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Agenda, decisions and minutes

Venue: Committee Room 4, Town Hall, Upper Street, N1 2UD. View directions

Contact: Philippa Green  020 7527 3184

Items
No. Item

649.

Apologies for absence

Minutes:

None.

650.

Declarations of Interest

Minutes:

None.

651.

Minutes of Previous Meeting pdf icon PDF 79 KB

Decision:

Noted.

Minutes:

RESOLVED:

 

That the Minutes of the meeting on 17 October 2019 be agreed as a correct record and the Chair be authorised to sign them.

 

652.

Consultation outcome and decision on the proposed closure of the Drovers Centre pdf icon PDF 218 KB

Additional documents:

Decision:

AGREED RECOMMENDATIONS

Reason for decision – as specified in the report.

Other options considered - none.

Conflicts of interest/dispensations granted – none.

Link to the report

 

 

 

Minutes:

Cllr Burgess introduced the report.  The Executive noted that Age UK had confirmed that they would be ceasing to provide services from the centre and that the building is no longer fit for purpose and the cost of repairs and ongoing maintenance was prohibitive.  The options set out in the report were discussed and a number of questions were asked by members of the public. Cllr Burgess reiterated the council’s commitment to work with service users to ensure that they are supported through any transition of services.

 

RESOLVED:

 

2.1 That the summary and detailed findings from the Consultation on the proposed closure of the Drovers Centre be noted;

2.2 That the closure of  the Drovers Centre with services ending at the end of January 2020 and planning to commence on the alternative uses of the site be agreed.

 

Reason for decision –  The provision of services via the Drovers Centre is not sustainable and there are alternative ways of meeting the needs and interests of service users from the extensive range of community activities and meeting places that are available in the local area. 

Other options considered – as specified in the report.

Conflicts of interest/dispensations granted – none.

 

 

 

653.

Financial Position as at 31 August 2019 pdf icon PDF 181 KB

Additional documents:

Decision:

AGREED RECOMMENDATIONS

Reason for decision – as specified in the report.

Other options considered - none.

Conflicts of interest/dispensations granted – none.

Link to the report

 

Minutes:

RESOLVED:

 

2.1         That the forecast revenue outturn for the General Fund of an overall underspend of (-£0.237m) compared to a forecast overspend of (+£0.504m) in the previous month be noted. 

 

2.2         That management action is required over the course of the financial year to bring forecast overspends back to within agreed cash limited budgets where possible be noted.

 

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

 

2.4         That the schedule of additional budget risks that are not included in the current forecasts be noted.  That there is an ongoing financial assessment of these risks, which will be reported in future months, be noted.

2.5         That the latest position on the earmarked corporate transformation reserve be noted and that the £0.562m allocation from the reserve to support migration to a new telephony platform be agreed.

2.6         That the HRA forecast is a net break-even position be noted.

2.7         That the latest capital position and key capital variances with forecast capital expenditure of £120.356m in 2019/20 against the 2019/20 capital budget of £145.250m be noted.

2.8         That it be noted that the capital programme is actively under review to establish whether project milestones and deliverables are reflected in the financial profiles of the existing 3-year programme, and that this will be consolidated into the capital programme in the mid-year (Month 6) report to the Executive.

2.9         That, subject to the recommendations in the “Buying New Council Homes” report being agreed by the Executive, a 2019/20 HRA property acquisition capital budget of £13.500m, offset by £23.595m slippage in the 2019/20 New Build programme budget (a net reduction of £10.095m to the 2019/20 New Build programme capital budget) be agreed. 

 

 

 

 

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

Other options considered – none. 

Conflicts of interest/dispensations granted – none.

 

 

654.

Responsive Repairs Scrutiny - Recommendations from the Housing Scrutiny Committee pdf icon PDF 62 KB

Additional documents:

Decision:

AGREED RECOMMENDATIONS

Reason for decision – as specified in the report.

Other options considered - none.

Conflicts of interest/dispensations granted – none.

Link to the report

 

Minutes:

RESOLVED:

 

2.1 That the report of the Housing Scrutiny Committee be received.

 

2.2 That the Executive Member’s response be reported to a future meeting of the Executive, including having due regard to any relevant implications of the Housing Scrutiny Committee’s recommendations.

 

Reason for decision – to allow the Executive to receive the recommendations of the Housing Scrutiny Committee.

Other options considered - none.

Conflicts of interest/dispensations granted – none.

 

655.

