Agenda, decisions and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Paul Convery.

None.

CONFIRMED.

That the minutes of the meeting on 15 January 2015 be confirmed as a correct record and the Chair be authorised to sign them.

AGREED RECOMMENDATIONS:

Reason for decision – as specified in the report

Other options considered – none, other than as detailed in the report and related papers

Conflicts of interest / dispensations granted – none.

RESOLVED:

That the following recommendations be agreed and recommended to the Council meeting on 26 February 2015:

The General Fund Budget 2015-16 and MTFS (Section 3 of the Main Report)

2.1         To agree the 2015-16 net Council cash limits as set out in Table 1 (paragraph 3.1.4) and the MTFS at Appendix A, which include the revenue savings in Appendix B.

2.2         To note the report of the Policy and Performance Scrutiny Committee on 22^nd January 2015 in reviewing the ‘Budget Proposals 2015-16’ and to agree its recommendation for the addition of an invest-to-save scheme comprising the installation of photovoltaic (PV) plates on corporate Council properties (excluding leisure centres, schools and housing, which are subject to ongoing exploration). (Paragraph 3.1.3 and Appendix B)

2.3         To agree, within the 2015-16 revenue budget, £1.16m from general grant funding to continue to provide a Resident Support Scheme following the reduction in Local Welfare Provision (LWP) funding by the Government on being transferred from specific to general grant, and to note that we will review expenditure on the Resident Support Scheme in the first three months of 2015-16 and supplement this funding as required from the Housing Benefit Reserve up to the level of the LWP funding for 2014-15 (£1.44m). (Paragraphs 3.2.5 to 3.2.6)

2.4         To note the requirement to report on the number of maintained schools that have completed the Schools Value Financial Standard (SVFS) by 31^st March to the Department for Education by 31^st May each year. (Paragraph 3.2.15)

2.5         To agree the fees and charges policy and the schedule of 2015-16 fees and charges. (Paragraph 3.2.16-17 and Appendix C)

2.6         To agree the Council’s policy on the level of General Fund balances and the estimated use of the Council’s earmarked reserves. (Paragraph 3.2.21-22 and Table 3)

The HRA Budget and MTFS (Section 4 of the Main Report)

2.7         To agree the balanced HRA 2015-16 budget within the HRA MTFS at Appendix D1.

2.8         To agree the proposed increases in 2015-16 for HRA rents and other fees and charges.  (Paragraphs 4.4 to 4.9, Table 5 and Appendix D2)

The Capital Programme 2015-16 to 2017-18 (Section 5 of the Main Report)

2.9         To agree the 2015-16 capital programme and note the provisional programme for 2016-17 to 2017-18, which includes funding for an expanded Phase 2 Bunhill heat and power scheme (funded on the expectation that it will be a priority for planning gain from developments in Bunhill). (Paragraph 5.1, Table 6 and Appendix E1)

2.10       To agree that the Corporate Director of Finance and Resources applies capital resources to fund the capital programme in the most cost-effective way. (Paragraph 5.3)

2.11       To note the schemes that comprise the Capital Allowance pot of eligible affordable housing and regeneration schemes.  (Paragraph 5.4 and Appendix E1)

2.12      To note the schedule of planned Traffic and Transportation schemes in 2015-16  ...  view the full minutes text for item 98.

AGREED RECOMMENDATIONS:

Reason for decision – as specified in the report

Other options considered – none, other than as detailed in the report and related papers

Conflicts of interest / dispensations granted – none.

RESOLVED:

1.1.        That the overall forecast revenue outturn for the General Fund of a £0.5m underspend be noted. (Paragraph 3.1, Table 1 and Appendix 1 of the report).

1.2.        That the HRA is forecast to break-even over the financial year be noted. (Paragraph 3.1, Table 1 and Appendix 1 of the report)

1.3.        That the latest capital position be noted and the planned drawdown of £1m from the Invest to Save reserve towards the Working Without Walls technology enabling programme be agreed. (Section 6, Paragraph 6.2, Table 2 and Appendix 2)

Reason for decision – to allow Councillors to monitor the budget

Other options considered – none, other than as detailed in the report and related papers

Conflicts of interest / dispensations granted – none.

