Agenda and minutes

All Members were present.

No interests were declared.

The decisions and minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on 15 December 2016 were agreed as a correct record.

This was confirmed.

RESOLVED: That Cabinet note the key findings set out in the report.

Reasons for decision

Cabinet received its annual update on local academic results and attainment by pupils in the Borough during the last school year, highlighting good progress at early years and primary levels.

Members welcomed the improvement in the number of good or outstanding schools in the Borough, but also raised concerns over secondary school performance, in particular Stockley Academy, where the Council had raised the school's performance directly with the Regional Schools Commissioner and at a Ministerial level.

Alternative options considered and rejected

None.

Officer to action:

Dan Kennedy, 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:

1.    Note the forecast budget position as at November 2016 (Month 8).

2.    Note the Treasury Management update as at November 2016 at Appendix E.

3.    Continue the delegated authority up until the February 2017 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 15th December 2016 and 17th January 2017 Cabinet meetings, detailed at Appendix F.

4.    Accepts Contaminated Land grant funding of £39k from the Environment Agency in respect of monitoring assessment actions at the former New Years Green landfill in Harefield.

5.    Approve acceptance of gift funding in relation to Planning Performance Agreements on major developments within the Borough in accordance with the provisions of Section 93 of the Local Government Act 2003, in respect of the following applications:

a)         Proposed Western Rail Link to Heathrow (WRLtH) - Authority requested to accept upto £50k gift funding (precise sum subject to re-charging scheme).

b)        Brunel University (up to £120,000) - Resources to assist with pre-application planning work.

c)         Axis House, Bath Road, 172 Bedroom hotel proposal (up to £20,000) - Resources to assist with planning advice and planning application determination.

Reasons for decisions

Cabinet was informed of the latest forecast revenue, capital and treasury position (Month 8) for the current year 2016/17 to ensure the Council achieved its budgetary and service objectives.

Cabinet made decisions to accept grant funding for environmental monitoring of the former New Years Green Lane Landfill Site and gift funding for planning performance agreements for potential key development sites in the Borough.

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 Cabinet:

1.    Approves the Council entering into a lease, as tenant, of Yiewsley Cornerstone Children's Centre on the main terms set out in this report.

2.    Approves the Council entering into a lease, as tenant, of Oak Farm Children's Centre on the main terms set out in this report.

Reason for decision

Cabinet agreed to the Council entering into leases at Yiewsley Cornerstone and Oak Farm Children's Centres to formalise the position that had existed since the centres were established.

Alternative options considered and rejected

None.

Officer to action:

M Paterson, 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 note the progress made with primary and secondary school expansions, the school condition programme and other school capital projects.

Reasons for decision

Cabinet was updated on the Council's school building programme which has continued to invest significant resources in new local education facilities over the last few years and into the coming years. This would ensure that every child in the London Borough of Hillingdon would have a quality place at a local school - primary or secondary.

Alternative options considered and rejected

None.

Officer to action:

Bobby Finch, 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 approve the award of a contract to Central and North West London (CNWL) for the delivery of an integrated Healthy Child Service which meets the mandated requirements of the Healthy Child Programme.

Reason for decision

Cabinet noted the transformation work that had been undertaken to integrate and commission children’s public health services together with wider family support services. Cabinet awarded a contract to secure a more effective and efficient service for residents, following a competitive tendering exercise.

Alternative options considered and rejected

Cabinet could have decided to deliver such services in-house, but this was discounted on the grounds of efficiency and internal expertise to deliver.

Officer to action:

Tom Murphy, Social Care

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.

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet:

1.    Award a 5 year contract to Virgin Media using the TrustNet framework from 1st July 2016 to 30th June 2020 for the provision of internet and associated services with an option to extend for a further 2 years.

2.    Award a 4 year contract from 1st April 2017 to London Grid for Learning Limited using the TrustNet model for the provision of N3 and PSN services and successor services with an option to extend for a further 2 years.

3.    Award a 4 year contract to BT for existing CCTV analogue links - to be reviewed each year to ensure only current links used.

