Agenda and minutes

None.

Cllr Douglas Mills declared a personal interest in Item 6 (minute 103) due to two family members that would be affected by the budget. Cllrs Seaman-Digby and George Cooper declared a personal interest as trustees of voluntary organisations proposed to be in receipt of grants on item 7 (minute 104) and Cllr Bianco declared a personal interest due to a family member that would be affected by a grant on item 7 (minute 104).

These were agreed subject to an amendment following a request by the British Cycling Federation for a copy of the Part 2 report on minute no 96. Cabinet’s consent was therefore given to withdraw the exempt nature of the report solely for the use of the British Cycling Federation, subject to a confidentiality agreement.

Items 5 to 20 were considered in public, with the exception of Item 14 which was deferred. Items 21 to 23 were considered in private. Item 24 was not considered as the decision could alternatively be taken by a Cabinet Member.

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet:

1.      Notes the forecast budget position for revenue and capital as at Month 7.

2.      Notes the treasury management update in Appendix B.

3.      Approves the allocation of £200k from balances earmarked for business improvement investment for the HIP Business Improvement Delivery Project and authorises the Appropriate Delegated Officer to accept tenders or contracts for the services of consultants in respect of this project in consultation with the Leader and within the budget available.

4.      Approves the allocation of £100k from general capital contingency to buy in claims consultancy support to challenge additional costs being claimed by contractors on various capital projects and authorises the Appropriate Delegated Officer to accept tenders or contracts for the services of such consultants in respect of this project in consultation with the Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance and Business Services and within the budget available.

5.      As a result of S106 funding being released Cabinet approves the increases in the following budgets:

·      £201k for the Botwell Green Leisure development

·      £94k for the Vehicle Workshops - West Drayton Young Peoples Centre

·      £104k for Fassnidge Park

6.      Approves the virement to E&CP of £471k from the specific capital programme contingency for vehicle purchases to fund the Purchase of Vehicles.

7.      Notes the HIP capital allocation of £30k for Arundel Road Development and approves release and virement of the budget from DCEO to MCP team in P&CS.

8.      Notes the HIP capital allocation of £43k for Little Britain lake improvements and approves release.

9.      Notes the capital contingency item of £65k for Douay Martyrs drama and 6th form common rooms and approves the virement of this from general contingency to P&CS.

10.Approves the following capital virements from the £1m specific Leisure Projects contingency to P&CS:

·      £70k for Harmondsworth Dog Free Mini Football Area.

·      £100k for Ruislip Lido Toilets.

11.Notes the increase in capital budgets resulting from the following grant allocations and revenue contributions:  £125k grant for LDA Energy Efficiency Grant, £170k for Improving Information Management (£30k grant, £140k revenue contribution), £18k revenue contribution to Mental Health (Mead House) and £77k grant for School travel Plans.

12.Delegate to the Leader of the Council, in consultation with the relevant Corporate Directors, responsibility for fees and charges in respect of setting differential rates for HillingdonFirst cardholders.

Reasons for Decision

The reason for the monitoring recommendation is to ensure the Council achieves its budgetary objectives. The report informs Cabinet of the latest forecast revenue and capital position for the current year 2009/10.

Alternative options considered and rejected

There are no other options proposed for consideration.

Officer to action:

Paul Whaymand, Finance and Resources

Urgency Provisions

This report had been circulated less than 5 working days before the Cabinet meeting and was agreed by the Chairman to be considered as urgent.

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet:

1. Approve the draft revenue budget and capital programme proposals for 2010/11 and beyond as the basis for consultation with Policy Overview Committees and other stakeholders.

2. Request the comments of individual Policy Overview Committees on the draft budget proposals relating to their areas of responsibility, to be collated into a single report back to Cabinet from the Corporate Services and Partnerships Policy Overview Committee.

3. Approve the proposed fees and charges included at Appendix 7 as the basis for consultation with Policy Overview Committees and other stakeholders.

4. Authorise the Corporate Director of Finance and Resources in consultation with the Leader of the Council to respond on behalf of the Council to the consultation on the provisional local government finance settlement and to the Mayor of London’s budget consultation.

Reasons for decision

Cabinet considered its budget proposals for 2010/11 and beyond. The revenue budget proposals were developed to deliver a zero increase in Council Tax for 2010/11 for residents, whilst maintaining sound balances and reserves at £12 million over the medium term.

