Agenda, decisions and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Shaikh.  

None.

AGREED.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the previous meeting held on 15 October 2020 be agreed as a correct record and the Chair be authorised to sign them.

AGREED RECOMMENDATIONS

Reasons for decision – as specified in the report

Other options considered – none

Conflicts of interest / dispensations granted – none

RESOLVED:

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

ii.                It be noted that, after the application of COVID-19 general government grant funding, there is a forecast net General Fund overspend of (+£19.662m) in 2020/21 (Section 3 and Table 1 of the report).

iii.                It be noted that the council is facing total COVID-19 related budget pressures of approximately £58m and, after government grant received to date, a net gap of approximately £40m (including HRA and potential council tax and business rates income losses) (Paragraph 3.2 of the report).

iv.                That Corporate Directors may progress schemes to fully allocate the Local Authority Test and Trace government grant (£2.431m) to mitigate against and manage local outbreaks of COVID-19 (paragraph 4.26 of the report) be agreed.

v.                That the proposed current year allocations from earmarked reserves be agreed, and authority be delegated to the Section 151 Officer to finance some or all the expenditure against these allocations from the in-year revenue budget if there is scope to do so at the end of the financial year (Paragraph 4.40 and Appendix 3 of the report).

vi.                That the forecast in-year HRA deficit of (+£3.990m) (Section 5 and Appendix 2 of the report) be noted.

vii.                That the latest capital programme forecast be noted, and an additional capital budget of £0.300m for the council’s property at Laycock Street be agreed (Section 6, Paragraph 6.4, Table 3 and Appendix 4 of the report).

Reasons for decision – in order to ensure the financial resilience of the council

Other options considered – none

Conflicts of interest / dispensations granted – none

AGREED RECOMMENDATIONS

Reasons for decision – as specified in the report

Other options considered – none

Conflicts of interest / dispensations granted – none

Councillor O’Sullivan introduced the report of the Housing Scrutiny Committee.

The Executive thanked the Housing Scrutiny Committee for their report.

RESOLVED:

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

     ii.        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.

Reasons for decision – to receive the report of the Housing Scrutiny Committee.

Other options considered – none

Conflicts of interest / dispensations granted – none

AGREED RECOMMENDATIONS

Reasons for decision – as specified in the report

Other options considered – none

Conflicts of interest / dispensations granted – none

Councillor O’Sullivan introduced the report of the Housing Scrutiny Committee.

The Executive thanked the Housing Scrutiny Committee for their report.

RESOLVED:

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

     ii.        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.

Reasons for decision – to receive the report of the Housing Scrutiny Committee.

Other options considered – none

Conflicts of interest / dispensations granted – none

AGREED RECOMMENDATIONS

Reasons for decision – as specified in the report

Other options considered – as specified in the report

Conflicts of interest / dispensations granted – none

RESOLVED:

That the purchase at Stacey Street, with the funding received from the Greater London Authority, be approved; and the procurement of a service provider to run a specialist supported accommodation service for people experiencing rough sleeping be agreed. 

Reasons for decision – to create a route away from the streets for those experiencing rough sleeping.

Other options considered – as specified in the report, other service options were considered for Stacey Street including provision for learning disability, older people’s residential and semi-independent homes for care leavers but the proposed use for Rough Sleepers is considered to be the best combination aligned to building suitability, service need and subsidy.

Conflicts of interest / dispensations granted – none

AGREED RECOMMENDATIONS

Reasons for decision – as specified in the report

Other options considered – none

Conflicts of interest / dispensations granted – none

RESOLVED:

That the proposed strategy for Youth Safety be approved as outlined in the report.

Reasons for decision – to provide a clear course of action in relation to Youth Safety for the next five years and to set out a framework for quantitative and qualitative monitoring of outcomes

Other options considered – none

Conflicts of interest / dispensations granted – none

AGREED RECOMMENDATIONS, SUBJECT TO AN ADDITIONAL RECOMMENDATION AS FOLLOWS:

·         It be noted that, where appropriate, schemes will be subject to public consultation, with the outcome of that consultation being conscientiously taken into account when deciding whether to proceed with the scheme.

