Agenda and minutes

Councillor John Muldoon declared a personal interest in Item 14 as a member

of Our Healthier South East London Joint Health Overview & Scrutiny

Committee and in Item 17 as a member of the Chartered Management

Institute and as a member of the Institute of Directors, London.

Councillor Susan Wise declared a personal interest in Item 14 as a member of

the Kings College Hospital Foundation Trust and in Item 12 as a Board

Member of Lewisham Homes.

Councillor John Paschoud declared a personal interest in Item 14 as a

member of a Patient Participation Group and in any and all interests declared

by Councillor Jacq Paschoud.

Councillor Alan Hall declared a personal interest in Item 14 as a member of

Joint Health Overview & Scrutiny Committees and in Item 18 as an elected

Governor of the NHS SLAM Foundation Trust and as a member of the

Terence Higgins Trust.

Councillor Luke Sorba declared a personal interest in Item 14 as a Council

appointed Governor of the NHS SLAM Foundation Trust.

Councillor Jacq Paschoud declared a personal interest in Item 14 as a

Member of the Jenner Patient Participation Group and as a Short Breaks

Provider for children.

Councillor Peter Bernhards declared a personal interest in Item 14 as an

employee of a company which did business with the NHS.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on September 20 2017 be

confirmed and signed as a correct record.

The Chair welcomed to the meeting the new Young Mayor, Laurelle Henry

and Deputy Young Mayor, Edafese Erhenede.

The Mayor spoke to the item and congratulated the winning candidates on

their success at the polls. He noted this would be the fourteenth year of

the scheme and he pointed to the enduring success of the Young

Mayoralty which he continued to believe had been established as a

permanent and valued feature of the Lewisham landscape and had

attracted a consistently high calibre of successful candidates and

interest, as shown by the strong turn out of voters. He noted that for the

first time the outcome had been the election of a female Young

Mayor and a male Deputy Mayor He thanked the outgoing Young Mayor, and

Deputy Young Mayor, Kayla Sh’ay Nswa and Tekisha Henry, for their service

in what was widely regarded as another successful year.

The new Young Mayor and Deputy Young Mayor then signed their

Declarations of Acceptance of Office and an undertaking to abide by the Code

of Practice for their respective roles which were witnessed by the Head of

Law.

The outgoing Young Mayor, Kayla Sh’ay Nswa, addressed the meeting and

thanked the Council for the opportunities given to her during her term

of office which she regarded as a life changing experience. She gave

particular credit to the support given by her mother and she urged all young

people to follow their dreams. She wished her successors every success in

their year of office.

No petitions were submitted.

1. Frank Doran MP

The Chair reported the death of Frank Doran a former MP for three Aberdeen constituencies and husband of Honorary Freewoman, Dame Joan Ruddock. The Chair had attended his funeral on November 16 in Edinburgh.

All present stood for one minute in memory of Frank Doran.

2. Freedom of the City of London

On behalf of the Council the Chair congratulated the Executive Director for

Resources & Regeneration, Janet Senior, on being given the Freedom of the

City of London.

3. Looked After Children’s Poetry

Lucy, a representative of Lewisham’s Children in Care Council, read out one of the poems from a recently produced Looked After Children’s poetry book. The Mayor and Councillor Maslin encouraged all present to buy a copy in order to support fund raising efforts.

4. Councillor Helen Klier

The Chair reported that the horrific injuries sustained by Councillor Helen Klier

were even more severe than at first thought. Wishing her well, Councillor

Mallory moved and Councillor Bill Brown seconded a resolution that her

ongoing non attendance at Council meetings be approved.

The following recommendation was then carried unanimously:

RESOLVED that the reason for Councillor Helen Klier’s non-attendance at Council meetings since 13 September 2017, as set out, be approved.

5. White Ribbon Day

The Mayor highlighted the range of events taking place in the borough in support of White Ribbon Day and added that the salience of campaigning against violence against women had been given extra impetus by the deluge of recent stories of men abusing their power over women.

6. Councillor Slater

On behalf of the Council, the Chair congratulated Councillor Johnathan Slater on his marriage on October 4 to his bride Urmita.

