Agenda and minutes

Cabinet - Tuesday 18 June 2019 4.00 pm

Venue: Ground Floor Meeting Room GO2C, 160 Tooley Street, London SE1 2QH

Contact: Paula Thornton  Phone: 020 7525 4395 Email:  paula.thornton@southwark.gov.uk

Items
No. Item

1.

Apologies

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    To receive any apologies for absence.

    Minutes:

    All members were present.

2.

Notification of any items of Business which the Chair Deems Urgent

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    In special circumstances, an item of business may be added to an agenda within five clear working days of the meeting.

    Minutes:

    The chair gave notice of the following late items:

     

    ·  Item 7: Deputation requests

     

    ·  Impact of Brexit on Southwark – Progress Report.

     

    Reasons for urgency and lateness will be specified in the relevant minutes.

3.

Notice of Intention to conduct business in a closed meeting, and any representations received

4.

Disclosure of Interests and Dispensations

    Members to declare any interests and dispensations in respect of any item of business to be considered at this meeting.

    Minutes:

    Councillor Victoria Mills declared a disclosable pecuniary interest in respect of Item 22 (Appendix 7, End Violence at Work Charter) as her partner works for UNISON.

     

    Councillor Victoria Mills confirmed her intention to withdraw from the meeting and leave the meeting room while item 22 was being discussed.

5.

Public Question Time (15 Minutes)

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    To receive any questions from members of the public which have been submitted in advance of the meeting in accordance with the cabinet procedure rules. The deadline for the receipt of a public question is midnight Wednesday 12 June 2019.

    Minutes:

    Public question from Gail Chester, chair of trustees, Feminist Library:

    “Why has Southwark Council not finalised the lease of our new premises, which is mainly dependent on a service charge agreement? In November 2018 you undertook to do a planned preventative maintenance survey, yet we’re still waiting for the service charge figure, having been packed ready to move since January.”

    Response by Councillor Victoria Mills, Cabinet Member for Finance, Performance and Brexit

    First part of question: “Why has Southwark Council not finalised the lease of our new premises”

    Response: Southwark Council remains firmly committed to seeing the Feminist Library opening its doors in a great new facility at the heart of our borough. This has not happened at the speed at which both sides hoped and we are sorry that this is the case. Both our lawyers and the lawyers for the Feminist Library have been discussing the various complexities in the agreement.  This has taken a little longer than either side would like, but unfortunately there do remain some areas of disagreement and both sides will need to move a little to resolve this. The latest version of the draft lease will be returned to your lawyers this week.

    Second part of question: “In November 2018 you undertook to do a planned preventative maintenance survey, yet we’re still waiting for the service charge figure’’

    Response: Southwark Council sees the Sojourner Truth Centre as becoming a prominent voluntary sector hub in the heart of Peckham where a range of community and non-for-profit organisations can make significant contributions to our borough. We recognise that the building is in need of investment and a proper long-term maintenance plan. Significantly we also recognise that if we are going to support voluntary sector organisations to thrive at the centre we need to make our own financial contribution and be aware of the financial constraints that our tenants here have.

    Last year we stated we will be undertaking a survey of the building and its curtilage for (1) a common parts Refurbishment, (2) a 15 years Programme of Preventative Maintenance (PPM) and (3) a new annual Service Charge (SC) budget. These are not mutually exclusive and the PPM will form part of the SC. These three pieces of work have been carried out by independent buildings, mechanical & engineering consultants and property managers. We have a draft refurbishment Specification, a draft PPM and a draft SC. All three are currently being refined to deliver a quality building fit for the future. We anticipate final specifications and schedules being available within the next week following which we shall commence the process of procuring the refurbishment. The proposed service charge will therefore be available to the building’s tenants in the same time frame – within the next week.

     

    Supplemental question

     

    Gail Chester asked a supplemental question seeking assurances on a maximum level on the service charge and that the lease issue could be resolved without delay.

     

    Councillor Mills confirmed that it was hoped that the lease  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

6.

Minutes

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    To approve as a correct record the minutes of the open section of the meeting held on 30 April 2019. 

    Supporting documents:

    Minutes:

    RESOLVED:

     

    That the minutes of the open meeting held on 30 April 2019 be approved as a correct record and signed by the chair.

7.

Deputation Requests

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    To consider any deputation requests. The deadline for the receipt of a deputation request is midnight Wednesday 12 June 2019.

    Supporting documents:

    Minutes:

    The report had not been circulated five clear days in advance of the meeting. The chair agreed to accept this deputation request as urgent as it related to an item elsewhere on the agenda for this meeting.

