Agenda and minutes

Prior to the consideration of item 5 – Councillor Questions – Councillor Sachin Shah, Leader of the Council, welcomed Councillor Paul Osborn to his first Cabinet meeting as the new Leader of the Conservative Group.  The Leader congratulated Paul on his appointment and and looked forward to working with him.

Prior to the consideration of agenda item 8 – Use of Retained Right to Buy Receipts – the Leader welcomed Nick Powell, Divisional Director of Housing, to his first Cabinet meeting.

Received from Councillor Glen Hearnden, Portfolio Holder for Housing and Employment.

RESOLVED:  To note that the following interests were declared:

Agenda Item 12 – Future Delivery of Arts and Heritage Services: Update

Councillor Sue Anderson, a member of Cabinet, declared a non-pecuniary interest in that she was a Director of Cultura London although she had no powers as the company was dormant.  Prior to the consideration of the item, Councillor Sue Anderson also declared a non-pecuniary interest in that she was a member of Friends of Harrow Museum (at Headstone Manor).  She would remain in the room whilst the matter was considered and voted upon.

Councillor Niraj Dattani, who was not a member of Cabinet, declared a non-pecuniary interest in that he worked for a company that had written the ‘platform’ used for the Arts Centre fund raising campaign.  He would remain in the room to listen to the discussion and decision making relating to the item.

Councillor John Hinkley, who was not a member of Cabinet, declared a non-pecuniary interest in that Harrow Arts Centre was based in Hatch End Ward which he represented.  He would remain in the room to listen to the discussion and decision making relating to the item.

Councillor Jean Lammiman, who was not a member of Cabinet, declared a non-pecuniary interest in that Harrow Arts Centre was based in Hatch End Ward which she represented.  She would remain in the room to listen to the discussion and decision making relating to the item.

Prior to the consideration of the item, Councillors Chris and Janet Mote, who were not members of Cabinet, declared non-pecuniary interests in that they were members of Friends of Harrow Museum (at Headstone Manor).  They would remain in the room to listen to the discussion and decision making relating to the item.

Agenda Item 15 – Building a Better Harrow – Autumn 2017 Report

Councillor Paul Osborn, who was not a member of Cabinet, declared a non-pecuniary interest in relation to Vaughan Road car park.  He would remain in the room to listen to the discussion and decision making relating to the item.

Councillor Norman Stevenson, who was not a member of Cabinet, declared a non-pecuniary interest in relation to the car park at Waxwell Lane.  He would remain in the room to listen to the discussion and decision making relating to the item.

Agenda Item 18 – Strategic Performance Report – Quarter 1, 2017/18

Prior to the consideration of the item, Councillor Sue Anderson, a member of Cabinet, declared a non-pecuniary interest in that she was a member of Harrow Health Walks.  She would remain in the room whilst the matter was considered and voted upon.

General

Prior to the conclusion of the meeting, Councillor Jean Lammiman, who was not a member of Cabinet, declared a non-pecuniary interest in that she was Vice?Chair of Heath Robinson Memorial Trust.

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 11 September 2017. 

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

No person may submit more than one question].

Public and Councillor questions taken 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 Divisional Director of Housing.

Resolved to RECOMMEND:  (to Council)

That Council be recommended to approve the addition of the £5m capital budget to the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Capital Programme in 2017?18.

RESOLVED:  That, subject to Council approval

(1)          the Divisional Director of Housing, following consultation with the Portfolio Holders for Housing and Employment and Finance and Commercialisation, be authorised to use retained Right to Buy Receipts to support Registered Providers (RPs) bringing forward social housing schemes to which the Council would have 100% nomination rights, subject to the RPs entering into a grant agreement with the Council;

(2)          for the purposes of resolution (1) above, a capital budget of £5m be created within the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Homes for Harrow programme, which would be fully funded from retained HRA Right to Buy capital receipts with no impact on General Fund or HRA revenue resources.

Reason for Decision:  To increase the supply of affordable housing for households in priority housing need.  In order to comply with the Budget and Policy Framework Rules set out in the Constitution and 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.

[Note: Call-in does not apply to the recommendation reserved to Council.]

Report of the Divisional Director of Housing.

RESOLVED:  That

(1)          officers be authorised to undertake a procurement process for a contractor to deliver a variety of Security, Health and Safety (H&S) Compliance and Common Parts Works, including Fire Safety Works as part of general improvements to the safety of Harrow Council’s housing stock, funded entirely from Housing Revenue Account (HRA) capital resources in financial year 2018-19;

(2)          the Divisional Director of Housing, following consultation with the Portfolio Holders for Housing and Employment and Finance and Commercialisation, be authorised to award and arrange the execution of a contract with the successful tenderer.

