Agenda, decisions and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Kim Wright.

The Chair will consider the admission of any late items of Urgent Business. (Late items of Urgent Business will be considered under the agenda item where they appear. New items of Urgent Business will be dealt with under Item 17 below. New items of exempt business will be dealt with at Item 19 below).

There were no items of urgent business.

NOTED

There were no items of urgent business.

NOTED

A Member with a disclosable pecuniary interest or a prejudicial interest in a matter who attends a meeting of the authority at which the matter is considered:

(i) must disclose the interest at the start of the meeting or when the interest becomes apparent, and

(ii) may not participate in any discussion or vote on the matter and must withdraw from the meeting room.

A Member who discloses at a meeting a disclosable pecuniary interest which is not registered in the Register of Members’ Interests or the subject of a pending notification must notify the Monitoring Officer of the interest within 28 days of the disclosure.

Disclosable pecuniary interests, personal interests and prejudicial interests are defined at Paragraphs 8.1-15.2 of Section Two of Part 5 of the Constitution  and Appendix A of the Members’ Code of Conduct.

Councillor Kennedy declared that he had a non-pecuniary interest in relation to Hackney FC as he was a supporter, therefore he advised that he would be leaving the meeting when item 13 was up for discussion.

On occasions part of the Cabinet meeting will be held in private and will not be open to the public if an item is being considered that is likely to lead to the disclosure of exempt or confidential information. In accordance with the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012 (the “Regulations”), members of the public can make representations about why that part of the meeting should be open to the public.

This agenda contains exempt items as set out at Item 18 : Exclusion of the Press and Public.  No representations with regard to these have been received.

This is the formal 5 clear day notice under the Regulations to confirm that this Cabinet meeting will be partly held in private for the reasons set out in this Agenda.

There were representations received.

NOTED

There were representations received.

NOTED

There were no questions, petitions, or deputations.

NOTED

There were no questions, petitions, or deputations.

NOTED

To agree the minutes of the previous meeting of Cabinet held on 17 June 2019

RESOLVED

That the unrestricted minutes of the Cabinet held on 17 June 2019 be confirmed as an accurate record of the proceedings subject to the deletion of the Chief Executive from those attending, and the amendment of the job title of Dawn Carter-McDonald to ‘Head of Legal & Governance’

RESOLVED

That the unrestricted minutes of the Cabinet held on 17 June 2019 were confirmed as an accurate record of the proceedings subject to the deletion of the Chief Executive from those attending, and the amendment of the job title of Dawn Carter-McDonald to ‘Head of Legal & Governance’

To receive the minutes of the Cabinet Procurement Committee (CPC) held on 11 June 2019 - for noting only.

RESOLVED

That the Unrestricted Minutes of Cabinet Procurement Committee held on 11 June 2019 be received and noted.

RESOLVED

That the Unrestricted Minutes of Cabinet Procurement Committee held on 11 June 2019 were received and noted.

This report advises Cabinet that The Local Government & Social Care Ombudsman (LGSCO) has issued a report (Appendix 1) following an investigation of a complaint against the Council. The complaint related to the initiation & completion of an Education, Health & Care (EHC) needs assessment and the subsequent management of the EHC plan for a child with special educational needs.

RESOLVED

That the contents of the LGSCO report (appendix 1) and the Council’s response as set out in the report (paragraphs 6 and 7) be noted.

REASONS FOR DECISION

  This report forms part of the Council’s obligations under the Local Government Act 1974 to publicise receipt of an LGSCO report.

  The LGSCO has concluded that there was fault by the Council which caused injustice to Mr X and to B and that the Council should take the action identified in the report to remedy that injustice.

DETAILS OF ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS CONSIDERED AND REJECTED

There is no right of appeal against an LGSCO decision. A complainant, Council or authority can, however, apply to the courts for a judicial review of a decision. We do not propose to take this course of action.

Exceptionally, the LGSCO has an internal review system in place where a request can be made for a decision to be reviewed in very limited circumstances – where a decision was made based on important evidence that contained facts that were not accurate or if new and relevant information (that was not previously available) is provided which affects the decision made. In either circumstance, a request to review must be made within 1 month of the decision.

  Whilst the Council provided robust information on many occasions over the 2 year investigation period, to explain its actions and, where appropriate, apologised at an early point in the complaint process for recognised delays, it was not felt appropriate at this stage to submit further challenge to the LGSCO decision. Furthermore, given the low threshold for requests to initiate EHC needs assessments and the statutory timeframe to complete assessments within 20 weeks, it was felt that there were insufficient grounds to apply for a judicial review. 

