Hillingdon Council Cabinet Member and Officer Decisions
Better Neighbourhood Fund 2020/21 Programme - Release No. 3
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Democratic Services Location: Phase II Ext: 0833 DDI: 01895 250833 My Ref: RD To: COUNCILLOR MARTIN GODDARD CABINET MEMBER FOR FINANCE COUNCILLOR EDDIE LAVERY CABINET MEMBER FOR ENVIRONMENT, HOUSING AND REGENERATION c.c. All Members of Executive Scrutiny Committee c.c. Chairman of the Social Care, Housing and Public Health Policy Overview Committee c.c. Perry Scott, Director of Infrastructure, Procurement, Business Improvement, Communications, Waste Services, and ICT c.c. Helena Webster, Residents Services c.c. Ward Councillors for Botwell, Cavendish, Northwood, Northwood Hills, Pinkwell, and West Ruislip c.c. Conservative and Labour Group Offices (inspection copy) Date: 26 January 2021 Non-Key Decision request Form D CAPITAL RELEASE REPORT (January 2021) DEPARTMENT: Residents Services SERVICE AREA / PROGRAMME: Better Neighbourhood Fund 2020/21 Programme RELEASE NO: 3 Dear Cabinet Member Attached is a report requesting that a decision be made by you as an individual Cabinet Member. Democratic Services confirm that this is not a key decision, as such the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012 notice period does not apply. You should take a decision on or after Wednesday 03 February 2021 in order to meet Constitutional requirements about publication of decisions that are to be made. You may wish to discuss the report with the Corporate Director before it is made. Please indicate your decision on the duplicate memo supplied, and return it to me when you have made your decision. I will then arrange for the formal notice of decision to be published. Ryan Dell Democratic Services Apprentice Title of Report: Better Neighbourhood Fund 2020/21 Programme RELEASE NO: 3 Decision made: Reasons for your decision: (e.g. as stated in report) Alternatives considered and rejected: (e.g. as stated in report) Signed ………………………………………………………Date…………………….. Cabinet Member for Finance / Cabinet Member for Environment, Housing and Regeneration Capital Release Report - 26 January 2021 Page 1 Part I - Public CAPITAL RELEASE REPORT (January 2021) DEPARTMENT: Residents Services SERVICE AREA/ PROGRAMME: Better Neighbourhood Fund 2020/21 Programme RELEASE NO: 3 Cabinet Member(s) Councillor Martin Goddard Councillor Eddie Lavery Cabinet Portfolio(s) Cabinet Member for Finance Cabinet Member for Environment, Housing and Regeneration Officer Contact Helena Webster, Residents Services Papers with Report Appendix A with capital release drawdown request for approval Appendix B with project details HEADLINES Summary To seek Cabinet Member recommendation and approval for the allocation and release of funds. Putting our Residents First This report supports the Council objective of strong financial management. Financial Cost This report seeks the release of £39.1k from the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Better Neighbourhood Fund 2020/21 budget to fund six projects improving C ouncil owned housing estates , helping to instil a sense of pride in the community. The works will commence upon release of the funds and are due for completion by 31 March 2021. Relevant Policy Overview Committee Social Care, Housing and Public Health Ward(s) affected Botwell, Cavendish, Northwood, Northwood Hills , Pinkwell, and West Ruislip RECOMMENDATIONS That: 1. The Cabinet Member for Environment, Housing and Regeneration approves the allocation of £ 39.1k within the HRA Better Neighbourhood Fund from the 2020/21 programme and agrees to the six projects improving Council owned housing estates as set out in Appendix B. 2. That the Cabinet Member for Finance and the Cabinet Member for Environment, Housing and Regeneration agree to the capital release of £ 39.1k within the HRA Capital Release Report - 26 January 2021 Page 2 Part I - Public Better Neighbourhood Fund 2020/21 programme to fund the six projects improving Council owned housing estate (Appendix A). Reasons for recommendations Each year £156k from the Housing Revenue Account budget is earmarked to facilitate C ouncil tenants and leaseholders suggesting improvements to their housing estate, helping to instil a sense of pride in the community. This local Hillingdon Council initiative is known as the Better Neighbourhood Fund. Five proposals with a total value of £55.3k were approved on 18 June 2020 and have completed. Nine proposals approved 9 November 2020 with a total value of £ 51.8k are now being implemented. A further six proposals had been recommended by the previous Cabinet Member to be taken forward for implementation by 31 March 2021 as set out in this report. Alternative options considered The Cabinet Members could decide not to support the recommendations and/ or to defer any of the recommended projects to a later date. If the release of funds is not approved, delivery of the six new proposals cannot be effectively and efficiently progressed as intended and the contribution towards improvements on Council housing land and estates would not be fully realised. Policy Overview Committee comments None at this stage. SUPPORTING INFORMATION Each year , £156,000 from the Housing Revenue Account budget is earmarked to facilitate improvements to Council owned housing estate helping to instil a sense of pride in the community. This local Hillingdon Council initiative is known as the Better Neighbourhood Fund. Anyone aged 18 or