Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Bernice Vanier.

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 37 below).

The following items were marked ‘to follow’ within the agenda pack:

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.

There were no new Items of Urgent Business. The following reports were marked ‘to follow’ within the agenda pack and taken as late items of Urgent Business for the following reasons:

Item 7 ‘New Football Stadium and Associated Development at Tottenham – Land Appropriation and Agreement’

The report was late because it was subject to ongoing negotiations which could not be concluded in time to meet the deadline for the agenda dispatch. The report was too urgent to wait until the next meeting because the decisions required were key to the progression of the scheme and associated regeneration of Tottenham. 

Item 12 ‘Disposal of Council Properties’

The report was late because it needed to be amended at a late stage to take account of new information.

The report was too urgent to wait until the next meeting because deferral could delay capital receipts earmarked to support the capital programme in 2013/14.

Item 36 ‘Disposal of Hornsey Depot’

The report was late because it was subject to ongoing negotiations, which could not be concluded in time to meet despatch deadlines.

The report could not wait until the next meeting because a decision was required urgently to avoid unnecessary delay in the disposal and subsequent capital receipt on which elements of the capital programme would depend.  

There were no deputations, petitions or questions.

To confirm and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 18 December 2012 as a correct record.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 18 December 2012 were confirmed as a correct record.

(Report of the Director of Corporate Resources. To be introduced by the Cabinet Member for Finance and Carbon Reduction). The report sets out the Medium Term Financial Plan covering the next year three year period to March 2016.

Cabinet considered a report, previously circulated, which provided a Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP) covering the next three year period to March 2016, with a revised assessment of the General Fund, Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG), Housing Revenue Account (HRA) and the Capital Programme.

In response to a query the Cabinet Member advised that plans for the use of £1.5m of investment in the Borough’s roads would be announced by the Cabinet Member for the Environment in due course. 

RESOLVED:

1. That it be recommended to full Council that  approval be given to the Council’s Revenue Budget 2013/14 and the MTFP 2013-16, including savings and growth proposals provisionally approved at the Cabinet meeting on 18 December 2012 and as revised in the report (set out in Appendix 1);

2. That it be recommended to full Council that the General Fund Budget requirement for 2013/14 be set at £288.1m, net of Dedicated Schools Grant, subject to the decisions precepting and levying authorities, the final government finance settlement and grant notifications from other Government departments, as set out in Appendix 1 of the report;

3. That it be noted that savings still had to be identified to deliver a balanced budget in 2014/15 and 2015/16;

4. That responses to the recommendations of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee to the draft revenue budget proposals, agreed at the Cabinet meeting on 18 December 2012 (paragraphs 7.1 to 7.3 and Appendix 6 of the report), be approved;

5. That the summary of the budget consultation responses received to date on the draft revenue proposals agreed at the Cabinet meeting on 18 December 2012 (paragraphs 7.4 to 7.8) be noted;

6. That the latest position with regard to the funding allocations within the Children and Young People’s Dedicated Schools Grant budget, set out in Section 13 and Appendix 3 of the report, be noted, and approved;

7. That it be recommended to full Council that approval be given to the housing rent increases (average increase of £4.19 per week, 4.45%) set out in paragraph 4.7 of Appendix 4 of the report;

8. That it be recommended to full Council that it approves the tenants’ service charges set out in paragraph 5.3 of Appendix 4 of the report;

9. That it be recommended to Full Council that approval be given to the HRA budget 2013/14 and MTFP 2013-16, as set out in Section 6 and Annex A of Appendix 4 of the report;

10. That it be agreed that up to £1,305k redundancy and staff exit costs arising from Homes for Haringey’s first phase implementation of the New Vision for Housing Management could be funded in 2012/13 by drawing on the HRA reserve balances, subject to the Director of Corporate Resources confirmation that this was in the financial interests of the HRA and the Council;

11. That that the re-profiling of the Decent Homes Backlog funding grant from the GLA by bringing forward £2m of grant from 2014/15 into this financial year 2012/13 be approved, noting that this would not affect the overall amount of grant or expenditure, only  ...  view the full minutes text for item 332.

