Apologies for absence were received on behalf of:

·         Councillor Amina Ali (Cabinet Member for Environment)

·         Councillor Amy Whitelock Gibbs (Cabinet Member for Education and Children’s Services)

·         Debbie Jones (Corporate Director, Children’s Services) who was being deputised by Christine McInnes, Divisional Director, Education and Partnership)

Councillor Denise Jones declared a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest in Agenda Item 5.6 (2017 Revaluation – Proposed Local Discretionary Business Rates Relief) as she owned a business in the area. She left the room for the duration of that item.

The unrestricted minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on Tuesday 25 July 2017 are presented for approval.

RESOLVED

1.    That the unrestricted minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on Tuesday 25 July 2017 be approved and signed by the Chair as a correct record of proceedings.

Chair of Overview and Scrutiny Committee (OSC) to report on any issues  raised by the OSC in relation to unrestricted business to be considered.

Pre-Decision Scrutiny Questions were received on a number of agenda items:

• 5.2 (Additional Police Officers for Neighbourhoods)
• 5.3 (Electric Vehicle Charging Points)
• 5.7 (Planning for School Places – 2017/18 Review)
• 5.19 (Medium Term Financial Strategy 2018-21)
• 5.20 (Individual Mayoral Decisions – Additional Police Resources)

The questions and responses were considered during the discussion of each item.

In addition the Chief Executive and Returning Officer, responding to a question, set out how the Council was engaging with the Government’s Pilot programme to further prevent fraud around elections including local actions on postal voting and participating in the advisory group on voter id. 

Nil items.

DECISION

1.    To approve “Living Well in Tower Hamlets: the adult learning disability Strategy 2017 to 2020”.

Action by:

CORPORATE DIRECTOR, HEALTH, ADULTS AND COMMUNITY (D. RADLEY)

(Deputy Director Mental Health and Joint Commissioning (C. Kilpatrick)

Councillor Denise Jones, Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Services, introduced the report to Cabinet. She highlighted that the strategy had taken a significant length of time to develop and she was really pleased it was here for consideration. She noted that further work would continue in this area and in particular she would be looking to increase engagement with the Council’s WorkPath employment strategy.

She then introduced a number of service users who had been involved in co-producing the strategy. They addressed Cabinet and highlighted how important this strategy was to them individually and to all adults with learning disabilities who could be supported to live as independently and successfully as possible. It was really important that they were seen as regular people able to run their own lives. They had really enjoyed being involved and were pleased to see the strategy presented to the Mayor.

The Mayor thanked them for their presentation and thanked Members and officers for their engagement and discussion of the report. He stated it was vital as part of the Council’s equalities duties to ensure that adults with learning disabilities were not excluded. He promised to keep a close eye on the success of the Strategy. He agreed the recommendation as set out.

RESOLVED

1.    To approve “Living Well in Tower Hamlets: the adult learning disability Strategy 2017 to 2020”.

The Pre-Decision Scrutiny Questions and Responses were noted.

DECISION

1.    To agree and approve the recommended option of the £1 million p.a. for three years funding (as set out in 3.10 of this report) in additional police officers in the borough under Section 92 of the Police Act 1996 (Grant from a Local Authority) with the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC) using the Met Patrol Plus Scheme. This option proposes additional officers to support neighbourhood policing and aligns with the Council’s commitment to neighbourhood management.

2.    To agree to fund the additional costs of this measure from its General Fund reserves in 2017/18 and identify this as a funding pressure within the refresh of its MTFS for 2018-2021.

3.    To authorise the corporate Director Health, Adults and Community to execute the necessary agreement with the MOPAC and Tower Hamlets Police.

4.    To authorise the corporate Director Health , Adults and Community  any named officer nominated by her to develop a robust performance management framework for evaluating impact through Key Performance Indicators, to ensure value for money in line with the Council’s approach to outcome-based budgeting.

Action by:

CORPORATE DIRECTOR HEALTH, ADULTS AND COMMUNITY (D. RADLEY)

(Divisional Director, Community Safety (A. Corbett)

Councillor Asma Begum, Cabinet Member for Community Safety, introduced the report. She highlighted that the proposed funding for police officers was additional to previous funding decisions.

