Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Stephen Alambritis and Edith Macauley.

It was noted that apologies had also been received from the Chief Executive Ged Curran.

The Deputy Leader asked that the Cabinet record its thanks to Chris Pedlow, Senior Democratic Services Officer, for all his hard work and best wishes in his new job as this would be his last Cabinet meeting in Merton.

There were no declarations of interest.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 4 July 2016 are agreed as an accurate record.

RESOLVED:  That Cabinet notes and accepts comments made by the Overview and Scrutiny Commission when taking decisions on the procurement of waste collection by the South London Waste Partnership (set out in the report).

The Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Environment and Housing presented the report which detailed comments from the Overview and Scrutiny Commission, following their call-in meeting. The Cabinet Member commented that he welcomed their helpful views and would look to further educate our residents on the importance of the recycling and on the upcoming changes to the waste services and how these both work together.

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet notes and accepts comments made by the Overview and Scrutiny Commission when taking decisions on the procurement of waste collection by the South London Waste Partnership (set out in the report).

RESOLVED:

That the exempt minute of the meeting held on 4 July 2016 is agreed as an accurate record.

RESOLVED:  That Cabinet

1.            Notes the options set out in the report, results of the public consultation, representations received from individuals and groups and the findings of the police review of security at Rutlish School;

2.            Confirms that option 3 is the preferred option and agrees the following actions:

A.     To enter into a tripartite licence with the John Innes Foundation and Rutlish School to permit the school to close the gates at either end of the path between John Innes Park and John Innes Recreation Ground, 8am to 5pm, Monday to Friday in term time from the start of the autumn term, in September 2016;

B.     To delegate authority to agree the terms of the licence and to agree any further appropriate legal action to the Director of Environment and Regeneration, in consultation with the appropriate Cabinet Members, to effect this partial closure of the gates;

C.     To note that should recommendation 2 be agreed, further high priority school security works will be undertaken at the school at the earliest opportunity, jointly funded by the council’s capital maintenance budget for schools and Rutlish School;

D.     To note that the tripartite licence noted in recommendation 2A   above will be for a temporary period only in the first instance from September 2016 pending completion of the alternative path. Should the path not be completed then this matter will be brought back to Cabinet for further consideration.

The Cabinet Member for Community and Culture presented the report, which set out the case and the rationale for the need for the partial closure of the footpath between John Innes Park and John Innes Recreation Ground. The report also contained the background surrounding the potential partial closure of the footpath including that the issue had been previously considered by the Cabinet in 2012. It was noted that in a recent consultation, 59% who responded were in favour of the partial closure of the footpath.

The Cabinet also heard from Councillor Southgate as a local ward Councillor and from Mr Gunn on behalf of Merton Croquet Club, who highlighted two specific reasons why the club had objected to the proposed path closure.

In considering the report, and what they had heard, the Cabinet sort clarification from Officers on a number of aspects. In response it was confirmed that the school were making the other recommended changes to improve its security and that design work for an alternative path could commence immediately, should the decision be made by Cabinet to require the construction of said path.

In closing the discussion, the Cabinet Member for Community and Culture commented that having considered the report he felt that recommendation 2-D, needed slightly amending, and therefore moved an amended version of that aspect of the recommendation. The Cabinet Member for Education seconded the revision.

RESOLVED: 

That Cabinet

1.     Notes the options set out in the report, results of the public consultation, representations received from individuals and groups and the findings of the police review of security at Rutlish School;

2.     Confirms that option 3 is the preferred option and agrees the following actions:

A.     To enter into a tripartite licence with the John Innes Foundation and Rutlish School to permit the school to close the gates at either end of the path between John Innes Park and John Innes Recreation Ground, 8am to 5pm, Monday to Friday in term time from the start of the autumn term, in September 2016;

B.     To delegate authority to agree the terms of the licence and to agree any further appropriate legal action to the Director of Environment and Regeneration, in consultation with the appropriate Cabinet Members, to effect this partial closure of the gates;

C.     To note that should recommendation 2 be agreed, further high priority school security works will be undertaken at the school at the earliest opportunity, jointly funded by the council’s capital maintenance budget for schools and Rutlish School;

D.     To note that the tripartite licence noted in recommendation 2A above will be for a temporary period only in the first instance from September 2016 pending completion of the alternative path. Should the path not be completed then this matter will be brought back to Cabinet for further consideration.

RESOLVED: That Cabinet

1.         Notes the content of this report.

2.         Agrees to award the Street Lighting Maintenance and Improvement Term Contract from 1 October 2016 to 31 March 2024 to Provider A (see Appendix A) who submitted the most economically advantageous tender based on Price (60%) and Quality (40%).

3.         Agrees that in the unlikely event that Provider A fails to enter into a Contract with the Council, then the Contract shall be offered to Provider B who came second following the evaluation process.

4.         Notes the option to include Parks, Sports Grounds and Council Depots in the contract but subject to an audit, condition survey of assets and the affordability of maintenance and improvement as required. Cabinet are requested to delegate any such decisions to the Director of Environment & Regeneration as appropriate.

5.         Delegates to the Director of Environment & Regeneration any decisions to exercise the option to extend the new contract from 5.5 years, by two periods of one year each, subject to satisfactory performance of the appointed Contractor.

6.         Agree other recommendations listed in section 5 of the report.

The Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Environment and Housing presented the report which sort Cabinet approval for the awarding of the Street Lighting Maintenance and Improvement Term Contract from 1 October 2016 to 31 March 2024. It was noted that the preferred bid would lead better Value for money for the Council which was further to the savings created by the implementation of the new LED street lights recently installed across the Borough, and the new contract should provide a better services for our residents.

RESOLVED: 

That Cabinet

1.     Notes the content of this report.

2.     Agrees to award the Street Lighting Maintenance and Improvement Term Contract from 1 October 2016 to 31 March 2024 to Provider A (as set out in Appendix A) who submitted the most economically advantageous tender based on Price (60%) and Quality (40%).

3.     Agrees that in the unlikely event that Provider A fails to enter into a Contract with the Council, then the Contract shall be offered to Provider B who came second following the evaluation process.

4.     Notes the option to include Parks, Sports Grounds and Council Depots in the contract but subject to an audit, condition survey of assets and the affordability of maintenance and improvement as required. Cabinet are requested to delegate any such decisions to the Director of Environment & Regeneration as appropriate.

5.     Delegates to the Director of Environment & Regeneration any decisions to exercise the option to extend the new contract from 5.5 years, by two periods of one year each, subject to satisfactory performance of the appointed Contractor.

6.     Agree other recommendations listed in section 5 of the report.