Minutes for Cabinet meeting, Nov 23 2009, 6.00PM official page

Apologies were received from Councillors Alan Laing and Samantha Lloyd and Belinda Black, Corporate Director of Customer and Corporate Services.

Deputy Mayor Alcock declared a personal, non- prejudicial interest in item 10 – Bishopgate Goods Yard Planning and Design Guidance  

To approve the minutes of the special meeting held on 12^th October 2009 and meeting on 26^th October 2009

RESOLVED that the minutes of the special Cabinet meeting held on 12 October and a meeting on 26^th October 2009 were confirmed as a true and accurate record of the proceedings.  

There were no matters arising.

To receive the minutes of the Cabinet Procurement Committee (CPC) held on 20^th October 2009 for noting only.

The minutes of the Cabinet Procurement Committee held on 20^th October 2009 were noted.

The report seeks approval of the recommendations for the 2009/10 grants programme for the voluntary and community sector.

RESOLVED:

1.  To agree the schedules of grant awards listed in Appendix 2 of this report  (below) plus the following £605,000 funding commitments to 5 commissioned organisations indicated in the table below, which were agreed for funding over two years at Cabinet on 15^th December 2008:

Organisation

2010/11

Grant Awarded

A Friend Indeed

0.00

A Friend Indeed

0.00

Abney Park Trust

40,000.00

ACT Training Services

0.00

Activiteens

4,866.00

Advent Community Association

0.00

African Arts project

0.00

African Arts project

0.00

African Caribbean Re-Union

0.00

African Community Development Association

30,000.00

African Community School

0.00

African Community School

7,719.00

African Community School

0.00

African Support and Project Centre (ASPC)

0.00

African Support and Project Centre (ASPC)

0.00

African Womens Welfare Association

0.00

Age Concern Hackney

45,000.00

Agudas Israel Community Services

15,000.00

Ajraf Resource centre

0.00

Albion Kids Show

9,000.00

Albion Kids Show

50,000.00

An Viet Foundation

35,000.00

Anika Patrice Project

0.00

Apollo Music Projects

0.00

Apples and Pears Play Association

50,000.00

Apples and Pears Play Association

10,000.00

Arcola Theatre Production Company

0.00

Arcola Theatre Production Company

0.00

ART (At Risk Teenagers)

0.00

Arthritis Care

0.00

Arthritis Care

0.00

Asian Women's Advisory Services Ltd

10,000.00

Asian Women's Advisory Services Ltd

30,000.00

Bath House Children's Community Centre

5,000.00

Beis Brucha Mother & Baby Home

0.00

Bikur Cholim D'Satmar Trust Ltd

0.00

Black and Ethnic Minority Working Group (BEMWG)

0.00

Body of Christ Charity (Hackney)

0.00

Busoga Association UK

0.00

Busoga Association UK

0.00

Cardboard Citizens

0.00

Centerprise Trust Ltd

0.00

Chats Palace Ltd

40,000.00

Chatsworth Road Methodist Church Luncheon Club

0.00

City and Hackney Mind

20,000.00

City and Hackneys Carers Centre

45,000.00

Claudia Jones Organisation

0.00

Community Accountancy Project

16,500.00

Community Centre for refugees from Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia

35,000.00

Creative Change

0.00

Crown and Manor Club

0.00

Day-mer Turkish & Kurdish Community Centre

0.00

Day-mer Turkish & Kurdish Community Centre

0.00

Day-mer Turkish & Kurdish Community Centre

40,000.00

deafPLUS

0.00

deafPLUS

0.00

DERMAN

0.00

DERMAN

40,000.00

Disability Education and Play

0.00

E5 Community Play Project

9,448.00

E5 Community Play Project (Hackney Play Association)

50,000.00

East London Out Project (ELOP)

