Agenda and minutes

Cabinet - Tuesday 18 July 2017 4.00 pm

Venue: Ground Floor Meeting Room G02A - 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 absence were received from Councillor Maisie Anderson who was on maternity leave.

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 items:

     

    Item 7:   Deputation requests

     

    Item 20:  Borough-wide Fire Safety

     

    Item 21:  Borough Emergency Plan

     

    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

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 July 2017.

    Minutes:

    Public Question from Paul Palley

     

    How many refurbished tower blocks in Southwark combine cladding with an external gas pipe?

     

    Response by Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Housing

     

    Only 5 blocks over 18m have cladding. This is of the external wall insulation type installed by British Gas to provide better thermal efficiency to homes. British Gas specify the method in which gas pipework can be safely fitted onto this cladding and their specification has been met in full.

     

    The five blocks are:

     

    ·  Bradley House

    ·  Morriss House, Cherry Garden Street

    ·  Gould Court

    ·  Forbes Court

    ·  Astley House, 1-90 & 1A+1B.

     

    Paul Palley did not attend the cabinet meeting. The response to this question would be emailed to him.

6.

Minutes

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    To approve as a correct record the minutes of the open section of the meeting held on 20 June 2017.

    Supporting documents:

    Minutes:

    RESOLVED:

     

    That the minutes of the meeting held on 20 June 2017 be approved as a correct record and signed by the chair.

7.

Deputation Requests

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    To consider any deputation requests. The deadline for the receipt of deputation requests is midnight Wednesday 12 July 2017.

    Supporting documents:

    Minutes:

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

     

    It was confirmed that the deputation request from Southwark Artist at Occupation Studios in Newington Ward had been withdrawn.

     

    RESOLVED:

     

    That the deputation requests be received.

     

    The Walworth Society

     

    The deputation spokesperson addressed the meeting providing a response to cabinet on the council’s proposals for the Walworth Town Hall, as well the society’s views on the future of the town hall buildings, the significance of civic buildings in the future of the Walworth area, the location of the proposed replacement library, the future of the Cuming Collection and related issues.

     

    The deputation requested that: 

     

    ·  The council investigates whether the new library facility could be built south of Wansey Street and close to the heart of the Walworth area.

     

    ·  The council maintain the Cuming Collection in one location (preferably in the Town Hall buildings) but if not possible, it was suggested that space is created that is additional to the new library.

     

    ·  The council be encouraged to be open in the tender process to other more local development options, ranging from community asset transfer to external partners working with local community groups. 

     

    The deputation confirmed their willingness to work with the council on this issue.

     

    Councillor Rebecca Lury (ward member) was also in attendance to support the deputation.

     

    Bankside Residents Forum

     

    The deputation addressed cabinet regarding creating affordable housing through community-led housing at Transport for London’s (TfL) Landmark Court on Southwark Street. They have expressed their wish to work with the council and relevant stakeholders to achieve this and to explore different models/options. The deputation requested to meet with the cabinet member and Leader to discuss further, which was agreed.

8.

Air Quality Strategy and Action Plan (2017 - 2022)

9.

Ofsted Inspection Report March 2017

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    To note the report of Her Majesty’s Inspectorate, Ofsted of its inspection of services for children in need of help and protection, children looked after and care leavers.

    Supporting documents:

    Minutes:

    The cabinet member for children and schools and strategic director of children’s and adults placed expressed their thanks and commended the hard work of officers for their achievements in the recent Ofsted inspection report.

     

    RESOLVED:

     

    1.  That the report of Her Majesty’s Inspectorate, Ofsted, of its inspection of services for children in need of help and protection, children looked after and care leavers be noted. 

     

    2.  That the post inspection action plan returns to cabinet in September prior to its submission to Ofsted.

10.

Council Plan Annual Performance Report 2016-17

11.

Gateway 0: Strategic Options Assessment for Service Provision of Professional Technical Services

    To approve the strategic options assessment for delivery of professional technical services for the council.

    Supporting documents:

    Minutes:

    RESOLVED:

     

    1.  That the strategic options assessment for delivery of professional technical services for the council be approved and the next steps set out in the report be noted.

     

    2.  That the publication of a Prior Information Notice (PIN) to inform the market of the council’s intention to procure be approved.

