Agenda, decisions and minutes

Councillor Muldoon declared a personal interest in Item 9 as an elected

member of the SLAM Foundation Trust.

Councillor Allison declared a personal interest in Item 9 as a member of the

Board of Quo Vadis.

Councillor Johnson declared a personal interest in Item 14 as a member of

the LFEPA.

Councillor Muldoon declared a personal interest in Item 9 as an elected

member of the SLAM Foundation Trust.

Councillor Allison declared a personal interest in Item 9 as a member of the

Board of Quo Vadis.

Councillor Johnson declared a personal interest in Item 14 as a member of

the LFEPA.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on November 27 2013 be confirmed and signed as a correct record.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on November 27 2013 be confirmed and signed as a correct record.

There are no decisions relating to this item.

Obituaries

The Chair reported the deaths of Councillor Sam Owolabi-Oluyole, former

Councillor Jim Stevenson, Nelson Mandela and Chris Chataway the MP for

Lewisham North 1959-66.

The Chair welcomed members of Councillor Sam Owolabi-Oluyole’s family

who were in attendance at the meeting. The Chair paid a personal tribute to

Sam Owolabi-Oluyole who he had known before they both became

councillors, and he recounted him as a quintessential Yoruba man who

embraced his cultural traditions and who was loyal, dependable, respectful

and would be fondly remembered.

The Chair was joined in his comments by the Mayor who expressed shock

upon hearing the news of Sam’s death and paid tribute to his record as a

strong and conscientious advocate for Deptford who would be greatly missed.

Councillor Maines associated himself and his group with the views expressed

and praised Sam as a polite gentleman with an iron will who was not afraid to

express an independent view and had been the first member of the authority

to issue a Councillor Call for Action.

Councillor Johnson expressed sadness that Sam had not recovered from his

illness and stated they had both joined the authority in 2002 and served

together on Planning and Housing Committees where he always found him to

be a thoughtful and compassionate man.

Councillor Ingleby said he had known Sam since the mid 1990’s and when he

joined the Council in 2002 they had both served on several committees

together. He said he appreciated Sam’s keen Deptford focus and the kind

encouragement he had been given when they had both served as Council

members.

The Chair reported on efforts made in Lewisham to mark the death of Nelson

Mandela which included the organisation of a well attended memorial service

and his visit to South Africa House in Central London to sign the official book

of condolence.

The Mayor paid individual tributes to Nelson Mandela, Chris Chataway and

former Councillor Jim Stevenson.

All present observed a one minute silence in memory of those who had died.

Freedom of the Borough Ceremony

The Council noted the date for the Baroness Lawrence ceremony would now

be March 14 2014

Councillor Clutten

The Chair, on behalf of the council, congratulated Councillor Jenni Clutten on

the birth of a daughter, Evelina.

New Year’s Honours List

The Council noted the awards made to persons with a Lewisham connection.

Ekurhuleni

The Chair welcomed to the meeting three visitors from Ekurhuleni, Ms

Thembani Banda, Monitoring and Evaluation Manager, Mrs Khosi Dlamini,

Whippery Manager and Mr Edwin Mokgwatsana, Head of the Customer

Services Department.

Scheme of Delegation: Public Realm Works

The Council noted an amendment to the Mayoral Scheme of Delegation that

gave effect to a resolution that all Public Realm Works Contracts worth over

£100,000 were to be reserved to the Mayor and Cabinet Contracts Committee

for determination. 

Holocaust Memorial Day January 26 2014

Councillor Pauline Morrison, Chair of the Holocaust Memorial Committee,

paid tribute to the victims of the Holocaust and all genocides. She reminded

members that since  ...  view the full minutes text for item 180.

Councillor Fletcher presented a petition bearing 22 names calling on the

Council to repair the fence bordering Ambleside and the alleyway at the back

of the gardens of Ashgrove Road, Bromley BR1.

Councillor Till presented a petition bearing 80 names calling on the Council to

make Houston Road a no through road except for access and emergency

vehicles.

Councillor Fletcher presented a petition bearing 22 names calling on the

Council to repair the fence bordering Ambleside and the alleyway at the back

of the gardens of Ashgrove Road, Bromley BR1.

Councillor Till presented a petition bearing 80 names calling on the Council to

make Houston Road a no through road except for access and emergency

vehicles.

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

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

and answers will be circulated separately.

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

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

and answers will be circulated separately.

45 questions were asked from Members of the Council and written answers

were provided by the Members indicated.

29 questions were asked from Members of the Council and written answers

were provided by the Members indicated.

