Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Councillor Martin Goddard and Councillor Eddie Lavery.

No interests were declared by Members present.

The minutes and decisions of the Cabinet meeting held on 16 June 2022 were agreed as a correct record.

It was confirmed items to be considered in public and private were as set out on the agenda.

RESOLVED:

That the Cabinet:

1.     Approves Hillingdon’s draft Council Strategy 2022-26 in Appendix 1 for consultation and;

2.     Agrees to receive the final Council Strategy 2022-2026 in October 2022, informed by the findings from the proposed consultation process, in order to recommend the Strategy to full Council for adoption.

Reasons for decision

Cabinet agreed to consult on a new draft strategy setting out a clear vision for the Borough and the Council for the next four years.

The Leader of the Council explained how it would set out the Council’s ambitions, be a concise document and divided into 5 themes. The Leader welcomed the upcoming consultation period with residents to ensure it would take into account their priorities too.

The Leader outlined the process for the Strategy’s consideration and ultimate approval, which would include the select committees and then finally the full Council.

Alternative options considered and rejected

None.

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet notes the successes to date and continued progress to deliver the Older People’s Action Plan during 2021-22 to improve the quality of life, health and wellbeing of older people in Hillingdon.

Reasons for decision

Cabinet received a useful update on the Older People’s Action Plan setting out the work to support older people to live independent, active, healthy lives and provide opportunities to improve their well-being.

The Cabinet Member for Health and Social Care demonstrated the Council’s commitment to supporting older people and noted the recent Older Peoples’ Assembly that had taken place. Some specific activities in the Plan were outlined by the Cabinet Member including the Telecareline service, free Burglar Alarms, a new physical activity strategy, chairobics, dementia friendly training, grants via the Leader’s Initiative and funding from the Council to AGE UK to assist more vulnerable Older People to have access to the Internet to combat loneliness and support their mental health.

Alternative options considered and rejected

None.

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet consider the responses to the statutory consultation as set out in the report and Appendix 4 and approve the proposed satellite of Meadow High School at the Harefield Boarding Block and subsequent increase in number of places.

Reasons for decision

Cabinet considered the responses from the statutory consultation into the expansion of Meadow High School and the creation of new places at a satellite hub at Harefield Academy and weighing up all relevant factors, it agreed the statutory proposals to enable this.

The Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Education noted that Meadow High School was the largest special school in the Borough and welcomed that the school had also done a significant amount of work consulting with the parents and staff on the proposals.

The Cabinet Member set out how the plans would provide an increase in SEND places and also support the Council’s Dedicated Schools Grant Safety Valve Agreement.

Alternative options considered and rejected

Cabinet could have decided not to proceed with the statutory plans for the school expansion, but considered this not to be an option given the importance of additional SEND places needed in the Borough.

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet: 

1.     Notes progress against the Carers’ Strategy delivery plan activity for 2021-22 and the work that the Council and its partners does to support those with caring responsibilities in the Borough.

2.     Approves the 2022/23 Delivery Plan.

Reasons for decision

Cabinet received a report updating it on progress delivering the current Carers’ Delivery Plan whilst outlining the ensuing year’s Plan and objectives.

The Cabinet Member for Health and Social Care indicated her utmost respect for the work of carers and outlined some of the difficulties faced in their lives. The processes and organisations involved supporting carers were explained and thanks were paid to the previous Carers’ Champion, Councillor Becky Haggar. The Cabinet Member noted the comments of the Health and Social Care Select Committee and would ensure that they could continue to monitor the delivery of the Plan going forward.

The Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Education spoke of the challenges facing many young carers, particularly over the recent years. The Cabinet Member welcomed the activities and support provided to them via the Council, including access to mental health professionals, a school liaison post, day trips for respite and referrals to summer holiday activity programmes.

The Leader of the Council expressed his thoughts on the positive practical actions being taken that touch on the lives of carers.

Alternative options considered and rejected

None.

RESOLVED:

That the Cabinet:

1.     Note the budget monitoring position and treasury management update as at May 2022 (Month 2) as outlined in Part A of this report.

