Havering Residents'Association
Working for the people of Havering
CABINET FEEDBACK - 12.12.07 |
a) Corporate Plan (2008-11) – Financial Prospects
Noted the details of the Governments financial settlement for 2008/09 which equated to 2% increase or £1m – the minimum possible. It is noticeable that all the London councils adjoining Havering received much more favourable grants, we are prominent by our exception. The proposed GLA precept for 2008/09 is an additional £7 (2.4%). This may sound modest (must be an election year!) but the precept has increased from £123 in 2000/01 to £304 this year – that's an increase of 147% over seven years or nearly £26 a year on average.
b) Future use of Broxhill and Whitworth Centre
Plans to sell off Whitworth for housing and demolish Broxhill to turn into parkland as part if the Harold Hill Ambitions programme. Concerns expressed over future of the Havering Disabled Club who currently use Broxhill and the ‘need' to demolish the footbridge connecting the two sites. Existing staff at Whitworth will be transferred to Romford Town Centre at a cost of £450,000, costs to be met from disposal receipts.
c) Contracts
Contracts for non-housing building repairs were discussed and procurement processes set in place.
The full reports can be viewed by visiting the council website at www.havering.gov.uk
Cllr Clarence Barrett
15.11.07
CABINET FEEDBACK - 14.11.07 |
a) Access to Education Topic Group
Focused on children with learning difficulties and behavioural difficulties and those whom the Council is the ‘corporate parent'. It was agreed to make improvements to procedures, structures and provision, communications and use examples of good practice.
b) New Diploma Scheme Topic Group
Focused on plans to introduce within Havering a Diploma scheme for 14-19 years old combining vocational and academic training. 15 recommendations were agree which centred around better strategic leadership, partnership working, appointing a Diploma Scheme Co-ordinator, promoting the Diploma scheme extensively and full support given to the Diploma bid submission.
c) Refurbishment of Central Library and re-provision of Elm Park Library
Central library to close for 15 months (Sept 2008 – Dec 2009) while a £3.65m programme of works is undertaken. Alternative service to be provided in shops opposite the proposed museum site. Public consultation process to run from Dec 2007 to March 2008.
Family History Centre to be opened in Upminster Library.
£100,000 additional resources (total cost of £730,000) to be given to the Elm Park Library refurbishment programme (closed for works from March 2008 to Dec 2008).
d) Primary School Provision Review
£20m capital investment to build two new schools (Romford & South Hornchurch), expansion and investment in primary school in Romford and further investment in one primary school in South Hornchurch.
10 recommendations agreed which include:
* Changes in some school admission numbers
- Pinewood, reduce admission numbers from 45 to 30
- Nelmes, increase admission numbers from 55 to 60
- Branfil, reduce admission numbers from 68 to 60
- Upminster, reduce admission numbers from 97 to 90
* The proposed change in admission numbers for Hacton school to proceed no further
* Closure of Ingrebourne Primary School from August 2008
* Subject to further consultation, to close Dunningford Primary School from August 2009
* Assimilate Dunningford with Ayloff as a single school on the Dunningford site from Sept 2009 until the new school is ready for occupation
* Develop new school building to provide 2FTE (4-11)
* Review consultation process
* Issue formal public notices
* Close Edwin Lambert school and merge with The Manor from Sept 2009 * Develop a new school on the current Edwin Lambert playing fields site for 2011/12
* Consult further with schools and wider community on the closure of Dunningford and The Manor Primary School and expand Edwin Lambert from 1.5FE to 2FE
* Approve in principal the disposal of Dunningford, Edwin Lambert (part) and The Manor.
* A further report will be submitted on the options for the future use of the Ingrebourne School premises.
The full reports can be viewed by visiting the council website at www.havering.gov.uk
Cllr Clarence Barrett
15.11.07
CABINET FEEDBACK - 24.10.07 |
a) GREEN SPACES PROJECT
It was agreed that a £17.3 million 10 year programme of investment in parks and open spaces would be pursued.
The Green Spaces are divided into 25 ‘Principle Parks' (£10.8m), 13 ‘Principle Open Spaces' (£1.5m) and 50 ‘Other Parks and Open Spaces' (£5m).
Each park/open space has been assessed by quality and value with an estimate for works at each location. For example, Raphael Park is judged above average quality and value and is estimated to need £2.5m of works to refurbish heritage buildings, upgrade footpaths, new park furniture, landscape improvements, etc. Mardyke Open Space is assessed as below average quality but above average value and is estimated to need £100,000 of works to renew fencing, improve landscaping, new parks furniture and refurbish the ball court.
Actual prioritisation of works within each category is still being looked at.
A welcome project, but will rely on sufficient capital receipts being generated to turn into reality (see below).
b) PROPERTY DISPOSALS
it was agreed that the following six sites are suitable for disposal:
• Land at Linley Crescent , Romford (1 acre)
• Land at Hood Walk, Collier Row (0.35 acre)
• Ex Park Keepers House, Spring Farm Park , Rainham (0.14 acre)
• Land at Lodge Lane , Collier Row (1 acre)
• Land at corner of Wingletye Lane and Maywin Crescent , Hornchurch (0.35 acre)
• Land at corner of Hornchurch Road and Abbs Cross Lane , Hornchurch (2.3 acres) [pictured].
In addition, it was agreed to remove restrictions to the sale of an area of land at Colne Drive , Harold Hill which was previously agreed by Cabinet.
The sale of these plots were considered largely suitable for residential development.
In response an RA spokesman said: “Whilst we understand the need to generate capital receipts to support the capital programme, it is nonetheless a balancing exercise which looks at disposing of surplus open spaces whilst still maintaining the character of an area.
“The land at the corner of Hornchurch Road and Abbs Cross Lane is a significant area of 2.3 acres, this is not only open space but marks the Gateway into and out of Hornchurch. It is a unique characteristic and to dispose of this land would mean the loss of an important visual and environmental amenity to Hornchurch.
“We are very concerned about selling off our green spaces if it is to the detriment of the local character and visual aesthetics of an area, and as such we believe that these proposals warrant further scrutiny”.
c) BUSINESS RATES SHARED SERVICE INITIATIVE WITH LB BARKING & DAGENHAM
Agreed entering into a joint partnership with LB Barking & Dagenham for billing, administration, collection and recovery of Business Rates from commercial properties in both boroughs.
The use of a shared service arrangement (as from April 1 st 2008 ) will generate savings to both authorities through economies of scale and is likely to lead to an improved ‘collection' rate for Havering.
The full reports can be viewed by visiting the council website at www.havering.gov.uk
Cllr Clarence Barrett
1.11.07