Agenda, decisions and minutes

None made.

RESOLVED:-

that the minutes of the previous meeting held on 17 October 2011 be approved as an accurate record of the meeting.

With the consent of the Executive, local resident Carol Nicholls addressed the meeting in connection with the report from the Director of Environment and Neighbourhood Services which proposed the introduction of Dog Control Orders in Brent's parks and open spaces under the provisions of Section 55 of the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005. The Orders would cover the maximum number of dogs which may be taken onto land and areas where dogs would be excluded or kept on leads. While Ms Nicholls welcomed the introduction of the Orders she expressed concern at the proposals for one dog walker to be responsible for up to six dogs which she considered excessive. Ms Nicholls stated that local authorities were required to take into account other factors and referred to the fact that while some neighbouring boroughs had yet to decide, others set maximums of four or two. She felt there should be a unified approach and urged the Executive to reconsider. Additionally, Ms Nicholls felt that the length of the lead should be short enough to allow the dog walker to be kept in view. Ms Nicholls referred to improvements to local parks and open spaces in particular Willesden Sports Centre, Doyle Gardens and the nearby Children's Centre which had attracted more users but whose usage was spoiled by the presence of some dogs not properly controlled, frightening children and fouling playing fields and sports pitches which created a hazard.

Ms Nicholls recommended that that the maximum length of a lead should be 48 inches, the number of dogs for which one dog walker could be responsible be limited to four and dogs to be banned from Willesden Sports Centre or, at least, kept on a lead.

Martin Francis, speaking on behalf of the voluntary organisation 'Brent School Without Walls' which frequently used Fryent Country Park, expressed concern at the activities of professional dog walkers who have been known to have responsibility for an excessive number of dogs who were allowed to run free into areas where they could not be seen and also worried horses. Mr Francis also stressed the need for the arrangements to be properly monitored.

The Chair thanked Ms Nicholls and Mr Francis for their contributions.

This report proposes the introduction of Dog Control Orders in Brent’s parks and open spaces.  These would be made under Section 55 of the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005.  Public consultation was undertaken between 7 February and 3 May 2011 and a summary is included within paragraphs 3.10 and 3.11.

(i)         that approval be given to the introduction of the Dog Control Orders in parks and open spaces as set out in paragraphs 3.4 to 3.7 of the report from the Director of Environment and Neighbourhood Services;

(ii)        that the arrangements be reviewed after six months of operation.

The report from the Director of Environment and Neighbourhood Services proposed the introduction of Dog Control Orders in Brent’s parks and open spaces. These would be made under Section 55 of the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005. Public consultation was undertaken between 7 February and 3 May 2011 the details of which were included in the report.

Councillor Powney (Lead Member, Environment and Neighbourhoods) summarised the provisions proposed to apply to Brent's Parks and, in response to concerns raised in deputations earlier in the evening, acknowledged that monitoring would be a key issue. Visits by officers would take place and there would be an opportunity for the arrangements to be reviewed.

Councillor Sneddon (Ward Councillor, Willesden Green) felt the additional dogs to be permitted in Brent compared to maximum numbers allowed in some neighbouring boroughs would adversely affect the perception of the borough. From the consultation he thought the maximum number supported to be four and asked that a review be carried out in six months' time.

RESOLVED:-

(i)         that approval be given to the introduction of the Dog Control Orders in parks and open spaces as set out in paragraphs 3.4 to 3.7 of the report from the Director of Environment and Neighbourhood Services;

(ii)        that the arrangements be reviewed after six months of operation.

This report seeks authority to award the Design and Build Contract to completely rebuild the Crest Girls’ and Crest Boys’ Academies. The report outlines the project background and the procurement process undertaken.  It also seeks approval to enter into a Development Agreement with the Academies’ sponsors and approval to submit the Final Business Case to Partnerships for Schools in order to subsequently award the Design and Build contract. 

(i)         that approval be given to the draft Final Business Case (FBC) for the rebuild of the Crest Girls’ and Crest Boys’ Academies in the form annexed as Appendix 1 and delegate to the Director of Regeneration and Major Projects in consultation with the Director of Finance and Corporate Services authority to approve the FBC and to submit it to Partnerships for Schools (PfS);

(ii)        that approval be given to award the Design and Build Contract to Wates Construction Ltd for the rebuild of the Crest Girls’ and Crest Boys’ Academies subject to approval of the FBC from PfS and the Council entering into a Development Agreement with the Sponsor;

(iii)       that approval be given to the Council entering into a Development Agreement in connection with the rebuild of the Crest Girls’ and Crest Boys’ Academies with the Sponsor;

(iv)       that the financial implications for the Council (as detailed in paragraphs 4.1 – 4.13 and Appendices 3 and 4) of the report from the Director of Regeneration and Major Projects be noted;

(v)        that the arrangements for project management and technical advice for this project (as detailed in paragraphs 3.6 – 3.8) of the Director's report be noted;

(vi)       that the risks attached to this project and the strategy outlined for managing risk (as detailed in paragraphs 3.34 – 3.36) of the Director's report be noted.

