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Agenda, decisions and minutes

Venue: Council Chamber, Town Hall, Katharine Street, CR0 1NX. To view the meeting webcast, please click here

Contact: Victoria Lower
020 8726 6000 x14773  Email: 
victoria.lower@croydon.gov.uk

Items
No. Item

96/21

Minutes of previous meetings pdf icon PDF 332 KB

To approve the minutes of the meetings held on 17 May 2021 and 7 June 2021 as accurate records.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The part A minutes of the Cabinet meetings held on 17 May 2021 and 7 June 2021 were agreed. The Leader of the Council signed the minutes as accurate records.

97/21

Disclosure of Interests

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.

Minutes:

There were none.

98/21

Urgent Business (If any)

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.

Minutes:

There were no items of urgent business.

99/21

Ongoing Review of Brick by Brick Croydon Ltd and the future of the company pdf icon PDF 749 KB

Cabinet Member: Leader of the Council, Councillor Hamida Ali

Officer: Interim Chief Executive, Katherine Kerswell and Interim Director of Finance, Investment & Risk and Section 151 Officer, Chris Buss

Key decision: yes

Additional documents:

Decision:

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

 

Cabinet RESOLVED (acting, where relevant, on behalf of the Council exercising its functions as sole shareholder of Brick by Brick Croydon Ltd) to:

 

1.           Reject the offer for the purchase of Brick by Brick (Croydon) Ltd.

 

2.           Agree that a modified build out scenario of 23 sites will be implemented and to note that in order to deliver that, Brick by Brick will require additional management and technical support, the costs of which are factored into the costs shown in this report and as further consequence of this decision that Brick by Brick will return 5 sites to the Council on the basis that they will be marketed for sale (and on the basis that site ownership will either remain with Brick by Brick or transfer to the Council, whichever is most efficient for maximizing value or the efficiency of the sale process). The remaining site of Belgrave and Grosvenor to be deferred pending the completion of the stock survey being undertaken in adjoining council buildings and to be brought to a future Cabinet meeting for final consideration.

 

3.           Agree that the decisions made under this Report shall take effect as amendments to the current Business Plan of Brick by Brick (and as a shareholder decision under the Articles of the company). In addition, and also as shareholder, the Council will require Brick by Brick to issue monthly reports to the Council to update on its financial position, progress with development of sites, sales, any key contractual issues and any other relevant matter (as needed). Such reports are to be presented to the Cabinet on a quarterly basis.

 

4.           Confirm that, in accordance with the February Cabinet report, sales receipts may continue to be recycled by Brick by Brick and agree that the S151 Officer, in consultation with the Chief Executive and Monitoring Officer be given authority to approve those ad-hoc sales receipt recycling requests from Brick by Brick, up to a total amount of £5m in any one transaction and following the terms of the consolidated loan agreement, reporting on a quarterly basis to Cabinet.

 

5.           Delegate authority to the Section 151 Officer, in consultation with the Chief Executive and Monitoring Officer, to make any necessary formal shareholder resolutions in order to give effect to the above recommendations and to authorise the entering into any of the necessary formal legal documentation that arise as a consequence (including (i) to confirm the appointment of consultants to provide the necessary additional management and technical support, and (ii) in respect of the sale of the 6 sites, as are referred to in recommendation 2).

 

6.           Delegate authority to the Section 151 Officer, in consultation with the Chief Executive and Monitoring Officer, to vary the loan agreement in respect of the sites returned to the Council sites (subject to SDLT and various other tax advice) and with any such modifications being reported in the quarterly  ...  view the full decision text for item 99/21

Minutes:

The Leader of the Council (Councillor Hamida Ali) reflected that Cabinet had considered and deliberated the future of Brick by Brick at previous meetings in November 2020 and February 2021. It was stated that the meeting would determine the way forward for the company with the recommendation being that the council should reject the offer which had been received and should proceed with the build out of 23 sites and sell six sites.

 

It was noted by the Leader that the build out of the sites should complete that financial year with only two going beyond that date and one completing in February 2023.

 

The Leader felt that the decision before Cabinet was one of a balance between risk and return. It was noted that the analysis contained within the report argued that higher levels of risks could be mitigated and that the council should pursue the higher levels of return which were available. The fact that there was no risk free option was highlighted.

