Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies.

In accordance with the Members’ Code of Conduct, Members are requested to declare any interests orally at the start of the meeting and again immediately before consideration of the matter. Members are reminded to specify the agenda item number to which it refers and whether the interest is of a personal or prejudicial nature.

Members are also reminded of the requirements of Section 106 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 that they should declare and not vote on specified matters if they are two months or more in arrears with their Council Tax payments.

There were no declarations of interest.

To consider and approve the Minutes of the meeting held on 12^th July 2010 attached.

The amended minutes of the meeting held on 12 July 2010 be received and approved and the Chair be authorised to sign them.

Representations were heard from James Mumford on item 8 of the agenda – Executive Response to Recommendations of the Road Safety 20mph Scrutiny Task Group.

The Cabinet Member for Schools provided verbal updates on the following:

-          The Council’s School Protocol. It was confirmed that this was being developed and that the matter would be submitted to O&S Committee and Council (October 2010).

-          Sheen School. This now had approval from the Secretary of State as an academy and the Cabinet Member looked forward to the establishment of a sixth form and greater community involvement.

There were none.

There were none.

There were none.

This report sets out the response of the Cabinet to the report of the Road Safety 20mph Scrutiny Task Group.

Report of the Cabinet Member for Traffic attached.

Cabinet received a report which detailed the Executive response to recommendations from the Road Safety 20mph Scrutiny Task Group.

Cabinet heard representations from James Mumford who stated that he was in favour of the proposed 20mph zone pilot scheme and the Council should also take into account residents’ views when considering where 20mph zones should be implemented.

In response, the Cabinet Member for Traffic thanked James Mumford for supporting this item and his contribution to the Road Safety 20mph Scrutiny Task Group. Furthermore, the Cabinet Member for Traffic confirmed that:

-          The London Borough of Richmond upon Thames had a strong commitment to ensuring the safety of all road users and was more than two years ahead of current targets for reducing casualties;

-          The relevant department had not received any resident requests for 20mph zones but would analyse and consider all/any future public representations / requests.

Cabinet noted that any future 20mph limits / zones would be dependent upon resources and priorities recognising the difficult financial settlement expected in October.

It was RESOLVED that:

the Executive response to the recommendations of the Road Safety 20mph Scrutiny Task Group as set out in Appendix 1 be agreed.  

This report seeks approval for the Interim Corporate Plan 2010-11 to be submitted to Council for endorsement and to request that delegated authority be given to the Leader of the Council in consultation with the Chief Executive to make any final changes prior to publication.

Report of the Leader of the Council attached.

Cabinet received a draft Interim Corporate Plan 2010 – 2011 report and was asked to agree its submission to Council (for endorsement) and grant delegated authority to the Leader of the Council and the Chief Executive to sign off the final version.

In discussions, Cabinet noted that although the basic principles had been set out comprehensively in the draft Interim Corporate Plan 2010 – 2011, this document was an evolving project which would be subject to change. Members were happy for the current draft interim Corporate Plan 2010 – 2011 to be submitted to Council.

It was RESOLVED that: 

1. the current draft interim Corporate Plan 2010 – 2011 be submitted to Council for endorsement.

2. delegated authority be granted to the Leader in  consultation with the Chief Executive to agree the final version of the Interim Corporate Plan 2010 – 2011.

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This report seeks the Cabinet’s agreement to proposals to consult every household on priorities for their local area through the ‘All in One’ consultation.

Report of the Strategic Cabinet Member for Community Development and the Leader of the Council attached.

Cabinet heard representations from Councillor David Williams and Councillor Gareth Roberts, which included the following points:

-          that the proposed consultation tool was very expensive and that a cheaper  alternative should be sought.

-          That costs outlined in the report were disproportionate to the resultant outcome.

-          That there were concerns about whether local authority resident records or electoral resident records would be used in the consultation process.

-          Questioned whether the existing consultation methodology would reach young people in the area.

