Agenda, decisions and minutes

Councillor Bonavia declared a prejudicial interest in Item 13 as Chair of the

Blackheath Working Party and withdrew from the meeting.

Councillor Millbank declared a personal interest in Item 6 as a Council

appointed member of the VAL Board

Councillor Bonavia declared a prejudicial interest in Item 13 as Chair of the

Blackheath Working Party and withdrew from the meeting.

Councillor Millbank declared a personal interest in Item 6 as a Council

appointed member of the VAL Board.

Councillor Muldoon declared personal interests in Item 3 as Lead Governor

of the SLAM Foundation Trust and as Chair of the London Scrutiny Network.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on June 3 2015 be

confirmed as a correct record.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on June 3 2015 be

confirmed and signed as a correct record.

Matters referred by Select Committee – Comments of the Healthier

Communities Select Committee on transition from children’s to adult services

Having received a presentation by the Chair of the Healthier Communities

Select Committee, the Mayor agreed that the views and recommendations of

the Select Committee be received and the Executive Directors for Children &

Young People and Community Services be asked to prepare a response to

the review’s recommendations.

Matter referred by Housing Select Committee – Communal Heating Systems

Review - Report and Recommendations

Having received a presentation by the Chair of the Housing Select

Committee, the Mayor agreed that the views and recommendations of the

Housing Select Committee be received and the Executive Director for

Customer Services be asked to prepare a response to the review’s

recommendations.

Matter referred by the Overview & Scrutiny Committee - London Fire Brigade

Having received a presentation by the Chair of the Overview & Scrutiny

Committee, the Mayor agreed that the Executive Director for Community

Services be asked to progress the Committee’s recommendation that a full

briefing on Forest Hill Station’s second fire appliance and the relevant Mayoral

Direction, be obtained  from the London Fire Brigade.

Matters referred by Select Committee – Comments of the Healthier

Communities Select Committee on transition from children’s to adult services

Having received a presentation by the Chair of the Healthier Communities

Select Committee, Councillor John Muldoon, the Mayor:

RESOLVED that the views and recommendations of the Select Committee be

received and the Executive Directors for Children & Young People and

Community Services be asked to prepare a response to the review’s

recommendations.

Matter referred by Housing Select Committee – Communal Heating Systems

Review - Report and Recommendations

Having received a presentation by the Chair of the Housing Select

Committee, Councillor Carl Handley, the Mayor:

RESOLVED that the views and recommendations of the Housing Select

Committee be received and the Executive Director for Customer Services be

asked to prepare a response to the review’s recommendations.

Matter referred by the Overview & Scrutiny Committee - London Fire Brigade

Having received a presentation by the Chair of the Overview & Scrutiny

Committee,Councillor Alan Hall, the Mayor:

RESOLVED that the Executive Director for Community Services be asked to

progress the Committee’s recommendation that a full briefing on Forest Hill

Station’s second fire appliance and the relevant Mayoral Direction, be

obtained from the London Fire Brigade.

Noted.

RESOLVED that the report be noted.

Having considered an officer report, and presentations by the Cabinet

Member for Health, Well-Being and Older People, Councillor Chris Best, John

O’Shea of Lewisham Mencap, Helen Bashford, the Mayor agreed that:

(1) officers should report to him and Cllr Best on a confidential basis every 4

weeks detailing progress on implementation including problems encountered

in individual cases;

(2) the outcomes of the consultation as set out in section 6 and the Equalities

Analysis Assessment in Appendix 12 be received;

(3) the report be considered in conjunction with the ’Voluntary Sector

Accommodation Implementation Plan’ report;

(4). service provision be consolidated to the three services for service users

with complex needs – the Intensive Support resource (ISR), the Challenging

Needs Service (CNS) and the Specialist Dementia Service;

(5) an undertaking be given to identify specific partners to work with

the Council to maintain key activities in the areas of supported

employment (e.g. Grow and ‘Tuck Stop’) and also performance art (i.e.

