Agenda and minutes

Councillors Philip Corthorne and Scott Seaman-Digby

None.

The minutes of the previous meeting were agreed.

This was confirmed.

The Chairman of the Corporate Services and Partnerships Policy Overview Committee presented the Committee’s review to the Cabinet, which was warmly endorsed.

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet:

1.         Welcomes the review’s final report from the Corporate Services & Partnerships Policy Overview Committee and be asked to give consideration to the following recommendations: 

a)     That the London Development Agency when reviewing business support funding be asked to give consideration to how business networks can be facilitated at local level.

b)    That consideration be given to providing a core central service facility, possibly located at the Studios, which would provide finance and administrative support to the new business start ups.  

c)     That Uxbridge College be asked to look at providing business networking events at the Studios which would facilitate greater interaction between businesses and lead to business to business support.

d)    That the Hillingdon 4 Business website, on-line Hillingdon Business Guide and Business Link be used for wider promotion of business support and grants available from UK Trade and Investment.

e)     That officers investigate with Further Education and Higher Education establishments, measures to replicate the Hayes Business Studios model on other sites within the Borough as well as other initiatives based around entrepreneurship. 

f)      That officers be asked to explore a partnership with SEGRO on the North Uxbridge Industrial Estate looking at introducing initiatives which would provide support to the businesses on the estate.

Reasons for decision

Cabinet agreed with the Policy Overview Committee report that the Council and its key strategic partners had undertaken a wide range of measures aimed at supporting residents and businesses with a focus on town centre improvements. Cabinet supported the recommendations to enhance support to businesses and industrial estates in the Borough.

Alternative options considered and rejected

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

Officer to action:

Khalid Ahmed, Democratic Services

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet:

1)     Welcome that the Committee has noted the progress made since the last review of Hillingdon Centre of Independent Living in 2007; 

2)     Request that:

a)                                         The Policy Overview Committee review this matter again looking at the potential to provide the service in a more efficient manner, possibly for the benefit of other authorities as well as Hillindgon; and

b)                                         Officers work with the Committee to report back to Cabinet with fully costed options and recommendations.

Reasons for decision

Cabinet thanked the Committee for its review, but asked that it undertake a further more in-depth review at the service, with a view of reporting back to Cabinet with fully costed options for the future of the Hillingdon Centre for Independent Living.

Alternative options considered and rejected

The Cabinet could have accepted all of the Committee’s recommendations.

Officers to action:

Charles Francis, Democratic Services

Gary Collier, Adult Social Care, Health and Housing

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet:

1.      Notes that the proposals are subject to confirmation and decisions in principle can be revoked if the eventual self financing offer is not in line with expectations or if circumstances change sufficiently to alter the current view of the proposals.

2.      Taking this into account and on the basis that both the Council HRA and GF stands to benefit under a future self financing system, instructs officers to respond positively to the Government proposals.

3.      Approves the Hillingdon response as set out in Appendix 4.

Reasons for decision

Cabinet considered the details of the Government consultation paper about proposals to dismantle the current HRA Subsidy system in favour of a self-financing alternative. Cabinet approved the Council’s submission, noting that by doing so the Council would not be committing to any proposal at this stage.

Alternative options considered and rejected

The Council could have decided not to respond to the Government consultation but this could have resulted in any issues specific to Hillingdon not being taken into account if the Government decides to bring in the change on a statutory basis.                        

Officers to action:

Maqsood Sheikh, Adult Social Care, Health and Housing

Paul Whaymand, Finance and Resources

RESOLVED:

That the Cabinet:

1)     notes the updated financial information attached to the report;

2)     reminds Directors to ensure all s106/278 expenditure is approved by the Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Finance and Business Services.

Reasons for decision

Circular 05/05 and the accompanying best practice guidance requires 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.

The Council’s Constitution provides for the release of all capital to be made by a formal Cabinet Member decision to the Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Finance and Business Services.

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)     Agree to utilise the Harrow Framework Agreement for the design, supply & installation of park and playground equipment.

