Agenda and minutes

Received from Councillor Christine Robson.

RESOLVED:  There were no declarations of interest.

(1)       Petition - College Hill Road: Housing Scheme for Vulnerable People

Councillor Pritesh Patel presented a petition signed by 112 residents of College Hill Road, College Road and Whisperwood Close, with the following request:

We, the undersigned, are concerned citizens who urge Harrow Council to act now to prevent the change of use of two properties in College Hill Road as a multi-tenanted housing schemes for vulnerable people. 

RESOLVED:  That the petition be received and referred to the Corporate Director of Community for a response.

(2)          Petition – Latimer Gardens: Felling of Street Trees, Bollards on Verges, Pavement Repairs

Councillor Norman Stevenson presented a petition signed by 24 residents of Latimer Gardens, Pinner with the following request:

We, the undersigned, are residents living in Latimer Gardens, Pinner.  This is part of a Conservation Area and we feel it has been neglected in recent years by the Council.  We are expected to maintain our homes to an agreed standard whilst other aspects of our street deteriorates.

i.       Recently, very attractive street trees were felled without us being notified.  In our opinion, these trees were in good condition, so please let us know why this happened.  We would also ask for an immediate cessation of felling in the road until residents are consulted. 

ii.      Our grass verges are often used for parking and residents have placed temporary bollards to try to prevent this.  To solve this problem and improve the area, we would like the Council to consult us about a solution to this such as installing attractive wooden posts to fit with the Conservation Area. 

iii.     The pavements and footpaths are in a poor state of repair and require urgent attention before an accident happens.

We would like Harrow Council to address these matters and communicate with us to agree solutions.

RESOLVED:  That the petition be received and referred to the Corporate Director of Community for a response.

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

8 October 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.

RESOLVED:  That the Key Decision Schedule be noted.

RESOLVED:  That the Scrutiny Progress report be noted.

Report of the Corporate Director, Community

RESOLVED:  That

(1)          approval be granted to procure and select the contractor(s) for the upgrading and maintenance of the Borough’s CCTV infrastructure;

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

Reason for Decision:  To ensure that the Council fulfilled its responsibilities for enforcement and community safety activities.

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, Community

RESOLVED:  That the following principles be agreed:

(1)          a review of the service charging framework be undertaken to ensure the charging is fair, reasonable and transparent and achieves full recovery of the cost for the services provided;

(2)          the findings of the review be considered when agreeing tenant service charges for 2019/20, and to reflect the outcome of the review within the recommendations to Cabinet in the December 2018 Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Budget 2019/20 and Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) reports;

(3)          to review the service charging framework annually in line with the annual MTFS process.

Reason for Decision:  To ensure the cost of HRA services were fully recovered by charging tenants on an equitable and reasonable basis for services provided.  The Council should look to recover it costs in respect of discretionary services and these services must therefore be accurately charged for.  It was illegal for the HRA to fall into deficit therefore any discretionary services provided needed to be fully recoverable.

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, Community

RESOLVED:  That

(1)          the minimum sale price detailed in the confidential Appendix 2 of this report be noted;

(2)          the Corporate Director of Community, following consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Regeneration, Planning and Employment be authorised to take all appropriate action to complete the disposal at the price reported in Appendix 2 of this report and on appropriate contractual terms.

Reason for Decision:  The release of this land would form part of a larger site disposal which would facilitate a significant residential development comprising 100% Affordable Housing.

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 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 because Transport for London (TfL) required a clear commitment from Cabinet regarding the transaction prior to 18^th October 2018 in order to meet their procurement timetable].

Report of the Interim Corporate Director, People

RESOLVED:  That

(1)          consultation on the proposals to reduce the Published Admission Numbers (PANs) as part of the Admission Arrangements for 2020 for Cedars Manor School, Weald Rise Primary School and Welldon Park Primary School, be agreed;

(2)          the Corporate Director, People (Interim), following consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Young People and Schools, be authorised to consider formal representations and consultation responses and to decide whether to reduce the PANs of the schools named in (1) above;

(3)          the Corporate Director, Community, following consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Regeneration, Planning and Employment, be authorised to grant:

(i)            suitable leases for Welldon Park Infant School and Welldon Park Junior School in respect of the academy transfer to permit, if agreed, the consolidation of the school on the junior school site and the subsequent recovery of the infant school site by the Council to deliver a special school on the site;

(ii)          a suitable lease for Priestmead Primary School to permit the Council to continue to lease the old school building to Salvatorian College for the period of redevelopment of Salvatorian College and additionally the continued occupation of the Scout Group.

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.

Appendix 2 to the Report of the Corporate Director of Community at item 10 above.

See Minute 64.