Decisions

The Committee considered the report and RESOLVED to note the contents of the report.

The Committee considered the report and RESOLVED

(a)  To authorise the stopping up of the highway land at Broadway Rainham shown zebra hatched on the Plan, in accordance with the procedure set out in section 252 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990,

subject to: 

·        the grant and lawful implementation of planning permission application reference P1701.17;

·        payment, by the applicant, of all costs associated with the stopping up;

·        any direction by the Mayor of London

on the following basis:

if no objections were received (or any received are withdrawn), or the Mayor of London decided a local inquiry was unnecessary, then the stopping up order would be confirmed by officers;

if objections were received from a local authority, statutory undertaker or gas transporter (and were not withdrawn), or other objections were received (and not withdrawn) and the Mayor of London decided that an inquiry was necessary, the Council should cause a local inquiry to be held.

(b)  to delegate authority to the Assistant Director of Environment to do anything necessary and incidental to facilitate the process of stopping up the highway pursuant to section 247 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.

In accordance with the public speaking arrangements the Committee was addressed by an objector with a response by the applicant’s agent.

Councillor Joshua Chapman addressed the Committee.

The Committee considered the report and by a vote of 4 votes to 3 with 1 abstention  RESOLVED to GRANT PLANNING PERMISSION subject to the conditions as set out in the report.

Councillors Ower, Middleton and Durant voted against the resolution to grant planning permission.

Councillor McGeary abstained from voting.

The Committee considered the report and RESOLVED on a vote of 6 votes to 0 with 1 abstention to GRANT PLANNING PERMISSION subject to the conditions as set out in the report and completion of a Deed of Variation.

Condition 36  to be amended to include a trigger point for the additional road signage and road markings.

Councillor Durant abstained from voting.

As declared earlier in these minutes Councillor Paul Middleton declared a prejudicial interest in this item.

Councillor Middleton left the chamber and took no part in the deliberation of the item or the vote.

The minutes of the meeting held on 17 January 2019 were declared as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

Councillor Paul Middleton declared a prejudicial interest in item 6 P1700.18 31 High Street, Hornchurch. Councillor Middleton advised that he had been in previous dialogue with the applicants.

The Committee received a developer presentation from Alasdair Buckle of nexus Planning and Adam Johnson of Assael Architecture.

The latest revised scheme ranged in height from 6 to 9 storeys, providing 77 residential units, and approximately 382 sq. m of commercial floor space.

The main issues raised by Members for further consideration prior to submission of a planning application were:

·        Height reduction welcomed.

·        Affordable Housing: need to understand the basis of the offer and the trade-offs being made e.g.; height vs unit numbers vs viability.

·        Parking: need to understand the basis the car parking proposals in more detail. What was the anticipated level of demand for parking?

·        The submission should demonstrate why the proposals would not dominate the Church or the Market Place

·        Quality of tree planting and public realm to the rear of the site was really important

In accordance with the public participation rules the Committee was addressed by an objector with a response by the applicant’s agent.

The Committee considered the report and RESOLVED that PLANNING PERMISSION BE GRANTED subject to the conditions as set out in the report. Also to amend the lighting condition to require provision of lighting sensors within the extension itself.

The Committee received a developer presentation from Rebecca Taylor of JTP Architects and additional responses from Lia Silva of Wates Residential.

The proposal is to demolish the existing buildings and structures on the site and construct a residential development to provide for the specific needs of residents over the age of 55 currently proposed to comprise the following:

• 5  blocks of varying heights (between 3/4/5/6/8/10 storeys)
• 178 new homes proposed providing 26% affordable housing and 69% private housing.
• 91 car parking spaces, including dedicated cycle/scooter storage.
• Dedicated laybys for drop off and emergency vehicles
• All units would be oversized i.e. they would meet the larger minimum standards required for wheelchair units and would consist of 1 and 2 bed dwellings – designed to attract elderly ‘downsizers’.
• Biodiversity enhancements through new planting

·        Community space to facilitate interaction among residents

The main issues raised by Members for further consideration prior to the submission of a planning application were:

·        Security of mobility scooters and whether they could  fit into the lift

·        Charging points for scooters.  Who funded that?