‘Uproar’ and ‘Dare to Dream’);

(6) the Intensive Support (ISR) service for people with profound

learning disabilities and complex needs currently at Leemore moves to

the Ladywell Centre;

(7) a service to be known as ‘A Place to Meet’ (the ‘drop in’ service) is

commissioned to support people no longer eligible for Council funded day

care.

(8) the older adults currently using the Ladywell Centre who have not

already moved to the specialist Dementia Unit move to the Housing 21

managed day centres at Cedar Court and Cinnamon Court or other

similar provision of their expressed preference;

(9) specific areas be allocated for the delivery of services to people

with a learning disability in Mulberry, Leemore and Naborhood and these

centres extend their use to the wider Lewisham community as

community hubs for a wider range of purposes in partnership with

existing third sector organisations;

(10) the three centres, Leemore, Mulberry and Naborhood be recognised as

community hubs as part of the Community Services Assets portfolio, and

there be different rental and running costs and charges from those applied to

general lettings;

(11) voluntary and community providers be invited to offer activities and

support to people who will be receiving a direct payment or

personal budget, either via the community hubs or alongside them;

(12) service users have the opportunity to use their direct payment to

employ a personal assistant and make use of the community hubs;

(13) the in-house Door2Door transport be maintained only for older

adults, the most complex service users with long term conditions, and

the remaining Council directly managed service users (ISR, CNS,

Dementia) with the travel needs of remaining eligible day service users

be met by a variety of alternatives including travel training and

buddying; shared escorted and unescorted taxis and volunteer drivers; and

(14) £14,000 per annum continues to be available to fund transport to

evening clubs for those existing people living at home with their families.

The Mayor opened the discussion by welcoming the many public members

who were present to listen to this item. The Mayor recognised change was

disturbing for some service users but that it had to be placed into the context

of reduced public funding for all services. He further stated that even without

the financial drivers it was appropriate for all services to be reviewed from

time to time

The report was presented by the Cabinet Member for Health, Well-Being and

Older People, Councillor Chris Best, who set the context of the proposals

including the intensive consultations which had been undertaken since the

item had last been considered in February. She said she appreciated that

some service users and their families still held deep concerns about the

proposals. She stressed though that all the existing Day Centres were to be

retained but that their use would be wider than before.

Greater detail about the proposals was then given by the Executive Director

for Community Services and her staff. The Executive Director stated that in

her professional opinion there was a firm rationale for change. Firstly she

pointed out fewer families were making use of the Day Centres and there was

considerable spare capacity. Secondly, opportunities could be developed that

were accessible in other parts of the community and not just at Day Centres.

Thirdly, Day care provision had to be set in the context of the Council’s overall

budget position and the enactment of the proposals would effect a £1.3 million

saving.

The Executive Director referred to the recent receipt of several letters and a

petition signed by 757 persons objecting to the proposals. She confirmed

those had been considered in the process and observed that since February

various changes had been made to the original preferred option in light of the

comments received. These included enhancing personal safety and security,

providing for older residents, increasing staffing during the transitional

period and working, as requested by the Healthier Communities Select

Committee, with Mencap to improve the evening transportation scheme while

lowering costs.

The Executive Director’s presentation was reinforced by the Joint

Commissioning Manager who provided greater detail on the consultations and

by the Operations Manager who reported on the assessment process.

Mr Nick O’Shea, representing Mencap next addressed the Mayor. He pointed

out the anger felt by otherwise reasonable people and recognised the

challenges caused by austerity across the public sector. He stated he had a

clear and costed alternative which would require no savings requirement from

adult day care services. He drew the Mayor’s attention to a response he had

received to an FOI request which reported Lewisham had a £248M PFI debt

which was being repaid at a 10.3% average interest rate. He said the Council

was spending £26M in interest repayments every year.He claimed the Council

could reneogiate the loans on the lines of a domestic remortgage and ensure

money was available for services to vulnerable people rather than going to

bankers.

Helen Bashford, the mother of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 253.

