Agenda and minutes

Minutes  25 - new Bermondsey (Formerly Surrey Canal Triangle) Compulsory Purchase Order

The Chair welcomed the Chief Executive to the meeting.

The Chief Executive said there wasn't any additional information he could give Panel Members apart from what was circulated to them earlier from his office. He said he received correspondence from Lambeth Smith Hampton (LSH) asking for all pertinent key information. The Chief Executive said this information would be made available to all Councillors in due course.

Councillor Dacres said she was aware there was new information which the Cabinet had based its decision to postpone decision on the Business Panel call-in. The Chief Executive said there was a document which was the basis of an article in the Guardian but he could not say this was new information. Councillor Dacres said if the Cabinet can make a decision based on this information then it would seem right for Business Panel to see this information. Councillor Handley said Cabinet had made a decision as to whether this information was relevant or not, and Business Panel might have a different view. The Chief Executive said he could not give any more details about the veracity of the document, which would be sent to Business Panel members as appropriate. The Chair said he was concerned that although they would see the document they might not have an opportunity to put their comments forward prior to the Cabinet decision.

Councillor Curran said that Business Panel wanted to find out about their call-in because of concerns raised about Renewal, the secrecy of its directors and other issues. He said this document should not get in the way of Panel Members’ concerns. Councillor Curran said he thought this document was being used as a smoke screen. Councillor Curran added that LSH’s document was not in the public domain, even though it was apparently similar to an estate agent leaflet. He said he could not understand why the call-in process was being held up because of this document. Councillor Curran stated that the Cabinet should not just be dealing with the veracity of the document, but should also deal with the issues raised in the call-in. The Chief Executive said the Cabinet would deal with that too.

Councillor Curran asked what was being done about the call-in and was told by the Chief Executive that Cabinet had adjourned consideration of the call-in until the investigation had been completed. The Chair asked the Chief Executive if this document could possibly impact on the call-in and was told that it could. The Chair asked the Chief Executive how this could impact on the call-in, and was advised that it would not be wise to speculate on its impact.

The Chair told the Chief Executive that he thought the decision on the document and that of the call-in would be made at the same time and Business Panel would not have an opportunity to make any comment on the contents of the document. The Chief Executive said this  ...  view the full minutes text for item 35.

None received.

Report noted.

Report noted.

Catford Regeneration Programme Update

The Capital Programme Delivery Services Manager introduced the report and confirmed as requested that there were two Directors in this company.

The Chair said he did not think this was an adequate set up having two officers as Directors in this company.  The Capital Programme Delivery Services Manager said that decisions would only be made in accordance with the Council’s Standing Order, which would be ratified by Mayor and Cabinet. The Chair said he was concerned that having only 2 Directors, 1 person could make a decision. The Chair said he had raised concerns with the Head of Law about this in the past and was told this arrangement was fine. The Capital Programme Delivery Services Manager said although there were 2 Directors decisions would also have Executive oversight.

Councillor Walsh said section 6 of the report highlighted Community Engagement and Communications. He said officers should be mindful that Catford residents were also engaged with the Housing Action Zone and he was concerned that the March deadline would not provide sufficient opportunity for residents’ input, especially with Christmas imminent. He said if officers were not careful there would be a lot of resident dissatisfaction. Councillor Walsh said it was necessary to have a clear timeline which outlined places of activities for public engagement. He emphasised that he was worried the Council might not deliver the programme on time.

The Capital Programme Delivery Services Manager said the processes had been looked through and the masterplan does work. He said this would be delivered in accordance with the statutory process wherein parameters would be set out, specifications set and adhered to. He said officers were mindful about having a tower block close to the station and they would ensure they engage constructively with the local residents.

The Chair said it was coming to the end of November, and officers were expecting to roll out the programme in March. He asked how this could be achieved. The Capital Programme Delivery Services Manager said officers would set up a programme to engage with members, residents and other stakeholders, including reviews. He said a different method of engagement would be used. The Senior Programme Manager said apart from the planned workshops other activities would be organised online, and the emphasis would be on communication.

Following a detailed discussion, members raised concerns about Catford becoming a high rise building centre similar to Lewisham. The Chair said that a timeline would be useful to Business Panel members for reference. Business Panel agreed to request that officers should ensure there is full public engagement with the Catford Regeneration plan, and the theatre should form a central part of any Regeneration plan for Catford. Business Panel also requested that the Sustainable Community Strategy be updated as the current one was now considerably dated. The Chair reminded officers that there was an outstanding referral from the Sustainable Development Select Committee that had not been addressed, and that the Mayor should ask officers to provide the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 39.

None to report.

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 and the public interest in disclosing the information:-

The following is a summary of items discussed in the closed part of the meeting.

No item was requested for further discussion.

No item was requested for further discussion.

Having considered a confidential report, and a presentation by the Senior Programme Manager, Capital Delivery Team:

RESOLVED that:

i.              the decision of the Executive Director for Resources and Regeneration be noted.

ii.            the Mayor be requested to ask officers to return the Deptford Anchor to a suitable location in Deptford High Street, as requested by residents.

Meeting ended 8:45pm                                                 Chair ………………..