Apologies were received from Councillor Morris.

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 on this occasion.

To consider and approve the Minutes of the meeting held on 24 November 2011.

Resolved: That the minutes of the meeting held on 24 November 2011 be signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

Representations from members of the public were considered under the relevant item on the agenda.

No matters were raised by Members of the Executive.

No matters were raised by Non-Executive Members.

No matters had been referred to the Executive for reconsideration.

The Leader apologised for the fact that had not been possible to deal with the representation from the Environment, Sustainability and Community Overview and Scrutiny Committee as the Minutes had not been available prior to the previous Cabinet meeting.

Councillor Fleming responded to the recommendation from the Committee to review the use of the term ‘village’ as part of the Village Planning process. She explained that a significant number of residents via the All in One Survey had referred to their local community as having a ‘village feel’. Furthermore, a number of communities, including Kew and East Sheen, had already enthusiastically adopted the approach. She therefore considered that Village Plan was the right working title. She explained that the plans were living documents and would be updated should differing views be presented by residents in the future. ‘Town’ was an acceptable alternative in areas designated as town centres.

It was pointed out in discussion that, in view of the significant objections made by Councillors from Teddington ward, it might be desirable for the Ward Members to consult the Teddington Society and other local community activists to investigate further the degree of local objections to the term ‘village’ in relation to Teddington.

In the interim, the Cabinet resolved that the term ‘village plan’should continue to be used.

To update Cabinet on the progress towards establishing a joint Children’s Service with the Royal Borough of Kingston [RBK] and seek approval to interim governance arrangements for work to continue towards implementation of Achieving for Children. 

Cabinet considered a report of Strategic Cabinet Member for Education, Youth and Children’s Services which provided an update on the progress towards establishing a joint Children’s Service with the Royal Borough of Kingston. The report sought approval to implement interim governance arrangements for work to continue towards the implementation of Achieving for Children.

Mr John Holroyd, speaking on behalf of UNISON addressed the Cabinet. He raised concerns on behalf of some staff regarding the uncertainty of the Children’s Services priority programme and in particular, the perceived potential impact on services for children within the borough. He reaffirmed the commitment of staff to providing high quality services for children and families and the willingness to ensure this continued in light of potential shared services and social enterprise arrangements. He expressed concern regarding the lack of detailed financial information available at the current time.

The Leader invited the Chief Executive to address Cabinet to respond to the points raised. She clarified that a number of avenues were being investigated in response to issues regarding VAT and that the key aim of the project was to protect and enhance front line services for children through a shared service whilst reducing management and back office costs.

Councillor Percival acknowledged the uncertainty for staff within the Directorate and noted that the Director of Education and Children’s Services had provided regular updates regarding the development of the Shared Service arrangements to staff.

After discussion, it was agreed that a number of issues raised should be investigated further, although the Cabinet resolved that the direction of travel towards a social enterprise should remain the preferred destination. A further report should be presented to a forthcoming Cabinet

Resolved: That Cabinet:

1. Notes the progress in relation to the Children’s Services Priority Programme.
2. Agrees to work towards the establishment of new arrangements for a joint children’s service with the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames as set out in paragraph 6, including a Joint Committee and executive arrangements.
3. Acknowledges that the shared services proposals are transitional as the establishment of a social enterprise to deliver children’s services will be sought in the future.
4. Notes the position regarding tax as set out in paragraph 5 and the steps being taken to resolve the issue. 

5.  Agrees to receive a future report regarding the Children’s Services Priority Programme in due course.

This report seeks Cabinet approval to commission a shared Human Resource (HR) service with the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames, based on the proposal set out in the Business Case at Appendix A.  This proposition is part of the Council’s Efficiency and Transformation Programme.

Cabinet received a report of the Cabinet Member for Performance which sought approval to commission a shared Human Resource Service with the Royal Borough of Kingston Upon Thames based on the proposal set out in the Full Business Case.

Resolved: That Cabinet:

1. Agrees to commission Human Resources services from a joint service with the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames from 1 April 2012.
2. Approves the Royal Borough of Kingston Upon Thames as the host borough of the shared service as specified in the Full Business case.
3. Delegates responsibility for finalising the detailed terms of the shared service to the Cabinet Member for Performance following consultation with the Director of Finance and Corporate Services.

The report presents a mid-year review of the Council’s progress in delivering the commitments presented in the Corporate Plan. It provides assurance to local residents that the Council is on course to meet its corporate commitments for 2011/12.

Cabinet received a report of the Cabinet Member for Performance which provided a mid-year review of the Council’s progress in delivering commitments presented in the Corporate Plan.

Resolved: That Cabinet:

1. Notes the key achievements and next steps in the delivery of the Corporate Plan priorities as detailed in the mid-year review at Appendix A.
2. Agrees to receive a full review at the end of the year to assess progress achieved.

To provide an update to Cabinet on the Council’s performance in the second quarter of 2011/12 in relation to key performance indicators and programme/projects reported against Corporate Priorities.

Cabinet received a report of the Cabinet Member for Performance which provided an update on the Council’s performance in the second quarter of 2011-12 in relation to key performance indicators and projects and programmes reported against Corporate Priorities.

