The Cabinet of Harrow Council met on Thursday 16 November 2017, approving a new Public Art Policy and the Housing Revenue Account Business Plan update. The meeting also addressed petitions concerning parking issues, anti-social behaviour, and traffic calming measures, and discussed a request to amend the boundary of the Pinner Road Conservation Area.

Petitions Received

The Cabinet received three petitions from residents. The first, presented by Councillor Ramji Chauhan, raised concerns about parking issues around Weald Rise Primary School¹, including unauthorised parking and blocked driveways. The petition called for increased parking enforcement and for the school to take measures against offending parent drivers. The Cabinet resolved to refer this petition to the Corporate Director of Community for a response.

Councillor Pritesh Patel presented a second petition signed by 99 residents concerning anti-social behaviour emanating from a property on College Road, Harrow Weald. The petition detailed incidents of noise disturbance, drug abuse, drug dealing, abusive behaviour, fighting, and criminal damage, and requested urgent action against the occupiers, intensified police presence, advice letters, and the provision of smart water kits and signage. The Cabinet resolved to refer this petition to the Corporate Director of Community for a response.

A third petition, signed by 220 households and presented by Mr Davis, objected to Council Scheme DP 2017-12, specifically the introduction of speed cushions/humps as part of the St John Fisher Catholic Primary School 20mph scheme. The petitioners accepted the 20mph zone but opposed the speed cushions. The Cabinet resolved to refer this petition to the Corporate Director of Community for a response.

Public Art Policy

The Cabinet approved the Public Art Policy and Application Process for adoption with immediate effect. This policy aims to ensure high-quality public art in the borough, considering proposals in the interests of the wider community and evaluating them based on social, economic, and environmental impacts. The Divisional Director of Environment and Culture, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Community, Culture and Resident Engagement, was authorised to make amendments to the policy and application process. The policy supports Harrow's Cultural Strategy and the ambition to Build a Better Harrow by enhancing the local environment and fostering a sense of pride and belonging.

Housing Related Support and Prevention Services

The Cabinet agreed to delegate authority to the Divisional Director of Housing and the Acting Director of Adult Social Care to procure Housing Related Support and Prevention Services and award the contracts. This decision is necessary as the current contracts, established under the former Supporting People Programme, end in March 2018 and cannot be extended. The reprocurement aims to ensure continued and more efficient provision of these services to vulnerable residents, aligning with the Care Act 2014² and potentially delivering efficiencies. The new model will focus on shorter, more intensive support interventions to prevent crises and promote independent living. The procurement process is scheduled to begin with the publication of an advert on 17 November 2017, with contracts expected to commence on 1 April 2018.

Housing Revenue Account Business Plan Update 2017

The Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Business Plan update for 2017 was approved. This 30-year plan is crucial for long-term planning and the delivery of key housing objectives. The update reflects significant revisions to the assumptions underlying the original 2015 plan, necessitated by legislative changes such as the Welfare Reform & Work Act 2016³ and the Housing and Planning Act 2016⁴. The plan assumes a permanent reduction in net revenue expenditure of £1.90 million per annum, phased over the first four years, to ensure the HRA's viability. Capital expenditure has also been reduced, and the plan incorporates discussions with the Department for Communities & Local Government regarding potential flexibilities on borrowing and the use of Right-to-Buy receipts⁵.

Pinner Road Conservation Area Boundary Amendment

The Cabinet considered a request from the owners of 'The Lodge', Capel Gardens, Pinner, to be excluded from the Pinner Road Conservation Area. While acknowledging an administrative error in the initial consultation process, officers recommended that The Lodge remain within the conservation area due to its historic and architectural links with the adjoining locally listed flats. However, the Cabinet agreed to amend the boundary to include the full extent of The Lodge's property, including its conservatory, to rectify an anomaly where the current boundary passed through the building. The Divisional Director of Regeneration and Planning was authorised to undertake the necessary statutory processes for this boundary amendment.

Other Matters

The Cabinet also noted the Key Decision Schedule for November 2017 to January 2018 and received reports from the Overview and Scrutiny Committee regarding the Financing of the Regeneration Programme and Progress on Scrutiny Projects.