Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence had been received from John Higgins and Councillors Keith Ferry, Phillip O’Dell and Christine Robson.

RESOLVED:  To note that the following interests were declared:

Agenda Item 8 – Disposal of Vaughan Road Car Park

During the course of the meeting, Councillor Adam Swersky declared a non-pecuniary interest in that the car park was in his ward.  He would remain in the room whilst the matter was considered and voted upon.

Agenda Item 14 – London’s Blueprint for a whole systems approach to women in contact with Criminal Justice System

During the course of the meeting, Councillor Marilyn Ashton declared a non-pecuniary interest in that she was a Magistrate.  She would remain in the room whilst the matter was considered and voted upon.

The following petitions had been received:

The Seven Balls Public House, Kenton Lane

Councillor Stephen Greek presented a petition from residents containing 21 signatures with the following terms of reference:-

‘We the undersigned object to the noise nuisance and other nuisance taking place every evening well into the night caused by the Seven Balls public house Kenton Lane Harrow, since its re-opening in July 2019, following its refurbishment and change of use earlier this year.

This is a residential neighbourhood, and despite direct requests to the management of the Seven Balls, in consideration of its neighbours, the nuisance continues unabated.

We request Harrow Council takes note of the signatures below, and acts to prevent this continuing nuisance and disturbance to the peaceful enjoyment of our homes.’

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 9 September 2019  Questions should be sent to publicquestions@harrow.gov.uk  

No person may submit more than one question].

To note that three public questions had been received and responded to and the recording had been placed on the website.

To receive any Councillor questions received in accordance with paragraph 17 of the Executive Procedure Rules.

Questions will be asked in the order agreed with the relevant Group Leader by the deadline for submission and there be a time limit of 15 minutes.

(The deadline for receipt of Councillor questions is 3.00 pm, Monday 9 September 2019)

The Councillor Questions were responded to and the audio recording placed on the Council’s website.

RESOLVED:  To note the contents of the Key Decision Schedule for the period September to November 2019.

For consideration

RESOLVED:  To receive and note the current progress of the scrutiny reports.

Report of the Chief Executive

Resolved to RECOMMEND:  (to Council)

That the suggested adjustments in wording for the purpose of reporting against the Harrow Ambition Plan, for consideration by full Council (Appendix 1 to the officer report) be agreed.

[Call-in does not apply to the decision above as it was reserved to full Council.]

RESOLVED:  That

(1)          the changes in corporate performance reporting processes be noted;

(2)          the Corporate Scorecard measures be approved and Portfolio Holders continue to work with officers to achieve improvement against identified key challenges (Appendix 2 to the officer report refers). 

Reasons for Decision:

1.            To enable Cabinet to be informed of changes in how Members will be briefed on performance each quarter;

2.            To permit clearer reporting of progress against the Council’s priorities;

3.            To enable Cabinet to be informed of performance against key measures and to identify and assign corrective action where necessary.

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 Corporate Director, Community

RESOLVED:  That 

(1)          the disposal of Vaughan Road Car Park be approved;

(2)          the Corporate Director, Community, following consultation with the Leader and Portfolio Holder for Strategy, Partnerships, Devolution and Customer Services and the Portfolio Holder for Finance and Resources, take all action necessary to dispose of the Council’s interest in the land and properties detailed for the best consideration that could reasonably be obtained.

Reason for Decision:  This disposal would generate a capital receipt for the Council which could be used to support the budget.

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 Corporate Director, Community

Having considered the confidential appendix, Cabinet

RESOLVED:  That the appropriation of 72 Affordable homes at Sharpe House, Gayton Road, Harrow, HA1 2DP and Fielding House, Gayton Road, Harrow, HA1 2DW from the General Fund to the HRA, for the transfer value of £11,525,000 be approved.

Reason for Decision:  To enable the new affordable homes to be appropriated for housing use and accounted for in the Council’s Housing Revenue Account.

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 recommendations of the Scrutiny Review Group, as set out in their report, be noted;

(2)          the proposed actions in response to the recommendations as set out in the officer 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 Director of Strategy

RESOLVED:  That it be agreed to sign up to the vision for the London Blueprint for Women in the Criminal Justice System, subject to:

(a)          the necessary funding to enable the blueprint to effectively work in Harrow;

(b)          any legal implications for changes associated with the delivery of the Blueprint being appropriately assessed; and

(c)          any associated procurements to deliver the blueprint being undertaken fully within the Council’s Procurement Regulations.

Reason for Decision:  The London Councils Leaders’ Committee recently endorsed this initiative, so Cabinet was asked to formerly support this London wide initiative from a Harrow perspective, which aimed to improve outcomes for women within the criminal justice system

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 Corporate Director, Community

Having considered the confidential appendix, Cabinet

RESOLVED:  That the Corporate Director, Community, following consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Regeneration, Planning and Employment, take all appropriate action for the exchange and completion of the Documents.

Reason for Decision:  The Council, by entering into the Documents, would maximise the use of its property assets by generating an income for the Council and the creation of a new amenity for use by the local community.