Denise Radley, Corporate Director, Health, Adults and Community highlighted that recommendation four would give her authority to ensure there were tight controls on how this resource was used.

The Mayor linked this decision to the Council’s Anti-Social Behaviour policy and as a response to anxiety expressed in the community. He agreed the recommendations as set out in the report.

The Pre-Decision Scrutiny Questions and Responses were noted.

RESOLVED

1.    To agree and approve the recommended option of the £1 million p.a. for three years funding (as set out in 3.10 of this report) in additional police officers in the borough under Section 92 of the Police Act 1996 (Grant from a Local Authority) with the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC) using the Met Patrol Plus Scheme. This option proposes additional officers to support neighbourhood policing and aligns with the Council’s commitment to neighbourhood management.

2.    To agree to fund the additional costs of this measure from its General Fund reserves in 2017/18 and identify this as a funding pressure within the refresh of its MTFS for 2018-2021.

3.    To authorise the corporate Director Health, Adults and Community to execute the necessary agreement with the MOPAC and Tower Hamlets Police.

4.    To authorise the corporate Director Health , Adults and Community  any named officer nominated by her to develop a robust performance management framework for evaluating impact through Key Performance Indicators, to ensure value for money in line with the Council’s approach to outcome-based budgeting.

The Pre-Decision Scrutiny Questions and Responses were noted.

DECISION

1.    To approve the Electric Vehicle Charging Point Delivery Plan and targets for delivery by 2025.

2.    To authorise the Corporate Director Place to enter into service level agreements and utilise the GULCS framework contract for the delivery of on-street charging points throughout the borough;

3.    To approve the adoption of an additional capital estimate of £36,000 for the delivery of charging points in the current financial year;

4.    To instruct the Corporate Director Place, with the Head of Communications, to publicise this strategy and invite residents to express an interest in utilising these charging points in the future.

Action by:

ACTING CORPORATE DIRECTOR, PLACE (A. SUTCLIFFE)

(Head of Engineering (M. Cooper)

The Mayor introduced the report on proposals for electric charging points. He highlighted the importance of integrating the charging points into regular parking spaces to avoid losing spaces for other drivers. It was also vital to work to improve air quality in the Borough and encouraging electric vehicles was one strand of this work.

The Pre-Decision Scrutiny Questions and Responses were noted.

RESOLVED

1.    To approve the Electric Vehicle Charging Point Delivery Plan and targets for delivery by 2025.

2.    To authorise the Corporate Director Place to enter into service level agreements and utilise the GULCS framework contract for the delivery of on-street charging points throughout the borough;

3.    To approve the adoption of an additional capital estimate of £36,000 for the delivery of charging points in the current financial year;

4.    To instruct the Corporate Director Place, with the Head of Communications, to publicise this strategy and invite residents to express an interest in utilising these charging points in the future.

DECISION

1.    To agree to the Adults Autism Spectrum Disorder Strategy at Appendix 1 to the report.

Action by:

CORPORATE DIRECTOR, HEALTH, ADULTS AND COMMUNITY

(Divisional Director, Integrated Commissioning (K. Sugars)

(Service Manager, Strategic Commissioning (B. Disney)

(Strategy, Policy and Performance Officer (J. Kerr)

Councillor Denise Jones, Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Services introduced the report. She highlighted the importance of ensuring that autistic adults were able to lead fulfilling lives and noted that there could be a lack of understanding in the community. She explained that the Strategy had been co-produced with autistic adults and that an Autism Partnership Board was being established.

During discussion the Mayor agreed that the strategy would be a living document that would continue to develop and in particular that more needed to be done to link the Strategy to the Council’s Workpath employment initiative.