Reason for Decision:  To ensure delivery of H&S Compliance and Common Parts Works for Council’s housing stock.  In order to comply with the Council’s Contract  Procedure Rules.

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 Environment and Culture.

RESOLVED:  That

(1)          the outcome of the consultation undertaken be noted;

(2)          the Integrated Enforcement Policy be approved and adopted with immediate effect;

(3)          the Corporate Director of Community or, in his/her absence, the Divisional Director of Environment and Culture, following consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Environment, be authorised to make amendments to the Integrate Enforcement Policy.

Reason for Decision:  To make appropriate amendments to the draft Integrated Enforcement Policy in order to capture the views of residents and businesses.

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 Commissioning and Commercial Services.

RESOLVED:  That

(1)          the revised Vehicle Crossing Policy be adopted;

(2)          the Divisional Director of Commissioning and Commercial Services, following consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Environment, be authorised to take the necessary steps to implement the Policy and to make amendments, for example, to take account of changes in legislation and guidance.

Reason for Decision:  To fulfil Highway Authority responsibilities in relation to vehicle crossings.

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 Environment and Culture.

RESOLVED:  That

(1)          the final outcome on the proposed transfer of arts and heritage services to Cultura London, as outlined in the Cabinet report and appendices of January 2016 (Future Delivery of Arts and Heritage Services) and the Cabinet report and appendices of December 2016 (Future Delivery of Arts and Heritage Services:  Update and approval of lease length) be noted;

(2)          the initial work by officers on the development of a draft Harrow Cultural Strategy to inform the future delivery of Cultural Services be noted;

(3)          the Divisional Director of Environment and Culture, following consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Community, Culture and Resident Engagement, the Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Business, Planning and Regeneration, and the Divisional Director of Regeneration and Planning, be authorised to develop an options appraisal for the Harrow Arts Centre site whilst noting that the funding for the feasibility study had yet to be identified and the funding source needed to be cleared with the Director of Finance prior to the commencement of the feasibility study.

Reason for Decision:  To be availed of the cessation of the proposed transfer of arts and heritage services to Cultura London, initial work on the development of a draft Cultural Strategy, and the proposed development of an options appraisal for the Harrow Arts Centre to enable a sustainable arts and culture provision.

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)          the outcomes from the inclusion of social value requirement in procurements during 2016/17 be noted;

(2)          the work to maximise the benefits of social value by:

(i)            exploring ways to embed the London Living Wage in our procurement process;

(ii)          evaluating track record in delivering social value as part of the procurement process;

(iii)         including appropriate financial provisions in contracts for non-delivery of social value targets;

(iv)         addressing poor performance in the delivery of social value targets as part of performance and contract management

be endorsed.

Reason for Decision:  The implementation of the Social Value policy had been a key tool in delivering the ambition to support 500 young people into jobs and apprenticeships and to ensure residents and local businesses benefited from the Council’s procurement of goods and services.  However, not all suppliers fully met those targets and the introduction of measures to commission contractors with a good track record of delivering social value, and to incentivise contractual performance would maximise the economic and social impact of the Council’s spend. 

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 Public Health.

Having received representations from Members of the Scrutiny Review Group in line with the Cabinet/Scrutiny Protocol, it was

RESOLVED: 

(1)          the variation and extension of the novated contract for the Health Visiting Service with London North West Healthcare NHS Trust to run until 30 June 2018 be noted;

(2)          the delegated authority agreed at Cabinet in November 2016 be amendedto allow the Director of Public Health to approve the procurement of a new Health Visiting Service to be implemented by 1 July 2018, the delegated authority to be exercised following consultation with the Portfolio Holders for Health, Equality and Community Safety, Children, Young People and Schools and Finance and Commercialisation, along with Corporate Director for People and Director of Finance;

(3)          the option to let the contract for 0-19 services for up to a total of seven years, including all extension options, be approved;

(4)          the responses to the recommendations of the Scrutiny Review of the Health Visiting Service be noted;

(5)          the proposed changes to the service delivery model for the new 0-19 Health Visiting and School Nursing Service, as set out at Section C of the report, be noted;

(6)          the possibilities to offset some of the expected increased service level demand due to projected increased 0-19 population and new statutory requirements through capital investment that had the potential for releasing service capacity and reducing the ongoing revenue cost of the contractual service be noted and it be also noted that some of the potential areas for capital investment were set out at Section D of the report.

