Agenda and minutes

The Leader of the Council welcomed all to the meeting, including the new Portfolio Holder for Community and Cultural Services, Councillor David Perry, to his first ordinary meeting of Cabinet.

The Leader reported on the changes to the agenda.  He stated that agenda item 13, Transport Local Implementation Plan, would be considered before item 11 and invited the Portfolio Holder for Community and Cultural Services to report on a further change.

The Portfolio Holder for Community and Cultural Services referred to the report at agenda item 17, ‘Review of Council Support through Community Premises and Community Letting’.  He stated that as a new Portfolio Holder he wanted the opportunity to consider further the results of the recently conducted consultation on the matter and recommended that the report be withdrawn from consideration.  This was agreed by Cabinet.

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:

Agenda Item 11 – Concessionary Travel Mobility Assessments – Tender Evaluation and Appointment of Contractor Report

Councillor Barry Macleod-Cullinane declared a personal interest in that London Councils Limited administered freedom passes and that he was employed by them.  He would remain in the room to listen to the debate on the report and, should his interest become prejudicial, he would leave the room.

During the course of the meeting, Councillor Bob Currie declared a personal interest in that he was a Blue Badge holder.

Agenda Item 12 – Local Authority’s Strategic Role for Education in Harrow

Councillor Barry Macleod-Cullinane declared a personal interest in that his sister was a teacher at a school in Harrow.  He would remain in the room to listen to the debate on the report.

The Leader of the Council stated that with regard to this item, it would be assumed that a number of Members present at the meeting would have personal interests in their capacity as school governors and they would remain in the room either to listen to the debate or vote upon.

That the minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on 7 April 2011 be taken as read and signed as a correct record.

RESOLVED:  That the minutes of the meeting held on 7 April 2011 be taken as read and signed as a correct record.

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

Councillor Ajay Maru presented a petition from approximately 84 residents of Elgin Avenue, Kenton.  The terms of the petition were as follows:

“We the undersigned residents of Elgin Avenue, Kenton, call upon Harrow Council to take action to resolve the parking problems in our road, particularly at the junction of Elgin Avenue and Kenmore Avenue.”

RESOLVED:  That the petition be received and referred to 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.

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.

3.

RESOLVED:  To note the contents of the Forward Plan for the period 1 May 2011 – 31 August 2011.

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

For consideration.

RESOLVED:  That the reference from the Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting held on 27 April 2011 be noted.

Report of the Corporate Director Community and Environment.

The Portfolio Holder for Environment and Community Safety introduced the report, which set out the changes made to the draft Transport Local Implementation Plan (LIP2).  He added that the LIP2 was a statutory document required by the Mayor of London, which had to show how the borough would implement the Mayor of London’s Transport Strategy locally.  The LIP2 contained all of Harrow’s transport objectives, policies, delivery plan, monitoring indicators and targets and was funded by the Transport for London (TfL).  Cabinet noted that the LIP2 would also contribute to the Council’s Corporate Priorities.

The Portfolio Holder thanked the Transport Policy Officer and staff in the Transportation Section for their work.

The Transport Policy Officerstated that extensive public consultation had been carried out and she was proud to report that the document had been commended by TfL.  It was particularly pleasing to have had positive feedback from TfL and would make Harrow the first of any London boroughs to have a Plan which was suitable to be recommended for approval by the Mayor of London.  She was confident that this would help future funding.

Cabinet was informed that the Council would work towards a selection of objectives and report to TfL on progress made, details of which would also be available publicly available.  Additionally, all equality groups would benefit from schemes introduced and these would particularly assist those with mobility problems.

The Corporate Director Community and Environment reported that the LIP2 would make a significant contribution to the Council’s Corporate Priorities, and congratulated the Transportation team for carrying out excellent stakeholder consultations.  He particularly thanked the Transport Policy Officer and the Service Manager – Traffic and Highway Network Management for their work.

It was noted that the LIP2 would require Council approval.

Resolved to RECOMMEND:  (to Council)

That the revised Transport Local Implementation Plan (LIP2) be adopted.

RESOLVED:  That

(1)               the Portfolio Holder for the Environment and Community Safety be authorised to adjust the planned programme of investment, subject to additional information on funding provided post approval of LIP2;

(2)               the reference from the Overview and Scrutiny Committee be noted.

Reason for Decision:  The LIP2 was a statutory document and would make a significant contribution to the Council’s Corporate Priorities.  The policies and programmes detailed would improve the environment.  Support healthy lifestyles, improve safety, promote equality and develop more integrated and sustainable modes of transport.

