The Cabinet of Redbridge Council met on Tuesday 3 May 2011, discussing a range of important issues including the purchase of additional police officers, changes to nursery and after-school club fees, and the 2011/12 Highways Major Works Programme. Key decisions included the discontinuation of the council's Parks Police in favour of Metropolitan Police Officers, and an increase in fees for council-run nurseries and after-school clubs.

Purchase of Police Officers

The council agreed to discontinue its Parks Police service and instead purchase additional police officers from the Metropolitan Police Authority (MPA) under a buy one get one free scheme. This initiative, underpinned by Section 92 of the Police Act 1996, will see the council pay £51,000 per year for each Police Constable, with the MPA matching this funding. This effectively halves the cost per officer to the borough. A contract will be drawn up for three years, with an option to terminate with 12 months' notice. The decision was made to improve overall value by utilising the increased powers of Metropolitan Police Officers and to allow for the deployment of extra officers outside of parks and in other crime hotspots. Savings from the disbandment of the Parks Police will also fund additional Park Keepers. The operational details will be delegated to the Director of Environment and Community Services.

Review of Nursery and After School Club Fees

Cabinet approved a two-year plan to increase fees for parents using council-run nurseries and after-school clubs to make them self-financing. Fees at the authority-run nurseries at Loxford, Hainault, Mildmay, Ray Lodge, and Redbridge College children's centres will increase by 8.5% from eight weeks after the decision becomes final, and by a further 8% from 1 April 2012. Similarly, fees for the after-school club at Aldersbrook Primary School will rise by 9.75% and then by a further 9% over the same period. The crèche facilities at the Mildmay Centre will cease to be operated by the authority's Early Years Service from the end of July 2011. These measures are necessary due to increasing running costs and the need to reduce reliance on council subsidies, allowing the Local Authority Grant to be directed towards supporting children's centres and early intervention activities.

2011/12 Highways Major Works Programme

The council approved its Highways Capital Programme for 2011/12, allocating significant funding for various works. This includes £1,526,000 for the Redbridge funded Capital and Revenue programme, £700,000 towards the Parking Strategy, and £3,299,000 for Transport for London (TfL) funded works, including major schemes in South Woodford and neighbourhood projects. The programme also incorporates £542,000 for Local Safety Schemes and £358,000 for Smarter Travel initiatives. Additionally, £75,000 has been allocated for advance studies and design for traffic management, and £675,000 for Section 106 funding. The Chief StreetScene Officer, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Highways, will have delegated authority to approve minor changes within each funded programme.

Adoption of Section 75 of the London Local Authorities Act 2007

A recommendation was made to the Council to adopt Section 75 of the London Local Authorities Act 2007, which will come into effect from 1 July 2011. This legislation aims to tackle criminal activities facilitated by accommodation addresses – businesses that provide a trading address without clients having a physical presence. Adoption of this section will require such businesses operating in Redbridge to register with the authority and maintain detailed records of their clients, which will be open to inspection by enforcement agencies like Trading Standards and the Police.

Community Safety Partnership Plan - Safer Redbridge Strategy 2011-12

The Cabinet referred the Community Safety Partnership Plan, the Safer Redbridge Strategy 2011-12, to the Council for approval. This interim strategy focuses on tackling crime, disorder, and anti-social behaviour through partnership working. Its priorities for the upcoming year are burglary, anti-social behaviour and hate crime, and violence against women and girls, identified through the Redbridge Community Safety Partnership's Strategic Assessment.

Goodmayes Park Extension - Lease to Singh Sabah FC

The Cabinet noted the report on expressions of interest for the future operation and management of Goodmayes Park Extension and referred the matter to the Overview Committee for consideration of the issues raised.

Final Outcome Report of the Fairlop Plain Scrutiny Working Group

The Cabinet noted the Overview Committee's final outcome report on the Fairlop Plain Scrutiny Working Group. Officers have been asked to prepare a detailed response to each of the report's recommendations for consideration by the Cabinet within the next two meeting cycles.

