Agenda and minutes

On behalf of Cabinet, the Leader of the Council, Councillor Sachin Shah, welcomed Oana Olura, Political Assistant to the Labour Group, and Jessica Hosmer-Wright, Political Assistant to the Conservative Group, to their first Cabinet meeting.

The Leader of the Council stated that a short video titled ‘UK Says No More’ would be shown this evening.  He was proud that Harrow Council was the first local authority to partner the campaign.  Public figures and celebrities had endorsed the campaign and had helped spread the message against domestic and sexual violence.

The Leader highlighted the commitment of the administration to this cause and that it had allocated £200,000 to it when it first came to power.  It was therefore right that the Council had been the first Council to sign up to the campaign.

Received from Councillor David Perry, Non-Executive Member of Cabinet.

RESOLVED:  To note that the following interests were declared:

Agenda Item 11 – Grange Farm Estate – Combined Heat and Power Procurement (CHP) and Land Appropriation for Planning Purposes

Councillor Barry Macleod-Cullinane, who was not a Member of Cabinet, declared a non-pecuniary interest in that he represented Harrow on the Hill Ward in which Grange Farm Estate was situated.  He would remain in the room to listen to the discussion and decision-making on this item.

Agenda Item 18 – 2016/17 Revenue and Capital Monitoring for Quarter 1 as at 30 June 2016

Councillor Barry Macleod-Cullinane, who was not a Member of Cabinet, declared a non-pecuniary interest in that he had been appointed to the ResourcesBoard at the Local Government Association (LGA).  He would remain in the room to listen to the discussion and decision-making on this item.

Petition – Northumberland Road

Councillor Janet Mote presented a petition signed by 197 residents with the following terms of reference:  “We, the undersigned residents, demand that Harrow Council replace the surfaces of the pavements and highways of Northumberland Road, North Harrow, as a matter of urgency.

Northumberland Road has not had any real maintenance for over forty years: Clearly, this is an unacceptable neglect to all who use this road, including pedestrians, as parts of the pavement are positively dangerous.

We note, however, that in the past twelve months the Council has replaced the pavement and highways of the adjoining Grove Road – which is a continuation of Northumberland Road!

Please undertake the requested works for Northumberland Road without further delay.”

Councillor Janet Mote added that the petition was being submitted jointly with Councillor Bond who was unable to attend the meeting that evening.

RESOLVED:  That the petition be received and submitted to the Corporate Director of Community 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 12 September 2016. 

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

No person may submit more than one question].

Public and 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 Corporate Director of People.

Resolved to RECOMMEND:  (to Council)

That the Youth Offending Partnership Youth Justice Plan 2015-2018 be approved.

Reason for Decision:  It was a statutory requirement to produce a Youth Justice Plan. For any 3-year plan there was a requirement to ensure that there was an annual update.  In order to consider the implications on future Youth Offending service provision in light of central Government review of the Youth Justice System nationally. 

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 as the decision is reserved to Council.]

Report of the Corporate Director of Community.

Having received representations from Members of the Scrutiny Challenge Panel Review Group on ‘Community Involvement in Parks’ in line with the Cabinet/Scrutiny Protocol, and having thanked representatives of the Park User Groups for their work and commitment towards improving the parks, it was:

RESOLVED:  That

(1)          the recommendations of the Scrutiny Challenge Panel Review Group be noted;

(2)          the response and proposed actions to the recommendations of the Scrutiny Challenge Panel Review Group set out in the report be agreed.

Reason for Decision:  To provide a framework for future community involvement in parks.

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.

Report of the Corporate Director of Community.

RESOLVED:  That

(1)          the draft Waste Management Strategy be approved for external consultation;

(2)          the vision set out in Waste Management Strategy be noted;

(3)          the Corporate Director of Community, following consultation with the Portfolio Holders for Environment, Crime and Community Safety and Community, Culture and Resident Engagement, be authorised to:

(a)    take all necessary steps to consult externally on the proposed Strategy;

(b)    consider the consultation responses and make any necessary amendments to the Strategy;

(c)    approve the final Strategy for adoption.

