Agenda, decisions and minutes

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 25 March 2019 as an accurate record.

The minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on 25 March 2019 were agreed. The Leader of the Council signed the minutes as an accurate record.

In accordance with the Council’s Code of Conduct and the statutory provisions of the Localism Act, Members and co-opted Members of the Council are reminded that it is a requirement to register disclosable pecuniary interests (DPIs) and gifts and hospitality to the value of which exceeds £50 or multiple gifts and/or instances of hospitality with a cumulative value of £50 or more when received from a single donor within a rolling twelve month period. In addition, Members and co-opted Members are reminded that unless their disclosable pecuniary interest is registered on the register of interests or is the subject of a pending notification to the Monitoring Officer, they are required to disclose those disclosable pecuniary interests at the meeting. This should be done by completing the Disclosure of Interest form and handing it to the Democratic Services representative at the start of the meeting. The Chair will then invite Members to make their disclosure orally at the commencement of Agenda item 3. Completed disclosure forms will be provided to the Monitoring Officer for inclusion on the Register of Members’ Interests.

There were none.

To receive notice of any business not on the agenda which in the opinion of the Chair, by reason of special circumstances, be considered as a matter of urgency.

There were no items of urgent business.

Officer: Shifa Mustafa

Key decision: yes

The Leader of the Council delegated authority to the Cabinet to make the following decisions.

RESOLVED to:

1.     Adopt the Cultural Plan for Croydon 2019-2023, at Appendix 1 of the report; and

2.     Recommend adoption of the Croydon Libraries Plan 2019-28, at Appendix 2 of the report, to Full Council.

The Leader thanked the Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure & Sport and officers for their continued work in putting culture at the heart of the borough’s regeneration.

The Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure & Sport noted that a year had passed since the collapse of Carillion and the library service had been brought back in-house. As such, it was felt that it was an appropriate time to establish some structure and a strategy for the important service. In the last year the Cabinet Member stated that improvements had already been made to the service, including increasing the funding for books.

Additionally, given the Administration’s focus on culture it was felt that it would be beneficial to have a strategy for culture also. The council was seeking to develop a strong and inclusive cultural calendar with partners; and had successfully built strong relationships with the Arts Council and Lottery Fund which had seen funding increase year on year. Furthermore, Members were informed that the Cabinet Member had met with the Deputy Mayor for Culture and stated that there continued to be commitment to strengthening culture in the borough as it was recognised that culture was at the heart of regeneration in Croydon. The Culture Plan was due to cover a five year period and would be reviewed annually as it was recognised that it was a dynamic sector and that it would be necessary to ensure it was up to date.

In relation to libraries, the Cabinet Member recognised that it was a considerable group of assets and the council was committed to refurbish all 13 libraries over a ten year period. Investment would continue to ensure the libraries had the latest technology and appropriate layout. The focus going forward was to enable young people to be inspired by libraries and culture, and to encourage residents to engage with their local library through a variety of volunteer roles.

The Cabinet Member confirmed that Fairfield Halls would reopen in September 2019 with an exciting programme of events, new open spaces, and enhanced public realm in the local area. Work continued with the operator and local groups to ensure the aims of an inclusive offer was delivered.

Additionally, it was noted that a programme of events was being developed across Croydon with more partners looking to hold events which was an exciting development.

Members recognised the work which had gone into the development of the Plans and welcomed the Culture Plan which was noted to have good intentions and would be integral to achieving future funding; however requested further detail of how the Plan would be delivered.

In response to Member questions the Cabinet Member confirmed that there would be a water feature as part of the public realm by Fairfield Halls. Additionally the Cabinet Member for Environment, Transport & Regeneration (voting – Job Share) stated that it was the intention to encourage more developers to create water spaces as part of new developments as it was recognised that they can facilitate wellbeing.

The Cabinet Member,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 38/19

Officer: Rob Henderson

Key decision: yes

The Leader of the Council delegated authority to the Cabinet to make the following decisions.

RESOLVED to agree the proposed changes to Croydon’s Safeguarding Children Board arrangements as set out in the report.

The Cabinet Member for Children, Young People informed Members that there would be an event on 17 May 2019, Croydon Has Talent, which included two awards which had been named in honour of Croydon musicians.

The Independent Chair of the Croydon Safeguarding Children Board, Di Smith, introduced the report stating that it was important that the approach taken by the Board was appreciated and that the changes were in response to changes in statute. Additionally it was noted that the core partners of the Board; the council, the CCG and Police; were conscious that further improvements to safeguarding were necessary, especially in light of the Ofsted outcome from 2017.

The ambition of the Board was to develop further multiagency working, and work closely with all safeguarding partners and the Adults Safeguarding Board to maintain synergy. To ensure effective working the Partnership would include schools, the voluntary sector, early years and further education providers; and these partners had identified three priority areas which the Board would look at in detail. The three priority areas, which were outlined within the report were; neglect, vulnerable adolescents, and children with disabilities, and it was intended that each area would be chaired by a representative from the council, the CCG and the Police.

Cabinet Members welcomed the report and the important work the Board had and would continue to undertake, including work on vulnerable adolescents.

In response to Member questions the Cabinet Member stated that there were a number of opportunities for her to be kept up to date on the safeguarding situation in Croydon as she chaired the Children and Families Partnership, was a Member of the Health & Wellbeing Board, had regular meetings with the Independent Chair of the Board and with the Executive Director of Children, Families & Education. It was felt that the Cabinet Member maintained oversight of the service and would continue to be kept informed. Additionally, it was noted that education and schools were part of the partnership and would ensure information was shared.