-          Questioned whether such a project should proceed in the current financial climate.

-          It appeared that value for money principles had not been applied to the project.

-          That there had not been any project consultation with external professional bodies.

-          That the current consultation methodology was flawed.

-          That the current project budget was unrealistic.

-          That this “All in One Consultation” project be halted and this period be used to start a “conversation” with service users.

-          Professional advice should be obtained in order for meaningful data to be gathered and used.

-          Other local authorities should be approached and asked about consultation tools.

-          Door to door project volunteers should be used to assist with the reduction in costs.

The Strategic Cabinet Member for Community Development stated that the proposed consultation project was in accordance with manifesto commitments.

The Cabinet Member for Performance advised that the “All in One Consultation” project was an objective resident consultation tool which would capture residents’ views concerning local priorities.

The Strategic Cabinet Member for Community Development stated that:

-          the proposed project would address equality and diversity principles, for example young people could participate via an on-line survey. 

-          the local community would be consulted extensively and local plans compiled

      based upon identified resident priorities.

Cabinet noted that good professional advice was being taken on the process and reaffirmed its commitment to continuous improvement. It was further noted that the cost of the consultation was less than the total costs associated with the cancelled Arcadia magazine. Cabinet asked all members to support the process constructively and advise the public to participate.

It was RESOLVED that:

1. a consultation by means of a survey delivered to every household in the borough at a projected cost of £50,000 to £60,000 to take place in October/November 2010 be approved.

2. a consultation should be preceded by a publicity campaign at a cost of 

up to 35,000 to be launched following this meeting be approved. .

3.   the content of the survey be agreed by Councillors True and Fleming.

This report seeks the Cabinet’s agreement to proposals to discontinue the Area Consultation Meetings (ACMs) and replace them with more inclusive and comprehensive consultation processes.

Report of the Strategic Cabinet Member for Community Development attached.

Cabinet heard representations from Councillor David Williams, which included the following points:

-          Area Consultation Meetings (ACMs) albeit not well attended were successful in that they brought the local authority closer to residents.

-          The Council needed some sort of “local meeting” to engage with residents.

-          That cost figures should be verified prior to being included in publications such as press releases and/or reports.

The Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance & Resources advised that  ACMs were not well attended meetings and that their usefulness had come to an end.

Cabinet was advised that figures included in documents were accurate and that a broad programme of public consultation was going ahead which would reach a significantly higher proportion of residents than ACMs. In light of this, ACMs were of little use and would be superseded.

It was RESOLVED that:

Area Consultation Meetings (ACMs) should be discontinued.

Report to follow.

Cabinet received a report concerning the outcome of an external review of the Council’s Efficiency Challenge Programme.

It was RESOLVED that:

1. the findings of the review from Challenge Consulting  be noted.
2. the procurement of external support as set out in paragraph 3.7.2 of the report for an exercise to identify the potential to generate additional income streams be agreed and authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for Performance in consultation with the Director of Finance and Corporate Services to agree the final arrangements.
3. authority be delegated as set out in paragraph 3.7.3. to the Deputy

      Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources and the Cabinet

      Member for Performance in consultation with the Leader of the Council

      and the Director of Finance and Corporate Services to establish

      appropriate mechanisms for the governance and co-ordination of all the

      Council’s efficiency work.   

This report seeks the approval of the Cabinet to the proposed restructure of the Council’s financial management function.

Report of the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources attached.

Cabinet received a report which sought approval of a proposed restructure of the Council’s financial management function.

It was RESOLVED that:

1. the restructuring proposals as set out in section 3 of the report, which are subject to staff consultation and may result in redundancy payments being made to some staff, are approved.
2. authority be delegated to the Director of Finance and Corporate Services to finalise arrangements once the outcome  of the consultation exercise is known.
3. where there may be a need for external recruitment to specific posts in the new structure when appropriate skills are not available in-house, this recruitment, in principle, be approved and that the 

      members’ vacancy panel will be given an opportunity to review posts

      subject to external recruitment during the process.

