Agenda and minutes

To receive apologies for absence (if any).

None received.

To receive declarations of disclosable pecuniary or non pecuniary interests, arising from business to be transacted at this meeting, from:

(a)          all Members of the Committee, Sub-Committee or Panel;

(b)          all other Members present in any part of the room or chamber.

RESOLVED:  To note that the declaration of interests had been published on the Council website and that:

(1)          CouncillorVarsha Parmar had declared a disclosable pecuniary interest in Item 4 – Public Questions, Item 5 – Councillor Questions and Item 8 – Recommendations from the Traffic Advisory and Road Safety Panel in that her husband worked for London Underground Limited. She would remain in the meeting by virtue of her dispensation;

(2)          Councillor Paul Osborn declared a non-pecuniary interest on that he lived in the West Harrow Low Traffic Neighbourhood area;

(3)          Councillor Sue Anderson declared a non-pecuniary interest on that she lived in a Low Traffic Neighbourhood area;

(4)          Councillor Simon Brown declared a non-pecuniary interest on that he lived in a Low Traffic Neighbourhood (LTN02) area; and

(5)          Councillor Krishna Suresh declared a non-pecuniary interest on that he lived in a North Harrow Low Traffic Neighbourhood area.

To receive any petitions submitted by members of the public or Councillors.

RESOLVED:  To note that the following petitions had been received:

(1)          Councillor Dr Lesline Lewinson presented a petition on behalf of Grove Road and Northumberland Road residents, containing 129 signatures, requesting improved road safety and crime reduction in the area.

RESOLVED:  That the petition be received and referred to the Corporate Director of Community for consideration.

(2)          Mr Michal Asid, presented a petition on behalf of South Hill Grove residents, containing 24 signatures, requesting the planting of new trees in the local area.

RESOLVED:  That the petition be received and referred to the Corporate Director of Community for consideration.

To receive any public questions received in accordance with paragraph 16 of the Executive Procedure Rules.

Questions will be asked in the order in which they were received.  There will be a time limit of 15 minutes for the asking and answering of public questions.

[The deadline for receipt of public questions is 3.00 pm, 26 April 2021.  Questions should be sent to publicquestions@harrow.gov.uk

No person may submit more than one question].

RESOLVED:  To note that 13 public question had been received and responded to and the recording would be placed on the website.

To receive any Councillor questions received in accordance with paragraph 17 of the Executive Procedure Rules.

Questions will be asked in the order agreed with the relevant Group Leader by the deadline for submission and there be a time limit of 15 minutes.

[The deadline for receipt of Councillor questions is 3.00 pm, 26 April 2021.]

RESOLVED:  The Councillor Questions were responded to and the recording would be placed on the Council’s website.

Cabinet noted that the report on “The Council's Accommodation Strategy and the Harrow New Civic Centre” and “Treasury Management - Shared Service Arrangement with the Greater London Authority (GLA)” had been deferred to the May Cabinet meeting.

Cabinet also agreed that the recommendations from the Traffic Advisory and Road Safety Panel (TARSAP), which had not been included in the latest Key Decision Schedule, be considered at tonight’s meeting for the urgency reasons set out in the published public notice.

RESOLVED:  To note the contents of the Key Decision Schedule for the period April – June 2021.

For consideration

RESOLVED:  To receive and note the current progress of the scrutiny reports.

Verbal update from the Chief Executive.

Having agreed to vary the order of business, Cabinet received a presentation from the Chief Executive, which provided a strategic update on Covid-19 case levels across the borough, the Council’s role, vaccination progress and plans for future recovery.  Acknowledging the impact on organisational capacity and staff resilience throughout this challenging period, it was

RESOLVED: That the verbal update and accompanying presentation from the Chief Executive be noted.

RESOLVED:  To receive and note the current progress of the scrutiny reports.

Resolved to RECOMMEND(To Cabinet)

That

(1)          the schemes be removed with immediate effect;

(2)       the Corporate Director of Community, following consultation with the Portfolio Holder

for Environment

a. worked towards introducing speed reductions in roads and

    streets with identified road safety issues where budget and

    enforcement constraints allow;

b. conducted a review of the Francis Road width restriction.

(3)          the Corporate Director of Community, following consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Environment , reviewed the Council capital programme in order to ring-fence dedicated additional funding to promote relevant walking, cycling and road safety measures and schemes.

Reason for Recommendations:  The four schemes were implemented in October 2020 on an experimental basis for 6-months in neighbourhoods with longstanding and ongoing concerns around safety, speeding and high levels of traffic and pollution to test the effects of Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTNs) in the four areas.

The details in the report highlighted that whilst the residential roads within the LTN had benefitted from reduced levels of traffic, speeding and vehicle damage, surrounding roads had experienced an increase in levels of traffic, longer journey times and waiting times at junctions, and increased vehicle emissions thereby reducing air quality.

