Agenda, decisions and minutes

That the minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 6 November 2023 be confirmed and signed as an accurate record of the proceedings, and that the outstanding actions be noted.

There were no apologies for absence.

If a Councillor has a disclosable pecuniary interest in a particular item, whether or not it is entered in the Authority’s register of interests, or any other significant interest which they consider should be declared in the public interest, they should declare the existence and, unless it is a sensitive interest as defined in the Member Code of Conduct, the nature of the interest at the commencement of the consideration of that item or as soon as it becomes apparent.

At meetings where members of the public are allowed to be in attendance and speak, any Councillor with a disclosable pecuniary interest or other significant interest may also make representations, give evidence or answer questions about the matter.  The Councillor must then withdraw immediately from the meeting before the matter is discussed and any vote taken.

Where Members of the public are not allowed to be in attendance and speak, then the Councillor with a disclosable pecuniary interest should withdraw from the meeting whilst the matter is under consideration. Councillors who have declared other significant interests should also withdraw from the meeting if they consider their continued participation in the matter would not be reasonable in the circumstances and may give rise to a perception of a conflict of interest.

Councillors are not obliged to withdraw from the meeting where a dispensation to that effect has been obtained from the Standards Committee.

Councillor Bora Kwon declared a non-pecuniary interest in respect of Item 5, The Temporary Relocation of Flora Gardens Primary School, as a Governor at the School. She considered that this did not give rise to a perception of a conflict of interests and, in the circumstances it would be reasonable to participate in the discussion and vote thereon.

That Cabinet:

1.    Adopts the H&F Corporate Plan 2023 – 2026 (A Stronger, Safer, Kinder Borough for Everyone) as the overarching strategic plan for the Council.

2.    Endorses the approach to report annually to Cabinet on progress against delivery of the Plan.

3.    Notes that any new council initiatives set out within the Plan will be subject to the normal governance, budget setting and decision-making processes of the Council before they are enacted, as set out in the constitution and relevant legislation.

Councillor Rowan Ree introduced the report setting out the Council’s values and vision over the short and medium term, building on the Business Objectives 2022/23 plan published in September 2022, which included a commitment to develop a longer-term plan.

Councillor Alex Karmel asked for an outline of the changes since the last Corporate Plan was put forward.

Councillor Ree replied that this Plan was largely based on the existing major policies, strategies and plans co-produced with residents and partners as well as key commitments made in the Administration’s 2022 Manifesto. It included priorities such as law and order, keeping our streets safe, with the help of the LETs Team, Gangs Unit and CCTV operation. It also included promises to keep free Homecare and providing free breakfast for school children.

Councillor Karmel asked which areas would have a revenue expenditure increase and which ones would have a decrease.

The Leader explained the development, successes, and challenges of the Corporate Plan. He replied that despite the reduction in the Council’s budget not only no services had been cut but more had been provided. This had been achieved by using new technologies and work practices to make savings and put that back into services. Their actual budget was being finalised and would be put forward shortly for consultation via the Policy and Accountability Committees.

Councillor Karmel noted that Imperial West was excellent for the Borough, and added that he would be looking closely at the budget.

AGREED UNANIMOUSLY BY THE CABINET MEMBERS:

That Cabinet:

1.    Adopts the H&F Corporate Plan 2023 – 2026 (A Stronger, Safer, Kinder Borough for Everyone) as the overarching strategic plan for the Council.

2.    Endorses the approach to report annually to Cabinet on progress against delivery of the Plan.

3.    Notes that any new council initiatives set out within the Plan will be subject to the normal governance, budget setting and decision-making processes of the Council before they are enacted, as set out in the constitution and relevant legislation.

1.    To approve the temporary relocation of Flora Gardens Primary School to the Lena Gardens site, following refurbishment of Lena Gardens.

2.    To approve £200,000 S106 contributions  to fund  relocation costs associated with the  disruption as a result of the temporary move of Flora Gardens Primary School to the Lena Gardens Site.

Councillor Bora Kwon declared a non-pecuniary interest as a Governor at Flora Gardens Primary School. She considered that this did not give rise to a perception of a conflict of interests and, in the circumstances it would be reasonable to participate in the discussion and vote thereon.

Councillor Alex Sanderson stated that the Council was committed to give young people the very best start in life so that they could learn and grow in the right environment that was conducive to learning. This paper was seeking approval for the temporary relocation of Flora Gardens Primary School to the Lena Gardens site following its refurbishment, and fund the allocation and support cost to assist Flora Gardens with the temporary move to the Lena Gardens site.

Councillor Karmel asked how long would the decant last and the relocation take place.

Councillor Sanderson replied that they were hoping that the Lena Gardens site would be ready for the students by the following summer holidays. This was only a temporary relocation.

Councillor Andrew Jones added that they were still looking for options for the redevelopment of the school in the long term, but this report only related to moving the school out of unsuitable accommodation.

The Leader reiterated that this paper was only requesting approval for the temporary relocation of Flora Gardens Primary School and further reports would come back for approval setting up the exact timeline and next steps. A procurement process would also need to be carried out. Further plans were being developed and would go to the Policy and Accountability Committees.

Councillor Karmel stated that the relocation was likely to impact on the children’s education and it would be useful to know the timescale. He asked for an assurance that extra support would be provided to the pupils to minimise the impact.

The Leader assured that the Council not only prioritised children and education but had also added extra services, such as offering free school breakfast and lunch, and was fortunate to have great teachers. They were determined that no child would fall behind with their education and had a school that was fit for purpose. He added that the school had asked for the refurbishment, and the Council was working with them to find the best possible standards for children and to minimise disruption.

AGREED UNANIMOUSLY BY THE CABINET MEMBERS:

1.    To approve the temporary relocation of Flora Gardens Primary School to the Lena Gardens site, following refurbishment of Lena Gardens.

2.    To approve £200,000 S106 contributions  to fund  relocation costs associated with the  disruption as a result of the temporary move of Flora Gardens Primary School to the Lena Gardens Site.

1.    To note that Appendices 1-9 are not for publication on the basis that they contain information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information) as set out in paragraph 3 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended).

2.    To note the status of the companies.

Councillor Ree stated that as the Commercial Revenue Committee had been abolished, Cabinet would now receive regular updates on the status and purposes of the Council’s companies.

Councillor Karmel asked about the performance of the four companies at the end of the financial year.

Councillor Ree replied that they were all currently performing as expected. He would forward Councillor Karmel further information.

The Leader added that the Audit Committee would be the correct forum to discuss the companies’ financial position, not at a public Cabinet meeting.

AGREED UNANIMOUSLY BY THE CABINET MEMBERS:

1.    To note that Appendices 1-9 are not for publication on the basis that they contain information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information) as set out in paragraph 3 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended).

2.    To note the status of the companies.

The Key Decision List was noted.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT 1972 - ACCESS TO INFORMATION

Proposed resolution:

Under Section 100A (4) of the Local Government Act 1972, that the public and press be excluded from the meeting during the consideration of an item of business, on the grounds that it contains the likely disclosure of exempt information, as defined in paragraph 3 of Schedule 12A of the said Act, and that the public interest in maintaining the exemption currently outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.      

There was no discussion of exempt elements.