Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Councillor Susan O’Brien and Councillor Jonathan Bianco.

No interests were declared by Members present.

The minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on 30 May 2019 were agreed as a correct record.

This was confirmed.

Councillor Richard Mills, Chairman of the Corporate Services, Commerce & Communities Policy Overview Committee, presented the Committee’s review to Cabinet, which was warmly endorsed.

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet:

1. Welcomes the Committee’s findings from their review into Combating Homophobic, Biphobic, Transphobic Bullying of Young People in Hillingdon; and,

2. Endorses the following recommendations from the Committee for implementation by officers, in consultation with and with sign-off where required, by the Leader of the Council and/or the Cabinet Member:

Policy Overview Committee Recommendations

Following an in-depth review on the subject, it is proposed that the Council follows-up the outstanding actions from the ‘2013 Assessment of Homophobic, Biphobic and Transphobic Bullying in Hillingdon’, which the Committee have incorporated into a set of revised recommendations focused on younger LGBT residents, as detailed below:

1.    Officers attend the Headteachers’ Forum and Governors’ Forum to promote all elements of equality, including a focus on LGBT issues and preventing and tackling homophobic, biphobic and transphobic bullying, as well as how to report it.

2.    Ensure homophobic, biphobic and transphobic bullying be included in the Council’s programme of tackling hate crime and extremism in schools.

3.    The Council release a template / guidance regarding LGBT bullying for schools, including best practice to combat homophobic, biphobic and transphobic bullying, that can be used or adapted by schools to ensure it meets their individual needs.

4.    The Council encourages local primary and secondary schools to join the “Stonewall Champions Programme”.

5.     The Council release a press statement and fly the rainbow flag outside the Council on the date of “Pride in London” to celebrate LGBT awareness.

Reasons for decision

Cabinet considered the Committee’s review and endorsed the recommendations from it, noting that these steps would help schools tackle homophobic, biphobic and transphobic bullying, promote equality and improve the lives of those residents who have been victims of this form of unacceptable bullying.

Alternative options considered and rejected

Cabinet could have decided to reject some, or all, of the Committee’s recommendations.

Officers to action:

Luke Taylor, Democratic Services (Monitoring)

Dan Kennedy, Residents Services (Implementation)

Fiona Gibbs, Chief Executive’s Office (Implementation)

Vicky Trott, Chief Executive’s Office (Implementation)

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)    Agree to a public consultation for the draft Statement of Gambling Policy;

2)    Note that a further report will be submitted to Cabinet, post consultation, highlighting any consultation responses for Cabinet to consider for inclusion in the final policies;

3)    Note that, subject to later Cabinet endorsement, the final Statement of Gambling Policy will be referred to full Council for adoption.

Reasons for decision

Cabinet noted the review of the Council’s Statement of Gambling Policy to support effective and efficient delivery of licensing functions. Cabinet agreed that the updated document be subject to the statutory consultation as a policy framework document.

Alternative options considered and rejected

None, as Cabinet noted that there was a legal requirement under the Gambling Act 2005 to review the policy every 3 years.

Officer to action:

Stephanie Waterford, 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 authorises extending the DPS route to market by the London Borough of Hillingdon for a period of 6 months to 31 March 2020 and for officers to call-off spot contract provision within this for Home Care & Outreach services.

Reasons for decision

Cabinet noted the Council’s statutory duty to meet the care and support needs of vulnerable adults and children and endorsed the joint working arrangement with the Hillingdon Clinical Commissioning Group continues to access the market and reducing complexities to deliver key home care and outreach services to residents. Cabinet agreed to extend the current procurement arrangements whilst officers review the market going forward.

Alternative options considered and rejected

None.

Tony Zaman – Social Care

Helen Walker - Finance

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 budget position as at March 2019 (Outturn), including the in-year release of Development and Risk Contingency funds into Directorate Operating budgets as outlined in Table 5.

2.    Approve the allocation of the following sums from the outturn surplus:

a.    £500k funding for the Heathrow Expansion legal challenge and any costs related to HS2

b.    £776k unspent Priority Growth funds to be earmarked for priority growth initiatives from 2019/20 onwards

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 2019 (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 18^th April to 20^th June Cabinet meetings, detailed at Appendix G.

6.    Approves the release of the following sums from Development and Risk Contingency to Directorate Operating Budgets in 2018/19

a.    Waste Disposal Levy and Associated Contracts £691k

b.    Demographic Growth – Looked After Children £403k

c.    Demographic Growth Children With Disabilities £367k

d.    SEN Transport £259k

e.    Demographic Growth Adults Social Care £988k

7.    Approves re-phasing of £36,213k 2018/19 General Fund capital expenditure and financing budgets into future years as set out in Tables 20 and 21 in the report and approves re-phasing of £8,302k 2018/19 HRA capital expenditure and financing budgets into future years as set out in Appendix C in the report.

8.    Approves re-phasing of £36,465k 2019/20 General Fund original capital expenditure and financing budgets into future years.

9.    Accepts additional Special Provision Fund capital grant of £1,356k from the Department of Education.

10.Accepts £40k grant funding from the Greater London Authority under the Greener City Fund Community Grant Scheme for the creation of wetland habitats at Elephant Park.

