Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies for absence.

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 on this occasion.

To consider and approve the Minutes of the meeting held on 15 March 2012.

Resolved: That the minutes of the meeting held on 15 March 2012 be signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

Representations from members of the public were dealt with as part of the relevant 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 of Overview and Scrutiny Committees on this occasion.

This report asks Cabinet to consider the responses to statutory proposals to establish school sixth forms at Grey Court in September 2013 and at Christ’s, Orleans Park, Teddington and Waldegrave in September 2014 and to decide whether or not the proposals should be approved. 

Cabinet considered a report of the Cabinet Member for Schools regarding the responses to the statutory proposals to establish school sixth forms at Grey Court in September 2013 and at Christs, Orleans Park, Teddington and Waldegrave in September 2014.

Mrs Philippa Nunn and Mrs Maggie Bailey on behalf of the Richmond Secondary School Headteachers, addressed Cabinet in support of the proposals. Mrs Nunn highlighted the support of all secondary Headteachers in Richmond for the proposals, in particular the positive impact they would have on existing and future pupils with emphasis on the development of student leadership skills and benefits for those with Special Educational Needs. Mrs Bailey explained the positive impact of school sixth forms on recruitment and retention of high quality teachers in secondary schools and the opportunities to broaden the curriculum offer through collaborative work amongst clusters of schools in conjunction with Richmond Upon Thames College. In response to questioning, Mrs Bailey explained that school sixth forms provided a stable environment for some of the more vulnerable pupils to continue their education. The Leader of the Council sought clarification regarding the co-educational nature of the proposed sixth form at Waldegrave School. Mrs Nunn explained that the Governors of the School had considered the matter and had fully acknowledged the benefits co-education would provide for sixth form pupils.

Mr John Holroyd, on behalf of UNISON, addressed Cabinet to oppose the proposals. He expressed concern at the funding required to successfully implement the proposals and sought assurances that the establishment of sixth forms would achieve the required educational outcomes for the students who chose to study there.

Ms Maggie Fordham, on behalf of UNISON, Richmond Upon Thames College addressed Cabinet to oppose the proposals. She noted that there was much staff unrest about the future of the college as a result of the sixth form proposals and explained that the breadth and depth of subject choices and vocational options could not be offered in school sixth forms. Councillor Hodgins explained that the proposals for sixth forms were part of a wider initiative to provide quality and choice for all young people accessing education within the Borough.

Councillor Evans presented the views of the Education and Children’s Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee following the meeting held on 15 May 2012. He reported that the Committee had considered the collaborative nature of the sixth form proposals and had been reassured regarding the financial work underpinning the proposals. The greater choice in available learning environments offered by school sixth forms had been considered by the Committee and he explained that the large numbers of young people choosing to leave the borough for sixth form education indicated that demand existed for additional in borough provision. Following a vote taken at the meeting held on 15 May 2012, the view of the majority of the Committee had been to support the proposal to establish sixth forms.

Councillor Knight addressed Cabinet. He noted support for improving the quality of education across all  ...  view the full minutes text for item 215.

Cabinet to consider the responses to the consultation on the proposals to lease the Clifden Road site to the Diocese of Westminster for the establishment of a voluntary-aided Catholic secondary school and a voluntary-aided Catholic primary school, and asks Cabinet to decide whether or not the proposals should be approved, conditional on completion of purchase of the site and on Cabinet’s separate approval of the Diocese’s statutory proposals.

Cabinet considered a report of the Cabinet Member for Schools which summarised the responses to the consultation on the proposals to make the Clifden Road site available for new voluntary aided Catholic Schools.

The Leader confirmed that this item would, for the purposes of public representation and debate be taken in conjunction with Item 11 – Statutory Proposals to establish a voluntary aided catholic secondary school and a voluntary aided primary school. The decisions however, would be taken separately.

