Agenda and minutes

Apologies were given from Cllr David Simmonds and Cllr Scott Seaman-Digby.

Councillor Mills declared a non-pecuniary interest in item 7 (minute 664) in relation to HS2 legal challenge funding. He remained in the room during the discussion and vote on the item.

Councillor Curling declared a non-pecuniary interest in item 9 (minute 666) as a trustee of one of the voluntary organisations concerned. He remained in the room during the discussion and vote on the item.

Councillor Crowe declared a non-pecuniary interest in item 9 (minute 666) due to his involvement in one of the voluntary organisations concerned. He remained in the room during the discussion and vote on the item.

Councillor Crowe declared a non-pecuniary interest in item 23 (minute 680). He remained in the room during the discussion and vote on the item.

Councillor George Cooper declared a non-pecuniary interest in item 9 (minute 666) due to his involvement in one of the voluntary organisations concerned. He remained in the room during the discussion and vote on the item.

Councillor George Cooper declared a non-pecuniary interest in item 12 (minute 669). He remained in the room during the discussion and vote on the item.

Councillor George Cooper declared a non-pecuniary interest in item 16 (minute 673) as a school governor. He remained in the room during the discussion and vote on the item.

Councillor Judith Cooper declared a non-pecuniary interest in item 9 (minute 666) due to her involvement in one of the voluntary organisations concerned. She remained in the room during the discussion and vote on the item.

Councillor Judith Cooper declared a non-pecuniary interest in item 12 (minute 669). She remained in the room during the discussion and vote on the item.

Councillor Judith Cooper declared a non-pecuniary interest in item 16 (minute 673) as a school governor. She remained in the room during the discussion and vote on the item.

The minutes and decisions of the Cabinet meeting held on 22 November 2012 were approved as a correct record.

The items of business in Part 1 (Public) were confirmed. All items of business in Part 2 (Private) were confirmed with the exception of Item 26 (minute 683) which was withdrawn from consideration and deferred to the next Cabinet meeting.

The Chairman of the Education and Children’s Services Policy Overview Committee, Cllr Catherine Dann, presented the Committee’s major review report to Cabinet, which was warmly welcomed.

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet:

1. Welcomes the attached report of the Education & Children’s Services Policy Overview Committee on the review into the Children Leaving Care Procedure and Grant.

2. Accepts the recommendations of the Policy Overview Committee as set out in their final review report.

Reasons for decision

Cabinet welcomed the Committee’s review and investigation into the current leaving care process and grant aimed at giving care leavers the best possible start in adult life as they moved towards independent living. It was noted that the grant had not been reviewed since 2003 and upon the recommendation of the Committee, Cabinet had undertaken to increase the grant as part of the budget process for 2013/14 onwards.

Alternative options considered and rejected

The Cabinet could have decided to reject or amend one or more of the Committee’s recommendations.

Officer to action:

Merlin Joseph

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet:

1.      Note the forecast management budget position for revenue and capital as at Month 7.

2.      Note the treasury Month 7 update at Appendix B.

3.      Approve the retaining of agency staff as detailed in Appendix C.

4.      Approves the allocation of £230k from the specific contingency held for schools withdrawal from payroll services to Administration & Finance revenue budgets.

5.      Approves the allocation of £500k from the specific contingency held for the shortfall in Development Control income to Residents Services revenue budgets.

6.      Approves the allocation of £380k from the specific contingency held for outsourced leisure income streams to Administration & Finance revenue budgets.

7.      Approves the allocation of £321k from general contingency to fund ICT licensing costs within Residents Services revenue budgets.

8.      Approves the addition of £108,634 to 2012/13 Residents Services revenue budgets for measures to prevent winter deaths and illness funded from the Department of Health Warm Homes Health People grant.

9.      Approve the rephasing of capital budgets based on the latest outturn projections.

10.Ratifies an emergency contract decision made by the Chief Executive and Leader of the Council on 4 December 2012 to agree capital funding and release of £1,080,000 for the Highgrove Pool Refurbishment Project to fund the removal of asbestos and associated costs for other works, including an instruction to officers to authorise the works.