(Report of the Director of Place and Sustainability. To be introduced by the Cabinet Member for Economic Regeneration and Social Inclusion). The report seeks approval to the acquisition, appropriation and disposal of land for planning purposes by the Council to enable the operation of Section 237 of the Town and Country Planning Act (1990), in order to facilitate the delivery of the stadium and southern phases of the Northumberland Development Project.

REPORT TO FOLLOW

Cabinet considered a report, presented by the Cabinet Member for Finance and Carbon Reduction, that sought approval of the acquisition, appropriation and disposal of land for planning purposes by the Council to enable the operation of Section 237 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, in order to facilitate the delivery of the new football stadium and southern phases of the Northumberland Development Project Scheme (NDPS).

Exempt information pertaining to the report was considered under agenda Item 25.

RESOLVED:

1. That, subject to paragraph 3.4 of the report, the acquisition of the freehold interest in land under Section 227 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, outlined in red in Plan 1 of Appendix 1 (‘the Land’) from Tottenham Hotspur Football Club (THFC) for planning purposes, be approved;

2. That, subject to paragraph 3.4 of the report, the appropriation of the Land, where necessary under Section 122 of the Local Government Act 1972, for planning purposes, be approved;

3. That, subject to paragraph 3.4 of the report, the disposal by the Council of a 999 year leasehold interest in the Land acquired pursuant to paragraph 3.1 and the Land appropriated pursuant to paragraph 3.2 to THFC under Section 233 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, be approved;

4. That it be agreed that the detailed terms of the acquisition, appropriation and disposal of the Land be delegated to the Head of Corporate Property Services, in consultation with the Head of Legal Services, once they are satisfied that:

1. The acquisition, appropriation and disposal is necessary in order to enable the NDP Scheme to be carried out including consideration of whether those entitled to rights of light are prepared, by agreement (on reasonable terms and within a reasonable time) to permit infringements of those rights; and

2. The final terms of the acquisition, appropriation and disposal of the Land is in accordance with the Heads of Terms outlined in Appendix 3 (the exempt part of this report) and/or such other terms as the Head of Legal Services considers necessary or appropriate.

5. That it be agreed that the acquisition, appropriation and disposal of the Land shall be conditional upon all of the Land having been acquired either by the Council or THFC (pursuant to the Compulsory Purchase Order or by a private treaty);

6. That authority be delegated to the Head of Corporate Property Services, in consultation with the Head of Legal Services and the Chief Financial Officer, to agree any variations to the Heads of Terms and the costs to be paid by THFC; and  

7. That it be noted that a separate report to Cabinet would be prepared in due course concerning the Council as Landowner of the properties affected by the rights of light impact arising from the new stadium and associated development.

Alternative Options Considered

Option A - Not to support the NDPS with the use of appropriation powers

The implications of this option are that THFC may not be able to acquire the rights needed and therefore they would not be  ...  view the full minutes text for item 333.

(Report of the Director of Place and Sustainability. To be introduced by the Cabinet Member for Economic Regeneration and Social Inclusion). The report seeks approval to formally adopt Haringey’s Local Plan Strategic Policies (formerly the Core Strategy) as a statutory development plan document.

Please note that, due to their size Appendices 1 and 2 could not be included within the main agenda pack, can be viewed as part of the online agenda pack. Hard copies are being sent to Cabinet Members and are available on request.

Cabinet considered a report, presented by the Cabinet Member for Economic Regeneration and Social Inclusion, which sought approval to adopt Haringey’s Local Strategic Policies (formerly Core Strategy) as a statutory development plan document.

There was agreement that securing provision for affordable housing within smaller schemes was important and provision for this within the document was welcomed. 

RESOLVED:

1. That the findings of the Inspector’s report on the Examination into Haringey’s Local Plan, as set out in Appendix 1 of the report, be noted;

2. That it be  recommended to full Council, at its meeting on 27 February 2013, that Haringey’s Local Plan, as set out in Appendix 2 of the report, be adopted; and

3. That it be noted that the development plan for Haringey comprised the London Plan 2011, the Local Plan Policies 2013 and the saved Unitary Development Plan policies and that all planning decisions had to be made in accordance with these policies.

Alternative Options Considered

The adoption of the Local Plan is in line with Section 23 of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 and as such the Council is now able to complete its formal adoption.

