An apology was received from Councillor Maxi Martin.

No declarations of pecuniary interest were received.

The minutes of the meeting held on 7 December 2015 were agreed as a correct record.

RESOLVED

The Cabinet

1).    agrees that work to expand Harris Academy Merton by 2 forms of entry should proceed as soon as possible, with the school providing 210 year 7 places in September 2016, and 240 in September 2017 and beyond

2).    notes that officers are working proactively with the Education Funding Agency to identify a suitable site for the new Harris Wimbledon School, and it is hoped sufficient progress will be made to enable an announcement in February 2016.

The Cabinet Member for Education presented the report, which reminded the Cabinet that at their meeting held on 8 July 2015 they agreed to facilitate the expansion of a further 12 forms of secondary entry. This would be achieved through the possible expansions of three schools by two-forms of entry each  and through the pursuing of the opening of the Harris Wimbledon School in partnership with the Education Funding Agency, to create a further 6 forms of entry.

The report proposes that work should commence to expand Harris Academy Merton by 2 forms of entry as possible, to enable the school to provide an additional 210 year 7 places in September 2016, and 240 in September 2017 and beyond.

Members noted that in respect of the proposed new Harris Wimbledon School that the decision over the location at present but the Council was working  with the Education Funding Agency on this. It was hoped that a joint announcement on this matter would occur in February 2016.

RESOLVED

The Cabinet

1).    agrees that work to expand Harris Academy Merton by 2 forms of entry should proceed as soon as possible, with the school providing 210 year 7 places in September 2016, and 240 in September 2017 and beyond

2).    notes that officers are working proactively with the Education Funding Agency to identify a suitable site for the new Harris Wimbledon School, and it is hoped sufficient progress will be made to enable an announcement in February 2016.

RESOLVED

That Cabinet notes

1)     the financial reporting data relating to revenue budgetary control, showing a forecast net overspend at year end of £3.0million, 0.56% of the gross budget.

2).     the adjustments to the Capital Programme detailed in appendix 5b and approve the £750,200 Primary School Expansion Overspend Provision in 2015/16. Approval from this provision will be authorised by the Directors of Children, Schools and Families and Corporate Services. Any unspent balance once the final accounts are settled will be clawed back

The Cabinet Member for Finance presented the report which provided the regular monthly financial monitoring update for November 2015, in respect of the 2015/2016 financial year. It was noted that the net overspend expected at the year-end was £3million, 0.56% of the gross budget, which had decreased by approximately £200k since the previous month’s report.

RESOLVED

That Cabinet notes

1)      the financial reporting data relating to revenue budgetary control, showing a forecast net overspend at year end of £3.0million, 0.56% of the gross budget.

2).     the adjustments to the Capital Programme detailed in appendix 5b and approve the £750,200 Primary School Expansion Overspend Provision in 2015/16. Approval from this provision will be authorised by the Directors of Children, Schools and Families and Corporate Services. Any unspent balance once the final accounts are settled will be clawed back

RESOLVED

That Cabinet

1).    Notes the financial information arising from the Provisional Settlement 2016/17 and that the financial implications will be incorporated into the draft MTFS 2016-20 and draft capital programme 2016-20.

2).    agrees the Council Tax Base for 2016/17 set out in paragraph 8 and Appendix 2

3).    notes the latest update of the draft MTFS for 2016 – 20

The Cabinet Member for Finance presented the report which provided a further update on the Business Plan 2016-20. The updates related mainly to the medium term strategy as it had been adjusted based on the findings from the Government’s Corporate Spending Review, but it was emphasised that the final settlement details have yet to confirmed. We were working on the assumption that it was likely to be 25% reduction in the settlement, but it looks more like a 40% reduction, that equates to £10mil over next 4 years. It was noted that there was also still some uncertainty over the level of payment the Council would receive from the new homes bonus.

The Cabinet confirmed that they were still committed to retaining the Council Tax freeze. It was noted that the Government announced that they were to amended the rules over the level where a referendum was required for increases of Council Tax to 4% and that there was an option of a 2% increase in Council Tax solely for Adult Social Care. The exact details on how both of those changes would work had yet to be clarified.