Having considered an officer report, and presentations by the Cabinet

Member for the Third Sector, Councillor Joan Millbank, representatives of two

Community Centres and Councillor Dacres on behalf of the Safer, Stronger

Communities Select Committee, the Mayor agreed that:

(1) the implementation plan as outlined in section 5 and detailed by

category in Appendix A, B, C, and D be approved;

(2) further consultation on proposed closures and redevelopments take place

and the outcome be reported back to Mayor and Cabinet prior to

any Implementation taking place; and

(3) the amendment to the Community Asset Transfer Framework as

outlined in Section 8 and Appendix E be approved.

The report was presented by the Cabinet Member for the Third Sector,

Councillor Joan Millbank, who explained the intention of the Council was to

ensure the better use of its buildings.

The Mayor received a representation from Yvonne Peart representing the

Honor Oak Community Centre. She believed her Centre was earmarked for

closure and redevelopment as housing, with users being relocated at a

smaller facility outside the estate. She stated the Trustees were concerned

about the process to date and wished to develop proposals with the Council in

association with user groups.

Brian Courtney next made a representation as Chairperson of the Ewart

Road Housing Co-operative Community Clubhouse and stressed his

opposition to any threatened closure.

Councillor Dacres confirmed to the Mayor that the Safer Stronger

Communities Select Committee had agreed not to make a referral to the

Mayor only after receiving categorical assurances that the proposals were

draft and no closures would be contemplated without full consultation.

The Mayor ordered that the consultation outcomes had to be reported back to

the Mayor and Cabinet before any implementation took place

Having considered an officer report, and presentations by the Cabinet

Member for the Third Sector, Councillor Joan Millbank, representatives of two

Community Centres and Councillor Dacres on behalf of the Safer, Stronger

Communities Select Committee, the Mayor, for the reasons set out in the

report:

RESOLVED that:

(1) the implementation plan as outlined in section 5 and detailed by category

in Appendix A, B, C, and D be approved;

(2) further consultation on proposed closures and redevelopments take place

and the outcome be reported back to Mayor and Cabinet prior to any

Implementation taking place; and

(3) the amendment to the Community Asset Transfer Framework as outlined

in Section 8 and Appendix E be approved.

Having considered an officer report, and a presentation by the Cabinet

Member for Children & Young People, Councillor Paul Maslin, the Mayor

agreed that:

(1) the responses to the consultation be received;

(2) the following Children’s Centres remain open providing services to

children and families and remain on the Sure Start database: Clyde,

Ladywell, Bellingham, Downderry, Eliot Bank and Kelvin Grove.

(3) the following Children’s Centres remain open providing services to

children and families and are removed from the Sure Start database: Besson

Street Gardens, St Swithun’s, Evelyn, Amersham, Hatcham Oak, Manor

House, Torridon, Marvels Lane, Beecroft Garden and Kilmorie.

(4) Heathside and Lethbridge be confirmed as closed and that Centre be

removed from the Sure Start On database.

Having considered an officer report, and a presentation by the Cabinet

Member for Children & Young People, Councillor Paul Maslin, the Mayor, for

the reasons set out in the report:

RESOLVED that:

(1) the responses to the consultation be received;

(2) the following Children’s Centres remain open providing services to

children and families and remain on the Sure Start database: Clyde,

Ladywell, Bellingham, Downderry, Eliot Bank and Kelvin Grove.

(3) the following Children’s Centres remain open providing services to

children and families and are removed from the Sure Start database: Besson

Street Gardens, St Swithun’s, Evelyn, Amersham, Hatcham Oak, Manor

House, Torridon, Marvels Lane, Beecroft Garden and Kilmorie.

(4) Heathside and Lethbridge be confirmed as closed and that Centre be

removed from the Sure Start On database.

Having considered an officer report, and a presentation by the Deputy Mayor

Councillor Alan Smith, the Mayor agreed that the report be noted and that a

further report be prepared for the 30 September 2015 Mayor & Cabinet

meeting to update progress.

Officers were able to report building had commenced and appeared to be of

good quality. Officers noted a delegation from the Sydenham Society was

present to listen to the update.