The Local Plan is the spatial plan for Haringey and sets out how development will shape the Borough up to 2026. It reflects up to date national and regional planning guidance and will spatially deliver the objectives of the Council’s Sustainable Community Strategy. Once adopted, it will replace a number of the policies within the Unitary Development Plan 2006, discussed un Section 5 of the report.

The Local Plan has been produced in line with the Planning and Compulsory Act 2004, the adoption of which is the matter of this report. The Council has an obligation to have an up to date development plan so that it can robustly defend the decisions it makes as the local planning authority. 

Reasons for Decision

In line with Section 23 of the Planning Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 the Council is now able to complete the formal adoption of the Local Plan.

(Report of the Director of Place and Sustainability. To be introduced by the Cabinet Member for Economic Regeneration and Social Inclusion). The report seeks agreement to the adoption of the Sustainable Design and Construction Supplementary Planning Document (SPD).

APPENDIX 1 – TO FOLLOW

Cabinet considered a report, presented by the Cabinet Member for Economic Regeneration and Social Inclusion, which sought approval of the adoption of the Sustainable Design and Construction Supplementary Planning Document (SDC SPD) to complement the Local Plan policies on environmental sustainability, design, climate change mitigation and adaption.

RESOLVED:

      i.        That the adoption of the Sustainable Design and Construction Supplementary Planning Document, as part of Haringey’s Local Plan, be approved.

    ii.        That delegated authority be given to the Director of Place and Sustainability to approve images, maps and minor changes for the final print version of the Sustainable Design and Construction Supplementary Planning Document.

   iii.        That delegated authority by given to the Cabinet Member for Economic Regeneration and Social Inclusion to review and update the Sustainable Design and Construction Supplementary Planning Document, when necessary, to reflect changes to local and regional policies and the national planning framework.

Alternative Options Considered

The adoption of the Sustainable Design and Construction Supplementary Planning Document is in line with the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004. Preparation for this Supplementary Planning Document has been identified in Haringey’s Local Development Scheme 2011. As such there is no alternative option being considered.

Reasons for Decision

In line with the Town and Country Planning Act 2008, Local Authorities are required to prepare supplementary guidance to complement Local Plan policies where relevant. Preparation for this Supplementary Planning Document has been identified in Haringey’s Local Development Scheme 2011. Cabinet considered a report, presented by the Cabinet Member for Economic Regeneration and Social Inclusion, which sought approval of the adoption of the Sustainable Design and Construction Supplementary Planning Document (SDC SPD) to complement the Local Plan policies on environmental sustainability, design, climate change mitigation and adaption.

It was noted that the Design Forum had discussed the SDC SPD and had expressed its support for the document. 

RESOLVED:

1. That the adoption of the Sustainable Design and Construction Supplementary Planning Document, as part of Haringey’s Local Plan, be approved;

2. That authority be delegated to the Director of Place and Sustainability to approve images, maps and minor changes for the final print version of the Sustainable Design and Construction Supplementary Planning Document; and

3. That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for Economic Regeneration and Social Inclusion to review and update the Sustainable Design and Construction Supplementary Planning Document, when necessary, to reflect changes to local and regional policies and the national planning framework.

Alternative Options Considered

The adoption of the Sustainable Design and Construction Supplementary Planning Document is in line with the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004. Preparation for this Supplementary Planning Document has been identified in Haringey’s Local Development Scheme 2011. As such there is no alternative option being considered.

Reasons for Decision

In line with the Town and Country Planning Act 2008, Local Authorities are required to prepare supplementary guidance to complement Local Plan policies where relevant. Preparation for this Supplementary Planning Document has been identified in Haringey’s Local Development Scheme 2011.

(Report of the Director of Place and Sustainability. To be introduced by the Cabinet Member for Economic Regeneration and Social Inclusion). The report recommends that the Planning Inspectorate should be requested to formally write to the Local Authority setting out its reasons for recommending non-adoption of the North London Waste Plan (NLWP).

Cabinet considered a report, presented by the Cabinet Member for Economic Regeneration and Social Inclusion, which outlined the current position with respect to the North London Waste Plan (NLWP) and the Planning Inspector’s recent ruling that the NLWP did not comply with the legal requirements of the Duty to Cooperate.