Cabinet was pleased to have proposed a zero increase for Hillingdon’s element of the Council Tax for the second successive year, zero increases on discretionary fees and charges for Hillingdon’s residents for the second successive year and priority growth available for new initiatives averaging over £1 million in each of the last four years

Cabinet welcomed the proposed capital projects for 2010/11 amounting to some £16.7 million. These included the development of new library, adult education and youth service facilities adjacent to the existing South Ruislip Library, the upgrade and enhancement of Highgrove Pool, the refurbishment or redevelopment of seven other libraries over three years, the completion of the upgrade of recycling facilities at New Years Green Lane Civic Amenity Site and the improvement of environmental assets such as Ruislip Lido and Little Britain Lake.

It was noted that the budget strategy had been delivered through a rigorous focus on identifying savings and efficiencies across the Council.

Cabinet’s decisions complied with the Budget and Policy Framework rules, and allowed the presentation to Council of a recommended budget for 2010/11 in February 2010, which would take into account the necessary consultation and also the views of the Policy Overview Committees.

The decisions also allowed for representations to be made to the Department for Communities and Local Government in relation to the provisional local government finance settlement, and to the Mayor of London in relation to the Greater London Authority’s budget proposals.

Alternative options considered and rejected

In order to comply with the Budget and Policy Framework the Cabinet had to publish a draft budget for consultation at this meeting.  However, the Cabinet could have chosen to vary the proposals set out in the report.

Officer to action:

Paul Whaymand, Finance and Resources

Urgency Provisions

This report had been circulated less than 5 working days before the Cabinet meeting and was agreed by the Chairman to be considered as urgent.

RESOLVED:

That the Cabinet:

1. Agrees the allocation of grants to Voluntary Sector groups totalling £1,653,998 for the 2010/11 financial year as set out in the schedule attached to this report.

2. Approves the proposal to extend the current three year Service Level Agreement due to end March 2010 to March 2011.

3. Approves the recommended increase in funding to Homestart of £20k, subject to funds being approved as part of the MTFF Budget 2010/11.

4. Agrees to the Council’s contribution of £874,925 to the London Councils Grant scheme for 2010/11

Reasons for decision

Cabinet was pleased at its record of being a long-term supporter of the Voluntary Sector. Cabinet’s decision to agree a range of grants allowed for Hillingdon’s vibrant voluntary sector to provide a range of services that compliment or are in addition to those provided by the Council.

Whilst agreeing to the Council’s contribution to the London Councils Grant Scheme, Cabinet expressed its wish to see Hillingdon and other outer London Boroughs benefit more from the scheme than at present.

Alternative options considered and rejected

Cabinet could have made changes to the recommendations or rejected them.

Officer to action:

Nigel Cramb, Deputy Chief Executive’s Office

The Chairman of the Corporate Services and Partnerships Policy Overview Committee presented his Committee’s review report. Cabinet thanked the Chairman, his Committee and Officers for their sterling work on the review.

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet:

1.   Notes the progress made in relation to the review’s three initial recommendations which were considered at the Cabinet meeting on 15 October 2009.

2. Welcomes the review’s final report from the Corporate Services & Partnerships Policy Overview Committee and officers be asked to give consideration, when appropriate, to the following recommendations: 

a)         That important appropriate information regarding a Pandemic be communicated to all staff and not just to managers, to ensure the full cascading of important information during a Pandemic.   

b)        That, subject to the longevity of the present Swine Flu Pandemic, consideration be given to preventative measures being taken in Polling Stations and at the Election Counts, for both the Local and General Elections in 2010.

c)         That the Council and Hillingdon Primary Care Trust continue to give urgent consideration and priority to administering the swine flu vaccine to essential front line Council staff, including teachers and ancillary staff in schools, to ensure the continuity of the delivery of services.                

Reasons for decision

Cabinet considered the review, which was undertaken at an opportune time as in the summer of this year, the world has been affected by a Swine Flu Pandemic. The swine flu originated in Mexico and had spread rapidly to most parts of the world, including this country.

Cabinet’s decision to endorse the review’s recommendations ensured that the Council’s business and continuity plans were in good shape to ensure that a major pandemic would have minimal disruption to Council services. Cabinet felt that the review’s recommendations would add value to the already excellent preparations which had been taking place for a Pandemic for a number of years as part of the Civil Protection Policy.        

Alternative options considered and rejected

The Cabinet could have decided to reject or amend the Committee’s recommendations.

