Council decisions

This report sets out the Council Tax Base for 2020-21 which must be notified to major precepting authorities by 31 January of the preceding financial year.

This report provides approval for the extension of the prepaid cards contract with Prepaid Financial Services Ltd (PFS) to provide prepaid cards to the Council following a successful 3-month pilot.

The Council will use PFS (Prepaid Financial Services) to provide prepaid cards to enable payments for five services, as set out in the previous DPR to procure, for a total of around two thousand clients. Other services, including Barnet Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), have expressed an interest in using prepaid cards. 

The extension of this contract is needed to realise the benefits listed in the previous DPR (Procurement of a prepaid card service for clients receiving services arranged or managed by Adults & Health and Children’s & Family Services).

This report details the decision of the Director of Finance (Section 151 Officer) the write off of individual debts for Council Tax, Business Rates and Sundry Income of less than £5,000, which are uncollectable for reasons provided in this report, with a total write off sum of £432,452.58 for Council Tax, £47,223.64for Business Rates and £191,326.59 for Sundry Income.

The Committee received the report and addendum.

Representations were heard from Deborah Parrott and the Applicant.

The Committee voted on the Officer recommendation to approve the application:

Cllr Patel then proposed an alternative motion to refuse (seconded by Cllr Prentice) on the basis that the proposed roof lantern would have a harmful impact on the immediate outlook of the occupiers of 25A(first floor flat above) and would result in a harmful loss of amenity and light to the side facing bay window of the neighbour at 23B. The proposal is therefore detrimental to the residential and visual amenities of neighbouring occupiers contrary to Policy DM01 of Barnet's Local Plan (Development Management Policies) DPD 2012, Residential Design Guidance SPD (Adopted October 2016) and Sustainable Design and Construction SPD (Adopted October 2016).

RESOLVED that the application be REFFUSED for the reasons outlined above.

Withdrawn.

The Committee received the report.

Representations were heard from Applicant’s agent.

The Committee voted on the Officer recommendation to approve the report:

RESOLVED that the application be approved for the reasons set out in the officer’s report,, subject to the conditions detailed in the report AND the Committee grants delegated authority to the Service Director – Planning and Building Control or Head of Strategic Planning to make any minor alterations, additions or deletions to the recommended conditions/obligations as set out in this report and addendum provided this authority shall be exercised after consultation with the Chairman (or in his absence the Vice- Chairman) of the Committee (who may request that such alterations, additions or deletions be first approved by the Committee).

The Committee received the report.

The Committee voted on the Officer recommendation to approve the report:

RESOLVED that the application be approved for the reasons set out in the officer’s report, , subject to the conditions detailed in the report AND the Committee grants delegated authority to the Service Director – Planning and Building Control or Head of Strategic Planning to make any minor alterations, additions or deletions to the recommended conditions/obligations as set out in this report and addendum provided this authority shall be exercised after consultation with the Chairman (or in his absence the Vice- Chairman) of the Committee (who may request that such alterations, additions or deletions be first approved by the Committee).

The Committee received the report.

Representations were heard from the agent.

RESOLVED that the application be approved for the reasons set out in the officer’s report,subject to

1.the conditions detailed in the report, the s106 agreement  AND the Committee grants delegated authority to the Service Director – Planning and Building Control or Head of Strategic Planning to make any minor alterations, additions or deletions to the recommended conditions/obligations as set out in this report and addendum provided this authority shall be exercised after consultation with the Chairman (or in his absence the Vice- Chairman) of the Committee (who may request that such alterations, additions or deletions be first approved by the Committee).

2. informatives that Swift boxes be provided via the Ecological enhancements condition and additional trees and landscaping be provided (on site) via the landscaping condition.

The Committee received the report and addendum to the report.

Representations were heard from Sean Meadows, Councillor Longstaff and the Applicant’s agent.

The Committee voted on the Officer recommendation to approve the application:

RESOLVED that the application be approved for the reasons set out in the officer’s report, , subject to the conditions detailed in the report AND the Committee grants delegated authority to the Service Director – Planning and Building Control or Head of Strategic Planning to make any minor alterations, additions or deletions to the recommended conditions/obligations as set out in this report and addendum provided this authority shall be exercised after consultation with the Chairman (or in his absence the Vice- Chairman) of the Committee (who may request that such alterations, additions or deletions be first approved by the Committee).

It was noted that the presentations/discussions on this item had been conducted in tandem with the other Wood Street application. Consequently, the Committee moved straight to the voting process.

The Committee voted on the Officer report to refuse the application:

It was moved by Councillor Sowerby and seconded by Councillor Williams that the application be approved subject to the standard conditions on the basis that the harm to the listed building and conservation area would be less than substantial and the community benefits would significantly outweigh any harm to the listed building and conservation area.