The Cabinet Member noted that the Duty to Cooperate had been introduced by the Government shortly before the NLWP was submitted to the Planning Inspector. At the time the NLWP had been in preparation for over five years and therefore meeting the new requirements of the Duty to Cooperate, without transitional arrangements being put in place, had been problematic.

RESOLVED:

1. That the Planning Inspector be invited to write a report recommending non adoption of the NLWP; and  

2. That the Local Authority should draw up the next version of the NLWP following regulations 18 and 19 of the 2012 regulations, while meeting the Duty to Cooperate.

Alternative Options Considered

There are no alternative options. This planning policy is currently required and Local Authorities are required to carry out planning policy development and site identification process.

Reasons for Decision

In line with section 120 of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004.

(Report of the Director of Adult and Housing Services. To be introduced by the Cabinet Member for Housing). The report seeks approval to dispose of the Waltham Cross Estate to ‘B3 Living Limited’, following a recent ballot of tenants, which was in favour of the transfer.

Cabinet considered a report, presented by the Cabinet Member for Adult and Housing Services, which sought approval to the disposal of the Waltham Cross estate (comprising a total of 90 homes, 17 of which were leasehold) to B3 Living Limited, following a vote in favour of a transfer in a ballot of the tenants.

Exempt information was considered under Item 26.

RESOLVED:

1. That the outcome of the ballot of the tenants and leaseholders be noted;

2. That the disposal of the Council’s freehold interest in the Waltham Cross Estate to B3 Living Limited for the offer price (detailed in the exempt part of the report) and the entering into the VAT shelter arrangements (detailed in the exempt part of the report) be approved;

3. That the Head of Corporate Property be authorised to complete the disposal of the Council’s freehold interest in the Waltham Cross Estate to B3 Living Limited for the offer price and that agreement of the full terms and conditions of the disposal be delegated to the Director of Adult and Housing Services after consultation with the Head of Legal Services and Cabinet Member for Housing;

4. That it be agreed that all reasonable costs associated with the stock transfer project and the self financing debt allocation for these units are deducted from the capital receipt; and  

5. That it be agreed that the net capital receipt should be used to support capital projects within the Borough.

Alternative Options Considered

On the 12 June 2012 Cabinet noted that the alternative options of Private Finance Initiative and Outsourced Management Contract were considered and deemed as unviable to deliver the required investment.

Reasons for Decision

The Waltham Cross estate is situated some considerable distance from Haringey.  An options appraisal concluded that stock transfer was the only viable option with the capacity to deliver the investment required to bring the homes up to the decent homes standard, given the limited level of capital funding available to the Council, and achieve ongoing quality management from a local social housing provider.   Transfer is dependent on the majority of tenants voting in favour.  Of the tenants who voted, 85% were in favour of transferring their homes to a new landlord. 

(Report of the Director of Place and Sustainability. To be introduced by the Cabinet Member for Finance and Carbon Reduction). The report seeks approval to dispose of two properties that are unsuitable for long term retention following changes in service delivery.

REPORT TO FOLLOW

Cabinet considered a report, presented by the Cabinet Member for Finance and Carbon Reduction, which sought approval to the disposal of Council properties that were unsuitable for long term retention following changes in service delivery.

Exempt information was considered under Item 27.

RESOLVED:

That the Head of Corporate Property Services, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Finance and Carbon Reduction, be authorised to dispose of the Council’s freehold interest in property A as identified in the exempt part of the report, for the best consideration reasonably obtainable on the open market.

Alternative Options Considered

Retention of the property as is – following consultation with Services, no future Council operation or strategic requirements have been identified for the property.

Retention for wider area – the property is not in a designated area and its sale for the highest value generating purposes will also help improve and consolidate the local area.

Reasons for Decision

The recommendation to dispose is in line with the Council’s Corporate Asset Policy which is ‘to only hold assets that are required for immediate service delivery or that contribute to the achievement of corporate property objectives and priorities in the longer term’. By implementing the policy, the Council is able to both rationalise its property holdings and generate capital receipts to support the capital programme. In some cases it can facilitate regeneration schemes through the disposal of surplus, inefficient or uneconomic buildings.

