Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Councillor Susan O'Brien, ex-officio Member of the Cabinet.

No interests were declared by Members present.

The public minutes and decisions of the Cabinet meeting held on 18 December 2014 were approved as a correct record.

The confidential minutes and decisions of the Cabinet meeting held on 18 December 2014 were approved as a correct record.

This was confirmed by the Cabinet.

RESOLVED:

That the Cabinet:

1.    Notes the content of this report.

2.    Agrees the Council's response to the consultation as set out in Appendix 1 for submission to the Airports Commission by 3rd February 2015;

3.    Agrees that the 'Equity Focused Review Report of the Airports Commission's Community Health Relevant Assessments' by Public Health by Design be submitted to the Airports Commission by 3rd February 2015;

4.    Delegates authority to the Deputy Chief Executive and Corporate Director of Residents Services, in consultation with the Leader of the Council and the Cabinet Member for Planning, Transportation and Recycling, to:

a)    make any minor technical changes required to the Council's response before submission; and/or

b)   make any changes required in the event of new information or evidence that may be received supporting the Council's case before submission.

5.    Instructs officers to continue to respond to consultations on the future of aviation strategy and potential airport expansion, including joint working with the 2M group and other relevant technical groupings.

Reasons for decision

Cabinet endorsed Hillingdon's detailed technical analysis and response to the proposals that were shortlisted by the Airports Commission in 2013 for two options for expanding Heathrow Airport and one proposal for expanding Gatwick Airport. 

By responding to this consultation, the Cabinet reaffirmed the Council's position of no expansion to Heathrow Airport, making it clearly known to the Commission, the adverse impact on local communities resulting from any expansion options they wish to recommend to Government.

Alternative options considered and rejected

None. The Council would be failing in its duty to protect and represent the interests of the Borough, if it had not responded to this major consultation.

Officer to action:

Jales Tippell, Residents Services

Classification: Public

The report and any background papers relating to this decision by the Cabinet are available to view on the Council's website or by visiting the Civic Centre, Uxbridge.

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet:

1.    Note the key findings set out in the report which identifies improvements in many of the key stages in education for Hillingdon’s residents and;

2.    Endorse the priorities for further action to ensure standards in education continue to rise.

Reasons for decision

Cabinet received a report on the standards and quality of education in Hillingdon schools report, including a summary of performance trends and inspection outcomes for the academic year 2013/14. Cabinet welcomed that overall, results had improved and that attainment for pupils in Hillingdon continued to rise throughout the key stages.

Alternative options considered and rejected

None.

Officer to action:

Daniel Kennedy, Residents Services

Classification: Public

The report and any background papers relating to this decision by the Cabinet are available to view on the Council's website or by visiting the Civic Centre, Uxbridge.

RESOLVED

That Cabinet notes the successes to date and continued progress to deliver the Older People’s Action Plan during 2014-15 to improve the quality of life, health and wellbeing of older people in Hillingdon.

Reasons for decision

Cabinet welcomed the progress on the Older People’s Plan 2014-15 and the commitment by the Council and its partners to the continued development and improvement of services designed to create a better quality of life for older people in Hillingdon. Cabinet noted a number of initiatives, showing Hillingdon Council leading the way in its support for Older People.

Alternative options considered and rejected

None.

Officer to action:

Daniel Kennedy, Administration Directorate

Classification: Public

The report and any background papers relating to this decision by the Cabinet are available to view on the Council's website or by visiting the Civic Centre, Uxbridge.

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet:

1.    Approves the implementation of the scheme as outlined in the report;

2.    Delegates to the Deputy Chief Executive and Corporate Director of Residents Services, with the agreement of the Leader of the Council, authority to purchase properties, agree any necessary purchase prices and/or parameters and any other property transactions or decisions required to effectively implement the Scheme:

Reasons for decision

Following a decision in 2013 for officers to develop a Housing Buy-Back Scheme for ex-Council properties in Hillingdon, Cabinet approved the way forward and the necessary delegated authority.

