Agenda, decisions and minutes

None.

Councillor Janet Daby declared a personal interest in Item 8 as she had a son

attending Sandhurst Nursery.

Approved.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on November 15 2017 be

confirmed and signed as a correct record.

Gypsy and Traveller Local Plan Update

The mayor accepted the request made by the Business Panel.

Gypsy and Traveller Local Plan Update

The Mayor considered the written views of the Overview & Scrutiny Business

Panel. The Head of Planning confirmed that as well as a direct comparison

being made between the two sites under consideration, the Business Panel

also wished to see a comparison with bricks and mortar sites as part of a

wider site selection process.

The Mayor decided to accept the request made by the Business Panel.

RESOLVED that a direct cost comparison be made between both sites and

with bricks and mortar sites before a final decision is made.

Noted.

RESOLVED that the report be noted.

Having considered an officer report and a presentation by the Cabinet

Member for Resources, Councillor Kevin Bonavia, the Mayor agreed that:

(1)       the progress with identifying savings, the £17m shortfall against the

target for 2018/19, and the implications for the use of reserves be noted;

(2)       the new savings proposals presented in Section 10 and Appendices i

to xii, totalling £4.3m and referenced: B4; D2; E8; I12, 13, 14, & 15; J3; K5;

M8; O5; and P3 be approved;

(3) the consultation with the Public Accounts Select Committee on the 16

November 2017, which incorporated the views of the respective select

committees be noted;

(4) the previously agreed savings for 2018/19 in Section 12, totalling £0.6m

and referenced: A19; L8; and Q6 & 7 be noted;

(5) the update on progress in relation to Public Health savings in Section 13

be noted;

(6) officers be authorised to carry out consultation where staff consultation

is necessary in relation to the proposal and delegate the decision to the

relevant Executive Director for the service concerned;

(7) Where no consultation is required, either:

• agree the saving proposal,

• delegate the decision to the relevant Executive Director for the service

concerned, or

• officers be requested to complete further work to clarify the proposal and

that officers then re submit the saving proposal at the earliest possible date.

The report was introduced by the Cabinet Member for Resources who

highlighted the enormous sums lost by the Council since 2010 and pointed

out it was increasingly difficult to identify new savings. He observed that there

was an in-year overspend of £13million and that more than half of this

comprised savings identified in previous years which had not been taken. A

new batch of savings totalling £4.5million had been proposed which were

thought to have little impact on the public. He said the Council was still more

than £17million short of its savings target and reserves would have to be used

once again to set a balanced budget. He lamented the enormous sums being

wasted nationally on the Brexit process.

The Executive Director for Resources and Regeneration’s representative

confirmed the proposed savings had been seen by all the Select Committees

and no comments had been offered. He added that officers focus would be on

attempting to deliver previously agreed savings.

The Mayor said the Council’s dire financial circumstances were not a surprise

after enduring eight years of austerity. He encouraged all efforts being made

on delivering previously agreed savings.

Having considered an officer report and a presentation by the Cabinet

Member for Resources, Councillor Kevin Bonavia, the Mayor, for the reasons

set out in the report:

RESOLVED that:

(1) the progress with identifying savings, the £17m shortfall against the

target for 2018/19, and the implications for the use of reserves be noted;

(2) the new savings proposals presented in Section 10 and Appendices i

to xii, totalling £4.3m and referenced: B4; D2; E8; I12, 13, 14, & 15; J3; K5;

M8; O5; and P3 be approved;

(3) the consultation with the Public Accounts Select Committee on the 16

November 2017, which incorporated the views of the respective select

committees be noted;

(4) the previously agreed savings for 2018/19 in Section 12, totalling £0.6m

and referenced: A19; L8; and Q6 & 7 be noted;

(5) the update on progress in relation to Public Health savings in Section 13

be noted;

(6) officers be authorised to carry out consultation where staff consultation

is necessary in relation to the proposal and delegate the decision to the

relevant Executive Director for the service concerned;

(7) Where no consultation is required, either:

• agree the saving proposal,

• delegate the decision to the relevant Executive Director for the service

concerned, or

• officers be requested to complete further work to clarify the proposal and

that officers then re submit the saving proposal at the earliest possible date.

