Agenda and draft minutes
PDF 265 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: An apology for absence was received from Councillor Sarah King. |
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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: 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. Supporting documents: Minutes: 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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Minutes
To approve as a correct record the minute of the open section of the meeting held on 22 July 2024. Supporting documents: Minutes: RESOLVED:
That the minutes of the meeting held on 22 July 2024 be approved as a correct 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 Tuesday 10 September 2024. Minutes: There were none. |
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Deputation Requests
To consider any deputation requests. The deadline for the receipt of deputation requests is midnight Tuesday 10 September 2024. Minutes: There were none. |
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Borough of Sanctuary Framework and Sanctuary Action Plan
To agree the Southwark Borough of Sanctuary Framework and action plan following the award of Sanctuary status. Supporting documents: Minutes: The following attended cabinet to provide comments on the report:
· Pauline Nandoo, Southwark Day Centre for Asylum Seekers · Sally Causer and Madeleine Kelleher, Southwark Law Centre · Eltayeb Hassan from Southwark Refugee Communities Forum · Mazan, an asylum seeker who has received refugee status.
Sally Causer advised that she would be retiring this year from her job at the Southwark Law Centre and the Leader placed on record his thanks for her phenomenal work for the past 20 years, transforming peoples’ lives in the Borough.
RESOLVED:
1. That it be noted that Southwark Council was awarded Borough of Sanctuary status on 17 June 2024 under the City of Sanctuary movement. Part of undertaking the full assessment, the council was required to have its own Sanctuary Framework and Sanctuary action plan to demonstrate its commitment to being a Borough of Sanctuary by adhering to the terms and values of the City of Sanctuary movement.
2. That the 2024-2027 Southwark Borough of Sanctuary Framework and Sanctuary action plan for the delivery of services to refugee, asylum seeker and migrant communities residing in Southwark be approved and the next steps set out in the report be noted.
3. That the requirement of the implementation of a framework and action plan for sanctuary seekers for future decision making and integration into council’s business and budget planning process be noted.
4. That the four-year grant programme for voluntary community sector (VCS) organisations working with refugees, asylum seekers and disadvantaged migrants with a total budget of 100k per year be approved. This will be paid by the local authority through a number of grants already received from central government.
5. That the progress made against the other resolutions in the motion passed by council assembly on 28 January 2020 be noted. |
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Climate Change Strategy Annual Report and progress on the Climate Action Plan for 2023-24
To consider an annual progress report on the highlights of delivery over the last year, supported by a full review and update of the climate action plan. Supporting documents: Minutes: RESOLVED:
1. That the following be noted:
· The adoption of the climate resilience and adaptation strategy and that officers to work collaboratively to implement its actions to adapt the borough and make it more resilient to the effects of climate change.
· The priorities for the next twelve months and the subsequent preparation of an updated climate change strategy and action plan in 2025 that supports the goals and principles of the Southwark 2030 strategy.
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First Consideration of the Strengthened Biodiversity Duty, arising from the Environment Act 2021
To approve the report as the council’s statutory first consideration of the strengthened biodiversity duty. Supporting documents: Minutes: RESOLVED:
1. That the requirement to meet the strengthened biodiversity duty, introduced by the Environment Act 2021 be noted and supported.
2. That the report and its Appendix be approved as our statutory First Consideration of the strengthened biodiversity duty.
3. That the new reporting requirements of the duty be noted, including the publication of a first biodiversity report no later than 12 weeks from the end of the reporting period on 1 January 2026. This must detail the actions taken and progress made for biodiversity over the reporting period (1 January 2024 – 1 January 2026), and the objectives and policies in place to meet the biodiversity duty in the next reporting period.
4. That it be noted that subsequent biodiversity reports must be published every five years thereafter, or within 12 weeks of the reporting end date. |
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Local Flood Risk Management Strategy
To approve the implementation of the updated local flood risk management strategy (LFRMS). Supporting documents: Minutes: RESOLVED:
Decision by the Cabinet
1. That the approval and implementation of the updated Local Flood Risk Management Strategy (LFRMS) as set out in Appendix 1 of the report be agreed.
