Agenda and minutes

Cabinet - Tuesday 7 January 2025 11.00 am

Venue: Walworth Town Hall, 151 -155 Walworth Road, London SE17 1RS

Contact: Paula Thornton and Maria Lugangira  Email:  maria.lugangira@southwark.gov.uk;  paula.thornton@southwark.gov.uk;

Note: Please note that cabinet meetings are usually live streamed. If you address the meeting, please do not disclose any information you do not wish to be in the public domain. Livestream at: https://www.youtube.com/user/southwarkcouncil/videos; to attend in person please contact the above constitutional officer. 

Items
No. Item

1.

Apologies

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    To receive any apologies for absence.

    Minutes:

    Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Evelyn Akoto and James McAsh.

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 and urgent item:

     

    ·  Item 15: Tustin Estate update and phase 2 compulsory purchase order

     

    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

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    To note the items specified which will be considered in a closed meeting.

    Minutes:

    There were none.

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:

    Councillors Natasha Ennin and Portia Mwangangye declared a disclosable pecuniary interest in respect of Item 9: Housing Revenue Account – Final Rent and Charges report 2025-26.

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 public questions is midnight Tuesday 31 December 2024.

     

    Minutes:

    There were none.

6.

Deputation Requests

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    To consider any deputation requests. The deadline for the receipt of public questions is midnight Tuesday 31 December 2024.

    Minutes:

    There were none.

7.

Minutes

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    To approve as a correct record the minutes of the open section of the meeting held on 3 December 2024.

    Supporting documents:

    Minutes:

    RESOLVED:

     

    That the minutes of the meeting held on 3 December 2024 be approved as a correct record and signed by the chair.

8.

Corporate Parenting Annual Report 2023-24

9.

Housing Revenue Account - Final Rent and Charges Report 2025-26

    To approve the housing revenue account budget and rent setting for 2025-26.

    Supporting documents:

    Minutes:

    Having declared a disclosable pecuniary interest, Councillors Natasha Ennin and Portia Mwangangye withdrew from the meeting while this item was being discussed.

     

    RESOLVED:

     

    That the following be noted:

     

    1.  The change to the concessionary garage charging policy as previously agreed under individual decision making (IDM) by the cabinet member for council housing as set out in paragraph 22 of the report.

     

    2.  The resident feedback from the engagement event that took place on 10 December 2024, attached at Appendix 2 of the report.

     

    That the following be approved:

     

    3.  The rent increase of 2.7% for all directly and tenant managed (TMO) housing stock within the council’s Housing Revenue Account. This is in accordance with the government’s guideline rent formula of CPI+1% (based on September 2024 Consumer Price Index) as set out at paragraphs 14-16 of the report with effect from 7 April 2025.

     

    4.  The rent increase of 2.7% for the council’s shared ownership stock as set out at paragraph 17 of the report with effect from 7 April 2025.

     

    5.  The increases to tenant service charges, comprising estate cleaning, grounds maintenance, communal lighting and door entry maintenance as set out in paragraphs 18-19 of the report with effect from 7 April 2025.

     

    6.  The increase in sheltered and supported housing service charges as set out in paragraph 20 of the report with effect from 7 April 2025.

     

    7.  The increase in charges for garages as set out in paragraph 21 of the report with effect from 7 April 2025.

     

    8.  The freezing of tenant heat network charges for 2025-26 at existing levels, with the exception of the borough-wide metered charge for new homes, which will reduce as set out in paragraphs 23-40 of the report with effect from 7 April 2025.

10.

Council Tax Base 2025-26

    To set the council tax base for 2025-26.

    Supporting documents:

    Minutes:

    An updated Appendix A was circulated and published.

     

    RESOLVED:

     

    1.  That the council tax base for 2025-26 is set at 112,357 (112,166 in 2024-25) band D equivalent dwellings (Appendix A of the report) be agreed.

     

    2.  That the schedule of discounts and exemptions in paragraph 12 of the report be recommended to council assembly, including the premiums applicable for long-term empty dwellings.

     

    3.  That the assumed council tax collection level for 2025-26 be changed to 96.50% (2024-25 97.20%).

     

    4.  That the 2025-26 council tax base for St. Mary Newington parish is set at 11,732 (12,881 in 2024-25) band D equivalent dwellings be agreed.

     

    5.  That the proposed continuation of the current council tax section 13A (1)(c) policy[1] covering discretionary relief terms (refer to paragraphs 17 to 18 of the report) be agreed:

     

    ·  to continue council tax discretionary relief (0% to 100%) for young people leaving care aged 18 to 24 years for the period 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026

     

    ·  to continue foster carers’ discretionary relief (0% to 100%) for the period 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026.

     

    6.  That the following be noted concerning the council tax reduction scheme:

     

    ·  nochanges to the council tax reduction scheme (CTRS) for 2025-26, as set out in paragraphs 19 to 23.

     

    Any minor and consequential amendments to the CTRS written policy will remain delegated to the strategic director of resources in consultation with the monitoring officer.


    [1] Southwark council tax section 13A (1)(c) policy

11.

Policy and Resources: Revenue Monitoring Report 2024-25

    To note the forecast revenue out-turn position.

