Agenda and minutes

Councillor Scott Seaman-Digby gave his apologies for the meeting.

Councillor Douglas Mills declared a non-pecuniary interest in Item 5 (minute 787) as his property would potentially be affected by the Government’s proposals. He remained in the room during the Leader’s update on the item. There was no vote on the matter.

The decisions and minutes of the last Cabinet meeting were agreed as a correct record.

This was confirmed.

The Leader of the Council may give an update on this matter at the meeting (no report).

The Leader updated Cabinet on the status of the campaign against the Government’s proposals for High Speed 2, which were currently being considered by the Court of Appeal with an announcement likely soon.

RESOLVED:

That the Cabinet:

1.      Authorises the Deputy Chief Executive and Corporate Director of Residents Services, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Community, Commerce & Regeneration, to sign any necessary agreements and make grant funding available to the Metropolitan Police Service in the sum of £462,000 per annum for the period 1 March 2013 to 31 March 2014 on terms that require the Metropolitan Police to provide eleven additional police officers to serve within the London Borough of Hillingdon;

2.      Authorises the Deputy Chief Executive and Corporate Director of Residents Services, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Community, Commerce & Regeneration, to enter into negotiations with the Metropolitan Police Service with a view to providing further grant funding to the Metropolitan Police in the sum of £462,000 per annum for the period 1 April 2014 to 31 March 2016 on terms that are broadly similar to the arrangements for the period 1 March 2013 to 31 March 2014; and;

3.      Requests that the Deputy Chief Executive and Corporate Director for Residents Services refers items 1 and / or 2 (as applicable) back to the Cabinet in the event that match funding is not provided by the Mayor of London in respect of the provision of additional policing within the Borough. 

Reasons for decision

Cabinet agreed to provide grant funding to the Metropolitan Police Service to be used for the provision of enhanced police services within the London Borough of Hillingdon to support the Council and residents’ community safety priorities.

Alternative options considered and rejected

Cabinet could have decide not to make further grant funding available which would have had a negative impact in tackling priority crime and disorder issues in the Borough.

Officer to action:

Ed Shaylor – Residents Services

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet:

1)     Approve the purchase of allowances (estimated to be in the range of £328,000 to £340,000) from the Department of Energy and Climate Change to cover energy emissions (tonnes of carbon dioxide tCO2) produced during the 2012/13 Financial Year and regulated by the CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme Legislation;

2)     Agree that officers submit the Annual Report to the Environment Agency and;

3)     Note that the final cost of allowances for 2012/13 and the Council’s qualification status for Phase 2 of the CRC EES will be reported to Cabinet in September 2013.

Reasons for decision

Cabinet noted that the purchase of such allowances ensured that the Council complied with UK Legislation relating to energy efficiency.

Alternatives considered and rejected

Cabinet could have decided not to purchase and surrender allowances for its energy emissions (tonnes of carbon dioxide) regulated but would have then been in breach of the CRC Order and could have faced fines from the Environment Agency.

Officer to action:

Richard Coomber – Residents Services

RESOLVED:

That the Cabinet notes the updated financial information attached to the report.

Reasons for decision

Cabinet noted the report which detailed the financial planning obligations held by the Council and what progress had, and was, being made.

Alternative options considered and rejected

To not report to Cabinet.  However, Cabinet believed it was an example of good practice to monitor income and expenditure against specific planning agreements.

Officer to action:

Nicola Wyatt, Residents Services

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet:

1)     Approve the SEN Travel Assistance and Travel Policy (Appendix A) for adoption and implementation;

2)     Agree the award of 29 suppliers onto a Framework Agreement to provide all Home to School and SEN transport routes for 4 years (Lot 1);

3)   Agree the award of 3 suppliers onto a Framework Agreement for the provision of general taxi/transportation requirements to the Council (non Home to School/SEN Transport) (Lot 2) and;

4)   Agree the award of a 4 year contract to Cruise Minibuses Ltd to provide emergency transportation requirements in accordance with Civil Protection requirements (Lot 3).

Reasons for decision

Cabinet agreed a revised Special Educational Needs Travel Assistance and Transport Policy to support children and young people move towards independence and empowerment. Cabinet also made decisions in relation to the supporting framework agreement in order to implement this policy cost effectively.

Alternative options considered and rejected

Cabinet could have continued with the existing policy, which would not have supported the transformation changes being implemented across the Council.

Officer to action:

Steve Palmer – Residents Services

Exempt information

Part of this decision was considered in the private part of the meeting under Item 10 (minute 792).

Cabinet considered the tender information on this item in relation to the previous report on the agenda.

Exempt Information

This information was included in Part II as it 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. Notes the interim and longer-term work being done to improve the condition and fabric of the school estate and endorses the procurement strategy and the Allowable Solutions approach as set out in the report.

2. Delegates authority to the Deputy Chief Executive and Corporate Director of Residents Services, in consultation with the Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Property, Finance and Business Services to:

3. Instruct officers to prepare a comprehensive cyclical condition survey programme moving forward, jointly funded by schools and to report back to Cabinet for approval.

4. Request that the Chairman of the Executive Scrutiny Committee waives the scrutiny call-in on all these recommendations to enable any urgent works to commence swiftly.

5. Agrees to withdraw the exempt nature of relevant parts of the report solely for officers of the Council to use to provide public information about this initiative and for other related purposes.

Reasons for decision

Cabinet agreed the provisional programme and delivery strategy for the 2013/14 schools condition works, which was proposed through a joint funding programme with schools, that would address the maintenance backlog, urgent repairs and commence a cyclical programme or survey activity.

