Agenda and minutes

Cabinet - Thursday 15 January 2009 7.30 pm

Venue: Committee Rooms 1 & 2 Harrow Civic Centre

Contact: Alison Atherton, Senior Professional Democratic Services (Corporate)  Tel: 020 8424 1266 Email: alison.atherton@harrow.gov.uk

Items
No. Item

PART I - RECOMMENDATIONS - NIL

PART II - MINUTES

552.

Declarations of Interest

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.

Minutes:

 

RESOLVED:  To note that the following interests were declared:

 

Agenda Item

 

 

Member

Nature of Interest

12.     Key Decision – Proposals for School Reorganisation in Harrow

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

Councillor Husain Akhtar

The Member declared a personal interest in that he was a governor at Bentley Wood High School.  He remained in the room whilst this matter was considered and voted upon.

 

 

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

Councillor Christine Bednell

The Member declared a personal interest in that she was a governor at Vaughan First and Middle School, Whitmore High School and Stanmore College.  She remained in the room whilst this matter was considered and voted upon.

 

 

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

Councillor Lurline Champagnie

During the course of the meeting, the Member, who was not a Member of Cabinet, declared a personal interest in that she was a governor at Hatch End High School.  She remained in the room whilst this matter was considered and voted upon.

 

 

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

Councillor Tony Ferrari

The Member declared a personal interest in that he was a governor at Cedars Manor School.  He remained in the room whilst this matter was considered and voted upon.

 

 

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

Councillor Susan Hall

The Member declared a personal interest in that she was a governor at Priestmead School.  She remained in the room whilst this matter was considered and voted upon.

 

 

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

Councillor Barry Macleod- Cullinane

The Member declared a personal interest in that he was a governor at Canons High School.  He remained in the room whilst this matter was considered and voted upon.

 

 

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

Councillor Anjana Patel

The Member declared a personal interest in that she was a governor at Vaughan First and Middle School. and Stanmore College.  She remained in the room whilst this matter was considered and voted upon.

 

 

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

Councillor Julia Merison

The Member, who was not a Member of Cabinet, declared a personal interest in that she was a governor at Newton Farm First and Middle School.  She remained in the room whilst this matter was considered and voted upon.

 

 

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

Councillor Janet Mote

 

The Member, who was not a Member of Cabinet, declared a personal interest in that she was a governor at St John Fisher Catholic School.  She remained in the room whilst this matter was considered and voted upon.

 

 

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

Councillor Bill Stephenson

The Member, who was not a Member of Cabinet, declared a personal interest in that he was a governor at Marlborough First and Middle School and Hatch End High School.  He remained in the room whilst this matter was considered and voted upon.

 

 

)

)

)

)  ...  view the full minutes text for item 552.

553.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 46 KB

Of the Cabinet meeting held on 18 December 2008 to be taken as read and signed as a correct record.

Minutes:

 

RESOLVED:  That the minutes of the meeting held on 18 December 2008 be taken as read and signed as a correct record, subject to the following correction:-

 

Minute 535 - Scrutiny Review – “Delivering on Strengthened Voluntary Community Sector for Harrow” – Paragraph 3, last sentence

“She welcomed the establishment of the scrutiny implementation group and indicated that HAVS may part-fund the funding officer post if that recommendation were to be agreed by Cabinet.”

554.

Petitions

To receive any petitions submitted by members of the public or Councillors.

Minutes:

 

RESOLVED:  To note that no petitions had been received.

555.

Public Questions

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.

Minutes:

The Chairman indicated that, with Cabinet’s agreement, there would be a flexible approach in relation to the questions from the Harrow Youth Council representatives in terms of the time limit, the number of supplemental questions and the number of people asking the questions.

 

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

 

1.

 

Questioner:

 

SmitaVed

 

Asked of:

 

Councillor Susan Hall, Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Environment Services and Community Safety

 

Question:

“Why does the Council ignore cul-de sacs when it is carrying out its 4-weekly cleaning cycle?”