·        Assurance was needed about the security of the site and how the scheme would meet Designing out Crime advice.

·        Manoeuvrability of the site for Dial-a-Ride.

·        Opportunity to improve the public transport connectivity into the site.  Important to explore given level of car parking provision.

·        Bus lay-by opportunity.  A joint effort was needed for public transport investments.

·        Need to understand in more detail the relationship to Uphavering House.

·        Detail sought regarding the management of the site during construction (both building activity and traffic associated).

·        Need to include details of the Parking Management Strategy.

·        Can large vehicles use the road easily enough as it was a narrow road?

·        Environmental credential of the scheme.

The Committee received a developer presentation from Rebecca Taylor of JTP Architects and additional responses from Lia Silva of Wates Residential.

The proposal was to demolish the existing buildings and structures on the site and construct a residential development currently proposed to comprise the following:

·        Three distinct blocks of varying heights (between 3/4/5/7/9/10 storeys)

·        197 homes proposed providing 64% affordable and 36% market housing.

·        92 car parking spaces below a podium level

·        381 cycle parking spaces

·        Significant amenity provision including three courtyard gardens

·        New open space with cycle link.

·        New opportunities for play space within all planned green spaces

·        Enhanced for sustainability and biodiversity.

The main issues raised by Members for further consideration prior to the submission of a planning application were:

·        Reassurances sought  that the development would be secure/become gated.

·        Charging points needed to be robust to prevent vandalism.

·        Daylight and sunlight details were still needed.

·        Invite amendments to height to redistribute the units.

·        Opportunity for increased family unit provision.

·        A strong traffic/parking management plan was needed.

·        A survey was needed of existing/former residents to establish their parking needs, detail of that is invited with the submission.

·        Opportunity to add/create social value through the scheme.

The Cabinet went into closed session on occasion whilst discussing agenda items 11 to 15 which contain exempt reports.  These items were considered at the beginning of the agenda as set out by the Leader of the Council.

Cabinet will be asked to approve the Treasury Management Strategy Statement, Annual Minimum Revenue Provision (MRP) Statement and the Prudential Indicators.

Cabinet:

1.               Approved the Treasury Management Strategy Statement (TMSS) 2019/20.

2.               Approved the Treasury Management and Prudential Indicators set out in Appendices 1 and 2 of this report.

3.               Approved the Annual Minimum Revenue Provision (MRP) Statement for 2019/20 set out in Appendix 7 of this report.

4.               Recommended the annual TMSS and MRP statements 2019/20 to Council for approval.

5.               Delegated future changes required to this Strategy to the Chief Operating Officer in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Finance and Property. This will provide the additional flexibility to swiftly respond to changing financial markets. 

Cabinet will be asked to agree the HRA budget strategy for 2019/20, the HRA Business Plan and Capital Programme.

Cabinet:

1.              Approved the Housing Revenue Account Budget as detailed in Appendix 1. 

2.              Agreed that the average rents chargeable for tenants in general needs Council properties owned by the London Borough of Havering be decreased by 1% from the week commencing  2^nd  April 2019 in line with the indicative figures contained in paragraph 2.1.4 of this report.

3.              Agreed that the average rents chargeable for tenants in supported housing Council properties, such as sheltered housing and hostels, owned by the London Borough of Havering, be reduced by 1% from the week commencing 2nd April 2019 in line with the indicative figures contained in paragraph 2.1.4 of this report.

4.              Agreed the four rent-free weeks for 2019/20 as being: week commencing 19th August 2019, the two weeks commencing 16^th and 23^rd December 2019, and the week commencing 30^th March 2020.

5.              Agreed that service charges and heating and hot water charges for 2019/20 are as detailed in paragraph 2.2.2 of this report.

6.              Agreed that the service charges for homeless households accommodated in the Council’s hostels in 2019/20 are as detailed in paragraph 2.2.3 of this report.                               

7.              Agreed that charges for garages should be increased by 3.4% in 2019/20 as detailed in paragraph 2.3.1 of this report

8.              Agreed that the service charge for the provision of intensive housing managementsupport in sheltered housing for 2019/20 shall be as detailed in paragraph 2.4.1of this report. 

