Agenda, decisions and minutes

Resolved: that Councillor Louise Krupski be confirmed as Chair and that Councillor James-J Walsh be confirmed as Vice-Chair of the Select Committee.

Resolved: that the minutes of the meeting held on 4 March be agreed as an accurate record.

There were none.

Resolved: that the response from Mayor and cabinet be noted.

Resolved: It was agreed that the Committee would refer its views to Mayor and Cabinet, as follows-

·           The Committee recommends that the Council should build on the lessons learnt from the Catford master planning process, recognising that it is an exemplar of best practice.

·           Furthermore, the Committee recommends that Mayor and Cabinet should ensure that the knowledge and insight gained from this process is retained for use on future projects.

·           The Committee also believes that Mayor and Cabinet (if it is minded to approve the Catford Town Centre Framework) should ensure that effort (and resourcing) continues to ensure that local residents and stakeholders remain informed and engaged in the regeneration of the town centre as it progresses.

5.1.     Paul Moore (Interim Director of Inclusive Regeneration) introduced a presentation, which outlined the timetable for the adoption of the Catford Town Centre Framework. The following key points were noted:

•              The adoption of the framework marked a significant milestone in Catford’s revival.

•              The Framework had been shaped by more than 3000 comments from local people.

•              The regeneration programme is underpinned by three key principles: ‘a green town centre; a vibrant town centre; an accessible town centre’.

•              The ambition is for Catford to be the greenest town centre in London.

•              Work is already underway on a number of projects to improve the town centre

5.2.     Paul Moore; Deborah Efemini (Capital Project Manager); and Sandra Plummer (Senior Project Manager) responded to questions from the Committee (and from non-committee members attending under standing orders) – the following key points were noted:

•              The redirection of the south circular by Transport for London is a key part of the regeneration programme. Work is taking place with partners to bring the project forward (despite the delays caused by the impact of the pandemic).

•              Information about significant changes to the report as a result of the consultation is included in the draft report to Mayor and Cabinet.

•              The ambition is to provide up to 50% of the new homes in the development as affordable homes (70% for social rent and the remainder as shared ownership or other affordable tenures). These numbers are contingent on the detailed plans for development.

•              The consultation programme sought to gain the views of people living, working, shopping, owning businesses (and those otherwise interested) in Catford over a period of four years using a variety of methods.

•              Work is taking place to improve cycling links in Catford (including the provision of a new cantilever bridge).

•              The framework would help the Council to improve infrastructure in the town centre through direct provision and the use of section 106 funding as well as the community infrastructure levy and future bids for funding.

5.3.      In committee discussions the following key points were also noted:

•              Committee members expressed their appreciation for the hard work and professionalism of Council officers - as well as their gratitude for the investment of time and effort spent on engagement with councillors and the local community.

•              Members emphasised the high standard of the master planning process and urged that it be held up as an exemplar of best practice nationally (particularly in the context of the 15 minute city concept).

Resolved: It was agreed that the Committee would refer its views to Mayor and Cabinet, as follows-

·            The Committee recommends that – where residents live above shops or on high streets and are required to leave their refuse for collection on the pavement – consideration should be given to clearly demarcating these collection areas in order to avoid confusion and/or the perception of the levels of illegal dumping.

·           The Committee also recommends that further work should be carried out to develop a rounded Council-wide approach to illegal dumping. This should include options for utilising the full force of the Council’s powers – including measures such as: anti-social behaviour orders on businesses; section 215 notices and any powers available for enforcement against landlords in the private rented sector.

·           The Committee believes that there should be a clear communications campaign regarding the Council’s preferred mobile and online applications and reporting routes.

·           Furthermore, the Committee recommends that further work should take place to review all of the ways in which residents and businesses are able to report environmental issues digitally – in order to aggregate comments and reports into a single place.

·           The Committee recommends that there should be an assertive strategy to find operators for new second hand, re-use and resale markets in the borough. The Committee believes that consideration should be given to the options for licensing commercial resellers to access the Council’s reuse and recycling centre.

·           The Committee recognises and welcomes the cleaner Lewisham campaign – and it recommends that Mayor and Cabinet should consider the options for a new ‘Lewisham in Bloom’ campaign in order to build on the incentives for residents and businesses to take pride in local areas. Members also believe that this should include options for community participation – and may involve the production of new art work or local events – as well as resident involvement in clean-up activities, such as the running of ‘community skip’ days.

