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:

Agenda Item 17 – Key Decision - Opening Wealdstone High Street to Traffic – Consultation Results and Objections to Traffic Orders

Councillor Susan Hall declared a prejudicial interest in the above item arising from the fact that she had a business in Wealdstone.  Accordingly, she would leave the room and take no part in the discussion or decision-making on the item.

Of the Cabinet meeting held on 8 November 2007 to be taken as read and signed as a correct record.

RESOLVED:  That the minutes of the meeting held on 8 November 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.

The Chairman indicated that, in relation to agenda item 15, Stanmore and Pinner Golf Courses, he was minded to recommend, during consideration of that item, an alternative course of action in that the Council retain the ownership of the golf courses.  He invited members of the public to stay for that item if they so wished.

RESOLVED:  That (1) in accordance with the Local Government (Access to Information) Act 1985, the following agenda item be admitted late to the agenda by virtue of the special circumstances and grounds for urgency detailed below:-

(2)  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.

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 question had been received:-

1.

[Notes:  (i)  The questioner was not present at the meeting.  With the permission of the Chairman, another member of the public asked the question on the questioner’s behalf.  He also asked a supplementary question, which was duly answered;

(ii)  the Chairman reminded all present of the Data Protection Act Notice, as indicated on the agenda.  He stated that the recording was being trialled for two meetings of Cabinet].

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 Question had been received:-

1.

[Note:  The Chairman reminded all present of the Data Protection Act Notice, as indicated on the agenda.  He stated that the recording was being trialled for two meetings of Cabinet].

RESOLVED:  To note the contents of the Forward Plan for the period 1 December 2007 – 31 March 2008.

(if any).

RESOLVED:  To note that there were no reports to be considered.

(i) To note that Councillor Salim Miah is to stand down as Assistant (Support Member) to the Portfolio Holders for Children’s Services and Community and Cultural Services;

(ii) To appoint Councillor Julia Merison as Assistant (Support Member) to the Portfolio Holder for Environment Services; her remit being ‘Refuse’.

[The decision on this item will supersede the decision of Cabinet on 8 November 2007].

RESOLVED:  (1)  To note that Councillor Salim Miah had stood down as Assistant (Support Member) to the Portfolio Holders for Children’s Services and Community and Cultural Services; and

(2)  that Councillor Mrs Julia Merison be appointed as Assistant (Support Member) to the Portfolio Holder for Environment Services; her remit being ‘Refuse’.

Report of the Director of Legal and Governance Services

Cabinet received the report of the Director of Legal and Governance Services, which set out proposals for the Council’s Calendar of Meetings for the Municipal Year 2008/09.

The Leader stated that consultations had taken place on the Calendar of Meetings, and it was

RESOLVED: That the Calendar of Meetings for the Authority for the Municipal Year 2008/09 be approved.

Reason for Decision:  Advance approval of the Calendar would facilitate the planning and forward commitments to both Members and officers.

Report of the Corporate Director of Finance

The Corporate Director of Finance introduced the report, which set out the draft capital programme for 2008?09 to 2010?11 and formed part of the annual budget review process.  She provided details of some of the schemes set out in the report, which included a range of improvements to the public realm, the construction of three neighbourhood resource centres for people with learning disabilities and improvements to street lighting.  The latter two were Private Finance Initiative (PFI) schemes.

The Corporate Director stated that the report would be refined when submitted to Cabinet in February 2008, and there would a phasing of the various schemes.

The Portfolio Holder for Finance and Portfolio Co-ordination indicated that the presentation of the information in the report would be improved for clarity when presented to Cabinet in February 2008.

RESOLVED:  That the draft capital programme for 2008?09 to 2010?11 be approved.

Reason for Decision:  To allow for the publication of the draft capital programme, as part of the annual budget review process.

Report of the Corporate Director of Finance

The Corporate Director of Finance introduced the report, which set out the draft revenue Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) for 2008?09 to 2010?11.  She highlighted some of the key points, details of which were set out in the report.

