Issue - meetings

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet:

1.    Note the budget position as at March 2020 (Outturn), including the in-year release of Development and Risk Contingency funds into Directorate Operating budgets as outlined in Table 5.

2.    To ratify a further COVID-19 related emergency decision taken by the Leader of the Council on 20 May 2020 to provide interim financial assistance for SEN Transportation Services Suppliers (during May-July 2020) at a cost of approx. £330k.

3.    Note the use of Capital Receipts to fund service transformation as set out in Appendix E.

4.    Note the Treasury Management update as at March 2020 (Outturn) at Appendix F.

5.    Continue the delegated authority up until the next 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 23 April to 25 June Cabinet meetings, detailed at Appendix G.

6.    Ratify three decisions taken during May and June 2020, as set out in Appendix H on the following matters:

a.    4 May 2020 - Award of Contracts: Care and Wellbeing Services for People with Learning Disabilities and / or Autism;

b.    22 May 2020 - Award of Contract for Servicing, Repairs & Maintenance of Communal Housing & Corporate Gas Heating and Hot water Installations - Lot 2

c.    1 June 2020 - Electrical Testing, Repairs and Upgrades contract – Borough Wide. Extension of Contract.

7.    Approves re-phasing of £26,047k 2019/20 General Fund capital expenditure and financing budgets as set out in Table 20 of the report.

8.    Approves re-phasing of £26,272k 2019/20 HRA capital expenditure and financing budgets into future years as set out in Table 19 of the report.

9.    Accepts the annual grant funding from The Mayor's Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC) of £16,739 per annum as a contribution to the Appropriate Adult Service within Hillingdon.

10.Approve the acceptance of Youth Music Grant funding totalling £19,175 over two years (£9,950 and £9,225 for years one and two respectively) from the Music Education Hub Development Fund, which, in addition to cash and in-kind match funding totalling £7,340, will support increased inclusion and engagement in music education for a more diverse group of young people.

11.Approve acceptance of gift funding in relation to a Planning Performance Agreement in accordance with the provisions of Section 93 of the Local Government Act 2003 for;

a.    Stonefield Close, Ruislip - £12,000

b.    GSK Stockley Park: £50,000

c.    Harefield Road (Wickes/Halfords Site): £40,000

d.    Douglas Webb House; £16,250

e.    Frays Court, 71-73 Cowley Road: £10,000

12.Agree that the Council donates £28.5k to the Mayor of Hillingdon's Charitable Trust to support local good causes, with further donations to top up the overall income for the year to £100k.

13.Accepts West London Better Homes capital grant of £40k to provide accommodation for single homeless people.

14.Accepts 2020/21 Rough Sleeper Initiative grant funding of £2,187k from the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government.

Reasons for decision

Cabinet was informed of the outturn revenue, capital and treasury position from the previous financial year 2019/20. Cabinet noted the underspend of £2,691k on normal activities in the past financial year.

Cabinet noted that whilst the above outturn position was not materially affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, the improvement in the monitoring position had provided funds to be set aside to provide a dedicated reserve to manage costs associated with the pandemic not funded from other sources. The Leader of the Council outlined his confidence in the Council’s finances going forward.

Cabinet made a number of finance related decisions including re-phasing of capital and Housing Revenue Account expenditure into later years and ratification of recent emergency or interim decisions taken by the Leader of the Council.

Cabinet accepted a number of external grants including for the Youth Music Fund, accommodation for single homeless people, rough sleepers, the Appropriate Adult Service and for Planning Performance agreements at key development sites in the Borough.

Cabinet also agreed to donate funds to the Mayor’s Charitable Trust to support local good causes.

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.