Agenda and draft minutes

Apologies were received from Councillor Steve Tuckwell, Cabinet Member for Planning, Housing & Growth.

No interests were declared by Members present.

The minutes and decisions of the Cabinet meeting held on 10 April 2025 were agreed as a correct record.

It was confirmed that items of business marked Part 1 would be considered in public and those marked Part 2 in private.

RESOLVED:

That:

1)    statutory consultation on the introduction of proposed charges for parking at the Beck Theatre, Hayes, as set out in the report, be approved.

2)    authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for Community and Environment, in consultation with the Corporate Director of Place, to consider the outcome of the statutory consultation and agree the charges and all further necessary decisions in regard to their implementation.

3)    Subsequent charges be reviewed annually as part of the wider corporate review of fees and charges presented to Cabinet.

Reasons for decision

Cabinet considered a report proposing the introduction of charging for the Beck Theatre Car Park, Hayes which would be subject to statutory consultation.

The Cabinet Member for Community & Environment explained that in the proposal the car park, which was previously free, would begin charging £2 for every four hours of parking. This fee would apply at all times, except on Christmas Day and bank holidays, when parking would remain free, consistent with other council-operated car parks. It was noted that the proposal included a 10% discount on the standard rate for the Hillingdon First residents' card. Additionally, provisions were proposed to be made for free parking for theatre staff, production companies, and adult social care staff working at the nearby Grassy Meadow Day Centre.

It was further noted that the charges would be reviewed annually as part of the broader corporate review of fees and charges. Considering the matter, Cabinet therefore agreed the recommendations in the report.

Alternative options considered and rejected

Cabinet could have decided not to propose charges or alternative charges, which was discounted due to agreement with Parkwood Theatres.

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 Community & Environment highlighted a private report to be considered later, concerning the proposed use of mobile vehicle ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition) camera technology for parking enforcement, particularly around school sites. This initiative was described as a significant advancement in the Council’s parking enforcement strategy.

The proposal would involve leasing a vehicle equipped with ANPR technology to enforce parking restrictions where legally permitted, with a focus on school “keep clear” markings to enhance road safety. Additionally, the vehicles would support enforcement in large permit parking zones, although tickets in those areas would still need to be issued manually.

A further benefit highlighted was the potential use in enforcing the new Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) around Heathrow Airport, particularly targeting private hire vehicles. Whilst compliance had been good so far, the long-term goal was to influence driver behaviour positively.

In response to a question from the Leader of the Council, it was confirmed that enforcement vehicles would be overt and clearly marked, ensuring transparency to the public.

Alternative options considered and rejected

As set out in the public Cabinet report and also within the private report.

RESOLVED:

That:

1)    the lease of ANPR-equipped camera enforcement vehicle(s) for use in enforcing parking and moving traffic restrictions in the Borough, be approved.

2)    delegated authority to the Corporate Director of Homes and Communities to determine the number of ANPR camera equipped vehicles to lease, and duration of the lease, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Community and Environment, be approved.

3)    the decommissioning of all School Keep Clear enforcement cameras, be approved, except for the 10 with the highest levels of detected non-compliance.

4)    the deployment of mobile ANPR camera vehicles to monitor School Keep Clear areas going forward, be approved.

5)    the operational and financial efficiencies created by the ANPR vehicles and their role in supporting the enforcement of the Public Spaces Protection Order near Heathrow Airport, be noted.

Reasons for decision

Cabinet received a report, and agreed its recommendations, for the commercial lease of automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) equipped camera enforcement vehicles to modernise parking enforcement operations, generate efficiencies and improve road safety, particularly around schools.

The Cabinet Member for Community & Environment stated that the vehicles would focus on areas of non-compliance, which was supported by the Leader of the Council.

Alternative options considered and rejected

Cabinet considered alternative options, such as keeping the existing camera infrastructure or simpler cameras without ANPR, but discounted these due to either cost, effectiveness or operational limitations.

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet agree:

1) A lease of a minimum of 10-years be entered into with Old Capital Management Ltd for the use of eighty-seven self-contained homes for temporary accommodation for homeless households, as set out in the report.

2) It be noted that the Council will be responsible for the housing management, repairs and remedial works for wear and tear and full insurance of the properties. Within the leases, the Council will be liable for the costs of exceptional damages and the full rental costs for the period that any unit is void.

3) It be noted that the proposal to enter leases for the homes of temporary accommodation with Old Capital Management Ltd will be subject to an annual RPI increase, for the full lease period. Further, that the annual rent for each property has been negotiated to be at net lower cost to the General Fund when compared to current spot-purchased nightly charged temporary accommodation.

4) that authority be delegated to the Corporate Director of Place, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Corporate Services & Property, to make all necessary property and operational decisions to implement this lease and any ancillary decisions required, with Old Capital Management Ltd.

