Agenda and minutes

The Portfolio Holder for Performance, Communication and Corporate Services introduced the report, which submitted the draft Best Value Performance Plan for approval prior to publication.  He advised that the duty to publish a Best Value Performance Plan was to be abolished by the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007 but that in March 2008 the Department for Communities and Local Government had announced that authorities were required to publish a final plan by 30 June 2008.

The Portfolio Holder drew attention to indicators 212, 201 and 109 (a), (b) and (c) and advised that, in relation to recycling, Harrow was now one of the top five performers in London.

Resolved to RECOMMEND:  (to Council)

That the Best Value Performance Plan be approved and adopted.

Reason for Recommendation:  To ensure that a compliant Plan was published by the statutory date.

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

(a)               all Members of the Cabinet; and

(b)               all other Members present.

RESOLVED:  To note that the following interests were declared:

Of the Cabinet meeting held on 15 May 2008 and the special meeting held on 21 May 2008 be taken as read and signed as correct records.

RESOLVED:  That the minutes of the meeting held on 15 May and the special meeting held on 21 May 2008, be taken as read and signed as correct records subject to the following amendments:-

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

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 any petitions submitted by members of the public or Councillors.

Councillor Paul Scott presented a petition containing 8 signatures.  He read the terms of the petition to the meeting which were as follows:-

RESOLVED:  That the petition be received and referred to the Portfolio Holder for Environment Services and the Traffic and Road Safety Advisory Panel for consideration.

To receive any public questions received in accordance with paragraph 16 of the Executive Procedure Rules.

Questions will be asked in the order notice of them was received and there be a time limit of 15 minutes.

RESOLVED:  To note that the following public questions had been received:

1.

2.

To receive any Councillor questions received in accordance with paragraph 17 of the Executive Procedure Rules.

Questions will be asked in the order notice of them was received and there be a time limit of 15 minutes.

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

1.

2.

RESOLVED:  To note the contents of the Forward Plan for the period 1 June – 30 September 2008.

(if any). 

RESOLVED:  To note that no reports had been received.

Report of the Corporate Director of Finance

The Corporate Director of Finance introduced the report, which set out the Council’s provisional revenue and capital outturn position for 2007?2008.  She emphasised that the majority of the underspend of £4.7m was for specific reasons.  The increase in the Council’s balances was a positive step forward.

The Corporate Director of Finance reported that detailed work was being undertaken to review the implications for 2008/09 and that there were planned savings of £10m.  The report also detailed the capital position and the proposal to carry forward projects to the value of £16m.

The Corporate Director of Finance reported that the Council had now reached a mutually acceptable agreement with the Primary Care Trust on the debt position.

Members welcomed the report and commented that the current position was a great achievement and testament to the work of officers and Portfolio Holders.

RESOLVED:  That (1) the provisional revenue and capital outturn position for 2007?2008 be noted;

(2)  the revenue carry forwards requests be approved;

(3)  the liabilities be noted and the contributions to various provisions be approved;

(4)  the forecast position for general balances be noted;

(5)  the position on debt outstanding be noted and the settlements reached with partner organisations be approved;

(6)  the areas that were still being finalised be noted and the strategy for dealing with any further capacity that might emerge be agreed;

(7)  the implications of the outturn for 2008-09 and beyond be noted;

(8)  the timetable for audit committee meetings and external audit review be noted;

(9)  the carry forward on Capital Projects, as set out in appendix 2 to the report of the Corporate Director of Finance, be approved;

(10)  any further decisions required in relation to the outturn for 2007?08 particularly carry forward requests and contributions to provisions and reserves be delegated to the Leader of the Council and Portfolio Holder for Strategy, Partnership and Finance.

Reason for Decision:  To confirm the financial position as at 31 March 2008.

Report of the Deputy Chief Executive and Corporate Director of Strategy and Business Support

See Recommendation I.

Report of the Interim Divisional Director of Strategy and Improvement

The Portfolio Holder for Performance, Communication and Corporate Services introduced the report, which set out the Council’s improvement programme for the period up to the end of March 2011. 

RESOLVED:  That (1) the Council improvement programme be approved;

(2)  the Portfolio Holder and Chief Executive be delegated authority to approve subsequent iterations of the Council improvement programme;

(3)  the Council’s key service delivery projects be approved.

Reason for Decision:  The Council Improvement Programme would prioritise and sequence the authority’s improvement activities in order to ensure its use of resources in the most effective way in seeking to deliver improved outcomes and services for local people.

Report of the Director of Schools and Children’s Development

The Portfolio Holder for Schools and Children’s Development introduced the report, which presented an update of the work of the School Re-organisation Stakeholder Reference Group and proposed that consultation be undertaken to change school organisation and the ages of transfer in Harrow.  It also informed Cabinet of the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) consultation on Building Schools for the Future (BSF).

The Director of Schools and Children’s Development reported that the Stakeholders Reference Group had advised that there had been a consensus from all schools for a change.

RESOLVED:  That (1) the progress of the work of the Stakeholder Reference Group be noted;

(2)  a consultation on school reorganisation be undertaken to change the ages of transfer and age ranges in community schools in Harrow, in accordance with DCSF Guidance to change community schools, with effect from September 2010.  The proposed changes would establish:

·                     separate first schools (Reception to Year 3) as infant schools (Reception to Year 2)

·                     separate middle schools (Year 4 to Year 7) as junior schools (Year 3 to Year 6)

·                     combined first and middle schools (Reception to Year 7) as primary schools (Reception to Year 6)

·                     high schools (Year 8 to Year 11) as secondary schools with 6^th form provision (Year 7 to Year 13)

(3)  a further report be received in early 2009 outlining the comments received during the consultation and to consider whether to publish statutory notices;

(4)  responsibility be delegated to the Director of Schools and Children’s Development in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Schools and Children’s Development to submit a response to the DCSF consultation and an Expression of Interest for Building Schools for the Future funding in response to the DCSF guidance.

