The Cabinet of Harrow Council met on Thursday 11 December 2014 to discuss and make decisions on a range of significant financial and strategic matters. Key decisions included the approval of draft budgets for the upcoming financial year and medium-term strategy, the calculation of Council Tax and Business Rates bases, and the endorsement of a regeneration strategy. The Cabinet also agreed to proceed with proposals for the amalgamation and expansion of Welldon Park Infant and Nursery School and Welldon Park Junior School, and to explore future governance arrangements for Harrow Museum and Headstone Manor.

Draft Revenue Budget and Medium Term Financial Strategy Approved for Consultation

The Cabinet approved the draft revenue budget for 2015/16 and the Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) for 2015/16 to 2018/19 for general consultation. This decision was made with consideration for the results of the Take Part consultation and an equality impact assessment. The meeting noted remaining budget gaps of £15.5m for 2016/17, £15.6m for 2017/18, and £12.8m for 2018/19. A key element of the budget is the intention to increase Council Tax by 1.99% in 2015/16. The draft Public Health budget for 2015/16 was also approved, alongside Harrow's contribution of £260,259 to the London Grant Scheme for 2015/16.

Council Tax and Business Rates Base Calculations Approved

The Cabinet approved the calculation of the Council Tax base for 2015-2016, setting the Band D equivalent number of taxable properties at 79,795. This calculation includes a provision for uncollectable amounts of Council Tax at 2.50%, aiming for an expected collection rate of 97.50%.

Furthermore, the calculation of Business Rates income for 2015-2016 was agreed. The projected non-domestic rates (NDR) income is £46.705 million, with £23.352 million payable to the Department for Communities and Local Government (50% Central Share) and £9.341 million payable to the Greater London Authority (20%). This leaves £14.012 million to be retained by Harrow (30%). The Council's Chief Finance Officer was authorised to submit revised figures if further clarification was received from the Department for Communities and Local Government regarding the financial impact of proposed changes.

Harrow Regeneration Strategy and Action Plan Approved for Consultation

The draft Harrow Regeneration Strategy and Action Plan was approved for public consultation, subject to final edits. The Cabinet also endorsed in principle the submitted Housing Zone bid and granted authority for the Corporate Director of Environment and Enterprise to negotiate with the Greater London Authority regarding its evaluation and approval. The proposed work to progress a delivery strategy and implementation programme for the Council's Private Rented Sector (PRS) initiative was approved, as was the programme to progress a detailed Business Case and procure a design team for Haslam House, the first site to be developed for PRS housing. Additionally, the programme to progress an options appraisal and business case for a cost-effective reprovision of the Civic Centre was approved, along with a programme of engagement with key stakeholders to consider the redevelopment of the Leisure Centre and surrounding site.

Welldon Park School Amalgamation and Expansion Approved

Statutory proposals to amalgamate and expand Welldon Park Infant and Nursery School and Welldon Park Junior School were approved. This involves closing the Junior School and extending the age range of the Infant School. The Cabinet also agreed to the publication of statutory notices to permanently expand the combined school. Work will continue with the governors to address concerns regarding amalgamation over a split site.

Future Options for Harrow Museum and Headstone Manor Approved

The Cabinet approved the next stage of delivering the vision for Harrow Museum and Headstone Manor. This includes the delivery of works for the Great Barn at Headstone Manor, with approval for the award of contracts for its repair and refurbishment, and the grant of a Biomass Boiler Lease. Capital financing of £0.907 million has been allocated for the Great Barn project and CO2 reduction, with an additional £49,000 identified from the current Capital Programme due to final tender prices exceeding the original estimate.

Furthermore, the submission of a Round 2 grant application to the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) for £3.6 million to deliver the Master Plan for Headstone Manor and Harrow Museum was approved. This includes commitments for lease and maintenance agreements, matched-funding capital financing, and the delivery of the Business Plan and Activity Plan. An agreement with Harrow Museum Trust for the preservation and use of the collection will also be entered into. The Corporate Director Community, Health and Wellbeing was authorised to finalise application details and sign relevant documents for the HLF application. The delivery of the Master Plan, including tendering for capital works, is contingent upon the award of the HLF grant. Finally, an options appraisal for alternative governance arrangements for Arts and Heritage Services in Harrow, including Harrow Museum, will be conducted, with recommendations to be presented to Cabinet in early 2015.

