Agenda, decisions and draft minutes

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the last meeting of Mayor and Cabinet held on 20 September 2023 be agreed as an accurate record.

It was MOVED, SECONDED and RESOLVED that the Minutes of the last meeting of Mayor and Cabinet held on 20 September 2023 be agreed as an accurate record.

No interests were declared.

No interests were declared at the meeting.

1.     Referral from Forest Hill Assembly regarding GP provision in the ward

2.     Comments of the Sustainable Development Select Committee on Levelling Up Funding

3.     Comments of the Sustainable Development Select Committee on Sustainable Streets

4.     Comments of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee on Asset Management

It was MOVED, SECONDED and RESOLVED that Mayor and Cabinet:

·            Noted the motion relating to a resolution from Forest Hill Assembly, and that the request be forwarded to the Health and Wellbeing Board to consider carrying out an up-to-date study of health needs in the Forest Hill area, with a view to increasing GP capacity in the Forest Hill ward.

·            Considered comments and views made by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee that arose from discussions on Asset Management, and that those be forwarded to the Interim Executive Director of Place for a response.

·            Considered comments and views made by of the Sustainable Development Select Committee that arose from discussions relating to the delivering of the Levelling Up Fund Programme in Lewisham Town Centre, and that those be forwarded to the Interim Executive Director of Place for a response.

·            Considered comments and views made by the Sustainable Development Select Committee that arose from discussions relating to the sustainable streets programme, and that those be forwarded to the Interim Executive Director of Place for a response.

3.1     Resolution from Forest Hill Assembly regarding General Practitioners’ provision in the Forest Hill ward.

3.1.1   Councillor Billy Harding addressed the meeting both as the Chair of the Forest Hill Assembly (Assembly) and a ward Councillor of Forest Hill on the resolution.  He expressed his support for the Assembly’s request that Mayor and Cabinet should ask the Lewisham Health and Wellbeing Board to consider carrying out an up-to-date health needs in the Forest Hill area, with a view to increasing GP capacity in that ward. 

3.1.2   It was recognised that should any primary healthcare needs be carried out as requested, that could result in a change in access to primary care in the Forest Hill ward.

3.1.3   The meeting also noted that the Assembly’s resolution closely aligned:

·            To priority Health and Wellbeing of residents because it was concerned with access to primary care and reducing health inequalities, especially for those whom walking or travelling long distances might be challenging.

·            To the Cleaner and Greener priority by potentially supporting and enabling residents to use active travel for their health appointments, as they would be less likely to use a vehicle to get to a GP’s appointment if the surgery venue was nearer to their homes. 

The Assembly’s request was AGREED.

3.2     Comments on the Overview and Scrutiny Committee (OSC) on Asset Management

3.2.1   Councillor Rudi Schmidt addressed the meeting as Chair of the OSC, highlighting comments and views made by the OSC that arose from discussions on Asset Management. 

3.2.2   The meeting noted that the OSC were recommending that:

·                The asset management strategy should come to OSC prior to its consideration by Mayor and Cabinet (at the OSC meeting on 6 February 2024, if timelines allowed).

·                There should be a wider consideration of the value of land - its economic value, geographical location and social value should be included in all key considerations in the decision-making process for the development or disposals of assets.

·                Master planning for the long-term use of the Council’s assets should take place, including combined use, creative zones, and industrial units.

·                The Council should consider a wider acquisition strategy.

·                A more ambitious investment partnership strategy should be adopted.

·                All assets proposed for disposal or change of use should be highlighted to scrutiny, and ward councillors, including those below the key decision threshold of £1.5m.

·                Equalities considerations should be part of all asset management decisions, with Equalities Analysis Assessments (EAAs) carried out where required.

·                Ongoing clarity should be provided in relation to existing and potential plans for meeting net zero ambition, including planned and necessary works, as well as secured funding and gaps.

The referral by the OSC was AGREED.