[Call-In only applies to the resolution].

The Chairman reported that the establishment of Cabinet Committees, nominations for Chairmen and membership of Cabinet Committees, Advisory Panels and Consultative Forums were before Members for consideration and approval.  In addition, Cabinet was requested to approve the appointment of Portfolio Holder Assistants, details of which had been tabled at the meeting.  A minor amendment to the tabled document, in that Councillor Zarina Khalid (Queensbury Ward) would also assist the Portfolio Holder for Schools and Colleges in that remit, was proposed.

RESOLVED:  That the establishment of Cabinet bodies and the appointments for the Municipal Year 2011/12, at Appendices I and II to these minutes, be approved.

Reason for Decision:  To enable Cabinet bodies to be convened and Portfolio Holder Assistants to commence their respective roles.

Report of the Director of Legal and Governance Services.

Cabinet considered a report of the Director of Legal and Governance Services, which set out the requirements of the Council’s Constitution in terms of the development of its policy framework and sought approval to the timetable for consideration of statutory plans and strategies.

RESOLVED:  That

(1)               the timetable for the preparation and consideration of the statutory plans and strategies, at Appendix A to the report, be approved;

(2)               variation to the timetable be reserved to the Leader of the Council.

Reason for Decision:  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.

RESOLVED:  That the Motion be noted and referred to the consultation taking place on grants.

Report of the Interim Director of Finance.

Cabinet considered a report of the Interim Director of Finance, together with a confidential appendix, which set out details following a review of the existing processes regarding concessionary travel mobility assessments.  It was noted that Harrow had committed to delivering a professional and consistent service to both improve outcomes and speed up the process.

Currently, assessments were carried out by ad hoc staff and outcomes were very much dependant on the experience or otherwise of the particular staff member the customer may have seen on a particular day.  In order to address the issue, Harrow had procured a contractor to carry out all mobility assessments to ensure future consistency of how assessments occurred and that, additionally, any assessments giving rise to eligibility, complied with national guidelines and audit requirements.

RESOLVED:  That, as a result of the evaluation of the tendering exercise, the contract be awarded to Access Independent.

Reason for Decision:  In order that mobility assessments can be carried out.

Report of the Corporate Director Children’s Services.

The Portfolio Holder for Schools and Colleges introduced the report, which outlined changes to the role of the Councils and schools arising from the Schools White Paper and the Education Bill.  The report also provided an update from the Education Consultative Forum.

The Portfolio Holder outlined the key changes being proposed to the role of Councils and explained why these changes were required.  It was becoming clear that there would be a reduced role for Councils in education services.  The role of an enabler, rather than education services provider was intended by the legislation going through Parliament.

Cabinet was informed that it was therefore timely for the Council to consider the role and purpose of existing consultation mechanisms, and he commended the report to Cabinet.

The Leader of the Council stated that the detail in the legislation would be crucial to local authorities.

RESOLVED:  That

(1)               Cabinet agrees in principle to the consultation mechanisms being reviewed and revised and recommendations being brought back to a future meeting of Cabinet;

(2)               a further report be received in the Autumn to confirm the progress in the following areas:

i.                    Decision Making and Consultation Forums

ii.                  Strategic Role for Schools

iii.                Support services for Schools.

Reason for Decision:  To initiate a discussion about the future role of the Council in the context of the Education Bill, which proposed significant change to the role of the Local Authority and its relationship with schools.  To note that any changes to the role of the Education Consultative Forum and Admissions Forum would entail changes to the Council’s Constitution, which would require decision by full Council.

Report of the Corporate Director Community and Environment.

The Portfolio Holder for Environment and Community Safety introduced the report, which set out the comments of the public consultation on the annual review of the Climate Change Strategy, including the draft responses.  The report also made reference to the proposed use of the London Development Agency’s (LDA) RE:FIT Scheme to retrofit energy efficiency measures into Council buildings.

The Portfolio Holder referred to the responses from stakeholders, including the timelines for consultation, many of which had been taken on board resulting in an up to date Action Plan.  The RE:FIT Scheme would allow the Council to procure energy efficiency retrofits for the building stock and, to achieve this, a competition was being planned.

It was noted that the Plan would go some way towards a reduction in the Council’s carbon footprint.

RESOLVED:  That

(1)               the results of the consultation be noted and the revised Climate Change Strategy Action Plan be approved for implementation;

(2)               the proposed use of the RE:FIT scheme on an initial programme of retro-fits be noted.