Reason for Decision:  To provide a framework for sustainable waste management in Harrow.  To ensure that the views of residents and businesses were considered and amendments made to the draft Strategy, as appropriate, following consultation.

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.

Report of the Corporate Director of Community.

RESOLVED:  That

(1)          the Local Flood Risk Assessment Strategy be supported and approved as policy;

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

Reason for Decision:  To comply with legal duties of  the Council set out by central government in the Flood and Water Management Act 2010.

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.

Report of the Corporate Director of Community.

Having considered the confidential appendices, it was

RESOLVED:  That

(1)          the strategy proposed for the procurement of the Combined Heat and Power Procurement (CHP), including the option of a Joint Venture with an existing Energy Services Company (ESCo), be endorsed;

(2)          the Corporate Director of Community, following consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Housing and Employment, be authorised to commence the procurement of the CHP for Grange Farm Estate which could ultimately include entering into a Joint Venture and/or inclusion of elements within the main Development Contract with the successful Development Partner, depending on the responses to the procurement process which would be reported to Cabinet in the New Year;

(3)          the decision or decisions where the relevant statutory requirements are satisfied to appropriate such parts as may be necessary of the land on the Grange Farm Estate now owned by the Council or later acquired, under the control of the Housing Revenue Account or held for other purposes, for planning purposes and to override third party rights and covenants in relation to such parts of the Grange Farm Estate as may be necessary, be delegated to the Chief Executive following consultation with the Portfolio Holders for Housing and Employment and Business, Planning and Regeneration and it be noted that the use of such powers might be required more than once.

Reason for Decision:  Cabinet had previously endorsed the progress made with proposals to regenerate the Grange Farm Estate due to the poor condition of the Resiform flats within the Estate.  To meet London Plan requirements the Scheme must achieve a specific carbon reduction target and the only feasible means of complying and preferred by the Greater London Authority (GLA) was to procure a CHP to provide the heat and hot water for the Grange Farm Estate.  This would allow the regeneration scheme to proceed in accordance with the programme shared with residents and to give certainty to the Development partner who was being selected via an OJEU tender process.  Cabinet was also asked to delegate approval for the Appropriation of Land for Planning purposes in order to speedily deal with potential claims from adjacent land owners which might otherwise prevent works from being carried out and thus to achieve a start on site.

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.

Report of the Corporate Director of People.

RESOLVED:  That the Travel Assistance Policy for Children and Young People (0-25 Years) Living in Harrow be approved.

Reason for Decision:  To enable the Local Authority to fulfil its statutory duty to provide travel assistance to eligible young people. To provide alternative options for children and young people to travel to and from school if parents agreed to it.  To contribute to the People’s Services MTFS Implementation Plan approved by Cabinet in February 2016 and the objectives in paragraph 14 of the report.

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.

Report of the Chief Executive.

RESOLVED:  That the Adult Learning Strategy 2016-18 be circulated for consultation to internal and external partners and stakeholders and providers and service users, and future findings be adopted, following the Chief Executive’s consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Community, Culture and Resident Engagement.

Reason for Decision:  There were national changes in the funding, delivery and external inspection of Adult and Community Learning, including moves to a devolved Adult Education Budget for London by 2018.  The Adult and Community Learning Service should have in place a Strategy that sets out key adult learning priorities for the next two years.

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.

Report of the Divisional Director of Regeneration and Planning.

RESOLVED:  That

(1)          the work undertaken to date in relation to the feasibility of establishing a district heating network/s (serving multiple sites) within the borough and proposed detailed feasibility study into those networks / clusters identified as being potentially technically and financially feasible be noted;

(2)          the work undertaken to date with respect to options for procuring or establishing an Energy Services Company (ESCo) to deliver heat networks on key Council regeneration sites and potentially broader network/s serving multiple sites be noted;

(3)          the inter-relationship between the business case for any potential Council-led ESCo and the procurement of an ESCo for the Grange Farm Estate regeneration programme which was due to commence later this year (2016) and was considered in detail in a separate report on this Cabinet meeting agenda be noted;

(4)          further work be progressed with respect to potential ESCo models, including discussions with adjoining boroughs and those who had already established their own ESCo, and the more fully developed recommended option be reported back to Cabinet for consideration.