Councillor Kennedy introduced the report. He explained that this was a serious matter and that he reiterated the apology as set out in the report. The Cabinet was made aware that the Council were continuing to actively engage with the family.

Councillor Kennedy thanked officers for their work.

RESOLVED

That the contents of the LGSCO report (appendix 1) and the Council’s response as set out in the report (paragraphs 6 and 7) be noted.

REASONS FOR DECISION

  This report forms part of the Council’s obligations under the Local Government Act 1974 to publicise receipt of an LGSCO report.

  The LGSCO has concluded that there was fault by the Council which caused injustice to Mr X and to B and that the Council should take the action identified in the report to remedy that injustice.

DETAILS OF ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS CONSIDERED AND REJECTED

There is no right of appeal against an LGSCO decision. A complainant, Council or authority can, however, apply to the courts for a judicial review of a decision. We do not propose to take this course of action.

Exceptionally, the LGSCO has an internal review system in place where a request can be made for a decision to be reviewed in very limited circumstances – where a decision was made based on important evidence that contained facts that were not accurate or if new and relevant information (that was not previously available) is provided which affects the decision made. In either circumstance, a request to review must be made within 1 month of the decision.

  Whilst the Council provided robust information on many occasions over the 2 year investigation period, to explain its actions and, where appropriate, apologised at an early point in the complaint process for recognised delays, it was not felt appropriate at this stage to submit further challenge to the LGSCO decision. Furthermore, given the low threshold for requests to initiate EHC needs assessments and the statutory timeframe to complete assessments within 20 weeks, it was felt that there were insufficient grounds to apply for a judicial review. 

This report advises Cabinet  that The Local Government & Social Care Ombudsman (LGSCO) has issued a report (Appendix 1) following an investigation of a complaint against the Council. The complaint related to the initiation & completion of an Education, Health & Care (EHC) needs assessment for a child with special educational needs, as well as the provision of support prior to completion of this assessment.

RESOLVED

  That the contents of the LGSCO report (appendix 1) and the Council’s response as set out in the report (paragraphs 6 and 7), be noted.

REASONS FOR DECISION

This report forms part of the Council’s obligations under the Local Government Act 1974 to publicise receipt of an LGSCO report.

  The LGSCO has concluded that there was fault by the Council which caused injustice to Mrs B and to Child C and that the Council should take the action identified in the report to remedy that injustice.

DETAILS OF ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS CONSIDERED AND REJECTED

There is no right of appeal against an LGSCO decision. A complainant, Council or authority can, however, apply to the courts for a judicial review of a decision. We do not propose to take this course of action.

Exceptionally, the LGSCO has an internal review system in place where a request can be made for a decision to be reviewed in very limited circumstances – where a decision was made based on important evidence that contained facts that were not accurate or if new and relevant information (that was not previously available) is provided which affects the decision made. In either circumstance, a request to review must be made within 1 month of the decision.

Whilst the Council provided robust information to explain its actions and, where appropriate, apologised at an early point in the complaint process for recognised delays, it was not felt appropriate at this stage to submit further challenge to the LGSCO decision. Furthermore, given the low threshold for requests to initiate EHC needs assessments and the statutory timeframe to complete assessments within 20 weeks, it was felt that there were insufficient grounds to apply for a judicial review. 

Councillor Kennedy introduced the report. He reiterated the apology to Mrs B, and assured the Cabinet that the Council were continuing to comply with the ombudsman’s requests.

RESOLVED

  That the contents of the LGSCO report (appendix 1) and the Council’s response as set out in the report (paragraphs 6 and 7), be noted.

REASONS FOR DECISION

This report forms part of the Council’s obligations under the Local Government Act 1974 to publicise receipt of an LGSCO report.

  The LGSCO has concluded that there was fault by the Council which caused injustice to Mrs B and to Child C and that the Council should take the action identified in the report to remedy that injustice.

DETAILS OF ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS CONSIDERED AND REJECTED

There is no right of appeal against an LGSCO decision. A complainant, Council or authority can, however, apply to the courts for a judicial review of a decision. We do not propose to take this course of action.

Exceptionally, the LGSCO has an internal review system in place where a request can be made for a decision to be reviewed in very limited circumstances – where a decision was made based on important evidence that contained facts that were not accurate or if new and relevant information (that was not previously available) is provided which affects the decision made. In either circumstance, a request to review must be made within 1 month of the decision.

