Agenda and minutes
PDF 92 KBVenue: Ground Floor Meeting Room GO2A, 160 Tooley Street, London SE1 2QH
Contact: Paula Thornton or Virginia Wynn-Jones Phone: 020 7525 4395/7055 Email: paula.thornton@southwark.gov.uk; virginia.wynn-jones@southwark.gov.uk
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Apologies
To receive any apologies for absence. Minutes: Apologies were received from Councillor Barrie Hargrove. |
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Notification of any items of Business which the Chair Deems Urgent
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 of business would be considered for reasons of urgency to be specified in the relevant minutes:
Item 8: Deputation requests
Item 9: Policy and Resources Strategy 2016/17 – 2018/19: Revenue Budget. |
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Notice of Intention to conduct business in a closed meeting, and any representations received
There are no closed items scheduled for consideration at this meeting. Minutes: No closed items were considered at this meeting. |
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Disclosure of Interests and Dispensations
Members to declare any interests and dispensation in respect of any item of business to be considered at this meeting. Minutes: Councillor Victoria Mills as her husband works for Unison requested that her interest be noted in respect of motion 6 in item 13, Motions Referred from Council Assembly. Additionally she confirmed that she would withdraw from the meeting while this item was being discussed. |
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Public Question Time (15 Minutes)
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 Thursday 21 January 2016. Minutes: There were none. |
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Minutes
To approve as a correct record the minutes of the open section of the meeting held on 8 December 2015. Supporting documents: Minutes: RESOLVED:
That the minutes of the meeting held on 8 December 2015 be approved as a correct record and signed by the chair. |
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Petition from Southwark Defend Council Housing
To consider a petition request from Southwark Defend Council Housing. Supporting documents: Minutes: No petitions were presented. |
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Deputation Requests
To consider any deputation requests. Supporting documents: Minutes: This item had not been circulated five clear days in advance of the meeting. The chair agreed to accept the item as urgent because the requests were received in line with the constitutional deadline for the receipt of deputation requests.
Mint Street Adventure Playground
The deputation spoke about the benefits of risky play, how the playground is a community hub, and how to achieve the best outcomes for the playground and the area. The cabinet member for children and schools responded to confirm that the cuts to Mint Street Adventure Playground had been altered to be phased in over two years instead of one, in anticipation of the new premises offering greater financial security.
On behalf of Service Users of Adults with Learning Disabilities
The deputation spoke about their disappointment in the lack of communication from Southwark Council on the matter of the cuts to Family Mosaic, and the difficulty of arranging new provisions for service users. The cabinet member for adult care and financial inclusion responded to confirm that the funding will be extended for a further two months, to ensure that all service users have a personalised service plan for the future.
Southwark Day Centre for Asylum Seekers
The deputation spoke about the impact of the cuts to their services, and how this would affect very vulnerable families. They explained that these particular cuts did not demonstrate that Southwark was a 'refugee-friendly borough'. The cabinet member for children and schools responded to the deputation, saying that the council would try to look for flexibility within the budget to ease the impact of the cuts.
Communication Workers Union
The chair agreed to accept this as a late deputation, as it was received after the deadline.
The deputation spoke about the suggested change of Walworth Road Crown Post Office to being a franchise, which would likely reduce the services on offer and potentially result in job losses. The deputy leader and cabinet member for business, employment and culture suggested that overview and scrutiny committee looked into this. The leader of the council agreed to write in support of maintaining Walworth Road as a Crown Post Office. |
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Policy and Resources Strategy 2016/17 - 2018/19: Revenue Budget
To follow. Supporting documents: Minutes: This item had not been circulated five clear days in advance of the meeting. The chair agreed to accept the item as urgent as the council was committed to publishing budget proposals at the earliest possible opportunity to ensure they were available to the public for comments and questions. Also, under the council’s constitution there is a requirement for the overview and scrutiny committee to review and challenge budget proposals and this is due to take place on 2 February 2016. Presenting this report to cabinet on 27 January 2016 gives the opportunity for debate prior to presentation of final budget figures at council assembly on 24 February 2016.