The Committee voted on the proposal to approve as follows:

RESOLVED that the application be approved subject to delegated authority to the Service Director – Planning and Building Control or Head of Strategic Planning to impose appropriate conditions.

The Committee received the report and addendum and it was noted that both this application and the following application on Wood Street would be considered in tandem but voted on separately.

It was also noted that a letter in support had been received today from Theresa Villers MP and this had been summarised in the addendum.

Representations were heard from the agent on the first application and from the Applicant on the second application.

The Committee voted on the Officer report to refuse the application:

It was moved by Councillor Sowerby and seconded by Councillor Williams that the application be approved subject to conditions on the basis that the harm to the listed building and conservation area would be less than substantial and the community benefits would significantly outweigh any harm to the listed building and conservation area subject to standard conditions .

The Committee voted on the proposal to approve as follows:

RESOLVED that the application be approved subject to delegated authority to the Service Director – Planning and Building Control or Head of Strategic Planning to impose appropriate conditions. This development must be begun within three years from the date of this permission. To comply with Section 51 of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004.

The Chairman introduced the report.

Members asked that in future residents were informed about this item being on the agenda and notified them of their right to submit a question to the Committee. Officers assured members that residents had been fully engaged on the Compulsory purchase order process and that they would be notified about any future committee meetings.

Following discussion of the item, the Chairman moved to the vote.

The votes were recorded as follows:

RESOLVED that the Committee agrees to:

1. authorise the Deputy Chief Executive (DCE) or other Chief Officer as delegated by the DCE to negotiate complete and sign a Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) Indemnity and Development Agreement to ensure Transport for London (TfL) indemnify the Council for the full financial costs of the preparation, making, confirmation, and implementation of a CPO in respect of the properties, including Counsel’s and back - dated professional fees.

2. authorise the making of and (if unopposed) the CPO for the Properties;

3. that the Deputy Chief Executive or other appropriate Chief Officer be authorised to issue and sign all orders, notices and certificates in connection with the making, confirmation and implementation of the CPO; including the signing, issuing and serving of referencing and requisition for information notices;

4. that the Deputy Chief Executive or other appropriate Chief Officer be authorised to make General Vesting Declarations (GVDs) under the Compulsory Purchase (Vesting Declarations) Act 1981 and/or to serve Notices to Treat and Notices of Entry (if required) following confirmation of the CPO;

5. that the Deputy Chief Executive or other appropriate Chief Officer be authorised to issue and serve any warrants to obtain possession of property acquired by the Council following the execution of a GVD or service of a Notice of Entry relating to the CPO if it is considered appropriate to do so;

6. that the Deputy Chief Executive or other appropriate Chief Officer be authorised to transfer all properties and proprietary interests acquired pursuant to the CPO to the relevant Development Partners in accordance with the terms of the CPO Indemnity and Development Agreement signed pursuant to 1 above.

7. that the Deputy Chief Executive or other appropriate Chief Officer be authorised to take any further necessary actions to secure the making, confirmation and implementation of the CPO;

8. that the Deputy Chief Executive or other appropriate Chief Officer be authorised to appropriate to planning purposes any parcel of land within the red line planning application boundary plan for the scheme and/or the proposed CPO Plan (attached – Appendix 1) which is held by the Council for another purpose subject to obtaining any necessary statutory consents and/or compliance with any statutory procedures for such appropriation.

9. that the Deputy Chief Executive or other appropriate officer be authorised to agree any compensation with those affected parties and to enter into any settlement/compromise Deed as may be needed to secure the withdrawal of objections to the CPO.

The Chairman introduced the report.

Following discussion of the item the Chairman moved to the vote. The recommendations in the report were unanimously agreed.

RESOLVED that:

The Housing & Growth Committee review this report, and approves the proposed fee increases for 2020/21 as set out in Appendix 1 and refer to Policy and Resources Committee for noting.

Ms Thomas was invited to the table to ask her supplementary question as she was not given the opportunity at the start of the meeting.

Officers agreed to work with Ms Thomas and residents to improve engagement and communication surrounding the Brent Cross regeneration scheme.

The Chairman introduced the report and also noted the update report, published as a supplement to the agenda containing minor changes.

A Member asked that a dedicated committee be set up to deal with the Brent Cross Cricklewood programme. The Chairman reminded the Committee that a Councillor engagement programme had previously been running and asked that officers revive this.

Following discussion of the item, the Chairman moved to the vote.

The votes were recorded as follows:

RESOLVED that the Committee:

1) Notes the progress update across the scheme since the last report to the committee on 26 November 2019.

2) Delegates to the Deputy Chief Executive in consultation with the Chairman of this Committee to finalise and enter into a Deed of Variation to the Funding Development Agreement between L&Q to reflect the current programme and to be consistent with the Part 2 Whitefield Estate Shared Equity Offer and council policy as set out in paragraph 1.4.