over living in Hillingdon Council owned accommodation can propose an improvement. Ward Councillors and Council Officers are also welcome to submit a suggestion. The proposal should be for 'one-off' funding of up to £12k without creating any additional ongoing financial commitment from the Council. Proposals must clearly demonstrate an improvement or benefit to the residents on the estate and support the Council's four broad themes which are: 'Our People', 'Our Natural and Built Environment', 'Our Heritage and Civic Pride' and 'Sound Financial Management.' Examples include gating and security improvements, bringing redundant spaces back into and protecting or enhancing green spaces. Exceptional proposals, exceeding the £12k limit, in particular those which demonstrate a significant improvement in the wellbeing of residents of all tenures within a particular estate or community area may also be considered. A further six proposals with an accumulative value of £39,117 including contingency have been submitted by residents and Council officers and , following informal approval by the Cabinet Capital Release Report - 26 January 2021 Page 3 Part I - Public Member on 22 December 2020, are recommended for support under the Better Neighbourhood Funding 2020/21 programme. Individual project details including costs are shown within Appendix B. All project cost estimates have been calculated using the schedule of rates contained in the Council's Highways and fencing term contracts which include project contingencies. Financial Implications 2020/21 Budget £156k, Previously Released £ 107.1k, Capital Release Requested £39.1k (Appendix A) This report is seeking the release of £39.1k from the 2020/21 HRA Better Neighbourhood fund budget of £156k, for the six new projects detailed in Appendix A. Previously, £107.1k has been released; and with the requested release of £39.1k contained within this report, the remaining budget is £9.8k and this is subject to the capital release procedure. RESIDENT BENEFIT & CONSULTATION The benefit or impact upon residents, service users and communities The projects will contribute towards a notable difference to the neighbourhoods of the residents in terms of improving community safety, enhancing the environment of the housing estates, and increasing community cohesion and civic pride. Consultation carried out or required Where consultations have been needed, the results are highlighted in Appendix B. CORPORATE CONSIDERATIONS Corporate Finance Corporate Finance has reviewed this report and confirms the budgetary position above, noting that the recommended capital release will support investment on Council -owned housing land which is financed from rental income. Legal The Borough Solicitor confirms that the Council is responsible for carrying out this function pursuant to section 12 of the Housing Act 1985. There are no legal impediments to authori sing the necessary capital release. Infrastructure/ Asset Management There are no Infrastructure/ Asset management implications arising from the recommendation in this report. Capital Release Report - 26 January 2021 Page 4 Part I - Public Capital Release Protocol The release of all capital funds, and certain revenue funds, held by the Council is to be made by a formal democratic decision (by the Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance, Property and Business Services). No expenditure can be placed or committed by offi cers until this formal approval is given by Democratic Services. Release of funds must be for identified projects only and strictly not for the general release of funds for projects to be identified at a later date. No block releases of capital or funding will be allowed, except if authorised by the Leader of the Council in advance to Corporate Finance. The release of funds will only be made if previous Council, Cabinet or Cabinet Member agreement has been given to the project and only if there is an approv ed budget. Capital Release Report - 26 January 2021 Page 5 Part I - Public APPENDIX A Better Neighbourhood Fund 2020/21 Release No. 3 Location Project / Expenditure Title Information Funds Release Sought £000’s Approve Hold More Information Required Botwell Better Neighbourhood Fund Rosedale Avenue Gating 1.3 Cavendish Better Neighbourhood Fund Oxford Drive, Ruislip Gating scheme 4.4 Northwood Better Neighbourhood Fund Grangedale Close Bin Storage area and new path 6.2 Northwood Hills Better Neighbourhood Fund 28 Joel Street Bin Storage gating 9.1 Pinkwell Better Neighbourhood Fund Service Road leading to Bourne Farm Playing Fields resurfacing 14 West Ruislip Better Neighbourhood Fund Southcote Rise vehicle barrier 4.1 Total seeking release 39.1 Previously released 107.1 Budget 156 Remaining budget 9.8 Project Date of Application Cost Requested by Agreed by Tenancy Management Ward Background Rosedale Avenue Gating 25/09/20 £1,310 Resident Yes Botwell To install a lockable gate to prevent unwelcome entry into resident’s gardens and stealing garden items. One of the residents is elderly and especially vulnerable. Gating will also help reduce the risk of rubbish being dumped in the alleyway. Oxford Drive, Ruislip Gating scheme 23/10/20 £4,429 Resident Yes Cavendish To install gating and 2m fencing at the access point leading to the garages at Oxford Drive, off Whitby Road. This is to reduce the amount of anti-social behaviour taking place within the garage area Grangedale Close Bin Storage area 21/05/20 £6,220 Resident Yes Northwood