Reasons for decision – as specified in the report

Other options considered – none

Conflicts of interest / dispensations granted – none

Councillor Champion proposed an additional recommendation to clarify that, where appropriate, schemes will be subject to public consultation, with the outcome of that consultation being conscientiously taken into account when deciding whether to proceed with the scheme.

RESOLVED:

      i.        That the results of the consultation on the draft Net Zero Carbon Strategy, as detailed in Appendix 1 to the report, be noted.

     ii.        That it be noted that additional capital investment and revenue funding will be required to deliver the net zero carbon strategy and that the detailed financial implications with be included into the council’s budget approval process.

    iii.        That the governance arrangements for the delivery the Net Zero Carbon Programme be approved, including the creation of a ‘Net Zero Carbon Executive Board’ incorporating the Affordable Energy Board, as set out in Appendix 2 to the report.

   iv.        That it be noted that officers will develop detailed proposals for borough partner and ‘anchor institution’ engagement as part of the Fairer Together Partnership including the connection with the Islington Sustainable Energy Partnership (ISEP).

     v.        That it be noted that the Environment & Regeneration Scrutiny Committee will have a role in the governance of the Net Zero Carbon Strategy.

   vi.        That officers taking an active role in supporting pan-London work as part of London Councils’ Climate Change Programme be approved.

  vii.        That it be noted that further work is underway to develop the scope and detail in relation to resident engagement, including a net zero carbon themed Citizen’s Assembly.

 viii.        That the adoption of the Net Zero Carbon Strategy and Action Plan, at Appendix 3 to the report, be agreed.

   ix.        That it be noted that, where appropriate, schemes will be subject to public consultation, with the outcome of that consultation being conscientiously taken into account when deciding whether to proceed with the scheme.

Reasons for decision – to agree a strategy with the ambition of becoming a net zero carbon emission borough by 2030.

Other options considered – none

Conflicts of interest / dispensations granted – none

AGREED RECOMMENDATIONS, SUBJECT TO AN ADDITIONAL RECOMMENDATION AS FOLLOWS:

·         It be noted that, where appropriate, schemes will be subject to public consultation, with the outcome of that consultation being conscientiously taken into account when deciding whether to proceed with the scheme.

Reasons for decision – as specified in the report

Other options considered – none

Conflicts of interest / dispensations granted – none

Councillor Champion proposed an additional recommendation to clarify that, where appropriate, schemes will be subject to public consultation, with the outcome of that consultation being conscientiously taken into account when deciding whether to proceed with the scheme.

RESOLVED:

      i.        That the Islington Transport Strategy 2020 – 2041 be adopted, as set out at Appendix 1 of the report.

     ii.        That the Corporate Director of Environment and Regeneration, in consultation with the Executive Member for Environment and Transport, be authorised to make minor changes to the Islington Transport Strategy 2020 – 2041 prior to its publication.

    iii.        That it be noted that, where appropriate, schemes will be subject to public consultation, with the outcome of that consultation being conscientiously taken into account when deciding whether to proceed with the scheme.

Reasons for decision – to support the delivery of the Council’s ambitions to build a Fairer Islington; make the borough a healthier place to live; achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2030; support sustainable development and deliver a fairer local economy.

Other options considered – none

Conflicts of interest / dispensations granted – none

AGREED RECOMMENDATIONS

Reasons for decision – as specified in the report

Other options considered – as specified in the report

Conflicts of interest / dispensations granted – none

RESOLVED:

      i.        That the procurement strategy and contract award for Security, Static Guarding and Key Holding Services for Public Buildings to the value of £7million to MITIE Security Limited for a period of 5 years commencing on 1 March 2021, with the option for the council to extend for 2 years, be approved.

     ii.        That the importance to maintain council-wide security, static guarding and key holding services for Islington’s public buildings for staff and residents be noted.

    iii.        That the social value outcomes that formed part of the procurement strategy and tender evaluation be noted.

Reasons for decision – to support the continued delivery of front of house security for the Council’s public buildings, key holding service if an alarm activates out-of-hours, and event security.

Other options considered – as specified in the report, insourcing was considered, however it was concluded that this would not represent best value.

Conflicts of interest / dispensations granted – none

Noted.

Noted.