None.

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 18 January 2010.

The minutes of the meeting held on 18 January 2010 be received and approved and the Chair be authorised to sign them.

There were none.

There were none.

There were none.

There were none.

There were none.

The report requests Cabinet to consider the most appropriate method of tendering the works required to install ICT (Information Communications Technology) as part of the redevelopment of Teddington Secondary School and, subject to the project programme requiring it, to approve the delegation of the contract award decision.

Report of the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Resources and the Cabinet Member for Children’s Services and Education attached.

This is a key decision.

The reasons for the decision and any alternative options considered and rejected are set out in the report.

RESOLVED that:

1.      The use of the PRO5 IT Related Products and Associated Services Framework contract for the procurement of the installation of ICT within the new school be approved.

2.      The final selection for these good and services be made using the quality weighted selection criteria described in this report in both instances be agreed.

3.      Subject to such delegation being required to maintain the project programme, authority to let the contract be delegated to the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Resources and the Cabinet Member for Children’s Services and Education, provided that the recommended contract value does not exceed 10% of the pre-tender estimate.

The report seeks approval of the proposed Corporate Capital Planned Building Maintenance Programme for 2010 – 2011 and updates Cabinet on progress regarding the 2009 - 2010 programme.

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

This is a key decision.

The reasons for the decision and any alternative options considered and rejected are set out in the report.

RESOLVED that:

1. The corporate capital planned maintenance programme for the next financial year be approved.

2. Progress made in the delivery of the planned building maintenance programmes for this financial year be noted.

The report considers the 5 year programme for 2010/11 to 2014/15 and provides details of the proposed capital investment programme for 2010/11.

The Medium Term Financial Strategy and Prudential Indicators are part of this process and are also considered here.  The process also takes account of the ongoing review of the Council’s Asset Management Plan and Capital Strategy.

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

This is a key decision.

Cabinet noted the investment in schools included in this large capital budget.

The reasons for the decision and any alternative options considered and rejected are set out in the report.

RESOLVED:

1.      That the schemes identified in Appendix A be approved for inclusion in the capital budget.

2.      That the proposals in Appendix A for the financial years 2011/12 to 2014/15 be noted.

3.      That the overall capital budget for 2010/11 be RECOMMENDED to Council in March for approval alongside the revenue budget and Council Tax.

4.      That the Prudential Indicators in Appendix B be RECOMMENDED to Council in March for approval alongside the revenue budget and Council Tax.

The report requests the Cabinet to consider the revenue budget strategy and recommend the level of Council Tax for 2010/11.

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

This is a key decision.

The Deputy Leader and cabinet Member for Resources introduced the report and highlighted that no increase in council Tax was proposed.  This was in response to the extraordinary economic situation that residents faced.  Cabinet noted that this budget would protect services.

The reasons for the decision and any alternative options considered and rejected are set out in the report.

RESOLVED:

1. That the Central Items and contingencies as set out in paragraph 3.6.4 be agreed;

2. That the advice of the Director of Finance and Corporate Services in respect of Section 25 of the Local Government Act 2003 in setting the budget (see paragraph 3.11) be considered;

3. That the Council be RECOMMENDED to agree the Revenue Budget for 2010/11;

4. That the Council be RECOMMENDED to agree that the Richmond upon Thames element of the Band D Council Tax be unchanged at £1,287.39;

5. That the Greater London Authority (GLA) precept of £309.82 be noted;

6. That the Council be RECOMMENDED to agree that the overall Band D level of Council Tax for 2010/11 including the GLA element be set at £1,597.21, the same level as 2009/10.  The levels of Council Tax for all property bands are shown at Appendix A; and

7. That the revised Medium Term Financial Strategy including the efficiencies/savings identified (Appendix D) be approved.

The report updates Cabinet with the progress on negotiation of the Local Area Agreement and to request that delegated authority be given to the Leader and Cabinet Member for Strategy and Partnerships to agree the final version prior to its submission to the Department for Communities and Local Government on 15 March 2010.

Report of the Leader and Cabinet Member for Strategy and Partnerships attached.

This is a key decision.

Cabinet noted that a response was awaited from Government Office for London on indicator 155 which related to affordable housing, but that all other targets had been agreed.

