Agenda and minutes

Cabinet considered a report of the Corporate Director Finance, which set out the revisions made, inter alia, to the following key strategy and policy governance documents:  Contract Procedure Rules, Corporate Anti-Fraud Policy, Anti-Money Laundering Policy and Code of Corporate Governance.  The Corporate Director stated that the changes placed an emphasis on sustainability and incorporated government regulations.  Training would be provided.

The Leader of the Council emphasised the ‘shop local’ initiative, which formed part of the changes to the Contract Procedure Rules

Cabinet endorsed the revised documents and delegated authority to the Corporate Director Finance to make minor changes to the documents before submitting these to Council for adoption.

Resolved to RECOMMEND:  (to Council)

That the Contract Procedure Rules, Anti-Fraud Policy, Anti-Money Laundering Policy and Code of Corporate Governance be adopted.

Reason for Recommendation:  To adhere to the requirements of the Council’s Constitution following Cabinet’s input to the revised suite of governance documents maintained by the Corporate Director Finance.

(See also Minute 710).

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 22 October 2009 to be taken as read and signed as a correct record.

RESOLVED:  That the minutes of the meeting held on 22 October 2009, be taken as read and signed as a correct record.

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

RESOLVED:  To note that no petitions had been received.

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.

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.

The Leader of the Council advised that the item on the Third Sector Strategy had been deferred to the December 2009 Cabinet meeting.

RESOLVED:  To note the contents of the Forward Plan for the period 1 November 2009 to 28 February 2010.

For consideration

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

Motion referred by Council on 29 October 2009

Cabinet received a motion on the Recession Busting Committee that was referred from Council meeting held on 29 October 2009.

RESOLVED:  That the Motion be received and noted.

Report of the Director of Legal and Governance Services

Cabinet received a report of the Director of Legal and Governance Services, which set out the proposals for the Council’s Calendar of Meetings for the Municipal Year 2010/11.

RESOLVED:  That the Calendar of Meetings for the Municipal Year 2010/11 be approved.

Reason for Decision:  To approve the Calendar of Meetings on an annual basis at this time of the year for the succeeding Municipal Year.  To facilitate the planning and forward commitments of both Members and officers.  To allow the room booking arrangements to be put in place at the earliest opportunity.

Report of the Corporate Director of Finance

Further to Recommendation I, Cabinet also considered the following revised documents: Procurement Strategy, Debt Management Policy and Information Management Policies.

RESOLVED:  That (1) the Procurement Strategy, Debt Management Policy and Information Management Policies be endorsed;

(2)  the Corporate Director Finance be authorised to make further minor changes to all the documents should these be necessary, including those recommended to Council.

Report of the Corporate Director of Finance

The Corporate Director Finance introduced the report, which outlined recent developments regarding the cessation of operation by the London Authorities Mutual Limited (LAML) following litigation, and the progress made in placing alternative insurance arrangements.

On a positive note, the litigation appeared to have had some impact generally. Amendments to the Local Democracy Economic Development and Construction Bill, which, if enacted, would permit the setting up of Mutuals such as a LAML in the future.

The Leader of the Council and the Portfolio Holder for Adults and Housing were disappointed that an imaginative proposals had been thwarted. Clarification of the law would assist when the Bill was enacted.

RESOLVED:  That (1) the effect of the outcome of the legal challenge to the London Authorities Mutual Limited be noted;

(2)  the consortium approach to securing long-term insurance cover be noted;

(3)  the Leader of the Council be authorised to award the contract.

Reason for Decision:  To enable a timely decision to enter into new insurance contracts to be made as soon as the tender results were available.

Report of the Director of Schools and Children’s Development

Cabinet considered a report of the Director of Schools and Children’s Development, which set out the outcome of the statutory consultation about the future organisation of Welldon Park First and Middle Schools and the recommendations of the governing bodies that the two schools be not amalgamated at present.

The Leader of the Council updated the reason for not agreeing the amalgamation.

The Portfolio Holder for Schools and Children’s Development explained why the amalgamation had been mooted and consulted on in view of the Council’s amalgamation policy agreed in October 2007.  The majority response from both schools had been against the amalgamation of the two schools for logistic reasons.

