Agenda, decisions and minutes

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 24 February 2020 as an accurate record.

The part A minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on 24 February 2020 were agreed.

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: Jo Negrini

Key decision: no

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

RESOLVED:

1.    That the Council record its thanks for all the front line and support service staff that have continued to provide vital services across the borough;

2.    That the Council record its thanks for the work of organisations, staff and volunteers across Croydon, including voluntary and community groups, who have enabled a strong coordinated response across Croydon and ensured vulnerable residents receive the support they need;

3.    That the Cabinet note the report and the actions taken in response to the Covid-19 pandemic; and

4.    That the Leader, Cabinet Member for Finance & Resources, Chief Executive and S151 Officer continue efforts to raise awareness of costs incurred by Croydon Council in responding to Covid-19, supporting residents, business and communities, and the need for further funding from central government.

The Director of Public Health noted that the report circulated within the agenda was written on 3 May and since that date there had been nationally an increasing number of people who had been tested and sadly an increase in the number of people who had died. It was, however, noted that there had been a slowing down of the rate of cases.

Whilst most people suffered from mild symptoms, primarily a fever and cough, severity did appear to increase with age. With most people suffering mild symptoms only, it was stated that many people may have had covid-19 but were unaware of it.

Of those who had contracted covid-19, the Director of Public Health stated that 15% had been admitted to hospital and 5% had been admitted to intensive care.

Whilst it was noted that infections had peaked, in terms of those being diagnosed, due to the population practising good social distancing; the pandemic was not over. The curve, it was stated, had been flattened artificially through the lockdown. The risk remained that there may be a second or third peak in cases and as such, the Director of Public Health stressed that the nation was in a dangerous period of the pandemic and so it was important people continued to socially distance.

The Director of Public Health stated that everyone had come together at a difficult time to tackle the most significant public health issue for a century. It was important, she reiterated, that everyone needed to maintain their resolve until there was a vaccination or a scientific intervention.

The Chief Executive of the council informed Members that Croydon had the largest care market in London with 123 care homes of which 63 worked with older residents. The situation for care homes had been chronic and the council had been working closely with the sector to support them through this terrible time, however unfortunately a number of residents had passed away due to the virus.

Members were informed that the council had worked closely with care homes to ensure they had the right support, training and PPE for their staff. It was stated that the council had been the care homes main supplier of PPE during the crisis. Work continued with the care homes, and the council maintained daily communication with them and were ensuring staff had access to testing. The Chief Executive informed Cabinet that the Director of Public Health had been appointed as the Borough’s lead on testing and tracing in care homes.

It was noted that PPE had been a topical issue throughout the pandemic and that in the early days of the crisis, supply had been a major issue.  However, due to the work of officers and through the pan-London local authority network, this concern had been addressed and the council had ensured that staff and care homes had sufficient supplies throughout the pandemic and work had begun to ensure schools had supplies also. The Chief Executive thanked the procurement team for their tireless  ...  view the full minutes text for item 29/20

Officer: Robert Henderson

Key decision: no

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

RESOLVED: To note the findings from the re-inspection of Croydon’s Early Help and Children’s Social Care Services by Ofsted which concluded on 14th February 2020 and was published on Ofsted’s website on 16th March 2020.

The Cabinet Member for Children, Young People & Learning thanked all involved in the council’s journey to being rated ‘Good’ by Ofsted inspectors and highlighted to work of Rob Henderson, Nick Pendry and previous directors, Martin Pratt at Camden Council and the work of the Safeguarding, Scrutiny Committees, Deputy Cabinet Member and Shadow Cabinet Members.

Members were advised that Ofsted had made four judgements which were outlined at paragraph 3.2 of the report. It was noted that Ofsted inspectors had seen a great transformation of the service to support children in need of help and protection which was enabling the council to meet the needs of individuals. Concerns in relation the Single Point of Contact had been addressed quickly so there was only one “front door” and the voice of the child was heard. Members were also advised that promising conversations were taking place to further enhance opportunities for children and families to access services and ensure meaningful work was taking place at the right time.

