Council decisions

1.    That the Deputy Chief Executive be authorised to proceed with the acquisition  of the residential leasehold and freehold interests and rights in the Whitefield Estate (“the Estate Rights”) at the new market values, as specified within the accompanying exempt report and otherwise in accordance with such Heads of Terms as shall be agreed in respect of each property.

2.    That the Deputy Chief Executive be authorised to sign the Contract for the sale and purchase of those residential leasehold and freehold  interests and rights in the Whitefield Estate (“the Estate Rights”) as specified within this report, and to complete or authorise the completion of all associated documentation in connection with the purchase of the Estate Rights, and such documentation to have regard to the best interests of the Council.

 

1.    To award Home and Community Support Service Strategic Provider contracts to the following:

 

 

For a contract term of 6 years with optional break clauses exercisable at the ends of years 3, 4 and 5 of the contract, subject to satisfactory performance and budget.

 

 

2.    To award Home and Community Support Service Approved Provider contracts to the following:

A.        41 Providers for Adults (Approved Provider List):

1.         Ace Home Care Limited

2.         Alina Homecare Barnet Limited

3.         Angelic Healthcare Services Ltd

4.         Arthur Morrison Ltd

5.         Barnet Carers Centre

6.         Bliss Care and Training Ltd

7.         Bluebird Care

8.         BMM Care Ltd

9.         Capital Homecare (UK) Limited

10.       Carewatch Barnet

11.       Churchill Health Care Ltd (Barnet)

12.       City Home Care Limited

13.       Dynamic People Ltd

14.       Eleanor Nursing and Social Care Limited

15.       Enterprise Care Support Ltd

16.       Gentle Hands Care Agency Ltd

17.       Hartwig Care Ltd

18.       Hertsmere Valley Care Services Limited

19.       Homecare Alliance Limited

20.       I-Care Recruitment Limited

21.       InTouch Home Care

22.       Kaamil Education LTD

23.       Mercury Care Services Limited

24.       Metro Homecare Ltd

25.       MidCo Care Limited

26.       MiHomecare

27.       Oasis Care & Training Agency

28.       Primera Assisted Living

29.       Pringles care services

30.       Pristine Recruitment Ltd

31.       Rivendell Care and Support

32.       ServeSoul Limited

33.       Sevacare

34.       Social Care Consortium

35.       Soma Healthcare

36.       St Georges Home Care Ltd

37.       Supreme Care Services Limited

38.       Swifthand Care Services Ltd

39.       Thames Homecare Services Ltd

40.       The Cedars Home Care

41.       The Link Care Nursing Agency Ltd

 

B.        7 providers for Family Services:

1.         Barnet Carers Centre

2.         Dynamic People Ltd

3.         Gentle Hands Care Agency Ltd

4.         InTouch Home Care

5.         Social Care Consortium

6.         Soma Healthcare

7.         Supreme Care Services Limited

 

For a contract term of 6 years with optional break clauses exercisable at the ends of years 3, 4 and 5 of the contract, subject to satisfactory performance and budget.

 

1.    To approve the policy within Appendix A to this report.

 

2.    To delegate authority to the Director of Finance (S151) to review and alter the policy and administration of the scheme as necessary to meet local requirements.

 

3.    To delegate authority to either the Deputy Chief Executive, Director of Finance (S151), Head of Business, Employment and Skills or Head of Finance: Exchequer to make decisions to award grants within the terms of the policy.

 

4.    To note the grant value of £3.27m and its disbursal under the policy at Appendix A.

 

1.    To authorise the private treaty acquisition at a purchase price of £310,000 for 6 Hill Close, Barnet, EN5 3AG in accordance with associated costs as mentioned in this report, and Heads of Terms to be agreed in respect of this property.

2.    To authorise the private treaty acquisition at a purchase price of £285,000 for 2 Pine Road, London, N11 1EP in accordance with associated costs as mentioned in this report, and Heads of Terms to be agreed in respect of this property.

3.    To authorise the private treaty acquisition at a purchase price of £340,000 for Flat 3, Warnford, Clayton Field, London NW9 5SA in accordance with associated costs as mentioned in this report, and Heads of Terms to be agreed in respect of this property.

