Agenda and minutes

CABINET - Thursday, 25th May, 2023 7.00 pm

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

Contact: Mark Braddock - email:  mbraddock@hillingdon.gov.uk 

Media

Items
No. Item

1.

Apologies for Absence

Minutes:

Apologies were received from Councillor Jane Palmer.

 

2.

Declarations of Interest in matters before this meeting

Minutes:

No interests were declared by Cabinet Members present.

 

3.

To approve the minutes of the last Cabinet meeting pdf icon PDF 438 KB

Minutes:

The decisions and minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on 20 April 2023 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:

It was confirmed that the reports on the agenda, as marked public and private, would be considered as shown.

 

5.

Library Strategy & Tiered Opening Hours pdf icon PDF 523 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

RESOLVED:

 

That the Cabinet:

 

1.     Notes the findings and considers the responses from a comprehensive consultation exercise, which has informed the proposed final Library Service Strategy;

 

2.     Notes the adaptations to the proposed Tiered library opening hours as set out in the report, following consultation.

 

3.     Agrees the Library Service Strategy in Appendix 4 from June 2023, and agrees the Tiered opening hours to take effect later in this financial year as set out in the Annex to this report.

 

Reasons for decision

 

Cabinet received and considered the responses from the public consultation on the Library Strategy and tiered library opening hours. Cabinet noted that the proposals were discussed at a meeting of the Residents’ Services Select Committee. Cabinet also considered the equalities impact assessment.

 

The Cabinet Member for Residents’ Services highlighted the five key ambitions of the Strategy and noted that the Council was required under law to provide a comprehensive and efficient library service and given that Hillingdon Council provided more branches and opening hours than its neighbouring boroughs, he was confident the Council met the requirements of this. The Cabinet Member re-affirmed the Council’s commitment of libraries being a key part of the Council’s wider community offering, providing a comprehensive range of activities for all ages.

 

The Cabinet Member noted the 865 responses received during the consultation, predominately from the North of the Borough, with visits by users to libraries once a month being the average. In respect of the proposed tiered opening hours, it was noted that these were based on usage but also on the mapped availability of an alternative library within travelling distance. The Cabinet Member outlined the proposed changes to opening hours following consultation, where subject to the decision on Harlington Library it was proposed West Drayton Library would move to Tier 3, and at Northwood Hills Library it was proposed it remained at Tier 3 but with a lunchtime closure. The Cabinet Member indicated that opening hours would be kept under regular review.

 

Both the Cabinet Member and the Leader of the Council paid thanks to officers in the Library Service for their work on the consultation and the valued service they provide to the Borough.

 

Alternative options considered and rejected

 

No alternative options to the Library Service were considered in order to retain a large network of public libraries in Hillingdon and ensure resources were deployed responsibly and efficiently.

 

Relevant Select Committee

Residents’ Services

Expiry date for any scrutiny call-in / date decision can be implemented (if no call-in)

This decision can be called-in by 5pm, Monday 5 June 2023.

Officer(s) to action

Darren Deeks

Directorate

Place

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.

Future of Harlington Library pdf icon PDF 457 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

RESOLVED:

 

That the Cabinet:

 

1.     Notes the findings and considers the responses from a comprehensive consultation exercise and;

 

2.     Having regard to the content of the Equalities Impact Assessment, and noting the actions that are proposed to mitigate the adverse effects of Harlington Library closing, Cabinet agrees that it is satisfied that service users will retain the ability to access a comprehensive and efficient library service within Hillingdon. 

 

3.     Therefore:

 

a.     Approves the closure of Harlington library from Friday 21st July 2023 and instructs officers to inform all current service users of the closure and advise them about how they can still access the library service within Hillingdon, including the digital library, Mobile library and nearby alternative static libraries.

 

b.    Authorises the Corporate Director of Place, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Residents Services, to negotiate appropriate compensation with Harlington School.

 

c.     Instructs officers to take all necessary steps to terminate the Council’s lease relating to Harlington Library in accordance with the requirements of the  Department for Education.

 

Reasons for decision

 

Following public consultation, Cabinet duly considered the detailed responses to the proposed closure of Harlington library and noted that the matter had also been considered by the Residents’ Services Select Committee.

