Members are invited to disclose any interests in any of the items on the agenda at this point of the meeting. Members may still disclose an interest in an item at any time prior to the consideration of the matter.

There were no disclosures of interest.

Cabinet:

·       Noted the updated national financial context for local government, in year financial performance and the projected budget gap over the period 2019/20 to 2022/23 as set out in sections 1 and 2 of the report and the period 6 (September 2018) and of year forecast position set out in section 3.

·       Noted the assumptions which underpin the forecast.

·       Approved savings proposals for 2019/20 of £8.702m as set out in section 4 and Appendices B (£0.770m), C (£3.156m) and D (£4.776m), having considered the consultation feedback set out in Appendices E and F.

·       Approved the launch of consultation on the measures included in the Improving Traffic Flows project as set out in Appendix D.

·       Approved thegrowth proposal for 2019/20 of £1 million to fund the revenue costs of the £10 million capital investment in the Highways Investment Programme for 2019/20, as set out in section 4, having considered the consultation feedback set out in Appendices E and F.

·       Approved the updated 5 year Capital Programme in Section 6 for recommendation onto full Council for agreement in January 2019.

·       Noted the timetable and process for developing, reporting and considering the 2019/20 budget and MTFS as set out in section 7.

Councillor Roger Ramsey, Cabinet Member for Finance & Property, introduced the report.

The report presented an overview of the national economic and financial environment within which all local authorities were currently developing their financial plans for the next 4 years. It set out the complex range of factors affecting local authority  ...  view the full minutes text for item 18.

Cabinet:

• Considered the responses to the Council Tax Support Scheme and Long Term Empty Homes Premium consultation
• Approved and recommend to Council the adoption of the proposed Council Tax Support Scheme as summarised in Appendix C of the report with effect from 1 April 2019.
• Approved and recommend to Council an increase from 50% to 100% as a surcharge rate of Council Tax for the properties that have been empty for more than two years with effect from 1 April 2019

Councillor Damian White, Leader of the Council, introduced the report.

The report before Cabinet set out the detail of the responses to the public consultation to change the Council Tax Support Scheme 2019 (CTS Scheme) and the Council Tax surcharge on properties empty for more than two years.

An overview  ...  view the full minutes text for item 19.

Cabinet:

·       Agreed that £350k be allocated from the Transformation Fund to fund the project management, master planning and other associated costs plus that funding to a cap of £100k be made available from the Business Risk Reserve to cover any necessary legal costs arising.

·       Delegated authority to the Chief Operating Officer, after consultation with the Leader and Cabinet Member for Public Protection and Safety, to authorise the submission of related funding applications to external bodies to a limit of £5m.

Councillor Viddy Persaud, Cabinet Member for Public Protection and Safety, introduced the report.

The report before Cabinet explained that the Bretons Project had been working up options in relation to Bretons Manor House and surrounding grounds and park over the last year. Cabinet was asked to approve further funding of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 20.

To consider whether the press and public should now be excluded from the remainder of the meeting on the grounds that it is likely that, in view of the nature of the business to be transacted or the nature of the proceedings, if members of the press and public were present during those items there would be disclosure to them of exempt information within the meaning of paragraph 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972; and, if it is decided to exclude the public on those grounds, the Committee to resolve accordingly on the motion of the Chairman.

There were no press and public in attendance.  The meeting went into closed session.

Cabinet:

• Agreed to the Council entering into direct negotiations with landowners to purchase up to 23 residential properties on Waterloo Road and Oldchurch Road, Romford through private treaty.

• Agreed to delegate to the Director of Regeneration authority to take all necessary steps to enable and complete the acquisitions outlined in Resolution 1 above following consultation with the Director of Finance; that includes the authority to approve the terms to enable of the acquisition by private treaty, any financial arrangements for relocation of current land owners or tenants, completion of relevant agreements and appointments of relevant professionals.

• Agreed following agreement on resolutions 1 and 2 above to agree to recommend to Council to include sufficient financial provision as set out in Appendix A, to enable the private treaty purchase of the 23 residential properties on Waterloo Road and Oldchurch Road, Romford.

• Noted that the transfer of the properties acquired via this Cabinet decision may be transferred to the Bridge Close Regeneration LLP in accordance with the terms set out in the Land Acquisition Strategy, the Land Agreement and the Members Agreement. 

Councillor Damian White, Leader of the Council, introduced the report.

The Bridge Close redevelopment area includes residential properties, which front onto Waterloo Road and Oldchurch Road. These are owned by the Council, the Bridge Close Regeneration LLP (the Joint Venture) and private owners.

The report proposed that the Council seek  ...  view the full minutes text for item 22.