Hillingdon Council Cabinet Member and Officer Decisions
Green Spaces – Housing Revenue Account Works to Stock 2022/23 Programme: Playground Refurbishment Workstream: Wylchin Close Children’s Playground Safety Compliance Works - RELEASE NO: 18
Report Document
Can't see the PDF? Download Report
Decision / Minutes Document
Can't see the PDF? Download Minutes
Text extracted from PDFs
View Report Text
Democratic Services
Location: Phase II
Ext: 7655
DDI: 01895 277655
CMD No: 565
To: COUNCILLOR MARTIN GODDARD
CABINET MEMBER FOR FINANCE
COUNCILLOR EDDIE LAVERY
CABINET MEMBER FOR RESIDENTS SERVICES
c.c. All Councillors
c.c. All Members of th e Residents Services Select
Committee
c.c. Jamie Bell, Place Directorate
c.c. Perry Scott, Corporate Director of Place
Date: 5 August 2022
Non-Key Decision request Form D
CAPITAL RELEASE REPORT (July 2022)
DEPARTMENT: Environment and Leisure
SERVICE AREA / PROGRAMME: Green Spaces – Housing Revenue Account Works to
Stock 2022/23 Programme: Playground Refurbishment Workstream: Wylchin Close
Children’s Playground Safety Compliance Works.
RELEASE NO: 18
Dear Cabinet Members
Attached is a repor t 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 15 August 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.
Anisha Teji
Democratic Services Officer
Title of Report: Green Spaces – Housing Revenue Account Works to Stock 2022/23
Programme: Playground Refurbishment Workstream: Wylchin Close Children’s Playground
Safety Compliance Works. RELEASE NO: 18
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 Residents Services
Capital Member Report - 5 August 2022
Part 1 Public
CAPITAL RELEASE REPORT (July 2022)
DEPARTMENT: Environment and Leisure
SERVICE AREA / PROGRAMME: Green Spaces – Housing Revenue Account Works to
Stock 2022/23 Programme: Playground Refurbishment Workstream: Wylchin Close
Children’s Playground Safety Compliance Works.
RELEASE NO: 18
Cabinet Members Councillor Martin Goddard
Councillor Eddie Lavery
Cabinet Portfolios Cabinet Member for Finance
Cabinet Member for Residents Services
Officer Contact Jamie Bell, Place Directorate
Papers with report Appendix A with capital release requests for approval
HEADLINES
Summary
To seek Cabinet Member approval for the release of capital funds
to carry out re-surfacing works to Wylchin Close Playground to meet
compliance. The Current surfacing under the equipment does not
meet Safety Standards and has failed safety inspections.
Putting our
Residents First
This report supports the Council objective of strong financial
management.
Financial Cost This report seeks the release of £31k from the Playground
Refurbishment Workstream within the Housing Revenue Account
Works to Stock Programme 2022/23 capital budget for the safety
compliance works at Wylchin Close children’s playground. The
works will com
mence upon release of the funds and are due for
completion by August 2022
Relevant Select
Committee
Residents Services Select Committee
Ward(s) affected Northwood Hills
RECOMMENDATIONS
That the Cabinet Member for Finance and the Cabinet Member for Resident Services agree
to the following capital release requests of £31k from the Playground Refurbishment
Capital Member Report - 5 August 2022
Part 1 Public
Workstream within the Housing Revenue Account Works to Stock Programme 2022/23
capital budget for Wylchin Close Playground Safety Compliance works. (Appendix A)
Reasons for recommendation
The replacement of this playground's safety surface is necessary due to it now reaching the end
of its economical life. This has been identified by the safety inspections undertaken by RoSPA
qualified Inspectors and engineers from our insurance company Zurich. This approach is
supported by local residents and families using the site. This has also been identified by Ward
Councillors who have submitted a Members Enquiry relating to its condition.
Alternative options considered
The Cabinet Members could decide not to accept the recommendations. This would mean that
the replacement of the Safety Surface would not be undertaken, risking this playground being
closed due it not meeting compliance and no longer being in a safe condition.
Select Committee comments
None at this stage
SUPPORTING INFORMATION
The Report is seeking the release of funds to remove existing surfacing and replace the safety
surface from under the play equipment at Wylchin Close in Northwood Hills, to comply with Safety
Standards. This piece of work will be carried out the Council’s approved contracted supplier,
HAGS who carry out all inspection and maintenance across all Parks and Housing Playgrounds,
Gyms, Skate Parks, and Ball Courts within the Borough.
Table 1: Cost Plan Wylchin Close Safety Compliance Works
Project / Programme Cost plan Amount £
Works 27,929
Internal fees 10% 2,793
Total 30,722
Financial Implications
Budget £270k, Previously Released / Pending Release £Nil, Capital Release Requested
£31k.
