Hillingdon Council Cabinet Member and Officer Decisions
Chrysalis Programme 2024/25 - Capital Release Report (Release No 4)
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Democratic Services Location: Phase II Ext: 0692 DDI: 01895 250692 CMD No: 1342 To: COUNCILLOR EDDIE LAVERY CABINET MEMBER FOR COMMUNITY & ENVIRONMENT COUNCILLOR MARTIN GODDARD CABINET MEMBER FOR FINANCE & TRANSFORMATION c.c. All Members of th e Residents’ Services Select Committee c.c. Neil O’Connor – Place Directorate c.c. Karrie Whelan – Corporate Director of Place c.c. Ward Councillors for Uxbridge, Ruislip, Eastcote Date: 18 February 2025 Non-Key Decision request Form D Capital Release Report (February 2025) DEPARTMENT: RESIDENTS’ SERVICES SERVICE AREA / PROGRAMME: CHRYSALIS PROGRAMME 2024/25 RELEASE NO: 4 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 Information) (England) Regulations 2012 notice period does not apply. You should take a decision on or after Wednesday 26 February 2025 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. Ryan Dell Democratic Services Title of Report: Chrysalis Programme 2024/25. Release No: 4 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 f or Community & Environment / Cabinet Member for Finance & Transformation Cabinet Member Report – 18 February 2025 Page 1 Part I – Public Capital Release Report (February 2025) DEPARTMENT: RESIDENTS’ SERVICES SERVICE AREA / PROGRAMME: CHRYSALIS PROGRAMME 2024/25 RELEASE NO: 4 Cabinet Member & Portfolio Councillor Eddie Lavery – Cabinet Member for Community & Environment Councillor Martin Goddard – Cabinet Member for Finance & Transformation Responsible Officer Karrie Whelan – Corporate Director of Place Report Author & Directorate Neil O’Connor – Place Directorate Papers with report Appendix A with capital release requests for approval HEADLINES Summary To seek Cabinet Member approval for the allocation and release of capital funds for four projects outlined within this report through the Chrysalis Programme 2024/25. Putting our Residents First Delivering on the Council Strategy 2022-2026 This report supports our ambition for residents / the Council to: Enjoy access to green spaces, leisure activities, culture and arts This report supports our commitments to residents of: A Green and Sustainable Borough Financial Cost This report seeks the allocation and release of £184k from the Chrysalis Programme 2024/25 budget. The works will commence upon release of the funds and are due for completion by the end of March 2025. Select Committee Residents’ Services Select Committee. Wards Uxbridge, Ruislip, Eastcote. RECOMMENDATIONS That the Cabinet Member for Finance & Transformation, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Community & Environment: 1. Approve the four new projects detailed within the body of this report as part of the asset enhancement programme for 2024/25 and the total allocation of £184k Chrysalis funding for this; and Cabinet Member Report – 18 February 2025 Page 2 Part I – Public 2. Agree to the capital release request of £184k from the 2024/25 Chrysalis Programme budget to fund the four projects detailed within the body of the report (Appendix A). Reasons for recommendations Hillingdon Council is striving to be the greenest London Borough, to protect and enhance the environment, and to provide a brighter prospect for future generations. Chrysalis, the Council’s asset enhancement initiative, funds projects ranging in scale from £5,000 to £100,000 for local initiatives that matter to residents. Residents are encouraged to make suggestions for Chrysalis funding as the most effective way for local people to identify environmental and community safety projects and demonstrating how all residents can play an active part in decisions, making them proud to live in Hillingdon. In January 2024, the Cabinet Member for Community & Environment reviewed all applications for Chrysalis funding received from residents, community groups and Ward Councillors and informally agreed p rojects that would greatly improve community assets and resources across the Borough. Alternative options considered The Cabinet Members could decide not to accept the recommendations and therefore either some or none of the seven new projects would be able to proceed. Improvements which have been requested by residents and Ward Councillors cannot then be realised. If the release of capital funds is not approved, the Chrysalis 2024/25 programme cannot be effectively and efficiently progressed as planned and the Chrysalis contribution towards delivery of the Council Strategy 2022 - 2026 may not be achieved. Select Committee comments None at this stage. SUPPORTING INFORMATION Fassnidge Park Outdoor Gym Refurbishment Fassnidge Park was originally a memorial park , which Kate Fassnidge created for her late husband in the gardens of their Uxbridge home. In the 1920s, she handed it over to the then Uxbridge District Council. The park incorporates a bandstand, bowls green, outdoor gym, playground, skate park, splash pad, tennis courts, ball courts and café. There is also a circular path and CCTV. The outdoor gym was installed in 2012 as part of the London Olympics. After 12 years of use, the outdoor gym is worn, damaged, and no longer fit for purpose. The proposal is to completely refurbish the space, to create a modern, more robust outdoor gym, better fitting for its location. The cost plan has been calculated by obtaining competitive quotes: Item Cost (£) Outdoor gym refurbishment 95,000 Fees 5% 4,750 Total £99,750 Cabinet Member Report – 18 February 2025 Page 3 Part I – Public Fassnidge Park Ball Courts Refurbishment of Courts