Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from the Deputy Mayor (Councillor G. Cooper), Councillors Bianco, J. Cooper, Higgins, R. Mills and Morgan.

To receive the minutes of the meetings held on:

·      20 February,

·      3 April and

·      5 June 2014 (all attached)

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meetings held on 20 February, 3 April and 5 June 2014 be agreed as correct records.

The Mayor announced that she would be launching her Charity Appeal for the year on 6 August which would be raising funds for the Michael Sobell Hospice at Mount Vernon Hospital which provided care, comfort and support for local people facing life-limiting illnesses.

She was also delighted to have received Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II at the opening of Heathrow Airport's new Terminal 2 building.

Councillor Puddifoot moved, and Councillor Simmonds seconded, the recommendations as set out in the Order of Business. The motion was then put to the vote and, following debate (Councillor Eginton), it was:

RESOLVED: That

a)    the Urgency decisions detailed in the report be noted.

b)   authority be delegated to the Leader of the Council to appoint co-opted members to Policy Overview and Scrutiny Committees, determining the suitability and term of office of such appointments and reviewing the appointments on expiry of that term.

c)    the Procurement and Contract Standing Orders and other relevant parts of the Constitution be amended to enable the effective implementation of a new Private Sector Leasing Scheme upon the recommendation of the Leader of the Council and Cabinet's decision to implement such a Scheme on 19 June 2014.

d)   the required wording changes to the Constitution be delegated to the Head of Democratic Services in consultation with the Leader of the Council.

e)    the decision taken by the Deputy Chief Executive and Corporate Director of Residents Services on 24 April 2014 to provisionally authorise the transfer of powers to London Councils' Transport and Environment Committee to undertake the legal processes to introduce the required Traffic Regulation Orders to bring into effect the London Safer Lorry Scheme be ratified;

f)       authority be delegated to the Chief Executive and Deputy Chief Executive and Corporate Director of Residents Services to authorise the transfer of non-executive powers under delegated authority granted by Council to another body in the best interests of the London Borough of Hillingdon and subject to the endorsement of the Leader of the Council and relevant Cabinet Member.

To consider the recommendations of Cabinet (attached)

Members considered the adoption of the Council's Community Infrastructure Levy Charging Schedule and Replacement Planning Obligations Supplementary Planning Guidance.  

Councillor Burrows moved, and Councillor Corthorne seconded, the recommendations as set out in the Order of Business and it was:

RESOLVED: That:

a)    the Community Infrastructure Levy Charging Schedule and the Planning Obligations Supplementary Planning Document be adopted as Council policy;

b)   the proposed instalments policy for CIL payments be approved; and

c)    the current Planning Obligations Supplementary Planning Document be withdrawn following the adoption of the revised Planning Obligations Supplementary Planning Document.

To consider the confirmation of the proposed Article 4 Direction (attached)

Members considered the adoption of the Article 4 Direction to protect Hillingdon's residents from the impact of legislative changes which would enable extensions of up to 6m and 8m depth (dependent on house type) to be built without the need for planning permission.

Councillor Burrows moved, and Councillor D. Mills seconded, the recommendations as set out in the Order of Business and it was:

RESOLVED: That:

a)   The response to the consultation be noted and the intention to impose the Article 4(1) Direction (which subject to the Secretary of State not intervening, would come into force on 22 September 2014) be confirmed, withdrawing permitted development rights for single storey rear extensions over 4m depth.

b)   Officers be authorised to undertake the necessary advertising and prepare and circulate the relevant documentation required in order to implement the Article 4 Direction.

8.1       QUESTION SUBMITTED BY COUNCILLOR DUDUCU TO THE Cabinet Member for SOCIAL SERVICES, HEALTH & HOUSING – COUNCILLOR CORTHORNE

"Would the Cabinet Member please provide an update on the development and progress of the new day centre on Queens Walk?"

The Cabinet Member for Social Services, Health & Housing advised that work was currently underway on the centre and that completion was expected at the end of July.

By way of a supplementary question, Councillor Duducu asked how parent carers had been engaged in the development.

The Cabinet Member for Social Services, Health & Housing responded that the Council had worked very closely with parent carers in the development process. He placed on record his thanks for their contribution and for the hard work of the officer team in delivering this project.