11.Ratifies an emergency contract decision made by the Chief Executive and Leader of the Council on 5 December 2012 in relation to building works at Hayes End Library and Flats to terminate the existing Building Contract with Breyer Group PLC, award the Works Completion Contract to T & B Contractors Ltd, agree the necessary consultancy arrangements and agree capital funding and release of £290,000.

12.Delegates authority to the Deputy Chief Executive and Corporate Director of Residents Services, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Finance, Property & Business Services, to submit a grant bid to the Mayor of London in support of investment in Trees & Parks.

13.Delegates responsibility to approve a Council bid to the Mayor's Care and Support Specialised Housing Fund to the Leader of the Council and the Cabinet Member for Finance, Property and Business Services in conjunction with the Deputy Chief Executive and Corporate Director for Residents Services.

14.Delegates authority to recruit to current and future staff vacancies to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader of the Council.

15.Approves and accepts the grants of £15k from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (via the London Borough of Camden) and £25k from the Greater London Authority for Hillingdon's Clean Air for Schools project.

16.Delegates authority to the Deputy Chief Executive and Corporate Director of Residents Services, in consultation with the Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Finance, Property and Business Services, to revise cemeteries fees and charges and amend the policy on pre-purchasing burial sites with effect from January 2013, reporting back to a subsequent Cabinet for information.

Reasons for decision

Cabinet was informed of the latest forecast revenue, capital and treasury position for the current year 2012/13 to ensure the Council achieved its budgetary and service objectives. Additionally, Cabinet made a number of decisions in respect of allocating funds for particular services or projects, ratifying emergency decisions recently taken and gave authority to submit various external funding bids.

Additionally, a revised approach to vacancy management was agreed along with grant funding for a clean air project being led by Hillingdon and delegated authority to amend the fees and policy in relation to cemeteries to align them better with neighbouring local authorities and ensure fairer usage of the plots available by all residents.

Alternative options considered and rejected

None.

Officer to action:

Paul Whaymand, Finance

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet:

1)     Approve the draft revenue General Fund and Housing Revenue Account budget and capital programme proposals for 2013/14 and beyond as the basis for consultation with Policy Overview Committees and other stakeholders.

2)     Request the comments of individual Policy Overview Committees on the draft budget proposals relating to their areas of responsibility, to be collated into a single report back to Cabinet from the Corporate Services and Partnerships Policy Overview Committee.

3)     Approve the proposed fees and charges included at Appendix 8 as the basis for consultation with Policy Overview Committees and other stakeholders.

4)     Authorise the Corporate Director of Finance, in consultation with the Leader of the Council, to respond on behalf of the Council to the consultation on the provisional Local Government Finance Settlement and to the Mayor of London’s budget consultation.

Reasons for decision

Cabinet put forward for consultation its budget proposals. This included the Council’s Medium Term Financial Forecast (MTFF), the draft General Fund revenue budget for 2013/14 along with indicative projections for the following years, the Housing Revenue Account, fees and charges proposals and the draft capital programme for 2013/14 and beyond.

Despite the national financial position, Cabinet was able to endorse a well thought out set of budget proposals which had been carefully developed to put residents’ first. Cabinet announced a zero increase in Council Tax for the fifth successive year, a freeze on most fees and charges for a further two years and gave its commitment to continued investment in priority service areas, like highways, libraries, community safety and the local environment.

On the capital programme, Cabinet’s proposals continued the investment in London’s largest school building programme, aimed at ensuring that every child in the Borough would have a quality place at a local school.

Cabinet recommended the budget for consultation, in particular to the Policy Overview Committees and agreed to delegate authority to respond to both the Government and London Mayoral consultations on the budget.

Alternative options considered and rejected

The Cabinet could have chosen to vary the proposals in its budget before consultation. However, to comply with the Budget and Policy Framework, the Cabinet was required to publish a draft budget for consultation at the meeting. 

Officers to action:

Paul Whaymand, Finance

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet approves for recommendation to Council the adoption of the proposed Council Tax Reduction Scheme initially for a 2 year period from 1 April 2013.

