Decisions

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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 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.  

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.

To approve grant funding of up to £260,000 from the 2013/14 Housing Capital Programme for the purchase and repair by Richmond Housing Partnership (RHP) of properties on the open market for use as affordable housing.

Approval of grant funding of up to £260,000 from the 2013/14 Housing Capital Programme for the purchase and repair by Richmond Housing Partnership (RHP) of properties on the open market for use as affordable housing.

To agree Civic Pride Fund grants under £5,000 to voluntary organisations for one-off projects in 2013/14.

Agreement of Civic Pride Fund grants under £5,000 to voluntary organisations for one-off projects in 2013/14.

To note the new duties, roles and responsibilities required of the Council as a Lead Local Flood Authority.

Acknowledgment of the new duties, roles and responsibilities required of the Council as a Lead Local Flood Authority.