In terms of children in care and care leavers, the initial inspection in 2017 had found serious concerns and since then progress had been made to ensure social workers were committed, knowledgeable and knew their children well and understood the importance of permanence. It was noted that Croydon had a large cohort of unaccompanied asylum-seeking children UASC, with over 350 UASC at any one time, and these children were benefiting from the effective multi-agency work taking place. Members were informed that work continued in this area as the council continued its journey to achieve ‘outstanding’.

The Cabinet Member informed Members that services to support children with disabilities had undergone a dramatic transformation with staff being well supported. Furthermore, significant work had gone into supporting children with disabilities during the covid-19 pandemic. The Cabinet Member thanked Mike Brown for his work in transforming this service.

It was noted by the Cabinet Member that more work was required to maximise the stability of placements so children can have their ‘forever home’ at any earlier stage. The council remained committed to supporting UASC despite the continued underfunding by the Home Office and the Ofsted report acknowledged this work.

The impact of strong corporate and political leadership had been noted by inspectors and the Cabinet Member stated that the council’s financial commitment to deliver changes in the service could not be underestimated and thanked the Cabinet Member for Finance & Resources for their support on the improvement journey.

Cabinet noted that Ofsted had made four recommendations which included the need for improved quality of written plans for young people. Whilst it was recognised that social workers knew their children and their needs well this had not always been fully recorded and it was important that records were completed. Additionally, a recommendation had focussed on supporting care leavers to find accommodation and the Cabinet Member noted the council’s commitment to support care leavers with housing and council tax support.

The Leader of the Council reiterated the thanks for the Cabinet Member  ...  view the full minutes text for item 30/20

Officer: Robert Henderson

Key decision: no

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

RESOLVED: To take the report to the next meeting of Cabinet for discussion.

Due to time constraints during the meeting, the Leader requested that this report be taken to the next meeting of Cabinet to enable a full discussion of the Plan.

The Leader of the Council delegated authority to the Cabinet to make the following decision:

RESOLVED: To take the report to the next meeting of Cabinet for discussion.

Officer: Shifa Mustafa

Key decision: yes

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

RESOLVED: To

1.    Consider the outcome of the consultation process detailed in the Consultation Report produced by Opinion Research Services (April 2020) (at Appendix 1 of the report), in particular the representations received and the Council’s consideration of, and response to, these representations (at Appendix 2 of the report).

2.    Consider the Consultation Evidence Report (at Appendix 3 of the report) which highlights the scale of problems relating to poor housing conditions and anti-social behaviour (ASB) in the private rented sector, identifies the objectives that a selective licensing designation would help the Council achieve and possible alternatives to such a designation and the equalities analysis at Appendix 13 of the report.

3.    Upon consideration of the matters at 1 and 2, agree to choose selective licensing scheme option 3; from the three options presented at Cabinet on the 21^st October 2019 that were central to the public consultation exercise and with due consideration of the alternative options presented; as the best option to proceed with, with the aim of achieving the significant improvements needed to the private rented sector in Croydon.

4.    Upon consideration of the matters at 1, 2 and the agreement in 3 and using its powers under s.80 Housing Act 2004, agree to the designation of 22 wards, called area A (predominately in north Croydon), as a selective licensing area delineated and edged red and infilled green on the map at Appendix 4 of the report.

5.    Upon consideration of the matters at 1, 2 and the agreement in 3 and using its powers under s.80 Housing Act 2004, agree to the designation of 6 wards, called area B (in south Croydon) as a selective licensing area as delineated and edged red and infilled orange on the map at Appendix 5 of the report.

6.    Subject to Cabinet agreeing 4 and / or 5 that Cabinet delegate to the Executive Director Place, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Homes & Gateway Services and the Director of Law and Governance, responsibility for agreeing the final document/s forming the application(s) to request confirmation of the selective licensing designation(s) from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG);

7.    Subject to Cabinet agreeing 4 and / or 5 and where the appropriate national authority (Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government) confirms one or both designation(s) that Cabinet:

a.    Delegate authority to the Executive Director Place, in consultation with the  Cabinet Member for Homes & Gateway Services to agree, along with the national authority, that the respective commencement date(s) for the designation(s) be the 1^st February 2021 or from such other date as is specified by the national authority for this purpose;

b.    Agree the proposed scheme objectives as detailed in Appendix 6 of the report;

c.    Agree to the proposed fee structure for licence applications made under the selective licensing scheme(s) at Appendix 7 of the report;

d.    Agree the  ...  view the full decision text for item 32/20

The Cabinet Member for Homes & Gateway Services informed Members that the council had launched the first Selective Licensing Scheme in Croydon in 2015 which sought to ensure private rented homes met required standards. The scheme covered over 36,000 properties in the borough.