Reasons for decision

Cabinet noted that the Local Government Finance Act introduced the requirement for Local Authorities to design and implement a local reduction scheme for Council Tax from 1 April 2013 to replace Council Tax Benefit, which was being abolished under the Welfare Reform Act 2012.

Following a consultation period, Cabinet agreed to recommend the scheme to Council for approval for an initial period of 2 years, during which time its impact alongside the broader sweep of welfare reforms would be monitored.

With Government funding for the localisation of support to Council Tax 10% lower than funding for Council Tax Benefit, Cabinet welcomed the fact that Hillingdon’s scheme that would mitigate this pressure in full and prevent the need for either an equivalent cut in service budgets or an increase in Council Tax for residents of the Borough.

Alternative options considered and rejected

Cabinet noted that a range of possible options had been considered by them in July 2012.

Officer to action:

Paul Whaymand, Finance

RESOLVED:

That the Cabinet agrees:

1. The overall allocation of grants to Voluntary Sector of £ 1,681,366 for the provision of core grant funding for the 2013/14 financial year and specific awards as set out in the schedule - Appendix A
2. Grants totalling £54,540 to organisations to enable the provision of transport as set out in Appendix B
3. Proposals for the extension of the small grants development programme to include support for local retail associations.
4. That the Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Community, Commerce and Regeneration be delegated authority to consider potential increased grants to Heathrow Travel Care and Hillingdon Association of Voluntary Services.
5. That the Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Community, Commerce and Regeneration be delegated authority to agree the terms and conditions of support to the borough’s retail associations and chambers of commerce.
6. Approve the Council’s 2013/14 contribution of £302,227 to the London Councils Grants scheme.

Reasons for decision

In considering the report, Cabinet acknowledged the important role of the voluntary sector, particularly during current economic times. Cabinet agreed to continue its commitment during 2013/14. It was noted that this was in comparison to some other local authorities who had cut budgets.

Alternative options considered and rejected

Cabinet could have made changes to the proposed level of grants.

Officers to action:

Kevin Byrne / Nigel Cramb / Sarah Johnstone – Administration Directorate

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet:

1.         Notes the potential opportunities and risks created by Government’s new Business Rate Retention Scheme.

2          Agrees to the six workstreams set out in the report to provide a stronger basis for supporting economic development and regeneration in Hillingdon.   

Reasons for decision

Cabinet was very much aware that the national economic downturn continued to have some impact on the Borough and agreed a new approach to respond to this, setting out six priority areas that the Council would focus on: Better intelligence on the local economy; supporting development of major sites; streamlining the planning pre-application process; improving skills and employment; developing promotional opportunities and; reviewing support to small businesses.

Alternative options considered and rejected.

Cabinet could have decided to continue currently levels of support to the local economy or do nothing, but felt that such options would not have enabled Hillingdon to respond flexibly to changing economic circumstances. 

Officer to action:

Kevin Byrne, Administration Directorate, Paul Whaymand, Finance Directorate and James Roger, Residents Services 

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet approves the draft Health and Wellbeing Strategy and also notes that consultation on its contents is underway, which will lead to a further report back to Cabinet in 2013.

Reasons for decision

Cabinet gave its approval to consult the public on Hillingdon’s draft Health and Wellbeing Strategy, a statutory plan aimed at improving the health and wellbeing of residents.

Alternative options considered and rejected.

None

Officer to action:

Paul Feven, Finance

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet:

1) Agrees to the publication of the Interim Planning Policy Document (IPPD) on Houses in Multiple Occupation (attached as Appendix One to this report) for public consultation for a period of 28 days.

2) Requests that officers report back to Cabinet following consultation and, subject to Cabinet approval, recommend to full Council on 28 February 2013 with a view to adopt the IDDP prior to the implementation of the Article 4 Direction on the 24 March 2013.

Reasons for decision

Cabinet recalled the decision in November 2011 by the Council to the declare an Article 4 Direction for Uxbridge South & Brunel wards, removing permitted development rights for the conversion of houses to Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs). Prior to the implementation of this Direction in March 2013, Cabinet agreed to consult on a proposed policy and criteria by which the Council would use to determine planning applications for HMOs in the two wards concerned.

