Agenda and minutes

Cabinet - Tuesday 22 March 2011 4.00 pm

Venue: Town Hall, Peckham Road, London SE5 8UB

Items
No. Item

1.

Apologies

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    To receive any apologies for absence.

    Minutes:

    Apologies for lateness were received from Councillor Catherine McDonald.

2.

Notification of any other 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 that the following late items would be considered for reasons for urgency to be specified in the relevant minute:

     

    Item 19 – Youth Employment Fund

     

    Item 21 – Admission Arrangements for Community Primary Schools, Nursery Schools and Classes – September 2012

     

    Item 22 – Southwark Coordinated Schemes for Secondary, Primary and In year Admissions 2012

3.

Disclosure of Interests and Dispensations

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

    Minutes:

    Councillor Fiona Colley declared a personal non prejudicial interest in item 10 Canada Water Area Action Plan – Publication Submission Version as she lived within the area covered by the action plan.

4.

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.

    Minutes:

    Two public questions had been received. The questioners were not in attendance, the chair therefore read out the questions and answers were given by the relevant cabinet members as detailed below:

     

    Public question from Mr Jerry Hewitt:

     

    “Hawkstone Estate was informed on 17/02/2011 that the “2 year” Major Works “frameworks” programme is “on hold” after starting in June 2010 (9 months after the exclusive “launch” event!) When will the equality impact assessments be updated and when will major works to each block be completed? “

     

    Answer of the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Housing Management:

     

    “Given the council’s range of statutory responsibilities, it is inappropriate to continue implementing a decision when new material information comes to light without fully considering that information. We find ourselves in that position at Hawkstone Estate, where pilot works by the council’s major works partnering contractor indicates that the works proposed to the maisonette blocks will be disproportionately expensive and so disruptive that they cannot be undertaken with the properties occupied.

     

    The cabinet is due to conclude its review of the housing investment strategy in May. One of the strands under consideration is how to deal with estates that have particularly high project costs of refurbishment; where there is a need to assess whether alternative solutions may be more appropriate than straightforward investment works. Given the circumstances outlined above, it is likely that Hawkstone Estate will be worthy of consideration. We will of course use the feasibility work already undertaken for Hawkstone, which will mean we can progress fairly rapidly, and in advance of the May cabinet report.

     

    Although I am unable to confirm when major works will be completed, I can confirm that equalities impact will be considered as part of the process described.“

     

     

    Public question from Mr Adrian Smith:

     

    “The Southwark Plan allocates the site at 525-539 Old Kent Road as within the Old Kent Road action area and indicates that ‘development within this area should seek the creation of housing and increase the range of employment uses’. How does item 16 of your agenda meet with these expectations? “

     

    Answer of the Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Corporate Strategy:

     

    “The questioner is quoting from the Southwark Plan Policy 7.3 ‘Old Kent Road Action Area’. This sets out a vision for the area with a number of aims for the Old Kent Road Action Area. These include the aim to create high quality housing and increase the range of employment uses but also the aim to maintain and increase small scale town centre uses including community and health uses.

     

    It is not the intention that all developments would achieve all of these aims at once. This would, in any case, not be possible as smaller sites would not be able to accommodate the full range of uses that we are seeking to encourage in the area.

     

    However, plans have been discussed which include employment generating workshop units on the rear part of the site.

     

    The vision for the area set  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

5.

Minutes

6.

Deputation requests

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    To consider any deputation requests.

    Supporting documents:

    Minutes:

    The deputation spokesperson Ms Edith Fekarurhobo addressed the meeting and outlined residents concerns relating to item 18 on the agenda ‘Mid Elmington regeneration programme’.

     

    It was felt by the deputation that the report was not robust enough, and did not put enough emphasis on regeneration and appeared to be more of a redevelopment.  Concern was expressed over the procurement route as it was felt that this locked down criteria for further regeneration.

