No apologies were received. Councillors Akyigyina, Irons, Lanning, Skeete and Stringer attended remotely.

There were no declarations of interest.

Minutes of the meetings held on:

7 February 2022

21 February 2022 (Public Minutes)

21 February 2022 (Exempt Minutes)

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting held on 7 February, the minutes of the meeting held on 21 February and the exempt minutes of the meeting held on 21 February are agreed as an accurate record.

RESOLVED:

A. That Cabinet reviewed and signed off Merton’s Hate Crime Strategy 2022-26.

B. That Cabinet noted the content of the report in terms of work being undertaken on the hate crime agenda and consider how this work can be supported going forwards.

The Chair announced that Items 9 and 10 would be taken first and the remaining items would follow in agenda order, with Items 14 onwards taken in private session. For the purposes of the minutes all items are minuted in agenda order.

The Leader of the Council presented the report on behalf of the Cabinet Member for Partnerships, Public Safety and Tackling Crime, thanking the Cabinet Member and officers for their work. Discussions had taken place with the Hate Crime Strategy Group and the report proposed updating the strategy to cover the 2022-2026 period. The report had been updated to reflect the public engagement in 2021 as part of the YourMerton process and the Leader thanked the residents who had engaged with that process.

The Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure and Skills spoke to thank the officers and Cabinet Member for their work.

RESOLVED:

A. That Cabinet reviewed and signed off Merton’s Hate Crime Strategy 2022-26.

B. That Cabinet noted the content of the report in terms of work being undertaken on the hate crime agenda and consider how this work can be supported going forwards.

RESOLVED:

A. That Cabinet noted the work undertaken and to be undertaken to help improve the safety of women and girls in Merton

B. That Cabinet reviewed and agreed the recommendation that Merton Council sign up to the Mayor’s Night Safety Charter

The Leader of the Council presented the report on behalf of the Cabinet Member for Partnerships, Public Safety and Tackling Crime, which provided an update following a motion agreed at the Extraordinary Council meeting in April 2021. A task group had been established and first met in June 2021 which focused on a number of areas. The Leader thanked officers for their work on the report.

The Director of Environment and Regeneration noted that it was a work in progress and there was more work to be done and continuing to be undertaken.

RESOLVED:

A. That Cabinet noted the work undertaken and to be undertaken to help improve the safety of women and girls in Merton

B. That Cabinet reviewed and agreed the recommendation that Merton Council sign up to the Mayor’s Night Safety Charter

RESOLVED:

A             That Cabinet resolved to make three Compulsory Purchase Orders (the 2022 CPOs) for the acquisition of land, interests and rights (other than those already in the ownership of Clarion Housing Group) over the Order Land shown shaded pink and blue on the Plans attached as Appendix 1 and described more fully in section 3 of each of the draft Statements of Reasons attached as Appendix  2.

B             That Cabinet agreed that the 2022 CPOs shall be, entitled:

                                          I.                “The London Borough of Merton (High Path No1) Compulsory Purchase Order 2022";

                                         II.                "The London Borough of Merton (Eastfields No1) Compulsory Purchase Order 2022"; and

                                       III.                "The London Borough of Merton (Ravensbury No1) Compulsory Purchase Order 2022".

C             That Cabinet agreed that there is a compelling case in the public interest to justify the making of the 2022 CPOs to include specific interests that must be acquired to facilitate the redevelopment of the High Path Estate, the Eastfields Estate and Ravensbury Estate (the Estates) as part of the Merton Estates Regeneration Programme, for the reasons detailed in this Report and the draft Statements of Reasons.

D             That Cabinet delegated to the Director of Environment and Regeneration the power to effect the making, confirming and implementation of the 2022 CPOs and to take all necessary steps to give effect to the 2022 CPOs in respect of the Order Land, but not limited to, the following procedural steps:

                                          I.                making such amendments and additions to the draft Statements of Reasons as deemed necessary to properly reflect the Council's position regarding the proposed 2022 CPOs so as to properly present the Council's case;

                                         II.                making such amendments and additions to the Plans attached at Appendix 1 as deemed necessary to properly enable construction of phases 2 and 3 of High Path, phase 1 of Eastfields and phases 2 to 4 of Ravensbury;

                                       III.                making the 2022 CPOs, the publication and service of any press, site and individual notices and other correspondence for such making;

