Agenda and minutes

Cabinet - Tuesday 18 September 2018 4.00 pm

Venue: Ground Floor Meeting Room G02C - 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:

    Apologies for lateness were received from Councillor Kieron Williams.

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 item:

     

    Item 7:   Deputation requests

     

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

3.

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

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    To note the items specified which will be considered in a closed meeting.

    Supporting documents:

    Minutes:

    No representations were received in respect of the items listed as closed business for the meeting.

4.

Disclosure of Interests and Dispensations

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

    Minutes:

    None were declared.

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 public questions is midnight Wednesday 12 September 2018.

    Minutes:

    There were no public questions.  

6.

Minutes

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    To approve as a correct record the minutes of the open section of the meeting held on 24 July 2018.

    Supporting documents:

    Minutes:

    RESOLVED:

     

    That the minutes of the open section of the meeting held on 24 July 2018 be approved as a correct record and signed by the chair.

7.

Deputation Requests

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    To consider any deputation requests.

    Supporting documents:

    Minutes:

    The report had not been circulated five clear days in advance of the meeting. The chair agreed to accept this item as urgent as the request had been received in line with the constitutional deadline for the receipt of deputation requests.

     

    RESOLVED:

     

    That the deputation be received.

     

    Galleria Court residents

     

    The deputation spokespersons addressed the meeting to outline the noise nuisance coming from dogs on the Brideale Close travellers site and the impact it had on the residents. The spokespersons explained that the site was overlooked by Galleria Court and that residents were being disturbed throughout the day and especially during the night by the barking, howling and yapping of multiple dogs on the site. Residents had frequently contacted council officers, but the problem remained, which is why they wished to bring the matter to the attention of the cabinet.

     

    The deputation asked for cabinet to take measures regarding this issue.

     

    Councillor Peter John thanked the deputation and said that this issue was one of anti-social behaviour, animal welfare, as well as noise nuisance and should be addressed as such. Councillor Stephanie Cryan, cabinet member for housing management and modernisation, asked the deputation to pass on details of which pitches on the site caused the problems in particular. Councillor Evelyn Akoto, cabinet member for community safety and public health, offered to meet with the residents and to visit their homes to experience the problems first hand.

     

    RESOLVED:

     

    That a report back on this issue be prepared for the next cabinet meeting.

8.

Review of the Council's Approach to Community Engagement

    To approve a review of the council’s approach to community engagement and the methodology for developing the approach.

    Supporting documents:

    Minutes:

    RESOLVED:

     

    1.  That a review of the council’s approach to community engagement be approved.

     

    2.  That the methodology for developing the approach outlined in the report be approved.

     

    3.  That it be noted that the council’s approach is based on being open, honest and transparent and involves working closely with colleagues within the council, residents, locally based organisations and partners and the council’s commitment to proactively disseminate and intermittently review, assess and evaluate the council’s engagement efforts in the spirit of continuous improvement. Some of the goals of the new approach will be to look at how the council can:

     

    ·  Build its principles, approach and practices in community engagement upon the emerging evidence and best and promising practices.

    ·  Embed collaborative working with key engagement partners such as the Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), Healthwatch and Community Southwark.

    ·  Ensure that a broad range of voices are heard; that these reflect the diversity, and inclusiveness of the borough; and we that reach all parts of our community not just those that speak the loudest.

    ·  Ensure that the council’s engagement contributes to building strong and trusting relationships with our communities and develops continuing relationships with our communities building on the principles of asset based community development.

     

    4.  That it be noted that recommendations on the new approach to engagement will be presented to cabinet by April 2019.

     

    5.  That it be noted that this work will sit alongside and inform and be informed by the current review on resident involvement, and support the development of the consultation charter to ensure local residents can hold private sector developers to account.

9.

Southwark Homelessness Strategy 2018-22

10.

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

    To note issues relating to the council’s budget and to approve the general fund budget movements that are more than £250k.

    Supporting documents:

    Minutes:

    RESOLVED:

     

    1.  That the following be noted:

     

    ·  the general fund outturn forecast for 2018-19 of £0.042m (Table 1 in the report)

    ·  the continuing pressures on the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG), £6.0m in 2018-19 (paragraphs 16 to 17 of the report);

    ·  cost pressures in Housing and Modernisation, largely relating to Temporary Accommodation (£3.3m) (paragraph 20 to 30 of the report);

    ·  the £4m contingency is utilised in full to mitigate the total impact of cost pressures (paragraph 36 of the report);

    ·  the general fund outturn forecast indicates a net reduction in reserves of £3.1m (Table 1 and Table 3 paragraphs 48 to 54 of the report);

    ·  the update on the London Business Rate pool net financial benefits (paragraphs 52 to 54 of the report);

    ·  the housing revenue account forecast set out in Table 2, paragraph 38 to 47 of the report ;

    ·  the treasury management activity to date in 2018-19 (paragraph 55 to 57 of the report).

