Decisions

To approve a twelve month extension to this contract

That the contract extension of the Leasehold and Ancillary Properties Buildings Insurance contract to Zurich Municipal for a period of 1 year from 1 April 2021 to 31 March 2022 at an estimated cost of £5.1m be approved.

 

Approval to implement revised pay, terms and conditions of service for trade, craft and associated employees

It be agreed that the Strategic Director Environment and Leisure in consultation with the Strategic Director Housing and Modernisation:

a)  Notes the changes to the pay and conditions of service for trade and craft workers within Building Services, Pest Control Services and Asset Management Services which has been agreed ‘in principle’ through collective bargaining with the recognised Trade Unions, Unite, Unison and GMB.

b)  Approves the revised career pay scheme and agrees to a formal offer being communicated to the Trade Unions which varies the terms and conditions of trade and craft workers within the above-mentioned services through the implementation of a career grade structure (appendix 1of the closed report) which has been designed to work with and alongside the ‘Red’ Book Craft Workers terms and conditions of service.

 

c)  Notes the outcome of the job evaluation of the Pest Control Technician job description.

d)  Notes the timetable of events to be actioned to achieve implementation of the new pay scheme. 

To note the consultation and agree the designation renewal of the neighbourhood forum

 

1.  That it be noted that the consultation on the Old Bermondsey Neighbourhood Forum (OBNF) designation renewal closed on 17 September 2020, and 146 representations have been received.

 

2.  That it be agreed to designate the Old Bermondsey Neighbourhood Forum as the Neighbourhood forum the neighbourhood area known as Area A.

 

Councillor Ian Wingfield, chair of overview and scrutiny committee presented the report and recommendations to cabinet.

 

RESOLVED:

 

1.  That, the long timescales involved in continuing the contract with the current provider post April 2021 until its expiry in 2023 be considered again by cabinet, and makes it clear that arrangements for leisure provision may well change in advance of that date, including the preferred option of in-house provision.

 

2.  That clear a commitment to the continued offer of free swim and gym be made and that cabinet states that this is not a negotiable element in discussions with the current contractor.

 

3.  That cabinet carries out another evaluation of this contract in April 2021, as we run the risk of just funding the current service until 2023 without getting value for money for the council and our residents.

RESOLVED:

 

1.  That the allocation of places to the panels, boards and forums set out in Appendix A of the report for the 2020-21 municipal year and member nominations be agreed as follows:

 

Joint Partnership Panel (Trade-union consultation)

 

Councillor Kieron Williams

Councillor Rebecca Lury

 

Homeowners Service Charge Arbitration Panel

 

Councillor Charlie Smith

Councillor Lorraine Lauder

Councillor Renata Hamvas

Councillor Sunny Lambe

Councillor Sandra Rhule

Councillor Margy Newens

Councillor Kath Whittam

Councillor Dora Dixon-Fyle

Councillor Maria Linforth-Hall

Councillor Jane Salmon

Councillor Eliza Mann

Councillor Anood Al-Samerai

 

Tenancy and Leasehold Arbitration Tribunals

 

Councillor Charlie Smith

Councillor Lorraine Lauder

Councillor Renata Hamvas

Councillor Sunny Lambe

Councillor Sandra Rhule

Councillor Margy Newens

Councillor Kath Whittam

Councillor Dora Dixon-Fyle

Councillor Maria Linforth-Hall

Councillor Jane Salmon

Councillor Eliza Mann

Councillor Anood Al-Samerai

Councillor William Houngbo

 

Southwark Safeguarding Adults Board

 

Councillor Helen Dennis

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 Graham Neale

Councillor Richard Leeming

Councillor Maggie Browning

 

Southwark Tenant Management Organisation Committee

 

Councillor Leo Pollak

Councillor Gavin Edwards

Councillor Darren Merrill

Councillor William Houngbo

RESOLVED:

 

That the cabinet the appointments to the outside bodies listed in Appendix A of the report for the 2020-21 municipal year be agreed as follows:

 

Better Bankside Board

 

