Agenda and minutes

To receive apologies for absence (if any).

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor David Ashton but he attended virtually.

To receive declarations of disclosable pecuniary or non pecuniary interests, arising from business to be transacted at this meeting, from all Members present.

RESOLVED:  To note that the following interests were declared:

Agenda Item 13 – Procurement of Leisure Management

Councillor Kantilal Rabadia declared a non-pecuniary interest in that he was a user of the Harrow Leisure Facilities. He would remain in the room whilst the matter was considered and voted upon.

To receive any petitions submitted by members of the public or Councillors.

RESOLVED:  To note that there were no petitions received at this meeting.

To note any public questions received.

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, Thursday 12 September.  Questions should be sent to publicquestions@harrow.gov.uk

No person may submit more than one question].

To note that no public questions had been received.

To receive any Councillor questions.

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, Thursday 12 September.]

RESOLVED:  That the Councillor Questions were responded to and the recording placed on the Council’s website.

RESOLVED:  To note the contents of the Key Decision Schedule for the period September to November 2024.

For consideration

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

Report of the Strategic Director of Children’s Services

Resolved to RECOMMEND:  (to Council)

That the Harrow Youth Justice Plan be approved.

Reason for Recommendation:  The establishment of a Youth Justice Service was a statutory requirement under the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 and this Plan must be approved by Council.  Key partners formed part of the multi-disciplinary team including Police, Probation, Education, Health and Social Work and others formed part of the team and partnership governing Board. The approval would assist Youth Justice Service to achieve its priorities with regard to residents being safe, protected and supported at their most vulnerable, as well as helping children and young people to avoid coming to the attention of the criminal justice system.

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

Report of the Managing Director

RESOLVED:  That

(1)            the contents of the progress review report and the conclusions from the Local Government Association (LGA) Peer Challenge team (as set out in Appendix A of the officer report), be agreed;

(2)            continued progress on Peer Challenge recommendations would be monitored through integration into the council’s improvement programme and be reported to Cabinet through the quarterly Strategic Performance Report.

Reason for Decision:  To enable the publication of the LGA Corporate Peer Challenge – Progress Review 2024 report.

Report of the Director for Digital, Data & The Customer Experience

RESOLVED:  That

(1)            the Customer Experience Action Plan for 2024 to 2026, be approved;

(2)            the progress to date be noted.

Reason for Decision:  On 18 July 2022 Cabinet agreed the vision and principles to improve the customer experience of residents interacting with the Council.  This action plan outlined how this priority would be achieved and brought together current activity with future proposed direction.

Report of the Strategic Director of Finance

Having noted the confidential appendices, it was

RESOLVED:  That

(1)            the forecast revenue and capital outturn positions set out in paragraph 1.2 to 1.5 to the officer report, be noted;

(2)            the proposed addition and amendment to the 2024-25 Capital Programme as set out in paragraphs 3.19-3.21 of the officer report, be approved;

(3)            the Council’s Trading Update, as detailed in Appendix 4 to the officer report, be noted;

(4)            the Right to Buy receipts position in the Housing Revenue Account (HRA), as detailed in Appendix 5 to the officer report, be noted;

(5)            Concilium Assets LLP Business Plan, as detailed in confidential Appendix 6 to the officer report, be approved;

(6)            Sancroft Community Care Limited Business Plan, as detailed in confidential Appendix 7 to the officer report, be approved;

(7)            the valuation of investment properties detailed in confidential Appendix 8 to the officer report be noted.

Reason for Decision:  To note the 2024-25 financial forecast position at Q1 and to update Cabinet on trading company performance.

Report of the Acting Strategic Director of Housing and Regeneration and Strategic Director of People Services

RESOLVED:  That

(1)            the contract value increases of £763,825.09 to the School Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) (Minor) and Amalgamation Projects contract sums, be approved;

(2)            the award of the new phase at Pinner Wood Primary School to Borras Construction Ltd, be approved.