Buying New Council Homes pdf icon PDF 199 KB

Additional documents:

Decision:

AGREED RECOMMENDATIONS

Reason for decision – as specified in the report.

Other options considered - none.

Conflicts of interest/dispensations granted – none.

Link to the report

 

 

Minutes:

RESOLVED:

 

2.1 That the success of the current property acquisition programme which has resulted in an additional 60 new homes for homeless families since the programme commenced in July 2018 be noted.

 

2.2 That the removal of the cap of £6m expenditure per annum for the HRA property acquisition programme agreed in October 2014 be agreed, subject to the Director of Housing being satisfied that the year’s acquisition programme is necessary to meet housing need; and the Section 151 Officer being satisfied each year that the budget provision and programme are affordable for the council and represents value for money.

 

2.3 That it be noted that the HRA property acquisition programme will be ongoing subject to annual budget provision being made available and approved by the Council.

 

2.4 That in order to facilitate the extension of the HRA property acquisition programme in 2019-20, the necessary budget virements will be recommended for approval by the Executive in October 2019 as part of the financial monitoring report be noted.

 

2.5 That the existing HRA acquisition programme, approved in October 2014, be extended to include the purchase of housing properties within the Greater London area for temporary accommodation or general needs housing be agreed.

 

 

 

Reason for decision – to help meet housing need in the borough.

Other options considered - none.

Conflicts of interest/dispensations granted – none.

 

 

656.

Procurement strategy for electrical testing, servicing and associated remedial works pdf icon PDF 194 KB

Additional documents:

Decision:

AGREED RECOMMENDATIONS

Reason for decision – as specified in the report.

Other options considered - none.

Conflicts of interest/dispensations granted – none.

Link to the report

 

 

Minutes:

RESOLVED:

 

2.1 That the procurement strategy for Electrical Testing, Servicing and Associated Remedial Works be approved, as outlined within the report, be agreed.

 

2.2 That authority be delegated to the Corporate Director of Housing to award the contract, in consultation with the Executive Member for Housing and Development.

 

 

Reason for decision – to ensure the safety of electrical installations.

Other options considered - none.

Conflicts of interest/dispensations granted – none.

 

 

657.

Regeneration of Retail Areas - Executive Members response to the recommendations from the Environment and Regeneration Scrutiny Committee pdf icon PDF 228 KB

Decision:

RECOMMENDATIONS AS AMENDED AGREED

The amended resolution was thatExecutive Member’s response to the Environment and Regeneration Scrutiny Committee’s recommendations on regeneration of retail areas be agreed.

 

Reason for decision – as specified in the report.

Other options considered - none.

Conflicts of interest/dispensations granted – none.

Link to the report



 

Minutes:

Cllr Watts proposed an amendment to the wording of the recommendation; to clarify that the Executive Member’s response was to be agreed by the Executive, rather than noted.

 

The recommendation as amended was agreed.

 

RESOLVED:

 

2.1 Thatthe Executive Member’s response to the Environment and Regeneration Scrutiny Committee’s recommendations on regeneration of retail areas be agreed.

 

Reason for decision – to respond to the recommendations of the Environment and Regeneration Scrutiny Committee.

Other options considered - none.

Conflicts of interest/dispensations granted – none.



 

658.

Future Islington Youth Offer pdf icon PDF 238 KB

Additional documents:

Decision:

AGREED RECOMMENDATIONS

Reason for decision – as specified in the report.

Other options considered - none.

Conflicts of interest/dispensations granted – none.

Link to the report

 

 

Minutes:

RESOLVED:

 

2.1 That the procurement strategy for Soapbox youth space as outlined in this report be approved.

 

2.2 That authority to award the contract be delegated to the Corporate Director of People in consultation with the Executive Member for Children, Young People and Families be agreed.

 

2.3 That the extension of the existing two contracts for Lift and Platform (one contract) and Rose Bowl (one contract) be approved as outlined in the report be agreed.

 

 

Reason for decision – to ensure service continuity and improvement.

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

Conflicts of interest/dispensations granted – none.

 

 

659.

Air Quality Strategy pdf icon PDF 180 KB

Additional documents:

Decision:

AGREED RECOMMENDATIONS

Reason for decision – as specified in the report.

Other options considered - none.

Conflicts of interest/dispensations granted – none.

Link to the report

 

 

Minutes:

Cllr Webbe introduced the report. Air quality had a significant impact on local residents, particularly those with long term conditions, and the issue was taken very seriously by Islington Council. Cllr Webbe summarised the key aspects of the strategy and how these would help to improve air quality in the borough.

