Agenda and minutes

Councillor Barry Rawlings, Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Resources and Effective Council welcomed all attendees to the meeting.

It was RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 26 June 2023 be approved as a correct record.

None.

Councillor Alison Moore, Cabinet Member for Health & Wellbeing declared a non-pecuniary interest by virtue of being a Ward Member in relation to agenda item 19 (Authorisation to sign Joint Contracts Tribunal (JCT) contract with Larkfleet/ Asset Plus for Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme (PSDS3) works and Martin School Caretaker's Home decarbonisation works).

Councillor Anne Clarke, Cabinet Member for Community Wealth Building declared a non-pecuniary interest in relation to agenda item 11 (Business Planning 2024-2030, Transformation Programme, and In-Year Budget Management 2023/24) as her partner undertook some project work for AWS who were referred to in the report.

The Chair welcomed Councillor Peter Zinkin, Councillor Jennifer Grocock and Councillor Lucy Wakeley to join the meeting.

Questions were raised in relation to agenda items 10, 13 and 16 which were responded to verbally at the meeting by Cabinet Members. 

None.

None.

A response to the published Public Question on agenda item 16 (Draft School Streets Permit and Exemption Policy) was provided by Councillor Alan Schneiderman Cabinet Member for Environment & Climate Change.

A supplementary question was raised at the meeting by Ben Samuel. The response to the supplementary question was provided at the meeting by Councillor Schneiderman.

The Chair noted that the Motions referred to the Executive by Council on 11 July 2023, relating to the functions of the Executive, would be considered at this meeting under agenda item 20.

The Chair noted that Cabinet would be requested to consider the work programmes for the Overview & Scrutiny Committee and Sub-Committees under agenda item 20.

Councillor Barry Rawlings Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Resources & Effective Council introduced the report.

Following discussion, the Chair moved to vote on the recommendations.

DECISION:

It was RESOLVED that Cabinet:

In respect of Business Planning for 2024-30:

1.    Noted the refreshed Medium-Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) shown in Appendix A. The MTFS sets out likely budget changes over the period 2024-30, including assumptions around inflation, pressures, savings and government funding. It is the model around which the council’s financial strategy is based;

2.    Noted the delivery timetable and the process in section 2.12 - 2.21 which will take place for 2024/25 and future years in order to achieve a balanced budget.

3.    Approved that officers start to develop budget proposals for 2024/25 and, if required, delegates authority to the Section 151 Officer to issue targets to officers to support the achievement of a balanced budget; and

4.    Noted the proposed approach to the Financial Strategy in section 2.11.

5.    Note the approach to delivering the Transformation Strategy outlined in section 3.

6.    Agreed the allocation of £1.6m for individual workstreams, as set out in sections 3.12 to 3.22.

7.    Noted the arrangements for individual spending decisions set out in section 3.6.

In respect of routine financial matters for 2023/24:

8.    Noted the Contingency Budget and allocations from it in section 4.1-4.4;

9.    Noted the revenue budget virements for 2023/24 as detailed in sections 4.5-4.6;

10. Approved the writes-offs for Sundry Debt as detailed in sections 4.7-4.10; and

11.Approved the changes to the existing Capital Programme in relation to additions as set out in section 5 in accordance with the virement rules.

The report set out the options considered, if any, and the reasons for the recommendations and the decision.

Councillor Barry Rawlings Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Resources & Effective Council introduced the report.

Following discussion, the Chair moved to vote on the recommendations.

DECISION:

It was RESOLVED that Cabinet:

1.    Approved the creation of a new ‘Connected Places Transformation Programme’, as set out in Figure 2, and the allocation of the required budget as set out in the exempt appendix.

2.    Agreed that the Chief Finance Officer approves allocation of £2.35m of prudential borrowing towards the creation of a new ‘Connected Places Transformation Programme’ in line with the 2023/24 Treasury Management Strategy Statement.

