Agenda and minutes

RESOLVED that the minutes of the open meeting held on 18 June 2019 be confirmed as a correct record.

None received.

RESOLVED that the report noted.

RESOLVED that the report noted.

The meeting was addressed by a resident on behalf of the local community at Achilles Street.  The Panel heard that residents were opposed to the decision at a meeting of the Mayor and Cabinet on 18 September 2019 about the Landlord’s Offer in relation to the proposed redevelopment at Achilles Street.  The representative highlighted reasons for the objection, advising that the report on which the decision was based was published late in breach of the Council’s procedures and statutory guidelines.  Therefore, residents believed that the urgency in which the proposal was considered provided insufficient time for public scrutiny, and limited opportunity for Members to properly assess the impact of the Offer on the local community.

Continuing with his submission, the representative informed the Panel that residents were of the view that consultations on the proposal were inadequate because the focus was on the demolition of existing buildings.  It was stated that the report lacked details about the number and types of housing and commercial units to be delivered.  Furthermore, information in the report about the bulk, scale and density of the proposed redevelopment was vague.  The representative sated that residents were disappointed that there was no mention in the report about how potential residents and businesses would be affected in relation to social infrastructure, and economic and environmental implications.  Thus, residents felt that the Offer would not benefit the local community because it was supportive of potential private homeowners, with a view to substantially increase profit margins for the developer.

The representative also suggested to the Panel that residents and business owners would welcome an opportunity to have real choices throughout the redevelopment process.  Therefore, residents required that options should be communicated during the various consultation phases, in order to help them gauge the impact of the redevelopment on their living conditions.

In closing, the representative added that residents’ concerns could be further alleviated with an assurance that the legal connotations to the Offer would provide clarity about social housing affordability, and levels of rent and service charges for council homes.  In addition to that, transparency about how the Offer would affect leaseholders, council tenants and those in temporary housing, including businesses would be welcomed.  Notwithstanding that, residents believed that the Panel should recommend a reconsideration of decision taken by the Mayor and Cabinet in light of their concerns, in particular that a significant amount of public money would be spent to deliver the change.

In response to questions by the Panel, the Regeneration and New Supply Manager, and the Housing Delivery Manager confirmed that there had been no breach of rules in the process, as the published report about the Offer was in accordance with legislation, and the Council’s constitutional guidance.  The Officers stated that the Council was supportive of the redevelopment of Achilles Street Estate because a substantial number of council-owned homes to be delivered would be allocated on social rent levels for families and individuals.  Thus, the Council would continue its liaisons with the developer, with a  ...  view the full minutes text for item 238.

The Panel received an update report presented by the Scrutiny Manager in regards to Overview and Scrutiny Select Committees activities.  Councillor Muldoon, Chair of the Healthier Select Committee, highlighted progress about the Clinical Commissioning Group merger proposals currently being scrutinised by the South London Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

The Panel considered the submissions, and suggested that the Housing Select Committee should receive regular updates on the proposed redevelopment of Achilles Street Estate.

RESOVED – That updates on the work of the Overview and Scrutiny Select Committees, be noted.

RESOLVED that 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, as amended by the Local Authorities (Executive

Arrangements) (Access to Information) (Amendments) (England) Regulations

2006:-

This is a summary of the discussion that took place at the closed meeting:

The Panel noted decisions made by Mayor and Cabinet on 18 September 2019.

RESOLVED that the decision made by Mayor and Cabinet be noted.