Items
| No. |
Item |
1. |
Apologies for Absence  PDF 138 KB
Minutes:
All Cabinet Members were present.
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2. |
Declarations of Interest in matters before this meeting PDF 138 KB
Minutes:
No interests were declared by Members
present.
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3. |
To approve the minutes of the last Cabinet meeting PDF 356 KB
Minutes:
The minutes and decisions of the Cabinet
meeting held on 9 January 2025 were agreed as a correct record.
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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 PDF 138 KB
Minutes:
It was confirmed that items of business marked
Part 1 would be considered in public and those marked Part 2 in
private.
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5. |
2025/26 Budget and Future Medium-Term Financial Strategy & Budget Monitoring
Minutes:
Consideration of this item was moved to the
Cabinet meeting on 20 February 2025 at 7pm.
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6. |
The Schools Budget 2025/26
Minutes:
Consideration of this item was moved to the
Cabinet meeting on 20 February 2025 at 7pm.
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7. |
Temporary Accommodation Strategy & Action Plan PDF 347 KB
Additional documents:
Minutes:
RESOLVED:
That the
Cabinet:
1)
Note the significant homelessness pressure in Hillingdon, in
line with national and London wide trends, and the increasing use
of temporary accommodation to meet this need.
2)
Note the Temporary Accommodation Strategy and Action Plan in the
Appendix.
3)
Agree to receive quarterly updates, or at a frequency as
determined by the Cabinet Member, on progress delivering the
Strategy and Action Plan, aligned with the Homelessness Prevention
and Rough Sleeping Strategy and the impact on the Medium-Term
Financial Strategy, and to include details of actions being taken
to bring empty homes across the Borough back into
occupation.
Reasons for
decision
The Cabinet Member for Planning, Housing &
Growth presented a report on the Temporary Accommodation Strategy
and Action Plan, aimed at reducing costs and reliance on temporary
accommodation in Hillingdon. As of January 2025, there were 1,275
households in temporary accommodation, with a significant increase
in demand and costs. The Cabinet Member advised that the strategy
focused on homelessness prevention, increasing housing supply, and
financial sustainability. Key objectives cited included reducing
homelessness demand, increasing housing supply, reducing temporary
accommodation costs, and delivering long-term housing solutions.
The Cabinet Member noted that the projected spend for 2024-2025 was
£35.6 million, with a goal to reduce expenditure by
£3.6 million in 2025-2026. Progress would be monitored and
reported to the Cabinet. It was welcomed that the Residents’
Services Select Committee was also reviewing homelessness, with a
final report expected later in the year. The Cabinet noted the
pressures, the strategy, and to agree to receive quarterly updates
on progress.
The Leader of the Council
thanked the Cabinet Member and Officers for their efforts in
addressing the national challenge of homelessness, which was
particularly acute in London and by preparing a report that
provided clarity in analysing the problem and outlining solutions
locally. The Leader requested that officers work to strengthen the
Action Plan, where the measures needed to be more specific to
determine whether targets were being met, with tighter target
setting and monitoring, acknowledging that some estimates would be
broad. The Leader asked the Chief Executive to take this forward
and included within the next quarterly report to
Cabinet.
Alternative options
considered and rejected
None.
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Relevant Select Committee
|
Residents’ Services Select Committee
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Expiry date for any scrutiny call-in /
date decision can be implemented (if no call-in)
|
Cabinet’s
decisions on this matter can be called in by a majority of the
select committee by 5pm, Friday 21 February 2025. If not called-in,
Cabinet’s decisions can then be implemented.
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Officer(s) to action
|
Dan Kennedy / Debbie Weller
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Directorate
|
Homes and
Communities
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Classification
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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.
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8. |
Revised Local Development Scheme PDF 402 KB
Additional documents:
Minutes:
RESOLVED:
That the Cabinet
endorse and recommend the revised draft Local
Development Scheme for adoption by Full Council.