Alternative options considered and rejected

Cabinet could have decided not to progress a policy and continued to rely on the outdated guidance contained in early 2004 supplementary planning guidance.

Officer to action:

James Rodger & Richard Shaw – Residents Services

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet:

1. Notes the recent consultation on the proposed changes to the Draft Statement of Gambling Principles (the policy), to which no responses were received.

2. Approves the final document including the changes summarised in Para 3.b of this report and recommends adoption of the policy to full Council on 17th January 2013.

Reasons for decision

In accordance with the licensing legislation, Cabinet had approved a draft Statement of Gambling Principles for wider consultation in September 2012. Consequentially, as a policy framework document, Cabinet recommended the final draft to Council for adoption.

Alternative options considered and rejected

None. The Council is required, under the Gambling Act 2005, to publish a statement of gambling principles, every 3 years.

Officer to action:

Sharon Garner – Residents Services

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet:

1. Gives in principle approval (subject to consultation) to the Joint Mental Health Commissioning Plan and the future direction for services for people with functional mental health needs and people with dementia in Hillingdon and;
2. Instructs officers to report to a future Cabinet meeting on the outcomes of the consultation process.

Reasons for decision

Cabinet agreed a plan for the strategic delivery of Joint Mental Health Commissioning services to improve the mental health and wellbeing of vulnerable residents along with their experience of local health services. It was noted that the plan built on the comprehensive review undertaken recently by the External Services Scrutiny Committee.

Alternative options considered and rejected

Cabinet could have made amendments to the Plan or decided not to approve it.

Officer to action

Paul Feven, Finance

RESOLVED:

That the Cabinet notes the updated financial information attached to the report.

Reasons for decision

Circular 05/05 and the accompanying best practice guidance required local planning authorities to consider how they can inform Members and the public of progress in the allocation, provision and implementation of obligations whether they are provided by the developer in kind or through a financial contribution. Cabinet noted the report which detailed the financial planning obligations held by the Council and what progress had, and was, being made.

Alternative options considered and rejected

To not report to Cabinet.  However, Cabinet believed it was an example of good practice to monitor income and expenditure against specific planning agreements.

Officer to action:

Nicola Wyatt, Planning and Community Services

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet:

1. Notes the progress made with Phases 1, 2 and 3 of the Primary School Expansion Programme and the proposals to address to the additional requirement for places in September 2013;

2. Agrees that the local process of seeking proposers for the two new primary schools should start, following a report to the Cabinet Member for Education & Children’s Services to agree the local process;

3. Note the work undertaken in establishing a Hillingdon Framework for construction works for the School Expansion Programme and delegate approval for acceptance of 6 suppliers onto that Framework and use of the Framework to the Deputy Chief Executive and Corporate Director of Residents Services, in consultation with the Leader of the Council and the Cabinet Member for Finance, Property and Business Services;

4. Agrees to delegate approval to the Deputy Chief Executive and Corporate Director of Residents Services, in consultation with the Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Finance, Property and Business Services, the acceptance of suppliers for the delivery of the Schools Building Project 2013/14 following the outcome of an accelerated restricted procedure;

5. Approves the budget increase of £376,113.48 for Mace consultancy, survey and feasibility fees for Phase 2 of the school expansion programme;

6. Approves the expenditure of £50,000 to progress a temporary classrooms scheme at Lake Farm;

7. Agrees to extend the employment of agency resource working as a CAD Technician on Phase 3 of the programme at a cost of £13,437;

8. Approves the cost of £67,122 for agency staff costs and £6,400 for asbestos reports.

1. Requests that the Chairman of the Executive Scrutiny Committee waives the scrutiny call-in on all these recommendations to ensure the programme can progress swiftly and that the necessary contractual commitments can be met on time.

Reasons for decision

Cabinet received an update on the primary school capital programme and made a number of decisions to progress the provision of sufficient school places, including those relating to the necessary building contracts and project funding.

