Decisions

The meeting of the Cabinet Planning and Parking Panel on 31 October 2019 deferred this item for further consideration and report back to a future meeting.

Having considered the objection received and in addition the issues raised around equalities and diversity together with all the detailed issues including the reasons for the order and any proposed mitigating actions; the unanimous recommendation of the Cabinet Planning and Parking Panel to proceed with the creation of a traffic regulation order was approved.

The current treasury position and treasury management indicators was noted.

(1)     The outcome of the consultation with key stakeholders with the majority of residents and leaseholders supportive of Option D which was to ‘help all occupants to move out permanently, demolish the building and redevelop the site was noted.

(2)     The Cabinet agreed that the process of fully decanting the block should commence.

(3)     The Cabinet agreed that high level design work should commence on the redevelopment of the site and that a further report be brought to Cabinet setting out details of the proposals.

(4)     The Cabinet agreed that Officers commence negotiations with residential and commercial leaseholders and tenants regarding their future options.

(5)     The Cabinet agreed that further uneconomical planned works at Queensway House, including sprinkler and ducted extractor system installation remain on hold with a responsive repairs service and other essential improvements still being provided.

(1)     The capital forecast outturn position as at Quarter 2 of 2019/20 was noted.

(2)     The forecast position as at 31 March 2020 for funding of the capital programme and reserve balances was noted.

(1)     The revenue forecast outturn position as at Quarter 2 of 2019/20 was noted.

(2)     Virements were approved.

(3)     The position on debts was noted.

Approval of Strategy

(1)     Following review the Digital Strategy was approved.

(2)     It was noted that soft market testing would be undertaken on a single digital platform alongside an exercise to review the capabilities of the existing Customer Relationship Management system.

(3)     The progress of the Revenues and Benefits Transformation Programme and its direct links with the draft Digital Strategy was noted.

(4)     The progress of the Revenues and Benefits Transformation Programme and its direct links with the draft Digital Strategy was noted.

(5)     The Cabinet noted the commitment in the strategy and approved the Council signing up to the Local Government Digital Service Standards.

(6)     The Cabinet agreed that the recommendations relating to the financing of the strategy delivery be incorporated into the budget setting process.

Confirmation that the Council’s localised council tax support scheme will not change.

The Council was recommended that the localised council tax support scheme continue in 2020/21 to help people on low/no income to receive a reduction on their council tax.

Extension of Contract

In accordance with the unanimous recommendation of the General Procurement Board professional building services contracts were extended by twelve months until 31 March 2021.

Award of Contract

The Cabinet, in accordance with the unanimous recommendation of the General Procurement Board, gave delegated authority to the Corporate Director (Resources, Environment and Cultural Services), in consultation with the Deputy Leader and Executive Member (Resources) and the General Procurement Board, to award insurance contracts to the successful bidders for a contract period of five years under long term agreements.

Award of Contract

Award of Contract

Adoption of revised standards

The comments received from the recent consultation were noted and the revised regulatory service standards were agreed and recommended to the Council for adoption.

Introduction of Fixed Penalty Notices

(1)     The introduction of a Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) to allow individuals to discharge liability for the duty of care offence related to household waste by payment of a FPN was noted.

(2)     It was noted that the Duty of Care FPN would be issued by current authorised officers (Community and Environment Officers and Street Wardens).

(3)     The Council was recommended that the level of fine should be set at £300, reduced to £200 for early resolution (if paid within ten days).

(4)     The Council was recommended that the existing level of FPN for fly tipping offences should be amended to £300, reduced to £200 (currently £180) for early resolution (if paid within ten days) to ensure that the FPN that could be issued for fly tipping was consistent with the FPN for duty of care breaches and was in line with other Authorities in Hertfordshire which had introduced the fixed penalty notice.

Approval of amendment to the restrictions

The meeting of the Cabinet Planning and Parking Panel on 31 October 2019 deferred this item for further consideration and report back to a future meeting.

Approval of second stage of contract appointment

Approval of the Principles for Development