Reason for Decision:  To progress identifying the most viable and feasible ways of procuring or establishing an ESCo, and to help further the Council’s regeneration and commercialisation agenda.

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.

Report of the Divisional Director of Regeneration and Planning.

RESOLVED:  That the Divisional Director of Regeneration and Planning  be authorised to undertake a public consultation (as outlined in the body of the report) on the proposed draft Pinner Road Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Strategy (CAAMS) which, if subsequently approved by Cabinet after consultation, would form an appendix to the adopted Pinner Conservation Areas Supplementary Planning Document (SPD).

Reason for Decision:  Pinner Road Conservation Area was designated on 19 March 2015 and was the only one of Harrow’s 29 conservation areas not to have an associated adopted CAAMS.  When adopted the Pinner Road Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Strategy (CAAMS) would form an appendix to the Pinner Conservation Areas SPD and so constitute part of the Harrow Local Plan.  It would form a material consideration in the determination of planning applications both at planning committees and appeal proceedings.  The guidance document would also provide useful guidance to relevant Council departments when dealing with issues relating to Pinner Road Conservation Area.  Before adoption can take place formal consultation on the SPD was required and amendments to it might be made as a result.  These would be reported back to the Planning Policy Working Group and Cabinet prior to adoption.

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.

Report of the Divisional Director of  Regeneration and Planning.

RESOLVED:  That the Divisional Director of Regeneration and Planning be authorised to undertake a consultation, as outlined in the report on:

(1)          the proposed inclusion of Post Office, Bridge Street, Pinner on the local list of buildings;

(2)          the proposed amendment to the Waxwell Lane Conservation Area boundary.

Reason for Decision:  To comply with the National Planning Policy Framework requirement that planning authorities ensure that they make information about the significance of the historic environment gathered as part of plan-making or development management publicly accessible.  Providing locally listed status to those buildings that had local merit would help protect Harrow’s local historic and architectural interest and assist the Council to meet its corporate priority that seeks to build stronger communities.  To comply with the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 which required local planning authorities to, from time to time, determine whether any parts or further parts of the borough should be designated [s.69(2)].

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.

Report of the Director of Finance.

RESOLVED:  That

(1)          the revenue and capital forecast positions detailed in the report as at Quarter 1 2016/17 be noted;

(2)          the virements to 2016/17 Capital Programme, as outlined in paragraph 3.16 of the report be approved;

(3)          the future amendment to the Capital Programme, as outlined in paragraphs 3.41 and 3.42 of the report, be noted;

(4)          the proposed reduction to the 2016/17 Capital Programme as outlined in paragraphs 3.32 and 3.46 of the report be noted.

Reason for Decision:  To be availed of the 2016/17 forecast financial position as at 30 June 2016 and approve budget adjustments as required under the Financial Regulations.

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.

Report of the Corporate Director of Resources and Commercial.

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

Reason for Decision:  To be availed of performance against key measures and to identify and assign corrective action where necessary.

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 as the decision has been noted.]

Report of the Director of Legal and Governance Services.

RESOLVED:  That

(1)          the Director of Legal and Governance Services, following consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Performance, Corporate Resources and Customer Services, be authorised to agree an extension to the Inter Authority Agreement with the London Borough of Barnet which commenced on 1 September 2012 so that it continued on similar terms until 31 August 2022;

(2)           a case management system for HB Public Law be procured;

(3)          a panel of legal case management suppliers, which other local authorities could join, be established. 

Reason for Decision:  The London Borough of Barnet was, with Harrow, the founder member of HB Public Law in 2012 and agreed that it should be its legal services provider until 2017.  Barnet has been happy with the service provided and wished to extend the agreement. 

Harrow purchased a case management system for its legal service in 2005, since when it has developed HB Public Law and grown it from around 25 lawyers to nearly 150.  To allow potential use of a case management system that was a market leading modern practice management system.  The procurement exercise would allow the Practice to test the market and choose a system that would support it fully in the future.

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.