Agenda, decisions and minutes

Councillor Butt, Leader of the Council, declared a personal interest in respect of item 13: ‘Confidential debt recovery’. For this item, Councillor Butt would leave the meeting and Councillor Pavey, Deputy Leader, would continue in the chair.

RESOLVED:

that the minutes of the previous meeting held on 14 March 2016 be approved as an accurate record of the meeting.

None.

A proposed investment strategy is attached as appendix one to this report.  It is intended to help deliver the borough plan and Brent 2020 objectives by investing in appropriate assets to generate financial returns, cut costs and deliver social value.

(i)         To agree the investment strategy as attached as appendix one.

To note that individual investment decisions will be subject to specific approval by Cabinet;

(ii)        To agree that the management of the council’s reserves will be centralised in order to facilitate the delivery of the investment strategy;

(iii)       To agree, as part of 2.3, that a new £12m investment reserve will be established through re-designation of existing reserves, in order to deliver the investment strategy;

(iv)       To delegate to the Chief Finance Officer authority to amend the technical criteria for evaluating investments as necessary.

Councillor Pavey, Deputy Leader of the Council, introduced the report stating that the draft investment strategy was attached at appendix one to the report from the Chief Finance Officer.

Councillor Pavey stated that the Strategy has been prepared through a process of detailed research and review of the capital programme.

In addition, he stated that a member development session had taken place on 15 March 2016, and that the feedback from that session had been taken into account in finalising the Strategy.

Councillor Pavey stated that the session had showed that there was support for the broad principle of adopting a more ambitious and proactive approach to investment. This would be subject to appropriate member oversight arrangements being in place, in addition to Cabinet approvals, and proposals on this would be developed throughout the implementation of the Strategy.

In addition, he stated that the members’ session had stressed the importance of ensuring that the Strategy was aligned with proposals around the community infrastructure levy and its use.

Councillor Pavey drew members’ attention to recommendation 2 - that the management of the council’s reserves would be centralised in order to facilitate the delivery of the investment Strategy.

RESOLVED:

(i)         that the investment strategy as attached as appendix one to the report from the Chief Finance Officer be agreed;

(ii)        that it be noted that individual investment decisions would be subject to specific approval by Cabinet;

(iii)       that the management of the council’s reserves be centralised in order to facilitate the delivery of the investment strategy;

(iv)       that as part of (iii) above, a new £12m investment reserve be established through re-designation of existing reserves, in order to deliver the investment strategy;

(v)        that authority be delegated to the Chief Finance Officer to amend the technical criteria for evaluating investments as necessary.

This report proposes that capital investment be approved to enable Brent to redevelop 51, 53 and Westbrook Community Centre, Longstone Avenue, London NW10 3UN (the subject site), delivering 85 temporary and 40 new accommodation units for independent living homes and replacement community facilities, resulting in the termination of the existing leasing arrangements.

that agreement be given to capital investment of £24m, to bring forward the proposed 85 temporary and 40 new accommodation units for Independent Living homes and replacement community accommodation, subject to further viability testing, local consultation, and planning consent.

Councillor McLennan, Cabinet Member for Housing and Development, introduced the report stating that the Strategic Property Plan 2015-18, Brent’s Corporate Plan 2015/16, and the Temporary Accommodation Reform Plan presented to Cabinet on 14 March 2016 set out a presumption for Brent to retain its limited property assets, utilising them to support regeneration, generating revenue savings, and new income generation.

She informed members that this report proposed that capital investment be approved to enable Brent to redevelop 51, 53 and Westbrook Community Centre, Longstone Avenue, London NW10 3UN (the subject site), delivering 85 temporary and 40 new accommodation units for independent living homes and replacement community facilities, resulting in the termination of the existing leasing arrangements.

RESOLVED:

that agreement be given to capital investment of £24m, to bring forward the proposed 85 temporary and 40 new accommodation units for Independent Living homes and replacement community accommodation, subject to further viability testing, local consultation, and planning consent.