AGREED RECOMMENDATIONS:

Reason for decision – as specified in the report

Other options considered – none, other than as detailed in the report and related papers

Conflicts of interest / dispensations granted – none.

RESOLVED:

1.1  That the Corporate Director for Finance and Resources, in consultation with the Executive member for Housing and Corporate Director for HASS, be authorised to take all necessary steps, including the making of Compulsory Purchase Orders (CPO) under section 226(1)(a) of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, General Vesting Declarations or Notices to Treat to ensure that the leasehold and any other interests in the properties described in the table below where  attempts to negotiate a voluntary acquisition of the leasehold interest in accordance with the development timetable have
failed.

1.2  That, where the Corporate Director of Finance and Resources approves the making of a CPO , the Assistant Chief Executive (Governance and HR) be authorised to take all necessary steps to secure the making, confirmation and implementation of the CPO, including the approval of agreements with the owners and any objectors for the withdrawal of objections to the CPO, the settling of compensation and the acquisition of all interests in the properties on terms recommended by the Corporate Director of Finance and Resources.

1.3  That the use of CPO powers in respect of the properties identified in this report is being exercised after balancing the rights of the individual property owners with the requirement to obtain possession of the properties in the public interest be agreed.

1.4  That the interference with the human rights of the property owners affected by the proposals in this report, and in particular their rights to a home and to the ownership of property, is proportionate, given their rights to object and to compensation, and the benefit to the economic, social and environmental wellbeing of the areas of Islington affected by these proposals be agreed.

Reason for decision – to secure the development of new council homes to help address the shortage of affordable housing in the borough.

Other options considered – none, other than as detailed in the report and related papers

Conflicts of interest / dispensations granted – none.

AGREED RECOMMENDATIONS:

Reason for decision – as specified in the report

Other options considered – none, other than as detailed in the report and related papers

Conflicts of interest / dispensations granted – none.

RESOLVED:

1.1  That the proposed procurement strategy for Public Protection Anti-Social Behaviour Patrol Services as outlined at paragraph 3.9 of the report, be approved.

1.2  That authority to award of the contract be delegated to the Corporate Director of Environment and Regeneration in consultation with the Executive Member for Community Safety be agreed.

Reason for decision – to address anti-social behaviour issues in the borough.

Other options considered – none, other than as detailed in the report and related papers

Conflicts of interest / dispensations granted – none.

AGREED RECOMMENDATIONS:

Reason for decision – as specified in the report

Other options considered – none, other than as detailed in the report and related papers

Conflicts of interest / dispensations granted – none.

RESOLVED:

1.1  That the procurement strategy for the Council’s Taxi and Attendant Contract as outlined at paragraph  3.9 of the report be agreed.

1.2  That authority to award of the contract be delegated to the Corporate Director of Environment and Regeneration in consultation with the Executive Member for Environment and Transport be agreed.

1.3  That the contract will be administered by the Accessible Community Transport Service in partnership with the London Borough of Camden and possibly other local authorities e noted.

Reason for decision – to ensure continuity of service provision

Other options considered – none, other than as detailed in the report and related papers

Conflicts of interest / dispensations granted – none.

AGREED RECOMMENDATIONS:

Reason for decision – as specified in the report

Other options considered – none, other than as detailed in the report and related papers

Conflicts of interest / dispensations granted – none.

RESOLVED:

1.1  That a two stage, closed tender for the procurement of the housing repairs scaffolding contracts (north and south), based on 70% awarded for price and 30% awarded for quality be agreed.
 

1.2  That the scaffolding contract will be to the bidder that submits the most economically advantageous tender following completion of the tender process be agreed.
 

1.3  That authority be delegated to the Corporate Director of Housing and Adult Social Services, in consultation with the Executive Member for Housing and Development, to award the Scaffolding contracts following the tender process outlined in 2.1 of the report be agreed.

Reason for decision – to ensure the effective delivery of the newly in-sourced Housing Repairs Service.

Other options considered – none, other than as detailed in the report and related papers

Conflicts of interest / dispensations granted – none.

