Members were advised of the Fire Safety procedure in the Chamber.

There were no apologies for absence.

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.

To approve as a correct record, the minutes of the meeting held on 14 December 2022, and to authorise the Chairman to sign them.

The minutes of the meeting held on 14^th December were agreed as a correct  record and the Chair signed them.

To consider whether the public should now be excluded during the discussions of agenda items 6, 12 and  13 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 public were present during those items there would be disclosures to them of exempt information within the meaning of paragraph 3 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

The Chair announced that the public should be excluded during the discussions of agenda items 6, 12 and 13 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 public were  ...  view the full minutes text for item 52.

Report and appendices attached (appendices not available to press or public).

Note: the attached report will only require consideration by Cabinet should the requisition of the Key Executive Decision be upheld by the Overview and Scrutiny Board at its meeting on 1 February 2023.

Provisional item: Requisition of a Key Executive Decision for Authorisation to Award a Contract for the Extension and Modification of Central Depot.

Further to the meeting of the O & S Board on 7^th February, as the issue was not upheld the Chair announced that a discussion was not required.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 53.

Part exempt report and appendix attached.

Declared the following assets as surplus to the Council’s operational requirements:

?         Former Century Youth House, Albert Road, Romford, RM1 2PS

?           Scotts Primary School House, 2 Bonington Road, Hornchurch, RM12 6TH

?           Newtons School House, Lowen Road, Rainham, RM13 8GL

?           Heather Avenue Workshop, 45 Heather Avenue, Romford RM1 4SU

?           Former Petersfield Avenue Depot, Harold Hill RM3 9PR

•         Agreed to the disposal of the assets identified within Appendix A, noting that the decision to dispose of car park assets is provisional at this stage and is subject to public consultation relating to the required modification of Traffic Management Orders relating to those sites, the outcome of which will be reported back to Cabinet upon completion.

•         Agreed that the larger sites will be sold to Mercury Land Holdings Limited, where identified within Appendix A.

•         Agreed to the disposal of the remaining assets within Appendix A by way of auction.

•         Agreed the award of contract for pre-disposal services at the cost of up to £800,000 to Mercury Land Holdings, associated with the assets listed in Appendix A.

•         Delegated authority to the Director of Asset Management in consultation with the Deputy Director of Legal and Democratic Services to conduct all appropriate steps to progress and conclude the 2022/23 asset disposals in a manner that satisfies all legal/regulatory requirements. This delegation to include the terms for any interim lease-back of operational assets and/or subsequent buy-back of assets not subsequently progressed by Mercury Land Holdings.

•         Delegated authority to the Director of Asset Management in consultation with the Lead Member for Development & Regeneration to agree appropriate reserve values for those assets proceeding to auction.

•         Authorised the Assistant Director of Public Realm to proceed with the process for the modification of Traffic Management Orders in respect of those car parks listed in Appendix A.

•         Noted the further reports will follow, linked to Council’s Capital Strategy, to seek formal Cabinet approval for the disposal of specific assets within the subsequent 4 years of the asset disposal programme. Declare the following assets as surplus to the Council’s operational requirements:

?   Former Century Youth House, Albert Road, Romford, RM1 2PS

^?     Scotts Primary School House, 2 Bonington Road, Hornchurch, RM12 6TH

?   Newtons School House, Lowen Road, Rainham, RM13 8GL

?   Heather Avenue Workshop, 45 Heather Avenue, Romford RM1 4SU

?   Former Petersfield Avenue Depot, Harold Hill RM3 9PR

·     Agreed to the disposal of the assets identified within Appendix A, noting that the  decision to dispose of car park assets is provisional at this stage and is subject to public consultation relating to the required modification of Traffic Management Orders relating to those sites, the outcome of which will be reported back to Cabinet upon completion.

·     Agreed that the larger sites will be sold to Mercury Land Holdings Limited, where identified within Appendix A.

·     Agreed to the disposal of the remaining assets within Appendix A by way of auction.

·     Agreed the award of contract for pre-disposal services at the cost of up to £800,000 toMercury Land Holdings, associated  ...  view the full decision text for item 54.

