Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Demirci, Goldberg, Kober and Vanier. In the absence of both the Leader and Deputy Leader of the Council, Councillor Strickland proposed that Councillor Waters should Chair the meeting and Cabinet was in agreement. 

RESOLVED:

That, in the absence of both the Leader and Deputy Leader of the Council, Councillor Ann Waters be appointed to Chair the meeting.

The Chair will consider the admission of any late items of Urgent Business. (Late items of Urgent Business will be considered under the agenda item where they appear. New items of Urgent Business will be dealt with under Item 23 below. New items of exempt business will be dealt with at Item 31 below).

There were no items of urgent business.

A Member with a disclosable pecuniary interest or a prejudicial interest in a matter who attends a meeting of the authority at which the matter is considered:

(i) must disclose the interest at the start of the meeting or when the interest becomes apparent, and

(ii) may not participate in any discussion or vote on the matter and must withdraw from the meeting room.

A Member who discloses at a meeting a disclosable pecuniary interest which is not registered in the Register of Members’ Interests or the subject of a pending notification must notify the Monitoring Officer of the interest within 28 days of the disclosure.

Disclosable pecuniary interests, personal interests and prejudicial interests are defined at Paragraphs 5-7 and Appendix A of the Members’ Code of Conduct.

Councillor McNamara advised that whilst he did not wish to make a formal declaration of interest, he wished to note he had sat on Scrutiny Panel on Strategic Enforcement, as Cabinet would be considering the Panel’s review of Strategic Enforcement under Item 7 and the proposed response to the review at Item 10.

There were no deputations, petitions or questions.

On occasions part of the Cabinet meeting will be held in private and will not be open to the public if an item is being considered that is likely to lead to the disclosure of exempt or confidential information. In accordance with the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012 (the “Regulations”), members of the public can make representations about why that part of the meeting should be open to the public.

This agenda contains exempt items as set out at Item 24: Exclusion of the Press and Public.  No representations with regard to these have been received.

This is the formal 5 clear day notice under the Regulations to confirm that this Cabinet meeting will be partly held in private for the reasons set out in this Agenda.

No representations were received.

To confirm and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 15 July 2014 as a correct record.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 15 July 2014 be confirmed as a correct record.

To consider the following Overview and Scrutiny Project reports:

a.    Under Occupation of Social Housing

b.    Community Engagement with the Planning Service

c.    Strategic Enforcement

d.    Two Year Olds Early Entitlement

Cabinet received four Scrutiny Panel project reports and an overview of each of these was provided by the Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, Councillor Gideon Bull.

Under Occupation of Social Housing

In introducing the report Councillor Bull noted that the Panel had met with residents affected by the ‘bedroom tax’, officers from Homes for Haringey, other local authorities and the Chartered Institute for Housing. He noted that there had been particularly useful discussion with representatives from local Housing Associations around the measures they were taking to help tenants affected by the new rules on under occupation.

The Panel had concluded that downsizing provided the most effective and sustainable approach to this issue and the recommendations put forward reflected this and the need to support tenants.

Community Engagement with the Planning Service

Councillor Bull noted that meeting with residents had been useful in discussing how engagement could be improved and how this might be achieved.  The need for greater transparency and early engagement had emerged as strong themes and the Panel’s recommendations reflected this. It was noted that recommendations made by the Panel had already been acted upon with the establishment of pre application discussion meetings.

The Cabinet Member for Environment added that building capacity within the Planning service to support engagement and the development of mechanisms for early engagement were essential in empowering local people.

Strategic Enforcement

In introducing the report Councillor Bull noted that the Panel had considered how enforcement services worked together to deliver coordinated enforcement action and how enforcement information was collected and shared across the Council.

The Panel had found that individual enforcement services often held data that could assist the business of other enforcement or regulatory services. However, there were barriers to partnership working and information sharing such as; incompatible IT systems; a lack of protocols; and misinterpretation of Data Protection. The Panel’s recommendations included ensuring that the Council’s enforcement databases were linked to a core database to facilitate centralised record of enforcement actions. 