Having considered an officer report and a presentation by the Cabinet

Member for Community Safety, Councillor Janet Daby, the Mayor agreed that:

(1) a borough wide PSPO be implemented according to the terms set out in;

(2) authority be delegated to officers to publicly advertise the decision to

implement the PSPO in the borough and provide details of when the order will

come in to force with a proposal that the order commence on 18 January

2018, and last for a period of 3 years, unless reviewed, amended or revoked;

and

(3). enforcement of the order be undertaken by police officers and delegated

council officers (currently powers are delegated to officers within the Crime,

Enforcement & Regulation Service, Clean Streets Officers, Glendale).

Officers confirmed enforcement of any new order could be undertaken from

within existing resources.

Having considered an officer report and a presentation by the Cabinet

Member for Community Safety, Councillor Janet Daby, the Mayor, for the reasons set out in the report:

RESOLVED that:

(1) a borough wide PSPO be implemented according to the terms set out in;

(2) authority be delegated to officers to publicly advertise the decision to

implement the PSPO in the borough and provide details of when the order will

come in to force with a proposal that the order commence on 18 January

2018, and last for a period of 3 years, unless reviewed, amended or revoked;

and

(3). enforcement of the order be undertaken by police officers and delegated

council officers (currently powers are delegated to officers within the Crime,

Enforcement & Regulation Service, Clean Streets Officers, Glendale).

Having considered an officer report, the Mayor agreed that:

(1) the results of the three initial informal consultations be noted;

(2) officers proceed with the statutory consultation process, specifically the

Publication of the following proposals to;

 expand Greenvale School from 117 places to 210 places

 expand Watergate School from 108 places to 167 places

 extend the age range of New Woodlands School to accommodate KS4

pupils

(3) officers report back to Mayor and Cabinet by the end of March 2018 so

that the Mayor as statutory decision maker can make a decision on the

proposals.

The Executive Director for Children & Young People’s representative pointed

out that paragraph 5.3 should indicate a need for 59 additional SLD places

rather than 55. Subject to the Mayor’s agreement officers intended to report

on the results of consultation at the February 28 2018 meeting.

Having considered an officer report, the Mayor, for the reasons set out in the

report:

RESOLVED that:

(1) the results of the three initial informal consultations be noted;

(2) officers proceed with the statutory consultation process, specifically the

Publication of the following proposals to;

 expand Greenvale School from 117 places to 210 places

 expand Watergate School from 108 places to 167 places

 extend the age range of New Woodlands School to accommodate KS4

pupils

(3) officers report back to Mayor and Cabinet by the end of March 2018 so

that the Mayor as statutory decision maker can make a decision on the

proposals.

Having considered an officer report, the Mayor agreed that:

(1) The results of the consultation on the proposal to amalgamate Sandhurst

Infant School and Sandhurst Junior School with effect from 1 April 2018 be

noted;

(2) officers commence the formal statutory process to consult on the proposal

to amalgamate Sandhurst Infant School and Sandhurst Junior School, by way

of conducting the following Publication and Representation phases in parallel;

o Closure of Sandhurst Junior School

o Change of age range of Sandhurst Infant School

(3) officers report back to Mayor and Cabinet by the end of spring 2018 with

the results of both ‘Representation’ periods requesting Mayoral decisions as

the statutory decision maker’

The Executive Director for Children & Young People’s representative

confirmed there had been a 100% positive response to the proposed

amalgamation.

Having considered an officer report, the Mayor, for the reasons set out in the report:

RESOLVED that

(1) The results of the consultation on the proposal to amalgamate Sandhurst

Infant School and Sandhurst Junior School with effect from 1 April 2018 be

noted;

(2) officers commence the formal statutory process to consult on the proposal

to amalgamate Sandhurst Infant School and Sandhurst Junior School, by way

of conducting the following Publication and Representation phases in parallel;

o Closure of Sandhurst Junior School

o Change of age range of Sandhurst Infant School

(3) officers report back to Mayor and Cabinet by the end of spring 2018 with

the results of both ‘Representation’ periods requesting Mayoral decisions as

the statutory decision maker’

Having considered an officer report, the Mayor agreed that there should be an

initial informal consultation on the proposal to amalgamate Torridon Infant &

Nursery School and Torridon Junior School with effect from September 2018,

and that officers should report back to Mayor and Cabinet by the end of March

2018 with the results and next steps.

