Hillingdon Council Cabinet Member and Officer Decisions
9 New Allocations For The Better Neighbourhood Fund 2021/22 Programme (Approval No. 3) - November 2021
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Democratic Services
Location: Phase II
Ext: 0833
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Ref: CMD 330
To: COUNCILLOR EDDIE LAVERY
CABINET MEMBER FOR ENVIRONMENT,
HOUSING AND REGENERATION
c.c. All Members of the Environment, Housing &
Regeneration Select Committee
c.c. Perry Scott, Corporate Director for Infrastructure,
Transport and Building Services
c.c.Helena Webster, Infrastructure, Transport and
Building Services
c.c. Ward Councillors for Barnhill, Botwell, Heathrow
Villages, Ickenham, Northwood Hills, Townfield, West
Ruislip, Yeading and Yiewsley
c.c. Conservative and Labour Group Offices
(inspection copy)
Date:
25 November 2021
Non-Key Decision request Form D
9 NEW ALLOCATIONS FOR THE BETTER NEIGHBOURHOOD FUND
2021/22 PROGRAMME (APPROVAL NO. 3) - NOVEMBER 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 3 December 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.
Jack Roberts
Democratic Services Apprentice
Title of Report: 9 NEW ALLOCATIONS FOR THE BETTER NEIGHBOURHOOD FUND
2021/22 PROGRAMME (APPROVAL NO. 3) - NOVEMBER 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 & Regeneration
Cabinet Member Report – 25 November 2021 Page 1
Part 1 - Public
9 NEW ALLOCATIONS FOR THE BETTER NEIGHBOURHOOD FUND
2021/22 PROGRAMME (APPROVAL NO. 3) - NOVEMBER 2021
Cabinet Member(s) Councillor Eddie Lavery
Cabinet Portfolio(s) Cabinet Member for Environment, Housing & Regeneration
Officer Contact(s) Helena Webster, Infrastructure, Transport and Building Services
Papers with report None.
HEADLINES
Summary
To seek Cabinet Member approval for the allocation of funds for
eight new project 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 £ 40.3k from the Housing
Revenue Account (HRA) Better Neighbourhood Fund 2021/22
budget to fund eight new projects improving C ouncil owned
housing estates , 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 Select
Committee
Environment, Housing and Regeneration Select Committee.
Relevant Ward(s) Barnhill, Botwell, Heathrow Villages, Ickenham, Northwood Hills,
Townfield, West Ruislip, Yeading, Yiewsley
RECOMMENDATIONS
That the Cabinet Member for Environment, Housing & Rege neration approves the
allocation of £ 40.3k from the 2021/22 HRA Better Neighbourhood Fund Programme for
the following eight projects improving Council owned housing estates:
Ward Project Total Cost
£000’s
Barnhill
To create a gated access to the communal garden for
residents of 1 -6 Welbeck Cour t, providing a safe
environment for children to play in. The new fence will
not only keep the area secure but also improve the
overall look of the area.
8.2
Cabinet Member Report – 25 November 2021 Page 2
Part 1 - Public
Ward Project Total Cost
£000’s
Botwell
5 and 6 Rosedale Avenue installing alley gates enabling
residents to have continued access to t he rear of their
properties whilst reducing the anti -social behaviour
impacting on their day-to-day living.
3.0
Heathrow Villages
Drayton Court is sheltered accommodation comprising 24
flats with a communal garden that is popular with the
residents. There are a number of residents who enjoy
gardening and they have requested a shed to be able to
store all their gardening equipment safely.
2.9
Heathrow Villages/
Ickenham/Townfield/
West Ruislip &
Yiewsley
With residents of sheltered accommodation reluctant to
leave their homes as much these days due to C ovid, they
are utilising available outdoor space more than ever.
There has been an increase in requests for raised
planters, so that residents can have a dedicated and
manageable area to garden. This is a joint initiative
across five wards
5.0
Northwood Hills
Ascott Court is sheltered accommodation, consisting of
14 one- bedroom flats and 19 bedsits. The communal
gardens include a patio which has fallen into disrepair
and requires replacing, along with the patio furniture.
There is also a handrail leading to the patio that needs to
be refurbished.
12.0
Townfield
The proposal is to screen the existing fence to create a
private garden area for residents of 1-15 Kelf Grove to
enjoy without being overlooked . In addition, more trees
will be planted as part of the councils Sponsor a Tree
initiative to improve the air quality.