 

Answer:

The Council does not miss them out. You and I have had exchanges on email in the last week and we have a booking on the 22nd to meet you, some other residents and your local Councillors to see if we can address different issues. There are fly tipping and other issues in Edgware, specifically. We are going down there with the Envirocrime team to see if we can address these on a permanent basis.

 

Supplemental Question:

 

I understand that in the past, we have been told that access is an issue.  Maybe signs could be put up to give us advance notice to make people aware that street cleaning is going to take place?

 

Supplemental Answer:

The problem is that the more cars that are in the Borough, the more problems we have, especially in cul?de?sacs around main shopping areas. People tend to park and leave cars in these areas so we just cannot get in to do a deep clean.  It has been discussed in the last few months whether we can get our Blitz team to go into areas like this so that we can do proper planned cleaning. The problem is that to stop people parking in areas like this we require traffic orders which are very expensive and very lengthy and for the amount of roads we have in the borough, not feasible.  We are going to see if we can do it on a voluntary basis but that will be part of our discussions on the 22nd so I look forward to meeting you then.

 

2.

 

Questioner:

 

Fatima Ibrahim and Aakash Bharania, Harrow Youth Council

Asked of:

 

Councillor Christine Bednell, Portfolio Holder for Children’s Services

 

Question:

“The 3rd UK Youth Parliament general election to elect 2 Members and 2 Deputies to represent Harrow nationally is currently underway.  Last year nearly 6000 young people voted, 20% will be eligible to vote in the next local and general elections.  Are the Cabinet aware and if so would they please attend the announcement on the 2nd February?”

 

Answer:

Before I answer your question, can I say how pleased I am to see all of you here this evening.  It is very reassuring to see young people taking an interest in democracy in the community and that also goes for all those people who vote in the coming elections. 

 

Yes, I am sure Cabinet members would  ...  view the full minutes text for item 555.

556.

Councillor Questions

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.

Minutes:

 

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

 

1.

 

Questioner:

 

Councillor Paul Scott

Asked of:

 

Councillor Susan Hall, Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Environment Services and Community Safety

 

Question:

“In light of the Borough's success in increasing the amount of bio-degradable waste which is composted through the brown bin scheme, does the Council have any plans to make compost available to householders as is the case in some other local authorities?”

 

Answer:

Over the past few years, we have done quite a few events and been promoting the whole composting issue. As gesture of goodwill, West London Waste Composting have given us a certain amount of what they produce especially to go on allotments etc.

 

We have been talking to them in recent months about the possibility of bagging up. They sell the compost in vast loads, in an agricultural way, so we have been talking to them in the last few months about how they can bag it up so that we can purchase it back.  Clearly there are cost implications involved and they have to get special licences and getting equipment to bag up does cost money.  At the moment, the company is spending every penny they can in expanding the service because we are giving them more and more tonnage.  The winter months are slightly different.  The contract comes up for renewal, I think, in about one year’s time, so we can look to see if we can get favourable costs from them.

 

Supplemental Question:

In light of the current economic situation, how confident are you that we will be able to maintain and renew contracts that will allow us to continue composting at the current level?

 

Supplemental Answer:

The amount of investment that they have put in has been backed up by the banks.  I spoke to the owner not that long ago and I think it would take somewhat of a catastrophe for them to go under because there has been so much investment.  There is also a massive demand because of the amounts that we will all be charged if we do not recycle 50% of what we dispose. We are as confident as we can be with this particular contract in the world that we are in now.

 

2.

 

Questioner:

 

Councillor Paul Scott

Asked of:

 

Councillor Susan Hall, Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Environment Services and Community Safety

 

Question:

“As the Council has a statutory responsibility for stray dogs within the Borough, can you report on how many dogs were found during the calendar year 2008 and what processes are in place to look after them?”

 

Answer:

Figures of dog collection are maintained on a financial year basis and between April 2008 and December 2008, a total of 80 dogs were collected by the Council’s in-house team and the out of hours contractor, so the annual figure is around 120 dogs.