AGREED RECOMMENDATIONS:

Reason for decision – as specified in the report

Other options considered – none, other than as detailed in the report and related papers

Conflicts of interest / dispensations granted – none.

RESOLVED:

1.1  That the procurement strategy for domestic boiler installation programme with back-up service for responsive repairs and servicing (including for out of hours emergency cover) as outlined at paragraph 1.3. of the report be approved.

1.2  That the Corporate Director of Housing and Adult Social Services be authorised, in consultation with the Executive member for Housing and Development, to appoint contractors to the boiler installation framework following the tender process.

Reason for decision – to ensure the effective delivery of the newly in-sourced Gas Service.

Other options considered – none, other than as detailed in the report and related papers

Conflicts of interest / dispensations granted – none.

AGREED RECOMMENDATIONS:

Reason for decision – as specified in the report

Other options considered – none, other than as detailed in the report and related papers

Conflicts of interest / dispensations granted – none.

RESOLVED:

1.1  That the proposed procurement strategy for housing support services for substance misusers as outlined within this report be agreed.

1.2  That it be noted that the Executive will be asked to approve the award of the contract at the conclusion of the procurement process.

Reason for decision – to improve access to accommodation and support for substance misusers to achieve independence, prevent homelessness and promote independence.

Other options considered – none, other than as detailed in the report and related papers

Conflicts of interest / dispensations granted – none.

AGREED RECOMMENDATIONS:

Reason for decision – as specified in the report

Other options considered – none, other than as detailed in the report and related papers

Conflicts of interest / dispensations granted – none.

RESOLVED:

1.1  That the proposed procurement strategy for Specialist Substance Misuse Services be agreed.  Agreements will be up to seven years for the delivery of these services following a process in line with the proposed procurement strategy.

1.2  That the extension to the existing contracts with Camden and Islington NHS Foundation Trust and Whittington Health NHS Trust for the delivery of Specialist Substance Misuse Services for an additional twelve months in order to deliver this procurement and realise the significant cost savings within the current service model ahead of the procurement process be agreed.

1.3  That authority to make decisions relating to the procurement process and the award of the contract be delegated to the Director of Public Health in agreement with the Executive Member of Health and Wellbeing be agreed.

Reason for decision – to improve the recovery outcomes of substance misusers with complex needs (alcohol and drugs) and support GPs to treat people in primary care.

Other options considered – none, other than as detailed in the report and related papers

Conflicts of interest / dispensations granted – none.

AGREED RECOMMENDATIONS:

Reason for decision – as specified in the report

Other options considered – none, other than as detailed in the report and related papers

Conflicts of interest / dispensations granted – none.

RESOLVED:

1.1  That the procurement strategy for Mental Health Crisis Prevention Service as outlined at paragraph 3.4 of the report be agreed.

1.2  That it be noted that the Executive will be asked to approve the award of the contract at the conclusion of the procurement process.

Reason for decision – to ensure continuity of service provision.

Other options considered – none, other than as detailed in the report and related papers

Conflicts of interest / dispensations granted – none.

AGREED RECOMMENDATIONS:

Reason for decision – as specified in the report

Other options considered – none, other than as detailed in the report and related papers

Conflicts of interest / dispensations granted – none.

RESOLVED:

1.1  That the procurement strategy for Mental Health Supported Accommodation Service as outlined at paragraph 3.4 of the report be agreed.

1.2  That the Executive will be asked to approve the award of the contract at the conclusion of the procurement process be noted.

Reason for decision – to ensure continuity of service provision

Other options considered – none, other than as detailed in the report and related papers

Conflicts of interest / dispensations granted – none.

AGREED RECOMMENDATIONS:

Reason for decision – as specified in the report

Other options considered – none, other than as detailed in the report and related papers

Conflicts of interest / dispensations granted – none.

RESOLVED:

1.1  That the proposed procurement strategy for the Joint Oral Health Promotion Service as outlined within this report be agreed.

Reason for decision – to allow the Council to meet its duty to provide oral health promotion services.

Other options considered – none, other than as detailed in the report and related papers

Conflicts of interest / dispensations granted – none.