Reason for Decision:  To ensure the Council fulfilled its statutory functions in the delivery of school places for children with SEND and to enable school amalgamation projects to be concluded.

Report of the Acting Strategic Director Culture, Environment and Economy

Having noted the confidential appendices, it was

RESOLVED:  That

(1)            the commencement of a procurement for a leisure management services operator with the London Boroughs of Brent and Ealing via competitive process with negotiation or such other compliant procurement route as may be determined by Acting Strategic Director Culture, Environment and Economy, following consultation with the Assistant Director of Procurement, be approved;

(2)            the Acting Strategic Director Culture, Environment and Economy be authorised, following consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Community and Culture and the Portfolio Holder for Finance and Highways, to:

(i)              Make any decisions required throughout the tender to ensure the procurement was delivered compliantly.

(ii)             Award a contract to the successful leisure management services operator following the conduct of a compliant procurement process which would include entering into required leases or licences and all other necessary legal documentation.

Reason for Decision:  To allow the re-procurement of cost-effective leisure management services that would meet the needs of residents.

Report of the Acting Strategic Director of Culture, Environment and Economy

RESOLVED:  That the contract value be increased by £10.5m for the Hired Passenger Transport Framework.

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

Report of the Acting Strategic Director of Culture, Environment and Economy

RESOLVED:  That

(1)            the fine levels in Appendix 2 to the officer report for fixed penalty notice fines for fly tipping, householder/duty of care, littering, graffiti and fly posting, be approved;

(2)            the Acting Strategic Director of Culture, Environment and Economy be authorised to update the ‘Reduce Fly Tip & Littering Strategy’ in light of any changes to the fine levels approved by Cabinet.

Reason for Decision:  The proposed increased fine levels should deter some people from committing this offence and ensure that those who did were held accountable.

Report of the Acting Strategic Director of Culture, Environment and Economy

RESOLVED:  That, subject to Council agreeing to update the Local Choice functions (from the Functions and Responsibility Regulations 2000) at its next meeting:

(1)            the draft Air Quality Action Plan (AQAP) be approved for a 7-week public consultation;

(2)           The Acting Strategic Director of Culture, Environment and Economy be authorised to publicise the proposed Smoke Control Order, as set out in Appendix 2 to the officer report for consultation in accordance with the statutory requirements;

(3)            the Acting Strategic Director of Culture, Environment and Economy be authorised to take all steps necessary to implement the new Smoke Control Order in accordance with statutory requirements should no objections be received, should objections be received, a report should be presented to Cabinet to consider these and any proposed amendments to the order if considered appropriate.

Reason for Decision:  An AQAP outlined the actions that a Council had delivered to reduce concentrations of pollution and exposure to pollution, thereby positively impacting on the heath and quality of life of those who lived, worked and visited the associated area.  AQAPs were prepared as part of the statutory requirements for Harrow to work toward air quality objectives (AQOs) under Part IV of the Environment Act 1995.  An AQAP must then be implemented and updated every 5 years and progress reported annually. 

Although the Department for the Environment Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) maps showed that Harrow had a Smoke Control Area, the paperwork declaring a Smoke Control Area was not available.  It had always been assumed that it was in place.  Council minutes in archive materials confirmed that an application was made to the Secretary of State but the actual order could not be located.  DEFRA had confirmed that the Council’s best option was to therefore go through the process to revoke and then create a new Smoke Control Order.

Report of the Acting Strategic Director of Housing and Regeneration

RESOLVED:  That

(1)            the progress that had been made in 12 months and the plan for the next 24 to 48 months, be noted;

(2)            the Disposal and Acquisitions Policy be adopted; and

(3)            the Statement of Intent in connection with the Voluntary and Community Sector Strategy as a forthcoming policy document, be noted.

Reason for Decision:  To ensure the continued efficient running of the Corporate Estate, in line with the Corporate Property Strategy.