Decisions

RESOLVED:  That

(1)           the appointment of the identified Portfolio Holder Assistants and responsibilities be approved as set out in the table below, noting that these superseded previous appointments;

(2)           the payment of Special Responsibility Allowance (SRA) to the Portfolio Holder Assistants from 14 September 2023 be approved.

Reason for Decision:  To enable the support to Cabinet Members in terms of information provision and management, to contribute to and ensure an effective decision-making framework as part of the democratic process.

Having agreed to note the confidential appendices to the officer report it was

RESOLVED:  That

(1)            the revenue and capital outturn positions, as set out in paragraphs 1.2 to 1.4 of the officer report, be noted;

(2)            the proposed additions and amendments to the Capital Programme, as set out in paragraphs 3.28 to 3.32 of the officer report, be approved;

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

(4)            Concillium Assets LLP Business Plan, as detailed at confidential Appendix 5 to the officer report, be approved;

(5)            the Sancroft Community Care Limited’s Business Plan, as detailed at confidential Appendix 6 to the officer report, be approved.

Reason for Decision:  To receive the 2023-24 financial forecast position at Q1 and to provide an update on trading company performance.

Having agreed to note the confidential appendix to the officer report it was

RESOLVED:  That

(1)            the procurement of a service contract for Printing and Mailing Services for Bulk Document printing of Council Tax, Business Rates, Benefits, Business Improvement Districts (”BIDS”), Parking Enforcement and Sundry Debt documents be authorised with a maximum value of £0.8m over 4 years (£200,000 annually) or £1.2m over 6 years if the option to extend the contract for a further 2 years was exercised;

(2)            the draft tender documents be approved;

(3)            the Interim Director/Director of Finance and Assurance be authorised, following consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Finance and Human Resources, to make any necessary changes to the tender documents following approval;

(4)            the Interim Director/Director of Finance and Assurance be authorised, following consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Finance and Human Resources, to award the new contract to the successful bidder.

Reason for Decision:  Not procuring an external partner, would potentially leave the authority with limited ability to collect approximately £260m per annum in relation to unpaid Council Tax, Business Rates, Parking Control Notices (PCN’s) and other unpaid Council charges, which would impact adversely on the Council’s budget.  It would also mean that the London Borough of Harrow would be unable to fulfil its statutory duty to issue bills. Cabinet authorisation of the procurement was required to comply with the Council’s Contract Procedure Rules.

Having agreed to note the confidential appendices to the officer report it was

RESOLVED:  That

(1)            the commencement of the procurement of a provider for Translation and Interpreting Services be approved noting that the contract(s) would be awarded for a 3- year term from 1April 2024 to 31 March 2027 with the option to extend for a further 2 years up to 31 March 2029;

(2)            the tender documents be approved;

(3)            the Corporate Director of People Services be authorised, following consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Children’s Services, to make any changes required to the tender documents following approval;

(4)            the Corporate Director of People Services be authorised, following consultation with the Interim Director of Finance and Assurance, the Portfolio Holder for Children’s Services and the Portfolio Holder for Finance and Human Resources, to award the contract.

Reason for Decision:

1.              To enable the Local Authority to fulfil its statutory duties to provide an Interpretation and Translation service which met the Council’s commitment to equality of opportunity, enabling access to information and services for those who:

·       Did not speak English;

·       Did not speak English and were known to social care and or early support services

·       were Blind or had a visual impairment; and

·       were Deaf or had a hearing impairment

2.              The existing translation and interpreting services contract with DA Languages would cease on 31 March 2024.  This procurement focused upon securing new contractual arrangements for face to face, telephone, video remote and document interpreting and translation services.

RESOLVED:  That

(1)            the feedback received from the public consultation on the draft PSPO and the revised wording of the PSPOs be noted;

(2)            the final wording of the PSPOs for implementation and publication be approved;

(3)            the Corporate Director Place be authorised to take all steps necessary to publicise and implement the PSPOs.

Reason for Decision:  The proposed PSPOs would allow direct action against low level anti-social behaviour, with the benefit of being able to issue fixed penalty notices for breaches, if appropriate.