Agenda and minutes

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on January 20 2021 be

confirmed and signed as a correct record.

Councillors Wise, Kalu and Ingleby declared personal interests in Item 7 as

Directors of Lewisham Homes.

Councillor Jacq Paschoud declared a personal interest in item 7 as a close

relative of a person receiving a package of social care support from the

Council, as a Trustee of the Ravensbourne Project and as a Trustee and

Governor of the Brent Knoll and Watergate Trust. Councillor John Paschoud

made a corresponding declaration as the husband of a Councillor with these

interests and also declared a further interest as a Trustee and Governor of

Parkwood Hall Co-operative Academy where the Council purchases places

for SEN children.

Councillor Johnston-Franklin declared a personal interest in Item 7 as a

Council appointed representative on Youth First.

Councillor Sue Hordijenko RIP

The Mayor led the tributes to Councillor Sue Hordijenko who has died

unexpectedly. The Mayor remembered Councillor Hordijenko as a particularly

nice person who never uttered cross words and who was genuinely excited to

fulfil her role as a public representative. He extended his condolences to

Councillor Hordijenko’s family.

Councillor Jacq Paschoud, a Ward colleague in Bellingham, praised her as

someone who had made a real difference in the community earning a

reputation as a problem solver who had tackled a myriad of housing issues.

Councillor Alan Hall, also a Ward colleague, remembered her as a

charismatic supporter of local residents exemplified by the support she had

given to the family of a murdered young man in the locality. He told of the

pride she took in her Irish and Ukrainian roots. He recalled her involvement

with the British Science Association which had led to her appearance on

Newsnight wearing a dress made from used cigarette ends. She was

portayed as an activist even shortly before her death taking part in the Bell

Green picket.

Councillor Caroline Kalu thought of her as a selfless, generous person with an

unwavering commitment to family and friends. As a fellow member of the

Licensing Committee she had seen how caring and loyal she had been and

knew she would be greatly missed.

Councillor Liam Curran said Sue Hordijenko had always commanded

attention with her red hair, laugh and generousity. She was a bon vivir, cat

lover and fiercely intelligent having been Director of Programmes at the British

Science Association. He pointed out the lengthy tributes to her on the BSA

website which gave greater depth about her life prior to her 2016 election as a

Councillor. Above all, Councillor Curran remembered her as a friend and

neighbour.

Councillor Curran then read out a statement prepared by Councillor

Hordijenko’s cousin and then the Council viewed a musical photographic

montage of her life.

All present concluded the tribute by observing a minute of silence.

Councillor Joe Dromey

The Council noted Councillor Joe Dromey had announced he was to resign from the Council to take on a new full time role as Director of Central London Forward (CLF). Cllr Dromey represented New Cross from 2014 and served as Cabinet Member for Culture, Jobs and Skills (job share) from 2018. He also served as Cabinet Member for Policy, Performance and Communications between 2014 and 2018.

London Mayoral and Assembly Member elections – May 2021

The Council noted the 2021 London Mayoral and Assembly Member elections

would be held on Thursday 6May 2021. The Council was encouraging

residents to register to vote by post to reduce the spread of COVID-19.

Census

The Council noted the next Census Day was Sunday 21March 2021.

International Women’s Day 

Councillor Millbank confirmed International Women’s Day would take place on

Monday 8 March, with this year’s theme being ‘Choose to Challenge’. Councillor

Millbank said details of the programme would be shown at:

https://www.iamlewisham.uk/  ...  view the full minutes text for item 124.

Councillor Mark Ingleby presented a petition bearing 88 names from residents

of Oakshade Road and nearby streets objecting to the re-routing of the 336

bus without consultation, claiming that this had resulted in significant traffic

jams.

54 questions were received from members of the public which were

answered by the Cabinet Member indicated. Thirty minutes were made

available at the meeting for questioners to raise supplementary questions.

A copy of the questions and answers was circulated separately and can be

viewed on the Council website with the meeting papers.

18 questions were received from Councillors which were answered by the

Cabinet Members indicated. A copy of the questions and answers was

circulated separately and can be viewed on the Council’s website with the

meeting papers.

The Budget proposals were introduced by the Mayor who pointed out that in

addition to enforced governmental austerity, the Council also faced the

incredible financial strain arising from the Covid 19 pandemic. He believed

only the election of a future Labour Government would permit rational

budgetary planning to take place. He paid particular thanks to Councillor De

Ryk and to the Executive Director for Corporate Resources and her senior

staff for their help throughout the budget setting process.

The Mayor confirmed that he was proposing a Council Tax rise of 4.99% and

that a balanced budget would be achieved without calling upon reserves.

The Mayor further confirmed that he did not intend to vary the budget

proposals he had already fully set out at Mayor and Cabinet on February 3

and 10 and which did not require further amendment.

