolio Holder for Schools and Children’s Development reported the following achievements within her remit:

·                     BV12 - The post 16 reorganisation project moved to Good following the allocation of LSC funding to help establish the Harrow sixth form collegiate.  The confirmation of funding was behind the better status for the Post-16 reorganisation project.

·                     BV44-47 - Once again, 2006 saw some excellent achievements by pupils of Harrow schools. Performance against Key Stage 2 targets all improved, with a special recognition for English where the very challenging DFES target had been met, and results for pupils gaining 5 or more GCSEs at grades A* to C were also hit target.

The Portfolio Holder for Planning, Development and Enterprise reported the following achievements within her remit:

·                     BV64–65 - Following the reallocation of staff resources and streamlining of the service, turnaround against all three categories of planning application had exceeded target in quarter 4 and the Council could confidently look forward to having its designation as a Planning Standards Authority removed next year.  She noted that it was disappointing that it could not be removed earlier.

The Portfolio Holder for Housing reported the following achievements within her remit:

·                     BV203 - The same factors as applied in Quarter 3** continued to affect the length of time homeless families were in Bed and Breakfast and temporary accommodation.  Work was continuing on the actions to address these, namely:

-          Developing a sub-regional direct letting scheme to improve the supply of private sector homes.

-          Auditing the use of temporary accommodation to eliminate fraudulent occupancy.

-          Negotiating arrangements with partner RSLs and the Council’s targets for the current year reflected the improvement it had expected to see in these indicators.

**    An increase in the number of families for whom the Council was obliged to find accommodation, a shortage of “finder’s fee” properties in the private sector, a shortage of suitable permanent council housing stock, and a reduction in temporary accommodation to meet Government targets).

The Portfolio Holder for Adult Services reported the following achievement within his remit:

·                     BV40 - Performance on reviews of adult clients had improved, through management actively identifying additional clients for review.

The Portfolio Holder for Strategy and Business Support reported the following achievements within his remit:

·                     BV78 - It was critical to the successful delivery of the Council’s services that staff were clear about their personal objectives and their development needs were assessed.  The processes and documentation for IPADs (Individual Performance Appraisal and Development) were actively under review and the scheme would be re?launched in November.  This would help significantly improve the completion rate (80% against a target of 96%).

·                     BV72 - Against a background of limited recruitment during the year, staff turnover had largely been  ...  view the full minutes text for item 254.

RESOLVED:  To note the contents of the Forward Plan for the period 1 June – 30 September 2007.

(if any).

RESOLVED: To note that no reports had been received.

Nominations have been received to replace the existing Reserve Membership of the Education Admissions and Awards Panel to the following;

1. Golam Chowdhury

2. Julia Merison

3. Narinder Mudhar

FOR DECISION

RESOLVED:  That the revised Reserve Membership of the Education Admissions and Awards Panel submitted by the Conservative Group, be agreed as follows:

1.       G Chowdhury

2.       Julia Merison

3.       Narinder Singh Mudhar.

Nominations which were deferred from the previous meeting are now welcome.

FOR DECISION

RESOLVED:  That the following representation on the Primary Care Trust Joint Working Bodies for the Municipal Year 2007/08 be noted:

Report of the Corporate Director, Finance.

The Corporate Director of Finance introduced the report and advised that the Council’s accounts for 2006/07 had now been provisionally closed, subject to the annual audit.  The Director indicated an overspend of £0.3 million but highlighted that the overall financial position was good.

RESOLVED:  That (1) the provisional revenue and capital outturn and balances position for 2006?2007 be noted;

(2)  the carry forward of some capital budgets, as set out in the Appendix to the report, be approved;

(3)  it be noted the previous decision to apply 25% of all the Council’s capital receipts to fund Housing Revenue Account (HRA) capital expenditure was not possible in 2006-2007 due to the HRA capital underspend.

Reason for Decision:  To confirm the provisional financial position as at 31 March 2007. 

Report of the Director People, Performance and Policy.

Further to Recommendation I, it was noted that the Plan would be presented to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee prior to its approval by Council in July 2007.