Having considered an officer report, the Mayor for the reasons set out in the

report:

RESOLVED that:there should be an initial informal consultation on the

proposal to amalgamate Torridon Infant & Nursery School and Torridon Junior

School with effect from September 2018, and that officers should report back

to Mayor and Cabinet by the end of March 2018 with the results and next

steps.

Having considered an officer report and a presentation by the Cabinet

Member for Resources, Councillor Kevin Bonavia, the Mayor agreed that:

(1) a local discount of 100% be offered (after the award of any other qualifying

discounts / benefits) to Care Leavers up to the age of 25 from 1 April 2018.

(2) research and development of a policy which considers others groups of

Council Tax payers who could qualify for a discretionary Council Tax discount

in future years be undertaken;

(3) the current Council Tax reduction scheme be continued but to simplify the

budgeting arrangements by setting a fixed % for the scheme to be agreed by

Council as part of the budget setting process and consider on an annual basis

any savings it might want to make to the budget by changing the % alongside

other savings being considered.

The report was introduced by the Cabinet Member for Resources who said

the financial cost would be £63,000pa and that the proposals reflected the

wishes of the Poverty Commission. Councillor Millbank added that the

discount for Care Leavers was supported by the Council’s Corporate

Parenting Panel.

Having considered an officer report and a presentation by the Cabinet

Member for Resources, Councillor Kevin Bonavia, the Mayor for the reasons

set out in the report:

RESOLVED that

(1) a local discount of 100% be offered (after the award of any other qualifying

discounts / benefits) to Care Leavers up to the age of 25 from 1 April 2018.

(2) research and development of a policy which considers others groups of

Council Tax payers who could qualify for a discretionary Council Tax discount

in future years be undertaken;

(3) the current Council Tax reduction scheme be continued but to simplify the

budgeting arrangements by setting a fixed % for the scheme to be agreed by

Council as part of the budget setting process and consider on an annual basis

any savings it might want to make to the budget by changing the % alongside

other savings being considered.

Having considered an officer report and a presentation by the Cabinet

Member for Resources, Councillor Kevin Bonavia, the Mayor agreed that:

(1) the outcomes of the consultation as set out be noted;

(2) a local CTRS be retained from 1 April 2018 that passes on any reduction

in government funding, reflecting the Council’s financial position following the

announcement of the Autumn Statement and the provisional Local

Government Financial Settlement (LGFS) in December;

(3) the delivery of additional support to the most vulnerable residents through

use of the existing provision within Section 13A(1)(c) of the 1992 Local

Government Finance Act be continued.

Having considered an officer report and a presentation by the Cabinet

Member for Resources, Councillor Kevin Bonavia, the Mayor for the reasons

set out in the report:

RESOLVED that

(1) the outcomes of the consultation as set out be noted;

(2) a local CTRS be retained from 1 April 2018 that passes on any reduction

in government funding, reflecting the Council’s financial position following the

announcement of the Autumn Statement and the provisional Local

Government Financial Settlement (LGFS) in December;

(3) the delivery of additional support to the most vulnerable residents through

use of the existing provision within Section 13A(1)(c) of the 1992 Local

Government Finance Act be continued.

Having considered an officer report and a presentation by the Cabinet

Member for Resources, Councillor Kevin Bonavia, the Mayor agreed that:

(1) the current financial forecasts for the year ending 31 March 2018 and

action being taken by the Executive Directors to manage the forecasted year-

end overspend be noted; and

(2) the revised capital programme budget, as set out in section 14 with further

detail at appendices 1 and 2 be noted.

Having considered an officer report and a presentation by the Cabinet

Member for Resources, Councillor Kevin Bonavia, the Mayor for the reasons

set out in the report:

RESOLVED that

(1) the current financial forecasts for the year ending 31 March 2018 and

action being taken by the Executive Directors to manage the forecasted year-

end overspend be noted; and

(2) the revised capital programme budget, as set out in section 14 with further

detail at appendices 1 and 2 be noted.

