Agenda and minutes

The Leader of the Council stated that a short video produced by a member of staff to help mark and promote LGBT HM within the Council would be shown this evening.  He added that Harrow Council had forged an on-going commitment to partnership work with Stonewall, which would help the Council to proactively improve on its work around LGBT equality.

The Leader was proud that Harrow Council had moved up the ranking to 153 out of 440 organisations on the Stonewall Workplace Equality Index as the most improved organisation in relation to the promotion of the LGBT community.

He was pleased to see that the video featured images of Councillors and staff  from across the whole Council, supporting LGBT equality and highlighted the great progress which the Council had made in this area.  Those present at the meeting applauded the work done in this area.

None received.

RESOLVED:  To note that the following interests were declared:

Agenda Item 14  - Final Revenue Budget 2017/18 and Medium Term Financial Strategy 2017/18 to 2019/20

Councillors Sue Anderson and Keith Ferry, members of Cabinet, declared non-pecuniary interests in that they were Greenhill Ward Councillors and a number of organisations mentioned in the report were situated in their Ward.  Councillor Sue Anderson added that she was a member of a number of organisations such as Mind in Harrow, Harrow Mencap, Radiate, Harrow Shop Mobility and DAWN. Councillor Sue Anderson added that a member of her family was in receipt of social care services and support for ADHD.  They would remain in the room whilst the matter was considered and voted upon.

Councillor Graham Henson, a member of Cabinet, declared a non-pecuniary interest in that this wife worked for Rethink and sometimes worked in Harrow. He would remain in the room whilst the matter was considered and voted upon.

Councillor Barry Macleod-Cullinane, who was not a member of Cabinet, declared a non-pecuniary interest in that he was an employee of the Citizens’ Advice, a national Charity.  He would remain in the room to listen to the discussion relating to the item. 

Councillor Richard Almond, who was not a member of Cabinet, declared a non-pecuniary interest in that he was a Council appointed representative on the Harrow Citizens’ Advice Bureau.  He would remain in the room to listen to the discussion relating to this item.

Councillor Paul Osborn, who was not a member of Cabinet, declared a non-pecuniary interest in that he was a Council appointed representative on the Lee Valley Regional Park Authority, which was a precepting authority. He would remain in the room to listen to the discussion relating to this item.

Councillors Chris and Janet Mote, who were not members of Cabinet, declared non-pecuniary interests in that a member of their family received support from Harrow Carers.  Councillor Chris Mote added that a member of his family was also in receipt of benefits. They would remain in the room to listen to the discussion relating to this item.

Councillor Jean Lammiman, who was not a member of Cabinet, declared a non-pecuniary interest in that she was as a trustee of Harrow Association of Disabled People.  She would remain in the room to listen to the discussion relating to this item.

Agenda Item 15  - People Services MTFS Implementation Plan

Councillor Sue Anderson, a member of Cabinet, declared a non-pecuniary interest in that Kenton Road was situated in Greenhill Ward, which she represented. She would remain in the room whilst the matter was considered and voted upon.

Agenda Item 20 – Improved Commercialisation of Helpline Service

Councillor Barry Kendler, who was not a member of Cabinet, declared a non-pecuniary interest in that a member of his family was in receipt of the Helpline Service.  He would remain in the room to listen to the discussion relating to this item.

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 February 2017. 

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

No person may submit more than one question].

RESOLVED:  Public and Councillor questions accepted were responded to and any recording placed on the Council’s website.  Councillor Questions 7?94 were not reached at Cabinet.

RESOLVED:  That the Key Decision Schedule be noted and it be noted that the item on ‘Modular Interim Housing on the Civic Centre Site’ had been deferred.

For consideration.

RESOLVED:  That the progress on Scrutiny Projects be noted.

Report of the Corporate Director of Resources and Commercial.

Having noted the tabled comments from the Overview and Scrutiny Committee and, following a minor amendment, it was

Resolved to RECOMMEND:  (to Council)

That the Corporate Plan be adopted, subject to page 25 – Commercial Ambition Section – of the Plan being amended to read ‘bring in commercial contributions worth £15m by 2020’, not 2019, to reflect the fact that this related to the end of the 2019/20 financial year.

RESOLVED:  That

(1)          the annual update to the three year Corporate Plan (Harrow Ambition Plan) be noted;

(2)          the Leader of the Council be authorised to make any minor amendments to the Corporate Plan 2016-19 as necessary prior to the matter going to Council.

Reason: for Decision:  To update the Council’s Policy Framework and set out the Council’s direction of travel for the next two years.

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 is reserved to Council.]

Report of the Director of Finance.