This report provides Cabinet with proposals for a new approach to procurement and contract management.

Report of the Cabinet Member for Performance attached.

Cabinet received a report which contained proposals for a new approach to procurement and contract management.

It was RESOLVED that:

1. the proposals as set out in paragraph 3.9 – 3.11 of the report, which are subject to staff consultation and may result in redundancy payments being made to some staff, are approved.
2. authority be delegated to the Director of Finance and Corporate

      Services to finalise arrangements once the outcome of the consultation

      exercise is known.

3. where there may be a need for external recruitment to specific posts in

      the new structure when appropriate skills are not available in-house,

      this recruitment, in principle, be approved and that the members’

      vacancy panel will be given an opportunity to review posts subject to

      external recruitment during the process.

This report seeks the approval of the Cabinet to the proposed establishment of a Property Services Programme Management Office for construction projects within the Environment and Education, Children’s and Cultural Services directorates. This will involve a restructure of teams in both the Environment and Education, Children’s and Cultural Services directorates.

Report of the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Resources attached.

Cabinet received a report associated with the establishment of a proposed Property Services Programme Management Office for construction projects within the Environment and Education, Children’s and Cultural Services directorate. The report was concerned with the restructuring of teams within both Environmental and Education, Children’s and Cultural Services directorates.

It was RESOLVED that:

1.      the restructuring proposals as set out in section 3 of the report, which are subject to staff consultation and may result in redundancy payments being made to some staff, are approved.

2.      authority be delegated to the Director of Finance and Corporate Services to finalise arrangements once the outcome of the consultation exercise is known.

3.  where there may be a need for external recruitment to

        specific posts in the new structure when appropriate

        skills are not available in-house, this recruitment, in

        principle, be approved and that the members’ vacancy panel will be

        given an opportunity to review posts subject to external recruitment

        during the process.

This report seeks the approval of the Cabinet to the proposed restructure of the Council’s democratic and member services function.

Report of the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for finance and Resources attached.

Cabinet received a report concerned with a proposed restructure of the Council’s Democratic and Member Services function.

It was RESOLVED that:

1.           the restructuring proposals as set out in the report and appendix, which are subject to staff consultation and may result in redundancy payments being made to some staff, are approved.

2.            authority be delegated to the Head of Democratic Services in

           consultation with the Chief Executive to finalise arrangements

           once the outcome of the consultation exercise is known.

         3.     recruitment to any posts remaining unfilled after

                 the selection process is complete, be approved

                 and duly noted by  the Vacancy Panel.

This report describes a revised senior management structure for Education, Children’s and Cultural Services as part of the directorate’s contribution to the efficiency programme.

Report of the Strategic Cabinet Member for Education, Youth and Children’s Services and the Strategic Cabinet Member for Community Development attached.

Cabinet received a report associated with the deletion of a second tier officer post in the Education, Children’s and Cultural Services directorate and reallocation of responsibilities to second tier officers.

It was RESOLVED that:

The revised structure for the Education, Children’s and Cultural Services directorate be approved and recommended to Council for endorsement and immediate implementation.

This report recommends enhancing the range of materials collected for recycling in the kerbside collection service and the award of contracts for recycling reprocessing to support these enhancements. The report also appraises members of some changes to the way waste is disposed of from the Civic Amenity site and on a bid being made to the London Waste and Recycling Board. The cumulative impact of the proposed changes should also deliver an increase in the Council’s household recycling rate of 2-3%.

Report of the Strategic Cabinet Member for Environment and Planning attached.

Cabinet received a report concerned with enhanced recycling services (kerb side collection, recycling reprocessing and award of contracts).

Cabinet commented that the proposals contained within the report addressed a multitude of recycling problems, eg, kerbside collection from residents in flats, the mixing of a variety of materials within one receptacle.

