Agenda, decisions and minutes

There were no apologies for absence.

None.

Noted.

RESOLVED

That the minutes of the meeting on the 20 October 2016 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.

Conflicts of interest/dispensations granted – none.

RESOLVED:

That Councillor Asima Shaikh be appointed as a substitute member of the Shared ICT and Digital Shared Joint Committee for the remainder of the municipal year 2016/17, or until a successor is appointed.

Reason for decision – to ensure that Islington Council can be fully involved in joint committee meetings.

Other options considered  - none, other than detailed in the report and related papers.

Conflicts of interest/dispensations granted – none.

REASON FOR URGENCY: On Tuesday 21 November, the Government announced the abandonment of mandatory Tenant Tax for council tenants and the Executive wishes to make an immediate decision about whether or not to implement the discretionary Tenant Tax, to clarify the position for residents as quickly as possible.

AGREED RECOMMENDATIONS

Reason for decision – as specified in the report.

Other options considered - none.

Conflicts of interest/dispensations granted – none.

This item was accepted as an urgent item of business because the government only announced the abandonment of the mandatory Tenant Tax for all council tenants on Tuesday and we wish to make a decision about whether or not to implement the discretionary Tenant Tax, to clarify the situation for residents as quickly as possible.

RESOLVED:

1.    That the Government announcement that the provisions within the Housing and Planning Act 2016 known as ‘Tenant Tax’ or ‘Pay to Stay’ will no longer be mandatory be welcomed.

2.    To thank all the residents who shared their powerful stories with the council, highlighting to Government the impact the policy would have on working tenants in the borough, be agreed.

3.    That a commitment to not introducing discretionary Pay to Stay provisions be agreed.

4.    To write to housing associations with properties in Islington to ask them to commit to not introducing discretionary Pay to Stay provisions for their tenants be agreed.

Reason for decision – the council considers that the introduction of discretionary Pay to Stay would have a detrimental impact on many of tenants in Islington

Other options considered – none other than as specified in the report.

Conflicts of interest/dispensations granted – none.

AGREED RECOMMENDATIONS

Reason for decision – as specified in the report.

Other options considered - none.

Conflicts of interest/dispensations granted – none.

Councillor Klute, Chair of the Health and Care Scrutiny Committee presented the committee’s recommendations.  Councillor Klute advised that although it was surprisingly difficult to find a causal link between living in damp homes and ill health, it was commonly accepted that people in damp properties often suffered from more health issues than others and that the committee felt very strongly that the council needed to take more positive action.

Councillor Watts thanked Councillor Klute and the Committee for their hard work.  It was agreed there would be a further discussion about housing allocation scheme priorities prior to the Executive Member’s formal response.

RESOLVED:

1.    That the report of the Health and Care Scrutiny Committee be received.

2.    That the Executive Member’s response be reported to a future meeting of the Executive, having due regard to any relevant implications.

Reason for decision – to allow the Executive to consider the recommendations of the Health and Care Scrutiny Committee.

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

Conflicts of interest/dispensation granted – none.

AGREED RECOMMENDATIONS

Reason for decision – as specified in the report.

Other options considered - none.

Conflicts of interest/dispensations granted – none.

RESOLVED:

1.    That the overall forecast revenue outturn for the General Fund (Table 1 and Appendix 1 of the report) of a gross overspend of £3.8m, including corporate items and a net overspend of 0.8m after a £3.0m drawdown from the contingency reserve (Section 3 of the report) be noted.

2.    That the actions needed to reduce the underlying forecast net General Fund overspend (Paragraph 3.2 of the report) be noted.

3.    That it be noted that the HRA forecast is in a break-even position (Section 5, Table 1 and Appendix 1 of the report).

4.    That the latest capital position with forecast capital expenditure of £116.0m in 2016/17 (Section 6, Table 2 and Appendix 2 of the report) be noted.

Reason for decision – to allow Members 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.

Conflicts of interest/dispensations granted – none.

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RESOLVED:

1.     That the fees and charges as detailed in Appendix 1 of the report, for introduction on the 1January 2017, be agreed.

2.     That authority be delegated to the Corporate Director of Environment and Regeneration, in consultation with the Executive Member for Environment and Transport, to agree any in-year changes to Cemetery fees and charges.

Reason for decision – to ensure that the cemetery service continue to offer an excellent service at an affordable price.

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.

Conflicts of interest/dispensations granted – none.

RESOLVED:

That the Arts Strategy ‘Inspiring Islington’ attached at Appendix 1 of the report, be agreed.

Reason for decision – in order to maximise the social and economic impact of the arts.

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.

Conflicts of interest/dispensations granted – none.

RESOLVED:

That a strategic partnership and tariff agreement be entered into with Robin Hood Energy under the brand of Angel Energy, for the marketing of gas and electricity at agreed tariffs to local residents, subject to contract, be agreed.

Reason for decision – to help reduce resident’s energy bills and enable them to have warmer homes, reducing the health impacts of fuel poverty.

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

Conflicts of interest/dispensations granted – none.