3.    Delegated authority to the Executive Director for Assurance to revise or vary the proposed CCTV fibre network contract with BT to include the deployment of a boroughwide Public Wi-Fi network, provided that the cost of such deployment to the council is broadly in line with the terms as set out in the exempt report.

4.    Approved the development of an outline business case for consideration by Cabinet, relating to deployment of an Internet of Things (IoT) Network across the borough, including exploration of potential commercial and service innovation opportunities by public sector and commercial partners.

5.    Delegated authority to the Director of Highways, or any Director/Assistant Director with responsibility for the relevant asset, to:
(a) define the corporate requirements for, and
(b) to grant any subsequent required permission/authorisation to, attach connectivity-related equipment orinfrastructure onto council assets such as street furniture and buildings.

6.    Delegated authority to the Assistant Director for Resident Experience and Digital to develop and consult with partners and residents on draft proposals for a data ethics framework that will support and inform data  protection compliance and provide oversight arrangements for new and emerging uses of data, including how emerging sources of data can be used and/or shared within the council and partners, to enable a more data informed and holistic approach to service transformation, that will support resident needs. The framework proposals will to be brought back to Cabinet for approval.

The report set out the options considered, if any, and the reasons for the recommendations and the decision.

Cabinet Member for Homes and Regeneration, Councillor Ross Houston introduced the report.

Following discussion, the Chair moved to vote on the recommendations.

DECISION:

It was RESOLVED:

1.    That Cabinet approved the Stories (Bunns Lane) Ltd & Aviva Capital Partners ltd joint venture as the preferred developer for the delivery of the sale and leaseback arrangement on the Bunns Lane Car Park site.

2.    That Cabinet delegated authority to the Deputy Chief Executive of the Council and in consultation with the Cabinet member for Homes and Regeneration to:
a. agree the final terms for the proposed transaction.
b. approve and conclude the exchange of an Agreement for Lease and Leaseback to be entered into with the Stories & ACP joint venture.
c. to negotiate, approve, finalise, and complete such other documents as may be required to effect implement fund deliver and/or manage the scheme.

3.    That Cabinet agreed to the creation of a management company (ManCo) by the Council for the ongoing management of the completed units at the Site and to enter into the proposed sub underlease with the Council as outlined at paragraph 1.30.

4.    That Cabinet:
(i) approved the advertising as required to appropriate to the required use or to appropriate to planning purposes any part of the Site deemed or designated as Public Open Space in accordance with S122(2A) of the Local Government Act 1972; and
(ii) delegated to the Deputy Chief Executive the consideration of any objections received following the conclusion of the above advertising process.

5.    That Cabinet approved the advertising as required to dispose of any part of the Site deemed or designated as Public Open Space in accordance with Section 123 of the Local Government Act 1972 or section 233 of the Town & Country Planning Act 1990 as appropriate and delegated to the Deputy Chief Executive the consideration of any objections received following the conclusion of such advertising process.

6.    That Cabinet delegated to the Deputy Chief Executive if appropriate following the conclusion of the consideration of any objections to the advertising required pursuant to S123(2A) of the LGA 1972, or S233 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 authority to dispose of any land referred to at (Recommendations) 4 and 5 above which is to be comprised as part of the Site.

7.    That Cabinet delegated authority to the Deputy Chief Executive to authorise that the whole or any part of the Site as may be required be appropriated for planning purposes pursuant to S122 of the LGA 1972 and to commence negotiations and settle any lawful claims asserted by third parties pursuant to SS 203 and SS 204 of the Housing and Planning Act 2016.

8.    That Cabinet delegated authority to the Deputy Chief Executive to make any applications to the Secretary of State for consent that may be required to enable the lawful disposal of the Site.

9.    That Cabinet delegated authority to the Deputy Chief Executive in consultation with the Cabinet member for Regeneration and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 12.

Councillor Pauline Coakley-Webb Cabinet Member for Family Friendly Barnet introduced the report. The Chair also welcomed Chris Munday, Executive Director for Children & Families and Tina McElligott, Director of Children’s Social Care who joined the meeting.

