Agenda, decisions and minutes

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 22 January 2018 as an accurate record.

The Leader thanked Jim Simpson for 34 years’ service with Croydon Council, many of which were spent supporting Cabinet. The Cabinet and Shadow Cabinet wished Mr Simpson all the best with his retirement.

The minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on 22 January 2018 were received. The Leader of the Council signed the minutes as an accurate record with the amendments that Councillor Patsy Cummings was in attendance.

In accordance with the Council’s Code of Conduct and the statutory provisions of the Localism Act, Members and co-opted Members of the Council are reminded that it is a requirement to register disclosable pecuniary interests (DPIs) and gifts and hospitality to the value of which exceeds £50 or multiple gifts and/or instances of hospitality with a cumulative value of £50 or more when received from a single donor within a rolling twelve month period. In addition, Members and co-opted Members are reminded that unless their disclosable pecuniary interest is registered on the register of interests or is the subject of a pending notification to the Monitoring Officer, they are required to disclose those disclosable pecuniary interests at the meeting. This should be done by completing the Disclosure of Interest form and handing it to the Democratic Services representative at the start of the meeting. The Chair will then invite Members to make their disclosure orally at the commencement of Agenda item 3. Completed disclosure forms will be provided to the Monitoring Officer for inclusion on the Register of Members’ Interests.

There were none or the following disclosures of interest were made:

To receive notice of any business not on the agenda which in the opinion of the Chair, by reason of special circumstances, be considered as a matter of urgency.

There were no items of urgent business.

Officers: Richard Simpson and Lisa Taylor

Key decision: Council Tax recommendations are reserved to Council. Housing rents and charges are Key Executive Decisions

A presentation was provided by Councillor Simon Hall for this agenda item, which is available on the meeting webcast.

Councillor Alisa Flemming announced that £250,000 would be available for grants for projects that focussed on helping young people avoid knife crime and gangs. Councillor Hamida Ali announced that 20 additional enforcement officers would be recruited to enable the council to continue to tackle anti-social behaviour. It was further announced by Councillor Collins that residents would be able to have one white goods item and bulky waste collected from their homes to further reduce flytipping.

The Leader of the Council has delegated to the Cabinet the power to make the decisions set out below

RESOLVED

1.1       The Cabinet recommend to full Council:

i.       A 2.99% increase in the Council Tax for Croydon Services (a level of increase Central Government has assumed in all Councils’ spending power calculation).

ii.      A 2.0% increase in the Adult Social Care precept (a charge Central Government has assumed all councils’ will levy in its spending power calculations).

iii.    Welcomes the GLA increase of 5.07%, where over 81% of which is being used for the Police and 16% being used for the Fire service.

With reference to the principles for 2018/19 determined by the Secretary of State under Section52ZC (1) of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 (as amended) confirm that in accordance with s.52ZB (1) the Council Tax and GLA precept referred to above are not excessive in terms of the most recently issued principles and as such to note that no referendum is required. This is detailed further in section 7.12 of this report.

iv.    The calculation of budget requirement and council tax as set out in Appendix D and E. Including the GLA increase this will result in a total increase of 5.01% in the overall council tax bill for Croydon.

v.      The two year revenue budget assumptions as detailed in this report and the associated appendices :-

·           The programme of revenue savings and growth by department for 2018/20 (Appendix A).

·           The Council’s detailed budget book for 2018/19 (Appendix B).

vi.    The Capital Programme as set out in section 13, table 18 and 19 of this report.

vii.   That it note there are no proposed amendments to the Council’s existing Council Tax Support Scheme for the financial year 2018/19.

viii.  The adoption of the Pay Policy statement at Appendix H;

1.2       That Cabinet agree:-

1. A rent decrease for all Council tenants for 2018/19, in line with the Government’s social rent policy which has legislated to reduce social rents by 1%.
2. No increase to Garage and Parking space rents.
3. No increase to the service charges for caretaking, grounds maintenance and bulk refuse collection as detailed in section 14.
4. The Discretionary Council tax relief scheme pursuant to S13A(1)(c) of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 which sets out the Council’s approach for reducing the council tax liability for Care Leavers as detailed in paragraph 12 of the report.