In line with the School Place Planning Strategy approved by Cabinet in November 2015, Brent Council has proposed the expansion of Roe Green Infant School by including the Strathcona site and a change in its age-range at the Strathcona site. This proposal has the support of the Governing Body of Roe Green Infant School. This proposal makes permanent the provision called Roe Green Strathcona that was initially established on a temporary basis.

This report informs the Cabinet of the outcome of the statutory consultation on the proposal and recommends that the statutory proposal to expand and change the character of Roe Green Infant School be approved.

(i)         that approval be given to the expansion of Roe Green Infant School, a community school, by one form of entry (from 120 Reception places to 150 Reception places a year – 120 at the Princes Road site and 30 at the Strathcona Road site);

 (ii)       that the age-range of the Roe Green Strathcona site be changed from   4-9 to 4-11. These changes will take effect from 1 September 2016.

Councillor Moher, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, introduced the report stating that, in line with the School Place Planning Strategy approved by Cabinet in November 2015, Brent Council has proposed the expansion of Roe Green Infant School by including the Strathcona site and a change in its age-range at the Strathcona site.

She stated that this proposal has the support of the Governing Body of Roe Green Infant School. This proposal mads permanent the provision called Roe Green Strathcona that was initially established on a temporary basis.

These changes, Councillor Moher stated, enabled the provision that was established temporarily at the Roe Green Strathcona site to be made a permanent part of the school and for the Strathcona Road provision to provide 30 places a year for children from Reception to Year 6.

Councillor Moher clarified that no change would be made to the Roe Green Infant provision at the Princes Avenue site which would continue to provide 120 places per year group for children from Reception to Year 2 as well as a nursery with 40 fulltime equivalent places.

She highlighted to members that the report informed the Cabinet of the outcome of the statutory consultation on the proposal and recommended that the statutory proposal to expand and change the character of Roe Green Infant School be approved. The representation period on the proposal ended on 24 March 2016. This report also informed the Cabinet of the responses to the informal and formal consultations.

RESOLVED:

(i)         that approval be given to the expansion of Roe Green Infant School, a community school, by one form of entry (from 120 Reception places to 150 Reception places a year – 120 at the Princes Road site and 30 at the Strathcona Road site);

(ii)        that the age-range of the Roe Green Strathcona site be changed from 4-9 to 4-11. These changes would take effect from 1 September 2016.

This report requests authority to award a number of separate contracts for the design and build of school expansions at Byron Court Primary School, Elsley Primary School, The Stonebridge Primary School and Uxendon Manor Primary School as required by Contract Standing Order No 88. This report summarises the processes undertaken in tendering these contracts and, following the completion of the evaluation of the tenders, recommends to whom the contracts should be awarded.

(1)       Byron Court Primary School

(i)         Delegate authority to make the final decision to award the two stage design and build contract for the expansion of Byron Court Primary School to Morgan Sindall Group to the Strategic Director of Regeneration and Environment in consultation with the Chief Legal Officer and Chief Finance Officer following successful completion of all associated matters including planning approval. The first stage of the contract (Preconstruction Services Agreement) to commence following award;

(ii)        Delegate authority to trigger the entry into the stage two main works contract to the Strategic Director of Regeneration and Environment in consultation with the Chief Legal Officer and Chief Finance Officer following successful conclusion of the Pre Construction Services Agreement.

(2)       Elsley Primary School

(i)         Subject to planning approval detailed in paragraph 3.4 and table 2, award the two stage design and build contract for the expansion of Elsley Primary School to Lakehouse Contracts Ltd with the first stage of the contract (Preconstruction Services Agreement) to commence following award.

(ii)        Subject to planning approval detailed in paragraph 3.4 and table 2, award the fixed cost lump sum works contract (contract 1) to Lakehouse Contracts Ltd

(iii)       Delegate authority to trigger entry into the stage two main works contract to the Strategic Director of Regeneration and Environment in consultation with the Chief Legal Officer and Chief Finance Officer following successful conclusion of the Preconstruction Services Agreement.

(3)       The Stonebridge Primary School

(i)         Subject to planning approval detailed in paragraph 3.4 and table 2, award the two stage design and build contract for the expansion of The Stonebridge Primary School to Morgan Sindall Group with the first stage of the contract (Preconstruction Services Agreement) to commence following award.

