Agenda and minutes

CABINET - Thursday, 15th November, 2018 7.00 pm

Venue: Committee Room 6 - Civic Centre, High Street, Uxbridge UB8 1UW. View directions

Contact: Mark Braddock - email:  mbraddock@hillingdon.gov.uk / Telephone: 01895 250470  Senior Democratic Services Manager

Link: Watch the Cabinet meeting here

Items
No. Item

1.

Apologies for Absence

Minutes:

Apologies were received from Councillor Jonathan Bianco.

2.

Declarations of Interest in matters before this meeting

Minutes:

No interests were declared by Members present.

3.

To approve the minutes of the last Cabinet meeting pdf icon PDF 170 KB

Minutes:

Subject to a minor, non-material amendment, the decisions and minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on 25 October 2018 were agreed as a correct record.

4.

To confirm that the items of business marked Part 1 will be considered in public and that the items of business marked Part 2 in private

Minutes:

This was confirmed by Cabinet.

5.

Older People's Plan Update pdf icon PDF 101 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

RESOLVED:

 

That Cabinet notes the successes to date and continued progress to deliver the Older People’s Action Plan during 2018-19 to improve the quality of life, health and wellbeing of older people in Hillingdon.

 

Reasons for decision

 

Cabinet received an update on the Older People’s Plan to monitor the broad range of services and activities the Council and partners provide to improve the quality of life for older people in Hillingdon. The Cabinet Member for Social Services, Housing and Public Health gave special mention to the new Grassy Meadow and dementia support facilities that had recently opened, along with an update to Members on the good performance of the TeleCareLine service.

 

Alternative options considered and rejected

 

None.

 

Officers to action:

 

Kevin Byrne, Residents Services

Nina Durnford, Social Care

 

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.

 

6.

Monthly Council Budget Monitoring Report: Month 6 pdf icon PDF 409 KB

Minutes:

RESOLVED:

 

That Cabinet:

 

1.    Note the budget position as at September 2018 (Month 6) as outlined in Table 1.

2.    Note the Treasury Management update as at September 2018 at Appendix E.

3.    Continue the delegated authority up until the next 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 25th October and 15th November 2018 Cabinet meetings, detailed at Appendix F.

4.    Approve the release of the following sums from Development and Risk Contingency to Directorate Operating Budgets:

a.    Demographic Growth – Adult Social Care - £1,711k

b.    Demographic Growth - Looked after Children - £394k

c.    Demographic Growth - SEN Transport - £184k

d.    Management savings action – Adult Social Care – (£1,969k)

e.    Uncertainty at budget setting - Apprenticeship Levy - £376k

f.     Uncertainty at budget setting - Uninsured Claims - £291k

5.    Approve acceptance of gift funding of up to £30k in relation to a Planning Performance Agreement in accordance with the provisions of Section 93 of the Local Government Act 2003 for the Former Dairy Crest site, 297 Long Lane, Hillingdon.

6.    Approve the acceptance of £100k additional funding from the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy for the National Safety at Ports project.

7.    Approves the introduction of offering unattended cremations at Breakspear Crematorium at a cost of £315, for implementation on the 1st December 2018.

8.    Note the implementation of the new legislation relating to Animal Welfare which came into force on the 1st October 2018 and approve the related fees to be implemented with immediate effect.

9.    Ratify a special urgency decision taken by the Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Finance, Property and Business Services on 31 October 2018 to approve that the contract for general repairs and maintenance to our corporate buildings, currently with Mitie TFM Limited, be disseminated with day-to-day maintenance and repairs brought in-house and managed by the Council’s Housing Repairs Team and specialist compliance elements to be added to contracts already in place with Housing.

 

Reasons for decision

 

Cabinet was informed of the latest Month 6 forecast revenue, capital and treasury position for the current year 2018/19 to ensure the Council achieved its budgetary and service objectives. Cabinet also made a number of decisions, including:

 

·         The release of monies from a dedicated contingency budget to support operating budgets, primarily in social care, comprising items that were uncertain at the time of budget setting but were now certain;

·         Acceptance of gift funding in relation to the Former Dairy Crest site in Hillingdon;

·         Acceptance of a Government grant for the National Safety at Ports project at Heathrow Airport;

·         The introduction of unattended cremations at Breakspear Crematorium, in respond to expected demand for the service, along with fees set;

·         New fees for the licensing of activities involving animals, following the introduction of new national legislation;

·         Ratification of a decision previously taken to in-source the Council’s facilities management services provided by Mitie TFM Limited.

 

Alternative options considered and rejected

 

None.