9.              Agreed that the Careline support charge should be increased by 3.4% for 2019/20 as detailed in paragraph 2.5.1 of this report.

10.           Agreed that the Telecare support charges should be increased by 3.4% for 2019/20 as detailed in paragraph 2.5.1 of this report.

11.     Approved the HRA Major Works Capital Programme, detailed in Appendix 2a of this report and refer it to full Council for final ratification.

12.     Approved the HRA Capital expenditure and financing for the 12 Sites Joint Venture and Bridge Close detailed in paragraphs 3.5.1 to 3.5.17 and Appendix 2a of this report and refer it to full Council for final ratification.

13.     Approved the £10m Estate Improvement Programme detailed in paragraph 4.4 and Appendix 2a of this report and refer it to full Council for final ratification.

The purpose of this report is to enable the Council to calculate and set the Council Tax for 2019/20.

Cabinet were presented with a Corrigendum of amendments for the report and Appendices.  Cabinet agreed to accept these as follows:

Amendments to the Budget Cabinet Report

Corrigenda

(Amended items shaded)

Main Report page 84 of the Agenda pack

Paragraph 5.2 – Table amended

Appendix A page 102 of the Agenda Pack

Table amended

Appendix C

See Schedules next page – Pages 231, 232, 233 and 236 of the Agenda Pack

(Amended items shaded)

Cabinet:

1.     Agreed the Corporate Plan set out in Appendix G of the report.

2.     Agreed the Council’s General Fund Budget Requirement for 2019/20 to be set at £124.813m as set out in paragraph 5.3.2 and Appendix A of the report;

3.     Agreed The Delegated Schools’ draft budget set out in section 2.5 of the report;

4.     Agreed a 1.25% increase in Council Tax for 2019/20 as set out in paragraph 5.1 of the report;

5.     Agreed an additional 2% Adult Social Care Precept as in paragraph 5.1 of the report;

6.     Noted the Medium Term Financial Strategy position as set out in Section 4 and Appendix F of the report.

7.     Agreed the fees and charges schedule as set out in Section 6 and Appendix C of the report as amended.

8.     Noted the budget and risks as set out in Section 9 of the report.

9.     Approved the Council’s approach to general balances as set out in paragraph 7.3 of the report

10.Noted the requirements of  S106 of the LGA 1992 Act as set out in Section 1.

11.Agreed that if there are any changes to the GLA precept and/or levies, the Chief Financial (s151) Officer be authorised to amend the recommended resolutions accordingly and report these to the next Council meeting as required.

12.Agreed that to facilitate the usage of unringfenced resources, the Chief Financial Officer in consultation with Service Directors will review any such new funds allocated to Havering; make proposals for their use; and obtain approval by the Cabinet Member for Financial Management, ICT (Client) & Transformation.

13.Delegated to the Chief Financial Officer in consultation with Service Directors the authority to make any necessary changes to service and the associated budgets relating to any subsequent specific grant funding announcements, where delays may otherwise adversely impact on service delivery and/or budgetary control, subject to consultation with Cabinet Members as appropriate.

Cabinet will recommend to Council for consideration and approval:

·       The Council’s General Fund Budget Requirement for 2019/20 to be set at £124.813m as set out in paragraph 5.3.2 and Appendix A of the report;

·       The Delegated Schools’ draft budget set out in section 2.5 of this report;

·       A 1.25% increase in Council Tax for 2019/20 as set out in paragraph 5.1;

·       An additional 2% Adult Social Care Precept as in paragraph 5.1;

·       That it pass a resolution as set out in section 11 of this report to enable Council Tax discounts to be given at the 2018/19 level.

Cabinet will be asked to approve the Capital Strategy and Programme.

Cabinet:

1.              Approved the capital strategy contained within this report noting its impact on both the capital programme and overall contribution to the setting of the revenue budget for 2019/20 and beyond

2.              Will Recommend to Council for consideration and approval the 2019/20 and ongoing Capital Programme (subject to business cases for the regeneration schemes being approved in line with the governance process)

3.              Agreed that the Chief Financial Officer be authorised to allocate funding from the Capital Contingency included within the draft Capital Programme.