RESOLVED

1.    To agree to the Adults Autism Spectrum Disorder Strategy at Appendix 1 to the report.

DECISION

1.    To adopt the Open Space Strategy in Appendix 1 to the report.

Action by:

CORPORATE DIRECTOR, CHILDREN’S SERVICES

(Divisional Director, Sport Culture and Leisure (J. St John)

(Service Manager, Strategy, Performance and Resources (T. Dreyer)

Councillor Abdul Mukit, Cabinet Member for Culture and Youth, introduced the report. He highlighted that the Strategy established the evidence base for the Council’s Local Plan and provided the overall decision making framework for open spaces.

Amongst other areas, the Strategy was designed to underpin work to seek external funding and generally provide a framework for investment in existing open spaces including for sports. The Strategy did not identify specific individual sites but that would follow in the delivery plan.

The Mayor thanked officers for their work on this project, particularly Judith St John (Acting Divisional Director, Sport, Leisure and Culture) and Thorsten Dreyer, (Strategy and Business Development Manager). He agreed the recommendation as set out.

RESOLVED

1.    To adopt the Open Space Strategy in Appendix 1 to the report.

DECISION

1.    Agree the 2 options proposed for awarding the relief on either a fixed amount or based on a percentage increase.

2.    Commence a consultation process with local businesses and business organisation.

3.    Note that a further report will be presented giving details of the outcome of the consultation and recommendations for the final qualifying criteria to be included in the local relief scheme.

Action by:

CORPORATE DIRECTOR, RESOURCES (Z. COOKE)

(Head of Revenue Services (R. Jones)

Note – Councillor Denise Jones left the meeting room for the duration of this item.

Councillor David Edgar, Cabinet Member for Resources, introduced the report. He explained that nearly 9,000 businesses were seeing an increase in Business Rates and that the government had provided a certain amount of money to help mitigate the increase, although the funds provided could only cover part of the increase. Two rate relief options were presented in the report which would be set out to businesses in a consultation exercise.

The Mayor agreed the recommendations as set out in the report.

RESOLVED

1.    To agree the 2 options proposed for awarding the relief on either a fixed amount or based on a percentage increase.

2.    To commence a consultation process with local businesses and business organisation.

3.    To note that a further report will be presented giving details of the outcome of the consultation and recommendations for the final qualifying criteria to be included in the local relief scheme.

The Pre-Decision Scrutiny Questions and Responses were noted.

DECISION

1.    To note the contents of this report and the progress made in meeting the need for additional places;

2.    To note that proposals for specific schemes will be subject to separate consultation and procedures and Cabinet decisions;

3.    To note the proposed review of the pattern of primary school provision and the proposed consultation on issues relating to the distribution of places across the borough;

4.    To confirm to the LLDC that the Council does not intend to proceed with the development of a new primary school at Neptune Wharf but wishes to work jointly to review the future need for primary places in the area (paragraph 3.11 of the report).

5.    To agree to defer development work on the scheme at London Dock until a further review of projected demand for secondary places has been conducted and to progress the design development of the scheme at the Westferry Print works site with a view to opening a 6FE secondary school in September 2021.

Action by:

CORPORATE DIRECTOR, CHILDREN’S SERVICES (D. JONES)

The Mayor introduced the report explaining that it was important for the Council to attempt to anticipate likely school place needs in the near future as best it could. He noted the particular problem that the opening of unexpected Free Schools was causing to school place planning. He noted that the demand for places varied across the Borough.

During discussion Members heard about plans in relation to various schools such as potential new secondary schools, plans for a new Bow Primary School, expansions at existing schools and the level of need on the Isle of Dogs. It was also noted that officers were proposing a review of primary school places for a number of reasons as there may be a smaller increase in demand than originally projected which was exacerbated by the opening of Free Schools.

The Pre-Decision Scrutiny Questions and Responses were noted.

The Mayor agreed the recommendations as set out in the report.

RESOLVED

1.    To note the contents of this report and the progress made in meeting the need for additional places;

2.    To note that proposals for specific schemes will be subject to separate consultation and procedures and Cabinet decisions;

3.    To note the proposed review of the pattern of primary school provision and the proposed consultation on issues relating to the distribution of places across the borough;

4.    To confirm to the LLDC that the Council does not intend to proceed with the development of a new primary school at Neptune Wharf but wishes to work jointly to review the future need for primary places in the area (paragraph 3.11 of the report).

