Agenda and minutes

Received from Councillor Antonio Weiss, Non-Executive Cabinet Member.

RESOLVED:  To note that the following interests were declared:

Agenda Item 8 – Response to the Scrutiny Review on Dementia Friendly Housing

Councillors Chris Mote and Janet Mote, who were not members of Cabinet, declared non-pecuniary interests in that a member of their family suffered from dementia.  They would remain in the room to listen to the discussion relating to this item.

Agenda Item 9 – Green Gyms – Reference from Performance and Finance Scrutiny Sub-Committee

Councillor Phillip O’Dell, a member of Cabinet, declared a non-pecuniary interest in that he had been a member of the Performance and Finance Scrutiny Sub-Committee where this matter had been considered.  He would remain in the room whilst the matter was considered and voted upon.

Agenda Items 14 and 18 – Youth Justice Plan (2018-19) and Community Safety, Violence, Vulnerability and Exploitation Strategy – Annual Refresh

Councillor Jean Lammiman, who was not a member of Cabinet, declared non-pecuniary interests in that she was Chairman of Shaftesbury School Board of Governors.  She would remain in the room to listen to the discussion relating to these items.

Agenda Item 20a – Redevelopment of the Central Depot

Councillor Sue Anderson, a member of Cabinet, declared a non-pecuniary interest in that her husband who was Chair of Overview and Scrutiny Committee had agreed the inclusion of the item on the Cabinet agenda.  She would remain in the room whilst the matter was considered and voted upon.

To receive any public questions received in accordance with paragraph 16 of the Executive Procedure Rules.

Questions will be asked in the order in which they were received.  There will be a time limit of 15 minutes for the asking and answering of public questions.

[The deadline for receipt of public questions is 3.00 pm, Monday 9 July 2018.  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.  Public Questioner 4 who was not present at the meeting would be sent a written response.

RESOLVED:  That

(1)          the Key Decision Schedule (KDS) be noted;

(2)          it be noted that the item on ‘Leasing Policy for Sports Club’ listed on the July KDS had been deferred;

(3)               it be noted that the Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee had agreed that a Key Decision item relating to the ‘Redevelopment of the Central Depot’ be added to the agenda for the reasons set out in Public Notice 2 published with the supplemental agenda.

For consideration.

RESOLVED:  That the report be noted.

Report of the Corporate Director of Community.

Having considered the confidential appendix, it was

Resolved to RECOMMEND:  to Council

That the Capital Programme for 2018/19 be increased by the indicative capital cost, as set out in the exempt appendix to the report, in order to make provision for an option to purchase vehicles under the current tender exercise for the procurement of the Supply and Maintenance of Vehicles, to give officers the flexibility to purchase, should that be the most economically advantageous option resulting from the procurement exercise.

RESOLVED:  That the Corporate Director of Community, following consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Environment, Director of Finance and Portfolio Holder for Finance and Resources, be authorised to make a decision on the finalisation of the options based on the results of the procurement exercise and affordability.

Reason for Recommendation:  To fulfil financial regulations that required Cabinet to make adjustments to the Council’s Capital Programme and to give officers the flexibility to purchase, should that be the most economically advantageous option resulting from the procurement exercise.  To meet the requirements set out in the Council’s Constitution in relation to further approvals to the previously agreed Capital Programme.

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 Recommendation as the decision is reserved to Council.]

Report of the Interim Divisional Director of Children and Young People.

Having received a tabled reference from the Overview and Scrutiny Committee as the Committee had only met a couple of days prior to this Cabinet meeting, it was

Resolved to RECOMMEND:  to Council

That the Youth Justice Plan 2018-19 be endorsed and adopted.

RESOLVED:  That

(1)          the Portfolio Holder for Young People and Schools be authorised to make minor amendments to the draft report, in conjunction with the Youth Offending Partnership, for presentation to the full Council meeting on 19 July 2018;

(2)          the reference from the Overview and Scrutiny Committee be noted.

Reason for Recommendation:  To comply with the requirements of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 and put in place a Youth Justice Plan to address the needs of young people and the wider community.

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 to the Recommendation as the decision is reserved to Council.]

Report of the Divisional Director of Strategic Commissioning.

Having considered the reference from the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, it was

Resolved to RECOMMEND:  to Council

That the Community Safety, Violence, Vulnerability and Exploitation Strategy 2018-2020 be endorsed and adopted.

RESOLVED:  That

(1)          the Portfolio Holder for Community Cohesion and Crime be authorised to make minor amendments to the draft report, in conjunction with Harrow Community Safety Partnership, Safer Harrow, for presentation to the full Council meeting on 19 July 2018;

(2)          the reference from the Overview and Scrutiny Committee be noted.

Reason for Decision:  To endorse the Safer Harrow Partnership’s Community Safety Violence, Vulnerability and Exploitation Strategy 2018?2020 and adopt it as Harrow Council’s Community Safety Plan. 

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 to the Recommendation as the decision is reserved to Council.]

Report of the Corporate Director of Community.

Having accepted the reasons for lateness and urgency as set out on the supplemental agenda and following consideration of the confidential appendix, it was

Resolved to RECOMMEND:  to Council

That the increase in the Capital Programme, as set out in the exempt appendix 1 to the report, be agreed.

