Agenda, decisions and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Woodley, Maxwell and Moema.

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 11 below. New items of exempt business will be dealt with at Item 13 below).

There were no items of urgent business.

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.

There were no declarations of interest.

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 11 : 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 none.

There were none.

To agree the minutes of the previous meeting of Cabinet held on 28 February 2022 and 14 March 2022.

That the Cabinet agreed to the Minutes of the Cabinet held on the 28 February 2022 and 14 March 2022.

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet approved:

  I.  That the scheme for Climate, Homes and Economy (Non-Housing) as set out in section 10.2 be given approval as follows:

  II.  Town Centre Sites: Spend approval of £1,505k (£288k in 2022/23, £1,000k in 2023/24 and £217k in 2024/25) is requested to enable Council Officers to proceed with the feasibility studies for the potential development  for our Town Centre sites in Hackney.

  III.  That the scheme for Finance and Corporate Resources as set out in section 10.3 be given approval as follows:

  IV.  14 Andrews Road (Site for the Council’s Vehicle Depot): Virement and spend approval of £538k (£520k in 2022/23 and £18k in 2023/24)  is requested to fund the improvement works at this site. 

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.

To facilitate financial management and control of the Council's finances.

The Mayor introduced the report to the Cabinet.

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet approved:

  I.  That the scheme for Climate, Homes and Economy (Non-Housing) as set out in section 10.2 be given approval as follows:

  II.  Town Centre Sites: Spend approval of £1,505k (£288k in 2022/23, £1,000k in 2023/24 and £217k in 2024/25) is requested to enable Council Officers to proceed with the feasibility studies for the potential development  for our Town Centre sites in Hackney.

  III.  That the scheme for Finance and Corporate Resources as set out in section 10.3 be given approval as follows:

  IV.  14 Andrews Road (Site for the Council’s Vehicle Depot): Virement and spend approval of £538k (£520k in 2022/23 and £18k in 2023/24)  is requested to fund the improvement works at this site. 

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.

To facilitate financial management and control of the Council's finances.

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet:

  I.  Agreed to introduce a “Support for Energy Bills Discretionary Scheme” as described above to support residents in financial hardship that fall outside the mandatory scheme or need additional financial help. 

  II.  Agreed that the scheme should cover the period from 1 April 2022 to 30 November 2022

  III.  Agreed that the scheme will be cash limited.

  IV.  Agreed that the option to review and make changes to the Discretionary scheme during the period of April 2022 to November 2022 as necessary is delegated to the Group Director of Finance and Corporate Resources in consultation with the Lead Cabinet Member for Finance.

  V.  Members noted the update on the overall financial position for February covering the General Fund, Capital and HRA

 REASONS FOR DECISION

To facilitate financial management and control of the Council's finances and to approve the discretionary support for energy bills scheme.

Councillor Chapman introduced the report.

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet:

  I.  Agreed to introduce a “Support for Energy Bills Discretionary Scheme” as described above to support residents in financial hardship that fall outside the mandatory scheme or need additional financial help. 

  II.  Agreed that the scheme should cover the period from 1 April 2022 to 30 November 2022

  III.  Agreed that the scheme will be cash limited.

  IV.  Agreed that the option to review and make changes to the Discretionary scheme during the period of April 2022 to November 2022 as necessary is delegated to the Group Director of Finance and Corporate Resources in consultation with the Lead Cabinet Member for Finance.

  V.  Members noted the update on the overall financial position for February covering the General Fund, Capital and HRA

 REASONS FOR DECISION

To facilitate financial management and control of the Council's finances and to approve the discretionary support for energy bills scheme.

RESOLVED:

That subject to the following changes within the report:

·  Ward name: amended to De Beauvoir (previously listed as Dalston)

·  Paragraphs 6.20 - 6.24 replaced with the revised wording below:

6.20  While no formal consultations are required as part of this report the Council has worked carefully to make sure that the proposed lease provides a significant improvement in the quality of accommodation for the residents of these hostels.

6.21  The works to upgrade the accommodation provided at the Metropolitan and St Peters’ hostels are being carried out by the hostel landlord at their cost as part of the proposed lease agreement. So far consultations have taken place with and between the following Council Departments: Customer Services (including Housing Needs), Legal Services, Financial Services and Strategic Property Services. External consultations have taken place with the landlord.

6.22  While residents of temporary accommodation hostels are not secure Council tenants, the Council does, however, recognise that the housing crisis means that people spend much longer in temporary accommodation than we would want to be the case. For this reason the Council is setting ambitious standards for new and refurbished temporary accommodation. The Council has used feedback from residents and staff across our temporary accommodation, and our experience from previous refurbishments at other locations, to work with the hostel landlords to ensure that the proposed new lease includes refurbishment to this high standard.