8 questions were received from the following members of the public which

were answered by the Cabinet Member indicated. A copy of the questions

and answers was circulated separately and can be viewed on the Council

website with the meeting papers.

8 questions were received from the following Councillors which were

answered by the Cabinet Members indicated. A copy of the questions and

answers was circulated separately and can be viewed on the Council’s

website with the meeting papers.

The Cabinet Member for Policy and Performance, Councillor Joe Dromey,

confirmed the report and recommendations had been agreed by the Mayor on

November 15 and he moved that the recommendations be approved and this

was seconded by Councillor Colin Elliott and it was unanimously :

RESOLVED that:

(1) the challenge and insight provided by the Lewisham Poverty Commission

be welcomed and the Commissioners be thanked for their time and expertise;

(2) the final report of the Lewisham Poverty Commission and its

recommendations be noted;

(3) the report to Mayor and Cabinet presenting the final report of the

Lewisham Poverty Commission be noted; and

(4) the verbal update on decisions made at Mayor and Cabinet on 15

November be received.

Councillor Suzannah Clarke, the Chair of the Barriers to Politics Working

Group, moved that the recommendations be approved and this was seconded

by Councillor Jacq Paschoud, the Vice-Chair of the Barriers to Politics

Working Group Following a contribution from Councillor John Coughlin, it was

unanimously:

RESOLVED

(1) the recommendations of the Barriers to Politics Working Group as outlined

in the report attached at Appendix A be noted;

(2) the recommendations be referred to appropriate bodies as stated within

the report.

The Mayor moved that the recommendations be approved and this was

seconded by Councillor Alan Hall, the Chair of the Appointments Committee.

Following a contribution from the Chair of the Council, it was unanimously:

RESOLVED that

(1) the Chief Executive has served notice of termination of his employment

with the Council and that his last day of service will be 31/01/2018;

(2) the terms and conditions upon which a new Chief Executive is to be

recruited as suggested by the Appointments Committee and referred to in

Paragraph 4.11 and Appendix 1 to the report be approved;

(3) the process by which a new Chief Executive is to be recruited, as set out

in paragraphs 4.12-4.16 of the report be approved and to note that the Head

of Organisational Development & Human Resources will appoint an external

recruitment agency and former London Chief Executive to assist with that

process;

(4) an Advisory Panel of 9 members of the Council be appointed as set out in

paragraphs 4.17-4.22 of the report with the terms of reference set out in

paragraph 4.21;

(5) to appoint members to that Advisory Panel;

(6) the clarification of the constitutional position set out in paragraph 5.3 of the

report be agreed;

(7) the interim management arrangements put in place by the Chief Executive

to date be noted and to agree that in accordance with paragraphs 4.6-4.9, the

Executive Director for Resources and Regeneration continue to fill the role of

Acting Chief Executive until a new Chief Executive is appointed and is in post.

Such appointment will authorise the Executive Director for Resources and

Regeneration to exercise all of the functions currently exercisable by the

current Chief Executive, including those of Returning Officer and Electoral

Registration Officer.

(8) In recognition of the additional duties, the Head of Organisational

Development & Human Resources be authorised, on the basis of external

advice, to agree an appropriate honorarium in respect of the additional duties

associated with acting as Interim Chief Executive.

The Mayor moved that the recommendations be approved and this was

seconded by Councillor Jim Mallory. Following a contribution from the

Councillor Bonavia, it was unanimously :

RESOLVED that the proposal to create a London Business Rates pilot pool

based on the principles set out in the London Councils proposals be

endorsed, with a preference for Option D as set out (i.e. greater weighting to

“needs” and “population” (each 30%) with equal remaining weightings of 20%

for “incentives” and “investment” pots).

Councillor Kevin Bonavia, the Cabinet Member for Resources moved that the

recommendations be approved and this was seconded by Councillor Maja

Hilton, the Chair of the Public Accounts Select Committee and it was

unanimously :

RESOLVED that

(1) the latest version of the Financial Regulations be approved:

(2) the Directorate Schemes of Delegation as they relate to non-executive

functions be approved; and

(3) the Mayor’s approval of the Directorate Schemes of Delegation as they

relate to executive functions be noted.