 

 

These dogs go to Battersea Dogs Home.  There was a virus going round Battersea Dogs Home at Christmas,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 556.

557.

Forward Plan 1 January - 30 April 2008 pdf icon PDF 75 KB

Minutes:

The Portfolio Holder for Strategy, Partnership and Finance advised that the Harrow Tourism Strategy 2009?12 would be now submitted to Cabinet in February whilst the Temporary to Permanent Housing Initiative and the Refresh of the Sustainable Community Strategy would be submitted in March 2009.

 

RESOLVED:  To note the contents of the Forward Plan for the period 1 January – 30 April 2009.

 

(See also Minute 560)

558.

Progress on Scrutiny Projects pdf icon PDF 18 KB

For consideration

Minutes:

 

RESOLVED:  To receive and note current progress on the scrutiny reports.

559.

Price Waterhouse Coopers Performance Benchmarking

Presentation

Minutes:

Nick Sewell and Andy Ford, Price Waterhouse Coopers (PWC), gave a presentation on Comparative Performance Analysis for 2007/08.  Cabinet were informed that there were currently 84 local authority members of the PWC benchmarking service.

 

During the presentation, PWC reported that

 

·                     Harrow was the 6th highest performing authority in London;

 

·                     in relation to all upper tier authorities, Harrow was ranked 37th out of 150;

 

·                     some previously poorly performing indicators had improved but some of the better performing indicators had slipped;

 

·                     a chart showing performance against net expenditure indicated that Harrow demonstrated good value for money;

 

·                     the new national indicators should be positive for Harrow;

 

·                     they did not see their analysis as a rival to the Comprehensive Performance Assessment (CPA).  Some elements of CPA suffered a time lag effect, for instance on satisfaction data, which the PWC model did not;

 

·                     their results were based on the unaudited data available from local authorities and their analysis could assist authorities in understanding their position;

 

·                     the Audit Commission were aware of their work and individual relationship managers were keen to see what authorities did with the data;

 

·                     Capital Ambition were positive about the benchmarking service and PWC hoped for agreement to implement it fully across all London councils.

 

Members and officers asked questions and made comments in relation to the presentation including that:-

 

·                     the previous years’ data on performance versus net expenditure was requested by the Leader of the Council;

 

·                     in terms of Environment Services, the CPA block did not reflect the Council’s good work in this area;

 

·                     the Adults and Housing indicators were improving but this was not reflected in the CPA score.  It was pleasing to see that the PWC model had addressed this issue;

 

·                     there was an aggressive transformation programme in Adults and Housing and for the first time in 7 years there had been an improvement in the Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI) rating for prospects for improvement;

 

Cabinet thanked PWC for their presentation.

560.

Timetable for the preparation and consideration of Statutory Plans and Strategies 2008/09 - Variation pdf icon PDF 75 KB

Report of the Director of Legal and Governance Services

Minutes:

The Portfolio Holder for Strategy, Partnership and Finance introduced a report which reminded Members that on 15 May 2008 Cabinet had agreed the timetable for preparation and consideration of the statutory plans.  There was now a need to vary the timetable in respect of the Development Plan and the Sustainable Community Strategy.

 

RESOLVED:  That (1) the timetable for the preparation and consideration of the Development Plan be varied as set out in paragraph 2.1.6 of the Director of Legal and Governance Services’ report; and

 

(2) the timetable for the preparation and consideration of the Sustainable Community Strategy be varied as set out in paragraph 2.1.7 of the Director of Legal and Governance Services’ report.

 

Reason for Decision:  Cabinet had previously agreed the timetable in order to comply with the requirements of paragraph 3 of the Budget and Policy Framework Procedure Rules set out in Section 4C of the Council’s Constitution.  It was therefore necessary to seek Cabinet’s agreement to vary the timetable.

 

(See also Minute 557)

561.

