Agenda and minutes

       Lord True submitted his 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 6 December 2010 attached.

        The minutes of the meeting held on 6 December 2010 were received and

        approved and the Chairman was authorised to sign them.

Representations from members of the public were submitted at the relevant agenda items.

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.

Health, Housing and Adult Services Overview & Scrutiny Committee  from 6 January 2011 - Intensive Day Care Centre Scrutiny Task Group Recommendations Report.  This item will be dealt with at item 9A of this agenda.

    Councillor Samuel advised that the report from the Intensive Day Care Centre

    Scrutiny Task Group (from the Housing and Adult Services Overview and Scrutiny

    Committee) would be dealt with at item 9 of the agenda (Adult Social Care

    Services).

Report of the Head of Democratic Services to follow.

     Cabinet received a report concerned with assisting Members with a decision on

     the Adult and Community Services Budget review and heard 8 representations

     concerning this matter.

     It was RESOLVED that:

1.  Cabinet noted the recommendations of the IDCC Task Group Report.

2.  Cabinet have due regard to the recommendations contained in the Task

             Group report (Appendix A) when a decision is made with regards

             Changes  to Adult Social Care Services – item 9B of the agenda.

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

              Gillian Norton (Chief Executive) reported that on 24 January 2011 the 

              Council had received a letter from a firm of solicitors, based in

              Gloucestershire, concerning Tangley Intensive Day Care Centre. The Chief

              Executive advised that officers were satisfied with the consultation process,

              the resultant Cabinet report and that there was no reason for Cabinet to

              delay consideration of this matter based upon representations contained in

              the letter from the solicitors.

             Cabinet heard representations from Richard Hunter (resident) which included

             the following points:

-          that his mother attended Tangley Day Care

      Centre.

-          he confirmed that he had attended most of the consultation meetings.

-          he had had 3 meetings with council staff, including Cathy Kerr, where options concerning £348,000 savings were discussed.

-          he was concerned that there was a lack of alternative options that had been considered and adequately costed.

-          there should be further scrutiny by the Intensive Day Care Centre Task Group before a Cabinet decision is taken.

-          of the £315,000 per year proposed Adult Social Care savings Tangley Day Care Centre made up £135,000.

-          Cabinet should consider the impact of the closure of Tangley Day Care Centre upon the clients. Mr Hunter gave an example of a Tangley Day Care Centre client who currently pays £1,300 per month but with the closure could pay £1,050 per week.

-          the proposed taxis scheme although a well intended suggestion was inappropriate for dementia clients who suffer from mood swings and could be disruptive in a moving vehicle.

-          that he had obtained confirmation that the Tangley Day Care Centre could be expanded for less than the cost of the expansion of the dementia centre at Ham.

-          he had not seen any council cost projections for the proposed project, risk assessment documents and/or scenario modelling analysis associated with this project.

-          he believed that a possible solution to this problem could be that the Ham dementia centre be subdivided, at a cost of a few thousand pounds, so that different client groups would never meet which would avoid any potential issues. This proposal would take only a few days to complete as it would involve the “blocking up” of certain internal doorways within the building.

-          confirmed that he was happy to submit further proposals / solutions to address the current issues associated with Adult Social Care.

-          in the event that the Tangley Day Care Centre was closed he envisaged that the Tangley clients would not attend the Ham dementia care centre which would result in the Ham centre losing income.

           The Cabinet Member for Adult Services, Health & Housing thanked Mr Hunter

           for his contributions to the project and advised that although the Council had

           been forced to make savings the local authority would address the needs of

           each client.

           Cabinet heard representations from Kate Howard (Ex – Councillor 2006 –

           2010) which included the following points:

-          Tangley Day Care Centre was not purpose built for dementia suffers and did not adequately address  ...  view the full minutes text for item 166b

To update Cabinet on the representations on the LDF Development  Management Document and to secure approval for the Local Development Scheme to be amended to include a Twickenham Town Centre Action Plan and submitted to the Greater London Authority for agreement.

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

            Cabinet received a report to update Members on the representations on the

            LDF Development Management Document and to secure approval for the

            Local Development Scheme to be amended to include a Twickenham Town

            Centre Action Plan and submitted to the Greater London Authority for

            agreement.

           It was RESOLVED that:

1. Cabinet noted the proposals for future statutory plans to be included within the Local Development Framework.

2. the proposals for future statutory plans to be submitted within a Local Development Scheme for agreement by the GLA be agreed.

To seek Cabinet approval of a draft Planning Brief for the Stag Brewery site.

