Agenda, decisions and minutes

None.

None were made.

Approved.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on October 21 2020 be

confirmed and signed as a correct record.

Having considered open officer reports, and presentations by the Cabinet

Member for Housing and Planning, Councillor Paul Bell, and the Cabinet

Member Community Sector, Councillor Jonathan Slater, the Mayor and

Cabinet agreed that: 

(1) Response to Housing Select Committee on Overcrowding – that the

recommendations to note be approved.

(2) Response to Safer Stronger Select Committee on Equalities – that the

response be approved and reported to the Select Committee.

(3) Response to Sustainable Development Select Committee on the Local

Plan - that the response be approved and reported to the Select Committee.

Having considered open officer reports, and presentations by the Cabinet

Member for Housing and Planning, Councillor Paul Bell, and the Cabinet

Member Community Sector, Councillor Jonathan Slater, the Mayor and

Cabinet by unanimous votes of 10-0:

RESOLVED that: 

(1) Response to Housing Select Committee on Overcrowding – that the

recommendations to note be approved and reported to the Select Committee.

(2) Response to Safer Stronger Select Committee on Equalities – that the

response be approved and reported to the Select Committee.

(3) Response to Sustainable Development Select Committee on the Local

Plan - that the response be approved and reported to the Select Committee.

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

Member for Democracy, Refugees and Accountability, Councillor Kevin

Bonavia, and by the Chief Executive of the Lewisham Refugee and Migrant

Network, Rosario Guimba-Stewart, and by a resettled family member, the

Mayor and Cabinet agreed that:

(1) the context for the development of a corporate strategy on sanctuary be

noted;

(2) the proposed strategy and the action planning framework it governs be

noted; and

(3) the strategy and associated framework be approved.

The report was introduced by Councillor Kevin Bonavia who underlined

Lewisham’s existing commitments to supporting refugees with the proposal

for a Sanctuary Strategy being the latest manifestation of continual efforts to

meet the needs of refugees. Councillor Bonavia highlighted and thanked the

Voluntary Sector in Lewisham for all their assistance in supporting refugees.

The Cabinet was addressed by Waeed Adnan Almbasbes, who explained she

had been a primary school teacher in Syria but had spent 7 years in a refugee

camp in Jordan before coming to Lewisham a year ago. She expressed

gratitude for the welcome and support she had received in Lewisham and told

how well her children were adapting and of the steps her husband had taken

towards gainful employment.

A further presentation was offered by Rosario Guimba Stewart, the Chief

Executive of the Lewisham Refugee and Migrant who said she had been in

post since 2018. She explained the work undertaken by her organisation

which was delighted to join with the Council and Voluntary Sector bodies in

assisting refugees.

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

Member for Democracy, Refugees and Accountability, Councillor Kevin

Bonavia, and by the Chief Executive of the Lewisham Refugee and Migrant

Network, Rosario Guimba-Stewart, and by a resettled family member, the

Mayor and Cabinet, for the reasons set out in the report and by a roll call vote

of 10-0:

RESOLVED that:

(1) the context for the development of a corporate strategy on sanctuary be

noted;

(2) the proposed strategy and the action planning framework it governs be

noted; and

(3) the strategy and associated framework be approved.

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

Member for Housing & Planning, Councillor Paul Bell, the Mayor and Cabinet

agreed that Mayor and Cabinet be asked to agree the final strategies for

immediate publication.

The Mayor asked that his thanks to Officers, who had successfully brought

two strategies together, be recorded.

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

Member for Housing & Planning, Councillor Paul Bell, the Mayor and Cabinet,

for the reasons set out in the report and by a roll call vote of 10-0:

RESOLVED that the final strategies be approved for immediate publication.

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

Member for Housing & Planning, Councillor Paul Bell, the Mayor and Cabinet

agreed that a 12 week public consultation on the proposed changes to the

Allocations Policy be approved, as set out below, summarised in section 9,

and detailed in Appendix A, to consult on:

(a) changes to the banding structure

(b) changes to band allocation for several primary rehousing reasons

(c) introducing a new ‘smart letting’ approach to maximise the number of

properties available to let

(d) reducing the ‘three offer’ rule to ‘two offer’ rule

(e) updating the bidding process

(f) reviewing how large properties are let

(g) delegating powers

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

Member for Housing & Planning, Councillor Paul Bell, the Mayor and Cabinet,

for the reasons set out in the report and by a roll call vote of 10-0:

RESOLVED that a 12 week public consultation on the proposed changes to

the Allocations Policy be approved, as set out below, summarised in section

9, and detailed in Appendix A, to consult on:

