Agenda item

that the Committee would refer its views to the Public Accounts Select Committee as follows –

·         In relation to the Housing Regeneration and Public Realm savings proposals for income generation (for bulky waste, fridge/freezer collection, and mattresses) Committee members were concerned about the potential impact of the increased charges on household budgets, particularly given the recent increases in the cost of living. The Committee recommended that, if feasible, work should take place to review the effect of the changes on household budgets over time.

·         The Committee was also concerned about potential increases in littering and fly-tipping. Accordingly, the Committee recommends that additional emphasis, and (where feasible) increased publicity, should be placed on the Council’s enforcement processes and the options for the legal disposal of waste.

·         The Committee is concerned about the proposed reduction in opening hours at libraries (COM_SAV_08) particularly in relation to the Council’s offer of ‘warm welcomes’ to households and vulnerable individuals experiencing fuel poverty.

·         The Committee recommends that careful consideration should be given to any future proposals for income generation in the borough’s parks and open spaces.

4.1    David Austin (Director of Finance) introduced the report – noting the changing and uncertain economic context as well as the anticipated publication of the local government finance settlement (on 21 December). He also outlined the timetable for the development and agreement of the budget. David also responded to questions regarding a number of officer savings proposals – the following key points were noted:

·         The proposal to reduce the operation costs of corporate buildings (COR_SAV_03) was in recognition of the reduction in usage of Council buildings and the increase in options for flexible working.

·         There was work taking place across the Council to reduce reliance on agency staff.

·         The proposal to remove the empty homes Council tax exemption (COR_INC_01) would likely impact on Lewisham Homes and local housing associations. The intent was to ensure that homes were being occupied as much as possible.

·         There were complexities and challenges from generating income from events in parks.

4.2    Jennifer Daothong (Executive Director for Housing, Regeneration and Public Realm) introduced the savings proposals relating to road safety and traffic enforcement (HRPR_SAV_02 and HRPR_INC_01).

4.3    Jennifer Daothong and Zahur Khan (Director of Public Realm) responded to questions from the Committee – the following key points were noted:

·         Consideration was being given to restructuring the road safety team, in coordination with schools – regarding their requirements for patrols.

·         There would be a potential reduction in school crossing officers – but it was intended that measures would be considered alongside the plans for implementing schools streets and the use of physical safety measures.

·         It was intended that the work with schools (and existing crossing officers) would mitigate the potential impact of any reduction in the number of posts (as well as potential equalities impacts).

4.4    Jennifer Daothong introduced the savings proposals relating to fees, charges and income generation (HRPR:_INC_02, INC_03, INC_04, INC_05 and INC_06) noting the work that had taken place to benchmark charges against those levied by neighbouring authorities and highlighting the need for charges in some areas to reduce demand.

4.5    Jennifer Daothong, Zahur Khan and Seamus Adams (Head of Commercial Operations and Development) responded to questions from the Committee – the following key points were noted:

·         The Council had not reviewed a number of these budgets for several years.

·         The intent was to move toward full cost recovery for the delivery of the services as far as feasible – with the option for regular review.

·         A great deal of work had taken place in the past year to reduce illegal dumping of waste through the (self-financing) enforcement team.

·         Consideration was being given to the potential for increasing prosecutions for environmental crime.

·         There would not be charges for replacement bins damaged by refuse collection officers.

·         Monitoring of the levels of illegal dumping would take place – alongside regularly reviewing the level of take up of charged for refuse collection services.

·         Officers were mindful of the potential impact on the cost of living – but the charges for the items (and the irregularity of replacing mattresses and fridge freezers) were believed to be fair and proportionate.

·         Fines for fixed penalty notices were set nationally.

·         The Council issued fines for littering and for fly-tipping.

·         The duties of the Head of Strategic Transport were being incorporated into the role of Head of Highways – which, it was intended would ensure effective coordination and increased focus on implementation across the service.

4.6    In the Committee’s discussion the following key points were also noted:

·         Further work should take place to publicise the Councils approach to enforcement – both as a good news story and as a deterrent to those illegally dumping waste and littering.

·         There was concern about the potential impact of increasing charges during the ongoing cost of living crisis.

·         Members highlighted their concerns about proposal COM_SAV_08 (reduction in opening hours at libraries) – particularly in relation to the Council’s recent announcement of its warm havens programme.

4.7    Resolved: that the Committee would refer its views to the Public Accounts Select Committee as follows –

·         In relation to the Housing Regeneration and Public Realm savings proposals for income generation (for bulky waste, fridge/freezer collection, and mattresses) Committee members were concerned about the potential impact of the increased charges on household budgets, particularly given the recent increases in the cost of living. The Committee recommended that, if feasible, work should take place to review the effect of the changes on household budgets over time.

·         The Committee was also concerned about potential increases in littering and fly-tipping. Accordingly, the Committee recommends that additional emphasis, and (where feasible) increased publicity, should be placed on the Council’s enforcement processes and the options for the legal disposal of waste.

·         The Committee is concerned about the proposed reduction in opening hours at libraries (COM_SAV_08) particularly in relation to the Council’s offer of ‘warm welcomes’ to households and vulnerable individuals experiencing fuel poverty.

·         The Committee recommends that careful consideration should be given to any future proposals for income generation in the borough’s parks and open spaces.