     

    RESOLVED:

     

    That the deputation be received.

     

    Southwark Group of Tenants Organisation (SGTO)  Tenants Council / Tenant Management Organisations (TMOs) (combined deputation)

     

    A spokesperson from each of the above named groups addressed the cabinet to highlight a number of views/concerns which included:

     

    ·  The feeling that input / contributions had been ignored

    ·  Calling into doubt issue of officer experience and knowledge

    ·  Allegations of lack of response from officers

    ·  Issues relating to the consultation

    ·  A request for TMOs to be involved in the review and consultation.

     

    Councillor Kieron Williams, cabinet member for housing management and modernisation responded saying he was happy to meet with representatives to discuss the consultation and to work towards establishing a structure that works for all.

8.

Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) scrutiny review

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    To consider recommendations from the community safety scrutiny commission and for the relevant cabinet member/s to report back within eight weeks.

    Supporting documents:

    Minutes:

    Councillor Leanne Werner presented this community safety scrutiny commission report to cabinet.

     

    RESOLVED:

     

    That the cabinet member for community safety and public health report back on the recommendations in the report (Appendix A) to cabinet within eight weeks. (Cabinet’s 16 July 2019 meeting is due to consider a strategy on this matter and the cabinet member to check whether it would be possible to bring the response slightly earlier to this July meeting).

9.

Modern Day Slavery and Trafficking scrutiny review

10.

Community Energy scrutiny review

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    To consider recommendations from the housing and environment scrutiny commission and for the relevant cabinet member/s to report back within eight weeks.

    Supporting documents:

    Minutes:

    Councillor Helen Dennis presented this housing and environment scrutiny commission report to cabinet.

     

    RESOLVED:

     

    That the cabinet member for housing management and modernisation report back on the recommendations in the report (Appendix A) to cabinet within eight weeks.

11.

Fairer Future Procurement Strategy

    To approve the updated Fairer Future Procurement Framework including the new Southwark Construction Charter.

    Supporting documents:

    Minutes:

    RESOLVED:

     

    Decisions by the Cabinet

     

    1.  That the updated Fairer Future Procurement Framework (FFPF) including the draft Southwark Construction Charter be approved.

     

    2.  That the next steps for enhancing the council’s commitment and approach to social value in procurement as outlined in paragraphs 16 – 18 of the report be noted.

     

    3.  That it be noted that there will be consequential amendments to the constitution including the contract standing orders, following the approval of the FFPF to reflect updates required as highlighted in the report.

     

    4.  That a report back on the implementation and impact of the FFPF be received by cabinet in December 2020 (and to include as far as possible information relating to service quality improvements as a result of improved employment conditions and impact on ability of small businesses to win contracts).

     

    Decision of the Leader of the Council

     

    5.  That the responsibility for any minor and consequential amendments and updates to the Fairer Future Procurement Framework be delegated to the cabinet member for finance, performance and Brexit in consultation with the director of law and democracy.

12.

Resident Involvement Review Recommendations

    To note the recommendations of the resident involvement co-design panel and subsequent consultation feedback in relation to the council’s housing engagement and involvement framework, and to agree a further round of consultation to take place between July and September 2019.

    Supporting documents:

    Minutes:

    RESOLVED:

     

    1.  That the recommendations of the Resident Involvement Co-design Panel and subsequent consultation feedback in relation to the council’s housing engagement and involvement framework be noted.

     

    2.  That the proposals by the council for a new framework that takes into account the panel’s recommendations and consultation feedback be noted:

     

    a)  That tenants & residents associations remain fundamental to the structure providing both scrutiny and community development functions for tenants and homeowners

    b)  That the functions of the existing 12 area housing forums in terms of discussing local housing issues, are incorporated into the newly established Empowering Communities Programme which will bring residents and local councillors together to discuss housing and other local issues either on a ward or multi-ward basis

    c)  That Tenant Council and Homeowner Council are replaced by one Tenants and Homeowners Forum

    d)  That the chair, deputy-chair and one other member of the proposed Tenants and Homeowners Forum are co-opted to the housing scrutiny commission, a sub-committee of the council’s overview and scrutiny committee

    e)  That an online panel of tenants and homeowners is established to provide an additional way to regularly seek the views of a wider range of residents through polls and longer consultation exercises

    f)  That the council will support tenants and homeowners to arrange an annual conference

    g)  That a new Resident Involvement Fund replaces existing separate funds which currently exist for Tenant Council  and Homeowners Council. 

