Agenda and minutes
PDF 207 KBVenue: Ground Floor Meeting Rooms, 160 Tooley Street, London SE1 2QH
Contact: Paula Thornton and 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. The deadline for the receipt of public questions is midnight Wednesday 7 September 2022. Minutes: All members were present. |
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Announcement in respect of the death of her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II Members and all those present observed a minutes silence in memory of her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
The leader extended Southwark borough’s deepest condolences to the Royal Family at this difficult time. He explained how it was a huge honour for the borough to be host to Her Majesty the Queen on several occasions and her incredible seventy-year long service to public life and this country.
The chief executive provided an update on the arrangements and preparations taking place in Southwark for the forthcoming events and funeral. |
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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 of the following late item:
· Item 20: Marie Curie – Safety Works and Resident Rehousing Offers.
Reasons for urgency and lateness will be specified in the relevant minutes. |
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Notice of Intention to conduct business in a closed meeting, and any representations received
To note the items specified which will be considered in a closed meeting. Minutes: There were no closed items for this meeting. |
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Disclosure of Interests and Dispensations
Members to declare any interests and dispensations in respect of any item of business to be considered at this meeting. Minutes: There were none. |
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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 Wednesday 7 September 2022 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 18 July 2022. Supporting documents: Minutes: RESOLVED:
That the minutes of the meeting held on 18 July 2022 be approved as a correct record and signed by the chair. |
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Deputation Requests
To consider any deputation requests. The deadline for the receipt of a deputation request is midnight Wednesday 7 September 2022. Minutes: There were none. |
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Policy and Resources Strategy: revenue monitoring report, including treasury management month 4 2022-23
To note the key adverse variations and budget pressures and approve the interdepartmental budget movements that exceed £250k. Supporting documents: Minutes: RESOLVED:
1. That the adverse variance forecast for the general fund in 2022-23 be noted.
2. That it be noted that no additional COVID-19 funding has been made available to councils in 2022-23 and that all ongoing expenditure has been included within the forecast.
3. That the key adverse variations and budget pressures be noted:
(i) The dedicated schools grant (DSG) is forecasting an in-year pressure of £3.1m, in addition to the £21.7m accumulated deficit brought forward
(ii) The continuing budget pressures within children’s social care
(iii) The emerging budget pressures in adult social care, mitigated by the use of resilience reserves
(iv) The continuing budget pressures on temporary accommodation.
4. That the ongoing inclement macro-economic environment, with inflation running above 10.1% and interest rates at their highest rates since 2009 be noted.
5. That it be noted that any pay settlement above the budgeted 2% will add pressure of £1.7m per percentage point (with 3% currently assumed in the month 4 forecast).
6. That the housing revenue account forecast for 2022-23 (Table 2, paragraphs 66-77 of the report) be noted.
7. That the treasury management activity undertaken in 2022-23 (paragraphs 81-88 of the report) be noted.
8. That the interdepartmental budget movements that exceed £250k, as shown in Appendix A of the report be approved (noting those under this threshold). |
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Policy and Resources Strategy: capital monitoring report month 4 2022-23
To approve the virements and variations to the general fund and housing investment capital programme and the new capital bids and note the significant funding requirement. Supporting documents: Minutes: RESOLVED:
1. That the virements and variations to the general fund and housing investment capital programme as detailed in Appendix C and the new capital bids contained within this report and summarised at Appendix E of the report be approved.
2. That the significant funding requirement of £280m 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.
3. That the £2bn housing investment programme to be fully delivered over the remaining term of the programme, as detailed in Appendix B of the report be noted.
4. That the significant contribution the capital programme is making towards the objectives of the council’s climate change strategy (see paragraphs 17-18, 83-85, 120 of the report) be noted.
5. That the review of the entire capital programme cost estimates, profiles and priorities by the strategic director of finance and governance and the cabinet member for finance, democracy and digital which will be reported to council assembly in February 2023 be approved. |
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Southwark Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) Strategy 2022-25
To agree the special educational needs and disability strategy 2022-25. Supporting documents: Minutes: RESOLVED:
That the special educational needs and disability (SEND) strategy 2022-25 as set out in Appendix 1 of the report be approved. |
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Response to Report of the Education and Local Economy Scrutiny Commission: Review of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) Provision in the Borough of Southwark
To consider the responses to the recommendations in respect of the scrutiny commission report. Supporting documents: Minutes: RESOLVED:
That the response to the recommendations of the scrutiny commission on special education needs and disabilities (SEND) in the London Borough of Southwark be noted. |
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Response to the Education and Local Economy Scrutiny Commission: Ethnicity Pay Gap in Southwark Council
To consider the responses to the recommendations in respect of the scrutiny commission report. Supporting documents: Minutes: RESOLVED:
1. That the recommendations made by the education and local economy scrutiny commission be noted.
2. That the response set out in the report be approved.
3. That commitment to closing the council’s ethnicity pay gap, which has been included as a priority in the new Council Delivery Plan be reaffirmed. |
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Response to the Southwark Housing and Community Engagement Scrutiny Commission - Southwark Construction Consultation strategy response
To consider the responses to the recommendations in respect of the scrutiny commission report. Supporting documents: Minutes: RESOLVED:
1. That the assurance provided by the cabinet member for council homes and homelessness of his ongoing commitment for ensuring Southwark Construction has in place robust consultation and engagement strategies for all new homes to be delivered in the future programme with local residents, key stakeholders and any recognised bodies who work closely with the council to engage with/and represent local residents be accepted.
2. That it is accepted that Southwark Construction is aware of its duty of care to review its consultation strategy, to adopt best practice arising, from any legislative white papers.
3. That Southwark Construction will review its consultation strategy on an annual basis to see if and where adjustments need to be made to reflect the consultation requirements of its consultees.
4. That the planning department’s role, as an independent body, which must fulfil its statutory obligations of consultation on all planning applications and scrutiny of such to ensure they meet with planning policy requirements irrespective of the developer being the council be noted.
5. That the limited resources and tools available to the then new homes development team, during the Covid 19 pandemic, for which the two case studies; Kingston estate and Brenchley Gardens estate were being consulted on during this time be accepted.
6. That that the level of engagement carried out on the two estates case studied and reported on at the meeting of 5 October 2021 were projects where hampered by the pandemic be recognised.
7. That it be noted that in giving residents a real say in how the new homes are managed in accordance to the Charter of Principle pledge will include:
· We will work with residents on an area basis on options for involving you in the longer term management and upkeep of your home. · During all new homes consultation we will work with residents to improve localised issues such as reducing anti-social behaviour (ABS), improved gardens and accessibility, waste management, outside environmental improvements and play areas. This will ensure that new homes built provide long term benefits to the local community as well as meeting housing demand · We will always be receptive to engaging with our communities to consider the creation of working groups and longer term management provision that retains residents at the heart of an improved community. |
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Response to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee: Review of Regeneration in the Borough of Southwark
To consider the responses to the recommendations in respect of the overview and scrutiny committee report. Supporting documents: Minutes: RESOLVED:
That the recommendations of the overview and scrutiny committee be noted and the response set out in Appendix 1 of the report be endorsed. |
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Response to the Education and Local Economy Scrutiny Commission: Procurement, Accessibility and Social Value
To consider the responses to the recommendations in respect of the scrutiny commission report. Supporting documents: Minutes: RESOLVED:
That the response to the recommendations to the education and local economy scrutiny commission’s report on procurement, accessibility and social value dated 14 June 2022 be noted and agreed. |
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Response to the Education and Local Economy Scrutiny Commission: Town Centre Action Plan - Southwark Pioneers Fund
To consider the responses to the recommendations in respect of the scrutiny commission report. Supporting documents: Minutes: RESOLVED:
That the approach undertaken by the council in procuring providers for the Southwark Pioneers Fund (SPF) start-up and growth contracts be noted. |
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Response to the Housing and Community Engagement Scrutiny Commission: Licensing in the private rented sector in the Borough of Southwark
To consider the responses to the recommendations in respect of the scrutiny commission report. Supporting documents: Minutes: RESOLVED:
That the recommendations of the overview and scrutiny committee (paragraph 2 of the report) be welcomed and the response set out in the report be noted. |
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Authorisation to write off unrecoverable expenditure from action on a dangerous structure during the Christmas holiday period 2013 for Corelli Court
To seek approval for the write off of irrecoverable expenditure from action on a dangerous structure during the Christmas holiday period 2013 for Corelli Court, 316 Lynton road, SE1 5DD. Supporting documents: Minutes: RESOLVED:
That approval be given for the write off of £348,000 of irrecoverable expenditure from action on a dangerous structure during the Christmas holiday period 2013 for Corelli Court, 316 Lynton road, SE1 5DD. |
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Motions Referred from Council Assembly
To consider the following motions referred from council assembly 13 July 2022:
· Tackling the cost of living crisis · Saving South London Buses · Save Southwark Buses · A plan for Southwark’s Housing Repairs · Standing Up for Responsible Tax Conduct · Making Cycle Storage Accessible for All · Equal Pavements Pledge · Patients not Passports · The closure of St Francesca Cabrini Primary School. Supporting documents: Minutes: RESOLVED:
Tackling the cost of living crisis
That the motion referred from council assembly as a recommendation to cabinet, set out below be agreed.