Officer to action:

Khalid Ahmed, Deputy Chief Executive’s Office

Cabinet thanked the Chairman of the Residents’ and Environmental Services Policy Overview Committee, the Committee Members and Officers for their sterling work on this first ever review of Street Lighting..

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet:

Reasons for decision

Cabinet thanked the Committee for undertaking the Council’s first ever review of Street Lighting. Cabinet felt that it gave Members a great opportunity to look at how the service operated, how it was dealing with increasing financial pressures due to energy costs, environmental pressures relating to energy, and emerging technologies. Cabinet endorsed the Committee’s recommendations aimed at improving communication with Councillors and in the way in which the public is made aware of the street lighting repair process.

Alternative options considered and rejected

The Cabinet could have decided to reject or amend the Committee’s recommendations.

Officer to action:

Nadia Williams, Deputy Chief Executive’s Office

The Chairman of the Education and Children’s Policy Overview Committee presented her Committee’s review report. Cabinet thanked the Chairman, her Committee and Officers for their sterling work on the review.

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet:

1.      Note that the Committee, during its review, concluded that the service is performing well.

2.      Welcome the report from the Education and Children’s Services Policy Overview Committee and note the general consensus it found in favour of improving the Inclusion Practice; and

3. Endorses the recommendations of the Policy Overview Committee report and the Cabinet Member as ways to improve Inclusion practice, as set out below:

Committee Recommendations:

a) Review the Secondary Transfer process to build confidence in parents and carers that the individual child’s educational needs are catered for;

b) Ensure mainstream schools are confident that they have the capacity to support children within the mainstream setting;

c) Establish effective support for children, parents and carers to ensure full access to detailed information for parents, carers and schools governors;

d) Encourage the development of extra curricular activities to ensure the pupil voice is heard;

e) Support Extended Services demonstrating how disabled children and young people are included;

f)   That Officers are instructed to identify schools that may be challenged by the Inclusion agenda and report to the Cabinet Member implementation strategies that will be put into place to support these schools and the criteria used to measure their success;

g) Implement a method of accountability to ensure adequate training and development is in place to ensure all staff are fully equipped with the skills required.

h) That Cabinet are aware of changes which may occur at a national level that could affect the viability of the Inclusion policy in the future.

Cabinet Member and Committee recommendation combined:

i)   That Cabinet note the national and potential future policy context regarding inclusion from the main UK political parties attached in Annex A and endorse the Committee's recommendation to invite them to review the council's approach to inclusion, should at a later date, national policy and legislation on this matter alter direction.

Reasons for decision

Cabinet endorsed the Committee’s recommendations which were aimed at building upon Hillingdon’s approach to the delivery of a comprehensive Inclusion Strategy. Cabinet accepted that the development of the Inclusion practice would contribute to residents’ satisfaction and the aim of catering to the needs of families of children with disabilities. The review was discussed by Cabinet in conjunction with the subsequent item on the agenda.

Alternative options considered and rejected

The Cabinet could have decided to reject or amend the Committee’s recommendations.

Officer to action:

Natasha Dogra, Democratic Services

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet:

a)     Approve the Inclusion strategy 2009 -13

b)     Note the correlation between this Inclusion Strategy and the Accessibility Strategy, Disabled Children’s Strategy and BS21 strategy for change inclusion strand.

Reasons for decision

Cabinet noted that the Inclusion Strategy for schools had been developed in response to local and national policy agenda, together with legal requirements and responsibilities for inclusive provision. Cabinet approved the recommendations which were aimed at building on Hillingdon school’s agreed strategic principles which set the future direction for all schools.

Officer to action:

Pauline Nixon, Education and Children’s Services

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet:-

1. Notes the contents of this report regarding the key provisions of the Mayor’s Draft Replacement London Plan, Transport Strategy Public Draft and draft Economic Development Strategy.

2. Endorses the response to the Mayor of London as set out in paragraphs 3, 12-14, 16-18 and 23 below and also in Appendices 1, 3 and 4 to this report, with any further amendments as agreed by the Director of Planning and Community Services in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Planning and Transportation and any other relevant Cabinet Members *

3. Instructs officers to confirm with the GLA, subject to the views of the West London boroughs, that the new waste targets in the Draft Replacement London Plan are acceptable and that they are to form the basis of the West London Waste Plan.