RESOLVED

That Cabinet

1).    Notes the financial information arising from the Provisional Settlement 2016/17 and that the financial implications will be incorporated into the draft MTFS 2016-20 and draft capital programme 2016-20.

2).    agrees the Council Tax Base for 2016/17 set out in paragraph 8 and Appendix 2

3).    notes the latest update of the draft MTFS for 2016 – 20

RESOLVED

That Cabinet

1).    approves the council’s contribution to the London Councils Grants Scheme 2016/17 as per the subscription set by London Councils Leaders’ Committee on 8 December 2015;

2).    agrees to allocate the balance in the 2016/17 subscriptions budget to the Merton Partnership Voluntary Sector Grant Scheme.

The Cabinet Member for Community Safety, Engagement and Equalities presented the report which sought Cabinet’s approval of Merton’s contribution to the London Council’s Grant Scheme. It was noted that the proposed figure of £202,931 was a slight reduction on last year’s £217,275 and this amount had been determined by the London Councils’ Leaders’ Committee. It was noted that the proposed contribution could be met from within existing resources.

RESOLVED

That Cabinet

1).     approves the council’s contribution to the London Councils Grants Scheme 2016/17 as per the subscription set by London Councils Leaders’ Committee on 8 December 2015;

2).     agrees to allocate the balance in the 2016/17 subscriptions budget to the Merton Partnership Voluntary Sector Grant Scheme.

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet:

1.     notes the results of Circle Housing Merton Priory (CHMP) Board and the decision of Circle Housing Board to proceed.

2.     approves six weeks of public consultation on the Draft Estates Local Plan (including proposals to include opportunities of development around St Marks Academy  set out in Appendix A of this report ) and Sustainability Appraisal and associated revisions to the Policies Map from February  2016 – March 2016, noting that the consultation will  provide residents input into setting the parameters which the council would require any submitted regeneration proposals for the three estates to adhere to.  

3.     approves the associated update to the project plan (Merton’s Local Development Scheme) to reflect preparation of the proposed draft Estates Regeneration Local Plan and the revised timetable for preparation of this Plan as set out in this report.

4.     delegate approval to Director of Environment and Regeneration in consultation with  relevant Cabinet members to approve changes to the consultation documents and the start of consultation and the timetable option to proceed with following this current consultation stage.

5.     delegate conclusion of negotiation with CHMP on financial viability matters to the Director of Corporate Services and Director of Environment and Regeneration in consultation with relevant Cabinet members; with any subsequent amendments to the Stock Transfer Agreement to be brought back to Cabinet & Full Council.

6.     delegate approval to the Director of Community & Housing in consultation with the relevant Cabinet Member, to finalise a revised delivery timetable for the implementation of the decent homes programme on the High Path, Eastfields and Ravensbury Estates.

The Cabinet Members for Environmental Sustainability and Regeneration and Community and Culture presented the report which sought Cabinet’s approval for the 6 week public consultation on the draft Estates Local Plan. In detailing the report it was emphasised that the consultation was separate to anything that had been carried out by Circle Housing Merton Priority (CHMP) and that no decision had been taken prior to the result of the consultation having been collated. It was emphasised that the Council was still committed and proud of the 10 commitments and would ensure that they were fulfilled with CHMP.

Mr Holt the Chair, Ravensbury Residents Association, addressed the Cabinet on the report asking a number of questions for clarification on the consolation process. In response to those questions it was noted that due to commercially sensitive information it would not be possible to have an ‘open book policy’ on the estate development. However the Council would see from its own position, if there was any further information that it could make public.

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet:

1.     notes the results of Circle Housing Merton Priory (CHMP) Board and the decision of Circle Housing Board to proceed.

2.     approves six weeks of public consultation on the Draft Estates Local Plan (including proposals to include opportunities of development around St Marks Academy  set out in Appendix A of this report ) and Sustainability Appraisal and associated revisions to the Policies Map from February  2016 – March 2016, noting that the consultation will  provide residents input into setting the parameters which the council would require any submitted regeneration proposals for the three estates to adhere to.  

3.     approves the associated update to the project plan (Merton’s Local Development Scheme) to reflect preparation of the proposed draft Estates Regeneration Local Plan and the revised timetable for preparation of this Plan as set out in this report.