The Corporate Director informed Members that the Local Government Settlement was announced on 6 December 2007, after this report was written and circulated.  She provided details of the 3?year settlement, which had only improved marginally for the later two years.  However, the grant would not address the pressures that the Council was experiencing, particularly in the provision of social care and waste disposal.  As a result, the Council would be looking to increase Council Tax for the next 3 years by 3% and to hold any increase below inflation, circumstances permitting.

Members were informed that the Budget included £2m of growth, which would be invested in priority areas and would be the subject of further discussion with Members.  There was a gap of £4m in the budget for next year, which needed to be met, £6m and £8m in subsequent years.  Further details would be submitted to Cabinet in February 2008, including measures to increase revenue through fees and charges.  In addition, reserves would be replenished during the 3?years by the addition of  £1m each year.

It was noted that the schools’ budget would be funded adequately and that the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) was consistent with other Plans.  Consultation on the HRA would take place with the Tenants’ and Leaseholders’ Forum.  There would be widespread consultation through various forums, which would provide an opportunity to give feedback to the Council prior to the setting of the budget and Council Tax in February 2008.

The Director also informed Members that the Mayor of London had made an announcement on 12 December 2007, which was likely to lead to an increase in the precept.  This too would be built into the budget when presented to Cabinet in 2008.

The Portfolio Holder for Finance and Portfolio Coordination referred to the proposed increase in Council Tax and stated that whilst it was originally intended to achieve 0% increase in Council Tax, this was unrealistic in the context of very low government grant settlements.  Unpalatable decisions, such as cuts in services, would have to be made in order to achieve a 0% increase.  It was also becoming difficult to find efficiencies as the Council was working from a relatively low cost base.  He stated that further details would be included in the report to Cabinet in February 2008.

RESOLVED:  That (1) the draft revenue budget of £162.574m for 2008?09 and the draft MTFS be agreed;

(2)  officers be authorised to initiate and conduct such consultations as may be required to support the proposals identified in the Corporate Director’s report and the outcome of consultations be reported to Cabinet so that decisions can be made on those proposals;

(3)  the draft Housing Revenue Account (HRA) for 2008-09 to 2010?11 be  ...  view the full minutes text for item 334.

Report of the Corporate Director of Finance

The Corporate Director of Finance introduced the report, which set out the Quarter 2 monitoring statement of the Council’s Revenue and Capital Budgets for 2007?2008.  The Corporate Director highlighted the key aspects of the report and the need to ensure that pressures were managed effectively.  She outlined the actions being taken to promote a stronger culture of financial management and improve forecasting.  In addition, Capital Ambition had provided the Council with a grant to provide additional capacity for improving the Council.

Members noted the assurances given by the Corporate Director that the Council would come in on budget.  The need for robust financial management was highlighted.

The Portfolio Holder for Finance and Portfolio Coordination referred to page 87 of the agenda and stated that the problems had been compounded by a lack of reserves.

RESOLVED:  That (1) the current revenue and capital monitoring position at the end of Quarter 2 for 2007?2008 be noted;

(2)  the strategy for ensuring that the Council comes in on budget this year, including approval of a number of virements, as set out in paragraph 4 of the Corporate Director’s report, be agreed.

Reason for Decision:  To effectively monitor the Council’s Revenue and Capital Budgets.

Report of the Corporate Director of Community and Environment

Cabinet received a report of the Corporate Director of Community and Environment, which asked Members to reconsider the Cabinet resolution of 9 November 2006 to dispose Cedars Hall to Pathmeads Housing Association.  A confidential report containing additional financial and legal implications was also considered by the Cabinet in taking this decision.  The Corporate Director outlined the reasons for his recommendations.

The Leader of the Council referred to the petitions that had been received by Cabinet that evening and asked that these be sent to the Corporate Director for consideration.  He added that a full report on possible options for this site would be submitted to Cabinet.