1.3       That Cabinet note:-

     i.        That in respect  ...  view the full decision text for item 14/18a

A presentation was provided by Councillor Simon Hall for this agenda item, which is available on the meeting webcast.

Councillor Alisa Flemming announced that £250,000 would be available for grants for projects that focussed on helping young people avoid knife crime and gangs. Councillor Hamida Ali announced that 20 additional enforcement officers would be recruited to enable the council to continue to tackle anti-social behaviour. It was further announced by Councillor Collins that residents would be able to have one white goods item and bulky waste collected from their homes to further reduce flytipping.

The Leader of the Council has delegated to the Cabinet the power to make the decisions set out below

RESOLVED

1.1       The Cabinet recommend to full Council:

i.       A 2.99% increase in the Council Tax for Croydon Services (a level of increase Central Government has assumed in all Councils’ spending power calculation).

ii.      A 2.0% increase in the Adult Social Care precept (a charge Central Government has assumed all councils’ will levy in its spending power calculations).

iii.    Welcomes the GLA increase of 5.07%, where over 81% of which is being used for the Police and 16% being used for the Fire service.

With reference to the principles for 2018/19 determined by the Secretary of State under Section52ZC (1) of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 (as amended) confirm that in accordance with s.52ZB (1) the Council Tax and GLA precept referred to above are not excessive in terms of the most recently issued principles and as such to note that no referendum is required. This is detailed further in section 7.12 of this report.

iv.    The calculation of budget requirement and council tax as set out in Appendix D and E. Including the GLA increase this will result in a total increase of 5.01% in the overall council tax bill for Croydon.

v.      The two year revenue budget assumptions as detailed in this report and the associated appendices :-

·           The programme of revenue savings and growth by department for 2018/20 (Appendix A).

·           The Council’s detailed budget book for 2018/19 (Appendix B).

vi.    The Capital Programme as set out in section 13, table 18 and 19 of this report.

vii.   That it note there are no proposed amendments to the Council’s existing Council Tax Support Scheme for the financial year 2018/19.

viii.  The adoption of the Pay Policy statement at Appendix H;

1.2       That Cabinet agree:-

1. A rent decrease for all Council tenants for 2018/19, in line with the Government’s social rent policy which has legislated to reduce social rents by 1%.
2. No increase to Garage and Parking space rents.
3. No increase to the service charges for caretaking, grounds maintenance and bulk refuse collection as detailed in section 14.
4. The Discretionary Council tax relief scheme pursuant to S13A(1)(c) of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 which sets out the Council’s approach for reducing the council tax liability for Care Leavers as detailed in paragraph 12 of the report.

1.3       That Cabinet note:-

     i.        That in respect  ...  view the full minutes text for item 14/18a

Officers: Richard Simpson and Lisa Taylor

Key decision: No

The Leader of the Council has delegated to the Cabinet the power to make the decisions set out below

RESOLVED

1. Note the current revenue outturn forecast at the end of the third quarter of 2017/18 of £0.369m underspend, this is before exceptional items of £6.23m, resulting in a total overspend of £5.861m;
2. Note the £4.7m collection fund surplus released on the 1st April 2018 which can offsetthe overspend. This would leave a net drawdown on general fund balances of£1.161m.
3. Note the ongoing engagement with and lobbying of Government by the Council foradditional funding for Croydon, both in general terms and specifically Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children given Croydon’s gateway status, fire safety measures andmitigation of the impact of the Universal Credit implementation, notably Croydon’spilot status.
4. Note the HRA position of a £0.274m forecast underspend against budget;
5. Note the capital outturn projection of £61.9m forecast underspend against budget;
6. Approve the changes to the capital programme to include new schemes of £2.1m, set out in Table 5, Section 7.2
7. Endorse the approval of the 2018/19 Discretionary Business Rates Relief Scheme, asdiscussed in paragraphs 8.5 to 8.10 and set out in full in Appendix 3 of the report.

