Agenda and minutes
PDF 149 KBVenue: Ground Floor Meeting Room G02A - 160 Tooley Street, London SE1 2QH. View directions
Contact: Amit Alva Email: Amit.Alva@southwark.gov.uk
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Apologies
To receive any apologies for absence. Minutes: Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Mohamed Deen. |
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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 no items of business which the Chair deemed urgent. |
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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 no disclosures of interest and dispensations. |
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Minutes
To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meetings held on 18 November 2024, 4 February 2025 and 8 April 2025. Supporting documents: Minutes: The minutes of the meeting held on 18 November 2024, 4 February 2025 and 8 April 2025 were approved as a correct record. |
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Pupil Place Planning in Primary Schools and its impact on Secondary School admissions
Pupil Place Planning in Primary Schools and its impact on Secondary School admissions under the Keeping Education Strong (KES) Strategy. Supporting documents: Minutes: The commission first heard from Alasdair Smith, Director of Children and Families and Ric Eutneueer, Principal Strategy Officer on Pupil Place Planning covering the following points
The commission then asked questions on the following topics
Alasdair explained to the commission that cost of living, Brexit and lower birth rates are the reasons behind falling pupil rolls |
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Traders from East Street Market
To hear the traders’ views on any improvements that have been made and/or in progress and any areas of concern/issues that the council could help with. Minutes: The commission then heard from Kerry Adams and Felix Badu (East Street Traders) on the following themes
· East street market appearance is unclean, delays in new implementations of online services and wi-fi. · Issues of anti-social behaviour (ASB), parking issues, branding of market: resurfacing the market and pavements · Toilet issues at East Street markets, Parking at East Street Market 12£ for 2 hrs
The commission then asked questions on the following points · Online shopping and experiences on footfalls · Areas of investment for East Street Market · Security at East Street Market
Kerry explained to the commission that a lot people prefer to come into the market when shopping clothes especially under garments rather than shop online. Issues around the market is a hurdle for people wanting to visit the market. The commission heard from Felix that younger people (GEN Z) are attracted by gazebos and beautiful signages that the café’s around East Street display. Market management needs to allow newer products for the market, also that free wi-fi is crucial to the market’s future.
Felix explained further that £140k of investment from the public grant would go into setting up gazebos for traders. The traders however need more funds to get better signage. Free mobile internet data is a major factor for young people. Kerry informed the commission that East Street Market traders are not asking more parking, they would like free parking for 2 hrs for customers who visit the market in and around East Street.
Felix explained to the commission that newer products on a trial run coming to the market face a lot of high charges. The commission heard from Kerry that there is a slight increase in police presence in the market, since a fatal stabbing. However, it is not enough and there is a lack of private security for the businesses. Furthermore, there are drug users in the residential properties that further hinders people from visiting East Street Market.
The commission then asked further questions on the following topics
Kerry informed the commission that rubbish from the market is appropriately discarded according to the council’s different bags (Blue/Green/ Black). However, the market does not have any general rubbish bins.
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Proposed Work Programmes 2025-26
To consider and proposes topics for the Education and Local Economy Scrutiny Commission to review in 2025-26
The following items were proposed by members of the Southwark Council as items for scrutiny to review, these items were mentioned at the Overview and Scrutiny Committee (OSC) at the 23 June 2025 meeting.
Furthermore, these items have been identified as potential items for the Education and Local Economy Scrutiny Commission to consider for its Work Programme 2025-26. (Subject to discussions)
· Refresh of Procurement Framework to support Southwark 2030 and approval of new Social Value Framework · Send and school leavers · Management of commercial leases including rent, repairs and marketing. · Impact of removal of short-stay parking on small businesses, markets and town centres. · Review of the council’s community wealth building work including local procurement. · Youth Parliament Supporting documents: Minutes: The commission discussed the Cabinet- Scrutiny Protocol, Youth Offer, SEND Provision- Post 16 offer, Southwark Works. Skills delivery plan, Economic Strategy, Council’s Connect to work plan, Commercial leases, rent repair and marketing and Debt Recovery Plans.
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