Reasons for decision

Cabinet gave careful consideration of the implications of these strategies for Hillingdon and agreed its general response to the Mayor of London in order for the council’s strategic planning, transport and economic interests to be safeguarded and developed.

 * Cabinet learnt that since the publication of the Cabinet agenda, the Mayor had released some minor alterations to the consultation draft. Cabinet received an addendum sheet with some corrections to the cabinet report and appendix 1 response published with the agenda.

Alternative options considered and rejected

The Cabinet could have influenced the Mayor of London’s proposals by making any other amendments to the response that they considered appropriate or alternatively, made no response.

Officers to action:

GedLawrenson / Jales Tippell, Planning and Community Services

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet:

1. Note the responses to the consultation on changes to the Gambling Policy

2. Approve the changes to the Gambling Policy / Statement of Principles as set out in the Appendix and recommend them to full Council for adoption as a policy framework document.

Reasons for decision

Cabinet noted the consultation and minor amendments to the draft policy and recommended that the draft statement of gambling principles be submitted to full Council for adoption on 14th January 2010.

Alternative options considered and rejected

Cabinet had no alternative options as the Gambling Act 2005 requires the Council, as the Licensing Authority, to publish a statement of gambling principles every 3 years.

Officer to action:

Stephanie Waterford, Environment and Consumer Protection

This item was deferred.

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet accepts the payment for charged discretionary services from Annington Developments Ltd in accordance with the provisions of Section 93 of the Local Government Act 2003 and Section 139 of the Local Government Act 1972.

Reasons for decision

Cabinet considered it appropriate that the Council should provide a discretionary service to Annington Developments, who proposed a development on a parcel of land on the north-west corner of the RAF Uxbridge site, in exchange for payment of the council’s reasonable and justifiable costs incurred in the provision of planning advisory services.

Alternative options considered and rejected

Cabinet could have refused to offer the discretionary services which would not have been in the best interests of the local communities or the council.

Officers to action:

Stephen Timms / Jales Tippell, Planning and Community Services

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet notes the achievements at the end of September 2009 of the older people’s action plan for 2009/10 as set out in appendix one.

Reasons for decision

Cabinet welcomed the development of the three-year older people’s plan 2008-2011 and endorsed the commitment from the Council and its partners to the continued development and improvement of services to create a better quality of life for older people in Hillingdon.

Alternative options considered and rejected

None

Officer to action:

Dan Kennedy, Adult Social Care, Health and Housing

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet:

(i)                 Notes the progress made to date on the Council Plan;

(ii)               Notes the progress made on the LAA 2008 and the performance reward grant section of the LAA 2007;

(iii)             Notes the progress made in performance within the local performance framework;

(iv)             Notes the progress of the Residents Survey;

(v)               Notes achievements across the council.

Reasons for recommendation

Cabinet received its regular report setting out the progress made by officers in implementing the Council Plan across the Council.  The report also provided a corporate overview of progress against the Local Area Agreement, the Council’s performance, Residents Survey and Achievements across the Council.

Alternative options considered and rejected

None.

Officers to action:

Fran Beasley / Ian Edwards, Deputy Chief Executive’s Office

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet notes the progress made to date on the tasks identified to deliver the Sustainable Community Strategy.

Reasons for decision

Cabinet received a report setting out the progress made by officers in implementing the Sustainable Community Strategy across the Local Strategic Partnership.

Alternative options considered and rejected

None.

Officer to action:

Ian Edwards

RESOLVED:

That the Cabinet notes the updated financial information attached to the report.

Reasons for decision

Circular 05/05 and the accompanying best practice guidance requires local planning authorities to consider how they can inform Members and the public of progress in the allocation, provision and implementation of obligations whether they are provided by the developer in kind or through a financial contribution. Cabinet noted the report which detailed the financial planning obligations held by the Council and what progress had, and was, being made.

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, Planning and Community Services

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet:

1. Agrees to the introduction of a Corporate Landlord Model which will become part of the Planning and Community Services Directorate as set out in sections 1 – 5 of the report.

2. Agrees that the proposals for inclusion in this model, set out in section 6 are tested through the Business Improvement Delivery (BID) and any amendments to be agreed by the Leader of the Council in consultation with the Chief Executive.

3. Instructs the Chief Executive to ensure that, during the initial implementation phases, the views of the Corporate Landlord will take priority in any dispute with service departments.