(a) changes to the banding structure

(b) changes to band allocation for several primary rehousing reasons

(c) introducing a new ‘smart letting’ approach to maximise the number of

properties available to let

(d) reducing the ‘three offer’ rule to ‘two offer’ rule

(e) updating the bidding process

(f) reviewing how large properties are let

(g) delegating powers

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

Member for Finance and Resources, Councillor Amanda De Ryk, the Mayor

and Cabinet agreed that:

(1) the Council’s 2020/21 Investment Strategy be changed to exclude the UK

from the minimum sovereign rating requirement of AA-; and

(2) the report be noted, in particular the macroeconomic updates,

performance of investments to date, updates on capital expenditure and

borrowing in line with the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and

Accountancy’s (CIPFA) prudential indicators, and compliance with the

Council’s Treasury Management Strategy.

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

Member for Finance and Resources, Councillor Amanda De Ryk, the Mayor

and Cabinet, for the reasons set out in the report and by a roll call vote of 10-

0:

RESOLVED that:

(1) the Council’s 2020/21 Investment Strategy be changed to exclude the UK

from the minimum sovereign rating requirement of AA-; and

(2) the report be noted, in particular the macroeconomic updates,

performance of investments to date, updates on capital expenditure and

borrowing in line with the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and

Accountancy’s (CIPFA) prudential indicators, and compliance with the

Council’s Treasury Management Strategy.

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

Member for Finance and Resources, Councillor Amanda De Ryk, the Mayor

and Cabinet agreed that:

(1) the current financial forecasts for the year ending 31 March 2021 be noted

and Executive Directors be requested to complete detailed action plans to

manage down budget pressures within their directorates; and

(2) the proposed revision of the capital programme budget be noted, as set

out in section 14, with further detail attached at appendices 3 and 4.

The report was presented by Councillor Amanda De Ryk who noted a Section

114 notice had recently been served in the London Borough of Croydon. The

Mayor received an assurance that while the Council’s financial position was

very dire, there was no imminent danger of such a notice being served in

Lewisham.

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

Member for Finance and Resources, Councillor Amanda De Ryk, the Mayor

and Cabinet, for the reasons set out in the report and by a roll call vote

of 10-0:

RESOLVED that:

(1) the current financial forecasts for the year ending 31 March 2021 be noted

and Executive Directors be requested to complete detailed action plans to

manage down budget pressures within their directorates; and

(2) the proposed revision of the capital programme budget be noted, as set

out in section 14, with further detail attached at appendices 3 and 4.

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

Member for Housing & Planning, Councillor Paul Bell, the Mayor and Cabinet

agreed that the changes outlined to Lewisham Homes Memorandum of

Association and Articles of Association be approved.

Councillor Paul Bell welcomed Margaret Dodwell, the Chief Executive of

Lewisham Homes to the meeting and indicated she was available to answer

any questions raised.

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

Member for Housing & Planning, Councillor Paul Bell, the Mayor and Cabinet

for the reasons set out in the report and by a roll call vote of 10-0:

RESOLVED that the changes outlined to Lewisham Homes Memorandum of

Association and Articles of Association be approved.

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

Member for Safer Communities, Councillor Brenda Dacres, the Mayor and

Cabinet agreed that:

(1) the revisions to the Statement of Licensing Policy be noted;

(2) the revised Statement of Licensing Policy for 2020-2025 be presented to

Council for it to be formally determined and published.

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

Member for Safer Communities, Councillor Brenda Dacres, the Mayor and

Cabinet for the reasons set out in the report and by a roll call vote of 10-0:

RESOLVED that:

(1) the revisions to the Statement of Licensing Policy be noted; and

(2) the revised Statement of Licensing Policy for 2020-2025 be presented to

Council for it to be formally determined and published.

Having considered an open and a closed officer report, and a presentation by

Cabinet Member for Democracy, Refugees and Accountability, Councillor

Kevin Bonavia, the Mayor and Cabinet agreed that:

(1) the uptake of the optional hosted Member Self Service functionality to

enhance the service provision of the Pensions Team and the Core Pensions

Software be approved;

(2) the award of contract to Heywood Ltd (t/a Aquilla Heywood) as the

successful supplier following the competitive tender for a period of 10 years at

a fixed and total cost of £1,296,221 be approved;

(3) the confidential Section 5 – Completion of the Procurement Process be

received; and

(4) the confidential Section 6 – Financial Implications Financial Implications be

received.