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

            Cabinet heard representations from Peter Eaton (resident) which included the

            following points:

-          he had been a resident of the Mortlake area for 25 years and appeared as a representative for residents of the area.

-          his wish was to engage with the Council on the matter as he was not anti – development.

-          his concerns included the language used in the consultation material (which was not aspirational enough); words like “exemplary” and “highest quality” were not being used; the consultation period was rapid and should be conducted at a slower pace so as to give residents an opportunity to engage with the Council; consideration should be given to the style of development currently in the Mortlake area.

-          the Townscape appendices were not comprehensive e.g., they did not detail the height of buildings.

-          the project strategy should be revisited prior to a decision being made.

-          the next stage of the consultation process should provide residents with more details.

-          congratulated the Council in obtaining more time, from other stakeholders, for the consultation process.

            The Strategic Cabinet Member for Environment & Planning:

-          welcomed Mr Eaton’s contributions to the consultation processes and invited him to submit further responses / ideas to her.

-          stated that the consultation period had been conducted for 1 year in which the last phase was from 9 December 2010.

-          commented that the Supplementary Agenda for this item was simply crystallising the vision of the Stag Brewery, Mortlake, SW14, Planning Brief – Supplementary Planning

      Document and should be regarded as an amending

      document.

-          advised that the Council had acknowledged that residents did not want 10 / 15 storey buildings and that there was a 7 storey building height limit for premises situated on the outskirts of town.

-          stated that there was not a need for an international ice rink, but the proposed site could have e.g. rowing clubs, and karate and/or dance studios.

-          advised that the Council held a meeting with InBev and Zac Goldsmith MP in September / October 2010 in which the local authority was advised that not only should matters  be concluded before Christmas 2010 but also that InBev would be marketing the site in April 2011.

            It was RESOLVED that:

1. the revised Draft Planning Brief (Appendix 1 – as amended by the Supplementary Agenda published 24 January 2011) for consultation be agreed.

2. the Strategic Cabinet Member for Environment be granted delegated authority to make minor amendments to the revised Draft Planning Brief in consultation with the Director of Environment, prior to public

      consultation.

This report recommends further streamlining of recycling services to deliver cost savings.

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

                Cabinet received a report which recommended further streamlining of

                recycling services to deliver cost savings.

                It was RESOVLED that:

1. the simplification of all remaining Richmond Council run recycling services to a simple twin stream a) paper and card and b) mixed containers system be approved.

2. If the application for funding for the estates recycling service is unsuccessful or only partially successful, authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for Environment in consultation with the Director of Environment and the Director of Finance to approve the Service change based on a review of the projected costs and benefits.

      3.  the rationalisation of bring sites be approved.

Following two public consultations, the report proposes a revised extension of No. 19 St Margaret’s Estate Conservation Area and seeks approval for consultation on a number of Article 4 (2) Directions. The alternative is not to proceed and maintain the current designations.

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

             Cabinet heard representations from Councillor Ben Khosa which included the

             following points:

-          he commented that this was the 2^nd consultation exercise associated with this project.

-          stated that the average response to this consultation exercise was less than 10% of those residents approached.

-          advised Cabinet to consider the level of support for this project.

            Cabinet heard representations from Hilary Thomson (resident) which included

            the following points:

-          commented that certain roads, not mentioned in the report e.g. Haliburton Road, should be included in the project.

-          advised that properties in the area were built in 1882 onwards and had individual as well as collective unique characteristics e.g. unspoilt, no gable ends, contained stained glass windows and were in distinct area.

-          stated that there was a very close community which held regular events e.g. community events, street sales.

-          commented that most residents had not understood the information that had been circulated by the Council.

-          advised that literature from a sound insulation company had increased residents’ confusion with regards the proposals.

-          stated that the Council’s consultation documents were very technical and had been understood by only a few residents.

-          advised that the Council should consult for one last time as most residents were still confused about the proposed project.

            The Strategic Cabinet Member for Environment & Planning stated that she

            was happy to attend a public meeting on the subject and that this project was

            a borderline case. Councillor Morris advised Cabinet that her proposal was

            that Members accept the second recommendation contained within the

            report.

            It was RESOLVED that:

1. a revised extension of the boundary of St Margaret’s Conservation Area (CA No. 19) to include the west side of St Margaret’s Road only be agreed.

2. consultation on a number of proposed Article 4 (2) Directions within the revised boundary of the St Margaret’s Estate Conservation Area be agreed.

3. the matter should be revisited in the Spring of 2011 and thereafter a further report to Cabinet if appropriate.