4.     delegate approval to Director of Environment and Regeneration in consultation with  relevant Cabinet members to approve changes to the consultation documents and the start of consultation and the timetable option to proceed with following this current consultation stage.

5.     delegate conclusion of negotiation with CHMP on financial viability matters to the Director of Corporate Services and Director of Environment and Regeneration in consultation with relevant Cabinet members; with any subsequent amendments to the Stock Transfer Agreement to be brought back to Cabinet & Full Council.

6.     delegate approval to the Director of Community & Housing in consultation with the relevant Cabinet Member, to finalise a revised delivery timetable for the implementation of the decent homes programme on the High Path, Eastfields and Ravensbury Estates.

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 reports on the grounds that they were exempt from disclosure for the reasons stated in the reports.

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet award the corporate cleaning services contract to Tenderer A for a 3 year period from 1st April 2016 to 31st March 2019 with an option to extend for a further period of 1 year, subject to satisfactory performance at a cost of £1,592,070 for 3 years, or a £2,122,760 for 4 years.

The Cabinet Member for Finance presented the report which sought approval for the awarding of  a new corporate cleaning services contract for a 3 year period from 1st April 2016 to 31st March 2019 with an option to extend for a further period of 1 year. It was noted that the new contract would included the new London living wage rate within it.

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet award the corporate cleaning services contract to Tenderer A for a 3 year period from 1st April 2016 to 31st March 2019 with an option to extend for a further period of 1 year, subject to satisfactory performance at a cost of £1,592,070 for 3 years, or a £2,122,760 for 4 years.

RESOLVED

That Cabinet approves the award of a contract to Organisation A for the provision of an integrated evidence-based public health and clinical health service, on behalf of both the Council and Merton Clinical Commissioning Group, incorporating:

             i.                a multicomponent tier two weight management service for adults;

           ii.                a multidisciplinary tier three weight management service for adults;

          iii.                a multicomponent tier two weight management service for children and young people;

         iv.                a stop smoking and harm reduction service for young people and adults;

           v.                a targeted behaviour change service, incorporating a network of health champions;

         vi.                a programme of training to front line workers to support the prevention agenda.

The contract will commence on 01 April 2016 and be for a period of three years with the option of a break clause in Year 2, and then with the option to extend for a further period of up to 24 months, subject to satisfactory performance, availability of budget and continued need at the discretion of the Council and the CCG. The maximum possible contract period would be no more than five years. 

The Cabinet Member for Adult and Social Care presented the report which sought approval for the awarding a contract for the provision of an integrated health improvement service, with multiple components, including a stop smoking and harm reduction service for young people and adults.

The Cabinet Member proposed a slight amendment to the published recommendation to insert a ‘with the option of a break clause in year 2 of the contract  So that it would read’  The contract will commence on 01 April 2016 and be for a period of three years with the option of a break clause in year 2, and then with the option to extend for a further period of up to 24 months, subject to satisfactory performance, availability of budget and continued need at the discretion of the Council and the CCG. The maximum possible contract period would be no more than five years.  This was endorsed by the other Cabinet Members.

It was noted that once the Cabinet made its decision the report would be put before the Merton Clinical Commissioning Group for their endorse of the preferred tenderer as it was a join tender process.

RESOLVED

That Cabinet approves the award of a contract to Organisation A for the provision of an integrated evidence-based public health and clinical health service, on behalf of both the Council and Merton Clinical Commissioning Group, incorporating:

             i.                a multicomponent tier two weight management service for adults;

           ii.                a multidisciplinary tier three weight management service for adults;

          iii.                a multicomponent tier two weight management service for children and young people;

         iv.                a stop smoking and harm reduction service for young people and adults;

           v.                a targeted behaviour change service, incorporating a network of health champions;

         vi.                a programme of training to front line workers to support the prevention agenda.

The contract will commence on 01 April 2016 and be for a period of three years with the option of a break clause in year 2, and then with the option to extend for a further period of up to 24 months, subject to satisfactory performance, availability of budget and continued need at the discretion of the Council and the CCG. The maximum possible contract period would be no more than five years.