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 there were no declarations of interests made.

Report of the Assistant Chief Executive.

Cabinet considered a report, which set out the proposed Council vision and priorities.  The report also set out the programme of community involvement to test the vision and priorities with Harrow residents.  Cabinet noted that the intention was to launch the vision and priorities for consultation in the period October to December 2010.

The Leader of the Council clarified that the purpose of this Special meeting was to commence the consultation on the draft vision and priorities immediately.  Presenting the report to an earlier or later ordinary meeting would not have been in accordance with the necessary timescale required.  The Leader advised that questions had been submitted to this Special meeting but could not be considered due to the relevant Constitutional provisions.  The Leader advised that the questions could be re-submitted to the next ordinary meeting of Cabinet.

The Assistant Chief Executive advised that the proposed vision and priorities would steer the development of Service Improvement Plans for each directorate and also provided details regarding how the consultation would be conducted.  The results from the consultation would feed into the Corporate Plan and the discussion of the draft budget as part of the annual business planning cycle.  This would be presented to Cabinet at its meeting on 13 January 2011.

The Leader further reported that the proposals represented a new era for the borough.  It was the intention to encourage resident involvement in developing a better borough, especially during a period where difficult decisions were required due to the national economic difficulties.

The Leader explained that the proposed vision was to work together and adopt a principle of ‘our Harrow’ and ‘our community’.  This principle was at the core of the Council’s values.  Within the Council this would mean better working across departments, whilst also involve working with residents and partners such as the Police, NHS, voluntary sector and other groups.  The proposed vision would also allow for the celebration of the borough’s diversity and contribute towards building community support.  Unity was an important aspect of the proposed vision.

The Leader explained that four corporate priorities had been proposed.  These included:

·                     Keeping neighbourhoods clean, green and safe.

There was general agreement that this was an important priority and was important to all residents.

·                     United and involved communities:  a Council that listens and leads.

This was a priority to promote the interests of the whole community in Harrow and was the basis for a ‘bottom up’ approach in the delivery of services.

·                     Supporting and protecting people who are most in need.

This was a priority which was important to all residents. The Council would assist vulnerable people in need but would also, for example, help unemployed residents in different ways by helping them to find jobs, providing training and empowering them to find employment.

·                     A Town Centre to be proud of:  changing Harrow for the better.

This would include Wealdstone, the Kodak Site and District Shopping Centres.

The Leader then reported that a new approach was required in relation to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 61.