Agenda and minutes

Cabinet - Tuesday 21 September 2010 7.00 pm

Items
No. Item

1.

Apologies

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    To receive any apologies for absence.

    Minutes:

    Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Abdul Mohamed.

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:

    There were no late items.

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:

    There were no disclosures of interests or dispensations.

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:

    There were no public questions.

5.

Minutes

6.

Transforming Adult Social Care - Putting People First in Southwark

7.

5 Trossachs Road, SE22 and 7 Hayles Street, SE11 - Disposal of Freehold Interest

8.

Approval of the Council's Transport for London Funded Work Programme for 201/112 and Indicative Programme 2013/14 for Submission to Transport for London

    To agree to the content of the council’s proposed submission to Transport for London identifying transport projects to be delivered with the Transport for London Local Implementation Plan funding 2011/12 and the indicative programme of work for the years 2012/13 and 2013/14.

    Supporting documents:

    Minutes:

    RESOLVED:

     

    Decisions of the cabinet

     

    1.  That the content of the council’s proposed submission to Transport for London (TfL) identifying transport projects to be delivered with TfL Local implementation plan (Lip) funding in 2011/12 and the indicative programme of work for the years 2012/13 and 2013/14 as contained in appendices A and B of the report be agreed.

     

    2.  That the identified programme be submitted to TfL by 8 October 2010.

     

    3.  That the agreed programme as set out in appendices A and B of the report be implemented.

     

    Decisions of the leader of the council

     

    4.  That the authority of the cabinet member for transport, environment and recycling to amend the programme for 2011/12 should any variations to the proposed programme be required be confirmed.  The cabinet member shall consult community council chairs regarding scheme changes in their area.

     

    5.  That authority be delegated to the cabinet member for transport, environment and recycling to determine the most appropriate use of the £100k discretionary funding allocated by TfL for 2011/12.

9.

A Fairer Future for All in Southwark - Principles for Budget Setting

    To agree principles relating to the budget setting process.

    Supporting documents:

    Minutes:

    The leader introduced the report.

     

    RESOLVED:

     

    That the following principles be agreed:

     

    1.  At a time of unprecedented cuts proposed by central government, the 2011 Southwark budget should continue to prioritise the commitments made by the cabinet at its first meeting as a new administration in June and its vision to create a fairer future for all by promoting social and economic equality in an economically vibrant borough.

     

    2.  We recognise that some services currently provided by the council may be lost, and some may change.  However, we will do all that we can to protect our front-line services and support our most vulnerable residents.

     

    3.  We will ensure that the services which the council delivers provide value for money, value for council tax payers and contribute towards delivering our vision of creating a fairer future for all in Southwark.

     

    4.  We will explore alternative ways of providing a service prior to proposing any cut or reduction. This will include talking to partner organisations, the voluntary sector, the trade unions, the business community and other local authorities.

     

    5.  We will be transparent with any specific group or groups of users who may be affected by any cut or reduction in service provision as soon as possible and explore with them other ways to provide the service.  We will conduct an equalities impact assessment for our budget proposals.

     

    6.  Before proposing any cut or reduction we will have a clear and comprehensive explanation for why that service should be cut, reduced or no longer provided by the council, and this explanation should be capable of being subject to robust challenge.

     

    7.  Budget proposals should be based on a three year approach and should have regard to innovative ways of providing services and maintaining employment in the borough.

10.

Quarter 1 Revenue Monitoring Report 2010/11

    To note the general fund outturn forecast for 2010/11 and  the treasury management activity for the first quarter of 2010/11.

    Supporting documents:

    Minutes:

    RESOLVED:

     

    1.  That the following be noted:

     

    ·  the general fund outturn forecast  for 2010/11 and the forecast net movement in reserves

    ·  the general fund budget movements and explanations

    ·  the housing revenue account’s (HRA) forecast outturn for 2010/11 and movement in reserves.

     

    2.  That the treasury management activity for the first quarter of 2010/11 be noted.

     

    3.  That strategic directors be instructed to take further necessary action to manage the cost of services within the agreed budget.

11.

Capital Programme 2009/10 Outturn Report

    To note the outturn position for 2009/10 for the capital programme 2009/19 for both the general fund and housing investment programme and to approve the addition to the capital programme as set out in appendix C of the report, and to approve the re-profiling of spend and resources into the 2009/10 general fund capital programme.

    Supporting documents:

    Minutes:

    RESOLVED:

     

    1.  That the outturn position for 2009/10 for the capital programme 2009/19 for both the general fund and housing investment programme including the overall position of the programme (appendices A and B of the report) be noted.

     

    2.  That the addition to the capital programme of the funded schemes identified in appendix C of the report be noted and approved.

     

    3.  That the reprofiling of spend and resources into the 2010/19 general fund capital programme (appendix D and paragraphs to 88 to 90 of the report) be noted and approved.

12.

Capital Programme 2010/19 - Quarter 1 Monitoring Report

    To note the current monitoring position for the capital programme 2010/11– 2018/19 for both the general fund and housing investment programme as at 30 June 2010 and to note that the additions into the programme of budgets relating to prior decisions and the movement of existing schemes between departments.

    Supporting documents:

    Minutes:

    RESOLVED:

     

    1.  That the current monitoring position for the capital programme 2010/11 – 2018/19 for both the general fund and housing investment programme as at 30 June 2010 (appendices A and B of the report ) be noted.

     

    2.  That the additions into the programme of budgets relating to prior decisions and the movement of existing schemes between departments be noted  (appendix C of the report).