 

It was reflected that the guiding principles that have underpinned the council’s response to addressing its financial resilience had been to reduce the risk appetite and to maximise the return on the public’s investment, however with the decision in terms of the future of Brick by Brick the Leader felt that those two principles came into conflict and it was important that Cabinet came to a decision as to the best option of the two.

 

The Leader noted that there was greater risks pursuing the build out option, but that the greater certainty and lower risks of agreeing the bid came at a price and would potentially secure less of the money invested by the council. External analysis by PwC and Savilles had been undertaken which had evaluated what the price difference would be.

 

Members were informed that the recommendation contained within the report sought to secure the best return for the council’s investment and noted that almost 800 new homes will have been delivered, with over 50% of the homes being affordable. Whilst it was recognised that the recommendation involved greater risk, that risk would be offset by introducing additional support which had been budgeted for within the analysis. The Leader stressed that the council had striven to establish the best value from the investment in Brick by Brick for residents.

 

The Leader thanked all those involved in the work; including the Interim Director of Finance, Investment & Risk (Chris Buss), the Chief Executive (Katherine Kerswell), external consultants and the Improvement & Assurance Panel.

 

The Chair of Scrutiny & Overview Committee (SOC) (Councillor Sean Fitzsimons) informed Members that a meeting of Scrutiny had taken place on 6 July 2021 to review the Cabinet report and to receive a briefing from the Interim Director of Finance, Investment & Risk. Cabinet were informed that when Scrutiny review the report, the Committee had focussed on three key areas; officer confidence in the valuations provided, the evaluation of the risks to the council presented by the two options, and whether there were  ...  view the full minutes text for item 99/21

100/21

Financial Performance Report - Outturn 2020/1 pdf icon PDF 943 KB

Cabinet Member: Cabinet Member for Croydon Renewal, Councillor Stuart King and Cabinet Member for Resources & Financial Governance, Councillor Callton Young

Officer: Interim Director of Finance, Investment & Risk and Section 151 Officer, Chris Buss

Key decision: no

Additional documents:

Decision:

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

 

RESOLVED: To

 

1.                Note the draft outturn for the General Fund for 2020/21 being £65.8m over approved budget, which is a £1.4m improvement on the Period 11 position previously reported to Cabinet on 7th June;

 

2.                Note the forecast level of closing General Fund general reserves as £27.5m - after taking into account likely adjustments to the levels brought forward as part of the work to finalise the 2019/20 accounts audit process, and which is in line with the assumptions set out in the approved 2021/22 Budget and Medium Term Financial Strategy of March 2021;

 

3.                Note the forecast outturn and level of HRA balances carried forward;

 

4.                Note the draft General Fund capital outturn position for 2020/21;

 

5.                Note the draft HRA capital outturn position for 2020/21; and

 

6.                Approve the roll-forward of capital underspends into the 2021/22 Capital Programme for both the General Fund and HRA as set out in Tables 4 and 5.

 

Minutes:

The Cabinet Member for Croydon Renewal (Councillor Stuart King) informed Members that the report set out the council’s outturn performance for the 2020/21 financial year, which was subject to external audit. The report set out there was an overspend of £66 million against the council’s budget, which was within the £70 million capitalisation direction. As a result, the Cabinet Member stated the council would not need to borrow the full £70 million which generated a savings on the general fund budget from reduced interest rates.

 

The Cabinet Member highlighted the improvements towards th end of the year with a £1.4 million improvement on the Period 11 position following a £1.8 million improvement in period 10. Furthermore, it was noted that considerable savings of 80% had been made in the council’s capital programme following a review to ensure affordability. This reduction in spending had reduced the council’s borrowing requirement by £240 million.

 

It was also noted by the Cabinet Member that covid-19 had a devastating impact on families across Croydon and the council’s budget. The report set out that the pandemic had cost the council £76 million in the previous year, of which £33 million had been recovered from government funding.

 

The Cabinet Member informed Members that the council’s reserves were at £27.5 million, which was the highest level for a considerable period of time and was important given the uncertain times in the months and years ahead.

