Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Cllr Costigan.

Apologies for lateness were received from Cllr Mahfouz.

In accordance with paragraph 2.6(a) of the Council’s Constitution, the following speakers addressed the Cabinet with regard to the following items:

Agenda Item 7 - 2023/24 Quarter 3 Budget Monitoring Report

· Cllr Gallant

Agenda Item 8 - 2024/25 Budget Strategy and Medium-Term Financial Strategy

· Cllr Gallant

Agenda Item 9 - Acquisition programme to increase supply of housing for temporary accommodation

· Cllr Malcolm

· Cllr Gallant

Agenda Item 11 - Gurnell Leisure Centre

· Cllr Malcolm

· Cllr Gallant

Agenda Item 12 - Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Business Plan 2024-25

· Cllr Gallant

Agenda Item 13 - Mattock Lane Safer Zone PSPO

· Cllr Malcolm

The meeting was held in a hybrid format with members and officers able to join the meeting remotely. However, regulations did not allow for members attending virtually to be counted as present in the attendance section of the minutes, and their attendance would not count as attendance in relation to section 85(1) of the Local Government Act 1972. Members attending virtually would be able to speak but would not be able to vote.

There were none.

Items 13 contained a confidential appendix but was not taken in private as it was not necessary to discuss the confidential information provided.

There were none.

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday 17 January 2024.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on Wednesday 17 January 2024 be agreed and signed as a true and correct record.

There were none.

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet:

      I.          Noted the estimated General Fund revenue budget outturn position of net £0.018m (0.01%) overspend for 2023/24 (section 4), and an overspend of £5.975m position on the Housing Revenue Account for 2023/24 (section 7).

     II.          Noted the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) balance at the year-end was forecast as a deficit balance of £1.952m. The forecast in-year movement of the DSG was £3.297m, which was to be charged to the DSG account (section 6).

   III.          Noted the progress on delivering the 2023/24 savings programme (section 5).

  IV.          Noted the 2023/24 capital programme forecast (paragraph 8.3).

    V.          Approved the re-profiling of 2023/24 capital programme net slippage of over £1m of £53.065m (Appendix 2) into future years.

  VI.          Noted that the capital schemes to be decommissioned (£0.212m of 2023/24 budgets) (paragraph 8.5.) were to be agreed to be decommissioned in the ‘Budget Strategy and MTFS 2024/25 to 2027/28’ report.

REASON FOR DECISION AND OPTIONS CONSIDERED:

To forecast the financial position for 2023/24 based on available information at the end of 31 December 2023. The report outlined the Council’s forecast position on revenue, capital, income, and expenditure to the end of Quarter 3.

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet:

Revenue Budget

     I.        Approve total General Fund savings of £32.847m over the MTFS period 2024/25 to 2027/28, of which £15.918m is to be delivered from the General Fund in 2024/25 (section 11.23 and Appendix 2).

    II.        Authorised the Strategic Director with responsibility for each proposal (including fees and charges) to:

a) carry out all steps required in relation to each proposal, including carrying out any consultation.

b) consider any consultation outcomes and other detailed implications.

c) complete and consider the implications of any equalities analysis assessment required.

d) following completion of 1.3(a), 1.3(b) and 1.3(c) above:

i) determine whether to amend any proposal prior to implementation;

ii) determine whether a further report needs to be considered by Cabinet, the relevant portfolio holder or officer before a final decision is taken on implementation; and

iii) where a decision is taken not to proceed with any proposal, bring forward alternative proposal(s).

  III.        In relation to savings proposals that are cross-cutting across more than one service, authorise the Strategic Director with primary responsibility for the proposal to complete any required equalities analysis assessments and to consider the outcome, and any other implications, following consultation with the Strategic Directors of other services, prior to taking any decisions to implement such proposals.

  IV.        Noted the latest Medium-Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) for 2024/25 to 2027/28 (Section 11).

   V.        Approved £38.796m of revenue growth for pressures in 2024/25 (paragraph 11.7) which will be included in departmental control totals used for the service budget setting process.

  VI.        Noted that the General Fund balance is scheduled to be £17.732m for 2023/24 and notes the forecast levels of earmarked reserves (paragraph 17.12 and Appendix 10).

VII.        Noted that the council can agree a balanced budget for 2024/25 and that any remaining budget gap following the Council Tax decision by Full Council on 5 March 2024 will be closed using reserves.

VIII.        Noted the delay in the publication of the Final Local Government Finance Settlement and delegated any further changes to the budget proposals as a result of changes in funding to the Strategic Director, Resources in consultation with the Leader and the Cabinet Member for Inclusive Economy.