It was noted that the Scheme would be another part of the Council's established toolkit to increase the provision of affordable housing within the Borough and to reduce the financial pressure arising from higher costs associated with temporary accommodation.

Alternative options considered and rejected

Cabinet could have chosen not to operate a Buy Back scheme.

Officers to action:

Andy Evans - Finance

David Ollendorff - Residents Services

Classification: Public

The report and any background papers relating to this decision by the Cabinet are available to view on the Council's website or by visiting the Civic Centre, Uxbridge.

RECOMMENDATIONS

That the Cabinet:

1.    Note the forecast budget position for revenue and capital as at November 2014 (Month 8).

2.    Note the treasury management update as at November 2014 at Appendix E. 

3.    Approves the addition of £16k ADASS/Department of Health funding to support Care Act Implementation to Adult Social Care revenue budgets

4.    Continue the delegated authority up until the 12 February 2015 Cabinet meeting to the Chief Executive to approve any consultancy and agency assignments over £50k, with final sign-off of any assignments made by the Leader of the Council. Cabinet are also asked to note those consultancy and agency assignments over £50k approved under delegated authority between the 18 December 2014 and 22 January 2015 Cabinet meetings, detailed at Appendix F.

5.    Approves the acceptance of gift funding of £69k from Cathedral Group to fund additional resources and expedite a series of planning applications, to be submitted for determination by the Council throughout the next 9 to 12 months on the major development site known as 'The Old Vinyl Factory, Blyth Road Hayes, in accordance with the provisions of Section 93 of the Local Government Act 2003.

6.    Approves the acceptance of gift funding of £22,000 from Arora Developments to fund additional resources and expedite a planning application, to be submitted in relation to a 400 room, 5 storey hotel near Terminal 4 (Heathrow Airport).

7.    Approves the block booking of the second floor of Point West, 1040 Uxbridge Road, Hayes for a further period of three months to March 2015 at a cost of £31k.  The accommodation is used as interim accommodation for bed & breakfast and avoids booking expensive alternatives such as Travelodges.

8.    Ratifies the Emergency Winter Decisions made by officers, with the agreement of the Leader of the Council, since the Cabinet meeting on 20 November 2014, as shown in Appendix G

9.    In relation to Library Book Stock contracts:

a)    Gives formal approval for the one year extension of Hillingdon's contract with the London Libraries Consortium, until 31 March 2015;

b)   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 Community, Commerce and Regeneration, for any necessary interim procurement and expenditure decisions required on the library book stock from 1 April 2015 and;

c)    Notes that a report will be presented to Cabinet later in 2015 following a strategic procurement exercise in relation to the Council's book stock.

10.That Cabinet delegate full authority to the Deputy Chief Executive & Corporate Director of Residents Services and the Borough Solicitor, in consultation with the Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Finance, Property and Business Services, to negotiate and agree the terms of any compensation settlement from the Highways Agency in relation to the compulsory purchase of land at Moorbridge Farm/Terminal 5 Spur Road. Furthermore, to make any other necessary decisions in relation to this matter to secure a resolution.

Reasons for decision

Cabinet was informed of the latest forecast revenue, capital and treasury position for the current year 2014/15 to ensure the Council achieved its budgetary and service objectives.

Cabinet made a range of further decisions in relation to the acceptance of funds to support major development sites in the Borough, further funds to provide temporary accommodation for the homeless and to ratify emergency decisions taken during the winter under delegated authority.

Cabinet made some contract related decisions in relation to the book stock and future arrangements for this to continue the quality reading offer within the Borough's libraries.

The necessary delegation was also agreed by Cabinet in relation to the settlement of a long-standing case involving the Highways Agency.

Alternative options considered and rejected

None.

Officer to action:

Paul Whaymand, Finance Directorate

Classification: Public

The report and any background papers relating to this decision by the Cabinet are available to view on the Council's website or by visiting the Civic Centre, Uxbridge.