Having considered an officer report and a presentation by the Cabinet

Member for Resources, Councillor Kevin Bonavia, the Mayor agreed that the

report, in particular the macroeconomic context, performance of investments

to date, updates on capital expenditure and borrowing in line with CIPFA

requirements and the Council’s treasury management strategy be noted.

Having considered an officer report and a presentation by the Cabinet

Member for Resources, Councillor Kevin Bonavia, the Mayor for the reasons

set out in the report:

RESOLVED that the report, in particular the macroeconomic context,

performance of investments to date, updates on capital expenditure and

borrowing in line with CIPFA requirements and the Council’s treasury

management strategy be noted.

Having considered an officer report and a presentation by the Deputy Mayor,

Councillor Alan Smith and by Councillor Mark Ingleby, the Mayor’s Cycling

Champion, the Mayor agreed that:

(1) the response from the Executive Director for Resources and Regeneration

to the recommendations from the Sustainable Development Select Committee

as set out be approved and forwarded to the Sustainable Development Select

Committee; and

(2) the Lewisham Cycling Strategy (2017) be formally adopted.

Having considered an officer report and a presentation by the Deputy Mayor,

Councillor Alan Smith and by Councillor Mark Ingleby, the Mayor’s Cycling

Champion, the Mayor for the reasons set out in the report:

RESOLVED that

(1) the response from the Executive Director for Resources and Regeneration

to the recommendations from the Sustainable Development Select Committee

as set out be approved and forwarded to the Sustainable Development Select

Committee; and

(2) the Lewisham Cycling Strategy (2017) be formally adopted.

Having considered an officer report and a presentation by the Deputy Mayor,

Councillor Alan Smith, the Mayor agreed that

(1) Part 1 of Lewisham’s Brownfield Land Register including the information

contained in Annexes 1, 2 and 3 be noted; and

(2) the register’s contents be approved and published by making a copy

available at Laurence House, by placing it on the Council’s website and by

carrying out a notification exercise to raise awareness of the register.

The Head of Law confirmed compilation of the Register was a statutory

requirement which the Council was obliged to undertake.

Having considered an officer report and a presentation by the Deputy Mayor,

Councillor Alan Smith, the Mayor for the reasons set out in the report:

RESOLVED that

(1) Part 1 of Lewisham’s Brownfield Land Register including the information

contained in Annexes 1, 2 and 3 be noted; and

(2) the register’s contents be approved and published by making a copy

available at Laurence House, by placing it on the Council’s website and by

carrying out a notification exercise to raise awareness of the register.

Having considered an officer report and a presentation by the Cabinet

Member for Housing, Councillor Damien Egan, the Mayor agreed that:

(1) the progress update on the New Homes, Better Places Programme be

noted;

(2) the design development and consultation which has been carried out on

the proposed re-development of garages and drying spaces at Knapdale

Close, including the statutory Section 105 Consultation be noted; and

(3) Having considered the responses to the statutory Section 105 consultation

on the proposed re-development at garages and drying spaces at Knapdale

Close, Lewisham Homes should proceed to submit a planning application to

deliver 17 new Council homes on the site.

Having considered an officer report and a presentation by the Cabinet

Member for Housing, Councillor Damien Egan, the Mayor for the reasons

set out in the report:

RESOLVED that

(1) the progress update on the New Homes, Better Places Programme be

noted;

(2) the design development and consultation which has been carried out on

the proposed re-development of garages and drying spaces at Knapdale

Close, including the statutory Section 105 Consultation be noted; and

(3) Having considered the responses to the statutory Section 105 consultation

on the proposed re-development at garages and drying spaces at Knapdale

Close, Lewisham Homes should proceed to submit a planning application to

deliver 17 new Council homes on the site.

Having considered an officer report, the Mayor agreed that the following

persons be nominated as a School Governor for the schools shown.

Sharon Gayle                       St James Hatcham CE

Jessica Lempp                     John Stainer

Raj Blanchard                      Myatt Garden

Having considered an officer report containing information supplied in respect of each candidate, the Mayor:

RESOLVED that the following persons be nominated as a School Governor

for the schools shown.