3.3     Comments of the Sustainable Development Select Committee (SDSC) on the Levelling Up Fund Programme in Lewisham Town Centre

3.3.1   Councillor James Royston addressed the meeting as Chair of the SDSC, requesting that Mayor and Cabinet note matters that arose from the SDSC’s discussions on the delivering of the Levelling Up Fund Programme in Lewisham Town Centre.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

It was MOVED, SECONDED and RESOLVED that Mayor & Cabinet noted progress on the delivering against the key priorities for the Council in preventing and reducing offending by children and young people as outlined in the updated Lewisham’s Youth Justice Plan attached to the report for subsequent consideration by the Youth Justice Board for approval, and further submission to full Council for a sign-off.

The open officer report was introduced by Councillor Chris Barnham.

Having considered the officer’s report, it was MOVED, SECONDED and RESOLVED that Mayor and Cabinet:

·       Noted progress on the delivering against the key priorities for the Council in preventing and reducing offending by children and young people as outlined in the updated Lewisham’s Youth Justice Plan attached to the report for subsequent consideration by the Youth Justice Board for approval, and further submission to full Council for a sign-off.

It was MOVED, SECONDED and RESOLVED that Mayor & Cabinet:

1              Noted progress made to date in establishing the Levelling Up Fund (LUF) programme and ongoing delivery.

2              Authorised that officers run a procurement of the required works and services for Project 1, Lewisham Market Revitalisation, by March 2026 totalling £3,965,000 including:

·       Canopy construction

·       Professional services

·       Market equipment (including additional stalls)

3              Authorised that officers run a procurement of the required works and services for Project 3, Public Realm Improvements by March 2026 totalling £11,630,000, including:

·       Specialist design services in respect of Hostile Vehicle Mitigation

·       Street furniture

·       Clock tower restoration

4              Approved the variation of the measured term contract dated 1^st April 2023 between the Council and FM Conway Ltd to include public realm improvement works.

5              Approved the variation of the Private Finance Initiative contract dated August 2011 between the Council and Milestone to include the provision of lighting and power.

6              Delegated authority to the Interim Executive Director of Place to select an appropriate route for the delivery of street furniture and depending on that selection either: (i) authorise officers to run a procurement for a contract for delivery of street furniture or (ii) approve the variation of the measured term contract include the delivery of street furniture.

7              Noted that Mutual Ventures are appointed by single tender action to provide programme management consultancy support to the programme with an indicative allocation of £45,000.  Mutual Ventures wrote the LUF bid and provided initial mobilisation support of the programme.  It would benefit the programme by continuing their involvement to provide support and challenge in ensuring the programme is being delivered effectively.  Mutual Ventures are working with a number of other councils in delivering their LUF programmes so there is benefit from sharing challenges and approaches.

8              Noted the procurement of external consultants to deliver a programme evaluation – expert support with summative evaluation up to the to be delivered by 2027 with an indicative allocation of £50,000.

9              In respect of each new procurement described above, delegated authority to the Interim Executive Director of Place to select the preferred providers in accordance with the selection criteria published in each of the tender documentations and agree and enter into the final form of contract to the preferred bidder in each case provided that the total value of the contracts to be entered into is no more than £15,690,000 in totality.

The open officer report was introduced by Councillor Kim Powell.

Having considered the officer’s report, it was MOVED, SECONDED and RESOLVED that Mayor and Cabinet:

1              Noted progress made to date in establishing the Levelling Up Fund (LUF) programme and ongoing delivery.

2              Authorised that officers run a procurement of the required works and services for Project 1, Lewisham Market Revitalisation, by March 2026 totalling £3,965,000 including:

·       Canopy construction

·       Professional services

·       Market equipment (including additional stalls)

3              Authorised that officers run a procurement of the required works and services for Project 3, Public Realm Improvements by March 2026 totalling £11,630,000, including:

·       Specialist design services in respect of Hostile Vehicle Mitigation

·       Street furniture

·       Clock tower restoration

4              Approved the variation of the measured term contract dated 1^st April 2023 between the Council and FM Conway Ltd to include public realm improvement works.

