Decisions

To agree allocation of elements of the resident participation fund

1.  That the proposed 2020-21 budget expenditure for the newly established £930k Resident Participation Fund. (See Appendix 1) be approved.

2.  That it be noted and approved that the grant budget for Southwark Group of Tenants Organisations (SGTO) of £228k for April 2020 to March 2021, attached as Appendix 2, and the KPIs, attached as Appendix 3 and noted that this is a departure of what was agreed by Cabinet in February 2020 in response to the current pandemic situation. As part of its condition of grant funding, SGTO will be expected to produce a programme of work for the year 2020-21, indicating the activities it intends undertaking in respect of the grant funding, and the outcomes it aims to achieve through this expenditure.

3.  That it be noted and approved that the grant budget for Citizens Advice Bureau - independent Leaseholder Advice of £90k from April 2020 to March 2021 - attached as Appendix 4 and noted that this is a departure of what was agreed by Cabinet in February 2020 in response to the current pandemic situation.

It was not possible to circulate this report five clear days in advance of the meeting. The chair agreed to accept this item as urgent so that cabinet could agree and put in place necessary next steps on support for vulnerable residents when the current arrangement ends at the end of September that will allow the council and partners to continue to deal with the Covid-19 pandemic and its impact on the borough.

RESOLVED:

1.  That the considerable efforts from all involved in the community hub in the provision of support to the most vulnerable in the community during the worst impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic be noted.

2.  That the significant contribution of the voluntary and community sector in the localised provision of support networks within Southwark be recognised and the work being undertaken to build on the existing and future network be supported.

3.  That the outcomes from the review into the future of the community hub and the considerable impact from the contributors in steering the recommendations in the report be welcomed.

4.  That the approach to ensuring a managed transition for people supported by the Covid-19 Community Hub be agreed, stepping down support where it is no longer needed and ensuring people who need ongoing assistance are matched with the appropriate support. This work will continue between now and December 2020.

5.  That the Covid-19 community support plan that sets out the emergency operating model in the event of a further spike in Covid-19 or a further lockdown be agreed.

6.  That officers be instructed to test new ways of providing housing, employment, skills, money, social care and immigration support in local communities, including testing how support from established public and voluntary and community sector (VCS) providers can be made accessible in partnership with local community ‘anchor’ organisations rooted in each part of the borough. 

7.  That officers to bring a further report back to cabinet in October 2020 that sets out a more detailed plan for implementation of the council’s response to the recommendations of the review working group.

To review programme of work and agree recommendations arising and next step action

It was not possible to circulate this report five clear days in advance of the meeting. The chair agreed to accept this item as urgent because a detailed roadmap setting out key actions, measures and metrics is planned to come to cabinet on 20 October 2020. It was therefore important, in maintaining pace on action and onward engagement, that cabinet agreed the emerging work stream recommendations in advance of that time; this was first available cabinet to receive those recommendations.

RESOLVED:

1.  That Southwark Stands Together will be a long-term programme of positive action, education and initiatives for the council to work in solidarity with Southwark’s communities and the council’s staff to tackle racism, injustice and inequality.

2.  That residents, staff and the wider community are thanked for taking part in the surveys and listening exercises so far.

3.  That it be agreed that the council will be actively anti-racist in all that we do, and the emerging recommendations (Appendix 1 of the report), which have arisen out of the engagement events held with staff and the community, will be integrated into the refreshed council plan process.

4.  That the initial findings from the survey and listening exercises be noted and that further analysis is underway with an update provided to cabinet in October 2020. 

5.  That it be agreed to develop a roadmap and action plan with measures and metrics to deliver the Southwark Stands Together programme and officers be instructed to present this to cabinet in October 2020.

6.  That it be agreed that any wider resourcing implications for the council associated with next step delivery are appropriately assessed through the council’s policy and resources strategy process.

7.  That any future action plan is subject to regular monitoring and review and reported at least annually to cabinet.

Contract award for the appointment of a contractor to carry out demolition and enabling works on the phase 2 site of The Charter School East Dulwich project to prepare it for the  main works contract

1.  That the award of the demolition and enabling contract for phase 2 of The Charter School East Dulwich project to John F Hunt Regeneration Limited in the sum of £1,589,524 consisting of £676,690 plus a provisional sum not to exceed £912,834 for asbestos removal costs be approved.

2.  That a project contingency sum of £122,476 to meet any unforeseen costs be approved. This sum is the difference between the £1.712m approved at GW1 stage and £1,589,524.

3.  That the decision to approve any spend against the project contingency sum be delegated to the Director of Education.

Contract Award Approval

That the award of the Boroughwide Tank Replacement QHIP 20/21 call-off contract via a mini-competition from the major works constructor framework to K & T Heating Ltd for a period of 26 weeks be approved.

To approve a number of highway schemes across the borough will assist social distancing and promote cycle and pedestrian safety

That the traffic and highway improvements, detailed in the appendices to the report and summarised in Table 1, be approved for implementation subject to the completion of any necessary procedures.

To agree the implementation of traffic orders

That the implementation of the permanent traffic orders detailed in the appendices, be approved subject to the outcome of any necessary statutory consultation and procedures, in order to support the current traffic restrictions as shown as shown on street.