With the need for social distancing to continue for the longer-term, alongside the return of schools and easing of lockdown restrictions it was expected that levels of car usage would remain high, if not increase, in the short term, thereby putting further strain on the highways and junctions, and further impacting air quality for those residing on these already busy roads.

The engagement and consultation over the experimental six-month period had highlighted that a strong majority did not agree with the LTNs, did not feel that they were working, and did not agree with the proposal to retain the LTNs using ANPR and virtual permits.

The original Transport for London (TfL) funding for the schemes had been exhausted and any new scheme would require new funding. In respect of the considered option of using of Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras there would be a capital purchase cost of £172,000, in addition to this would be the full year operational costs of £93,500.  There was no funding for this option in the Parking Services budget.

There remained support from residents to retain the 20mph speed limit introduced as part of the LTNs and the need to ensure the Francis Road width restriction met the requirements of reducing large vehicular traffic and through traffic.

RESOLVED:  That

(1)          the schemes be removed with immediate effect;

(2)          the Corporate Director of Community, following consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Environment, worked towards:

o        a review of the strategy with all stakeholders to create the infrastructure in Harrow that could be improved and expanded, including quiet ways, to create a seamless cycle link across the borough and report back to TARSAP in three months;

o        introduce speed reductions on Honeypot Lane and Uxbridge Road where budget and enforcement constraints allow.

(3)          the Corporate Director of Community, following consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Environment, reviewed the Council capital programme in order to ring-fence dedicated additional funding to promote relevant walking, cycling, road safety measures, cycling facilities and schemes.

Reason for Decision:  The three schemes were implemented in October 2020 on an experimental basis for 6-months to test the effects of Strategic Cycle lanes in three areas.

The schemes were funded on the condition that we only used the Transport for London (TfL) design criteria, which wasn’t Harrow specific and therefore didn’t account for any local conditions.

Therefore, post implementation the schemes had clearly demonstrated that they weren’t the option best suited to Harrow and that alternative designs for any future cycle scheme fully accounted for local conditions.

The TfL funding had been exhausted and therefore any new scheme would require new funding which was not currently available from within existing budgets.

With the need for social distancing to continue for the longer-term, alongside the return of schools and easing of lockdown restrictions it was expected that levels of car usage will remain high, if not increase, in the short term, thereby putting further strain on the highways and junctions.

The engagement and consultation over the experimental six-month period have highlighted that a majority did not agree with the design of the cycle lanes and had clearly indicated that they were not working for all users.

There remained support from residents and Ward Councillors to retain the 30MPH speed limit introduced as part of the cycle lanes schemes on Honeypot Lane and Uxbridge Road.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected:  As set out in the report.

Conflict of Interest relating to the matter declared by Cabinet Member/Dispensation Granted:  None.

RESOLVED:  That

(1)          the experimental trials of the school streets schemes be continued until month 12 of the 18 months;

(2)          a full report be submitted to TARSAP on the progress of the experimental trials in order that the future of the schemes could be considered.

(3)          the Corporate Director of Community following consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Environment, collated an action plan on learning from the negative consultation feedback to date and took relevant steps to directly address the main issues and problems associated with the School Street programme introduction in the local surrounding areas.

Reason for Decision:  To continue to evaluate the performance of the school streets schemes over the 18-month experimental period.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected:  As set out in the report.

Conflict of Interest relating to the matter declared by Cabinet Member/Dispensation Granted:  None.

Report of the Divisional Director, Environment.

RESOLVED:  That

(1)          the outcome of the consultation be noted and the proposed Additional Licensing Scheme to license Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) of any number of storeys occupied by three or more unrelated people be agreed;

(2)          the Designation be made on 6 May 2021, to come into force on 6 August 2021 after the statutory 3-month period required by The Licensing and Management of Houses in Multiple Occupation and Other Houses (Miscellaneous Provisions) (England) Regulations 2006, be agreed;

(3)          the Head of Community & Public Protection, following consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Environment and Equalities, be authorised to take all steps necessary to publicise, commence and administer the scheme including the issuing and amending of licences;

(4)          the Corporate Director Community, following consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Environment and Equalities, be authorised to amend and approve licensing conditions.

Reason for Decision:

·                     Obtaining approval would enable the Council to deal effectively with complaints relating to issues such as overcrowding, anti-social behaviour, overflowing bins, lack of fire safety and amenities.

·                     Licensing conditions would ensure landlords compliance and therefore benefit tenants and neighbours alike.

·                     Having the scheme would fit in with the overall policy of the Council to address private rented sector premises to ensure standards were met, in line with the use of Mandatory HMO and Selective Licensing.

·                     As the majority of the housing stock and HMO's in the borough were two storey properties and not subject to mandatory licensing, additional licensing would enable the Council to better protect the health, safety and welfare of the occupants.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected:  As set out in the report.

Conflict of Interest relating to the matter declared by Cabinet Member/Dispensation Granted:  None.

