Agenda and minutes

RESOLVED that the minutes of the dated the 24 September 2020 were agreed as a correct record.

None.

Councillor Dean Cohen declared a personal interest on items 9 and 10 by the virtue of the fact that he knows one of the objector’s who has submitted a public comment. Councillor Cohen remained in the meeting for the item and took part in the discussion and voting on the item.

Councillor Arjun Mittra declared a personal interest on item 9 and 10 by the virtue of the fact that his mother is a student at Middlesex University. Councillor Mittra remained in the meeting for the item and took part in the discussion and voting on the item.

Councillor Ross Houston declared a personal interest on items 9 and 10 by the virtue of the fact that he is a Council appointed Non-Executive Director of The Barnet Group. Councillor Houston remained in the meeting for the item and took part in the discussion and voting on the item.

None.

Details of the written comments submitted were circulated to Committee and published.

The Chairman drew the Committee’s attention to the Member’s Item in the name of Councillor Anne Clarke and advised this would dealt as a Chairman’s Urgent Item.

The Chairman varied the order of business to take agenda Item 9 – Proposed Hendon Hub Redevelopment Outline Business Case and 10 - Draft The Burroughs and Middlesex University Supplementary Planning Documentfirst and together due to the interdependencies between the items but advised the recommendations would be voted on separately.

Item 10 - Draft The Burroughs and Middlesex University Supplementary Planning Document

• The Assistant Service Director - Planning and Building Control gave an overview of the SPD explaining that the it would be running in parallel with Hendon Hub project. Some of the key areas highlighted were on role of the SPD were the Strategic Framework, Engagement and owner and the Next Steps.

Councillor Nizza Fluss, Ward Councillor for Hendon spoken on both items and raised some of the key concerns she had with the proposals, they included;

• The temporary relocation of Hendon Library
• The increase in student accommodation
• The cost implications
• The impact of COVID and Brexit with regards to the student population

She proposed that new plans are put forward that involved the wider Hendon community 

The Chairman clarified that purpose of the report was to seek agreement to move forward into the full business case. This would allow for due diligence to be carried out and potential finance partners looked at to establish the best financial route in terms of both public and private funding.

He stressed the importance of engaging and consulting with residents, local organisations and community groups to ensure that the process was clear so that all those involved knew what they were being asked to comment on.

He further clarified that Ward councillors would be consulted on the proposals following the consultation.

The report sought the committee’s approval of the Outline Business Case (OBC) for the proposed regeneration of three main sites in Hendon, plus several ancillary sites with a view to submitting a two-phased planning application.

With regards to recommendation 6a, it was clarified that this recommendation was conditional to the Full Business Case being subsequently approved by Policy and Resources committee.

Upon being put to the vote the recommendations as set out in the report were declared carried. The vote was recorded as follows;

RESOVLED –

1. That the Committee approves the Outline Business Case (OBC) for Hendon Hub regeneration, in order that a Full Business Case (FBC) can be developed.

2. That the Committee notes that further testing of the options for funding the scheme, with regard to the principles stated in the exempt report, will take place, with a view to bringing a recommendation, supported by an FBC, to Policy and Resources Committee (P&R Committee) in due course.

3. That the Committee, subject to consultation, approves Hendon Library moving to a temporary location, whilst construction works take place, and then on to the new proposed permanent location within the scheme.

4. That Committee notes the potential inclusion of Compulsory Purchase Orders (CPO) in the programme and that further proposals will be brought back to P&R Committee or Housing & Growth Committee, if necessary.

5. To note an additional budget of £0.782m to work up a planning application, do further due diligence on funding options and appoint a Programme Manager/ Employer’s Agent. Also, to note further third-party acquisition fees, details of which are specified in the exempt paper

6. That the Committee agrees to the following and delegates negotiation and completion of legal agreements to the Deputy Chief Executive, following consultation with the Chairman of P&R:

                                                    i.     Phase 1 (Building 9, Meritage Centre and relocation sites) and

                                                  ii.     Phase 2 (Ravensfield and Fenella site and ancillary ownerships).

7. That the Committee delegates decisions on opting to tax sites within the scheme, to the Section 151 Officer, following consultation with the Chairman of P&R.

8. That the Committee delegates the progression of the appropriation of sites from the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) to General Fund, to the Deputy Chief Executive, following consultation with the Chairman of P&R, as detailed in the exempt paper

Upon being put to the vote the recommendations as set out in the report were declared carried. The vote was recorded as follows;

RESOLVED –

That the Policy and Resources Committee:

1. Notes the contents of the draft Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) attached at Appendix A.
2. Approves the draft SPD as at Appendix A as the basis for public consultation.
3. Delegate authority to the Deputy Chief Executive, in consultation with the Chairman of the Policy and Resources Committee to make any minor changes as necessary to the draft SPD prior to public consultation

The Chairman introduced the report which set out the vision for the Major Town Centre and proposed 16 objectives and 9 development principles to guide a comprehensive approach to redevelopment. The report also identified local needs, challenges and opportunities and set out how the key opportunity sites would come forward.

The Draft SPD would also need to be approved by Harrow Council before it underwent a statutory period of public consultation. 

Upon being put to the vote the recommendations as set out in the report were unanimously carried.