Councillor Paul Maslin, the Cabinet Member for Children & Young People

moved that the recommendations be approved and this was seconded by

Councillor Luke Sorba, the Chair of the Children & Young People Select

Committee and it was unanimously :

RESOLVED that the contents of the report be noted.

Councillor Alan Hall, the Chair of the Overview & Scrutiny tabled updating

correspondence received from NHS Lewisham andr moved that the

recommendations be approved and this was seconded by Councillor Susan

Wise. Following contributions from Councillors Joe Dromey and Brenda

Dacres, it was unanimously :

RESOLVED that the views of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee as set

out in section three of the referral be noted.

Councillor Alan Hall, the Chair of the Overview & Scrutiny Committee moved

that the recommendations be approved and this was seconded by Councillor

Gareth Siddorn, the Vice-Chair of the Overview & Scrutiny Committee and it

was unanimously :

RESOLVED that Council supports the campaign of the Fire Brigade Union for

the Fire Brigade to become the statutory Emergency Response Service for

flooding, as recommended by the Pitt Review in 2008 , in view of the recent

major bursts across the capital resulting in severe flooding and given the fact

that such occurrences are more likely in the future due to the ageing Victorian

trunk mains network across London.

The motion was moved by Councillor Coughlin and seconded by the Mayor.

Following contributions from Councillors Bonavia, Mallory and Kennedy, the

motion was put  to the vote and declared to be lost by 21 to 20 with 3

abstentions.

The motion was moved by Councillor Jacq Paschoud and seconded by

Councillor John Muldoon and was put to the vote and declared to be

unanimously carried.

RESOLVED that the following motion be agreed:

““Some people of working age who have been diagnosed with a terminal

illness would chose to continue in employment for as long as they are able.

Their income continues, they feel a sense of worth and purpose, they may be

distracted from their illness and its treatment and their "Death in Service"

rights are protected for their loved ones.

The Dying to Work Charter sets out an agreed way in which an employer will

support protect and guide employees throughout their employment following a

terminal diagnosis.

Lewisham council will work with unions towards the signing of a customised

charter, provided by the TUC based on the following:-

*The Council recognises that terminal illness requires support and

understanding and not additional and avoidable stress and worry.

*Terminally ill workers will be secure in the knowledge that they will be

supported following their diagnosis and we recognise that , safe reasonable

work can help maintain dignity, offer a valuable distraction and can be

therapeutic in itself.

*We will provide our employees with the security of work, peace of mind and

the right to choose the best course of action for themselves and their families

which helps them through this challenging period with dignity and without

undue financial loss.

*We support the TUC's Dying to Work campaign so that all employees with a

terminal illness have adequate protection and have their death in service

benefits protected for the loved ones they leave behind.”

The mover and seconder accepted an amendment which had been received

prior to the previous days 5pm deadline. The amended motion was moved by

Councillor Alan Hall and seconded by Councillor Liz Johnston-Franklin.

Following a contribution from Councillor Chris Best, the motion was put to the

vote and declared to be unanimously carried.

RESOLVED that the following motion be agreed:

“The National Aids Trust have said that for three decades, the UK has been a world leader when it comes to HIV, leading the way with public awareness and harm reduction campaigns since the 1980s. The care the NHS provides to people living with HIV is second-to-none, with 94% of those on treatment achieving viral suppression. Today someone diagnosed with HIV in the UK can expect a near-normal life expectancy.

But HIV is not over. Over 100,000 people in the UK will live with HIV for the rest of their lives. Recent reports of a decrease in new diagnoses among gay men in some London clinics are hugely welcome, but have not yet been replicated elsewhere and follow a decade of high and sustained rates of transmission. HIV continues to disproportionately affect certain communities, including gay and bisexual men and people in black and minority ethnic groups. In the past two years, there has also been rapid disinvestment in both HIV prevention and support services. And HIV-related stigma and discrimination are still present every day, in all areas of life. The London Borough of Lewisham has some of the highest rates in Europe.

