Agenda and minutes

All Cabinet Members were present.

No interests were declared by Members present.

The minutes and decisions of the Cabinet meeting held on 15 December 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 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, increasing the Council’s transparency.

The Cabinet Member for Residents’ Services drew Cabinet’s attention to the private report regarding the substantial renovation of four tennis court sites in the Borough and how this was a great example of partnership working.

Alternative options considered and rejected

These were set out in the public Cabinet report.

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet approves a project for the renovation of four tennis court sites in the Borough at Rosedale Park, Harmondsworth Recreation Ground, Northwood Recreation Ground and Swakeleys Park, and specifically agrees to:

1.    Accept the award of £181k from the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) Parks Tennis Renovation Grant for the project at the four sites;

2.    Accept the tender from Aggregate Industries UK Ltd T/A Spadeoak to upgrade the four sites over a 10 week period from 23rd January 2023 to 27 March 2023 at the value of £229k.

3.    The allocation of £60k from the 2022/23 Chrysalis Programme towards the project;

4.    The capital release request of £270k for the works funded from the following budgets:-

a.    £60k from the 2022/23 Chrysalis Programme

b.    £29k from the 2022/23 General Capital Contingency

c.    £181k from the LTA Parks Tennis Renovation Grant

Reasons for decision

Cabinet agreed to the appointment of a contractor over a 10-week period to upgrade four tennis court sites to a playable standard.

Alternative options considered and rejected

The Cabinet could have decided not to accept the recommendations to renovate the sites leaving them in poor condition.

RESOLVED:

That the Cabinet approve the 1-year contract extension for:

1.    Pilon Ltd - For the Void Services Contract North Area to housing properties for the estimated annual cost of £1.433k based on a like for like activity over the last 12 months.

2.    Greyline Ltd - For the Void Services Contract South Area to housing properties for the estimated annual cost of £1.705k based on a like for like activity over the last 12 months.

Reasons for decision

Cabinet agreed to extend contracts for the repair of void (or empty) housing properties to ensure that the Council’s housing stock was in good order. The Cabinet Member for Property, Highways and Transport noted the great strides that had been made in reducing the number of void properties over the years.

Alternative options considered and rejected

Cabinet could have considered retendering, but considered this not an option due to the current volatility in the market.

RESOLVED:

That the Cabinet:    

1.    agrees to extend the current contract with POhWER Limited for the provision of Integrated Advocacy Services to the London Borough of Hillingdon for an eighteen month period from 1 October 2022 to 31 March 2024 and at the cost of £446,913.80 for the 18-month period; and 

2.    agree to extend the current contract with POhWER Limited for the provision of an Independent Health Complaints Advocacy (IHCAS) to the London Borough of Hillingdon for an eighteen month period from 1 October 2022 to 31 March 2024 and at the cost of £65,784.75 for the 18-month period. 

3.    Furthermore, agrees that that this includes the provision to extend both contracts for a further one-year period from 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025, with approval of any extension by the Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Health and Social Care, in consultation with the Executive Director of Adult Services and Health at the cost of £341,799 for the 12-month period. 

Reasons for decision

Cabinet agreed to extend two contracts for statutory advocacy services, for Integrated Statutory Advocacy and the Independent Health Complaints Advocacy Service. The Cabinet Member for Health & Social Care noted that these would support residents enabling someone to speak on their behalf. Both the Cabinet Member and Leader of the Council noted the ongoing delays in the Liberty Protection Safeguards regulation implementation, thereby necessitating Cabinet’s decision to extend the contracts until there was clarity. 

Alternative options considered and rejected

None, due to the statutory nature of the services.

RESOLVED:

That the Cabinet:

1.    Accept the tender from Ethos Construction Solutions ltd for the provision of design and construction Services to the London Borough of Hillingdon for the Redevelopment of the former garage site to the rear of 27-45 Petworth Gardens, Uxbridge, UB10 9HQ into affordable homes at the value of £1,886k. 

2.    Agree the virement of £387k from the HRA Unallocated HRA Acquisition and Development Budget to the New Build General Needs Housing – Petworth Gardens budget.

3.    Agree to the capital release requests of £2,139k from the revised Petworth Gardens Development budget inclusive of virement (decision 2) for construction costs and associated fees.

Reasons for decision

Cabinet awarded a contract to develop the vacant former garages and playground site at Petworth Garden into a new residential development.

Alternative options considered and rejected

Cabinet had previously considered alternative uses for the site.

No additional items were considered by the Cabinet.

The meeting closed at 7.07pm