Agenda and minutes

RESOLVED:  That Executive Procedure Rule 27.1 be suspended to enable the recording or photographing or broadcasting of any part of the meeting.

To receive apologies for absence (if any).

None received.

To receive declarations of disclosable pecuniary or non pecuniary 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 interest was declared:

Agenda Item 9 – School Expansion Programme

Councillor Stephen Greek, who was not a member of Cabinet, declared a non pecuniary interest in that he was a governor of Weald Infant and Junior Schools, but made clear that this should not imply any particular view on the Council's expansion proposals.  He would remain in the room to listen to the discussion and decision making on this item.

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

RESOLVED:  To note that

(1)               petitions (a) and (b) below were received and referred to the Corporate Director of Environment and Enterprise and the Portfolio Holder for Environment, Crime and Community Safety for consideration;

(2)               in relation to petition (b) below, in accordance with the Petition Scheme, the petition, once validated, be also referred to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee;

(3)               petition (c) below was received and referred to the Interim Corporate Director of Children and Families, Corporate Director of Environment and Enterprise and the Portfolio Holders for Children, Schools and Young People and Business, Planning and Regeneration for consideration.

(a)               Petition:  Hamilton Crescent, Hodson Close – The Secretary of Eastcote Lane Tenants’ & Residents’ Association presented a petition signed by 90 residents of with the following terms:

“We, the undersigned, request Harrow Council urgently address the appalling condition of the road surfaces in Hamilton Crescent, Hodson Close.  The roads are patched, rutted, potholed, the cross over are in appalling condition.  All these works were highlighted to be done some time back, to date it has not been done.  Hamilton Crescent is a one way street. Parking conditions are appalling.  Most of the other roads in this catchment area have been resurfaced and have new cross overs.  Why has this road been ignored for so long?”.

(b)               Petition:  Cambridge Road Car Park – North Harrow – Councillor Janet Mote presented a petition signed by 1,359 people with the following terms:

“We, the undersigned, call on Harrow Council to consider changing the Status at Cambridge Car Park from District to Local and therefore reduce the charge from 80p to 20p for the first hour”.

(c)               Petition: Weald Schools – Councillor Pritesh Patel presented a petition signed by 154 people with the following terms:

“We, the undersigned, are extremely concerned about the impact of the proposed expansion of Weald Schools on the longstanding and intolerable traffic and parking conditions in the surrounding roads, which pose a serious safety risk to children, residents and others.  We would not be willing to support expansion without significant measures to tackle these problems and improve the situation.  Any new school buildings must also be designed and positioned in a way that respects the character of the area and the amenity of local residents”.

No conflict of interest/dispensation granted for Cabinet Members.

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.

[The deadline for receipt of public questions is 3.00 pm, 13 October 2014.  Questions should be sent to publicquestions@harrow.gov.uk  

No person may submit more than one question].

Such public and Councillor questions as were received were responded to and any recording placed on the Council’s website.  Those Councillor questions not reached at Cabinet would be responded to in writing and placed on the Council’s website.

RESOLVED:  To note the contents of the Key Decision Schedule.

For consideration.

RESOLVED:  To note the progress made on scrutiny projects.

The Labour Group has requested that Councillor Simon Brown be replaced as a Chairman of the Corporate Parenting Panel by Councillor Mitzi Green.

RESOLVED:  That Councillor Simon Brown be replaced by Councillor Mitzi Green as Chairman of the Corporate Parenting Panel.

Joint Report of the Interim Corporate Director of Children and Families and the Director of Finance and Assurance.

Having made reference to the petition in relation to Weald Schools (Minute 48 refers) Cabinet

RESOLVED:  That

(1)               the update on the implementation of the School Expansion Programme be noted;

(2)               the Corporate Director of Children and Families,  following consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Children, Schools and Young People and the Portfolio Holder for Finance and Major Contracts, be delegated authority for the appointment of a consultant or contractor from a national or local public sector Framework(s),

a)                 to undertake feasibility studies, surveys and provide professional and technical services;

b)                 to design and build /refurbish the school facilities; 

c)                  to provide additional school places within the School Expansion Programme Phase 3 and Phase 4, subject to Council’s approval of the Capital Programme 2015/16 to fund additional Phase 3 school expansions and Phase 4;

(3)               subject to the competition arrangements through the Education Funding Agency (EFA) Contractors Framework, the Education Funding Agency be commissioned to deliver the expansion of the Weald Schools as an extension of the Priority School Building Programme.

Reason for Decision:  To enable the Local Authority to fulfill its statutory duties to provide sufficient school places in its area and carry out the procurement process to deliver the Capital Programme.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected:  As set out in the report.

Report of the Corporate Director of Environment and Enterprise.

Having considered the confidential appendix, Cabinet

RESOLVED:  That authority be granted to the Corporate Director of Environment and Enterprise, following consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Environment, Crime and Community Safety, to enter into a new Arboricultural Services Contract with the provider Glendale.

Reason for Decision:  To ensure the Council fulfilled its statutory responsibilities to maintain trees across the borough.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected:  As set out in the report.

Report of the Corporate Director of Resources.

RESOLVED:  That the report be noted and Portfolio Holders continue working with officers to achieve improvement against identified key challenges.

Reasons for Decision:  To note performance against key measures and to identify and assign corrective action where necessary.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected:  None.

Report of the Director of Legal and Governance Services.

RESOLVED:  That

(1)               the appointment of Councillor Mitzi Green as Portfolio Holder Assistant and the identified responsibilities be approved;

(2)               the payment of Special Responsibility Allowance (SRA) to the Portfolio Holder Assistant with the implementation date of 16 October 2014 be approved.

Reason for Decision:  To provide support to the Cabinet Member in terms of information provision and management. To contribute to and ensure an effective decision making framework as part of the democratic process.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected:  None.