     

    The deputation felt that the officer report did provide a clear strategy in respect of the regeneration and social elements of the programme.  Concerns were expressed in respect of there being no recommendations or priorities set out in respect of vulnerable households and households where for example there were 1st – 4th generation family members living together.  The deputation also felt that there was lack of reference to independent financial assessment for leaseholders.  The deputation raised the issue of the current appearance of the estate and requested temporary work as an interim measure to improve the environment for local residents.

     

    RESOLVED: 

     

    That the comments of the deputation be noted.

7.

Capital Programme 2010-19 Quarter 3 Monitoring Report

    To note the monitoring position for the capital programme, approve addition of budgets into the programme and to agree that given the level of reprogramming from the current financial year no new capital commitments be commenced until the approval of the capital refresh report.

    Supporting documents:

    Minutes:

    RESOLVED:

     

    1.  That the current monitoring position for the capital programme 2010/11 – 2018/19 for the general fund and 2010/11 – 2015/16 housing investment programme (appendices A and B of the report) as at 31 December 2010 be noted.

     

    2.  That approval be given to the addition of budgets into the programme, matched by additional funding secured (appendix C of the report).

     

    3.  That given the level of reprogramming from the current financial year into 2011/12, no new capital commitments be commenced until approval of the capital programme 2011/12 – 2020/21 report by council assembly in July 2011, without prior agreement of the finance director and cabinet member for finance, resources and community safety.

8.

Scrutiny Report - Review of Key Performance Indicators in the Housing Repairs Service

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    To note the recommendations of the review of key performance indicators in the housing repairs service undertaken by the housing and community safety scrutiny sub-committee, with a request that the deputy leader and cabinet member for housing management report back to the overview and scrutiny committee by 17 May 2011.

    Supporting documents:

    Minutes:

    The chair of the Housing and Community Safety scrutiny sub-committee,

    Councillor Gavin Edwards presented the report.

     

    RESOLVED:

     

    That the recommendations of the review of key performance indicators in the housing repairs service undertaken by the housing and community safety scrutiny sub-committee (attached as appendix 1 to the report) be noted, and the deputy leader and cabinet member for housing management bring back a report to respond to the overview and scrutiny committee by 17 May 2011.

9.

Core Strategy Final Adoption

10.

Canada Water Area Action Plan - Publication/Submission Version

    To recommend to council assembly the consideration of the Canada Water Area Action Plan.

    Supporting documents:

    Minutes:

    Comments of the planning committee held on 21 March 2011 in respect of this item were circulated at the meeting.

     

    RESOLVED:

     

    1.  That council assembly be recommended to:

     

      i.  Consider the further changes to the Canada Water Area Action Plan Publication/Submission Version (dwelling sizes and sites of importance for nature conservation) (appendix A of the report), including comments from planning committee, the plan for publicising the further changes (appendix B of the report), sustainability appraisal (appendix C of the report) and equality impact assessment (appendix D of the report).

     

      ii.  Agree to publish the further changes to the Canada Water Area Action Plan (AAP) Publication/Submission Version (dwelling sizes and sites of importance for nature conservation) before submission to the Secretary of State.

     

      iii.  Approve the further changes to the Canada Water Area Action Plan (AAP) Publication/Submission Version (dwelling sizes and sites of importance for nature conservation) for publication and submission to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government provided no substantive changes are necessary following consultation.

     

      iv.  Delegate the approval of any minor non-substantive amendments resulting from its meeting or consultation on the further changes to the Canada Water Area Action Plan (AAP) publication/submission version (dwelling sizes and sites of importance for nature conservation) to the director for regeneration and neighbourhoods in consultation with the cabinet member for regeneration and corporate strategy before submission to Secretary of State.