2.7
Yiewsley
Barr Lodge , Bond Close provides sh eltered
accommodation of 47 one -bedroom flats. The existing
small patio is no longer looking its best and could benefit
from upgrading and extending. Residents have also
requested a shelter, so that they can enjoy use of the
patio all year round regardless of the weather.
5.0
Yeading
Melbourne House has a redundant bin store . The
proposal is to utilise this by repurposing the area to create
a watertight bicycle storage unit with secure parking for
up to eight bicycles.
1.5
Total requested to approve 40.3
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 initiativ e is known as the Better
Neighbourhood Fund.
Cabinet Member Report – 25 November 2021 Page 3
Part 1 - Public
Eight new proposals for delivery within the 2021- 22 programme with a total value of £40.3k
have been i nformally approved by the Cabinet Member for Environment, Housing &
Regeneration on 11 November 2021, 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 eight 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.
Select Committee comments
None at this stage.
SUPPORTING INFORMATION
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.
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.
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 a nd Built
Environment', 'Our Heritage and Civic Pride' and ' Strong Financial Management.' Examples
include gating and security improvements, bringing redundant spaces back into use and
protecting or enhancing green spaces.
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.
5. Two proposals with an accumulative value of £23 .2k including contingency were formally
approved by the Cabinet Member for Environment, Housing & Regeneration on 24 May
2021. Eleven proposals with an accumulative value of £9 2.5k including contingency were
formally approved by the Cabinet Member on 16 August 2021
6. A further eight projects , with an accumulative value of £40.3k , are now recommended for
support under the Better Neighbourhood Funding 2021/22 programme.
Cabinet Member Report – 25 November 2021 Page 4
Part 1 - Public
7. 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 project contingencies.
Financial Implications
2021/22 Budget £156k, Previously Approved £115.7k, New Approvals requested £40.3k
This report is seeking the approval of £ 40.3k from the 202 1/22 HRA Better Neighbourhood
Fund budget of £156k, for the eight new projects as detailed within the recommendations.
With these eight new projects, the £156k budget for 2021/22 would be fully allocated.
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.
For example, the new secure bicycle storage at Melbourne House creating a dedicated space to
store bikes will enable residents to free up space within their homes and on balconies and
reduce the risk of fire hazards and enabling easy access in and out of properties.
There are a number of proposals to improve the outside play and communal gardens within
specific neighbourhoods encouraging residents to be outside and active whilst also adding trees
and soft landscaping to improve the environment.
Consultation carried out or required
Proposals have either been put forward by residents themselves or by tenancy officers on
behalf of residents.
In terms of gating 5- 6 Rosedale Avenue, a consultation was carried out with residents who live
near to the access route, in September 2021 and of the 34 properties directly affected, 97% had
no objection to the proposal.
The residents of 1- 6 Welbeck Court were also consulted in September 2021. Two households
wrote back with their support and gratitude and no objections were received.
A consultation was carried out with all 96 households within Melbourne House of whom only 3
% objected and seven households confirmed that they would want to use the secure bike
storage facility
Cabinet Member Report – 25 November 2021 Page 5
Part 1 - Public
CORPORATE CONSIDERATIONS
Corporate Finance
Corporate Finance has reviewed this report and confirms the budgetary position above, noting
that the recommended budget allocation of £40.3 k will support investment on Council -owned
housing land which is financed from rental income.
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
The proposals support investment on Council -owned land and there are no specific property
implications.
BACKGROUND PAPERS
NIL.
