Agenda and minutes

Apologies were recieved from Cllr Judy Kelly.

Apologies were also recieved from Cllr Kuldeep Lakhmana, with Cllr Jazz Dhillon substituting and Cllr Lynne Allen, with Cllr John Morse substituing.

There were no delcarations of interest.

It was confirmed that all items on the agenda would be considered in public.

The minutes from the meeting on 21 November 2017 were agreed as an accurate record.

The Committee considered a report on the draft revenue budget and capital programme for the services within the remit of the Residents Policy Overview Committee 2018/19, along with indicative projections for the following four years.

Following consideration by the Cabinet on 14 December 2017, these proposals were under consultation and discussed at each Policy Overview Committee.  The proposals were next due to be considered by Cabinet on 15 February 2018 and the report would include comments from the Policy Overview Committees.  Following that meeting of Cabinet, full Council would meet on 22 February 2018 to agree the budgets and council tax for 2018/19.

Overall, it was reported that despite the Council continuing to operate within the constraints of Government's deficit reduction programme, in addition to continuing demographic and demand pressures, the London Borough of Hillingdon still retained healthy balances. The Council was still also able to freeze council tax.

The report gave details of the savings proposals to meet the budget gaps and respond to the increases in costs pressures and contingency plans for development and risk. Officers gave a verbal summary of the key details.

The Council's financial performance during 207/18 remained strong with an under spend of £980k projected across revenue budgets and £14,460k of the £15,508k savings programmed wither already banked or on track for delivery

Locally raised income from council tax and business rates was expected to grow by £4,905k as a result of strength in tax bases. This would however be off-set by a reduction in government funding. 

£250k of the sum for Priority Grown remained uncommitted at this stage but the remainder consisted off the following areas:

·         £1000k resources committed to meeting capital financing costs associated with the Council's flagship schools expansion programme

·         £576k to support operation go a new Waste and Recycling centre

·         £250k per annum funding for the Metropolitan Police station to continue the operation of Uxbridge Police Station

·         £200k support for an expanded you offer from the Council

·         £200k additional funding for Counter Fraud Activity to ensure the Council protects its finances

·         £139k further growth for the expanded Museums and Archives Service in addition to the £140k allocated in 2017/18

·         During Member discussion, it was reported:

During Member discussion, it was reported:

·         A suggested site had been identified for Yiewsley swimming pool but had not yet been finalised or agreed.

·         A suggested site had also been identified for a waste and recycling centre, but the details of this had not yet been finalised.

·         For both of these sites there was a budget available and also contingency plans if the budget overran.

·         The government had imposed a reduction which enable the Council's Housing Revenue Account budgets to be prepared to deliver a 1% reduction in rents for existing tenants in 2018/19.

·         Previous targets had been met in relation to creating 545 affordable homes for residents by 2022/23 and these figures would be circulated to Members.

Some Members indicated that further changes would be suggested at the Council budget meeting.

Overall, the Committee  ...  view the full minutes text for item 39.

The Committee welcomed the following witnesses to the major review witness session:

Car parking charges

The Committee was provided with details on differential parking charges for different vehicles (diesel/petrol/electric). There were several local authorities with different schemes ranging from free parking permits for low emission vehicles to increased surcharges for diesel vehicles.

Officers outlined details of the work done in Merton Council which considered Merton's Air Quality Parking Project. Some of the changes introduced included permits issues to residents or business being subjected to a surcharge if they were issued to diesel engine vehicle. A reduced fee being introduced for permits for residents that used electric vehicles.

The Committee discussed the possibility of introducing a similar system. It was acknowledged that the London Borough of Hillingdon has a number of industries that used diesel and homeowners that used diesel cares. This was national issues which needed to be implemented all over the country. There was also a concern that residents on low income would be affected as they may not be able to afford to replace to replace a diesel car.

Focus areas and monitoring strategies

The Committee was provided with detailed information on air quality monitoring around the Borough.  Maps were also provided at the meeting to assist Members to visualise the coverage.

Discussion took place and it was reported that the south of the Borough had the most continue monitoring. A method that could be used to monitor air quality was through the use of diffusion tubes. Focus areas were identified which included Hayes and Ruislip. The most vulnerable area affected by pollution were deprived areas.

Discussion also took place around whether traffic lights and roundabouts caused more pollution. It was reported that if the speed was low emissions tended ot be higher but a number of factors were taken into place. Results about air quality in focus areas were shared with the planning departments. There was a general concensus that in order to manage this issues national the government and manufacturers needed to work together. There was no assumption that Hillingdon could get rid of pollution but have strong strategies in place to manage pollution.

Public Health implications of poor air quality

The Committee was provided with information on the impacts of air pollution on health.

It was reported that there were a number of pollutants but the main ones of concerns were particulars, ground level ozone, nitrogen dioxide, sulphur dioxide and carbon dioxide. The health impacts were diverse in that there could short term, long terms effects. A number of proven effective strategies were in place to manage pollution which included the reduction of emission from coal fired power plans, banning the use of polluting fuels in urban centres and improvements to access public transportation.

Discussion took place on how the Borough could best manage this issue and it was reported that ending the sale of new concentration petrol and diesel cars could help and reducing the emissions of damaging air pollutants.

Local Authority Pollution, Prevention  ...  view the full minutes text for item 40.

Members asked for further information on Environmental Cleaning Contract.

RESOLVED-

1.    That the forward plan be noted

2.    That a briefing paper be provided to the Committee on the Environmental Cleaning Contract.

The work programme was noted. The major review item final report would be prepared for the meeting on 27 March 2018.

RESOLVED - That the work programme be noted.