Reasons for decision

Cabinet considered and approved the concept of the Corporate Landlord and noted that through the Business Improvement Delivery process the proposals to widen the scope of the Corporate Landlord model would be tested to ensure that it provides an effective and efficient delivery model for key Council functions.

Alternative options considered and rejected

Cabinet could have kept the council’s uncentralised property functions as they are at present, which in its view would have led to a lack of consistent decision making, clear governance and harder to ensure maximum value from the property function. 

Officer to action:

Jean Palmer, Planning and Community Services

Urgency Provisions

This report had been circulated less than 5 working days before the Cabinet meeting and was agreed by the Chairman to be considered as urgent.

RESOLVED:

Cabinet agreed to award four contracts for inclusion onto a Framework Agreement for the Supply, Delivery, Erection, Maintenance and Repair of Fencing and Gating to the following contractors;

1)     Indigolodge trading as Drayton Fencing Ltd

2)     Galliford Try Services Ltd

3)     Littlewood Fencing Ltd

4)     The Fencing Partnership

Reasons for decision

Cabinet approved the officer recommendations to allow the London Borough of Hillingdon to award Fencing and Gating works across the borough through the Chrysalis Project and other ad hoc works as required over the duration of the four year Framework Agreement. Cabinet noted that by awarding four suppliers onto a Framework Agreement there would be a number of advantages, including a reduced risk and quicker completion of small works.

Alternative options considered and rejected

Cabinet could have awarded a contract to a single supplier and felt that there were service, risk and financial disadvantages of doing so.

 
Officers to action:

Stephanie Jenkins / Paul Richards, Environment and Consumer Protection

Exempt Information

This report was included in Part II as it 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.

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet agrees to the appointment of the contractors recommended within the report following a competitive tendering process to enable the new South Ruislip Young Peoples Centre to be constructed to programme and within budget. Subject to Capital moratorium release of the remaining budget being approved by Leader of the Council and the Cabinet Member for Finance and Business Services

Reasons for decision

Cabinet approved the recommendation to enable the Council to accept a tender from a suitably experienced contractor for the construction of a single storey building for a new Young Peoples Centre at Victoria Road, South Ruislip, the third centre of the New Youth Centres project.

Alternative options considered and rejected

Cabinet could have decided not to accept the recommendation.

Officers to action:

Jim Cameron / Bill King, Planning and Community Services

Exempt Information

This report was included in Part II as it 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.

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet:

1. Note the outcome of the procurement process as described in the report for the development of small sided all weather pitch and the ‘fit out’ & joinery works for the library space as part of the Botwell Green Sports & Leisure Centre

2. Endorse the appointment of White Horse Construction Ltd for the development of the small sided all weather pitch and File Turn Ltd to undertake the ‘fit out’ and joinery works for the library space.

3. Agree the appointment of the professional advisers and/or consultants to progress both these projects to completion

4. Note the potential shortfall in funding for the library ‘fit out’ & joinery project the status of which will be reported to Cabinet as part of monthly capital monitoring updates on the phase II libraries refurbishment programme.

Reasons for decision

Cabinet approved the recommendations in order to progress the Council’s commitment of developing new sporting, cultural and leisure facilities to benefit Hillingdon’s wider community

Cabinet noted that the development of the Botwell Green Sports & Leisure Centre would include the provision of an all weather pitch and a new library complete with a wide and varied configuration of facilities which are being provided within the new complex for the benefit of Hillingdon residents.

Alternative options considered and rejected.

Cabinet could have decided not to progress the development of the projects or asked that officers re-tender.

Officer to action:

Mohamed Bhimani, Planning and Community Services

Exempt Information

This report was included in Part II as it 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.

Urgency Provisions

This report had been circulated less than 5 working days before the Cabinet meeting and was agreed by the Chairman to be considered as urgent.

This report has been removed from Cabinet agenda as the decision can now instead be taken by a Cabinet Member.

This report was not considered by the Cabinet, as the decision would be taken under Cabinet Member delegated authority.

None.

The meeting closed at 8.10pm

THE ABOVE DECISIONS MADE BY THE CABINET DO NOT COME INTO EFFECT UNTIL TUESDAY 29^th DECEMBER 2009, UNLESS CALLED-IN BY THE EXECUTIVE SCRUTINY COMMITTEE.

MEMBERS AND OFFICERS WILL AUTOMATICALLY BE NOTIFIED OF ANY CALL-IN BY DEMOCRATIC SERVICES.