The Leader of the Council has delegated to the Cabinet the power to make the decisions set out below

RESOLVED

1. Note the current revenue outturn forecast at the end of the third quarter of 2017/18 of £0.369m underspend, this is before exceptional items of £6.23m, resulting in a total overspend of £5.861m;
2. Note the £4.7m collection fund surplus released on the 1st April 2018 which can offsetthe overspend. This would leave a net drawdown on general fund balances of£1.161m.
3. Note the ongoing engagement with and lobbying of Government by the Council foradditional funding for Croydon, both in general terms and specifically Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children given Croydon’s gateway status, fire safety measures andmitigation of the impact of the Universal Credit implementation, notably Croydon’spilot status.
4. Note the HRA position of a £0.274m forecast underspend against budget;
5. Note the capital outturn projection of £61.9m forecast underspend against budget;
6. Approve the changes to the capital programme to include new schemes of £2.1m, set out in Table 5, Section 7.2
7. Endorse the approval of the 2018/19 Discretionary Business Rates Relief Scheme, asdiscussed in paragraphs 8.5 to 8.10 and set out in full in Appendix 3 of the report.

Officers: Richard Simpson and Lisa Taylor

Key decision: reserved to Council

The Leader of the Council has delegated to the Cabinet the power to make the decisions set out below

RESOLVED

The Cabinet is asked to recommend to Full Council that it approve:

1.1         The Treasury Management Policy Statement 2018/2019 as set out in this report including the recommendations that:

1.1.1     The Council takes up the balance of its 2017/2018 borrowing requirement and future years’ borrowing requirements, as set out in paragraph 3.6 of the report.

1.1.2     That for the reasons detailed in paragraph 3.11, opportunities for debt rescheduling are reviewed throughout the year by the Executive Director of Resources and Section 151 Officer and that, he be given delegated authority, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Finance and Treasury and in conjunction with the Council’s independent treasury advisers, to undertake such rescheduling only if revenue savings or additional cost avoidance can be achieved at minimal risk in line with organisational considerations and with regard to the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) as set out in the Council’s Finance Strategy 2016-2020.

1.1.3     That delegated authority be given to the Executive Director of Resources and Section 151 Officer, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Finance and Treasury, to make any necessary decisions to protect the Council’s financial position in light of market changes or investment risk exposure.

1.1.4   The Council adopts the 2017 edition of the revised Treasury Management Code ofPractice and Prudential Code issued by CIPFA in December 2017.

1.2         The Annual Investment Strategy as set out in paragraph 3.14 of this report.

1.3         That the Authorised Borrowing Limits (required by Section 3 of the Local Government Act 2003) as set out in paragraph 3.7 and as detailed in Appendix C of the report be as follows:

2018/2019                 2019/2020                 2020/2021

£1,307.067m             £1,385.623m             £1,511.323m

The Prudential Indicators as set out in Appendix C of this report.

1.4         The Annual Minimum Revenue Provision Policy Statement (required by SI 2008/414) as set out in Appendix D of the report.

1.5         The Council’s authorised counterparty lending list as at 31st December 2017 as set out in Appendix E of this report and the rating criteria set for inclusion onto this list.

The Leader of the Council has delegated to the Cabinet the power to make the decisions set out below

RESOLVED

The Cabinet is asked to recommend to Full Council that it approve:

1.1         The Treasury Management Policy Statement 2018/2019 as set out in this report including the recommendations that:

1.1.1     The Council takes up the balance of its 2017/2018 borrowing requirement and future years’ borrowing requirements, as set out in paragraph 3.6 of the report.

1.1.2     That for the reasons detailed in paragraph 3.11, opportunities for debt rescheduling are reviewed throughout the year by the Executive Director of Resources and Section 151 Officer and that, he be given delegated authority, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Finance and Treasury and in conjunction with the Council’s independent treasury advisers, to undertake such rescheduling only if revenue savings or additional cost avoidance can be achieved at minimal risk in line with organisational considerations and with regard to the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) as set out in the Council’s Finance Strategy 2016-2020.