Whilst the Council provided robust information to explain its actions and, where appropriate, apologised at an early point in the complaint process for recognised delays, it was not felt appropriate at this stage to submit further challenge to the LGSCO decision. Furthermore, given the low threshold for requests to initiate EHC needs assessments and the statutory timeframe to complete assessments within 20 weeks, it was felt that there were insufficient grounds to apply for a judicial review. 

This report on the capital programme for 2019/20 updates members on the capital programme agreed in the 2019/20 budget, and includes capital project approvals for Children, Adults and Community Health, Finance and Corporate Resources and Neighbourhoods and Housing (Non).

RESOLVED

i.  That approval be given to the schemes for Children, Adults and Community Health as set out in section 9.2 of the report  as follows:

BSF Lifecycle Works Programme 2019/20: Virement and spend approval of £990k in 2019/20 is requested to fund the BSF lifecycle works of 9 schools and across all the BSF school buildings that are not the liability of the LEP within the managed service contract. 

Stoke Newington School Theatre Refurbishment:  Virement and spend approval of £1,200k (£1,186k in 2019/20 and £14k in 2020/21) is requested to fund the refurbishment of the Drama Theatre and associated ancillary spaces at Stoke Newington School.

ii.  That the schemes for Neighbourhoods and Housing (Non) as set out in section 9.4 of the report be approved as follows:

New Classroom Facility at The Old Baths 80-80a Eastway: Resource and spend approval of £350k (£300k in 2019/20 and £50k in 20/21) is requested to fund the delivery of a classroom at the Old Baths.

  iii.That the S106 schemes as set out in section 9.4 of the report and summarised below be given resource and spending approval as follows:

iv.  That the schemes outlined in section 9.5 of the report be noted; and

v.  That approval be given to the expenditure plans and associated resources to be carried from 2018/19 to 2019/20 as set out in 9.6 of the report, and summarised below:

  REASONS FOR DECISION

  The decisions required are necessary in order that the schemes within the Council’s approved Capital programme can be delivered 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.

  DETAILS OF ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS CONSIDERED AND REJECTED

None.

The Mayor introduced the report.

RESOLVED

i.  That approval be given to the schemes for Children, Adults and Community Health as set out in section 9.2 of the report  as follows:

BSF Lifecycle Works Programme 2019/20: Virement and spend approval of £990k in 2019/20 is requested to fund the BSF lifecycle works of 9 schools and across all the BSF school buildings that are not the liability of the LEP within the managed service contract. 

Stoke Newington School Theatre Refurbishment:  Virement and spend approval of £1,200k (£1,186k in 2019/20 and £14k in 2020/21) is requested to fund the refurbishment of the Drama Theatre and associated ancillary spaces at Stoke Newington School.

ii.  That the schemes for Neighbourhoods and Housing (Non) as set out in section 9.4 of the report be approved as follows:

New Classroom Facility at The Old Baths 80-80a Eastway: Resource and spend approval of £350k (£300k in 2019/20 and £50k in 20/21) is requested to fund the delivery of a classroom at the Old Baths.

  iii.That the S106 schemes as set out in section 9.4 of the report and summarised below be given resource and spending approval as follows:

iv.  That the schemes outlined in section 9.5 of the report be noted; and

v.  That approval be given to the expenditure plans and associated resources to be carried from 2018/19 to 2019/20 as set out in 9.6 of the report, and summarised below:

  REASONS FOR DECISION

  The decisions required are necessary in order that the schemes within the Council’s approved Capital programme can be delivered 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.

  DETAILS OF ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS CONSIDERED AND REJECTED

None.

This is the Overall Financial Position (OFP) report as at May 2019 and is based on detailed provisional outturn monitoring data from directorates. We are forecasting an overspend of £4,028k at year end.

