Decisions

Approval to set fees/charges following consultation

That the proposed removal of the Direct Debit Discount Scheme from the Fairer Contributions Policy be agreed.

To approve the increase of a grant funding allocation

That the increase of £825 in the grant funding allocation for Camelot Primary School as part of the Easter of Food and Fun Holiday Programme 2021 be approved. The recommendation is set out in Appendix 1 of the report.

To approve the extension of grant funding to currently commissioned youth and play voluntary and community organisations for a period of 12 months from 1 April 2021.

That the extension of grant funding to currently commissioned youth and play voluntary and community organisations for a period of 12 months from 1 April 2021 to 31 March 2022, as shown in Appendix 1 be approved.

To approve changes to the existing Great Suffolk Street Low Traffic Neighbourhood and implementation of the new Blackfriars Low Traffic Neighbourhood in response to the closure of The Cut

1.  That the amendments to the Great Suffolk Street Low Traffic Neighbourhood (LTN) scheme for implementation, as shown in the draft outline design (Appendix 1 of the report), subject to detailed design amendments, and the associated statutory procedures be approved.

2.  That the Blackfriars LTN scheme (Phase 1) for implementation, as shown in the draft outline design (Appendices 2 and 3 of the report), subject to detailed design amendments and the associated statutory procedures be approved.

3.  That it be noted that the proposed consultation programme to be undertaken following amendments to the Great Suffolk Street LTN and the Blackfriars LTN (Phase 1), as outlined in paragraph 38 and 39 of the report.

Variation to the leisure management contract with Sports & Leisure Management for the period of 1 April 2021 until 20 June 2023.

Stephen Inch, ULEZ Programme Manager at the GLA and Andrew Galligan ULEZ Project Communications Specialist at TfL  provided a presentation on how the GLA is addressing air quality issues from road transport in Inner London, covering

•  ULEZ expansion and impact on air quality is likely to be, and

•  What steps are being considered in relation to Road Pricing

•  Air quality work impacting on Southwark, in particular Southwark School Streets

The chair then invited questions and the following points were made:

·  The GLA Schools streets report was published today [more information can be found here: https://www.london.gov.uk/press-releases/mayoral/school-streets-improve-air-quality ]

·  A member raised a concern that motorcycles that built in the US that meet the emission rules for California, are not currently provided with certification for the ULEZ, although EU motorcycles can have type approval. This means they have to seek exemption each time as individuals rather than by type. The GLA officers invited the member to follow this up outside of the meeting with them.

·  The GLA report showed an 18% reduction in people driving to school. There is more work to be done to encourage a modal shift. The GLA are launching a new scheme addressing larger vehicles to increase safety. 

·  A member raised a concern that Southwark residents,  who live in the congestion zone and  own cars,   have been hit by a 15% increase in charges,  with little warning,  as a result of a rise imposed  temporarily in June. GLA officers assured members that any extension to this, or Road Pricing, would be subject to 8 - 10 weeks consultation and publicised.

·  The GLA have provided a 200 word summary on the consultation on Heathrow,  which has been translated into many local languages and made available to councils and community organisations, including Community Southwark, to allow greater understanding.

·  The ULEZ will not have cameras on every street; however cameras will be able to capture 98% of journeys. The locations are not publicised and there is still a relatively large number even if the minimum, so it will be difficult for people to cheat.

·  There is a Low Income Scrappage scheme, which covers people in low incomes and disabled people. £2000 is awarded to, and this can be used to buy a cheap petrol car which is still compliant e.g.  Euro 4. The car does not need to be very new.

·  A member cautioned against encouraging people to buy new electric cars as a solution,  given the high embedded carbon of a new car and particulates released by brake and tyre dust.

·  The GLA have published reports on inequalities which found that deprived populations and BAME people are more likely to be exposed to higher pollution. The ULEZ is designed to drive down large scale pollution, particularly NO2, and shrink the range. Independent research indicated that the ULEZ will reduce pollution by 71 and 81 for deprived and BAME populations, respectively. The ULEZ will not equalise but it will help with health inequalities.