Councillor Bull noted that the Panel had also recommended that a system to prioritise, coordinated and monitor enforcement action across the Council was established whereby each service would indentify twenty priority cases. These would then be pooled and assessed across the Council to identify twenty Council wide priority cases and each case would be assigned to and monitored by one service lead.

Two Year Olds Early Entitlement

Councillor Bull noted that the Panel had considered plans to implement the two-year-old early entitlement offer and the sufficiency of high quality places across the borough to meet the likely demand for places.  The Panel found that a significant number of additional places were required in some wards in order to provide sufficient places from September. A number of providers had indicated that they were restricted in their capacity to provide additional places at present but that were keen to expand.

Councillor Bull also noted that the Panel had suggested that greater engagement with local primary schools and the local community  ...  view the full minutes text for item 703.

(Report of the Interim Chief Operating Officer. To be introduced by the Cabinet Member for Housing and Regeneration). The report sets out the response to the Scrutiny Review of Under Occupation of Social Housing.

Cabinet considered a report, introduced by the Cabinet Member for Housing and Regeneration, which set out a proposed response to the scrutiny review of the Under Occupation of Social Housing and Housing Benefit Entitlement.

The Cabinet Member for Housing and Regeneration, Councillor Strickland, began by thanking the Panel for the work it had undertaken as part of the review. He noted that the impact of the ‘bedroom tax’ had been significant and that this was evident when he and other Councillors attended surgeries and met with residents.

Councillor Strickland noted that the service had already taken on board a number of the recommendations and that as the new Housing and Tenancy Strategies came forward he would ensure that the recommendations were reflected in these. In response to two questions from Councillor Bull, the first with regard to a Private Members Bill, which was currently being discussed by Parliament and the second in relation to a piece of work undertaken by the Council some time ago to reclassify the number of bedrooms a home was deemed to have, Councillor Strickland noted that he would respond to Councillor Bull in writing outside the meeting.

RESOLVED:

1. That the responses to the recommendations, as set out in the table in Appendix B of the report, be agreed (the recommendations and the service responses were summarised in Appendix A of the report);

2. That it be noted that the Scrutiny Panel had made a number of recommendations, as set out in Item 8 of the agenda, on matters relating to the remits of the Council’s Strategic Housing Service, the Revenues, Benefits and Customer Services, Homes for Haringey and other registered providers; and

3. That it be noted that all of the Scrutiny Panel’s recommendations sought to enhance and develop principles and objectives and most of these had been adopted by the Council as goals it wished to achieve; however, a large number of the recommendations had significant resource implications, which would require further consideration.

Alternative options considered

Not applicable.

Reasons for decision

The report sets out the proposed response to recommendations from the Scrutiny Panel as required under the Council’s Constitution.

(Report of the Director of Regeneration, Planning and Development. To be introduced by the Cabinet Member for Planning). The report sets out the response to the Scrutiny Review of Community Engagement with the Planning Process.  

Cabinet considered a report, introduced by the Cabinet Member for Housing and Regeneration, which set out a proposed response to the scrutiny review of Community Engagement with the Planning Service.

The Cabinet Member for Housing and Regeneration, Councillor Strickland, began by thanking the Panel for the work it had undertaken as part of the review. He noted that improving transparency and creating greater opportunities for engagement were important and the Planning Service had already begun to take on board recommendations made by the Panel in relation to this. However, as set out in the report, the costs attached to a number of the recommendations would require further consideration before they could be agreed.

Councillor Bull noted that it had been previously agreed that responses to scrutiny recommendations would be presented to Cabinet in a standard format whereby the service indicated whether it was proposed that the recommendations were either agreed in full, in part, or not agreed. The Chair agreed that future scrutiny responses should be presented to Cabinet in the agreed format and requested that this was taken forward by officers.  

RESOLVED:

That the responses to the recommendations of the Scrutiny Panel, as set out in the Appendix of the report, be agreed.

Alternative options considered

Not applicable.