To advise Cabinet of the procedures that are aimed at simplifying the arrangements for residents to hold street parties.

Report of the Cabinet Member for Traffic attached.

                Cabinet received a report which advised Members of the procedures that

                were aimed at simplifying the arrangements for residents to hold street

                parties.

               It was RESOLVED that:

1.      Cabinet approve the approach to street parties detailed in the report.

2.      Delegated authority be granted to the Cabinet Member for Traffic to approve any similar ‘special events’ where the Council will cover the costs of traffic management.

To update the Cabinet on the impact of the Local Government Finance Settlement on the Council.

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

              Cabinet received a report which updated Members on the impact of the

              Local Government Finance Settlement on the Council.

              It was RESOLVED that:

              Cabinet note the latest position.

This report provides details of some key principles that will be considered in both the Council’s regular reviews of fees and charges and the ongoing review of the potential for additional income generation.

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

               Cabinet received a report which provided details of some key principles that

               would be considered in both the Council’s regular reviews of fees and

               charges and the ongoing review of the potential for additional income

               generation.

                It was RESOLVED that:

                Cabinet agree that the principles as set out in paragraph 3.2 of the

                report would inform decisions about all future changes to fees and

                charges.

To recommend to Council the level at which to set the Council Tax Base for the financial year 2011/12.

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

          Cabinet received a report which recommended to Council the level at which to

          set the Council Tax Base for the financial year 2011/12.

             It was RESOLVED that:

1. the Council Tax Base for the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames for 2011/2012 be 89,291.15 and be recommended to Council for to approval.

2. the continuation of the policies as to discounts, referred to at paragraph 3.4 and 3.5 of the report be approved.

This report is assigned as an urgent decision to consider the London Councils Grants Committee’s recommended level of overall expenditure for 2011/12 for the London Boroughs Grant scheme and agree the Council’s response.

Report of the Strategic Cabinet Member for Community Development attached.

               Gillian Norton (Chief Executive) advised Cabinet that London Councils had

               received a solicitor’s letter which warned of pending legal action against the

               organisation.

               The Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance & Resources

               exercised his discretion to allow Councillor Sir David Williams to submit

               representations to Cabinet.

               Cabinet heard representations from Councillor Sir David Williams which

               included the following points:

-          advised that any potential funding expenditure gaps (paragraph 3.5 of the report) would need to be addressed by the voluntary sector.

-          invited Cabinet to ring fence £300,000 for the voluntary sector as it was likely to suffer under the proposals.

-          commented that any ring fenced monies for the voluntary sector should not be placed in the Council’s reserves account.

-          stated that he did not believe, and had informed the Head of Democratic & Member Services, that this matter should not have been categorised as an “urgent decision”.

            Gillian Norton advised that the matter had been properly submitted to Cabinet

            as an “urgent decision”, because a response had to be made to London

            Councils by the end of the month.

           The Strategic Cabinet Member for Community Development stated that the

           Council was reviewing how services could be provided at a local level and that

           she would be attending a meeting next week with representatives from

           London Councils.

           She further advised that the local authority wished to provide value for money

           services at a local level and that the matter had been considered by Overview

           and Scrutiny Committee.

           It was RESOLVED that:

          Cabinet approved a contribution of £322,776 to the London Boroughs

          Grant Scheme.

To seek agreement to the Council’s approach to commissioning services that will help to build capacity and infrastructure within the voluntary sector.

Report of the Strategic Cabinet Member for Community Development attached.

             Cabinet received a report which sought agreement of the Council’s approach

             to commissioning services that would help to build capacity and

             infrastructure within the voluntary sector.

            It was RESOLVED that:

            Cabinet agree the Council’s approach to the commissioning of

            voluntary sector infrastructure and capacity building services as

            described in paragraphs 3.3 to 3.5 of the report.

This report has been withdrawn from the agenda and will not be considered at the Cabinet Meeting - Monday 24 January 2011.

                  This report was withdrawn from the Cabinet agenda and would be

                  considered at the February 2011 Cabinet Meeting.

This report considers the procurement route and process of acceptance of a tender over £500,000 in accordance with the Council’s Contract Standing Orders to appoint the contractor to undertake building works for the delivery of the improvement works project at Orleans Infants School.

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

                  Cabinet received a report which considered the procurement route and

                  process of acceptance of a tender over £500,000 in accordance with the

                  Council’s Contract Standing Orders to appoint the contractor to undertake

                  building works for the delivery of the improvement works project at 

                  Orleans Infants School.

