Agenda, decisions and minutes

RESOLVED: That the minutes be approved as accurate records of the meetings.

1.1       RESOLVED: That the minutes be approved as accurate records of the meetings.

There were none.

2.1       There were none.

RESOLVED: That the responses be noted.

3.1       In relation to the procurement referral response, the Chair reminded Members that there would be a procurement all-member briefing on Monday 17 June.

3.2       In relation to the legal advice referral response, the Chair commented that he was unhappy with the time it had taken to agree an acceptable process for managing Q&A sessions and had asked if all future legal advice to scrutiny could come directly from the Head of Law. In response to comments from a member of the Committee it was noted that parity of esteem with the Executive was of paramount importance and that legal advice should aim to facilitate what Members want to do, whilst ensuring it was legally and constitutionally acceptable.

3.3       RESOLVED: That the responses be noted.

RESOLVED: That the responses be noted.

4.1       RESOLVED: That the responses be noted.

RESOLVED: That a referral to Mayor and Cabinet be made, outlining the further information requested by the Committee.

5.1       The Mayor introduced his report and ran through some of the notable achievements of the administration to date:

·         The new corporate strategy

·         Being open about austerity

·         Becoming a sanctuary borough and welcoming more refugee families

·         Improving school results with the Lewisham Learning Partnership

·         The Greening Fund

·         Insourcing contracts

·         The public health approach to serious youth violence

·         Establishing corporate values.

5.2       The following responses to questions were heard:

1.    Insourcing

The decision on the future of Youth First would be taken by Members and in line with the commitment to consider insourcing wherever possible. The relevant report would include an exploration of this option. The buildings used by Youth First remain council owned and Youth First pays a lease and running costs. Youth First was also being looked at as part of the Early Help Review.

2.    Cycle Routes and the Catford Masterplan

Cycling provision is a key part of the Catford masterplanning process, including the Bromley Road cycle route. The Catford masterplan has highlighted the benefits of taking a place based approach and there have been calls for masterplans in other parts of the borough.

3.    Webcasting

One of the recommendations of the Local Democracy Review is to start webcasting meetings and this is likely to come in during the course of the municipal year. The 26k paid to public-i thus far for support should still be able to be used; and an update on whether the timeframe for using the purchased support can be extended would be provided.

4.    Modern Slavery

The Council was pioneering in terms of modern slavery and had revised procurement procedures to address this issue. However, it was accepted that whilst trying to procure more from small and medium sized businesses was positive, these organisations oftern lacked the resources to fully analyse their supply chains. The Council had chosen to focus initially on high risk areas and had signed up to “Electronics Watch” run by a Dutch organisation that provided recommended suppliers for electronics.

5.    Workforce development

5 staff from Kier had become council employees, alongside another 45 that had also been brought in. HR was also working on a leadership programme which would have a particular focus on the recruitment and progression of BAME staff.

6.    Plastic waste

Although assurances had been received about how our plastic recycling was processed, the Mayor would confirm the current arrangements for plastic recycling processing and seek assurances on how and where it is processed. He would also look into the potential for shredding plastic waste and turning it into bricks.

7.    Lewisham Learning

The Interim Director of Lewisham Learning was leaving in September but recruitment for his replacement was underway.

8.    Under 5 Base, Bellingham Green

The maintenance of the under 5 base on Bellingham Green by Eco Communities would be investigated.

9.    Tidemill

All legal avenues open to the protesters had been exhausted. It was believed that the local campaign groups would now be leaving the site. Work to build out the site and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

A referral was made in relation to item 4 on the agenda (Q&A Session with the Mayor).

6.1       A referral was made in relation to the item on the agenda entitled “Q&A Session with the Mayor”.