Through the scheme, the council had taken action against non-compliance however it was noted that most landlords took corrective action where required and that it had not been necessary to take many to court. Although, Members were informed that over 70 landlords had been banned following contraventions.

Given the impact of the current scheme, the Cabinet Member stated it was imperative to renew the scheme to ensure private renters in the borough had good quality homes. The council had completed 12 weeks of consultation of the proposed new scheme through a variety of means including residents’ surveys and stakeholder group meetings. The outcome of the consultation found that 64% of residents felt that the current scheme had been effective and that 70% of Croydon residents were in favour of the council continuing with some form of Selective Licensing.

The Cabinet Member highlighted that the report sought Cabinet’s approval to proceed the preferred option, option 3 of the report, which sought two designations within the borough with a proposed implementation date, subject to Secretary of State Approval, being 1 February 2021.

The proposed option included the two designations; designation A covered 92.5% of the borough’s privately rented sector and focussed on poor housing conditions whilst designation B covered 7.5% of the private rented sector and sought to focus on problems of persistent anti-social behaviour.

Cabinet was informed that the objectives of the scheme included full compliance with all licensable dwellings being licensed, improved property conditions, reduction in anti-social behaviour incidents, improved professionalism of private landlords and an increased focus on the health and wellbeing of tenants and their families.

In terms of the licensing fee, the Cabinet Member informed Members that it was proposed that the fee would be payable in two stages and would amount to £750 for a single dwelling which it was noted to be favourable in comparison to other councils’ licensing schemes.

The Cabinet Member concluded by thanking Shayne Coulter who had recently retired and had been instrumental in introducing the first scheme and at the initial stages of the proposed scheme. It was noted that Shayne had been dedicated to improving the standard of housing in the borough and the council wished her well for the future.

The Shadow Deputy Leader noted that the Opposition did not object to the principle of the scheme as they also wanted to see poor landlords removed from the private rented market; however noted that it was felt that the proposed scheme appeared contrived and concerns were raised that the evidence base was not complete as an area highlighted as suffering from persistent anti-social behaviour included a woodland area.

In response to the concerns raised, the Cabinet Member stated that a large amount of work had gone into  ...  view the full minutes text for item 32/20

Officer: Jacqueline Harris Baker

Key Decision: no

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

RESOLVED: To receive the recommendations arising from the Streets, Environment & Homes Sub-Committee (4 February 2020), Scrutiny & Overview Committee (25 February 2020) and the Health & Social Care Sub-Committee (10 March 2020), and to provide a substantive response within two months (i.e. at the next available Cabinet meeting on 13 July 2020.

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

RESOLVED: To receive the recommendations arising from the Streets, Environment & Homes Sub-Committee (4 February 2020), Scrutiny & Overview Committee (25 February 2020) and the Health & Social Care Sub-Committee (10 March 2020), and to provide a substantive response within two months (i.e. at the next available Cabinet meeting on 13 July 2020.

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 to this report at Appendix A 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 to this report at Appendix A 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 ANPR solution, and Parking ICT Case Management system for a maximum term of 10 years as set out at agenda item 11a.

RESOLVED: To recommend

2.    To the Leader of the Council, that in respect of decisions requiring Cabinet’s approval, or prior reporting to Cabinet, concerning the acquisition or disposal of property, procurement strategies and contract awards and variations, where due to the challenges created by Covid 19 a decision cannot reasonably await the decision of Cabinet:

a.    The Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources in consultation with the Leader, be authorised to agree such decisions concerning the disposal or acquisition of properties;

b.    The nominated Cabinet Member in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources or, where the nominated member is the Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources in consultation with the Leader, be authorised to agree such decisions concerning the award and/or variation of contracts;

c.    Note that any awards made under these delegations will be notified in the standard contracts report to the next meeting of Cabinet following the decision being made.