     

    2.  That the update on two further factual changes in circumstances at Canada Water which may necessitate further revisions to the Canada Water Area Action Plan (AAP) as set out below be noted:

     

      i.  The recent announcement by Daily Mail & General Trust that it is consulting on a proposal to relocate its print works from Harmsworth Quays to a site in Thurrock;

     

      ii.  The Department for Education (DfE) formally wrote to the council in November 2010 informing us that a new secondary school in Rotherhithe would no longer receive funding support through Building Schools for the Future.  Recently the council received further information from the DFE suggesting the government had still allocated the full £19.6m to the Rotherhithe school project.  The council has written to the DfE seeking urgent confirmation about whether it is being given the funds to move forward with a new secondary school for Rotherhithe.

     

    3.  That it be noted that officers have proposed to the Planning Inspectorate that the council publishes amendments to the Area Action Plan (AAP) which address these issues in November 2011 and that the examination-in-public be delayed to ensure that any amendments can be considered by the Planning Inspector.

     

    NOTE: In accordance with overview and scrutiny procedure rule 22.1(a) (budget and policy framework) these decisions are not subject to call-in.

11.

Update to the Residential Design Standards - Supplementary Planning Document

12.

Southwark's Olympic and Paralympic Vision

13.

Adoption of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic designation

14.

Gateway 2: framework contracts to provide bailiff services to the revenues & benefits and parking services

15.

Disposal of 13 Desenfans Road, London SE21 7DN

16.

Site of 525-539 Old Kent Road, London SE15 5EW

    To seek approval for the disposal of the freehold interest in the site known as 525-539 Old Kent Road SE1 5EW (“the Site”) to the Muslim Association of Nigeria (UK) (“the Association”).

    Supporting documents:

    Minutes:

    RESOLVED:

     

    1.  That the council dispose of its freehold interest in the site known as 525-539 Old Kent Road SE1 5EW (“the Site”) to the Muslim Association of Nigeria (UK) (“the Association”) for the consideration reported in the closed version of the report, subject to the Association obtaining a satisfactory planning consent to construct premises for religious worship purposes.

     

    2.  That the agreement between the council and Esso Petroleum in relation to the disposal of the Site and the division of the proceeds of sale as set out in paragraphs 10 and 11 of the report be noted.

     

    3.  That authority be delegated to the head of property to agree the detailed terms and appropriate mechanics to effect the transaction.

17.

Motions referred from Council Assembly

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    To consider motions referred from the 26 January 2011 council assembly on the following:

     

    • Educational maintenance allowance
    • Southwark Council tribute to heroes
    • Choices that count

    Supporting documents:

    Minutes:

    Educational Maintenance Allowance

     

    RESOLVED:

     

    1.  That it be noted that over 20,000 young people in Southwark have benefitted from the educational maintenance allowance (‘EMA’) which provides financial support to young people from financially disadvantaged backgrounds and enables them to afford to remain in post-16 education.

     

    2.  That it be noted that before the 2010 general election both the Conservative and Liberal Democrat parties promised to retain the EMA. 

     

    3.  That in the circumstances cabinet  bitterly regrets the Conservative/Liberal Democrat coalition government’s decision to withdraw the EMA to new students from January 2011 and existing students from July 2011.

     

    4.  Cabinet believes that the withdrawal of the EMA will have a significant and disproportionately adverse impact on the educational and life chances of thousands of young people in Southwark and will result in many more young people leaving full-time education at the age of 16.

     

    5.  Cabinet notes and regrets the Conservative/Liberal Democrat coalition government attacks on young peoples’ education through increasing university tuition fees, ceasing Bookstart and the withdrawal of the sport in schools programme and calls on the government to reconsider its approach and to invest in our young peoples’ future rather than reduce services to them.

     

    6.  Cabinet also notes that the government’s Adviser on Access to High Education, Rt. Hon Simon Hughes MP, avoided the chance to prevent this attack on young people’s education by voting with the government to abolish the EMA and by failing to vote against the trebling in university tuition fees.

     

    Cabinet agrees to and calls upon relevant cabinet members:

     

    7.  To oppose the abolition of the educational maintenance allowance by the Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government from the 1 January 2011.