Having considered an open and a closed officer report, and a presentation by

Cabinet Member for Democracy, Refugees and Accountability, Councillor

Kevin Bonavia, the Mayor and Cabinet, for the reasons set out in the reports

and by roll call votes of 10-0:

RESOLVED that:

(1) the uptake of the optional hosted Member Self Service functionality to

enhance the service provision of the Pensions Team and the Core Pensions

Software be approved;

(2) the award of contract to Heywood Ltd (t/a Aquilla Heywood) as the

successful supplier following the competitive tender for a period of 10 years at

a fixed and total cost of £1,296,221 be approved;

(3) the confidentialSection 5 – Completion of the Procurement Process be

received; and

(4) the confidentialSection 6 – Financial Implications Financial Implications be

received.

Having considered open and confidential officer reports, and a presentation

by the Cabinet Member for Housing & Planning, Councillor Paul Bell, the

Mayor and Cabinet agreed that:

(1) the rationale for the proposed purchase of Sydney Arms, 122 Lewisham

Road, SE13 7NL be noted;

(2) the due diligence work already undertaken in relation to the proposed

purchase of the Sydney Arms and the further due diligence work required to

complete the business case be noted;

(3) Agreement in principle to purchase the Sydney Arms, 122 Lewisham

Road, SE13 7NL be approved;

(4) the Council enter into contract with the GLA regarding the funding

arrangement should satisfactory terms be agreed;

(5) in the event that a contract agreement cannot be reached with the GLA,

alternative options for purchasing the building be explored;

(6) authority be delegated to the Executive Director for Housing, Regeneration

and Public Realm in conjunction with the Director of Law, Governance & HR

and Executive Director for Corporate Resources to proceed with the purchase

and complete the acquisition of the Sydney Arms, 122 Lewisham Road, SE13

7NL once they are satisfied with the business case and that the purchase and

subsequent refurbishment reflects value for money;

(7) in principle agreement to purchase the Sydney Arms, 122 Lewisham

Road, SE13 7NL for not more than a stated sum plus a further sum for

legal/surveying fees, SDLT and refurbishment work be approved;

(8) the three options for purchase that have been outlined, in order of

preferred option be noted, where option 1 is to purchase and refurbish this

block alongside grant funding from the GLA (comprised of a stated amount of

capital funding), dependent on satisfactory agreement over the conditions of

the funding arrangement; and

(9) in the event that a contract agreement cannot be reached with the GLA,  

options 2 or 3 are executed to purchase the building; and

Having considered open and confidential officer reports, and a presentation

by the Cabinet Member for Housing & Planning, Councillor Paul Bell, the

Mayor and Cabinet, for the reasons set out in the reports and by a roll call

votes of 10-0:

RESOLVED that:

(1) the rationale for the proposed purchase of Sydney Arms, 122 Lewisham

Road, SE13 7NL be noted;

(2) the due diligence work already undertaken in relation to the proposed

purchase of the Sydney Arms and the further due diligence work required to

complete the business case be noted;

(3) Agreement in principle to purchase the Sydney Arms, 122 Lewisham

Road, SE13 7NL be approved;

(4) the Council enter into contract with the GLA regarding the funding

arrangement should satisfactory terms be agreed;

(5) in the event that a contract agreement cannot be reached with the GLA,

alternative options for purchasing the building be explored;

(6) authority be delegated to the Executive Director for Housing, Regeneration

and Public Realm in conjunction with the Director of Law, Governance & HR

and Executive Director for Corporate Resources to proceed with the purchase

and complete the acquisition of the Sydney Arms, 122 Lewisham Road, SE13

7NL once they are satisfied with the business case and that the purchase and

subsequent refurbishment reflects value for money;

(7) in principle agreement to purchase the Sydney Arms, 122 Lewisham

Road, SE13 7NL for not more than a stated sum plus a further sum for

legal/surveying fees, SDLT and refurbishment work be approved;

(8) the three options for purchase that have been outlined, in order of

preferred option be noted, where option 1 is to purchase and refurbish this

block alongside grant funding from the GLA (comprised of a stated amount of

capital funding), dependent on satisfactory agreement over the conditions of

the funding arrangement; and

(9) in the event that a contract agreement cannot be reached with the GLA, 

options 2 or 3 are executed to purchase the building.

Approved.

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 paragraph 3 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

14.       Renewal of Pension Administration IT System.

15.       Acquisition of Sydney Arms to use as Temporary Accommodation.

Considered in conjunction with the Part 1 item.

This report was considered in conjunction with the Part 1 item reported above.

This report was considered in conjunction with the Part 1 item shown above.

The meeting closed at 7.12pm