5              Approved the variation of the Private Finance Initiative contract dated August 2011 between the Council and Milestone to include the provision of lighting and power.

6              Delegated authority to the Interim Executive Director of Place to select an appropriate route for the delivery of street furniture and depending on that selection either: (i) authorise officers to run a procurement for a contract for delivery of street furniture or (ii) approve the variation of the measured term contract include the delivery of street furniture.

7              Noted that Mutual Ventures were appointed by single tender action to provide programme management consultancy support to the programme with an indicative allocation of £45,000.  Mutual Ventures wrote the LUF bid and provided initial mobilisation support of the programme.  It would benefit the programme by continuing their involvement to provide support and challenge in ensuring the programme is being delivered effectively.  Mutual Ventures were working with a number of other councils in delivering their LUF programmes so there would be a benefit from sharing challenges and approaches.

8              Noted the procurement of external consultants to deliver a programme evaluation – expert support with summative evaluation up to the to be delivered by 2027 with an indicative allocation of £50,000.

9              In respect of each new procurement described above, delegated authority to the Interim Executive Director of Place to select the preferred providers in accordance with the selection criteria published in each of the tender documentations and to agree and enter into the final form of contract to the preferred bidder in each case provided that the total value of the contracts to be entered into is no more than £15,690,000 in totality.

It was MOVED, SECONDED and RESOLVED that Mayor and Cabinet:

1.    Noted the findings of the data monitoring that took place in February 2023;

2.    Noted the update on the delivery of the complementary measures within the Lee Green Low Traffic Neighbourhood (LTN) and the surrounding area; and

3.    Agreed that further monitoring take place in February2024 for continued assessment of the LTN.

The open officer report was introduced by Councillor Louise Krupski (Councillor Krupski joined the meeting remotely and therefore was not considered as voting on the decisions in the report).

Having considered an open officer report, it was MOVED, SECONDED and RESOLVED that Mayor and Cabinet:

1.    Noted the findings of the data monitoring that took place in February 2023;

2.    Noted the update on the delivery of the complementary measures within the Lee Green Low Traffic Neighbourhood (LTN) and the surrounding area; and

3.    Agreed that further monitoring take place in February2024 for continued assessment of the LTN.

It was MOVED, SECONDED and RESOLVED that Mayor & Cabinet approved the three-year Lewisham Dementia Strategy (2023 – 2026).

The open officer report was introduced by Councillor Amanda De Ryk on behalf of Councillor Paul Bell, whose apology for absence was noted earlier on in the meeting.

Having considered the officer’s report, it was MOVED, SECONDED and RESOLVED that Mayor and Cabinet approved the three-year Lewisham Dementia Strategy (2023 – 2026).

It was MOVED, SECONDED and RESOLVED that Mayor and Cabinet noted the contents of the report and the Social Value Impact Report, including how the latest social value policy was having an impact, as well as the future ambitions for social value reporting and practice.

The open officer report was introduced by Councillor Amanda De Ryk.

Having considered the officer’s report, it was MOVED, SECONDED and RESOLVED that Mayor and Cabinet noted the contents of the report and the Social Value Impact Report, including how the latest social value policy was having an impact, as well as the future ambitions for social value reporting and practice.

It was MOVED, SECONDED and RESOLVED that Mayor and Cabinet noted the current financial forecasts for the year ending 31 March 2024 and that Executive Directors should continue to work in bringing forward action plans to manage down budget pressures within their directorates.

The open officer report was introduced by Councillor Amanda De Ryk.

Having considered the officer’s report, it was MOVED, SECONDED and RESOLVED that Mayor and Cabinet noted the current financial forecasts for the year ending 31 March 2024 and that Executive Directors should continue to work in bringing forward action plans to manage down budget pressures within their directorates.