and Installation of Table Tennis Tables One of the many facilities within Fassnidge Park is the ball courts, these being next to a line of mature trees. The roots of the trees have started to push through the surface of the ball courts, and the markings have long since faded away. The proposal is to refurbish the ball courts, and make them safe for its users, including redesigning the goal posts in the first court , and by installing table tennis tables in the second court. Not only will these works make the area safer for those using them, but it will also increase the number of facilities within the park, offering more choice and ways to participate in sports and physical fitness. The cost plan has been calculated using term contractor rates and by obtaining competitive quotes. Item Cost (£) Court refurbishment 16,685 Purchase and installation of table tennis tables 4,850 Contingency 10% 2,154 Fees at 10% 2,154 Total £25,843 Churchfield Gardens Facilities Improvements The park now known as Churchfield Gardens was transferred to the then Ruislip-Northwood Urban District Council in 1927. The land was preserved for use as a public garden open space, recreation, or pleasure ground. Today, Churchfield Gardens is a vibrant, welcoming park adjacent to Ruislip High Street. The park incorporates a flower planter and beds, tennis courts, a children’s playground, an outdoor gym , and a circular footpath. The circular footpath, tennis courts and flower planters and beds are showing signs of wear and tear, in some cases making accessibility and use of the facilities difficult. The proposal is to refurbish the tennis court s, to replace the planter with a more robust planter and seat combination, and to resurface the footpaths. These works will not only improve the overall aesthetics of the site but will also create a safer and more welcoming environment, encouraging more people to use the facilities, such as the tennis courts. The cost plan has been calculated using term contractor rates. Item Cost (£) Site facility improvements 36,000 Contingency 3,600 Fees at 10% 3,600 Total £43,200 Bessingby Park Complex infrastructure refurbishment Bessingby Park Complex is made up of three adjoining green spaces: Bessingby Park, Pine Gardens and Cavendish Park. The parks feature numerous sports facilities , including tennis courts, football pitches, bowls greens and a grass cricket square. Those with children can enjoy two playgrounds, it is popular with dog walkers and is also a popular cut-through. There is an Cabinet Member Report – 18 February 2025 Page 4 Part I – Public ornate fence running parallel along the main entrance, and, within the entrance, boot scrapers and metal and wooden posts to assist in keeping the site clean and secure . The fence and the posts are looking worn, with the wooden posts beginning to show signs of rot and the metal ones signs of rust, and the boot scraper is past its best and no longer fit for purpose. As part of the entranceway improvements, the proposal is to refurbish the fence and the metal and wooden posts and to replace the boot scrapers, not only to improve the overall aesthetics but to elongate their life expectancy, keeping the site clean and secure. The cost plan has been calculated using term contractor rates. Item Cost (£) Entrance infrastructure refurbishment 14,000 Fees at 10% 1,400 Total £15,400 Financial Implications Chrysalis Budget £2,228k, Previously Released £1,789K, Capital Release Requested £184k – Appendix A The 2024/25 capital programme, approved by Cabinet and Council in February 2024, has a budget of £1,500k for the Chrysalis Programme, funded from Council resources. In June 2024, Cabinet approved the re-phasing of £728k released unspent funds from 2023/24 into 2024/25 for schemes completing this financial year, leaving a revised Chrysalis budget for 2024/25 of £2,228k. The report requests that £184k is allocated and released from the 2024/25 Chrysalis Programme budget for the four projects detailed in the body of the report. The cost plans for the projects have been calculated from the Council’s term contractor schedule of rates within the highways and fencing / gating term contracts as well as from going out to tender and quotes received. The cost plans include internal fees and contingencies at 10% / 5% and 10% respectively. The remaining £255k of the Chrysalis Programme 2024/25 budget is subject to the allocation and capital release process. RESIDENT BENEFIT & CONSULTATION The benefit or impact upon Hillingdon residents, service users and communities Hillingdon Council is committed to making the Borough a cleaner, greener and safer place. Chrysalis, the Council’s asset enhancement initiative, funds projects ranging in scale from £5,000 to £100,000 for local initiatives that matter to residents. Residents are encouraged to m ake suggestions for Chrysalis funding, and this is an effective way for local people to identify environmental and community safety projects that are on Council land. The projects detailed within this report will ensure continued access to sporting facilities as well as social opportunities for residents to enjoy and gain mental and physical health benefits. Cabinet Member Report – 18 February 2025 Page 5 Part I – Public Consultation carried out or required N/A CORPORATE CONSIDERATIONS Corporate Finance Corporate Finance have reviewed this report and concur with the Financial Implications set out above, noting that the proposed schemes will be funded from the 2024/25 Chrysalis Programme budget, financed by Council resources. Legal Legal Services confirm that the Council is responsible for, or otherwise empowered