Hillingdon Council Cabinet Member and Officer Decisions
Town Centre & Shopping Parades initiative 2022-23 - RELEASE NO: 1
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Democratic Services
Location: Phase II
Ext: 0420
DDI: 01895 250420
CMD No: 589
To: COUNCILLOR MARTIN GODDARD
CABINET MEMBER FOR FINANCE
COUNCILLOR EDDIE LAVERY
CABINET MEMBER FOR RESIDENTS’ SERVICES
c.c. All Members of th e Residents’ Services Select
Committee
c.c. Helena Webster, Place Directorate
c.c. Perry Scott, Corporate Director of Place
c.c. Ward Councillors for Belmore
Date: 13 September 2022
Non-Key Decision request Form D
CAPITAL RELEASE REPORT (SEPTEMBER 2022)
DEPARTMENT: PLACE DIRECTORATE
SERVICE AREA / PROGRAMME: Town Centre & Shopping Parades
initiative 2022-23
RELEASE NO: 1
Dear Cabinet Members
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 Informati on) (England)
Regulations 2012 notice period does not apply.
You should take a decision on or after Wednesday 21 September 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.
James Jones
Democratic Services
Title of Report: Town Centre & Shopping Parades initiative 2022-23 - RELEASE NO: 1
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 Release Report – 13/09/2022 Page 1
Part 1 - Public
Cabinet Members Councillor Martin Goddard
Councillor Eddie Lavery
Cabinet Portfolios Cabinet Member for Finance
Cabinet Member for Residents' Services
Officer Contact Helena Webster, 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.
Putting our
Residents First
This report supports the Council objective of strong financial
management.
Financial Cost This report seeks the release of £84k from the 2022-23 Town Centre
& Shopping Parades Initiative for the irrigation upgrade and
landscape enhancements along the Hayes Parades . The project
manager is Helena Webster . The works will commence upon
release of the funds and are due for completion by March 2023.
Relevant Select
Committee
Residents' Services Select Committee
Ward affected Belmore
RECOMMENDATION
That the Cabinet Member for Financ e and the Cabinet Member for Residents’ Services
agree to the following capital release requests of £84 k from the Town Centre & Shopping
Parades Initiative programme budget f or the funding of the irrigation upgra de and
landscape enhancements along the Hayes Parades, Uxbridge Road (Appendix A).
Reasons for recommendation
Studies show that a barrier created from street trees, along with lower -level planting, can
significantly reduce the levels of pollutants from the atmosphere including ozone, nitrogen dioxide
CAPITAL RELEASE REPORT (SEPTEMBER 2022)
DEPARTMENT: PLACE DIRECTORATE
SERVICE AREA / PROGRAMME: Town Centre & Shopping Parades initiative 2022-23
RELEASE NO: 1
Capital Release Report – 13/09/2022 Page 1
Part 1 - Public
and particulates. Different species of tree have different net effects on air quality. The proposed
landscaping enhancements will contribute toward improved health benefits for people who live,
work and shop along this stretch of the busy A4020 Uxbridge Road. The upgrade of the irrigation
system will ensure that the new landscaping and trees continue to thrive even during extreme
weather conditions.
The project will be contributing towards the Council’s vision to become the greenest London
borough, to protect and enhance the environment, and to provide a brighter prospect for future
generations.
Alternative options considered
Topological surveys were undertaken to determine whether street trees could be planted directly
within the footway along the Hayes Parades, Uxbridge Road. However, the extent of underground
utility services meant that this was not possible. This is why the trees will be planted in existing
containers to be served by the recommended upgraded irrigation system.
Select Committee comments
None at this stage
SUPPORTING INFORMATION
Hillingdon Council’s Strategic Climate Action Plan adopted in July 2021 provides the framework
for how the Council intends to rise to the challenge of being carbon neutral by 2030 and includes
the commitment to support urban greening initiatives and the planting of new trees across the
Borough.
Trees and other vegetation planted in the right places can help improve urban air quality on a
local scale by forming a barrier between people and pollutants. They also remove some
particulate pollution from the air by catching the tiny particles on their leaf surfaces.
The greening of the Hayes Parades, Uxbridge Road focuses on the area from outside Lidl (t he
Warren) 482 Uxbridge Road to Warley Road encompassing Belmore Parade and includes:
• 21 Ground level planting beds to include 200 2-litre plant species and a mulch layer;
• 19 Rectangular trough style planters to be planted with 124 2-litre stipa grasses, and;
• 28 Large ceramic tree planters to be planted with a mix of seven Scots Pine and 21 Silver
Birch trees. 28 trees in total, which are good natural purifiers as well as a mix of lower-level
planting (Liriope/Geranium/Alchemilla 2-litre plants) 12-16 around each tree.
All species have been selected in close collaboration with Green Spaces to achieve a climate
resilient planting scheme which involves the introduction of new hardy planting designed to cater
for the current climate change context.
The upgraded irrigation system includes the very latest in pressure flow control technology
including a compact and maintenance free pum p. The cost plan includes training for Green
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Spaces operatives on completion of installation to enable them to undertake maintenance
schedules in-house, when required, to sustain all planting going forward.
The air quality benefits derived from this greening , in particular the tree species mean that this
element can be funded from section 106 air quality contributions which will be subject to a
separate approval and allocation report.