Councillor Stephanie Cryan

 

Blue Bermondsey Bid

 

Councillor Leanne Werner

 

Board of Southwark College Corporation

 

Councillor Stephanie Cryan

 

Browning Estate Management Association

 

Councillor Darren Merrill

 

Canada Water Consultative Forum

 

Councillor Johnson Situ

Councillor Kath Whittam

Councillor Jane Salmon

 

Central London Forward

 

Councillor Kieron Williams

 

Centre for Literacy in Primary Education

 

Councillor Jasmine Ali

 

Creation Trust

 

Councillor Leo Pollak

Councillor Jack Buck

Councillor Lorraine Lauder

 

Cross River Board

 

Councillor Johnson Situ

 

Crystal Palace Community Development Trust

 

Councillor Catherine Rose

 

Newable Limited (formerly Greater London Enterprise)

 

Councillor Stephanie Cryan

 

Groundwork London, Local Authority Strategic Input Board

 

Councillor Catherine Rose

 

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

 

Councillor Evelyn Akoto

 

Kings College Hospital NHS (Council of Governors)

 

Councillor Dora Dixon-Fyle

 

London Road Safety Council (LRSC)

 

Councillor Catherine Rose

Councillor Radha Burgess

 

London Youth Games Limited

 

Councillor Catherine Rose

Councillor  Jasmine Ali (deputy)

 

Millwall for All

 

Councillor Sunny Lambe

 

North Southwark Environment Trust

 

Councillor Kath Whittam

 

Old Vic Board of Trustees

 

Councillor Rebecca Lury

 

Potters Fields Park Management Trust

 

Councillor Catherine Rose

Caroline Bruce

 

Plastic Free East Dulwich

 

Councillor Charlie Smith

 

Plastic Free Peckham

 

Councillor Cleo Soanes

 

Shared ICT Services Joint Committee

 

Councillor Rebecca Lury

Councillor Alice Macdonald

 

South Bank Partnership

 

Councillor Stephanie Cryan

Councillor Victor Chamberlain

Councillor Adele Morris

Councillor David Noakes

 

South Bank Business Improvement District Ltd

 

Councillor Adele Morris

Councillor Stephanie Cryan

 

South Bermondsey Big Local Partnership Steering Group

 

Councillor Richard Livingstone

Councillor Sunny Lambe

 

South London Gallery Trustee Limited

 

Councillor Maria Linforth-Hall

Councillor Radha Burgess

Councillor Cleo Soanes

 

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 Leanne Werner

Mr. Bob Skelly (Deputy)

 

Safer Neighbourhood Board (Southwark)

 

Councillor Evelyn Akoto

 

WeAreWaterloo BID

 

Councillor Graham Neale

Councillor Gavin Edwards, chair of the housing scrutiny commission, presented the report to cabinet.

 

RESOLVED:

 

1.  That the housing scrutiny commission report on district heating and heat networks, Appendix A of the report be noted.

 

2.  That the recommendations from the housing scrutiny commission be considered and that the cabinet member for housing reports back to cabinet within eight weeks.

Councillor Stephanie Cryan having declared a disclosable pecuniary interest in respect of this item (as a leaseholder) did not participate in the discussion or decision making for this item.

 

Councillor Gavin Edwards, chair of the housing scrutiny commission, was in attendance to give feedback in respect of the response.

 

RESOLVED:

 

Decisions of Cabinet

 

1.  That it be agreed that the council sets out new criteria for reviewing the list of registered providers (RPs) for section 106 affordable housing based on the draft criteria set out in paragraph 12 of the report.

 

2.  That as part of this criteria a new charter for registered providers (RPs) and affordable housing providers in Southwark is created that sets out the council’s requirements for positive partnership work

 

3.  That once the new set of criteria for inclusion on the list of registered providers (RPs) for Section 106 affordable housing is agreed, that a new list is created and from then on reviewed annually.

 

4.  That training on Southwark Councillors’ role as designated people within the Regulator of Social Housing’s complaints process should be provided to Councillors, and that this role should be clarified in a letter to all housing associations operating in the borough.

