Minutes for Executive meeting, Feb 11 2010, 7.30PM official page

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 13 January 2010 be confirmed as a correct record. 

Proposals to lease this property have been reconsidered because agreement could not be reached with the company originally selected.  The proposals now being considered will enable Surbiton Sea Scouts to be accommodated and will offer use of the facilities to schools and young people.  The possibility of other community use will be raised with the proposed lessee.  In reaching the decision the Executive took into account the information set out in the exempt section of the agenda

RESOLVED that

1.         the current position concerning the leasehold offers received for this property, as set out in the exempt section of the agenda, be noted; and

2. Ravens Ait be leased, with vacant possession, to Stewart Marine on the basis set out in the exempt section of the agenda;  and

3            officers be authorised to complete the matter as soon as possible.

Reason for decision

To enable the property to be brought back into use and secure an income for the Council whilst retaining control, as landlord, over how the property is used 

A total of  16 applications from voluntary organisations for strategic grants have been received.  A further 26 organisations are entering the second or third years of their three year agreements. These grants are for key local organisations which work in partnership with other agencies and lead on new developments in their field of interest in the Borough.   Where an organisation is not yet in a position to meet various operational objectives, a Development Grant for one or two years is approved.  The Voluntary Sector Unit will work with new organisations where a Development Grant has been approved and will take into account progress when considering any further allocation of funding. 

RESOLVED that the applications be dealt with, and grants be approved for 2010/11, as set out in Annex 2 of Appendix B to the agenda. 

Reason for decision

To agree the allocations of grant aid to voluntary organisations.  

to voluntary organisations.  

Separate enclosure

The Leader of the Council introduced the latest edition of destination KINGSTON, the Council’s Medium Term Service and Financial Plan, which covers the period 2010-2013, together with the Budget proposals for 2010/11.

destination KINGSTON reports progress made on the ambitious agenda for change which began three years ago much of which is being delivered through the One Council One Kingston Programme. This Programme introduces major changes in the way the Council works as an organisation together with Partners, communities and residents to deliver the vision for Kingston and, at the same time, achieve significant financial savings.  This is in the face of reduced government funding and, in some areas, increasing demands and pressures on services to deliver more.

The published RBK Council tax level set out in destination KINGSTON accords with the planning assumptions contained in last year’s edition and represents a net increase of 2.7% at ‘street level’. The Leader of the Council advised, however, that the Administration wished to see a lower increase and work was ongoing to develop further proposals and he anticipated that, by the Budget Council meeting on 25 February, the net increase would have been reduced to 1.9%.  The funding raised by this increase will roughly equate to the amount which the Council will have to find during the year to meet preparatory costs associated with having secured entry into the Building Schools for the Future programme. This investment will bring some £300m funding to improve secondary provision across the Borough and to build a new secondary school in north Kingston. The Council moved from 54^th in the list to be accepted into the programme, partnered with LB Croydon. 

In approving aspects of the budget, and endorsing the capital programme, revenue budget, and council tax for 2010/11 the following documents and additional information were submitted to the Executive:

·              the comments from the non-domestic ratepayers

·              the Schools Budget 2010/11, comments made by the Chair and Vice-Chair of the Schools Forum, and changes recommended to working arrangements,

·              the Housing Revenue Account and proposed rent increases for housing properties together with fees and charges for other services

·              the implications of BID 2 and details of the management of services to be transferred to Kingstonfirst

·              information about the Members’ Allowances and Dependents Allowance Schemes

·              proposals for procuring a long term strategic partner to support the delivery of the One Council programme

·              the grant settlement for 2010/11

·              the Treasury Management Strategy, which includes the Investment Strategy

·              changes to financial regulations

·              the on-street parking and bus lane enforcement accounts,

·              the position on the General Fund Revenue Budget

·              One Council Programme budget reductions

·              confirmation by the Director of Finance (Interim) that the detailed estimates are robust for the purposes of Section 25 of the Local Government Act 2003.  

·              the outcome of a financial risk analysis of the budget proposals carried out by the Director of Finance (Interim)

·              budget risks, reserves and balances

·              earmarked reserves

·              the current position on levies by various bodies

·              collection fund

·              the GLA precept

·              proposals for the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 114.

Since the Cultural Strategy “The Best Place to Live: A Cultural Strategy for Kingston 2008-2012” was approved in 2008 there has been a solid record of achievement and progress on its key objectives.  Performance indicators show there has been progress in achievements and, particularly, Kingston is now in the top ten nationally for engagement in the arts.  Kingston is fully committed to the Inclusive and Active principles which are applicable across all cultural activity,

The Strategy is being revised to update and reflect progress and changing priorities, including the Kingston Plan and the New Deal arrangement with Kingston Theatre Trust. The changes have been incorporated into the Strategy following consultation with the appropriate Kingston Strategic Partnership sub-groups: the Community Sports and Physical Activity Partnership and the Cultural Network. 