 

RESOLVED:

 

2.1 That the changes to the draft Strategy and Action Plan, as a result of the public consultation and as set out in paragraph 3.8, be noted.

 

2.2 That the new Air Quality Strategy and Action Plan 2019-2023, as set out at Appendix 1 of the report, be agreed.

 

 

Reason for decision – to reduce harmful emissions and thereby mitigate their adverse impact on the health of residents.

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

Conflicts of interest/dispensations granted – none.

 

 

660.

Approval of the Finsbury Park to Highbury Fields Cycleway pdf icon PDF 199 KB

Additional documents:

Decision:

AGREED RECOMMENDATIONS

Reason for decision – as specified in the report.

Other options considered - none.

Conflicts of interest/dispensations granted – none.

Link to the report

 

 

Minutes:

Cllr Webbe introduced the report. The Executive noted that the Council had declared a climate emergency and the development of new cycleways was an important aspect of promoting sustainable transport and that cycleways provide safer routes for both cyclists and pedestrians.

 

RESOLVED:

 

2.1 That the results of the consultation be noted.

 

2.2 That the Finsbury Park to Highbury Fields Cycleway be approved as at Appendix B, incorporating the following amendments:

 

           (i)        Stepped cycle tracks along Drayton Park

          (ii)        Arvon Road School Street permit area to be extended to incorporate the resident permit holders impacted by the proposed right turn ban from Horsell Road to Drayton Park.

 

2.3 That authority be delegated to the Corporate Director of Environment and Regeneration, in consultation with the Executive Member for Environment and Transport, to make any further minor amendments to the scheme as are considered necessary in the light of further traffic surveys and any issues emerging during detailed design.

 

Reason for decision – to encourage environmentally sustainable methods of transport.

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

Conflicts of interest/dispensations granted – none.

 

 

 

661.

Adoption of waste reduction and recycling plan pdf icon PDF 177 KB

Additional documents:

Decision:

AGREED RECOMMENDATIONS

Reason for decision – as specified in the report.

Other options considered - none.

Conflicts of interest/dispensations granted – none.

Link to the report

 

 

Minutes:

Cllr Webbe advised that the Waste and Recycling Plan was part of the council’s response to the climate crisis. The plan would support residents to reduce their waste, reuse and recycle.

 

RESOLVED:

 

2.1 That the changes to the draft Waste Reduction and Recycling Plan following public consultation be noted.

 

2.2 That the Waste Reduction and Recycling Plan 2018-2022 be adopted.

 

2.3 That the summary version of the Waste Reduction and Recycling Plan, attached as Appendix 2 and submitted to the Mayor of London in a spreadsheet format to facilitate monitoring of impact and performance, be agreed.

 

Reason for decision – to respond to the Environment and Climate Emergency.

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

Conflicts of interest/dispensations granted – none.

 

 

662.

Alternative resourcing arrangements pdf icon PDF 200 KB

Additional documents:

Decision:

AGREED RECOMMENDATIONS

Reason for decision – as specified in the report.

Other options considered - none.

Conflicts of interest/dispensations granted – none.

Link to the report

 

 

Minutes:

RESOLVED:

 

2.1 That an extension to the use of the LGRP framework agreement for permanent and interim staff be approved, as outlined in the report.

 

2.2 That the award of call-off contracts, if permanent or interim staff are required and agreed, not exceeding £10m in the aggregate to suppliers on the LGRP framework agreement from the initial pilot, be approved.

 

2.3 That the use of the LGRP framework agreement be approved as the Council’s default agreement where staff are required and that route is most advantageous.

 

2.4 That the Chief Executive, Corporate Directors and the Chief Finance Officer (acting individually) be authorised to award call-off contracts, if staff are required, not exceeding £10m in the aggregate, to suppliers on the LGRP framework agreement from the initial project.

 

 

Reason for decision – to ensure that the council is able to appoint staff appropriate to meet the organisation’s needs.

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

Conflicts of interest/dispensations granted – none.

 

 

 

663.

Buying New Council Homes - exempt appendix

Decision:

Noted.

Minutes:

Noted. See Minute 655 for details of the decision.

664.

Procurement strategy for electrical testing, servicing and associated remedial works - exempt appendix

Decision:

Noted.

Minutes:

Noted. See Minute 656 for details of the decision.