The Cabinet of Harrow Council met on Thursday 25 July 2024, approving a new strategy for Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) and Alternative Provision, and agreeing to re-procure contracts for highways works and building insurance for leaseholders. The meeting also noted the council's financial outturn for the previous year and reviewed progress on scrutiny projects.

Special Educational Needs and Disability and Alternative Provision (SENDAP) Strategy 2024-2029

The Cabinet approved the Special Educational Needs and Disability and Alternative Provision (SENDAP) Strategy for 2024-2029. This strategy aims to ensure the local authority fulfils its statutory duties for SEND provision, as outlined in the Children and Families Act 2014¹. It seeks to secure a continuum of provision and support for pupils aged 0-25 with SEND and those in Alternative Provision (AP), working collaboratively with partners. Authority has been delegated to the Strategic Director of Children's Services to review and amend the strategic priorities of the plan as needed, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Children's Services.

Changes to Social Housing Regulation and Tenant Satisfaction

The Cabinet noted the report detailing changes to the regulation of social housing, new Tenant Satisfaction Measures, and Housing Complaints performance. A key decision was to provide Cabinet's response as the Governing Body to the Housing Complaints Report 2023/2024. This response will be published on the council's website and submitted to the Housing Ombudsman, as required by the Social Housing (Regulation) Act 2023².

Highway Infrastructure Asset Management Plan and Resurfacing Programmes

The updated Highways Infrastructure Asset Management Plan (HIAMP) and the Footway and Carriageway Surfacing Programmes for 2024/2025 were noted by the Cabinet. A capital budget allocation of £6 million for 2024/2025, supplemented by Borough Community Infrastructure Levy (BCIL) funds, will be used for these programmes. Authority has been delegated to the Strategic Director of Culture, Environment and Economy, in consultation with the Strategic Director of Finance (s151 Officer) and the Portfolio Holder for Finance & Highways, to carry out the infrastructure improvement works and to make any necessary amendments to the programme. Future capital investment from 2025/26 onwards will be considered through the council's budget-setting process. The implementation of the plan is expected to lead to more cost-effective asset management, essential maintenance, reduced CO2 emissions, and a reduction in tree root trip hazards.

Procurement of New Highways Works Term Service Contract

The Cabinet approved the re-procurement of the Highways Works Term Service Contract. This contract will be divided into two lots: Lot 1 for Highways Works (planned improvements, reactive, and routine maintenance) and Lot 2 for Street Lighting Works. The initial contract term will be seven years, commencing on 1 April 2025 and expiring on 31 March 2032, with an option to extend for a further seven years. Authority has been delegated to the Strategic Director of Culture, Environment & Economy, in consultation with the Strategic Director of Finance (s151 Officer) and the Portfolio Holder for Finance & Highways, to make changes to procurement documents and to award the contracts. This decision ensures the council can fulfil its statutory duty under section 41 of the Highways Act 1980³ to maintain highways in a safe and fit state.

Home Improvement Agency: Specialist Equipment Procurement

Authority was granted to officers to begin a procurement process for a provider to deliver and maintain specialist equipment for disabled people. The estimated annual value of this contract is £250,000, totalling £1.25 million over its initial three-year term with potential for two further years of extensions. Authority has been delegated to the Corporate Director Place to appoint and award the contract following an open tender process, in consultation with the Portfolio Holders for Housing and Finance & Highways.

Reprocurement of Buildings Insurance for Residential Leaseholders

The Cabinet approved the commencement of a procurement exercise for buildings insurance for residential leaseholders. As the freeholder, the Council is obligated to arrange this insurance under the terms of the lease, with the current agreement expiring on 31 March 2025. Authority has been delegated to the Managing Director, following consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Finance and Highways, to award the contract and complete any necessary documentation. The Managing Director also has authority to allow changes to the Invitation to Tender (ITT) documents before their final publication.

Strategic Controlled Parking Zones (CPZ) Consultation Rollout Programme

The Cabinet noted the work undertaken to develop a strategic approach to delivering a Strategic CPZ Consultation Rollout Programme. Authority has been delegated to the Strategic Director of Culture, Environment & Economy, in consultation with the Strategic Director of Finance (S151 Officer) and the Portfolio Holder for Finance & Highways, to make changes to the programme, agree consultation approaches for individual schemes, and make decisions on the outcomes of consultations. This aims to ensure an effective method for developing and delivering CPZ consultation programmes that respond to parking pressures in the borough.