2)     Agree that the appropriate delegated officer, in consultation with the relevant Cabinet Member has the authority to award the contract for each individual ‘mini-tender’, on the basis of predetermined price / quality criteria.

Reasons for decision

Cabinet agreed to use the Framework Agreement put in place by Harrow Borough Council (part of the West London Alliance) as an efficient way to meets Hillingdon’s equipment requirement for playgrounds, parks and green spaces.

Alternative options considered and rejected

The Council could have run its own tender process or awarded it to a single supplier.

Officers to action:

Paul Richards – Planning, Environment and Community Services Matthew Kelly, Finance and Resources

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet:

1)     Notes the progress made to date on the Council Plan;

2)     Notes the progress made on the LAA 2008 and the performance reward grant section of the LAA 2007;

3)     Notes the recent announcement from Government of payment of LAA reward monies in light of the public sector efficiency review. 

4)     Notes the progress made in performance within the local performance framework;

5)     Notes achievements across the Council.

Reasons for decision

Cabinet received its regular report setting out the progress made by officers in implementing the Council Plan across the Council as well as general performance, resident’s feedback and achievements.  The report also provided a corporate overview of progress and funding of the Local Area Agreement bearing in mind the recent budget announcements from the new Government.

Alternative options considered and rejected

None.

Officers to action:

Kevin Byrne/Ian Edwards, Deputy Chief Executive’s Office

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet:

1)     Notes the outturn of Hillingdon’s Sustainable Community Strategy objectives up to end of 2009/2010.

2)     Instructs officers to develop future proposals, with partners, that:

                          I.      reflect the opportunities presented to focus on local priorities given the abolition of the Comprehensive Area Assessment,

                        II.      put residents at heart of everything the Council and LSP does

                      III.      streamlines performance management processes wherever possible

                     IV.      supports partnership working where clear benefits in service delivery can be demonstrated

                       V.      Explore possibility of a Partnership Shared Services Social Enterprise model for Hillingdon

                     VI.      are realistic about the financial challenges facing the council and partners. 

And to report back to Cabinet initially in three months time. 

Reasons for decision

Cabinet reviewed progress on the Sustainable Community Strategy made decisions to ensure that the Council and its partners would be well placed in the current economic climate and also bearing in mind recent necessary decisions made by the new Government on the national budget which could present both opportunities and challenges locally.

Alternative options considered and rejected.

None.

Officer to action:

Ian Edwards, Deputy Chief Executive’s Office

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet formally approve the award of a 3-year contract to Network Design & Support Limited at a total cost of £629k for the supply of the Novell licences for ICT Directory Services, File Hosting and Email also for the support and maintenance of this infrastructure for 3 years.

Reasons for recommendation

Cabinet agreed to continue with the Council’s current ICT infrastructure that was built around Novell technologies that would bring additional functionality to the ICT systems and users.

Alternative options considered and rejected

By not replacing the current ICT infrastructure, Cabinet felt that the risks would have been too high leading to down time and basic systems such as file & print or e-mail to all staff and users being unavailable or significantly reduced.

Officer to action:

Arthur Greaves, Finance and Resources

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 agree but delegate the final decision to award the contracts to Hestia detailed below:

a)     a new floating support service for people experiencing domestic violence for £391,066 for three years (with a commencement date yet to be agreed);

b)    a new building-based service for women experiencing domestic violence for £579,224 for three years (with a commencement date yet to be agreed).

to the Leader of the Council and Cabinet Members for Social Services, Health & Housing and Finance and Business Services, in conjunction with the Director of Adult Social Care, Health and Housing.

Reasons for decision

Cabinet considered the contracts for existing domestic violence related housing-related support services in the Borough that were coming to an end. In light of recent budget announcements by the Government, Cabinet delegated the final decision to award the new contracts to Members in consultation with Officers.

Alternative options considered and rejected

Cabinet could have decided to not proceed with the contract and the existing services would have been decommissioned.  However, this would have left vulnerable residents without support.

Officer to action:

Barry Newitt, Adult Social Care, Health and Housing

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 taking of the lease by the Council at a rent of £131,458 per annum exclusive. Other terms are to be approved by the Director of Planning, Environment and Community Services in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Finance and Business Services.