     

    3.  That a further round of consultation on the proposals to take place between July and October 2019 be agreed.

     

    4.  That officers report back to cabinet by October 2019 on the outcome of the consultation.

     

    5.  That the approval of final proposals for a new Resident Involvement Framework be considered by cabinet.

13.

Southwark Pioneers Fund: Establishment

14.

Southwark Skills Strategy - Delivery Plan progress update

15.

Policy and Resources Strategy: Revenue Monitoring Outturn, including Treasury Management 2018-19

16.

Outturn Capital Monitoring for 2018-19 and Capital Programme Refresh for 2019-20 to 2027-28

17.

A Food Security Plan for Southwark

18.

Introducing a Council Advertising Policy in Southwark

    To agree the adoption of the proposed new advertising policy for Southwark Council for all council sold advertising opportunities with the borough, including through any council letting or leasing arrangements.

    Supporting documents:

    Minutes:

    RESOLVED:

     

    1.  That the adoption of the proposed new advertising policy for Southwark Council (Appendix 1 of the report) for all council sold advertising opportunities within the borough be agreed, including through any council letting or leasing arrangements.

     

    2.  That it be noted that there will be a phased implementation, that is, as and when existing contractual arrangements come up for renewal.

     

    3.  That it be noted that officers will also be contacting existing contract holders to voluntarily adopt the new policy before their contracts come up for renewal.

     

    4.  That a report back in twelve months time be received to provide an update on the advertising policy and the impacts.

19.

Digital Public Health in Southwark: Our Strategic Approach

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    To approve the overarching approach to delivering digital public health in Southwark and the exploration of a potential collaboration with Public Health England (PHE) to trial a novel digital health improvement programme utilising incentives.

     

    Supporting documents:

    Minutes:

    Councillor Richard Leeming attended cabinet to present his work on this report in his capacity as deputy cabinet member for digital inclusion.

     

    RESOLVED:

     

    1.  That the overarching approach to delivering digital public health in Southwark, with an ambition of making the borough the nation's most digitally enabled borough for public health and wellbeing be approved.

     

    2.  That it be noted a further report detailing the proposed Southwark digital health hub and campaign (#TakeCareSouthwark) will be brought to cabinet for approval later in 2019.

     

    3.  That the Southwark public health division explore a potential collaboration with Public Health England (PHE) to trial a novel digital health improvement programme utilising incentives.

20.

Appointments to Outside Bodies 2019-20

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    To consider and agree appointments to outside bodies for the 2019-20 municipal year.

    Supporting documents:

    Minutes:

    RESOLVED:

     

    That the cabinet the appointments to the outside bodies listed in Appendix A of the report for the 2019-20 municipal year be agreed as follows:

     

    Better Bankside Board

     

    Councillor Johnson Situ

     

    Blue Bermondsey Bid

     

    Councillor Sunny Lambe

     

    Board of Southwark College Corporation

     

    Councillor Stephanie Cryan

     

    Browning Estate Management Association

     

    Councillor Martin Seaton

     

    Canada Water Consultative Forum

     

    Councillor Johnson Situ

    Councillor Bill Williams

    Councillor Jane Salmon

     

    Central London Forward

     

    Councillor Peter John

     

    Centre for Literacy in Primary Education

     

    Councillor Catherine Rose

     

    Creation Trust

     

    Councillor Johnson Situ

    Councillor Jack Buck

    Councillor Paul Fleming

     

    Cross River Board

     

    Councillor Johnson Situ

     

    Crystal Palace Community Development Trust

     

    Councillor Catherine Rose

     

    Newable Limited (formerly Greater London Enterprise)

     

    Councillor Johnson Situ

     

    Groundwork London, Local Authority Strategic Input Board

     

    Councillor Richard Livingstone

     

    Guys and St. Thomas NHS Foundation (Council of Governors)

     

    Councillor Alice Macdonald

     

    Kings College Hospital NHS (Council of Governors)

     

    Councillor Richard Leeming

     

    London Road Safety Council (LRSC)

     

    Councillor Richard Livingstone

    Councillor Charlie Smith

     

    London Youth Games Limited

     

    Councillor Rebecca Lury

    Councillor Evelyn Akoto (deputy)

     

    Millwall for All

     

    Councillor Leanne Werner

     

    North Southwark Environment Trust

     

    Councillor Kath Whittam

     

    Potters Fields Park Management Trust

     

    Councillor Rebecca Lury

     

    Shared ICT Services Joint Committee

     

    Councillor Kieron Williams

    Councillor Richard Leeming

     

    South Bank Partnership

     

