Decisions

Authority is requested to approve  a pilot project to lease the airspace above existing council properties to Apex Airspace Development (“Apex”) who will construct new homes. The Council will be offered first refusal to buy the homes constructed in the airspace at a prior agreed price, for letting on secure Council tenancies. If the Council does not acquire the properties, Apex will be permitted to sell the properties on the open market. Delegated authority is requested to approve the leasing of the airspace to Apex  who will then progress to submitting a planning application. Delegated authority is also requested to purchase the new homes provided the cost is within the approved programme budget.

RESOLVED:  That

(1)            the progression of this pilot project to lease the airspace above existing council properties on the Berridge estate at a peppercorn rent to Apex Airspace Limited, who will seek planning permission to construct new homes with the intention that the council be offered first refusal to buy the homes constructed in the airspace for letting on secure council tenancies, be approved;

(2)            the Interim Corporate Director, Community, be authorised, following consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Housing, the Director of Finance and S151 Officer and Director of Legal and Governance Services to finalise and enter into the legal documents which are summarised in paragraph 2.3.5 of the officer report;

(3)            the Interim Corporate Director, Community, be authorised, following consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Housing and the Director of Finance and S151 Officer, to exercise the option to purchase and proceed to purchase the new homes that are constructed from Apex Airspace provided the cost is within the agreed capped price set out in the Legal documents and which will be no higher than the average maximum price per home currently approved within the Building Council Homes for Londoners programme;

(4)            the intention to recommence consultation with estate residents on the proposals be noted;

(5)            the Interim Corporate Director, Community, be authorised, following consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Housing to consider the consultation outcomes and agree proposals to meet residents’ suggestions such as those set out in section 3 of the officer report.

Reason for Decision:  To enable the delivery of new council homes.

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.

RESOLVED:  That

(1)            the Treasury Management outturn position for 2020/2, be noted;

(2)            the report be referred to the Governance, Audit, Risk Management and Standards Committee for review.

Reasons for Decision:

a.              To promote effective financial management and comply with regulations issued under the Local Government Act 2003, the CIPFA Code of Practice on Treasury Management, and the CIPFA Prudential Code for Capital Finance, along with meeting the requirements of the Council’s Financial Regulations.

b.              To keep Members informed of Treasury Management activities and performance for 2020/21.

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.

To agree the signing of the contracts for the Harrow Strategic Development Partnership, the contract award, approve the initial business plan and launch the partnership.

Councillor Keith Ferry, who had joined the meeting virtually, left the meeting for the discussion and decision-making on this item.

Having considered the confidential appendices, it was

RESOLVED:  That

(1)            the outcome of the preferred bidder stage of the Competitive Dialogue Procedure under the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 as outlined in the officer report be noted;

(2)            Wates Construction Ltd be confirmed as the successful bidder following the Competitive Dialogue Procedure and as the Council’s partner in the Harrow Strategic Development Partnership (HSDP);

(3)            the setting up and commencement of the HSDP with Wates based on the structure set out in the officer report be approved;

(4)            the Chief Executive be authorised, following consultation with the Director of Legal and Governance Services, to enter into appropriate legal documents to formally commence the HSDP;

(5)            the initial Business Plan of the HSDP be approved;

(6)            the Director of Finance and Assurance be authorised, following consultation with the Director of Legal and Governance Services, to approve and enter into any of the financial agreements and instruments required by the Members agreement;

(7)            the additional cost requirement of £158k for professional fees for legal and financial and commercial support which could be accommodated within existing budgets be noted.

Reason for Decision:  To bring to a conclusion the process for procuring a partner with whom to form the Harrow Strategic Development Partnership, and to approve the necessary steps to establish the partnership.

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.

1. To approve the Council’s Draft Economic Strategy, 2021- 2030.
2. To delegate authority to the Acting Corporate Director, Community, in consultation with the portfolio holders for (i) Business, Property and Leisure and (ii) Strategy, Regeneration, Partnerships and Devolution, and  the Leader of the Council, to edit and revise the draft strategy, and incorporate outcomes arising from further consultation with internal and external stakeholders, including residents, and to adopt the final version of the Harrow Economic Strategy, before it is published in Autumn 2021.

RESOLVED:  That

(1)            the Council’s Draft Economic Strategy, 2021- 2030 be approved;

(2)            the Interim Corporate Director, Community, be authorised, following consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Business, Property and Leisure and the Leader of the Council and Portfolio Holder for Strategy, Regeneration, Partnerships and Devolution, to edit and revise the draft strategy, incorporate outcomes arising from further consultation at strategic level with internal and external stakeholders, and to adopt the final version of the Harrow Economic Strategy, before it is published in Autumn 2021.

Reason for Decision:  To support a long-term post- pandemic recovery that aligned with the economic vision and priorities of the Borough Plan to 2030.

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.

To seek Cabinet agreement to the Council joining a collective investment arrangement as part of a shared service with the Greater London Authority (GLA).

RESOLVED:  That

(1)            the Council enter an agreement for the provision of treasury management services with the GLA in accordance with the Local Authorities (Goods and Services) Act 1970, subject to the conclusion of negotiations to the satisfaction of the Director of Finance and Assurance, the Portfolio Holder for Finance and Resources together with the Director of Legal and Governance;

(2)            the Council enter an investment management agreement with LTL, the GLA’s wholly-owned investment management subsidiary, authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), for the provision of investment management services in accordance with the Local Authorities (Contracting Out of Investment Functions) Order 1996, subject to the conclusion of negotiations to the satisfaction of the Director of Finance and Assurance following consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Finance and Resources together with the Director of Legal and Governance;

(3)            if required, a waiver be approved to offer a direct award to London Treasury Limited (LTL), the GLA’s wholly owned investment management subsidiary for the minimum of one year, subject to performance and not exceeding the services threshold of Public Contract Regulations 2015 (amended);

(4)            the Council enter an agreement to participate in the GLA Group Investment Syndicate (GIS), subject to the conclusion of negotiations to the satisfaction of the Director of Finance and Assurance following consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Finance and Resources together with the Director of Legal and Governance;

(5)            the Director of Finance and Assurance be authorised to approve any amendment to the Council’s Treasury Management Strategy Statement for 2021/22 to allow funds to be invested via the GIS in accordance with the GIS Investment Strategy for 2021/22, including adopting and signing such strategy; and

(6)            the Director of Finance and Assurance be authorised to do all such things (including the finalisation, approval and execution of any documents and agreements) that they may consider necessary or desirable to give effect to the above.

Reason for Decision:  To promote effective financial management and comply with regulations issued under the Local Government Act 2003, the CIPFA Code of Practice on Treasury Management, and the CIPFA Prudential Code for Capital Finance, along with meeting the requirements of the Council’s Financial Regulations.

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.

Seek approval from Cabinet to:

(1)  Agree for the service to be continued via a direct award to Hestia Housing and Support, for 19 months, from 1^st September 2021 to 31^st March 2023, for a total contract value of £536,850.

(2)  Agree for additional resource to be included within the new contract to manage current and future demand.

RESOLVED:  That

(1)            the direct award of contract, with a total value of £536,850, to Hestia Housing and Support be approved for a period of 1 year and 7 months commencing on 1 September 2021 and ending on the 31st March 2023;

(2)            additional resource be included within the new contract to manage current and future demand.

Reason for Decision:  To ensure continuity of service while awaiting further clarity on the implications and outcomes of national domestic abuse legislation and strategies to tackle Violence Against Women and Girls on existing and future service provision in 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.