 

5.  That it be agreed that the council should review the process through which land is purchased in Southwark for affordable housing delivery to limit competition between the council and other registered providers (RPs) that can unnecessarily drive up land prices and reduce the amount of funding that can actually be invested into delivering social housing.

 

Decisions of the Leader of the Council

 

6.  That authority for agreeing the final criteria for reviewing the list of registered providers (RPs) be delegated to the cabinet member for housing.

 

7.  That  authority be delegated to the cabinet member for housing to agree the charter for registered providers (RPs.)

Councillor Jason Ochere, chair of the environment scrutiny commission, was in attendance to give feedback in respect of the response. Councillor Ochere thanked Councillor Leanne Werner (the previous scrutiny chair) for all her hard work in respect of the original report.

 

RESOLVED: 

 

That the response to environment scrutiny commission’s report ‘Air Quality’ dated July 2020 for information be received.

Councillor Jason Ochere, chair of the environment scrutiny commission, was in attendance to give feedback in respect of the response. Councillor Ochere thanked Councillor Leanne Werner (the previous scrutiny chair) for all her hard work in respect of the original report.

 

RESOLVED:

 

1.  That the recommendations made by the environment scrutiny commission be noted and the response set out in the report be agreed.

 

2.  That officers act upon the response agreed by cabinet as part of the corporate strategy on tackling the Climate Emergency.

Councillor Peter Babudu, chair of the education and business scrutiny commission, was in attendance to give feedback in respect of the response.

 

RESOLVED:

 

1.  That the education and children’s services comments to the exclusions and alternative provision report from the education and business scrutiny commission be noted.

 

2.  That the recommendations of the education and business scrutiny commission be agreed.

RESOLVED:

 

1.  That the progress made in delivering the Skills Strategy since June 2019 be noted.

 

2.  That the impact of COVID-19 on the delivery of the Skills Strategy and the need to align with Southwark’s Economic Renewal Plan be noted.

RESOLVED:

 

That the response to the Planning White Paper be noted.

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 if the council did not meet these timescales then it was likely the ability to complete this acquisition would be lost and the council would lose out on the opportunity to acquire a site providing substantial additional income and growth to support the delivery of council services and the prospect over the longer term to deliver new council homes on the site.

 

RESOLVED:

 

1.  That pursuant to s227 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, that the council be authorised to acquire the freehold interest in the property shown edged black on the plan at Appendix A of the report.

 

2.  That the principal purchase terms set out in full in paragraph 16 of the closed version of the report and substantially in paragraph 19 of the open report be authorised.

 

3.  That authority be delegated to the director of regeneration to agree the detailed terms of the acquisition.

RESOLVED:

 

1.  That the implementation and timescales of the 16 recommendations for the revised community hub model / Southwark Community Support Alliance that are required as the first steps to addressing the short-term (by March 2021) and the long-term (by March 2022) needs of the community hub be agreed.

 

2.  That it be noted that cabinet on 8 September 2020 instructed officers 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 & voluntary and community sector (VCS) providers can be made accessible in partnership with local community ‘anchor’ organisations rooted in each part of the borough.

 

3.  That it be noted that this work will be overseen by an implementation review group made up of representatives across the voluntary and community sector, council and health partners and that membership will be agreed in consultation with the cabinet member for social support & homelessness.

RESOLVED:

 

1.  That the commitment to deliver Southwark Stands Together as a long term programme of positive action, education and initiatives to tackle racism, injustice and inequality be incorporated into the refreshed Council Plan be agreed; with priority measures and milestones developed and embedded into the council’s performance management framework.

 

2.  That a new commitment to work to ensure the top of the council’s workforce is representative of the ethnic diversity of the local working age population by 2030 be agreed; and that work be undertaken, in consultation with staff, unions and the local community, to put in place the actions to achieve this ambition as well as short and long term success measures.