16,246.00

Eastside Educational Trust

0.00

EcoACTIVE Education

0.00

Educators Forum

4,990.00

Empowering Deaf Society

0.00

Evergreen Play Association

50,000.00

Evergreen Play Association

10,000.00

Eye With a View Works

9,550.00

Fairbridge in London

0.00

Fairbridge in London

0.00

Faith In The Future

0.00

Family Mosaic

0.00

Finsbury Park Homeless Families Project

0.00

First Touch Enterprise Ltd

0.00

Free Form Arts Trust

0.00

Freeform

0.00

Freeform

8,714.00

Get Set Girls

0.00

Get Set Girls

0.00

Get Set Girls

0.00

Graeae Theatre Company

0.00

Great Nile Trust

0.00

Great Nile Trust

0.00

Groundwork London

0.00

Hackney African Forum

0.00

Hackney Bangladeshi Cultural Association

0.00

Hackney Bangladeshi Cultural Association

0.00

Hackney Bangladeshi Cultural Association

17,000.00

Hackney Chinese Community Services

12,447.00

Hackney Chinese Community Services

0.00

Hackney City Farm

0.00

Hackney City Farm

30,000.00

Hackney Co-operative Development Community Interest Company

0.00

Hackney Credit Union

25,000.00

Hackney Cypriot Association

0.00

Hackney Family Backup

50,000.00

Hackney Hindu Council

10,000.00

Hackney Marsh  ...  view the full decision text for item 6.

Councillor Khan introduced the report.

Ms Pangartnik, Miss Uddin and Miss Greenway’s comments on Hackney Youth were noted. 

NOTED

·  tabled amendment to appendix 3 of this report :

-  Paragraph 5.1 (last line) – to amend £87,000 to £107,000

  - Paragraph 5.2 (2^nd line) –  to amend £63, 417 to £85, 417

·  Since the rejoinder process the following organisations were also awarded a grant for 2010/11:

Organisation  Grant Awarded

Agudas Israel Community Services  £15,000.00

Asian Women's Advisory Services Ltd  £10,000.00

Hackney Bangladeshi Cultural Association  An additional £7,000.00

Hackney Hindu Council  £10,000.00

Lubavitch Youth  £40,000.00

MISGAV  £25,000.00

RESOLVED:

1.  To agree the schedules of grant awards listed in Appendix 2 of this report (below) plus the following £605,000 funding commitments to 5 commissioned organisations indicated in the table below, which were agreed for funding over two years at Cabinet on 15^th December 2008:

Organisation

2010/11

Grant Awarded

A Friend Indeed

0.00

A Friend Indeed

0.00

Abney Park Trust

40,000.00

ACT Training Services

0.00

Activiteens

4,866.00

Advent Community Association

0.00

African Arts project

0.00

African Arts project

0.00

African Caribbean Re-Union

0.00

African Community Development Association

30,000.00

African Community School

0.00

African Community School

7,719.00

African Community School

0.00

African Support and Project Centre (ASPC)

0.00

African Support and Project Centre (ASPC)

0.00

African Womens Welfare Association

0.00

Age Concern Hackney

45,000.00

Agudas Israel Community Services

15,000.00

Ajraf Resource centre

0.00

Albion Kids Show

9,000.00

Albion Kids Show

50,000.00

An Viet Foundation

35,000.00

Anika Patrice Project

0.00

Apollo Music Projects

0.00

Apples and Pears Play Association

50,000.00

Apples and Pears Play Association

10,000.00

Arcola Theatre Production Company

0.00

Arcola Theatre Production Company

0.00

ART (At Risk Teenagers)

0.00

Arthritis Care

0.00

Arthritis Care

0.00

Asian Women's Advisory Services Ltd

10,000.00

Asian Women's Advisory Services Ltd

30,000.00

Bath House Children's Community Centre

5,000.00

Beis Brucha Mother & Baby Home

0.00

Bikur Cholim D'Satmar Trust Ltd

0.00

Black and Ethnic Minority Working Group (BEMWG)

0.00

Body of Christ Charity (Hackney)

0.00

Busoga Association UK

0.00

Busoga Association UK

0.00

Cardboard Citizens

0.00

Centerprise Trust Ltd

0.00

Chats Palace Ltd

40,000.00

Chatsworth Road Methodist Church Luncheon Club

0.00

City and Hackney Mind

20,000.00

City and Hackneys Carers Centre

45,000.00

Claudia Jones Organisation

0.00

Community Accountancy Project

16,500.00

Community Centre for refugees from Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia

35,000.00

Creative Change

0.00

Crown and Manor Club

0.00

Day-mer Turkish & Kurdish Community Centre

0.00

Day-mer Turkish & Kurdish Community Centre

0.00

Day-mer Turkish & Kurdish Community Centre

40,000.00

deafPLUS

0.00

deafPLUS

0.00

DERMAN

0.00

DERMAN

40,000.00

Disability Education and Play

0.00

E5 Community Play Project

9,448.00

E5 Community Play Project (Hackney Play Association)

50,000.00

East London Out Project (ELOP)

16,246.00

Eastside Educational Trust

0.00

EcoACTIVE Education

0.00

Educators Forum

4,990.00

Empowering Deaf Society

0.00

Evergreen Play Association

50,000.00

Evergreen Play Association

10,000.00

Eye With a View Works

9,550.00

Fairbridge in London

0.00

Fairbridge in London

0.00

Faith In The Future

0.00

Family Mosaic

0.00

Finsbury Park Homeless Families Project

0.00

First Touch Enterprise  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

This report provides an update on the progress of the Primary Capital Programme in Hackney and seeks agreement of the recommendations set out in the report.

RESOLVED:

1.  To approve the review of the Primary Capital Programme as a result of changing priorities.

2.  To agree the inclusion of Southwold Primary School as a Primary Capital Programme project subject to the outcome of a satisfactory feasibility assessment.

3.   To agree to the financial remodelling of the programme.

Councillor Krishna introduced the report.

NOTED the tabled amendment to appendix 1, paragraph 4.2.2 of this report.

  - To delete last sentence in the paragraph ‘It is likely that this contingency will be diverted to allow for other projects in the overall programme.’

RESOLVED:

1.  To approve the review of the Primary Capital Programme as a result of changing priorities.

2.  To agree the inclusion of Southwold Primary School as a Primary Capital Programme project subject to the outcome of a satisfactory feasibility assessment.

3.   To agree to the financial remodelling of the programme.

This report represents an overview monitoring statement of the Council’s Revenue Budget and it also included a position statement on debt collection performance.

RESOLVED:

1.  To note the overall financial position for September 2009, covering General Fund and HRA Revenue and Capital.

2.  To approve the virements listed in Appendix 2 of this report.

3.  To note the position on Debt Management.

Mayor Pipe introduced the report.

RESOLVED:

1.  To note the overall financial position for September 2009, covering General Fund and HRA Revenue and Capital.

2.  To approve the virements listed in Appendix 2 of this report.

3.  To note the position on Debt Management.

This report on the Capital Programme seeks changes to resource/spending approval for schemes already included in the approved Programme and new additions to the programme.

REsolved:

1.  That the schemes for Children & Young Peoples Services Directorate be given resource, spending and virement approval, as follows:

City Learning Centres: Resource and spending approval is requested for £300k in 2009/10 to fund improvements to the ICT infrastructure and equipment located in the two City Learning Centres within the Borough.

Primary AMP 2010-11 Design & Development: Resource, spending and virement approval is requested for £65k in 2009/10 to enable preparation works to commence on schemes to be included in the 2010/11 capital plan identified from condition surveys.

Kench Hill Centre Renovation to Rear Extension: Resource and spending approval for £100k is requested (£95k in 2009/10 and £5k in 2010/11) to provide roof renovation, toilet refurbishment and masonry repairs at this location.

Surestart Children Centres Start Up Maintenance: Resource and spending approval for £136k is requested (£30k in 2009/10 and £106k in 2010/11) to implement a planned preventative maintenance programme for all Early Years Children’s Centres.

2.  That the schemes for Community Services be given resource, spending and virement approval, as follows:

Dalston Library & Archives: Spending approval is requested for £3,615k (£212k in 2009/10 and £3,403k in 2010/11) to continue the implementation of this scheme. A change to the resource approvals increasing the earmarked S106 resources by £381k and reducing the discretionary resources by £381k is also requested.