RESOLVED: To note

3.    The list of delegated award decisions for contracts 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, as set out in section 4.2.1 of the report.

4.    The contracts between £500,000 and £5,000,000 anticipated to be awarded by the nominated Cabinet Member, in consultation with the nominated 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, as set out in section 4.1.2 of the report.

5.    The list of delegated award decisions made by theDirector of Commissioning and Procurement, between 18/03/2020 – 17/04/2020, as set out in section 4.2.3 of the report.

6.    The delegation agreed by the Leader in respect of the purchase of properties in relation to the HRA, and the delegated decisions made by the Cabinet Member for Homes & Gateway Services, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Finance & Resources to approve the purchase of properties in relation to the HRA, as set out in section 4.3.1 of the report.

7.    Property acquisitions and disposals agreed by the Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources in consultation with the Leader since the last meeting of Cabinet, as set out in section 4.3.2 of the report.

The Cabinet Member for Finance & Resources informed Members that the report detailed important contracts which had been negotiated and awarded during the covid-19 pandemic. Additionally, it was noted, that the council had acquired further property which had been required to support residents during this period.

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 ANPR solution, and Parking ICT Case Management system for a maximum term of 10 years as set out at agenda item 11a.

RESOLVED: To recommend

2.    To the Leader of the Council, that in respect of decisions requiring Cabinet’s approval, or prior reporting to Cabinet, concerning the acquisition or disposal of property, procurement strategies and contract awards and variations, where due to the challenges created by Covid 19 a decision cannot reasonably await the decision of Cabinet:

a.    The Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources in consultation with the Leader, be authorised to agree such decisions concerning the disposal or acquisition of properties;

b.    The nominated Cabinet Member in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources or, where the nominated member is the Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources in consultation with the Leader, be authorised to agree such decisions concerning the award and/or variation of contracts;

c.    Note that any awards made under these delegations will be notified in the standard contracts report to the next meeting of Cabinet following the decision being made.

RESOLVED: To note

3.    The list of delegated award decisions for contracts 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, as set out in section 4.2.1 of the report.

4.    The contracts between £500,000 and £5,000,000 anticipated to be awarded by the nominated Cabinet Member, in consultation with the nominated 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, as set out in section 4.1.2 of the report.

5.    The list of delegated award decisions made by theDirector of Commissioning and Procurement, between 18/03/2020 – 17/04/2020, as set out in section 4.2.3 of the report.

6.    The delegation agreed by the Leader in respect of the purchase of properties in relation to the HRA, and the delegated decisions made by the Cabinet Member for Homes & Gateway Services, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Finance & Resources to approve the purchase of properties in relation to the HRA, as set out in section 4.3.1 of the report.

7.    Property acquisitions and disposals agreed by the Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources in consultation with the Leader since the last meeting of Cabinet, as set out in section 4.3.2 of the report.

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 procurement strategy for the Parking ICT Case Management System & ANPR Cameras Procurement with the following recommendation:

Procure the Parking ICT Case Management system with an estimated value of £1.5 million and the provision of an ANPR solution, providing hardware, software and support, with an estimated value of £8.9 million for a 10 year term. The procurement will use an EU Open tender process consisting of two lots:  Lot 1, provision of a Parking ICT system, hosting, support and maintenance  & Lot 2, provision of ANPR cameras, back end IT system to manage and control the camera network and images, associated support and maintenance and hosting of the camera management system.

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

RESOLVED: To approve the procurement strategy for the Parking ICT Case Management System & ANPR Cameras Procurement with the following recommendation:

Procure the Parking ICT Case Management system with an estimated value of £1.5 million and the provision of an ANPR solution, providing hardware, software and support, with an estimated value of £8.9 million for a 10 year term. The procurement will use an EU Open tender process consisting of two lots:  Lot 1, provision of a Parking ICT system, hosting, support and maintenance  & Lot 2, provision of ANPR cameras, back end IT system to manage and control the camera network and images, associated support and maintenance and hosting of the camera management system.

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.

To approve the Part B minutes of the meeting held on 24 February 2020 as an accurate record.

The part B minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on 24 February 2020 were agreed.