RESOLVED:
2. That it be noted that the provisional settlement is for four years with the final three years being indicative, subject to councils making a commitment to efficiency.
3. That the key issues for Southwark arising from the provisional settlement as set out in the report be noted, including:
· Loss of grant to the council over the period to 2019/20 of £47.0m (23.8%), profiled as set out in the report; · Loss of spending power of £9.5m (3.2%) over the same period although this is subject to a number of government assumptions (including annual increases in council tax) and excludes price and demand pressures facing the council; · Indicative grant can be assured by government for this period subject to the council agreeing to an efficiency programme, details still to be confirmed; · Consultation will be completed on a revised New Homes Bonus Scheme with ‘sharper’ incentives but with a smaller pot to distribute over the settlement period; · New Homes Bonus topslicing previously applied to London local authorities and passported to the GLA for the London LEP will no longer apply with effect from 2016/17; · New resources for a Local Authority Better Care Fund have been allocated, although this funding is backloaded in the settlement; · Council Tax Freeze Grant will no longer be payable although the Council Tax Referendum Limit will remain at 1.99%; · Adult Social Care (ASC) Precept at 2%, subject to confirmation by the Section 151 officer that the precept is being passported to ASC.
4. That it be noted that while the overall funding position has improved since the cabinet report in September 2015, savings will still need to be made by the council over the next three years in excess of £6m in order to balance the budget.
5. That it be noted that balances will continue to be released as planned over the next three years in order to mitigate the impact of reductions in government funding and other pressures.
6. That the balanced general fund budget proposals for 2016/17 contained within the report be noted, including:
· resources available arising from the provisional settlement; · an increase in council tax and retained business rates over the settlement ... view the full minutes text for item 9. |
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Report from Overview and Scrutiny Committee: "Right to Buy" for Housing Association Tenants and the Forced Sale of Council Properties
To consider a report from overview and scrutiny committee relating to right to buy for housing association tenants and the forced sale of council properties. Supporting documents: Minutes: RESOLVED:
That the recommendations of the report be noted, and that the cabinet member for housing bring back a report to cabinet within eight weeks in order to respond to the overview and scrutiny committee. |
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Housing Revenue Account - Final Rent Setting and Budget Report 2016/17
To consider the final report on the housing revenue account budget 2016/17 and agree recommendations. Supporting documents: Minutes: Appendix F of this item was circulated separately, which contains the results of consultation ongoing at the time of agenda publication.
RESOLVED:
1. That a rent decrease of 1.0% for all housing revenue account (HRA) dwellings (including estate voids and hostels) be agreed with effect from 4 April 2016; subject to the final provisions of the Welfare Reform and Work Bill currently passing through Parliament once enacted. This is contrary to previous council policy regarding rents. The average dwelling rent in 2016/17 under such a reduction will be £100.24 per week (a fall of £1.01 per week on average). Paragraphs 18 and 19 of the report contain further detail.
2. That it be noted that the rental base will reduce by c. £28 million over the next four years from that previously predicated in the HRA business plan. The compound effect of the rent reduction and loss of resources over the same period is c. £62 million, which has necessitated changes to the business plan model going forward.
3. With regard to other HRA-wide charges, that it be agreed that no change be made to tenant service charges, comprising the estate cleaning, grounds maintenance, communal lighting and door entry maintenance charges as set out in paragraph 24 of the report with effect from 4 April 2016.
4. That it be agreed that no increase be made to sheltered housing service charges as set out in paragraph 25 of the report with effect from 4 April 2016.
5. That it be agreed that direct charges for garages, store sheds and parking bays remain at the same level as 2015/16 as set out in paragraph 26 of the report with effect from 4 April 2016.
6. That it be agreed that there be no increase to district heating and hot water charges as set out in paragraph 27 of the report with effect from 4 April 2016.