5.    To agree to defer development work on the scheme at London Dock until a further review of projected demand for secondary places has been conducted and to progress the design development of the scheme at the Westferry Print works site with a view to opening a 6FE secondary school in September 2021.

DECISION

1.            To endorse the progress made in delivering the children’s services improvement programme. 

2.            To agree the next steps in the improvement journey which will be updated on in the next report. 

Action by:

CORPORATE DIRECTOR, CHILDREN’S SERVICES (D. JONES)

(Programme Manager, Children’s Services Improvement (A. Walters)

The Mayor introduced the report noting that it had already been considered by the Children’s Services Improvement Board and the Best Value Improvement Board. He reported that there had been some encouraging progress to date and that the next key point would be OFSTED’s update report to be published following their upcoming December visit.

Members discussed the report and examined a number of issues including:

·         The need to improve consistency in how children were referred initially.

·         Work to improve workforce stability and management oversight.

·         Engagement with the improvement partner Councils.

·         The additional resources that had been added to the base budget to support the improvement plan.

·         The importance of the regular briefings being provided to Members as well as training sessions and opportunities for Members generally to scrutinise progress.

The Mayor welcomed the progress that was being made and noted there was still a lot to do. He agreed the recommendations as set out.

RESOLVED

1.            To endorse the progress made in delivering the children’s services improvement programme. 

2.            To agree the next steps in the improvement journey which will be updated on in the next report. 

DECISION

1. To approve the adoption of the Development Viability Supplementary Planning Document attached at Appendix A to the report;

2. To note the Report on the Second Consultation attached at Appendix B to the report, and approve the publication of this document on the Council’s website;

3. To note the Adoption Statement (Appendix C to the report) and Strategic Environmental Assessment Screening Determination and Sustainability Appraisal Review (Appendix D to the report) and approve the publication of these documents on the Council’s website;

4. To note the Equality Analysis Quality Assurance Checklist (Appendix E to the report) completed in respect of the Development Viability Supplementary Planning Document.

5.    To note the Report on the First Consultation attached at Appendix F to the report;

6.    To note that the Supplementary Planning Document states that the Council “will have regard” to the “Threshold Approach to Viability” as described in the Mayor of London’s Affordable Housing and Viability Supplementary Planning Guidance document. See paragraphs 5.18 to 5.21 in the report for more information on this matter.

Action by:

ACTING CORPORATE DIRECTOR, PLACE (A. SUTCLIFFE)

(Divisional Director, Planning and Building Control (O. Whalley)

Councillor Rachel Blake, Cabinet Member for Strategic Development, introduced the report. She recommended the report to Cabinet explaining how important it was to ensure applications were properly transparent. She also noted that this was the only Viability SPD in London to refer to estate regeneration schemes.

The Mayor thanked Councillor Rachel Blake and officers for their work on this policy and agreed the recommendations as set out.

RESOLVED

1. To approve the adoption of the Development Viability Supplementary Planning Document attached at Appendix A to the report;

2. To note the Report on the Second Consultation attached at Appendix B to the report, and approve the publication of this document on the Council’s website;

3. To note the Adoption Statement (Appendix C to the report) and Strategic Environmental Assessment Screening Determination and Sustainability Appraisal Review (Appendix D to the report) and approve the publication of these documents on the Council’s website;

4. To note the Equality Analysis Quality Assurance Checklist (Appendix E to the report) completed in respect of the Development Viability Supplementary Planning Document.

5.    To note the Report on the First Consultation attached at Appendix F to the report;

6.    To note that the Supplementary Planning Document states that the Council “will have regard” to the “Threshold Approach to Viability” as described in the Mayor of London’s Affordable Housing and Viability Supplementary Planning Guidance document. See paragraphs 5.18 to 5.21 in the report for more information on this matter.

DECISION

1.    To approve the allocation of £500,000 of S106 funding for the design and fit-Out of a training centre at the former LFWE as profiled in the PID attached at Appendix A to the report, and in Table 1 of the report.