11.Accepts additional Transport for London Local Implementation Plan funding of £49k for Cycle Training in 2019/20.

12.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.    Tavistock Works £20k

b.    Crown Trading Estate, Clayton Road Hayes £50k

c.    Fairview Trading Estate,  Clayton Road Hayes £50k

d.    Xerox, Bridge House Uxbridge £43k

13.Agree the Meals on Wheels service adjustment to fees and charges with effect from 1 July 2019, that new clients will be charged £5.25. This will not impact current users of the service.

14.Approve the changes to Leisure fees & charges as set out in Appendix H.

15.Agree that the Council donates £6.7k to the Mayor of Hillingdon's Charitable Trust to support local good causes, from the proceeds of kerbside textile waste collection and matched funding from the HIP Initiatives budget, with a further donation to top up the overall income for the year to £96k.

Reasons for decision

Cabinet was informed of the outturn revenue, capital and treasury position from the previous financial year 2018/19. Given the Council’s strong financial outturn position, the Leader of the Council announced additional funding of £500k for the Heathrow expansion legal challenge and costs managing the local impact from High Speed 2.

Cabinet made a range of other decisions in relation to the Council's budget, including the release of key contingency budgets and re-phasing of capital expenditure into future years.

Cabinet accepted additional grant funding in relation to education, the Greener City Fund, cycle training and gift funding for key developments in the Borough.

Cabinet agreed some changes to leisure centre fees and charges. Cabinet also agreed adjustments to meals on wheels charges, noting that this would not affect existing customers. Finally, Cabinet donated monies to the Mayor’s Charitable Trust to support local good causes, in part from the proceeds of kerbside textile waste collection and the Hillingdon Improvement Programme Initiatives budget.

Cabinet received an addendum to make minor corrections to the recommendations in the report.

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 the Cabinet notes the updated financial information.

Reasons for decision

Cabinet noted the report which detailed the financial planning obligations received by developers and held by the Council. Cabinet considered what progress had, and was, being made to further invest in a wide range of local infrastructure and Council capital projects benefitting local communities.

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, 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 the Cabinet:

1)    Agrees the recommendations contained within the report of the Ombudsman set out in Appendix 1, namely that the Council:  

a.    apologise to the complainant for not considering and providing what reasonable adjustments she needed, not dealing with information she provided, not dealing properly with her appeal, failing to deal with a request for a statement of reasons, not providing information she asked for and asking her repeatedly for information she did not need to provide;

b.    pay the complainant £1,000 for the distress, time and trouble these faults caused her;

c.    put details of its policies for using the Restricted Persons Register on its website and put its policy for dealing with unreasonably persistent complainants on its complaints page; and

d.    provide an equality refresher course for all frontline staff.

2)    Agrees to release this report and Appendix 1 into the public domain, as per the requirements of the Ombudsman’s embargo as set out in this report.

3)    Notwithstanding this particular case and the lessons to be learnt, Cabinet thank the staff of the Benefits Service for their role in this important area on a day to day basis. 

Reasons for recommendation

Cabinet received the report, accepting the recommendations in the report of the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman with regard to a particular case, whilst also thanking staff in the Benefits Service for the work they do. Cabinet noted that the Ombudsman’s report would be made public on 28 June.

Alternative options considered and rejected

Cabinet could have decide not to follow the recommendations of Ombudsman, but this was rejected, noting that there was also an opportunity to improve practices and procedures.

Officer to action:

Ian Anderson, 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 an individual and information likely to reveal the identity of an individual and the public interest in withholding the information outweighed the public interest in disclosing it (exempt information under paragraphs 1&2 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government (Access to Information) Act 1985 as amended.

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet agrees the rent set out in the report, which is subject to negotiation with the voluntary sector organisations detailed in the report and instructs the Deputy Chief Executive and Corporate Director of Residents Services to then commission the Borough Solicitor to complete the appropriate legal documentation.

Reasons for decision

Cabinet agreed the lease renewal to the Ruislip and Mill Bowls Club and Manor Farm in Ruislip. Cabinet’s decision enabled the organisations concerned to benefit from heavily discounted rent as part of the Council's Voluntary Sector Leasing Policy and wider commitment to a vibrant local voluntary sector.

Alternative options considered and rejected

None.

Officer to action:

Michele Wilcox, 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.

No additional items were considered by the Cabinet.

The meeting closed at 7.22pm.

*Internal Use only - implementation of decisions

When the Cabinet’s decisions come into effect

Meeting after Cabinet, the Executive Scrutiny Committee did not call-in any of the Cabinet’s decisions.

Cabinet’s decisions on Item 5 – Statement of Gambling Policy take immediate effect as a policy framework document which will include consultation with the relevant Policy Overview Committee.

All remaining decisions of the Cabinet can, therefore, be implemented by officers upon the expiry of the scrutiny call-in period which is:

from 5pm, Friday 28 June 2019

Officers to action the decisions are indicated in the minutes.

The minutes are the official notice for any subsequent internal process approvals required by officers to action the Cabinet’s decisions.

If you would like further information about the decisions of the Cabinet, please contact the Council below:

democratic@hillingdon.gov.uk

Democratic Services: 01895 250636

Media enquiries: 01895 250403

To find out more about how the Cabinet works to put residents first, visit here.