Reasons for decision

The report sets out the proposed response to recommendations from the Scrutiny Panel as required under the Council’s Constitution.

(Report of the Director of Regeneration, Planning and Development. To be introduced by the Cabinet Member for Planning). The report sets out the response to the Scrutiny Review of Strategic Enforcement.

Cabinet considered a report, introduced by the Cabinet Member for Environment, Councillor McNamara, which set out a proposed response to the scrutiny review of Strategic Enforcement.

Councillor McNamara noted that he had Chaired the Panel on Strategic Enforcement and advised that a wide range of evidence had been gathered from all departments with enforceable functions, as well as from key partners and other local authorities.  The review made a number of recommendations intended to build on work already being undertaken to improve coordinated enforcement action and these included assessing the Council’s Enforcement Strategy and improving IT systems so that information could be better shared.

He echoed earlier comments with regard to the presentation of service responses to Scrutiny Reviews and noted that this assisted Members and officers to implement and monitor the progress of recommendations made.

RESOLVED

That the recommendations arising from the Scrutiny Panel’s review of Strategic Enforcement be noted and that response to these, as set out in the Appendix to the report, be approved.

Alternative options considered

Not applicable.

Reasons for decision

The report sets out the proposed response to recommendations from the Scrutiny Panel as required under the Council’s Constitution.

(Report of the Deputy Chief Executive. To be introduced by the Cabinet Member for Children and Families). The report sets out the response to the Scrutiny Review of Two Year Old Early Entitlement.

Cabinet considered a report, introduced by the Cabinet Member for Children and Families, Councillor Waters, which set out a proposed response to the scrutiny review of Two Year Olds Early Entitlement. 

Councillor Waters began by thanking the Panel for the work it had undertaken as part of the review. She noted the recommendations arsing from the review had been helpful in underpinning the work being undertaken to meet the challenges it had highlighted and in ensuring the successful delivery of the programme.

RESOLVED:

That the responses to the recommendations of the Scrutiny Panel, as set out in the report, be agreed.

Alternative options considered

Not applicable.

Reasons for decision

The report sets out the proposed response to recommendations from the Scrutiny Panel as required under the Council’s Constitution.

(Report of the Assistant Director Finance. To be introduced by the Cabinet Member for Resources and Culture). The report sets out the forecast financial revenue and capital outturns for 2014/15 based on actual performance to 31 July 2014 (Period 4) and seeks approval of proposed management actions and budget adjustments.  

Cabinet considered a report, introduced by the Cabinet Member for Resources and Culture, which set out the forecast financial revenue and capital outturns for 2014/15, based on actual performance to 31 July 2014 (Period 4). The report also set out proposed management actions and sought approval of the budget adjustments (virements) and draw downs from reserves, as set out in Appendix 3 of the report.

In introducing the report Councillor Arthur noted that the Council needed to make significant savings over the next four years. He also noted that there was a forecast overspend in the both the Children’s and Adult Services budgets based on budget monitoring undertaken at the end of July 2014 and management action plans had been put in place by the relevant Directors to address this.

In response to a question from the Leader of the Opposition, Councillor Elliott, as to whether the savings listed for Children’s Service, particularly around placements were deliverable, the Director of Children’s Services advised that she was confident that the current Children’s Looked After Children budget could be effectively brought in line through tighter managerial controls such as the weekly Resource Panel, Chaired by the Assistant Director of Safeguarding and Support, which ensured not only an effective central conduit for budgetary control, but also tight quality assurance on all cases being considered for possible funding.  

In response to a second question from Councillor Elliott, as to why the transfer of White Hart Lane Leisure Centre to Fusion had been delayed and whether this was a performance related issue, the Cabinet Member for Environment advised that this was not a performance related issue and that he would provide a written response outside the meeting.

RESOLVED:

1. That the report and the progress being made against the Council’s 2014/15 budget, in respect of revenue and capital expenditure, be noted;

2. That a transfer of £5m to HRA reserves, as a result of improved treasury management activity (detailed in paragraph 5.15 of the report), be approved; and

3. That the budget changes (virements) and drawn downs from Service Reserves, set out in Appendix 4 of the report, be approved.