Haggerston Baths Consultants Appointment: Resource and spending approval is requested for £340k in 2009/10 to carry out initial design works and feasibility studies to develop potential refurbishment options for the baths subject to resources being available.

Hackney Marshes: Resource approval for £3,800k (£1,600k in 2009/10, £2,050k in 2010/11 and £150k in 2011/12), spending approval for £5,370k (£2,700k in 2009/10, £2,520k in 2010/11 and £150k in 2011/12) and virement approval for £470k (2010/11) is requested to enable the construction of the South Marsh Community Hub as part of the Hackney Marshes scheme.

3.  That the schemes for Customer & Corporate Services be given resource, spending and virement approval or noted, as follows:

Service First – HSC Master Planning: Spending approval is requested for £338k (£330k in 2009/10 and £8k in 2010/11) to continue ancillary works adjacent to the Hackney Service Centre.

Phase 1 Roof Works Stoke Newington Library: Spending approval is requested for £21k (19k in 2009/10 and £2k in 2010/11) to undertake renovation works to the Library.

Stamford Hill Library Boiler Replacement: Resource approval for £45k (2009/10) and spending approval for £100k (£98k in 2009/10 and £2k in 2010/11) is requested to replace the current boilers which have reached the end of their operational life.

Voluntary Sector Properties – Legionella Remedial Works: Virement and spending approval is requested for £74k in 2009/10 to carry out remedial works necessary to ensure the Health and Safety at the properties.

Acquisition of 39-43 Andrews Road: This property was acquired under delegated authority for a total capital cost of £3,100k for use as a car pound initially and for housing development in the future and the scheme now needs to be added to the capital  ...  view the full decision text for item 10.

Mayor Pipe introduced the report.

REsolved:

1.  That the schemes for Children & Young Peoples Services Directorate be given resource, spending and virement approval, as follows:

City Learning Centres: Resource and spending approval is requested for £300k in 2009/10 to fund improvements to the ICT infrastructure and equipment located in the two City Learning Centres within the Borough.

Primary AMP 2010-11 Design & Development: Resource, spending and virement approval is requested for £65k in 2009/10 to enable preparation works to commence on schemes to be included in the 2010/11 capital plan identified from condition surveys.

Kench Hill Centre Renovation to Rear Extension: Resource and spending approval for £100k is requested (£95k in 2009/10 and £5k in 2010/11) to provide roof renovation, toilet refurbishment and masonry repairs at this location.

Surestart Children Centres Start Up Maintenance: Resource and spending approval for £136k is requested (£30k in 2009/10 and £106k in 2010/11) to implement a planned preventative maintenance programme for all Early Years Children’s Centres.

2.  That the schemes for Community Services be given resource, spending and virement approval, as follows:

Dalston Library & Archives: Spending approval is requested for £3,615k (£212k in 2009/10 and £3,403k in 2010/11) to continue the implementation of this scheme. A change to the resource approvals increasing the earmarked S106 resources by £381k and reducing the discretionary resources by £381k is also requested.

Haggerston Baths Consultants Appointment: Resource and spending approval is requested for £340k in 2009/10 to carry out initial design works and feasibility studies to develop potential refurbishment options for the baths subject to resources being available.

Hackney Marshes: Resource approval for £3,800k (£1,600k in 2009/10, £2,050k in 2010/11 and £150k in 2011/12), spending approval for £5,370k (£2,700k in 2009/10, £2,520k in 2010/11 and £150k in 2011/12) and virement approval for £470k (2010/11) is requested to enable the construction of the South Marsh Community Hub as part of the Hackney Marshes scheme.

3.  That the schemes for Customer & Corporate Services be given resource, spending and virement approval or noted, as follows:

Service First – HSC Master Planning: Spending approval is requested for £338k (£330k in 2009/10 and £8k in 2010/11) to continue ancillary works adjacent to the Hackney Service Centre.

Phase 1 Roof Works Stoke Newington Library: Spending approval is requested for £21k (19k in 2009/10 and £2k in 2010/11) to undertake renovation works to the Library.