RESOLVED that

1. A Council Tax Base of 73,941.2 Band D equivalent properties be approved

for 2014/15;

2. The Council Tax Base calculation for 2014/15, as set out in the annual

Council Tax Base government return, be noted;

3. The budgeted Council Tax collection rate of 95.5% be approved;

4 A 0% discount for second homes for 2014/15 be continued;

5. A 0% discount for empty homes – Class A (an empty property undergoing

structural alteration or major repair to make it habitable) be continued;

6. 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;

7. An empty homes premium of 50% applied in respect of long term empty

properties be continued;

8. The proposed National Non Domestic Rate (NNDR) estimated net yield of

£45.964m, based on the NNDR mid-year forecast for 2013/14, be noted; and

9. A local Council Tax Reduction Scheme for 2014/15 that passes on the

government cut in grant in full be retained, as set out in the Mayor & Cabinet

report on 4 December 2013.

The Cabinet Member for Resources, Councillor Paul Maslin, moved that the

recommendations in the main report and in the supplementary agenda

relating to the Council Tax Reduction Scheme be approved and this was

seconded by the Cabinet Member for Customer Services, Councillor Susan

Wise and it was:

RESOLVED that

1) A Council Tax Base of 73,941.2 Band D equivalent properties be approved

for 2014/15;

2) The Council Tax Base calculation for 2014/15, as set out in the annual

Council Tax Base government return, be noted;

3) The budgeted Council Tax collection rate of 95.5% be approved;

4) A 0% discount for second homes for 2014/15 be continued;

5) A 0% discount for empty homes – Class A (an empty property undergoing

structural alteration or major repair to make it habitable) be continued;

6) 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;

7) An empty homes premium of 50% applied in respect of long term empty

properties be continued;

8) The proposed National Non Domestic Rate (NNDR) estimated net yield of

£45.964m, based on the NNDR mid-year forecast for 2013/14, be noted; and

9) A local Council Tax Reduction Scheme for 2014/15 that passes on the

government cut in grant in full be retained, as set out in the Mayor & Cabinet

report on 4 December 2013.

RESOLVED that Erica Pienaar and Wendy Innes be appointed to act as the

independent person for the London Borough of Lewisham until further notice.

The Chair of the Standards Committee, Councillor Jim Mallory, moved that

the recommendations be approved and this was seconded by the Vice-Chair

of the Standards Committee, Councillor Pauline Morrison. Following a

contribution from Councillor Maines who queried the appointment of a

candidate from Newcastle, there was a response from Councillor Mallory who

confirmed the appointments were both properly made and the most proximate

appointee would be used primarily and it was:

RESOLVED that Erica Pienaar and Wendy Innes be appointed to act as the

Independent Person for the London Borough of Lewisham until further notice.

RESOLVED that Peter Ramrayka be appointed to the Health and Wellbeing

Board as a voluntary sector representative.

The Cabinet Member for Community Services, Councillor Chris Best, moved

that the recommendation be approved and this was seconded by the Chair of

the Healthier Communities Select Committee, Councillor John Muldoon and it

was:

RESOLVED that Peter Ramrayka be appointed to the Health and Wellbeing

Board as a voluntary sector representative.

RESOLVED that Councillor Pauline Morrison be appointed to the Shadow

Safer Neighbourhood Board and to the Safer Neighborhood Board when

established.

Councillor Hall, seconded by Councillor Jeffrey, moved that Councillor

Morrison be appointed. Councillor Maines, seconded by Councillor Feakes,

moved that Councillor Brooks be appointed. The Chair conducted a ballot and declared Councillor Morrison elected by 31 votes to 9 and it was:

RESOLVED that Councillor Pauline Morrison be appointed to the Shadow

Safer Neighbourhood Board and to the Safer Neighborhood Board when

established.

The motion was not approved.

The Chair ruled that as motions 1 and 3 covered the same topic, there would

be one debate in the round and then sequential votes.

Motion 1 was moved by Councillor Fletcher and seconded by Councillor

Maines.

Motion 3 was moved by Councillor Morrison and seconded by Councillor

Wise.

There was then a general debate to which Councillors Johnson, Peake,

Allison, Smith, Hall, Bonavia, and Clarke contributed. There was then a reply

by Councillor Fletcher and motion 1 was put to the vote and declared to be

clearly lost.

RESOLVED that the following motion be approved:

““This Council recognizes the dangers of Fixed Odds Betting Machines and

their proliferation throughout the borough, and fully supports action to give

local communities powers to tackle the number of Fixed Odds Betting

Machines in their areas.

