Decisions

To approve the council’s strategic approach on race equality in Harrow and the Race Equality Action Plan.

Having noted the points raised by Councillor Stephen Greek as Vice-Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee in relation to the reference submitted by the Committee (at item 7), Cabinet

RESOLVED:  That

(1)            the Council’s strategic approach on race equality in Harrow and the Race Equality Action Plan attached at Appendix A to the officer report, be agreed and the Chief Executive, following consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Equality and Public Health, be authorised to implement the Plan;

(2)            the Zero Tolerance Statement attached at Appendix B to the officer report, be approved.

Reason for Decision:  In light of the murder of George Floyd, the Black Lives Matter protests and the disproportionate impact of Covid-19 on those from Black, Asian, and Multi-Ethnic backgrounds, the Council recognised the need to do more to improve the experiences and outcomes for staff.  The report set out the Council’s ambitions on race equality in Harrow Council and responded to the recommendations set out in the Independent Race Review conducted by Professor Patrick Vernon in April 2021.

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 proposed Discretionary Social Housing Relief policy / statement.

RESOLVED:  That the Discretionary Social Housing Relief policy / statement set out in Appendix 1 to the officer report, be agreed.

Reason for Decision:  The Community Infrastructure Regulations 2010 (‘CIL Regulations’) required charging authorities to publish statements about the availability of discretionary social housing relief in its area for such relief to be applied.

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.

Cabinet is requested to:

1.     Approve the request to grant the Housing Asset Management Team permission to collaborate with the lead Borough Ealing to utilise the funding awarded under the GHG:LAD to the West London coalition of 12 boroughs to enable retrofit solutions works to be delivered via an appointed managing agent procured by the lead Borough.  An indicative allocation, based on population and fuel poverty figures, of £10.788 million was awarded to the West London Coalition. Harrow’s indicative allocation for Phase 2 is £0.75 million.  We seek permission to collaborate with the lead Borough Ealing to utilise the funding awarded under the Green Homes Grant (GHG) coalition bid from the delegated authority mentioned in 2.

2.     Delegate authority to the Corporate Director of Community, following consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Housing and Employment, Portfolio Holder for Finance/ Commercialisation and, Director of Finance to:

2.1Contribution of £75,000 from the HRA under Phase 2 which requires require the Council to match funding for the installation of energy efficiency measures on 30 Council-Owned properties. We will seek approval from the delegated authority mentioned in 1.2, to allow us to contribute the £75,000 required in line with Grant Contribution requirements.

2.2Apply for and claim the Green Homes Grant: Local Authority Delivery scheme allocation as part of the established West London Coalition:

a.     subject to grant award confirmation by the Department of Business, Energy, and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), Phase 3 in a sum to be confirmed in an update report to Cabinet following award in October 2021; and

b.     any further subsequent phases of the Green Homes Grant: Local Authority Delivery Scheme, Sustainable Warmth Competition, and/or Home Upgrade Grant.

RESOLVED:  That

(1)            the collaboration with the lead Borough Ealing, in order to utilise the funding awarded under the Green Homes Grant: Local Authority Delivery scheme (GHG:LAD) Phase 2 and any further phases to the West London consortium of 12 boroughs, be agreed  to enable retrofit solutions works to be delivered via an appointed managing agent procured by the lead Borough).

(2)            the Corporate Director of Community, following consultation with the Portfolio Holders for Housing and Finance and Resources and the Director of Finance, be authorised to:

a.     Approve the contribution of £75,000 from the HRA under Phase 2 which required the Council to match fund one third of the Green Homes Grant of £150,000 for the installation of energy efficiency measures to council owned properties.

b.  Seek and secure future funding including Phase 3 of the Green Homes Grant Local Authority Delivery Scheme,  Sustainable Warmth Competition, and/or Home Upgrade Grant following, following a West London Consortium competitive procurement process or other compliant procurement process, to take all necessary actions to utilise such funding and carry out further retrofit works to homes in the Borough.

Reason for Decision:  An indicative allocation, based on population and fuel poverty figures, of £10.788 million was awarded to the West London Consortium. Harrow’s indicative allocation for Phase 2 is £750,000 based on this formula.  This would fund the retrofitting of at least a further 75 properties in addition to the anticipated 58 in Phase 1a.

The delivery of retrofit activity under the scheme would enable the Council to:

-        Addressthe ClimateEmergency thatHarrow Councilhad declared by undertaking domestic retrofit measures in the borough.

-        Targetnot onlyHarrow’s poorestenergy performingstock butalso those households ingreatest needhelping toreduce fuelpoverty.

-        Contribute to helping the local Harrow economy by providingopportunities for local training within colleges and employmentopportunities, viaagreed socialvalue contribution/commitments.

-        Improve the energy efficiency of private properties and social housing, supported by grantfunding and £75,000 Harrow HRA funding.

Due to the estimated value of the proposed contract award, Cabinet authorisation was required to comply with the Council’s Contract Procedure rules and to enable utilisation of the grant funding.

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.

Cabinet is requested to:

1.     Give authority to officers to increase the programme budget above £2.4m for an additional £1.6m.  This is to be funded entirely from HRA capital resources in the second project budget year 2022-2023.

2.     Delegated authority to extend the legal contract with the successful tenderer to encompass the full scope of works as tendered with the Corporate Community Director - Housing, in consultation with the Portfolio Holders for Housing and Finance & Resources.

RESOLVED:  That

(1)            the increase to the current Programme budget of £2.4m by an additional £1.6m to a new total budget of £4,000,000, funded from Housing Revenue Account (HRA) capital resources in financial years 2021/22 and 2022/23, be approved;

(2)            the commencement of a procurement process to identify a suitable provider to deliver the enhanced Programme be approved; 

(3)            the Corporate Director of Community, following consultation with the Portfolio Holders for Housing and Finance and Resources, be authorised to award a contract to the Most Economically Advantageous Tender following the completion of a compliant procurement process;

(4)            the Corporate Director of Community, following consultation with the Portfolio Holders for Housing and Finance and Resources, be authorised to issue a Letter of Intent to the successful tenderer to carry out pre contract surveys and to order materials with expected long lead-in times for delivery.

Reason for Decision: The increased estimated Programme value required Cabinet approval for the additional budget to comply with the Council’s Contract Procedure Rules and 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.

Approval to commence the procurement process to appoint a contractor(s) for the installation of new fire doors across the Councils maintained schools.

RESOLVED:  That

(1)            the procurement process to appoint a contractor(s) for the installation of new fire doors across the Council’s maintained schools at an anticipated value of £915,000.00, be commenced;

(2)            the Corporate Director of Community, following consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Environment and Climate Change, Portfolio Holder for Education and Social Services for Children and Young People and the Portfolio Holder for Finance and Resources together with the Director of Finance, be authorised to finalise the procurement and award of the contract(s).

Reason for Decision:  To provide an efficient and compliant procurement route to award a contract(s) for the upgrade of fire doors in schools detailed below and maintained by the Council, in order to ensure the Council fulfilled its statutory and regulatory responsibilities for maintaining its buildings.

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