(vii)      that officers’ intention to appoint Wates Construction Ltd to undertake additional works outside of the Design and Build Contract (as detailed in paragraph 3.37) of Director's report be noted.

The report from the Director of Regeneration and Major Projects sought authority to award the Design and Build Contract to completely rebuild the Crest Girls’ and Crest Boys’ Academies. The report outlined the project background and the procurement process undertaken.  It also sought approval to enter into a Development Agreement with the Academies’ sponsors and approval to submit the Final Business Case to Partnerships for Schools in order to subsequently award the Design and Build contract. 

Councillor Crane (Lead Member, Regeneration and Major Projects) welcomed the development particularly in the light of the condition of the existing buildings. He drew attention to the financial implications as set out in the report and the funding to be provided by Partnership for Schools. It was anticipated that both schools buildings would be completed by April 2014.

The Chair drew members' attention to an appendix to the report, the Equalities Impact Assessment that had been circulated in advance of the meeting. The Executive also had before them other appendices to the report which were not for publication as they contained the following category of exempt information as specified in Schedule 12 of the Local Government (Access to Information Act) 1972: 

Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information).

RESOLVED:-

(i)         that approval be given to the draft Final Business Case (FBC) for the rebuild of the Crest Girls’ and Crest Boys’ Academies in the form annexed as Appendix 1 and delegate to the Director of Regeneration and Major Projects in consultation with the Director of Finance and Corporate Services authority to approve the FBC and to submit it to Partnerships for Schools (PfS);

(ii)        that approval be given to award the Design and Build Contract to Wates Construction Ltd for the rebuild of the Crest Girls’ and Crest Boys’ Academies subject to approval of the FBC from PfS and the Council entering into a Development Agreement with the Sponsor;

(iii)       that approval be given to the council entering into a Development Agreement in connection with the rebuild of the Crest Girls’ and Crest Boys’ Academies with the Sponsor;

(iv)       that the financial implications for the council (as detailed in paragraphs 4.1 – 4.13 and Appendices 3 and 4) of the report from the Director of Regeneration and Major Projects be noted;

(v)        that the arrangements for project management and technical advice for this project (as detailed in paragraphs 3.6 – 3.8) of the Director's report be noted;

(vi)       that the risks attached to this project and the strategy outlined for managing risk (as detailed in paragraphs 3.34 – 3.36) of the Director's report be noted.

(vii)      that officers’ intention to appoint Wates Construction Ltd to undertake additional works outside of the Design and Build Contract (as detailed in paragraph 3.37) of Director's report be noted.

This report summarises the procurement process undertaken by the Council to procure a developer partner to redevelop the Willesden Green Library Centre site and requests delegation to the Director of Regeneration and Major Projects in consultation with the Director of Legal and Procurement to award and enter into a Development Agreement with the preferred developer partner.

Consideration deferred.

Consideration of this item was deferred.

This report concerns the transfer of the Council’s HR and payroll system from a Logica based system onto an Oracle IT platform. This report requests approval to participate in a collaborative procurement with 5 other London boroughs to establish a framework agreement for Oracle 12 Joint Service Implementation.  The recommendations in this report are part of a London-wide project, Project Athena, which is supported by Capital Ambition, aimed at looking at increased integration of back-office systems and processes across London boroughs.

(i)         that approval be given for the council to participate in a collaborative procurement exercise leading to the establishment of a framework agreement for Oracle 12 Joint Service Implementation;

(ii)        that approval be given to the collaborative procurement exercise detailed in (i) above being exempted from the normal requirements of Brent’s Contract Standing Orders in accordance with Contract Standing Orders 85(c) and 84(a) on the basis that there are good financial and operational reasons as set out in the report from the Director of Finance and Corporate Services.

Councillor Butt, (Lead Member, Resources) introduced the report from the Director of Finance and Corporate Services which concerned the transfer of the council’s human resources and payroll system from a Logica based system onto an Oracle IT platform. The report requested approval to participate in a collaborative procurement with five other London boroughs to establish a framework agreement for Oracle 12 Joint Service Implementation.  The recommendations in the report were part of a London-wide project, Project Athena, which was supported by Capital Ambition, aimed at looking at increased integration of back-office systems and processes across London boroughs. Councillor Butt indicated that it was hoped that, in time, other boroughs would join, further reducing costs. He also referred to the risks involved and the mitigating actions being taken.

RESOLVED:-

(i)         that approval be given for the council to participate in a collaborative procurement exercise leading to the establishment of a framework agreement for Oracle 12 Joint Service Implementation;

(ii)        that approval be given to the collaborative procurement exercise detailed in (i) above being exempted from the normal requirements of Brent’s Contract Standing Orders in accordance with Contract Standing Orders 85(c) and 84(a) on the basis that there are good financial and operational reasons as set out in the report from the Director of Finance and Corporate Services.

None.