(Report of the Director of Corporate Resources. To be introduced by the Cabinet Member for Finance and Carbon Redcution). The report seeks approval to appoint a provider, via the Insurance London Consortium, for leaseholders’ property insurance for a three year period from 1 April 2013.

Cabinet considered a report, presented by the Cabinet Member for Finance and Carbon Reduction, which sought approval of the procurement of Leaseholder Property Insurance via the Insurance London Consortium (ILC) and the awarding of the contract to provide this.

Exempt information was considered under Item 28.

RESOLVED:

That the procurement of the Leaseholder Property Insurance, via the ILC be approved and that the contract for the insurance policy be awarded to the recommended provider (as set out in exempt Appendix 2 of the report) with the total costs for 2013/14, as specified in paragraph 3 of exempt Appendix 2, of the report.

Alternative Options Considered

Purchasing stand alone cover for the Council, using agreed procurement processes was not considered appropriate because the insurance market for the Local Authority risk had historically had a limited number of competitors and higher rates.

The Council had benefited from its membership of the ILC both in terms of achieving good value for money on the policies purchased and in the facility to share best practice on insurance and risk management practices.

Reasons for Decision

The current contract for this policy has been in place since the 1 April 2008 and is due to expire on 31 March 2013. It is necessary to ensure that a new contract is in place from 1 April 2013, to avoid any gap in insurance cover for the Council. 

(Report of the Director of Corporate Resources. To be introduced by the Cabinet Member for Finance and Carbon Reduction). The report seeks approval to use the Insurance London Consortium (ILC) panel of solicitors for the provision of insurance litigation claims handling from 1 April 2013.

Cabinet considered a report, presented by the Cabinet Member for Finance and Carbon Reduction, which sought approval to use ILC Legal Services panel for litigated insurance claims from 1 April 2013 when the Council’s current contract ends.

Exempt information was considered under Item 29.

RESOLVED:

That approval be given to the use of the ILC Legal Services panel for litigated insurance claims from 1 April 2013 when the Council’s current contact ends.

Alternative Options Considered

Purchasing a stand alone service for the Council using agreed procurement processes was not considered appropriate because the market for Local Authority risks has historically had a limited number of competitors, which has resulted in reduced competition and higher rates.

The Council has benefited from its membership of the ILC both in terms of achieving good value for money on the policies/services purchased and in the facility to share best practice on insurance and risk management practices.

Reasons for Decision

The Council’s current contract is due to expire on 31 March 2013. It is necessary to ensure that a new contract is in place from 1 April 2013, to avoid any gap in dealing with litigated claims for the Council.

(Report of the Director of Children’s Services. To be introduced by the Cabinet Member for Children). The report seeks approval to appoint the recommended contractor for the Alexandra Primary School reinstatement of two forms of entry and agreement to issue a letter of intent prior to the formal contract signing.

Cabinet considered a report, presented by the Cabinet Member for Children, which sought approval to appoint the recommended contractor (named in the exempt part of the report) for the Alexandra Primary School two form of entry reinstatement project.

Exempt information was considered under Item 30.

The Leader noted that improvements to the running of the school had been made and that the expansion would provide an opportunity to build further on these.

RESOLVED:

1. That approval be given for an award of contract in the contract sum and to the contractor named in the exempt part of paragraph 2.21 the report; and

2. That approval be given to issue a letter of intent, prior to formal contract signature, for 10% of the contract value.

Alternative Options Considered

Design – the project objectives in terms of scope, budget and time were established at inception and contained within the project brief. The requirement to reinstate Alexandra Primary School from one to two forms of entry was fundamental in achieving this brief.

During the design stages of the project, options were considered in terms of the most suitable layout and use of space. The design options explored were undertaken in full consultation with the school and the Project Steering Group.

Reasons for Decision

To complete the reinstatement of Alexandra Primary School to service the increased pupil numbers in the area.

(Report of the Director of Public Health. To be introduced by the Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Services). The report seeks approval to a waiver of tendering requirements, set out under Contract Standing Order (CSO) 9.01, in order to fulfil the requirements of the Health and Social Care Act 2012, which requires Local Authorities to establish as local Healthwatch organisation by 1 April 2013.

