There were no apologies on this occasion.

At the conclusion of the meeting the Leader of the Council indicated that it would be Councillor Urquhart’s last Cabinet meeting in her role as Cabinet Member for Adult Services, Health and Housing. He thanked her for her commitment and dedication to her cabinet portfolio and her hard work in taking forward a number of key issues with regard to health and social care.

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 the nature of the interest.

There were no declarations of interest on this occasion.

With regard to Item 12 – Waldegrave School Sixth Form Approval of Final Business Case and Overall Contract Award, Councillor Samuel requested that it be noted that he was acquainted with an individual who worked for the appointed contractor and the report was therefore in the Leader’s name.

To consider and approve the Minutes of the meeting held on 18 April 2013.

The minutes of the meeting held on 18 April 20123 were signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

There were no representations from members of the public on this occasion.

It was resolved that the order of business be rearranged to consider Item 13 – Purchase of 1, 1A and 1B and 2/4 Water Lane, Twickenham as the first substantive item on the agenda.

There were no matters raised by Executive Members on this occasion.

There were no matters raised by non Executive Members on this occasion.

There were no matters referred to the Executive for reconsideration on this occasion.

Cabinet to consider the final report and recommendations of the Environment, Sustainability and Community Overview and Scrutiny Committee’s Task Group established in September 2012 to examine the Council’s approach to recycling with a view to reducing the amount of waste sent to landfill.

Cabinet considered a report of the Strategic Cabinet Member for Environment and Planning, Parks and Highways which outlined the executive response to the recommendations of the Recycling Task Group of the Environment, Sustainability and Community Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

Councillor Morris concluded that a large proportion of the Task Group’s recommendations had been accepted and it was envisaged that those partially accepted would be subject to review and implemented in due course. She thanked Members of the Task Group for their commitment and diligence in carrying out the Scrutiny Review.

Resolved: That Cabinet:

1. Notes the work of the Recycling Task Group in producing the final report
2. Agrees the actions outlined in the table of responses.

Cabinet to consider the South West London Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee’s final report and recommendations on NHS Croydon Finances.

Cabinet considered the final report and recommendations of the South West London Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee’s review of NHS Croydon Finances.

The Leader of the Council noted the serious nature of the matters investigated by the Joint Committee and the importance of ensuring appropriate accountability existing across the health service. Councillor Arbour highlighted the importance of Recommendation 9.2 in providing strengthened powers to compel senior NHS Officers to cooperate fully with Scrutiny and the need to broaden accountability across all public bodies. Councillor Urquhart expressed concern that despite the Committee’s investigations, there were no guarantees similar issues wouldn’t arise in future.

The Leader of the Council explained that it was his intention to pursue the matter further to highlight the importance of the issues raised and the need for proper accountability across the health service.

Thanks were expressed to all Members who had taken part in the Committee’s investigations including Councillor Butler in his role as Vice-Chairman and produced the robust final report.

Resolved: That Cabinet:

1. Note and endorse the recommendations of the South West London Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee on NHS Croydon Finances.

Cabinet to consider proposals for taking forward village planning and for a programme of ‘Your Village’ events in furtherance of the Council’s commitment to community involvement.   

Cabinet considered a report of the Cabinet Member for Community Development which outlined proposals for taking forward village planning and for a programme of ‘Your Village’ events in furtherance to the Council’s commitment to community involvement.

Resolved: That Cabinet:

1. Notes the progress made on village planning and community involvement.
2. Notes that proposals for the next stage of village planning will be brought back to Cabinet in July 2013.
3. Agrees that the proposals for Village Events outlined in paragraphs 5.1 – 5.3 of the report be implemented.

To agree proposals for a new annual Community Awards Programme to recognise the borough’s residents who strive to improve the area in which they live, work or study.

Cabinet considered a report of the Leader of the Council which sought approval for proposals for a new annual Community Awards Programme to recognise the borough’s residents who strive to improve the area in which they live, work or study.

Resolved: That Cabinet:

1. Agrees the proposal for a new Community Awards Programme to launch in 2013.
2. Allocates an annual budget of £21,000 to deliver the programme.

For Cabinet to recommend to Council that the LDF:  Pre Submission Draft Waste

Development Plan Document (hereafter referred to as the WLWP) is approved for

the purposes of public consultation.

