Agenda and minutes

The outcome of the referrals from the minutes was tabled and noted. The Chair thanked the Mayor and Cabinet for the response and requested a report and action plan produced explaining how and when the Deptford Anchor would be replaced.

Action >>>>>> ED Resources and Regeneration

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 22 November 2016, which was open to the Press and Public, be confirmed as a correct record.

Councillor Mallory declared a personal non pecuniary interest for item 5 as a season ticket holder for Millwall FC, and his child and grandchild they participated in the Millwall Community Scheme.

Report noted.

Report noted.

The Executive Director for Resources and Regeneration introduced the report.

The Chair said he was concerned about the lack of information members were experiencing. He said he did not think the process had been transparent. The Executive Director said this had a lot to do with the depth of confidentiality and privacy involved because of the type of project. She said this was the first time the Council had done a CPO for this type of development and officers were going through a learning curve. The Executive Director for Resources and Regeneration said there were issues around disclosure as this was a Quasi- Judicial process and officers were disclosing what they could lawfully.

The Head of Law said officers were careful to comply with Section 72, and the information had been available at any time for Business Panel Members to look at. The Chair said this was not the case. The Head of Law replied that she had informed Business Panel Members as information was made available to her. Councillor Curran said after several years of asking for information members had been given partial information. He said this was unacceptable.

The Chair asked whether officers had been informed about the validity of the brochure and was told that although Lambeth Smith Hampton (LSH) had produced the document they said they were not responsible for its circulation and did not have any copies. The Chair received confirmation that the document was genuine, but officers had not been told how the document came to be circulated.

The Chair asked officers why they had postponed the Call-In from Business Panel if they did not think the document they received would have an impact on the CPO process. The Executive Director stated that officers had to be sure that the document would not impact on the process, hence they took external advice. The outcome was that it would not impact on the CPO process.

The Executive Director for Resources and Regeneration said PwC confirmed that it was not unusual for investors to consider a range of situation and they have not changed their findings. The Chair asked if Panel Members could see the report of the findings and the Executive Director for Resources and Regeneration said this was part of the bundle of papers circulated to Business Panel Members earlier.

Councillor Dacres stated that she was concerned that the Developer could dispose of the land or withdraw from the contract at any time, and was told by the Executive Director for Resources and Regeneration that there was no contract but no guarantee that any Developer would not decide to walk away from scheme.

The Executive Director for Resources and Regeneration said it was expected the development would be subdivided, and there would be other Developers but Renewal would want to keep control of the overall development. The Chief Executive said when the story came out about the brochure, the main concern was to establish whether this was a genuine document. He said LSH did  ...  view the full minutes text for item 49.

No item was identified for further discussion.

No item was identified for further discussion.

The Executive Director’s decision was noted.

This update was deferred to the next meeting.

Meeting ended: 9.45 pm                                        Chair ……………….