Lewisham Council Notes:

The number of STI diagnoses in MSM has risen sharply in England in recent years and this is also the case in Lewisham, with the number of cases of new infections more than doubling between 2011 and 2015

It is estimated that around 25% of the UK’s HIV+ population live in Lewisham

Lambeth & Southwark. There were around 100 new HIV diagnoses in

Lewisham in 2015. The diagnosed HIV prevalence was 8.3 per 1,000

population aged 15-59 years (compared to 2.26 per 1,000 in England). This is

up from 7.9 per 1,000 which is recorded in our Joint Strategic Needs

Assessment (JSNA), where we were rated 8th in the country for prevalence.

There are around 1,660 people in Lewisham living with HIV accessing HIV

services, of these around 40% probably acquired their infection through sex

between men, and 55% through heterosexual sex.

In 2015/16 there were just under 15,000 male and around 29,300 female first

attendances in sexual health clinics by Lewisham residents. (The figure for

women is significantly higher than for men, as women access clinics for

contraception as well as for sexually transmitted infection screening and

treatment). Of the men attending 32% identified as gay and 2% as bisexual

and 66% heterosexual. Of the women attending 0.4% identified as lesbian,

and 0.74% bisexual and circa 98% heterosexual.

In the 2015 Lewisham Residents Survey, 4% of respondents identified

themselves as Lesbian Gay or Bisexual (LGB). Nationally the ONS estimates

that in the same year,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 125.

The motion was moved by Councillor Sophie McGeevor and seconded by

Councillor John Muldoon. Following contributions from Councillor Susan Wise

and John Paschoud, the motion was put to the vote and declared to be

unanimously carried.

RESOLVED that the following motion be agreed:

Lewisham Council supports the growth of sustainable transport, and desires a

safe rail service that residents can rely on. As a Council, it understands that

the railway infrastructure must be maintained on a regular basis and that the

borough contains extremely busy sections of track and signalling on which

residents from across London and the South East depend. Council also

believes that these can be maintained in a way that minimises disruption to

residents.

Lewisham Council notes that many residents who live near to railway lines

and stations are unduly disturbed by night-time maintenance works taking

place at short notice, or with no notice at all. In recent years, residents in the

St Johns area of Brockley Ward have been subject to short-notice works over

the Christmas period.

Lewisham Council appreciates that some repairs must be made at short-

notice, but expects that this should only be necessary in exceptional

circumstances.

Lewisham Council calls upon Network Rail to respect the amenity of

Lewisham residents.

Lewisham Council calls upon Network Rail to:

            Give due notice to residents in all roads affected by maintenance

works. Residents should be given a minimum of four weeks notice before

works begin, and a minimum of twelve weeks notice when works are due to

take place over the Christmas period.

            Safeguard Lewisham residents by limiting the use of HGVs on

residential roads. HGVs should only be used to deliver equipment in

exceptional circumstances and never in the hours of the 'school-run'.

            Ensure that all contractors are trained to understand that they are

working in residential areas and must limit light pollution and noise wherever

possible. Air quality of residents must also be respected and car and diesel

powered machinery must not be left to idle or run unnecessarily.

            Respond to the enquiries and complaints of residents, representatives

and council officers in a timely manner.

            Protect woodland and wildlife on railway sidings

            Maintain and refurbish bridges and footways, so that they are both safe

and visually appealing thereby positively contributing to the street scape.

Lewisham Council asks that the Mayor of Lewisham, Sir Steve Bullock, writes

to Rt Hon Chris Grayling, MP, Secretary of State for Transport, Sir Peter

Hendy CBE, Chair of Network Rail & Mr Arthur Leathley, Chair of London

Travelwatch to advise them of these concerns.

Lewisham Council recommends that the Public Transport Liaison Committee

incorporates a standing item on rail infrastructure repairs and renewals in its

work programme, so that Members and the public can be assured that the

activities of Network Rail are adequately scrutinised in this regard.”

The meeting closed at 9.49pm