Agenda and minutes
PDF 244 KBVenue: Rooms GO2A, B and C, Southwark Council, 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
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.
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Apologies
To receive any apologies for absence. Minutes: All members were present. |
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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: There were none. |
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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 none. |
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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: Councillors Evelyn Akoto, Natasha Ennin and Portia Mwangangye declared a disclosable pecuniary interest in respect of Item 10: Housing Revenue Account – Indicative Rent and Charges report 2025-26. |
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Minutes
To approve as a correct record the minutes of the open section of the meeting held on 15 October 2024. Minutes: RESOLVED:
That the minutes of the meeting held on 15 October 2024 be approved as a correct record and signed by the chair. |
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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 27 November 2024. Minutes: There were none. |
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Deputation Requests
To consider any deputation requests. The deadline for the receipt of public questions is midnight Wednesday 27 November 2024. Minutes: There were none. |
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A Good Start in Life- Southwark Schools Standards Report 2023-24
To note the Southwark Standards Report, 2023-24. Supporting documents: Minutes: Ruth Sharp from Rye Oak primary school SE15 and Delia Jameson from St Joseph’s primary school, Camberwell were in attendance to provide their input to the report.
RESOLVED:
That the Southwark Standards Report, 2023-24 be noted. |
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Policy and Resources: Medium Term Financial Strategy update 2025-26
To note the medium-term financial strategy update including the draft budget. Supporting documents: Minutes: RESOLVED:
That the following be noted:
1. The updates from the autumn statement delivered on the 30 October 2024 and the budget challenge process.
2. The updated general fund budget gap for 2025-26 of £4.12m and £8.19m for 2026-27, before transformation programme savings (Appendix A of the report).
3. The proposed options to help achieve a balanced 2025-26 general fund budget and indicative savings for 2026-27 together with departmental narratives (Appendices B and C of the report).
4. Appendix D of the report which details the draft fees and charges schedules.
5. Appendix E of the report outlining the savings required in 2024-25 and 2025-26 to balance the housing revenue account budget.
6. Strategic directors will continue to work with their respective cabinet members to find additional savings options to close the estimated funding gap.
7. Equality impact assessments are ongoing and that a cumulative impact assessment will be presented to cabinet as part of the budget update in February.
8. The contents of this report will be considered by overview and scrutiny committee in January prior to February 2025 cabinet. |
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Housing Revenue Account - Indicative Rent and Charges Report 2025-26
To consider the proposed housing revenue account rent (the indicative/draft rent) and charges for 2025-26. Supporting documents: Minutes: Having declared a disclosable pecuniary interest, Councillors Evelyn Akoto, Natasha Ennin and Portia Mwangangye withdrew from the meeting while this item was being discussed.
RESOLVED:
That the following be noted:
1. The proposed 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 15-16 of the report with effect from 7 April 2025.
2. The proposed 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.
3. The proposed 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.
4. The proposed increase in sheltered and supported housing service charges as set out in paragraph 20 of the report with effect from 7 April 2025.
5. The proposed increase in charges for garages as set out in paragraph 21 of the report with effect from 7 April 2025.
6. The change to the garage concessionary rate as previously agreed under individual decision making (IDM) by the cabinet member for council housing as set out in paragraph 22 of the report.
7. The proposed 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.
8. That resident engagement on the specific proposals will be undertaken along with information to assist in understanding the primary income sources that underpin the housing revenue account (HRA) and how those resources are spent on the care, upkeep and investment in the existing housing stock and provision of new council homes. Resident feedback will be reported to cabinet at its meeting on 7 January 2025. |
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Statement of Community Involvement and Development Consultation Charter: Annual Review and Updates
To agree the updated statement of community involvement (SCI) and development consultation charter (DCC) 2024 with the minor changes. Supporting documents: Minutes: RESOLVED:
1. That the updated statement of community involvement (SCI) and development consultation charter (DCC) 2024 with the minor changes set out in Appendices 2 and 3 of the report be agreed.
2. That the updated development consultation charter templates (early engagement strategy, engagement summary, and equality and needs impact assessment) at Appendices 4, 5, and 6 of the report be agreed.