4.    To authorise the private treaty acquisition at a purchase price of £285,000 for 3 Chaville Court, Beaconsfield Road, N11 3AHin accordance with associated costs as mentioned in this report, and Heads of Terms to be agreed in respect of this property.

5.    To authorise the private treaty acquisition at a purchase price of £375,000 for 4 Manton Southmead London NW9 5QU in accordance with associated costs as mentioned in this report, and Heads of Terms to be agreed in respect of this property.

6.    To authorise the private treaty acquisition at a purchase price of £305,000 for Flat 14 Greenway Close, London, N11 3NS in accordance with associated costs as mentioned in this report, and Heads of Terms to be agreed in respect of this property.

7.    To authorise the private treaty acquisition at a purchase price of £300,000 for 72 Woodburn Close, London, NW4 2NF4 in accordance with associated costs as mentioned in this report, and Heads of Terms to be agreed in respect of this property.

1.    To authorise the private treaty acquisition at a purchase price of £320,000 for Flat 8, Read House, East Crescent, London, N11 3AX in accordance with associated costs as mentioned in this report, and Heads of Terms to be agreed in respect of this property.

 

2.    To authorise the private treaty acquisition at a purchase price of £300,000 for 22 Simmons Close, London, N20 0TJin accordance with associated costs as mentioned in this report, and Heads of Terms to be agreed in respect of this property.

 

3.    To authorise the private treaty acquisition at a purchase price of £400,000 for 22 East Road Edgware London HA8 0AJ in accordance with associated costs as mentioned in this report, and Heads of Terms to be agreed in respect of this property.

 

4.    To authorise the private treaty acquisition at a purchase price of £350,000 for 14 Springfield Close London N12 7NT in accordance with associated costs as mentioned in this report, and Heads of Terms to be agreed in respect of this property.

 

5.    To authorise the private treaty acquisition at a purchase price of £350,000 for 9 Whetstone Close, London, N20 9EU in accordance with associated costs as mentioned in this report, and Heads of Terms to be agreed in respect of this property.

 

6.    To authorise the private treaty acquisition at a purchase price of £355,000 for 4 Osprey Great Field London NW9 5SX in accordance with associated costs as mentioned in this report, and Heads of Terms to be agreed in respect of this property.

 

7.    To authorise the private treaty acquisition at a purchase price of £279,000 for 5 Ajax Court, Colindale Avenue, London NW9 5EU in accordance with associated costs as mentioned in this report, and Heads of Terms to be agreed in respect of this property.

 

8.    To authorise the private treaty acquisition at a purchase price of £345,000 for Flat 11, Mosswell House, Colney Hatch Lane, London, N10 1BA in accordance with associated costs as mentioned in this report, and Heads of Terms to be agreed in respect of this property.

 

9.    To authorise the private treaty acquisition at a purchase price of £300,000 for 73a Granville Place High Road London N12 0AX in accordance with associated costs as mentioned in this report, and Heads of Terms to be agreed in respect of this property.

 

10. To authorise the private treaty acquisition at a purchase price of £325,000 for 81 Orange Hill Road Edgware London HA8 0TJ in accordance with associated costs as mentioned in this report, and Heads of Terms to be agreed in respect of this property.

The Council entered into a contract with Argenti for the provision of telecare services for a period of three (3) years from 1st April 2017 (with the option to extend for an additional two (2) years).

The current three (3) year contract for telecare services with Argenti expires on 31st March 2020. This paper outlines the reasons for recommending the extension of the current contract to Argenti for a period of two (2) years from 1^st April 2020 to 31^st March 2022.

This report seeks Chief Officer approval of fees and charges for 2020/21. The Council’s Constitution allows Chief Officers to approve fees and charges which are broadly in line with inflation. Fees and charges that are increased by CPI inflation plus up to and including 1.9 % do not require approval by Committee., (Financial Regulations clause 2.3.7). Fees and charges which are to be increased by CPI inflation plus 2% or more need to be approved by Committee.

 

Decision:

To approve the Street Scene fees and charges for 2020/21 as detailed in Appendix A.