Stamford Hill Library Boiler Replacement: Resource approval for £45k (2009/10) and spending approval for £100k (£98k in 2009/10 and £2k in 2010/11) is requested to replace the current boilers which have reached the end of their operational life.

Voluntary Sector Properties – Legionella Remedial Works: Virement and spending approval is requested for £74k in 2009/10 to carry out remedial works necessary to ensure the Health and Safety at the properties.

Acquisition of 39-43 Andrews Road: This property was acquired under delegated authority for a total capital cost of £3,100k for use as a car pound initially and for housing development in the future and the scheme now needs to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 10.

This report seeks approval of adoption of the Bishopsgate Goods Yard Planning Guidance.

RESOLVED to approve adoption of the Bishopsgate Goods Yard Planning Guidance as detailed in the Final Draft Guidance at Appendix 1 of this report.

Councillor Nicholson introduced the report.

RESOLVED to approve adoption of the Bishopsgate Goods Yard Planning Guidance as detailed in the Final Draft Guidance at Appendix 1 of this report.

This report details the strategy for a Borough-wide consultation on Hackney’s new draft Parking and Enforcement Plan 2010-15.

RESOLVED:

1.  To approve the proposed timeline and methodology for the draft Parking and Enforcement Plan consultation as set out in Appendix A of this report. 

2.  To note the draft areas for consultation attached at Appendix B to this report.

Mayor Pipe introduced the report.

RESOLVED:

1.  To approve the proposed timeline and methodology for the draft Parking and Enforcement Plan consultation as set out in Appendix A of this report. 

2.  To note the draft areas for consultation attached at Appendix B to this report.

This report seeks Cabinet to commend to Council approval of the Hackney Statement of Gambling Licensing Policy.

RESOLVED to recommend to full Council for approval, subject to any incorporated comments from the Licensing Committee, the Hackney Statement of Gambling Licensing Policy at Appendix 1 of this report.

Mayor Pipe introduced the report.

RESOLVED to recommend to full Council for approval, subject to any incorporated comments from the Licensing Committee, the Hackney Statement of Gambling Licensing Policy at Appendix 1 of this report.

This report seeks Cabinet to commend to full Council to approve the proposed designation of Hackney Wick Conservation Area and also the draft Hackney Wick Conservation area appraisal and the proposed conservation area boundary for public consultation.

RESOLVED to recommend to full Council:

1.  To approve the proposed designation of Hackney Wick Conservation Area.

2.  To approve the draft Hackney Wick Conservation area appraisal and the proposed conservation area boundary for public consultation.

Councillor Nicholson introduced the report.

RESOLVED that Cabinet is to commend to full Council:

1.  To approve the proposed designation of Hackney Wick Conservation Area.

2.  To approve the draft Hackney Wick Conservation area appraisal and the proposed conservation area boundary for public consultation.

This report seeks Cabinet to commend to Council approval for formal public consultation on the draft Hackney Wick Area Action Plan (Phase 1). 

RESOLVED to recommend to full Council the approval of the Draft Phase 1 Hackney Wick Area Action Plan (Appendix 1) for formal public consultation.

Councillor Nicholson introduced the report.

RESOLVED to recommend to full Council the approval of the Draft Phase 1 Hackney Wick Area Action Plan (Appendix 1) for formal public consultation.

This report seeks Cabinet to commend to Council approval of adoption of the Hackney Central Area Action Plan (Phase 1) – Masterplan and the Dalston Area Action Plan (Phase 1) – Masterplan.

RESOLVED to recommend:

1.  To full Council the adoption of the Hackney Central Area Action Plan (Phase 1) – Masterplan, at Appendix 1 of this report subject to amendments.

2.    To full Council the adoption of the Dalston Area Action Plan (Phase 1) – Masterplan, at Appendix 2 of this report.

Councillor Nicholson introduced the report.

NOTED amendments to:

·  the title to be changed to ‘Approval of the Hackney Central Area Action Plan (P hase1) - Masterplan and Dalston Action Area Plan (Phase 1) - Masterplan.'