Council is concerned that the clustering of betting shops in or close to

deprived communities is being driven by increasing revenue from fixed odds

betting terminals (FOBT) rather than traditional over the counter betting;

Council believes that this has encouraged betting shop operators to open

more than one premises in close proximity to one another; is aware of the

growing concern in many communities about the detrimental effect this is

having on the diversity and character of UK high streets;

Council is alarmed that people can stake as much as £100 every 20 seconds

on these machines and is further concerned that the practice of single staffing

in betting shops leaves staff vulnerable and deters them from intervening if

customers suffer heavy losses thereby undermining efforts by the betting

industry to protect vulnerable customers;

Council further believes that local authorities should be able to establish a

separate planning class for betting shops and that they should be given

additional licensing powers to determine the number of FOBT machines within

existing and proposed shops and to require that the machines are modified to

slow the rate of play and to interrupt when people play for long periods.

Council calls on the Government to put local people before the interests of the

betting shop operators and give local authorities the powers they need to

respond to concerns from their local communities and stop the proliferation of

FOBT machines and betting shops.”

Motion 2 was moved by Councillor Maines and seconded by Councillor

Bowen. The movers accepted in entirety an amendment offered by

Councillors Stamirowski and Wise.

There was then a debate to which Councillors Smith, Egan, Harris,

Stamirowski, Wise and Hall contributed. There was then a reply by Councillor

Maines and the motion was put to the vote and declared to be carried

unanimously.

RESOLVED that the following motion be approved:

““This Council recognizes the dangers of Fixed Odds Betting Machines and

their proliferation throughout the borough, and fully supports action to give

local communities powers to tackle the number of Fixed Odds Betting

Machines in their areas.

Council is concerned that the clustering of betting shops in or close to

deprived communities is being driven by increasing revenue from fixed odds

betting terminals (FOBT) rather than traditional over the counter betting;

Council believes that this has encouraged betting shop operators to open

more than one premises in close proximity to one another; is aware of the

growing concern in many communities about the detrimental effect this is

having on the diversity and character of UK high streets;

Council is alarmed that people can stake as much as £100 every 20 seconds

on these machines and is further concerned that the practice of single staffing

in betting shops leaves staff vulnerable and deters them from intervening if

customers suffer heavy losses thereby undermining efforts by the betting

industry to protect vulnerable customers;

Council further believes that local authorities should be able to establish a

separate planning class for betting shops and that they should be given

additional licensing powers to determine the number of FOBT machines within

existing and proposed shops and to require that the machines are modified to

slow the rate of play and to interrupt when people play for long periods.

Council calls on the Government to put local people before the interests of the

betting shop operators and give local authorities the powers they need to

respond to concerns from their local communities and stop the proliferation of

FOBT machines and betting shops.”

RESOLVED that the following motion be approved;

“The Council notes with concern statistics released on 3rd September 2013

which placed Lewisham as the 12th worst borough affected by air pollution.

The Council notes that the coalition Government consulted on changes with

the Local Air Quality Management Review which was widely criticised as an

attempt to hide the facts about air pollution. The council did respond and this

is noted.

The Council further notes that the Government have published a response to

this consultation announcing that a further review is due in 2014.

The Council notes that nitrogen dioxide contributes to respiratory problems,

particularly with regards to aggravating asthma and causing problems such as

colds, flu and bronchitis. Children with asthma are particularly put at risk by

these levels of pollution.  Emergency hospital admissions in Lewisham for

asthma for those aged under 19 are significantly higher than the UK average.

Council notes that most of the air pollution within an urban area such as

London arises from emissions from motor vehicles.

Council notes that Mayor of London also has responsibility for the quality of air in London and that he has failed to address the issue since he was elected to office.

Council further notes that regular air quality monitoring takes place in the borough and that areas which fail to meet the Air Quality Objectives are designated as Air Quality Management Areas and an Air Quality Action Plan put in place with measures aimed at reducing the concentrations. Measures contained in the Air Quality Action Plan include encouraging cycling and walking.

Council calls on the Mayor of London to take urgent action to tackle the levels of nitrogen dioxide in the air and focus on reducing the number of cars on our roads by reducing public transport fares.

Council urges the Mayor of London to take air quality into account when considering any further river crossings in East London.

Council commits to continuing to monitor the quality of air in the borough and will continue to implement the Air Quality Action Plans where appropriate and will respond to the forthcoming Government consultation likewise”.

The debate on Motion 3 took place together with that for Motion 1. Councillor

Morrison waived her right to reply and it was:

RESOLVED that the following motion be approved;

“The Council notes with concern statistics released on 3rd September 2013

which placed Lewisham as the 12th worst borough affected by air pollution.

The Council notes that the coalition Government consulted on changes with

the Local Air Quality Management Review which was widely criticised as an

attempt to hide the facts about air pollution. The council did respond and this

is noted.