    Supporting documents:

    Minutes:

    RESOLVED:

     

    1.  That the housing revenue account (HRA) forecast of an adverse variance of £8.2m be noted.

    2.  That the adverse variance of £17.8m forecast for the general fund (GF) in 2024-25 be noted.

    3.  That the key adverse variations and budget pressures and mitigating actions underlying the position be noted:

    ·  Housing revenue account (paragraphs 13-27 of the report)

    ·  General fund (paragraphs 28-80 of the report)

    ·  Demand pressures in temporary accommodation (TA) (housing)

    ·  Increased costs for those who have ‘No Recourse to Public Funds’ (NRPF) (environment, sustainability and leisure) 

    ·  Increased demand for adult care packages and increased placement costs for children with complex needs and a shortage of available foster placements (children’s and adults)

    ·  Planning and growth – less than expected income and cost of maintaining void properties in the general fund (resources)

    ·  Customer services – additional resources into the contact centre to address capacity issues (resources).

    4.  The dedicated schools grant (DSG) in-year pressure of £0.8m be noted.

12.

Policy and Resources: Capital Monitoring Report 2024-25 and Southwark 2030 Strategic Alignment

13.

Streets for People Delivery Plan

14.

Allocations for Strategic Community Infrastructure Levy Funding

    To agree project allocations.

    Supporting documents:

    Minutes:

    RESOLVED:

     

    1.  That the allocation of strategic community infrastructure levy funding of up to £1,500,000 towards the fit out of the LGBTQ+ space at Bankside Yards be agreed.

     

    2.  That the allocation of strategic community infrastructure levy funding of £2,373,563 towards the development of 634-636 Old Kent Road be agreed.

     

    3.  That the allocation of strategic community infrastructure levy funding of £30,000 towards the Bakerloo Line Extension Funding Study be agreed.

     

    4.  That the allocation of strategic community infrastructure levy funding of £50,000 towards design work to improve accessibility at Nunhead Station be agreed.

15.

Tustin Estate Update and Phase 2 Compulsory Purchase Order

16.

Motions Referred from Council Assembly

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    To consider motions referred from council assembly 20 November 2024 meeting as follows:

     

    ·  The climate emergency in Southwark: a fair transition to net zero

    ·  Supporting older people this winter

    ·  Rethinking winter fuel payment cuts

    ·  Right to grow

    ·  Supporting the Climate and Nature Bill

    ·  Support renters in Southwark.

    Supporting documents:

    Minutes:

    RESOLVED:

     

    The climate emergency in Southwark: a fair transition to net zero

     

    That the motion referred from council assembly as a recommendation to cabinet, set out below be agreed.

     

    1.  Council Assembly Notes:

    a.  That the climate emergency requires continued action to keep global warming below 1.5 degrees and that the UK, along with other wealthier nations, holds greater responsibility for reducing emissions given larger current and historic contributions.

    b.  The UK’s legally binding target to reduce emissions by 78% by 2035 compared to 1990 levels, and to be Net Zero by 2050.

    c.  Southwark Council’s declaration of a climate emergency in 2019 and our ambitious target of being carbon neutral by 2030.

    d.  That as an urban borough bordering the Thames, Southwark is particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change such as flooding, and that hotter summers in an urban environment will greatly impact our vulnerable residents.

    e.  The need for the transition to net zero to be fair to all residents and businesses and the importance of a collective effort from central government, local government, community groups, voluntary organisations and the private sector to work together to meet this goal.

    2.  Council Assembly welcomes:

    a.  The new government’s commitment to tackling the climate emergency.

    b.  The establishment of Great British Energy and a change in policy allowing new onshore windfarms to clean our energy supply along with further commitments in the government’s mission to make Britain a clean energy superpower, including a new warm homes plan.

    c.  The new government’s commitment to work with businesses and investors to ensure we have a fair and just transition to net zero.

    3.  Council Assembly further notes:

    a.  That despite a lack of leadership and funding from the previous government, Southwark Council and the local community have brought forward action to tackle the climate emergency.

     

    b.  The council has seen year on year emission reductions since launching our Climate Action Plan in 2021.

     

    c.  That £25m in the Climate Capital Fund has now been fully assigned to specific projects or project areas which will be delivered over the next 12 months.

     

    d.  That buildings account for 79% of emissions in the borough and the council has made great progress in reducing these emissions by:

     

      i.  Remaining on track to halve emissions in council-operated buildings by 2026.

      ii.  Moving over 2,000 council homes onto clean, water-source heat pumps on the Consort, Newington, and Wyndham estates.

      iii.  Launching the Schools Climate Action Guide to help schools reach net zero.

      iv.  Adopting ambitious planning policies which go further than the London Plan and require new developments in Southwark to achieve higher green standards and more operational carbon reductions.

      v.  Encouraging private sector competition in the north of the borough for building low-carbon office space.

      vi.  Introducing a green buildings fund, using developer contributions to subsidise the decarbonization of buildings in the borough.

    e.  That transport contributes significant carbon and other toxic emissions which Southwark has made progress on by:

      i.  Reducing the need  ...  view the full minutes text for item 16.