 

The Cabinet Member for Communities, Safety & Business Recovery (Councillor Manju Shahul-Hameed) noted that the delivery of the capital programme had been significantly impacted by the effects of covid-19. It was suggested that departments had requested that unspent budgets in 2020/21 were rolled forward to the 2021/22 capital programmes, and the Cabinet Member queried whether this would happen. In response, the Cabinet Member stated that it would be a decision of Cabinet to decide on the capital programme and that affordability would be central decisions.

 

Members were advised by the Interim Director of Finance, Investment & Risk (Chris Buss) that the figure of £74 million in appendix one of the report was the figure which would be added to the capital programme, subject to Cabinet approval. A subsequent review of the capital programme would be undertaken which would be considered by Cabinet at a future meeting.

 

The Shadow Cabinet Member for Croydon Renewal (Councillor Jason Cummings) welcomed the improved outturn position but stressed that there remained a £66 million overspend. Concerns were raised in terms of the tone of the report, with the Shadow Cabinet Member stating that he felt a mistake of the previous administration had been to spend too much explaining external factors rather than focussing on internal factors which were in the council’s control. Whilst it was recognised by the Shadow Cabinet Member that covid-19 had a significant impact on the council’s finances it was felt that the tone of the report could be seen as deflecting the blame.

 

It was noted that there were £22.2 million of undelivered savings listed as  ...  view the full minutes text for item 100/21

101/21

Croydon's General Fund Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) Update pdf icon PDF 629 KB

Cabinet Member: Leader of the Council, Councillor Hamida Ali, Cabinet Member for Croydon Renewal, Councillor Stuart King and Cabinet Member for Resources & Financial Governance, Councillor Callton Young

Officer: Interim Director of Finance, Investment & Risk and Section 151 Officer, Chris Buss

Key decision: no

Decision:

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

 

RESOLVED: To

 

1.               Note the unaudited closing reserve balance for 2020/21 being brought forward to 2021/22.

 

2.               Notes that this report now includes a projection for Budget Position in 2024/25 and also notes Budget Gap for Financial Years 2022/23 to 2024/25.

 

3.               Notes that the Council will not receive any confirmation from MHCLG on its £25m request for Capitalisation Direction for 2022/23 until later in this financial year. The budget gap without any capitalisation direction stands at £63.27m for 2022/23 assuming that proposed savings agreed in March 2021 are agreed of £24million

 

4.               Note that the Budget for 2022/23 to 2024/25 is projected based on Council Tax growth being 1.99% for general increase and 2% growth in the Council Tax Base. No increases in Business Rate growth assumed. 

 

5.               Note that a further Budget Update report will be brought to Cabinet in November 2021.

 

Minutes:

The Cabinet Member for Croydon Renewal (Councillor Stuart King) stated the report added 2024/25 to the MTFS which would ensure the council had a three year rolling MTFS. It was highlighted that uncertainty was central as the government only issued government settlements on an annual basis, furthermore the second part of the council’s request for a capitalisation direction had not yet been confirmed.

 

The Cabinet Member further highlighted the uncertainty in terms of the Adult Social Care levy and the long term impact of covid-19 on the Croydon economy and service demand. In light, of those uncertainties the Cabinet Member stated the council could only make prudent assumptions which were contained in the report. Additionally, it was highlighted that it remained important that the council continued to build its reserves to ensure it was able to face future challenges.

 

The Shadow Cabinet Member for Croydon Renewal (Councillor Jason Cummings) shared his frustration that the government did not provide details of the settlement in advance which made it challenging to produce an MTFS. It was noted, however, that references had been made during the meeting to increases in the reserves however the Shadow Cabinet Member stated that the money in reserves had been effectively borrowed.

 

Questions were asked in terms of how planning and identifications of future savings and whether there were any early indications of where those savings would be found. In response, the Cabinet Member confirmed that he, the Cabinet Member for Resources & Financial Governance (Councillor Callton Young) and officers were working on identifying savings at a departmental level. Additionally, activity was ongoing within departments and a root and branch review of corporate savings was ongoing. It was suggested that a report would be taken to Cabinet at the mid-year point which would provide some detail.

 

Concerns were raised by the Shadow Cabinet Member for Resources & Financial Governance (Councillor Simon Hoar) that more staff would be made redundant as part of the £38.2 million savings in 2022/23. He queried whether any analysis had been undertaken to identify the base minimum number of officers required to ensure the council continued to function.