The reasons for the decision and any alternative options considered and rejected are set out in the report.

RESOLVED:

1.      That the draft Local Area Agreement 2010-2011 at Appendix 1 be considered and noted.

2.      That authority be delegated to the Leader and Cabinet Member for Strategy and Partnerships to agree the final version of the Local Area Agreement 2010-2011.

Special Circumstances

The Chair is of the opinion that although this report has not been available for at least five clear days before the Cabinet meeting, nonetheless it should be considered now to ensure timely progress of the completion of the purchase.  Publication of the report was delayed to ensure the Council were in receipt of written confirmation from the Mental Health Trust of their acceptance of the Council’s offer for the purchase of part of the site.

This report seeks Cabinet agreement to the purchase of part of the former St John’s Hospital site, Twickenham, for future school provision.

Report of the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Resources, and the Cabinet Member for Children’s Services and Education attached.

This is a key decision.

Cabinet was advised that a significant rise in the birth rate and the shift from private to state education meant an increasing demand for school places and that acquisition of this site would allow for two forms of entry.

The reasons for the decision and any alternative options considered and rejected are set out in the report.

RESOLVED:

1. That the purchase of part of the former St John’s Hospital site, Twickenham, for future primary school provision, on the terms set out below and in the confidential report be agreed.

2. That authority be delegated to the Director of Environment, Director of Children’s Services and Culture and Director of Finance and Corporate Services, and in liaison with the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Resources, the Cabinet Member for Education and Children’s Services and the Head of Legal & Electoral, to agree any amendment of terms or detailed matters, as necessary.

The report provides an update on the Efficiency Challenge programme, highlights the findings from the recent whole organisation review and makes recommendations about how to progress to the next stage.

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

This is a key decision.

Cabinet was advised that the Efficiency Challenge programme sought to address the underlying financial gap which the council faced.  Work undertaken to date had looked at all areas of operation and that there were opportunities to simplify functions and potential areas where business cases could supply savings.  Although the programme was in its early days, it was evident that there would be reductions in the numbers of posts and staff would be consulted and clear information provided.  The aim of this forward planning was to avoid drastic cuts to services in future years.

The reasons for the decision and any alternative options considered and rejected are set out in the report.

RESOLVED that:

1. The findings from the whole Council review, the scale of the potential savings identified and the challenges in realising these be noted.

2. The sum of £250k from PSA round two grant be allocated to fund the further development of the outline business cases produced as part of the review and for the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Resources and the Director of Finance and Corporate Services to agree the specific expenditure of this sum as set out in paragraph 3.20 of the report.

3. It be agreed to delegate to the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Resources in consultation with the Director of Finance and Corporate Services the procurement of any consultancy support deemed necessary to progress the Income and contracts reviews as set out in paragraph 3.21 of the report.

4. A sum of £225k for the continued funding of the ICT Programme Office from PSA Round two grant be agreed for a further year as set out in paragraph 3.22 of the report.

To submit the draft updated Community Safety Partnership Plan 2008-11 to Cabinet for consideration and amendment before its submission to full Council for endorsement by the local authority as a responsible authority under the terms of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998.  

A copy of the updated Community Safety Partnership Plan has been placed in the members’ room. The document is also available on the web as part of the agenda for this meeting and copies are available on request. 

Report of the Cabinet Member for Communities attached.

This is a key decision.

The reasons for the decision and any alternative options considered and rejected are set out in the report.

RESOLVED that:

1.      The draft updated Community Safety Partnership Plan be noted and submitted to full Council for agreement on the 2 March 2010.

2.      The Leader of the Council and the Cabinet Member for Communities be authorised to agree any further amendments to the updated Community Safety Partnership Plan before it is endorsed by the Council.

The report is being reported to Cabinet to enable scrutiny of the Council’s revenue and capital budget management. It also details the main cross cutting financial issues for the Council rather than summarising individual departmental concerns. 

Report of the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member Resources attached.

The reasons for the decision and any alternative options considered and rejected are set out in the report.

RESOLVED:

1. That the latest projections / performance and activity information provided be noted.

The report presents the key Treasury Management documents for 2010/11.  These documents are the Treasury Management Strategy, the Treasury Management Policy and the Approved Investment Criteria.  They are presented for approval by Cabinet and referral to Council.

