Agenda, decisions and draft minutes

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AGREED

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the previous meeting held on 1 September 2022 be agreed as a correct record and the Chair be authorised to sign them.

AGREED RECOMMENDATIONS

Reasons for the decision – to ensure the financial resilience of the Council
Other options considered – none

Conflicts of interest / dispensations granted – none

RESOLVED:

(i)     That the the forecast 2022/23 general fund estimated net outturn variance of a (+£6.023m) overspend at month 5 be noted (Section 3, Table 1, and Appendix 1 of the report);

(ii)    That the transformation fund allocations and anticipated, profiled drawdowns for 2022/23 be noted (Paragraph 4.55 and Appendix 2 of the report);

(iii)  That the collection fund monitoring position at month 5 be noted (Paragraphs 4.56 to 4.70 of the report);

(iv)  That the Energy Price Analysis position at month 5 be noted (Paragraphs 4.71 to 4.79 of the report;

(v)   That the forecast 2022/23 HRA estimated outturn (+£13.784m) deficit at month 5 be noted (Section 5 of the report);

(vi)  It be noted that, at the end of month 5, capital expenditure of £51.283m had been incurred against a 2022/23 full year forecast of £182.423m and against the revised 2022/23 capital budget of £239.655m (Section 6 and Appendix 3 of the report).

Reasons for the decision – to ensure the financial resilience of the Council
Other options considered – none

Conflicts of interest / dispensations granted – none

AGREED RECOMMENDATIONS

Reasons for the decision – to respond to the increase in energy prices
Other options considered – Further consultation with residents will take place later this year with fully priced options

Conflicts of interest / dispensations granted – none

RESOLVED:

(i)     That the revised 2022-23 heating and hot water charges set out in 3.12 of the report be agreed, based on the assumed saving arising from the reduction in service to communally heated homes and the assumed model of implementation of the Governments energy cap, effective from the 28 November 22.

(ii)    That authority be delegated to the Corporate Director of Homes and Neighbourhoods, in consultation with the Executive Member for Housing and Corporate Director of Resources, to amend the energy charges, in year, between annual budget setting cycles.

(iii)  That the application of the updated methodology for calculating tariffs for communally heated sites, using pay as you go meters, and that site-by-site charges will be signed-off as and when required by the Service Director, Housing Needs and Strategy, be agreed.

(iv)  That the revised 2022-23 charges for communal electricity set out in 4.5 of the report, effective from the 28 November 2022, be agreed;

(v)   That the application of the full heat reserve of £1.126m in 2022/23 to keep costs down for residents be agreed.

Reasons for the decision – to respond to the increase in energy prices
Other options considered – Further consultation with residents will take place later this year with fully priced options

Conflicts of interest / dispensations granted – none

AGREED RECOMMENDATIONS

Reasons for the decision – to set out the strong offer of support to help those most impacted by the Cost of Living crisis.
Other options considered – none

Conflicts of interest / dispensations granted – none

RESOLVED:

(i)    That Islington’s collective response to the cost of living crisis be noted, including:

o   a comprehensive programme of activity and support;

o   mechanisms to monitor the impacts of this activity to ensure it makes a difference;

o   a communications campaign to ensure everyone is aware of what’s on offer and how to access;

o   a cost of living summit, drawing together key partners in a collective call to action, to start an ongoing dialogue with key local organisations;

o   a Cost of Living Board to coordinate the range of activity, and to ensure the Council and partners are doing everything possible to support residents and businesses.

(ii)   It be noted that a Winter Resilience Board is also being established with responsibility for oversight of the enhanced winter plan (social care and physical & mental health) as well as ensuring business continuity given the risks of potential energy shortages, industrial action, and supplier failure.

Reasons for the decision – to set out the strong offer of support to help those most impacted by the Cost of Living crisis.
Other options considered – none

Conflicts of interest / dispensations granted – none

AGREED RECOMMENDATIONS

Reasons for the decision – to set out the ambition for education in Islington
Other options considered – none

Conflicts of interest / dispensations granted – none

RESOLVED:

(i)          To support the development and implementation of The Education Plan;

(ii)         That the feedback from engagement with key stakeholders including children and young people, parents and carers, governors, schools and settings, be noted, as attached as an appendix to The Education Plan;

(iii)       That authority to finalise the visual presentation of the Education Plan document be delegated to the Corporate Director of Children’s Services following consultation with the Executive Member for Children, Young People and Families.

Reasons for the decision – to set out the ambition for education in Islington
Other options considered – none

Conflicts of interest / dispensations granted – none

AGREED RECOMMENDATIONS

Reasons for the decision – to support the financial sustainability of Islington schools, to preserve and offer a broad and balanced curriculum.
Other options considered – none

Conflicts of interest / dispensations granted – none.

RESOLVED:

(i)     That the School Organisation Plan be approved, as attached at Appendix A to the report;

(ii)    That the confidential Part B of the School Organisation Plan attached as Exempt Appendix B to the report be approved.

Reasons for the decision – to support the financial sustainability of Islington schools, to preserve and offer a broad and balanced curriculum.
Other options considered – none

Conflicts of interest / dispensations granted – none.

AGREED RECOMMENDATIONS

Reasons for the decision - to build resilience to meet an increasing complexity of need among children with SEND
Other options considered – none

Conflicts of interest / dispensations granted – none

Councillor Ngongo introduced the report. A member of the public asked if the council was able to increase the number of specialist placements for young people with special educational needs and disabilities to meet the increased demand in the borough. In response, the Executive Member advised that the council wanted to support and meet the needs of all young people and would continue to work with schools and parents to address this.

