Decision details

6.1  The Mayor introduced the report.

6.2  Deputy Mayor Nicholson explained that the investment had come about because of new developments in the borough. The Cabinet noted that the investment would contribute towards keeping local communities together.

6.3  Deputy Mayor Bramble thanked Deputy Mayor Nicholson and Council officers for their work on the project.

6.4  Cllr Woodley thanked the Mayor and the Cabinet for supporting the new building for the Side by Side Special Needs School and integrated nursery. Three additional sites for the school would also be developed as part of Hackney Council’s additional resource programme.

RESOLVED:

Cabinet approved:

  i.  The scheme for Children & Education, as set out in section 11.2 of the report as follows:

School Asbestos Programme 2022/23: Virement and spend approval of £55k in 2022/23 is requested for the programme of removal of asbestos in our Education Schools Estate.

Schools AMP Works Programme 2022/23: Virement and spend approval of £1,455k in 2022/23 is requested to fund the lifecycle maintenance work at 5 schools (primary and children’s centres).

School Lifecycle Works Programme 2022/23: Virement and spend approval of £1,398k in 2022/23 is requested to fund the lifecycle work at 10 schools (secondary and specialist schools).

Phase 1A SEND Projects: Resource and spend approval of £1,000k (£808k in 2022/23 and £192k in 2023/24) is requested to commence Phase 1A works for the Additional Resource Provision (ARP) for 4 school sites.

  ii.  The scheme for Finance and Corporate Resources as set out in section 11.3 of the as follows:

End-User ICT Devices and Meeting Rooms: Spend approval of £1,142k= (£174k in 2021/22 and £968k in 22/23) is requested for the procurement of ICT equipment to increase the number of workstations available for staff to work across the Council’s Core Campus Offices and the necessary equipment for meeting rooms to enable access to on-line meetings.

Mobile Phone Refresh: Virement and spend approval of £275k (£100k in 2021/22 and £175k in 2022/23) is requested for the refresh programme to replace Council mobile phones for Staff members that are at the end-of-life or beyond economical repair.

  iii.  The CIL Revenue Funding summarised below and set out in section 11.4 of the report:

  IV.    To authorise the disposal of 9m² area of land in the front garden of 83 Redwald Road at the edge of the Daubeney Road development (Appendices 1 and 2, 83 Redwald Road - land edged in red).

  V.   To delegate authority to the Group Director of Finance and Corporate Resources to settle all the commercial terms of the transaction.

 VI.   To authorise the Director of Legal and Governance to prepare and sign the necessary legal documentation and any ancillary documentation required in order to implement the recommendation.

REASONS FOR DECISION

The decisions required are necessary in order that the schemes within the Council’s approved Capital programme can be delivered and to approve the property proposals as set out in this report.

In most cases, resources have already been allocated to the schemes as part of the budget setting exercise but spending approval is required in order for the scheme to proceed. Where, however, resources have not previously been allocated, resource approval is requested in this report.

To facilitate financial management and control of the Council's finances and to approve the property proposal.

The transfer of the land to the front of 83 Redwald Road would be beneficial to the Council for a number of reasons. There is an economic benefit as the Council would not be required to pay for the maintenance and upkeep of this area which would result in reduced costs overall for the Council. There are added social and public safety benefits as by preventing this area from becoming a cul-de-sac ‘dead space’, this in turn will lead to the reduction of anti-social behaviour and crime and will also enable the Council to meet planning obligations and achieve the Secure by Design Gold standard accreditation. Additionally, there is an environmental benefit linked to eliminating the potential for fly-tipping in this area.