Alternative options considered and rejected

Cabinet could have delayed or amended the delivery strategy.

Officer to action:

Norman Benn – Residents Services

Exempt Information

This report was included in Part II as it 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.

Special Urgency Provisions

This report had been circulated less than 5 working days before the Cabinet meeting and was agreed by the Chairman to be considered as urgent.

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet:

1. Note the progress made with Phases 1, 2 and 3 of the Primary School Expansion Programme;

2. Revoke the Cabinet Member decision of 21^st May 2013 agreeing the local process for seeking academy/free schools proposers for new school and delegate authority to the Deputy Chief Executive and Corporate Director of Residents Services, in consultation with the Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Education & Children’s Services, to:

·        Determine the details of a revised local process for seeking academy/free school proposers for the two new primary schools in the light of revised DfE guidance and;

·        Undertake this process and submit the outcome to the DfE.

3. Revoke the Cabinet decision of 23^rd May 2013 to use of Mace as multi-disciplined consultant for the Phase 3 Schools Programme and delegate authority to the Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Finance, Property and Business Services, in consultation with Deputy Chief Executive and Corporate Director of Residents Services, to place a contract with a multi-disciplinary consultancy for the Phase 3 Schools Programme.

4. Requests that the Chairman of the Executive Scrutiny Committee waives the scrutiny call-in on all these recommendations to ensure the programmes can progress swiftly and that the necessary project commitments can be met on time.

Reasons for decision

Cabinet received an update on the primary school capital programme and made a number of decisions to progress the provision of sufficient school places, including those relating to the necessary building contracts and project funding. Cabinet also agreed to pursue a new local process for seeking Academy / Free School proposers following recent guidance issued by the Government.

Alternative options considered and rejected

Cabinet could have decided to delay or not progress aspects of the building programme, which would have impacted upon the Council’s ability to provide sufficient school places.

Officer to action:

David Murnaghan – Residents Services

Exempt Information

This report was included in Part II as it 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.            Approve the award of the Environmental Enforcement Service contract to NSL Ltd, for a period of two years from 1^st August 2013, with the option to extend for a further year;

2.            Approve the operating budget of £198k in the 2013/14 financial year and £253k in the 2014/15 financial year to create the expenditure budgets for the contracted service. Expenditure will be offset by corresponding income budgets for the Fixed Penalty Notices.

Reasons for decision

Following a procurement exercise, Cabinet awarded the most economically advantageous contract for the provision of environmental enforcement across the Borough. Cabinet welcomed the continued provision of patrols to take action against people who undertake anti-social behaviour, which included dropping litter, dog fouling, fly-tipping and public nuisance in parks and other public places.

Alternative options considered and rejected

Cabinet could have decided to terminate the scheme, which would not have assisted in keeping the Borough clean and safe.

Officer to action:

Ed Shaylor – Residents Services

Exempt Information

This report was included in Part II as it 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 approve the award of the Colham Bridge – New Parapet and Lighting Structures contract to Balfour Beatty Civil Engineering Limited, subject to capital release approval of funds from the 2013/14 Transport for London Local Implementation Plan allocation.

Reason for decision

Cabinet awarded the contract to create a new landmark bridge in Yiewsley / West Drayton to the company with the economically advantageous tender. Cabinet welcomed this improvement to the area, which was part of the Town Centre Improvements Initiative.

Alternative options considered and rejected

Cabinet could have decided to defer or postpone the implementation works to construct new parapet and lighting structures to Colham Bridge.

Officer to action:

David Knowles / Chris Tasker, Residents Services

Exempt Information

This report was included in Part II as it 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) Agree to award contracts to framework providers who have met the required cost and quality standards;

2) Delegate authority to the Director of Children & Young People’s Services to access the framework, subject to the participation of other boroughs and;

3) Authorise the Council to enter into an Access Agreement with the following London boroughs:

·        Barnet

·        Brent

·        Ealing

·        Harrow

·        Hammersmith & Fulham

·        Hounslow

·        Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea

·        City of Westminster

Reasons for decision

Cabinet agreed to enter into agreements with other local authorities, using the collective purchasing power of West London, to deliver preferable rates for Independent Fostering Agencies and to more effectively and efficiently manage the quality and availability of placements for young children.

Alternative options considered and rejected

Cabinet could have decided to continue with the spot purchasing model for placements.

Officers to action:

Merlin Joseph, Children & Young People’s Services

Paul Feven, Finance Directorate

Exempt Information

This report was included in Part II as it 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 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 for Residents Services, to make all necessary decisions in respect of this matter.

Reasons for decision

Cabinet delegated authority in order to make the decisions regarding the future operation of the Gym at this site.

Alternative options considered and rejected

None.

Officer to action:

Susan Williams-Joseph

Exempt Information

This report was included in Part II as it 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 7.28 pm

* IMPORTANT INFORMATION

DECISION AUTHORITY

Meeting after Cabinet, the Executive Scrutiny Committee did not call-in any of the Cabinet’s decisions.

The decisions of the Cabinet will therefore come into effect from 5pm, Friday 28^th June 2013, with the following exceptions:

• Item 16 (minute 793) – All decisions in relation to the School Condition Programme of Works;
• Item 11 (minute 794) – All decisions in relation to the School Capital Programme Update.

Decisions on these two items will come into effect immediately following the agreement to waive the scrutiny call-in period by the Chairman of the Executive Scrutiny Committee.