     

    3.  That the issuing of leaseholder notice of intentions, prior to the Gateway 1 report approval be approved.

     

    4.  That officers investigate a multi-borough approach in order to address identified issues.

12.

Policy and Resources Strategy: 2017-18 and 2018-19 Updated Financial Remit

    To consider recommendations relating to the policy and resources strategy 2017-18 – 2018-19 updated financial remit.

    Supporting documents:

    Minutes:

    RESOLVED:

     

    1.  That the spring government budget announcements be noted, including:

     

    ·  Adult Social Care (ASC) supplementary funding for the Improved Better Care Fund of £7.471m in 2017-18, reducing to £4.497m in 2018-19 and £2.223m in 2019-20 (paragraph 18 of the report)

    ·  A Business Rate Discretionary Support Fund allocated to local authorities for 2017-18 to 2019-20 (paragraph 27 of the report)

    ·  Increased targeted support for those businesses that lost Small Business Rate Relief entitlement as a result of revaluation 2017 and business rate discount for smaller public houses (paragraph 27 of the report)

    ·  The allocation of ring-fenced Flexible Homelessness Grant of £2.670m in 2017-18 and £3.165m in 2018-19 to be utilised in prevention of homelessness (paragraph 23 of the report). 

     

    2.  That it be noted that cabinet will receive a report in early autumn regarding the Discretionary Business Rate Relief (paragraph 29 of the report).

     

    3.  That it be noted that it is proposed that a budget is prepared for 2018-19 on a one year basis, recognising the funding uncertainties of the provisional settlement and the enduring budget pressures within children’s and adults’ services (paragraph 17 of the report).

     

    4.  That it be noted that the indicative resources available for 2018-19 budget (Appendix A of the report) indicate a budget gap of between £16.440m and £19.894m (the extent to which the council can fully utilise the additional £3.454m of Improved Better Care Fund impacts on the size of this gap).

     

    5.  That it be noted that this budget gap would reduce by £1.800m should the council decide to increase council tax by 2%.

     

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

     

    National factors

     

    ·  Known reduction of £13.594m in government resources from the Settlement Funding Assessment (SFA) and reduction in specific Grant Funding

    ·  Inflation and pay award pressures of £6.000m have been provisionally assumed, subject to further analysis.

     

    Local factors

     

    ·  Increase of £3.400m of resources generated through council tax and business rates including the utilisation of powers to raise the council tax precept by 3%

    ·  Retaining a £4.000m contingency within the overall budget to support in year cost pressures

    ·  No utilisation of reserves have been included

    ·  An assumption that the budget recovery board is successful in addressing the underlying cost pressures within children’s, adults’ and public health (paragraphs 55 to 59 of the report).

     

    7.  That the key areas of risk for Southwark arising from the provisional settlement reported to cabinet are the ability to fully utilise the improved better care fund, lack of certainty for Business Rate Retention, New Homes Bonus, the levels of reserves, budget pressures arising from children’s and adults’, inflation increases and new commitments (paragraph 63 of the report ) be noted.

     

    8.  That the budget risks within the Dedicated Schools Grant as set out in paragraph 60 of the report be noted.

     

    9.  That it be noted the revenue and capital outturn position and utilisation of reserves will be reported at the cabinet meeting in July.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 12.

13.

Revenue Monitoring Report and Treasury Management 2016-17 Outturn Report

14.

Outturn Capital Monitoring for 2016-17 and Capital Programme Refresh for 2017-18 to 2026-27

15.

Gateway 1: Procurement Strategy Approval - Southwark External Solicitors Framework

16.

Appropriation of Former Manor Place Depot for Planning Purposes

17.

Commercial Property Portfolio: Addition of Income Generating Asset

    To approve the acquisition of the freehold interest in a commercial property and note the circumstances leading to the proposed acquisition.

    Supporting documents:

    Minutes:

    RESOLVED:

     

    1.  That the circumstances leading to the proposed acquisition of the freehold interest in the commercial property in question, and actions and investment due diligence being undertaken by officers and their advisors be noted.