3. That the statement of community involvement (SCI) and development consultation charter (DCC) be issued for a public consultation for a minimum six weeks. |
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Tackling Crime and Antisocial Behaviour
To approve the council's new approach to tackling crime and anti-social behaviour. Supporting documents: Minutes: RESOLVED:
That it be noted:
a. the way that the council works in partnership with other agencies through the community safety partnership b. cross council working on community safety issues c. the community safety services that the council provides, including the community wardens service.
2. That officers will report back to cabinet in July 2025 on the outcomes of the review of community safety.
3. That officers will also report back to cabinet in July 2025 on the reviewed community safety plan and annual assessment that is currently underway by the community safety partnership and is statutorily required under the Crime and Disorder (Formulation and Implementation of Strategy) Regulations 2007(as amended).
4. That the proposed greater use of the council’s enforcement powers to address antisocial behaviour in instances where advice and guidance has not received the required reduction. This will include reviewing our current enforcement policy (Regulatory Services Enforcement Policy 2021) and looking at how each partner across the wider community safety partnership and council uses their powers to work together to tackle crime and antisocial behaviour. |
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Gateway 1 – Procurement strategy for Adults Care at Home
To approve the continuation of adults' home care arrangements. Supporting documents: Minutes: RESOLVED:
1. That the procurement strategy, single supplier negotiation, for the delivery of home care services for adults in Bermondsey, Rotherhithe, Camberwell and Peckham with the existing adults’ core provider, London Care, comprising two contracts be approved, namely:
(i) Bermondsey and Rotherhithe at an estimated value of £2.2m (ii) Camberwell and Peckham at an estimated value of £2.9m for a period of twelve months commencing on 1 April 2025, and ending on 31 March 2026, with an estimated total value of £5.1m.
2. That the procurement strategy, single supplier negotiation, for the delivery of home care services for adults in Bermondsey, Rotherhithe, Camberwell and Peckham with the existing adults’ core provider, Sage Care, comprising two contracts be approved, namely:
(iii) Bermondsey and Rotherhithe at an estimated value of £1.1m (iv) Camberwell and Peckham at an estimated value of £2.3m for a period of twelve months commencing on 1 April 2025, and ending on 31 March 2026, with an estimated total value of £3.4m.
3. That the procurement strategy, single supplier negotiation, for the delivery of home care services for adults in Walworth, Blackfriars, Camberwell and Peckham with the existing adults’ core provider, Supreme Care, comprising two contracts be approved, namely:
(v) Walworth and Blackfriars at an estimated value of £3.9m (vi) Camberwell and Peckham at an estimated value of £2.5m for a period of twelve months commencing on 1 April 2025, and ending on 31 March 2026, with an estimated total value of £6.4m.
4. That the procurement strategy, single supplier negotiation, for the delivery of home care services for adults in Walworth, Blackfriars and Dulwich with the existing adults’ core provider, Chrysalis Community Care (previously known as Medacs Healthcare), comprising two contracts be approved, namely:
(vii) Walworth, Dulwich and Blackfriars at an estimated value of £1.1m (viii) Camberwell and Peckham at an estimated value of £1m for a period of twelve months commencing on 1 April 2025, and ending on 31 March 2026, with an estimated total value of £2.1m.
5. That the approval of the contract award recommendations (gateway 2 report) be delegated to the strategic director of children and adult services, in consultation with the cabinet member for health and wellbeing for the reasons given in paragraphs 43-44 of the report. |
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Ledbury Estate Compulsory Purchase Order
To approve of the compulsory purchase order strategy for the Ledbury Estate Regeneration. Supporting documents: Minutes:
1. That the current position in relation to the delivery of new homes at Phase 2 of the Ledbury Estate Renewal Scheme be noted as follows:
(i) A constructioncontract with Higgins Partnerships Ltd to deliver bothPhase 1 and Phase 2of the Estate Redevelopment, along with the required budgets todeliver the Ledbury Estate Renewal scheme was agreedby cabinet in December2021 and March 2023 respectively.
(ii) A planning application (22/AP/0554)for the redevelopment of both phases of the site, providing 80 homes on the first phase and 260 homes on the second phase was approved in December 2022.