Having considered an officer report, and a presentation by the Deputy Mayor

Councillor Alan Smith, the Mayor:

RESOLVED that the report be noted and that a further report be prepared for

the 30 September 2015 Mayor & Cabinet meeting to update progress.

Having considered an officer report, and a presentation by the Cabinet

Member for Children & Young People, Councillor Paul Maslin, the Mayor

agreed that:

(1) the decision made on the 25 June 2014 to enlarge Sir Francis Drake

Primary School from 1 to 2 forms of entry be modified with effect from

September 2016, subject to the development of satisfactory building

proposals in partnership with the Education Funding Agency;

(2) the enlargement of Sir Francis Drake Primary School from 1 to 2 forms

of entry be deferred for a further academic year to September 2017, subject to

the development of satisfactory building proposals in partnership with the

Education Funding Agency;

(3) a referral be made to the Schools Adjudicator seeking a reduction to the

Published Admission Number for 2016/17 in relation to Sir Francis Drake

School; and

(4) funding already agreed to support additional planning requirements be

retained as a commitment from the school places expansion programme.

Having considered an officer report, and a presentation by the Cabinet

Member for Children & Young People, Councillor Paul Maslin, the Mayor, for

the reasons set out in the report:

RESOLVED that:

(1) the decision made on the 25 June 2014 to enlarge Sir Francis Drake

Primary School from 1 to 2 forms of entry be modified with effect from

September 2016, subject to the development of satisfactory building

proposals in partnership with the Education Funding Agency;

(2) the enlargement of Sir Francis Drake Primary School from 1 to 2 forms

of entry be deferred for a further academic year to September 2017, subject to

the development of satisfactory building proposals in partnership with the

Education Funding Agency;

(3) a referral be made to the Schools Adjudicator seeking a reduction to the

Published Admission Number for 2016/17 in relation to Sir Francis Drake

School; and

(4) funding already agreed to support additional planning requirements be

retained as a commitment from the school places expansion programme.

Having considered an officer report, and a presentation by the Cabinet

Member for Resources, Councillor Kevin Bonavia, the Mayor agreed that

consultation on a local Council Tax Reduction Scheme for 2016/17, that

passes on a cut in government funding to working age claimants, be

undertaken.

The report was presented by the Cabinet Member for Resources, Councillor

Kevin Bonavia and by the Head of Public Services, representing the

Executive Director for Customer Services.

Councillor Millbank asked if there was a special list used to consult with

community groups in the borough and was informed the lists already drawn

up by Community Assemblies were used.

Councillor Dromey asked that the scheme be advertised in both the hard copy

and electronic versions of Lewisham Life.

A spectator asked if the information could be put in an accessible form for

people with dyslexia and she was told the Head of Public Services would

explain what could be done after the meeting.

Having considered an officer report, and a presentation by the Cabinet

Member for Resources, Councillor Kevin Bonavia, the Mayor, for the reasons

set out in the report:

RESOLVED that consultation on a local Council Tax Reduction Scheme for

2016/17, that passes on a cut in government funding to working age

claimants, be undertaken.

Having considered an officer report, and a presentation by the Cabinet

Member for Housing, Councillor Damien Egan, the Mayor agreed that

(1) the new legal responsibilities for the council in relation to the

development of a locational priority placement policy be noted;

(2) the rationale for the development of an interim policy be noted;

(3) the interim locational priority placement policy be approved; and

(4) officers be authorised to proceed with consultation to develop a full

locational priority placement policy to be presented to Mayor and Cabinet in

November 2015.

Having considered an officer report, and a presentation by the Cabinet

Member for Housing, Councillor Damien Egan, the Mayor, for the reasons set

out in the report:

RESOLVED that

(1) the new legal responsibilities for the council in relation to the

development of a locational priority placement policy be noted;

(2) the rationale for the development of an interim policy be noted;

(3) the interim locational priority placement policy be approved; and

(4) officers be authorised to proceed with consultation to develop a full

locational priority placement policy to be presented to Mayor and Cabinet in

November 2015.