Cabinet noted that levels of recycling had stalled despite extensive investment in 2008 and it was necessary to act to address public concerns and improve rates.

It was RESOLVED that:

1.   a new service change to take affect, in November, to

      collect plastic containers in the black box (mixed

      containers) and cardboard cartons in the blue box (paper

      and card) be approved.

2. the award of 2 plus 2 year contracts for reprocessing recyclate, as set out in the confidential appendix 1 of the report, to Newport Paper Company for mixed paper, card (including cardboard cartons) and Greenstar Environmental Limited for mixed containers (including

      mixed plastic containers) be approved.

3. the West London Waste Authority’s use of Powerday to

reprocess residual waste from the Household Waste and Recycling Centre at Townmead Road to get additional recycling and divert waste from landfill be noted.

4.   authority be delegated to the Director of Environment in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Environment to develop and submit a bid for external funding to the London Waste and Recycling Board Flats Programme for expansion of the existing estates recycling service and expansion of an effective recycling service to all properties in the borough.

This report seeks approval to award a full design team services contract in relation to the expansion of Lowther Primary School.

Report of the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources attached.

Cabinet received a report concerned with an award of a full design team services contract in relation to the expansion of Lowther Primary School.

It was RESOLVED that:

    The tender submitted by EC Harris in respect of the design

    services contract for the expansion of Lowther Primary

    School be accepted.

This report informs Cabinet of the Council’s performance in relation to achieving its priorities as set out in the Corporate and Community Plans and against the national indicators for April to June inclusive, quarter 1 of 2010/11 and of proposals for developing the Council’s performance framework.

Report of the Cabinet Member for Performance attached.

Cabinet received a report associated with the following:

-          the Council’s performance in relation to achieving its priorities as set out in the Corporate and Community Plans and against the national indicators for April to June inclusive.

-          Priorities in quarter 1 of 2010/11.

-          Proposals for developing the Council’s performance framework.

It was RESOLVED that:

1. the progress in relation to key priorities and performance against national indicators, as summarised in the performance report at appendix A of the report, be noted.
2. no further action is required where performance is identified as amber or red.
3. the proposed approach to a local performance framework for 2011/12

      and beyond be agreed.

This report is being presented to Cabinet to enable scrutiny of the Council’s revenue and capital budget management.

Report of the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for finance and Resources attached.

Cabinet received a report concerned with scrutiny of the Council’s revenue and capital budget management.

It was RESOLVED that:

The latest budget monitoring projections as detailed in the report be analysed and noted.

This report informs on the action being taken to address the in-year loss of £906,000 Area Based Grant (ABG) funding announced by Government.

Report of the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for finance and Resources attached.

Cabinet received a report concerned with the action being taken to address the in-year loss of £906,000 Area Based Grant (ABG) funding announced by Government.

Cabinet heard representations from Councillor Stephen Knight who stated:

-          that there was strong opposition to the withdrawal of funding for services highlighted in the report.

-          There were concerns that there had not been any public consultations prior to the decisions to withdraw funding.

-          It appeared that only executive officers and not Cabinet Members had considered risk assessment implications.

-          There was concern that the proposed cuts in Council expenditure would have

a disproportionate effect upon youth services (and that schools had only been advised about the cuts in expenditure).

      -     Cabinet should authorise cuts in expenditure in low level

            local priorities only. 

Cabinet responded that the loss of Area Based Grant Funding was an early decision by the Coalition Government which was faced with the need to restore order to national finances.

Cabinet noted that it was not possible for local authorities to assume responsibility for all reductions in spending by central government and it was irresponsible to pretend that no reductions in public spending had to be made.

It was RESOLVED that:

The proposals as set out in appendix A of the report be approved.

This report reviews the purpose, use and level of revenue reserves in advance of the 2011/12 budget setting process.

Report of the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for finance and Resources attached.

Cabinet received a report which reviewed the purpose, use and level of revenue reserves in advance of the 2011/12 budget setting process.

