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Cabinet - Tuesday 17 December 2024 6.30 pm
December 17, 2024 Cabinet View on council website Watch video of meetingSummary
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The Cabinet of Harrow Council met on Tuesday 17 December 2024, approving a range of financial and strategic decisions. Key among these were the adoption of the draft budget for 2025-26 and the Medium-Term Financial Strategy to 2027-28, alongside the calculation of the Council Tax Base and Business Rates Retention amounts for the upcoming financial year. The meeting also saw the approval of the Long-Term Transport Strategy and a new Council Tax Support Scheme.
Draft Budget and Medium-Term Financial Strategy Approved for Consultation
The Cabinet approved the draft budget for 2025-26 and the Medium-Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) to 2027-28 for general consultation. This forms a crucial step in the Council's financial planning, with the final budget to be presented to the Council in February 2025. At this draft stage, an estimated budget gap of £0m is projected for 2025/26, rising to £5.495m for 2026/27 and £3.199m for 2027/28. The proposals include an increase in core Council Tax by 2.99% annually from 2025/26 to 2027/28, and a 2% increase in the Adult Social Care Precept Council Tax for the same period. The draft Public Health budget for 2025/26 was also approved. The Strategic Director of Finance, following consultation with Councillor David Ashton, Portfolio Holder for Finance & Highways, was authorised to agree Harrow's 2025/26 contribution to the London Borough's Grant Scheme.
Council Tax and Business Rates for 2025-26 Agreed
The Council's Council Tax Base for 2025-2026 was approved, calculated at 90,843 Band D equivalent properties, with an expected collection rate of 98%. This decision fulfils the Council's statutory obligation to set the Council Tax Base for the upcoming financial year.
Furthermore, the Council's Business Rates Retention amount for 2025-26 was approved. The calculation, in accordance with the Non-Domestic Rating (Rates Retention) Regulations 2013, sets Harrow's business rates yield at £15.529m. This figure is derived from a projected Non-Domestic Rates Income of £51.763m, with deductions for payments to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (33% Central Share) and the Greater London Authority (37%), leaving 30% for retention by Harrow. An additional £3.680m in Section 31 Grant brings the total retained amount to £19.209m. The Council's Chief Finance Officer, in consultation with Councillor David Ashton, was authorised to submit these figures and implement any announced Autumn Budget business rates measures.
Long-Term Transport Strategy Approved
The Cabinet approved the finalised Long-Term Transport Strategy (LTTS) for adoption. This strategy sets a 20-year framework for transport matters in Harrow, aiming for a more accessible, safer, and greener transport system. The Acting Strategic Director of Culture, Environment and Economy, following consultation with Councillor David Ashton, was authorised to make minor changes to the document and undertake necessary actions to progress the strategies outlined within it, including updating supplementary transport plans.
Improving Adult Social Care Services
The Cabinet endorsed the approach and priorities for improving adult social care services in Harrow, following a recent Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspection. A comprehensive Adult Social Care Strategy and associated plan will be presented to Cabinet for approval by summer 2025, allowing for significant co-production with residents. Harrow was rated at the top end of the 'requires improvement' banding by the CQC, and the council is using the inspection as a learning opportunity to focus on areas for improvement.
Sancroft Contract Extended
An extension to the existing care service contract with Sancroft Community Care Limited (SCCL) was approved, running from 8 February 2025 to 31 December 2025, with an option to extend for a further 12 months. This extension ensures the continued provision of care and support while a detailed commercial and contract review is undertaken, expected to report back by July 2025 with an options appraisal.
Procurement for Concessionary Travel Mobility Assessments
Approval was given to commence a procurement exercise for a Concessionary Travel Mobility Assessment supplier. The contract, valued at up to £700,000 over an initial three-year term with potential extensions, will cover the assessment of non-automatic applications and the administration of the full concessionary travel service. The Director for Digital, Data & The Customer Experience, in consultation with Councillor Stephen Greek, Portfolio Holder for Performance, Communications & Customer Experience, and the Strategic Director of Finance, is authorised to manage the procurement process and award the contract. Councillor Jean Lammiman declared a non-pecuniary interest in this item due to holding a 'Blue Badge'.
Fees and Charges for 2025-26 Agreed for Consultation
The Cabinet agreed to the executive side Fees & Charges for 2025-26, which will be included in the budget consultation. The Council side Fees & Charges will also be part of the consultation and will be put before the full Council for approval. The Strategic Director of Finance, in consultation with Councillor David Ashton, is authorised to make any necessary changes to these fees and charges following the consultation period and to amend them in-year if required.
Draft Capital Programme Noted
The draft Capital Programme for 2025-26 to 2027-28 was noted. The final version of the Capital Programme will be presented to Cabinet in February 2025 for recommendation to the Council. This enables the Council to have an approved Capital Programme for the specified period.
Revenue and Capital Budget Monitoring Report Q2 2024-25 Noted
The forecast revenue and capital outturn positions for 2024-25 were noted. The Cabinet also approved proposed additions and amendments to the 2024-25 Capital Programme. Updates on the Council's Trading Update, Right to Buy receipts in the Housing Revenue Account (HRA), and investment properties were also noted. Specific financial forecasts and spend for the Byron Quarter and Poets Corner projects within the Harrow Strategic Development Partnership (HSDP) were also noted and approved.
