Agenda and minutes

Cabinet - Tuesday 11 December 2012 4.00 pm

Venue: Ground Floor Meeting Room GO2A, 160 Tooley Street, London SE1 2QH

Items
No. Item

1.

Apologies

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    To receive any apologies for absence.

    Minutes:

    Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Dora Dixon-Fyle.

2.

Notification of any items of Business which the Chair Deems Urgent

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    In special circumstances, an item of business may be added to an agenda within five clear working days of the meeting.

    Minutes:

    The chair gave notice that the following late items business would be considered for reasons of urgency to be speciified in the relevant minute:

     

    ·  Item 7 – Deputation request on behalf of Canada Estate and the Rotherhithe area housing forums

     

    ·  Item 24 - Proposed Acquisition of Freehold Interest in Office Accommodation, 160 Tooley Street, London SE1 2QH.

3.

Notice of Intention to conduct business in a closed meeting, and any representations received

4.

Disclosure of Interests and Dispensations

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    Members to declare any interests and dispensation in respect of any item of business to be considered at this meeting.

    Minutes:

    There were no disclosures of interests or dispensations.

5.

Public Question Time (15 Minutes)

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    To receive any questions from members of the public which have been submitted in advance of the meeting in accordance with the cabinet procedure rules.

    Minutes:

    There were no public questions.

6.

Minutes

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    To approve as a correct record the minutes of the open section of the meeting held on 20 November 2012.

    Supporting documents:

    Minutes:

    RESOLVED:

     

    That the open minutes of the meeting held on 20 November 2012 be approved as a correct record and signed by the chair.

7.

Deputation Requests

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    To consider any deputation requests.

    Minutes:

    This request had not been circulated five clear days in advance of the meeting. The chair agreed to accept the request as urgent as the item the deputation wished to speak on was contained elsewhere on the agenda.

     

    RESOLVED:

     

    That the deputation be heard.

     

    Deputation request from representatives of Canada Estate and Rotherhithe Area Housing Forums

     

    The deputation spokesperson addressed the meeting on Item 17, Albion Street project mandate. The spokesperson raised issues relating to the representation of local people and the Albion street steering group, including the perceived dominance of private sector interests. Additionally the spokesperson expressed concern about the access of the walkway into the estate in terms of the likely volume of people from the station.

8.

Response to Health and Adult Social Care Scrutiny Sub-Committee report on the NHS Southwark Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG)

9.

Housing Revenue Account - Indicative Rent Setting and Budget Report 2013/14

    To note on a provisional basis, the rent increase in accordance with the government’s rent guidance and other associated issues and to instruct officers to provide a final report on rent setting and the housing revenue account budget for 2013/14 to cabinet on 29 January 2013.

    Supporting documents:

    Minutes:

    RESOLVED:

     

    1.  That it be noted on a provisional basis, a rent increase of 4.85% in accordance with the government’s rent guidance (as set out in paragraphs 31 – 39 of the report) which is equivalent to an increase of £4.46 per week on average, to be applied to all housing revenue account (HRA) dwellings (including estate voids and hostels), with effect from 1 April 2013.

     

    2.  That it be noted that the average budgeted dwelling rent for tenanted stock in 2013/14 will be £96.40 per week.

     

    3.  That the separate consultation process currently underway regarding the council’s lettings policy, and the two options relating to charging newly-let properties at formula rent levels from their commencement as set out in paragraphs 40 – 42 of the report be noted.

     

    4.  That it be noted on a provisional basis, no increase to tenant fixed service charges as set out in paragraphs 43 – 44 of the report with effect from 1 April 2013.

     

    5.  That it be noted on a provisional basis, no increase to the standard charge for garages, as set out in paragraphs 45 – 46 of the report with effect from 1 April 2013.

     

    6.  That it be noted on a provisional basis, no increase to heating and hot water charges as set out in paragraphs 47 – 49 of the report with effect from 1 April 2013, and that officers bring further proposals back to cabinet regarding application of accumulated non-earmarked surpluses in the council’s ring-fenced heating account.

     

    7.  That officers provide a final report on rent-setting and the housing revenue account (HRA) budget for 2013/14 after due consultation processes have been followed for consideration at the cabinet meeting on 29 January 2013.

10.

Quarter 2 Capital Reporting for 2012/13

11.

Authorisation of Debt Write Offs over £50,000 for National Non Domestic Rates - Revenues and Benefits Service

12.

Cherry Garden School Increase in Size - Report Back on Statutory Notice Consultation

13.

Gateway 1 - Procurement Strategy Approval: The Southwark and Lewisham Supporting People Framework

    To approve the procurement strategy for the supporting people services.

    Supporting documents:

    Minutes:

    RESOLVED:

     

    1.  That the procurement strategy for the supporting people services, namely to undertake a competitive process with the London Borough of Lewisham (LBL) for a framework agreement for a period of four years commencing 1 April 2014 with a total contract value of around £32 million, subject to future government funding settlements be approved.

     

    2.  That the decision regarding the final categories to be included on the framework and the operational detail of the framework be delegated to the strategic director of children’s and adults services.