RESOLVED:  That authority to make some editorial and minor amendments to the wording of the plan in advance of the Council meeting in July be delegated to the Leader and Chief Executive.

Reason for Decision:  To allow minor amendments to be made, if necessary.

(See also Minute 248).

Report of the Director of Planning, Development and Enterprise.

The Corporate Director of Community and Environment introduced the report, which detailed improvements to the public realm infrastructure in Camrose Avenue and Taunton Way, following the proposed development of the Prince Edward and William Ellis Playing Fields.

Members noted the three stage approach comprising a short, medium and long term strategy. If successful it could be rolled out elsewhere within the Borough.

RESOLVED:  That (1) the principle of progressing a ‘pilot’ proposal to enhance the Public Realm in Camrose Avenue and Taunton Way in the short, medium and long term three staged approach, as set out in the officer report, be approved, subject to the availability of funding from Transport for London (TfL);

(2)  a further report on possible funding contributions from the Capital programme be considered if funding under provision results from current and future bids to TfL;

(3)  the principle of ‘rolling out’ Public Realm enhancement in residential areas within the Borough, in line with the ‘pilot’ proposals, be agreed, subject to funding availability.  

Reason for Decision:  To facilitate the enhancement of the Public Realm in Camrose Avenue and Taunton Way encompassing and complementing the Prince Edward Playing Fields (PEPF) Barnet Football Club stadium development and the William Ellis Playing Fields (WEPF) site.

Report of the Corporate  Director, Community and Environment.

Cabinet considered a report of the Corporate Director, Community and Environment which  updated Members on the progress made by the waste collection services since July 2006, following the introduction of compulsory recycling.  An officer reported that the Mayor of London's Judicial Review of the West London Waste Authority (WLWA) had not been  successful.  WLWA had now published the Notice in the Official Journal of the European Union for the procurement of alternative waste disposal methods (to landfill).  He further advised that the government had published proposals to establish the London Forum and Fund on a statutory basis (as supported by London Councils).  This replaced the London Waste Forum and Recycling Fund and would be incorporated into the Greater London Authority Bill currently going through Parliament.  It was anticipated that the Authority would meet the predicted outturn for recycling forecast of 35% for 2006/07.

RESOLVED:  That (1) progress on the recommendations agreed in October 2006, as set out at Appendix A to the officer report, be noted;

(2)  the performance during 2006/07 be noted together with the projections for 2007/8;

(3)  the proposals for expanding recycling to flats be noted;

(4)  it be noted that compulsory recycling would be extended to flats as the Blue Bin scheme was installed;

(5) the installation of waste disposal units in new flat developments be recommended to developers and the success of this policy to be monitored;

(6)  the Local Development Framework Panel be recommended to include the provision for developers of flats to incorporate waste disposal units for the disposal of food waste into the LDF;

(7)  the proposed change in the law, which will make it illegal to deposit untreated commercial waste to landfill after 1 October 2007, be noted

Reason for Decision:  To promote and extend the provision of recycling throughout the Borough.

Report of the Corporate Director, Community and Environment.

Members considered a confidential report from the Corporate Director of Community and Environment in relation to land adjacent to former Mortuary site, Byron Park.

RESOLVED:  That (1) the sites edged blue and hatched blue in Appendix 1 were surplus to Council requirements, and their disposal be approved;

(2)  the Corporate Director of Community and Environment be authorised to negotiate and conclude the disposal on the most favourable terms.

Reason for Decision:  To generate a capital receipt for the Council, giving value for money in line with its Corporate Objectives.

Report of the Corporate Director, Community and Environment.

Members considered a confidential report from the Corporate Director of Community and Environment in relation to land adjacent to former Tyneholme Nursery site, Headstone Drive.

RESOLVED:  That (1) the site edged blue in the Appendix to the officer report was surplus to Council requirements and its disposal be approved;

(2)  the Corporate Director of Community and Environment be authorised to negotiate and conclude the disposal on the most favourable terms.

Reason for Decision:  To generate a capital receipt for the Council, giving value for money in line with its Objectives.

(See also Minute 248).