Cabinet was presented with the Asset Disposal Programme 2022-2028

Report introduced by Councillor Graham Williamson.

This report considers the adoption of a medium-term asset disposal programme, as an integral part of the Council’s wider Capital Strategy.

The proposed programme will span 2023/28 albeit the focus of this paper is upon  ...  view the full minutes text for item 54.

This report presents the HRA Budget recommendations for agreement by Cabinet and recommendations on to Council for consideration and approval.

Report and appendices attached.

1                     Approved the Housing Revenue Account Budget as detailed in paragraph 3.5.

2                     Agreed that the rents chargeable for tenants in general needs Council properties owned by the London Borough of Havering be increased by 7.0% from the week commencing 3^rd April 2023.

3                     Agreed that the rents chargeable for tenants in supported housing Council properties, such as sheltered housing and hostels, owned by the London Borough of Havering, are increased by 7.0% from the week commencing 3^rd April 2023.

4                     Agreed the four rent-free weeks for 2023/24 are: the week commencing of 28^th August 2023, 18^th & 25^th December 2023 and the 25^th March 2024.

5                     Agreed that service charges and heating and hot water charges for 2023/24 are as detailed in paragraph 3.14 of this report.

6                     Agreed that charges for garages should be increased by 7.0% in 2023/24 as detailed in paragraph 2.10 of this report.

7                     Agreed that the service charge for the provision of intensive housing management support in sheltered housing for 2023/24 shall be as detailed in paragraph 3.17 of this report.

8                     Agreed the Supported Housing Charge for HRA Hostels as detailed in paragraph 3.23 of this report.

9                     Agreed that the rent charge to shared ownership leaseholders is increased by 7% as detailed in paragraph 2.9 of this report.  

10                 Agreed that the Careline and Telecare support charge should be increased by 7.0% for 2023/24 as detailed in paragraph 3.21 of this report.

11                 Approved the HRA Major Works Capital Programme, detailed in Appendix 1a of this report and refer it to full Council for final ratification.

12                 Approved the HRA Capital expenditure and financing for the 12 Estates Joint Venture and other acquisition and regeneration opportunities detailed in section and Appendix 1b of this report and refer it to full Council for final ratification.

Cabinet was presented with the HRA Business Plan update, Budget 2023/24 & Capital Programme 2023/24–2027/28

Report introduced by Councillor Paul McGeary

This report sets a budget for the Council’s Housing Revenue Account (HRA) and HRA Major Works and Capital Programme. Cabinet approved the Housing Asset Management Plan 2021-2051 in October 2021  ...  view the full minutes text for item 55.

Report and appendices attached.

·        Agreed the Council Tax requirement for 2023/24 to be set at £149.070m as set out in section 6 and Appendix G of the report (to follow in final version for Full Council);

·        Agreed the Delegated Schools’ draft budget set out in section 5.2 of this report;

·        Agreed a 2.99% increase in core Council Tax for 2023/24 as set out in paragraph 6.9;

·        Agreed an additional 2% Council tax increase for the Adult Social Care Precept;

·        Noted the Medium Term Financial Strategy position as set out in Section 8

·        Agreed the fees and charges schedule as set out in Section 9 and Appendix C

Noted the risks to the 2023/24 budget as set out in Section 12

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

·        Agreed that tofacilitate theusage ofun-ringfencedresources, theChief Financial Officerin consultationwith ServiceDirectors willreview any such new funds allocated to Havering; make proposals for their use; and obtainapproval bythe Leaderand theCabinet Memberfor Financeand Transformation.

·        Delegated to theChief FinancialOfficer inconsultation withService Directors theauthority tomake anynecessary changesto serviceand the associatedbudgets relatingto anysubsequent specificgrant funding announcementsand toadminister funding,where delaysmay otherwiseadversely impact onservice deliveryand/or budgetary control, subjectto consultation with Cabinet Members asappropriate.

·        Delegated authority tothe CabinetMember forAdult SocialServices and Healthand theLeader toapprove anannual spendplan forthe Public Health grant.

