Agenda and minutes

All Members of the Cabinet were present.

No interests were declared by Members present.

The decisions and minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on 2 September 2021 were agreed as a correct record.

This was confirmed.

The Chairman of the External Services Select Committee, Councillor Nick Denys, presented the Committee’s review into Children’s Dental Health, which was warmly endorsed by the Cabinet.

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet welcomes the review by the External Services Select Committee and acknowledges, appreciates and recognises the work that is already being undertaken across the Borough to improve dental health outcomes for children in Hillingdon. Furthermore, Cabinet agrees the recommendations made by the Committee set out below:

1.     That the Cabinet Member for Health and Social Care write to the Department of Health and Social Care / Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, The Rt Hon Sajid Javid MP, to request that a proportion of the Soft Drinks Industry Levy (SDIL) be ringfenced for dental health initiatives;

2.     That the North West London Clinical Commissioning Group (NWL CCG) be asked to liaise with NHS England regarding the collection and carry forward of any unused Units of Dental Activity (UDAs) in Hillingdon within the year for redistribution to local dental related action programmes / initiatives such as fluoride varnishing in schools;

3.     That the Cabinet Member for Health and Social Care liaise with pan London counterparts to encourage the fluoridation of water supplies across London;

4.     That the Council’s Early Years team liaise with private and local authority run nurseries (as well as school nurseries and Children’s Centres) in Hillingdon to encourage routine supervised brushing after meals;

5.     That the North West London Clinical Commissioning Group be asked to liaise with dentists locally to agree a way that children under the age of 11 can be guaranteed an appointment;

6.     That the Corporate Director of Social Care & Health be asked to ensure that health visitors provide new mothers with information about free NHS dental services and brushing kits at their first contact and ask the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health to include oral health information in the Personal Child Health Record (‘red book’); 

7.     That Corporate Director of Social Care & Health ensure that training be made available for health professionals such as health visitors and school nurses on the promotion of good oral health; 

8.     That the Families, Health and Wellbeing Select Committee receives annual updates from Public Health on the performance of dental health services commissioned by the NHS in Hillingdon; and 

9.     That the Health and Wellbeing Board oversee a comprehensive communications and education plan on oral health coordinated by a Children & Young People’s Dental Health task and finish group.

Reasons for the decision

Cabinet received the report of the External Services Select Committee’s review into Children’s Dental Services and wholeheartedly accepted its findings. The broad investigation to understand the nature and extent of action relating to the poor oral health in many children was welcomed by the Cabinet, along with recommendations to build on the positive work already being undertaken by partners, including governance oversight of the progress made.

The Cabinet Member for Health & Social Care welcomed the exceptional report and outlined how it would be used to help address the issues and barriers to good dental health for children, including across London. 

The Leader of the Council paid thanks to the Select Committee for its report and noted that to give best effect to the recommendations that it would be via the Health and Wellbeing Board.

Alternative options considered and rejected.

The Cabinet could have decided to reject some, or all, of the Committee’s recommendations or have pursued alternative routes by which to progress the objectives of the review.

RESOLVED:

That the Cabinet: 

1.     Consider the summary of consultation comments and the Planning Policy Team’s response to these comments, attached as Appendix A.

2.     Agree the adoption of the revised Statement of Community Involvement, attached as Appendix B. 

Reasons for decision

Cabinet considered the responses from the public consultation and approved minor changes as a result, and then the adoption of an updated Statement of Community Involvement. The Cabinet Member for Environment, Housing and Regeneration noted that this was a statutory document that set out how the Council would involve the community in the planning process going forward.

Alternative options considered and rejected

None, as it was a statutory requirement to have in place an up-to-date Statement of Community Involvement.

RESOLVED:

That the Cabinet

1)    Approves the adoption of the London Borough of Hillingdon Enforcement Policy;

2)    Instructs officers to review the Policy in 2024.

Reasons for decision

Cabinet agreed an updated Enforcement Policy following the recent alignment of the Council’s enforcement functions and noted that it would serve as a framework to guide officers and decision-makers on enforcement principles and standards.

The Cabinet Member for Public Safety and Transport noted the array of service areas that have an enforcement function and thanked officers for their actions to-date.

The Leader of the Council welcomed the policy which would make the Council’s approach to enforcement more transparent to residents.

Alternative options considered and rejected

None.

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet: 

1.    Notes the findings from a review by officers of the school admissions criteria for community schools in Hillingdon. 

Schools Admissions Criteria 

2.    Recommends the following proposals for changes to be made to the school admissions criteria and authorises officers to undertake a full consultation exercise in relation to them: 

a)    To amend the point of measurement for school applications for Whitehall Infant & Nursery School (set out in Appendix 1). 

b)   To amend the point of measurement for school applications for Yeading Infant & Junior School (set out in Appendix 1). 