                                       IV.                monitoring of negotiated agreements with landowners or statutory undertakers as applicable, setting out the terms for withdrawal of any objections to the 2022 CPOs, including where appropriate seeking exclusion of land or new rights from the 2022 CPOs;

                                        V.                seeking confirmation of the 2022 CPOs by the Secretary of State (or, if permitted, by the Council pursuant to Section 14A of the Acquisition of Land Act 1981), including the preparation and presentation of the Council’s case at any Public Inquiry which may be necessary;

                                       VI.                publication and service of notices of confirmation of the 2022 CPOs and thereafter to execute and serve any General Vesting Declarations and/or notices to treat and notices of entry, and any other notices or correspondence to acquire those interests within the area;

                                     VII.                acquiring title to and / or taking possession of the Order Land;

                                    VIII.                transferring the title of the acquired land to Clarion Housing Group;

                                       IX.                paying all costs associated with making the 2022 CPO, including  ...  view the full decision text for item 6.

The Cabinet Member for Housing, Regeneration and the Climate Emergency presented the report, which followed the Cabinet decisions in 2018 to agree in principle to use Compulsory Purchase Orders to support implementation of the Merton Estates Regeneration Programme and that further CPOs would be required once conditions had been met. It was noted that these conditions had now been met and voluntary acquisition had not been successful and therefore the report sought to make three CPOs which could be utilised if required.

The Leader thanked officers for their work.

RESOLVED:

A            That Cabinet resolved to make three Compulsory Purchase Orders (the 2022 CPOs) for the acquisition of land, interests and rights (other than those already in the ownership of Clarion Housing Group) over the Order Land shown shaded pink and blue on the Plans attached as Appendix 1 and described more fully in section 3 of each of the draft Statements of Reasons attached as Appendix  2.

B            That Cabinet agreed that the 2022 CPOs shall be, entitled:

                                         I.                “The London Borough of Merton (High Path No1) Compulsory Purchase Order 2022";

                                        II.                "The London Borough of Merton (Eastfields No1) Compulsory Purchase Order 2022"; and

                                      III.                "The London Borough of Merton (Ravensbury No1) Compulsory Purchase Order 2022".

C            That Cabinet agreed that there is a compelling case in the public interest to justify the making of the 2022 CPOs to include specific interests that must be acquired to facilitate the redevelopment of the High Path Estate, the Eastfields Estate and Ravensbury Estate (the Estates) as part of the Merton Estates Regeneration Programme, for the reasons detailed in this Report and the draft Statements of Reasons.

D            That Cabinet delegated to the Director of Environment and Regeneration the power to effect the making, confirming and implementation of the 2022 CPOs and to take all necessary steps to give effect to the 2022 CPOs in respect of the Order Land, but not limited to, the following procedural steps:

                                         I.                making such amendments and additions to the draft Statements of Reasons as deemed necessary to properly reflect the Council's position regarding the proposed 2022 CPOs so as to properly present the Council's case;

                                        II.                making such amendments and additions to the Plans attached at Appendix 1 as deemed necessary to properly enable construction of phases 2 and 3 of High Path, phase 1 of Eastfields and phases 2 to 4 of Ravensbury;

                                      III.                making the 2022 CPOs, the publication and service of any press, site and individual notices and other correspondence for such making;

                                      IV.                monitoring of negotiated agreements with landowners or statutory undertakers as applicable, setting out the terms for withdrawal of any objections to the 2022 CPOs, including where appropriate seeking exclusion of land or new rights from the 2022 CPOs;

                                       V.                seeking confirmation of the 2022 CPOs by the Secretary of State (or, if permitted, by the Council pursuant to Section 14A of the Acquisition of Land Act 1981), including the preparation and presentation of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

RESOLVED:

A. That Cabinet considered the report and noted the recommendations (attached in Appendix A) arising from the scrutiny review of the Re-purposing the High Street.

B. That Cabinet agreed to consider implementation of an action plan to be drawn up by officers working with relevant local partner organisations and Cabinet Member(s) to be designated by Cabinet.

The Leader noted that this was the last meeting for Councillor Peter Southgate and paid tribute to his work.

At the invitation of the Chair, Councillor Southgate spoke to present the report and gave an overview of the recommendations within it, following a task group established in 2020 and recognising the changed role of high streets as a result of the Covid19 pandemic. Councillor Southgate thanked the Cabinet Member and the Scrutiny team for their work.

The Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance, Performance, Recovery and the Local Economy responded to thank Councillor Southgate for his work and for the report.