The 2022/23 HRA Capital Programme approved by Cabinet and Council in February 2022,
includes a capital budget for the Works to Stock programme of £20,023k. In July 2022, Cabinet
approved the rephasing of £7,575k from the 2021/22 HRA Capital Programme, of which, £7,058k
has been rephased into the 2022/23 Programme and £517k rephased into 2023/24 Programme.
This gives a revised capital budget for the Works to Stock 2022/23 Programme of £31,241k.
Within this, the Playground Refurbishment workstream budget is £270k.
This report is seeking the release of £31k for the replacement of the safety surface under the play
equipment at Wylchin Close in Northwood Hills to comply with safety standards. The release
Capital Member Report - 5 August 2022
Part 1 Public
request is based on the quoted costs received from the Coun cil’s approved contracted supplier,
HAGS who carry out all inspection and maintenance across the green spaces within the borough
and includes internal fees of 10% of the quoted costs.
The remaining £239k for the Playground Refurbishment workstream will be subject to the capital
release procedure.
RESIDENT BENEFIT & CONSULTATION
The benefit or impact upon residents, service users and communities?
The Council and its partners are committed to making the Borough a cleaner, greener and safer
environment. The recommendations within this report will ensure that the identified works to this
playground can progress to create a safer and fun play experience for local children as well as a
meeting/social space for parents and carers of young children to enjoy.
Consultation carried out or required
None.
CORPORATE CONSIDERATIONS
Corporate Finance
Corporate Finance has reviewed the report and concurs with the financial implications set out
above, noting that the recommended action to agree a release of £31k for the replacement of the
safety surface under the play equipment at Wylchin Close in Northwood Hills to comply with safety
standards will be funded from the approved 2022/23 Property of Works Programme capital
budget.
.
Legal
Legal Services confirms that the Council is responsible for carrying out this function pursuant to
Section 12 of the Housing Act 1985. Thus, there are no legal impediments to the capital release
being authorised, although any contract that is entered into must comply with the Council's
Procurement and Contract Standing Orders.
Infrastructure / Asset Management
There are no Infrastructure / Asset Management implications arising from this report
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. No expenditure can be placed or committed by officers until this
formal approval is given by Democratic Services. Release of funds must be for identified projects
Capital Member Report - 5 August 2022
Part 1 Public
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 approved budget.
BACKGROUND PAPERS
NIL
Capital Member Report - 5 August 2022
Part 1 Public
APPENDIX A
Housing Revenue Account Works to Stock Programme 2022/23: Playground
Refurbishment workstream – Wylchin Close Children’s Playground Safety
Compliance Works. Release No18
Location
Project /
Expenditur
e Title
Information
Funds
Release
Sought
£000’s
Approve Hold
More
Information
Required
Wylchin
Close
Children’s
Playground
Northwood
Hills
Safety
Compliance
Works
Replacement of the
safety surface under the
play equipment to meet
safety standards
31
Total seeking release 31
Previously released 0
Budget 270
Remaining budget 239
View Decision / Minutes Text
Executive Decision Notice – 17 August 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 CAPITAL RELEASE REPORT (July 2022) DEPARTMENT: Environment and Leisure SERVICE AREA / PROGRAMME: Green Spaces – Housing Revenue Account Works to Stock 2022/23 Programme: Playground Refurbishment Workstream: Wylchin Close Children’s Playground Safety Compliance Works. RELEASE NO: 18 Reference No. 565 Date of decision Wednesday 17 August 2022 Call-in expiry date 5pm, Wednesday 24 August 2022 Relevant Select Committee Residents Services Select Committee Relevant Wards Northwood Hills Decision made Cabinet Members making the decision Councillor Martin Goddard – Cabinet Member for Finance Councillor Eddie Lavery – Cabinet Member for Residents’ Services Approved That the Cabinet Member for Finance and the Cabinet Member for Resident Services agree to the following capital release requests of £31k from the Playground Refurbishment Workstream within the Housing Revenue Account Works to Stock Programme 2022/23 capital budget for Wylchin Close Playground Safety Compliance works. (Appendix A) Reason for decision The replacement of this playground's safety surface is necessary due to it now reaching the end of its economical life. This has been identified by the safety inspections undertaken by RoSPA qualified Inspectors and engineers from our insurance company Zurich. This approach is supported by local residents and families using the site. This has also been identified by Ward Councillors who have submitted a Members Enquiry relating to its condition. Executive Decision Notice – 17 August 2022 Page 2 This notice is a public document also available to view on the Council's website www.hillingdon.gov.uk Alternative options considered and rejected The Cabinet Members could decide not to accept the recommendations. This would mean that the replacement of the Safety Surface would not be undertaken, risking this playground being closed due it not meeting compliance and no longer being in a safe condition. Classification Part 1 - Public Link to associated report Link to report – here. Relevant Officer contact & Directorate Jamie Bell, 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: 5pm, Wednesday 24 August 2022 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. Executive Decision Notice – 17 August 2022 Page 3 This notice is a public document also available to view on the Council's website www.hillingdon.gov.uk 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