Alternative options considered

The report proposes that the Cabinet should consider the overall financial position for 2014/15 in line with existing procedures. A risk based approach to budget monitoring has been developed in order to manage the Council’s finances in a time of economic and financial uncertainty. Cabinet could choose to adopt a less rigorous regime and examine the financial position at a later stage. Projections could be marginally more accurate if a delayed approach was adopted, but there would be less time for robust development and consideration of management actions and virements.

Reasons for decision

It is important for Members to understand the Council’s financial position at key times of the year in order to inform their decision making and strategic planning.

(Report of the Director for Regeneration, Development and Planning. To be introduced by the Cabinet Member for Housing and Regeneration). The report seeks approval to sell the freehold for part of the Ashley Road depot site. 

Exempt information pertaining to the report is set out under Item 25.

Cabinet considered a report, introduced by the Cabinet Member for Housing and Regeneration, which sought approval to sell the freehold for part of the Ashley Road depot site, in order to support the Harris Federation’s plans for an all through free school on the Technopark site.

The Cabinet Member for Environment noted that moving of the depot would not affect any Council services and that its functions would be transferred to the Marsh Lane site.

Councillor Bull noted that he had previously had concerns with regard to proposals for the Technopark and Ashley Road Depot site. However, having met with officers to discuss the proposals in detail he was happy that the proposals put forward represented a good use of the site and he thanked officers for the detailed briefing they had provided him with.

Exempt information was considered under Item 25.

RESOLVED:

1. That approval be given to declare the land (shown edged in red on the plan in Appendix A of the report), being part of the Ashley Road depot, surplus to requirement and for the sale of the Council’s freehold interest in that land (subject to the final boundary being agreed), to the Harris Federation for the offer price set out in the exempt part of the report to support their plans for an all through school at Technopark, subject to the Council’s relocation costs being fully met;
2. That delegated authority be given to the Director of Regeneration, Planning and Development to agree the final boundary of the land to be disposed of (including any variation in the offer price provided it represents best consideration) and the final terms of the sale, following consultation with the Section 151 Officer and Cabinet Member for Finance and Culture;

3. That determination of the final relocation costs, in order to support the sale of the site, be delegated to the Director of Regeneration, Planning and Development, following consultation with the Section 151 Officer and Cabinet Member for Housing and Regeneration. The authority given to determine these costs is limited to the capped sum that will be reimbursed to the Council, this will ensure that there is no net additional cost to the Council as a result of this transaction;

4. That approval be given for officers to take forward plans for the relocation of some of the affected accommodation on the Ashley Road depot site to Marsh Lane, with the remainder of the affected accommodation relocated within the existing site, via reconfiguration or moved to an alternative off site location. These plans will take consideration of any potential longer term plans for the future location of the depot and waste management operation. All services and affected accommodation will be relocated to achieve vacant possession prior to completion of sale of the freehold; and
5. That approval be given for officers to initiate a feasibility study, as a separate exercise, to explore options for the long term future location of the waste management operation and the potential redevelopment opportunities for the remaining Ashley Road depot  ...  view the full minutes text for item 709.

(Report of the Director of Regeneration, Planning and Development. To be introduced by the Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Planning). The report seeks approval to vary the terms of the option to sell the freehold of the Olympia Trading Estate to the Greater London Authority (GLA) as previously agreed by (Cabinet on 13 March 2008).

Exempt information pertaining to the report is set out under Item 26.

Cabinet considered a report, introduced by the Cabinet Member for Housing and Regeneration, which sought approval to vary the terms of the option to sell the freehold of the Olympia Trading Estate to the Greater London Authority (GLA) as previously agreed by (Cabinet on 13 March 2008).