Key Decision - Collection Fund 2009-10 pdf icon PDF 42 KB

Report of the Corporate Director of Finance

Minutes:

The Corporate Director of Finance introduced a report, which set out the estimated financial position on the Collection Fund as at 31 March 2009.  She advised that significant improvements had been made to the way the fund was collected and that the current economic climate had been considered when preparing the estimates.

 

RESOLVED:  That (1) an estimated surplus of £380,779 on the Collection Fund as at 31 March 2009 be noted, of which £300,092 was the Harrow share;

 

(2)  an amount of £300,092 be transferred to the General Fund in 2009?2010.

 

Reason for Decision:  The Council had a statutory obligation to make an estimate of the surplus or deficit on the Collection Fund by 15 January 2009.  Approval of the recommendations set out was a major part of the annual budget review process.  If the recommendations were not approved, statutory requirements would not be met.

562.

Key Decision - Future Organisation of Roxeth Manor First School and Roxeth Manor Middle School pdf icon PDF 83 KB

Report of the Director of Schools and Children’s Development

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Portfolio Holder for Schools and Children’s Development introduced a report, which stated that Statutory Proposals had been published in November 2008 that could effect the amalgamation of Roxeth Manor First School and Roxeth Manor Middle School.  No objections had been received during the representation period and both governing bodies had unanimously agreed to the amalgamation.  Cabinet approval was sought to enable the two schools to combine in September 2009.  The Portfolio Holder reminded Members that, in making their decision, they must consider the Decision Makers Guidance.

 

RESOLVED:  That the statutory proposals to close Roxeth Manor First School and extend the age range and expand the capacity of Roxeth Manor Middle School, to effect the amalgamation of the two schools in September 2009, be approved.

 

Reason for Decision:  Cabinet agreed the publication of statutory proposals on 23 October 2008 and was under a statutory duty to determine the proposals within two months from the end of the representation period, which ended on 22 December 2008, or the matter would be referred to the Office of the Schools Adjudicator for determination.  In determining the proposals, Cabinet as the decision maker, must have regard to the statutory and non?statutory guidance provided by the Department for Children, Schools and Families.

563.

Key Decision - Proposals for School Reorganisation in Harrow pdf icon PDF 110 KB

Report of the Director of Schools and Children’s Development

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Portfolio Holder for Schools and Children’s Development introduced a report, which presented the outcome of the consultation on proposals to change school organisation in Harrow, an update on the work of the School Reorganisation Stakeholder Reference Group and information on the Primary Capital Programme and the Building Schools for the Future government initiatives.  She advised that the proposals had received cross party support.

 

The Director for Schools and Children’s Development reported that the consultation had been wide-ranging with over 30,000 documents circulated.  Less than 1,000 responses had been received and of those, 55% of individual respondents, mainly parents and carers, had indicated support for the proposals.  She advised that 66% of governing bodies were in agreement with the proposals. The Director of Schools and Children’s Development explained that the workstreams of the stakeholder reference group would address issues raised during the consultation. 

 

The Chairman referred to a letter signed by all of Harrow’s high school head teachers which indicated their unanimous support for the proposed reorganisation.  He added that Cabinet Members had been supplied additional documentation, including the full consultation responses on the proposals.

 

RESOLVED:  (1) That the outcomes of the consultation on proposals for school reorganisation in Harrow be considered and decisions made while having regard to the statutory and non?statutory decision makers guidance issued by the Secretary of State;

 

(2)  that the outcome of the consultation in respect of the following voluntary aided schools be noted:  Krishna?Avanti Primary School, St John Fisher Catholic First and Middle School, St John’s Church of England School, and St Teresa’s First and Middle Catholic School;

 

(3)  to adopt the proposals for school reorganisation across Harrow that would change:

 

(i)                   separate first schools (Reception to Year 3) to become infant schools (Reception to Year 2) as proposed for individual schools in Annexe 2i of the Director of Schools and Children’s Development report;

 

(ii)                 separate middle schools (Year 4 to Year 7) to become junior schools (Year 3 to Year 6) as proposed for individual schools in Annexe 2ii of the Director of Schools and Children’s Development report;

 

(iii)                combined first and middle schools (Reception to Year 7) to become primary schools (Reception to Year 6) as proposed for individual schools in Annexe 2iii of the Director of Schools and Children’s Development report;

 

(iv)               high schools (Year 8 to Year 13) to become secondary schools with 6th form provision (Year 7 to Year 13) as proposed for individual schools in Annexe 2iv of the Director of Schools and Children’s Development report;

 

(4)  to publish statutory proposals to give effect to these changes.

