Hillingdon Council Cabinet Member and Officer Decisions
Housing Revenue Account Works to Stock Programme 2024/25: Playground Refurbishment Workstream – The Brambles and Croyde Avenue Children’s Playground Safety Compliance Works. Release No. 24
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Democratic Services Location: Phase II Ext: 0833 DDI: 01895 25 0833 CMD No: 1209 To: COUNCILLOR MARTIN GODDARD CABINET MEMBER FOR FINANCE CO UNCILLOR EDDIE LAVERY CABINET MEMBER FOR RESIDENTS' SERVICES c.c. All Members of th e Residents’ Services Select Committee c.c. Jamie Bell – Place Directorate c.c. Karrie Whelan – Corporate Director of Place c.c. Ward Councillors for West Drayton and Pinkwell Date: 22 August 2024 Non-Key Decision request Form D CAPITAL RELEASE REPORT (July/ 2024/25) DEPARTMENT: Place SERVICE AREA / PROGRAMME: Housing Revenue Account Works to Stock - Playground Refurbishment Workstream – The Brambles and Croyde Avenue Children’s Playground Safety Compliance Works. RELEASE NO: 24 D ear Cabinet Members, A ttached 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. Y ou should take a decision on or after Monday 2 September 2024 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. R ebecca Reid Democratic Services Apprentice Title of Report: CAPITAL RELEASE REPORT (July/ 2024/25) DEPARTMENT: Place SERVICE AREA / PROGRAMME: Housing Revenue Account Works to Stock - Playground Refurbishment Workstream – The Brambles and Croyde Avenue Children’s Playground Safety Compliance Works. RELEASE NO: 24 D ecision made: Reasons for your decision: (e.g. as stated in report) Alternatives considered and rejected: (e.g. as stated in report) S igned ……………………………………………………… Date…………………….. C abinet Member for Finance / Cabinet Member for Residents' Services Page 1 Capital Release Report – 22 August 2024 Part I – Public CAPITAL RELEASE REPORT (July/ 2024/25) DEPARTMENT: Place SERVICE AREA / PROGRAMME: Housing Revenue Account Works to Stock - Playground Refurbishment Workstream – The Brambles and Croyde Avenue Children’s Playground Safety Compliance Works. RELEASE NO: 24 Cabinet Members Councillor Martin Goddard Councillor Eddie Lavery Cabinet Portfolios Cabinet Member for Finance Cabinet Member for Residents’ Services Officer Contact Jamie Bell – Green Spaces Papers with report Appendix A with capital release requests for approval Appendix B with Playground Designs HEADLINES Summary To seek Cabinet Member approval for the release of capital funds to carry out refurbishment works to The Brambles Ball Court and Croyde Avenue Playground. The current Ball Court & Playground are now beyond economical repair; many pieces of equipment no longer meet safety standards and require replacing. Putting our Residents First D elivering on the Council Strategy 2022-2026 This report supports our ambition for residents/ the Council of: Enjoy access to green spaces, leisure activities, culture and arts T his report supports our commitments to residents of: A Green and Sustainable Borough Financial Cost This report seeks the release of £ 200k from the 20 24/25 Housing Revenue Account Works to Stock capital budget for the refurbishment works to The Brambles Ball Court and Croyde Avenue Playground. The current state of the Playground no longer meets safety standards. The works will commence upon release of the funds and are due for completion by October 2024 Relevant Select Committee Residents’ Services Select Committee. Relevant Wards West Drayton and Pinkwell. Page 2 Capital Release Report – 22 August 2024 Part I – Public RECOMMENDATION That the Cabinet Member for Finance and the Cabinet Member for Residents’ Services agree to the following capital release requests of £ 200k from the Playground Refurbishment Workstream within the Housing Revenue Account Works to Stock Programme 2024/25 capital budget for the Refurbishment of The Brambles Ball Court and Croyde Avenue Childrens Playground. Reasons for recommendation T he refurbishment of the Ball Court and playground is necessary due to both now reaching the end of their economic 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 sites. The Brambles Ball court has also been identified by Ward Councillors as requiring refurbishment and in turn have submitted Members Enquiries relating to its condition. This funding release is part of the Council’s Playground refurbishment programme approved by Cabinet in November 2022 with a contract award to Kompan Ltd for the provision of the design, replacement, and installation of playground equipment over a 4-year period. A lternative options considered The Cabinet Members could decide not to accept the recommendations. This would mean that the refurbishment of these two sites would not be undertaken, risking the playground and ball court being closed due to them not meeting compliance and no longer being in a safe condition. S elect Committee comments N one at this stage. SUPPORTING INFORMATION The Report is seeking the release of funds to remove existing equipment, surfacing, and fencing and replace with new at The Brambles Ball Court, West Drayton and Croyde Avenue Playground, Hayes to comply with Safety Standards. This work will be carried out by the Council’s approved contracted supplier, Kompan, who were awarded the tender for playground refurbishments across all Parks and Housing Playgrounds, within the Borough. T able 1: Project / Programme Cost plan £ Brambles Ball Court 100,427.26 Croyde Avenue Playground 80,154.06 External fees 0 Internal fees 9,029.07 Planning & Building Control fees 0 Furniture & equipment 0 Project Contingency 10,000.00 Page 3 Capital Release Report – 22 August 2024 Part I – Public Total £199,610.39 F inancial Implications B udget £219k, Previously Released £Nil, Capital Release Requested £200k - Appendix A T he 2024/25 HRA Capital Programme, approved by Cabinet and