Hillingdon Council Cabinet Member and Officer Decisions
New Allocations For The Ward Budget Scheme: February 2022 Supplementary Report (SU)
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Democratic Services
Location: Phase II
Ext: 0693
DDI: 01895 250693
CMD No: 407
To: COUNCILLOR DOUGLAS MILLS
CABINET MEMBER FOR CORPORATE SERVICES
AND TRANSFORMATION
c.c. All Members of the Corporate, Finance &
Property Select Committee
c.c. Perry Scott, Corporate Director of Place
c.c. Helena Webster, Place
c.c. Ward councillors for Pinkwell, South Ruislip,
West Drayton and West Ruislip
c.c. Conservative and Labour Group Offices
(inspection copy)
Date:
18 February 2022
Non-Key Decision request Form D
NEW ALLOCATIONS FOR THE WARD BUDGET SCHEME: FEBRUARY
2022 SUPPLEMENTARY REPORT
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 Monday 28 February 2022 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 y ou 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 Ward Budget Scheme: February 2022
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 Corporate Services and Transformation
Cabinet Member Report – 18 February 2022 Page 1
Part 1 – Public
NEW ALLOCATIONS FOR THE WARD BUDGET SCHEME : FEBRUARY
2022 SUPPLEMENTARY REPORT
Cabinet Member(s) Councillor Douglas Mills
Cabinet Portfolio(s) Cabinet Member for Corporate Services and Transformation
Officer Contact(s) Helena Webster – Place Directorate
Papers with report Appendix A - Details of projects submitted for the Ward Budget
Scheme from 21 January 2022 to 11 February 2022
Appendix B - Ward Budget financial summary to 11 February 2022
HEADLINES
Summary
This report seeks Cabinet Member approval to allocate funds from
the Ward Budget Scheme for proposals submitted by Ward
Councillors.
Putting our
Residents First
The Ward Budget Initiative supports the following Council objectives
of: Our People; Our Natural Environment; Our Built Environment;
Our Heritage and Civic Pride.
Financial Cost The overall funds earmarked for the Ward-based budget scheme
total £1, 430,000. The accumulative value of proposals to date is
£1,100,479 giving a balance of £ 329,521 to allocate. This report
seeks Cabinet Member approval to release funds totalling £8,997
for six new Ward Budget proposals taking the total allocation to
£1,109,476 and leaving a balance of £3 20,524 available for
allocation.
Relevant Select
Committee
Corporate, Finance and Property Select Committee
Relevant Ward(s) Pinkwell, South Ruislip, West Drayton and West Ruislip
Cabinet Member Report – 18 February 2022 Page 2
Part 1 – Public
RECOMMENDATIONS
That the Cabinet Member for Co rporate Services and Transformation approves the
allocation of £8,997 from the Ward Budget Scheme for the following proposals:
Ward Grant Recipient Amount £
Pinkwell Hayes & Harlington Community Association kitchen
redecoration 1,400
South Ruislip Spring and Summer planter and hanging basked floral displays
within South Ruislip retail and commercial areas 4,697
West Drayton Bell Farm Christian Centre contribution towards a Refugee and
Asylum Seekers Christmas event 500
West Drayton Bell Farm Christian Centre contribution towards a children's
community Christmas party 300
West Drayton Bell Farm Christian Centre contribution towards a Parent &
Toddler Christmas party 100
West Ruislip
1st & 3rd Ruislip Scout Group contribution towards new
perimeter fencing to enhance security and the exterior
appearance
2,000
TOTAL £8,997
Reasons for recommendation
Each of the proposals submitted complies with the protocol on the use of Ward Budgets. All Ward
Councillors have been made aware of the proposals within this report and, to date, there have
been no objections received.
Alternative options considered / risk management
None.
Select Committee comments
None at this stage.
SUPPORTING INFORMATION
At its meeting in September 2011, Cabinet agreed to allocate £330k from Priority Growth to fund
a new Ward Budget Scheme. With effect from 0 1 October 2011, £15k was allocated to each of
the 22 Wards. The sum did not have to be spent in the 2011/12 financial year and any unspent
balance was carried forward to future financial years.