Report of the Corporate Director, Community.

RESOLVED:  That

(1)          the commencement of the re-procurement of two frameworks to deliver property maintenance minor works schemes as part of the Council’s planned and reactive maintenance works, and the planned and preventative maintenance be agreed;

(2)          the Corporate Director of Community, following consultation with the Portfolio Holder Environment and Equalities, the Portfolio Holder for Finance and Resources and the Director of Finance, be authorised to finalise the procurement and award of the contract/s and the operational implementation of the frameworks once contracts had been awarded by the Interim Divisional Director of Environmental Services.

Reason for Decision:  To provide an efficient and compliant procurement route for the award of building, repair, PPM and decoration works across the Corporate estate and schools, to ensure the Council fulfilled its statutory responsibilities for maintaining its buildings and related assets.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected:  As set out in the report.

Conflict of Interest relating to the matter declared by Cabinet Member/Dispensation Granted:  None.

Report of the Corporate Director, Resources.

Having noted the confidential appendices to the report, Cabinet

RESOLVED:  That

(1)          the additional capital spend of £850,000 on the Dynamics programme in 2021/22 be approved.

(2)          the addition of £850k to the Dynamics Capital Budget in 2021/22 funded by a virement from the Resources ICT Capital Programme of £85k, plus virements totalling £765k from schemes which had underspent in the 2020/21 Capital Programme, be agreed;

(3)          the appointment of Price Waterhouse Cooper(PwC) as the Council’s Dynamics post implementation support and development provider for a period of 2 years be approved (the cost, as set out in Appendix 2 of the officer report would be funded from the existing ICT revenue budget and phase 2 of the Dynamics Capital Programme in 2021/22.  The two-year extension, variation and increase in contract value of the existing contract with PwC was the maximum period permissible under the terms of the existing contract.  This would allow work to continue that was required to ‘Go Live’ and agree the maximum period of post implementation support as per this recommendation.)

Reason for Decision:  The Council has had to divert significant resource and focus onto its response to the Covid-19 pandemic.  It was hoped that even with these constraints the Council could complete the introduction of the Dynamics system on time.  Up until the end of last year, the programme had been on track for completion by April 2021.

However, the most recent lockdown and its associated additional workload had diverted too much resource and focus to an already stretched programme and a delay to the implementation date was inevitable.  The programme has been re-planned to complete in July 2021 and there were costs associated with this delay.  Although these had been minimised, several essential resources were required to continue the programme and so reduce risks, and to undertake additional tasks that were necessary because of the delay.  The additional cost of these resources was £850,000.

Post implementation application support was needed for the Dynamics system.  The Council had conducted a soft market testing exercise and determined that PwC offered the best value for money at lowest operational risk over a 2-year term.  After 2 years the Council intends to be self-sufficient and would not require a support contract of this type.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected:  As set out in the report.

Conflict of Interest relating to the matter declared by Cabinet Member/Dispensation Granted:  None.

RESOLVED:  That the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following item for the reasons set out below:

Report of the Corporate Director, Community.

Cabinet considered a confidential report relating to the Council’s leisure contract delivery options.  Having noted the confidential information contained in the report and accompanying appendices, Cabinet

RESOLVED:  That

(1)          the recommended option A in relation to the future delivery of the leisure contract, as detailed in the officer report, be approved;

(2)          the Corporate Director for Community and the Director of Finance, following consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Regeneration, Planning and Employment and Portfolio Holder for Finance and Resources be authorised to enter into a funding agreement under a Contract Deed of Variation with Sports and Leisure Management (SLM) Ltd of up to [the maximum amount set out in the confidential report] for the period April 2021 to March 2022, with the exact funding representing the actual deficit to be agreed separately for each month under open book accounting from April 2021 to March 2022, in light of the impact of the Covid-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic;

(3)          the Corporate Director of Community, following consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Business, Property and Leisure, and the Portfolio Holder for Finance and Resources be authorised to enter into and signof the Leisure Contract Deed of Variation(s) with Sports and Leisure Management (SLM) Ltd, and to take any further actions necessary to complete the revised contractual agreement(s) with SLM.

Reason for Decision:  To ensure that the Council’s leisure contractor, Sports and Leisure Management (SLM) Ltd re-opened Harrow Leisure Centre, Hatch End Swimming Pool, and Bannister Sports Centre as soon as possible, and when it was safe to do so following government approval to re-open leisure facilities that had been closed due to the Covid-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic, and for SLM to then continue to operate Harrow’s leisure facilities during ongoing restrictions due to the pandemic.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected:  As set out in the report.

Conflict of Interest relating to the matter declared by Cabinet Member/Dispensation Granted:  None.

[Call-in did not apply to the resolutions above as a waiver of call-in had been obtained by the Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee for the reasons set out in the published public notice].

Appendices to the report of the Corporate Director, Resources.

See Minute 456.