Agenda and minutes

All Cabinet Members were present.

No interests were declared at this meeting.

The decisions and minutes of the last meeting were approved and agreed as a correct record.

This was confirmed.

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet authorises the Deputy Chief Executive and Corporate Director of Resident Services, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Community, Commerce and Regeneration, to: -

1.    Consult with the Borough Commander and Hillingdon Police and if it is considered appropriate to do so, to also consult with those individuals specified in Part 4, Chapter 2 of the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 and;

2.    Make a public spaces protection order if the statutory conditions are satisfied and to amend the Residents Services Enforcement Policy December 2013 accordingly.

Reasons for recommendation

Cabinet noted that the existing byelaws for the regulation of parks and pleasure grounds within Hillingdon were outdated and did not provide sufficient sanctions to effectively deal with anti-social activities in the Borough's parks and open spaces.

Cabinet agreed to make use of the Council's new enforcement powers under the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 to allow authorised officers to take more effective and prompt action to reduce anti-social activities in public places, in conjunction with the Police.

It was noted that the Byelaws would continue to exist, but that the new powers would supplement these and provide for a sharper, more flexible set of tools to reduce anti-social activities.

Alternative options considered and rejected

Cabinet could have recommended that the Council continues with the current outdated byelaws or to amend them.

Officers to action:

Raj Alagh, Administration Directorate

Paul Richards, Residents Services

Ed Shaylor, Residents Services

Classification: Public

The report relating to this decision by the Cabinet is available to view on the Council's website or by visiting the Civic Centre, Uxbridge.

RESOLVED:

That the Cabinet:

1.    Note the forecast budget position for revenue and capital as at August 2014 (Month 5).

2.    Note the treasury management update as at August 2014 (Month 5) at Appendix E.

3.    Continue the delegated authority up until the 20 November 2014 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 the 25 September and 23 October 2014 Cabinet meetings, detailed at Appendix F.

4.    Agrees to the virement of £2,905k from the additional secondary schools contingency budget to fund works at Abbotsfield Secondary School.

5.    Note the purchase of 28,725 Carbon Reduction Commitment (CRC) allowances at £344,700, thereby settling the Council's obligations under Phase 1 of the scheme.

6.    Approves the block booking of the second floor of Point West, 1040 Uxbridge Road, Hayes for a further period of three months at a cost of £31k.  The accommodation is used as interim accommodation for bed & breakfast and avoids booking expensive alternatives such as Travelodges.

7.    Note the need for added flexibility for officers to increase temporary housing supply and to effect this, delegate full authority to the Deputy Chief Executive and Corporate Director of Residents Service, in consultation with the Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Social Services, Health and Housing, to determine the level and/or banding of such incentives as and when required.

8.    Approves the acceptance of gift funding of £18,500 from Persimmon Homes, up to £42,000 from VSM and £23,000 from Segro / Airport Property Group (No2) to fund additional resource and expedite planning work on major developments within the Borough in accordance with the provisions of Section 93 of the Local Government Act 2003.

9.    Ratify an external grant of £6k to the Stop Heathrow Expansion group (S.H.E.) to assist them in their work within Hillingdon supporting the Council's policy against Heathrow Airport expansion and, following sign-off by the Leader of the Council, delegate authority to the Deputy Chief Executive and Corporate Director of Residents Services to award any further grants from the Heathrow Expansion Challenge Contingency budget.

10.Agrees to a further one-off voluntary sector core grant to Hillingdon Autistic Care and Support of £31k from the 2014/15 grants budget.

11.Notes that the Deputy Chief Executive and Corporate Director of Residents Services, in conjunction with the Leader of the Council, will sign-off all revenue expenditure in relation to Street Lighting on an interim basis until further notice.

Reasons for decision

Cabinet was informed of the latest forecast revenue, capital and treasury position in the current financial year 2014/15, noting the Council had was ahead of its budgetary and service objectives through sound financial management.

Cabinet made a number of budget related decisions, which included noting the final purchase amount for carbon allowances, measures to reduce expensive temporary accommodation, acceptance of gift funding for major development sites in the Borough and grants to the Stop Heathrow Expansion campaign group and Hillingdon Autistic Care and Support in furtherance of the Council's objectives.

Alternative options considered and rejected

None.