(ii)        Delegate authority to trigger entry into the stage two main works contract to the Strategic Director of Regeneration and Environment in consultation with the Chief Legal Officer and Chief Finance Officer following successful conclusion of the Preconstruction Services Agreement.

(4)       Uxendon Manor Primary School

(i)         Award the two stage design and build contract for the expansion of Uxendon Manor Primary School to Morgan Sindall Group with the first stage of the contract (Preconstruction Services Agreement) to commence following award.

(ii)        Delegate authority to trigger entry into the stage two main works contract to the Strategic Director of Regeneration and Environment in consultation with the Chief Legal Officer and Chief Finance Officer following successful conclusion of the Preconstruction Services Agreement.

Councillor Moher, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, introduced the report requesting authority to award a number of separate contracts for the design and build of school expansions at Byron Court Primary School, Elsley Primary School, The Stonebridge Primary School and Uxendon Manor Primary School as required by Contract Standing Order No 88.

She stated that the report summarised the processes undertaken in tendering these contracts and, following the completion of the evaluation of the tenders, recommended to whom the contracts should be awarded.

Byron Court Primary School

RESOLVED:

(i)         that authority to make the final decision to award the two stage design and build contract for the expansion of Byron Court Primary School to Morgan Sindall Group be delegated to the Strategic Director of Regeneration and Environment in consultation with the Chief Legal Officer and Chief Finance Officer following successful completion of all associated matters including planning approval. The first stage of the contract (Preconstruction Services Agreement) to commence following award;

(ii)        that authority to trigger the entry into the stage two main works contract be delegated to the Strategic Director of Regeneration and Environment in consultation with the Chief Legal Officer and Chief Finance Officer following successful conclusion of the Pre Construction Services Agreement.

Elsley Primary School

RESOLVED:

(i)         that subject to planning approval detailed in paragraph 3.4 and table 2 of the report the two stage design and build contract for the expansion of Elsley Primary School be awarded to Lakehouse Contracts Ltd with the first stage of the contract (Preconstruction Services Agreement) to commence following award;

(ii)        that subject to planning approval detailed in paragraph 3.4 and table 2 of the report, the fixed cost lump sum works contract (contract 1) be awarded to Lakehouse Contracts Ltd;

(iii)       that authority to trigger entry into the stage two main works contract be delegated to the Strategic Director of Regeneration and Environment in consultation with the Chief Legal Officer and Chief Finance Officer following successful conclusion of the Preconstruction Services Agreement.

The Stonebridge Primary School

RESOLVED:

(i)         that subject to planning approval detailed in paragraph 3.4 and table 2 of the report, the two stage design and build contract for the expansion of The Stonebridge Primary School be awarded to Morgan Sindall Group with the first stage of the contract (Preconstruction Services Agreement) to commence following award;

(ii)        that authority to trigger entry into the stage two main works contract be delegated to the Strategic Director of Regeneration and Environment in consultation with the Chief Legal Officer and Chief Finance Officer following successful conclusion of the Preconstruction Services Agreement.

Uxendon Manor Primary School

RESOLVED:

(i)         that the two stage design and build contract for the expansion of Uxendon Manor Primary School be awarded to Morgan Sindall Group with the first stage of the contract (Preconstruction Services Agreement) to commence following award;

(ii)        that authority to trigger entry into the stage two main works contract be delegated to the Strategic  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

This report considers options open to the council in respect of the recovery of parking and traffic Penalty Charge Notice debt.

(i)         Authorises the extension of the contracts of two of the four incumbent Civil Enforcement Agents by one year, noting the rationale for doing so set out in the background to this report;

(ii)        Delegates authority to the Strategic Director, Regeneration and Environment, in consultation with the Lead Member for Environment, to select which two Civil Enforcement Agent providers should have their contracts extended and varied;

(iii)       Delegates authority to the Strategic Director, Regeneration and Environment to decide whether to extend the contracts of the two successful Agents by an additional year in 2017, aligning the contracts with the council’s main Parking Management and Enforcement Contract as explained in 3.20;

(iv)       Endorses the method proposed for selecting which two of the four existing contracts to extend, as set out in paragraph 3.21;

(v)        Agrees to the proposed variation of the contracts with two Civil Enforcement Agents to include the matters detailed in paragraphs 3.19 to 3.24; and

(vi)       Agrees to the implementation of a new process and dedicated resource for the early write-off of unrecoverable debt following a determination of the likelihood of collection, as set out in paragraphs 3.13 and 3.29.