Fees and Charges

  IX.        Approved the schedule of fees and charges for 2024/25 (paragraph 10.4 and Appendix 3).

Business Rates Discount

   X.        Approved (in accordance with powers granted under Section 47 of the Local Government Finance Act 1988) the continued offering of a discount in National Non-Domestic Rates (NNDR) of two times the cost of accreditation to the first 100 businesses in Ealing which are, or which will become accredited with the Living Wage Foundation and who meet the criteria as set out in the February 2016 Cabinet report: Discretionary Discount Scheme for Businesses accredited to Living Wage Foundation and extend the offer to new applicants, for 2024/25 (paragraphs 7.4 – 7.5).

  XI.        Authorised the Strategic Director, Resources to make determinations in relation to applications for such NNDR discounts, in accordance with the council’s adopted criteria.

Schools  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet:

     I.        Noted the ambition for acquisition of up to 300 units.

    II.        Created a new Capital Programme envelope called Accommodation Acquisition (phase 3) at a value of £150m. This envelope – when drawn down – would be funded from both prudential borrowing as well as use of any available Flexible Housing Support Grant and other capital funding that may become available in the future from the government or the GLA. Any associated revenue costs are to be covered within the existing Temporary Accommodation and Housing Benefit Subsidy shortfall revenue budgets.

  III.        Authorised the Strategic Director for Housing and Environment, following consultation with the Strategic Director of Resources, to approve individual acquisitions.

  IV.        Authorised the cabinet portfolio holder for safe and genuinely affordable homes, following consultation with the Strategic Director for Housing and Environment and the Strategic Director for Resources, to approve entering into large scale acquisition arrangements (leasehold or freehold) and investments.

REASON FOR DECISION AND OPTIONS CONSIDERED:

1.    Homelessness was rising in Ealing and across the UK as a result of the shrinking private rental market, rising rents and other financial pressures on individuals as a result of the cost-of-living crisis. At the same time and for some of the same reasons, the council’s ability to respond effectively to the rise in demand has been reduced.

2.    The council has historically enjoyed success in preventing and relieving homelessness and in maintaining a temporary accommodation portfolio which minimised costs. In the current economic climate, the council was struggling to maintain its successful record and this report set out the challenges it faced.

3.    The challenges were related to both increasing demand and reducing supply, and the reasons for proposing a third stage of an acquisition programme was to increase the resource available to the council to provide homes for those in need.

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet:

      I.          Agreed the admissions arrangements and published admission number (PAN) 2025/26 for Ealing community schools (Appendix 1).

     II.          Agreed Ealing’s scheme for co-ordination of admissions to Year 7 and Reception 2025/26 as part of Pan London co-ordination (Appendix 2).

   III.          Noted the agreed determined community school admissions arrangements and planned admission numbers for 2025/26.

REASON FOR DECISION AND OPTIONS CONSIDERED:

All admission authorities were required by Regulation 17 of the School Admissions Regulations 2012 to determine their admission arrangements by 28 February every year, even if they have not changed from previous years, and consultation has not been required. This is set out in paragraph 1.49 of the School Admissions Code 2021.

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet:

     I.        Agreed to procure and award a Pre-Construction Services Agreement for the replacement of the leisure centre.

    II.        Delegated authority to the Strategic Director for Economy and Sustainability, in consultation with the Strategic Director for Resources and the Lead Member for Good Growth and New Housing, to procure and carry out all necessary processes up to the award of a development agreement for the residential enabling development.

  III.        Delegated authority to the Strategic Director Economy and Sustainability, in consultation with the Director of Legal and Democratic Services, to take all necessary steps in connection with the procurements outlined in the recommendations above and to enter into any ancillary legal documents required to facilitate the project or protect the Council’s interests.

  IV.        Noted that, a further report would come forward seeking the award of contract for thebuilding contract for the leisure centre.

REASON FOR DECISION AND OPTIONS CONSIDERED:

Context

1. Ealing Council had committed to “deliver new, state of the art leisure facilities at Gurnell” (Council Plan 2022-26). In February 2023, Ealing Council’s Cabinetapproved the principle of bringing forward a new leisure centre.

2. Gurnell Leisure Centre had historically been the council’s flagship leisure facility. The existing facility had been closed since the outset of the Covid-19 pandemic, initially due to the pandemic itself and subsequently due to the building’s declining state and associated health and safety concerns. However, the council had a strong track record of investing in high-quality leisure centres across the borough. These centres include the Everyone Active Acton Centre and the Northolt Leisure Centre. The new Gurnell Leisure Centre would be the latest example of this.

3. There were three strands to the new masterplan; the delivery of a new state-of-art leisure centre, an enhanced and rejuvenated parkland and enabling residential development to partly cross-fund the new facilities.