4.              Approved the use of capital receipts to fund the revenue costs of two eligible proposals – the Oracle and CRM system transformations – under the MHCLG Guidance on the Flexible Use of Capital Receipts.

5.              Agreed that externally funded schemes can be added to the capital programme up to £500k as and when funding is confirmed. Any external funding over £500k will be subject to approval by the Chief Financial (s151) Officer.

6.              Agreed that the relevant Cabinet Member, together with the Cabinet Member for Finance and Property be delegated authority to commence tender processes and accept tenders for capital schemes included within the approved programme under the block programme allocations or delegation arrangements set out in this report.

7.              Noted the capital prudential indicators included within the capital strategy when approving the capital programme to ensure affordability.

Cabinet will be asked to approve the Oracle upgrade business case.

Cabinet:

Cabinet will be asked to approve the Bridge Close Regeneration LLP Business Plan 2019/2020

Cabinet:
 

1. Agreed the Bridge Close Regeneration LLP Business Plan 2019, as attached at Appendix A.

2. Agreed that the Leader of the Council, after consultation with the S151 Officer, the Director of Regeneration and the Director of Legal and Governance, approve detailed business cases, related viability assessments, funding arrangements and legal agreements as may be presented during the Business Plan 2019 period.

3. Agreed to Endorse and Recommend to Council budget allocation to include £111.7 million within the proposed capital programme.

4. Agreed, in the event of approval of 2 and 3 above, to delegate to the Director of Regeneration, after consultation with the S151 Officer and the Director of Legal and Governance, the authority to take all steps to enable the approval of the terms of the agreements associated with the Council’s acquisition of interests from Bridge Close Regeneration LLP relating to a new primary school, a health hub and affordable housing, including any related financial arrangements and the appointment of relevant professionals.

5. Agreed in principle for the Council to facilitate third party lending of debt to the Bridge Close Regeneration LLP.

6. Agreed, in the event of approval of 5 above,that the s151 Officer responds to the service of any notice served by the Bridge Close Regeneration LLP, indicating a willingness or otherwise to participate in making third party debt available from the Council, subject to contract and due diligence.

7. Agreed, in the event of approval of 5 above, that the s151 Officer, after consultation with the Chief Executive and The Leader of the Council, may enter into funding agreements consistent with the Treasury management Strategy and Councils Scheme of Delegations.

Cabinet:

1.          Approved to directly award a demolition contract with Wates Construction Ltd. (WCL) to facilitate the demolition of Napier and New Plymouth House (NNP) in Rainham and Solar, Serena and Sunrise Courts (SSS) in Hornchurch, subject to approval of the JVLLP Wates Business Plan by Cabinet and in preparation for housing regeneration.

2      Approved a waiver of contract rules to allow the direct award of a works contract for the demolition of Napier and New Plymouth House and Solar, Serena and Sunrise Courts.

3.          Agreed to endorse and recommend the inclusion of a budget of £4.144m for the demolition within the proposed HRA capital programme that is being considered by Cabinet in a report elsewhere on this agenda, as part of the annual Housing Revenue Account (HRA) rent setting and capital programme report and that this is recommended to Full Council for final approval in February 2019.

Noted

4.          The Council to undertake the demolition and partial enabling of Napier and New Plymouth House and Solar Serena and Sunrise Courts.

Cabinet will be asked to approve to the implementation of the Havering and Wates Regeneration LLP Business Plan 2019/2020.

This will involve the following decisions:

1. Cabinet approval to the implementation of the Havering and Wates Regeneration LLP Business Plan 2019/2020
2. Demolition notice approval for sites named in the Cabinet Report.
3. Approval for the addition of the Chippenham Road Site into the JV  
4. The proposal to provide forward funding to the JV
5. Agreement to make variations to the JV agreements with the Council to facilitate Cabinet approvals.

Cabinet:

1. Approved the Havering and Wates Regeneration Joint Venture Business Plan dated January 2019, as attached at the exempt agenda report.

2. Agreed to delegate to the Leader of the Council, after consultation with the s151 Officer, the Director of Regeneration and the Director of Legal and Governance, the authority to approve the business cases, related viability assessments and incorporation of an opportunity site known as Chippenham Road as may be presented during the Business Plan 2019-20 period.