     

    2.  That the acquisition of the freehold interest in the property, and all related costs be approved.

     

    3.  That it be delegated to the chief executive, advised by and in consultation with the strategic director of finance and governance and head of property, authority to:

     

    a)  Complete the purchase of the freehold interest in the asset

     

    b)  Agree detailed transactional terms pursuant to Heads of Terms

     

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

     

    NOTE:  In accordance with the provisions of Rule 20 Access to Information rules (decisions for urgent implementation), the chair of overview and scrutiny committee has agreed that this item may be treated as a matter of urgency and is therefore not subject to call-in.

18.

Appointments to Outside Bodies 2017-18 and nominations to Shared ICT Service Joint Committee

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    To consider and agree appointments to outside bodies for 2017-18.

    Supporting documents:

    Minutes:

    RESOLVED:

     

    Decisions of the Cabinet

     

    1.  That the appointments to the outside bodies listed in Appendix A of the report for the 2017-18 municipal year be agreed as follows:

     

    Age UK London

     

    Councillor Richard Livingstone

     

    Better Bankside Board

     

    Councillor Mark Williams

     

    Blue Bermondsey Bid

     

    Councillor Leo Pollak

     

    Board of Lewisham Southwark College Corporation

     

    Councillor Johnson Situ

     

    Canada Water Consultative Forum

     

    Councillor Mark Williams

    Councillor Kath Whittam

    Councillor Stephanie Cryan

    Councillor Dan Whitehead

     

    Central London Forward

     

    Councillor Peter John

     

    Centre for Literacy in Primary Education

     

    Councillor Catherine Rose

     

    Creation Trust

     

    Councillor Mark Williams

    Councillor Lorraine Lauder

    Councillor Paul Fleming

     

    Cross River Board

     

    Councillor Mark Williams

     

    Crystal Palace Community Development Trust

     

    Councillor Jon Hartley

     

    Greater London Enterprise Limited

     

    Councillor Mark Williams

     

    Groundwork London, Local Authority Strategic Input Board

     

    Councillor Ian Wingfield

     

    Guys and St Thomas NHS Foundation (Council of Governors)

     

    Councillor Bill Williams

     

    Kings College Hospital NHS (Council of Governors)

     

    Councillor Kieron Williams

     

    London Road Safety Council (LRSC)

     

    Councillor Ian Wingfield

    Councillor Octavia Lamb

     

    London Youth Games Limited

     

    Councillor Barrie Hargrove / Councillor Maisie Anderson

    Councillor Evelyn Akoto (deputy)

     

    Millwall for All

     

    Councillor Leo Pollak

     

    North Southwark Environment Trust

     

    Councillor Kath Whittam

     

    Potters Fields Park Management Trust

     

    Councillor Barrie Hargrove

    Deborah Collins or Fiona Dean, Environment and Social Regeneration

     

    South Bank Partnership

     

    Councillor Johnson Situ

    Councillor Adele Morris

    Councillor David Noakes

    Councillor Maria Linforth-Hall

     

    South Bank and Bankside Cultural Quarter Directors Board

     

    Councillor Octavia Lamb

     

    South Bermondsey Big Local Partnership Steering Group

     

    Councillor Richard Livingstone

    Councillor Sunny Lambe

     

    South London Gallery Trustee Limited

     

    Councillor Cleo Soanes

    Councillor Radha Burgess

    Councillor Hamish McCallum

     

    South London and Maudsley (SLaM) NHS Trust Members Council

     

    Councillor Tom Flynn

     

    Southwark Construction Skills Centre

     

    Councillor Johnson Situ

     

    Southwark and Lambeth Archaeological Committee (SLAEC)

     

    Councillor Darren Merrill

    Mr Bob Skelly (Deputy)

     

    Southwark Cathedral Education Centre

     

    Councillor Cleo Soanes

     

    Safer Neighbourhood Board (Southwark)

     

    Councillor Barrie Hargrove

     

    WeAreWaterloo BID

    (Business Improvement District)

     

    Councillor David Noakes

     

    Decision of the Leader of the Council

     

    2.  That Councillors Fiona Colley and Stephanie Cryan be nominated to sit on the Shared ICT Services Joint Committee and that Councillors Richard Livingstone and Ian Wingfield be nominated as deputies.

19.

Nominations to Panels, Boards and Forums 2017-18

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    To agree the allocations of places and nominations to the panels, boards and forums for 2017-18.