View Decision / Minutes Text
Executive Decision Notice – 06 December 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 Notice is hereby given that the following decision(s) have been made today by Cabinet Members at the London Borough of Hillingdon: Title of decision 9 NEW ALLOCATIONS FOR THE BETTER NEIGHBOURHOOD FUND 2021/22 PROGRAMME (APPROVAL NO. 3) - NOVEMBER 2021 Reference No. 330 Date of decision Monday 6 December 2021 Call-in expiry date 5pm, on Monday 13 December 2021 Relevant Select Committee(s) Environment, Housing and Regeneration Select Committee Relevant Ward(s) Barnhill, Botwell, Heathrow Villages, Ickenham, Northwood Hills, Townfield, West Ruislip, Yeading, Yiewsley Decision made Cabinet Members making the decision Councillor Eddie Lavery – Cabinet Member for Environment, Housing and Regeneration APPROVED That the Cabinet Member for Environment, Housing & Regeneration approved the allocation of £40.3k from the 2021/22 HRA Better Neighbourhood Fund Programme for the following eight projects improving Council owned housing estates: Ward Project Total Cost £000’s Barnhill To create a gated access to the communal garden for residents of 1-6 Welbeck Court, providing a safe environment for children to play in. The new fence will not only keep the area secure but also improve the overall look of the area. 8.2 Botwell 5 and 6 Rosedale Avenue installing alley gates enabling residents to have continued 3.0 Executive Decision Notice – 06 December 2021 Page 2 This notice is a public document also available to view on the Council's website www.hillingdon.gov.uk access to the rear of their properties whilst reducing the anti- social behaviour impacting on their day-to-day living. Heathrow Villages Drayton Court is sheltered accommodation comprising 24 flats with a communal garden that is popular with the residents. There are a number of residents who enjoy gardening and they have requested a shed to be able to store all their gardening equipment safely. 2.9 Heathrow Villages/ Ickenham/Townfield/ West Ruislip & Yiewsley With residents of sheltered accommodation reluctant to leave their homes as much these days due to Covid, they are utilising available outdoor space more than ever. There has been an increase in requests for raised planters, so that residents can have a dedicat ed and manageable area to garden. This is a joint initiative across five wards 5.0 Northwood Hills Ascott Court is sheltered accommodation, consisting of 14 one-bedroom flats and 19 bedsits. The communal gardens include a patio which has fallen into disrepair and requires replacing, along with the patio furniture. There is also a handrail leading to the patio that needs to be refurbished. 12.0 Townfield The proposal is to screen the existing fence to create a private garden area for residents of 1- 15 Kelf Grove to enjoy without being overlooked. In addition, more trees will be planted as part of the councils Sponsor a Tree initiative to improve the air quality. 2.7 Yiewsley Barr Lodge, Bond Close provides sheltered accommodation of 47 one-bedroom flats. T he existing small patio is no longer looking its best and could benefit from upgrading and extending. 5.0 Executive Decision Notice – 06 December 2021 Page 3 This notice is a public document also available to view on the Council's website www.hillingdon.gov.uk Residents have also requested a shelter, so that they can enjoy use of the patio all year round regardless of the weather. Yeading Melbourne House has a redundant bin store. The proposal is to utilise this by repurposing the area to create a watertight bicycle storage unit with secure parking for up to eight bicycles. 1.5 Total requested to approve 40.3 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 a sense of pride in the community. This local Hillingdon Council initiative is known as the Better Neighbourhood Fund. Eight new proposals for delivery within the 2021- 22 programme with a total value of £40.3k have been informally approved by the Cabinet Member for Environment, Housing & Regeneration on 11 November 2021, to be taken forward for implementation by 31 March 2022. 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. If the allocation of funds had not been approved, delivery of the eight new proposals would not have effectively and efficiently progressed as intended and the contribution towards improvements on Council housing land and estates would not have been fully realised. Classification Part I – Public. Link to associated report Report found here. Relevant Officer contact & Directorate Helena Webster, Infrastructure, Transport and Building Services Any interest declared by the Cabinet Member(s) / dispensation granted N/A Executive Decision Notice – 06 December 2021 Page 4 This notice is a public document also available to view on the Council's website www.hillingdon.gov.uk Implementation of decision & scrutiny call-in [Internal Use only] When can this decision be implemented by officers? Officers can implement the Cabinet Member decision in this notice only from the expiry of the scrutiny call-in period which is: 5pm, on Monday 13 December 2021 However, this is subject to the decision not being called in by Councillors on the relevant Select Committee. Upon receipt of a valid call-in request, Democratic Services will immediately advise the relevant officer(s) and the decision must then be put on hold. Councillor scrutiny call- in of this decision Councillors on the relevant Select Committee shown in this notice may request to call-in this decision. The request must be before the expiry of the scrutiny call-in period above. Councillors should use the Scrutiny Call-in App (link below) on their devices to initiate any call-in request. Further advice can be sought from Democratic Services if required: Scrutiny Call-In - Power Apps (secure) Further information These decisions, where applicable, have been taken under The Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012. 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. Democratic Services London Borough of Hillingdon Civic Centre High Street Uxbridge UB8 1UW