Agenda item

Borough-wide 20mph Speed Limit

The Interim Head of Community and Neighbourhood introduced the report. In response to the Chair’s query about what the £1m from reserves would be used for, the Interim Head of Community and Neighbourhood said for calming measures and compliance. The Executive Director for Resources & Regeneration added that the money would also be used for consultation.  The Executive Director for Resources & Regeneration said at the end of the year officers would look at creating reserves for this project and the money would be used as and when required.

The Chair asked whether a budget would be created especially for this project and was told by the Executive Director for Resources & Regeneration that a number of the Council’s expenditures were not regular on-going ones therefore money would be found in the reserves to fund them.

The Chair said that Ward Members should be involved with the consultations, and a specific line should be included in the budget to explain this project’s funding. The Executive Director for Resources & Regeneration said she would ensure this was done. The Chair thanked officers for the report.

RESOLVED that the Mayor’s decision be noted.

River Corridors Improvement Plan

The Planning Policy Manager introduced the report. The Chair said he had noted the report would be going to Council and Sustainable Development Select Committee.

Councillor Curran said he was concerned that the consultation reach seemed narrower than expected. Councillor Curran said he would expect consultation to be wider than described in the report. The Planning Policy Manager said officers had expected to do a wider consultation and were thinking of doubling this consultation with that of the Flood Strategy. Councillor Curran asked the start date of the consultation and was told this had not been decided, as the report would be going to Council on Wednesday 25 February, after which officers would need a week or 2 to prepare the plan. The Chair said considering the limited funds available to the Council, Panel members would welcome a commitment to widen the consultation, especially if linking it with the flood strategy would achieve that.

RESOLVED that the Mayor’s decision be noted.

Local Flood Strategy

The Performance Manager introduced the report. The Chair asked if the consultation plan would be going to Sustainable Development Committee, and was told that the Select Committee will see a report following completion of the consultation. Councillor Curran said following the flooding in Lewisham last year he was surprised to note that Lewisham was not part of the South East London Partnership (SELP). The Performance Manager said that this group was set up by central government for London Boroughs that had been adversely affected by ground water, and Lewisham flooding was not identified as such.

Councillor Curran said this meant that Lewisham would not be kept informed about developments. The Performance Manager said that Lewisham was in the loop as it was in a flood risk partnership with Bexley, Bromley, Croydon and Greenwich who were all part of SELP and they would keep Lewisham informed. Councillor Dacres asked whether Lewisham would be at risk, from mitigating steps its neighbouring boroughs might be taking to combat their ground water issue.

The Performance Manager said that the neighbouring boroughs were keeping an eye on their ground water levels, and the support solution, SELP was looking into the cause of ground water levels last year. The Chair thanked officers for the report.

RESOLVED that the Mayor’s decision be noted.

New Homes Phase 3 Update

The report was introduced by the Programme Manager, Housing Matters. The Chair asked if this report had been looked at by the Housing Select Committee, and whether there were any budget considerations. The Programme Manager, Housing said that it had gone to the select committee, and there was no additional finance needed. The Chair thanked officers for the report.

RESOLVED that the Mayor’s decision be noted.

Homelessness Lewisham Homes Property Acquisition

The report was introduced by the Programme Manager, Housing Matters. The Chair asked whether the two properties mentioned in the report were in Forest Hill, and was told they were. The Chair asked whether there would be a reduction on the Bed and Breakfast budget because of the new units. The Executive Director for Customer Services said this was the plan. The Chair thanked officers for the report.

RESOLVED that the Mayor’s decision be noted.

Adoption of Lewisham CIL Charging Schedule

The Planning Policy Manager introduced the report. The Chair said that the estimated sum for this schedule was £4m, and asked whether the Council would be getting more or less. The Planning Policy Manager said that the government had stipulated this was not a money making exercise, and was supposed to balance out. He added that he reckoned the Council would be getting less. The Chair confirmed that this report would be going to Council. The Chair thanked officers for the report.

RESOLVED that the Mayor’s decision be noted.

Planning Obligations SPD Adoption

The Planning Policy Manager introduced the report. The Chair requested that briefing on the new rules be provided for the Housing Select Committee in relation to affordable Housing scheme and Section 106, and how they interrelate to the new CIL. This was agreed. The Chair thanked officers for the report.

RESOLVED that the Mayor’s decision be noted.

London Councils Grants Scheme

The Executive Director for Community Services introduced the report. The Chair asked whether the scheme had changed, and was told it had in terms of the amount of contribution, which would depend on the population of the borough. The Chair asked if this was dictated by regulations, and was told that the committee and sub committee that oversee the scheme set out the criteria. The Panel was informed that a year’s notice should be given to leave the scheme. It was also noted that it was a London wide scheme for voluntary sectors, covering domestic violence, sexual violence, homelessness and other voluntary groups. The Chair said the report was interesting, and thanked officers for the report.

RESOLVED that the Mayor’s decision be noted.

Redress Scheme for letting Agency Work and Property Management Works

The Trading Standards & Markets Manager introduced the report. Councillor Curran asked what the differences were amongst the 3 schemes, and was told they each relate to different types of organisations. Councillor Curran said that the number of local businesses registered was uncertain. The Trading Standards & Markets Manager said membership was dependent on the number of branches a letting agent has, and each branch must be registered separately.

Councillor Curran asked whether the Council could lobby the GLA to maintain a central register. The Trading Standards & Markets Manager said that officers have networks within the Trading Standards, and if they have any concern they could contact one of their networks for assistance. The Chair asked if there were officers available to do the administrative work, and was told that the work would be absorbed within the current service. The Trading Standards & Markets Manager said a periodic check of membership would not be onerous. The Chair thanked officers for the report.

RESOLVED that the Mayor’s decision be noted.