The Cabinet of Croydon Council met on Monday 22 January 2018, approving a nine-year extension to the One Croydon Alliance Agreement and adopting a new Cycling Strategy. The meeting also saw the endorsement of the Croydon draft local plan as sound and fit for purpose, and the approval of the Education Estates Strategy, including plans for school place planning and maintenance.

Croydon Local Plan Found Sound

The government-appointed inspector has found the Croydon draft local plan to be sound and fit for purpose. Councillor Alison Butler, Deputy Leader (Statutory) and Cabinet Member for Homes, Regeneration and Planning, announced this positive development and thanked the officers involved.

One Croydon Alliance Agreement Extended

The Cabinet agreed to extend the One Croydon Alliance Agreement for a further nine years, from 1 April 2018 to 31 March 2027. This extension will also see the remit of the Alliance Agreement expanded to facilitate potential whole-system transformation for health and social care. Decisions that materially increase the programme scope will be subject to the Council's decision-making process. The Interim Executive Director of Social Services and the Executive Director of Resources, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Families Health and Social Care and the Cabinet Member for Finance and Treasury, have been delegated the authority to sign the final agreement and award in-scope service contracts.

New Cycling Strategy Adopted

Croydon's Cycling Strategy for 2018-2023 was adopted by the Cabinet. This strategy outlines the council's plans to promote and improve cycling infrastructure and accessibility across the borough over the next five years.

Education Estates Strategy Approved

The Cabinet approved the Education Estates Strategy, which includes the Croydon School Place Supply Strategy for the next three academic years (2018/19 to 2020/21) and the associated funding for delivering additional school places. The strategy also noted updates on Croydon's new special free school, approved by the Department for Education (DfE), a proposed partnership with Croydon Further Education College to establish a new post-16 SEN Centre of Excellence, and the continued planned expansion of secondary autism Enhanced Learning Provision at Oasis Coulsdon and Oasis Arena. Furthermore, the Cabinet agreed to recommend to the full Council the proposed Admission Arrangements for Croydon's community schools for the 2019/20 academic year, including responses to consultation on reducing the Pupil Admission Number (PAN) for Norbury Manor and Monks Orchard Primary Schools, and the adoption of proposed Pan London co-ordination arrangements. The Schools' Maintenance Plan for 2017/18 and 2018/19 was also approved, which includes an additional £3 million for fire safety works in community schools and £2 million for a three-year programme of major maintenance work.

Corporate Plan Performance Reviewed

The Cabinet noted the performance for the period April to September 2017, as detailed in Appendix 1 of the report. They also acknowledged the achievements, progress, and work undertaken to deliver against the promises set out in the 2015-18 Corporate Plan. Areas of challenge, where the Council is responsible for performance, and the work underway or proposed to address these were also noted.

London Councils Grants Scheme Budget Approved

The Cabinet agreed to approve the London Councils Grants Scheme budget for 2018/19 at £8.668 million. Croydon Council's contribution to this budget for 2018/19 will be £290,085. This decision was made to meet the deadline for setting the budget by two-thirds of constituent councils.

Scrutiny Recommendations Received

The Cabinet received recommendations arising from the Streets, Environment and Homes Scrutiny Sub-Committee and the Children and Young People Scrutiny Sub-Committee. A substantive response to these recommendations will be provided at the next Cabinet meeting on 19 March 2018.

Investing in the Borough Noted

The Cabinet noted contracts over £500,000 in value anticipated to be awarded by the nominated Cabinet Member, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Finance and Treasury or the Leader. They also noted the list of delegated award decisions made by the Director of Commissioning and Improvement between 09/11/2017 and 13/12/2017, and decisions taken by the nominated Cabinet Member under the Leader's delegated authority for contract awards since the last Cabinet meeting.

Children's Services and UASC Funding Updates

Councillor Tony Newman, the Leader of the Council, reported on the receipt of a letter from the Minister of State regarding Children's Services, with a progress report due at the next Cabinet meeting. Councillor Alisa Flemming, Cabinet Member for Children, Young People & Learning, noted that Ofsted had recognised the progress made since the inspection. Councillor Simon Hall, Cabinet Member for Finance & Treasury, announced that the funding received from the Controlling Migration Fund for Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children (UASC) was less than two percent of the £19 million committed to councils. The Council intends to challenge this lack of funding.

Library Services Following Carillion Collapse

Councillor Tony Newman paid tribute to the staff involved in maintaining the library service following the collapse of Carillion. Councillor Timothy Godfrey, Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure & Sport, thanked the core officer team and frontline library staff. Councillor Simon Hall confirmed that the Council had no financial exposure at the termination of the contract.

Citiscape Cladding Costs

Councillor Alison Butler announced that she was seeking reassurance from Citiscape and developers of similar blocks that the costs of replacement cladding would not be passed on to residents.

Developers' Viability Reports to be Public

Councillor Alison Butler also announced that developers' viability reports would be made public in the future.