Having considered an officer report, and a presentation by the Cabinet

Member for the Public Realm, Councillor Rachel Onikosi, the Mayor agreed to

recommend to the Council that they make the new byelaws for parks and

open spaces in the form attached and that they revoke the existing byelaws

made in 1980.

Having considered an officer report, and a presentation by the Cabinet

Member for the Public Realm, Councillor Rachel Onikosi, the Mayor, for the

reasons set out in the report:

RESOLVED that the Council be recommended to make new byelaws for

parks and open spaces in the form attached and that they revoke the existing

byelaws made in 1980.

Having considered an officer report, and a presentation by the Cabinet

Member for the Public Realm, Councillor Rachel Onikosi, the Mayor agreed to

recommend to the Council that they make the new byelaws for parks and

open spaces in the form attached and that they revoke the existing byelaws

for Blackheath made in 1932.

Councillor Bonavia withdrew from the meeting room while this item was

discussed.

Having considered an officer report, and a presentation by the Cabinet

Member for the Public Realm, Councillor Rachel Onikosi, the Mayor, for the

reasons set out in the report:

RESOLVED that the Council be recommended to make the new byelaws for

parks and open spaces in the form attached and that they revoke the existing

byelaws for Blackheath made in 1932.

Having considered an officer report, and a presentation by the Cabinet

Member for Housing, Councillor Damien Egan, the Mayor agreed that

(1) subject to Secretary of State’s consent under Section 19 of the

Housing Act 1985 being obtained, the appropriation of Council owned land

shown hatched black on attached plan 1 be approved from

housing purposes to planning purposes under Section 122 of the Local

Government Act 1972;

(2) the appropriation of the Council owned land shown in bold

edging on the attached plans 1 and 2 be approved from education purposes

to planning purposes under Section 122 of the Local Government Act 1972;

(3) the consent of the Secretary of State under Schedule 1 of the

Academies Act to the appropriation of the education land has already been

obtained; and

(4) the making of an application to the Secretary of State under

Section 19 of the Housing Act 1985 be approved for consent to the

appropriation referred to above.

Councillor Dromey asked if retention of the community garden was possible.

Officers explained it was actually a school garden that had been taken over by

guardians on an interim basis and that following the competitive dialogue

process it was not possible to leave the garden in situ but it was hoped the

expertise that had been developed could be used in the locality.

Having considered an officer report, and a presentation by the Cabinet

Member for Housing, Councillor Damien Egan, the Mayor, for the reasons set

out in the report:

RESOLVED that:

(1) subject to Secretary of State’s consent under Section 19 of the

Housing Act 1985 being obtained, the appropriation of Council owned land

shown hatched black on attached plan 1 be approved fromhousing purposes

to planning purposes under Section 122 of the LocalGovernment Act 1972;

(2) the appropriation of the Council owned land shown in bold edging on the

attached plans 1 and 2 be approved from education purposes to planning

purposes under Section 122 of the Local Government Act 1972;

(3) the consent of the Secretary of State under Schedule 1 of the

Academies Act to the appropriation of the education land has already been

obtained; and

(4) the making of an application to the Secretary of State under Section 19 of

the Housing Act 1985 be approved for consent to the appropriation referred to

above.

Having considered an officer report, and a presentation by the Cabinet

Member for the Public Realm, Councillor Rachel Onikosi, the Mayor agreed

the proposed consultation approach and timetable be approved.

Having considered an officer report, and a presentation by the Cabinet

Member for the Public Realm, Councillor Rachel Onikosi, the Mayor, for the

reasons set out in the report:

RESOLVED that the proposed consultation approach and timetable be

approved.

Having considered an officer report, and a presentation by the Cabinet

Member for Children & Young People, Councillor Paul Maslin, the Mayor

agreed that:

(1) the Instrument of Government for St. Mary Magdalen’s Catholic Primary

School be made by Local Authority order dated 15 July 2015; and

(2) the Instrument of Government the Local Authority is proposing to make by

order be also agreed by the Southwark Diocesan Board of Education ,

Trustees, Foundation Governors and the Local Authority.

