Agenda, decisions and minutes

None.

None were made.

Animal Welfare Charter

Following discussion at the Overview and Scrutiny Business Panel on

February 14, Panel Members welcomed the updated Charter, and agreed to

make the following comments to Mayor and Cabinet:

i. The Business Panel believe that the fact that this policy was not reviewed

for many years shows that the Council should have a policy tracking system in

place to ensure timely and regular reviews of all policies.

The Mayor said given recent improvements to IT he would have a valid

expectation to use technology to track policies

ii. Whilst welcoming the new Animal Welfare policy the Business Panel would

like officers to explore signing up Council partners, particularly Lewisham

Homes and RSL.

The Mayor said it made perfect sense to contact other landlords and he

thanked officers for the work done so far in promoting the Animal Welfare

Charter.

Animal Welfare Charter

A referral was presented by Councillor Alan Hall, the Chair of the Overview & Scrutiny Business Panel, who reported the Panel had received a very interesting presentation from officers in the Customer Services Directorate who were to be commended for their efforts.

Councillor Hall confirmed that following discussion at the Overview and Scrutiny Business Panel on February 14, Panel Members welcomed the updated Charter, and agreed to make the following comments to Mayor and Cabinet:

i. The Business Panel believe that the fact that this policy was not reviewed

for many years shows that the Council should have a policy tracking system in

place to ensure timely and regular reviews of all policies.

The Mayor said given recent improvements to IT he would have a valid

expectation to use technology to track policies

ii. Whilst welcoming the new Animal Welfare policy the Business Panel would

like officers to explore signing up Council partners, particularly Lewisham

Homes and RSL.

The Mayor said it made perfect sense to contact other landlords and he

thanked officers for the work done so far in promoting the Animal Welfare

Charter.

The Mayor noted the Housing Action Zones response was now scheduled for

March.

The Mayor noted the Housing Action Zones response was now scheduled for

March.

RESOLVED that the report be noted.

Having considered the Select Committee’s report, the Mayor agreed that the

views of the Select Committee as set out be received and the Executive

Director for Community Services be asked to prepare a response for Mayoral

consideration.

Having considered the Select Committee’s report, the Mayor:

RESOLVED that the views of the Select Committee as set out be received

and the Executive Director for Community Services be asked to prepare a

response for Mayoral consideration.

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

Member for Resources, Councillor Kevin Bonavia, the Mayor agreed

that:

(1) Council be recommended to agree a Band D Council Tax for 2017/18 of

£1,157.68 for the Council’s element. This is an increase of 4.99% (including a

social care precept of 3%), based on a General Fund Budget Requirement of

£232.746m for 2017/18;

(2) Council be asked to note an overall increase in the total Council Tax for

2017/18 of 4.28% to include the Greater London Authority (GLA) precept

being increased by £4.02 to £280.02 (Band D equivalent), a 1.46% increase

from its 2016/17 level as proposed;

(3) Council be recommended to agree on 22 February 2017, the statutory

calculation of the Budget Requirement for Lewisham for 2017/18, attached at

Appendix A;

(4) Council be recommended to agree on 22 February 2017, the motion on

the budget, attached at Appendix B, including modifications made to the

proposals published in the 2017/18 Budget Report;

(5) the provisional and estimated precept and levies from the GLA and other

bodies as detailed in Appendix C be noted and authority be delegated to the

Executive Director for Resources and Regeneration to include any changes to

these in the report for Council;

(6) the final settlement figure for 2017/18 is yet to be announced, and is now

expected in the week commencing the 20 February;

(7) there were no responses from Business rate payers to the consultation on

the draft Budget which took place from 20 January 2017 to 3 February 2017;

(8) the Section 25 Statement from the Chief Financial Officer, attached at

Appendix D be received;

(9) the Q11 savings proposal in respect of Meliot Road, as attached at

Appendix E, be approved.

Councillor Bonavia reported that he had hoped this would be the final update

but a further update was possible following the confirmation of the Local

Government Finance Settlement on February 22.

Councillor Bonavia pointed out the Q11 Revenue Budget Saving was now

brought back for confirmation. He added the GLA precept had been confirmed

as rising by 1.5% and a Lewisham Council Tax rise of 4.99% was being

proposed.

The Executive Director for Resources and Regeneration’s representative

confirmed no feedback had been received from the Business Rates

consultation and the Section 151 Officer was now happy to endorse the

Budget.

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:

(1) Council be recommended to agree a Band D Council Tax for 2017/18 of

£1,157.68 for the Council’s element. This is an increase of 4.99% (including a

social care precept of 3%), based on a General Fund Budget Requirement of

£232.746m for 2017/18;

(2) Council be asked to note an overall increase in the total Council Tax for

2017/18 of 4.28% to include the Greater London Authority (GLA) precept

being increased by £4.02 to £280.02 (Band D equivalent), a 1.46% increase

from its 2016/17 level as proposed;

(3) Council be recommended to agree on 22 February 2017, the statutory

calculation of the Budget Requirement for Lewisham for 2017/18, attached at

Appendix A;

(4) Council be recommended to agree on 22 February 2017, the motion on

the budget, attached at Appendix B, including modifications made to the

proposals published in the 2017/18 Budget Report;

(5) the provisional and estimated precept and levies from the GLA and other

bodies as detailed in Appendix C be noted and authority be delegated to the

Executive Director for Resources and Regeneration to include any changes to

these in the report for Council;

(6) the final settlement figure for 2017/18 is yet to be announced, and is now

expected in the week commencing the 20 February;

(7) there were no responses from Business rate payers to the consultation on

the draft Budget which took place from 20 January 2017 to 3 February 2017;

(8) the Section 25 Statement from the Chief Financial Officer, attached at

Appendix D be received;

(9) the Q11 savings proposal in respect of Meliot Road, as attached at

Appendix E, be approved.

Having considered an officer report and a presentation by the Cabinet

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

that the response prepared by the Executive Director for Community Services

be approved and reported to the Sustainable Development Select Committee.

The report was presented by Councillor Onikosi who said she was in

agreement with the suggestions made by the Select Committee.

Councillor Smith highlighted an event being organised by the Ella Roberta

Family Foundation, the details of which he would circulate to all Councillors.

In agreeing the response, the Mayor added this was an issue which deserved

a raised profile and he would expect suggestions to highlight the issue to

come forward in the coming year.

Having considered an officer report and a presentation by the Cabinet

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

RESOLVED that the response prepared by the Executive Director for

Community Services be approved and reported to the Sustainable

Development Select Committee.

Having considered an officer report and a presentation by the Cabinet

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

agreed that the response prepared by the Executive Director for Children &

Young People be approved and reported to the Children & Young People

Select Committee.

Having considered an officer report and a presentation by the Cabinet

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

RESOLVED that the response prepared by the Executive Director for Children

& Young People be approved and reported to the Children & Young People

Select Committee.

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

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

agreed that the following person be nominated as a School Governor for the

school shown.

Levin Wheller           Torridon Infants School

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

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

RESOLVED that the following person be nominated as a School Governor for

the school shown.

Levin Wheller: Torridon Infants School

The meeting closed at 6.15pm