     

    2.  That the general fund budget movements that exceed £250k, as shown in Appendix A of the report be approved.

     

    3.  That the general fund budget movements that are less than £250k as shown in Appendix A of the report be noted.

     

    4.  That a report to the health and wellbeing board regarding possible punitive reductions in the council’s Better Care Fund (BCF), as a result of the local NHS missing their targets be produced.

11.

Policy and Resources Strategy: Capital Monitoring Report, including Capital Programme Update 2018-19

    To note the general fund capital programme and the housing investment programme as at month 4 and to approve the virements and variations to the general fund and housing investment capital programmes.

    Supporting documents:

    Minutes:

    RESOLVED:

     

    1.  That the general fund capital programme for the period 2018-19 to 2027-28 as at Month 4, as detailed in Appendices A and D of the report and the reduction in financing required (i.e. borrowing) from £187.9m to £158.6m be noted.

     

    2.  That the housing investment programme for the period 2018-19 to 2027-28 as at Month 4, as detailed in Appendix B of the report be noted; and that the financing of the anticipated spend of £145.1m for 2018-19 that has been identified also be noted.

     

    3.  That the virements and variations to the general fund and housing investment capital programme as detailed in Appendix C of the report be approved.

     

    4.  That the projected expenditure and resources for 2018-19 and future years for both the general fund and housing investment programmes as detailed in Appendices A, B and D of the report be noted; and that it further be noted that this position will be updated during the year when more up to date information is available.

12.

Policy and Resources Strategy: 2019-20 Updated Financial Remit

    To note various issues connected with the policy and resources strategy financial remit 2019-20.

    Supporting documents:

    Minutes:

     

    RESOLVED:

     

    1.  That it be noted that from financial year 2020-21, local government finance is set to be subject to fundamental reform with the government undertaking a Fair Funding Review alongside a redesign of the Business Rates Retention System.

     

    2.  That it be noted that a budget is initially prepared for 2019-20 on a one-year basis, recognising the funding uncertainties and limited information available beyond 2020-21.

     

    3.  That it be noted that the indicative resources available for 2019-20 budget (Annex A of the report) indicate a budget gap of £18.0m.

     

    4.  That it be noted that this budget gap would reduce by £3.2m should the council decide to increase council tax by 2.99%.

     

    5.  That it be noted that this indicative budget is prepared on the following national and local factors:

     

    National factors

    ·  Known reduction of £8.647m in government resources from the Settlement Funding Assessment (SFA) and increase in specific grant funding of £1.489m

    ·  Net inflation and pay award pressures of £7.344m have been provisionally assumed, subject to further analysis

     

      Local factors:

    ·  Increase of £2.635m of resources generated through council tax and business rates

    ·  Decrease of £6.879m in collection fund surplus

    ·  Increased debt financing costs of £3.809m arising from capital investment programme, offset by the use of £4.6m of capital resources

    ·  Retaining a £4m contingency within the overall budget to support in year cost pressures

    ·  No utilisation of reserves have been included

    ·  That all approved savings are delivered.

     

    6.  That it be noted that the key areas of risk for Southwark arising from the 2019-20 provisional settlement are the lack of certainty for Business Rate Retention, budget pressures arising from children’s and adults’, Dedicated Schools Grant, welfare reform, housing inflation increases and new commitments.

     

    7.  That it be noted that the revenue and capital outturn position and utilisation of reserves, reported at the cabinet meeting in July 2018, will need to be considered when finalising the 2019-20 budget.


     

    8.  That the bids to the strategic investment pot, with the outcome expected in October be noted.

     

    9.  That it be noted that a future report will consider the indicative savings and commitments for 2019-20 in order to balance the budget; and that it be noted that this will include a review of the original indicative 2019-20 savings reported to cabinet in February 2018, 2018-19 outturn forecast and the impact of the budget recovery board.

     

    10.  That it be noted that a future report will also consider a refreshed medium term financial strategy for the period 2020-2023; and that it be noted that resetting the MTFS and managing risk will require careful attention over the transition to the new local government finance system based on business rates retention, and a new funding formula.

13.

Land and garages opposite 58 - 72 Daniel's Road and 130 - 140 Tappesfield Road Nunhead

14.

Southwark School Design Guidelines

15.

Local Government Declaration on the Reduction of Sugar and Healthier Food

16.

Motions referred from Council Assembly

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    To consider the motions referred from council assembly as follows:

     

    ·  Stronger, safer, more resilient communities

    ·  Corporate parenting in Southwark

    ·  Rising crime in Surrey Docks

    ·  Modern slavery

    ·  Saving the RV1 bus

    ·  Securing a Bricklayers Arms tube station

    ·  Taking action on short term letting

    ·  Jamaica Road gridlock.