Sharon Gayle                       St James Hatcham CE

Jessica Lempp                     John Stainer

Raj Blanchard                      Myatt Garden

Having considered an officer report and a presentation by the Deputy Mayor

Councillor Alan Smith, the Mayor agreed that the response from the Executive

Director for Resources & Regeneration to the comments of the Sustainable

Development Select Committee be approved and forwarded to the Select

Committee.

Having considered an officer report and a presentation by the Deputy Mayor

Councillor Alan Smith, the Mayor:

RESOLVED that the response from the Executive Director for Resources &

Regeneration to the comments of the Sustainable Development Select

Committee be approved and forwarded to the Select Committee.

Having considered an officer report and a presentation by the Deputy Mayor

Councillor Alan Smith, the Mayor agreed that the content of the AMR 2016-17

in Annex 1 be noted and that it be considered by the Sustainable

Development Select Committee on the 11December 2017 and approve

publication and placement on the Council’s website be approved.

The Mayor praised the efforts made by officers to produce such a positive

report.

Having considered an officer report and a presentation by the Deputy Mayor

Councillor Alan Smith, the Mayor for the reasons set out in the report:

RESOLVED that the content of the AMR 2016-17 in Annex 1 be noted and

that it be considered by the Sustainable Development Select Committee on

the 11December 2017 and approve publication and placement on the

Council’s website be approved.

Having received an officer report, the Mayor noted the Committee’s

comments as set out and stated that he and the Cabinet Member for Health,

Well Being and Older People would respond directly to the Select Committee

in January 2018.

The Mayor and Councillor Best stated they would respond in person to the

Select Committee in January and that a written response was not required.

Having received an officer report, the Mayor:

RESOLVED that the Select Committee’s comments be notedt and that he and

the Cabinet Member for Health, Well Being and Older People would respond

directly to the Select Committee in January 2018.

Having considered an officer report and a presentation by the Cabinet

Member for Housing, Councillor Damien Egan, the Mayor agreed that

(1) the summary of the structural challenges within the private rented sector,

and their implications for renters, be noted;

(2) the strategic business case for the Council intervening in this sector,

utilising a Joint Venture partnership, as set out be noted;

(3) the information contained in part 2 be received and the preferred bidder for

the proposed Joint Venture to deliver the Besson Street development as

recommended in that report be approved;

(4) the housing, financial and wider social benefits that this approach with this

proposed preferred bidder, are expected to deliver be noted;

(5) the proposed Joint Venture reporting and oversight arrangements as set

out be approved;

(6) officers be authorised to carry out all necessary steps in order to

implement the recommendations set out in both part 1 and part 2 of this item.

The report was late owing to delays in collating all the technical, commercial

and legal information required, including from external advisors to properly

conclude the partner selection process and to provide Mayor & Cabinet with

the most up to date detail possible.

The report was deemed urgent and could not wait until the next meeting of the

Mayor & Cabinet on January 10 2018 as this would have caused significant

delay to the commercial timetable and further push back the achievement of

the stated social and financial benefits of the scheme.

The Mayor strongly endorsed the proposals which he believed were both

positive and groundbreaking. He said he saw no solution to London’s housing

crisis which did not involve changing how rental properties were considered.

Having considered an officer report and a presentation by the Cabinet

Member for Housing, Councillor Damien Egan, the Mayor, for the reasons set

out in the report:

RESOLVED that:

(1) the summary of the structural challenges within the private rented sector,

and their implications for renters, be noted;

(2) the strategic business case for the Council intervening in this sector,

utilising a Joint Venture partnership, as set out be noted;

(3) the information contained in part 2 be received and the preferred bidder for

the proposed Joint Venture to deliver the Besson Street development as

recommended in that report be approved;

(4) the housing, financial and wider social benefits that this approach with this

proposed preferred bidder, are expected to deliver be noted;

(5) the proposed Joint Venture reporting and oversight arrangements as set

out be approved;

(6) officers be authorised to carry out all necessary steps in order to

implement the recommendations set out in both part 1 and part 2 of this item.

Approved.

RESOLVED that in accordance with Regulation 4(2)(b) of the Local

Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to

Information)(England) Regulations 2012 and under Section 100(A)(4) of the

Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the

meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involve

the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs [3, 4 and

5] of Part 1 of Schedule 12(A) of the Act,  and the public interest in

maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the

information.