RESOLVED

i.  That the updated overall financial position for May 2019, covering the General Fund and the HRA, and the earmarking by the Group Director of Finance and Corporate Resources of any underspend to support funding of future cost pressures and the funding of the Capital Programme be noted;

ii.  that the disposal of 3 – 10 Bradbury Street edged red on the attached plan (Appendix 1) to the report by way of a surrender and re-grant of a long lease for a term of 125 years be authorised;

iii.  that the Director of Strategic Property Services be authorised to agree all other lease terms in respect of ii. Above;

iv.  that the Director of Legal and Governance be authorised to affect the proposed disposal and to enter into any other ancillary legal documentation required to complete the disposal transaction;

v.  that the freehold disposal of the land at Regan Way edged red on the attached plan (Appendix 2) of the report be authorised;

vi.  that the Group Director of Finance and Resources be authorised to agree the commercial terms for the disposal;

vii.  that  the Director of Legal and Governance be authorised to prepare, agree, settle and sign the sale agreement and transfer and any other legal documentation required to complete the transaction;

viii.  that the freehold disposal of the land at Stamford Hill edged red on the attached plan (Appendix 3) of the report be authorised;

ix.  that the Group Director of Finance and Resources be authorised to agree the commercial terms for the disposal;

x.  that the Director of Legal and Governance be authorised to prepare, agree, settle and sign the sale agreement and transfer and any other legal documentation required to complete the transaction;

xi.  that the acquisition of the leasehold interest of Proposed acquisition of up to 25-year Lease of Part First Floor, Block E Woodberry Down for a term of up to 25 years be authorised;

xii.  that the Director of Legal and Governance be authorised to prepare, agree, settle and sign the necessary legal documentation to affect the proposed transaction and to enter into any other ancillary legal documentation required to complete the proposed transaction;

xiii.  That authority be delegated to the Group Director of Finance and Corporate Resources to enter into a lease of 25 years, and to agree all other terms of the lease provided that the requirements of S120 Local Government Act 1972 will be met;.

xiv.  that a loan of £20k be granted to Rio Centre (Dalston), with repayments to be made at a rate of £2k a year, collected as additional rent payments; and

xv.  that a loan of £200k be granted to Hackney Co-operative Developments at a commercial rate of interest for a period of five years to be determined by the Group Director of Finance and Corporate Resources, with repayments to be interest-only in the first year and then principal and interest payments in the final four years of the loan.

  REASONS  ...  view the full decision text for item 11.

Councillor Rennison introduced the report.

RESOLVED

i.  That the updated overall financial position for May 2019, covering the General Fund and the HRA, and the earmarking by the Group Director of Finance and Corporate Resources of any underspend to support funding of future cost pressures and the funding of the Capital Programme be noted;

ii.  that the disposal of 3 – 10 Bradbury Street edged red on the attached plan (Appendix 1) to the report by way of a surrender and re-grant of a long lease for a term of 125 years be authorised;

iii.  that the Director of Strategic Property Services be authorised to agree all other lease terms in respect of ii. Above;

iv.  that the Director of Legal and Governance be authorised to affect the proposed disposal and to enter into any other ancillary legal documentation required to complete the disposal transaction;

v.  that the freehold disposal of the land at Regan Way edged red on the attached plan (Appendix 2) of the report be authorised;

vi.  that the Group Director of Finance and Resources be authorised to agree the commercial terms for the disposal;

vii.  that  the Director of Legal and Governance be authorised to prepare, agree, settle and sign the sale agreement and transfer and any other legal documentation required to complete the transaction;

viii.  that the freehold disposal of the land at Stamford Hill edged red on the attached plan (Appendix 3) of the report be authorised;

ix.  that the Group Director of Finance and Resources be authorised to agree the commercial terms for the disposal;

x.  that the Director of Legal and Governance be authorised to prepare, agree, settle and sign the sale agreement and transfer and any other legal documentation required to complete the transaction;

xi.  that the acquisition of the leasehold interest of Proposed acquisition of up to 25-year Lease of Part First Floor, Block E Woodberry Down for a term of up to 25 years be authorised;

xii.  that the Director of Legal and Governance be authorised to prepare, agree, settle and sign the necessary legal documentation to affect the proposed transaction and to enter into any other ancillary legal documentation required to complete the proposed transaction;

xiii.  That authority be delegated to the Group Director of Finance and Corporate Resources to enter into a lease of 25 years, and to agree all other terms of the lease provided that the requirements of S120 Local Government Act 1972 will be met;.

xiv.  that a loan of £20k be granted to Rio Centre (Dalston), with repayments to be made at a rate of £2k a year, collected as additional rent payments; and

xv.  that a loan of £200k be granted to Hackney Co-operative Developments at a commercial rate of interest for a period of five years to be determined by the Group Director of Finance and Corporate Resources, with repayments to be interest-only in the first year and then principal and interest payments in the final four  ...  view the full minutes text for item 11.