8.6       QUESTION SUBMITTED BY COUNCILLOR dheer TO THE LEADER OF THE COUNCIL– COUNCILLOR PUDDIFOOT

"What is the Council doing to support its Public Sector, low paid workers who have taken strike action today due to the increase in workload and salaries not keeping pace with inflation?"

The Leader of the Council advised that only 5.3% of the national workforce had voted for strike action and that there had been very little support from employees at the London Borough of Hillingdon. He noted that striking disrupted the delivery of services to residents but that only 87 employees had taken part and that the disruption had been minimal. He also noted that pay levels for employees were not determined locally by the Council as all pay and conditions of service negotiations were conducted nationally.

The Leader highlighted the following points from a speech he had delivered to Council employees in November 2013:

§  £17.1 million of savings was required during 2013/14 and a further £13 million of savings would be required in 2014/15.

§  £76.8 million of savings had been made since 2010.

§  The Council had already been subject to effective cuts of 31% which could rise to 48% in the future.

§  During this period of cuts, the Council had continued to invest in libraries, green spaces and new schools.

§  Hillingdon had made comparatively very few people redundant when compared to other Councils. Where redundancies had been made, they included officers at the most senior levels. The Business Improvement Delivery (BID) Programme had been a major part of this difference and would continue to play a part in the future.

§  There had been no rise in Council Tax for 5 years.

By way of a supplementary question, Councillor Dheer asked whether the Leader sympathised with those in Government making cuts despite the bonuses being given to bankers.

The Leader responded that both the cuts made by Government and the bonuses given to bankers were not within the Council's responsibility. Furthermore, he stated that there was little that the Council could do to influence the national pay agreement.

8.2       QUESTION SUBMITTED BY COUNCILLOR EDWARDS TO THE Cabinet Member for Community, Commerce and Regeneration - COUNCILLOR D.MILLS

"With the UK economy improving each month what impact are we seeing in Hillingdon on the number of people seeking the Job Seekers allowance and the number of new job opportunities?"

The Cabinet Member for Community, Commerce & Regeneration advised that between May 2013 and May 2014 there had been a decrease of 1,318 of the Borough's residents claiming Jobseeker's Allowance. The latest figures showed that, of the Borough's working age population, less than 2% were claiming the Jobseeker's Allowance. The drop in claimants had been supported by a steady increase in local employment opportunities with over 1,700 opportunities available in Hillingdon and a further 1,700 jobs at Heathrow as of June 2014.

By way of a supplementary question, Councillor Edwards asked what steps had been taken by the Council to improve investment in the Borough and what further steps would be taken in the future.

The Cabinet Member for Community, Commerce & Regeneration responded that the Council was doing a great deal to encourage investment in the Borough. There were a significant number of sites currently being developed including the Old Vinyl Factory and St Andrew's Park. However, he noted that that more needed to be done to encourage further investment and that, to achieve this, a booklet was available that set out the Council's approach to increasing commercial interest in the Borough.

8.5       QUESTION SUBMITTED BY COUNCILLOR MORSE TO THE Cabinet Member for Planning, Transportation and Recycling – COUNCILLOR BURROWS

"Since 2009 the residents of Hillingdon have seen two recycling stations closed. West Waste who ran Victoria Road recycling station have publicised that they have no further plans to change the use of the site and can reopen the recycling process. When does the Council expect to complete negotiations that lead to the reopening of the site?"

The Cabinet Member for Planning, Transportation & Recycling advised that the finances of the Victoria Road recycling station had been appalling. The Council had made it clear that it did not wish for the site to close but it was also unwilling to foot a 166% rise in costs. The Council had offered to meet with the Chairman of the West London Waste Authority and provide an extra month of funding to allow negotiations to take place. This offer had been rejected and, with the support of Labour councillors from other authorities, the site had been closed at the end of May 2014. There was a possibility that the site could be used by the West London Waste Authority's waste disposal contractor, SITA, to use the site going forward.

By way of supplementary question, Councillor Morse asked what financial valuation did the Council place on the offer from SITA to divert commercial waste into the HRRC operation to provide income and reduce Hillingdon's operating costs for the Victoria Road recycling centre?