3) authorise the extension of the scope of Conway Aecom (who have been commissioned to construct the Southern Junctions) to include detailed design and installation of the temporary access road for plots 53 & 54 as set out in paragraph 1.6

4) Notes that an introductory report will be submitted to the Financial Performance and Contracts Committee on 29 January 2020 providing an overview of the individual works delivery construction contracts that the council has placed (and needs to place) to meet its delivery obligations in respect of the BXC project alongside the project’s funding arrangements as set out in paragraph 1.15 of this report. The link to that report will be circulated to this Committee on publication.

5) Notes that the council entered into contract with Volker Fitzpatrick on 23 December 2019 to design, build and handback the Brent Cross West Station and completed the Asset Protection Agreement with Network Rail on 9 January 2020.

The Chairman introduced the report.

Members expressed concerns that when looking at town centre strategy’s a one size fits all approach was not appropriate.

Following discussion of the item, the Chairman moved to the vote.

The votes were recorded as follows:

RESOLVED that:

1. Note and approve the Town Centre Strategy for Golders Green (included as an Appendix to this report) which sets out a range of ways that the council can work with community members, businesses and other partners to improve this important part of the borough.

2. Note progress with the Housing Infrastructure Fund aimed at supporting delivery of new housing at Finchley Central Station.

3. Delegate authority to the Deputy Chief Executive, in consultation with the Chairman, to enter into a grant agreement with Transport for London. This agreement will enable the funds to be transferred to TfL from the council as set out in the GLA HIF/MVF funding agreement dated 13th December 2019, which sets out the terms for expenditure of the Housing Infrastructure Fund.

The Chairman introduced the report.

Following discussion of the item the Chairman moved to the vote.

The recommendations in the report were unanimously agreed.

RESOLVED that:

1. That the committee notes receipt of draft Heads of Terms from Sage Housing Ltd and that officers are working on proposals to take the matter forward.

2. That the committee delegate authority to the Deputy Chief Executive in consultation with the Chairman of the Housing and Growth Committee to agree the terms of and authorise that the council enters into a grant agreement with the GLA to provide grant funding to facilitate the delivery of affordable housing if appropriate.

3. That the Committee notes that an additional £65,400 is required to enable a start on site by end March 2020 subject to Housing and Growth Committee and Policy and Resources Committee approving the HRA business plan.

4. That committee delegates authority to the Deputy Chief Executive to apply for any statutory consents that may be necessary to progress and deliver the scheme.

Councillor Wardle left the room and did not partcipate in the dicussion or voting on this item.

The Chairman introduced the report.

Councillor Gordon spoke for 3 minutes in relation to the item and requested the report be deferred to allow clarification of queries received from the bidder to be responded to.

Following discussion Councillor Houston moved the following motion, seconded by Councillor Thomas to exclude the press and public,

The Committee resolved – that under Section 100A (4) of the Local Government Act 1972 the public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act (as amended).

The Committee RESOLVED - that the information contained in the exempt appendix be noted.

The committee moved back into public session and Cllr Zinkin proposed the following motion, duly seconded:

That the Committee resolves in principle to accept and proceed with the Fairview bid, subject to clarification of any queries from the bidders and any other valuation or bids which may be received, such decision will be delegated to the Deputy Chief Executive in consultation with the Chairman and the Leader.

The motion was unanimously agreed.

RESOLVED that:

The Committee resolves in principle to accept and proceed with the Fairview bid, subject to clarification of any queries from the bidders and any other valuation or bids which may be received, such decision will be delegated to the Deputy Chief Executive in consultation with the Chairman and the Leader.

Councillor Wardle left the room and did not participate in the discussion or voting on this item.

The Chairman introduced the report.

Following consideration of the item, the Chairman moved to vote on the recommendations as set out in the report.

The votes were recorded as follows:

*Councillor Conway was absent from the table when the votes were taken.

RESOLVED:

That the Committee:

1. confirm ‘in-principle’ support for an increase in the maximum residential unit cap in the West Hendon Principal Development Agreement to 2350 units;

2. confirm ‘in principle’ support for the incorporation of sites at 213-215 West Hendon Broadway within the West Hendon Regeneration Scheme;

3. delegates authority to the appropriate Chief Officer to take any further

necessary actions or decisions with regard to formally varying the Principal Development Agreement to accommodate the Additional Unit Scheme acting in the best interests of the Council and to authorise the negotiation and completion of any required documents.

The Chairman introduced the report.

Following discussion of the item the Chairman moved to the vote.

The votes were recorded as follows:

RESOLVED that:

1. That the Housing and Growth Committee approves the revised

Growth Strategy attached at Appendix 1.

2. That Committee note the consultation report, attached as Appendix 2,

which summarises feedback from residents and stakeholders in

relation to the Draft Growth Strategy.