4.    Award a 4 year contract to Virgin Media for existing CCTV analogue links - to be reviewed each year to ensure only current links used.

5.    Agree to use BT for a period of 4 years for phone lines/broadband that cannot be transferred to O2 as part of the recent contract for service reasons to ensure continuity of services.

Reasons for decision

Cabinet agreed new procurement arrangements for the Council's broadband and internet services to ensure flexibility as the Council transforms going forward. Members noted how critical these services are for all communications and provided the backbone to the provision of effective services to residents.

Alternative options considered and rejected

Cabinet considered other frameworks and suppliers for the services, but considered the market not yet mature enough to offer a viable proposition.

Officer to action:

Nick McCarthy, 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.

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet gives approval to enter into a further one-year contract with Mears whilst options for re-procuring the service and service improvements are considered by the Council.

Reason for decision

Cabinet agreed for the one-year provision of the Mears IT repairs management system, continued delivery of repairs service to Queens Lodge in Margate and continued access to and use of the Mears' supply chain process until December 2017.

Alternative options considered and rejected

None.

Officer to action:

Gary Penticost, 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.

RESOLVED:

That the Cabinet approve DK ProDuKtions Limited as the provider of pantomime services for the years 2017 - 2019 (with a possible extension of up to two years by mutual consent).

Reasons for decision

Cabinet noted that the Council had built up a successful pantomime audience at the Compass Theatre over the years and revenues had risen to higher levels. Cabinet, therefore, agreed a contract to continue to provide such services much enjoyed by residents. It was noted that the commercial contract would be self-financing through ticket revenues and provide income for the Council.

Alternative options considered and rejected

Cabinet could have decided not to proceed with a pantomime offer in the future, but this was rejected as it would reduce cultural services available to residents.

Officer to action

Tim Saward, 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.

RESOLVED:

That the Cabinet:

1.    Agrees that flat 27 Queens Lodge, Margate is declared surplus to requirements and to accept the offer as set out in the report for the sale of the flat on a 125 year lease.

2.    Agrees that flat 11 Queens Lodge, Margate is declared surplus to requirements and to accept the offer as set out in the report for the sale of the flat on a 125 year lease.

3.    Agrees that flat 31 Queens Lodge, Margate is declared surplus to requirements and to accept the offer as set out in the report for the sale of the flat on a 125 year lease.

4.    Delegates authority for any further decisions in respect of sales and marketing to the Deputy Chief Executive and Corporate Director for Residents Services, in consultation with the Leader of the Council and the Cabinet Member for Finance Property and Business Services.

Reasons for decision

Cabinet agreed to sell three flats at Queens Lodge, Margate, following marketing locally in the area. This would provide additional receipts for the Council to spend on services within the Borough.

Alternative options considered and rejected

Cabinet could have not accepted the offers made, but they were deemed best value given the local market conditions.

Officer to action:

Michael Paterson, 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.

RESOLVED:

That, subject to adding a condition that the Council can use the Pavilion as a Polling Station when required, Cabinet agrees the rents/lease arrangements set out in the report, which are subject to negotiation with the voluntary sector organisation, and instructs the Deputy Chief Executive and Corporate Director of Residents Services to then commission the Borough Solicitor to complete the appropriate legal documentation.

Reason for decision

Cabinet agreed new lease and rent arrangements in relation to the use of the Pavilion by Sandgate Football Club and a local nursery. It was moved, and agreed, that an amendment be made to the report's recommendation requesting a clause be included to enable the site to be used for a Polling Station, should the Council decide to do so, for future elections.

Alternative options considered and rejected

None.

Officer to action:

Mike Paterson, 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 7.30pm.

* IMPLEMENTATION OF CABINET'S DECISIONS

For Members and Officers only

All decisions: Meeting after Cabinet, the Executive Scrutiny Committee did not call-in any of the Cabinet's decisions. These can therefore be implemented from 5pm, Friday 3 February 2017 upon the expiry of the scrutiny call-in period, unless notified otherwise by Democratic Services.

The officers to implement the decisions are indicated in the minutes.