Reasons for
decision
The Cabinet Member for Planning, Housing &
Growth introduced a report asking the Cabinet to endorse a revised
local development scheme for adoption by the full Council. It was
noted that this statutory requirement, under the Planning &
Compulsory Purchase Act 2004, set out the Council's three-year
programme for updating its planning policies. The update presented
to the Cabinet was in response to the Deputy Prime Minister's
request for all local planning authorities to publish a revised
scheme by 6th March 2025, following changes to the National
Planning Policy Framework. The Cabinet Member outlined the key
objectives, which included ensuring compliance with national
deadlines, introducing a three-stage local plan programme, and
aligning local planning with the revised London Plan and housing
targets. The scheme aimed to reduce legal challenges and delays,
support sustainable development, growth, and high-quality housing
and strengthen community engagement. It was noted that the cost
would be met through existing budgets with minor additional
expenditure for consultation and that failure to update the plan
could result in Government or Mayoral intervention.
Alternative options
considered and rejected
Cabinet’s options were
limited to meet the Ministerial requirement, and to minimise
additional risks if the current plan was not updated.
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Relevant Select Committee
|
Residents’ Services Select Committee
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Expiry date for any scrutiny call-in /
date decision can be implemented (if no call-in)
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This decision cannot
be called-in and is referred to the full Council for
determination.
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Officer(s) to action
|
Julia Johnson / Gavin Polkinghorn
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Directorate
|
Place
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Classification
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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.
|
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9. |
Public Preview of Confidential Reports PDF 318 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.
Alternative options
considered and rejected
These were set out in the public Cabinet
report.
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Relevant Select Committee
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Expiry date for any scrutiny call-in /
date decision can be implemented (if no call-in)
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This matter is not
for call-in, as noting only.
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Officer(s) to action
|
Mark Braddock
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Directorate
|
Corporate
Services
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Classification
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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.
|
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10. |
Improvements to Yeading Lane Estate in Hayes - External Repairs and Decorations 2024/25
Minutes:
RESOLVED:
That the
Cabinet:
- Accept the tender from Greyline
Builders Ltd for the provision of the External Repairs and
Decorations – Phase 2 – Yeading Lane Estate, Hayes to
the London Borough of Hillingdon for a period of 20 weeks at the
value of £893k;
- agree to the capital release of
£1,027k inclusive of contingencies and fees from the External
Repairs and Decorations – Phase 2 – Yeading Lane
Estate, Hayes to the London Borough of Hillingdon work-stream
within the Works to Stock Programme 2024/25;
Reasons for
decision
The Cabinet Member for Corporate Services
& Property introduced a report,
with recommendations that Cabinet approved, to accept a tender for
external decorations and minor repairs at the Yeading Lane Estate,
Hayes, following a competitive tender exercise.
Alternative options
considered and rejected
Alternative options were considered by Cabinet
as set out in the confidential report, primarily using more
strategic contracts for such works, but these were discounted on
value-for-money grounds.
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Relevant Select Committee
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Corporate Resources & Infrastructure
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Expiry date for any scrutiny call-in /
date decision can be implemented (if no call-in)
|
Cabinet’s
decisions on this matter can be called in by a majority of the
select committee by 5pm, Friday 21 February 2025. If not called-in,
Cabinet’s decisions can then be implemented.
|
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Officer(s) to action
|
Merrick Knight
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Directorate
|
Place
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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).
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11. |
Hillingdon's Participation in the Regional Adoption Agency
Minutes:
RESOLVED:
That the Cabinet
agree: -
- To continue the contract with the
Regional Adoption Agency (Ambitious for Adoption) which is a
mandated requirement for local authorities, for the full extension
period until 30th May 2029 at a cost of
£2.35m;
- Agrees that the Regional Adoption
Agency contract be reviewed in line with the demand, ensuring
timely permanency for our children and derisking the potential
agency costs needed to meet the demand;
- Any contract changes to be
delegated to the Corporate Director for Children's Services, in
consultation with the Cabinet Member for Children, Families &
Education, who will also undertake regular contract
monitoring.