Reasons for decision

Cabinet agreed to proceed with a lease to provide Port Health services in Terminal 5. Cabinet noted that this was a statutory service, which the council would be fully reimbursed for by the Health Protection Agency.

Alternative options considered and rejected.

None.

Officer to action:

Mike Paterson, Planning, Environment and Community 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 agree:

1)     That the site adjacent to the South Ruislip Library known as Plot B is declared surplus to requirements.

2)     To authorise officers to submit a planning application for development of Plot B to residential use, subject to final sign-off by the Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Finance and Business Services.

3)     To delegate the subsequent decision of the site’s future development to the Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Finance and Business services, in conjunction with the Director of Planning, Environment and Community Services.

Reasons for decision

Cabinet agreed that there were development opportunities on this site and authorised officers to proceed with the planning application stage, delegating further decisions on it to Cabinet Members.

Alternative options considered and rejected

None at this stage.

Officer to action:

Mayur Patel - Planning, Environment and Community 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:

1)     Award of the contract to provide the Meals Service on behalf of the London Borough of Hillingdon to Apetito, for a period of two years commencing 26th September 2010 with the option of an extension for one year thereafter, if it is required and is deemed to be appropriate.

2)     Agree Pricing Option 2, based on Apetito utilising the London Borough of Hillingdon Civic Centre kitchen and bearing the risk of replacement of the kitchen equipment.

3)     Instruct officers to ensure that the change in service provider is effectively communicated to all recipients of the meals service and full communication with carers and relevant organisations takes place bearing in mind the need to be aware of community safety issues for vulnerable adults.

Reason for decision

Cabinet agreed to a re-tendered meals service and new provider and stressed the importance that carers and users of the service be fully informed about the change in service provider.

Alternative options considered and rejected

Cabinet could have decided on a number of options for the provision of the service but agreed pricing option 2 with the new provider.

Officer to action:

Brian Barry, Adult Social Care, Health and Housing

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 declares Tasman House surplus to requirements and agrees that it be sold in the open market, with planning permission for residential use, by a method to be decided by the Director of Planning, Environment and Community Services in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Finance and Business Services.

Reasons for decision

Cabinet agreed that there was no service requirement for Tasman House and that the best option would be to sell it to generate a capital receipt that would contribute to the Council’s Capital Programme.

Alternative options considered and rejected

None.

Officer to action:

Mayur Patel – Planning, Environment and Community 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 agrees for the Leader and the Cabinet Member for Education and Children Services and the Cabinet Member for Finance and Business Services to:

1)     Take such steps as appropriate, after considering such advice from relevant officers and external advisors, to progress the council responding to the Jarvis administrator proposal for the acquisition of Jarvis (Barnhill) Limited by Johnson Workplace Management Limited and the novation of the Facilities Provision Contract to SGP Property & Facilities Management Limited.

2)     Delegate such authority as necessary to the Director of Children’s Services and Director of Finance & Resources and Director of Planning Environment and Community Services, in consultation with them, to conclude the detail of necessary actions and legal documents.

Reasons for decision

Cabinet noted the latest position and agreed to take such steps as appropriate to respond to the entry into administration in March 2010 of Jarvis Plc and Jarvis Accommodation Services at Barnhill Community High School.

Alternative options considered and rejected

Cabinet considered the professional advice that was presented to them in the report and delegated further decisions to Members and Officers to take any further steps and conclude any documents as required.

Officers to action:

Bob Alabaster, Derek Barnden, Jean Palmer, Chris Spencer, Christopher Neale (Finance and Resources, Education & Children Services and Planning, Environment and Community 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.

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.

None.

The meeting closed at 7.30pm

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

DECISION AUTHORITY

These Cabinet decisions were not called-in by the Executive Scrutiny Committee and therefore come into effect 5pm Friday 2 July 2010.

Changes to proposed decisions:

Officers should note that the Cabinet amended the recommendations and thereby their decisions on the following items on the agenda: 6, 8, 13, 15 and 16 (minute ref. 166, 168, 173, 175 and 176)