3.    Agrees that no further material changes are required to the admissions criteria for community schools (set out in Appendix 2). 

Published Admission Number 

4.    Recommends the following proposals regarding the Published Admissions Number and authorises officers to undertake a full consultation exercise in relation to them: 

a)    To reduce the Published Admission Number for Harefield Infant School from 90 to 60. 

b)   To reduce the Published Admission Number for Harefield Junior School from 90 to 60. 

c)    To reduce the Published Admission Number for Harlyn Primary School from 90 to 60. 

d)   To reduce the Published Admission Number for Field End Infant School from 120 to 90. 

5.    Agrees to receive a further report at its 17th February 2022 meeting for the purpose of considering the consultation responses and determining a set of new admissions arrangements for community schools in Hillingdon with new Planned Admissions Numbers for stated Community schools which all are to take effect from 1 September 2023.  

6.    Agrees that the Corporate Director, Planning, Environment, Education and Community Services, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Families, Education and Wellbeing, submit a response from the Authority following formal consultation from non-community schools to reduce their Planned Admissions Numbers. 

Reasons for decision

The Cabinet Member for Families, Education & Wellbeing detailed the proposals to the Cabinet and expressed the importance of providing sufficient places for school children in Hillingdon. The Cabinet Member noted that the changes proposed would address the findings of a review to provide continuing access for children at a local school, whilst also seeking to improve the stability of pupil numbers and school budgets going forward.

Cabinet, therefore, agreed to consult on changes to the school admissions criteria and Published Admissions Number for relevant schools and it was noted more proposals to look at Published Admission Numbers may come forward in due course.

Alternative options considered and rejected

Alternative options were considered as set out in the report.

RESOLVED:

That the Cabinet:

1.     Approves the establishment of a Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) and authorises officers to procure temporary accommodation placements via that system.

2.     In order to meet statutory housing need, authorises officers to directly award placements on a spot contract basis where suitable arrangements cannot be made from the DPS; or where crisis or emergency circumstances dictate that it is not possible to do so via the DPS.

Reasons for decision

Cabinet agreed to use a dynamic purchasing arrangement to more efficiently source emergency temporary accommodation placements, ensuring value for money and so that the Council could continue to meet its statutory homelessness duties.

The Cabinet Member for Environment, Housing & Regeneration explained the types of provision this would entail and how the new purchasing arrangements would ensure the Council secures quality assured providers.

The Leader of the Council welcomed the approach to provide for better management of the housing supply chain, to drive up standards and reduce costs.

Alternative options considered and rejected

Cabinet could have decided to continue to source and manage temporary accommodation placements through existing ad hoc methods.

RESOLVED:

That the Cabinet:  

1. Authorises officers to give public notice of the Council’s intention to appropriate the land from public open space to planning purposes pusuant to section 122 of the Local Government Act 1972 as amended by the Local Government Planning and Land Act 1980 section 118 schedule 23 on the land set out in the plans.

2. Delegates authority to the Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Property and Infrastructure, in consultation with the Corporate Director of Infrastructure, Transport and Building Services, to consider any objections to the proposed appropriation; decide whether the land should be appropriated for planning purposes and to make all necessary decisions to give effect to the above recommendation and any other decisions which are required in relation to the land.

Reasons for decision

The Cabinet Member for Property & Infrastructure outlined the history to the Yiewsley Recreation Ground and the former Yiewsley Swimming pool sites, noting that Cabinet in 2017 had authorised their development for much needed housing and community facilities.

Cabinet, therefore, agreed to undertake statutory consultation to appropriate the land at these sites from public open space to planning purposes to enable the release of the restrictive covenant, thereby enabling the Council to progress their development.

The Leader of the Council welcomed the development of these sites in order to put them to good use for the benefit of residents.

Alternative options considered and rejected

Cabinet could have decided not to progress the appropriation of the land, but this would not have enabled the progression of these sites to be developed.

RESOLVED:

That the Cabinet delegate authority to the Cabinet Member for Public Safety and Transport to submit the Council's Local Implementation Plan, 2022/23 Delivery Programmebid to Transport for London no later than week commencing 1st November 2021 and further bids to support the new three-year Delivery Plan as required by Transport for London.

Reasons for decision

Cabinet agreed to delegate authority to submit a new three-year delivery plan detailing the Council’s bid to Transport for London for future funding of transportation projects locally.

The Cabinet Member for Public Safety & Transport welcomed the proposed spending themes in the report which would deliver the Council’s transportation priorities, in particular road safety.

Alternative options considered and rejected

None.

RESOLVED:

That the Cabinet notes the Hillingdon Safeguarding Partnership Annual Report 2020-2021.