Alternative options considered and rejected

Cabinet could have decided to delay or not progress aspects of the building programme, which would have impacted upon the Council’s ability to provide sufficient school places.

Officers to action:

David Murnaghan – Residents Services

Exempt Information

This report was included in Part II as it contained information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the Authority holding that information) and the public interest in withholding the information outweighed the public interest in disclosing it (exempt information under paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government (Access to Information) Act 1985 as amended.

RESOLVED:

That the Cabinet:

1. Approves the extension of the existing contract with CfBT Education Trust for the provision of careers information, advice and guidance services for one year from April 1^st 2013 to 31^st March 2014 at a cost of £460,000.

2. Grants delegated authority to the Deputy Chief Executive and Corporate Director for Residents Services, in conjunction with the Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Education and Children’s Services, to finalise the terms of the extension.

Reasons for decision

Following full consideration of all options available to the Council, Cabinet agreed to extend the existing contract with CfBT Education Trust, which represented the best option for the Council. 

Alternative options considered and rejected

Cabinet could have agreed to discontinue the externally commissioned services from March 2013 and provided them through an in-house team.

Officer to action

Tom Murphy, Residents Services

Exempt Information

This report was included in Part II as it contained information relating to any consultations or negotiations, or contemplated consultations or negotiations, in connection with any labour relations matter arising between the authority or a Minister of the Crown and employees of, or office holders under, the authority and the public interest in withholding the information outweighed the public interest in disclosing it (exempt information under paragraph 4 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government (Access to Information) Act 1985 as amended.

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet approves the Single Tender Action to Capita SMS for 3 years at the cost and basis set out in the report.

Reasons for decision

Based upon best value, Cabinet agreed to award a 3 year contract for the Capita Children’s Services Schools Information Management Systems (SIMS) licences as part of a 4 year agreement between the Council and local schools to run ICT services via the Hillingdon Grid for Learning (HGFL).

Alternative options considered and rejected

Cabinet could have agreed to purchase licenses on an annual basis.  However, this would not have offered value for money.

Officer to action:

Steve Palmer, Residents Services

Exempt Information

This report was included in Part II as it contained information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the Authority holding that information) and the public interest in withholding the information outweighed the public interest in disclosing it (exempt information under paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government (Access to Information) Act 1985 as amended.

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet approves the grant of a 125 year lease of Belmore Nursery and Primary School on the main terms outlined in this report as part of the process of conversion of the school to an Academy.

Reasons for decision

Cabinet agreed the grant of a 125 year lease to Belmore Nursery and Primary School to facilitate their conversion to Academy status. Cabinet noted that decisions regarding academies were made by the Secretary of State for Education and therefore the Council had no choice other than to progress with the transfer of the premises.

Alternative options to consider and action

None.

Officer to action:

Mike Paterson 

Exempt Information

This report was included in Part II as it contained information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the Authority holding that information) and the public interest in withholding the information outweighed the public interest in disclosing it (exempt information under paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government (Access to Information) Act 1985 as amended.

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet:

1. Delegates to the Leader of the Council and the Cabinet Member for Social Services, Health and Housing the authority to approve the award of a contract for a generic advocacy service for vulnerable adults and a contract for a specialist learning disability advocacy service;

2. Approves the award of a three year contract to the National Youth Advocacy Service (NYAS) from 1st April 2013 for an Advocacy Service for Looked After Children and an Independent Visitors Scheme, for the sum of £274,866;

3. Approves the appointment of the Disablement Association Hillingdon (DASH) to provide an advocacy service for a further 3-month period from the 1st April 2013 using a single tender process at a cost of £21k in order to allow for a period of re-tendering of the generic advocacy service for vulnerable adults and the specialist learning disability advocacy service.

Reasons for recommendation

Cabinet made the necessary decisions to provide advocacy and independent visiting services, which enabled the Council to meet its statutory responsibilities and deliver the best outcomes for vulnerable people.

Alternative options considered and rejected

Cabinet could have decided to spot purchase an Independent Visitors service or provide the services in-house, but this did not represent value for money.