·  Hackney Central Area Action Plan (Phase 1) - tabled amendments below:

The amendments to the draft Hackney Central Area Action Plan (Phase 1) – Masterplan are:

1.  Remove ‘Potential Opportunity Sites symbol from the Pembury Circus site on Figure 2.3 – Summary of SWOT Analysis.

2.  Remove ‘HCTC 28 G1 Character Area 10 Site Policy’ from Table 2 in section 3.1

3.  Remove reference ‘G1 Pembury Circus Pembury Estate’ from final row in Table 3 in section 3.3.

4.  Remove G1 designation from Figure 3.1 - Character Area and Opportunity sites in section 3.3

5.  Remove Opportunity site designation from Pembury Circus on Figure 4.1 – Legibility

6.  Remove Opportunity site designation from Pembury Circus on Figure 4.3 – Urban Design Framework

7.  Delete the last bullet point ‘Site G1: Pembury Circus’ from section 4.6.1

8.  Delete point 3 ‘The area to the south west corner of the Pembury Estate known as Pembury Circus (site G1).’ in section 4.6.3

9.  Remove ‘Opportunity for Taller Building on podium’ symbol from Pembury Circus site on Figure 4.4 - Building Height Strategy

10. Remove Opportunity site designation from the Pembury Circus site on Figure 5.1 - Public Realm Strategy

11. Remove Opportunity site designation from the Pembury Circus site on Figure 6.2 - Community Infrastructure.

12. Remove Opportunity site designation from the Pembury Circus site on Figure 7.1 - Hierarchy of Routes

13. Remove Opportunity site designation from the Pembury Circus site on Figure 7.2 - Pedestrian Strategy

14. Remove Opportunity site designation from the Pembury Circus site on Figure 7.3 - Cycling Strategy

15. Remove Opportunity site designation from the Pembury Circus site on Figure 7.4 - Public Transport Strategy.

16. Delete from the first paragraph in section 9.12.1 ‘(site G1)’

17. Amend the third paragraph in section 9.12.1 to state ‘No opportunity sites are identified within this Character Area, however minor public realm enhancements and better connectivity is encouraged between the estates and the surrounding area’.

18. Delete text box containing Site Policy: HCTC 28 Site G1 PEMBURY CIRCUS in section 9.12.1.

19. Delete Figure 9.10 design proposals for Character Area 10: Residential Estates – Pembury Circus Site.

20. Amend the Phasing Strategy Table in section 10.2 to delete Site Ref ‘G1’ from the Medium-term section and replace with ‘n/a’

RESOLVED that Cabinet is:

1.  To commend to Full Council the adoption of the Hackney Central Area Action Plan (Phase 1) – Masterplan  at Appendix 1 of this report subject to amendments.

2.  To commend to Full Council the adoption of the Dalston Area Action Plan (Phase 1) – Masterplan at Appendix 2 of this report.

This report is seeking approval for further public consultation on a revised proposal for the proposed Cazenove Conservation Area and to adopt the designation of the Northwold and Evering Road Conservation Area.

REsolved:

1.   To approve further public consultation on a revised proposal for the proposed Cazenove Conservation Area.

2.  That Cabinet is also invited to commend the following to full Council:

a.  To approve and adopt the designation of the Northwold and Evering Road Conservation Area

b.  To approve and adopt the Northwold and Evering Road Character Appraisal and Map.

Councillor Nicholson introduced the report.

REsolved:

1.   To approve further public consultation on a revised proposal for the proposed Cazenove Conservation Area.

2.  Cabinet is also invited to commend the following to full Council:

a.  To approve and adopt the designation of the Northwold and Evering Road Conservation Area

b.  To approve and adopt the Northwold and Evering Road Character Appraisal and Map.

This report seeks Cabinet’s adoption of the Dalston Lane Terrace Planning and Design Guidance. 

RESOLVED to adopt the Dalston Lane Terrace Planning and Design Guidance.

Councillor Nicholson introduced the report.

RESOLVED to adopt the Dalston Lane Terrace Planning and Design Guidance.

This report seeks Cabinet to recommend to Full Council that it adopts the persistent evaders powers.

RESOLVED to recommend to full Council that it adopts the persistent evaders powers contained in Part 5 of 2008 Act.