Draft Housing Revenue Account Budget and Capital Programme Approved for Consultation

The draft Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Budget and the draft four-year Capital Programme were approved for consultation. This includes a proposed increase of 2.2% to housing rent charges for 2015-16, resulting in an average rent of £114.97 per week and an average tenant service charge of £2.91 per week. Proposed increases in facility, water, and community centre charges were also approved for consultation.

Procurement of Revenues and Benefits Support Approved

The Cabinet approved the procurement of third-party support for the Collections and Benefits Department, with a value range of between £1.75 million and £3.5 million over five years. This support is currently provided through an Incremental Partnership Agreement with Capita Business Services Limited, which is scheduled to expire on 31 October 2015, with an option to extend for one further year. The procurement will be conducted in accordance with European Union public procurement rules and Contract Procedure Rules. Authority to proceed with the procurement was delegated to the Corporate Director of Resources, following consultation with the Portfolio Holders for Performance, Corporate Resources and Policy Development, and Finance and Major Contracts. A contract award recommendation will be submitted to Cabinet for approval.

Council Tax Support Scheme Retained

The Cabinet resolved to recommend to the Council that the current Council Tax Support (CTS) Scheme continue in 2015/16 and in following years, unless a decision is taken to replace or alter the scheme at an annual review. Having reviewed the local scheme, no changes to the CTS Scheme for 2015/16 were recommended. The effects of any changes on vulnerable people and the key themes highlighted by the consultation, which supported protecting the vulnerable and disabled and acknowledged the lack of affordability for individuals, were noted.

Key Decision Schedule and Scrutiny Projects Noted

The contents of the Key Decision Schedule for December 2014 to February 2015 were noted. Progress made on scrutiny projects was also noted.

Treasury Management Mid-Year Review Noted

The Treasury Management Mid-Year Report for 2014/15 was noted.

Response to Council Tax Scheme Scrutiny Committee Challenge Panel Report Noted

The response to the recommendations of the Council Tax Support Scheme Challenge Panel was noted.

Revenue and Capital Monitoring Noted

The revenue and capital forecast positions as at Quarter 2 2014/15 were noted, along with the changes in the Capital Programme during Quarter 2.

Strategic Performance Report Noted

The Strategic Performance Report for Quarter 2, 2014/15 was noted, and Portfolio Holders were encouraged to continue working with officers to achieve improvement against identified key challenges.

Petitions Received

Several petitions were received and considered:

• Funding to the Voluntary Sector: A petition signed by 2,097 people, urging against funding cuts to Age Concern, Citizens' Advice Bureau, MIND in Harrow, Harrow Association for the Disabled, and other voluntary organisations. In accordance with the Petition Scheme, this petition, once validated, will be referred to Council.
• Closure of Bob Lawrence Library: A petition signed by 55 people opposing the closure of Bob Lawrence Library, suggesting that changes to opening hours could avoid closure. The Portfolio Holder for Community, Culture and Resident Engagement will provide a written response to the presenter of this petition.
• Environmental Service Delivery: A petition signed by 130 members of staff, urging the administration not to recommend ill-considered proposals from Senior Management in Environmental Services Delivery that impact frontline operational staff.

Questions Received

Public and Councillor questions were received and responded to, with any recordings placed on the Council's website. Councillor questions 7-20 were not reached at Cabinet and written responses would be provided to the relevant Councillors and placed on the Council's website.

Declarations of Interest

Councillor Richard Almond declared a non-pecuniary interest in Agenda Item 14 (Draft Revenue Budget) as he is on the Board of Trustees for Harrow Citizens' Advice Bureau. Councillor Barry Macleod-Cullinane declared a non-pecuniary interest as an employee of the Citizens' Advice Bureau. Councillor Anne Whitehead declared a non-pecuniary interest as Chair of the Harrow Law Centre. All three remained in the room to listen to the discussions. No conflicts of interest or dispensations were granted for Cabinet Members.

Apologies for Absence

None were received.

Conflict of Interest

No conflict of interest or dispensations were granted for Cabinet Members.

Exclusion of Press and Public

The press and public were excluded from the meeting for Agenda Items 25 (Future Options for Harrow Museum) and 26 (Procurement of Revenues and Benefits Support) due to the likely disclosure of confidential or exempt information.