Agenda and minutes

To receive declarations of disclosable pecuniary or non pecuniary interests, arising from business to be transacted at this meeting, from:

(a)          all Members of the Committee, Sub-Committee or Panel;

(b)          all other Members present.

RESOLVED:  To note that there were no declarations of interests made by Members.

To receive petitions (if any) submitted by members of the public/Councillors under the provisions of Executive Procedure Rule 49 (Part 4D of the Constitution).

RESOLVED:  To note that no petitions had been received.

To receive any public questions received in accordance with Executive Procedure Rule 51 (Part 4D of the Constitution).

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, 20 September 2022.  Questions should be sent to publicquestions@harrow.gov.uk  

No person may submit more than one question].

RESOLVED:  To note that no public questions had been received.

In accordance with the provisions contained in Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rule 23 (Part 4F of the Constitution).

RESOLVED:  To note that no matters had been referred to the Leader of the Council for consideration.

Report of the Director of Children’s Services.

The Portfolio Holder for Children’s Services outlined the content of the report and the Leader

RESOLVED:  That the commencement of the re-procurement of the Children and Young People’s Emotional, Health and Well-Being Service collaboratively with NHS North-West London Integrated Care Board (ICB) for a 3-year term with the option to extend for a further 2 years via the agreement between the Council and North-West London CCG under Section 75 of the National Health Service Act 2006, be agreed.

Reason for Decision: To fulfil the statutory requirement of Local Authorities and NHS in commissioning health services for all children in their area; to support the corporate parenting responsibilities of local authorities which includes having a duty under section 22(3)(a) of the Children Act 1989 to safeguard and promote the welfare of the children they look after.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected:  As set out in the report.

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

Report of the Acting Corporate Director of Resources.

The Portfolio Holder for Environment and Community Safety outlined the content of report. Having noted the confidential appendices to the report, the Leader

RESOLVED:  That

(1)            the commencement of a competitive procurement for the domestic abuse service for an initial contract term of three years to run from 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2026, with an option to extend for a maximum of a further two years until 31 March 2028, be approved;

(2)            splitting the provision of the Domestic Abuse service into two procurement Lots, be agreed as follows:

·       Lot 1:  Domestic Abuse Support Service: Strategic coordination and direct support to domestic abuse victims/survivors (with a contract value of £269,655 per year); and

·       Lot 2:  Safe Accommodation: Refuge Support and Management and Floating Support (with a contract value of £72,000 per year).

(3)            following the tender process, the Acting Corporate Director of Resources following consultation with the Portfolio Holders for Environment and Community Safety and Finance and Human Resources, be authorised to award the contract(s) for both procurement Lots in the new domestic abuse services;

(4)            the Acting Corporate Director of Resources, following consultation with the Director of Finance and the Portfolio Holders for Environment & Community Safety and Finance & Human Resources, be authorised to extend the contract for each of the additional 12-month periods, which would follow a rigorous review of performance;

(5)            the Acting Corporate Director, Resources, following consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Environment & Community Safety, be authorised to allow any changes ahead of the final publication of the Invitation to Tender (ITT).

Reason for Decision:  The combined value of the two contracts to deliver the service was in excess of £500,000.  Therefore, the Leader’s 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 Leader/Dispensation Granted:  None.

Report of the Director for Finance and Assurance.

The Portfolio Holder for Finance and Human Resources outlined the content of the report and the Leader

RESOLVED:  That

(1)            approval to procure motor, commercial property, crime, personal accident/travel, school journey insurance and engineering inspection contracts for the Council be agreed;

(2)            the Acting Corporate Director of Resources, following consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Finance and Human Resources, be authorised to award the contracts for motor, commercial property, crime, personal accident/travel, school journey insurance and engineering inspections.

Reason for Decision:  Harrow collaboratively procured its corporate external insurance contracts through the Insurance London Consortium under the terms of a legal agreement effective since 2010.

The decision to insure was driven by the need to protect the financial position and stability of the authority by providing financial protection against losses, which was achieved through insurance risk transfer. In addition, there were statutory requirements in relation to motor insurance and engineering inspections, which would be met through the commissioning of these contracts.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected:  As set out in the report.

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