A motion that the proposals be accepted was moved by the Cabinet

Member for Resources, Councillor Amanda De Ryk and seconded by the

Chair of the Public Accounts Select Committee, Councillor Pat Codd.

During the debate on the budget the 5 minute limit on speeches for the Mayor

and Councillors De Ryk and Codd was suspended.

Under the provisions of the Local Authorities (Standing Orders) (England)

(Amendment) Regulations 2014, a recorded vote was conducted on this item

with the following result:

In favour 47

Damien Egan (Mayor), Obajimi Adefiranye, Tauseef Anwar, Chris Barnham, Paul Bell, Peter Bernards, Chris Best, Kevin Bonavia, Andre Bourne, Bill Brown, Juliet Campbell, Suzannah Clarke, Patrick Codd, Liam Curran, Brenda Dacres, Amanda De Ryk, Joe Dromey, Colin Elliott, Aisling Gallagher, Leo Gibbons, Alan Hall, Carl Handley, Octavia Holland, Su Coral Howard, Mark Ingleby, Liz Johnston-Franklin, Caroline Kalu, Silvana Kelleher, Louise Krupski, Jim Mallory, Paul Maslin, Sophie McGeevor, Joan Millbank, Hilary Moore, Pauline Morrison, John Muldoon, Jacq Paschoud, John Paschoud, Kim Powell, James Rathbone, Joani Reid, Sakina Sheikh, Jonathan Slater, Alan Smith, Luke Sorba, Eva Stamirowski, James-J Walsh and Susan Wise.

Against nil

Abstention nil

1.1          RESOLVED that the Council approves the recommendations shown below in respect of the 2021/22 Budget;

1.2          That, having considered the views of those consulted on the budget, and subject to proper process, as required, Council:

1.3          notes the projected overall variance of £3.2m (or 1.3%) against the agreed 2020/21 revenue budget of £248.714m as set out in section 6 of this report and that any year-end overspend will be met from corporate reserves and provisions;

1.4          endorse the budget cut proposals of £28.016m as per the Mayor and Cabinet meetings of the 9 December 2020 and 3 February 2020, as set out in section 6 of the report and summarised in Appendix Y1 and Y2;

1.5          agree the allocation of £6.500m in 2021/22 be set aside and use of £1.500m reduced contribution for concessionary fares for corporate risks and pressures;

1.6          agree the allocation of £19.685m of corporate risks and pressures, social care precept, new homes bonus, social care grant, lower tier grant and legacy s31 monies in 2021/22 to be  ...  view the full minutes text for item 128.

The motion was moved by Councillor Sheikh and seconded

by Councillor McGeevor . Following a contribution from Councillor Curran the

motion was then put to the vote and declared to be unanimously carried.

RESOLVED that the following motion be agreed:

Adopting the UN Sustainable Development Global Goals Motion

Lewisham Council notes:

(i) The importance of the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

that address the global challenges we face including poverty, inequality,

climate, environmental degradation and prosperity.

(ii) That we have a decade of action if we are to deliver the Goals by 2030.

(iii) That in 2019 the cross-party Local Government Association unanimously

adopted a motion recognising the vital role that councils could play in

planning, implementation and monitoring the UK’s progress on meeting the

ambitions of the Agenda 2030.

Lewisham Council believes:

(i) That all levels of government work together and that local government is a

key component to successful domestic implementation of the SDGs.

(ii) The holistic framework the SDGs offers is significant and the importance of

looking at the challenges for the planet and people in a holistic and systems

 way. Each of the goals are intrinsically linked which will require coordinated,

multi-disciplinary action.

(iii) That Lewisham Council’s existing work complements the priorities of the

SDGs. For example, the council’s Climate Emergency Action Plan addresses

goals: SDG 3 good health and well-being, SDG 7 affordable and clean

energy, SDG 10 reduced inequalities, SDG 11 sustainable cities and

communities, SDG 12 responsible consumption and production, SDG 13

climate action and SDG 15 life on land.

Lewisham Council resolves to:

(i) Lobby central government for them to recognise the vital role local

government must play in terms of the planning, implementation and

monitoring in local areas, and fully resource councils to do that work, to

deliver the UK’s progress on meeting the ambitions of the 2030 Agenda.

(ii) Recognising that we will only be able to achieve the Goals by working with

local partners, the Council recommits to engaging our areas through local

partnerships and with our citizens to share research and engagement with our

networks, partners and citizens, particularly given our sector’s continuing

funding pressures.

(iii) Formalise our commitment to the Goals and therefore adopt the

Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), agreeing to pursue the Goals in the

work undertaken by the Council.

(iv) Work to map out which targets are relevant using the LGA and UKSSD

Sustainable Development Guide.

The Mayor informed the Council that the members, listed below, will serve as

members of the Cabinet in the remainder of this municipal year.

RESOLVED that the constitution and composition of the Executive for

the municipal year 2020/21 be noted.

The meeting closed at 10.04pm