 

The Cabinet Member for Resources & Financial Governance informed Members that as well as a top down approach, there had been a horizontal approach to identifying savings. The Cabinet Member highlighted that the council’s contracts had a total value of £375 million and all contracts were being reviewed to identify savings. Furthermore, expert advice was being sought, both externally and from the Assurance and Improvement Panel.

 

It was noted that at paragraph 5.5 of the report there were references to inflationary increases and the Cabinet Member for Homes (Councillor Patricia Hay-Justice) queried what guidance was being used to identify the figures. In response, the Interim Director of Finance, Investment & Risk (Chris Buss) advices that the Consumer Price Index was used and it was felt that there would be 2% increase over the year. In terms of wage increases, Members were advised that the offer that employers had made to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 101/21

102/21

Housing Ombudsman Self-Assessment and Complaint Handling Failure Order pdf icon PDF 133 KB

Cabinet Member: Cabinet Member for Homes, Councillor Patricia Hay-Justice

Officer: Interim Director of Finance, Investment & Risk, Chris Buss

Key decision: no

Additional documents:

Decision:

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

 

RESOLVED: To approve the contents of the Housing Complaints Self Assessment, as per Appendix 1 of the report, in order for the assessment to be publicised on the Local Authority website.

 

Minutes:

This item was taken as the second substantive at the Cabinet meeting.

 

The Cabinet Member for Homes (Councillor Patricia Hay-Justice) informed Cabinet that the Housing Ombudsman introduced a new complaint handling code in July 2020 which required all councils to conduct a self-assessment by 31 December 2020. The council had completed the self-assessment in November 2020, however it was not presented to Cabinet and published on the council’s website as was required by the Housing Ombudsman.

 

Members were informed that the self-assessment which had been completed in November 2020 had been updated to incorporate additional improvements and actions taken following the incidents at Regina Road. The Interim Executive Director of Housing (Alison Knight) advised Members that the self-assessment covered up until December 2020, with some additional information, however a full reassessment was required to reflect the Housing Improvement Plan. The new self-assessment would be taken to scrutiny later that year and would include data from 2020/21.

 

Concerns were raised by the Shadow Cabinet Member for Homes (Councillor Lynne Hale) in terms of the accuracy of the information provided. It was noted that it was a hybrid assessment, as it had been completed in the previous year and had been updated following the Ark report, and that a full reassessment was required. The Shadow Cabinet Member, however, expressed concern that it felt too soon for the council to conduct a self-assessment as she felt there was insufficient evidence. It was noted that paragraph 4.6 of the Housing Ombudsman Code stated the Ombudsman may require sight of the evidence used, but it was felt that there was no evidence.

 

It was noted that the Ark report had identified failings in the management of data and complaint handling, and so the Shadow Cabinet Member queried how the council knew the number of complaints received the outcomes of those complaints. To that end, the Shadow Cabinet Member queried what data had been used and stated that it would be helpful for the evidence to be set out in the report.

 

In response, the Leader of the Council (Councillor Hamida Ali) highlighted that the report was retrospective and contained data up until December 2020 and that a full reassessment would be undertaken. The Cabinet Member for Homes reiterated that the report was retrospective, but agreed that evidence should be added to the report in future.

 

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

 

RESOLVED: To approve the contents of the Housing Complaints Self Assessment, as per Appendix 1 of the report, in order for the assessment to be publicised on the Local Authority website.

103/21

Scrutiny Stage 1: Recommendations from Scrutiny pdf icon PDF 212 KB

Lead Member: Chair of Scrutiny & Overview Committee, Councillor Sean Fitzsimons

Officer: Interim Executive Director of Resources, Asmat Hussain

Key decision: no

Additional documents:

Decision:

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

 

RESOLVED: To receive the recommendations arising from meeting of the Scrutiny & Overview Committee held on 27 May 2021 and to provide a substantive response within two months (i.e. at the next available Cabinet meeting on 16 August 2021.

Minutes:

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

 

RESOLVED: To receive the recommendations arising from meeting of the Scrutiny & Overview Committee held on 27 May 2021 and to provide a substantive response within two months (i.e. at the next available Cabinet meeting on 16 August 2021.