The Leader of the Council delegated authority to the Cabinet to make the following decisions.

RESOLVED to agree the proposed changes to Croydon’s Safeguarding Children Board arrangements as set out in the report.

Officer: Hazel Simmonds

Key decision: yes

The Leader of the Council delegated authority to the Cabinet to make the following decisions.

RESOLVED: To

1.     Approve the procurement strategy as set out in this report, which will result in the award of contracts;

2.     Note that the Director of Commissioning and Procurement has approved under Regulation 18 to waiver the standard evaluation criteria ratio under Regulation 21 of the Councils Tenders and Contracts Regulations to being 70% Quality and 30% Cost. Please see section 3 of the report for full details;

3.     To note that the Director of Commissioning and Procurement has approved under Regulation 18 to waiver the requirement of not including the Premier Supply Programme under Regulation 21 of the Councils Tenders and Contracts Regulations as this would reduce the funding available to the appointed VCS contractors;

4.     To note that minor changes to the procurement strategy will be approved by the Director of Commissioning and Procurement in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Safer Croydon and Communities or Cabinet Member for Families, Health and Social Care in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources; and

5.     To note the Leader is delegating the authority to approve the award of contracts for the services to the Cabinet Member for Safer Croydon and Communities in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Families, Health and Social Care and the Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources.

The Cabinet Member for Safer Croydon & Communities informed Members that the paper followed the Strategy which had been agreed by Cabinet in March 2019, and sought to agree the commissioning framework. The paper outlined five tenders for the Community Fund which ensured that the process was in line with the Opportunity & Fairness Commission and had been developed in response to concerns raised by the voluntary sector.

Members were informed that commissioning would take place between June and October, with a further report to be taken in December to agree the funding from April 2020. This would help to support the community sector so they were able to plan with the clear timeline.

Members thanked officers for all their work in developing the Community Fund and their future work to implement and support the Fund.

In response to Member questions the Cabinet Member noted that the approach was different to previous years as it had been recognised that previously there had been 36 funding agreements ranging from over £250,000 to less than £5,000 which were commissioned under the same evaluation. The intention was that having five separate areas would support the voluntary sector as each cluster was being treated according to their nature. The Cabinet Member stated that the council wanted to have a greater emphasis on quality rather than on price.

The Cabinet Member for Finance & Resources noted that there were differences in the sector and the commissioning framework sought to reflect those services, as it was recognised that a ‘one size fits all’ approach would not work for the community sector.

The Cabinet Member for Families, Health & Social Care thanked the Cabinet Member and officers for their work and continued engagement with the community sector. It was noted that unpaid carers, who made a contribution in the region of £618 million per annum in the borough, would be supported under the Community Fund which was welcomed.

The Leader of the Council delegated authority to the Cabinet to make the following decisions.

RESOLVED: To

1.     Approve the procurement strategy as set out in this report, which will result in the award of contracts;

2.     Note that the Director of Commissioning and Procurement has approved under Regulation 18 to waiver the standard evaluation criteria ratio under Regulation 21 of the Councils Tenders and Contracts Regulations to being 70% Quality and 30% Cost. Please see section 3 of the report for full details;

3.     To note that the Director of Commissioning and Procurement has approved under Regulation 18 to waiver the requirement of not including the Premier Supply Programme under Regulation 21 of the Councils Tenders and Contracts Regulations as this would reduce the funding available to the appointed VCS contractors;

4.     To note that minor changes to the procurement strategy will be approved by the Director of Commissioning and Procurement in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Safer Croydon and Communities or Cabinet Member for Families, Health and Social Care in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources;  ...  view the full minutes text for item 40/19

Officer: Jacqueline Harris Baker

Key decision: no

The Leader of the Council delegated authority to the Cabinet to make the following decisions.

RESOLVED: to approve the response and action plans attached at Appendix A of the report and that these be reported to the Scrutiny and Overview Committee or relevant Sub-Committees.

The Leader of the Council delegated authority to the Cabinet to make the following decisions.

RESOLVED: to approve the response and action plans attached at Appendix A of the report and that these be reported to the Scrutiny and Overview Committee or relevant Sub-Committees.

Officer: Jacqueline Harris Baker

Key decision: no

The Leader of the Council delegated authority to the Cabinet to make the following decisions.

RESOLVED: To approve

1.    The procurement strategy which will result in contract awards for the provision of Community Fund for a maximum term of 3 years as set out at agenda item 7.

RESOLVED: To note

2.    The list of delegated award decisions made by the Director of Commissioning and Procurement, between 12/03/2019 – 11/04/2019.

3.    The list of delegated award decisions for contracts over £500,000 in value and procurement strategies over £5,000,000 in value made by the nominated Cabinet Member in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources or, where the nominated Cabinet Member is the Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources in consultation with the Leader since the last meeting of Cabinet

The Leader of the Council delegated authority to the Cabinet to make the following decisions.

RESOLVED: To approve

1.    The procurement strategy which will result in contract awards for the provision of Community Fund for a maximum term of 3 years as set out at agenda item 7.

RESOLVED: To note

2.    The list of delegated award decisions made by the Director of Commissioning and Procurement, between 12/03/2019 – 11/04/2019.

3.    The list of delegated award decisions for contracts over £500,000 in value and procurement strategies over £5,000,000 in value made by the nominated Cabinet Member in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources or, where the nominated Cabinet Member is the Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources in consultation with the Leader since the last meeting of Cabinet

The following motion is to be moved and seconded where it is proposed to exclude the press and public from the remainder of a meeting:

“That, under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act, 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information falling within those paragraphs indicated in Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972, as amended.”

This item was not required.