Agenda and draft minutes

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting dated 11 December 2018 be agreed as a correct record.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Arjun Mittra, who was substituted for by Councillor Geof Cooke.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Ross Houston, who was substituted for by Councillor Alan Schneiderman. 

None. 

None. 

Details of the questions asked and the answers provided were published and circulated at the meeting. Verbal responses were given to supplementary questions at the meeting.

Mr. John Dix and Mrs. Barbara Jacobson addressed the Committee and made public comments.  Members asked questions of Mr. Dix and Mrs. Jacobson.

None. 

Councillor Gill Sergeant, a Colindale Ward Member, addressed the Committee.  The Committee noted the comments made by Councillor Sergeant. 

The Leader introduced the report, which set out the detailed design requirements and scale of development which will be supported for the new station and associated residential-led, mixed use development to enhance the public realm and start to knit together the Colindale communities. 

A Member expressed concern about the provision for adequate busses in the area and asked the Deputy Chief Executive to ask Transport for London to meet with Ward Councillors.  (Action)

Following the consideration of the report, the Committee unanimously RESOLVED to:

1.    Note the consultation response to the draft Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) and agrees the consequential proposed changes to the SPD outlined and explained in the Consultation Representation Report at Appendix B.

2.    Agree the adoption of the Colindale Underground Station SPD (Appendix A) and associated documentation (Appendices B, C, D and E), and delegates authority to the Deputy Chief Executive to make any necessary changes of a minor nature to the final wording of the SPD in consultation with the Leader before the final version of the SPD is published.

The Chairman introduced the report, which set out the Council’s approach for identifying and mitigating potential risks and opportunities arising from Brexit

Councillor Barry Rawlings MOVED the following motion which was SECONDED by Councillor Alan Schneiderman:

“That the Committee agrees to schedule and hold regular meetings of the Local Strategic Partnership to respond to the developing Brexit situation and its impact on Barnet.”

Votes were recorded as follows:

The motion was declared LOST.

The Chairman moved to the recommendation as set out in the report.

It was unanimously RESOLVED:

1.    That the Committee considers the potential implications of the UK leaving the European Union for Barnet, and notes the action being taken to respond.

The Chairman introduced the report, which set out the Council’s refreshed Corporate Plan, MTFS, savings plans and capital programme.  In introducing the report, the Chairman noted:

-          A Supplemental addition to Appendix P which had been published and provided to Members and Members of the public.  

-          Recommendation 7 of the report should read from 18/19 to 19/20. 

Following a request from a Member Officers undertook to check if the budget as set out in the report meant that Councillor’s surgeries will no longer be funded.  (Action: Section 151 Officer

Commenting on the budget and reserves, the Section 151 Officer advised that his role required him to make a judgement on the ongoing position on the level of reserves.  He noted that although challenging, he felt that the current position was acceptable at this point in time but must be monitored on an ongoing basis

Following discussion, the Committee agreed to note the following:

-          To note that in relation to STR035 in the Corporate Risk Register on “Failure of third party pension administrator meeting standards” that LB Barnet has been called in by The Pensions Regulator following successive failures by Capita CSG to manage the Council’s Pension Fund properly.

-          To request the Chief Executive to undertake that the administration of the Pension Fund be reviewed the and the phasing be bought forward. (Action: Chief Executive)

Following discussion, Officers undertook to include the following detail in the Environment Committee report in March 2019:

-          Noting the Government’s Consultation on Consistency in Household and Business Recycling Collections in England suggesting all households should have weekly separate food waste collections.

-          A London Borough of Barnet  response to the Government consultation  on separate weekly food waste collections.  (Action: Strategic Director for Environment)

The Chairman moved to recommendations as set out in report.  Votes were recorded as follows:

RESOLVED that Committee:

1.    Recommend to Council approval of the Corporate Plan 2019-2024, as attached at Appendix A;

2.    Approve the Policy and Resources Committee Delivery Plan for 2019/20 attached at Appendix P;

3.    Consider the issues that have emerged from the consultation when making their decisions. The committee make the decisions below also being mindful of the equalities impact assessments including the cumulative equalities impact assessments;

4.    Recommend to Council for approval the MTFS attached as Appendix B and the detailed revenue budgets in Appendices D1 and D2. The MTFS sets out all of the budget changes over the period 2019-24, including assumptions around inflation, changes to levies, pressures, savings and grant funding. It is the model around which the council’s financial strategy is based;

5.    Recommend to Council that the budget for 2019/20 is prepared on the basis of an increase of 2.99% general Council Tax in 2019/20;

6.    Recommend to Council the resolutions relating to Council Tax contained within Appendix C – Council Tax Resolutions;

7.    Recommend to Council, on the advice of the Chief Finance Officer, that it determines that the council’s basic amount  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.

The Committee considered the report, which provided a strategic overview of performance for Quarter 3 and risk information related to the corporate priorities in the Corporate Plan 2018/19 Addendum.