Preparations for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games Scrutiny Working Group - Final Outcome Report

The Cabinet noted the final outcome report from the Scrutiny Working Group on preparations for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Officers are to prepare a detailed response to the report's eleven recommendations within two meeting cycles.

Budgetary Control Report for February 2011

The Cabinet noted the potential year-end variations for the 2010/11 budget, which projected an overall net revenue underspend of £1.263 million. They also agreed to include £3.925 million of additional external resources from the Department for Education in the Children's Services Capital Programme for 2010/11.

Internal Audit Strategy & Annual Audit Plan 2011/12

The Cabinet agreed the Audit Charter and the Internal Audit Strategy, and noted the overall shape of the 2011/12 Audit Plan. The plan includes 1,981 audit days, a reduction of 22% from the previous year, focusing on higher-risk areas.

Request for Authority to Spend Social Care Reform Grant Capital Money in 2011/12

Authority was granted to spend £90,000 from the Capital Social Care Reform Grant to cover IT and related costs for implementing the personalisation of adult social services care. This expenditure will be added to the Capital Programme.

Proposal to Provide Additional Grant Funding to the Voluntary and Community Sector

The Cabinet agreed to set aside funds from the reduction in the Council's London Councils Grants subscription to provide additional support to the voluntary and community sector. £28,915 will be allocated to fund projects under the Emerging Needs and New Initiatives fund. A further report on funding for the voluntary sector is expected in July.

Children's Services Capital Programme: School Access Initiative 2011/12

The Cabinet approved outline schemes and estimates totalling £302,176 for projects under the Schools Access Initiative in the Children's Services Capital Programme for 2011/12. These projects aim to meet the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act 2005 and the Redbridge Education Access Strategy.

Temporary Expansions – Additional Funding

An additional £60,000 from the expansion of primary schools budget was released to fund the installation of a temporary mobile classroom at Fairlop Primary School, and a further £60,000 was released for a similar classroom at Nightingale Primary School, both to be in place by September 2011.

Reference from Area 7 Committee - Toilets

The Cabinet noted the recommendation from Area 7 Committee regarding the closure of the Aldborough Road toilet. They advised that a review of public toilet facilities across the borough is underway and that this recommendation will be considered as part of that review.

Redbridge Conversation – Consideration of Written Responses

The Cabinet noted the responses to the Redbridge Conversation 2010 and the actions being taken to implement practical suggestions for savings. A follow-up report on progress will be provided in one year.

Revisions to the Code of Recommended Practice on Local Authority Publicity

The Cabinet adopted the revised Code of Recommended Practice on Local Authority Publicity as the basis for Council publicity. This includes principles of lawfulness, even-handedness, cost-effectiveness, and the promotion of equality and diversity. Links to personal sites from Councillors' pages on Redbridge i will be permitted under the revised code.

Review of Contract Standing Orders

The Cabinet agreed to the proposed amendments to Contract Standing Orders, which have been reviewed by the Scheme of Delegations and Constitution Corporate panel.

Award Report - Contract for the Supply of Automotive Fuel

The contract for the supply of automotive fuel was awarded to Harvest Energy Limited for the period 1 June 2011 to 31 March 2013, at an estimated annual cost of £1,380,000, procured through the ESPO Framework for Petroleum Products.

Leaseholder Buildings Insurance Contract

The contract for Leaseholder Building Insurance Cover and Claims Handling was awarded to Ocaso from 1 August 2011 until 31 July 2014, with an option to extend for a further two years. The premium for this cover is £310,210.

Contract Award for the Supply and Servicing of Library Acquisitions

Contracts for library stock supply were awarded to Bertram Library Services (for Adult and Children's Lending Stock and Audio Visual) and Coutts Information Services Ltd (for Reference Stock). These contracts will commence on 1 June 2011 for three years, with the possibility of two one-year extensions.

Single Status Proposals

The Cabinet approved a formal proposal for Single Status, with an effective date of April 2010, and a commitment to mitigate earnings losses for employees. A budget of £350,000 for 2011/12 has been approved to cover implementation costs. The strategy to review terms and conditions to create a modern, affordable reward package for employees will continue.