In response to a question from Councillor Elliott with regard to why the decision had been made in 1980 to lease the estate to GLC for 125 years at 11% of rental value, the Assistant Director Corporate Property and Major Projects advised that this was likely to have been because the GLC made a significant investment in order to bring the site forward for development. He agreed to provide a more detailed response to Councillor Elliott in writing outside the meeting. 

Exempt information was considered under Item 26.

RESOLVED:

1. That approval be given to grant an option to sell the Council’s freehold interest in the Olympia Trading Estate (as shown edged red on plan in Appendix A) to the GLA in order to support the securing of a development partner for Heartlands; and

2. That authority to agree the final terms and sign off the final option agreement be delegated to the Director of Regeneration Planning and Development after consultation with the Cabinet Member for Finance and Culture.

Alternative options considered

Members have already approved that the Council enter into an option to sell the freehold of the Olympia Trading Estate. The alternative option is not to agree the sale of the freehold interest in the Olympia Trading Estate to the GLA.  This would result in delaying the development of Heartlands South and the deal agreed between the GLA and National Grid.

Reasons for decision

Cabinet has previously agreed to an option to sell the freehold of the Olympia Trading Estate to the LDA. The Olympia Trading Estate forms part of Heartlands a key regeneration area in Wood Green. The option to sell the freehold of the estate to the GLA will help enable the development and take it to the next stage. The deal with the GLA will reflect current market conditions on the basis that the Council is in a no worse position than that agreed with the LDA.

(Report of the Director of Regeneration, Development and Planning. To be introduced by the Cabinet Member for Planning). The report seeks approval to enter into contract with the Greater London Authority (GLA) to access grant funding to support the delivery of Phase 1 of the Council’s new build programme.

Cabinet considered a report, introduced by the Cabinet Member for Housing and Regeneration, which sought approval to enter into contract with the Greater London Authority (GLA) to access grant funding to support the delivery of Phase 1 of the Council’s new build programme.

In response to a question from Councillor Elliott with regard to the deadline for using right to buy receipts and whether it was intended that they would be used to build new homes before the deadline, the Cabinet Member for Housing and Regeneration confirmed that there had already been an initial meeting to discuss the use of right to buy receipts and that it was intended that they would be used before the deadline. He agreed that he would confirm to Councillor Elliott in writing outside the meeting the deadlines around the use of these.

RESOLVED:

That approval be given to enter into a contact with the GLA, by signing the GLA Delivery Agreement (attached at Appendix 1 of the report), to enable the Council to draw down the grant for the 2014 – 2017 new build housing programme.

Alternative options considered

Capital subsidy is an important element in the delivery of affordable housing.  The Council could use its Right to Buy receipts under the one for one replacement policy, and indeed will do so on some schemes as the new build and estate renewal programme moves forward.  GLA subsidy and RTB receipts cannot be used for the same schemes as this counts as double subsidy, which is not permitted in law. 

The GLA has a stake in the delivery of affordable housing in London and sets the annual target for delivery for the boroughs.  Haringey’s target for 2014/15 is to deliver/enable 410 new affordable homes.  This target will increase to 751 per year for the 10 year period starting in April 2015.  It is, therefore, essential that the Council builds and sustains a successful partnership with the GLA in all areas that support the delivery of affordable housing. 

Reasons for decision

To enable and facilitate the delivery of Phase 1 of the Council’s new build programme and to contribute towards the provision of much needed affordable housing in the borough.

(Report of the Interim Chief Operating Officer. To be introduced by the Cabinet Member for Environment). The report seeks approval of the submission of the Local Implementation Plan (LIP) Annual Spending Submission for 2015/16.

Cabinet considered a report, introduced by the Cabinet Member for Housing and Regeneration, which sought approval of the submission of the Local Implementation Plan (LIP) Annual Spending Submission for 2015/16.

The Cabinet Member for Environment noted that he and the Cabinet Member for Planning would both receive briefings and updates on this as the proposals cut across both portfolios.

RESOLVED:

That the Annual Spending Submission for 2015/16, as set out in the Appendix of the report, be approved.