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 extension and variation of the current contract with Drake International Limited by one year to 31 July 2020 for SNT Managed Services be approved;

(2)          the contract value be increased by £4m for the current service to continue during the extension period.

Reason for Decision:  To ensure that the Council fulfilled its statutory functions for transporting those with special needs.

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

RESOLVED:  That

(1)          the re-procurement of an Adult Substance Misuse Service be authorised;

(2)          the Director of Public Health, following consultation with the Corporate Director of People’s Service, Chief Financial Officer and the Portfolio Holders for Adults & Public Health and Finance & Resources, be authorised to award a contract for an Adult Substance Misuse Service.

Reason for Decision:  Public Health Grant Condition: 7. ‘A Local Authority must, in using the grant:

·                     have regard to the need to improve the take up of, and outcomes from, its’ drug and alcohol misuse and treatment services.

The contract in question had a value in excess of £500,000 and therefore Cabinet approval was required to re-procure the service.

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 considered the confidential appendices, Cabinet

RESOLVED:  That

(1)          the revenue and capital forecast positions set out in paragraphs 1.1 and 1.2 of the officer report be noted;

(2)          the proposed addition to the Capital Programme, as set out in paragraph 3.31 of the officer report, be approved;

(3)          the proposed realignment of the Capital Programme, as set out in paragraphs 3.32 to 3.36 of the officer report, be approved;

(4)          the proposed budget virement of the Capital Programme, as set out in paragraph 3.37 of the officer report, be approved;

(5)          the progress on the Council’s Trading Update as at Quarter 1, as detailed in Appendix 6 to the officer report, be noted;

(6)          the Sancroft Community Care Limited’s financial position as at Quarter 1, as detailed in confidential Appendix to the officer report, be noted;

(7)          the refresh of Sancroft Community Care Limited’s Business Plan (2017-2023), as detailed in confidential Appendix 8 to the officer report, be approved;

(8)          the Concillium Assets LLP’s Business Plan (2018/19 – 2027/28), as detailed in confidential Appendix 9 to the officer report, be approved.

Reason for Decision:  To report the 2019/20 forecast financial position as at Quarter 1 (30 June 2019), to update Cabinet on trading structure performance and to seek approval for Capital Programme adjustments which required Cabinet approval in accordance with 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 Director of Business Transformation and Customer Services

RESOLVED:  That

(1)          the recommended new model for the ICT service be agreed;

(2)          the Corporate Director of Resources, following consultation with the Portfolio Holder Finance and Resources, be authorised to:-

(a)    procure professional advice and support as necessary to support  the procurement and transition to the new model;

(b)    develop a procurement strategy and undertake a procurement for the provision of ICT services;

(c)    award contract(s) following the procurement process at a cost not to exceed the current financial budget;

(d)    opt to bring End User Services in house if that proved the more favourable option;

(e)    award contract(s) for critical project work (including projects to refresh end user devices, deploy Windows 10 and Office 365, upgrade telephony, and upgrade local area network and wifi) under relevant CCS frameworks at a cost not to exceed the current financial budget;

(3)          a direct contract award for the provision of Print Services to Xerox for 5 Years using CCS Framework 3781 be approved.

Reason for Decision:  The Council’s contract with Sopra Steria for the provision of ICT Services would expire on 31 October 2020 and it was necessary to re-procure ICT Services.  Sopra Steria had removed themselves from consideration, but the work done during the pre-procurement phase, in any event, was considering developing a disaggregated procurement strategy and undertaking a procurement exercise for the provision of the service as an option.

The market engagement and testing work undertaken had confirmed that:

·                     there was a market that could meet Harrow’s requirements and the nature of the disaggregated model being proposed was attractive to that market;

·                     there were interested suppliers that had both the capability and culture to provide a modern target model which would deliver Harrow aspirations;

·                     all the indications were that savings would be deliverable in the medium term;

·                     non-financial benefits were significant;

·                     projected timelines for the procurement of and transition to such a model were tight but achievable as long as recommended resource was provided;

·                     the option of in-sourcing End User Services to provide a service that was closer to users was difficult to validate given the range of Rough order of Magnitude (RoM) costs.  Therefore that option would be evaluated in detail during the procurement process;

·                     the risks and recommended mitigations (including recommendation 2e above) had been evaluated and deemed to be manageable.

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 procurement of buildings insurance for residential leaseholders be approved;

(2)          the Corporate Director of Resources, following consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Finance and Resources, be authorised to award the contract for buildings insurance for residential leaseholders.

Reason for Decision:  As freeholder, the Council was obliged to arrange buildings insurance for its residential leaseholders under the terms of the lease.  The long-term agreement (LTA) with existing insurers expired on 31 March 2020.  Therefore it was necessary to re-tender the contract on behalf of leaseholders.

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

RESOLVED:  That the Motion and the recommendation contained therein be agreed.

Following notification from the Employees’ side, it be agreed that John Royle replace Darren Butterfield on the Forum.

RESOLVED:  That John Royle replace Darren Butterfield as a union representative on the Employees’ Consultative Forum.

Reason for Decision:  The Employees’ side had given notification of their wish to change their representative on the Forum.

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.