Agenda and minutes

There were no declarations.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on November 27 2019 be

confirmed and signed as a correct record.

Councillor John Paschoud presented a petition on behalf of Perry Vale ward

resident Kirsten Brooks bearing 275 names. The petition called on the Council

to continue providing a staffed School Crossing Patrol on Cranston Road and

to actively investigate other measures to make the road safer for children and

other pedestrians.

Councillor Chris Best presented a petition signed by 40 residents of Elderton

Road.The petition complained about littering and fly tipping in Elderton Road

and presented the Council with a seven point improvement plan.

(1) Report of the Returning Officer

The Council recorded its congratulations to the three local MPs, Janet Daby, Vicky Foxcroft and Ellie Reeves who had all been re-elected in the December 2019 General Election

(2) George Francis RIP & New Cross Fire Anniversary

The Council received news of the death of George Francis the long serving Chair of the New Cross Fire Parents Committee. Council noted that the 39th anniversary of the tragedy was marked by a service outside the Civic Suite.

All present observed a minute of silence in memory of George Francis.

(3) Holocaust Memorial Day

The Council confirmed it would be supporting Holocaust Memorial Day on

Sunday January 26 and welcomed the Reverend David Rome to the meeting.

The Mayor introduced this item as Chair of the Holocaust Memorial

Committee. He recorded his thanks to the previous Chair, Councillor Pauline

Morrison who had given 17 years service to the Committee.

Reverend Rome addressed the meeting highlighting three individuals from the

BBC ‘Best of Men’ programme. He recited a memorial prayer and light a

candle on behalf of the victims of the Holocaust and subsequent genocides.

All present observed a two minute silence in memory of all victims.

(4) Queen’s New Year’s Honours List

The Council received an announcement about the Queen’s New Year’s Honours List is also for information.. The Council recorded its congratulations concerning the awards which were as follows:

Aileen Buckton MBE

David Michael MBE

Lesley Seary CBE

Rob Whiteman CBE

Wlodka Robertson BEM

Emma Worley MBE

(5) New Year’s Day Parade

The Council welcomed the announcement about the New Year’s Day Parade and the prize secured by the Lewisham entry which went to the 999 club.

(6) Mayor’s Charity and Mayor’s Winter Appeal

The Mayor reported on fund raising activities and thanked the residents of

Lewisham for their tremendous generosity.

(7) Launch of Lewisham Disabled People’s Commission

The Deputy Mayor updated the Council on developments concerning

Lewisham Disabled People’s Commission.

(8) LGBT History Month

The Deputy Mayor highlighted activities taking place to support LGBT History Month.

(9) Councillor Joani Reid

The Council warmly congratulated Councillor Joani Reid, who had given birth

the day before at St. Thomas’ Hospital to a 7lb baby girl.

The Chair moved, as a matter of urgency, a recommendation granting

Councillor Joani Reid a leave of absence from Council duties. This was

seconded by Councillor Pat Codd and agreed unanimously.

RESOLVED that Councillor Joani Reid be granted a six month leave of

absence from Council duties.

36 questions were received from members of the public which were answered

by the Cabinet Member indicated. No questioner wished to raise a

supplementary question.

A copy of the questions and answers was circulated separately and can be

viewed on the Council website with the meeting papers.

3 questions were received from 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.

Councillor Amanda De Ryk moved that the recommendations be approved

and this was seconded by Councillor Jim Mallory and it was then

unanimously:

RESOLVED that:

(1) the Council Tax Base calculation for 2020/21, as set out in the annual

Council Tax Base government return, attached at Appendix A, be noted;

(2) a Council Tax Base of 90,099.3 Band D equivalent properties for 2020/21

be approved;

(3) a budgeted Council Tax collection rate of 97.0% be approved;

(4) no changes be made to the Council Tax Reduction Scheme (CTRS) for

2020/21, that eligible claimants make a minimum contribution of 25% towards

their council tax;

(5) the continuation of the discretionary Council Tax discount of 100% for care

leavers up to the age of 25, as set out in section five, be approved;

(6) the existing policy of a 0% discount for  second homes for 2019/20 be

continued for 2020/21, as set out in section five, be approved;

(7) the existing policy of a 0% discount for empty homes Class A (an empty

property undergoing structural alteration or major repair to make it habitable)

be continued, as set out in section five, be approved

(8) the existing policy of a 100% discount awarded for a period of four  weeks

and then a 0% discount thereafter, for empty homes – Class C (a substantially

empty and unfurnished property) be continued, as set out in section five, be

approved;

(9) an increase the Long Term Empty Properties homes premium as set out in

the 2019/20 Council tax Base Report, from 50% to 100% from 1 April 2020,

for properties empty between 2 and 5 years, and 200% for those empty for

over five years with further incremental increases in future years, as set out in

section five, be approved;

(10) the proposed 2020/21 National Non Domestic Rate (NNDR) estimated

net yield of £68m, based on current information available, be noted; and

(11) the approval of the final 2020/21 NNDR1 form be delegated to the Interim

S151 Officer for submission by the deadline of 31st January 2020.

Councillor Chris Best moved that the recommendations be approved

and this was seconded by Councillor John Muldoon and it was then

unanimously:

RESOLVED that:the establishment of a new post of Director of Integrated

Care and Commissioning at a level of remuneration on the JNC 2 salary scale

(currently up to £114,132 per annum), be approved.

The motion was moved by Councillor Kevin Bonavia and seconded

by Councillor Aisling Gallagher. Following contributions from Councillor

Obajimi Adefiranye and Alan Smith, the motion was then put to the vote and

declared to be unanimously carried.

RESOLVED that the following motion be agreed:

Protecting the rights of unaccompanied children seeking family reunion

“This Council notes with great concern the Government’s decision to abandon

its commitment to ensure that unaccompanied children continue to have the

right to family reunion with relatives already resident in the United Kingdom

following the withdrawal from the European Union. No child should be

surviving alone in camps and carparks in Europe when they have family here

who can care for them, or local authorities like Lewisham who are ready to

offer them a home.

This Council believes in creating a Borough of Sanctuary which welcomes

and supports refugees, asylum seekers and other migrants fleeing conflict

and persecution. In June 2019 the Council committed to welcoming an

additional 100 unaccompanied child refugees under the charity Safe Passage

International’s “Our Turn” pledge. In addition, many Lewisham residents have

welcomed children through current family reunion rules under the European

Union Dublin III Regulation and there will be local families affected by this

Government’s decision.

We are dismayed at the prospect that any child who has a parent, sibling,

uncle, aunt or grandparent in our borough may be prevented from joining

them. Legal family reunion is one of the few safe and legal routes for children

who would otherwise remain on their own thereby exposing themselves to

danger and exploitation, or risk their lives in order to reach a place of safety

with their family.

This Council resolves to:

(1) Urge the Government to guarantee in law its existing obligation to ensure

children have the same or improved rights to family reunification in the UK

following Brexit

(2) Invite the Government to work with the Council to deliver its commitment

to welcome an additional 100 unaccompanied child refugees and so give

more children a chance to rebuild their lives in a place of safety.”

The meeting closed at 8.37pm.