Agenda, decisions and minutes

The Leader of the Council welcomed everyone to the meeting and requested a moments silence in memory of former Councilors Gary Doolan and George Durack.

Gary was a formidable fighter for the rights of working people, was instrumental in bringing the Housing Repairs service back in house and the introduction of Free School Meals.  He worked tirelessly for the interests of local residents as a Ward Councillor and did the same thing nationally in his work for the GMB.  He made a difference in people’s lives across the borough and across the country. Our thoughts are with his family at this difficult time.

George Durack, was a Freedom of the Borough recipient, a World War II veteran, a former Councillor and a pensioners champion and he will be very sadly missed.

The announcement was followed by a moments silence.

There were no apologies for absence.

None.

Noted.

RESOLVED:

That the Minutes of the meeting on 19 July 2018 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.

A number of members of the public were present for this item and the Chair agreed it would be considered before the remaining items of business.

RESOLVED:

2.1      That the summary of responses to the consultation on the applications for the Finsbury Park and Stroud Green Neighbourhood Area and Neighbourhood Forum (Appendix 8 of the report) be noted.

2.2       That a boundary be designated for the Finsbury Park and Stroud Green Neighbourhood Area, as identified in Appendix 1 and Appendix 7 of the report, pursuant to Section 61G and 61I of the Town and Country Planning Act (1990) in so far as that area is within the London Borough of Islington (subject to and following the comparable determination by the London Borough of Hackney and the London Borough of Haringey) be agreed.

2.3       That the designation of the Finsbury Park and Stroud Green Neighbourhood Forum, as set out in Appendix 1 of the report, pursuant to Section 61F of the Town and Country Planning Act (1990) (subject to and following the comparable determination by the London Borough of Hackney and the London Borough of Haringey) be agreed.

Reason for decision – To fulfil the statutory obligation to agree to the designation.

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.

RESOLVED:

2.1       That the forecast revenue outturn for the General Fund (Table 1 of the report) of a gross overspend of £1.3m, before taking into account the ongoing corporate contingency budget of £2m (Paragraph 3.1 of the report) be noted.
 

2.2         That the breakdown of the forecast General Fund outturn by individual variance at Appendix 1 of the report and by service area at Appendix 2 of the report, be noted.

2.3         That the HRA forecast is a net break-even position (Section 5, Table 1 of the report) be noted.

2.4         That the allocation of one-off contingency funding, to improve the Council’s overall financial resilience by replenishing the Council’s General Fund balances back to the previous level of 5% of the net budget requirement over the medium term; and to provide capital contingency funding for known budget pressures and risks in the agreed capital programme (Paragraph 3.3 of the report) be agreed.

2.5         That the latest capital position with forecast capital expenditure of £151.2m in 2018-19 be noted and the re-profiling of capital resources between 2018-19 and future financial years (Paragraphs 6.1-6.4, Table 2 and Appendix 3 of the report) be agreed.

2.6         That the summary of the latest Section 106 and Neighbourhood Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) balances by ward at Appendix 4 of the report, be noted.

Reason for decision – to allow Councillors to monitor the budget.

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 Ward thanked the Scrutiny Committee for their work and a very good report.  Councillor Ward advised that ideas for improving housing communications are very welcome.

RESOLVED:

2.1       That the responses to the recommendations made by the Housing Scrutiny Committee set out in Section 4 of the report and progress to date be noted.

2.2       That officers will report back on progress to the Housing Scrutiny Committee in 12 months’ time be noted.

Reason for decision – to respond to the Housing Scrutiny Committee’s recommendations.

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.

RESOLVED:

2.1       That the draft Affordable Workspace Strategy as outlined in this report and attached at Appendix 1 to the report, be adopted.

2.2       That the Corporate Director of Environment and Regeneration be authorised to make minor amendments to the document prior to its publication, in consultation with the Executive Member for Economic Development, be agreed.

Reason for decision – to further the Council’s ambitions of delivering a fairer Islington and an inclusive economy.

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 Caluori thanked the Committee for their work on an excellent scrutiny in a high priority area.

RESOLVED:

2.1       That the Executive responses to the recommendations of the Children’s Services Scrutiny Committee as set out in section 4 of the report be agreed.
 

2.3       That officers report back on progress to the Children’s Services Scrutiny Committee in one year’s time be agreed.

Reason for decision – to respond to the Children’s Services Scrutiny Committee’s recommendations.

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.

RESOLVED:

2.1       That the procurement strategy for Mental Health High Support Accommodation as outlined in the report be agreed.

2.2       That authority to award the contract be delegated to the Corporate Director of Housing and Adult Social Services in consultation with the Executive Member for Health and Social Care be agreed.

Reason for decision – to enable the service to be delivered successfully with a focus on outcomes.

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.

RESOLVED:

2.1       That the new governance arrangements for the London CIV as summarised in paragraph 4 of the report and set out in the letter from the Chief Executive of the London CIV and the chief Executive of London Councils in the exempt Appendix, be agreed.

2.2       That the revocation of the delegation of functions to the Pensions CIV Joint Committee under the London Councils Governing Agreement approved by the Executive on 3 April 2014 viz: “those functions of the Council necessary for the proper functioning of the ACS Operator, including the effective oversight of the ACS Operator and the appointment of Directors” and that the Acting Director of Law and Governance be authorised to sign the necessary notice on behalf of the Council be agreed.

Reason for decision – to enable the new arrangements for the London CIV to be put in place.

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

Conflicts of interest/dispensations granted – none.

Noted.

That the information in the exempt appendix to agenda item G9 be noted (see Minute 548 for details).