Reasons for decision

Cabinet received the Safeguarding Annual Report which summarised the work undertaken by the Hillingdon Safeguarding Partnership to support and safeguard Hillingdon's vulnerable residents, adults and children.

The Cabinet Member for Health & Social Care noted that the report covered a period of unprecedented challenges and credited the Council and its partners for their work and progress made across all priority areas. The Cabinet Member noted the independent review of the local safeguarding arrangements and its positive findings of how the partnership worked. The Cabinet Member also noted the strong collaborative working on important issues such as Domestic Abuse and support to families.

The Cabinet Member for Families, Education and Wellbeing highlighted how partnership had worked well to keep children safe and had adapted during the pandemic. Thanks were paid to all the partners involved that support vulnerable children and had delivered on the priorities set out for the year. Reference was also made to the positive outcomes of the independent review.

The Leader of the Council welcomed the good report and how it had highlighted the importance of the Council’s good work with partners.

Alternative options considered and rejected

None.

RESOLVED:

That the Cabinet:

1.     Note the budget monitoring position and treasury management update as at August 2021 (Month 5) as outlined in Part A of this report.

2.     Approve the financial recommendations set out in Part B of this report set out below:

a)    Note those consultancy and agency assignments over £50k approved under delegated authority between the September 2021 and October 2021 Cabinet meetings, detailed at Appendix A.

b)    Approve the acceptance of the Private Rented Sector Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards Grant of £98,728 from the Midlands Energy Hub. The grant is part of the Private Rented Sector (PRS) Compliance and Enforcement Competition originating from the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (“BEIS”).

c)    Approve virements totalling £5,574k comprising £3,060k from the 2021-26 General Equipment Capitalisation budget, £570k from the 2021-26 ICT Equipment Capitalisation budget and £1,944k from the 2021-26 General Capital Contingency budget to the new Yiewsley/West Drayton leisure centre project.

d)    Accept grant funding of £1,500k to be allocated to the new Yiewsley/West Drayton Leisure Centre budget.

e)    Accept a capital grant award of £2,675k and a revenue grant of £129k from the Greater London Authority in respect of the Rough Sleeping Accommodation Programme (RSAP).

f)      Approve a virement of £2,675k from the HRA Acquisitions and Internal Developments budget to the Rough Sleepers Accommodation Programme, as Council match funding.

g)    Note Transport for London grant funding awards of £356k in respect of LIPs Corridors (£146k), Crossrail Complementary Measures (£60k), Bus Priority Measures (£132k) and Cycle Training (£18k).

h)    Approve acceptance of gift funding in relation to a Planning Performance Agreement in accordance with the provisions of Section 93 of the Local Government Act 2003 for;

a.     Unit 1 Nestle - £10,000

b.    Crown Trading - £40,000

Reasons for decision

Cabinet was informed of the forecast revenue, capital and treasury position for the current year 2021/22 to ensure the Council achieved its budgetary and service objectives. The Cabinet Member for Finance noted that the last financial position reported to Cabinet was at Month 3 and, therefore, reporting for this meeting was for the period of Month 3 to Month 5.

The Cabinet Member informed Cabinet that the general balances remained consistently projected and updated Members on the status of the Council’s COVID-19 exceptional pressures and how central Government grants, along with the Council’s own earmarked reserves, were being used to mitigate this.

It was welcomed that the in-year budget savings were making good progress, whilst a small pressure on the capital programme was highlighted due to factors in the construction sector relating to the increased costs for the new Yiewsley and West Drayton Leisure Centre.

On the Dedicated Schools Budget, the Cabinet Member informed Cabinet that the Council was actively engaged with the Department for Education to rectify the deficit. On the Housing Budgets, it was noted these were on track and provisions were also being made within the budgets to deliver a significant increase the Council’s housing stock.

Other financial recommendations approved by the Cabinet included the acceptance of grants and the re-phasing of various capital budgets to support the delivery of the new Yiewsley and West Drayton Leisure Centre.

The Leader of the Council thanked the Cabinet Member on his comprehensive overview and report.

Alternative options considered and rejected

None.

RESOLVED:

That the Cabinet:  

1.    Accept the tender from Public Analyst Scientific Services Limited for the provision of Pesticide Residue Testing, Radiation Testing, Microbiological Testing, and various other laboratory tests to the London Borough of Hillingdon for a three-year period from 1 December 2021 to 30 November 2024 and at the estimated value of £593k.

2.    Furthermore, agree that this includes the provision to extend the contract for a two-year period (five years in total), delegating approval of any extension to the Leader of the Council and the Cabinet Member for Public Safety & Transport, in consultation with the Corporate Director of Planning, Environment, Education and Community Services, and at a total contract value of £989k over the full five years.