1. Council assembly notes that:
a. The people of our country and borough are facing a cost of living crisis, with inflation rising at the fastest rate for 40 years, and food and fuel costs spiralling. As a result, millions of families are struggling to make ends meet and facing impossible choices been heating, eating and paying their rent.
b. Ofgem are predicting that the number of households facing fuel poverty across the UK could double to 12 million next year. The price of food is also soaring, with the average price of pasta up by more than 50% since April 2021 and 94% of adults reporting that the price of their food shop has increased over the last month.
c. These spiralling costs follow a decade of Conservative and Liberal Democrat government policies that have cut the incomes of millions of families across the country, with almost 4 million children now living in poverty and national demand for foodbanks up 81% over the last five years. In our borough, the Southwark Foodbank supported almost 19,000 people in 2021 (of which 7,000 were children), a 289% increase from 2019/20.
d. Citizens Advice Southwark estimates that 31% of households in Southwark are in poverty, with the cost of living crisis likely to exacerbate this further. The council’s revenues and benefits team has identified over 22,000 residents in need of financial support. Voluntary sector partners have also reported a rapid rise in the number of working people unable to make ends meet, as wages fail to keep up with the cost of living.
e. A recent Southwark Council Housing Residents’ Working Party produced a report “Pulling at the Roots” which highlights the economic and financial impact of COVID on our council housing residents and made a number of helpful recommendations to support council tenants and homeowners in debt.
f. We have a strong voluntary and community sector in Southwark, with a community support alliance set up to ensure that residents who need help the most can get support from the sector and council. These organisations, however, have become inundated with residents facing challenges as a result of the cost of living crisis.
2. Council assembly also notes that:
a. Since 2010, successive Liberal Democrat and Conservative governments have imposed austerity on the country, creating hardship and destitution on a scale not seen for decades.
b. This includes measures such as the benefit cap, the cap to the local housing allowance, child benefit caps, and a bedroom tax which the previous Liberal Democrat MP for Bermondsey and Old Southwark voted for 8 times.
c. It also includes the Conservative’s and Liberal Democrat’s failed economic policies, which have delivered the worst decade for wages our country has seen since the Napoleonic wars. Working families’ pay is now falling by £1,300.
d. As a result, many of the ... view the full minutes text for item 19. |
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Marie Curie - Safety works and resident rehousing offers
To note the detailed ongoing resident engagement to date and the outcome of the independent review of fire safety at Marie Curie house.
To note the progress on the rehousing of the tenants within Southwark and approve the programme of works to be undertaken, with a further progress report to be received in March 2023. Supporting documents: Minutes: The report had not been circulated five clear days in advance of the meeting. The chair agreed to accept this item as urgent as the decision ensured that attention was paid to the situation in Marie Curie House, and confirmed the council’s commitment to the works going forward. The report also demonstrated to everyone consulted and that comments were being taken into account in a timely and accessible manner.
RESOLVED:
1. That the detailed ongoing resident engagement to date be noted and the Marie Curie Resident Project Group (comprising resident volunteers that meets at key stages), be thanked for their continued work to date.
2. That the outcome of the independent review of fire safety at Marie Curie be noted.
3. That the progress on the rehousing of the tenants within Southwark be noted.
4. That the progress on the programme of works to be undertaken be noted.
5. That officers be instructed report in March 2023 on the progress on the works to Marie Curie house, delivering the recommendations of the independent review and reviewing the works undertaken at Lakanal to review whether any additional works to Marie Curie house are required at Lakanal. |
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Fairer, Greener, Safer Southwark - Council Delivery Plan 2022-2026
To agree the proposed Council Delivery Plan 2022-2026 and the proposed arrangements for monitoring and reporting on progress. Supporting documents: Minutes: RESOLVED:
1. That the proposed Council Delivery Plan 2022-2026 (attached as Appendix 1 of the report) be agreed.
2. That officers be instructed to work with cabinet members to develop detailed performance schedules for the Council Delivery Plan.
3. That the proposed arrangements for monitoring and reporting on progress against the Council Delivery Plan, as noted in paragraphs 7 to 10 of the report be agreed. |
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Exclusion of the press and public 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. |
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Minutes
Minutes: RESOLVED:
That the minutes of the closed meeting held on 18 July 2022 be approved as a correct record and signed by the chair. |