 

3.  That it be agreed that the following principles should be incorporated into the council’s values that inform all the work we do across the council, with their final wording to be set out in the refreshed Council Plan; that we will:

 

a.  Always work to make Southwark more equal and just

b.  Stand against all forms of discrimination and racism.

 

4.  That the five Southwark Stands Together Pledges that the council is asking businesses, organisations, groups and residents to sign up to be reaffirmed and it be agreed to publicise and communicate these further using a cross sector approach.

 

5.  That it be noted that future stages of engagement will involve connecting better, building relationships and working collaboratively and inclusively with residents, businesses and the wider community across the borough.

 

6.  That it be noted that the resourcing implications from the programme will be assessed and continuously reviewed through the council’s policy and resources strategy process.

 

7.  That it be noted that an annual report on programme progress will be presented to cabinet in July 2021.

To approve the future management of the leisure centres

Cabinet considered the overview and scrutiny committee report in conjunction with this item.

 

RESOLVED:

 

1.  That the findings of the evaluation of the two options available to the council for the management of the leisure centres from 1 April 2021, which is the end date for the current COVID-19 financial support agreement be noted. The evaluation indicates that, subject to the details and an agreement on any proposed variation in the contract it is likely to be advantageous for the council to continue in contract with the council’s leisure management contractor, subject to affordability, Sports and Leisure Management Ltd (SLM) whilst the future of the leisure offering is decided upon. 

 

2.  That it be noted that the continuation of the contract with SLM is likely to require negotiation and a contract variation and delegates approval of the detail of the contract variation to the strategic director of environment and leisure, in consultation with the strategic director of finance and governance, the cabinet member for leisure, environment and roads and the cabinet member for finance & resources.

 

3.  That it be noted that these negotiations will consider the impact on employees of SLM and the council will ensure appropriate consultation with recognised trade unions takes place in relation to this and in the consideration of any future options.

 

4.  That the council’s continued policy commitment to free swim and gym scheme be noted but recognises the need to review the scheme to ensure that it best meets the needs of residents post COVID. There is also a need to review the leisure asset base in terms of sustainability and fitness for purpose. Findings from this evaluation will factor into negotiations and future options for the service; the detailed proposals for any service changes will be the subject of a report to the lead cabinet member later this year, and before the submission of a gateway 3 report in connection with the contract variation referred to in recommendation 2 above.

 

5.  That a Gateway 0 (full options review) be brought forward for cabinet review in or before March 2021, which will set out the preferred option for delivery of leisure centre management following the end of the contract with SLM; the contract period will expire in June 2023 unless it is terminated early.

Pause the QR4 Project to reconsider and test our approach

RESOLVED:

 

1.  That the decision to formally stop and close the Queens Road 4 (QR4) programme (including terminating construction contracts) be taken, following the impact of COVID-19 on the way in which services are delivered moving forward, and taking into account the considerable financial challenges forecast over the coming months.

 

2.  That officers in regeneration and new homes, in consultation with the cabinet member for housing, appoint an architect, from the Southwark Architects Framework, to undertake a feasibility to explore the potential use of the site at 128-148 Asylum Road (QR4) as a housing redevelopment opportunity.

 

3.  That the need to find alternative service delivery accommodation solutions for staff based in Talfourd Place (28 staff), Curlew House (90 staff), Sumner House (182 staff) and Bournemouth Road (95 staff) be noted.

 

4.  That it be noted that this recommendation includes the termination of the pre-construction services agreement (PCSA) contract, leading to the need, if required, to reappoint contractors later, including potential redesign. The costs, timeline and scope would need to be picked up as a new programme with revised governance in place.

 

5.  That it be noted this recommendation may impact the council's ability to release the current candidate sites for redevelopment into new homes, impacting on Southwark’s new homes target, as outlined in Table 1 of the report.

 

6.  That it be noted that the Pelican Estate redevelopment scheme cannot be delivered without the release of both Curlew House and Talfourd Place with these buildings intrinsically linked.

 

7.  That it be noted that this recommendation may negatively impact the council's commitment to be net carbon neutral by 2030, by not disposing of inefficient old buildings and redeveloping these sites to be environmentally sustainable.