2.    To approve the adoption of a capital estimate of £500,000 as profiled in the PID attached at Appendix A to the report, and in Table 2 of the report.

Action by:

ACTING CORPORATE DIRECTOR, PLACE (A. SUTCLIFFE)

(Divisional Director, Planning and Building Control (O. Whalley)

(Economic Benefits Manager, Growth and Economic Development (J. Ogunade)

Councillor Joshua Peck, Cabinet Member for Work and Economic Development introduced the report. He highlighted that this funding would enable training to be offered to 1,500 local residents and would result in many of them obtaining jobs in businesses in the Borough.

The Mayor welcomed the report and agreed the recommendations as set out.

RESOLVED

1.    To approve the allocation of £500,000 of S106 funding for the design and fit-Out of a training centre at the former LFWE as profiled in the PID attached at Appendix A to the report, and in Table 1 of the report.

2.    To approve the adoption of a capital estimate of £500,000 as profiled in the PID attached at Appendix A to the report, and in Table 2 of the report.

DECISION

1.    To adopt the updated Conservation Strategy (Appendix 1 to the report)

2.    To adopt the Local List Nomination and Selection Process (Appendix 2 to the report).

3.    To note the next steps for updating the Local List. 

Action by:

ACTING CORPORATE DIRECTOR, PLACE (A. SUTCLIFFE)

(Place Shaping Team Leader (M. Ritchie)

Councillor Rachel Blake, Cabinet Member for Strategic Development, introduced the report. She explained that it was important to recognise and conserve the Borough’s proud history.

During discussion of the report it was noted that the final published strategy would be reviewed from the draft version presented in the Cabinet papers.

In addition Members welcomed the inclusion of an objective to maintain a register of public artworks. It was also suggested that Paragraph 4.3.33 be altered to reference a different Conservation Area as Tredegar Square was not seen as being of particularly uniform character.

The Mayor thanked officers for their work and agreed the recommendations as set out.

RESOLVED

1.    To adopt the updated Conservation Strategy (Appendix 1 to the report)

2.    To adopt the Local List Nomination and Selection Process (Appendix 2 to the report).

3.    To note the next steps for updating the Local List. 

The recommendations were amended and then approved.

DECISION

1.    To approve the publication of the proposed submission version of the Tower Hamlets Local Plan 2031: Managing Growth and Sharing the Benefits along with supporting information including an Integrated Impact Assessment (IIA), evidence base studies and other supplementary information for a six week statutory public consultation.

2.    To agree that following consultation and a resolution being taken by Council, that the plan should be submitted to the Secretary of State for independent examination;

3.    To authorise the Corporate Director of Place after consultation with the Mayor, to make any appropriate and necessary minor amendments to the proposed submission version of the Local Plan and supporting documents prior to the commencement of the consultation period (regulation 19 stage), with particular reference to data matching and area boundaries, for example on town centres;

4.    To authorise the Corporate Director of Place after consultation with the Mayor to make any appropriate and necessary minor amendments to the proposed submission version of the Local Plan and supporting documents following consultation and prior to submission to the Secretary of State.

5.    To adopt the Statement of Community Involvement Refresh as a revision of the Statement of Community Involvement (July 2012) in accordance with Section 26 of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004. For the avoidance of doubt the adopted Statement of Community Involvement Refresh shall supercede the previous 2012 iteration.

Action by:

ACTING CORPORATE DIRECTOR, PLACE (A. SUTCLIFFE)

(Strategic Planning Manager (M. Ryan-Hernandez)

(Local Plan Team Leader (P. Wadsworth)

Councillor Rachel Blake, Cabinet Member for Strategic Development, introduced the report. She explained that the Local Plan was being presented for agreement before being submitted to a final statutory consultation exercise. Following that exercise the Plan would be submitted to Council before being presented to the government appointed inspector.

During discussion it was noted that some of the data, particularly around area boundaries, needed to be reviewed. Officers were tasked to review this before the Plan proceeded.

The Mayor agreed the recommendations as set out subject to allowing officers to update the Plan as set out above.

