Calendar of meetings

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Ross.

Members are asked to declare any interests in matters for consideration at the meeting.

Councillors Marlow and Samuel declared a personal interest in Agenda Item 9 by virtue of their membership of the Friends of Richmond Theatre.

To approve the Minutes of the meetings held on 3 and 17 February 2003 attached.

The Minutes of the meetings held on 3 and 17 February 2003 be received and approved and the Chairman authorised to sign them.

The Cabinet heard representations from Ron Chappell, Jack Betteridge and Clive Wren in respect of Agenda Item 19, Peter Willan, John Coates, John Bell and Vanessa Fison in respect of Agenda Item 23, Brian Holder in respect of Agenda Items 13, 25 and 26, James Page in respect of Agenda Item 15 and John Bell in respect of Agenda Item 24.

No matters were raised by Executive Members.

No matters were raised by Non-Executive Members.

No matters were referred to the Executive for reconsideration.

There were no reports from Overview and Scrutiny Committees.

To consider the revenue budget and level of Council Tax for 2003/4.  The figures include the agreed 29.1% increase in the Greater London Authority (GLA) Precept.  The Council Tax recommendation is made after consideration of the comments of Overview and Scrutiny Committees.

Report of the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Strategy and Finance circulated separately.

Also required for Council, 4 March 2003.

(1)        The changes in central items budgets and the establishment of contingency funds as set out in paragraph 3.6 of the report submitted be agreed.

(2)        The Council be RECOMMENDED to agree the level of Council Tax for 2003/04 at £1,268.23 for Band D properties (a 15.6% increase) including the GLA precept, noting that this is split £1,043.83 for the Richmond upon Thames element (13.1% increase) and £224.40 for the GLA precept (29.1% increase), and it be noted that the levels of Council Tax for properties in all bands is shown in Appendix A to the report submitted.

[The above decisions are urgent as the Council Tax must be agreed by the Council on 4 March 2003 in order to meet statutory deadlines.  In accordance with Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rule 16(i), the decisions are, therefore, not subject to call-in.

The reason for the decisions and any alternative options considered and rejected at the meeting are set out in the report.]

This report provides details of the proposed capital programme for 2003/04 and considers the programme for 2004/05 and 2005/06.

Report of the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Strategy and Finance circulated separately.

Also required for Council, 4 March 2003.

(1)        The Council be RECOMMENDED to approve the capital budget for 2003/04 as set out in Appendix A to the report submitted.

(2)        The proposals for the 2004/05 and 2005/06 financial years be noted.

(3)        The schemes identified in paragraph 6.1 of the report submitted be approved for inclusion in the capital budget.

[The reason for the decisions and any alternative options considered and rejected at the meeting are set out in the report.]

This report seeks approval for the three-year Corporate Property Capital Maintenance Programme 2003 2006.

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

The proposed three year Corporate Property Capital Maintenance Programme 2003-2006, as set out in revised Appendix A be approved.

[The reason for the decision and any alternative options considered and rejected at the meeting are set out in the report.]

To report on progress in delivery of the Corporate Property Capital  Maintenance Programme 2002-2003.

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

The progress in delivery of the programme to date be noted.

[The reason for the decision and any alternative options considered and rejected at the meeting are set out in the report.]

This report informs Members of progress with the delivery of the approved three-year (2000 2003) property disposals programme.

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

The progress with the delivery of the approved disposals programme be noted.

[The Cabinet heard representations from Brian Holder, specifically regarding the disposals of Park House and North Lane car parks.  It was noted that both disposals had been agreed prior to May 2002.  The Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Strategy and Finance undertook to look into the specific points raised and respond to Mr Holder.

The reason for the decision and any alternative options considered and rejected at the meeting are set out in the report.]

This report summarises the action that has been taken to review Fees and Charges for 2003/04 in accordance with Council Policy.

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

The basis for the fees and charges review be noted and the future strategy be agreed as part of the Council's overall Medium Term Financial Planning.

[The reason for the decisions and any alternative options considered and rejected at the meeting are set out in the report.]

To consider recommendations relating to parking charges and policies for 2003/04, including proposals for free half hour parking for residents, following the Environment Overview and Scrutiny Committee's concurrence with the proposals.

Joint report of the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Strategy and Finance and the Cabinet Member for Traffic, Transport and Parking attached.

(1)            Parking charges be increased by Notice as detailed in paragraphs 3.2.1 and 3.2.2 of the report submitted.

(2)            Proposals to remove charging controls from the Taylor Close car park, Hampton Hill on Saturdays be advertised, as detailed in paragraph 3.2.2 of the report submitted.

