Agenda and minutes

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 19 June 2018 be confirmed and signed as a correct record.

None were made.

RESOLVED that the report be noted.

RESOLVED that the report be noted.

This item was withdrawn.

Deptford Southern Housing – Tidemill Update

The Housing Strategy and Partnerships Manager, Strategic Housing introduced the report. Councillor Mallory asked for clarification on Mayor and Cabinet’s decision following suggestion from the GLA to carry out a ballot of residents on the decision. The Housing Strategy and Partnerships Manager, Strategic Housing explained that by following the existing contract there would be no ballot, and to carry out a ballot at this stage in the process would entail starting the whole process again, and Mayor and Cabinet decided to go ahead with officers’ recommendations.

Councillor Mallory stated that he had been a Councillor in the Deptford area for 16 years and during that time had fought to preserve the green areas. He said that putting more people an already densely populated area with less green spaces would be intolerable.

Councillor Curran said he was aware that the original plan had been amended

a few times, and therefore it could be amended again if necessary. The

Housing Strategy and Partnerships Manager, Strategic Housing said this

would cause some problems and would cost a lot of money because of the

amount of stages in the process that would be affected. He said it could run

into millions of pounds.

Councillor Muldoon stated that he was at the Mayor and Cabinet meeting the previous week and heard the Cabinet Member for Housing explained quite articulately the reasons and advantages for the decision. Councillor Muldoon also said that he was aware that this report had been discussed at the Strategic Planning Committee at length in 2016 and 2017 thoroughly. He concluded that sufficient discussion had been done on the report.

Councillor Millbank asked for clarification around the GLA’s recommendation for a ballot, and asked whether this was current policy. The Housing Strategy and Partnerships Manager, Strategic Housing explained the reason for the GLA’S recommendation, adding that it was a policy that was to be introduced, and does not have to be implemented retrospectively.

Councillor Sorba asked for an explanation on paragraph’s 5.5 and 5.6 of the report, and was told 80% of the green space would be provided as open public spaces and 74% affordable housing, and there was a very good offer on the table for existing residents, they would not have to move away, and there was shared equity for existing leaseholders. Panel Members were told that residents would get compensatory payments, support with moving and expenses paid.

Following a question from Councillor Mallory it was noted that concerns over green space was one of the four reasons the Strategic Planning Committee had asked for a review of the report. Councillor Mallory also asked whether tenants would be offered like for like, with existing rent levels guaranteed.

The Housing Strategy and Partnerships Manager, Strategic Housing told Panel Members that Tenants would be given accommodation according to their needs and the rent for transferring tenants would be protected, but would be increased with inflation. It was noted that new tenants rates would be set by  ...  view the full minutes text for item 119.

Panel Members noted that the first round of Select Committee meetings started on 27 June and would end on 19 July. It was noted that the Select Committees were agreeing their annual meetings and they would be formally submitted to the Business Panel meeting on 24 July 2018.

The Scrutiny Manager said the Children and Young People Select Committee have decided to do an in-depth review into school exclusions and alternative provision, and the Public Accounts Select Committee would be looking at income generating activities. It was noted that the Housing Select Committee had not agreed an in-depth review at this stage, but would be looking at some issues in an in-depth way, such as the housing element of the Local Plan. The Healthier Communities Select Committee also had not agreed an in-depth review but was likely to hold a mini-review of blue badge provision.

The resolution was not considered as no confidential discussions took place.

This item was not requested for discussion.

This item was not requested for discussion.

Meeting ended: 8:07                      Chair………………