RESOLVED that

1.                  subject to including in para 48 of the Strategy reference to the indicator for children and young people’s satisfaction with parks and play areas (NI 199), the updated 2010-2012 Cultural Strategy be approved;

2.                  the priorities outlined in the New Deal case study with the Kingston Theatre Trust be approved; and

3.                  the six Inclusive and Active principles set out below, and included in the Strategy be adopted:

·        Changing the culture

·        Being inclusive

·        Getting people active

·        Creating sporting pathways

·        Developing people

·         Taking the lead and being accountable.

Reason for decision

To revise the Cultural Strategy to reflect the Kingston Plan and other strategic initiatives for the period 2010-12, including the New Deal arrangements agreed by the Executive in December 2008.   

Allocation of the Local Implementation Plan (LIP) received for 2010/11 has been considered together with the views expressed by Neighbourhood Committees.  The Borough will receive a total LIP funding settlement from TfL of £3.31million for the 2010/11 financial year.  This is in line with the bid agreed by the Executive in June 2009. Programmes 1 to 3 below are determined by the new formula based system adopted by TfL. Funding arrangements for programmes 4 and 5 remain unchanged from previous years, whereby maintenance is apportioned on a London wide condition assessment, and Area Based Scheme proposals are submitted separately throughout the year. Programme 6 can be spent at the authority’s discretion, but within TfL guidelines.  It is proposed to use it to fund preparation of the second Local Implementation Plan.

The full settlement is broken down into the following Programmes:

1.      Corridors Programme -      £962,000

2.      Neighbourhoods Programme -   £592,000

3.      Smarter Travel Programme -   £276,000

4.      Maintenance Programme*-             £780,000

5.      Area Based Schemes -      £600,000**

6.      Local Transport Funding -               £100,000

*Formerly Principal roads and bridges

**Includes funding for LB Sutton on a cross-boundary scheme at Station Estate

RESOLVED that

1.         the LIP allocations made by TfL for the Transport Programmes 1 to 5 set out above, be agreed;  and

2.         the proposal to use the £100k Local Transport Funding (Programme 6) to fund the preparation of the Borough’s Second Local Implementation Plan (LIP2). be agreed.

Reason for decision

To ensure that all the 2010/11 Transport Programmes are fully delivered and spent within the 2010/11 financial year and to enable funding to be used to prepare LIP2 to provide a robust evidence base to inform and justify a longer term programme of transport schemes. 

Details of the Section 106 Planning Obligations contributions received and new agreements completed so far in financial year 2009-2010 were reported and expenditure from pooled S106 contributions for transport, access and environmental improvements in Kingston town centre have been considered.  An update on work in hand to improve S106 guidance, procedures and monitoring and further guidance on the forthcoming introduction of the Community Infrastructure Levy were set out in the report.

RESOLVED that

1          the update on S106 contributions received and new agreements completed to date in the current financial year be noted;

2          the allocation and re-allocation of expenditure from pooled S106 contributions for transport, access and environmental improvements in Kingston town centre be approved as follows:

·              £429,000 towards the regeneration of the Kingston Town Ancient Market area;

·              £5,000 towards cycle parking in Kingston town centre;

·              £5,000 towards travel planning initiatives aimed at encouraging sustainable travel modes and reducing car use;  

3.         the progress on work to improve S106 guidance be noted; and

4.         the update in respect of the Community Infrastructure Levy be noted.

Reason for decision

To note the current position on S106 planning obligations in this financial year, provide additional expenditure for improvements in Kingston town centre and to ensure that effective S106 guidance and monitoring procedures are in place.   

Ofsted’s annual rating of the Borough’s children’s services for 2009 is that they perform excellently and consequently they have been awarded a rating of 4, which is the highest rating on the scale.  This acknowledges the effective partnership working between the local authority and its schools, together with partners in the police, health services, the Learning and Skills Council and the voluntary and community sectors.  These partners make up the Children’s Trust which is responsible for ensuring there is an effective Children and Young People’s Plan and provides strategic direction, joint commissioning and monitoring of the performance of all aspects of children’s services in the Borough. 

Although Ofsted’s rating does not specifically identify areas for improvement the judgements do comment on performance in the areas which are noted for improvement  and the Children’s Trust and will include these issues in the action plans arising from the annual review of the Plan for 2009/10.  

RESOLVED that

1.         the outcome of the children’s services annual rating for 2009 be noted; and

2.         the Director of Learning and Children’s Services (interim) include issues for improvement in the 2010/11 action plan arising from the annual review of the Children and Young People’s Plan 2009/10.

Reason for decision

To take appropriate action to bring about further improvement as set out in the Children’s and Young People’s Plan. 