Greening Uxbridge Road Hayes A4020 (Belmore Parade) Programme Cost
plan
£'000
Upgrade to irrigating system to support planted areas and planters and robust
housing pump
13
Ground level beds, rectangular trough planters and ceramic planters supply of all
planting
57
Sub-total
70
10% Highways and Green Spaces fees 7
10% Project Contingency 7
Total 84
In-line with the total value of this supply, acceptance of the quotation for the landscaping and
irrigation works will be subject to the Expenditure Approval process in line with Council Standing
Orders.
Financial Implications
Shopping Parades Initiatives Budget (including prior years) £2,911k, Previously Released
£900k, Capital Release Requested £84k – Appendix A.
The approved capital programme includes a revised budget of £2,911k for Shopping Parades
Initiatives, including £900k that has previously been released for schemes in prior years. The
budget is financed mainly from Council resources and also shopkeepers ’ contributions towards
the shop front grant element of the programme.
This report seeks release of £84k funding from the Shopping Parades Initiatives programme
towards the greening and irrigation works at Hayes Parades outlined above, including internal
fees and contingency. Within this, £33k of the project costs relating to tree planting contribution
to pollution reduction are able to be financed from Section 106 balances, reducing the call on
Council resources. The allocation of s 106 monies will be subject to formal allocation and
approval.
The cost estimate is based on a quote which will be approved via the Expenditure Approval Form
process. This is a single action tender in order to use the same contractor that originally installed
the planters and to upgrade the existing irrigation system.
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RESIDENT BENEFIT & CONSULTATION
The benefit or impact upon residents, service users and communities?
The recommendation presents a long-term solution for greening this busy stretch of the Uxbridge
Road creating a sustainable green barrier between pedestrians and the heavy traffic. The benefits
to residents and business owners include:
• Making this stretch of the busy Uxbridge Road more attractive for walking and cycling;
• Improving the look and feel of this local shopping parade;
• Reducing the risk of flooding; and
• Improving air quality.
Consultation carried out or required
The irrigation upgrade and landscape enhancements along the Hayes Parades have the full
support of the Belmore Ward Councillors. The recommended improvements will support wider
multi-service consolidated action, under the Director of Community Safety and Enfor cement to
address much wider anti-social behaviour a long the Hayes Parades , and in particular Belmore
Parade.
CORPORATE CONSIDERATIONS
Corporate Finance
Corporate Finance concurs with the financial implications above, noting that the proposed works
will partly be funded from Section 106 balances, reducing the call on Council resources.
Legal
The Borough Solicitor confirms that the Council is responsible for carrying out this function
pursuant to Section 235 of the Town & Country Planning Act 1990. 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.
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
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.
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BACKGROUND PAPERS
NIL
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APPENDIX A
Town Centre & Shopping Parades Initiative 2020-27
Location
Project /
Expenditure
Title
Information
Funds
Release
Sought
£000’s
Approve Hold
More
Information
Required
Belmore
Hayes
Parades,
Uxbridge
Road
Irrigation upgrade and
landscaping
enhancements
84
Total seeking release 84
Previously released 900
Budget 2,911
Remaining budget 1,927
View Decision / Minutes Text
Executive Decision Notice – 14 October 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 (SEPTEMBER 2022) DEPARTMENT: PLACE DIRECTORATE SERVICE AREA / PROGRAMME: Town Centre & Shopping Parades initiative 2022-23 RELEASE NO: 1 Reference No. 589 Date of decision Friday 14 October 2022 Call-in expiry date 5pm, Friday 21 October 2022 Relevant Select Committee Residents’ Services Select Committee. Relevant Wards Belmore Decision made Cabinet Members making the decision Councillor Eddie Lavery – Cabinet Member for Residents’ Services Councillor Martin Goddard – Cabinet Member for Finance Approved That the Cabinet Member for Finance and the Cabinet Member for Residents’ Services agreed to t he following capital release requests of £84k from the Town Centre & Shopping Parades Initiative programme budget for the funding of the irrigation upgrade and landscape enhancements along the Hayes Parades, Uxbridge Road (Appendix A). Reason for decision Studies showed that a barrier created from street trees, along with lower-level planting, can significantly reduce the levels of pollutants from the atmosphere including ozone, nitrogen dioxide and particulates. Different species of tree have different net effects on air quality. The proposed landscaping enhancements will contribute toward improved health benefits for people who live, work and shop along this stretch of the busy A4020 Uxbridge Road. The upgrade of the irrigation system will ensure that the new landscaping and trees continue to thrive even during extreme weather conditions. The project will be contributing towards the Council’s vision to become the greenest London borough, to protect and enhance Executive Decision Notice – 14 October 2022 Page 2 This notice is a public document also available to view on the Council's website www.hillingdon.gov.uk the environment, and to provide a brighter prospect for future generations. Alternative options considered and rejected Topological surveys were undertaken to determine whether street trees could be planted directly within the footway along the Hayes Parades, Uxbridge R oad. H owever, the extent of underground utility services meant that this was not possible. This is why the trees will be planted in existing containers to be served by the recommended upgraded irrigation system. Classification Part I - Public Link to associated report Here 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: 5pm, Friday 21 October 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 – 14 October 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