Hillingdon Council Cabinet Member and Officer Decisions
New Allocations for the Better Neighbourhood Fund 2021/22 Programme: May 2021
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Democratic Services Location: Phase II Ext: 0693 DDI: 01895 250693 Ref: CMD 149 To: 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 & Public Health Policy Overview Committee c.c. Perry Scott, Director of Infrastructure, Procurement, Business Improvement, Communications, Waste Services & ICT c.c. Helena Webster, Residents Services c.c. Conservative and Labour Group Offices (inspection copy) Date: 13 May 2021 Non-Key Decision request Form D NEW ALLOCATIONS FOR THE BETTER NEIGHBOURHOOD FUND 2021/22 PROGRAMME: MAY 2021 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 Friday 21 May 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. Steve Clarke Democratic Services Officer Title of Report: New Allocations for the Better Neighbourhood Fund 2021/22 Programme - May 2021 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 Environment, Housing and Regeneration Cabinet Member Report – 12 May 2021 Page 1 Part 1 - Public NEW ALLOCATIONS FOR THE BETTER NEIGHBOURHOOD FUND 2021/22 PROGRAMME: MAY 2021 Cabinet Member(s) Councillor Eddie Lavery Cabinet Portfolio(s) Cabinet Member for Environment, Housing & Regeneration Officer Contact(s) Helena Webster, Residents Services Papers with report None. HEADLINES Summary To seek Cabinet Member approval for the allocation of funds for two new projects schemes under the Better Neighbourhood Fund 2021/22 programme. Putting our Residents First This report supports the following Council objectives of: Our People; Our Built Environment and Strong financial management Financial Cost This report seeks the approval of £23.2k from the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Better Neighbourhood Fund 2021/22 budget to fund two projects improving C ouncil owned housing estate, helping to instil a sense of pride in the community. The works will commence upon approval of the funds and are due for completion by 31 March 2022. Relevant Policy Overview Committee Social Care, Housing and Public Health Policy Overview Committee Relevant Ward(s) Pinkwell and Uxbridge South RECOMMENDATIONS That the Cabinet Member for Environment, Housing & Rege neration approves the allocation of £23.2k from the 2021/22 HRA Better Neighbourhood Fund Programme for the following two projects improving Council owned housing estates. Ward Information Total Cost Pinkwell Pemerich Close: Marking out parking bays to maximise the available parking space for residents £ 750 Uxbridge South Cobden Close : I nstalling an electronic gate in each of the stairwells of 32-36 and 45-49 Cobden Close to improve security and reduce anti-social behaviour issues within the stairwells £22,440 Total requested to approve £23,190 Cabinet Member Report – 12 May 2021 Page 2 Part 1 - Public Reasons for recommendation 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. Two new proposals for delivery within the 2021-22 programme with a total value of £23,190 have been informally approved by the Cabinet Mem ber for Environment, Housing & Regeneration to be taken forward for implementation by 31 March 2022. Alternative options considered The Cabinet Member could decide not to support the recommendations and/or to defer any of the recommended projects to a later date. If the allocation of funds is not approved, delivery of the two 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 1.1 Each year £156,000 from the Housing Revenue Account budget is earmarked to facilitate improvements to C ouncil 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. 1.2 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. 1.3 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 use and protecting or enhancing green spaces. 1.4 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. 1.5 A further two proposals with an accumulative value of £23,190 including contingency have been submitted by residents and officers and, following informal approval by the Cabinet Cabinet Member Report – 12 May 2021 Page 3 Part 1 - Public Member on 1 April 2021, are recommended for support under the Better Neighbourhood Funding 2021/22 programme. 