RESOLVED:

A. That Cabinet considered the report and noted the recommendations (attached in Appendix A) arising from the scrutiny review of the Re-purposing the High Street.

B. That Cabinet agreed to consider implementation of an action plan to be drawn up by officers working with relevant local partner organisations and Cabinet Member(s) to be designated by Cabinet.

RESOLVED:

A. That Cabinet approved the award of a collaboration agreement for the provision and maintenance of a Community Equipment Service via an integrated Procurement Hub to London Borough of Croydon on a rolling basis, with the Council able to withdraw from the agreement by giving not less than six (6) months’ written notice of its intention to do so to expire on 31st March in any Financial Year.

B. That Adult Social Care carry out an annual review of service quality as well as undertaking a full value for money exercise every 3 years to ensure that the service continues to offer Best Value.

C. That the Director of Community and Housing was given delegated authority, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Health, to agree to the continuation of the collaboration agreement following the completion of each annual review and triennial value for money exercise

The Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Public Health presented the report, thanking officers for their work. It was noted that the contract if approved would be awarded on a rolling basis, as well as undertaking a value for money exercise every three years.

The Leader thanked officers for their work.

RESOLVED:

A. That Cabinet approved the award of a collaboration agreement for the provision and maintenance of a Community Equipment Service via an integrated Procurement Hub to London Borough of Croydon on a rolling basis, with the Council able to withdraw from the agreement by giving not less than six (6) months’ written notice of its intention to do so to expire on 31st March in any Financial Year.

B. That Adult Social Care carry out an annual review of service quality as well as undertaking a full value for money exercise every 3 years to ensure that the service continues to offer Best Value.

C. That the Director of Community and Housing was given delegated authority, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Health, to agree to the continuation of the collaboration agreement following the completion of each annual review and triennial value for money exercise

RESOLVED:

a)    That Cabinet noted the responses and officers’ analysis from the consultation on home to school travel that ran from 23 November 2021 to 5 January 2022 and agreed to the following changes to home to school travel arrangements:

b)    That Cabinet agreed to increase investment in travel training by £50,000 per year to support opportunities for the independence and well-being of the young person to travel to school/college independently rather than using supported travel  from the age 11 where it is appropriate

c)    That Cabinet agreed for officers to improve the offer of travel budgets (PTABs), by implementing a more transparent policy, making it easier for families to receive financial recompense and increasing their promotion. This will both improve the take up of this option by parents and the ease of its use, while also being more efficient for the Council  

d)    In addition to continuing to meet our statutory requirements for home to school travel for statutory school age children, to continue to support families with children of pre-school age and post 16 students with the most significant needs where it is essential to get their child to school, especially for those with severe and profound learning difficulties

e)    Not to introduce charging for receiving travel assistance.

f)     Travel support for post-16 students to in the future be predominantly through independent forms of travel assistance, such as travel training and travel budgets, where this is possible. Organised transport only for those unable to use independent forms of travel or where their educational placement agreed in their EHCP is too far away to be reached independently.

g)    Officers to continue work to ensure best value for money in providing travel assistance to children, including ensuring the most cost-effective means to procure the taxi market, efficient utilisation of the in-house buses and procured taxis, and more formal reviews with schools to ensure we meet the needs of children as effectively as possible including identifying children who could be supported towards more independent travel.

h)    For officers in Community and Housing Department, working with Children, Schools and Families, to update their policies in relation to post-19 home to college travel on the basis of the same strategy as above

i)     To delegate the Director of Children, Schools and Families, in consultation with the  Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Children and Education, and the Director of Community and Housing in relation to the travel assistance policy for post-19 students, amendments to policy documents in line with the above for supported travel from September 2022

The Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Children and Education presented the report, thanking officers for their work and those who had responded to the consultation. It was noted that responses had included that parents wanted education as close to home as possible to ensure that transport options available to them were as broad as possible. The consultation had consulted on a range of options.