Annual Review of the Council Tax Support Scheme for 2025/26

The Cabinet noted and considered the report on the annual review of the Council Tax Support (CTS) Scheme for the 2025/26 financial year. The Strategic Director of Finance, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Finance and Highways, is authorised to finalise the scheme details and consultation documentation. This includes consulting with the Greater London Authority and other stakeholders on proposed changes. A further report will be submitted to Cabinet later in the year with consultation results, an equality impact assessment, and the updated proposed scheme for recommendation to full Council. The report noted that With the financial pressures to close the budget gap, Harrow Council must look to all options, including reducing support for the Council Tax Support Scheme (CTS).

Revenue & Capital Budget Outturn Report 2023-24

The Cabinet noted the revenue and capital outturn positions for 2023-24. They also approved proposed additions and amendments to the Capital Programme, noted the Council's Trading Update and the Right to Buy receipts position in the Housing Revenue Account (HRA), and approved the Council's Productivity Plan.

Treasury Management Annual Outturn Report for 2023-24

The Treasury Management outturn position for 2023/24 was noted by the Cabinet. This report is part of promoting effective financial management and compliance with regulations, including the Local Government Act 2003⁴ and the CIPFA Code of Practice on Treasury Management⁵.

Procurement of New Contract for Corporate IT Application Management Support and Hosting Support Services

The Cabinet approved the award of a contract to Version 1 Ltd for corporate IT application management and hosting support services. This contract will be for a period of up to three years, with an option to extend for a further year, commencing in November 2024. This decision ensures the continuity and delivery of IT services that underpin all council operations.

Information and Advice Strategy 2024-2027

The Council's Information and Advice Strategy 2024-2027 was approved. This strategy aligns with the corporate plan and priorities of the council.

General Information and Advice Service

The Cabinet authorised the extension of the current General Information and Advice service by three months, from 1 January 2025 to 31 March 2025. This extension will align the new service with the start of the financial year and maximise the mobilisation period for a new contract. A competitive procurement process will commence for a new service contract for an initial term of three years from 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2028, with an option to extend for up to two further years. Authority has been delegated to the Assistant Director of Corporate Strategy and the Strategic Director of Finance (S151 Officer), in consultation with the Portfolio Holders for Community and Culture and Finance and Highways, to award the contract. The value of the contract necessitates Cabinet approval for its re-procurement to ensure the continuation of the service for Harrow residents.

Q4 Strategic Performance Report

The Cabinet resolved that Portfolio Holders would continue to work with officers to achieve improvements against identified key challenges, as detailed in Appendix 1 of the report. The report itself was noted, and the three-year targets set against Corporate Scorecard indicators for 2024-25 to 2026-27 were approved. This allows the Cabinet to be informed of performance against key measures and to identify and assign corrective actions where necessary.

Petitions

Three petitions were received and noted by the Cabinet:

• A petition with 44 signatures regarding fly-tipping on Kenmore Avenue was referred to the Portfolio Holder for Cleaner Streets & Public Safety.
• A petition with 124 signatures concerning the Tesco development site planning application near Saint Jerome School was referred to the Chief Planning Officer.
• A petition with 75 signatures regarding traffic calming measures along Devonshire and Sussex Road was referred to the Traffic and Road Safety Advisory Panel.

Councillor Mina Parmar declared a non-pecuniary interest in the petition concerning Devonshire Road as her mother lived on that road. Councillor Kanti Rabadia declared a non-pecuniary interest in the Kenmore Avenue petition as he was presenting it on behalf of residents. Councillor Aneka Shah-Levy declared a non-pecuniary interest in the Tesco development petition as her daughter attended Saint Jerome School. In all these cases, the councillors remained in the room during the consideration and voting on the matters.

Councillor Stephen Greek declared a non-pecuniary interest regarding the SENDAP Strategy as he is a School Governor for Weald Rise Primary School, which hosts Kingsley High School. He remained in the room during the discussion and voting.