Having considered an officer report, and a presentation by the Cabinet

Member for Children & Young People, Councillor Paul Maslin, the Mayor, for

the reasons set out in the report:

RESOLVED that:

(1) the Instrument of Government for St. Mary Magdalen’s Catholic Primary

School be made by Local Authority order dated 15 July 2015; and

(2) the Instrument of Government the Local Authority is proposing to make by

order be also agreed by the Southwark Diocesan Board of Education,  

Trustees, Foundation Governors and the Local Authority.

Having considered an officer report, and a presentation by the Cabinet

Member for Children & Young People, Councillor Paul Maslin, the Mayor

agreed that Stephen Kenny be nominated as a Local Authority Governor to

the Good Shepherd Catholic Primary School and the information concerning

the recommended nominated governor be noted.

Having considered an officer report, and a presentation by the Cabinet

Member for Children & Young People, Councillor Paul Maslin, the Mayor, having considered the information relating to the candidate:

RESOLVED that Stephen Kenny be nominated as a Local Authority Governor

to the Good Shepherd Catholic Primary School and the information

concerning the recommended nominated governor be noted.

Having considered an officer report, and a presentation by the Cabinet

Member for Housing, Councillor Damien Egan, the Mayor agreed that:

(1) the rationale for considering a change to the service delivery

model in the Council’s sheltered housing stock, and the three potential

models for a new model as set out be noted;

(2) the proposals include the provision of a service charge assistance fund, to

assist tenants with the financial transition;

(3) if finally approved, these proposals would all see a management and

operational transfer of the service from the Council to Lewisham Homes;

(4) Officers immediately commence a comprehensive consultation exercise,

with all tenants currently residing in sheltered housing and their

representatives, regarding those three options;

(5) the outcome of this consultation be brought before Mayor and Cabinet for

final decision making before any change be implemented; and

(6) the plans for capital investment within the 18 sheltered housing

Schemes come forward separately to the consultation relating to the service

model, and all 18 schemes be brought to the Decent Homes standard and in

the following six schemes a new investment standard be trialled.

? Commodore Court

? Fairfields

? The White House

? The Vineries

? Lawrie Park Road

? Talbot Court

Having considered an officer report, and a presentation by the Cabinet

Member for Housing, Councillor Damien Egan, the Mayor, for the reasons set

out in the report:

RESOLVED that

(1) the rationale for considering a change to the service delivery

model in the Council’s sheltered housing stock, and the three potential

models for a new model as set out be noted;

(2) the proposals include the provision of a service charge assistance fund, to

assist tenants with the financial transition;

(3) if finally approved, these proposals would all see a management and

operational transfer of the service from the Council to Lewisham Homes;

(4) Officers immediately commence a comprehensive consultation exercise,

with all tenants currently residing in sheltered housing and their

representatives, regarding those three options;

(5) the outcome of this consultation be brought before Mayor and Cabinet for

final decision making before any change be implemented; and

(6) the plans for capital investment within the 18 sheltered housing

Schemes come forward separately to the consultation relating to the service

model, and all 18 schemes be brought to the Decent Homes standard and in

the following six schemes a new investment standard be trialled.

? Commodore Court

? Fairfields

? The White House

? The Vineries

? Lawrie Park Road

? Talbot Court

Having considered an officer report, and a presentation by the Cabinet

Member for Housing, Councillor Damien Egan, the Mayor agreed that:

(1) relevant evidence b noted gathered for Housing Select Committee

which suggests the worst private rented sector housing in the borough is

located in flats above commercial premises, particularly concentrated in

secondary and tertiary shopping streets across the borough;

(2) if it is decided to proceed with an additional licensing scheme for flats

above commercial premises, there will be costs to the council of between

£350k and £480k per year for a period of 5 years, i.e. a total of up to £2.4m

over 5 years;

(3) consideration of “additional” licensing in the area of the London Borough of

Lewisham be approved and that the required public consultation be

commenced by officers;

(4) officers develop the public consultation document containing the detailed

proposals and terms of the scheme and report back on the results of the

consultation to Mayor & Cabinet later this year.