Following discussion, the Chair moved to vote on the recommendations.

DECISION:

It was RESOLVED that Cabinet:

1.    Noted the timeline for the development and publication of Barnet’s Violence, Vulnerability and Exploitation strategy 2023 - 2027.

2.    Approved a public consultation period 30 July – 30 September 2023.

The report set out the options considered, if any, and the reasons for the recommendations and the decision.

Councillor Alan Schneiderman Cabinet Member for Environment and Climate Change introduced the report. The Chair also welcomed Ian Edser, Director of Highways and Transportation to summarise the item.

Following discussion, the Chair moved to vote on the recommendations.

DECISION:

It was RESOLVED:

1.    That Cabinet approved an additional two-year capital allocation of £8m for the delivery of additional carriageway resurfacing schemes (the additional programme) commencing 2023/24 as a short-term measure whist the Highway Investment Strategy is developed.

2.    That the additional programme be the subject of engagement with Ward Councillors prior to implementation.

3.    That authority be delegated to the Director of Highways and Transportation, in consultation with the (Cabinet Member) Portfolio Lead for Environment and Climate Change, to sign off the additional programme ofschemes for implementation on the highway network, commencing with the programme for the 2023/24 financial year.

4.    That authority be delegated to the Director of Highways and Transportation, in consultation with the (Cabinet Member) Portfolio Lead for Environment and Climate Change, to alter the programme as necessary to ensure the efficient delivery of schemes across the network.

5.    Noted that Overview and Scrutiny Committee will undertake a review to support the improvement to the Highway Network.

6.    Noted that future reports in relation to the delivery of this additional programme and the emerging Highway Investment Strategy will be presented to Cabinet.

The report set out the options considered, if any, and the reasons for the recommendations and the decision.

Councillor Alan Schneiderman Cabinet Member for Environment and Climate Change introduced the report.

Following discussion, the Chair moved to vote on the recommendations.

DECISION:

It was RESOLVED that:

1.    Cabinet noted the current activities undertaken by the Highways Service team to tackle incidents of damage to highway caused by development works.

2.    Cabinet approved extending borough wide, the approach noted in this report to deal with damage to highways.

3.    Cabinet noted that the Head of Paid Service (through delegated powers) will increase staffing resource for the relevant team, if the extended approach above is approved.

The report set out the options considered, if any, and the reasons for the recommendations and the decision.

Councillor Alan Schneiderman Cabinet Member for Environment and Climate Change introduced the report.

Following discussion, the Chair moved to vote on the recommendations.

DECISION:

It was RESOLVED:

1.    That Cabinet approved the Draft School Streets Permit and Exemption Policy to move forward to public consultation.

2.    That Cabinet delegated the finalisation of the School Streets Permit and Exemption Policy to the (Cabinet Member) Portfolio Lead for Environment and Climate Change.

3.    That Cabinet approved, subject to public consultation, the implementation of permits to School Staff permanently based at the school on an 18 month trial basis.

The report set out the options considered, if any, and the reasons for the recommendations and the decision.

Councillor Ross Houston Cabinet Member for Homes & Regeneration introduced the report.

Following discussion, the Chair moved to vote on the recommendations.

DECISION:

It was RESOLVED that Cabinet:

1.    Noted the contents of the report and the exempt report and its appendices and;

2.    Delegated authority to the Chief Executive in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Homes and Regeneration to finalise and agree updates to the BXS Business Plan in accordance with paragraphs 1.23-1.26 of this report and accompanying exempt report.

The report set out the options considered, if any, and the reasons for the recommendations and the decision.

Councillor Ross Houston Cabinet Member for Homes & Regeneration introduced the report.

Following discussion, the Chair moved to vote on the recommendations.

DECISION:

It was RESOLVED:

1.    That Cabinet approved the revised draft Housing Strategy attached at Appendix A.

2.    That Cabinet approved the revised draft Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy attached at Appendix B.