Cabinet considered a report, presented by the Cabinet Member for Finance and Carbon Reduction, which sought approval to waiver tendering requirements, set out under Contract Standing Order (CSO) 9.01, in order fulfil the requirements of the Health and Social Care Act 2012, which required Local Authorities to establish a local Healthwatch organisation by 1 April 2013.

Exempt information was considered under Item 31.

RESOLVED:

1. That the waiver of tendering requirements of CSO 9.01 be approved, on the grounds that the nature of the market for the services was such that a departure from the requirements of the CSOs was justifiable  (CSO 10.01.2 a)) and that it was in the Council’s overall interest to meet the requirement of the Health and Social Care Act 2012 to have a local Healthwatch organisation in place by 1 April 2013;

2. That the award of contract under CSO 9.07.1 d) to Organisation A (detailed in the exempt part of the report at Appendix 2 ) for a period of two years from 1 April 2013, with an option to extend for up to one year, be approved; and  

3. That it be noted that, under terms of the Council’s contact, Organisation A would be required to sub-contract one function within the Healthwatch model to Organisation B, for a period of two years from 1 April 2013, with an option to extend for up to one year.

Alternative Options Considered

The Council has worked with the London Healthwatch Commissioners Group in developing the option set out in this report.

Reasons for Decision

Cabinet is asked to make this decision so that the Council is able to meet its statutory obligation to have an effective Healthwatch Provider and contract in place on 1 April 2013. Any delay to the already tight timescale reduces the likelihood of developing a professional, representative and accountable Healthwatch organisation that Haringey residents and stakeholders can trust and have confidence in.

(Report of the Director of Adult and Housing Services. To be introduced by the Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Services). The report seeks approval to waive Contract Standing Orders for contracts due to expire on 31 March 2013 and further approval to award a one year contract from 1 April 2013.

Cabinet considered a report, presented by the Cabinet Member for Finance and Carbon Reduction, which sought approval to waive Contract Standing Orders for contracts due to expire on 31 March 2013 and further approval to award a one year contract from 1 April 2013.

Exempt information was considered under Item 32.

RESOLVED:

1. That the waiver of tendering requirements of Contract Standing Order 10.01.2 d) be approved on the grounds that is was in the Council’s overall interest;

2. That the cessation of core grant aid to those organisations referred to in the report be noted. (This was pursuant to the decision on 20 December 2011 by Cabinet whereby it agreed the Voluntary Sector Strategy 2011-16 and the associated Funding Framework. The Funding Framework set out the Council’s intention to terminate core grant aid funding of organisations and move towards a commissioning based approach; and.

3. That the award of contracts to the organisations detailed in the exempt part of the report (Appendix 2) be approved, for a period of one year from 1 April 2013, with an option to extend for no more than six months.

Alternative Options Considered

The option of tendering all expiring contracts for 1^st April 2013 was considered and discounted on the grounds that:

1. A commissioning project group has been meeting since autumn 2012, consisting of officers from Adult and Community Services, Children and Young People’s Service, Housing Related Support and Corporate Procurement. This group recommends that a full strategic review of the sector is undertaken, across the Council to ensure value for money is achieved across the Council, and to ensure there is no duplication of services;

2. The proposed strategic review of legal, information and advice services proposed during 2013/14 as set out in this report, require sufficient lead in time to then inform any plans to undertake a procurement exercise.

3. It is noted that there are major changes to the welfare benefits system coming, as well as changes to how the legal aid system works, into force on 1^st April 2013.  Officers recommend that in order to assess more fully the impact of these changes on organisations that provide legal and advice services (and residents using them), the implementation of a full procurement exercise is delayed with an implementation date of 1^st April 2014;

4. It is also noted that Haringey Healthwatch comes into force on 1^st April 2013, and their statutory functions include information, advice and signposting. The strategic review proposed for the next 14 months will have due regard to how these statutory functions evolve within the new Healthwatch Haringey, to ensure other services compliment rather than duplicate services.

5. Tendering for these contracts in the short term is unlikely to provide better value for money ahead of completion of a strategic review across the Council, taking all factors into account.  We will, however, negotiate the one year contracts (and extensions if required) with the objective of reducing costs.

6. The proposal for an interim one year has been discussed with the Corporate  ...  view the full minutes text for item 343.