That the Policy and Resources Committee:

1. Approves the draft Edgware Growth Area Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) at Appendix A forpublication and public consultation.
2. Delegates authority to the Deputy Chief Executive, in consultation with the Chairman of the Policy and Resources Committee, to make any further minor changes to the draft Edgware Growth Area SPD arising as a result of formal consideration by the London Borough of Harrow as well as any minor amendments required to finalise the SPD prior topublication and public consultation.

The chairman introduced the report which set out the latest position on the Medium-Term Financial Strategy (MTFS), savings plans and capital programme. He drew the committees attention to (i) paragraph 1.3.2 which set out the summary of changes that had occurred since September 2020, (ii) table 6, paragraph 1.3.4 which set out next year’s projections and the changes and (ii) recommendation 4 which sought agreement to consult  on the 3% Social Care Precept

The Director of Resources (Section 151 officer) confirmed that there was a working group in place that monitored on a weekly basis the following areas;

(i) the impact of Brexit – in particular food shortage in the short-term period and that this was mitigated by the work that had been done during Covid on the essential supplies hub and work with the VCS.

(ii) The other main concern was around employment.

Both these areas had been factored into the business planning process and would continue to be monitored.

With regards to the chargeable garden waste service the chairman clarified there were now various pricing options in place and that there been an increase in the uptake of the service.

With regards to Children’s placements, Councillor Longstaff Chairman of Children, Education and Safeguarding Committee confirmed that the building of Woodside Care Home was due to finish around April 2021. The council was also working with other London Boroughs to try and ensure that children where possible could be place within rather than outside boroughs. 

With regards to the CSG savings the Deputy Chief Executive clarified that in terms of next year specifically, the contractual saving had been factored in. But with year 6/7 having been delayed due to Covid they wouldn’t be delivered in short to medium term but in the medium to longer term the indicative figures had been included.

With regards to reserves the Director of Resources clarified the reserves that were reducing were service specific reserves.

With regards to Fairer Charging and the increase to home care, Councillor Sachin Rajput Chairman of Adults and Safeguarding Committee clarified that the charge was just for the home care provided and the cost involved was to ensure a fair price. He further clarified that only those who could afford to pay would be asked to contribute and that their income and expenses would be taken into account – this provided a safeguard for those individuals   

Upon being put to the vote the recommendations as set out in the report were declared carried. The vote was recorded as follows;

RESOLVED to -

1. Approves delegated authority to the Director of Resources (S151 Officer) to amend the MTFS in line with the 2021/22 Local Government Finance Settlement, to enable the 2021/22 Budget Consultation process to commence as discussed in paragraph 1.2.3;
2. Notes the summary of the November 2020 Spending Round announcement, initial financial implications for Local Government in 2021/22 and economic outlook in paragraphs 1.2.4 to 1.2.11;
3. Agrees to consult  ...  view the full minutes text for item 11.

The Chairman introduced the report which set out the proposal to implement a new model for customer service delivery for adult social care.

With regards to the issue around TUPE the Director of Adult Social Care confirmed that as part of the consultation staff would be informed that if they chose to move across to the Council there’d be a restructure post transfer.  They’d also be advised of the opportunity to apply for jobs within Adult social care or look for redeployment opportunities within the wider council. All the staff concerned would be fully advised of the options available to them.

Upon being put to the vote the recommendations as set out in the report were unanimously carried.

RESOVELD –

1. That the Policy and Resources Committee approves the business case for a new model of responding to customer contact, as set out in Appendix A of the exempt report.

2. That the Committee authorises the Executive Director of Adults and Health to take all reasonable action to prepare to transfer Social Care Direct services, subject to HR advice, by February 2021 and proceed with implementation of the proposal.

3. That the Committee note the additional information set in paragraph 5.2.1 of the exempt report.

The Chairman introduced the report with sought approval to enable officers to proceed with the procurement activity sent out in the plan. He clarified that where required some of the activity listed would be subject to committee approval.

With regards to the Hendon Hub Delivery construction costs listed in the supplemental pack, page 11, line 15 the Chairman clarified that the committee were not being asked to approve the actual cost as that this stage. The figure listed was the perceived cost from the outline business case. He requested if officer could circulate to the committee details of how the figure was arrived at.

Upon being put to the vote the recommendations as set out in the report were declared carried. The vote was recorded as follows;

RESOLVED –

1. That approval be given to Officers to proceed with procurement activity as presented in the Annual Procurement Forward Plan (APFP) 2021/2022, and where known for 2022/23, subject to service confirmation of continued requirement any additional approvals required under the Council’s Constitution, including the Contract Procedure Rules, and identification of approved budget source.

The Committee noted the Forward Work Programme.

The Chairman agreed to take as an urgent members item in the name of Councillor Anne Clarke that had been submitted to the Adults and Safeguarding Committee and subsequently referred to Policy and Resource as it cut across a number of committees and policy areas. The Details of the item and responses were circulated to the committee.

With regards to providing supplies post-Christmas the Deputy Chief Executive confirmed that the council would ensure that the essential supplies hub continued to be stocked up on an ongoing basis and continuing to supply the foodbanks provided with food as it was need.

That under Section 100A (4) of the Local Government Act 1972 the public be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business on the grounds that it involves the disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act (as amended) – Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person or body (including the authority holding that information).

The Committee did not move into private session.

RESOLVED - that the information contained in the exempt report be noted.

RESOLVED - that the information contained in the exempt report be noted.

None