 

8.  That it be noted that officers have started on the path towards developing a new staff accommodation strategy, developing new ways of working and establishing a clear vision for a future operating model moving forward.

Report seeking to agree proposals for the provision of primary and secondary school places

RESOLVED:

 

1.  That the updated forecasts of primary and secondary school places from 2020-2021 onwards set out in paragraphs 39 to 44 (primary) and paragraph 49 (secondary) of the report be noted.

 

2.  That the existing supply of primary and secondary places across the council area, and the actions to monitor supply and demand be noted.

 

3.  That a review of place planning areas to support primary and secondary school place planning which is underway as set out in paragraphs 7 to 10 of the report be noted.

To note the forecast capital outturn position and to approve amendments to the capital programme

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 the council regularly updates cabinet on the capital monitoring position.  This was vitally important in the current circumstances of the Covid-19 pandemic, and its financial impact on the councils overall financial position.

 

RESOLVED:

 

1.  That the forecast outturn and resources for 2020-21 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.

 

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

 

3.  That the inclusion in the programme of the capital bids set out in Appendix E of the report be approved.

 

4.  That the significant funding requirement of £379m which needs to be identified for the general fund programme to be fully delivered over the remaining term of the programme, as detailed in Appendix A of the report be noted.

 

5.  That the significant funding requirement of £98m which needs to be identified for the housing investment programme to be fully delivered over the remaining term of the programme, as detailed in Appendix B of the report be noted.

To note the forecast revenue outturn position, including treasury management

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 the council regularly updates cabinet on the revenue monitoring position.  This was vitally important in the current circumstances of the Covid-19 pandemic, and its financial impact on the councils overall financial position. 

 

RESOLVED:

 

1.  That the General Fund forecast outturn position for 2020-21 (Table 1 of the report) be noted.

 

2.  That the Covid-19 emergency funding support received to date paragraphs 23 – 27 of the report) be noted.

 

3.  The Governments Covid-19 sales, fees and charges compensation scheme (paragraph 24 of the report), and that the scheme only part funds the actual losses incurred be noted.

 

4.  That the difference of £12.897m between the additional costs and lost income forecast in the report and the funding provided the government to date (Table 2 of the report) be noted.

 

5.  That it be noted that the funding shortfall does not include the costs of Covid-19 support for residents, businesses and communities already funded from reserves of £4.0m (paragraph 22 of the report),

 

6.  That the forecast losses on the Collection Fund, currently estimated at £16m, will be a charge to future years budgets (paragraph 22 of the report) be noted.

 

7.  That the other key adverse variations and budget pressures underlying the forecast outturn position be noted, notably:

·  Dedicated School Grants (DSG) High Needs in year pressure of £3.2m and accumulated deficit of £21.7m (paragraph 44 – 48 of the report)

·  Emergency tree recovery plan £1.8m.

 

8.  That the housing revenue account (HRA) forecast outturn position for 2020-21 (Table 3, paragraphs 78-90 of the report) be noted.

 

9.  That it be noted that there is currently no compensation for the HRA for additional costs or lost income arising from the pandemic.

 

10.  That the treasury management activity to date in 2020-21 (paragraphs 91-98 of the report) be noted.

 

11.  That the interdepartmental General Fund budget movements that are less than £250k as shown in Appendix A of the report be noted.

To agree a 3 year extension to the contracts

RESOLVED:

 

1.  That the variation of contract A (north of the borough) heating and water contract to OCO Ltd to extend the term of the contract for a period of three years from 1 April 2021 at an estimated sum of £12.5m per annum making a total estimated extension value of £37.5m, and estimated contract value of £82.5m for eight years composed of actual and projected expenditure be approved.

 

2.  That the variation of contract B (south of the borough) heating and water contract to Smith & Byford Ltd to extend the term of the contract for a period of three years from 1 April 2021 at an estimated sum of £8.2m per annum making a total estimated extension value of £24.6m, and a total estimated contract value of £59.3m for eight years composed of actual and projected expenditure be approved.