6.23  To minimise the impact of the refurbishment on residents, the work will take place on the basis of a rolling programme of 6 units at a time, which will mean that a full decant is not required and residents can be relocated to newly refurbished units as they are upgraded (or to alternative accommodation that can be made available if that is preferred by the resident). This will reduce uncertainty for the residents as the refurbishment takes place.

6.24  The delivery of the refurbishments will be overseen by the Council’s in-house hostel management and caretaker team, and also our in-house temporary accommodation Property Surveyor (who will ensure the quality of the works before they are signed off). This in-house team will engage with residents to reflect their needs and experience in the delivery of the improvements, and ensure the smooth running of the overall refurbishment work and arrangements for the residents, including through the relocation process. This includes keeping in regular contact with the residents, making arrangements for their possessions to be moved when they move into the newly refurbished units (as is our standard practice), and ensuring that any issues raised during the refurbishment work are responded to sensitively. We will also ensure that there is clear and transparent information available on how to raise any issues or complaints; and after the completion of the works conduct a survey to check satisfaction with the process and the improvements.

The Cabinet Agreed:

  I.  To enter into a lease of The Metropolitan and St Peters 

  II.  To delegate authority to the Group Director of Finance and Corporate Resources to  ...  view the full decision text for item 9.

The Mayor introduced the report and highlighted the following amendments:

·  Ward name: amended to De Beauvoir (previously listed as Dalston)

·  Paragraphs 6.20 - 6.24 replaced with the revised wording (as detailed in the decision below)

Councillor Etti elaborated further on the details off the report and recommended the report for approval.

RESOLVED:

That subject to the following changes within the report:

·  Ward name: amended to De Beauvoir (previously listed as Dalston)

·  Paragraphs 6.20 - 6.24 replaced with the revised wording below:

6.20  While no formal consultations are required as part of this report the Council has worked carefully to make sure that the proposed lease provides a significant improvement in the quality of accommodation for the residents of these hostels.

6.21  The works to upgrade the accommodation provided at the Metropolitan and St Peters’ hostels are being carried out by the hostel landlord at their cost as part of the proposed lease agreement. So far consultations have taken place with and between the following Council Departments: Customer Services (including Housing Needs), Legal Services, Financial Services and Strategic Property Services. External consultations have taken place with the landlord.

6.22  While residents of temporary accommodation hostels are not secure Council tenants, the Council does, however, recognise that the housing crisis means that people spend much longer in temporary accommodation than we would want to be the case. For this reason the Council is setting ambitious standards for new and refurbished temporary accommodation. The Council has used feedback from residents and staff across our temporary accommodation, and our experience from previous refurbishments at other locations, to work with the hostel landlords to ensure that the proposed new lease includes refurbishment to this high standard.

6.23  To minimise the impact of the refurbishment on residents, the work will take place on the basis of a rolling programme of 6 units at a time, which will mean that a full decant is not required and residents can be relocated to newly refurbished units as they are upgraded (or to alternative accommodation that can be made available if that is preferred by the resident). This will reduce uncertainty for the residents as the refurbishment takes place.

6.24  The delivery of the refurbishments will be overseen by the Council’s in-house hostel management and caretaker team, and also our in-house temporary accommodation Property Surveyor (who will ensure the quality of the works before they are signed off). This in-house team will engage with residents to reflect their needs and experience in the delivery of the improvements, and ensure the smooth running of the overall refurbishment work and arrangements for the residents, including through the relocation process. This includes keeping in regular contact with the residents, making arrangements for their possessions to be moved when they move into the newly refurbished units (as is our standard practice), and ensuring that any issues raised during the refurbishment work are responded to sensitively. We will also ensure that there is clear and transparent information available on how to raise  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.

To consider any items admitted at Item 2 above.

There were none.

There were none.

Note from the Governance Services Manager

Item 12 allows for the consideration of exempt information in relation to item 9 respectively.

RESOLVED:

That the press and public be excluded from the remainder of the meeting as the items below contain exempt information, as defined under paragraph, 3 & 5 of Part 1, schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

Note from the Governance Services Manager Item 12 allows for the consideration of exempt information in relation to item 9 respectively.

RESOLVED: That the press and public be excluded from the remainder of the meeting as the items below contain exempt information, as defined under paragraph, 3 & 5 of Part 1, schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

Note from the Governance Services Manager Item 12 allows for the consideration of exempt information in relation to item 9 respectively.

RESOLVED: That the press and public be excluded from the remainder of the meeting as the items below contain exempt information, as defined under paragraph, 3 & 5 of Part 1, schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

Exempt Appendices in relation to Item 9.

The Exempt Appendices in relation to Item 9 were noted.

The Exempt Appendices in relation to Item 9 were noted.

To consider any EXEMPT items admitted at Item 2 above.

There were none.

There were none.