 

Officer to action:

 

Paul Whaymand, Finance

 

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.

 

7.

Contract Extension: The Replacement of Gas Boilers and System Upgrades in Residential Dwellings in the Housing Stock

Minutes:

RESOLVED:

 

That Cabinet approves the extension of the contract with British Gas Social Housing Ltd (trading as PH Jones) to deliver works for new gas installations and boiler replacements for a further 1 year until 30th November 2019.

 

Reasons for decision

 

Cabinet agreed to extend the contract for new and replacement gas heating installations in residential dwellings, noting the Council’s duties to maintain the gas installations in its tenanted properties in a safe condition.

 

Alternative options considered and rejected

 

None, as the contract provided for an extension, subject to satisfactory performance.

 

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.

 

Urgency provisions

 

As set out on the agenda for this meeting, this decision was taken under urgency provisions in accordance with the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012.

 

8.

Award of Contract: Playground Refurbishment Programme

Minutes:

RESOLVED:

 

That Cabinet:

 

1.    Accept the tender from Kompan Limited for the implementation of small and large size playgrounds for the value of £463k phased over three years and;

 

2.    Accept the tender from Proludic Limited for the implementation of medium size playgrounds for the value of £376k phased over three years.

 

Reasons for decision

 

Cabinet welcomed the three year playground refurbishment programme across many parts of the Borough, for those playgrounds that were now reaching the end of their life. To that end, Cabinet accepted two tenders in order to refurbish designated playgrounds based on their size.

 

Alternative options considered and rejected

 

Cabinet could have decided to close down designated playgrounds that may possibly soon become structurally unsafe.

 

Officer to action:

 

Adrian Batten, 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.

 

9.

Disposal of land at 19-22 Chippendale Waye, Uxbridge

Minutes:

RESOLVED:

 

That Cabinet:  

 

1.    Declare the land between 19-22 Chippendale Waye, Uxbridge surplus to requirements;

 

2.    Authorise the disposal of the site at auction once planning permission is given for the residential development of four houses;

 

3.    Agree that the site is to be sold as long leasehold, on the basis of a 125 year lease, with the freehold transferred upon completion of the development.

 

4.    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 regarding the sale of the site.

 

Reasons for decision

 

Cabinet agreed to declare the vacant Council owned land at 19-22 Chippendale Waye in Uxbridge surplus to requirements, approved its disposal property at auction with planning consent for a residential development of four houses and noted that this would provide for a capital receipt to support further housing in the Borough.

 

Alternative options considered and rejected

 

Cabinet could have decided to sell the site without planning permission, develop the site itself or seek a more intensive development.

 

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.

 

10.

Voluntary Sector Leases

Minutes:

RESOLVED:

 

That Cabinet agrees the rent set out in the report, which is subject to negotiation with the voluntary sector organisations detailed in the report 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 agreed a 10 year lease to the Explorers Football Club for the pavilion building at Sipson Recreation Ground. The Leader of the Council noted that this building was the previously unused Yiewsley Bowls Club pavilion, which had been moved and refurbished, to ensure better community use in its new location. Cabinet’s decision enabled the organisation concerned to benefit from heavily discounted rents as part of the Council's Voluntary Sector Leasing Policy and wider commitment to a vibrant local voluntary sector. The Leader of the Council noted the benefit of the significant rent reductions that the Council offered, in comparison to market prices, allowing local organisations to thrive in Hillingdon.

 

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.

 

11.

Any other items the Chairman agrees are relevant or urgent

Minutes:

No additional items were considered by the Cabinet.

 

The meeting closed at 7:12pm.

 

 

*Internal Use only - implementation of decisions

 

When the Cabinet’s decisions come into effect

 

Meeting after Cabinet, the Executive Scrutiny Committee did not call-in any of the remaining Cabinet decisions. Therefore, these decisions can be implemented by officers upon the expiry of the scrutiny call-in period date below:

 

from 5pm, Friday 23 November 2018

 

Officers to action the decisions are indicated in the minutes.

 

The minutes are the official notice for any subsequent internal process approvals required by officers to action the Cabinet’s decisions.

 

 

The public part of this meeting was broadcast on the Council’s YouTube channel here. Please note that these minutes and decisions are the definitive record of proceedings by the Council of this meeting.

 

If you would like further information about the decisions of the Cabinet, please contact the Council below:

 

democratic@hillingdon.gov.uk

Democratic Services: 01895 250636

Media enquiries: 01895 250403

 

To find out more about how the Cabinet works to put residents first, visit here.