Mayor Pipe introduced the report.

RESOLVED to recommend to full Council that it adopts the persistent evaders powers contained in Part 5 of 2008 Act.

To agree the School Governor appointments.

RESOLVED that the appointment was approved.

To approve the contents of the Executive Response to Living in Hackney Scrutiny Commission Review into overcrowding in Hackney.

Councillor Odze introduced the executive response.

NOTED tabled amendment below of a minute extract of the Overview & Scrutiny Board (23^rd September 2009), which is to be appended to the final report of the Overcrowding review:

  Minute Extract: Overview & Scrutiny Board 23^rd September 2009

Item 8- Living in Hackney Scrutiny Commission’s review of Overcrowding

8.1  Cllr Odze introduced the final report of the Living in Hackney Scrutiny Commission’s review of Overcrowding, thanking all the officers, Members and expert witnesses who supported the review. He noted that the foreword outlined the main findings and outcomes of the review, and that overcrowding was one of the most significant housing problems to face people nationally.

8.2  One of the outcomes achieved through the course of the review was the agreement of a referral protocol between Shelter (who provide housing advice to residents around the country) and the Council. This ensures that LBH housing officers are aware of everyone who has concerns about their housing.

8.3  Cllr Odze thanked the Corporate Director for the early sight of the Overcrowding strategy, which he felt helped to focus officers and to guide some aspects of the document. He noted that the approach to pre-decision scrutiny benefited all sides.

8.4  Questions and Discussion

Cllr McShane expressed an interest in the project completed by LB Camden referred to in the report, which attempted to alleviate the impact of overcrowding on families

Cllr Odze explained that a similar project called ‘Space Management’ was due to be piloted in Hackney, and that addressing the impact of overcrowding (as opposed to trying to improve housing supply) was one of the review’s five recommendation areas. He referred to his recent attendance at a joint Westminster Council and Local Government Information Unit (LGiU) event to launch their overcrowding strategy, where suggestions following Hackney’s scrutiny review were warmly welcomed.

Cllr Williams raised an ongoing concern about the recommendation relating to the private rented sector (PRS). She welcomed the Council’s focus on tackling overcrowding, but felt consideration should be given to the needs of residents rather than the council itself. Cllr Williams felt that when using the PRSthere was possibility for unforeseen circumstances, which may not have been considered yet. She noted that the report highlighted the disproportionate percentage of Black & Minority Ethnic families affected by overcrowding, and their greater probability of having to rely on the PRS. She noted that one cause of overcrowding was high private sector rents, that would negatively impact younger families whilst preventing  families on benefits from aspiring to work. Cllr Williams asked if further consideration might be given to the wording of the recommendation, including whether the Council might lease PRSproperties and sub-let them to residents

Cllr Chapman felt that the recommendation was helpful in providing more thought about how best to use the PRS, but felt this shouldn’t be the whole solution to tackling overcrowding. Security of tenure and rent levels in the private sector were both  ...  view the full minutes text for item 25.

To approve the contents of the Executive Response to Governance & Resources Scrutiny Commission review: Impact of the Mayoral model in Hackney.

RESOLVED to approve the contents of this response.

This schedule sets out the decisions taken by officers under delegated powers:

• SERVICE LEVEL AGREEMENT WITH EDF ENERGY

RESOLVED that the schedule was noted.

There was no other urgent business.

Proposed resolution:

THAT the press and public be excluded from the proceedings of the Cabinet on the 23^rd November 2009 during consideration of item 25 on the agenda on the grounds that it is likely, in view of the nature of the business to be transacted, that were members of the public to be present, there would be disclosure of exempt information as defined in Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 as amended.

Proposed resolution:

THAT the press and public be excluded from the proceedings of the Cabinet on the 23^rd November 2009 during consideration of item 25 on the agenda on the grounds that it is likely, in view of the nature of the business to be transacted, that were members of the public to be present, there would be disclosure of exempt information as defined in Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 as amended.

This report seeks authorisation to buy back four vulnerable resident leaseholders on the Woodberry Down Estate.