5) Transformation Capitalisation funding of £639,250 for the fire related remedial works and furniture and fittings.

Reasons for decision

Cabinet received a report, and agreed its recommendations, to enter into a lease agreement with Oak Capital Management Ltd, to secure a significant number of family-sized units of self-contained accommodation for use as temporary housing for homeless households in Uxbridge.

The Cabinet Member for Corporate Services & Property noted this was a significant addition of housing in the Borough to support the Council’s temporary accommodation strategy.

Alternative options considered and rejected

Cabinet’s options were limited due to the Borough experiencing a sharp increase in levels of homelessness.

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet:

1. Agrees for the Council to obtain the leases of the three properties as set out in the report, to be added to the Council portfolio to be used for the provision of residential care to support Looked After Children and Care Leavers for a seven-year period.

2. Agrees to the rephasing of £727k from the approved 2024/25 General Contingency capital budget to increase the 2025/26 capital programme budget for the ‘Investment in Children’s Care Home Capacity’.

3. Agrees the capital release request of £727k from the ‘Investment in Children’s Care Home Capacity’ programme budget for the acquisition and set up of the three properties and to fund the set-up costs for the Charville Lane development and the properties set out in this report, to ensure they are fit for service delivery under OFSTED regulations.

4. Authorises the Corporate Director of Children’s Services to award the contracts and incur expenditure for furniture and finishings as set out in the Tender Appendix and delegate any further decisions regarding to the project’s implementation, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Children, Families & Education.

Reasons for decision

Cabinet received a report, and agreed recommendations, to lease several properties to increase the capacity and quality of children's homes in the Borough to provide better care for looked after children and care leavers. Cabinet also agreed the necessary funding strategy and associated refurbishing costs.

The Cabinet Member for Children, Families & Education welcomed how this would support transformational changes to children’s lives, whilst also highlighting the cost benefit of Council accommodation compared to private placements.

Alternative options considered / risk management

Cabinet’s options were limited due to the increasing cost of care in the wider market.

RESOLVED:

That the Cabinet:

1)    Agree to extend the current contract with PFL Electrical Services Ltd for the provision LOT 1 – Area 1 Electrical Repairs & Upgrades Contract to the London Borough of Hillingdon for a period of 2 years from 26 June 2025 to 25 June 2027 at an estimated value of £540k per annum (a total estimated value over 2 years of £1,080k).

2)    Accept the tender from Regen (M&E Services) Ltd for the provision of the LOT 2 - Area 2 Electrical Repairs & Upgrades Contract to the London Borough of Hillingdon for a period of 2 years from 26 June 2025 to 25 June 2027 at an estimated value of £472k per annum (a total estimated value over the 2 years of £944k).

Reasons for decision

Cabinet received a report, and agreed its recommendations, to extend and award contracts for Electrical Testing, Repairs & Upgrade Services, with each contractor operating across a different area of the Borough. The Cabinet Member for Corporate Services and Property explained the background to the contract proposals and pricing.

Alternative options considered and rejected

Cabinet could have chosen to re-tender both contracts but discounted this for the reasons set out in the report.

RESOLVED:

That the Cabinet agrees the terms for the renewal of a licence negotiated by officers as detailed in this report and authorises Legal Services to complete the new licence on these terms.

Reasons for recommendation.

The Cabinet Member for Corporate Services & Property presented a report, which Cabinet agreed, for the renewal of a business licence for a property at Fassnidge Park, Rockingham Parade, Uxbridge operating as Recycle-a-Bike Uxbridge Ltd, where the organisation would benefit from the Council’s Voluntary Sector Leasing Policy discount.

Alternative options considered.

Alternative options were set out in the confidential report.

RESOLVED:

That:

1.    the appointment of Concertus Design and Property Consultants Ltd under the Council’s Consultancy Framework under Lot 1 Multi-Disciplinary Consultancy to progress School Condition Programme Year 1 2025/26 at a cost of £248k up to RIBA Stage 6, be approved.

2.    the contract variation of an existing contract with TRAC Associates to include asbestos surveys at schools under the School Conditions Programme Year 1 2025/26 at a cost of £90k, be approved.

3.    the capital release request of £576k from the School Conditions Programme Budget 2025/26 for the funding of design works to RIBA Stage 4 and associated project costs for School Condition Programme Year 1 2025/26 (Appendix A), be agreed.

Reasons for decision

The Cabinet Member for Corporate Services & Property introduced a report, which Cabinet agreed, to appoint Design and Property Consultants to progress the School Condition Programme, following the outcome of the School Condition surveys as part of year 1 of a 5 year programme.

Alternative options considered / risk management

Cabinet’s options were limited, since not undertaking such consultancy works now could have led to more urgent works required later.

There were no further items. The meeting closed at 7.13pm