This report seeks Cabinet’s approval to the Hackney Housing Company lettings policy which, subject to Resolution by the Company Board of Directors, will be adopted in order to prioritise applicants for Hackney Living Rent and Private Rent homes.

  RESOLVED

i.  That approval be given to the Hackney Housing Company lettings policy which, subject to Resolution by the Company Board of Directors, will be adopted in order to prioritise applicants for Hackney Living Rent and Private Rent homes;

ii.  that the draft Assured Shorthold Tenancy Agreements (appendices 2 and 3 of the report) to be used by the Hackney HLR Housing Company and Hackney PRS Housing Company respectively, subject to Resolution by the Company Board of Directors, and the alignment to Hackney’s Better Renting principles, be noted.

    REASONS FOR DECISION

The Lettings Policy proposed for adoption by the Hackney Housing Company will ensure that there is a fair and balanced approach to allocating Hackney Living Rent (HLR) properties to prospective tenants. As set out in the Hackney Housing Strategy there is an identified housing pressure for people on middle incomes in Hackney, initially those with a household income of up to £60,000 per annum. This Lettings Policy, subject to consultation, will ensure that people living locally who fall into this category will be prioritised for Hackney Living Rent homes.

In the Lettings Policy for Hackney Living Rent properties, priority is given to working applicants who have been living or working in the borough for at least thirty six months - this includes those in temporary accommodation and the private rental sector. The policy also adds a priority for those residents who are children of social housing tenants. This primary focus on local workers and residents means that people who would not typically qualify for social housing and for whom home ownership is out of reach are offered a stable tenancy and a high-quality, genuinely affordable home.

The lettings policy will also ensure that those living and/or working in the borough will be the initial priority for the private rented sector products delivered by the company, ensuring that local residents can benefit from the #BetterRenting principles that have been incorporated by the Hackney Housing Company.

DETAILS OF ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS CONSIDERED AND REJECTED

Cabinet adopted the Hackney Housing Strategy 2017-22 in January 2018. Action 8 of the Strategy committed to setting up a wholly owned company to help provide new Hackney Living Rent homes.

It is unfeasible that the lettings of the Housing Company could be managed transparently, within the strategic aspirations of the Council, without a lettings policy.

The Mayor introduced the report to the Cabinet. He commended the work carried out and thank the leads for their cohesion and involvement. 

RESOLVED

i.  That approval be given to the Hackney Housing Company lettings policy which, subject to Resolution by the Company Board of Directors, will be adopted in order to prioritise applicants for Hackney Living Rent and Private Rent homes;

ii.  that the draft Assured Shorthold Tenancy Agreements (appendices 2 and 3 of the report) to be used by the Hackney HLR Housing Company and Hackney PRS Housing Company respectively, subject to Resolution by the Company Board of Directors, and the alignment to Hackney’s Better Renting principles, be noted.

    REASONS FOR DECISION

The Lettings Policy proposed for adoption by the Hackney Housing Company will ensure that there is a fair and balanced approach to allocating Hackney Living Rent (HLR) properties to prospective tenants. As set out in the Hackney Housing Strategy there is an identified housing pressure for people on middle incomes in Hackney, initially those with a household income of up to £60,000 per annum. This Lettings Policy, subject to consultation, will ensure that people living locally who fall into this category will be prioritised for Hackney Living Rent homes.

In the Lettings Policy for Hackney Living Rent properties, priority is given to working applicants who have been living or working in the borough for at least thirty six months - this includes those in temporary accommodation and the private rental sector. The policy also adds a priority for those residents who are children of social housing tenants. This primary focus on local workers and residents means that people who would not typically qualify for social housing and for whom home ownership is out of reach are offered a stable tenancy and a high-quality, genuinely affordable home.

The lettings policy will also ensure that those living and/or working in the borough will be the initial priority for the private rented sector products delivered by the company, ensuring that local residents can benefit from the #BetterRenting principles that have been incorporated by the Hackney Housing Company.

DETAILS OF ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS CONSIDERED AND REJECTED

Cabinet adopted the Hackney Housing Strategy 2017-22 in January 2018. Action 8 of the Strategy committed to setting up a wholly owned company to help provide new Hackney Living Rent homes.

It is unfeasible that the lettings of the Housing Company could be managed transparently, within the strategic aspirations of the Council, without a lettings policy.

This report outlines for Cabinet the recommendations for the second of two rounds of small grants awarded through the 2019/20 Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) Grants Programme.