The Right Reverend Bishop John Sherrington on behalf of the Diocese of Westminster addressed Cabinet alongside Mr Paul Barber, Diocesan Director of Education in support of the proposals. Bishop Sherrington explained that a firm Catholic foundation was provided at primary level within the borough that could not be continued at secondary level. He noted that the increase in demand for places in out of borough Catholic Schools would soon begin to impact on the choices available for Richmond residents. He noted that Catholic Schools placed a strong emphasis on diversity and inclusivity and already contributed fully at primary level to the family of schools within the Borough. Mr Barber re-iterated the impact of rising birth rates in West London on the future availability of out of borough secondary places for Richmond children which had already become evident at primary level.

Patricia Howell, a parent of Catholic children in the borough addressed Cabinet in support of the proposals. She noted the educational and community impact of children travelling out of the borough for secondary education, in particular the lack of participation in extra curricular activities. In particular, the impact was noted to be greatest for children with Special Educational Needs.

Christine Brett, Headteacher of St Elizabeth’s School, addressed Cabinet in support of the proposals. She provided an overview of the recent increase in admission numbers to Catholic primary schools within the borough. She explained that the Catholic ethos focused heavily on community cohesion and children regularly took part in charitable activities, outreach work and worked with their peers across primary schools within the borough and more widely. In response to questioning, she noted that Richmond pupils often were not able to access summer school sessions organised by the transferring secondary schools due to the small numbers of pupils transferring across as many as 15 secondary schools.

Andrew Cole, Richmond Local Authority Representative of the Diocese of Southwark, addressed Cabinet in support of the proposals. He noted the positive benefits which the proposed new voluntary aided primary and secondary school would provide for Richmond families. He supported the view that additional community places were not required at secondary level at this time in the borough. In response to questioning, Mr Cole explained that the admissions policy for the primary school would include 10 community places based on home to school distance. The secondary school admissions policy would be based on random allocation across 20 parishes, with admission from both the Middlesex and Surrey sides of the river. Places unfilled by Catholic Children  ...  view the full minutes text for item 216.

Cabinet to consider the responses to the consultation on the Diocese of Westminster’s proposals to establish voluntary

aided secondary and primary schools, and, as ‘local decision-maker’, to decide whether or not the proposals should be

approved. 

Cabinet considered a report of the Cabinet Member for Schools which sought consideration and determination of the responses to the consultation on the Diocese of Westminster’s proposals to establish voluntary aided secondary and primary schools.

Representations and discussion on this item were included as part of the previous minute.

The Chief Executive reconfirmed the advice listed as part of the report that the report should be treated as urgent and exempted from call-in.

Resolved: That Cabinet:

1. Approve the statutory proposal by the Diocese of Westminster to establish a Catholic voluntary aided secondary school.
2. Approve the statutory proposal by the Diocese of Westminster to establish a Catholic voluntary aided primary school
3. Agree that approval of both statutory proposals (as above) is conditional on acquisition of the site for the school by 31 December 2012.
4. Note the reasons for urgency and agree that the decision should be exempted from the Council’s Call-In Process.

To agree the Twickenham Area Action Plan for publication,consultation and submission.

Cabinet received a report of the Strategic Cabinet Member for Environment and Planning, Parks and Highways which sought approval of the Twickenham Area Action Plan for publication, consultation and submission.

Resolved: That Cabinet:

1. Recommend to Full Council approval of the Twickenham Area Action Plan Publication version for public consultation and submission, together with the associated Sustainability Appraisal.
2. Agree that any minor textual changes to update the Plan or for purposes of consistency, be agreed prior to consultation and submission by the Head of Policy and Design, following consultation with the Cabinet Member for Environment and Planning, Parks and Highways.
3. Recommend to Full Council approval of the use of the Twickenham Area Action Plan Publication version for development control purposes.

To consider the Councils work on arrangements for the Olympic and seek funding for costs incurred and to be incurred as well as

a contingency for any, currently unforeseen, matters.