An additional Ward Budget allocation of £10k for each Ward was agreed by Cabinet on 19 June
2014 and a further allocation of £20k for each Ward agreed by Cabinet on 12 February 2015. At
Cabinet on 14 February 2019, additional growth of £440k, £20k per Ward, was prioritised (with
Cabinet Member Report – 18 February 2022 Page 3
Part 1 – Public
approval at Cabinet on 18 April 2019 to release an estimated £203k of the £440k to top- up each
Ward Budget to £15k, where needed).
At Cabinet on 17 June 2021, it was agreed that all Ward Budgets would be topped up (where
needed) to £10k. It was estimated that £75k would be required for this. The actual amount
needed, taking into account new proposals received up to 24 June 2021 wa s £82k, funded from
the remaining £237k of the April 2019 Ward Budget growth award.
Ward Budget funding is to be used for proposals that make a difference in a local area and to give
residents a chance to influence how their local priorities are met. Primarily the funds are intended
for one-off expenditure on physical works, events or activities that have a positive impact within
the Ward. Proposals are to be submitted with the agreement of all relevant Ward Councillors.
A further six new proposals covering four Ward Budgets and totalling £8,997 have been received;
the details of these are set out in Appendix A of this report.
Financial
Year
Cabinet Member
approval
No. of
Propo-
sals
No. of
Wards
Total
Proposal
Value
Growth
Funding
Balance
Remainin
g
(£) (£) (£)
2011/12 Initial allocation £330,000 £330,000
2011/12 Dec - March 39 22 £68,133 £261,867
2012/13 April - March 123 22 £159,896 £101,971
2013/14 April - March 70 22 £71,310 £30,661
2014/15 Further allocation £660,000 £690,661
2014/15 April - March 54 22 £58,581 £632,080
2015/16 April - March 103 21 £196,958 £435,123
2016/17 April - March 91 20 £143,571 £291,552
2017/18 April - March 68 22 £110,758 £180,794
2018/19 April - March 47 22 £51,183 £129,611
2019/20 Further allocation £440,000 £569,611
2019/20 April - March 65 22 £88,154 £481,457
2020/21 April - March 22 22 £35,766 £445,691
2021/22 May 11 5 £24,779 £420,912
2021/22 July 7 6 £23,567 £397,345
2021/22 August 8 6 £19,950 £377,395
2021/22 October 10 8 £10,090 £367,305
2021/22 January 15 9 £21,834 £345,471
2021/22 January supplementary 9 6 £15,950 £329,521
2021/22 February 6 4 £ 8,997 £320,524
748 n/a £1,109,477 £1,430,000 £320,524
Since the commencement of the scheme in October 2011, a total of 7 48 proposals have been
received. Of these, 742 proposals have already been approved covering all 22 W ards within
Hillingdon and six new proposals are recommended within this report. The updated balance of
funds for each ward under the Ward Budget Scheme is set out in Appendix B.
Cabinet Member Report – 18 February 2022 Page 4
Part 1 – Public
Financial Implications
The aggregate growth allocation for the Ward Budget Scheme is £1,430,000. The funding for the
programme runs from 01 October 2011 onwards, based on the original £330,000 budget for the
initiative approved by Cabinet on 29 September 2011; £220,000 approved by Cabinet on 19 June
2014; £440,000 approved by Cabinet on 12 February 2015 and a further £440,000 approved by
Cabinet on 14 February 2019 (of which £203,180 – as agreed by Cabinet on 18 April 2019 – was
allocated to top each of the Ward Budget balances up to £15,000 where needed).
As referenced above, there was a further top up (where required) in June 2021 of individual Ward
Budget allocations to £10,000, utilising £82,203 of the residual April 2019 growth award.
The total allocations approved to date (up to and including those referenced in the initial and
supplementary January 2022 reports) were £1,100,479 at which stage, the unallocated balance
on the earmarked reserve available for distribution was £ 329,521. The allocation of £ 8,997
proposed within this report for February 2022 will take the total allocations approved to
£1,109,476, leaving an unallocated balance of £320,524 on the reserve available for distribution.