Reason for Decision:  To incorporate proposed changes into the Council’s Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan.  To make progress on achieving the Council’s target to reduce carbon emissions from its estate by 4% a year.

Report of the Corporate Director Community and Environment.

Cabinet received a report on the Preliminary Flood Risk Assessment (PFRA), a high level screening exercise providing the evidence base for the Council to deliver a Flood Risk Management Strategy required under a EU Directive, transposed into UK Law in the Flood Risk Regulations 2009 (FRR).

It was noted that the PFRA had to be submitted to the Environment Agency (EA) and Regional Flood Defence Committee (RFDC) by 22 June 2011 so that it could undergo a technical area and national review before submission to the EU in order to comply with the Directive.

Funding had been granted to Harrow over a two year period to complete the exercise and undertake the first actions from the resulting Management Plan. The report sought approval to submit to DEFRA by the due date and support the next stage in the preparation and adoption of the resulting Management Plan.

RESOLVED:  That

(1)               the draft Preliminary Flood Risk Assessment be supported and submitted to the Environment Agency  and the Regional Flood Defence Committee;

(2)               the Portfolio Holder for Environment and Community Safety be authorised to sign the approved document.

Reason for Decision:  To comply with the Council’s obligations contained in the Flood Risk Regulations 2009 as required by the EU Floods Directive.

Report of the Corporate Director Community and Environment.

Cabinet received and welcomed a report of the Corporate Director Community and Environment, which sought approval to extend recycling to the remaining 8000 flats in the borough with the cost of the Scheme being met by a grant from the London Waste and Recycling Board (LWARB).

The Portfolio Holder for Environment and Community Safety applauded the proposed Scheme and stated that it was conditional upon the Council returning a signed and sealed agreement to the LWARB, including the Project and Communications Plans.  Upon completion in March 2012, the Scheme was expected to increase the amount of waste being recycled by 1.5% once fully implemented.  The current outturn figure was 50%.

RESOLVED:  That Cabinet

(1)               agrees to extend recycling to 8,000 flats in the borough;

(2)               approves the receipt of grant from the LWARB to the value of £381k and authorises the Corporate Director Community and Environment to expend the grant monies in accordance with LWARB’s conditions of funding.

Reason for Decision:  The Council reviewed its waste collection strategy in September 2009 and set out a target to extend kerbside/near-entrance recycling to all homes in the borough.  To allow 8,000 flats to be served by such systems from a grant from the LWARB to finance the costs of introducing the scheme.  Operational costs would be contained within the existing budget.

Report of the Corporate Director Community and Environment.

RESOLVED:  That the report be Withdrawn.

Reason for Decision:  To enable the new Portfolio Holder to consider further the results of the recently conducted consultation on the matter.

Report of the Corporate Director Place Shaping.

Cabinet considered a report of the Corporate Director Place Shaping, together with a confidential appendix, which sets out proposals for the disposal of properties in the borough.

The Portfolio Holder for Property and Major Contracts stated that the properties were surplus to requirements, and confirmed that the proposals would not affect the operation of the North Harrow Library on Pinner Road.

RESOLVED:  That

(1)               the land and properties detailed in the report be declared as surplus;

(2)               the financial implications and projected sale prices detailed in Appendix 1 be noted;

(3)               the Corporate Director Place Shaping be authorised to take all action necessary, including capital expenditure on 429/433 Pinner Road, to dispose of the Council’s interest in the land and properties detailed in the report for the best consideration that can reasonably be obtained in.

Reason for Decision:  The disposals will generate a significant capital receipt for the Council, generate a revenue saving and reduce back log maintenance, thereby fulfilling part of the Place Shaping and Property Transformation Work Stream.

RESOLVED:  That, in accordance with Part I of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following items for the reasons set out below:

Appendix to the Report of the Interim Director of Finance at item 11.

Cabinet received a confidential appendix to the report of the Interim Director of Finance setting out a schedule of tender ranking.

RESOLVED: That the report be noted.

Reason for Decision: To allow the appendix to be considered in conjunction with the main report at item 11.

Appendix to the report of the Corporate Director Place Shaping at item 18.

Cabinet received a confidential appendix to the report of the Corporate Director Place Shaping setting out the financial implications and indicative sale prices.

RESOLVED: That the report be noted.

Reason for Decision: To allow the appendix to be considered in conjunction with the main report at item 18.