3. Agreed that the s151 Officer responds to the service of any notice as described in the exempt agenda of this report served by the HWR indicating a willingness or otherwise to participate in making third party debt available from the Council, subject to contract and due diligence.

4. Agreed that the s151 Officer, after consultation with the Chief Executive and the Leader of the Council, may enter into 3^rd Party funding agreements consistent with the Treasury Management Strategy and the Councils Scheme of Delegation

5. Authorised the Director of Regeneration in consultation with the Director of Legal and Governance to make variations to the JV Development and Members agreements to enable forward funding of Napier and New Plymouth and inclusion of the Chippenham Road site into the Havering and Wates Regeneration LLP.

6. Agreed the phasing and works packages for the 12 HRA Regeneration Sites, as identified at 2.1, subject to any changes made by the Leader in approving the business cases.

7. Authorised the Director of Housing to arrange for the service of demolition notices at the appropriate time in relation to all affected properties on the named estates and schemes in this report.

8. Agreed to continue to develop the proposals for the Blue Line and Opportunity Sites.

Cabinet will be asked to approve the Rainham and Beam Park Regeneration LLP Business Plan 2019/2020.  In addition Cabinet approval will be sought to:

·       bring forward LBH equity allocation to the Rainham and Beam Park Regeneration LLP from 2019/20 into 2018/19

·       Approve additional budget allocation to include the related site known as NR01 within the Regeneration Scheme

Cabinet:

1. Approvedthe draft Rainham and Beam Park Regeneration Joint Venture LLP Overarching Business Plan 2019-20, full details of which are contained within the Exempt Agenda Report.

2. Agreed that the Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Housing after consultation with the s151 Officer, the Chief Executive Officer and the Director of Legal and Governance, approve the finalised Overarching Business Plan 2019-20, and possible later incorporation of an additional site known as the ‘Rainham Opportunity Site’ as may be presented during the Business Plan 2019-20 period.

3. Agreed to Endorse and Recommend to Council the budget allocation set out in this report to include the related site known as ‘Rainham Opportunity Site’ with the Rainham and Beam Park Regeneration Scheme.

4. Agreed that the s151 Officer, after consultation with the Cabinet Member for Housing, responds to the service of any notice as described in Section 8.4 of this report, served by the Rainham and Beam Park Regeneration Joint Venture LLP, indicating a willingness or otherwise to participate in making third party debt available from the Council, subject to contract and due diligence.

5. Agreed that the s151 Officer, after consultation with the Chief Executive and The Leader of the Council, may enter into funding agreements consistent with the Treasury Management Strategy and Council’s Scheme of Delegation.

6. Agreed the revised capital profile which brings forward £1.5m capital expenditure from 2019/20 to 2018/19.

Cabinet will be asked to approve the addition of a further project to the MLH Business Plan and to approve, in-principle, the provision of further capital funding to MLH.

Cabinet:

1.       Approved the Mercury Land Holdings Limited Business Plan 2019/20 attached at exempt Appendix 2 of the report.

2.       Agreed to delegate authority to the Leader of the Council, after consultation with the s151 Officer, the Director of Regeneration Programme Delivery and the Director of Legal and Governance, approves the detailed business cases and related viability assessments and funding requirement for the individual schemes noted within the Business Plan as they may be presented during the business plan period in order to enable them to proceed.

3.       Agreed in principle to provide total capital funding to MLH up to a maximum of £135.85 million in respect of projects contained in exempt Appendix 2 through a combination of equity investment and state aid compliant loans subject to detailed approved business cases made under delegated authority in recommendation 2 above.

4.       Agreed to delegate authority to the S151 Officer to agree, after consultation with the Director of Legal and Governance, the completion of all relevant agreements and appointments of relevant professionals relating to the provision of debt finance by the Council to MLH. 

5.       Agreed to delegate to the sS151 Officer, following consultation with the Director of Asset Management, and the Director of Legal and Governance, the authority to determine the principles and processes by which any assets shall be disposed of and the terms of disposal to MLH.

The Director will be asked to award the contract for the provision of mental Health Supported Living Services.