7. That it be noted that water and sewerage charges levied by Thames Water are liable to an inflationary uplift as set out at paragraph 28 of the report, but as yet the council has not been informed by Thames Water of what that increase will be.
8. That cabinet's commitment to ensure that savings made are primarily based on efficiencies, and where staffing reductions form part of any said savings, that due consultation and process is followed with trade unions, be reaffirmed.
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LGA Peer Review of Southwark
To note the feedback report from the corporate peer challenge of Southwark Council that was undertaken by the Local Government Association (LGA) and to consider the findings. Supporting documents: Minutes: RESOLVED:
1. That the feedback report from the corporate peer challenge of Southwark Council (Appendix 1 of the report) that was undertaken by the Local Government Association (LGA) between 16 and 19 November 2015 be noted.
2. That the findings of the report be considered, and officers be instructed to develop relevant plans and actions in response, reporting progress through the council plan. The first update shall be brought back to cabinet in April 2016. |
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Motions Referred from Council Assembly
To consider motions referred from council assembly 25 November 2015 on the following:
· Employment and local economy · Arnold Estate warm, dry and safe works programme · End cuts to policing in London · Great London Nation Park City campaign · Extend the 42 bus route · Trade Union Bill · Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) · The Housing and Planning Bill. Supporting documents: Minutes: RESOLVED:
Employment and local economy
That the motion referred from council assembly as a recommendation to cabinet, set out below, be noted:
1. That supporting a strong local economy, improving skills and employment opportunities, and in particular helping some of Southwark’s most vulnerable residents to access jobs is key for the council’s plan to achieve a fairer future for all.
2. That despite the severe cuts to the council’s funding imposed on Southwark over the last five years under the Tory/Liberal Democrat coalition government, which continue to be imposed under the Tory government, this administration has continued to invest in the borough; growing the local economy, building more homes and creating more jobs and opportunities for local people.
3. That council assembly regrets that instead of supporting people into work, the Government is continuing the coalition’s policies of penalising working families by cutting tax credits, hitting more than three million families in work who will lose £1,300 next year on average, and cutting Employment and Support Allowance pushing hundreds of thousands of sick and disabled people further away from employment.
4. That council assembly welcomes the steps this administration has taken to create employment opportunities for local people, including:
· Supporting 1,450 residents into jobs since May 2014, including nearly 300 people with a range of complex barriers to employment including physical and mental health issues, caring responsibilities and other barriers.
· Delivering employment support to residents in partnership with local and national organisations, including InSpire St Peters, St Giles Trust, Pecan, Royal Mencap and South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust.
· Promoting employer led skills provision through initiatives like the business forum and the creation of a new construction skills centre, due to open next year.
5. That council assembly welcomes the council’s support for local businesses, including:
· Supporting 24 business projects with £382,000 through the High Street Challenge.
· Supporting Southwark employers to access £268,000 worth of finance to help their business to grow.
· Providing direct access to council services for businesses through the council’s online business portal.
· Supporting small local businesses to take on young people through the Southwark Employment and Enterprise Development Scheme (SEEDS), helping local employers to stimulate business growth and generating sustainable jobs and apprenticeships for young people.
6. That council assembly welcomes this administration’s commitment to giving young people in Southwark the opportunity to fulfil their potential by:
· Creating 2,000 new apprenticeships to give young people the opportunity to develop their skills and become work-ready.
· Guaranteeing opportunities for every school leaver in Southwark to learn, work or train through the youth guarantee.
· Introducing the Southwark apprenticeship standard to guarantee quality apprenticeships and ensure secure employment, a fair wage, quality training provision and mentoring support for apprentices.
7. That council assembly also welcomes the council’s partnership work with neighbouring boroughs Lambeth and Lewisham, bringing in excess of £1 million worth of funding into the three boroughs to get residents up-skilled and into work through the ‘pathways to employment’ project, and establishing a joint committee to deliver a ... view the full minutes text for item 13. |