·           The Committee asks that in future reports on the waste strategy – it receive clear financial and budgetary information – as well as future projections and targets for the delivery of the strategy. 

6.1.     Wendy Nicholas (Strategic Waste and Environment Manager) introduced the report - outlining the need for a new waste strategy – in order to meet regional and national targets for reducing waste and increase recycling. In response to questions from the Committee (including members attending under standing orders) – the following key points were noted:

•              Street recycling bins had previously been trialled – but there had been issues with contamination. This is a proposal that could be revisited in future.

•              Further work is planned with businesses to improve commercial waste collection.

•              Fly tipping is an ongoing concern for all London boroughs. Measures to reduce illegal dumping (or so called ‘fly tipping’) are intended to be part of the new waste strategy. The first step is always to educate and inform residents and businesses about the appropriate ways to dispose of waste. Officers welcomed ideas from members about ways in which illegal dumping could be reduced.

•              Further financial information about the waste strategy would be provided in future updates to the Committee.

•              Further detail about the use of biomass for energy could be provided when further information about funding becomes available.

•              Consideration is being given to the methods for reuse and recycling of second hand goods.

•              Work has been carried out to tackle contamination of recycling. Previous consultations, trials and activities led to a new information campaign and concerted efforts by officers to fully understand the barriers to recycling.

•              Residents are not fined for contaminated recycling – however – information and advice is provided.

•              A key part of the new cleaner Lewisham campaign is to encourage residents to take responsibility for their waste.

•              Only the cleaner Lewisham application should be used for reporting waste & street cleansing issues (support for other apps is being discontinued).

•              The Council has a number of means for residents to report waste related issues.

6.2.      In committee discussions the following key points were also noted:

•              Members expressed their gratitude toward refuse collectors and street sweepers for their hard work (particularly during the pandemic).

•              Members welcomed the cleaner Lewisham campaign and recommended that consideration should be given to a ‘Lewisham in bloom’ campaign.

•              Members offered advice regarding the use of the Council’s means for reporting illegal dumping online and by telephone.

Resolved: It was agreed that the Committee would refer its views to Mayor and Cabinet, as follows-

·            The Committee recommends that further consideration should be given to the appropriate level of emissions based charging for vehicles that have converted to liquid petroleum gas - in order to incentivise behaviour change.

·           The Committee believes that there should be a considered campaign of engagement about the change to cashless payments with groups of people (particularly those who are elderly or disabled) who may continue to use cash payments for parking. The Committee also asks that further thought is given to those parking places in the borough that are not close to shops or pay points for parking payments using cash.

·           The Committee recommends that Mayor and Cabinet should take a robust approach with Transport for London about the lack of parking enforcement on the borough’s red routes,

·           The Committee also recommends that businesses should be held to account for inconsiderate parking outside of their premises – and that the Council should explore the options for levying fines and penalties on those premises that fail to take action.

·           The Committee would welcome an awareness raising campaign regarding the proposed implementation of the new rules. Following this the Committee believes that there should be firm enforcement of the new charges.

·           The Committee believes that careful consideration should be given to the future locations of electrical charging points in order to avoid restricting pedestrian access and/or (existing or planned) provision for cyclists.

7.1.             Seamus Adams (Head of Commercial Operations and Delivery) introduced the report – noting the proposals for consultation on emissions based and motor cycle parking charges – in line with the Council’s ambition to become climate neutral by 2030. He also outlined the plans for cashless payments for parking. In response to questions from the Committee (including members attending under standing orders) the following key points were noted:

•              The prices for different bands of charges would be reviewed on an annual basis and adjusted based on the data/extent of behavioural change. It was proposed that charges for zero emissions vehicles should be reviewed in a year’s time.

•              Further consideration would be given to the charges for drivers of liquid petroleum gas vehicles.

•              The key aim of the proposals was to change driver behaviour in order to reduce the number of the most polluting vehicles coming into the borough.

•              The majority of London boroughs had introduced motorcycle charging.

•              Engagement would be carried out with delivery companies and businesses regarding the use of mopeds and motorbikes. This would make clear that there is going to be increased enforcement in key areas (where there are problems with parking outside of shops and blocking pavements).

•              Careful consideration would be given to the future location of electric vehicle charging points.

•              Officers have been in contact with Transport for London (TfL) about the levels of enforcement on TfL managed roads. Other options for enforcement would be considered as appropriate.

Resolved: that a change in meeting dates be agreed (removing the March 2022 meeting and adding an additional meeting in October 2021) – and that the draft work plan be agreed.