Reason for Decision:  Cabinet re-affirmed their commitment to changing the age of transfer at their meeting in October 2007 and established the Stakeholder Reference Group.  To exercise the local authority’s statutory responsibility in relation to school organisation consultation on proposals was required. This decision would enable the Stage 1 consultation to reorganise community schools in Harrow.

Report of the Corporate Director of Community and Environment

The Corporate Director of Community and Environment introduced the report, which set out the reasons for the relocation of Belmont Synagogue and the proposed rationale for disposal of land at Wemborough Road and the garage block adjacent to the existing synagogue.  He advised that the Synagogue was keen to establish a facility that was fit for purpose and in response to demographic change.

The Corporate Director of Community and Environment highlighted the options available and recommended Option 2. The arrangement would be subject to the receipt of satisfactory planning consents and a clear demonstration by the Syngogue that the reasons for the relocation were justified. The Chairman endorsed the proposal subject to the caveats detailed by the Corporate Director.

The Portfolio Holder for Major Contracts and Property advised that the Council was looking to work with all faith groups in Harrow.

RESOLVED:  That the Corporate Director of Community and Environment Services be authorised to:

(1)                 negotiate and conclude at the best consideration reasonably obtainable, the disposal of:

A)                  land at Wemborough Road adjacent to Cannons Community Centre

B)                  the garage block in Honister Place adjacent to the synagogue in Vernon Drive;

(2)                 consider and rule on any objections received in connection with the disposal of the land at Wemborogh Road following the statutory advertising;

(3)                 agree the variation to the terms of the existing lease to Cannons Community Association to facilitate the access arrangements and building of a new synagogue on the adjacent land;

(4)                 to authorise the Capital receipt from the sale of the Honister Place garages to be used for Affordable homes and regeneration projects.

Reason for Decision:  To generate a capital receipt for the Council, giving value for money in line with the Council’s Corporate Priorities (P11) and the Vision for delivering Value for Money.  In particular, Capital has a revenue benefit as it reduces the need to borrow and will assist with reducing the predicted shortfall in 2009/10 (11.3).  To ensure the ongoing viability of the synagogue.

(See Minute 434).

Report of the Corporate Director of Community and Environment

The Corporate Director of Community and Environment introduced the report, which proposed an Environmental Enforcement Policy for the principal environmental crime types of fly tipping, littering, graffiti and commercial waste provision and disposal (duty of care).

The Chair moved an amendment to recommendation 2, and it was

RESOLVED:  That (1) the Enforcement Policy for Environmental Crime shown at Appendix 1 to the report of the Corporate Director of Community and Environment be formally adopted;

(2)  the Policy be reviewed on an annual basis, with minor amendments agreed and incorporated on an annual basis in consultation with the Portfolio Holder;

(3)  where significant amendment or review was required, the Policy be referred to Cabinet for decision.

Reason for Decision:  To establish a formal policy for the enforcement of environmental crime.

Report of the Corporate Director of Community and Environment

The Corporate Director of Community and Environment introduced the report which set out the background to, and the reasons why, the existing vehicle hire and maintenance contract should be extended.  Members noted that there was a confidential appendix to this report elsewhere on the agenda.

RESOLVED:  That officers be authorised to execute the proposed Deed of Extension and Variation to the vehicle hire and maintenance contract between Harrow and Fraikin plc (set out in draft in Appendix C to the report of the Corporate Director of Community and Environment) which would extend that contract until 31 August 2017.

Reason for Decision:  The extension would allow the replacement of the current spot?hire refuse collection fleet and their replacement with a uniform specification fleet at a substantial reduction in costs.  The extension set out a framework within which the Council may hire other vehicles should Fraikin’s prices not be the most competitive. 

(See Minute 449).

Appendix A to the report of the Corporate Director of Community and Environment

Members considered a confidential appendix to a report which appeared elsewhere on the agenda.

RESOLVED:  That the appendix be noted.

(See Minutes 436 and 448).

Report of the Corporate Director of Community and Environment and the Director of Community and Cultural Services

Members considered a confidential report, which set out the proposed arrangements between the Council, Leisure Connection Limited and Leisure in the Community Limited for the management of Harrow Leisure Centre, Bannister Sports Centre and Hatch End Pool.

RESOLVED:  That (1) the novation and variation of the existing management agreement dated 20 December 2004 between the Council and Leisure Connection Limited for the management of Harrow Leisure Centre, Bannister Sports Centre and Hatch End Pool to Leisure in the Community Limited be authorised;

(2)  authority be delegated to the Corporate Director for Community and Environment, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Major Contracts and Property, to agree the terms of the lease at Harrow Leisure Centre.

Reason for Decision:  The Council could potentially realise National Non-Domestic Rates (NNDR) savings of £175,000 and needed to enter into the new lease to Leisure in the Community Limited and novate the management agreement to achieve this.

(See Minute 436)

Report of the Corporate Director of Children’s Services

Members considered a confidential report, which set out an overview of the competitive tendering process undertaken to seek a new contract for the delivery of Connexions Information, Advice and Guidance to young people aged 13-19 (and up to 25 for those with learning difficulties and disabilities) and the recommended company to provide these services to Harrow young people over the next 5 years.

RESOLVED:  That the new 5 year Connexions contract for Information, Advice and Guidance be awarded to CfBT Education Trust.

Reason for Decision:  The results of extensive evaluation of the competitive tendering process had identified CfBT as the preferred provider of this service.

(See Minute 436)