Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence had been received from Councillors Sue Anderson and Phillip O’Dell.

RESOLVED:  To note that no interests were declared.

The following petitions had been received:

Harrow Women’s Centre

A representative of the over 50’s Group presented a petition containing 1,394 signatures seeking to stop the closure of Harrow Women’s Centre and to fight for the rights of women to have a safe and secure haven in the community.

Malpas Drive – Speed Reduction Measures

Councillor Richard Almond presented a petition from the residents of Malpas Drive containing 14 signatures requesting an investigation into the introduction of suitable speed restrictions in their road.

RESOLVED:  That the petitions be received and referred to the relevant Corporate Director 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 7 October 2019.  Questions should be sent to publicquestions@harrow.gov.uk  

No person may submit more than one question].

To note that two 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 7 October 2019].

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

The Chair advised that the report, Locally Listed Buildings – Update to the Local List, had been withdrawn from the agenda and that the report, Council Preparations for Brexit, did not, as previously advised via the Key Decision Schedule, include confidential information.

RESOLVED:  To note the contents of the Key Decision Schedule for the period October to December 2019.

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

Report of the Corporate Director, Community

RESOLVED:  That the ongoing progress of both the delivery of the Council led Regeneration activities and the Council’s public and private sector partners across the borough be noted.

Reason for Decision:   To provide Members with an update on the progress of all Regeneration activity being designed and delivered across the borough.

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 did not apply as the decision was to note the report].

Report of the Corporate Director, Community

RESOLVED:  That the progress of the current procurement, pursuant to the Public Contracts Regulations 2015, be noted.

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 did not apply as the decision was to note the report].

Report of the Interim Chief Planning Officer

RESOLVED:  That

(1)          the revised Local Development Scheme (LDS) attached at Appendix 1 to the officer report be approved for publication and be effective from 1 November 2019;

(2)          the Interim Chief Planning Officer, following consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Regeneration, Planning and Enterprise, be authorised to make any necessary formatting, typographical and factual amendments to the revised LDS prior to publication on the Council’s website;

(3)          ongoing changes to national and regional policy relating to planning, including Harrow’s participation in the Examination in Public of the draft New London Plan, be noted;

(4)          it be noted that the outcomes of the first Housing Delivery Test, which had indicated housing completions within Harrow for the three years 2015/16 and 2017/18 were 175% of the housing target for the borough for that period and that, as a result, there were no punitive implications for Harrow;

(5)          the progress to date in the review the Harrow Local Plan be noted.

Reason for Decision:  Under the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 (as amended), the Council had a statutory duty to maintain an up-to-date LDS.  The Localism Act 2011 stipulated that the LDS must be updated every three years.  The revised LDS (attached at Appendix 1 to the officer report) would fulfil that requirement.

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 Chief Planning Officer

RESOLVED:  That

(1)          the introduction of a two part self build and custom build register be approved;

(2)          the local eligibility criteria for joining Part 1 of the register be approved:

Part 1:

i.          Residency in the borough for two of the previous three years prior to the date of application; or

ii.         Continuous employment in the borough for at least three years prior to the date of application (more than 16 hours per week); or

iii.       In the service of the regular armed forces or have served in the armed forces within the previous three years prior to the date of application

and

iv.       Able to provide evidence of “sufficient resources” to purchase land.  (Applications should be evaluated individually to provide a fair assessment, although funding of at least £250,000 is likely to be required as a starting point to purchase any sizeable plot of land in Harrow based on desktop research carried out in June 2019).

For associations of individuals wishing to be added to the Harrow Self-build register, at least three-quarters of the members of the association must meet the local connection criteria above and be able to demonstrate that the association collectively has sufficient financial resources to purchase a plot large enough to accommodate its members, in order to be added to Part 1 of the register.

In applying the local connection and financial resources criteria to applications from individuals, consideration may be given to exceptional circumstances (for example, the local connection test not being fully met due to a person escaping domestic violence). 

Part 2 eligibility will be the national criteria i.e. over 18 years old and a British Citizen or national of an EEA State and seeking to acquire a serviced plot of land to build a house to occupy as sole or main residence.

(3)          the adjusted fee for joining each part of the register, to be effective from 31 October 2019 be approved:

i.          Fee for entry to Part 1 of register: £100, with annual retention fee of £50

ii.         Fee for entry to Part 2 of the register: £50 (annual retention fee is not allowed for Part 2)

(4)          the maintenance of the existing entries on the register until 30 October 2019 be approved after which date they would be re-assessed against the new eligibility requirements and subject to payment of the appropriate fee;

(5)          the Interim Chief Planning Officer, following consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Regeneration, Planning and Enterprise be authorised to develop detailed guidance and documentation regarding the agreed criteria, revised registration process (including in-house register / web form) and assessment of applications to be placed on the register;

(6)          the Interim Chief Planning Officer be authorised to assess applications to be included on the Harrow Self-build Register in accordance with the local connection tests outlined above;

(7)          the analysis of the current Harrow Self-build Register contained in the officer report and Appendix A be noted;

(8)          the intention to bring maintenance of the register in-house, using a  ...  view the full minutes text for item 246.

Report of the Interim Chief Planning Officer

RESOLVED:  That the Corporate Director of Community and the Corporate Director of Resources, following consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Finance and Resources and the Director of Finance and Director of Legal & Governance Services, be authorised to:

·           undertake the procurement of a Planning and Public Protection ICT solution;

·           approve the award of contract recommendations following the procurement process;

·           enter into a contract with the successful contractor for a fixed term provided the cost was within budget.

Reason for Decision:  To move forward with the procurement of the new solution with the aim of providing  new, up-to-date, capabilities that would meet the corporate ICT strategy for transition to new cloud based services

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 Housing and Director of Finance

RESOLVED:  That the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Business Plan update 2019, which would set the framework for the draft HRA Budget 2020?21 & Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) 2021-22 to 2022-23 and capital programme be approved and which would be submitted to Cabinet 5 December 2019.

Reason for Decision:  To have in place an updated 30 year HRA Business Plan required for construction projects within the HRA which would have significant impacts on the Community and Businesses within the Borough by providing much needed accommodation and infrastructure.  Given the nature and scale of the approved new developments, regular and rigorous reviews of the HRA Business Plan were warranted together with consideration of alternative delivery models to achieve new housing supply.

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

(1)          the activity which had been undertaken to date and the planned actions be noted;

(2)          the areas currently being funded from monies received from Government to support Brexit locally be agreed as the priority areas for this funding to be spent on; and

(3)          the Chief Executive, following consultation with the Leader of the Council, be authorised to make any urgent or immediate decision on activity if the UK left the EU with ‘No Deal’ on the 31 October 2019 or any other future date.

Reason for Decision:  The Council had a duty under the Civil Contingencies Act 2004 to put in place adequate resilience arrangements in the borough.  As the impact of Brexit has a number of potential scenarios, it was important that the Council planned accordingly.

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.