Having noted the tabled comments from the Employees’ Consultative Forum, it was

Resolved to RECOMMEND:  (to Council)

That

(1)          whilst being mindful of the results of the various consultations and equality impact assessments, the 2017/18 budget be approved to enable the Council Tax for 2017/18 to be set, Appendix 2 to the report refers;

(2)          the Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) at Appendix 2 to the report be approved;

(3)          the 2017/18 Schools’ Budget as set out in Appendix 6 to the report be approved;

(4)          the 2017/18 Members’ Allowance Scheme at Appendix 12 to the report be approved;

(5)          the 2017/18 Annual Pay Policy Statement at Appendix 13 to the report be approved;

(6)          the Capital Receipts Flexibility Strategy at Appendix 15 to the report be approved.

RESOLVED:  That

(1)          the current savings of £8.043m in 2018/19be developed and the remaining budget gap of £8.998m for 2019/20, table 4 of the report refers, be noted;

(2)          the intention to increase Council Tax by 1.99% in 2017/18, paragraph 1.18 of the report refers, be noted;

(3)          the intention to increase Council Tax by 3% in 2017/18 in respect of the Adult Social Care Precept, paragraph 1.18 of the report refers, be noted;

(4)          the 2017/18 Public Health Budget, as set out in Appendix 7 to the report, be noted; 

(5)          the sum of the Better Care Funding to be received by the Council in 2017/18, paragraph 1.42 of the report refers, be noted;

(6)          the comments from the various stakeholder meetings, appendix 14 to the report refers, including those from the Employees’ Consultative Forum tabled at the meeting, be noted;

(7)          the Director of Finance, following consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Finance and Commercialisation, be authorised to update the 2017/18 Budget after the final Local Government Settlement was announced if changes were required, paragraph 1.29 of the report refers.

Reason for Decision:  To ensure that the Council set a balanced budget for 2017/18.

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 to the decision reserved to Council and where the decision is noted.]

Joint report of the Director of Finance and Corporate Director of Community.

Resolved to RECOMMEND:  (to Council)

That

(1)          the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Budget for 2017-18 be approved;

(2)          the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Capital Programme, as detailed at Appendix 7 to the report, be approved.

RESOLVED:  That

(1)          the Medium Term Financial Strategy for the HRA,  as attached in Appendix 1 to the report, be approved;

(2)          the proposed average rent of £112.99 per week for 2017-18, representing a decrease of 1% in average rent from the 2016-17 figure in line with the Welfare Reform and Work Act 2016 be approved;

(3)          an average tenant service charge of  £3.01 per week, an increase of 2%, as set out in Appendix 2 to the report, be approved;

(4)          that garage and car parking rents/charges be frozen for a further year pending finalisation of a usage and differential charging policy, Appendix 3 to the report refers;

(5)          an increase in energy (heating) charges of 4% from 1 April 2017, as detailed in Appendix 4 to the report, be approved;

(6)          an increase in annual water charges of 4%, as detailed in Appendix 5 to the report, be approved;

(7)          increases in Community Centre hire charges of 4%, as set out in Appendix 6 to the report, be approved;

(8)          the three year Capital Programme, set out in Appendix 7 to the report, be approved.

Reason for Decision:  To recommend the HRA budget for 2017-18 and MTFS.

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 to the decision reserved to Council and where the decision is noted.]

Report of the Director of Finance.

Resolved to RECOMMEND:  (to Council)

That the Capital Programme, as detailed in Appendix 1 to the report, be approved.

Reason for Decision:  To enable the Council to have an approved Capital Programme for the period 2017/18 to 2019/20.

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 Director of Finance.

Resolved to RECOMMEND:   (to Council)

That the Treasury Management Strategy (TMS) Statement for 2017/18 be approved, including the:

·                     Prudential Indicators for 2017/18;

·                     Minimum Revenue Provision Policy Statement for 2017/18;

·                     Annual Investment Strategy for 2017/18;

·                     Increase in investments held over 364 days, paragraph 83 of the report refers.

Reasonfor Decision:  To promote effective financial management and comply with the Local Authorities (Capital Finance and Accounting) Regulations 2003 and other relevant guidance.

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 Divisional Director of Housing.

RESOLVED:  That

(1)          the officers be authorised to undertake a procurement process to establish two contractor frameworks to deliver and maintain adaptations for disabled people and provide the Handyperson Service; the annual value of both frameworks to be £3,000,000, a total of £12,000,000 if the option to extend to 4 years was taken up;

(2)          the Corporate Director of Community, following consultation with the Portfolio Holders for Housing and Employment and Finance and Commercialisation, be authorised to appoint contractors to the framework and to call-off and arrange the execution of contracts with the successful tenderers.

Reason for Decision:  To comply with the Council’s Contract Procedure Rules and 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 Director of Adult Social Services.