Decision by the Leader of the Council
2. That the implementation of the strategy as per the council’s statutory duties as a Lead Local Flood Authority (LLFA) role be agreed. |
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Allocation of Neighbourhood Community Infrastructure Funding
To approve the priorities and process for local community infrastructure levy funding allocation Supporting documents: Minutes:
RESOLVED:
Decisions by the Cabinet
1. That minor changes to the existing process that will allow for allocations of funding collected as neighbourhood community infrastructure levy through the planning process as set out in paragraphs 18 to 23 of the report be agreed. In summary this process will result in project allocations of funding in the ward or neighbourhood in which the funding is generated, assessment of project allocation against Southwark 2030 goals, a minimum level of project funding and a streamlined approval process where local priorities are already agreed.
2. That it be noted that a report setting out a draft revised neighbourhood community infrastructure levy allocation process will be presented to cabinet in March 2025 prior to consultation and adoption in September 2025.
3. That the minor amendments in the table at paragraph 17 of the report be noted. An updated version of the table was circulated and published.
Decision by the Leader of the Council
4. That the executive scheme of delegation be varied to delegate authority to the cabinet member for new homes and sustainable development to approve individual neighbourhood community infrastructure levy projects for a year in accordance with the framework set out in paragraphs 18 to 23 of the report. |
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Policy and Resources: Revenue Monitoring Report 2024-25
To note the forecast revenue out-turn position. Supporting documents: Minutes: RESOLVED:
That the following be noted:
1. The housing revenue account (HRA) initial forecast of an adverse variance of £10.1m, acknowledging the volatility and assumptions that this forecast is based on the adverse variance of £12.9m forecast for the general fund (GF) in 2024-25.
The key adverse variations and budget pressures and mitigating actions underlying the position:
· Housing revenue account (paragraphs 14-30 of the report) · General fund (paragraphs 31-84 of the report) · Demand pressures in temporary accommodation (TA) (housing) · Increased costs for those who have ‘No Recourse to Public Funds’ (NRPF) (environment neighbourhoods and growth) · Increased costs in children services driven by the increased placement costs for children with complex needs and shortage of available foster placements (children’s and adults) · Planning and growth – less than expected income and cost of maintaining void properties (finance) · Customer services – Additional resources into the contact centre to address capacity issues (finance)
2. The dedicated schools grant (DSG) in-year pressure of £0.68m.
That the following be approved:
3. The write-off of a bad debt totaling £0.140m for a commercial outdoor event which is deemed to be irrecoverable (paragraph 67 of the report). |
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Tustin Estate Phase 2 Compulsory Purchase Order
To approve the compulsory purchase order strategy for Tustin Estate Phase 2 Regeneration. Supporting documents: Minutes: RESOLVED:
1. That the following be noted:
a) (i) that initial demolition notices (pursuant to Schedule 5A Housing Act 1985) were served (as authorised by the 13 July 2021 cabinet meeting) on qualifying tenants suspending the council’s duty to complete any associated right to buy (RTB) applications and (ii) that such initial demolition notices will currently cease to be in force on 30 April 2025.
b) the current position in relation to the delivery of 295 new homes at phase 2 of the Tustin Estate redevelopment:
· A development partnership with BY Development Ltd (trading as Linkcity) to deliver the estate redevelopment, along with the financial plan to deliver the scheme, was agreed by cabinet in October 2022
· The council appointed BY Development Ltd (trading as Linkcity) to bring forward the phased rebuilding of the Tustin Estate under a development agreement dated 8 November 2022
· A planning application for phase 2 has been submitted in August 2024, with an expected target date for planning permission in January 2025
· The council has successfully acquired 13 leaseholder interests in Heversham House
· Only 15 leaseholder interests remain outstanding in Heversham House;
· The council is pursuing a negotiated settlement with all remaining leaseholders situated within Heversham House with the intention to acquire these remaining interests by agreement without the need for the council to use its compulsory purchase powers. Cabinet notes that 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 and
· The council is offering to rehouse all resident leaseholders who want to stay on the rebuilt Tustin Estate, a new leasehold home on a shared ownership or shared equity loan basis in phase 1 or 2. Phase 1 is anticipated to complete in April 2025.
2. That it be agreed in principle, to use compulsory purchase powers under Section 226(1)(a) of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (“the 1990 Act”) and section 13 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 for the acquisition of all land and interests (which are not already owned by the council) within the area of land shown for identification purposes edged black and bold on the plan at Appendix 2 of the report, for the purposes of facilitating the redevelopment, development and improvement of the land and securing the delivery of 295 new homes on the site in line with the planning application for phase 2 (“the Scheme”) thereby securing the continued redevelopment of the Tustin Estate subject to a formal resolution to make a compulsory purchase order (CPO) at a later date.
