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 Cabinet; and

(b)               all other Members present.

RESOLVED:  To note that the following interests were declared:

Of the Cabinet meeting held on 17 December 2009 to be taken as read and signed as a correct record.

RESOLVED:  That the minutes of the meeting held on 17 December 2009 be taken as read and signed as a correct record.

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

Councillor Graham Henson presented a petition signed by 191 people in relation to the South Harrow Post Office. The petition was in addition to a previous submitted to Council on 29 October 2010.

Councillor Graham Henson read out the terms of the petition which were as follows:

“We the undersigned are appalled at the recent closure of the Post Office in South Harrow leaving the shopping centre devoid of Post Office services, which is seriously affecting the residents and businesses alike.

We the undersigned call on Harrow Council and Gareth Thomas MP to urgently make representation to Post Office Ltd to seek the immediate reinstatement of a Crown Post Office in the South Harrow Shopping Centre.”

RESOLVED:  That the petition be received and referred to the Corporate Director Place Shaping.

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.

Report of the Corporate Director Finance

The Cabinet received a report of the Corporate Director Finance, setting out the revised Financial Regulations integral to the proper administration of the Council’s financial affairs.

It was noted that the regulations needed updating to reflect the changes in the Council’s management structure and revisions to accounting practices and policies in order to clarify and strengthen the financial arrangements and to ensure control of the Council’s environment.

Members noted that following changes in the Council’s management structure and revisions in accounting practices and policies, the Regulations required amending to reflect the changes.

In addition, the Corporate Director of Finance stated that guidance on the Revised Financial Regulations would be made available and that training on key aspects would be provided to staff.  The Leader of the Council enquired about the training agenda.

Resolved to RECOMMEND:  (to Council)

That the revised Financial Regulations be adopted.

RESOLVED:  That

(1)               the Financial Regulations be endorsed;

(2)               the Corporate Director Finance be authorised to make minor changes to the Financial Regulations, should these be necessary before endorsement by Council;

(3)               a timetable on the training to be provided to staff be made available before the next meeting of Cabinet.

Reason for Decision:  To allow Council to approve the Financial Regulations with a view to securing a robust financial management culture.

[Call-In does not apply to the Recommendation].

For noting.

The Leader of the Council advised that a report on the IT Strategy was not on the agenda and had been deferred to March 2010 Cabinet. 

RESOLVED:  To note the contents of the Forward Plan for the period January - April 2010.

Report from the Interim Divisional Director Housing, and reference from the Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting held on 24 November 2009.

The Portfolio Holder for Adults and Housing introduced the report, which set out the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) Reform of Council Housing Finance consultation and the implications for Council housing in Harrow.  The report reflected on the outcomes of a Scrutiny Challenge Panel on the Housing Revenue Account (HRA), which had addressed the consultation document from the DCLG.

The Portfolio Holder stated that the existing housing finance system did not provide any significant benefit to Harrow and the government’s proposals to dismantle the service were welcomed.  However, it was unlikely that new proposals would come forward before the 2010 General Election.  The system needed reforming and the Council would continue to lobby with a view to ensuring such change was forthcoming.

RESOLVED:  That the recommendations from the Housing Revenue Account Scrutiny Challenge Panel be noted and agreed.

Reason for Decision:  To note the issues affecting the HRA.

For consideration

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

Reason for Decision:  To note the progress being made on the various scrutiny reviews.

Report of the Corporate Director Finance

The Corporate Director Finance introduced the report, which set out the estimated financial position on the Collection Fund as at 31 March 2010.  It was noted that the Council was a billing authority and was therefore required to maintain a special fund, which was known as the Collection Fund.  The Fund was credited with the amount of Council Tax and Non?Domestic Rates collected.  The report mentioned that if a surplus or a deficit remained in the Collection Fund at year-end, it was distributed to or borne by the billing authority, the Council, and preceptor, the Greater London Authority (GLA).

The Leader of the Council commended the efficiency of the Finance Directorate in the collection of Council Tax.

RESOLVED:  That

(1)               an estimated surplus of £1,825, 964 on the Collection Fund as at 31 March 2010, of which £1,447,989 was the Council’s share, be noted;

(2)               the Council’s share of £1,447,989 be transferred to the General Fund in 2010/11.

Reason for Decision:  To report on the Council’s statutory obligation to make an estimate of the surplus or deficit on the Collection Fund by 15 January 2010.  To meet statutory obligations and the annual budget review process.

Report of the Corporate Director Finance

Cabinet received a report of the Corporate Director Finance, which set out the Council’s Corporate Business Continuity Plan that had been developed in accordance with the Council Improvement Project (CIP) titled ‘Enhancing Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity’.

