Agenda and minutes

To note the attendance at this meeting of any duly appointed Reserve Members.

RESOLVED:  To note the attendance at this meeting of the following duly appointed Reserve Member:

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 there were no declarations of interest made by Members.

The Chair welcomed the Leader and the Managing Director to the Special Meeting of the Committee in accordance with Committee Procedure Rules 43 and 44.  The Chair also welcomed the Portfolio Holder of Finance and Highways, and the Strategic Director of Finance and Assurance (Section 151 Officer) to the meeting.

The Chair informed the meeting that it would be an open Question and Answer session on a number of issues affecting the Council.

The Leader and the Managing Director briefed Members on the current financial challenges the Council was facing, particularly relating to adult social care, children’s social care, and temporary accommodation.  The Council had received the Local Government Finance Settlement, an annual process by which Central Government allocated grant funding to local authorities in the country.  In spite of this being inadequate for Harrow, the Council would deliver a balanced budget.

In the Question and Answer session that ensued, Members asked questions on cross-cutting matters, to which responses were given.

Members asked whether the rent in Council-owned accommodation would increase during the current financial year, and by what percentage.  They were informed that the increase would be at the rate of the Consumer Price Index (CPI) plus one percent.  This had been the standard increment over the past years.

Members further questioned if tenants in Council-owned accommodation had been consulted about the likely increase in rent.  They were advised that there had not been any changes in the policy of increasing rent by the rate of the CPI plus one percent, and that tenants, as well as leaseholders, would be consulted.

In response to a question on when the process for the corporate parenting strategy would be completed, Members were advised that the new leadership team in children’s services were finalising the details.  Once completed, a report would be submitted to Cabinet for approval.  The timetable for the process would be shared with Members in due course.

Members queried if the Council Tax Support Scheme had in-built provisions to assist defaulting residents with potential fines for not meeting their Council Tax obligations.  They were advised that the scheme was necessitated due to financial pressures, and residents were encouraged to approach the Council if they still had challenges in paying Council Tax.  However, fines would be issued where necessary, and as a last resort.

Members asked if there had been any changes to the administration of local government in the country since the General Election in May 2024, when a new government was elected.  They were informed that not much had changed, and the much-anticipated reforms in local government were still awaited.  The same challenges remained for Harrow, in particular rising costs for adult and children’s social services, as well as temporary accommodation.  Additionally, the cost of funding Freedom Passes had been increasing over the years.

In response to a concern in relation to fly tipping incidents not being adequately addressed, and whether targets had been set to fine offenders, Members were advised that due process of issuing fines should  ...  view the full minutes text for item 118.