Officer to action:

Paul Feven, Finance

Exempt Information

This report was included in Part II as it contained information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the Authority holding that information) and the public interest in withholding the information outweighed the public interest in disclosing it (exempt information under paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government (Access to Information) Act 1985 as amended.

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet note the contents of the report and agrees to:

1. Award the contract to manufacture and install the New Toilet Block to Wernick Buildings Ltd for the sum of £121,648;

2. Implementation of the landscaping proposals along with the works relating to the external ground works to the Council’s Highways Term Contractor for the Sum of £164,050;

3. Retain the services of Faithful & Gould (£6750), Gillespies (£12,763) and TEP (£7,500) as described in the body of the report;

4. A budget of up to £739k for the New Toilet Block Project and the Woody Bay Landscaping proposals as well as the external ground works (of which £500k is re - profiled from the original budget allocation) requiring further funding of £239k from the Environmental Assets Projects Budget 2012/13.

5. Delegate the decision to appoint any other consultants, contractors and/or surveys required to deliver the Ruislip Lido Enhancement Project to the Deputy Chief Executive and Corporate Director of Residents Services, in consultation with the Leader of the Council and the Cabinet Member for Finance, Property and Business Services.

6. Agree to appoint Southern Ecological Solutions to undertake the ecological and vegetation/Tree clearance for the sum of £65,078 due to the special nature of the works and UK Power Networks as the Council’s statutory provider to carry out the upgrade of the electrical supply and infrastructure works under single action tender to progress the implementation of the Ruislip Lido Enhancement Programme.

Reasons for decision

Cabinet made a number of decisions to progress elements of the Ruislip Lido Enhancement Programme relating to the installation of new toilets, vegetation clearance and introduction of the hard and soft landscaping proposals, which formed part of the Woody Bay development.

Alternative options considered and rejected

Cabinet could have decided not to progress the development of the Ruislip Lido Enhancement Programme or delay the delivery of it.

Officer to action:

Mohamed Bhimani – Residents Services

Exempt Information

This report was included in Part II as it contained information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the Authority holding that information) and the public interest in withholding the information outweighed the public interest in disclosing it (exempt information under paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government (Access to Information) Act 1985 as amended.

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet approve the acceptance of a tender from Dennis Eagle for the supply of 14 no. 26 tonne  refuse collection vehicles and 1 no. 18 tonne Refuse collection vehicle, subject to the normal capital release approvals.

Reasons for decision

Following a competitive tender exercise, Cabinet gave its approval to accept a tender for the supply and delivery of 15 new refuse vehicles. The new vehicles would be built with Euro 5 engines that complied with the Transport for London low emission zone.

Alternative options considered and rejected

Cabinet could have decided not to replace the existing vehicles, which had been operating on or beyond their useful life. This was considered not an economic option or value for money in the longer-term.

Officer to action

Steve Palmer – Residents Services

Exempt Information

This report was included in Part II as it contained information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the Authority holding that information) and the public interest in withholding the information outweighed the public interest in disclosing it (exempt information under paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government (Access to Information) Act 1985 as amended.

RESOLVED:

That the Cabinet:

1) Approves a 12 month extension of the Respite at Home Contracts with Enara Community Care and Crossroads Care Hillingdon, for the period 1st April, 2013 to 31st March, 2014, utilising the +1 option to extend the existing contracts.

2) Approves the extension of contracts at the total cost of £196k. [A negotiated reduction in unit rates will enable a 10% increase in the number of carers supported during 2013/14.] 

Reasons for decision

Cabinet approved the temporary extension of contracts to enable carers services to be remodelled in light of the Care and Support Bill and deliver a more personalised approach to meet carer’s needs.

Alternative options considered and rejected

Cabinet could have decided to tender the services prior to service re-modelling, but this option was not recommended.

Officer to action

Paul Feven, Finance

Exempt Information

This report was included in Part II as it contained information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the Authority holding that information) and the public interest in withholding the information outweighed the public interest in disclosing it (exempt information under paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government (Access to Information) Act 1985 as amended.