RESOLVED

1.    To approve the publication of the proposed submission version of the Tower Hamlets Local Plan 2031: Managing Growth and Sharing the Benefits along with supporting information including an Integrated Impact Assessment (IIA), evidence base studies and other supplementary information for a six week statutory public consultation.

2.    To agree that following consultation and a resolution being taken by Council, that the plan should be submitted to the Secretary of State for independent examination;

3.    To authorise the Corporate Director of Place after consultation with the Mayor, to make any appropriate and necessary minor amendments to the proposed submission version of the Local Plan and supporting documents prior to the commencement of the consultation period (regulation 19 stage), with particular reference to data matching and area boundaries, for example on town centres;

4.    To authorise the Corporate Director of Place after consultation with the Mayor to make any appropriate and necessary minor amendments to the proposed submission version of the Local Plan and supporting documents following consultation and prior to submission to the Secretary of State.

5.    To adopt the Statement of Community Involvement Refresh as a revision of the Statement of Community Involvement (July 2012) in accordance with Section 26 of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004. For the avoidance of doubt the adopted Statement of Community Involvement Refresh shall supercede the previous 2012 iteration.

DECISION

1.    To agree the making of an Article 4 direction removing permitted development rights from offices (B1(a)) to residential (C3) within the areas shown on the map attached as Appendix 1 to the report;

2.    To note that following the making of an Article 4 Direction, statutory public consultation will be carried out on the Article 4 direction (Appendix 2 to the report); and

3.    To agree that should re-consultation be required due to amendments from the Secretary of State, or following consideration of representations received during the period of statutory consultation, that such further consultation may be undertaken with the authority of the Corporate Director, Place due to the urgent need to have the Article 4 direction confirmed by 1^st June 2018. 

Action by:

ACTING CORPORATE DIRECTOR, PLACE (A. SUTCLIFFE)

(Strategic Planning Manager (M. Ryan-Hernandez)

(Planning Officer (T. Clarke)

Councillor Rachel Blake, Cabinet Member for Strategic Development, introduced the report. She highlighted that the restrictions in certain areas of the Borough on property owners being able to convert businesses into residential property would be automatically lifted unless the Council specifically proposed otherwise.

The proposal would now go out for public consultation and then come back for final consideration.

The Mayor agreed the recommendations as set out.

RESOLVED

1.    To agree the making of an Article 4 direction removing permitted development rights from offices (B1(a)) to residential (C3) within the areas shown on the map attached as Appendix 1 to the report;

2.    To note that following the making of an Article 4 Direction, statutory public consultation will be carried out on the Article 4 direction (Appendix 2 to the report); and

3.    To agree that should re-consultation be required due to amendments from the Secretary of State, or following consideration of representations received during the period of statutory consultation, that such further consultation may be undertaken with the authority of the Corporate Director, Place due to the urgent need to have the Article 4 direction confirmed by 1^st June 2018. 

DECISION

1.    To approve the Tower Hamlets Food Law Enforcement Service Plan 2017/2018 and Food Sampling Policy attached at Appendix One of the report.

Action by:

ACTING CORPORATE DIRECTOR, PLACE (A. SUTCLIFFE)

(Head of Environmental Health and Trading Standards (D. Tolley)

The Mayor introduced the report. He noted the activity reported from last year including that 100% of higher risk premises had been visited. He also noted the planned actions for the next year as set out. He thanked officers for their work in this important area and agreed the recommendation as set out.

RESOLVED

1.    To approve the Tower Hamlets Food Law Enforcement Service Plan 2017/2018 and Food Sampling Policy attached at Appendix One of the report.

DECISION

1.    To note the report of the scrutiny working group and to agree the action plan in response.

Action by:

DIVISIONAL DIRECTOR, STRATEGY, POLICY AND PARTNERSHIPS (S. GODMAN)

ACTING DIVISIONAL DIRECTOR, PLACE (A. SUTCLIFFE)

Councillor Sirajul Islam, Statutory Deputy Mayor and Cabinet Member for Housing, introduced the report which presented the proposed action plan following the recent Scrutiny Review. It was noted that it was vital for the Council’s partners to buy into the plan.