The London Borough of Barnet undertook a review of Alternative Provision in 2013, concluding that a new fit for purpose accommodation was necessary to enable the alternative provision to be broadened to meet emerging needs in the borough. The London Borough of Barnet nominated the Pavilion PRU to be delivered and funded through the Education Funding Agency’s (EFA) Priority School Building Programme under the Direct Delivery (with EFA Funding) model.

This report seeks approval from the London Borough of Barnet to accept the proposal from John Grahams Construction Ltd to enter into an NEC Professional Services Contract to undertake the Stage 3 Design and Cost exercise to provide a final cost for the construction element of the works.     

 

Decision:

To approve acceptance of quotation and award of an NEC Professional Services Contract to Grahams Construction Ltd to undertake the Stage 3 Design and Cost exercise as part of the PRU project at the cost of £1,171,426.76

Appointments to committees and outside bodies are usually made at the Annual Council meeting which has been scheduled to take place on 19^th May 2020.  Due to the Coronavirus pandemic, the Annual Council meeting has been postponed to early September 2020.  This report notes that appointments to committees and outside bodies will carry forward until that meeting.  Officers will notify the relevant outside bodies.

 

The Committee considered a report which sought approval for the urgent replacement of the Council’s Highways Asset Management System.  The current asset management system, Exor, would not be supported by the system’s supplier after December 2021.  It was therefore necessary to urgently replace this system so that asset data which was critical to the maintenance, safety and overall management of the borough’s Highway service could be effectively stored.  Additionally, Exor would not be compatible with the Department for Transport’s new Street Works system, which was being introduced on 1July 2020.

 

In response to a question, the Interim Executive Director for Environment assured the Committee that he was confident about implementation and the robustness of costs and emphasised that best value for money would be paramount.

 

The Committee unanimously agreed the recommendations as detailed in the report.

 

RESOLVED that the Committee:

 

1.     Delegates authority to the Interim Executive Director for Environment to commence Phase 1 and procures the Pitney Bowes Confirm DfT Street Manager Solution and to direct award a contract to Pitney Bowes Confirm in line with the Public Contracts Regulations 2015, Regulations 32(2) (b) and (c);

 

2.     Agrees to the allocation of £304,400 Capital Investment to support the implementation of Pitney Bowes Confirm DfT Street Manager Solution;

 

3.     Agrees to the commencement of Phase 2 of the procurement exercise to progress the replacement the entire Exor Asset Management System;

 

4.     Notes that reports on the progress of the replacement Asset Management System will be brought to future meetings of the Environment Committee and Policy and Resources Committee;

 

5.     Notes the Department for Transport (DfT) requirement to charge the Council an estimated £15,000 per annum for the licence fee to access the DfT Street Manager System.

 

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 30 November 2018 be agreed as a correct record.

 

The Chairman introduced this item by firstly reporting that 277 residents to date had sadly passed away in Barnet due to the Coronavirus pandemic and extended thoughts and condolences to all those affected. 

 

The Chairman reported that the Council had taken several decisions in response to the pandemic following announcements by the Government, directions from the London Strategic Coordination Group, London Local Authority Gold and legislative changes.  The Urgency Committee were requested to ratify the emergency decisions taken by officers since the onset of the pandemic and provide a delegation to Chief Officers (in consultation with the Committee Chairmen) to take decisions on pandemic related matters normally reserved to committees.

 

During the debate, the following matters were raised:

In response to a question regarding Government funding and whether it would cover pandemic related costs, the Chairman reported that the Government had stated that they would assist, but the full costs were not yet known.

It was clarified that voluntary and community sector contract extensions would not require a committee decision.

It was reported that the Capita contract reviews would proceed in due course.

The Executive Director for Adults & Health reported that a substantial amount of work had been carried out to deliver the additional capacity required to deliver the new hospital discharge service.  The Committee noted that if demand rose then it may be necessary to apply for an easement of care, but this would be a last resort and due process would always be followed.

The Executive Director for Children & Young People outlined the approach to education for children in care including the utilisation of the virtual school.

A Member referred to the Statutory Children’s Service Instrument and questioned if the Council would be utilising all the provisions (e.g. foster carers being hired without DBS checks).  The Executive Director for Children & Young People reported that the statutory instruments were currently being reviewed, adding that safeguarding would not be compromised in any way. 