Following the consideration of the report, the Committee unanimously REOLVED:

1.    To note the Period 9 (Q3 2018/19) revenue and capital forecasts.

2.    To note the savings delivered in Period 9 (Q3 2018/19).

3.    To scrutinise the performance and risk information related to the corporate priorities in the Corporate Plan 2018/19 Addendum, including the strategic and high level service/joint risks that form the corporate risk register at Appendix A.

The Chairman introduced the report and noted that there was also a separate, exempt paper.

Following the consideration of the report, the Committee unanimously RESOLVED to:

1.    Approve the financial arrangements relating to the transfer of the ownership of 174 properties, listed in in appendix 1 and appendix 2 (as detailed in the accompanying exempt report) from the council to TBG Open Door Homes Limited or the completion of acquisition of the properties by TBG Open Door Homes Ltd, in each case subject to obtaining any consents required from third parties. The properties may be transferred at different times. Authority is delegated to the Deputy Chief Executive, in consultation with the Section 151 Officer, to negotiate, settle and complete the documents to deal with the transfer (or sub-sale) of the properties and the financial arrangements, which will include land transfers, charges to secure the payments due to the council, a nomination agreement and a facility agreement governing the loan to TBG Open Door Limited, and such documentation as appropriate to cover the loan at recommendation 3.

2.    Approve the transfer of the ownership of the properties listed in appendix 1 and appendix 2 (in the accompanying exempt report) from the council to TBG Open Door Homes Limited

3.    Agree that the unspent balance of the council’s current £40 million investment programme for acquiring properties for use as affordable temporary accommodation, should be made available to Open Door Homes in the form of a loan to complete the programme. This includes properties listed in appendix 2 (in the accompanying exempt report) which are currently in the process of being acquired by the council.

4.    Note the risk in relation to the value of Minimum Revenue Provision required to be set aside by the council as set out in paragraph 4.5.3

The Chairman introduced The Barnet Group (TBG) Five-Year Strategic Plan, which set out The Barnet Group’s vision and high-level ambitions for the period 2019-2024.  The Chairman noted that a supplementary paper had been published and provided to Members and Members of the public.

Following the consideration of the report, the Committee unanimously RESOLVED:

To approve the Strategic Plan attached as Appendix A.

The Chairman introduced the report, which set out the Funding and Delivery Strategy for Brent Cross Cricklewood.

The Deputy Chief Executive, Cath Shaw noted that a Member of the public enquired about making a public comment on this.  Ms. Shaw undertook to contact them and brief them outside of the meeting.

The Chairman advised that intended to move an amendment to Recommendation 3 of the report and noted that should this be agreed, it would be done by way of Delegated Powers Report for all Members of the Committee to be able to consider it.   A Member asked that the draft DPR also be circulated to Members of ARG.  This was agreed. (Action)

The Chairman MOVED the following amendment to Recommendation 3

Recommendation 3: Delegate to the Chief Executive in consultation with the Chairman of the Policy and Resources Committee, approval  of  the Revised Funding Agreement agreed with HM Government. Should the Revised Funding Agreement expose the council to material additional risks, to return the matter to Committee, having regard to:

i. the revised financial tests set by this Committee on 11 December for the council to assure itself that the prudential code can be satisfied so that the council can make the required capital commitment to deliver the Thameslink Station (as set out in paragraphs 1.19 of this report); and

ii. The details to be published in the addendum report.

The above was unanimously AGREED and became the substantive motion.

The Chairman MOVED the following amendments to recommendations 4 and 5 which were unanimously agreed, and became the substantive motion.

4.    Subject to the approval of the RFA in accordance with Recommendation 3, authorise the Chief Executive in consultation with the Chairman of the Committee to finalise terms and enter into the RFA with HMG and to commission Schedule 2 (Rail Systems and Sidings) works as set out in the Implementation Contract with Network Rail dated 21 December 2018.

5.    Subject to the approval of the RFA in accordance with Recommendation 3, approve the consequential changes to the capital budget to proceed with the BXT and delivery of core critical infrastructure to support the Brent Cross Cricklewood (BXC) revised delivery strategy as detailed in paragraphs 5.2.7 of this report.

The Chairman moved to the vote on the amended Recommendations 3 4, and 5 and the other recommendations as set out in the report.  

RESOLVED that Committee:

1.  Note that Full Council on 18 December 2018:

A: Confirmed the council’s continuing commitment to the delivery of BXT and other elements of the critical infrastructure given the strategic importance of the regeneration scheme and the recognising the scale of the investment proposed in delivery of the new Thameslink station at Brent Cross West (BXT).

B: delegated to this Committee the decision to commission the Schedule 1B (rail systems and sidings) works provided: (a) a Revised Funding Agreement (RFA) has been agreed with HM Government (HMG); and (b) that the RFA does not expose the council to unacceptable risk.

2. Note  ...  view the full minutes text for item 13.

The Committee considered the Forward Work Programme, as set out in the report.

RESOLVED that the Committee note the Forward Work Programme.

There were none. 

RESOLVED that the Committee note the information set out in the exempt report. 

RESOVLED that the Committee note the exempt information.