(3)        The proposal for motor-cycle permits be advertised, as detailed in paragraph 3.2.3.5 of the report submitted.

(4)        The issue of a book of ten free half-hour scratch-off parking vouchers with the Council Tax letters in March 2003, as detailed in revised paragraph 3.2.3.6 of the report submitted, be approved.

(5)            Parking enforcement policies be changed as detailed in paragraphs 3.3.2 and 3.3.3 of the report submitted.

(6)            Officers investigate further options for residents' permit prices, including providing discounted prices for environmentally friendly vehicles, as detailed in paragraph 3.2.3.1 of the report submitted, and a further report be submitted to the Cabinet Member for Traffic, Transport and Parking for decision..

(7)            Officers undertake a review of business permit prices and structures within six months, as noted in paragraph 3.2.3.3 of the report submitted, and make further recommendations to the Cabinet Member for Traffic, Transport and Parking.

(8)        The commencement of investigations into removal and/or clamping operations, as noted in paragraph 3.3.4, be approved.

(9)            Officers be authorised to seek tenders for changes in control equipment at the Council's two multi-storey car parks in order to improve efficiency, as detailed in paragraph 3.2.2 of the report submitted.

[The Cabinet heard representations from James Page.  The Cabinet Member for Traffic, Transport and Parking reported that the Council was encouraging schools and businesses to produce Green Travel Plans.

The reason for the decisions and any alternative options considered and rejected at the meeting are set out in the report.]

This report provides details of changes made to the Treasury Management Policy and also reports the Treasury Management Strategy for 2003/04.

Report of the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Strategy and Finance circulated separately.

Also required for Council, 4 March 2003.

(1)        The Council be RECOMMENDED to adopt the revised Treasury Management Policy Statement as detailed in Appendix A to the report submitted.

(2)        The Treasury Management Strategy for 2003/2004, as set out in Appendix B to the report submitted, be approved.

[The Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Strategy and Finance reported on the success of the Treasury Management Policy which had resulted in a total of £28.5m of debt being restructured or repaid.  He thanked the Director of Finance and Corporate Services for his team's work in this area.

The reason for the decisions and any alternative options considered and rejected at the meeting are set out in the report.]

This report shows the latest budgetary projections for the financial year 2002-03.  It is the third corporate budget monitoring report and is based upon actual spend at the end of December and projected spend to the end of the year.

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

The latest projections be noted.

[The reason for the decision and any alternative options considered and rejected at the meeting are set out in the report.]

This report provides details of changes made to the Capital programme and budget projections for the 2002/03 financial year.

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

(1)        The projections for the current year as detailed in Appendix B to the report submitted be noted.

(2)        The revised capital programme set out in Appendices C to G to the report submitted be agreed.

[The reason for the decisions and any alternative options considered and rejected at the meeting are set out in the report.]

This report summarises responses to the December 2002 Cabinet Resolutions, considers a number of factors pertinent to the implementation of the long term scheme, provides enhanced designs for the short term scheme for Twickenham Riverside and makes a number of recommendations relating to the short-term scheme, long-term scheme and Twickenham Challenge.

Report of the Chief Executive attached.

(1)        The submission of a planning application for the short-term scheme agreed on 10 December 2002 be approved.

(2)        A report on proposal T1 of the UDP and/or the planning brief for the site be submitted to the 25 March meeting of the Cabinet.

(3)        The principal commercial enabling uses for the long-term scheme be residential; A3 (for example, restaurant/café uses); and A1 retail.

(4)        The following further features be included in the long-term scheme to be funded by enabling development:

·         Piazza and/or square to differentiate the public open space and promote a viable scheme

·         Other public benefit within the scheme (for example, architectural or other features).

(5)        To proceed to a wider competition for a public asset via the Twickenham Challenge, on the terms identified in section 3.9 of the report submitted.

(6)        The reappointment of the Council's existing external advisors for Twickenham Riverside be agreed in principle, and a further report submitted to the 25 March 2003 meeting.

[The Cabinet heard representations from Ron Chappell, Jack Betteridge, Clive Wren and Councillor Carr.

Appendix D to the report and an addendum comprising e-mails dated 24 February 2003 from Ron Chappell, Martin Stearman and Clive Wren were tabled and considered at the meeting.

The second bullet point of paragraph 3.2.3 of the report was amended to read That full demolition of the pool building facility is more economical than partial demolition as proposed by TRTG .. .  The Cabinet also noted that there was an allowance for flood protection of £5,000.