104/21

Scrutiny Stage 2: Responses to recommendations from Scrutiny pdf icon PDF 211 KB

Cabinet Member: All Cabinet Members

Officer: Interim Executive Director of Resources, Asmat Hussain

Key decision: no

Additional documents:

Decision:

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 the report at Appendix A and that these be reported to the Scrutiny and Overview Committee or relevant Sub-Committees.

Minutes:

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 the report at Appendix A and that these be reported to the Scrutiny and Overview Committee or relevant Sub-Committees.

105/21

Investing in our Borough pdf icon PDF 156 KB

Cabinet Member: Cabinet Member for Resources & Financial Governance, Councillor Callton Young

Officer: Interim Executive Director of Resources, Asmat Hussain

Key decision: no

Additional documents:

Decision:

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

 

RESOLVED: To note

 

1.     The request for approval of the Substance Misuse Contract Award as set out at agenda item 11a and section 5.1.1 of the report.

 

2.     The request for approval of the Arboricultural Services Contract Variation as set out at agenda item 11b and section 5.1.1 of the report.

 

3.     The request for approval of the Public Health Nursing Contract Award as set out at agenda item 11c, and section 5.2.1 of the report;

 

4.     The contracts between £500,000 and £5,000,000 anticipated to be awarded under delegated authority from the Leader by the nominated Cabinet Member, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Resources and Financial Governance and with the Leader in certain circumstances, before the next meeting of Cabinet, as set out in section 5.3.1 of the report.

 

5.     The list of delegated award decisions made by the Director of Commissioning and Procurement since the last meeting of Cabinet, as set out in section 5.3.2 of the report.

 

6.     Property lettings, acquisitions and disposals to be agreed by the Cabinet Member for Resources and Financial Governance in consultation with the Leader since the last meeting of Cabinet, as set out in section 5.4.1 of the report.

Minutes:

The Cabinet Member for Resources & Financial Governance (Councillor Callton Young) highlighted the delegated decisions which had been made by Cabinet Members and by the Director of Commissioning & Procurement (Rachel Soni).

 

The Shadow Cabinet Member for Communities, Safety & Business Recovery (Councillor Andy Stranack) raised concerns that the background document on Interim Asset Disposals gave control to significant areas of greenbelt to outside organisations and partners, and that this risk had not been properly considered. Furthermore, it was noted that the consultation on the Heathfield House proposals had closed on Friday and the Shadow Cabinet Member queried whether there was an update following that consultation ending.

 

In response, the Head of Asset Management & Estates (Stephen Wingrave) stated that 75 comments had been received in response to the notice placed, with most raising concerns in relation to school children and conservation volunteer access to the site. Members were advised that the council were working with the Ecology Centre to established a solution to those concerns and were assured that the council considered all comments received.

 

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

 

RESOLVED: To note

 

1.    The request for approval of the Substance Misuse Contract Award as set out at agenda item 11a and section 5.1.1 of the report.

 

2.    The request for approval of the Arboricultural Services Contract Variation as set out at agenda item 11b and section 5.1.1 of the report.

 

3.    The request for approval of the Public Health Nursing Contract Award as set out at agenda item 11c, and section 5.2.1 of the report;

 

4.    The contracts between £500,000 and £5,000,000 anticipated to be awarded under delegated authority from the Leader by the nominated Cabinet Member, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Resources and Financial Governance and with the Leader in certain circumstances, before the next meeting of Cabinet, as set out in section 5.3.1 of the report.

 

5.    The list of delegated award decisions made by the Director of Commissioning and Procurement since the last meeting of Cabinet, as set out in section 5.3.2 of the report.

 

6.    Property lettings, acquisitions and disposals to be agreed by the Cabinet Member for Resources and Financial Governance in consultation with the Leader since the last meeting of Cabinet, as set out in section 5.4.1 of the report.

106/21

Integrated Drug & Alcohol Treatment Service pdf icon PDF 344 KB

Cabinet Member: Cabinet Member for Families, Health & Social Care, Councillor Janet Campbell and Cabinet Member for Resources & Financial Governance, Councillor Callton Young

Officer: Director of Public Health, Rachel Flowers

Key decision: yes

Decision:

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

 

RESOLVED: To

 

1.     Approve the award in accordance with Regulation 28.4(c) of the Council’s Contracts and Tenders Regulations for the Integrated Drug and Alcohol Treatment Service for Adults and Young People to the Supplier(identified in Part B of this report) for a contract term of 5 years for a maximum contract value stated in the part B report.