RESIDENT BENEFIT & CONSULTATION
The benefit or impact upon Hillingdon residents, service users and communities
Ward Budgets help Councillors to make a difference in their W ard. They address specific local
priorities by delivering proposals to benefit residents and local organisations.
Consultation carried out or required
Consultation with the lead Councillor from each Ward and officers internally has taken place,
where appropriate. Where other services are involved, such as Residents’ Associations, and
community organisations, the views of these groups have helped to shape the nature of the
proposals.
CORPORATE CONSIDERATIONS
Corporate Finance
Corporate Finance has reviewed this report and concurs with the financial implications set out
above. If the schemes set out in this report are approved, £320.5k will remain available to support
future initiatives.
Legal Implications
The Borough Solicitor confirms that the projects being funded comply with the protocol on the use
of Ward Budgets and there are no legal impediments to prevent the Cabinet Member from
authorising this expenditure.
Infrastructure / Asset Management
None at this stage.
Cabinet Member Report – 18 February 2022 Page 5
Part 1 – Public
BACKGROUND PAPERS
NIL.
Cabinet Member Report – 18 February 2022 Page 6
Part 1 – Public
APPENDIX A: DETAILS OF PROJECTS SUBMITTED FOR THE WARD BUDGET SCHEME
Ward Ref No Proposal Cost
(£)
Councillor
Approval
Received
Balance
remaining
(£)
Pinkwell WB5P07 Hayes & Harlington Community
Association kitchen redecoration
£1,400 Cllr
Lakhmana &
Cllr Morse
£1,874
Supporting Information
1. Hayes and Harlington Community Centre was originally a building
constructed in the early 1940's for the use as a canteen for the Land
Army. After the war it was taken over as a Community Centre and
remained in use until 1989 when it was demolished to make way for
a brand new purpose built Centre.
2. The centre is a base for a range of different activities for all age
groups including fitness classes, dance groups, language tuition etc
in addition to hosting meetings for Age UK, Hillingdon Carers,
Alzheimer’s UK and the Women’s Institute.
3. The Ward Budget grant will contribute towards the cost of
redecorating the kitchen within the centre following recent flood
damage.
Target Delivery Date
The grant will be paid once the proposal has been approved.
Expected Outcome
The grant will contribute towards priorities agreed by the Hillingdon
Partners Executive and in particular to ‘promote and increase residents'
involvement in sports, leisure, cultural and learning activities.’
Recipient of funding
A BACS transfer will be arranged for the recipient once the proposal has
been approved.
Cabinet Member Report – 18 February 2022 Page 7
Part 1 – Public
Ward Ref No Proposal Cost
(£)
Councillor
Approval
Received
Balance
remaining
(£)
South
Ruislip
WB5SR04 Spring and Summer planter and
hanging basked floral displays
within South Ruislip retail and
commercial areas
£4,697 Cllr Tuckwell
& Cllr
Hurhangee
£3,706
Supporting Information
1. The various floral displays within South Ruislip provide a number
of busy retail and commercial areas with bright, colourful displays.
2. Displays are in areas with a catchment of some 2,000 households
and have been much appreciated by residents and businesses.
3. In preparation for Spring and Summer seasonal displays, the ward
budget funding will be used to maintain 12 planters and 22
hanging baskets within Station Approach, Long Drive and Victoria
Road.
4. The flowers will help to lift the public spirit and promote civic pride
in an area used by a significant number of South Ruislip ward
residents.
Target Delivery Date
The planting will be coordinated directly by Green Spaces once the
proposal has been approved.
Expected Outcome
The grant will contribute towards priorities agreed by the Hillingdon
Partners Executive and in particular to ‘work together to maintain and
improve the quality of Hillingdon as a place.’
Recipient of funding
An internal transfer will be arranged once the proposal has been
approved.