It was noted that business continuity was a holistic management process that identified potential threats to an organisation and the impact to business operation the threats might cause, if these were realised.  It was mainly concerned with an internal incident and would help reduce risk of service disruption with consequent impact on factors such as service delivery, customer satisfaction, reputation and loss of income.

The Corporate Director added that the Plan had been built on individual plans received from each of the Directorates and was a key document.  The Leader of the Council and the Portfolio Holder for Community and Cultural Serviceswelcomed the Plan and congratulated the Corporate Director on its timely production.  The Portfolio Holder further suggested that training on the Business Continuity Plan ought to be provided to Members.

RESOLVED:  That the Council’s Business Continuity Plan be approved.

Reason for Decision:  To ensure that suitable business continuity arrangements and procedures were in place and could be invoked as necessary.

Report of the Corporate Director Finance

Cabinet received the Annual Audit Letter 2008/09, which summarised the work carried out by the Council’s external auditor, Deloitte LLP, in relation to the 2008/09 accounts, the pension fund and the use of resources assessment.  It was noted that the recommendations of the auditor would be implemented for the 2009/10 accounts, and a detailed implementation plan would be put in train on the use of resources element.

The Leader of the Council and the Portfolio Holder for Adults and Housing welcomed the positive comments of the external auditor in the Annual Audit Letter, particularly in relation to the securing of economy, efficiency and effectiveness in its use of resources during 2008/09 and in providing value for money when compared to previous years.

RESOLVED:  That the Annual Audit Letter for 2008/09 be noted.

Reason for Decision:  To ensure awareness of key external audit findings for 2008/09.

Report of the Corporate Director Adults and Housing

The Portfolio Holder for Adults and Housing introduced the report, detailing the outcomes of the 2008/09 Adult Social Care Assessment. 

The Portfolio Holder stated that he was proud to report that the Council had been rated as an authority that was ‘Performing Well’ and had been awarded Grade 3.  This was a significant improvement when compared to the judgements received in previous years, and a testament to the hard work carried out by staff.  Additionally, the Council had received a visit from the judges ahead of the Local Government Chronicle (LGC) awards in March 2010, where the Council had been short-listed in the “Most Improved Council of the Year Category”.  A showcase of the Council’s achievements and its ability to fulfill plans for the future was on display.  The Council was now seen as one of the top 10 lead boroughs in London, on a par with or surpassing 4-star authorities such as Camden, Westminster and Wandsworth.

The Portfolio Holder drew particular attention to the Care Quality Commission’s (CQC’s) comments.  The inspecting body had commended the leadership of the Council, its clear strategic direction and the step change in performance.  Many more people were now receiving personal budgets; direct payments or carers services and people were noticing the differences, particularly those with learning disabilities and carers.

Many of the key players were individually thanked and applauded for their work in this area, which had helped to achieve Grade 3.  Special thanks went to the Portfolio Holder for Adults and Housing for his leadership and resolve, the Corporate Director of Adults and Housing, the Divisional Director of Community Care, and Councillor Margaret Davine, for her constructive and critical engagement in the improvement process.

The Leader of the Council, Chief Executive and other Portfolio Holders congratulated the Directorate on achieving this key milestone.  The passion, dedication and enthusiasm of staff was acknowledged and highly commended.

The Corporate Director of Adults and Housing and Divisional Director Community Care stated that they were proud of the achievement, particularly as it came from an initial low base.  However, they were not complacent and would continue to build on the improvements made, whilst making efficiencies in tandem.

RESOLVED:  That the outcome of the 2008/09 Adult Social Care Assessment be noted, including those areas that had been identified as improved and those requiring further development.

Reason for Decision:  To welcome with pleasure the significant progress made in Adult Social Care, a key service area.  To meet the request of the CQC that Cabinet consider its report.

Report of the Interim Divisional Director Community and Cultural Services

The Portfolio Holder for Community and Cultural Services introduced the report, which set out the proposals received from the London Councils’ Grants Committee for expenditure in 2010/11.

The Portfolio Holder advised that the budget set by London Councils had to be agreed by two-thirds of the constituent Councils.  Harrow Council’s contribution was lower than that agreed in 2009/10.  She added that the qualitative benefits to the organisations funded in Harrow would be researched at a future date.

RESOLVED:  That, having considered the proposals for expenditure, the Council’s contribution of £747,073 be approved and a formal response submitted.

Reason for Decision:   The London Borough Grants Scheme informed the Borough through a circular dated 11 November 2009 of the recommended budget for 2010/11.

(See also Minute 739)