  RESOLVED

That approval be given to  the small grant awards as listed in Appendix One of the report.

    REASONS FOR DECISION

    A Place for Everyone open grants programme

Small grants are one of the grant streams within the 2019/20 Voluntary and Community Sector grants programme, and recommendations are being made for activities that will be delivered during 2019/20. 

Each application has been scored by an assessor from the Council or a partner organisation from the VCS.  The application scores were then reviewed to ensure parity and consistency of scoring across assessors and objectives.

The applications were then considered by the same assessors at a panel meeting and recommendations agreed.  The panel considered how the applications scored overall, how they met the grant programme priorities and identified local community needs.

The panel was also asked to consider the following in relation to the recommendations:

The uniqueness of the proposed project activity (one or small number of services of this nature in the borough).

Services for residents who have protected characteristics as defined by the Equalities Act; or meet the needs of a particular community.

DETAILS OF ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS CONSIDERED AND REJECTED

The process for reaching the recommendations is outlined above, and a full list of recommended and non- recommended applications is appended to this report.

Councillor Selman introduced the report.

She explained that the projects would help the priorities of the borough. She thanked Officer for their work.

RESOLVED

That approval be given to the small grant awards as listed in Appendix One of the report.

  REASONS FOR DECISION

  A Place for Everyone open grants programme

Small grants are one of the grant streams within the 2019/20 Voluntary and Community Sector grants programme, and recommendations are being made for activities that will be delivered during 2019/20. 

Each application has been scored by an assessor from the Council or a partner organisation from the VCS.  The application scores were then reviewed to ensure parity and consistency of scoring across assessors and objectives.

The applications were then considered by the same assessors at a panel meeting and recommendations agreed.  The panel considered how the applications scored overall, how they met the grant programme priorities and identified local community needs.

The panel was also asked to consider the following in relation to the recommendations:

The uniqueness of the proposed project activity (one or small number of services of this nature in the borough).

Services for residents who have protected characteristics as defined by the Equalities Act; or meet the needs of a particular community.

DETAILS OF ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS CONSIDERED AND REJECTED

The process for reaching the recommendations is outlined above, and a full list of recommended and non- recommended applications is appended to this report.

This report seeks Cabinet’s endorsement for the restoration proposals for Abney Park, which will be submitted to the National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF) in 2019

  RESOLVED

i.  That the proposals for the restoration of Abney Park be approved and authority be delegated to the Group Director, Neighbourhoods and Housing in respect of  responsibility for the agreement of any amendments to the proposals, following further consultation with stakeholders and the National Lottery Heritage Fund;

ii.  that approval be given to the submission of a planning application to the Local Planning Authority for the restoration of Abney Park;

iii.  that approval be given to the submission of a Stage 2 Grant Application to the National Lottery Heritage Fund for a maximum sum of £4,411,400;

iv.  that approval be given to the allocation of match funding of £710,000 from the LB Hackney towards the overall costs of the restoration project; and

v.  that it be agreed that any additional income from the operation of the restored buildings in the Park (beyond operational costs) be ring-fenced for re-investment in Abney Park.

  REASONS FOR DECISION

The buildings in Abney Park are in urgent need of repair. Major investment is required in order to stop them degrading further, to fulfil their potential as community spaces and to become income generating assets which will help secure a more financially sustainable future for the Park. Although in better condition than the buildings, the Park’s infrastructure is also in need of some improvement and investment.

Given the scale of investment required, securing external funding is the only option to deliver the full scope of the restoration project. The Council needs to provide a reasonable level of partnership funding and a commitment to re-invest additional income generated from the NLHF investment back into the Park in order to be eligible for funding.

DETAILS OF ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS CONSIDERED AND REJECTED

The option of doing nothing was considered. This was not pursued as the buildings within the Park would continue to decline and fall into further disrepair. In addition, any potential revenue generating opportunities to make the Park more sustainable would have been lost.

It was determined in 2017 that a NLHF grant offered the only realistic opportunity of addressing issues of long-term decline as the Council does not have the resources to pay for the substantial capital works required.

Councillor Clark introduced the report to Cabinet.

Councillor Burke stated that this was a good report to bring a facility back into use. He added that it was a big contribution, eco-friendly and an improvement to sustainability.