Reasons for decision

Cabinet accepted a tender for the provision of laboratory testing on behalf of the Imported Food Office at Heathrow Airport. Cabinet noted that the Council had a duty to tests imports of food and feed arriving at the airport for a variety of contaminants on behalf of the wider UK market.

Alternative options considered and rejected

None, as the Council would not meet its statutory obligations as a Border Control Post.

RESOLVED:

That the Cabinet accept the direct award contract via CCS framework RM3821 from Zellis UK Limited for the provision of the hosting, support and management of the HR ResourceLink system and upgrade to HCM Cloud system to the London Borough of Hillingdon for a five-year period from 1 December 2021 to 30 November 2026 and at the value of £1,225,888.

Reasons for decision

Cabinet accepted a tender to improve the Council’s Human Resources and Payroll system in order for ensure it was fit for purpose going forward.

Alternative options considered and rejected

None.

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet:

1.    Agrees to extend the current contract with J McCann Ltd for the provision of Street Lighting Works Term Services to the London Borough of Hillingdon for a two-year period from 5 December 2021 to 4 December 2023 and at the estimated cost of c.£1,704k.

2.    Authorises the grant of a further two-year lease extension to J McCann Ltd for a workshop at Harlington Road Depot. This lease will be outside the security of tenure provisions and will enable the council to terminate concurrently with the commercial contract as detailed in this report and instructs Legal Services to complete the appropriate lease documentation.

Reasons for recommendation

Cabinet agreed to an extension of the existing contract for the Borough’s Street Lighting Installation and Maintenance Service, along with a lease at the Council’s depot at Harlington Road, Uxbridge for the contractor to operate.

Alternative options considered and rejected

Cabinet could have decided to re-tender, but considered this not a viable option at the current time.

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet agrees the rent set out in the report, which has been the subject of negotiation with the voluntary sector organisation detailed in this report and instructs officers to complete the legal documentation.

Reasons for decision

Cabinet made a decision regarding a rent review for Mencap Hillingdon to use a site at Queens Walk, Ruislip. Cabinet’s decision enabled the organisation concerned to benefit from heavily discounted rent as part of the Council's Voluntary Sector Leasing Policy and wider commitment to a vibrant local voluntary sector.

Alternative options considered and rejected

None.

RESOLVED:

That the Cabinet:   

1.     Agrees that there is no longer a business case for a new Theatre on the former RAF Uxbridge [St Andrews Park] site or for the Council to take ownership of the former Cinema building, noting that the Borough already has three existing entertainment venues that provide a significant programme of cultural and community events.

2.     Agrees not to proceed with the Theatre and Cinema building projects and to reflect this in the Council’s MTFF and Capital Programme going forward as part of the budget planning process.

3.     Notes that the Deputy Director of Planning & Regeneration, in conjunction with the Borough Solicitor, will negotiate and agree a Deed of Variation to the Section 106 Agreement between the Council and VSM to the effect that the Council no longer requires the Theatre and Cinema building to be transferred to it.

4.     Notes that the Deputy Director of Planning & Regeneration, in conjunction with the Borough Solicitor, will negotiate and agree the final terms with VSM on which the Council will not proceed with the Theatre and Cinema building land transfers and these terms will be given full legal effect in the Deed of Variation for determination by the Major Applications Planning Committee.

5.     Further notes that the period by which the Council is required to complete the transfer of the Theatre site expires on 29 October 2021 and instructs the Deputy Director of Planning & Regeneration to agree an extension of a further six month period for completion with VSM so as to allow for the negotiations and finalisation of the Deed of Variation to take place.

6.     Welcomes the Council’s commitment to delivering affordable housing and notes that a fresh planning application will be required to be submitted to the Council to achieve policy compliant affordable housing on the whole town centre extension phase of development which will be considered and determined by the Major Applications Planning Committee in accordance with established planning policy, law and guidance.

7.     Instructs the Deputy Director of Planning & Regeneration to work closely with VSM to deliver a new high-quality mixed-use masterplan and to ensure that full public consultation takes place in relation to the emerging masterplan.    

Reasons for decision

Cabinet made the necessary executive project decisions regarding key land transfers forming part of the outline planning permission to redevelop St. Andrews Park, Uxbridge. Cabinet considered that a commitment to an alternative mixed used masterplan which contained policy compliant affordable housing would better meet the needs of the Borough’s residents. Cabinet noted the necessary actions by officers to progress such matters and that these would be duly determined by the Major Applications Planning Committee.

Alternative options considered and rejected

Cabinet could have decided to proceed with the new theatre site and cinema site building projects, but considered that there was now no longer a robust business case related to either proposal.

*denote urgent business not on the Forward Plan

No additional items were considered by the Cabinet.

The meeting closed at 7.33pm