     

    3.  That it be noted that the cabinet will be asked to approve the award of the framework contract for the potential provision of supporting people services following the procurement process.

14.

Future Approach to Community Engagement

    To agree the future high level approach to community engagement.

    Supporting documents:

    Minutes:

    RESOLVED:

     

    1.  That the future high-level approach to community engagement, set out at Appendix 1 of the report be agreed.

     

    2.  That it be noted that the approach will be further explored during the consultation on the housing commission and that officers will report back to cabinet in July 2013 on the effectiveness of the community engagement.

     

    3.  That it be noted that officers will refresh the current mechanisms for community engagement by undertaking specific reviews as set out in paragraph 22 of the report.

15.

Independent Housing Commission - Community Engagement Plan

16.

London Councils Grants Scheme 2013/14

17.

Albion Street Project Mandate

18.

Gateway 2 - Contract Award Approval - Integrated Highways Maintenance, Project Delivery and Professional Services Contract

    To approve the award of the integrated highways maintenance, project delivery and professional services contract.

    Supporting documents:

    Minutes:

    RESOLVED:

     

    1.  That the award of the integrated highways maintenance, project delivery and professional services contract to Conway Aecom Ltd

     

    ·  Lot A – Highways Maintenance

    ·  Lot B – Highways Projects (Works)

    ·  Lot C – Professional Services

     

    for a period of six years starting 1 April 2013 with a provision for a further extension of two years be approved.

     

    2.  That the valuable contribution made by Transport for London (TfL) and London Councils to the council’s procurement process be noted.

     

    3.  That officers continue working closely with Transport for London (TfL) and the London Technical Advisory Group on pan London issues in order to continue to demonstrate best value in delivering highways and professional services.

19.

Gateway 2 - Contract Award Approval - Parking Enforcement, Notice Processing and Associated Services

20.

A Future Vision for a Centre of Excellence for Older Adults with Dementia and Complex Needs

Exclusion of Press and Public

That the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in category 3 of paragraph 10.4 of the Access to Information Procedure Rules of the Southwark Constitution.

21.

Minutes

    To approve as a correct record the closed minutes of the meeting held on 20 November 2012.

Minutes:

The closed minutes of the meeting held on 20 November 2012 were approved as a correct record and signed by the chair.

22.

Gateway 2 - Contract Award Approval - Integrated Highways Maintenance, Project Delivery and Professional Services Contract

Minutes:

The cabinet considered the closed information relating to this report. See item 17 for decision.

23.

Gateway 2 - Contract Award Approval - Parking Enforcement, Notice Processing and Associated Services

Minutes:

The cabinet considered the closed information relating to this item. See item 18 for decision.

24.

Proposed Acquisition of Freehold Interest in Office Accommodation, 160 Tooley Street, London SE1 2QH

    To delegate to the chief executive the authority to conclude the freehold acquisition of the building.

    Supporting documents:

    Minutes:

    Note: Both the open and closed versions of this report were listed as Item 24 on the agenda.

     

    This item had not been circulated five clear days in advance of the meeting. The chair agreed to accept this item as urgent because if the council were to proceed in its acquisition of 160 Tooley Street, the seller required exchange of contracts and completion of the transaction on or before 14 December 2012.  The opportunity to acquire the freehold would be lost if the decision was delayed for a further meeting to be held. The consequences of such a delay would be to forego the substantial financial advantages and operational flexibility (arising as a result of no longer being bound to the terms of the existing lease).

     

    RESOLVED:

     

    1.  That the circumstances leading to the sale of the freehold interest in 160 Tooley Street and actions taken by officers and their advisors to assess the council’s position in respect of this sale be noted.

     

    2.  That the acquisition of the freehold interest in 160 Tooley Street be approved in principle, subject to the agreement of final heads of terms and purchase price.

     

    3.  That authority be delegated to the chief executive, advised by and in consultation with the strategic director of finance and corporate services and head of property to:

     

    a.  Negotiate terms and enter into binding contracts for the purchase of the freehold interest in 160 Tooley Street

    b.  Agree the amount of the final bid offered and other transactional terms

    c.  Agree the financing structure adopted to fund the acquisition of the asset.

     

    4.  That the strategic director of finance and corporate services include the ongoing savings to the council within the policy and resourcing strategy to be considered by cabinet and council assembly in January and February 2013.

     

    5.  That the strategic director of finance and corporate services, subject to successful completion of the acquisition, report any in year savings that accrue within the third quarter revenue monitoring report due to be received by cabinet in February 2013.

     

    6.  That it be noted that subject to commercial confidentiality the cabinet and members of overview and scrutiny committee will receive confirmation on completion of the purchase, full disclosure of the purchase price and financial benefits arising from the acquisition for the benefit of openness and transparency.

     

    NOTE:  In accordance with the provisions of section 22.1(b) of the overview and scrutiny procedure rules (decisions for urgent implementation), the chair of overview & scrutiny committee has agreed that this item may be treated as a matter of urgency and is therefore not subject to call-in.