 

2.     Note that the contract award includes the provision for delivery of services (additional to core services) which are funded by the time-limited grants from the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC) and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) referred to in the Financial Impact section of the report.

 

Minutes:

The Cabinet Member for Resources & Financial Governance highlighted the impact of drugs and alcohol, including the widespread impact on crime, domestic violence, sickness, absence. In 2020, it was reported that an assessment had found in Croydon there was a higher level on unmet need in the borough and the report sought approval for the award of a contract for drug and alcohol misuse treatment and recovery service.

 

The new service, it was stated, would provide recovery focused care pathways for both adults and young people. Additionally, there would be preventative elements with targeted early intervention and support and training for the wider workforce. The Cabinet Member informed Members that the budget for the service was funded through external ring fenced public health funding.

 

The Cabinet Member for Families, Health & Social Care (Councillor Janet Campbell) noted that the contract had been designed to provide flexible models to provide for a scalable service and further efficiency reviews to ensure optimum benefits were delivered. It was stressed that the aim of the contract was to ensure people were getting the treatment and care required. It was further highlighted by the Cabinet Member for Children, Young People & Learning (Councillor Alisa Flemming) that the contract was fundamental to the work of adult and children social care and ensuring people had fast access to services was crucial.

 

The Shadow Cabinet Member for Resources & Financial Governance (Councillor Simon Hoar) and Councillor Margaret Bird welcomed the contract being combined, but stressed that it was important that underlying concerns which had previously been raised were addressed and that the contract would have improved outcomes for residents.

 

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

 

RESOLVED: To

 

1.    Approve the award in accordance with Regulation 28.4(c) of the Council’s Contracts and Tenders Regulations for the Integrated Drug and Alcohol Treatment Service for Adults and Young People to the Supplier(identified in Part B of this report) for a contract term of 5 years for a maximum contract value stated in the part B report.

 

2.    Note that the contract award includes the provision for delivery of services (additional to core services) which are funded by the time-limited grants from the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC) and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) referred to in the Financial Impact section of the report.

 

107/21

Arboricultural Services Contract Variation pdf icon PDF 503 KB

Cabinet Member: Cabinet Member for Sustainable Croydon, Councillor Muhammad Ali

Officer: Interim Executive Director of Place, Sarah Hayward

Key decision: no

Decision:

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

 

RESOLVED: To the extension by way of variation of the contract for Specialist Arboricultural works with City Suburban Tree Surgeons Limited for nine (9) months from 1st April 2021 to 31st December 2021 at a value of £400,000 (maximum contract value, including this proposed extension will be £9,221,369).

Minutes:

The Cabinet Member for Resources & Financial Governance (Councillor Callton Young) informed Members that the arboricultural services had been delivered by a supply chain partner since 2008 and that a contract extension was required to December 2021 which would allow time for the council to go out to procurement for the service. It was highlighted that during the extension period work would consist of only emergency and essential works only to ensure the council’s compliance and duty of care.

 

The Cabinet Member for Sustainable Croydon (Councillor Muhammad Ali) stated the short extension would allow the council to mitigate the risk of any potential legal challenge but would allow the council time to develop a business case and procurement strategy for a more substantive long term contract. It was stated that future contract arrangements would deliver value for money and would better reflect the council’s current and emerging social value requirements.

 

The Shadow Cabinet Member for Sustainable Croydon (Councillor Scott Roche) queried what the impact of emergency maintenance would be on issues such as overhanging trees on pathways and public spaces, as concerns were raised in terms of the impact on disabled access. Additionally, concerns were raised in relation to trees which would be at risk of causing damage during storms.

 

In response, the Cabinet Member for Sustainable Croydon stated the current contract was subject to terms and conditions, however stressed that the longer term solution would better reflect the council’s financial situation and revised service delivery. It was stated the Cabinet Member felt that a good quality of service was being delivered.

 

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

 

RESOLVED: To the extension by way of variation of the contract for Specialist Arboricultural works with City Suburban Tree Surgeons Limited for nine (9) months from 1st April 2021 to 31st December 2021 at a value of £400,000 (maximum contract value, including this proposed extension will be

£9,221,369).