Reason for Decision:  The procurement process for the new 0-19 Health Visiting and School Nursing Service had to be pushed back to allow sufficient time for the development of the specification and consultation as well as the procurement process and mobilisation of the new service.  It was not possible to complete the process described above by 31 December 2017 as per the original request to Cabinet in November 2016.

To respond to the recommendations of the Scrutiny Review.

Whilst it was not proposed to reduce the budget for the 0-19 Health Visiting and School Nursing Service there were a number of financial pressures that were expected over the lifetime of the seven year contract, particularly the statutory requirement to offer vision screening which was not being delivered by the current provider – as well as the projected increases in the 0?19 population.  The needs analysis/refresh of the Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA) that had been carried out for this tender set out that the Office for National Statistics (ONS) was predicting an increase in Harrow’s 0?19 population to 67,000 by 2021 and 69,000 by 2026.  A number of areas had been identified in the current services where resources could be released if there was capital investment in IT solutions.

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.

Having also considered the confidential appendices 2 and 3 of the report, it was

RESOLVED:  That

(1)          the progress update on the Regeneration Programme, Section 3 of the report refers, be noted;

(2)          the commencement of procurement for one or more delivery partners for the Poets Corner, Byron Quarter, New Civic Centre and Greenhill Way be approved and the Chief Executive, following consultation with the Director of Finance and the Director of Legal and Governance and the Portfolio Holders for Business, Planning and Regeneration, Finance and Commercialisation, Housing and Employment, and Performance, Corporate Resources and Customer Service, be authorised to agree the detailed procurement requirements and to thereafter conduct the procurement exercise, the final appointment of any delivery partner being subject to further Cabinet approval, once the detail of the partnership arrangement had been established through the procurement process;

(3)          the progress of the Regeneration Finance review be noted;

(4)          the progression of design of the recommended option for Waxwell Lane to detailed planning submission, as set out in the confidential Appendix 2 to the report, be agreed;

(5)          the Chief Executive,  following consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Business, Planning and Regeneration, the Director of Finance and the Director of Legal and Governance, be authorised to undertake the land transactions as set out in the confidential Appendix 3 to the report;

(6)          the procurement of a contractor on a single-stage basis for the construction of the Haslam House project be commenced and the Chief Executive be authorised to enter into a contract, following consultation with the Portfolio Holders for Business, Planning and Regeneration, Community, Culture and Resident Engagement and Finance and Major Contracts.

Reason for Decision:  To continue to deliver the Regeneration Strategy approved at Cabinet in December 2014, September 2015 and May 2016.

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

(1)          for the years 2017/18 to 2021/22 the discretionary “Re?valuation Relief Scheme” for small businesses be adopted, including the government’s guidance and scheme on “Supporting Small Businesses Relief”, and for 2017/18 only, the government’s scheme and guidance on supporting qualifying Public Houses;

(2)          the Corporate Director of Resources and Commercial exercise discretion under s47 of the Local Government Finance Act 1988, (as amended) (hereinafter “LGFA”) in order to operate the schemes in resolution (1) above;

(3)          the Corporate Director of Resources and Commercial, following consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Finance and Commercialisation, amend the scheme percentages annually in order to align scheme awards to central government funding allocated.

Reason for Decision:  To ensure that small business ratepayers received the maximum amount of centrally funded relief that could be claimed from the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG).  To support the local economy.

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.

Having also considered confidential appendix 5, it was

RESOLVED:  That

(1)          the revenue forecast position detailed in the report as at Quarter 1 2017/18 be noted;

(2)          the proposed additions to the Capital Programme, as outlined in paragraphs 3.26 to 3.30 of the report, be approved;

(3)          the proposed reduction to the Capital Programme, as outlined in paragraph 3.31 of the report, be approved;

(4)          the proposed virementto the Capital Programme, as outlined in paragraph 3.32 of the report, be approved;

(5)          the Quarter 1 performance report from Concilium Business Service as specified in the confidential Appendix 5 to the report, be noted.

Reason for Decision:  To be availed of the 2017/18 forecast financial position as at 30 June 2017 and approve the Capital Programme adjustments in accordance with Financial Regulations.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected:  None.

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 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 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 was noted.]

Cabinet recorded their thanks to Bernie Flaherty, Director of Adult Social Services, for her services to the Council and wished her well in her new post.