                 It was RESOLVED that:

1. the use of the Council’s select list of contractors via a single stage design and build tendering method for the procurement of the construction works contract be approved.

2. the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance & Resources be granted delegated authority to award the building contract provided that the recommended contract value is within 10% of the pre-tender

      estimate.

            To seek authority to draw down £700,000 of funding from the 2010/11 Housing Capital Programme and to seek authority to reallocate funding approved at Cabinet on 12 October 2009.

              Cabinet received a report which sought authority to draw down £700,000 of

              funding from the 2010/11 Housing Capital Programme and to reallocate

              funding approved at Cabinet on 12 October 2009.

              It was RESOLVED that:

1.       the reallocation of £1,107,000 initially allocated to the Richmond First scheme at Cabinet on 12 October 2009 as outlined at paragraph 3.2 of the report be agreed.

2.       the use of £700,000 from the 2010/11 Housing Capital Programme to extend the Purchase and Repair programme as outlined in paragraphs 3.4 to 3.11 of the report be agreed.

This report provides details of a proposal from PricewaterhouseCoopers [PwC] to provide the Council with additional capacity and expertise to assist with the realisation of the approximately £6m per annum projected savings through the implementation of the new category management approach to  procurement and providing additional capacity to embed the new organisational model.  The report seeks Member approval to waive Contract Standing Orders to allow for the engagement of PwC so that the work can be completed by the end of the financial year.

Report of the Cabinet Member for Performance attached.

              Cabinet received a report which provided details of a proposal from

              PricewaterhouseCoopers [PwC] to provide the Council with additional

              capacity and expertise to assist with the realisation of the approximately

              £6m per annum projected savings through the implementation of the new

              category management approach to procurement and embed the new 

              organisational model. The report sought Members’ approval to waive

              Contract Standing Orders to allow for the engagement of PwC so that the

              work could be completed by the end of the financial year.

              It was RESOLVED that:

             Cabinet agreed that in line with paragraph 3.7 of the report the

             requirement under paragraph eight of the Code of Practice for the

             Engagement of Consultants to obtain quotes from four suppliers for all

             contracts of an estimated value of over £100k be waived and the PwC

             proposal costing £148.5k for support to assist with the implementation

             of the Council’s new approach to procurement be accepted.

To obtain authority for terms for a renewal of the lease of premises at 26 Egerton Road, Twickenham.

Report of the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources and the Cabinet Member for Adult Services, Health and Housing attached.

              Cabinet received a report which sought authority to obtain terms for a

              renewal of the lease of premises at 26 Egerton Road, Twickenham.

              It was RESOLVED that:

              Cabinet approve the renewal of the lease of 26 Egerton Road,

              Twickenham on the terms as set out in paragraph 3.7 of the report and

              those specifically contained in the confidential report of the agenda.

This report considers the offers received from Zurich Insurance in relation to the fire damage to the pavilion at Barn Elms and seeks approval to accept the offer to financially contribute to the redevelopment scheme and not reinstatement of the pavilion.

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

           Cabinet received a report which considered the offers received from Zurich

           Insurance in relation to the fire damage to the pavilion at Barn Elms and

           sought approval to accept the offer to financially contribute to the

           redevelopment scheme and not reinstatement of the pavilion.

           It was RESOLVED that:

           Cabinet approve the acceptance of the settlement offer, as detailed  

           within the confidential report, from Zurich Insurance to contribute

           towards the funding for the Barn Elms redevelopment scheme.

This report recommends the acceptance of a tender over £500,000, including professional fees, for the appointment of a building contractor to redevelop the pavilion building located in Palewell Common and Fields.

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

               Cabinet received a report which recommended the acceptance of a tender

               over £500,000, including professional fees, for the appointment of a building

               contractor to redevelop the pavilion building located in Palewell Common

               and Fields.

               It was RESOLVED that:

               Cabinet approve the award of the contract for the refurbishment and

               redevelopment of the existing pavilion building at Palewell Common

               and Fields to Oakland Building Services Ltd.

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.

        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.

    This report has been withdrawn from the agenda and will not be considered at the

    Cabinet Meeting - Monday 24 January 2011.

    This report was withdrawn from the Cabinet agenda and would be considered at

    the February 2011 Cabinet Meeting.

Confidential report attached.

         It was RESOLVED that:

         The report be approved.

Confidential report attached.

                It was RESOLVED that:

                The report be noted and approved.

Confidential report attached.

             It was RESOLVED that:

             The report be approved.