·        Delegated to theDirectors ofChildren’s andAdults authorityto agree inflation rates with social care providers for 2023/24.

·        Noted the Equalities Impact Assessment in respect of the CTS Scheme as set out in Appendix E to this report.

·        Noted the summaryversion ofthe CouncilTax SupportScheme for 2023/24as setout inAppendix Fto thisreport (unchangedfrom 2022/23).

Agreed theCouncil Taxrequirement for2023/24 tobe setat £149.070m as set out in section 6 and Appendix G of the report;

·        The Delegated Schools’ draft budget set out in section 5.9 of this report;

·        A 2.99% increase in core Council Taxfor 2022/23 as set out in paragraph 6.8;

·        An additional 2% Adult Social Care Precept ;

·        That it passa resolutionas setout insection 14of thisreport toenable Council Tax discounts for early payment to be given at the 2022/23 level of 1.5%.

·        Recommend to FullCouncil thatthe CouncilTax SupportScheme for 2023/24is adoptedas setout inSection 15of thisreport (unchangedfrom 2022/23).

·        To note and approve anestimated £0.292mof the£0.364m Council Tax Supportfund 2023provisional allocationto beused tocredit £25to an expected11,690 CouncilTax payersin receiptof CouncilTax Support during2023/24.

·        To allocate theremaining CouncilTax Supportfunding estimatedat

£0.072m to the Council Tax Discretionary Reduction policy.

·        Delegate to the  ...  view the full decision text for item 56.

Cabinet was presented with the 2023/24 Budget and 2023-2027 Medium Term Financial Strategy.

Report introduced by Councillor Christopher Wilkins

The report sets out the Council’s current financial situation and its approach to achieving financial balance over the period 2023/24 to 2026/27.

The Cabinet agreed the following:

·        Agreed the Council  ...  view the full minutes text for item 56.

Report and appendices attached.

1. Agreed to recommended to Council for consideration and approval the 2023/24 and 5 year Capital Programme noting the regulations for accessing new borrowing set out in section 1.3

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

3. 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 Officer.

4. Approved the capital strategy contained within this report noting its impact on both the capital programme and the financial implications for setting the revenue budget for 2023/24 and beyond

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

6. Approved the Minimum Revenue Provision Policy Statement which determines the amount of money set aside each year for the repayment of debt

7. Agreed that the Chief Financial Officer be authorised to re-profile capital budgets mid-year based on the updated forecasts provided by services and reported to the Senior Leadership Team as part of the capital monitoring process. This will assist in producing more accurate information for treasury management purposes.

Cabinet was presented with the 5 Year Capital Programme and Strategy – 2023/24 to 2027/28

Report introduced by Councillor Christopher Wilkins

This report sets out the Authority’s Capital Strategy and presents the Council’s proposed capital budget for 2023/24 and five year Capital Programme to 2027/28.

The Cabinet agreed the following:  ...  view the full minutes text for item 57.

Report and appendices attached.

Agreed the Draft 2023/24 TMSS & AIS which will form part of the Budget Report to Cabinet on 8 February and Full Council on 1 March 2023.

Agreed the revised prudential and treasury indicators set out in Appendix 2 and 3.

Cabinet was presented with the Treasury Management Strategy Statement 2023/24 and Annual Investment Strategy 2023/24 (“TMSS”), Treasury Indicators.

Report introduced by Councillor Christopher Wilkins

This report fulfils the authority’s legal obligation under the Local Government Act 2003 to have regard to both the CIPFA TM Code/Prudential Code and Government  ...  view the full minutes text for item 58.

Report and appendices attached.

1.     Agreed the draft Bridge Close Regeneration LLP Business Plan 2023/2024 (the Business Plan) as attached at Appendix B.

2.     Agreed the provision of a budget to enable the funding and delivery of the regeneration of Bridge Close as required and detailed within the exempt Financial Implications and Risks section; this budget to be included within the proposed HRA Capital Programme that will be considered by Cabinet in the Housing Revenue Account Business Plan update.  