Having considered an officer report, and a presentation by the Cabinet

Member for Housing, Councillor Damien Egan, the Mayor for the reasons set

out in the report:

RESOLVED that

(1) relevant evidence b noted gathered for Housing Select Committee

which suggests the worst private rented sector housing in the borough is

located in flats above commercial premises, particularly concentrated in

secondary and tertiary shopping streets across the borough;

(2) if it is decided to proceed with an additional licensing scheme for flats

above commercial premises, there will be costs to the council of between

£350k and £480k per year for a period of 5 years, i.e. a total of up to £2.4m

over 5 years;

(3) consideration of “additional” licensing in the area of the London Borough of

Lewisham be approved and that the required public consultation be

commenced by officers;

(4) officers develop the public consultation document containing the detailed

proposals and terms of the scheme and report back on the results of the

consultation to Mayor & Cabinet later this year.

Having considered an officer report, and a presentation by the Cabinet

Member for Resources, Councillor Kevin Bonavia, the Mayor agreed that

(1) the current financial forecasts for the year ending 31 March 2015 and the

action being taken by the Executive Directors to manage down the forecasted

yearend overspend be noted; and

(2) the updated capital programme budgets as set out be noted.

(3) the 2016/17 to 2019/20 Medium Term Financial Strategy be noted and a

further update be brought back as part of the savings and budget setting

process to reflect any changes arising from the CSR 2015 expected in the

Autumn.

Both reports were presented by Councillor Bonavia who advised that

substantial strategy changes were likely to be required once the results of the

Comprehensive Spending Review were known.

Having considered officer reports, and a presentation by the Cabinet

Member for Resources, Councillor Kevin Bonavia, the Mayor, for the reasons

set out in the reports:

RESOLVED that

(1) the current financial forecasts for the year ending 31 March 2015 and the

action being taken by the Executive Directors to manage down the forecasted

yearend overspend be noted; and

(2) the updated capital programme budgets as set out be noted.

(3) the 2016/17 to 2019/20 Medium Term Financial Strategy be noted and a

further update be brought back as part of the savings and budget setting

process to reflect any changes arising from the CSR 2015 expected in the

Autumn.

Having considered an officer report, and a presentation by the Deputy Mayor

Councillor Alan Smith, the Mayor agreed that:

(1) the Lewisham Local Plan: Consultation on Main Issues be approved for

public consultation and recommend the Council do the same; and

(2) authority be delegated to the Executive Director for Resources and

Regeneration to make any minor alterations to the consultation document

prior to the start of the formal consultation.

Having considered an officer report, and a presentation by the Deputy Mayor

Councillor Alan Smith, the Mayor, for the reasons set out in the report:

RESOLVED that

(1) the Lewisham Local Plan: Consultation on Main Issues be approved for

public consultation and recommend the Council do the same; and

(2) authority be delegated to the Executive Director for Resources and

Regeneration to make any minor alterations to the consultation document

prior to the start of the formal consultation.

Agreed.

RESOLVED that in accordance with Regulation 4(2)(b) of the Local

Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to

Information)(England) Regulations 2012 and 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, and

the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public

interest in disclosing the information.

23        Homeless Hostel Investment Programme.

24        Disposal of Land interest at Arcus Road/Chingley Close.

25        Milford Towers Leasing Scheme.

Having considered a confidential officer report, and a presentation by the

Cabinet Member for Housing, Councillor Damien Egan, the Mayor agreed

that:

(1) the two potential investment opportunities to improve both the quality and

the quantity of hostel provision for single homeless clients as set out be noted;

(2) having considered the relevant benefits and risks associated with the two

potential options for the funding of the Deptford Reach development project,

agrees that the Council should directly grant fund the development, using a

stated amount of S106 funding; and

(3) authority be delegated to the Executive Director for Customer Services, in

consultation with the Director of Regeneration and Asset Management and

Head of Law, to finalise the terms of the grant agreement with Deptford Reach

for the S106 funding.