Cabinet considered a report of the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources which outlined the Council’s work on arrangements for the Olympic Games and sought funding for costs incurred ahead of the claim to be made to LOCOG.

Resolved: That Cabinet:

1. Note progress on the preparatory work being undertaken for the Olympic Games.
2. Instructs officers to seek recovery of all costs incurred from LOCOG at an appropriate time in the future, noting the risks as outlined in the report.
3. Approve expenditure of £220,000 from central contingency, for the maximum of the current estimate of the Council’s costs as detailed in paragraph 4.1, including operational contingency for unforeseen matters ahead of the claim as approved at 2.

Cabinet to consider the appointment of a Member Champion for Sport and the responsibilities of the role.   

Cabinet considered a report of the Leader of the Council regarding the appointment of Councillor Richard Martin as the Member Champion for Sport.

Resolved: That Cabinet:

1. Appoint Councillor Richard Martin as Member Champion for Sport and agree the responsibilities of the role.

To agree that the Council and the PCT will jointly consult on the proposed changes to the adult rehabilitation service in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames, with consultation commencing early June 2012 for a period of eight weeks.

Cabinet considered a report of the Cabinet Member for Adult Services, Health and Housing which sought approval regarding the joint consultation arrangements between Richmond Primary Care Trust and the Council on proposed changes to adult rehabilitation services.

A written representation from Richmond LINk was considered by the Cabinet which sought an extension to the consultation period from 8 weeks to 12 to take into account the Olympic Games and further information regarding the care pathways for service users whose needs may not be met by high care accommodation.

Resolved: That Cabinet:

1. Recommend to Richmond Primary Care Trust an extension to the consultation period from 8 weeks to 12 weeks to take into consideration the Olympic Games.
2. Request that the Director, Adult and Community Services liaise with Richmond Primary Care Trust regarding care pathways and appropriate provision for whose needs may not fully be met by high care accommodation.
3. Approve the arrangements proposed by Richmond Primary Care Trust and the Council for joint consultation on the proposed changes to the adult rehabilitation service in the London Borough of Richmond Upon Thames, subject to the recommendation listed at 1. to extend the consultation period.

Cabinet are requested to consider the use of the Housing Capital Programme, as identified in the Corporate Capital Programme, to support the delivery of affordable housing.

Cabinet considered a report of the Cabinet Member for Adult Services, Health and Housing which sought approval for Housing Capital Programme monies, as listed in the Corporate Capital Programme, to support the delivery of affordable housing.

Resolved: That Cabinet:

1. Approve the use of £750,000 of funding from the 2012/13 Housing Capital Programme to fund a programme of extensions to existing social housing stock.
2. Approve the use of £500,000 of funding from the 2012/13 Housing Capital Programme to support the development of a mental health assessment centre with living accommodation for five residents, facilities for external assessments and four self-contained apartments for mental health move-on or other mental health supported accommodation
3. Approve the use of £500,000 of funding from the 2012/13 Housing Capital Programme to support the delivery of supported housing accommodate at Lock Road, Ham.
4. Approve the use of £41,000 of funding from the 2012/13 Housing Capital Programme to fund the 2012/13 Sponsored Moves Programme.
5. Delegate authority to the Cabinet Member for Adult Services, Health and Housing, following consultation with the Assistant Director for Commissioning, Corporate Policy and Strategy to approve use of the Housing Capital Programme in line with the Council’s Contract Standing Orders.

To seek approval from Cabinet to commence an Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU) compliant procurement process to set up a Framework Contract for the provision of maintenance services for Parks and Open Spaces.

Cabinet considered a report of the Strategic Cabinet Member for Environment and Planning, Parks and Highways seeking approval to commence on Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU) compliant procurement process to set up a Framework Contract for the provision of maintenance services for Parks and Open Spaces.

Resolved: That Cabinet:

1. Approve the commencement of a procurement process for maintenance services for Parks and Open Spaces in accordance with Contract Standing Orders, the Procurement Code of Practice and European Union Procurement Regulations.