The Cabinet of Hillingdon Council met on Thursday 24 March 2022, agreeing to a series of recommendations concerning electric vehicle infrastructure, the expansion of Meadow High School, and the council's counter-fraud and internal audit strategies. The meeting also addressed the council's budget monitoring report, including a significant agreement with the Department for Education regarding the Dedicated Schools Grant and a measure to support residents housing Ukrainian refugees.

Electric Vehicle Infrastructure and Future Policy Development

The Cabinet agreed to the recommendations presented by Councillor Keith Burrows, Chair of the Public Safety and Transport Select Committee, regarding the development of electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure within the borough. The report highlights the impending government deadline of 2030 for the sale of new petrol and diesel cars and vans, and 2035 for hybrids, necessitating a significant shift towards zero-emission vehicles. While the council is not directly responsible for providing EV infrastructure, it will play an enabling role to prepare the borough for the growing demand. The recommendations, grouped into short, medium, and long-term actions, include a proactive enforcement approach on developers failing to provide suitable EV charging in new developments, to be managed within existing planning breach procedures. The report also includes long-term horizon findings on emerging EV technology and infrastructure. Councillor John Riley, Chair of the Corporate Resources & Infrastructure Select Committee, commended the report, emphasising the flexibility and resident benefit of the council's contract with a commercial partner for EV charging. He noted that the council's approach has been cautious, learning from the complications faced by other authorities.

Expansion of Meadow High School

The Cabinet approved the expansion of Meadow High School through the creation of a satellite unit at Harefield Academy. Councillor Susan O'Brien, Cabinet Member for Children, Families & Education, presented the proposal, which will create an additional 90 places, resulting in a net gain of 98 special school places for pupils. Meadow High School, currently the largest special school in the borough with 257 pupils, is undergoing a rebuild under the Priority School Buildings Programme, but this does not address the rising demand for places. The satellite unit will be self-sufficient, utilising the unused residential boarding block at Harefield Academy and its shared dining facility. This expansion is supported by both governing bodies and is currently being shared with parents and stakeholders, with formal consultation to follow. The proposal is linked to the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) Recovery Plan and the council's strategy for special school places, with an ambitious completion deadline of September 2024. Future decisions regarding the expansion have been delegated to the Leader of the Council, Councillor Jonathan Bianco, the Cabinet Member for Property Infrastructure, and other relevant cabinet members in consultation with the corporate director of place.

Counter-Fraud Strategy

Councillor Martin Goddard presented the council's counter-fraud strategy for 2022-2025, which was approved by the Cabinet. The counter-fraud team has already demonstrated significant success, achieving £2.47 million in savings and loss prevention up to 31 December 2021. The strategy's key objectives include maximising loss prevention, limiting opportunities for fraud and corruption, creating a strong deterrent effect, improving the council's reputation, enhancing corporate governance, reinforcing a zero-tolerance culture towards fraud, and increasing organisation-wide fraud risk awareness. The team operates on a risk-based approach, with performance measured against key performance indicators. The strategy has been approved by the Corporate Management Team and the Audit Committee.

Internal Audit Strategy

The Cabinet also approved the internal audit strategy, presented by Councillor Martin Goddard. The internal audit team provides assurance, advisory, and consulting services, covering core financial systems and contributing to corporate governance and the annual governance statement. The strategy addresses the range of services to be offered and the necessary resourcing. A closer working relationship between the counter-fraud and audit teams is anticipated. The audit team aims to reduce the number of recommendations made over the long term, indicating improved processes and controls. This strategy has also been approved by the Corporate Management Team and the Audit Committee.

Monthly Budget Monitoring Report (Month 10)

Councillor Martin Goddard provided an update on the council's financial position for the period ending 31 January 2022. The council continues to demonstrate financial strength and stability, with an underspend of £497,000 on the general fund revenue account. General balances are projected at £26.6 million. Exceptional pressures arising from COVID-19 for 2021-22 are projected at £19.2 million, but this is covered by committed funding from central government amounting to £21 million. The council is making good progress on its savings programme for 2021-22, with £8.4 million of the £10.4 million budgeted savings banked or well-progressed.

A significant development reported was the successful conclusion of negotiations with the Department for Education regarding the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG). The council has a projected deficit of £12.7 million for the year, leading to a cumulative deficit of £38 million by 31 March 2022. However, an agreement has been reached whereby the council will receive a repayment of £25 million, with £11 million to be received before the end of the financial year. This agreement, part of a safety valve arrangement, also includes capital funding for additional special educational needs places. The majority of remedial steps outlined in the safety valve agreement were already in progress. The deficit is expected to be eliminated by 2025.

The Housing Revenue Account reports a close adherence to budget, with a forecast surplus of £142,000.

Additionally, an earmarked reserve of £160,000 has been created to cover the costs of the upcoming Platinum Jubilee celebrations, including road closures, public liability insurance, and a contribution of £250 per street party.

Finally, a measure was approved to ensure that single occupiers providing accommodation to Ukrainian refugees will not lose their single-person council tax relief. This addresses a potential financial disadvantage for residents offering support.

The Cabinet agreed to recommendations 2A to 2L within Part B of the report, which cover these financial matters. The Leader of the Council, Councillor Ian Edwards, expressed his gratitude to Councillor Goddard and the officer team, including Chief Executive Tony Zaman, for their work in managing the council's finances and securing the DSG agreement.