Council in February 2024, includes a capital budget for the Works to Stock programme £26,767k. Within this, the Playground Replacement Programme workstream budget is £219k. T he Report is seeking the release of funds to remove existing equipment, surfacing and fencing, and replace with new at The Brambles Ball Court, West Drayton and Croyde Avenue Playground, Hayes to comply with Safety Standards. This work will be carried out by the Council’s approved contracted supplier, Kompan, who were awarded the tender for playground refurbishments across all Parks and Housing Playgrounds, within the Borough. The remaining £19k for the Playground Replacement Programme workstream budget will be subject to the capital release procedure. RESIDENT BENEFIT & CONSULTATION T he benefit or impact upon residents, service users and communities T he 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 these play areas 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 N o consultation has been carried out; the identified play areas are existing sites that have reached their end of life and require refurbishment. CORPORATE CONSIDERATIONS C orporate Finance C orporate Finance has reviewed the report and concurs with the financial implications set out above, noting that the recommended action to agree a release of £200 k to remove existing equipment, surfacing, and fencing, and replace with new at The Brambles Ball Court, West Drayton and Croyde Avenue Playground, Hayes to comply with Safety Standards. Le gal T he Borough Solicitor 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 Page 4 Capital Release Report – 22 August 2024 Part I – Public contract that is entered into must comply with the Council's Procurement and Contract Standing Orders. I nfrastructure/ Asset Management There are no Infrastructure/ Asset Management implications arising from this report. C apital Release Protocol T he 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 t o 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. Page 5 Capital Release Report – 22 August 2024 Part I – Public APPENDIX A Housing Revenue Account Works to Stock - Playground Refurbishment Workstream – The Brambles and Croyde Avenue Children’s Playground Safety Compliance Works. RELEASE NO: 24 Loc ation Project/ Expenditur e Title Information Funds Release Sought £000’s Approve Hold More Information Required The Brambles Ball Court, West Drayton and Croyde Avenue, Hayes Playground Replaceme nt Programme To remove existing equipment, surfacing, and to replace with new 200 Total seeking release 200 Previously released 0 Budget 219 Remaining budget 19 Page 6 Capital Release Report – 22 August 2024 Part I – Public APPENDIX B T he Brambles Ball Court Design Page 7 Capital Release Report – 22 August 2024 Part I – Public Croyde Avenue Playground Design
View Decision / Minutes Text
Executive Decision Notice – 03 September 2024
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/ 2024/25)
DEPARTMENT: Place
SERVICE AREA / PROGRAMME: Housing Revenue
Account Works to Stock – Playground
Refurbishment Workstream – The Brambles and
Croyde Avenue Children’s Playground Safety
Compliance
Works. RELEASE NO: 24
Reference No. 1209
Date of decision Tuesday 03 September 2024
Call-in expiry date Tuesday 10 September 2024
Relevant Select
Committee
Residents’ Services Select Committee
Relevant Wards West Drayton and Pinkwell
Decision made
Cabinet Members
making the decision
Councillor Martin Goddard – Cabinet Member for Finance
Councillor Eddie Lavery – Cabinet Member for R esidents’
Services
Decision Approved
That the Cabinet Member for Finance and the Cabinet
Member for Residents’ Services agreed to the following
capital release requests of £200k from the Playground
Refurbishment Workstream within the Housing Revenue
Account Works to Stock Programme 2024/25 capital budget
for the Refurbishment of The Brambles Ball Court and
Croyde Avenue Childrens Playground.
Reason for decision The refurbishment of the Ball Court and playground is necessary
due to both now reaching the end of their economic 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 sites. The Brambles Ball court has also been
identified by Ward Councillors as requiring refurbishment and in
turn have submitted Members Enquiries relating to its condition.
This funding release is part of the Council’s Playground
refurbishment programme approved by Cabinet in November
Executive Decision Notice – 03 September 2024
This notice is a public document also available to view on the Council's website www.hillingdon.gov.uk
2022 with a contract award to Kompan Ltd for the provision of
the design, replacement, and installation of playground
equipment over a 4-year period.
Alternative options
considered and
rejected
The Cabinet Members could decide not to accept the
recommendations. This would mean that the refurbishment of
these two sites would not be undertaken, risking the playground
and ball court being closed due to them not meeting compliance
and no longer being in a safe condition.
Classification Part I – Public
Link to associated
report
Here
Relevant Officer
contact & Directorate
Jamie Bell – Green Spaces
Any interest declared
by the Cabinet
Member(s) /
dispensation granted
N/A
Implementation of decision & scrutiny call-in
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officers?
Officers can implement Cabinet Member decision in this notice only
from the expiry of the scrutiny call-in period which is:
5pm on Tuesday 10 September 2024
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
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Executive Decision Notice – 03 September 2024
This notice is a public document also available to view on the Council's website www.hillingdon.gov.uk
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.
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