The Mayor thanked officers and agreed the recommendation as set out.

RESOLVED

1.    To note the report of the scrutiny working group and to agree the action plan in response.

DECISION

1.    To agree and approve the fee waiver arrangements and three year contract extension to the current contract due to expire on 30^th April 2019.  This will be on the existing terms for the current Leisure Services Contract for the period up to April 2022;

2.    To in principal authorise the appropriate officers to execute the necessary contract extension agreement and to update the Mayor on the monitoring of the contract; and

3.    To in principal approve the use of Section 106 funds for investment in the Leisure facilities subject to officers providing a satisfactory update to the Mayor on the monitoring of the contract.

Action by:

CORPORATE DIRECTOR, CHILDREN’S SERVICES (D. JONES)

(Divisional Director, Finance, Procurement and Audit (N. Murton)

(Acting Divisional Director, Sports, Leisure and Culture (J St John)

Councillor Abdul Mukit, Cabinet Member for Culture and Youth, introduced the report. He explained that this proposal was to extend the contract with the leisure services provider to 2022 and take the opportunity to update the terms of the contract to increase value for money to the Council.

During discussion the following points were noted:

·         Charges for users would continue to rise only with inflation.

·         The contractor was moving to paying the London Living Wage.

·         Whether there was funding available for free gym sessions for residents and/or other community benefits that could be introduced. It was noted that any s106 funding allocations would need to be processed and agreed in the normal way and so could not be approved at this stage.

·         The lack of Council branding at many locations.

Discussion turned to how the Council ensures that performance could be effectively monitored and improved and that the Council would have the powers to monitor and intervene effectively.

The Mayor considered the result of the debate and stated that he agreed with the principal proposal to extend the contract and approve the fee waiver arrangements. He requested that officers report back to him on monitoring arrangements before the contract extension was executed. He explained that he would report back to Members and Cabinet as necessary on those discussions. In respect of that, and the s106 discussion noted earlier, he amended the recommendations and agreed them.

RESOLVED

1.    To agree and approve the fee waiver arrangements and three year contract extension to the current contract due to expire on 30^th April 2019.  This will be on the existing terms for the current Leisure Services Contract for the period up to April 2022;

2.    To in principal authorise the appropriate officers to execute the necessary contract extension agreement and to update the Mayor on the monitoring of the contract; and

3.    To in principal approve the use of Section 106 funds for investment in the Leisure facilities subject to officers providing a satisfactory update to the Mayor on the monitoring of the contract.

DECISION

1.    To note the Council’s forecast outturn position against Revenue and HRA budgets agreed for 2017-18, based on information as at the end of June as detailed in Sections 3-10 of the report.

2.    To note the summary savings position.

3.    To endorse management action to achieve savings.

4.    To note current position of balance sheet items.

5.    To note Reserve Position.

6.    To note the Capital forecast outturn position.

7.    To agree to increase the capital estimate for the ICT Solution Handheld Devices by £0.45m to £1m in the capital programme.      

Action by:

CORPORATE DIRECTOR, RESOURCES (Z. COOKE)

(Chief Accountant (K. Miles)

Councillor David Edgar, Cabinet Member for Resources, introduced the report. He highlighted the good news that there was currently an expected underspend in the general fund budget at about the level you would expect. There was also an underspend in the Housing Revenue Account. He noted pressure in some areas such as Children’s Services and Social Care.

He noted the section of the report setting out progress towards reaching agreed savings targets and a later section on Right to Buy sales.

The Mayor agreed the recommendations as set out in the report.

RESOLVED

1.    To note the Council’s forecast outturn position against Revenue and HRA budgets agreed for 2017-18, based on information as at the end of June as detailed in Sections 3-10 of the report.

2.    To note the summary savings position.

3.    To endorse management action to achieve savings.

4.    To note current position of balance sheet items.

5.    To note Reserve Position.

6.    To note the Capital forecast outturn position.

7.    To agree to increase the capital estimate for the ICT Solution Handheld Devices by £0.45m to £1m in the capital programme.      