The Council’s Special Educational Needs (SEN) Policy has been in place since 2002.  A recent detailed review has confirmed that whilst the vision and principles remain fully up to date the policy document should be refreshed to reflect the key priorities of the Children & Young People’s Plan, as well as developments and improvements across the Children’s Services agenda. The refreshed policy incorporates the existing Access Strategy for disabled pupils into a single overarching SEN Inclusion Policy. There are no changes proposed to the Policy.

The strategy aims to ensure that the outcomes for children and young people give them the best chances in life. For some young people this will mean becoming independent, economically active citizens and for others, it will be developing skills for daily living.

RESOLVED that the Special Educational Needs Inclusion Policy be noted and the strategy for achieving the improvements be approved.

Reason for decision

To ensure the authority fulfils its statutory duty to set out its policy and to put in place its strategy to deliver better outcomes for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and disabilities in Kingston through effective use of resources for the maximum benefit of pupils. 

RBK and NHS Kingston have a strong commitment to working in partnership but it is recognised that more could be done to integrate the work of the two organisations to bring about improved outcomes for local residents and communities.  The vision of “Shaping Places” focuses on the delivery of better health and social care outcomes for local people and on improvement in the efficiency of services provided by both organisations.  In addition pressure on Primary Care Trusts (PCT) to reduce costs could lead to a potential amalgamation of PCTs resulting in less local focus in the longer term.  The work programme will help to further integrate the work of the two organisations making this an important project as part of the planning for “One Kingston”, and as such it will also be important to report on progress to the Kingston Strategic Partnership.

RESOLVED that

1.             the approach agreed by Executive Members and (PCT) NHS Kingston non-Executive Directors to strengthen the Partnership between the Council and the PCT with the actions centred on the four areas identified in Appendix H to the agenda be approved; and

2.             the progress to date in taking forward “Shaping Places” as a basis for strengthening the Partnership between the Council and NHS Kingston be noted.

Reason for decision

To be advised of the progress taken to date and agree the next steps. 

The Scrutiny Panel on 5 January 2010 reviewed the handling of complaints, considered by the Executive on 7 July, 2009, together with the Local Ombudsman’s Review report for 1 April 2008 - 31 March 2009.

The Panel had noted with concern the problems with response times to enquiries which led to the strongly worded remarks in the Ombudsman’s annual letter of June 2009 and the steps which were being taken by officers to remedy these problems.  The Panel recommended to the Executive that

1.         the Ombudsman’s Annual Review is in future considered by the Executive and the Scrutiny Panel as an item in its own right;

2.         there is more learning of good practice across departments drawn from the experience of responding to all complaints; and

3.            training on handling complaints be included in the Councillor Induction and Training programme.

The Executive considered the outcome of the review.

RESOLVED that

1.         the discussion and the tenor of the Scrutiny Panel meeting be noted; and

2.         all the recommendations of the Scrutiny Panel be agreed, especially as item 1 reflected the commitment by the Leader of the Council prior to the recommendation being made, that the Executive would receive the Ombudsman’s Annual Review and on item 2, as discussed at the Scrutiny Panel, work is already underway on spreading good practice throughout the organisation.

Reason for decision

To respond to the outcome of the review by the Scrutiny Panel. 

The Executive has considered the proposed timetable of meetings for 2010/2011. 

RESOLVED that

1.         the timetable of meetings for 2010/2011 be approved; and

2.         the following dates for the Council meetings set out below be recommended to Council for approval.

13 July 2010, 19 October 2010, 23 November 2010, 7 December 2010

18 January 2011, 1 March 2011(Budget Council), 27 April 2011, 11 May 2011 (Annual Council).

Reason for decision

To finalise dates of meetings of the full Council and to enable arrangements to be put in place, venues booked, etc.  

Note: Subsequent to the meeting it was realised that the Council meeting listed for 23 November had been included in error.  This will be deleted from the recommendation to Council.   

 All the partner Boroughs’ Landfill Allowance Trading Scheme (LATS) positions for 2008/09 have been finalised and no further trading of permits was required.  The Council’s latest LATS position has been reported, details were set out in the exempt section of the agenda. 

The South London Partnership Joint Committee has agreed that amendments be made to the South London Waste Partnership Joint Waste Committee’s Constitution to insert an urgency power and to address an apparent anomaly relating to voting members.

RESOLVED that

1.         the final position regarding LATS for this Council at 31 March 2009, the trading which has taken place with South London Waste Partnership Boroughs to date, and the income received for Permits traded be noted; and

2.         the amendment of the Constitution of the Joint Waste Disposal Committee operating under the name of the South London Waste Partnership in the terms of the minute of the meeting of the Joint Committee held on the 2^nd of December 2009 be agreed.

Reason for decision

To ensure that the Council continues to implement the most appropriate actions in addressing both short, medium and long term issues with regard to waste management and address the issue of the SLWP JWC’s constitution.