Alternative options considered

The Annual Spending Submission supports out approved LIP covering 2011 to 2031. It is, therefore, not considered necessary to consider other options.

Reasons for decision

The LIP is Haringey’s Transport Strategy and forms the basis for projects and programmes that will be pursued over the next twenty years. The report sets out the content of the Annual Spending Submission for 2015/16 and the Council is required by TfL to submit spending proposals each year.

(Report of the Chief Executive. To be introduced by the Leader of the Council). The report sets out issues relevant to the use of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA) 2000 during 2013/14 and provides an updated policy for approval.

Cabinet considered a report, introduced by the Chair, which sought approval of the amended Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA) policy.

RESOLVED:

1. That the use of RIPA by the Council during 2013/14 be noted.

2. That the amended RIPA policy, outlined in Appendix 1 of the report be approved and that the officers listed in the policy be permitted to authorise directed surveillance and the use of covert intelligence under sections 28 and 29 of RIPA prior to judicial approval; and

3. That it be noted that the Assistant Director of Corporate Governance was the Council’s senior Responsible Officer for oversight of RIPA, in accordance with Home Office guidance.

Alternative options considered

Not applicable as reporting on use of RIPA is a statutory requirement.

Reasons for decision

No applicable.

(Report of the Interim Chief Operating Officer. To be introduced by the Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing). The report seeks approval to waiver Contract Standing Orders and to award a contract for the provision of Occupational Health and Wellbeing services.

Exempt information pertaining to the report is set out under Item 27.

Cabinet considered a report, introduced by the Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing, which sought approval to waiver Contract Standing Orders and to award a contract for the provision of Occupational Health and Wellbeing services.

Exempt information was considered under Item 27.

RESOLVED:

1. That a waiver of Contract Standing Order 9.01 (requirement to publish an appropriate tender advertisement) be approved; and

2. That approval be given to award a contract to the NHS provider, as specified in Appendix A of the report, to provide a dedicated Occupational Health and Wellbeing service over a three year period and transition of Occupational Wellbeing services to the new provider as soon as practicable.

Alternative options considered

For the current Occupational Health and Wellbeing service to remain in-house and to continue to provide a higher level of service, more investment would be necessary. To continue to provide this service within the Council would cost £930,000 for the same period.

Reasons for decision

An external organisation providing a specialist dedicated Occupational Health and Wellbeing service will ensure that the Council meets its obligations, assists managers in timely management of absence issues and effectively support our staff.

There is an initial potential saving of £65,000 plus additional benefits (both financial and efficiency) which could be realised over the course of the contract and these will be confirmed as part of the procurement process. A breakdown of our current costs and predicted future costs in shown in Appendix A of the report.

(Report of the Interim Chief Operating Officer. To be introduced by the Cabinet Member for Environment). The report seeks approval to award a new contract for the delivery of the nuisance vehicle contract.   

Exempt information pertaining to the report is set out under Item 28.

Cabinet considered a report, introduced by the Cabinet Member for Environment, which sought approval to award a new contract for the delivery of the nuisance vehicle contract.   

Exempt information was considered under Item 28.

RESOLVED:

1. That approval be given to the award of the nuisance vehicle contract, which included a fully managed service for the removal and disposal of nuisance vehicles, pound provision and management to NSL Ltd for a period of three years from 1 December 2014;

2. That it be noted that the cost of the contract over an initial three year period was £1,672,666.14; and

3. That approval be given to award the contract at a total cost of £2,787,776.09, including the provision to extend for a further two years, subject to satisfactory performance.

Alternative options considered

A preferred option was to secure a suitable Council owned site for a vehicle pound, which could then be managed on behalf of the Council by the successful contractor. The absence of a suitable site was considered a potential deterrent to some providers, who may otherwise express an interest in this contract. Such a site could not be identified.

The suitability of a Council owned site at Marsh Lane (Tottenham) was considered. Following extensive discussions with relevant officers from the Tottenham regeneration team, it was decided that this would not be the best use of that land. The service subsequently prepared tender documents on the basis of the contractor providing the pound site.