(Report of the Director of Adult and Housing Services. To be introduced by the Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Services). The report seeks approval to a waiver of tendering requirements under Contract Standing Order 10.01.2 (d) and to an award of contract for a one year period from 1 April 2013.

Cabinet considered a report, presented by the Cabinet Member for Finance and Carbon Reduction, which sought approval to a waiver of tendering requirements under Contract Standing Order 10.01.2 d) and to award a contract for a one year period from 1 April 2013.

Exempt information was considered under Item 33.

RESOLVED:

1. That the waiver of tendering requirements under Contract Standing Order 10.01.2 d) on the grounds that it was in the Council’s overall interest, be approved; and

2. That the award of contracts, detailed in the exempt part of the report at Appendix 2, for a period of one year from 1 April 2013, with an option to extend for no more than six months, be approved.

Alternative Options Considered

The option of tendering all expiring contracts for 1^st April 2013 was considered and discounted on the grounds that:

a)    Internal consultation undertaken within Adult Services points to the need for a fuller review of all current services to determine the requirements of the department and of people who use services, in the context of ensuring people who are eligible for personal budgets have services available to meet their requirements.

b)    In respect of information and advice services more broadly across the Council, a commissioning project group has been meeting since autumn 2012 consisting of officers from Adult and Community Services, Children and Young People’s Service, Housing Related Support and Corporate Procurement. This group recommends that a full strategic review of the sector is undertaken, across the Council, to ensure value for money is achieved across the Council.

c)    The proposed strategic review of legal information and advice services proposed during 2013/14, as set out in the report, requires sufficient lead-in time to then informs any plans to undertake a procurement exercise.

d)    Tendering for these contracts in the short term is unlikely to provide better value for money ahead of completion of a strategic review of both information, advice (including legal advice) and advocacy across the Council, and organisations that deliver ‘front-line’ services to people who use adult social care, taking all factors into account.  We will however negotiate the one year contracts (and extensions if required) to ensure value for money.

e)    The proposal for an interim one year contract has been discussed with the Corporate Procurement Team, and it was concluded that the proposed approach represents the best way forward for the Council.

Reasons for Decision

The proposed one year contract(s) and strategic review of the sector, planned from Spring 2013, is an approach that will help deliver high quality outcomes for Haringey residents and is line with the Voluntary Sector Strategy.

The proposed approach is considered to be in the overall interests of the Council.

(Report of the Director of Children’s Services. To be introduced by the Cabinet Member for Children). The report seeks approval to an award of framework agreement for short breaks and other services for children and young people with disabilities and their families.

Cabinet considered a report, presented by the Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Services, which sought approval to award the framework for Short Breaks and other services in line with Contract Standing Order 9.7.1 d) following a transparent and robust tendering process.

RESOLVED:

1. That an award of a framework agreement to the successful tenders list, detailed in the exempt part of the report, be approved, in accordance with Contract Standing Order  9.7.1 d); and

2. That the framework agreement to be awarded for a period of three years with an option to extend for a further period of up to one year in accordance with the terms and conditions of the framework agreement.

Alternative Options Considered

Keep current model of service delivery - currently we have block contract in place for the delivery of short breaks. This commits the council to purchasing all contracted places and covering the cost of any voids.

The new model will be a framework of providers who can deliver a range of services on an hourly rate model. The framework does not commit the Council to purchase any level of service and will be available for clients who receive Direct Payments to purchase from.

The option to award contracts to provide a range of short break services was considered and was included in the consultation process with families and providers. This would have resulted in a similar delivery method to the current system which comes to an end in March 2013.

This approach has been successful but increasingly parents/carers are requesting Direct Payments so that they can choose the service they what at the times that suits them and their child’s individual needs. There is therefore less funding available to award contracts to the same level. Further, it is difficult to predict the balance between families opting for contracted services and those wanting to manage their own budgets.

Adults Services have successfully introduced a personalisation programme for young people on transfer to their services at 18 years. This involves the allocation of personal budgets and the young people determining their own support plan. A pilot for personal budgets for young people who meet the continuing health care criteria is also underway. Families reported that they wanted to see initiatives that would streamline processes through the transition process for their young people.

Another factor considered in the consultation process is the indications from the Green Paper ‘Support and Aspiration’ that parents/carers will have more choice and control over their child’s education, health and care plans, including personal budgets.