to carry out, this function pursuant to various statutory provisions, including: • Section 164 of the Public Health Act 1875 and sections 10 and 12 of the Open Spaces Act 1906 in respect of refurbishing the outdoor gym at Fassnidge Park, refurbishing the balls courts and installing table tennis tables at Fassnidge Park Balls Court, improving various facilities at Churchfield Gardens, and refurbishing entrance infrastructure at Bessingby Park Complex • Section 19 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 in respect of refurbishing the outdoor gym at Fassnidge Park, refurbishing the balls courts and installing table tennis tables at Fassnidge Park Balls Court, and refurbishing the tennis courts as one part of wider facilities improvement at Churchfield Gardens Thus, there are no legal impediments to following the recommendations set out in this report, namely allocating Chrysalis funding for the 4 new projects detailed within the report, and making the associated capital release for this, although all contracts that the Council enters into to complete the projects (for example, with the works contractors) must comply with the Council’s Procurement Standing Orders. This report indicates that various routes to procurement have been used, including term contracts and obtaining competitive quotes. 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. BACKGROUND PAPERS NIL. Cabinet Member Report – 18 February 2025 Page 6 Part I – Public APPENDIX A – CAPITAL RELEASE REQUEST Chrysalis Programme 2024/25 - Release No 4 Location Project/ Expenditure Title Information Funds Release Sought £000s Approve Hold More Information Required Fassnidge Park, Uxbridge Ward Outdoor gym refurbishment To refurbish the outdoor gym which is over 12 years old and requires updating 100 Fassnidge Park, Uxbridge Ward Court refurbishment and installation of table tennis tables To make the courts clean safe and playable, and to introduce table tennis tables alongside the tennis courts 26 Churchfield Gardens, Ruislip Ward Site improvements To improve the facilities and accessibility within the open space 43 Bessingby Park Complex, Eastcote Entrance infrastructure refurbishment To refurbish the infrastructure leading into Bessingby Park Complex to create a smarter, welcoming appearance and increase the lifespan of the infrastructure. 15 Total seeking release 184 Previously released 1,789 Budget 2,228 Remaining budget 255
View Decision / Minutes Text
Executive Decision Notice – 13 March 2025
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 Chrysalis Programme 2024/25 - Capital Release Report
(Release No 4)
Reference No. 1342
Date of decision Thursday 13 March 2025
Call-in expiry date Thursday 20 March 2025
Relevant Select
Committee
Residents’ Services Select Committee
Relevant Wards Uxbridge, Ruislip, Eastcote
Decision made
Cabinet Members
making the decision
Councillor Eddie Lavery - Cabinet Member for Community and
Environment
Councillor Martin Goddard - Cabinet Member for Finance and
Transformation
Decision Approved
That the Cabinet Member for Finance & Transformation, in
consultation with the Cabinet Member for Community &
Environment:
1. Approved the four new projects detailed within the
body of this report as part of the asset enhancement
programme for 2024/25 and the total allocation of
£184k Chrysalis funding for this; and
2. Agreed to the capital release request of £184k from the
2024/25 Chrysalis Programme budget to fund the four
projects detailed within the body of the report
(Appendix A).
Reason for decision Hillingdon Council is striving to be the greenest London
Borough, to protect and enhance the environment, and to
provide a brighter prospect for future generations. Chrysalis, the
Council’s asset enhancement initiative, funds projects ranging
in scale from £5,000 to £100,000 for local initiat ives that matter
to residents.
Residents are encouraged to make suggestions for Chrysalis
funding as the most effective way for local people to identify
Executive Decision Notice – 13 March 2025
This notice is a public document also available to view on the Council's website www.hillingdon.gov.uk
environmental and community safety projects and
demonstrating how all residents can play an active part in
decisions, making them proud to live in Hillingdon.
In January 2024, the Cabinet Member for Residents’ Services
reviewed all applications for Chrysalis funding received from
residents, community groups and Ward Councillors and
informally agreed projects that would greatly improve
community assets and resources across the Borough.
Alternative options
considered and
rejected
The Cabinet Members could have decided not to accept the
recommendations and therefore either some or none of the
seven new projects would have been able to proceed.
Improvements which have been requested by residents and
Ward Councillors could not then be realised.
If the release of capital funds had not been approved, the
Chrysalis 2024/25 programme could not be effectively and
efficiently progressed as planned and the Chrysalis contribution
towards delivery of the Council Strategy 2022 - 2026 may not
have been achieved.
Classification Part I – Public
Link to associated
report
Here
Relevant Officer
contact & Directorate
Neil O’Connor, 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 on Thursday 20 March 2025
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.
Executive Decision Notice – 13 March 2025
This notice is a public document also available to view on the Council's website www.hillingdon.gov.uk
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.
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