3.    That Cabinet approved the revised draft Tenancy Strategy attached at Appendix C.

4.    That Cabinet approved the revised draft Housing Allocation Scheme attached at Appendix D.

The report set out the options considered, if any, and the reasons for the recommendations and the decision.

Councillor Alan Schneiderman Cabinet Member for Environment & Climate Change introduced the report.

Following discussion, the Chair moved to vote on the recommendations.

DECISION:

It was RESOLVED:

1.    That Cabinet approved increasing the value of the JCT contract by £1.1m so that total contract value is £10.1m (previously estimated in the Annual Procurement Forward Plan (APFP) presented to Policy and Resources Committee on 22 Feb 2023 as a £9m). This is to include additional PSDS3 project costs and decarbonisation works at Martin school caretaker’s house.

2.    That Cabinet approved signing JCT contract with Larkfleet/ Asset Plus, at a value of £10.1m, to complete energy efficiency works to Barnet-owned buildings, managed as part of the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme Phase 3 (PSDS3). And to install a heat pump, low surface temperature radiators, hot water cylinder heat pump and solar PV at Martin School caretaker’s home.

The report set out the options considered, if any, and the reasons for the recommendations and the decision.

The Chair invited Andrew Charlwood, Head of Governance to present the item.

DECISION:

It was RESOLVED:

1.    That Cabinet noted the agreed 2023/24 Work Programmes for:
a) Overview and Scrutiny Committee
b) Adults and Health Overview and Scrutiny Sub-Committee
c) Children and Education Overview and Scrutiny Sub-Committee

2.    That Cabinet noted that the Overview and Scrutiny Committees and Sub-Committees have commissioned Task and Finish Group Reviews to take place during 2023/24 on
a) Youth Homelessness
b) Elective Home education
c) Primary Care (GP) Access
d) The Discharge to Assess Model
e) Barnet Homes
f) Barnet Roads
g) Safe Parks
h) Culture Strategy

3.    That Cabinet noted that the Overview and Scrutiny Committees and Sub-Committees will make amendments to the work programme in response to issues of concern or to request new pre-decision items ahead of their consideration by Cabinet/Council.

The report set out the options considered, if any, and the reasons for the recommendations and the decision.

https://barnet.moderngov.co.uk/mgListPlans.aspx?RPId=1010&RD=0

Cabinet noted the Forward Plan – Key Decision Schedule.

Councillor Barry Rawlings, Cabinet Member for Resources & Effective Council, introduced the urgent business items. It was noted that several Council motions which were identified in the Council summons as matters falling within the powers of the Executive were referred to Cabinet for consideration in accordance with the Council Constitution.

a.    Motion: The Cost of Living Crisis and Council Support

Cabinet RESOLVED to note the referred Motion from Council and thatthe recommendations therein be agreed.

b.    Motion: Potholes and Pavements

Cabinet RESOLVED to note the referred Motion from Council and thatthe recommendations therein be agreed.

c.    Motion: Barnet’s Citizens Assembly and Young People’s Assembly on Climate Change & Biodiversity

Cabinet RESOLVED to note the referred Motion from Council and thatthe recommendations therein be agreed.

d.    Motion: Barnet LGBT+ Pride

Cabinet RESOLVED to note the referred Motion from Council and thatthe recommendations therein be agreed.

e.    Motion: Road Closures in Barnet

Cabinet RESOLVED to note the referred Motion from Council and thatthe recommendations therein be agreed.

f.      Motion: Invitations to Council Events

Cabinet RESOLVED to note the referred Motion from Council and thatthe recommendations therein be agreed.

Cabinet moved a motion to exclude the press and public on the basis that the exempt items will involve discussion of confidential information. The public gallery was cleared.

RESOLVED that Cabinet noted the exempt information.

RESOLVED that Cabinet noted the exempt information.

RESOLVED that Cabinet noted the exempt information.