1.1.3     That delegated authority be given to the Executive Director of Resources and Section 151 Officer, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Finance and Treasury, to make any necessary decisions to protect the Council’s financial position in light of market changes or investment risk exposure.

1.1.4   The Council adopts the 2017 edition of the revised Treasury Management Code ofPractice and Prudential Code issued by CIPFA in December 2017.

1.2         The Annual Investment Strategy as set out in paragraph 3.14 of this report.

1.3         That the Authorised Borrowing Limits (required by Section 3 of the Local Government Act 2003) as set out in paragraph 3.7 and as detailed in Appendix C of the report be as follows:

2018/2019                 2019/2020                 2020/2021

£1,307.067m             £1,385.623m             £1,511.323m

The Prudential Indicators as set out in Appendix C of this report.

1.4         The Annual Minimum Revenue Provision Policy Statement (required by SI 2008/414) as set out in Appendix D of the report.

1.5         The Council’s authorised counterparty lending list as at 31st December 2017 as set out in Appendix E of this report and the rating criteria set for inclusion onto this list.

Officers: Barbara Peacock and David Butler

Key decision: no

A presentation was provided by Kadian Foster and Angel Chizea of Young People’s Development Group and Chinelo ‘Queenie’ Chizea for this agenda item, which is available on the meeting webcast. Jamie Masraff of Onside also spoke during this agenda item and informed Cabinet that £6.55 million had been raised, which was the full capital sum to fund the Youth Zone development, and that the official opening would likely to take place in late spring/early summer 2019.

The Leader of the Council has delegated to the Cabinet the power to make the decisions set out below

RESOLVED to note the progress made with the delivery of Legacy, Croydon Youth Zone.

A presentation was provided by Kadian Foster and Angel Chizea of Young People’s Development Group and Chinelo ‘Queenie’ Chizea for this agenda item, which is available on the meeting webcast. Jamie Masraff of Onside also spoke during this agenda item and informed Cabinet that £6.55 million had been raised, which was the full capital sum to fund the Youth Zone development, and that the official opening would likely to take place in late spring/early summer 2019.

The Leader of the Council has delegated to the Cabinet the power to make the decisions set out below

RESOLVED to note the progress made with the delivery of Legacy, Croydon Youth Zone.

Officers: Barbara Peacock

Key decision: no

The Leader of the Council has delegated to the Cabinet the power to make the decisions set out below

RESOLVED

1.1         Note the Children’s Services Commissioner for Croydon’s advice to the Minister of State for Children and Families that the Council should retain responsibility for managing children’s services and be given time to drive the improvements forward.

1.2         Note the Minister’s response agreeing the Commissioner’s advice and requiring Croydon Council to work with Camden Council to develop a proposal for intensive peer support over a minimum 12 month period to drive front line improvements.

1.3         Note the outcomes from the first Ofsted monitoring visit carried out in December 2017.

The Leader of the Council has delegated to the Cabinet the power to make the decisions set out below

RESOLVED

1.1         Note the Children’s Services Commissioner for Croydon’s advice to the Minister of State for Children and Families that the Council should retain responsibility for managing children’s services and be given time to drive the improvements forward.

1.2         Note the Minister’s response agreeing the Commissioner’s advice and requiring Croydon Council to work with Camden Council to develop a proposal for intensive peer support over a minimum 12 month period to drive front line improvements.

1.3         Note the outcomes from the first Ofsted monitoring visit carried out in December 2017.

Officer: Shifa Mustafa

Key decision: no

The Leader of the Council has delegated to the Cabinet the power to make the decisions set out below

RESOLVED

1.1         Note the impact arising from the introduction of the Homelessness Reduction Act.

1.2         Note the proposed actions by the Council to assist customers and comply with the new statutory duties as detailed within the body of the report.

