Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies on this occasion.

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.

To consider and approve the Minutes of the meeting held on 21 March 2013.

The minutes of the meeting held on 21 March 2013 were signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

The representation from a member of the public was dealt with under the relevant item on the agenda.

It was resolved that the order of business be altered to consider Item 11 – Joint Regulatory Services Review as the first substantive item on the agenda.

There were no matters raised by Executive Members.

There were no matters raised by Non Executive Members.

There were no matters referred to the Executive for reconsideration.

There were no reports from Overview and Scrutiny Committees on this occasion.

Cabinet to consider the planned changes to Townmead Road HRRC site to enhance and improve both the safety and efficiency of the site.

Cabinet considered a report of the Strategic Cabinet Member for Environment and Planning, Parks and Highways which sought approval regarding longer term improvements to the layout and operation of the Townmead Road Re-use and Recycling Centre.

Resolved: That Cabinet:

1. Approves the planned changes to the Townmead Road Re-use and Recycling Centre site to enhance and improve both the safety and efficiency of the site.
2. Approves that the scheme be funded by the carry forward of £229,000 from the 2012/13 Waste and Recycling budget.

To seek confirmation from Cabinet on the procurement of a Green Deal provider in the medium term.

Cabinet considered a report of the Strategic Cabinet Member for Environment, Planning, Parks and Highways which sought approval to procure a Green Deal provider in the medium term. The report also outlined the primary options for a longer term deal, specifically relating to procurement options regarding the appointment of a Green Deal provider and the Energy Company Obligation funding.

Resolved: That Cabinet:

1. Agrees to run a mini competition via the RE:NEW framework to identify a Green Deal provider for the Borough for the period May 2013 to November 2014, with the option to extend by 6 months at the discretion of the Council.
2. Agrees to explore as a procurement option, the forthcoming GLA framework contract for Green Deal Providers across London, which the GLA had stated will be available from Autumn 2014.
3. Agrees to explore, as an alternative procurement option, establishing a Borough wide framework contract in partnership with social housing providers to draw in Energy Company Obligation funds and establish a longer term Green Deal provider for the Borough.

This report provides an update on the progress of the scoping work currently being undertaken to develop a Shared Service model for the delivery of regulatory services.

Cabinet considered a report of the Strategic Cabinet Member for Environment and Planning, Parks and Highways which provided an update on the progress of scoping work currently being undertaken to develop a Shared Service model for the delivery of regulatory services. The report sought approval for the Director of Environment following consultation with the Strategic Cabinet member to be given delegated authority to progress to the next stage of the work which involved finalisation and implementation of a management structure for the shared regulatory service.

Mr J Holroyd addressed Cabinet on behalf of UNISON members who worked within the areas of Licensing, Trading Standards and Commercial Environmental Health. He highlighted that concern existed amongst staff that consultation and discussion regarding the proposals to date had not been sufficient and that the report prepared by the external consultants Red Quadrant contained some inaccuracies. He formally requested that consideration be given to the risks associated with the proposals and need to protect the quality of frontline services.

In response to the representation, Councillor Arbour asked about other Shared Service areas which had been implemented successfully. Mr Holroyd acknowledged that there had been many examples of success in this area, including the Shared Legal Service.

The Director of Environment responded to the points raised. He explained that arrangements had been made for a meeting with all staff to take place in the coming weeks and meetings would continue thereafter on a monthly basis. This would be in addition to a  smaller project team which would work closely for the duration of the project with the Assistant Director, Development and Streetscene. He acknowledged that the consultant’s report had included some inaccuracies but that when reviewed overall, it was of sufficient accuracy to proceed to the next stage of the review. In terms of the analysis and mitigation of areas of risk, the Members were informed that much of the detailed work was still to be undertaken.

Lord True, Leader of the Council asked for clarification regarding the proposed timescales for the next stages of the review. He was informed that a period of between 4 – 6 months detailed work would be required and it was hoped that the formal consultation with staff would commence towards the end of 2013. The earliest date for implementation would be late Spring / early Summer 2014.

Members considered the proposals contained in the report, in particular the opportunity to ensure continued service improvements and make the financial savings required by the Council across all areas. It was highlighted that for staff working within the service, the development of a Shared Service provided enhanced career development opportunities and better access to a wider range of in-house specialisms for the sharing Councils.

Resolved: That Cabinet:

1. Notes the progress in establishing a shared regulatory service in the South West London Sub-Region that would help drive efficiencies and provide resilience.
2. Agrees to delegate authority to the Director of Environment, following consultation with the Strategic Cabinet Member for Environment and Planning,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 393.

Cabinet to consider a report relating to improvements in Twickenham Town Centre.