Cabinet heard representations from Councillor Stephen Knight who stated:

-          that the proposed analysis appears to have a disproportionate effect upon services provided for youth in the borough eg, graduate internship placements for young people. 93% of cuts were focused upon services affecting children and young people

Cabinet noted that the £1 million that had been placed in reserves for youth development had remained unspent for two years. Cabinet commented that while some projects were being reappraised, it was still Council policy that resources would be used to benefit young people.  

It was RESOLVED that:

1. the reserves and proposed uses as set out in Appendix A of the report be approved.
2. authority be delegated for the use of reserves up to £100k to the Cabinet Members set out in appendix A of the report with the agreement of the Deputy Leader and Lead Member for Finance and Resources (in consultation with the Director of Finance and Corporate Services).
3. authority be delegated to the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources to release funding from the Invest to Save Fund as set out in paragraphs 3.1.5 and 3.1.6.

This report seeks approval for the Adults’ Strategic Plan 2010-13, subject to final changes, and to request that delegated authority be given to the Cabinet Member for Adult Services, Health and Housing in consultation with the Director of Adult and Community Services to make any final changes prior to publication.

Report of the Cabinet Member for Adult Services, Health and Housing attached.

Cabinet received a report concerned with the Council’s draft Adults’ Strategic Plan 2010 – 2013.

The Cabinet Member for Adult Services, Health & Housing advised that the draft plan  would enable the commissioning of services to be more efficient and effective.

It was RESOLVED that:

1. the draft Adults’ Strategic Plan 2010 – 20113 be approved.
2. authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for Adult Services, Health & Housing, in consultation with the Director of Adult & Community Services, to agree the final version of the Adults’ Strategic Plan 2010 – 2013.

This report advises the Cabinet of the need to re-tender the school meals contract and to agree the re-tendering arrangements.

Report of the Cabinet Member for Schools attached.

Cabinet received a report associated with the re-tendering of the contract for school meals.

It was RESOLVED that:

1. the proposed re-tendering arrangements for the school meals contract be agreed.
2. the restricted procedure for the procurement project be agreed.
3. authority be delegated to the Director of Education, Children’s and Cultural Services, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Schools, to agree a select list of tenderers.

This report recommends the disposal of the vacant dwelling known as Sheen Cemetery Lodge by way of a sale by private treaty.

Report of the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources attached.

Cabinet received a report associated with the disposal of a vacant dwelling, namely Sheen Cemetery Lodge by way of private treaty or auction for a reserved price.

It was RESOLVED that:

1.      approval is given to offer the property for sale on the open market through local agents Barnard Marcus and authority be delegated to the Assistant Director of Environment (Property, Parks & Sustainability) to accept an offer, and complete a sale of the property in excess of the reserve figure as set out in the confidential report.

2.      in the event that a recommendable offer is not obtained through the process as set out in paragraph 2.1 of the report, authority be delegated so that the property is offered for sale by public auction, and authority be delegated for the  sale of the Council’s interest in the property to the highest bidder at auction in excess of the reserve figure as set out in the confidential report (or for a figure approved by the Assistant Director of Environment, Property, parks & Sustainability).

To decide having regard to the particular nature of the business to be transacted, whether or not to exclude the Press and Public during consideration of the following items on the grounds that they were likely to disclose exempt information by virtue of Paragraph 3 of schedule 12 A (as amended) to the Local Government Act 1972.

RESOLVED that:

Having regard to the particular nature of the business to be transacted, the press and public be excluded during consideration of the following items on the grounds that they were likely to disclose exempt information by virtue of Paragraph 3 as defined in Access to Information Procedure Rule 10.4 and Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

Confidential report attached.

It was RESOLVED that:

The report be approved.  

Confidential report attached.

It was RESOLVED that:

The report be approved

Confidential report attached.

It was RESOLVED that:

The report be accepted.

Confidential report attached,

It was RESOLVED that:

The report be approved