Resolved: That Cabinet:

1. Notes the progress made in the delivery of Corporate priorities, through the monitoring of key performance indicators and projects and programmes with the exceptions highlighted at Appendix A.
2. Approves the action being taken to address underperformance as detailed in Appendix B as adequate with regard to the areas highlighted, which will remain under constant review by the Cabinet Member for Performance

To inform Cabinet of proposals for developing the Council’s approach to community involvement and to seek agreement to the actions and funding required toput this into practice.

Cabinet considered a report of the Strategic Cabinet Member for Community Development which provided information regarding the proposals for developing the Council’s approach to community involvement and sought agreement to the actions and funding required to implement the proposals.

Resolved: That Cabinet:

1. Notes the progress on the All in One programmes and village plans as set out in paragraphs 3.1 – 3.4
2. Agrees the outline proposal and resources to establish local links, as outlined in paragraphs 3.9 – 3.11
3. Agrees the programme of activities to deliver the Council’s vision for community involvement.
4. Agrees the creation of an All in One fund, utilising reserves as set out at paragraphs 4.1 – 4.5

This report requests the approval for continued Client side Project Management resource to support the Building Development & PFI Team, including outline work to meet the demands of primary school places provision, secondary including post-16, and SEN strategies.

Cabinet received a report of the Cabinet Member for Schools which sought approval for continued Client Side Project Management resource to support the Building Development and PFI Team, including outline work to meet the demands of primary school places provision, secondary school including post 16 and SEN strategies.

Resolved: That Cabinet:

1. Agrees in accordance with the Code of Practice for the Engagement of Consultants and Contract Standing Orders (13.2 b) to the appointment of a consultant via the OGC Buying Solutions Framework and approves an extension to the contract for a period of up to 12 months in order to meet the current and future requirements.
2. Agrees to delegate the approvals to the Cabinet Member for Schools following consultation with the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources.

This report provides an overview of the Adult Care Provision Priority Programme which aims to transform and improve care service provision for adults with a learning disability who are currently supported in Council managed services and seeks approval to embark upon a procurement process for a new multi-disability supported employment service.

Cabinet received a report of the Cabinet Member for Adult Services, Health and Housing which provided an overview of the Adult Care Provision Priority programme which aimed to transform and improve care service provision for adults with a learning disability who are currently supported in Council managed services.

Resolved: That Cabinet:

1. Notes the progress to date regarding the implementation of the Adult Care Provision Priority Programme.
2. Notes the approach to the various areas of commissioning within the programme and approves the preparation of the business cases for the various work streams as outlined in paragraph 3.4 and 3.6
3. Grants approval to embark on a procurement process for a multi-disability supported employment service in accordance with Contract Standing Orders and EU Procurement Regulations with subsequent procurement approval delegated to the Strategic Procurement Board as detailed in the revised Contract Standing Orders approved by Full Council on 13 December 2011.

This report sets out the need to make investments in two critical areas of ICT systems and infrastructure in order to ensure that the systems and software remain in support and that the best possible commercial terms are realised.

Cabinet received a report of the Cabinet Member for Performance which outlined the requirement to invest in two critical areas of ICT systems and infrastructure in order to ensure that the systems and software remain in support and that best possible commercial terms are realised.

Resolved: That Cabinet:

1. Agrees in principle the investments in critical ICT infrastructure required as set out in paragraphs 3.4.1 and 3.4.2
2. Delegates authority to the Cabinet Member for Performance following consultation with the Director of Finance and Corporate services to finalise the specification and solution for each of the investments shown
3. Notes the need for continued investment in ICT infrastructure over and above the SERCO contract which will be communicated by future reports to Cabinet.

To inform Members of a change to the funding terms agreed at Cabinet in June 2011 for the grant funding of 30 affordable homes at Elmtree Road/Somerset Road, Teddington.

Cabinet considered a report of the Cabinet Member for Adult Services, Health and Housing which contained information about a change to the funding terms previously agreed for the grant funding of 30 affordable homes at the Elmtree Road / Somerset Road, Teddington site.

Resolved: That Cabinet:

1. Agree the amended terms for the grant funding of affordable housing at Elmtree Road / Somerset Road approved at Cabinet in June 2011.
2. Delegates authority to the Cabinet Member for Adult Services, Health and Housing to approve, within the grant level already agreed, any future amendments to the terms of grant funding for this development if required.

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 Paragraphs 3 of schedule 12 A (as amended) to the Local Government Act 1972.

Resolved: That having regard to the particular nature of business to be transacted during the consideration of Item 19 on the grounds that it was likely to disclose exempt information by virtue of paragraph 3, as defined in Access to Information Procedure Rule 10.4 and of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded.

To advise Cabinet of the Exempt information with regard to the amended funding terms for the scheme at Elmtree Road.

Cabinet considered a further report of the Cabinet Member for Adult Services, Health and Housing regarding a change to the funding terms previously agreed for the grant funding of 30 affordable homes at the Elmtree Road / Somerset Road, Teddington site.

The exempt report set out information regarding the financial or business affairs of the Local Authority.

Resolved: That Cabinet:

1. Note the exempt information contained within the report.