Other Business
The Cabinet noted the Key Decision Schedule for December 2024 to February 2025, a motion referred from Full Council regarding Additional £500 million for local road maintenance,
and the progress on scrutiny projects. The estimated surplus/deficit on the Collection Fund for 2024-2025 was noted, with Harrow's deficit share of £0.170m to be transferred to the General Fund in 2025-26. The Mid-year Treasury Management report for 2024/25 and the Strategic Performance Report for Q2 2024-25 were also noted.
Councillor Stephen Greek and Councillor Kanti Rabadia declared pecuniary interests regarding the Harrow Strategic Development Partnership mentioned in the Revenue and Capital Budget Monitoring Report Q2 2024-25, for which a dispensation had been granted allowing them to speak but not vote. Councillor Jean Lammiman declared a non-pecuniary interest in the procurement of a contractor for mobility assessments for Concessionary Travel.
The meeting also observed a minute of silence for the late Former Mayor and Councillor, Christine Bednell, and for long-serving staff member Karl Dardi. Apologies were received from Councillor Thaya Idaikkadar and Councillor Janet Mote arrived later in the meeting. Two petitions were presented by Councillor Krishna Suresh regarding road and pavement resurfacing on Dunster Way Road and Newquay Crescent, which were referred to the Acting Strategic Director of Culture, Environment and Economy. One public question was received and responded to, with a second to receive a written response. Councillor questions were also responded to.
Delegated decisions linked to this meeting
Decision summaries below are AI-generated from the council’s published record. Check the council source or the full decision page before relying on them.
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Fees and Charges 2025-26
Recommendations Approved...to agree the executive side Fees & Charges for the 2025-26 financial year, include them in the budget consultation, authorize the Strategic Director of Finance to make changes following consultation, and note that the Council side Fees & Charges would be put before Council for approval.
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Procurement of contractor for mobility assessments for Concessionary Travel
Recommendations Approved...to procure a contractor for Concessionary Travel Mobility Assessments, with a contract value up to £700k, and authorised the relevant directors to manage the procurement process and award the contract to the successful bidder.
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Draft Capital Programme 2025-26 to 2027-28
Recommendations Approved...to note the Draft Capital Programme for 2025/26 to 2027/28, the outcomes of the 2024/25 Capital Programme review, and the draft proposal of new capital projects, with the final version of the Capital Programme to be presented to Cabinet in February 2025 for recommendation to Council.
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Calculation of the Council Tax Base for 2025-2026
Recommendations Approved...to approve the Council Tax Base for 2025-2026, setting it at 90,843 Band D equivalent properties based on a calculated number of taxable properties and a 98% expected collection rate.
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Revenue & Capital Budget Monitoring Report Q2 2024-25
Recommendations Approved...to note the forecast revenue and capital outturn positions for 2024-25, approve amendments to the Capital Programme, note the Council's Trading Update and Right to Buy receipts position, and approve further spending for the Harrow Strategic Development Partnership.
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Calculation of Business Rates Retention Amounts for 2025-2026
Recommendations Approved...to comply with statutory obligations, the council approved the approach and assumptions for calculating the 2025-2026 business rates yield, agreeing on a £15.529m retention amount, authorizing the Chief Finance Officer to submit notifications and implement budget measures, and approving associated policies.
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Strategic Performance Report Q2 2024-25
Recommendations Approved -
Mid-year Treasury Management report
Recommendations Approved -
Estimated Surplus / (Deficit) on the Collection Fund 2024-2025
Recommendations Approved...to note an estimated net deficit of £0.304m on the Collection Fund as of March 31, 2025, and to transfer Harrow's deficit share of £0.170m to the General Fund in 2025-26.
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Draft Revenue Budget 2025-26 and draft Medium-Term Financial Strategy to 2027-28
Recommendations Approved...to allow for general consultation, the draft budget for 2025/26, the Medium-Term Financial Strategy to 2027/28, the draft Public Health budget for 2025/26, and a proposal to increase core Council Tax and Adult Social Care Precept Council Tax by a percentage each year until 2027/28 were approved, while also noting the estimated budget gap, the lack of structured changes to the schools funding formula, the assumed funding for social care, and authorizing the Strategic Director of Finance to agree to Harrow's contribution to the London Borough's Grant Scheme.
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Improving adult social care services in Harrow - a response to the recent CQC inspection
Recommendations Approved...to endorse the proposed approach and priorities for improving adult social care services in response to a recent CQC assessment, with a full Adult Social Care Strategy and plan to be presented for approval by summer 2025.
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Sancroft Contract
Recommendations Approved...to extend the existing care service contract with Sancroft Community Care Limited until December 31, 2025, with a possible extension to December 31, 2026, pending a commercial and contract review.
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Long Term Transport Strategy (LTTS) - consultation outcome and finalised strategy for approval
Recommendations Approved...to approve the Long Term Transport Strategy (LTTS) with proposed amendments, authorizing the Acting Strategic Director to make minor changes and progress the strategies within it.
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Review of Consultation and adoption/rejection of proposed new Council Tax Support Scheme for 2025/26
Recommendations Approved... to approve the Council’s revised Council Tax Support Scheme for 2025/26.
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