4. The new leisure centre was envisaged as a hub for the community, providing a place for people or all ages to exercise, relax and socialise. The overarching objective for the leisure centre was to make it a place to encourage healthy and fulfilling lifestyles for Ealing borough residents. In pursuit of this objective, the new leisure centre would include a new swimming pool and improved gym. There would also be a range of other facilities for people of all ages and abilities to enjoy including a climbing wall, soft play areas, meeting and party rooms, and a new café.

5. The new leisure centre would be situated within the site’s parkland setting. Enhancements would be made to the surrounding green space and landscaping, as well as the reprovision of the pump track and skate park. There would also be a newoutdoor gym and designated play areas. This would create an indoor and outdoorleisure experience to be enjoyed by all of Ealing’s residents.

6. The site would also encompass new homes. The delivery of new homes on the site would help fund the new leisure centre and provide much needed housing for  ...  view the full minutes text for item 11.

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet:

     I.        Approved the HRA revenue budget for the 2024/2025 as set out at

paragraph 15.7.

    II.        Approved the updated 30-year Business Plan Model for both Revenue and Capital Programmes as set out at paragraph Appendix Two and Three.

  III.        Approved the HRA 5-year Capital Programme as set out at paragraph 10.4.

  IV.        Approved the regeneration programme budget of £246.101m and funding as set out at paragraph 11.4.

   V.        Approved an increase to the HRA 5-year total Capital Programme of

£87.657m to be funded as set out at paragraph 11.6.

  VI.        Approved the increase of 7.7% to existing tenants’ rents and the formula rent for new tenants for 2024/25.

REASON FOR DECISION AND OPTIONS CONSIDERED:

1.      The main purpose of the report was to agree the 2024/25 Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Budget and the 30 year HRA Business Plan and the recommendations that support the implementation of this. 

2.    The council had reviewed the requirements of the HRA Business Plan, the cost pressures within the service and prioritised the areas of expenditure to support the services to tenants and leaseholders.

3.    The proposed rent charges, expenditure and focus within the report align with the strategic vision, Council Plan and need to meet the requirements of the Regulator of Social Housing (RSH). 

4.    Any consultation in relation to proposals would be carried out as required and in with the council’s legal duties and responsibilities.

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet:

      I.          Considered the evidence of the impact and effect of the Order on the behaviours targeted.

     II.          Considered the outcome of the statutory consultation undertaken from 23 November 2023 to 15 January 2024.

   III.          Assessed all of the evidence presented and decided that it was proportionate and necessary to extend the Order and therefore authorised the Strategic Director for Housing & Environment to extend the period for which the existing Order has effect, for a period of 3 years with effect from 11 April 2024 until 10 April 2027.

REASON FOR DECISION AND OPTIONS CONSIDERED:

1.     As outlined in Section 4 of the report, since its introduction in 2018 the Order had been complied with for the most part and it had been successful in tackling the activities found to be having a detrimental effect on women accessing the Clinic, Clinic staff and others in the locality.

2.     The Order was never intended to completely stop abortion related protest or prayer from occurring; it was designed to prevent the activities found to be having a detrimental effect from occurring within a very precise and clearly defined area where their impact was most acute. Since being in place it has almost entirely achieved that purpose.

3.     As outlined, the Order permits some abortion related protest / vigil activities within the footprint of the Order, within a clearly identified designated area, in which certain requirements and prohibitions still remain. In addition, it was worth highlighting that the PSPO did not impose any restrictions on protests which take place in a location outside of the Safe Zone area.

4.     There have been occasions during the period where groups of individuals who had been involved in protest / vigil in the immediate locality of the Clinic have attended Ealing civic centre (Perceval House) instead, where they have stood outside and displayed signs and images objecting to abortion.

5.     The on-going near daily use of the designated area by the Pro-Life groups, the sporadic protests / vigils at Perceval House and the regular presence of groups involved in protest / prayer at the threshold of the area covered by the Order, all indicate a continued interest in the location by the Pro-Life groups who had previously been congregating at the entrance to the Clinic. The breaches committed by self-styled Pro-Life campaigners have also point to the likely recurrence of the behaviours targeted by the Order. It is reasonable to conclude from the continued presence of protestors and campaigners at these sites that, were the order to expire, they would return to the area outside the Clinic and continue the activities previously engaged in at this location.

6.     The Pro-Choice group, Sister Supporter, that had been regularly present outside the Clinic prior to the introduction of the Order had chosen not to use the designated area to continue their activities, although it had always been open to them to do so, provided their activities complied with the provisions which apply to that space.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 13.

The date of the next meeting is Wednesday 6 March 2024.

The next meeting was scheduled for Wednesday 6 March 2024.