 

Reason for Decision:  To consider the outcome of the consultation undertaken on proposals for school reorganisation in Harrow, exercise the local authority’s statutory responsibility in relation to school organisation and to consider whether to publish statutory proposals to effect the change.

 

(See also Minute 552).

564.

Key Decision - Children's Trust pdf icon PDF 89 KB

Report of the Corporate Director of Children’s Services

Minutes:

The Portfolio Holder for Children’s Services introduced a report, which stated that the establishment of a Children’s Trust was a legal requirement under the Children Act 2004.  This was emphasised by the lessons learnt from the ‘Baby P’ case in Haringey.  The report stated that a Children’s Trust formalised children’s partnership arrangements, combined partners’ resources and ensured that children, young people and their families who were in need of services experienced a more co-ordinated approach by those working with them.

 

The Portfolio Holder for Children’s Services advised that Harrow was being cautious in its approach to the Children’s Trust.  The proposals had the support of the Council’s Chief Executive, the Chief Executive of the Primary Care Trust and the Borough Commander.

 

The Corporate Director of Children’s Services advised that it had taken three years to progress the Children’s Trust, partly due to financial issues with partner organisations.  The exact representation had not been determined and there were a number of individuals who had expressed a wish to participate.  The final approval of the guidance by the government was awaited.

 

RESOLVED:  That a Children’s Trust be established with a governance framework formalised by a legal agreement with the decision to finalise the terms and execute the legal agreement being delegated to the Portfolio Holder for Children’s Services.

 

Reason for Decision:  To improve outcomes for children and young people by formalising partnership arrangements.

565.

Key Decision - Draft Climate Change Strategy pdf icon PDF 82 KB

Report of the Divisional Director of Environment Services

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Portfolio Holder for Environment Services and Community Safety introduced a report, which set out the background to and the reasons why a Climate Change Strategy was required. The report also set out the proposed methods of public consultation.

 

The Portfolio Holder for Planning, Development and Enterprise reported that there had been engagement with Greener Harrow and Harrow Agenda 21 on this issue.  There was a need to encourage all parties to sign up to reducing carbon emissions.

 

The Divisional Director of Environmental Services reported that the Council was expected to show how it would take the Nottingham Declaration forward within 2 years of signing it.  Subject to Members’ agreement, the draft strategy would be put out for consultation with a closing date of 29 March 2009.

 

RESOLVED:  That officers be authorised to submit the Climate Change Strategy to public consultation.

 

Reason for Decision:  The Climate Change Strategy would help enable the council to meet its Carbon Reduction commitment, reduce its energy costs and inform the development of the Local Development Framework (LDF).

566.

Key Decision - London Councils - London Borough Grants Scheme 2009/10 pdf icon PDF 34 KB

Report of the Director of Community and Cultural Services

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Portfolio Holder for Community and Cultural Services introduced a report, which set out the proposals received from the London Councils’ Grants Committee for expenditure in 2009/10.  He advised that the Committee had approved their proposals for expenditure the previous day but that two thirds of the constituent Councils had to agree the proposal by the end of March 2009 for it to be implemented.  He recommended that Harrow support the proposals, which represented a £4,843 reduction in the borough’s contribution.  If it were not supported, the previous year’s contribution would apply.

 

RESOLVED:  That Harrow’s contribution of £747,865 for 2009/10 be approved and a formal response submitted.

 

Reason for Decision:  The London Borough Grants Scheme informed the Borough through a circular dated 13 November 2008 of the recommended budget for 2009/10.

 

(See also Minute 552)