RESOLVED:  That the Corporate Director of Community, following consultation with the Portfolio Holders for Environment and Regeneration, Planning and Employment, be authorised to finalise the associated amendments to the project.

Reason for Decision:  To adhere to the requirements of the Financial Regulations (2014) in that the Council was required to approve changes to the Capital Programme.  To adhere to the requirements of the Council’s 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 to the Recommendation as the decision is reserved to Council. Call-in does not apply to the Resolution as a waiver of Call-in has been obtained from the Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee in that the timing of the decision was urgent as the final contract award needed to take place by 25 July 2018.]

Joint report of the Divisional Director of Housing Services and Interim Director of Adult Social Care.

Cabinet noted the following amendment to the financial implications set out in the published report:

“There were no financial implications at this stage arising from the review.  Any future cost implications would need to be contained within the existing budgetary provision or be assessed as part of the Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) and the annual budget setting process.”

Having received representations from the Vice-Chair of the Scrutiny Review Group in accordance with the Cabinet/Scrutiny Protocol, and another Member of the Review Group, it was

RESOLVED:  That

(1)          the recommendations of the Scrutiny Review on Dementia Friendly Housing be noted;

(2)          the revised financial implications, set out in the preamble above, be noted;

(3)          the proposed actions in response to the recommendations as set out in this report be agreed.

Reason for Decision:  The recommendations and responses were based on the outcome of the Scrutiny Review.

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 actions taken and the programme to meet the scrutiny recommendations be noted.

Reason for Decision:  To consolidate the recommendations from the 2016 review and 2017 monitoring and provide results of the implementation of the carried motion.

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 was noted.]

Report of the Corporate Director of Community.

RESOLVED:  That

(1)          a virtual permit system as part of the re?procurement of the Cashless Parking contract be agreed;

(2)          the Corporate Director of Community, following consultation with the Portfolio Holders for Environment and Finance and Resources, be authorised to finalise the proposals, the procurement of the third party contractor to deliver the system, the required consultation and the subsequent amendment of existing Traffic Management Orders to allow the introduction of the system.

Reason for Decision:  To fulfil the Council’s duties under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 to manage the use of highways for movement and parking.

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 noted a minor amendment to recommendation 2, it was

RESOLVED:  That

(1)          approval be granted to procure and select the provider(s) for Arboriculture Services;

(2)          the Corporate Director of Community, following consultation with the Portfolio Holder Environment and the Portfolio Holder for Finance and Resources, be authorised to finalise the procurement exercise and award the contract(s).

Reason for Decision:  To ensure the Council fulfils its statutory responsibilities to maintain its Arboriculture Assets.

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 appendix, it was

RESOLVED:  That

(1)          approval be granted for the redevelopment proposals set out in the report; 

(2)          the Corporate Director of Community, following consultation with the Portfolio Holders for Environment, Housing,  Regeneration, Planning and Employment, be authorised to finalise the proposals set out in the report, including specifically:

(a)          award a contract, in accordance with applicable procurement legislation, to a provider to undertake the required redevelopment works at Vernon Lodge and Atkins House, subject to planning permission having been obtained;

(b)          take advice as to which Council owned vehicle was the most fiscally appropriate for the subsequent asset management of Vernon Lodge and Atkins House;

(c)          grant leases, including leases at less than best consideration, to an appropriate Council owned vehicle for the proper asset management of Vernon Lodge and Atkins House.

Reason for Decision:  To ensure that the Council fulfilled its statutory responsibilities under the Homelessness Act 1996 and to maximise the use of its property assets.

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 Interim Divisional Director of Children and Young People.

RESOLVED:  That the report be endorsed and noted.

Reason for Decision:  The inspection framework involved the leadership of Councillors and senior managers in terms of safeguarding children and corporate parenting and it was important that the self-assessment and plan were owned by the whole Council.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected:  None.

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

Report of the Interim Corporate Director of People.

RESOLVED:  That

(1)          the update on the implementation of the School Expansion Programme and the School Roll Projections 2018-2031 Report be noted;

(2)          the changes in the overall school organisation landscape be noted;

(3)          the Corporate Director of People, following consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Young People and Schools, and consideration of  consultation responses be authorised to publish the statutory notices that would affect the amalgamation of two schools in accordance with Harrow Council’s Amalgamation Policy;

(4)          the Corporate Director of People, following consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Young People and Schools, be authorised to determine the notices that would affect the amalgamation of two schools in accordance with Harrow Council’s Amalgamation Policy.

Reason for Decision:  To enable the Local Authority to fulfil its statutory duties to provide sufficient school places in its area.

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 forecast positions, set out at paragraphs 1.1 to 1.2 to the report, be noted;

(2)          the progress on achieving the 2018/19 savings, set out at paragraph 1.3 to the report, be noted; 

(3)          the proposed addition to the Capital Programme, set out at paragraph 4.1 to the report, be approved.

Reason for Decision:  To be availed of the 2018/19 forecast financial position as at 31 May 2018 and the progress in achieving the 2018/19 MTFS savings agreed by Cabinet in February 2018.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected:  None.

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

Report of the Divisional Director of Strategic Commissioning.

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 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 is noted.]

Appendix to the report of the Corporate Director of Community.

See Minute 25.

Appendix to the report of the Corporate Director of Community.

See Minute 33.

Appendix 1 to the report of the Corporate Director of Community.

See Minute 28.