    Councillor Stephanie Cryan

    Councillor Adele Morris

    Councillor David Noakes

    Councillor Victor Chamberlain

     

    South Bank Business Improvement District Ltd

     

    Councillor Stephanie Cryan

    Councillor Victor Chamberlain

     

    South Bermondsey Big Local Partnership Steering Group

     

    Councillor Richard Livingstone

    Councillor Sunny Lambe

     

    South London Gallery Trustee Limited

     

    Councillor Cleo Soanes

    Councillor Radha Burgess

    Councillor Maria Linforth-Hall

     

    South London and Maudsley (SLaM) NHS Trust Members Council

     

    Councillor Helen Dennis

     

    Southwark Construction Skills Centre

     

    Councillor Stephanie Cryan

     

    Southwark and Lambeth Archaeological Excavation Committee (SLAEC)

     

    Councillor Richard Leeming

    Mr. Bob Skelly (Deputy)

     

    Safer Neighbourhood Board (Southwark)

     

    Councillor Evelyn Akoto

     

    WeAreWaterloo BID

     

    Councillor Graham Neale

21.

Nominations to Panels, Boards and Forums 2019-20

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    To agree the allocation of places to the panels, boards and forums for the 2019-20 municipal year.

    Supporting documents:

    Minutes:

    That the allocation of places to the panels, boards and forums set out in Appendix A of the report for the 2019-20 municipal year and member nominations be agreed as follows:

     

    Joint Partnership Panel (Trade-union consultation)

     

    Councillor Peter John

    Councillor Kieron Williams

     

    Homeowners Service Charge Arbitration Panel

     

    Councillor Sandra Rhule

    Councillor Sunny Lambe

    Councillor Sunil Chopra

    Councillor Jon Hartley

    Councillor Kath Whittam

    Councillor Lorraine Lauder

    Councillor Dora Dixon-Fyle

    Councillor Charlie Smith

    Councillor Nick Dolezal

    Councillor Barrie Hargrove

    Councillor Ian Wingfield

    Councillor Jane Salmon

    Councillor Eliza Mann

    Councillor Maria Linforth-Hall

    Councillor Anood Al-Samerai

     

    Tenancy and Leasehold Arbitration Tribunals

     

    Councillor Sandra Rhule

    Councillor Sunny Lambe

    Councillor Sunil Chopra

    Councillor Jon Hartley

    Councillor Kath Whittam

    Councillor Lorraine Lauder

    Councillor Dora Dixon-Fyle

    Councillor Barrie Hargrove

    Councillor Sirajul Islam

    Councillor Ian Wingfield

    Councillor Jane Salmon

    Councillor Eliza Mann

    Councillor Maria Linforth-Hall

    Councillor Graham Neale

     

    Southwark Safeguarding Adults Board

     

    Councillor Jasmine Ali

    Councillor Evelyn Akoto

     

    Southwark Safeguarding Children’s Board

     

    Councillor Jasmine Ali

    Councillor Evelyn Akoto *

     

    (*Cabinet requested that Councillor Evelyn Akoto also be invited to meetings of the board)

     

    Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education

     

    Councillor Sandra Rhule

    Councillor Sunny Lambe

    Councillor Evelyn Akoto

    Councillor William Houngbo

     

    Southwark Tenant Management Organisation Committee

     

    Councillor Kieron Williams

    Councillor Victoria Olisa

    Councillor Gavin Edwards

    Councillor Anood Al-Samerai

22.

Motions referred from Council Assembly

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    To consider motions referred from council assembly 27 March 2019 meeting as follows:

     

    ·  Declaring a climate change emergency

    ·  Making Southwark a living wage place

    ·  Nexus-Group GP services

    ·  Crossrail and cuts to Transport for London

    ·  HIV in Southwark

    ·  Reform of our broken housing economy

    ·  End violence at work charter.

    Supporting documents:

    Minutes:

    Councillor Victoria Mills having declared a disclosable pecuniary interest in Appendix 7, End Violence at Work Charter of this item, left the meeting room while this item was being discussed.

     

    RESOLVED:

     

    Declaring a climate change emergency

     

    That the motion referred from council assembly as a recommendation to cabinet, set out below be noted and agreed (relevant actions were also noted):

     

    1.  Council assembly notes:

     

    a.  Southwark’s Council Plan Commitments to make Southwark carbon neutral by 2050 and halve Southwark Council’s emissions by 2022. 

    b.  Southwark Council’s existing work to tackle climate change, including:

      i.  Cutting the council’s carbon emissions by 25%;

      ii.  Divesting pensions funds away from fossil fuels into sustainable alternatives;

      iii.  Introducing idling fines for drivers who leave their engines running while idle;

      iv.  Closing roads around schools to improve air quality;

      v.  Ensuring more people are walking and cycling rather than using greenhouse gas emitting vehicles;

      vi.  Protecting Southwark’s biodiversity;

      vii.  Keeping recycling rates high: Southwark’s are currently the highest in inner London;

      viii.  Committing to ending single use plastic in the council, halving it in the borough, and introducing water fountains to reduce plastic bottle use.