Cabinet Member Report – 18 February 2022 Page 8
Part 1 – Public
Ward Ref No Proposal Cost
(£)
Councillor
Approval
Received
Balance
remaining
(£)
West
Drayton
WB5WD06 Bell Farm Christian Centre
contribution towards a Refugee
and Asylum Seekers Christmas
event
£500 Cllr
Sweeting &
Cllr Gardner
£3,815
Supporting Information
1. Bell Farm Christian Centre is a Christian Church based in the
middle of the Bell Farm Estate in West Drayton, Middlesex and
plays a pivotal role in helping the local community develop and grow
together.
2. A range of services and activities are provided for the wider
community usually used by over 3,000 people each year and
encouraging many residents and families to develop personal skills
and self-confidence
3. Bell Farm Christian Centre works with some of the most
disadvantaged and marginalised within the community including
asylum seekers and refugees. The grant will be used as a
contribution towards the cost of Christmas food and a Children’s
entertainer for a fun afternoo n attended by some 150 refuges and
asylum seekers in contact with the Centre
4. Whilst retrospective ward budget applications are not usually
eligible, in this instance with the changes in Covid -19 guidance it
was not possible to gauge exact numbers who would be able to
attend until the day itself. Under these specific circumstances the
proposal is recommended for support
Target Delivery Date
The grant will be paid once the proposal has been approved.
Expected Outcome
The grant will contribute towards priorities agreed by the Hillingdon
Partners Executive and in particular to ‘build a strong and resilient
community.’
Recipient of funding
A BACS transfer will be arranged for the recipient once the proposal
has been approved
Cabinet Member Report – 18 February 2022 Page 9
Part 1 – Public
Ward Ref No Proposal Cost
(£)
Councillor
Approval
Received
Balance
remaining
(£)
West
Drayton
WB5WD07 Bell Farm Christian Centre
contribution towards a
children's community
Christmas party
£300 Cllr
Sweeting &
Cllr Duncan
£3,515
Supporting Information
1. Bell Farm Christian Centre is long established in the community
with its Doorway Advice Centre and more recently a Foodbank.
2. The Ward Budget grant will contribute towards the cost of food
and craft activities for a Children’s Community Christmas Party.
3. The party was attended by some 50 school age children from the
local community enabling them to socialise, build self -esteem
and make friendships following the previous year’s lockdown.
4. The children were helped with craft making activities as well as
playing fun games , eating party food and a visit from Father
Christmas.
5. Whilst retrospective ward budget applications are not usually
eligible, in this instance, with the changes in Covid-19 guidance
it was not possible to gauge exact numbers who would be able
to attend until the day itself. Under these specific circumstances
the proposal is recommended for support
Target Delivery Date
The grant will be paid once the proposal has been approved.
Expected Outcome
The grant will contribute towards priorities agreed by the Hillingdon
Partners Executive and in particular to ‘build a strong and resilient
community.’
Recipient of funding
A BACS transfer will be arranged for the recipient once the
proposal has been approved
Cabinet Member Report – 18 February 2022 Page 10
Part 1 – Public
Ward Ref No Proposal Cost
(£)
Councillor
Approval
Received
Balance
remaining
(£)
West
Drayton
WB5WD08 Bell Farm Christian Centre
contribution towards a
Parent & Toddler Christmas
party
£100 Cllr
Sweeting &
Cllr Duncan
£3,415
Supporting Information
1. A toddler group and events for families and children are
amongst the community activities and support provided by the
Bell Farm Christian Centre.
2. The Ward Budget grant contributes towards the overall cost of
a Christmas party held for younger children and their carers as
part of the overall Christmas celebrations arranged by the
Centre.
3. Families from across a range of ethnic backgrounds were
invited to help encourage inclusion and break down barriers
from a yo ung age. The children were each given a gift from
father Christmas
4. Whilst retrospective ward budget applications are not usually
eligible, in this instance with the changes in Covid-19 guidance
it was not possible to gauge exact numbers who would be able
to attend until the day itself. Under these specific
circumstances the proposal is recommended for support
Target Delivery Date
The grant will be paid once the proposal has been approved.
