Agenda and minutes

There were no declarations of interest.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meetings held on July 21 2021 be

confirmed and signed as a correct record.

The Speaker reported he had been notified of a public petition by Mr Martin

North from the Evelyn Ward. Mr North was unable to present but had

delivered the petition to Laurence House earlier in the day. The petition

highlighted litter and rubbish dumping associated with unregulated HMOs and

called for an Article 4 designation.

RESOLVED that the Executive Director of Housing, Regeneration and Public

Realm be asked to respond to the petition.

Obituaries - Peter Walsh and Sabina Nessa

The Deputy Mayor, Councillor Brenda Dacres, paid tribute to Pete Walsh who

she had first met when he was Head Teacher at Forest Hill School and she

was serving as the PTA Secretary. She fondly remembered his passion for

the school and his students and his active promotion of ethnic minority pupils

and the strides made to support autistic students which ensured he was both

well loved and respected.

Councillor Alan Hall remembered Pete Walsh as both a teacher and a

community leader who had proved to be an active Chair of the Millwall

Community Trust. Councillor Hall suggested that his contribution to the

borough should be recognised in some way.

The Deputy Mayor reported the recent shocking death of Sabina Nessa, a

Year 1 teacher at Rushey Green Primary School. Sabina was widely reported

to be a well loved and respected Lewisham teacher who had been the victim

of a vicious and unprovoked attack. The Deputy Mayor reflected on the impact

such an incident would have had on her family, friends, colleagues and the

young children in her school.

Everyone in attendance observed a 1 minute silence in memory of Peter

Walsh and Sabina Nessa.

MJ Awards and Supporting Afghan Refugees

Councillor Kevin Bonavia underlined the Council’s continuing commitment to

being a Borough of Sanctuary and thanked the organisations and individuals

who were supporting Lewisham’s efforts.

London Marathon 2021

The Mayor reported he and his partner Yossi and two Council Officers would

be taking part in the London Marathon in support of the 999 Club with a target

of raising £5,000. He added any financial support that could be given would

be most appreciated.

Tokyo Olympics and London Youth Games

Councillor Hilary Moore provided further details of the successes achieved by

Lewisham youngsters over a range of sports.

Black History Month

The Deputy Mayor gave details of the wide range of events taking place

during Black History Month which could be viewed in further detail on the

Council website and on social media.

Councillor Obajimi Adefiranye recounted the background to Black History

Month and that Lewisham in 1995 had been one of the first boroughs to

support it.

World Homelessness Day

Councillor Paul Bell announced this was due to take place on October 10.

59 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.

15 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.

Councillor Paul Bell moved that the recommendations be approved and

this was seconded by Councillor John Muldoon. Following a contribution from

Councillor Alan Hall, who added his tribute to retiring Director, Selwyn

Thompson, it was then unanimously:

RESOLVED that

(1) the 2020-2023 Business Plan for the Catford Regeneration Partnership

Limited be endorsed; and

(2) the proposed budget to deliver the Business Plan be noted and that an

annual update be provided to Mayor and Cabinet in line with the Company’s

Articles of Association.

Planning Committee A

Councillor Joan Millbank moved and Councillor Hilary Moore seconded that

the nomination shown below be approved:

RESOLVED that Councillor Jonathan Slater be appointed as a member of

Planning Committee A

Joint Croydon and Lewisham Joint Street Lighting Committee

The Speaker moved and the Deputy Speaker seconded a proposal that an

appointment made by the Mayor be noted.

RESOLVED that the appointment of Councillor Patrick Codd to the Joint

Croydon and Lewisham Joint Street Lighting Committee be noted.

The Speaker moved and the Deputy Speaker seconded a proposal that his

decision to exempt a report on the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme

from the Scrutiny process be noted.

RESOLVED that the action taken by the Speaker of the Council be noted.

The meeting closed at 9.04pm