     

    3.  That the addition of budgets into the programme, matched by additional funding secured (appendix C of the report) be approved.

     

    4.  That it be noted that the overall resourcing of the capital programme is being reviewed, and will be reported to cabinet in the autumn.

13.

Gateway 1 - Initial Procurement Strategy, Parking and Traffic Enforcement Services Contract

14.

Southwark Markets and Street Trading Strategy 2010/2013

    To agree the Southwark Markets and Street Trading Strategy and the commencement of further consultation on changing the legislative framework from the London Local Authorities Act 1990 as amended and the relaxation of the existing five stall away rule.

    Supporting documents:

    Minutes:

    The cabinet received a deputation from the Southwark Association of Street Traders (SAST) on the proposals contained in the report.  The SAST representative Mr John Wallington welcomed the strategy but reported that the street traders were strongly opposed to the proposal to change the legislative framework from London Local Authorities Act 1990 to Part 111 of the Food Act 1984 and to the proposed relaxation of the five stall away rule.

     

    RESOLVED:

     

    1.  That the Southwark Markets and Street Trading Strategy attached as appendix 1 of the report be agreed.

     

    2.  That officers be authorised to begin implementing an improvement action plan outlined in appendix 2 of the report.

     

    3.  That officers commence further consultation on changing the legislative framework from London Local Authorities Act 1990 as amended to Part 111 of the Food Act 1984.

     

    4.  That consultation be carried out on the following proposal:

     

    ·  to relax the five stall away rule only under the following circumstances: Either when a temporary trader wishes to trade and enforcing the 5 stall away rule would mean the trader would be unable to trade on that day; or if an existing licensed permanent trader wishes to expand by taking on an adjacent vacant stall. A minimum of 1 stall away would always remain.

     

    5.  That participation in market development be further invigorated by creating a strategic quarterly forum with the lead member, officers, Southwark Association of Street Traders (SAST), and any other relevant parties.

15.

Review of Southwark Housing Garage Rents

16.

Street Clutter Overview and Scrutiny Review 2010 - Cabinet Members response to Committee Recommendations

17.

Southwark Council Food Strategy Report - Cabinet Members response to committee recommendations

18.

Motions referred from Council Assembly

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    To consider motions referred from council assembly on the following:

     

    • Southwark’s response to the emergency budget
    • Publication of spending on goods and services over £500
    • Southwark Park and the Olympics
    • Southwark Capital Programme
    • Nursery Row Park

    Supporting documents:

    Minutes:

     

    Southwark’s Response to the Emergency Budget

     

    RESOLVED:

     

    1.  Cabinet notes the unprecedented, game-changing cuts that government is making to public sector spending.  Cabinet also notes that local government will not be protected from those cuts and that while we will know more after the comprehensive spending review in October, the council will face upwards of a 25% reduction in funding over the next five years.

     

    2.  Cabinet notes that the poorest Southwark residents and families will be hit hardest personally by the budget, with significant changes to:

     

    ·  Housing benefits

    ·  Tax credits

    ·  Child benefits

    ·  Disability Living Allowance

     

    3.  Cabinet further notes that the 2.5% increase in VAT, which as a deeply regressive tax will hit the poorest hardest, and will more than swallow up any savings Southwark residents make through changes to the income tax personal allowance and council tax freeze.

     

    4.  Cabinet notes that the increase in VAT will lead to higher prices for goods and services; will have a disproportionate impact on pensioners and other low income groups; and will have a severe impact on businesses, charities and community groups in Southwark.  Cabinet further notes the disproportionate effect of the budget on women and the disabled.

     

    5.  Cabinet notes that the effect of the increase in VAT, when taken with other measures in the budget, will be unfair to pensioners, who have not had a compensatory increase in other benefits and allowances.

     

    6.  Cabinet notes that the way the VAT increase will affect pensioners and other low income groups runs counter to the Government's Coalition Agreement statement on 20 May 2010 that it would "ensure that fairness is at the heart of those decisions so that all those most in need are protected”.

     

    7.  Cabinet notes that the Institute of Fiscal Studies has stated the VAT increase was not "unavoidable," as the Chancellor of the Exchequer said in his budget speech.”

     

    8.  Cabinet notes that these changes will take place at a time of rising unemployment and that the Office of Budget Responsibility’s figures show that the actions in the budget itself will lead to weaker employment growth and more serious unemployment levels.

     

    9.  Cabinet notes that it has already committed to cutting waste and making efficiency savings, but that they will not be enough to prevent loss of services.  Cabinet believes that the council will have to change the way it works by being innovative if we are to both continue delivering for Southwark residents and also try to meet the greater needs that the welfare reforms, VAT changes and persistent unemployment will cause in the community.

     

    10.  Cabinet further believes that meeting this challenge will require greater cooperation between the council, its neighbours, residents, businesses, local trade unions and stakeholders.  Cabinet believes that the council’s response will be stronger if local consensus can be achieved between the local parties wherever possible and resolves to go forward on that basis.

     

    11.  Cabinet therefore resolves to open up the council’s budget making process by finding innovative ways of involving  ...  view the full minutes text for item 18.

19.

Appointments to Outside Bodies - South London Gallery Board of Trustees

Exclusion of press and public

It was moved, seconded and

 

RESOLVED:

 

That the public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in categories 1 - 7 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 section of the meeting.

20.

Minutes

    To approve as correct records the minutes of the closed section of the meetings held on 20 and 26 July 2010.

     

Minutes:

The closed minutes of the meetings held on 20 and 26 July 2010 were agreed as correct records and signed by the Chair.

 

The meeting ended at 9.05pm.