The Schools and Children’s Development Director stated that, unusually, the two schools were located on separate sites.  She advised that the retention of the two schools was sustainable and was pleased to report that the schools had a close working relationship, which would ensure that the good education standards were maintained.

RESOLVED:  That (1) the outcome of the statutory consultation and the recommendations of the governing bodies of Welldon Park First and Middle Schools be noted;

(2)  due to compelling and over-riding reasons, Welldon Park First and Middle Schools be not amalgamated at present.

Reason for Decision: Amalgamation of the two schools at this time would not bring significant benefits to the education and welfare of the pupils.  There was no significant stakeholder support for amalgamation, and the usual economies could not be realised because the two schools were on separate sites.

Report of the Director of Schools and Children’s Development

The Portfolio Holder for Schools and Children’s Development introduced the report, which set out the outcome of the statutory consultation on the proposed establishment of a nursery class at Roxbourne First School from September 2010.  The report also included the recommendation of the School’s governing body, which was unanimously in favour of establishing a nursery class at the school, and that it had the support of the school community.

The Portfolio Holder stated that the proposal was to establish a 60-place nursery class for 3?4 year old children at Roxbourne First School from September 2010.  Whilst some concerns had been expressed by existing private and voluntary pre-school sector providers that there was capacity in their sector and the proposal would challenge their sustainability, the proposal was not seen as a significant threat.  In addition, the birth rate in Harrow was increasing and the proposal would help accommodate the expected demand.  She commended the proposal to Cabinet.

The Schools and Children’s Development Director stated that there was a need to increase nursery school provision in the borough.  In addition, no capital costs were anticipated as a result of the proposal because the nursery class would be located in an existing classroom.  The nursery school would also complement the planned Children’s Centre at Roxbourne First School.

RESOLVED:  That (1) the outcome of the statutory consultation and the recommendation of the Roxbourne First School’s governing body be noted;

(2)  statutory proposals be published which, if approved, would establish a 60 place nursery class for 3?4 year olds at Roxbourne First School from September 2010;

(3) the statutory proposals were a prescribed alteration to extend the age range of Roxbourne First School to establish a school with an age range of 4 years (Reception) to 7 years (Year 2) with attached nursery class from September 2010.

Reason for Decision:  To establish the full Early Years Foundation Stage Profile at the School.  To provide continuity and secure higher attainment for those children entering the nursery and then being admitted to Roxbourne First School reception classes.  To provide continuity which would significantly benefit the majority of children whose second language was English.

Report of the Corporate Director Community and Environment

The Divisional Director Environmental Services introduced the report, which proposed a project to develop a network of volunteers called Neighbourhood Champions to enhance contact with the public with a view to improving and promoting the cleaner and safer street work of the Council and the police at a local level.  The project would form part of the Council's key priorities of delivering cleaner and safer streets.

The Divisional Director stated that the proposal had received wide coverage in the media.  He informed Cabinet that the project, if approved, would be promoted through existing and respected Neighbourhood Watch Scheme, and would build on the existing good relationships between the Council and Harrow Police.  It would also help to alert the police on issues concerning criminal activity. Volunteers would be trained and briefed on their roles.  The proposal would also benefit the Council’s Volunteering Scheme.

The Portfolio Holder for Environment Services and Community Safety stressed that the scheme was not about snooping or spying on residents.  Instead it was about the return of old fashioned community spirit, and giving Harrow residents the opportunity to get actively involved in helping to deliver cleaner and safer streets.  She offered to explain the merits of the proposal to the media.  Cabinet was informed that it was intended to launch the project in January 2010.

The Leader of the Council welcomed the groundbreaking project.

RESOLVED:  That (1) the Neighbourhood Champions project be introduced;

(2)  a two-phased launch programme with details to be decided by the Portfolio Holder for Environment Services and Community Safety in conjunction with the Corporate Director Community and Environment be agreed.

Reason for Decision:  To support community involvement in the work of the Council.  To contribute to ensuring cleaner and safer streets.