    Supporting documents:

    Minutes:

    RESOLVED:

     

    Stronger, safer, more resilient communities

     

    That the motion referred from council assembly as a recommendation to cabinet, set out below be noted and agreed:

     

    1.  Council assembly notes:

     

    a.  That Southwark’s communities add great value to our borough, and make Southwark a place which we can all be proud of

     

    b.  That despite cuts from this Conservative government,  Southwark Council continues to provide financial support to community groups, voluntary organisations and faith groups through the community capacity grants programme

     

    c.  The council’s Voluntary and Community Sector Strategy which aims to deliver a thriving voluntary and community sector which meets the needs of our residents

     

    d.  The role played by faith groups in creating strong and resilient communities, and the development of a Faith Strategy which will be launched later this year

     

    e.  The zero-tolerance to hate crime approach taken by the council

     

    f.  That youth violence continues to be a problem in Southwark and across London

     

    g.  That the council is working with communities, the police, and other partners to tackle youth violence, violence against women and girls, and other issues which harm our communities

     

    h.  Southwark Labour’s manifesto commitment to work with our communities to find local solutions that help young people stay away from knives and launch a Positive Futures Fund to support groups that provide inspiring opportunities for young people

     

    2.  Council assembly calls on cabinet to:

     

    a.  Build on the work done on the Women’s Safety Charter and develop and deliver a Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy to tackle all forms of gender-based violence in our communities

     

    b.  Fulfil Labour’s manifesto pledge and establish a Positive Futures Fund to empower communities to provide inspiring opportunities for young people which help them to stay away from knives and not become involved in youth violence

     

    c.  Continue to work with groups and partners in the community to tackle extremism and support those who may be at risk of radicalisation, recognising that the best solutions to these problems can often be found in the community 

     

    d.  Continue to work with and for Southwark’s communities to ensure that they are strong, safe and resilient.

     

    Corporate parenting in Southwark

     

    That the motion referred from council assembly as a recommendation to cabinet, set out below be noted and agreed:

     

    1.  This motion seeks to build on the good work that Southwark is doing with children in our care and young people leaving care. Last year we received a good rating from Ofsted, secured innovation funding to enable young people in care to reconfigure our care leaving services, and waived council tax fees for all care leavers.

     

    2.  This year, in our forward plan, we have guaranteed an education placement or apprenticeship for all children and young people preparing to leave care.

     

    Background

     

    3.  At the same time we have witnessed a national scrutiny spotlight being put on children’s social care. The Children and Social Work Act 2017 has released updated statutory guidance to improve corporate parenting. This was followed by  ...  view the full minutes text for item 16.

17.

Appointment to Outside Bodies: South Bank Business Improvement District Limited Board

18.

Disposal of Council's Freehold Interest at Devonshire Grove, to rear of 745-775 Old Kent Road SE15

    To agree to sell the council’s freehold interest in land at Devonshire Grove to the rear of 747-775 Old Kent Road and to authorise the director of regeneration to negotiate the sale and development agreement with Barkwest Ltd.

    Supporting documents:

    Minutes:

    RESOLVED:

     

    That in accordance with the terms set out in the closed cabinet report:

     

    1.  The council’s freehold interest in land at Devonshire Grove to the rear of 747-775 Old Kent Road (as shown outlined in black in Appendix 1 of the report) be sold to the adjoining owner Barkwest Ltd for a mixed use scheme of commercial on the ground floor and  residential development above subject to planning permission being obtained.

     

    2.  The director of regeneration be authorised to negotiate the sale and development agreement with Barkwest Ltd and place a covenant on the site which binds successors in title to an affordable housing requirement.

19.

Proposed Acquisition of Freehold Interest in land in the Old Kent Road opportunity area

    To approve the acquisition of the freehold interests in three sites in the Old Kent Road opportunity area, and to delegate to the strategic director of place and wellbeing authority to proceed with the acquisition.

    Supporting documents:

    Minutes:

    RESOLVED:

     

    1  That the acquisition of the freehold interests in three sites in the Old Kent Road opportunity area be approved, subject to completing due diligence and the agreement of Final Heads of Terms.

     

    2  That authority be delegated to the strategic director of place and wellbeing, advised by and in consultation with the strategic director of finance and governance and head of property to:

     

    a)  Note the outcome of the due diligence process and proceed with the acquisition, provided that the findings do not undermine the purpose of the acquisition.

    b)  Negotiate terms and enter into binding contracts for the purchase of the freehold interests in the proposed acquisition land and thereafter to complete the purchase;

    c)  Agree the financing structure adopted to fund the acquisition of the assets.

20.

Minutes

Minutes:

The minutes of the closed section of the meeting held on 24 July 2018 were approved as a correct record and signed by the chair.

21.

Disposal of Council's Freehold Interest at Devonshire Grove, to rear of 745-775 Old Kent Road SE15

Minutes:

The cabinet considered the closed information relating to this item. Please see item 18 for the decision.

22.

Proposed Acquisition of Freehold Interest in Land in the Old Kent Road Opportunity Area

Minutes:

The cabinet considered the closed information relating to this item. Please see item 19 for the decision.