Officer to action:

Paul Whaymand, Finance Directorate

Classification: Public

The report relating to this decision by the Cabinet is available to view on the Council's website or by visiting the Civic Centre, Uxbridge.

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet:

1.    Note the progress made with Phases 1, 2 and 3 of the Primary School Expansion Programme and the School Conditions Programme and;

2.    Delegate full authority to the Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Finance, Property and Business Services, in consultation with Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Residents Services, to make all necessary procurement and financial decisions, including the appointment of consultancies and the placing of building contracts for the selected Secondary School sites considered suitable for expansion.

Reasons for decision

Cabinet received an update on the Council's major primary and secondary school capital expansions programmes, noting the substantial works undertaken over the last few months on both existing and new schools sites. Cabinet also put in place the necessary delegated decision-making to make further progress on secondary school expansion over the coming months.

Alternative options considered and rejected

Cabinet could have decided to delay or not progress aspects of the school capital programmes, which would have impacted upon the Council’s ability to provide sufficient school places.

Officer to action:

Bobby Finch, Residents Services

Classification: Public

The report relating to this decision by the Cabinet is available to view on the Council's website or by visiting the Civic Centre, Uxbridge.

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet:

1.    Approve the proposed contract with Ernest Doe & Sons Ltd for the lease and maintenance of grounds maintenance machinery for Haste Hill, Ruislip and Uxbridge Golf Courses for a period of 2 years and delegate authority to the Deputy Chief Executive and Corporate Director of Residents Services, in consultation with the Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Finance, Property and Business Services, to agree the option of a 1 year extension.

2.    Approve the purchase from Ernest Doe & Sons Ltd for a compact tractor for Breakspear Crematorium.

Reasons for decision

Cabinet made some procurement decisions in relation to machinery that will help maintain the Borough’s three golf courses, benefitting residents by way of better playing surfaces and also to drive business forward. Additionally, a compact tractor for Breakspear Crematorium was purchased, which will replace the existing machine which is considered beyond economical repair.

Alternative options considered and rejected

Cabinet could have decided to retender or not purchase the equipment, but it was noted that a full and competitive tender exercise had been carried out.

Officers to action:

Aaron Percival, Resident Services

Victoria Coady, Finance

Classification: Exempt

Whilst the Cabinet's decisions are always made public, the report relating to this matter is not made public because it was considered in the private part of the meeting due to the fact that 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.    Declare the subject property surplus to requirements.

2.    Authorise the sale of the property on the open market with planning consent for a residential scheme.  The sale to be leasehold with the freehold for £1 to the leaseholder on completion of the development.

3.    Delegate authority to the Leader of the Council and the Cabinet Member for Finance, Property and Business Services, in consultation with the Deputy Chief Executive and Corporate Director of Residents Services, all subsequent decisions on the site's future.

Reasons for decision

Cabinet noted that 15 King Edwards Road, Ruislip, was a three bedroom detached house, vacant and in potential need of extensive refurbishment.

Following consideration of the various options for the site, Cabinet agreed that it be sold for a quality residential development, subject to the necessary planning approvals, and considered this the option that would deliver best value to the taxpayer.

Alternative options considered and rejected

A number of options were considered and discounted in relation to refurbishing and retaining the existing property but these were deemed not economically viable at the present time.

Officer to action:

Marcia Gillings, Resident Services

Classification: Exempt

Whilst the Cabinet's decisions are always made public, the report relating to this matter is not made public because it was considered in the private part of the meeting due to the fact that 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 the rents set out in the report, which were subject to negotiation with the voluntary sector organisations detailed 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 considered applications from the Cowley Bowling Club and Bessingby & Deanes Park Bowling Club and agreed to their proposals for the lease at less than the full market value as part of the Council’s policy and support to the local voluntary sector.

It was noted that the Council was constructing new pavilions for both Clubs.

Alternative options considered and rejected

Cabinet could have chosen not to apply the Voluntary Sector Leasing Policy.

Officer to action:

M Henington, Residents Services

Classification: Exempt

Whilst the Cabinet's decisions are always made public, the report relating to this matter is not made public because it was considered in the private part of the meeting due to the fact that 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.

No additional items were considered by the Cabinet.

The meeting closed at 7.25 pm

* IMPORTANT INFORMATION

DECISION AUTHORITY

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

All decisions of the Cabinet will come into effect from 5pm, Friday 31 October 2014.