To approve non-strategic traffic and highway improvements

That the non-strategic traffic and highway improvements, detailed in the appendices to the report and summarized in Table 1, be approved for implementation subject to the outcome of any necessary statutory consultation and procedures.

 

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 of the report, be approved for implementation subject to the outcome of any necessary statutory consultation and procedures.

To approve the procurement strategy.

 

1.  That the procurement strategy for new build works at Fendall Street and Maltby Street (as further detailed in the Background Information section of this Gateway Approval report) at an estimated cost of £14,050,000 with an estimated contract duration of 18 to 24 months be approved.

 

2.  That the delegation of the Gateway 2 award decision to the Strategic Director of Housing and Modernisation, in consultation with the cabinet Member for Social Regeneration, Great Estates and New Council Homes, for the reason outlined in paragraph 39 below be approved.

To approve the contract award for the purchase of building material supplies for Southwark Building Services (SBS) through an existing Pretium framework.

1.  That the contract award for the purchase of building material supplies for Southwark Building Services (SBS) through an existing Pretium framework from Travis Perkins Trading Company Ltd (TPTC) at an estimated sum of £1.5m per annum for a period of two years from 9 October 2020 making a total estimated contract value of £3m be approved.

 

2.  That it be noted that an options assessment for future building material supplies will be developed and presented to the cabinet member for housing in six months.

 

The strategic acquisition of land and property at 760 Old Kent Road, London SE15 1NJ

Planning application reference: 19/AP/0865

 

Report: see pages 8 to 51 of the agenda pack and pages 1 to 5 of the addendum report.

 

PROPOSAL

 

Construction of a 9 storey plus basement building to provide an 73 bedroom hotel with restaurant at ground floor level and associated cycle parking, refuse and recycling stores, and plant.

 

The sub-committee heard the planning officer’s introduction to the report.

 

The council’s transport officer was present to address the meeting and responded to questions from members. 

 

An objector was present to address the sub-committee and responded to questions from members.

 

The applicants’ agents were present to address the meeting and responded to questions from members.

 

There were no supporters who lived within 100 metres of the development site present who wished to speak.

 

Councillor Damian O'Brien was present and addressed the sub-committee in his capacity as a ward councillor.

 

Adjournment

 

At 9.15pm it was moved, seconded and

 

RESOLVED:

 

That the meeting stand adjourned.  During the adjournment, members of the sub-committee discussed some of the issues that had been raised during the meeting, including whether or not the scheme would result in the over dominance of visitor accommodation in the area and have a negative impact on the transport network. Members also discussed the extent to which any such issues would justify a refusal.

 

The sub-committee reconvened at 9.25pm.

 

Councillor Graham Neale was unable to re-join the virtual meeting due to connectivity and technical difficulties.

 

RESOLVED:

 

1.  That the planning application 19/AP/0865 be granted, subject to conditions as set out in the officer recommendation, addendum report  and the completion of a legal agreement.

 

2.  That in the event that the legal agreement is unable to be completed by 31 December 2020, the Director of Planning be authorised to refuse planning permission on the following grounds:

 

In the absence of a signed legal agreement, the proposal would fail to provide suitable mitigation in terms of:

 

·  Planning gain, contrary to saved policies 2.5 (planning obligations) and 4.4 (affordable housing) of the Southwark Plan

 

·  Policies SP6 (Homes for people on different incomes) and SP14 (implementation and delivery) of the council’s core strategy 2011

 

·  Policies 3.11 (affordable housing targets) and 8.2 (planning obligations) of the London Plan 2016, and

 

·  Sections 4: Decision-making and 5: Delivering a sufficient supply of homes of the national planning policy Framework (NPPF) 2019.

 

At 9.40pm the meeting had a five minute comfort break.

Contract Award Approval

 

 

1.  That the award of works contract for Nunhead Lane, appointing Cosmur Construction (London) Limited for a fixed period of 56 weeks be approved.

 

2.  That the total scheme costs includes associated on-costs and a 5% contingency sum be noted.