Agenda and minutes

The Leader of the Council proposed a minute’s silence in memory of Jo Cox MP who had died that afternoon after being shot and stabbed in her constituency in Birstall, West Yorkshire.  The Leader said that such incidents were an attack on democracy. All those present at Cabinet observed a minute’s silence.

A further minute’s silence was observed in memory of those who had been killed in a recent hate attack against the LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender) community in Orlando.  The Leader wished to show solidarity and support for the LGBT Community in Harrow and the UK.

The Leader of the Council welcomed Councillor Adam Swersky to his first Cabinet meeting in his capacity as Portfolio Holder for Finance and Commercialisation.

The Leader also welcomed Mr Ged Curran of the Harrow Peer Review Group who was seated in the public gallery.

Received from Councillor Glen Hearnden, Portfolio Holder for Housing and Employment, and Councillor David Perry, Non-Executive Member of Cabinet.

RESOLVED:  To note that the following interest was declared:

Agenda Item 8 – Revenue and Capital Outturn 2015-16

During consideration of this item, upon mention of The Bridge by the Portfolio Holder for Finance and Commercialisation in his introduction, Councillor Sue Anderson declared a non-pecuniary interest in that a family member attended The Bridge and had campaigned on its behalf.  She would remain in the room whilst the matter was considered and voted upon.

Petition – Planning Application Objection – Hillview Road

Councillor Susan Hall presented a petition signed by 116 residents with the following terms of reference:

“We, the undersigned, object to the planning application number P/2452/16 on the grounds that the proposed development to demolish the existing detached house and to replace it with two semi-detached houses on one plot is an overdevelopment which is out of keeping with the area and would set a precedent which would break existing covenants and change the low density nature of Hillview Road.”

RESOLVED:  That the petition be referred to the Divisional Director of  Regeneration and Planning and the Planning Committee 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.

[The deadline for receipt of public questions is 3.00 pm, Monday 13 June 2016. 

Questions should be sent to publicquestions@harrow.gov.uk  

No person may submit more than one question].

To note that no public questions had been received. Councillor questions accepted were responded to and any recording placed on the Council’s website.

RESOLVED:  That the Key Decision Schedule be noted.

For consideration.

RESOLVED:  That the report be noted.

Report of the Director of Finance.

RESOLVED:  That

(1)          the revenue and capital outturn position for 2015/16 be noted;

(2)          the contributions to reserves, outlined in paragraphs 21, 24 and 26 of the report, be approved;

(3)          the revenue carry forwards of £1.793m, outlined at paragraphs 27 and 28 and detailed in Appendix 1 of the report, and which have been agreed by the Director of Finance in accordance with Financial Regulations, be approved;

(4)          the debt write off and lease surrender, as set out in paragraph 8 of the report, be approved;

(5)          the Housing Revenue Account debt write off, outlined in paragraph 31 of the report, be approved;

(6)          the carry forwards on the Capital Programme, outlined in table 4, paragraph 32 refers, and set out at Appendix 2 of the report, and which have been agreed by the Director of Finance in accordance with the Financial Regulations, be approved;

(7)          the reduction in the Capital Programme, outlined in paragraph 34 of the report, be noted;

(8)          the virement changes in quarter 4 2015/16 to the Capital Programme, outlined in paragraph 35 of the report, be noted;

(9)          the virements in the 2016/17 Capital Programme, detailed in paragraph 36 of the report, be approved;

(10)       the addition to the 2016/17 Capital Programme of £150k, as set out in paragraph 37 of the report, be approved;

(11)       the conversion of a £1m loan to a grant in the 2016/17 Capital Programme, as set out at paragraph 47 of the report, be approved;

(12)       the timetable for accounts completion and external audit review, as outlined in paragraphs 54 and 55 of the report, be noted.

Reason for Decision:   To report the financial position as at 31 March 2016.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected: None.

Conflict of Interest relating to the matter declared by Cabinet Member/Dispensation Granted:  None.

Report of the Director of Finance.

RESOLVED:  That

(1)          the outturn position for treasury management activities for 2015/16 be noted;

(2)          the report be referred to the Governance, Audit, Risk Management and Standards Committee for review.

Reason for Decision:  To promote effective financial management and comply with the Local Authorities (Capital Finance and Accounting) Regulations 2003 and other relevant guidance. To be availed of treasury management activities and performance.

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

Conflict of Interest relating to the matter declared by Cabinet Member/Dispensation Granted:  None.

[Call-in does not apply].

Reference from Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

RESOLVED:  That

(1)          the reference from the Overview and Scrutiny Committee be received and noted;

(2)          a response report the recommendations of the Scrutiny Review Group submitted to the July Cabinet meeting by the relevant Directorate(s);

(3)          the Chair of the Review Group and an opposition Member of the Review Group be invited to present the findings to the July 2016 Cabinet meeting in accordance with the Cabinet/Scrutiny Protocol.

Reason for Decision:  To receive and request a response for Cabinet’s consideration in line with the Constitution.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected:  None.

Conflict of Interest relating to the matter declared by Cabinet Member/Dispensation Granted:  None.

[Call-in does not apply].

Reference from Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

RESOLVED:  That

(1)          the reference from the Overview and Scrutiny Committee be received and noted;

(2)          a response report to the recommendations of the Scrutiny Review be submitted to the July 2016 Cabinet meeting by the relevant Directorate(s);

(3)          the Chair of the Review Group and an opposition Member of the Review Group be invited to present the findings to the July Cabinet meeting in accordance with the Cabinet/Scrutiny Protocol.

Reason for Decision:  To receive and request a response for Cabinet’s consideration in line with the Constitution.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected:  None.

Conflict of Interest relating to the matter declared by Cabinet Member/Dispensation Granted:  None.

[Call-in does not apply].

On behalf of Cabinet, the Leader of the Council, Councillor Sachin Shah wished Andreas Geroski, Political Assistant for the Labour Group, and David Mercier, Political Assistant for the Conservative Group, who were both leaving the services of the Council, well for their future.

The Leader added that working in a political system provided for a challenging  role and which when combined with the work of politicians and those of officers made their roles interesting.

The Leader of the Conservative Group, Councillor Susan Hall, stated that David was considered to be the Group’s right-hand person and would be sorely missed by both Councillors and Officers.  She wished both David and Andreas well for their future.

Those present applauded their work and wished them well.