1.6 All project cost estimates have been calculated using the schedule of rates contained in the Council's Highways and fencing /gating term contracts which include pr oject contingencies. Financial Implications 2021/22 Budget £156k, Previously Approved NIL, New Approvals requested £23.2k This report is seeking the approval of £23.2k from the 2021/22 HRA Better Neighbourhood fund budget of £156k, for the two new projects as detailed within the recommendations. The remaining budget is £132.8k and this is subject to further Cabinet Member approval reports during 2021/22. RESIDENT BENEFIT & CONSULTATION The benefit or impact upon residents, service users and communities The projects will contribute a notable difference to residents’ neighbourhoods in terms of improving community safety, enhancing the environment of the housing estates, and increasing community cohesion and civic pride. The line marking at Pemerich Close will maximise availability of parking spaces for residents without compromising valued green space. The proposal to install an electronic gating system within two stairwells at Cobden Close will improve security and prevent anti -social behaviour within the stairwells impacting on residents. Consultation carried out or required The Tenancy Officer has put forward the suggestion to mark out parking bays within Pemerich Close forward on behalf of residents. No consultation is required. In terms of the Cobden Close electronic gating proposal, a consultation was carried out with the six households of which three (50%) replied in favour and no written objections were received. CORPORATE CONSIDERATIONS Corporate Finance Corporate Finance has reviewed this report and confirms the budgetary position above, noting that the recommended budget allocation of £23 .2k will support investment on Council -owned housing land which is financed from rental income. Cabinet Member Report – 12 May 2021 Page 4 Part 1 - Public Legal The Borough Solicitor confirms that the Council has power to fund these improvements under sections 12 and 13 of the Housing Act 1985. Infrastructure / Asset Management There are no Infrastructure / Asset Management implications arising from the recommendation in respect of the two projects proposed in this report. BACKGROUND PAPERS NIL.
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Executive Decision Notice – 24 May 2021 Page 1 This notice is a public document also available to view on the Council's website www.hillingdon.gov.uk OFFICIAL EXECUTIVE DECISION NOTICE PUBLISHED BY DEMOCRATIC SERVICES Title of report New Allocations for the Better Neighbourhood Fund 2021/22 Programme: May 2021 Reference No. CMD 149 Date of decision 24 May 2021 Call-in expiry date 5pm, on 1 June 2021 Relevant Select Committee(s) Environment, Housing & Regeneration Select Committee Relevant Ward(s) Pinkwell and Uxbridge South Decision made Cabinet Members making the decision Councillor Eddie Lavery - Cabinet Member for Environment, Housing & Regeneration DECISION That the Cabinet Member for Environment, Housing & Regeneration approve d the allocation of £23.2k from the 2021/22 HRA Better Neighbourhood Fund Programme for the following two projects improving Council owned housing estates. Ward Information Total Cost Pinkwell Pemerich Close: Marking out parking bays to maximise the available parking space for residents £ 750 Uxbridge South Cobden Close: Installing an electronic gate in each of the stairwells of 32 -36 and 45 -49 Cobden Close to improve security and r educe anti -social behaviour issues within the stairwells £22,440 Total cost approved £23,190 Reason for decision 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 Executive Decision Notice – 24 May 2021 Page 2 This notice is a public document also available to view on the Council's website www.hillingdon.gov.uk a sense of pride in the community. This local Hillingdon Council initiative is known as the Better Neighbourhood Fund. Alternative options considered and rejected The Cabinet Member could have decided not to support the recommendations and/or to defer any of the recommended projects to a later date. Classification Public Link to report (if public) Here Relevant Officer contact Helena Webster, Infrastructure, Transport & Building Services Decision implementation Where required, these decisions have been taken under The Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012. Officers can implement this decision from: Tuesday 1 June 2021– from 5pm …unless this is called in by the relevant Select Committee set out above. Officers will be notified of any call-in received. Further information This is the formal notice by the Council of the above executive decision, including links to the reports where applicable. If you would like more information on this decision, please contact Democratic Services on 01895 250636 or email: democratic@hillingdon.gov.uk. Circulation of this decision notice is to a variety of people including Members of the Council, Corporate Directors, Officers, Group Secretariats and the Public. Copies are also placed on the Council’s website. London Borough of Hillingdon Civic Centre High Street Uxbridge UB8 1UW