RESOLVED:

a)    That Cabinet noted the responses and officers’ analysis from the consultation on home to school travel that ran from 23 November 2021 to 5 January 2022 and agreed to the following changes to home to school travel arrangements:

b)    That Cabinet agreed to increase investment in travel training by £50,000 per year to support opportunities for the independence and well-being of the young person to travel to school/college independently rather than using supported travel  from the age 11 where it is appropriate

c)    That Cabinet agreed for officers to improve the offer of travel budgets (PTABs), by implementing a more transparent policy, making it easier for families to receive financial recompense and increasing their promotion. This will both improve the take up of this option by parents and the ease of its use, while also being more efficient for the Council  

d)    In addition to continuing to meet our statutory requirements for home to school travel for statutory school age children, to continue to support families with children of pre-school age and post 16 students with the most significant needs where it is essential to get their child to school, especially for those with severe and profound learning difficulties

e)    Not to introduce charging for receiving travel assistance.

f)     Travel support for post-16 students to in the future be predominantly through independent forms of travel assistance, such as travel training and travel budgets, where this is possible. Organised transport only for those unable to use independent forms of travel or where their educational placement agreed in their EHCP is too far away to be reached independently.

g)    Officers to continue work to ensure best value for money in providing travel assistance to children, including ensuring the most cost-effective means to procure the taxi market, efficient utilisation of the in-house buses and procured taxis, and more formal reviews with schools to ensure we meet the needs of children as effectively as possible including identifying children who could be supported towards more independent travel.

h)    For officers in Community and Housing Department, working with Children, Schools and Families, to update their policies in relation to post-19 home to college travel on the basis of the same strategy as above

i)     To delegate the Director of Children, Schools and Families, in consultation with the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Children and Education, and the Director of Community and Housing in relation to the travel assistance policy for post-19 students, amendments to policy documents in line with the above for supported travel from September 2022

RESOLVED:

A. That Cabinet agreed that the Council extend its existing contract with Julius Rutherfoord & Co Limited for provision of the school cleaning service at Merton primary, secondary and special schools and other education buildings up to 31 July 2022

The Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Children and Education presented the report which related to procuring a new school cleaning contract in line with the School year following the previous contract ending on 31 March 2022. The report sought approval to extend the existing contract until the end of the school year with subsequent contract decisions being brought to future Cabinet meetings as required. The Cabinet Member for Children and Education thanked officers for their work.

RESOLVED:

A. That Cabinet agreed that the Council extend its existing contract with Julius Rutherfoord & Co Limited for provision of the school cleaning service at Merton primary, secondary and special schools and other education buildings up to 31 July 2022

RESOLVED:

A. That Cabinet noted the financial reporting data for month 10, January 2022, relating to revenue budgetary control, showing a forecast net adverse variance at year end on net service expenditure of £5.967m, increasing to £6.592m when corporate and funding items are included, a decrease of £684k compared to last month

B. That CMT note the contents of Section 5 and approve the adjustments to the Capital Programme contained in Appendix 5b

That Cabinet noted the contents of Section 5 and Appendix 5b of the report and approve the adjustments to the Capital Programme in the Table below:

The Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance, Performance, Recovery and the Local Economy presented the report which projected a £6.5million outturn variance. It was noted that there were two further forthcoming months of the year and the report did not include any DSG funding if this was forthcoming in due course. The Cabinet Member thanked the finance team for their ongoing work.

The Leader thanked the Cabinet Member and officers for their work.

RESOLVED:

A. That Cabinet noted the financial reporting data for month 10, January 2022, relating to revenue budgetary control, showing a forecast net adverse variance at year end on net service expenditure of £5.967m, increasing to £6.592m when corporate and funding items are included, a decrease of £684k compared to last month

B. That CMT note the contents of Section 5 and approve the adjustments to the Capital Programme contained in Appendix 5b

That Cabinet noted the contents of Section 5 and Appendix 5b of the report and approve the adjustments to the Capital Programme in the Table below:

This item will now be brought to a future meeting of Cabinet

The Cabinet Member for Housing, Regeneration and the Climate Emergency provided a verbal update to the Cabinet.

The Cabinet Member advised that in terms of Selective Licensing and Article 4, licensing viability modelling and cost modelling was ongoing and a further Cabinet report was expected in due course. Background work was required to be undertaken on Article 4 and work continued to be ongoing on this. The Cabinet Member thanked officers for their work.

The Leader thanked the Cabinet Member and officers for their work and the update was noted by Cabinet.

To RESOLVE that the public are excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following report(s) on the grounds that it is (they are) exempt from disclosure for the reasons stated in the report(s).

RESOLVED: That the public were excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following report on the grounds that it was exempt from disclosure for the reasons stated in the report.

RESOLVED:
That the recommendations within the report were agreed.

The report was discussed and it was

RESOLVED:
That the recommendations within the report were agreed.