The Cabinet Member for Planning, Transportation & Recycling responded that the site had been closed by West London Waste and that the Council had been willing to negotiate but it had not been possible to find a satisfactory resolution. He emphasised that the closure had been backed by Labour councillors from neighbouring Boroughs.

8.3       QUESTION SUBMITTED BY COUNCILLOR PALMER TO THE CABINET MEMBER FOR CENTRAL SERVICES– COUNCILLOR SEAMAN-DIGBY

"Please describe the procurement transformation and initiatives that the Council has introduced, and the problem or challenges it sought to resolve, also what aspects have been particularly imaginative or unique, and how have you demonstrated real benefits to the Council."

The Cabinet Member for Central Services advised that procurement was a key Council service that impacted upon every area of the Council's operations. The procurement function had been significantly transformed over the past 4 years including its structure, role and capability for delivering savings. The service had been reviewed from top to bottom and had been significantly strengthened with the expertise of staff from the private sector and the incorporation of the Procurement and Commissioning structure into a single, central team.

The Cabinet Member highlighted the following statistics:

§  From 31 March 2013 to present, cashable savings had been £6.2 million in contracts let.

§  From 31 March 2013 to present, cost avoidance / capital savings had been £12.4 million in contracts let.

There was no supplementary question.

8.4       Question submitted by councillor eginton TO THE CABINET MEMBER FOR EDUCATION AND CHILDREN’S SERVICES – COUNCILLOR SIMMONDS

"Can the Cabinet Member provide details of proposed changes to the Scheme for Financing Schools so as to provide certainty for schools regarding the costs of redundancy?"

The Cabinet Member for Education & Children's Services advised that a revised proposal for the Scheme for Financing Schools was currently being developed and would be considered by the Schools Forum. The aim of the proposal was to provide clarity on the process and ensure that all steps had been taken to minimise the costs of redundancy. Ultimately, the Schools Forum would make decisions on these matters.

By way of a supplementary question, Councillor Eginton asked whether the Cabinet Member would accept an invitation to the Schools Forum to discuss these issues further.

The Cabinet Member for Education & Children's Services responded that he would welcome an invitation from the Chairman of the Schools Forum. He would consider whether attendance was appropriate only upon receipt of such an invitation.

9.1       MOTION FROM COUNCILLOR SIMMONDS

Councillor Simmonds moved the motion as set out on the Order of Business. The motion was seconded by Councillor Puddifoot.

Following debate (Councillors Seaman-Digby and Flynn), Councillor Dhillon moved an amendment to the motion revising the first paragraph to read:

"Council notes the commitments in Hillingdon Conservatives' election manifesto which continue to put residents in the north of the Borough first."

The amendment was seconded by Councillor Eginton. Following debate (Councillors Puddifoot and Simmonds), the amendment was put to the vote and lost.

After further debate (Councillors Corthorne, Davis, Burrows, Sweeting, East, Duducu, Gilham and Yarrow), the original motion was put to the vote and it was:

RESOLVED: That Council notes the commitments in Hillingdon Conservatives' election manifesto which continue to put residents first.

Council resolves to deliver the programme of continued investment in facilities and services that residents value including further new youth centres, improved pavements and roads, more green flag parks, the Hillingdon First card, a range of housing opportunities for long term local residents, more school places, and a borough museum and theatre. In addition, the sound finances of the council allow us to support residents against HS2 and further airport expansion and attract inward investment to support a vibrant local economy.

Council further resolves to support the administration in continuing measures making Hillingdon Council an even more businesslike organisation, to ensure the financial efficiency needed to deliver this programme.

9.2       MOTION FROM COUNCILLOR CURLING

Councillor Curling moved, and Councillor Sansapuri seconded, the motion as set out on the Order of Business. Following debate (Councillor Puddifoot), the motion was put to the vote and it was:

RESOLVED: That Council notes the tremendous work of Freeman Natasha Baker and local resident Conrad Tokarczyk in highlighting the problem of disabled access to the borough’s stations through their campaign to make all Hillingdon stations step free within 5 years.

Council further notes that the campaign to set up a public fund to which companies, councils and individuals can contribute, and which would then be spent on installing step free access at stations across London, has recently gained the support of all three of the borough’s MPs.

Council therefore requests that the Cabinet look into how the London Borough of Hillingdon can support this campaign.