3.     Agreed that the Leader of the Council, after consultation with the Director of Regeneration, the S151 Officer the and the Monitoring Officer, approve detailed business cases, funding arrangements and legal agreements as may be required to deliver the regeneration of Bridge Close as per the Business Plan 2023-2024.

4.     Agreed to authorise the Director of Regeneration, acting in consultation with the Monitoring Officer and the Section 151 Officer, to negotiate, finalise and enter into all necessary legal agreements, as may be required, to bring into effect the proposed arrangements set out in Recommendations 1-3 inclusive.

5.     Requested that the Director of Regeneration, in consultation with the S151 Officer and the Monitoring Officer, bring forward a report for the making of the Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) for the Bridge Close Regeneration scheme at the appropriate time in the financial year 2023-2024.

Cabinet was presented with the Bridge Close Regeneration LLP Business Plan Refresh 2023-24

Report introduced by Councillor Graham Williamson.

This report provides an update of the Bridge Close Regeneration LLP Business Plan 2022-2023 in light of the Council having acquired full interest in BCR LLP on 29^th October 2020  ...  view the full minutes text for item 59.

Report and appendices attached.

1.           Agreed and recommend the inclusion of a budget of £77.722m equity for the 12 Sites including Farnham and Hilldene together with a budget of £70.148m for potential land acquisition/CPO costs within the proposed HRA capital programme that will be considered by Cabinet in January 2023 in the annual rent setting and capital programme report and that this is recommended to Council for final approval in February 2023.

2.           Agreed to further forward funding for the remainder of phase 1 of the 12 Sites Programme, up to £66.647 million; for the development of the Waterloo and Queen Street Estate (an Increase of £33.687 million), and provide for an additional £1.700 million of forward funding on New Green (formerly known as Napier New Plymouth) and Park Rise (formerly known as Solar Serena Sunrise), subject to the approval of the required budget and funding referred to at Recommendation 1, and delegate authority to the Director of Regeneration to enter into the necessary forward funding agreements.

3.           Approved the Havering and Wates Regeneration Joint Venture Business Plan dated January 2023, as attached as Appendix 2, subject to the approval of the budgets set out at Recommendations 1 and 2.

4.           Delegated authority for the Director of Regeneration, in consultation with the Lead Member for Development and Regeneration, to agree on grant funding bids to support the 12 Sites regeneration programme in line with the assumed grant funding levels set out in Table 1 at Exempt Agenda.

5.           Noted that the Leader of the Council, after consultation with the S151 Officer, the Director of Regeneration and the Director of Legal and Governance, shall be asked to approve detailed business cases and related viability assessments as may be presented under the Business Plan approved here dated January 2023.

6.           Delegated authority to the Director of Regeneration to make variations to any of the existing joint venture agreements, as necessary, to implement any of the recommendations contained in this report.

7.           Delegatedauthority to the Director of Regeneration, in consultation with the Leader of the Council, the Monitoring Officer and the Section 151 Officer, to accept grant funding up to the values set out in recommendation 4 (Table 1 Exempt Agenda) and enter into any required grant agreements or variations to existing agreements.

8.           Noted the Leader of the Council, after consultation with the s151 Officer, the Director of Regeneration and the Director of Legal and Governance, has the authority to approve the business cases, related viability assessments and incorporation of the red line site known as Farnham & Hilldene scheme to be acquired entirely by the Council as may be presented during the Business Plan 2023-24 period.

9.           Agreed to progress the development of Chippenham Road as a 100 per cent affordable scheme to be acquired by the Council, at a total development cost of approximately £57.992 million, with a final decision on the tenure of the 155 units to be agreed by the Director of Regeneration in consultation with the Director of Housing.

10.       Noted  ...  view the full decision text for item 60.

Cabinet was presented with the Havering and Wates Regeneration LLP Business Plan and Budget 2023/2024

Report introduced by Councillor Graham Williamson.

This Cabinet Report provides an annual update of the Havering and Wates Joint Venture Business Plan as required by Cabinet. When Cabinet agreed to establish the Havering and Wates  ...  view the full minutes text for item 60.