DECISION

1.    To note the performance of the Strategic Measures at the quarter one stage, including those measures where the minimum expectation has been missed (appendix 1 to the report);

2.    To review those measures that require improvement and identify any that should be referred to the Council’s Performance Improvement Board (PIB) and the Overview and Scrutiny Committee where appropriate.

Action by:

CHIEF EXECUTIVE (W. TUCKLEY)

(Divisional Director, Strategy, Policy and Partnerships (S. Godman)

The Mayor introduced the report. He explained that he had already presented the report at the Overview and Scrutiny Committee where he had been examined on its content. He noted the areas that required improvement including Children’s Services and also the areas showing improvement.

The Mayor agreed the recommendations as set out.

RESOLVED

1.    To note the performance of the Strategic Measures at the quarter one stage, including those measures where the minimum expectation has been missed (appendix 1 to the report);

2.    To review those measures that require improvement and identify any that should be referred to the Council’s Performance Improvement Board (PIB) and the Overview and Scrutiny Committee where appropriate.

The Pre-Decision Scrutiny Questions and Responses were noted.

DECISION

1.    To note the Council’s Outcomes Based Budgeting approach to prioritising resources over the Medium Term Financial Strategy from 2018-19 to 2020-21.

2.    To note the issues and actions set out in this report which are informing the development of the Council’s MTFS for 2018 – 2021;

3.    To note the timescales and next steps for reviewing and consulting on budget proposals;

4.    To authorise the Corporate Director Resources after consultation with the Mayor and Lead Member for Resources, to confirm to London Councils the in principle decision to proceed with participation in the London wide pilot for 100% business rates retention.

Action by:

CORPORATE DIRECTOR, RESOURCES (Z. COOKE)

(Divisional Director, Finance and Procurement (N. Murton)

Councillor David Edgar, Cabinet Member for Resources, introduced the report. He highlighted that the Council had agreed a three year budget for the first time last time which helped provide the basis for a more thoughtful approach to the need to make savings. He noted a number of uncertainties such as over whether Councils would get to keep business rates where more detail was needed from government. The report was asking for in principle agreement on pooling London wide business rates.

The Pre-Decision Scrutiny Questions and Responses were noted and in particular the Mayor agreed to consider the transparency of the reporting structure for the Infrastructure Delivery Board.

The Mayor thanked officers for their work and agreed the recommendations as set out.

RESOLVED

1.    To note the Council’s Outcomes Based Budgeting approach to prioritising resources over the Medium Term Financial Strategy from 2018-19 to 2020-21.

2.    To note the issues and actions set out in this report which are informing the development of the Council’s MTFS for 2018 – 2021;

3.    To note the timescales and next steps for reviewing and consulting on budget proposals;

4.    To authorise the Corporate Director Resources after consultation with the Mayor and Lead Member for Resources, to confirm to London Councils the in principle decision to proceed with participation in the London wide pilot for 100% business rates retention.

The Pre-Decision Scrutiny Questions and Responses were noted.

DECISION

1.    To note the Individual Mayoral Decisions set out in the Appendices.

Action by:

COMMITTEE SERVICES MANAGER (M. MANNION)

The Mayor introduced the report, noted the Pre-Decision Scrutiny Questions and Responses and agreed the recommendation as set out.

RESOLVED

1.    To note the Individual Mayoral Decisions set out in the Appendices.

DECISION

1.    To note the updated Mayor’s Executive Decision Making Scheme.

Action by:

HEAD OF MAYOR’S OFFICE (D. COURCOUX)

The Mayor introduced the report, welcomed Councillor Denise Jones to the Cabinet as the new Lead for Health and Adult Services and agreed the recommendation as set out.

RESOLVED

1.    To note the updated Mayor’s Executive Decision Making Scheme.

Nil items.

Nil items.

Nil items.

Nil items.

Chair of Overview and Scrutiny Committee (OSC) to report on any issues  raised by the OSC in relation to exempt/confidential business to be considered.

Nil items.

Nil items.

Nil items.