The Leader of the Council has delegated to the Cabinet the power to make the decisions set out below

RESOLVED

1.1         Note the impact arising from the introduction of the Homelessness Reduction Act.

1.2         Note the proposed actions by the Council to assist customers and comply with the new statutory duties as detailed within the body of the report.

Officers: Shifa Mustafa and Colm Lacey

Key decision: no

The Leader of the Council has delegated to the Cabinet the power to make the decisions set out below

RESOLVED That Cabinet, on behalf of the Council as sole shareholder of Brick by Brick Croydon Limited ("BXB"), approve the proposed 2018/2019 Business Plan of BXB as set out in Appendix A of the report.

The Leader of the Council has delegated to the Cabinet the power to make the decisions set out below

RESOLVED That Cabinet, on behalf of the Council as sole shareholder of Brick by Brick Croydon Limited ("BXB"), approve the proposed 2018/2019 Business Plan of BXB as set out in Appendix A of the report.

Officer: Julian Ellberby

Key decision: no

The Leader of the Council has delegated to the Cabinet the power to make the decisions set out below

RESOLVED

1.1         Note the outcomes of the Housing Commission on Community-Led Housing, led by Croydon Council

1.2         Note progress in developing the proposal for a community land trust in Croydon

1.3         Note the announcement of a bidding process for the second year of the Government’s Community Housing Fund.

The Leader of the Council has delegated to the Cabinet the power to make the decisions set out below

RESOLVED

1.1         Note the outcomes of the Housing Commission on Community-Led Housing, led by Croydon Council

1.2         Note progress in developing the proposal for a community land trust in Croydon

1.3         Note the announcement of a bidding process for the second year of the Government’s Community Housing Fund.

Lead Member: Councillor Sean Fitzsimons, Chair of Scrutiny & Overview Committee

Officers: Richard Simpson, Stephen Rowan

Key decision: no

The Leader of the Council has delegated to the Cabinet the power to make the decisions set out below

RESOLVED to receive the recommendations arising from Health and Social Care Scrutiny Sub- Committee (16 January 2018) and the Streets, Environment and Homes Scrutiny Sub-Committee (23 January 2018) to provide a substantive response within two months (ie. at the next available Cabinet meeting on 11 June 2018).

The Leader of the Council has delegated to the Cabinet the power to make the decisions set out below

RESOLVED to receive the recommendations arising from Health and Social Care Scrutiny Sub- Committee (16 January 2018) and the Streets, Environment and Homes Scrutiny Sub-Committee (23 January 2018) to provide a substantive response within two months (ie. at the next available Cabinet meeting on 11 June 2018).

Officers: Jo Negrini

Key decision: no

The Leader of the Council has delegated to the Cabinet the power to make the decisions set out below

RESOLVED to approve the response and action plans attached to the report at Appendix A and that these be reported to the Scrutiny and Overview Committee or relevant Sub-Committees.

The Leader of the Council has delegated to the Cabinet the power to make the decisions set out below

RESOLVED to approve the response and action plans attached to the report at Appendix A and that these be reported to the Scrutiny and Overview Committee or relevant Sub-Committees.

Officer: Sarah Ireland

Key decision: no

The Leader of the Council has delegated to the Cabinet the power to make the decisions set out below

RESOLVED to note

1.1         The list of delegated award decisions made by the Director of Commissioning and Improvement, between 14/12/2017 – 17/01/2018.

1.2         The list of decisions taken since the last meeting of Cabinet by the nominated Cabinet member in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Finance and Treasury, under the Leaders specific delegated authority for those contract awards.

The Leader of the Council has delegated to the Cabinet the power to make the decisions set out below

RESOLVED to note

1.1         The list of delegated award decisions made by the Director of Commissioning and Improvement, between 14/12/2017 – 17/01/2018.

1.2         The list of decisions taken since the last meeting of Cabinet by the nominated Cabinet member in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Finance and Treasury, under the Leaders specific delegated authority for those contract awards.

The following motion is to be moved and seconded where it is proposed to exclude the press and public from the remainder of a meeting:

“That, under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act, 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information falling within those paragraphs indicated in Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972, as amended.”

This item was not required.