RESOLVED:

That the SEND Strategy be approved, as attached at Appendix A to the report.

Reasons for the decision - to build resilience to meet an increasing complexity of need among children with SEND
Other options considered – none

Conflicts of interest / dispensations granted – none

AGREED RECOMMENDATIONS

Reasons for the decision – to introduce a fairer funding model across the borough
Other options considered – none

Conflicts of interest / dispensations granted – none

RESOLVED:

That the after-school childcare funding model be approved, with the following adjustments:

•                  Raise the low-income household threshold to £34,999

•                  The top charging rate should be a recommendation, rather than being mandatory; the recommendation is that provider charges do not exceed inner London averages.

•                  To approve the consultation report to allow for implementation of the model in the second half of autumn 2022.

Reasons for the decision – to introduce a fairer funding model across the borough
Other options considered – none

Conflicts of interest / dispensations granted – none

AGREED RECOMMENDATIONS

Reasons for the decision - to provide the council with professional services required to deliver its capital programme.

Other options considered – other options included insourcing and to procure a new framework.

Conflicts of interest / dispensations granted – none

RESOLVED:

That the strategy for procuring the professional and technical services required to support the delivery of the council’s capital programme for the reasons outlined in this report be approved.

Reasons for the decision - to provide the council with professional services required to deliver its capital programme.

Other options considered – other options included insourcing and to procure a new framework.

Conflicts of interest / dispensations granted – none

AGREED RECOMMENDATIONS

Reasons for the decision - to ensure the compliance of the lifts, increase their availability and reduce maintenance shutdowns.

Other options considered – other options included carrying out the work in-house, a standalone tender process, or joining an alternative framework.

Conflicts of interest / dispensations granted – none

RESOLVED:

(i)     That the procurement strategy for lift renewals at the Harvist Estate and St Luke’s Estate be approved as outlined in the report.

(ii)    It be noted that these works are to be procured as one project package with a single specialist lift contractor undertaking these works.

Reasons for the decision - to ensure the compliance of the lifts, increase their availability and reduce maintenance shutdowns.

Other options considered – other options included carrying out the work in-house, a standalone tender process, or joining an alternative framework.

Conflicts of interest / dispensations granted – none

AGREED RECOMMENDATIONS

Reasons for the decision - to support Islington communities to realise their ideas

for a greener borough.
Other options considered – none

Conflicts of interest / dispensations granted – none

RESOLVED:

(i)    That the direction and development of the Islington Greening Together (IGT) Programme be approved, where the Environment Department will work in partnership with Homes and Communities and Fairer Together departments to develop a further two-year programme of community led greening projects, up to the value of £1m, based on the year 1 pilot, which will be informed by engagement with residents, and elected members.

(ii)    That the feasibility process be noted, which includes adopting an evidence-led approach and prioritising projects according to need/where issues have been highlighted including: areas of deprivation, areas of green deficit, areas of high flood risk and areas of high heat risk.

(iii)  That the engagement process, including engagement with the Ward members on which applications should take priority in their wards across the programme, be noted.

(iv)  That the outcomes of the Council’s successful Natural Environment Investment Readiness Fund bid (the development of a pocket park design framework and Green Finance Investment Token to support further investment into Green Infrastructure projects in the borough), Future Parks Accelerator Fund and Green and Healthy Streets Project be noted.

(v)   That the Service Director for Environmental and Commercial Operations b delegated authority to approve changes to the Greener Together Programme, in consultation with the Executive Member for Environment, Air Quality and Transport, and where they are on the public highway, also with the Director for Climate Change and Transport.

(vi)  It be noted that the Director for Climate Change and Transport authorises individual greening schemes on the public highway.  Authorisation for Islington Greener Together projects will be through the Service Director for Climate Change and Transport for all Highways Assets, Service Director for Environment and Commercial Operations for Parks assets and Head of Estate Services for Housing assets.

(vii)It be noted that a further two-year programme of community-led greening projects will be developed.

Reasons for the decision - to support Islington communities to realise their ideas

for a greener borough.
Other options considered – none

Conflicts of interest / dispensations granted – none

AGREED RECOMMENDATIONS

Reasons for the decision - This will allow Islington to fulfil its obligations to provide advocacy provisions under the Domestic Abuse Bill 2020
Other options considered – other options included joint commissioning, a consortium model, or insourcing.

Conflicts of interest / dispensations granted – none

RESOLVED:

(i)     That the procurement strategy for Core and Targeted IDVA service, Black, Asian and minoritised ethnic women IDVA service, and Domestic Abuse Refuge service, be approved as outlined in this report.

(ii)    That the award of the contract for Core and Targeted Independent Domestic Violence Advocacy (IDVA) service be delegated to the Corporate Director of Children’s Services following consultation with the Executive Member for Children, Young People and Families and the Executive Member for Community Safety.

(iii)  That the award of the contract for Black, Asian and minoritised ethnic women IDVA service be delegated to the Corporate Director of Children’s Services following consultation with the Executive Member for Children, Young People and Families and the Executive Member for Community Safety.

(iv)  That the award of the contract for Domestic Abuse Refuge service be delegated to the Corporate Director of Children’s Services following consultation with the Executive Member for Children, Young People and Families and the Executive Member for Community Safety.

Reasons for the decision - This will allow Islington to fulfil its obligations to provide advocacy provisions under the Domestic Abuse Bill 2020
Other options considered – other options included joint commissioning, a consortium model, or insourcing.

Conflicts of interest / dispensations granted – none

Noted.

Noted.