Cabinet considered a report of the Cabinet Member for Highways and Streetscene which sought support to plan the Twickenham Town Centre improvements on the basis of continuing bus services through London Road. This was in line with a recommendation from Transport for London (TfL) following analysis between January and March 2013 of the benefits and costs of the two alternatives. A revised Equality Impact Needs Assessment (EINA) accompanied the report.

Councillor Harrison addressed Members regarding the continued dialogue between the Council and Richmond Aid in relation to the EINA aspects of the proposed scheme. He noted that the written representation provided, indicated an acknowledgment that whilst providing some disadvantages for disabled and elderly users of Twickenham Town Centre, there were advantages for many other individuals. The representation acknowledged the business case provided by Transport for London (TfL) and indicated that the organisation was satisfied with the depth of consideration the matter had been given. Suggestions had been put forward by Richmond Aid for additional benches and increased disabled parking to mitigate the impact as far as possible. They expressed a continued willingness to work with the Council to ensure the detailed designs would mitigate as far as possible, the impact on the vulnerable.

To demonstrate continued commitment to working with Richmond Aid regarding the matter, it was agreed that the following additional recommendation be included:

‘Cabinet agrees that Highways Officers should work with Richmond Aid on accessibility related features already proposed by the Group during the scheme’s detailed design stages with support from the Assistant Director of Environment following liaison with the Cabinet Member for Highways and Streetscene.’

Members acknowledged the positive benefits the scheme proposed for the majority of users of Twickenham Town Centre and acknowledged the views of Richmond Aid in representing a smaller number of users who may be elderly or disabled. The scheme would complement existing improvements to the riverside. The Director of Environment indicated that all equality related matters had been given detailed consideration and the EINA would continue to be reviewed as the scheme progressed to finalisation. It was anticipated that work on site would commence in June 2013.

Resolved: That Cabinet:

1. Approves a revised scheme detail that continues the use of London Road for bus routes 281 and 267 for the reasons described in the body of the report.
2. Notes and approves the revised EINA that is attached at Appendix 1 to the report, including its emphasis on the four stops close to the Heath Road and Cross Deep junction as the primary interchange for people with mobility difficulties.
3. Delegates any further changes to the detail of the EINA (required in response to any changing fine detail of the overall scheme) to the Director of Environment following consultation with the Cabinet Member for Highways and Streetscene.
4. Notes the current programme details for the town centre improvements.
5. Agrees that Highways Officers should work with Richmond Aid on accessibility related features already proposed by the Group during the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 394.

Cabinet to consider the establishment of a Joint Committee with the Royal Borough of Kingston to oversee the design and development of the jointly owned local authority company to deliver children’s services, to be known as Achieving for Children and to consider the establishment of a shadow Board for Achieving for Children to provide support and expertise during the creation and establishment of the company.

Cabinet considered a report of the Leader of the Council which provided an update on Achieving for Children and sought approval for the establishment of a Joint Committee to oversee the design and development of the company and the establishment of a Shadow Board to provide support and expertise during the creation and establishment of the company.

Resolved: That Cabinet:

1. Approve for its part the establishment of the Joint Committee with the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames with the terms of reference and remit set out in this report.
2. Note that the Constitution of the Joint Committee will be brought to Council on 21 May 2013 for approval by the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames
3. Appoint the Leader of the Council, the Lead Member for Children and Young People and one other Cabinet Member to serve as the Council’s. representatives on the Joint Committee.
4. Appoint the Leader of the Council as one of the two Co-Chairs of the Joint Committee.
5. Note the different scrutiny and call in arrangements for each Council and that the existing arrangements in each Borough related to call-in powers will continue to apply.
6. Approve the establishment of the Shadow Board of Achieving for Children as described in paragraph 3.8 of the report.

This report seeks the approval of Cabinet, in its role as ‘local decision-maker’, to the proposal to expand the size of Nelson Primary School on 1 September 2014.

Cabinet, in its role of ‘local decision-maker’ considered a report of the Cabinet Member for Schools which sought approval to expand the size of Nelson Primary School on 1 September 2014. The proposal will permanently provide additional primary school places to meet forecast demand within the Heathfield and Whitton areas.

Resolved: That Cabinet:

1. Approves the proposal to expand the size of Nelson primary school on 1 September 2014.

This report seeks the approval of Cabinet, in its role as ‘local decision-maker’, to the proposal to expand the size of The Vineyard Primary School on 1 September 2014.

Cabinet, in its role of ‘local decision-maker’ considered a report of the Cabinet Member for Schools which sought approval to expand the size of The Vineyard Primary School on 1 September 2014. The proposal will permanently provide additional primary school places to meet forecast demand within the North Richmond and South Richmond areas.

Resolved: That Cabinet:

1. Approves the proposal to expand the size of The Vineyard Primary School on 1 September 2014.