    Supporting documents:

    Minutes:

    RESOLVED:

     

    1.  That the allocation of places to the panels and boards and forums set out in Appendix A of the report for the 2017-18 municipal year and member nominations be agreed as follows:

     

    Joint Partnership Panel (Trade Union Consultation)

     

    Councillor Peter John

    Councillor Fiona Colley

     

    Homeowners Service Charge Arbitration Panel

     

    Councillor Sandra Rhule

    Councillor Sunny Lambe

    Councillor Sunil Chopra

    Councillor Jon Hartley

    Councillor Tom Flynn

    Councillor Kath Whittam

    Councillor Lorraine Lauder

    Councillor Dora Dixon-Fyle

    Councillor Anood Al-Samerai

    Councillor Maria Linforth-Hall

    Councillor Eliza Mann

    Councillor David Hubber

     

    Tenancy and Leasehold Arbitration Tribunals

     

    Councillor Lorraine Lauder

    Councillor Sandra Rhule

    Councillor Paul Fleming

    Councillor Sunil Chopra

    Councillor Jon Hartley

    Councillor Tom Flynn

    Councillor Kath Whittam

    Councillor Dora Dixon-Fyle

    Councillor Maria Linforth-Hall

    Councillor Eliza Mann

    Councillor David Hubber

    Councillor Hamish McCallum

     

    Southwark Safeguarding Adults Board

     

    Councillor Richard Livingstone

     

    Southwark Safeguarding Children’s Board

     

    Councillor Victoria Mills

     

    Standing Advisory on Religious Education

     

    Councillor Sandra Rhule

    Councillor Sunny Lambe

    Councillor Evelyn Akoto

    Councillor James Barber

     

    Southwark Tenant Management Organisation Committee

     

    Councillor Stephanie Cryan

    Councillor Lucas Green

    Councillor Karl Eastham

    Councillor Sandra Rhule

    Councillor Anood A-Samerai

20.

Borough-wide Fire Safety

    To note the steps being taken to ensure the fire safety of the council’s residential, commercial and office accommodation and other public council buildings and to agree to seek confirmation of timely fire risk assessments for buildings owned by housing association providers and managing agents of private residential properties; and to require licensed private sector landlords to confirm they have carried out FRA assessments for their properties that comply with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.

    Supporting documents:

    Minutes:

    This report had not been circulated five clear days in advance of the meeting. The chair agreed to accept the report as urgent as the next decision period was September, and the council needed to give residents assurance and confidence in the safety precautions undertaken by the council in conjunction with the London Fire Brigade in the event of fire. Given the concerns this could not wait until September.

     

    RESOLVED:

     

    1.  That the steps being taken to ensure the fire safety of the council’s residential, commercial and office accommodation and other public council buildings be noted.

     

    2.  That the efforts being made to collate fire safety information for the borough’s non-council residential property be noted.

     

    3.  That confirmation of timely fire risk assessments for buildings owned by housing association providers and managing agents of private residential properties be sought.

     

    4.  That licensed private sector landlords be required to confirm they have carried out FRA assessments for their properties that comply with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. 

     

    5.  That cabinet receive a progress report back to its September meeting.

21.

Borough Emergency Plan

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    To approve the generic borough emergency plan, and for the emergency plan to be discharged through the cabinet member for communities and safety.

     

    Supporting documents:

    Minutes:

    This report had not been circulated five clear days in advance of the meeting. The chair agreed to accept the report as urgent. In light of the recent tragic events the council wished to confirm the generic emergency borough plan at the earliest opportunity. In addition, cabinet also considered a report on borough wide fire safety and it was considered timely that the emergency plan was considered alongside this report.

     

    RESOLVED:

     

    1.  That the generic borough emergency plan be approved.

     

    2.  That the future governance for the borough emergency plan remain with the cabinet.

Exclusion of the Press and Public

RESOLVED:

 

That the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of 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 decisions taken in the closed part of the meeting.

22.

Minutes

Minutes:

The minutes of the closed section of the meeting held on 20 June 2017 were approved as a correct record and signed by the chair.

23.

Commercial Property: Addition of Income Generating Asset

Minutes:

The cabinet considered the closed information relating to this item. Please see item 17 for the decision.