Agenda, decisions and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Comer-Schwartz and Shaikh.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Comer-Schwartz and Shaikh.

None.

None.

AGREED.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the previous meeting on 14 October 2021 be agreed as a correct record and the Chair be authorised to sign them.

AGREED RECOMMENDATIONS

Reasons for decision – to agree actions in relation to reducing and eliminating violence against women and girls
Other options considered - none
Conflicts of interest / dispensations granted - none

RESOLVED:

That the proposed Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy (2021- 2026) be approved as outlined in the report submitted.

Reasons for decision – to agree actions in relation to reducing and eliminating violence against women and girls
Other options considered - none
Conflicts of interest / dispensations granted - none

AGREED RECOMMENDATIONS

Reasons for decision – to ensure the financial resilience of the council
Other options considered - none
Conflicts of interest / dispensations granted - none

RESOLVED:

a)           That the forecast 2021/22 General Fund budget variance be noted (Section 3, Table 1 and Appendices 1-2 of the report).

b)           That the forecast in-year budget variance on the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) be noted (Section 4 of the report).

c)           That the estimated 2021/22 drawdowns from the transformation fund be noted (Section 3.49, Table 2 and Appendix 3 of the report).

d)           That the 2021/22 capital expenditure forecast of £124.608m be noted; and it be nored that a review of the profiling of the capital programme is currently underway as part of the 2022/23 budget setting process (Section 5, Table 3 and Appendix 4 of the report).

e)           That the allocation of £1.500m Community Infrastructure Levy funding to the Toffee Park Redevelopment Project proposedby the Borough Investment Panel on 14 October 2021 be noted. This will be profiled in the future year capital programme for consideration and approval as part of the 2022/23 budget report (Section 5 and paragraph 5.5 of the report.)

Reasons for decision – to ensure the financial resilience of the council
Other options considered - none
Conflicts of interest / dispensations granted - none

AGREED RECOMMENDATIONS

Reasons for decision – to enable the council to deliver a mixed-use development, which includes at least 50% council rented accommodation
Other options considered - none
Conflicts of interest / dispensations granted - none

RESOLVED:

a)    That the the purchase of the former Holloway Police Station site, for a sum as set out in the Exempt Appendix, be approved.

b)    That negotiations with MOPAC are ongoing to reach an agreed purchase be noted.

c)    That the Corporate Director of Homes and Neighbourhoods, following consultation with the Corporate Director of Resources, be authorised to conclude the negotiation and final terms of purchase of the former Holloway Police Station site in accordance with the principles set out in the Appendix, and to instruct the Director of Law and Governance to enter into all necessary legal documents to give effect to the agreed terms, be agreed.

Reasons for decision – to enable the council to deliver a mixed-use development, which includes at least 50% council rented accommodation
Other options considered - none
Conflicts of interest / dispensations granted - none

AGREED RECOMMENDATIONS

Reasons for decision - to assist the council’s commitment of ending homelessness in Islington
Other options considered – none
Conflicts of interest / dispensations granted - none

RESOLVED:

a)    That the borrowing of £21.48m within the Housing Revenue Account be approved to supplement the funding provided by the GLA/DLUH&C to enable the council to purchase 60 Ex Right to Buy two bedroom properties for homeless households;; and the borrowing of £10.362m within the Housing Revenue Account also be approved to supplement the funding provided by the GLA/DLUH&C to enable the council to purchase 10 x 3 bedroom and 10 x 4 bedroom Ex Right to Buy properties as part of the council’s Afghanistan humanitarian work.   

b)    That the capital funding totalling £4.5 million allocated to Islington Council by the DLUH&C/GLA be noted; and the purchase of 60 two bedroom former ex Right to Buy properties in Islington to accommodate homeless households with a local connection to Islington be approved; and the capital funding totalling £1.900m allocated to Islington Council by the DLUH&C/GLA be noted; and the purchase 10 x 3 bedroom and 10 x 4 bedroom former ex Right to Buy properties in Islington to accommodate people through the Afghanistan housing work be approved.

c)    That the funding and intention to commence the purchase of these properties immediately be noted.

d)    That the budget increases as outlined in paragraph 4.1.3 of the report be approved.

Reasons for decision - to assist the council’s commitment of ending homelessness in Islington
Other options considered – none
Conflicts of interest / dispensations granted - none

AGREED RECOMMENDATIONS

Reasons for decision – to ensure that the council’s housing stock is maintained and in a good state of repair.
Other options considered – as set out in the report, other options explored included use of a framework agreement, collaboration with neighbouring boroughs, and in-house delivery.
Conflicts of interest / dispensations granted – none.

RESOLVED:

a)    That the procurement strategy for out-of-hours drainage works, in-hours backup support for the repairs team and all drainage excavation repairs (including collapsed pipes) be approved as outlined in the report. 

b)    That authority to award the contract be delegated to the Corporate Director of Homes and Neighbourhoods, following consultation with the Executive Member for Housing and Development, after completion of the tender process.

Reasons for decision – to ensure that the council’s housing stock is maintained and in a good state of repair.
Other options considered – as set out in the report, other options explored included use of a framework agreement, collaboration with neighbouring boroughs, and in-house delivery.
Conflicts of interest / dispensations granted – none.

AGREED RECOMMENDATIONS

Reasons for decision – to procure vehicles for use by council services.
Other options considered – as detailed in the report, other options considered included collaboration with other boroughs and procuring via a new framework.
Conflicts of interest / dispensations granted – none.

RESOLVED:

That the procurement strategy for the continuation of the fleet replacement programme be approved as outlined in the report submitted.

Reasons for decision – to procure vehicles for use by council services.
Other options considered – as detailed in the report, other options considered included collaboration with other boroughs and procuring via a new framework.
Conflicts of interest / dispensations granted – none.

AGREED RECOMMENDATIONS

Reasons for decision – to respond to the report of the Health and Care Scrutiny Committee
Other options considered - none
Conflicts of interest / dispensations granted - none

RESOLVED:

a)     That the findings of the Adult Paid Carers Scrutiny Review be welcomed;

b)     That the responses to the review be agreed as set out in section 4 of the report;

c)     That officers report back on progress to the Health and Social Care Scrutiny Committee in 12 months’ time be agreed.

Reasons for decision – to respond to the report of the Health and Care Scrutiny Committee
Other options considered - none
Conflicts of interest / dispensations granted - none

Noted.

Noted.