·  The ULEZ is a significant measure but no single intervention is going to work on its own. Big interventions like ULEZ need to be combined with increases in bike parking,  work on junctions and LTNs, which all ought to be integrated.

·  A 15% reduction in Pm10 and Pm2.5 is anticipated from the ULEZ.  Domestic fuel burning is an important contributor to particulates, as well as ammonia from farming, and particulates from type and brakes. The Mayor is looking at 2030 to reduce particulates to WHO levels, with assistance from central government. The ULEZ is more designed to reduce NO2.

·  The Climate Emergency target of net zero by 2030 means there will be a need to reduce car journeys by 60%. As part of this this the GLA is looking at road pricing, however no decision has been made yet. The Mayor’s aim is that by 2040 80% of journeys will be by a sustainable mode; currently it is 40%.

·  This will take the whole heft of the transport improvements- so both pull and push factors. Pull factors are safety of active travel and provision of sustainable modes of transport. Push factors are schemes like the ULEZ.

·  Local Zero Emission Zones, such as the one in Hackney could grow and play an increasingly important role. In some there is an opportunity to try out electric vehicles.

·  The Mayor’s Covid recovery plan focuses on a Green New Deal, which means High Streets for all, thinking differently and building on localism. These are 60s type visions for cities.

·  The GLA are promoting sustainable freight with large companies such as UPS and DHL, who are working on consolidating their electrical fleet. Some people in the gig economy, who work for delivery companies, have benefited from the scrappage scheme.

·  The Mini Holland schemes in Waltham Forest were recommended by the GLA officers, with reports that after some initial concerns local people are enthused by these.

RESOLVED

The GLA officers will send more information:

·  Data on particulate ( PM10 and PM 2.5) decreases anticipated from the ULEZ

·  More information on local low emission zones.

To increase the grant funding allocation under the HAF programme

That the increase of £4,000 in the grant funding allocation for Trinity in Camberwell as part of the Easter of Food and Fun Holiday Programme 2021 be approved. The recommendation is set out in Appendix 1 of the report.

To approve the extension of grant funding to currently commissioned culture voluntary and community organisations for a period of 12 months from 1 April 2021.

That the extension of grant funding of £152,000 to currently commissioned arts and cultural organisations for a period of twelve months from 1 April 2021 to 31 March 2022 be approved.

To agree the final design of the intermediate rent housing list including eligibility and priority system

1.  That the Southwark Intermediate Rent Policy (Appendix A of the report) including the eligibility criteria and priority system be agreed.

2.  That it be agreed to review the Southwark keyworker definition on a two yearly basis based on emerging evidence of recruitment and retention issues.

3.  That it be agreed to delegate authority to the Strategic Director of Housing and Modernisation to adjust the Southwark Intermediate Rent Policy as required to accommodate GLA requirements in relation to particular discount market rent products, and changes in the Council’s planning and housing policy.

Write off of council tax debts over £5,000 but under £50,000

1.  That the write-off of the debts detailed in Appendix 1 of the closed report totalling £624,832.36 (multiple write-offs) be approved.

2.  That it be agreed that the cabinet member advise of any further action they require on any write-offs not agreed within this report.

To agree the Southwark coordinated admission schemes for primary, junior and secondary admissions for September 2022

1.  That it be noted that the coordinated admission schemes for Primary (Reception), Junior (Year 3), Secondary (Year 7) and 14-19 University Technical College (UTC) transfer have worked effectively for Southwark residents during the last academic year and have not been changed for the 2022/23 admissions year.

2.  That the 2022/23 coordinated admission schemes for Primary (Reception), Junior (Year 3), Secondary (Year 7) and 14-19 UTC transfer admissions attached as Appendix 1, Appendix 2, Appendix 3 and Appendix 4 of this report, be approved.

To agree the admission arrangements for community primary schools for September 2022

That the Southwark Community Primary Schools Admission Arrangements (“the Arrangements”) for September 2022 be agreed.

Write off of former tenant arrears debts over £5,000 but under £50,000

1.  That the write-off of the debts detailed in Appendix 1 of the report totalling £797,581.26 (multiple write-offs) be approved.

2.  That it be agreed that the cabinet member advise any further action they require on any write-offs not agreed within this report.