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

Cabinet noted that a stringent approach had been taken to treasury management with new deposits being placed in government-backed banks.  This policy and strategy would see a slight relaxation in the approach as the Council was now looking to invest with substantial building societies.  The Council was very risk averse in its treasury management strategy and Audit committee would be requested to oversee the strategy.  It was also noted that low returns on deposits affected the Council’s revenue position.

The reasons for the decision and any alternative options considered and rejected are set out in the report.

RESOLVED:

1.      That the Treasury Management Policy for 2010/11 as set out in Appendix A be RECOMMENDED to Council for approval, noting the proposed roles for Audit Committee and Cabinet.

2.      That the Treasury Management and Investment Strategy for 2010/11 as set out in Appendix B be RECOMMENDED to Council for approval

3.      That the Investment Criteria for 2010/11 as set out in Appendix C be RECOMMENDED to Council for approval, particularly noting the proposals in relation to Building Societies set out in Paragraph 10 of the main report.

The report seeks establishment of a Cabinet Committee to discharge the functions of the council as sole trustee of the Orleans House Charitable Trust and recommends that the Constitution of the Council is amended to reflect this new arrangement.

Report of the Leader and Cabinet Member for Strategy and Partnerships andCabinet Member for Youth, Culture and Leisure attached.

The reasons for the decision and any alternative options considered and rejected are set out in the report.

RESOLVED:

1.      That a Cabinet Committee (Trusts and Charities) be established with the terms of reference, constitution and membership set out in paragraphs 3.4 to 3.7 of this report.

The report proposes an extension of Conservation Area No.19 - St Margaret’s Estate.

Report of the Cabinet Member for Environment attached.

The reasons for the decision and any alternative options considered and rejected are set out in the report.

RESOLVED

1. That public consultation regarding extension of the boundary of St Margaret’s Conservation Area (CA No. 19) to include Haliburton Road, Newry Road, Heron Road, Northcote Road, Talbot Road, Gordon Avenue, Ailsa Avenue and Orchard Road be agreed. 

2. It be agreed to delegate the final decision regarding the extension of the conservation area to the Cabinet Member for Environment.

The report provides Cabinet with the reasons why an extension to the existing enforcement contract will not be offered to NSL Services Ltd and the intention to adopt the British Parking Association ‘model contract’ for parking enforcement.

Report of the Cabinet Member for Traffic, Transport and Parking attached.

This is a key decision.

The reasons for the decision and any alternative options considered and rejected are set out in the report.

RESOLVED that:

1.      Retendering of the Parking Enforcement contract be agreed.

The report seeks to update Cabinet on progress in implementing environmental improvements schemes in the areas of relative disadvantage and to recommend the addition of further schemes. 

Report of the Cabinet Member for Environment and Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Resouces attached.

Cabinet noted that some additions had been made to schemes previously agreed.

The reasons for the decision and any alternative options considered and rejected are set out in the report.

RESOLVED

1. That progress be noted and the addition of schemes at Riverside Drive, Ham and High Street, Whitton be agreed.

The report seeks the approval of Cabinet for the Development Programme for Members 2010. 

Report of the Leader and Cabinet Member for Strategy and Partnerships attached.

The reasons for the decision and any alternative options considered and rejected are set out in the report.

RESOLVED:

1. That the Development Programme for Members post election 2010 be approved.

The report presents the Annual Audit Letter to Cabinet for consideration.

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

Cabinet noted that this was a positive report from the Auditors.

The reasons for the decision and any alternative options considered and rejected are set out in the report.

RESOLVED:

1. That the report of the external auditor be considered and received.

The report recommends the disposal of the property by way of auction and sets the reserve level (in the confidential report) for the sale to proceed.

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

The reasons for the decision and any alternative options considered and rejected are set out in the report.

RESOLVED:

1. That the reserve price referred to in the confidential report be approved for public auction purposes or such figure delegated for approval by the Assistant Director of Environment - Property, Parks & Sustainability.

2. That authority be given for the completion of the sale of the Council’s interest in the property to the highest bidder at auction in excess of the reserve price.

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 Rule 10.4.

Confidential report attached.

RESOLVED that the report be noted.

Confidential report attached.

RESOLVED that the report be noted.