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet note the progress made with primary and secondary school expansions and the school condition programme.

Reasons for decision

Cabinet received its monthly update on London’s largest school building programme, aimed at ensuring that every child in the London Borough of Hillingdon would have a quality place at a local school.

It was noted that good progress was being made across both primary and secondary sectors, along with resource provision for those with Special Educational Needs.

Alternative options considered and rejected

None.

Officer to action:

Bobby Finch, Residents Services

Classification: Public

The report and any background papers relating to this decision by the Cabinet are available to view on the Council's website or by visiting the Civic Centre, Uxbridge.

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet:

1.    approves the grant of a 125 year lease of Ryefield Primary School on the main terms outlined in this report as part of the process of conversion of the school to an academy.

2.    approves the grant of a lease of 7 years less 10 days on the main terms outlined in this report of the caretaker's house.

3.    approves the grant of a lease of 7 years less 10 days on the main terms outlined in this report of the area identified as the overprovision of playing fields on the existing school site.

Reasons for decision

Cabinet agreed the grant of a 125 year lease of the land at Ryefield Primary School, to the Vyners Learning Trust as required as part of the process for the conversion of the school to Academy status. Smaller leases were awarded in relation to surplus land on the site and the caretaker's house.

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 land in relation to the premises.

Alternative options to consider and action

None.

Officers to action:

Mike Paterson - Residents Services 

Classification: Private

Whilst the Cabinet's decisions above are always made public, the officer report relating to this matter is not because it was considered in the private part of the meeting and 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 Hestia Housing and Support be awarded a one year extension of their contract with a break clause of three months, for a housing support and a floating support services for people experiencing domestic violence from the 15th November 2014 for a sum of £269,648 per annum, as permitted under the contract.

Reasons for decision

Cabinet noted that a corporate transformation review of all domestic violence services across the Council was currently being undertaken. In order to ensure continuity of service during this transitional phase, Cabinet agreed a temporary extension of the current housing and support service for those experiencing domestic abuse.

Alternative options considered and rejected

Cabinet could have ceased such support services for victims of Domestic Violence or re-tendered services not pending the outcome of the transformation review.

Officers to action:

Tony Zaman, Adult Social Care Services

Perry Scott, Finance

Classification: Private

Whilst the Cabinet's decisions above are always made public, the officer report relating to this matter is not because it was considered in the private part of the meeting and 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.

The report in relation to this matter was withdrawn from consideration and no decisions were made by the Cabinet.

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet:

1.    Declare the site surplus to requirements.

2.    Authorise the sale of the site on the open market.

3.    Appropriate the site from the Housing Revenue Account to the General Fund.

4.    Authorise the acceptance of the offer for the site from Bidder A, plus administrative and surveyor's costs as set out in the report, and agree that if bidder A cannot proceed within a reasonable period of time as set out in the report, then it is recommended that the Council proceeds with bidder B and if bidder B cannot perform within a reasonable time then the Council proceeds with bidder C.

5.    Delegate all future decisions regarding the site 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 and accept a bid for a vacant garage site adjacent to the Grand Union Canal, given its poor state of repair. It was noted that this site would be suitable for residential development.

Alternative options considered and rejected

Cabinet could have decided to accept another offer for the site, or kept the site vacant and unused.

Officer to action:

Marcia Gillings, Residents Services

Urgency Provisions

This report had been circulated less than 5 working days before the Cabinet meeting and was agreed by the Chairman to be considered as urgent.

Classification: Private

Whilst the Cabinet's decisions above are always made public, the officer report relating to this matter is not because it was considered in the private part of the meeting and contained information relating to an individual, likely to reveal the identity of an individual and 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 paragraphs 1, 2 & 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 7.32pm

* IMPORTANT INFORMATION

DECISION AUTHORITY

Meeting after Cabinet, the Executive Scrutiny Committee did not call-in any of the Cabinet’s decisions. The decisions of the Cabinet will therefore come into effect from 5pm, Friday 30^th January 2015.