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet:

1) Agree to seek single tender actions or extensions of the following contracts:

·        Mulalley & Co – Extend the existing service provision through a single tender action for a 12 month period to 31st March 2014. 

·        Keepmoat – Extend the existing contract for a 12 month period to 31st March 2014

·        Domestic Lift Services – Extend the existing service provision through a single tender action for a 9 month period to 30^th September  2013

·        Secure Electronic Application Ltd – Extend the existing service provision through a single tender action for a 12 month period to 31^st December 2013

·        Chubb Systems Ltd – Extend the existing service provision through a single tender action for a 12 month period to 31^st December 2013

2) Agree to delegate the decision to appoint contractors based upon the outcome of tender or mini competition exercise to the Deputy Chief Executive and Corporate Director of Residents Services, in conjunction with Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Finance, Property and Business Services, as required.

3) Agree to cease service provision through AP Venn, reassigning work to either Keepmoat, Mullaley & Co or Mitie Facilities Management.  

4) Note that a series of smaller contracts with less than £50,000 per annum expenditure will require extension over the next 12 month period and that these will be executed in accordance with the requirement of standing orders.

Reason for decisions

Following the integration of Housing and Facilities Management into a combined function, Cabinet agreed to review the total contract provision to ensure a more commercial approach to service delivery. Cabinet made a number of short-term contract decisions, pending a wider review into these services.

Alternative options considered and rejected

Cabinet could have decided to do nothing, though agreed that this would not represent the best solution for Hillingdon residents.

Officers to action:

Matthew Kelly / Perry Scott - Finance

Exempt Information

This report was included in Part II as it contained information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the Authority holding that information) and the public interest in withholding the information outweighed the public interest in disclosing it (exempt information under paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government (Access to Information) Act 1985 as amended.

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet awards the Tenants Contents Scheme and Leaseholder Contents Scheme insurance contract to Aon, for a period of 3 years, with the option to extend for a further 2 years from 1st April 2013

Reasons for decision

Following a tender, Cabinet accepted the most economically advantageous tender for the Tenants Contents and Leaseholder Contents Schemes. Cabinet noted that as these products would be offered to Hillingdon residents who found themselves financially excluded from the mainstream home contents insurance market, that there would be no direct cost to the Council.

Alternative options considered and rejected

Cabinet could have decided not to offer the insurance products to residents.

Officer to action:

Simone Batchelor, Finance

Exempt Information

This report was included in Part II as it contained information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the Authority holding that information) and the public interest in withholding the information outweighed the public interest in disclosing it (exempt information under paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government (Access to Information) Act 1985 as amended.

This item which was withdrawn from consideration and deferred to the next Cabinet meeting.

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet:

1. Declare the land at Keith Road, Hayes, surplus to requirements and authorise its disposal. 

2. Accept the offer for the freehold interest in the land as set out in the report.

3. Delegate any further decisions about the site's future to the Leader of the Council and the Cabinet Member for Finance, Property and Business Services in conjunction with the Deputy Chief Executive and Corporate Director for Residents Services.

Reasons for decision

Cabinet agreed to dispose of the site and accept an offer for it, delegating any further decisions that may have to be made on the matter.

Alternative options considered and rejected

Other site usage options were considered but rejected.

Officer to action:

Marcia Gillings, Residents Services

Exempt Information

This report was included in Part II as it contained information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the Authority holding that information) and the public interest in withholding the information outweighed the public interest in disclosing it (exempt information under paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government (Access to Information) Act 1985 as amended.

No additional items were considered by the Cabinet.

The meeting closed at 8.20pm

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

DECISION AUTHORITY

Meeting after Cabinet, the Executive Scrutiny Committee fully endorsed all of Cabinet’s decisions.

With regard to item 16 (minute 673) – School Capital Programme - to ensure that the programme progressed swiftly and that the necessary contractual commitments could be met on time, all decisions on this item come into effect immediately, following the agreement to waive the scrutiny call-in period by the Chairman of the Executive Scrutiny Committee.

The remaining decisions of the Cabinet come into effect from 5pm, Wednesday 2 January 2013.