The reason for the decisions and any alternative options considered and rejected at the meeting are set out in the report and addendum.]

The Payroll and Pensions Best Value Review was carried out over a nine month period beginning April 2002.  This report outlines the findings of the review and includes a Service Improvement Plan, which identifies the actions necessary in order to move the service forward. 

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

(1)        The Council withdraw from its existing external payroll contracts, but it be agreed that new contracts could be entered into provided they are charged at full cost.

(2)        The recommendations set out in paragraph 3.3 of the report submitted be agreed, and the potential financial implications set out in paragraph 5 be noted.

[The Director of Finance and Corporate Services drew attention to the likelihood that the restructure proposed by this review would result in redundancies.  The cost of such redundancies would have to be met as they occurred and would offset savings generated in the early years.

The reason for the decisions and any alternative options considered and rejected at the meeting are set out in the report.]

This year's Youth Justice Plan, an update on the Youth Justice Plan 2002/05, details the achievements of the Youth Offending Team for the year 2002/2003 and sets out targets for 2003/04.  The targets monitored within the Plan are set by the Youth Justice Board.  The Plan also contains an outline of the Youth Offending Prevention Strategy.  This particular part of the Plan will be linked to the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames Local Preventative Strategy which will be developed over the forthcoming year and is already compatible with those strategies directed at enhancing community safety, combating drug and alcohol misuse and social exclusion.

Report of the Leader and Cabinet Member for Combating Crime circulated separately.

Also required for Council, 4 March 2003.

The content of the Youth Justice Plan and its delivery to the Youth Justice Board by 31 March 2003 be approved, and the Council be RECOMMENDED to adopt the Plan as an addendum to the Youth Justice Plan 2002/05 in the Policy Framework.

[The reason for the decision and any alternative options considered and rejected at the meeting are set out in the report.]

To agree grants in excess of £100,000 p.a. to voluntary organisations in 2003/4.

Report of the Cabinet Member for Community and Business attached.

The following strategic grants and rent subsidies be agreed for 2003/04, subject to budget:

[The reason for the decisions and any alternative options considered and rejected at the meeting are set out in the report.]

The report seeks approval of the revised policy and procedures for events in parks and open spaces, following recent consultation with event organisers, local residents groups and other interested parties.

Report of the Cabinet Member for Libraries, Sport, Art and Leisure attached.

(1)        The results of the recent local consultation on the draft Parks and Open Spaces Events Policy be noted.

(2)        The revised Parks and Open Spaces Events Policy as set out in Appendix 1 to the report submitted be approved, subject to the waiver of fees for the use of open spaces for local charity events and community use, as detailed in the addendum report and revised Appendix A.

[The Cabinet heard representations from Peter Willan, John Coates, John Bell, Vanessa Fison and Councillor Williams.  The Cabinet Member for Libraries, Sport, Art and Leisure reported that, once implemented, the Policy would be open to review and appropriate amendments would be made if necessary.  With regard to notifying residents and organisations of large scale events, the Cabinet Member undertook to investigate the possibility of including some information on the Council's website and of using the site for consultation purposes.

The reason for the decisions and any alternative options considered and rejected at the meeting are set out in the report and addendum.]

To inform Cabinet of the results of recent public consultation on draft supplementary planning guidance on affordable housing and to seek adoption of the guidance, including the amendments proposed.

Report of the Cabinet Member for Environment and Planning attached.

The supplementary planning guidance on affordable housing attached at Appendix A to the report submitted be adopted.

[The Cabinet heard representations from John Bell.

The reason for the decisions and any alternative options considered and rejected at the meeting are set out in the report.]

This report reviews the results of a recent opinion survey of residents who live along roads within the borough where roads humps and/or other speed reduction measures have been introduced.  It takes into consideration the recommendations of the Scrutiny Task Group Traffic Calming Review undertaken in October 2000 and the safety benefits associated with traffic calming measures, and proposes policies for future traffic calming schemes in the borough.

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

The results of the recent consultation on traffic calming installations be noted, and the approach to future traffic calming measures as set out in paragraphs 3.28 to 3.37 of the report submitted be agreed.

[The Cabinet heard representations from Brian Holder.  The Cabinet Member for Traffic, Transport and Parking confirmed that ongoing studies would review the classifications of all the Borough's roads and any recommendations arising from this study would be considered.

The reason for the decisions and any alternative options considered and rejected at the meeting are set out in the report.]

This report reviews the use of bus lanes to determine whether they optimise the use of available road space for all road users and proposes changes to the current provision and arrangements.