(See also Minutes 715 and 716)

Report of the Corporate Director Community and Environment

The Divisional Director Environmental Services introduced the report, which proposed a crime reduction campaign to assist in both the detection and deterrence of crime.   As part of the campaign, a traceable liquid property-marking product would be made available, free of charge, on request by households in the borough. 

The Divisional Director commended to Cabinet the practical approach to reducing crime and stated that the proposal would be delivered in partnership with Harrow’s Safer Neighbourhood Teams (SNTs).  There would be a focus on areas which suffered from increased levels of crime.  The next stage was to go through a procurement process.

The Portfolio Holder for Environment Services and Community Safety was proud of this proposal, which was unique in London.  She highlighted the negative impact of burglary and the damage it caused to people.  The proposal would assist residents of Harrow and help to increase confidence in the police and the Council.

The Leader of the Council welcomed the proposal, which when linked to the project on Neighbourhood Champions would help make the borough a better place and help deter crime.

RESOLVED:  That (1) a project for the “one-off” distribution of a traceable property marking product to be made available on request to all households in Harrow, free of charge through a defined roll out programme;

(2)  the procurement of a suitable product, with the award of the contract be agreed at a future Cabinet meeting;

(3)  the programme for the roll out of the product be decided by the Portfolio Holder for Environment and Community Safety in conjunction with the Corporate Director Community and Environment, with priority being given to areas where there was a greatest impact on perceptions of levels of crime;

(4)  evaluation of the project to be through the Safer Harrow Partnership.

Reason for Decision:  To support the reduction and detection of crime, particularly burglary, and provide the assurance of community safety through the Safer Harrow Partnership.

(See also Minute 714)

During the course of the meeting, the Leader of the Council welcomed members of the Harrow Youth Parliament to the meeting and invited them to address Cabinet on the work being carried out by the Youth Parliament.

Representatives of the Harrow Youth Parliament described the purpose of the Parliament and their achievements to date, details of which were set out in a paper circulated to Cabinet at the meeting.  Of particular note were:

·                     four of their members represented Harrow at the UK Parliament which was an achievement to be applauded;

·                     Harrow Youth Parliament was in dialogue with a number of organisations, including the local NHS about the recent services changes;

·                     the production of the Harrow Children and Young People’s Plan 2009/11;

·                     a Be Healthy Sub-Group which had marketed free smoothie drinks at events to help promote a ‘five-a-day’ culture into the diets of young people;

·                     the work being carried out with the Teenage Pregnancy Co-ordinator;

·                     the desire to introduce sport based activities on the lead up to the 2012 Olympic Games in London;

·                     the launch of the anti-bullying coalition which aimed to bring together all organisations tackling bullying in Harrow.  The Local Safeguarding Children’s Board had met with the Youth Offending Team to discuss how bullying could be reduced;

·                     a drive to involve young people from all walks of life to join Harrow Youth Parliament.

The Harrow Youth Parliament asked Cabinet to continue supporting them on the work being carried out and sought advice on an idea for a Harrow Youth Concession Card, which would be targeted at 11?18 year olds.  The card related to the Council’s ‘shop local’ campaign.

The Leader of the Council complimented and thanked members of the Youth Parliament for their presentation.  He stated that the proposed concession card which the Council had considered was a challenge but, welcomed the incorporation of youth concession within the proposal.

A number of the Portfolio Holders applauded the work being carried out by the Harrow Youth Parliament and commended the various challenges that were being addressed, particularly bullying which could seriously hamper the lives of young people.  Whilst knife crime was not an issue for Harrow, it was important that a dialogue with the people of Harrow was ongoing to ensure that Harrow did not suffer from this type of crime.  The Youth Parliament members were also encouraged to get involved in the proposed Neighbourhood Champions initiative.

The Portfolio Holder for Adults and Housing suggested that the Youth Parliament might want to look at the lives of young people in Harrow who were also carers, and provide them with support.  The Portfolio Holder for Planning, Development and Enterprise invited and encouraged the Youth Parliament to contribute in a planning document, the Local Development Framework (LDF), which would help place shape Harrow in the future.

In her capacity as a former Mayor, the Portfolio Holder for Community and Cultural Services, encouraged the Youth Parliament to take the Youth Mayor initiative forward.  She mentioned the work  ...  view the full minutes text for item 716.