Responding to a question about the previous estimate for the number of rough sleepers in Barnet (24) and the actual number which had been identified (more than 100), the Deputy Chief Executive reported that the Council had used the recognised methodology for estimating the number, but added that we knew the actual number.

 

Following the debate, Councillor Rawlings requested that the Opposition Spokespersons be consulted on any decisions being taken in accordance with the decisions of this committee to which the Chairman agreed.

 

Councillors Rawlings had tabled the following amendment:

 

“Add Recommendation 23:

 

That the Committee instructs officers to bring a brief report to either the next meeting of the Urgency Committee or Policy & Resources Committee on post-pandemic recovery planning to include:

 

·        council services

·        the recovery of the local economy and our high streets

·        a more integrated and comprehensive approach to tackling the climate emergency in council business planning and regeneration

·        maintaining and supporting the evolving partnership approach with local community organisations, networks, platforms and voluntary work that has arisen to respond to the pandemic

·        a focus on tackling social isolation and the digital deficit for vulnerable groups including older people

·        a sustainable plan for ensuring rough sleepers are not just returned to the streets post-pandemic

·        looking at housing investment opportunities that may be good value post-pandemic and help sustain local economic activity

·        planning for a second wave of the pandemic

 

Reasons for taking amendment at Urgency Committee:

 

The pandemic has had a significant impact across council service delivery and the local economy. We don't know how long the pandemic lock-down will last so recovery planning needs to start now. Elected members must be able to have formal committee oversight of this and be able to shape the recovery plans. While there is talk of possibly holding a P&R meeting in May, no actual meetings have been scheduled to meet at the moment so the only place to start the discussion about this is at Urgency Committee on Monday.”

 

During the debate on the amendment, the Leader proposed that the following wording be removed: “a more integrated and comprehensive approach to tackling the climate emergency in council business planning and regeneration.”  Following the debate on the amendment, there was no seconder for the additional recommendation which therefore fell.

 

The Committee unanimously agreed the recommendations as detailed in the report.

 

RESOLVED that the Committee:

 

1.     Ratify the decisions taken by Chief Officers during the emergency period as set out in Appendix A in relation to Policy and Resources Committee;

 

2.     Ratify the decisions taken by Chief Officers during the emergency period as set out in Appendix B in relation to Adults & Safeguarding Committee;

 

3.     Ratify the decisions taken by Chief Officers during the emergency period as set out in Appendix C in relation to Children, Education & Safeguarding Committee;

 

4.     Ratify the decisions taken by Chief Officers during the emergency period as set out in Appendix D in relation to Environment Committee;

 

5.     Ratify the decisions taken by Chief Officers during the emergency period as set out in Appendix E in relation to Housing & Growth Committee;

 

6.     Ratify the decisions taken by Chief Officers during the emergency period as set out in Appendix F in relation to Community Leadership & Libraries Committee;

 

7.     Ratify the decisions taken by Chief Officers during the emergency period as set out in Appendix G in relation to Constitution & General Purposes Committee;

 

8.     Ratify the decisions taken by Chief Officers during the emergency period as set out in Appendix H in relation to the Director of Public Health;

 

9.     Delegate authority to Chief Executive in consultation with the Chairman of the Policy & Resources Committee any decisions within the remit of that committee that need to be taken in response to the Coronavirus pandemic or other related matters, or in response to directions given by HM Government, London Strategic Coordination Group and London Local Authority Gold. In the event of the Chairman’s absence, the Committee Vice-Chairman shall be consulted. Any and all such decisions shall be reported back to Committee for post-decision scrutiny;

 

10.Delegate authority to Executive Director of Adults & Health and/or Director of Public Health in consultation with the Chairman of the Adults & Safeguarding Committee any decisions within the remit of that committee and public health related matters that need to be taken in response to the Coronavirus pandemic or other related matters, or in response to directions given by HM Government, London Strategic Coordination Group and London Local Authority Gold. In the event of the Chairman’s absence, the Committee Vice-Chairman and Leader shall be consulted. Any and all such decisions shall be reported back to Committee for post-decision scrutiny;