Expected Outcome
The grant will contribute towards priorities agreed by the
Hillingdon Partners Executive and in particular to ‘build a strong
and resilient community.’
Recipient of funding
A BACS transfer will be arranged for the recipient once the
proposal has been approved
Cabinet Member Report – 18 February 2022 Page 11
Part 1 – Public
Ward Ref No Proposal Cost
(£)
Councillor
Approval
Received
Balance
remaining
(£)
West
Ruislip
WB5WR02 1st & 3rd Ruislip Scout
Group contribution towards
new perimeter fencing to
enhance security and the
exterior appearance
£2,000 Cllr Corthorne
& Cllr Riley
£6,000
Supporting Information
1. The 1st/3rd Ruislip Scout Group building is situated in the heart
of Ruislip at Woodford Hall, Poplars Grove and caters for young
people between the ages of 6 and 25 years old.
2. The current perimeter fence is ageing and there has been a
recent break-in, giving rise to security concerns.
3. A Ward Budget grant has been proposed to cover the cost of the
fencing materials and the scout group will finance the
installation.
4. The new fence will also enable new planting and landscaping to
improve the visual appearance, particularly
the frontage to the
footpath leading directly to Ruislip High Street
Target Delivery Date
The grant will be paid once the proposal has been approved.
Expected Outcome
The grant will contribute towards priorities agreed by the
Hillingdon Partners Executive and in particular to ‘promote and
increase residents' involvement in sports, leisure, cultural and
learning activities.’
Recipient of funding
A BACS transfer will be arranged for the recipient once the
proposal has been approved.
Cabinet Member Report – 18 February 2022
Part 1 – Public
APPENDIX B: WARD BUDGET SUMMARY (FEBRUARY 2022 CABINET MEMBER REPORT)
View Decision / Minutes Text
Executive Decision Notice – 28 February 2022 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 NEW ALLOCATIONS FOR THE WARD BUDGET SCHEME: FEBRUARY 2022 SUPPLEMENTARY REPORT Reference No. 407 Date of decision Monday 28 February 2022 Call-in expiry date Decision comes into immediate effect Relevant Select Committee(s) Corporate, Finance and Property Select Committee Relevant Ward(s) Pinkwell, South Ruislip, West Drayton and West Ruislip Decision made Cabinet Members making the decision Councillor Douglas Mills - Cabinet Member for Corporate Services and Transformation Approved That the Cabinet Member for Corporate Services and Transformation approved the allocation of £8,997 from the Ward Budget Scheme for the following proposals: Ward Grant Recipient Amount £ Pinkwell Hayes & Harlington Community Association kitchen redecoration 1,400 South Ruislip Spring and Summer planter and hanging basked floral displays within South Ruislip retail and commercial areas 4,697 West Drayton Bell Farm Christian Centre contribution towards a Refugee and Asylum Seekers Christmas event 500 Executive Decision Notice – 28 February 2022 Page 2 This notice is a public document also available to view on the Council's website www.hillingdon.gov.uk West Drayton Bell Farm Christian Centre contribution towards a children's community Christmas party 300 West Drayton Bell Farm Christian Centre contribution towards a Parent & Toddler Christmas party 100 West Ruislip 1st & 3rd Ruislip Scout Group contribution towards new perimeter fencing to enhance security and the exterior appearance 2,000 TOTAL £8,997 Reason for decision Each of the proposals submitted complie d with the protocol on the use of Ward Budgets. All Ward Councillors were made aware of the proposals within the report and, there were no objections received. Alternative options considered and rejected There were none. Classification Part 1 - Public Link to associated report Report Relevant Officer contact & Directorate Helena Webster, Place Directorate Any interest declared by the Cabinet Member(s) / dispensation granted N/A Implementation of decision & scrutiny call-in [Internal Use only] When can this decision be implemented by officers? Officers can implement Cabinet Member decision in this notice only from the expiry of the scrutiny call-in period which is: Decision comes into immediate effect 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. Executive Decision Notice – 28 February 2022 Page 3 This notice is a public document also available to view on the Council's website www.hillingdon.gov.uk 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