The existing contract also provides for the operation of mobile CCTV enforcement, which was outsourced as part of the tendering exercise undertaken in 2009. The options appraisal conducted prior to this tendering exercise concluded that it was not in the Council’s best interest for that service area to remain with the removal operation. It was recommended that this service should be brought back in-house and sit with the parking and traffic enforcement team. The analysis conducted, suggested that there had been no overall efficiencies gained by outsourcing. In addition, it was felt prudent in light of the proposed parking reforms (which aim to ban CCTV enforcement of parking contraventions) not to enter into a long terms arrangement for that service at this point in time.

Reasons for decision

The Council is required to make provision for the removal of nuisance vehicles. 

(Report of the Director of Public Health. To be introduced by the Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing). The report seeks approval to an award of contract.

Exempt information pertaining to the report is set out under Item 29.

Cabinet considered a report, introduced by the Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing, which sought approval to award a new contract for the delivery of the Inpatient Detoxification for Substance Misuse for adults resident in Haringey.

Exempt information was considered under Item 29.

RESOLVED:

That approval be given to the award of the contract to Broadreach House, the successful tenderer, in accordance with Contract Standing Order 9.7.1(d), for a period of two years, with an option to extend for a further period of up to one year.

Alternative options considered

In 2008 a commissioning review of inpatient detoxification was completed across Haringey, Islington, Camden and Enfield; it included a full consultation with service users and a financial modelling exercise. The review compared two options: detoxification in NHS hospitals or in specialist units to be more cost effective. The review also compared block and spot contracting and it found block contracts to have lower unit costs and greater monitoring influence and therefore quality control. As the market has not significantly changed it was agreed to continue to block contract this service and to undergo an open tender process.

Reasons for decision

The recommendations as outlined in 3.1 and 3.2 are based on those providers who scored the highest MEAT scores and therefore would offer the best value to the Council in terms of quality and price.

As a result of the procurement exercise, which was carried out in accordance with the Procurement Code of Practice, it is now recommended that the successful tenderer be awarded the contract as outlined in 3.1 – 3.2 of the report, in accordance with Contact Standing Order 9.07.1(d).

To note the minutes of the following:

Ø  Decision by the Leader  – 31 July 2014

Ø  Cabinet Member Signing – 2 September 2014

Ø  Cabinet Member Signing – 4 September 2014

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting set out below be noted:

Ø  Decision by the Leader  – 31 July 2014

Ø  Cabinet Member Signing – 2 September 2014

Ø  Cabinet Member Signing – 4 September 2014

To note significant and delegated actions taken by Director’s since the previous meeting.

Exempt information pertaining to the report is set out under Item 30.

Exempt information was considered under Item 30.

RESOLVED:

That the significant and delegated actions taken by Directors since the previous Cabinet meeting be noted.

There were no new items of urgent business.

Note from the Head of Local Democracy and Member Services

Items 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30 and 31 allow for the consideration of exempt information in relation to Items  13, 14, 18,19, 20 22 and 2 respectively.

RESOLVED:

That the press and public be excluded from the remainder of the meeting as the items below contain exempt information, as defined under paragraphs 3 and 5, Part 1, schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

RESOLVED:

That the press and public be excluded from the remainder of the meeting as the items below contain exempt information, as defined under paragraphs 3 and 5, Part 1, schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

To consider exempt information in relation to Item 13 above.

Cabinet considered exempt information pertaining to Item 13.

To consider exempt information in relation to Item 14 above.

Cabinet considered exempt information pertaining to Item 14.

To consider exempt information in relation to Item 18 above.

Cabinet considered exempt information pertaining to Item 18.

To consider exempt information in relation to Item 19 above.

Cabinet considered exempt information pertaining to Item 19.

To consider exempt information in relation to Item 20 above.

Cabinet considered exempt information pertaining to Item 20.

To consider exempt information in relation to Item 22 above.

Cabinet considered exempt information pertaining to Item 22.

Cabinet considered exempt information pertaining to Item 2.