Agenda and minutes

RESOLVED that minutes of the Meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Business Panel held on 19 July 2022 be confirmed as an accurate record.

There were no interests declared at the meeting.

Councillor Mark Ingleby, Chair of the Panel, informed the meeting that he had requested that Members should consider the “Lewisham and Lee Green Local Transport Network Monitoring Update” report relating to Item 15 in the Mayor and Cabinet meeting agenda of 21 September 2022.  Commenting on paragraph 6 of the report, “Design and Implementation Update”, Councillor Ingleby enquired about progress relating to the Neighbourhood Community Infrastructure Levy (NCIL) in view of the Council’s Place-Shaping Strategy and coordinated efforts with the Highways Division for implementing complementary measures in accordance with the relevant local policies.

In response, the Director of Public Realm stated that it was necessary to clarify the following:

1.             That it was in January 2022 that the Mayor and Cabinet reviewed and agreed implementation to retain Lewisham and Lee Green LTN.  The proposal to that informed the decision stipulated that measures should be in place to encourage the use of more sustainable forms of transport.  Also, at the time that decision was made, the Mayor and Cabinet recognised at the time of taking the decision that there was minimal consultation due to lockdown restrictions because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

1.1     Thus, the submission considered by Mayor and Cabinet on 21 September 2022, which Councillor Ingleby was referring to was not a not a decision report.  It was stated that the proposals required the Mayor and Cabinet to note findings of the data monitoring and update on the delivery of complementary measures within the LTN and the surrounding areas and agree further monitoring in April 2023 for continued assessment of the LTN.

The Director informed the Panel:

2.1          That the complementary measures identified included provision for

·               additional bike hangers to encourage residents to take up cycling;

·               additional electric charging points with the aim to move to cleaner vehicles; and

·               benches to allow people to rest while walking in areas within the borough.

2.2          That the measures were linked to the Council’s Transport and Cycling policies, and its Highways action plan.  In addition to that, plans were agreed for the planting of trees and other and shrubs to encourage a more pleasant environment in the public realm.

2.3          That rollout of the measures had begun as follows:

·                Benches:

o        10 locations had been identified within the LTN and wider areas;

o        Work to roll out in the locations was underway.

·                Electric vehicles charging points:

o        12 locations were identified;

o        3 had already been installed: on Mount Pleasant Road, Springbank Road and Upwood Road;

o        Further 9 will be installed by end of March 2023.

·                Cycle hangers:

o        20 locations have been identified;

o        There is a shortage of bike hangers due to high demand.  Officers are seeking alternative suppliers.  Notwithstanding that, 5 have been installed; 7 will be installed later in the month, with further rollouts in the following month.

·                Trees:

o        35 locations have been identified for tree planting;

o        Planting season is between October and March; Implementation is underway;

o        Challenges of avoiding obstructions that could cause damage  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

RESOLVED that the report be noted.

The Head of Overview and Scrutiny advised the Panel as follows:

·                     That some select committee dates were changed following the announcement of Queen's death.

·                     That the Council is currently in the middle of a select meeting cycle.  Sustainable Housing Select Committee and Safer and Stronger Communities Select Committee will be meeting the following week to complete this round of meetings.

·                     That the next cycle of Select Committee meetings will start with Healthier Communities Select Committee which will be meeting on 1 November.  The budget cuts will be considered by all the select committees in that round of meetings.

The Panel also noted updates about the Overview and Scrutiny Committee which met on 21 September as follows:

·                     The main item was a report on Lewisham’s response to the cost-of-living crisis.  As a result of that, three select committees - Healthier Communities, Safer and Stronger Communities and Children and Young People - will be carrying out further work on the topic

·                     That the Overview & Scrutiny Committee also established two task and finish groups.  One of those will be looking at creative and community workspaces and the other will be reviewing community gardening and allotments practise.  The investigations are now in the process of being scoped and the first meetings will take place later in the month or early next month.

Councillor Rathbone, Chair of Public Accounts Select Committee informed the meeting as follows:

·                     That because of certain recent financial decisions made by the Government, a substantial part of the Council’s budget projections no longer apply.  It was stated that officers are having to make changes very rapidly to their financial projections as the Bank of England acts on the issues.

·                     That it is a normal financial risk for the Council not receiving the Government’s financial settlement until very close to the end of its financial year.

Councillor Penfold, Chair of Housing Select Committee stated that the next meeting of the Committee will be on 12 of October 2022, and Members will consider among other things, Lewisham Homes’ Annual Report, the Service Charge Policy, and updates on selective licencing.

Councillor Lahai-Taylor, Chair of Safer and Stronger Communities Select Committee echoed the statement by the Head of Overview and Scrutiny that the equalities perspective of the cost-of-living crisis has been added to the Committee’s workplan.

Councillor Royston, Chair of Sustainable Development Select Committee stated that there has been no significant update since the last meeting, and that the next meeting of the Committee will take place the following week.

Councillor Best, Chair of Healthier Communities Select Committee reported as follows:

·                     That there will be a substantive item on the cost-of-living crisis. 

·                     That the Director of Public Health has been invited to present a report which will include information on the food justice work, and the warm hubs and spaces.

·                     That the Executive Director for Community Services will provide an update on the use of local libraries, community centres, and the work with Lewisham’s local. 

·                     It was stated that as the winter period approaches,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.