23.       Besson Street: Selecting a Joint Venture Partner to Deliver New Build

to Rent Homes

Having considered a confidential officer report and a presentation by the

Cabinet Member for Housing, Councillor Damien Egan, the Mayor agreed that

(1) the detailed summary of the partner selection process be noted,

(2) Grainger be appointed as preferred bidder for the proposed Joint Venture

to deliver the Besson Street development;

(3) the detailed legal and financial implications of the proposed Joint Venture

as set out be noted;

(4) the Heads of Terms for the proposed Joint Venture as set out be

approved;

(5) authority be delegated to the Executive Director for Resources and

Regeneration to proceed to finalise the terms of the Joint Venture with

Grainger on the basis set out in the Heads of Terms and that these be

reported back to Mayor and Cabinet for approval;

(5) the Head of Strategic Housing, Genevieve Macklin, and the Head of

Corporate Resources, David Austin, be appointed to act as both the Council’s

two LLP Representatives on the Joint Venture Operational Board and the

Council’s two Directors in the wholly owned dormant member company;

(6) the LLP Representatives’ and Directors’ Mandates and the final terms of

the indemnity that will be provided to the LLP Representatives and Directors

be reported back to Mayor and Cabinet for approval;

(7) additional capital programme budget of £295,000 be approved (as

included in the forecast capital programme) in order to fund the additional

tasks that will be required to set up the Joint Venture and secure the Besson

Street site until it is transferred as set out;

(8) authority be delegated to the Executive Director for Resources and

Regeneration to approve the transfer of the freehold of the Besson Street site

to the Joint Venture, subject to the proposals meeting the benchmarks set out

and the formation of the Joint Venture;

(9) the land could be disposed of to the Joint Venture at less than best

consideration; and

(10) the required application to the Secretary of State be made ahead of the

Executive Director for Resources and Regeneration approving the disposal of

the Besson Street site, as set out.

The report was late owing to delays in collating all the technical, commercial

and legal information required, including from external advisors to properly

conclude the partner selection process and to provide Mayor & Cabinet with

the most up to date detail possible.

The report was deemed urgent and could not wait until the next meeting of the

Mayor & Cabinet on January 10 2018 as this would have caused significant

delay to the commercial timetable and further push back the achievement of

the stated social and financial benefits of the scheme.

Having considered a confidential officer report and a presentation by the

Cabinet Member for Housing, Councillor Damien Egan, the Mayor, for the

reasons set out in the report:

RESOLVED that

(1) the detailed summary of the partner selection process be noted,

(2) Grainger be appointed as preferred bidder for the proposed Joint Venture

to deliver the Besson Street development;

(3) the detailed legal and financial implications of the proposed Joint Venture

as set out be noted;

(4) the Heads of Terms for the proposed Joint Venture as set out be

approved;

(5) authority be delegated to the Executive Director for Resources and

Regeneration to proceed to finalise the terms of the Joint Venture with

Grainger on the basis set out in the Heads of Terms and that these be

reported back to Mayor and Cabinet for approval;

(5) the Head of Strategic Housing, Genevieve Macklin, and the Head of

Corporate Resources, David Austin, be appointed to act as both the Council’s

two LLP Representatives on the Joint Venture Operational Board and the

Council’s two Directors in the wholly owned dormant member company;

(6) the LLP Representatives’ and Directors’ Mandates and the final terms of

the indemnity that will be provided to the LLP Representatives and Directors

be reported back to Mayor and Cabinet for approval;

(7) additional capital programme budget of £295,000 be approved (as

included in the forecast capital programme) in order to fund the additional

tasks that will be required to set up the Joint Venture and secure the Besson

Street site until it is transferred as set out;

(8) authority be delegated to the Executive Director for Resources and

Regeneration to approve the transfer of the freehold of the Besson Street site

to the Joint Venture, subject to the proposals meeting the benchmarks set out

and the formation of the Joint Venture;

(9) the land could be disposed of to the Joint Venture at less than best

consideration; and

(10) the required application to the Secretary of State be made ahead of the

Executive Director for Resources and Regeneration approving the disposal of

the Besson Street site, as set out.

The meeting closed at 7.36pm.