     

    8.  To lobby the Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government and the newly appointed advocate for access to higher education, Simon Hughes MP, to reconsider the abolition of the education maintenance allowance.

     

    9.  To secure the support of the three Southwark Members of Parliament to oppose the abolition of the education maintenance allowance.

     

    10.  To use all appropriate means to publicise the withdrawal of the EMA to young people in higher education in Southwark, particularly those from low-income families who rely on the allowance to remain in education and to ensure Southwark’s young people are informed of any alternative financial provision in place to help them to continue in post 16 education.

     

    11.  That it be noted that the Council is setting up a Youth Fund which will be aimed in part, to mitigate some of the impact of the government’s abolition of the EMA.

     

     

    Southwark Council tribute to Heroes

     

    RESOLVED:

     

    1.  That the council recognises and thanks the people of Southwark for all they have done to support the armed forces and to raise funds for Help for Heroes and Homes for Heroes.

     

    2.  That it be noted that currently all servicemen and women who die in Afghanistan, are brought to Bermondsey before making their final journey to their resting places.

     

    3.  That it be agreed that the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 17.

18.

Mid Elmington Regeneration Programme

    To agree an indicative implementation programme for the redevelopment of sites identified within the report.

    Supporting documents:

    Minutes:

    RESOLVED:

     

    1.  That the indicative implementation programme set out at table 8 of the report for the redevelopment of sites C, D, E and G encompassing Camberwell Area Housing Office; 1-27 Benhill Road; 29-59 Benhill Road; 1-20 Houseman Way; 21-29 Houseman Way; 30-51 Houseman Way; 90-106 Benhill Road; 30-72 Lomond Grove;1-20 Broome Way and 1-12 Flecker House, by way of a land disposal be agreed.

     

    2.  That the involvement of resident representatives to date and the future involvement in the bid evaluation as part of the land disposal process as set out at paragraph 62 of the report be noted.

     

    3.  That the allocation of housing investment programme resources to forward fund environmental improvements, leasehold acquisition, home loss and disturbance payments to council tenants and leaseholders and the costs of de-commissioning empty homes across sites D, E and G be confirmed.

     

    4.  That the following rehousing options for Elmington Council tenants displaced by redevelopment be agreed:

     

    a)  A permanent move via Homesearch with priority for displaced council tenants to any relets within the footprint of the Elmington estate – see appendix 1 of the report. Where replacement housing is available during the rehousing period, council tenants will be prioritised to band 1 for a permanent move to them via Homesearch.

     

    b)  Where replacement housing is unavailable during the rehousing period, council tenants will be offered a permanent move via Homesearch with the option to return to the estate within 5 years of their first move. The five year time period will start at the end of the identified rehousing period for each block in order to avoid penalising households who have moved early in the process. After the 5 year period is over, a review of the progress made on the scheme will be undertaken and resident rehousing opportunities will be re-examined. Band 1 priority will be given to displaced council tenants for any replacement housing forthcoming on the footprint of the Elmington estate and any relets and affordable homes for purchase (subject to qualification set by the provider) in the same area.

     

    c)  That where households are under occupying, residents be offered the option to bid for properties one bedroom above their rehousing need.

     

    5.  That qualifying resident Elmington leaseholders displaced by redevelopment be offered:

     

    a)  The same range of council assistance options as has been made available to Aylesbury leaseholders, as outlined at paragraphs 47 to 53 of the report.

     

    b)  Priority for acquisition or part acquisition of new replacement housing forthcoming on the footprint of the Elmington Estate.

     

    c)  Priority for acquisition or part acquisition of any relets arising in the same area (subject to qualification criteria set by the provider).

     

    6.  That the support to vulnerable households set out in paragraph 56 of the report be noted and approved.

     

    7.  That it be noted that the refurbishment of Proctor House, Brisbane Street and Flatman House is underway and that programming of Drayton House and Langland House for refurbishment will be undertaken in the council’s new  ...  view the full minutes text for item 18.