RESOLVED:  That the Corporate Director of People, following consultation with the Portfolio Holders for Finance and Commercialisation and Adults and Older People, be authorised to award the Community Equipment Services contract from a framework agreement.

Reason for Decision:  The existing contract was due to expire on 31 March 2017.  To adhere to the requirements set out in the Council’s Constitution.

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

(1)          the Community School Admission Arrangements for the academic year 2018/19 be determined as set out in appendix 1 to the report;

(2)          the Corporate Director of People be authorised to determine further admission arrangements where the admission arrangements were not being changed or consulted upon.

Reason for Decision:  There was a statutory requirement under the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 for admission authorities to determine admission arrangements by 28 February in the determination year (i.e. by 28 February 2017).

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 outcomes of the Funding Formula consultation be noted and the Funding Formula set out in table 2 to the report be approved.

Reason for Decision:  To enable the Local Authority to fulfil its statutory duty to secure sufficient and affordable childcare.  To maximise funding for early years providers. To effectively target additional funding to those children who needed it.

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

(1)          a Preferred Providers Framework Agreement via a Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) for Adult Learning with an estimated annual value of £400,000 be approved;

(2)          the Chief Executive, following  consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Community, Culture and Resident Engagement, be authorised to award the DPS Contract to ensure that the tendering process was undertaken without delay and that new services were commissioned with a view to commencing the service in May 2017;

(3)          the Chief Executive. following consultation with the Portfolio Holder for  Community, Culture and Resident Engagement, be authorised to make annual contract awards to providers under the DPS during its lifetime  provided that the total value of contract awards did not exceed the overall DPS value.

Reason for Decision:   To revise the framework and commissioning process for 2017-18 onwards to enable the Service to respond flexibly to local needs and target Adult Education Budget (AEB) funding to achieve the aims and objectives set out in Harrow’s Adult Learning Strategy 2016 -18.

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, subject to the Council agreeing the draft budget for 2017/18,

(1)          the People Services Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) Implementation Plan be noted;

(2)          the proposal to reduce funding for the Virtual School, as set out in paragraph 3 to the report, be approved;

(3)          the reduction of funding to the Harrow Safeguarding Children’s Board (HSCB), as set out in paragraph 10 of the report, be agreed;

(4)          the implications of the proposed savings in relation to other additional savings for Children’s Services be noted;

(5)          the Corporate Director of People, followingconsultation with Portfolio Holder for Adults and Older People, be authorised to pursue a bid as part of the North West London Sustainability and Transformation Plan and, if unsuccessful, to undertake further work to explore options for the future operation of Milmans;

(6)          the reduction of funding to Vaughan Neighbourhood Resource Centre be agreed and the Corporate Director of People,following consultation with Portfolio Holder for Adults and Older People, be authorised to implement the proposal, including the undertaking of any necessary consultation and reviewing the equality and other implications of the proposal;

(7)          the change of provision at 7 Kenton Road to supported living accommodation be agreed;

(8)          the reduction of the Safeguarding Quality Assurance function, as set out in paragraph 42 of the report, be agreed;

(9)          the reduction of the Occupational Therapy function, as set out in paragraph 51 of the report, be agreed; 

(10)       the implications of the other proposed savings in Adults’ Services be noted;

(11)       the Tobacco Control and Smoking Cessation Programme in Public Health be ended;

(12)       health improvement projects for workplace health, long term conditions, mental health and oral health be ceased.

(13)       the implications of the other proposed savings in Public Health be noted.

Reason for Decision:  To ensure the efficient and sustainable delivery of statutory services to the communities of Harrow.

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 3 2016/17 be noted;

(2)          the write-offs of bad debt within the Community Directorate and Housing Revenue Account (HRA), as outlined in paragraphs 2.24 and 2.31 of the report, be approved;

(3)          the proposed reduction to the 2016/17 Capital Programme, as outlined in paragraphs 3.21 and 3.22 of the report, be noted;

(4)          in respect of the School Expansion Programme 1 and 2,the Corporate Director of People, following consultation with the Leader of the Council, Portfolio Holder for Finance and Commercialisation and the Director of Finance (section 151 officer), be authorised to settle the final accounts with the contractor including to affect any virements required as a result of the decision, as set out in paragraphs 3.38 and 3.39 of the report;

(5)          the capital additions, as set out in paragraph 3.45 of the report, be approved.

Reason for Decision:  To report the 2016/17 forecast financial position as at 31 December 2016 and to seek approval for budget adjustments in accordance with 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 progress of the service to date be noted and the  continued commercialisation of the Helpline Service be approved.

Reason for Decision:  To further improve the commercialisation of the Helpline Service to enhance the service offering and improve revenues.

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.