Reasons for
decision
The Cabinet Member for Children, Families
& Education introduced a report, with recommendations that
Cabinet approved, to continue the Council’s contract with the
Regional Adoption Agency. The Cabinet Member noted that this would
help improve local adoption services along with more efficient
processes, and that there would be regular monitoring of the
arrangements.
Alternative options
considered and rejected
Cabinet considered the alternative options as
set out in the confidential report, which were discounted due to
their impact on the service and cost.
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Relevant Select Committee
|
Children, Families & Education
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Expiry date for any scrutiny call-in /
date decision can be implemented (if no call-in)
|
Cabinet’s
decisions on this matter can be called in by a majority of the
select committee by 5pm, Friday 21 February 2025. If not called-in,
Cabinet’s decisions can then be implemented.
|
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Officer(s) to action
|
Poppy Reddy / Alex Coman
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Directorate
|
Children’s
Services
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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).
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12. |
Corporate Disposals Programme 2024/25 - Disposal of site at Pump Lane, Hayes
Minutes:
RESOLVED:
That the
Cabinet:
1)
Declares that the property at Pump Lane Hayes is now surplus to
requirements; the property is shown edged red on the Land Registry
title plan NGL411074 at Appendix 1.
2)
Authorises the disposal of the freehold interest of the land and
buildings at Pump Lane Hayes UB3 3NB, on the terms and conditions
detailed in this Cabinet report.
3)
Delegates all necessary future decisions regarding this disposal
and the sale to the Corporate Director of Place, in consultation
with the Cabinet Member for Corporate Services &
Property.
Reasons for
decision
The Cabinet Member for Corporate Services
& Property introduced a report, with recommendations that
Cabinet approved, to proceed with the disposal of the
Council’s freehold interest in land at Pump Lane, Hayes, UB3
3NB to optimise the use of the Council’s assets and ensure
best value for taxpayers. Cabinet noted that the site included the
Civic Hall and the Civic Hall Car Park.
Alternative options
considered and rejected
Alternative options were
considered by Cabinet, including redevelopment or retaining and
modernising the site, as set out in the confidential
report.
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Relevant Select Committee
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Corporate Resources & Infrastructure
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Expiry date for any scrutiny call-in /
date decision can be implemented (if no call-in)
|
Cabinet’s
decisions on this matter can be called in by a majority of the
select committee by 5pm, Friday 21 February 2025. If not called-in,
Cabinet’s decisions can then be implemented.
|
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Officer(s) to action
|
Julia Thompson
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Directorate
|
Place
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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).
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13. |
Irrecoverable Corporate Debt
Minutes:
RESOLVED:
That Cabinet
approves writing off £55,495.32 in respect of Housing Benefit
debt as set out in the report.
Reasons for
decision
The Cabinet Member for Finance &
Transformation introduced a report, with a recommendation which
Cabinet agreed, to write-off housing benefit debt which was deemed
as having no possibility of recovery due to the particular
circumstances of the case.
Alternative options
considered and rejected
None.
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Relevant Select Committee
|
Corporate Resources & Infrastructure
|
|
Expiry date for any scrutiny call-in /
date decision can be implemented (if no call-in)
|
Cabinet’s
decisions on this matter can be called in by a majority of the
select committee by 5pm, Friday 21 February 2025. If not called-in,
Cabinet’s decisions can then be implemented.
|
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Officer(s) to action
|
Tiffany Boreham
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Directorate
|
Finance
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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).
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14. |
Any other items the Chairman agrees are relevant or urgent
Minutes:
No further items were considered by
Cabinet.
The meeting closed at 7.16pm
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Internal Use only*
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Implementation of decisions & scrutiny
call-in
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When can these decisions be implemented
by officers?
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Officers can
implement Cabinet’s decisions in these minutes only from the
expiry of the scrutiny call-in period, unless otherwise stated in
the minutes above, which is:
5pm, Friday 21 February 2025
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.
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Councillor scrutiny call-in of these decisions
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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)
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Notice
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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
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