3. That Committee approves the Delivery Plan and requests it is

reviewed annually by this committee.

4. That Authority is delegated to the Director for Growth to make any

subsequent non-material changes to the Growth Strategy and its

supporting documents.

The Chairman introduced the report.

Following discussion of the item the Chairman moved to the vote. The recommendations in the report were unanimously agreed.

RESOLVED that:

That the Housing and Growth Committee do not authorise the purchase of property A identified in the linked exempt report due to a reduced budget approved for 2020/21 for compulsory purchase of long term empty properties. This budget needs to be prioritised for empty properties causing a more significant detrimental impact on the local community where the property owner is not locatable or able to bring the property back into residential use.

The Chairman introduced the report.

Following discussion of the item the Chairman moved to the vote.

The votes were recorded as follows:

RESOLVED that the Committee:

Approves the Strategy for development of housing on council land (Appendix 1).

The Chairman introduced the report.

Following discussion of the item the Chairman moved to the vote.

The votes were recorded as follows:

RESOLVED that:

1. That the Committee approve the draft Housing Revenue Account Business Plan as attached in Appendix 1.

2. That the Committee agrees that the Deputy Chief Executive may proceed with an application for the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government for consent to proceed with transferring empty properties from the Housing Revenue account to Opendoor Homes, provided full Council give approval to this.

3. That the Committee authorises the Deputy Chief Executive to enter into an agreement with the Greater London Authority to charge London Affordable Rents for the transferred properties.

4. That the Committee authorises the Deputy Chief Executive to approve the transfer of up to 950 individual properties from the HRA to Opendoor Homes as they become vacant, subject to obtaining consent from the Secretary of State.

The Chairman introduced the report.

Following discussion of the item the Chairman moved to the vote.

The recommendations in the report were unanimously agreed.

RESOLVED that:

That the Committee consider and approve the proposed rent increase in line with Government policy for existing Council tenants as set out in paragraph 1.8 to take effect from 1 April 2020.

2. That the Committee approves the proposed rent increases for temporary accommodation to the relevant outer London Local Housing Allowance rates as set out in paragraph 1.11 to take effect from 1 April 2020.

3. That the Committee approves the proposed service charges and garage rents as set out in paragraph 1.16 to take effect from 1 April 2020.

The Chairman introduced the report.

Following discussion of the item the Chairman moved to the vote. The recommendations in the report were unanimously agreed.

RESOLVED that:

The Housing and Growth Committee notes the report, and approves the proposed fee increases for 2020/21 as set out in Appendix 1 and refer to Policy and Resources Committee for noting.

The Chairman introduced the West Hendon estate regeneration and non-secure tenants on regeneration estates report.

Following consideration of the item, Councillor Houston moved the following motion, seconded by Councillor Edwards:

To add to Recommendation 7 the following:

That the Committee agrees to use the Council’s discretion under the current Housing Allocations Scheme (paragraph 3.18) to recognise the exceptional circumstances faced by the Marsh Drive non-secure tenants and resolve their exceptional housing need – that they are living in unsafe accommodation that is not fit for human habitation and need to be moved urgently.

(i). The Committee therefore, resolves to grant all Marsh Drive non-secure tenants priority status in Band 1 or Band 2.

(ii) That the Committee recognises that the shortage of available permanent Council housing may mean that non-secure tenants need to move twice before being re-housed in a secure tenancy council property.

The votes on the motion were recorded as follows:

Therefore, the motion was lost.

Following further discussion, the Committee agreed that Councillor Conway’s members item had now been addressed. The Chairman moved to vote on the recommendations as set out in the report and addendum.

The votes were recorded as follows:

RESOLVED:

That the Committee:

1. Notes progress with the regeneration of West Hendon (paragraphs 1.1 – 1.3).

2. Notes the measures that Barnet Homes have put in place to improve living conditions for residents of Marsh Drive (paragraphs 2.9) and that they continue to meet with residents to identify further improvements (paragraph 2.11).

3. Notes the results of the Large Panel System tests received on 20 December 2019, and that work is well underway to empty the blocks by 31 October 2020 (paragraphs 3).

4. Approves the early decant of Marsh Drive and the additional expenditure required to facilitate this (paragraph 4.3 & appendix).

5. Considers the arguments for and against amending the current housing allocations policy in respect of long-standing non-secure tenants on regeneration estates, including West Hendon (paragraphs 5).

6. Recommends that the existing Housing Allocations Policy remains unchanged.

To award the contract for the provision of Barnet Healthwatch to Inclusion Barnet for a period of 3 years from 1st April 2020 with the option to extend by up to a maximum of two years subject to satisfactory performance.

To award the contract for the provision of Barnet Healthwatch to Inclusion Barnet for a period of 3 years from 1^st April 2020 with the option to extend by up to a maximum of two years subject to satisfactory performance.