3. That it be noted that a further report will be prepared and submitted to cabinet at a later date (if required) seeking cabinet’s formal resolution to make a CPO.
4. That the director of planning and growth, in consultation with the managing director of Southwark Construction, be authorised on behalf of the council to:
· Acquire for planning purposes all ... view the full minutes text for item 14. |
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Gateway 1 Housing – Procurement Support and Supply Chain Management System - DEFERRED
To approve the procurement strategy of a direct award from the procurement for housing’s social housing emerging disruptors framework to Plentific Ltd. for their supply chain and procurement management solution platform dynamic purchasing system. Supporting documents: Minutes: This item was deferred. |
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Motions referred from Council Assembly
To consider the following motions referred from council assembly July meeting as follows:
· Renewing our borough: a strategy for building the homes and infrastructure we need · Declaring a Housing Emergency · Debate not Hate · Ending the Lower Road chaos. Supporting documents: Minutes: RESOLVED:
Renewing our borough: a strategy for building the homes and infrastructure we need
1. Council Assembly believes that:
a. Everyone should be able to afford somewhere they can call home. And that delivering new, high quality social rent, including council homes, and other genuinely affordable homes, should be central to this Council’s ambitions and plans;
b. That transport and community infrastructure is essential in order to support existing and new residents in our borough, and to help us achieve wider priorities such as tackling the climate emergency, reducing inequality, and creating decent jobs;
c. The Council should use every tool available in order to secure delivery of new homes and the infrastructure that residents need;
d. The Council will need to work with a wide range of partners in different ways, from voluntary and community groups, public organisations, and developers, in order to further increase the social and affordable housebuilding and infrastructure we need in Southwark.
2. Council Assembly notes that:
a. Under Conservative and Liberal Democrat governments we have had 14 years of under-investment in housing and infrastructure, and policies such as the Benefit Cap which have driven an increase in homelessness and numbers on the council’s housing waiting list;
b. That under the Conservatives, the UK has experienced the lowest levels of investment of any G7 country;
c. Building genuinely affordable homes was hugely impacted by the Coalition’s decision in 2010 to reduce the affordable housing grant by 60%;
d. Housebuilding has completely collapsed across London as a result of Conservative economic mismanagement, with a 90% fall in affordable housing starts in 23/24;
e. The Conservative government turned its back on London, failing to back the Bakerloo Line Extension, and failing to invest properly in the nation’s capital despite some of the highest levels of deprivation;
f. The Labour Party has a plan to get Britain building again with 1.5 million new homes and will build more high-quality, well-designed, and sustainable homes along with the infrastructure our communities need.
3. Council Assembly also notes:
a. That the Labour administration has a plan for delivering genuinely affordable new homes in Southwark. That in 2023-24, 550 social rent homes were completed in Southwark, the highest number in London, and that last year we granted planning permission for a further 794 social rent homes in Southwark;
b. That the Old Kent Road opportunity area in particular is delivering new homes at a pace, achieving over 50% affordable homes on sites which are completed or on site to date;
c. That Southwark is building more council homes than any other council in the country, with 3,000 new council homes either completed or currently on site;
d. That our Estate Renewal programmes on the Aylesbury, Tustin and Ledbury Estates are driven by the need for good quality homes for our residents which are sustainable and fit for the future. And that the First Development Site ... view the full minutes text for item 16. |
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Appointments to Outside Bodies 2024-25 - Southwark and Lambeth Archaeological Excavation Committee (deputy) position
To agree an appointment to a vacancy for the deputy position for the Southwark and Southwark and Lambeth Archaeological Excavation Committee. Supporting documents: Minutes: RESOLVED:
That Raymond Whitaker be appointed to the vacancy that has arisen for the council’s deputy representative to serve on Southwark and Lambeth Archaeological Excavation Committee for the 2024-25 municipal year. |
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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 22 July 2024. Minutes: RESOLVED:
That the minutes of the meeting held on 22 July 2024 be approved as a correct record and signed by the chair. |
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Gateway 1 Housing – Procurement Support and Supply Chain Management System Minutes: This item was deferred. |