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

(1)        The results of the review of bus lanes within the Borough be noted.

(2)            Consultation, as detailed in section 4 of the report submitted, be carried out upon:

·         the removal of the Upper Teddington Road bus lane.

·         a reduction in the hours of operation of the Hospital Bridge Road bus lane to peak hours only, 7am to10am and 4pm to 7pm.

·         a pilot study to permit motor cycles to use the bus lanes along Eton Street/Paradise Road, Richmond and London Road, Twickenham, with a view to extending this to all bus lanes if the pilot is a success.

·         a pilot study to permit heavy goods vehicles, over 7.5 tons, to use the bus lanes along Hampton Court Road, Hampton Wick and Cross Deep, Twickenham with a view to extending this to other specific bus lanes if the pilot is a success.

(3)        The operation of the London Road bus lane be surveyed following the completion of the road works, bearing in mind the result of the bridge strength testing as detailed in the report submitted, and an assessment then be made as to whether the bus lane should be removed.

(4)            Transport for London be formally requested to remove the bus lane across Kew Bridge.

(5)        CCTV enforcement be extended to the other bus lanes in the Borough, with funding to be sought from London Buses.

[The Cabinet heard representations from Brian Holder.  The Cabinet Member for Traffic, Transport and Parking confirmed that the roads proposed for the HGVs in bus lanes pilot were currently being used by HGVs.  With regard to the proposal to consult on the removal of the Upper Teddington Road Bus Lane, the Cabinet Member reported that the bus operator was confident that the route was robust and would continue to be so without the bus lane.

The reason for the decisions and any alternative options considered and rejected at the meeting are set out in the report.]

To consider the policy and guidelines which offer advice and encouragement for developing sponsorship and attracting financial and in-kind support for the services, events and facilities provided by London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and its partners.

Report of the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Strategy and Finance attached

The policy and guidelines for developing sponsorship of various services, events and facilities within the Borough as attached at Appendices A and B to the report submitted be adopted.

[The reason for the decision and any alternative options considered and rejected at the meeting are set out in the report.]

To report on the opportunities and issues regarding the potential for generating income from on street advertising.

Report of the Cabinet Member for Environment and Planning attached.

(1)        The process for the sponsorship of roundabouts as detailed in the report submitted be approved.

(2)        The continuation of work with the RFU be approved, and an agreement for special event advertising be entered into.

(3)        A tender' process to seek income from advertisers for Borough car parks be started.

(4)        The possibility of improving the terms of the existing agreement with Adshel be explored.

[The Cabinet heard representations from Councillor Williams.

The reason for the decisions and any alternative options considered and rejected at the meeting are set out in the report.]

This report gives initial consideration of the risks to the Council of deciding to become a contracting partner in the South West London LIFT and recommends it do so.

Report of the Chief Executive attached.

(1)        The Council be named as one of the contracting partners in the negotiated procedure for the services contract with the chosen private sector partners in the South West London LIFT Co.

(2)        The Council join the LIFT Co. at Level 2.

(3)        The committing of resources (mainly staff time) to the negotiation process be agreed.

(4)        A full evaluation of the risks be completed to enable the Council to make decisions on its further involvement in the LIFT.

[The reason for the decisions and any alternative options considered and rejected at the meeting are set out in the report.]

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 are likely to disclose exempt information by virtue of categories 9 and 12, as defined in Access to Information Procedure Rule 10.4.

Having regard to the particular nature of 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 categories 9 and 12 as defined in Access to Information Procedure Rule 10.4.

This report seeks approval to renew the leases for land adjacent to the Petersham Hotel and Rose of York Public House, Petersham Road, Richmond.

Report of the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Strategy and Finance attached for Members only.

The lease renewals to The Petersham Hotel Ltd and LPS (Richmond) Holdings together with a subsequent sub-lease to the Council of an area for public parking be approved.

[The reason for the decision and any alternative options considered and rejected at the meeting are set out in the report.]

Confidential Appendix to the report of the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Strategy and Finance attached for Members only.

Appendix B be noted.

To report on the opportunities and issues regarding the potential for generating income from on street advertising.  This report contains confidential aspects.

Report of the Cabinet Member for Environment and Planning attached for Members only.

The report be noted.

[The Cabinet took account of the report as part of their consideration of Agenda Item 28.

The Cabinet noted Counsel's advice in relation to the agreement with Adshel.]

Confidential Appendix to the report of the Chief Executive attached for Members only.

Appendix C be noted.