The Council further notes that the Government have published a response to

this consultation announcing that a further review is due in 2014.

The Council notes that nitrogen dioxide contributes to respiratory problems,

particularly with regards to aggravating asthma and causing problems such as

colds, flu and bronchitis. Children with asthma are particularly put at risk by

these levels of pollution.  Emergency hospital admissions in Lewisham for

asthma for those aged under 19 are significantly higher than the UK average.

Council notes that most of the air pollution within an urban area such as

London arises from emissions from motor vehicles.

Council notes that Mayor of London also has responsibility for the quality of

air in London and that he has failed to address the issue since he was elected

to office.

Council further notes that regular air quality monitoring takes place in the

borough and that areas which fail to meet the Air Quality Objectives are

designated as Air Quality Management Areas and an Air Quality Action Plan

put in place with measures aimed at reducing the concentrations. Measures

contained in the Air Quality Action Plan include encouraging cycling and

walking.

Council calls on the Mayor of London to take urgent action to tackle the levels

of nitrogen dioxide in the air and focus on reducing the number of cars on our

roads by reducing public transport fares.

Council urges the Mayor of London to take air quality into account when

considering any further river crossings in East London.

Council commits to continuing to monitor the quality of air in the borough and

will continue to implement the Air Quality Action Plans where appropriate and

will respond to the forthcoming Government consultation likewise”.

RESOLVED that the following motion be approved;

“The Council condemns the closure of ten fire stations across London

including Downham by Boris Johnson, Mayor of London on Thursday 9th

January 2014.

The Council remains gravely concerned that the fire station closures together

with the loss of 552 firefighters and significant service reductions will increase

response times and reduce the fire service capacity throughout London.

This Council is committed to protecting the lives of Lewisham residents and

will continue to monitor the impact of the reductions in fire cover and raise

local concerns. Therefore, the Council calls upon the Mayor of Lewisham to

write to Boris Johnson, Mayor of London with our condemnation and

concerns.”

Motion 4 was moved by Councillor Ingleby and seconded by Councillor

Britton.

Councillor Hall then moved, and Councillor Daby seconded, a motion without

notice that the question be now put which put to the vote without debate and

declared to be carried.

Tthe motion was put to the vote and declared to be carried with one

abstention.

RESOLVED that the following motion be approved;

“The Council condemns the closure of ten fire stations across London

including Downham by Boris Johnson, Mayor of London on Thursday 9th

January 2014.

The Council remains gravely concerned that the fire station closures together

with the loss of 552 firefighters and significant service reductions will increase

response times and reduce the fire service capacity throughout London.

This Council is committed to protecting the lives of Lewisham residents and

will continue to monitor the impact of the reductions in fire cover and raise

local concerns. Therefore, the Council calls upon the Mayor of Lewisham to

write to Boris Johnson, Mayor of London with our condemnation and

concerns.”

RESOLVED that the following motion be approved:

“Council condemns the above inflation fare increases being imposed by Boris

Johnson, Mayor of London, at the same time that he is planning to cut 750

frontline station staff across the network.

The result will be that Londoners will be paying more money for a worse

service with the price of a Zone 1 to 4 annual travelcard increasing by 3.2% to

£1,800 and bus pay as you go services going up to £1.45, an annual increase

of 4.8% but representing a 55p rise since 2008. Council notes that these are

just 2 examples of the inflation busting increases coming in on 19th January.

Council notes that despite his promises bus fares have now risen by over

60% since Boris Johnson became Mayor in 2008 and this comes at a time

when Londoners are being hit by rising prices for food, fuel and other basic

living costs ”

Motion 5 was moved by Councillor Bonavia and seconded by Councillor

Handley.

There was then a debate to which Councillor Griesenbeck contributed. There

was then a reply by Councillor Bonavia and the motion was put to the vote

and declared to be carried unanimously.

RESOLVED that the following motion be approved:

“Council condemns the above inflation fare increases being imposed by Boris

Johnson, Mayor of London, at the same time that he is planning to cut 750

frontline station staff across the network.

The result will be that Londoners will be paying more money for a worse

service with the price of a Zone 1 to 4 annual travelcard increasing by 3.2% to

£1,800 and bus pay as you go services going up to £1.45, an annual increase

of 4.8% but representing a 55p rise since 2008. Council notes that these are

just 2 examples of the inflation busting increases coming in on 19th January.

Council notes that despite his promises bus fares have now risen by over

60% since Boris Johnson became Mayor in 2008 and this comes at a time

when Londoners are being hit by rising prices for food, fuel and other basic

living costs ”