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:
The following question was submitted by Maggie Woods to Councillor Victoria Mills, cabinet member for children and schools. Ms Woods did not attend the meeting to ask the question. The leader asked that the response be circulated to Ms Woods.
Question from Maggie Woods to Councillor Victoria Mills
The recommended expansion of Keyworth Primary fails to acknowledge traffic issues in surrounding streets (especially Faunce Street). Existing problems will be further exacerbated by the expansion. The school’s travel plans consistently fail to resolve this and the current proposals increase the risks of harm to children. Why is this not being adequately addressed?
Response
As part of the expansion of the school a review has been undertaken of the existing entrances and the operation of the school.
There will be four entrances to the school, Sharsted Street, Faunce Street, Doddington Grove and Gaza Street. It is proposed to restrict access to the new building in the Sharsted Street, so that it is only used for the After School Club. Parents will advised that they should not drive up Sharsted Street. It has also been suggested that the entrance in Faunce Street should also be restricted so that it is no longer used as the entrance for drop offs and collection in the morning and evening peaks. This will be an improvement to the current arrangements and instead the entrances Gaza Street and Doddington Grove will be regarded as the main pupil entrances. Parents and carers will be actively encouraged, through the School Travel Plan, to not drive and instead use public transport or walk. Any drivers will also be asked to park away from the school site, to limit any impact on the local community.
The following question was submitted by Geraldine Vomero to Councillor Mark Williams, cabinet member for regeneration, planning and transport. Ms Vomero did not attend the meeting to ask the question. The leader asked that the response be circulated to Ms Vomero.
Question from Geraldine Vomero to Councillor Mark Williams
Use of the land on the Kennington Enterprise Site would have allowed Keyworth to expand in such a way to allow the school to retain green and outdoor play space for pupils whilst also enabling future expansion opportunities. Where is the evidence that this land was considered and assessed?
Response
The Kennington Enterprise site is currently in employment use and is not available for consideration for development for education purposes in the time period required to implement a basic need scheme to add school places by September 2016.
The site chosen for the expansion of the school is actually underused and provides the potential for a good quality school building to cater for the demand from local parents for school places. The scheme includes for new landscaping works to improve the overall school site.
The following question was submitted by Adrian Davidson to Councillor Mark Williams, cabinet member for regeneration, planning and transport. Mr Davidson did not attend the meeting to ask the question. The leader asked that the response be circulated to Mr Davidson.
Question from Adrian Davidson to Councillor Mark Williams
Good relationships between school and the local community are extremely important. Given the development proposals for the Keyworth expansion have attracted c. 50 objections from local residents and parents, why does p135 of the cabinet report conclude there is no evidence of negative impacts on any area of the community?
Response
We do agree that good relationships are extremely important and there has been extensive consultation with local residents. The cabinet report deals with the specific implications of the proposals to add school places in the local area to meet demographic demand. The impact on the local community from any traffic is a matter for the planning committee to consider as part of a separate process. Nevertheless, I understand that it is proposed to restrict access to the new building in Sharsted Street, so that it is only used for the After School Club. Parents will be advised that they should not drive up Sharsted Street. It has also been suggested that the entrance in Faunce Street should also be restricted, so that it is no longer used as the entrance for drop offs and collection in the morning and evening peaks. This will be an improvement to the current arrangements. The entrances in Gaza Street and Doddington Grove will be regarded as the main pupil entrances. Parents and carers will be actively encouraged, (through the School Travel Plan) to not drive and instead use public transport or walk. Any drivers will also be asked to park away from the school site, to minimise any impact on the local community.
The following question was submitted by Sue Plain to Councillor Peter John, leader of the council.
Question from Sue Plain to Councillor Peter John
What is the current percentage of Southwark Residents currently receiving direct payments for care? Of the percentage in receipt of direct payments how many are over 65? What is the percentage of those over 65 in receipt of a council managed budget?
Response
43% of Southwark Residents are currently receiving direct payments for care and trend is upwards as more people choose a Direct Payment year on year. 41% are over 65, and trend is upwards as more older people choose a Direct Payment year on year. 74% of those over 65 are in receipt of a council managed budget, and trend is downwards as more older people choose a Direct Payment year on year, which by law have to be offered to all new clients and to existing clients at review.
Ms Plain was present at the meeting, and asked a supplemental question suggesting that the council consider trialling in-house homecare for those over-65s who are still in receipt of a council managed budget. Councillor John noted her suggestion.