 

The Cabinet Member for Residents’ Services noted a minor inconsequential correction to the report for the record.

 

The Cabinet Member explained the unique nature of the library being situated within Harlington School and the outcome of the consultation. The consultation had received 84 responses and the library had the lowest rate of book borrowing in the Borough, with the vast majority of usage being pupils at the School. Whilst the equalities impact assessment noted some inconvenience to those residents who did use the library, including those with disabilities, the Cabinet Member outlined the proposed mitigations to the proposed closure, which would include increased opening hours at the nearby West Drayton Library and increased mobile library opening hours in Pinkwell Ward.

 

Cabinet considered the report and its recommendations. Firstly, having due regard to the consultation, the equalities impact assessment and also actions proposed to mitigate the adverse effects of the closure, Cabinet agreed that it was satisfied that users would retain the ability to access a comprehensive and efficient library service.

 

Secondly, and consequently, Cabinet therefore agreed to the closure of the library, noting that users would be advised how they to access other library services locally. Cabinet also made the necessary decisions to passport the library facilities to benefit Harlington School.

 

Alternative options considered and rejected

 

Cabinet considered that no viable alternative options had been identified as set out in the report, but that users would still be able to benefit from a substantial library service offer locally and across the Borough.

 

Relevant Select Committee

Residents’ Services

Expiry date for any scrutiny call-in / date decision can be implemented (if no call-in)

These decisions can be called-in by 5pm, Monday 5 June 2023.

Officer(s) to action

Darren Deeks

Directorate

Place

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.

Public Preview of matters to be considered in private pdf icon PDF 275 KB

Minutes:

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 Property, Highways and Transport informed Cabinet about the two private reports on the agenda. The first report proposed the re-use of the Pembroke Centre in Ruislip for new modern health facilities which would benefit residents in the area. The second report, following the receipt of an external grant, proposed to decarbonise four of the Borough’s biggest energy consuming buildings, making a significant contribution to the Council’s carbon neutral objectives.

 

Alternative options considered and rejected

 

These were set out in the public Cabinet report.

 

Relevant Select Committee

As set out in the report

Expiry date for any scrutiny call-in / date decision can be implemented (if no call-in)

This matter is not for call-in, as noting only.

Officer(s) to action

Mark Braddock

Directorate

Central 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.

 

 

8.

The Pembroke Centre, Ruislip *

Minutes:

RESOLVED:

 

That the Cabinet:

 

1.     Declares that The Pembroke Centre, 90 Pembroke Road Ruislip, HA4 8NX is surplus to requirements; the Property as shown on Plan A in the report.

2.     Authorises the sale of the freehold interest in The Pembroke Centre to GP Confederation and One Medical Property at the value and terms as detailed in the report.

3.     Authorises a short-term letting of the ground floor of the premises to GP Confederation and One Medical Property for GP services prior to disposal of the freehold interest.

4.     Delegates all future decisions regarding this disposal to the Cabinet Member for Property, Highways & Transport, in conjunction with the Corporate Director of Place.

 

Reasons for decision

 

Cabinet agreed to declare surplus a vacant Council owned building called the Pembroke Centre in Ruislip and authorised a property transaction between the Council and the GP Confederation and One Medical Property.

 

The Cabinet Member for Property, Highways and Transport welcomed that this would provide a new state of the art health and wellbeing facility, supporting the healthcare provision of up to 16,000 local residents.

 

Alternative options considered and rejected

 

Cabinet considered various options as set out in the report, including residential development and renting the building, but discounted these on viability and best value grounds.

 

Relevant Select Committee

Property, Highways and Transport

Expiry date for any scrutiny call-in / date decision can be implemented (if no call-in)

These decisions can be called-in by 5pm, Monday 5 June 2023

Officer(s) to action

James Raven

Directorate

Place Directorate

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 in accordance with Section 100(A) and paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12 (A) to the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended).

 

*Urgency - In accordance with the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012, theChairman of the Property, Highways and Transport Select Committee was notified under Rule 15 of the Rules on Access to Information in the Constitution (General Exception to give advance notice of key decision) that it was impracticable to give public notice of this matter on the Forward Plan.