To refurbish the bin storage area in order to accommodate larger bins and help to keep the area tidier. A new path is also proposed for residents and Waste Services to be able to safely access the bin storage area. 28 Joel Street Bin Storage gating 17/09/20 £9,100 Leon Evans, Tenancy Manager Yes Northwood Hills To install gates to prevent anti-social behaviour taking place within the bin storage areas at the rear of Joel Street. There have been reports of people loitering in and around the currently open bin store Service Road leading to Bourne Farm Playing Fields 28/10/20 £14,000 Chairman Sandgate Football Club Yes Pinkwell To resurface the Housing owned service road leading to Bourne Farm Playing Fields. This will improve access for the residents of Skipton Drive, the Green Spaces grounds maintenance team as well as users of Sandgate Football Club. Southcote Rise Vehicle barriers 12/10/20 £4,058 Ward Councillor Yes West Ruislip To install manual vehicle barriers to assist with the ongoing issue of cars parking within the communal parking area of the flats. In addition, signs and road markings are recommended to ensure that residents are not subject to inconsiderate parking. Sub Total £39,117 BNF Total budget for 2020/210 £156,000 Value of BNF Projects already approved in 2020 £107,100 Balance of BNF funding 2021-22 £9,783 Appendix B Better Neighbourhood Fund 2020/21 New Projects for approval
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Capital Release Decision Notice – 08 February 2021 OFFICIAL DECISION NOTICE PUBLISHED BY DEMOCRATIC SERVICES ON 08 FEBRUARY 2021 The Cabinet Member for Finance and the Cabinet Member for Environment, Housing and Regeneration have made the following decision today: 1. THE CABINET MEMBER FOR FINANCE AND THE CABINET MEMBER FOR ENVIRONMENT, HOUSING AND REGENERATION CAPITAL RELEASE REPORT (January 2021) DEPARTMENT: Residents Services SERVICE AREA/ PROGRAMME: Better Neighbourhood Fund 2020/21 Programme RELEASE NO: 3 DECISION: FULL APPROVAL That: 1. The Cabinet Member for Environme nt, Housing and Regeneration approved the allocation of £39.1k within the HRA Better Neighbourhood Fund from the 2020/21 programme and agrees to the six projects improving Council owned housing estates as set out in Appendix B of the associated report; and 2. That the Cabinet Member for Finance and the Cabinet Member for Environment, Housing and Regeneration agreed to the capital release of £39.1k within the HRA Better Neighbourhood Fund 2020/21 programme to fund the six projects improving Council owned housing estate (Appendix A of the associated report). REASONS FOR THE DECISIONS MADE Each year £156k from the Housing Revenue Account budget is earmarked to facilitate Council tenants and leaseholders suggesting improvements to their housing estate, helping to instil a sense of pride in the community. This local Hillingdon Council initiative is known as the Better Neighbourhood Fund. Five proposals with a total value of £55.3k were approved on 18 June 2020 and have completed. Nine proposals approv ed 9 November 2020 with a total value of £51.8k are now being implemented. A further six proposals had been recommended by the previous Cabinet Member to be taken forward for implementation by 31 March 2021 as set out in this report. Perry Scott, Director of Infrastructure, Procurement, Business Improvement, Communications, Waste Services, and ICT Helena Webster, Residents Services Capital Release Decision Notice – 08 February 2021 ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED AND REJECTED The Cabinet Members could decide not to support the recommendations and/ or to defer any of the recommended projects to a later date. If the release of funds is not approved, delivery of the six new proposals cannot be effectively and efficiently progressed as intended and the contribution towards improvements on Council housing land and estates would not be fully realised. FURTHER INFORMATION The detailed report relating to this decision is available to view here . NOTES FOR OFFICERS ACTIONING CAPITAL RELEASE DECISIONS (APPROVAL / HOLD / MORE INFORMATION / NO DECISION YET): • Approved - Where project approval has been given, these funds will be released by corporate finance in due course. • On Hold - Where funding for projects have been put on hold by the Cabinet Members, then these cannot be progressed at this current time and no capital funds will be released to progress them. You may wish to consult with your relevant Cabinet Member. More information required - Where projects require further information, the Cabinet Members are still yet to make their formal decision – it is therefore effectively in suspension. If you wish your project(s) to proceed then you should provide further details about them to Corporate Finance. DECISION AUTHORITY & IMPLEMENTATION Where required, these decisions have been taken under The Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012. These decisions, unless called in, will come into effect from 5pm on Monday 15 February 2021. This is the formal notice by the Council of the above decisions. If you would like more information on any of the decisions, please contact Democratic Services on 01895 250636. The right hand column indicates the name of the officer(s) responsible for implementing / following up the decision in each case. Circulation of this decisions sheet is to a variety of people including Members of the Council, Corporate Directors, Officers, Group Secretariats and the Public.