 

11.Delegate authority to Executive Director of Children & Young People in consultation with the Chairman of the Children, Education & Safeguarding Committee any decisions within the remit of that committee that need to be taken in response to the Coronavirus pandemic or other related matters, or in response to directions given by HM Government, London Strategic Coordination Group and London Local Authority Gold. In the event of the Chairman’s absence, the Committee Vice-Chairman and Leader shall be consulted. Any and all such decisions shall be reported back to Committee for post-decision scrutiny;

 

12.Delegate authority to Executive Director of Environment or Director of Assurance in consultation with the Chairman of the Environment Committee any decisions within the remit of that committee that need to be taken in response to the Coronavirus pandemic or other related matters, or in response to directions given by HM Government, London Strategic Coordination Group and London Local Authority Gold. In the event of the Chairman’s absence, the Committee Vice-Chairman and Leader shall be consulted. Any and all such decisions shall be reported back to Committee for post-decision scrutiny;

 

13.Delegate authority to Deputy Chief Executive in consultation with the Chairman of the Housing & Growth Committee any decisions within the remit of that committee that need to be taken in response to the Coronavirus pandemic or other related matters, or in response to directions given by HM Government, London Strategic Coordination Group and London Local Authority Gold. In the event of the Chairman’s absence, the Committee Vice-Chairman and Leader shall be consulted. Any and all such decisions shall be reported back to Committee for post-decision scrutiny;

 

14.Delegate authority to Director of Assurance, Deputy Chief Executive or Executive Director for Children’s Services in consultation with the Chairman of the Community Leadership & Libraries Committee any decisions within the remit of that committee that need to be taken in response to the Coronavirus pandemic or other related matters, or in response to directions given by HM Government, London Strategic Coordination Group and London Local Authority Gold. In the event of the Chairman’s absence, the Committee Vice-Chairman and Leader shall be consulted. Any and all such decisions shall be reported back to Committee for post-decision scrutiny;

 

15.Delegate authority to Director of Public Health in consultation with the Chairman of the Health & Wellbeing Board any matters within the remit of the Board and public health related matters that need to be taken in response to the Coronavirus pandemic or other related matters, or in response to directions given by HM Government, London Strategic Coordination Group and London Local Authority Gold. In the event of the Chairman’s absence, the Board Vice-Chairman and Leader shall be consulted. Any and all such decisions shall be reported back to Committee for post-decision scrutiny;

 

16.Delegate authority to the Section 151 Officer (Director of Finance) approval of any virements required directly in response to the Coronavirus pandemic or other related matters;

 

17.Notes the advice of the Director of Finance in respect of the estimated additional operating cost arising from the Coronavirus pandemic emergency response period (assumed to be April – June 2020) and net cost to the council arising from this (set out in section 5.2);

 

18.Delegate authority to Deputy Chief Executive in consultation with the Chairman of the Housing & Growth Committee to approve the outline business case for the Little Strand and Broadfields Estate sites, two development sites on the GLA 87 funded programme;

 

19.Delegate authority to Deputy Chief Executive in consultation with the Chairman of the Housing & Growth Committee to approve the recommended land transfer and appropriation/CPO (compulsory purchase order) routes for the Fosters estate project;

 

20.Delegate authority to Deputy Chief Executive in consultation with the Chairman of the Housing & Growth Committee to approve the recommended land transfer route for the Hermitage Lane project;

 

21.Delegate authority to the Director of Assurance in consultation with the Chairman or Vice-Chairman of the Environment Committee to amend the Enforcement Policy;

 

22.Delegate authority to Head of Parking, Assistant Director Highways or Director of Environment in consultation with the Chairman or Vice-Chairman of the Environment Committee to temporarily revise the Parking Enforcement Policy.

 

To enter into a new JCT Minor Works Building Contract with contractor’s design 2016 with Guild Architectural Restoration Ltd to undertake the Phase 3 structural remedial works / atrium remedial works at Finchley Lido Leisure Centre for the value of £586,165, estimated completion date 20th November 2020, comprehensive phase 3 programme: 28 weeks. Funds allocated and approved via Asset Management Fund (41501)