     

    2.  Council assembly further notes:

     

    a.  Humans have already caused climate change. Global temperatures have already increased by 1°C from pre-industrial levels. Atmospheric CO2 levels in excess of 400 parts per million are already far in excess of the 350 deemed the safe level for humanity.

    b.  That plastic pollution has become a widespread and critical problem throughout our society and steps must be taken to halt and reduce the flow of plastic waste into our environment. This is a problem that is not going away - all of the plastic ever created still exists today and estimates suggest that 1 in 3 fish now contain some traces of microplastic so our waste is now contaminating our food chain.

    c.  The recent 2018 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report which states that we have just 12 years to act on climate change if global temperature rises are to be kept within the recommended 1.5°C.

    c.  That the expected consequences of a 2°C instead of a 1.5°C increase in global temperatures would include 99% of warm water corals and their associated ecosystems disappearing, at least one in ten summers in the Arctic having little or no sea ice at all, 420 million more people worldwide being exposed to extreme heatwaves, sea levels at least 10cm higher, more frequent extreme weather events, and potential mass extinctions of animals.

    d.  That this Conservative government’s failure to take the radical steps required to prevent an increase of over 1.5°C is shameful. Its guidelines to only reduce carbon emissions by 80% by 2050 are woefully short of the change that is needed.

    e.  That as a largely low-lying area next to the tidal Thames, Southwark is particularly prone to the impact of sea level rises and flooding.

    f.  Rebecca Long-Bailey MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy’s recent announcement  ...  view the full minutes text for item 22.

23.

New Homes site purchase, SE15

    To authorise the acquisition of a freehold interest.

    Supporting documents:

    Minutes:

    RESOLVED:

     

    1.  That pursuant to s120 of the Local Government Act 1972 and s9 of the Housing Act 1985, the acquisition of the freehold interest in the site identified in the closed version of the report be authorised.

     

    2.  That the principal purchase terms and negotiating parameters set out in paragraph 14 of the closed version of the report and outlined in paragraph 14 of the open report be authorised.

     

    3.  That authority to agree the final terms of the acquisition provided they are not inconsistent with the principal terms and negotiating parameters and satisfy the council’s fiduciary duty be delegated to the director of regeneration in consultation with: the strategic director of housing and modernisation; the strategic director of finance and governance; and, the cabinet member for social regeneration, great estates and new council homes.

24.

Community investment plans - allocation of local CIL

    To approve the introduction of community investment plans and agree the criteria by which proposals are judged.

    Supporting documents:

    Minutes:

    RESOLVED:

     

    1.  That the introduction of Community Investment Plans be approved.

     

    2.  That officers consult with ward forum members regarding defining local communities within or across their ward boundaries.

     

    3.  That officers consult with ward forum members and local stakeholders to agree the additional theme to guide key areas of need within the ward.

     

    4.  That the criteria by which proposals are adjudged against as detailed in paragraph 20 of the report be agreed.

     

    5.  That it be agreed that in order to address the geographical imbalance of local community infrastructure levy (CIL) a cap on the amount spent in each ward will be implemented as summarised in paragraphs 24 and 25 of the report and as detailed in Appendix 3 of the report.

Impact of Brexit on Southwark - Progress Report

The report had not been circulated five clear days in advance of the meeting. The chair agreed to accept the report as urgent as cabinet had requested a progress report on Brexit impact and preparedness ahead of the planned cross-party Brexit panel which was due to take place in late June / July 2019.

 

RESOLVED:

 

That progress on local work in preparing for European Union (EU) exit be noted.

Supporting documents:

Exclusion of the Press and Public

That 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 category 3 of paragraph 10.4 of the access to information procedure rules of the Southwark Constitution.

 

The following is a summary of the decisions taken in the closed part of the meeting.

25.

Minutes

Minutes:

The closed minutes of the meeting held on 30 April 2019 be approved a correct record and signed by the chair.

26.

New Homes site purchase, SE15

Minutes:

The cabinet considered the closed information relating to this item. Please see item 23 for the decision.