108/21

Section 75 Partnership Agreement for Public Health Nursing pdf icon PDF 747 KB

Cabinet Member: Cabinet Member for Children, Young People & Learning, Councillor Alisa Flemming

Officer: Director of Public Health, Rachel Flowers

Key decision: yes

                      

Decision:

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

 

RESOLVED: To approve entering into a Section 75 Agreement in accordance with Regulation 28.4(c) of the Council’s Contracts and Tenders Regulations for Public Health Nursing to Croydon Health Services NHS Trust (CHS) for an initial term of 2 years commencing 1 August 2021 with an extension period of 1 year for a maximum agreement value of £6.107m per year, plus inflationary costs, plus additional investment of £350k from year 2.

Minutes:

Members were informed that lead authorities for Public Heath were responsible for commissioning healthy children programmes and the purpose of the report was to seek permission to enter into a Section 75 Agreement under the NHS Act 2006 to deliver the programme. It was noted by the Cabinet Member for Resources & Financial Governance (Councillor Callton Young) that the report recommended a contract period of a maximum of seven years, however concerns were raised that this would be too long and a contact of two years plus a one year extension would enable the agreement to be reviewed and changes implemented sooner. Councillor Young proposed the recommendations be amended to read an initial term of two years and an extension period of one year.

 

The Cabinet Member for Children, Young People & Learning (Councillor Alisa Flemming) seconded the amendment as it was stressed that the contract was very important in terms of ensuring good services for children and young people in the borough. It was highlighted that it was important to monitor early indicators of health needs in young people.

 

Cabinet agreed the amendment to the recommendation to an initial term of 2 years with an extension period of 1 year to enable the Council to review the performance of the service in light of the recovery post covid-19. This sought to ensure the best service for the young people in Croydon.

 

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

 

RESOLVED: To approve entering into a Section 75 Agreement in accordance with Regulation 28.4(c) of the Council’s Contracts and Tenders Regulations for Public Health Nursing to Croydon Health Services NHS Trust (CHS) for an initial term of 2 years commencing 1 August 2021 with an extension period of 1 year for a maximum agreement value of £6.107m per year, plus inflationary costs, plus additional investment of £350k from year 2.

109/21

Exclusion of the Press and Public

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.”

Minutes:

This item was not required.

110/21

Ongoing Review of Brick by Brick Croydon Ltd and the future of the company

Cabinet Member: Leader of the Council, Councillor Hamida Ali

Officer: Interim Chief Executive, Katherine Kerswell and Interim Director of Finance, Investment & Risk and Section 151 Officer, Chris Buss

Key decision: yes

Additional documents:

Decision:

The decisions were taken with Part A of the meeting and are set out at minute number 99/21.

Minutes:

The decisions were taken with Part A of the meeting and are set out at minute number 99/21.

111/21

Integrated Drug & Alcohol Treatment Service

Cabinet Member: Cabinet Member for Families, Health & Social Care, Councillor Janet Campbell and Cabinet Member for Resources & Financial Governance, Councillor Callton Young

Officer: Director of Public Health, Rachel Flowers

Key decision: yes

Decision:

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

 

RESOLVED: To

 

1.     Approve the award in accordance with Regulation 28.4(c) of the Council’s Contracts and Tenders Regulations for the Integrated Drug and Alcohol Treatment Service for Adults and Young People to the Supplier(identified in Part B of this report) for a contract term of 5 years for a maximum contract value stated in the part B report.

 

2.     Note that the contract award includes the provision for delivery of services (additional to core services) which are funded by the time-limited grants from the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC) and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) referred to in the Financial Impact section of the report.

 

 

Minutes:

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

 

RESOLVED: To

 

1.     Approve the award in accordance with Regulation 28.4(c) of the Council’s Contracts and Tenders Regulations for the Integrated Drug and Alcohol Treatment Service for Adults and Young People to the Supplier(identified in Part B of this report) for a contract term of 5 years for a maximum contract value stated in the part B report.

 

2.     Note that the contract award includes the provision for delivery of services (additional to core services) which are funded by the time-limited grants from the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC) and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) referred to in the Financial Impact section of the report.