2.     Approve the financial recommendations set out below:

a)    Approves re-phasing of £25,257k 2021/22 General Fund capital expenditure and financing budgets into future years and the re-phasing of £2,298k 2022/23 Schools Conditions Building Programme funding into future years.

b)    Approves re-phasing of £27,765k 2021/22 HRA capital expenditure and financing budgets into future years.

c)    Accept revenue grant funding of £5,383k for 2022/23 through to 2024/25 from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities to deliver a multi-year programme of projects and support to end Rough Sleeping.

d)    Accept revenue grant funding of £59k for 2022/23 from the GLA to support the Council Property buy back programme.

e)    Approve changes to the Council’s Discretionary Council Tax Energy Rebate Scheme set out in the report.

Reasons for decision

Cabinet was updated on the forecast revenue, capital and treasury position for the current year 2022/23 in order to ensure the Council achieved its budgetary and service objectives.

The Leader of the Council informed Cabinet that operating budgets were on track along with the Council’s savings targets. The Leader explained how pressures relating to the COVID-19 pandemic were still impacting in two ways, through increased demand on services and reduced income. Additionally, the Leader noted the inflationary impact on the Council’s budgets. It was welcomed that the Council was expected to manage such pressures within the current financial year and that there would be no requirement to call on reserves. However, it was noted that the Council would need to increase its savings target going forward and that Cabinet would be updated more fully on this later in the year.

A number of financial recommendations were moved by the Leader including the acceptance of grant funding and a change to the Council’s Discretionary Council Tax Energy Rebate Scheme as set out in the report.

Alternative options considered and rejected

None.

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet note the reports to be considered later in private and Part 2 of the Cabinet agenda and comment on them as appropriate for public information purposes.

Reasons for decision

The Leader of the Council introduced the report which provided a public summary of the matters to be discussed in the private part of the Cabinet meeting later.

The Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Education informed Cabinet that adult education services at the Brookfield site in Uxbridge were being relocated to the Civic Centre, which subject to Cabinet’s decision later, would enable Orchard Hill College to use the site and provide additional SEND places locally. It was welcomed that this proposal would support the Council’s Dedicated Schools Budget Safety Valve Agreement and the Leader of the Council noted the proposed service benefits and efficiency gains from the best use of the Council’s assets.

Alternative options considered and rejected

These were set out in the public Cabinet report.

RESOLVED:

That the Cabinet: 

1.     Accept the tender from Cyril Smith Fencing Limited for the provision of the supply, delivery, erection, maintenance and repair of fencing and gating to the London Borough of Hillingdon for a period of 3 years at the estimated value of £270k per annum.

2.     Furthermore, agrees that this includes the provision to extend the contract for a period of 2 years, subject to the approval of the Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Property, Highways & Transport, in consultation with the Corporate Director for Place.

Reasons for decision

Following a competitive tender, Cabinet agreed to appoint a professional contractor to undertake reactive repairs to fencing and gating throughout the housing stock and corporate buildings.

Alternative options considered and rejected

Cabinet could have instructed officers to consider quotations on a case-by-case basis, but deemed this not value-for-money.

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet:

1.     Accept the tender from European Asbestos Services Ltd for the provision of an Asbestos Removal & Making Safe Service to the London Borough of Hillingdon for three year period from 1 September 2022.

2.     Furthermore, agrees that this includes the option to extend for a two year period, subject to approval from the Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Property, Highways & Transport, in consultation with the Corporate Director of Place.

Reasons for decision

Following a competitive tender, Cabinet agreed a qualified contractor to support the Council’s Repairs Team and undertake an asbestos removal and making safe service to the Council’s housing stock and other corporate buildings.

Alternative options considered and rejected

None, as a licenced contractor was required to remove asbestos.

RESOLVED:

That the Cabinet authorises the grant of a 25-year lease to Orchard Hill College of the Brookfield Adult Education Centre, Park Road, Uxbridge on the terms outlined in this report.

Reasons for decision

Cabinet agreed to lease theformer Brookfield Adult Education Centre site in Uxbridge to an external partner to continue to provide specialist education special needs provision in the Borough. Cabinet noted that the adult education service would be relocated to the Civic Centre in Uxbridge and the move would also support the Council’s Dedicated Schools Budget Recovery Plan.

Alternative options considered and rejected

None.

Before the meeting closed, Cabinet confirmed their full approval of the recommendation in relation to Item 7 on the agenda on the outcome of the statutory consultation on the proposed satellite of Meadow Special School on the Harefield Academy site and increase in the number of places. This was because during the public part of the meeting, Cabinet had inadvertently indicated that the matter had been noted only.

No additional items were considered by the Cabinet.

The meeting closed at 7.24pm