19.

Youth Employment Fund

    To agree initiatives for the youth fund delivery.

    Supporting documents:

    Minutes:

    This item had not been circulated five clear days in advance of the meeting. The chair agreed to accept the item for reasons of urgency as year 11 students (age 16 year olds) would be starting study leave around Easter time. These young people would be the primary target group for the project from September 2011. Failure to engage with them through their schools could mean that they will not be fully briefed as to the potential benefits available through this scheme. This could have a negative impact on recruitment for the council’s schools and colleges for post 16 courses.

     

    To meet the required outcomes of the Youth Fund initiative the scheme would also need to be fully embedded into established governance and administrative arrangements before September 2011. 

     

    A decision on the work streams and their applications were required at this time in order to enable appropriate lead-in time for the engagement of supportive resources and council’s partner’s contributions, effective communications with the target groups and establishment of the detailed administrative systems to support effective delivery.

     

    RESOLVED:

     

    1.  That the Youth Fund is delivered through the following three initiatives to be allocated as follows in 2011/12, the distribution to be reviewed annually as part of the annual policy and resourcing strategy:

     

    ·  Financial assistance fund for young people aged 16-18 in learning. An allocation of £600,000 per year for the next three years to be used to provide resources such as books, equipment and travel costs for those young Southwark residents aged 16-18, in full-time education, who would have previously benefited from the Education Maintenance Allowance.

     

    ·  Employment support for young people aged 16-19 leaving education.  An allocation of £350,000 per year for three years to provide young people in Southwark with employment support to assist the transition between secondary education and work, assist access into employment and enhance vocational learning.

     

    ·  Financial support with university and future employment.  An allocation of up to £50,000 per year for the next three years to support young people age 18 years and over who have gained a University place but may find this difficult due to financial restraints.  This will include offering paid internships in university holidays and some course require placements.

20.

Development of a Social Lettings Agency Scheme

21.

Admission Arrangements for Community Primary schools, Nursery Schools and Classes - September 2012

    To agree admission arrangements for primary community schools, nursery schools and nursery classes admissions criteria for 2012.

    Supporting documents:

    Minutes:

    This item had not been circulated five clear days in advance of the meeting. The chair agreed to accept the item for reasons of urgency as the next meeting of the cabinet was scheduled for 19 April 2011 and final admission arrangements needed to be confirmed to the Secretary of State by 15 April 2011 for September 2012 admissions.  Admission arrangements, including the proposed changes would need to be published for parents and carers before 1 September 2011 to enable families to make their preferences and apply for primary school places for their children for September 2012 admissions.  Southwark's agreed admissions criteria for 2012, including details of the published admission number for each school must be submitted to the Secretary of State by 15th April 2011.  If this was not done, Southwark's admission arrangements for community primary schools in 2011 would have to  remain in place for 2012.  Stakeholders have been consulted on the proposed arrangements and are expecting the changes to be in place.

     

    RESOLVED:

     

    That the primary community schools, nursery schools and nursery classes admissions criteria for 2012 attached as Appendix 1 to the report be agreed and a statutory notice be published to reflect the proposed reduction in Planned Admission Number at Townsend school as detailed in paragraph 12 of the report.

22.

Southwark coordinated schemes for Secondary, Primary and In Year Admissions 2012

Exclusion of Press and Public

It was moved, seconded and

 

RESOLVED:

 

That the public be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of the 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 closed part of the meeting.

23.

Minutes

    To approve as a correct record the minutes of the closed section of the meeting held 15 February 2011 (special) .

Minutes:

The minutes of the closed section of the meeting held on 15 February 2011 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

24.

Gateway 2: Framework Contracts to provide bailiff services to the Revenue and Benefits and Parking Services

25.

Site of 525-539 Old Kent Road, London SE1 5EW

26.

Mid Elmington Regeneration Programme