Cabinet considered a report of the Strategic Cabinet Member for Environment and Planning, Parks and Highways which sought agreement to recommend to Council that the LDF: Pre Submission Draft Waste Development Plan Document be approved for the purposes of public consultation.

Resolved: That Cabinet:

1. Recommends to Full Council approval of the pre-submission draft for public consultation and submission.
2. Delegates authority to the Head of Policy and Design to agree any minor changes to the document following consultation with the Leader of the Council and Strategic Cabinet Member for Environment and Planning, Parks and Highways prior to consultation / submission.
3. Recommends to Full Council approval of the use of the pre submission draft and subsequently the submission version for development control purposes.

This report summarises the content of the Final Business Case (FBC) to be submitted to the Education Funding Authority (EFA) and the Department for Education (DfE) for approval to proceed with contract award of the Design & Build Contract and the delivery of the new sixth form.  The report outlines the Council’s principal responsibilities and liabilities in delivering the construction project, and requests approval to enter into the FBC.

Cabinet considered a report of the Leader of the Council which sought approval for the Waldegrave School Sixth Form approval of final business case and overall contract award.

It was agreed that the delegations contained within the report be amended to refer to the Leader of the Council in place of the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources.

Resolved: That Cabinet:

1. Approves the final business case for Waldegrave School Sixth Form
2. Approves the contract award to Wates Construction Limited for the design and build of Waldegrave School Sixth Form and the signing of the associated Development Agreement with Waldegrave School to include the agreement contained within the Development Agreement to grant a lease to Waldegrave School for Girls for 125 years at peppercorn rent.
3. Delegates authority to the Leader of the Council to approve any amendments to the terms of the design and build contract and Development Agreement prior to contract award.
4. Delegates authority to the Leader of the Council to approve the Final Business Cases and contract award for the remaining sixth form schemes at Christ’s School, Grey Court School, Orleans Park School and Teddington School, providing the form of contract remains substantially as for Waldegrave School and the contract value is within 10% of the forecast value.  

This report seeks Cabinet agreement to the purchase the freehold interest of 1, 1A, 1B King Street and 2/4 Water Lane, Twickenham.

Cabinet considered a report of the Leader of the Council and the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources which sought approval for the purchase of the freehold interest of 1, 1A and 1B King Street and 2/4 Water Lane, Twickenham.

Councillor Miller addressed Cabinet regarding the outcome of the consideration of the matter by the Finance and Performance Overview and Scrutiny Committee at its meeting held on 15 May 2013. He reported that the Committee unanimously supported the proposed purchase and requested that the Committee be advised of further detail as the purchase progressed. He indicated that it was not the intention of opposition members on the Committee to call the matter in. He explained that the Committee had sought reassurances that the financing of the purchase would not impact on other proposed uplift programmes across the Borough. Councillor Samuel and Councillor Morris both emphasised that existing uplift commitments made to residents would continue to be honoured.

Lord True, Leader of the Council indicated that it was his hope to submit a report reviewing the Capital Programme to incorporate the financing of the purchase to Full Council in September. He expressed thanks to the Finance and Performance Overview and Scrutiny Committee for convening a meeting at short notice to consider the matter.

Resolved: That Cabinet:

1. Agrees to the purchase of 1,1A and 1B King Street and 2/4 Water Lane Twickenham on the terms set out within this report and within the exempt report regarding the same matter.
2. Agrees to delegate the completion of the purchase and its precise terms to the Director of Environment following liaison with the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources, the Director of Finance and Corporate Services and the Head of Legal Services, including the delegation of adjustments to the broad terms described in the report so long as they do not significantly impact on costs and associated risks to the Council.

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 due to the particular nature of the business to be transacted that the Press and Public be excluded during the consideration of the following item on the grounds that exempt information will be disclosed by virtue of Paragraph 3 of Schedule 12 A (as amended) of the Local Government Act 1972.

To consider exempt information relating to the purchase of 1, 1A, 1B King Street and 2/4 Water Lane, Twickenham.

Cabinet considered a further report of the Leader of the Council and Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance and resources which outlined exempt information relating to the purchase of 1, 1A and 1B King Street and 2/4 Water Lane, Twickenham.

Resolved: That Cabinet:

1. Note the exempt information contained in the report.