 

 

9.

Civic Centre and Public Building Decarbonisation Initiatives Programme *

Minutes:

RESOLVED:

 

That the Cabinet:

 

1.     Accept the grant from The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) and welcome the substantial investment in decarbonising Council buildings as a significant part of the Council’s Strategic Climate Action Plan to achieving future energy savings and achievement of its net zero target by 2030.

 

2.     Approve the appointment of Ameresco to prepare detailed design proposals and technical specifications associated with the proposed decarbonisation measure as detailed in Appendix B for a total fee charge of £490,000 for the following sites:

 

·       Civic Centre, Uxbridge

·       Winston Churchill Hall, Ruislip

·       Hillingdon Sports and Leisure Centre, Uxbridge

·       Highgrove Pool, Ruislip

 

3.     Agree delegated authority to the Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Property, Highways and Transport, in conjunction with the Corporate Director of Place, to approve proposals to move project onto works delivery stage following completion of the detailed designs.

 

4.     Approve the appointment of Ameresco to project manage delivery of the project and use their subcontractors to undertake the works associated with the delivery of the Public Sector Decarbonisation Fund 3c Hillingdon project.

 

5.     Agree to the capital release request of £19,542k (£5,791k of Council Resources and £13,751k of grant funding)to support the delivery of the Public Sector Decarbonisation Fund 3c project. Installing a mix of measures (including air pumps, fabric insulation and solar PV) at 4 sites in the borough.

 

6.     Delegate all other decisions required for this project to the Corporate Director of Place, in conjunction with the Cabinet Member for Property, Highways and Transport, and where related to the Council’s climate change strategy, with the Cabinet Member for Residents’ Services.

 

Reasons for decision

 

Cabinet noted that the Council had been successful securing Government funding to decarbonise four of the Council’s highest energy producing buildings and agreed to progress plans to introduce a significant range of energy conservation works to reduce the Council’s energy demand at those sites. The Cabinet Member for Property, Highways and Transport welcomed that this would introduce new modern energy systems such as air source heat pumps. The Leader of the Council also welcomed the project.

 

Alternative options considered and rejected

 

Cabinet could have tendered the works, but opted for utlilising a specialist procurement framework due to the required time scales for project delivery.

 

Relevant Select Committee

Property, Highways and Transport

Expiry date for any scrutiny call-in / date decision can be implemented (if no call-in)

These decisions can be called-in by 5pm, Monday 5 June 2023

Officer(s) to action

Gary Penticost / Glen Martin

Directorate

Place Directorate

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 in accordance with Section 100(A) and paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12 (A) to the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended).

 

*Urgency - In accordance with the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012, the Chairman of the Property, Highways and Transport Select Committee was notified under Rule 15 of the Rules on Access to Information in the Constitution (General Exception to give advance notice of key decision) that it was impracticable to give public notice of this matter on the Forward Plan.

 

10.

Any other items the Chairman agrees are relevant or urgent

Minutes:

No additional items were considered by the Cabinet.

 

The meeting closed at 7:14pm

 

 

Internal Use only*

Implementation of decisions & scrutiny call-in

 

When can these decisions be implemented by officers?

Officers can implement Cabinet’s decisions in these minutes only from the expiry of the scrutiny call-in period, unless otherwise stated above, which is:

 

5pm, Monday 5 June 2023

 

However, this is subject to the decision not being called in by Councillors on the relevant Select Committee. Upon receipt of a valid call-in request, Democratic Services will immediately advise the relevant officer(s) and the Cabinet decision must then be put on hold.

 

Councillor scrutiny call-in of these decisions

Councillors on the relevant Select Committee shown in these minutes for the relevant decision made may request to call-in that decision. The call-in request must be before the expiry of the scrutiny call-in period above.

 

Councillors should use the Scrutiny Call-in App (link below) on their devices to initiate any call-in request. Further advice can be sought from Democratic Services if required:

 

Scrutiny Call-In - Power Apps (secure)

 

Notice

These decisions have been taken under The Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012.

 

This Cabinet meeting was also broadcast live on the Council’s YouTube channel here for wider resident engagement.

 

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