Councillor Southwood, Cabinet Member for Environment, introduced the report stating that it asked members to consider options open to the council in respect of the recovery of parking and traffic Penalty Charge Notice debt.

She stated that the Council currently had contracts with four Civil Enforcement Agents (formerly known as certificated bailiffs), which all would expire on 30 June 2016.

Councillor Southwood stated that Cabinet was recommended to extend the contracts of two of the four existing contractors by one year, following a competitive process, and to delegate to officers the subsequent decision on a further one year extension. This would provide the council with sufficient flexibility to consider the potential for a consolidated approach to debt recovery.

RESOLVED:

(i)         that approval be given to the extension of the contracts of two of the four incumbent Civil Enforcement Agents by one year, noting the rationale for doing so set out in the background to the report from the Strategic Director, Regeneration and Environment;

(ii)        that authority be delegated to the Strategic Director, Regeneration and Environment, in consultation with the Lead Member for Environment, to select which two Civil Enforcement Agent providers should have their contracts extended and varied;

(iii)       that authority be delegated to the Strategic Director, Regeneration and Environment to decide whether to extend the contracts of the two successful Agents by an additional year in 2017, aligning the contracts with the council’s main Parking Management and Enforcement Contract as explained in 3.20 of the Director’s report;

(iv)       that the method proposed for selecting which two of the four existing contracts to extend, as set out in paragraph 3.21 of the report be endorsed;

(v)        that agreement be given to the proposed variation of the contracts with two Civil Enforcement Agents to include the matters detailed in paragraphs 3.19 to 3.24 of the Director’s report;

(vi)       that agreement be given to the implementation of a new process and dedicated resource for the early write-off of unrecoverable debt following a determination of the likelihood of collection, as set out in paragraphs 3.13 and 3.29 of the Director’s report.

This report sets out a proposal to enable an increase in uptake of electric vehicles by Brent residents by entering into contract with BluePointLondon Ltd in respect of the Source London EVCP Scheme.

(i)         that approval be given to entering into contract in respect of the Source London EVCP Scheme with BluePointLondon Ltd on such terms as the Strategic Director Regeneration and Environment in consultation with the Chief Legal Officer may agree at the earliest possible date;

(ii)        that approval be given to an exemption from the usual tendering requirements of Contract Standing Orders in respect of the direct award of the contract detailed in Recommendations 2.1 for the good financial and/or operational reasons set out in paragraph 3.6 of the report;

(iii)       that approval be given to the granting by the Council of leases and/or licences with mutual break clauses for current and future charging sites for a term of up to 99 years to BluePointLondon Ltd or their successors on Council owned land and public highway and otherwise on such terms as the Strategic Director Regeneration and Environment in consultation with the Chief Legal may agree;

(iv)       that officer’s work with BluePointLondon Ltd to identify suitable sites for on-street EVCP’s with each site to be approved by Head of Transportation following public consultation be endorsed.

Councillor Southwood, Cabinet Member for Environment, introduced the report stating that Brent Council was starting to receive requests from residents to provide the charging infrastructure that will enable them to charge their electric vehicles or enable them to consider purchasing one.

She stated that the charging infrastructure in Brent was currently insufficient to enable proper expansion of the electric vehicle charging point (EVCP) network or uptake of electric vehicles.

This has been recognised and reflected as a commitment in the Long Term Transport Strategy in working towards reducing the negative effects of vehicle use and reducing the overall production of and exposure to all pollutants from Transport at every opportunity.

Councillor Southwood stated that the report set out a proposal to enable an increase in uptake of electric vehicles by Brent residents by entering into contract with BluePointLondon Ltd in respect of the Source London EVCP Scheme.