(iii) The council has already acquired 19 leasehold interests across the 4 Ledburytowers. 6 of these were in Bromyard House which facilitated successful vacant possession for Phase 1.
(iv) On Phase 1, vacant possession was achieved on 25 July 2022 with a formal start on site date of 4 December 2023.
(v) On Phase 2, there are currently 15 leasehold interests across the three remaining towers of Peterchurch House, Skenfrith House and Sarnesfield House (hereafter “the three towers”).
(vi) The council is pursuinga negotiated settlement with all leaseholders situatedwithin the three remaining towers, with the intention to acquire these remaininginterests byagreement without the needfor the council to apply to use its compulsory purchase powers.
(vii) The council may need to use its compulsory purchase powers to acquire outstanding land and interests in the absence of a negotiated settlement to acquire such interests.
(viii) The councilis offering to rehouseall residentleaseholders who want to stay onthe rebuilt Ledbury Estate, ina new leaseholdhome on either an outright purchase or shared equityloan basis (subject to financialassessment), in compliance with thepolicies outlined in the Ledbury resident offer document.
(ix) Phase 1 is currently anticipated to complete in June of 2026.
2. That a further report be prepared and submitted to cabinet at a later date (if required) seeking cabinet’s formal resolution to make a compulsory purchase order (CPO).
3. That the ongoing efforts to rehome residentsfrom the three towers, based on a critical health and safety risks, as detailed in the July 2024 Rehoming Notice section below. The following be agreed in principle:
(i) To use its compulsorypurchase powers under Section 226(1)(a) of theTown and Country Planning Act 1990 (“the 1990 Act”) and section13 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act1976 for theacquisition of all land and interests(which arenot alreadyowned bythe council) withinthe areaof landshown foridentification purposesedged blackand boldon theplan inAppendix 1 of the report,for thepurposes offacilitating theredevelopment, developmentand improvementof theland andsecuring thedelivery of 340new homeson thesite inline withthe planningapplication forPhase 2(“the Scheme”)thereby securingthe continuedredevelopment ofthe LedburyEstate, inline withthe original planning ... view the full minutes text for item 14. |
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Response to the Environment Scrutiny Commission : Sustainable Freight
To consider the responses to the recommendations of the scrutiny commission report. Supporting documents: Minutes: RESOLVED:
1. That the report be noted.
2. That a response has been provided to the seven recommendations of the scrutiny commission in the table in paragraph 9 of the report. Where relevant, these have been acknowledged and incorporated into the freight plan and other highways work. It has also been noted where responsibility for addressing the recommendations sits with other parts of the council. |
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Response to the report of the housing, community safety and community engagement scrutiny commission - review of heating and hot water outages
To consider the responses to the recommendations in respect of the scrutiny commission report. Supporting documents: Minutes: RESOLVED:
That the responses provided against each of the recommendations posed in the housing, community safety and community engagement scrutiny commission report entitled “report of the housing, community safety and community engagement scrutiny commission: review of housing allocations, homelessness, and heating and hot water outages, fire safety and policing in Southwark” dated 22 July 2024 be noted. |
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Response to the report of the housing, community safety and community engagement scrutiny commission - Homelessness and Review of Housing Allocations
To consider the responses to the recommendations in respect of the scrutiny commission report. Supporting documents: Minutes: RESOLVED:
That the response to the recommendations 1-4 & 11 of the housing, community safety and community engagement scrutiny commission be noted. |
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Report from the Environment Scrutiny Commission: Biodiversity Scrutiny Review
To consider recommendations from the environment scrutiny commission in respect of biodiversity scrutiny review. Supporting documents: Minutes: Councillor Margy Newens, chair of the environment scrutiny commission presented the report to cabinet.
RESOLVED:
1. That the recommendations of the environment scrutiny commission: biodiversity scrutiny review report, Appendix 1 of the report be noted.
2. That the relevant cabinet member reports back to cabinet on the recommendations, as set out in the report. |
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Exclusion of the Press and Public That the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following item 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
To approve as a correct record the closed minutes of the meeting held on 15 October 2024. Minutes: RESOLVED:
That the minutes of the closed section of the meeting held on 15 October 2024 be approved as a correct record and signed by the chair. |