The Cabinet meeting on 9 November 2023 saw the approval of recommendations from Select Committees regarding the Stronger Families Hub and alley gating schemes. Significant financial decisions were also made, including the approval of the Better Care Fund Section 75 Agreement and the setting of licensed deficit budgets for several schools.

Review of the Stronger Families Hub

The Cabinet welcomed the findings and recommendations of the Children, Families & Education Select Committee's review into the Stronger Families Hub. The Hub, a 24/7 service providing a single point of contact for a range of support services for families in Hillingdon, was found to be providing a good service. The Committee's recommendations, which were approved by the Cabinet, aim to further improve the Hub's awareness, accessibility, and capacity. These include continuing to raise the Hub's profile among stakeholders, monitoring staff resourcing for the out-of-hours service, reviewing capacity to support increased demand (particularly from unaccompanied asylum-seeking children), enhancing signposting for mental health services, regularly updating partners on changes, investigating advertising in additional languages, and explaining why consent may not have been obtained in referral forms.

Alley Gating in Hillingdon

The Cabinet also approved the recommendations from the Residents' Services Select Committee's review of the alley gating scheme in Hillingdon. The scheme, established approximately 17 years ago, helps residents secure their privately owned alleyways. The approved recommendations focus on improving scheme awareness and resident communications. These include installing updated signs on alley gates with key information, promoting the scheme in Hillingdon People magazine, expanding annual communications with lead residents to include a review of gate issues and anti-social behaviour, and arranging for flyers to inform new neighbours. For new schemes, officers will seek feedback from lead residents six months after installation.

Smoke Control Order for Hillingdon

A new, unified Smoke Control Order for the entire London Borough of Hillingdon, including all waterways, was approved. This revokes all previous, outdated Smoke Control Orders. The new order aims to improve air quality across the borough and align with environmental strategies.

Better Care Fund Section 75 Agreement

The Cabinet agreed to enter into a Section 75 agreement with the North West London Integrated Care Board for the delivery of the Better Care Fund plan for 2023-24, valued at £96,534,618. This agreement pools budgets from the Council and the Integrated Care Board to improve care outcomes for residents, particularly older people, adults with long-term conditions, and those with learning disabilities or autism. The agreement includes a provision for a 12-month extension and delegates authority for amendments and extensions to relevant Cabinet members and officers.

Licensed Deficit Budgets for Schools

The Cabinet approved applications for licensed deficit budgets for five schools in the borough for the 2023-24 financial year: Bishop Winnington-Ingram CE Primary School, Holy Trinity CE Primary School, Oak Wood School, St Bernadette Catholic Primary School, and St Swithun Wells Catholic Primary School. This decision allows these schools to continue functioning while they manage their costs and work towards financial sustainability. The report highlighted that these deficits do not impact the Council's General Fund, although the Council will advance funding to the schools in advance of receiving the Dedicated Schools Grant.

Council Budget Monitoring Report 2023-24

The Cabinet noted the budget monitoring position and treasury management update as of September 2023 (Month 6). A marginal underspend of £2,000 was reported against the General Fund revenue budget, with projected unallocated General Balances of £26.8 million and earmarked reserves of £14.1 million at the end of the financial year. The report detailed pressures in areas such as homelessness, adult and children's social care, and rising energy costs, which are being managed through budgetary controls and the use of reserves. The Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) showed an in-year overspend of £4.4 million, primarily due to increased costs for High Needs placements. The report also included recommendations for the rephasing of capital expenditure, revisions to Leisure Services fees and charges, and the acceptance of various grant funding for housing and refugee resettlement initiatives.

Public Preview of Private Matters

The Cabinet noted the reports to be considered in private later in the meeting. Councillor Eddie Lavery, Cabinet Member for Residents' Services, highlighted a report concerning the disposal of Uxbridge Golf Course and Haste Hill Golf Course, noting that these courses require a significant subsidy and the proposal aims to continue their provision by experienced contractors without this subsidy.

Disposal of Golf Courses

The Cabinet declared Uxbridge Golf Course and Haste Hill Golf Course surplus to requirements and authorised the sale of long leasehold interests in both. The sale will be by private treaty to an experienced operator who will continue to employ current Council staff. Statutory notices will be published inviting objections, and future decisions will be delegated to the Cabinet Members for Property, Highways & Transport and Residents' Services, in conjunction with the Corporate Director of Place.

Fire Safety Works and Housing Stock Surveys

Decisions were made regarding fire safety works, including accepting a tender for the replacement and installation of fire doors (Phase 22) to Gerda Security Products Limited at a cost of £603,977.16, and agreeing to a capital release of £695,000. The Cabinet also approved the appointment of Pellings LLP to carry out a programme of Stock Condition Surveys for the Council's housing stock at a cost of £1,128,923, which will inform decisions on energy efficiency improvements and planned works.

HR Temporary Recruitment Contract Extensions

The Cabinet authorised extensions to existing contracts for temporary agency workers to ensure the continuity of Council services. This includes a one-year extension with Matrix SCM for corporate and non-qualified social care roles, and an approximately 18-month extension with Sanctuary Personnel for qualified social care roles. Officers were also instructed to assess market options for consolidating agency worker contracts and to establish a panel for approving requests to engage consultants outside of current agreements.

Charville Lane Children's Home and Kitchen Units

The Cabinet accepted a tender from Bugler Developments Ltd for the construction of a new Charville Lane Children's Home at a cost of £3,656,000, with a capital release of £3,681,000. This project aims to provide smaller homes for children with complex needs, reducing reliance on out-of-borough placements. Additionally, a direct award to Howden Joinery Limited was accepted for the supply of Kitchen & Bathroom Surveys and Supplies for the Council's housing stock over a five-year period, with an option for a further five-year extension.

HS2 Amenity Fund and Cleaning Services

The Cabinet agreed to progress the rebuild of two Scout community buildings at Endeavours Sea Scouts and 2nd Ickenham Scouts, accepting a tender from B & X Construction Ltd for demolition and construction at a total cost of £819,485.21. Funding of £1,108,477.69 will be allocated from the HS2 Amenity Fund. The Cabinet also accepted a tender from Solo Service Group for a four-year cleaning service contract for the Civic Centre and other corporate properties at a value of £5.4 million, with an option for a further two plus one year extension.

Care and Wellbeing Services Contract Extensions

The Cabinet agreed to extend four existing contracts for care and wellbeing services for people with mental health needs and people with learning disabilities and/or autistic people with Ability Housing Association, Comfort Care Services, CCS Homecare Services, and Support for Living. These extensions, totalling £21,725,136, will ensure continuity of care. A variation to the contract with Ability Housing Association was also approved to include a Mental Health Hospital Discharge Floating Support Service pilot.

Disposal of Vacant Property and Land Transactions

The Cabinet declared the former Northwood Young People's Centre at 54 Hallowell Road surplus to requirements and authorised its open market freehold disposal. They also declared land at Broadwater Gardens, Harefield surplus and authorised its sale of the freehold interest to the leasehold owner. Furthermore, the Cabinet agreed to lease renewals for electricity substations at Maple Close, Hayes, and Rowlheys Place, West Drayton, to Scottish & Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) to support new developments and the Platinum Jubilee Leisure Centre.

Community Equipment Services Update

The Cabinet noted a request for financial recovery from NRS Healthcare Ltd., the incumbent provider of the Community Equipment Service, and delegated authority to the Corporate Director of Adult Services and Health, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Health and Social Care, to make further decisions to ensure service provision. This urgent item was considered due to the need to ensure service continuity for residents.