In response to a question from Councillor Duffy, Kilburn Ward, Councillor Southwood stated that Brent Council currently had 57 EVCPs throughout the borough, of which 9 were included in the original TfL Source London contract.

RESOLVED:

(i)         that approval be given to entering into contract in respect of the Source London EVCP Scheme with BluePointLondon Ltd on such terms as the Strategic Director Regeneration and Environment in consultation with the Chief Legal Officer may agree at the earliest possible date;

(ii)        that approval be given to an exemption from the usual tendering requirements of Contract Standing Orders in respect of the direct award of the contract detailed in (i) above for the good financial and/or operational reasons set out in paragraph 3.6 of the report;

(iii)       that approval be given to the granting by the Council of leases and/or licences with mutual break clauses for current and future charging sites for a term of up to 99 years to BluePointLondon Ltd or their successors on Council owned land and public highway and otherwise on such terms as the Strategic Director Regeneration and Environment in consultation with the Chief Legal may agree;

(iv)       that officers’ work with BluePointLondon Ltd to identify suitable sites for on-street EVCP’s with each site to be approved by Head of Transportation following public consultation be endorsed.

The Cabinet noted the views of Scrutiny Committee regarding Tackling Illegal Rubbish Dumping and Litter with Uniformed Street Patrols.

(i)         That approval be given to an exemption from the usual tendering requirements set in the Contract Standing Orders 84 for good operational and financial reasons;

(ii)        that approval be given to the creation of an Inter Authority Agreement (“the IAA”) that implements co-operation for the provision of a 24/7 specialist telephone helpline and contact centre for vulnerable people and their carers for three (3) years with an option to extend for a further 1+1 years with Harrow Council;

(iii)       that authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for Adults, Health and Wellbeing and the Strategic Director Community Wellbeing, Adults Social Care to agree and finalise the terms of the IAA in consultation with the Chief Legal Officer and the Chief Finance Officer.

Approval to establish an inter authority agreement (partnership) with Harrow Council for the provision of a 24/7 specialist telephone helpline and contact centre for vulnerable people and their carers

Councillor Hirani, Cabinet Member for Adults, Health and Well-being introduced the report setting out proposals for working with the London Borough of Harrow to establish and implement a 24/7 specialist telephone helpline and contact centre for vulnerable people and their carers by May 2016.

He stated that Cabinet was asked to approval entering into an Inter Authority Agreement (Partnership) with Harrow Council, and to allow Officers to enter into discussions with Harrow Council with the aim of agreeing appropriate service terms that will result in the signing of an Inter Authority Agreement (“the IAA”).

The Chair certified this item as urgent in order to meet agreement deadlines.

RESOLVED:

(i)         that approval be given to an exemption from the usual tendering requirements set in the Contract Standing Orders 84 for good operational and financial reasons;

(ii)        that approval be given to the creation of an Inter Authority Agreement (“the IAA”) that implements co-operation for the provision of a 24/7 specialist telephone helpline and contact centre for vulnerable people and their carers for three (3) years with an option to extend for a further 1+1 years with Harrow Council;

(iii)       that authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for Adults, Health and Wellbeing and the Strategic Director Community Wellbeing, Adults Social Care to agree and finalise the terms of the IAA in consultation with the Chief Legal Officer and the Chief Finance Officer.

Councillor Butt declared an interest in the next item and vacated the chair and took no part in the discussion. Councillor Pavey took the chair for the duration of the item.

The following item are not for publication as they relate to the following category of exempt information as specified in the Local Government Act 1972 namely:

Item 7             APPENDIX: Authority to award the works contracts for the Design and Build of Phase 3 Primary School Expansion Projects

Item 13           Confidential debt recovery

RESOLVED:

that the press and public be now excluded from the meeting as the following report contains the following category of exempt information as specified in the Local Government Act 1972 namely:

“Information in respect of which a claim to legal professional privilege could be maintained in legal proceedings.”

The Cabinet considered a report from the Chief Legal Officer. A decision was made in closed session.

The Cabinet considered a report from the Chief Legal Officer. A decision was made in closed session.