RESOLVED

i.  That the proposals for the restoration of Abney Park be approved and authority be delegated to the Group Director, Neighbourhoods and Housing in respect of  responsibility for the agreement of any amendments to the proposals, following further consultation with stakeholders and the National Lottery Heritage Fund;

ii.  that approval be given to the submission of a planning application to the Local Planning Authority for the restoration of Abney Park;

iii.  that approval be given to the submission of a Stage 2 Grant Application to the National Lottery Heritage Fund for a maximum sum of £4,411,400;

iv.  that approval be given to the allocation of match funding of £710,000 from the LB Hackney towards the overall costs of the restoration project; and

v.  that it be agreed that any additional income from the operation of the restored buildings in the Park (beyond operational costs) be ring-fenced for re-investment in Abney Park.

  REASONS FOR DECISION

The buildings in Abney Park are in urgent need of repair. Major investment is required in order to stop them degrading further, to fulfil their potential as community spaces and to become income generating assets which will help secure a more financially sustainable future for the Park. Although in better condition than the buildings, the Park’s infrastructure is also in need of some improvement and investment.

Given the scale of investment required, securing external funding is the only option to deliver the full scope of the restoration project. The Council needs to provide a reasonable level of partnership funding and a commitment to re-invest additional income generated from the NLHF investment back into the Park in order to be eligible for funding.

DETAILS OF ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS CONSIDERED AND REJECTED

The option of doing nothing was considered. This was not pursued as the buildings within the Park would continue to decline and fall into further disrepair. In addition, any potential revenue generating opportunities to make the Park more sustainable would have been lost.

It was determined in 2017 that a NLHF grant offered the only realistic opportunity of addressing issues of long-term decline as the Council does not have the resources to pay for the substantial capital works required.

This report asks Cabinet to confirm the proposed appointments outside bodies for 2019/20.

RESOLVED

That approval be given to the following nominations of annual Cabinet Appointments to Outside Bodies for the Municipal Year 2019/20:

Abney Park Trust

Cllr Sophie Cameron
Cllr Susan Fajana-Thomas

Chats Palace Arts Centre

Cllr Ian Rathbone

Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education (SACRE)

Cllr Kam Adams

Cllr Sade Etti

Cllr Katie Hanson

Cllr Jessica Webb

Cllr Harvey Odze

LGIU Management Committee

Cllr Sem Moema

London Youth Games

Cllr  Mete Coban

Shoreditch Trust

Mayor Philip Glanville

Create 1

Cllr Guy Nicholson 

Positions remain open for expressions of interest as follows:

Bangla Housing Association
One VACANT position

Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education (SACRE)
Two VACANT positions

RESOLVED

That approval be given to the following nominations of annual Cabinet Appointments to Outside Bodies for the Municipal Year 2019/20:

Abney Park Trust

Cllr Sophie Cameron
Cllr Susan Fajana-Thomas

Chats Palace Arts Centre

Cllr Ian Rathbone

Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education (SACRE)

Cllr Kam Adams

Cllr Sade Etti

Cllr Katie Hanson

Cllr Jessica Webb

Cllr Harvey Odze

LGIU Management Committee

Cllr Sem Moema

London Youth Games

Cllr  Mete Coban

Shoreditch Trust

Mayor Philip Glanville

Create 1

Cllr Guy Nicholson 

Positions remain open for expressions of interest as follows:

Bangla Housing Association
One VACANT position

Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education (SACRE)
Two VACANT positions

This report seeks Cabinet’s consideration of nominees to School Governor vacancies.

  RESOLVED:

   That approval be given to the following School Governor re-nominations to the Schools as shown below;

  RESOLVED:

   That approval be given to the following School Governor re-nominations to the Schools as shown below;

To consider any items admitted at Item 2 above.

There were no items of urgent unrestricted business.

NOTED

There were no items of urgent unrestricted business.

NOTED

Note from the Governance Services Manager

There are no other exempt items relating to matters being considered in the unrestricted part of the proceedings.

In the event of there being any exempt items of urgent business the following resolution will be proposed by The Mayor.

PROPOSED RESOLUTION:

That the press and public be excluded from the remainder of the meeting as the exempt item(s) of urgent business to be considered at Item 19 contain exempt information, as defined under the exemption paragraphs of Part 1, Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

There were exempt items therefore there was not requirement to pass a resolution to exclude the public and press.

NOTED

There were exempt items therefore there was not requirement to pass a resolution to exclude the public and press.

NOTED

To consider any EXEMPT items admitted at Item 2 above.

Nil.

There were no new items of exempt urgent business.