Having considered a confidential officer report, and a presentation by the

Cabinet Member for Housing, Councillor Damien Egan, the Mayor, for the

reasons set out in the report:

RESOLVED that

(1) the two potential investment opportunities to improve both the quality and

the quantity of hostel provision for single homeless clients as set out be noted;

(2) having considered the relevant benefits and risks associated with the two

potential options for the funding of the Deptford Reach development project,

agrees that the Council should directly grant fund the development, using a

stated amount of S106 funding; and

(3) authority be delegated to the Executive Director for Customer Services, in

consultation with the Director of Regeneration and Asset Management and

Head of Law, to finalise the terms of the grant agreement with Deptford Reach

for the S106 funding.

Having considered an officer report, and a presentation by the Deputy Mayor

Councillor Alan Smith, the Mayor agreed that:

(1) the old allotment site at Arcus Road and the strip of land at the rear

of Swiftsden Way/Chingley Close BR1 (Plots C and D on an attached plan),

be declared surplus to requirements;

(2) the proposed land swap with Phoenix Community Housing be approved at

nil consideration, whereby the Council acquires the freehold interest in two

parcels of land on Launcelot Road (Plots A and B on an attached plan ) to

enable the expansion of Launcelot School and simultaneously disposes of its

freehold interest in the land referred to at recommendation 2.1 above; and

(3) authority be delegated to the Director of Regeneration and Asset

Management, in consultation with the Head of Law, to negotiate and agree

the final terms of the disposal.

Having considered a confidential officer report, and a presentation by the

Deputy Mayor Councillor Alan Smith, the Mayor, for the reasons set out in the

report:

RESOLVED that

(1) the old allotment site at Arcus Road and the strip of land at the rear

of Swiftsden Way/Chingley Close BR1 (Plots C and D on an attached plan),

be declared surplus to requirements;

(2) the proposed land swap with Phoenix Community Housing be approved at

nil consideration, whereby the Council acquires the freehold interest in two

parcels of land on Launcelot Road (Plots A and B on an attached plan ) to

enable the expansion of Launcelot School and simultaneously disposes of its

freehold interest in the land referred to at recommendation 2.1 above; and

(3) authority be delegated to the Director of Regeneration and Asset

Management, in consultation with the Head of Law, to negotiate and agree

the final terms of the disposal.

Having considered a confidential officer report, and a presentation by the

Cabinet Member for Housing, Councillor Damien Egan, the Mayor agreed

that:

(1) the environmental and financial benefits of the leasing arrangement with

Notting Hill and the rationale for extending the current arrangements be noted;

(2) subject to Secretary of State’s consent being obtained under Section 32 of

the Housing Act 1985, approval be given for the leasing arrangement to be

extended for up to a further three years to December 2018, with reviews to be

held annually, and the ability for both parties to end the arrangement at the

annual review stage;

(3) Council be recommended to apply to the Secretary of State for permission

under Section 32 of the Housing Act 1985 to extend the leasing arrangement

in the manner set out ; and

(4) authority be delegated to the Executive Director for Customer Services, in

consultation with the Director of Regeneration and Asset Management and

the Head of Law, to agree the final terms of the extension with Notting Hill and

all associated legal documentation.

Having considered a confidential officer report, and a presentation by the

Cabinet Member for Housing, Councillor Damien Egan, the Mayor, for the

reasons set out in the report:

RESOLVED that

(1) the environmental and financial benefits of the leasing arrangement with

Notting Hill and the rationale for extending the current arrangements be noted;

(2) subject to Secretary of State’s consent being obtained under Section 32 of

the Housing Act 1985, approval be given for the leasing arrangement to be

extended for up to a further three years to December 2018, with reviews to be

held annually, and the ability for both parties to end the arrangement at the

annual review stage;

(3) Council be recommended to apply to the Secretary of State for permission

under Section 32 of the Housing Act 1985 to extend the leasing arrangement

in the manner set out; and

(4) authority be delegated to the Executive Director for Customer Services, in

consultation with the Director of Regeneration and Asset Management and

the Head of Law, to agree the final terms of the extension with Notting Hill and

all associated legal documentation.

The meeting closed at 9.25pm