RESOLVED: (1)  That the Cabinet resolution of 9 November 2006 relating to:-

(i)                   the disposal of the Cedars Hall site to Pathmeads Housing Association for the purposes specified in the confidential report considered by Cabinet on that date;

(ii)                 the application of funds from the Council’s Affordable Housing Funds towards the redevelopment cost of resolution 1(i) above on the conditions specified in the confidential report considered by Cabinet on that date;

be revoked;

(2)  to note that a further detailed report would be submitted to Cabinet in the New Year.

Reason for Decision: To allow for alternative options to be considered.

Report of the Corporate Director of Community and Environment

Cabinet received a report of the Corporate Director of Community and Environment, which set out details for the disposal of the two golf courses.  Cabinet also considered a confidential report, which contained supplemental information, in reaching its decision.

The Leader of the Council stated that he was minded to put forward a different course of action than that proposed in the report, as he had concerns over the time period of the leases.  He moved that the Council retain the freehold of the golf courses.

The Portfolio Holder for Planning, Development and Enterprise stated that Metropolitan Land was afforded the highest protection in the London Plan.  The Council was minded to retain the existing uses of the sites but she was concerned about its future uses if the golf courses were disposed of.  She was concerned that these uses could change at any future appeal stage.  She cited examples of where planning permission had been refused by the Council but subsequently granted on appeal by the Planning Inspector.  There was also a degree of uncertainty over the pressures that might be put on the Council by the government.  The sites were ‘beauty spots’ and the Council needed to protect the golf courses.  She seconded the Leader’s motion and, following a vote, it was

RESOLVED:  That the Council retain the freehold of the Stanmore and Pinner Golf Courses.

Reason for Decision:  To protect its future use.

Report of the Director of Planning, Development and Enterprise

The Portfolio Holder for Planning, Development and Enterprise introduced the report which set out proposals for the dissolution of the Town Centre and Major Projects Panel.

RESOLVED: That the Town Centre and Major Projects Panel be dissolved.

Reason for Decision: To avoid duplication of reporting and improve decision-making.

Report of the Corporate Director of Community and Environment

Cabinet received the report of the Corporate Director of Community and Environment, which set out proposals for opening Wealdstone High Street to traffic.  The Traffic and Road Safety Advisory Panel had considered the consultation results and the objections to the Traffic Orders on 28 November 2007.  The Panel had made recommendations on this matter to Cabinet.

The Leader of the Council stated that the proposal to re?open Wealdstone High Street to traffic would meet the administration’s manifesto commitment and was good news for residents and shopkeepers.

RESOLVED: That (1) officers be authorised to make the traffic orders set out in paragraph 2.4.1 of the Corporate Director’s report, the details of which be delegated to officers, and to implement the scheme to open Wealdstone High Street to traffic as set out in Appendices G and H to the Corporate Director’s report;

(2)  public realm improvements be carried out as set out in paragraphs 2.3.12, 2.3.13 and 2.3.16 of the Corporate Director’s report subject to confirmation of additional funding from Transport for London (TfL) and confirmation of affordability.

Reason for Decision: To regenerate Wealdstone Town Centre and promote new business.

(See also Minute 323).

Which cannot otherwise be dealt with.

RESOLVED:  That the changes to the Conservative Group Membership on the bodies set out below be agreed:

Local Development Framework Panel

Reserve Members:  No. 3 Vacancy to be filled by Councillor Susan Hall.

Supporting People Panel

Members:  To remove Councillor Mrs Vina Mithani and replace her with Councillor Narinder Singh Mudhar.

Reason for Decision:  To allow for efficient working and to fill vacancies.

Cabinet considered a confidential report of the Corporate Director of Community and Environment in this regard.  The Leader of the Council and the Portfolio Holder for Finance and Portfolio Co-ordination stated that a higher reserve price should be set.

RESOLVED:  That (1) the property edged red in Appendix 1 to the report of the Corporate Director was surplus to requirements and that its disposal be approved;

(2)  the Corporate Director of Community and Environment be authorised to dispose at auction on the most favourable terms with the reserve price to be agreed with the Portfolio Holder for Strategic Overview, HSP, External Affairs and Property.

Reason for Decision:  To generate a capital receipt for the Council.