Careful consideration was given to all these factors and the responses from consultation with parent/carers and providers. It was therefore decided to build on the best of current practice by having a range of Short Break providers which met the Council’s standards combined with awarding families a personal budget so that they choose their service.

Families will have the option to manage their personal budgets themselves but if they choose, the Additional Needs and Disabilities Service will purchase  ...  view the full minutes text for item 345.

(Report of the Director of Adult and Housing Services. To be introduced by the Cabinet Member for Housing). The report seeks approval to appoint quantity surveying and multi-disciplinary consultants to support the delivery of the Housing Capital Programme for 2013/14.

Cabinet considered a report, presented by the Cabinet Member for Housing, which sought agreement to the appointment of quantity surveying and multi disciplinary consultants to support the delivery of the Housing Capital Programme for 2013/14.

Exempt information was considered under Item 34.

RESOLVED:

1. That the appointment of the consultants, named in exempt Appendix A, as Quantity Surveying consultants to support the delivery of the housing capital programme from the 2013/14 programme up to the duration of the contractor framework agreement, as detailed in Appendix A, paragraph A.9, be approved; and

2. That the appointment of the consultants, named in exempt Appendix A, as Multidisciplinary consultants to support the delivery of the housing capital programme from the 2013/14 programme up to the duration of the contractor framework, as detailed in Appendix A, paragraph A.9, be approved.

Alternative Options Considered

Consideration of the options was informed by the legal advice contained in the exempt part of the report.

Reasons for Decision

A decision is required to approve the appointment of quantity surveying and multidisciplinary consultants to support the delivery of the Housing Capital Programme from 2013/14.

To note the minutes of the following:

Ø  Cabinet Member Signing - 4 January 2013

Ø  Cabinet Member Signing - 11 January 2013

Ø  Report of the Children’s Safeguarding Policy and Practice Advisory Committee to Council on 18 March 2013 (for Cabinet’s endorsement)

RESOLVED:

      i.        That the minutes of the following bodies be noted:

a)    Cabinet Member Signing - 4 January 2013

b)    Cabinet Member Signing - 11 January 2013

    ii.        That the report of the Children’s Safeguarding Policy and Practice Advisory Committee to Council on 18 March 2013 be noted and endorsed.

To note significant and delegated actions taken by Directors since the previous Cabinet meeting.

RESOLVED:

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

To consider any new items of Urgent Business admitted at Item 2 above.

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, 31, 32, 33, 34 and 35 allow for the consideration of exempt information in relation to Items 7, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, and 20 respectively, which appear earlier in the agenda.  Item 36 is entirely within the exempt part of the agenda.

RESOLVED:

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

To consider exempt information pertaining to Item 7 above.

REPORT TO FOLLOW

Exempt information was considered pertaining to Item 7 above.

To consider exempt information pertaining to Item 11 above.

Exempt information was considered pertaining to Item 11 above.

To consider exempt information pertaining to Item 12 above.

REPORT TO FOLLOW

Exempt information was considered pertaining to Item 12 above.

To consider exempt information pertaining to Item 13 above.

Exempt information was considered pertaining to Item 13 above.

To consider exempt information pertaining to Item 14 above.

Exempt information was considered pertaining to Item 14 above.

To consider exempt information pertaining to Item 15 above.

Exempt information was considered pertaining to Item 15 above.

To consider exempt information pertaining to Item 16 above.

Exempt information was considered pertaining to Item 16 above.

To consider exempt information pertaining to Item 17 above.

Exempt information was considered pertaining to Item 17 above.

To consider exempt information pertaining to Item 18 above.

Exempt information was considered pertaining to Item 18 above.

To consider exempt information pertaining to Item 19 above.

Exempt information was considered pertaining to Item 19 above.

To consider exempt information pertaining to Item 20 above.

Exempt information was considered pertaining to Item 20 above.

(Report of the Director of Place and Sustainability. To be introduced by the Cabinet Member for Finance and Carbon Reduction).

REPORT TO FOLLOW

Cabinet considered an exempt report, presented by the Cabinet Member for Finance and Carbon Reduction, which related to the Disposal of Hornsey Depot. 

To consider exempt information pertaining to Item 26 above.

There were no new exempt items of Urgent Business.