1. Art and Diseño

b
To the Mayor and Councillors of the London Borough of Lambeth
YOU ARE SUMMONED TO ATTEND A MEETING of the COUNCIL to be held in the Council Chamber,
Lambeth Town Hall, Brixton Hill, SW2 1RW on Wednesday 28 January 2015 at 7.00 pm
GUY WARE
ACTING HEAD OF PAID SERVICE
Further Information
If you require any further information or have any queries please contact:
Anne Rasmussen, Telephone: 020 7926 0028; Email: [email protected]
Published on: Tuesday 20 January 2015
@LBLdemocracy on Twitter http://twitter.com/LBLdemocracy or use #Lambeth
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AGENDA
Appendices to reports – bulky appendices are published on the website www.lambeth.gov.uk and can
be obtained from Democratic Services. They are not circulated with the agenda.
Page
Nos.
1.
Declarations of Interest
Under Standing Order 4.4, where any councillor has a Disclosable
Pecuniary Interest (as defined in the Members’ Code of Conduct
(para. 4)) in any matter to be considered at a meeting of the Council,
a committee, sub-committee or joint committee, they must withdraw
from the meeting room during the whole of the consideration of that
matter and must not participate in any vote on that matter unless a
dispensation has been obtained from the Monitoring Officer
2.
Announcements
Seal register
The Chief Executive reports that since the date of the last report, the
Common Seal of the Council has been affixed to 67 original documents
(plus 30 copies) as detailed on pages 1-3 of the Seal Register (dated from
1 December to 31 December 2014).
3.
Minutes (19.11.14 and 18.12.14)
1 - 24
To approve and sign the minutes of the previous meetings held on 19
November and 18 December 2014.
4.
Themed Debate: How does Lambeth unleash its economic potential?
5.
Petitions, PNQs and Deputations
No public notice questions were received.
Petitions will be presented at the meeting by Councillors.
The deadline for the receipt of requests for a deputation is 5pm
Friday 23 January 2015. Email: [email protected]
6.
Cabinet Statement
7.
Questions from Councillors
25 - 36
See attached report – written answers for up to 15 questions from
Councillors are provided.
8.
Reports
a)
Cabinet 12.01.14: Council Tax Support Scheme
37 - 44
(Report 127/14-15)
Please see attached report
b)
Delegated Approval to Corporate Committee - Setting up of a new
Pensions Board
45 - 48
(Report 147/14-15)
Please see attached report
9.
Motions
See attached report
49 - 52
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Persons making recordings are requested not to put undue restrictions on the material produced so that it
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Representation:
Ward Councillors may be contacted directly to represent your views to the Council: (details via the website
www.lambeth.gov.uk)
Further assistance:
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have any specific needs please contact Facilities Management (020 7926 1010) in advance.
Page 1
Agenda Item 3
b
COUNCIL
Thursday 18 December 2014 at 6.00 pm
MINUTES
The Worshipful the Mayor in the Chair
COUNCILLORS PRESENT:
Councillors ADILYPOUR, AINSLIE, AMINU, AMOS, ANYANWU, ATKINSL,
ATKINSM, BENNETT, BIRLEY, BRAY, BRIGGS, CAMERON, CHOWDHURY,
DE CORDOVA, DAVIE, DICKSON, DECKER DOWBER, DYER, EDBROOKE,
FRANCIS, GADSBY, GALLOP, GARDEN, HASELDEN, HILL, HOLBORN,
KAZANTZIS, KIND, McGLONE, MELDRUM, MORRIS, NATHANSON, PECK,
PRENTICE, SEEDAT, SIMPSON J, TREPPASS, VALCARCEL, WALKER,
WELLBELOVE, WILCOX, WILSON and WINIFRED
APOLOGIES:
Councillor Michelle Agdomar, Councillor Alex Bigham,
Councillor Jennifer Brathwaite, Councillor Malcolm
Clark, Councillor Fred Cowell, Councillor Kevin Craig,
Councillor Florence ESHALOMI, Councillor Bernard
Gentry, Councillor Rachel Heywood, Councillor Claire
Holland, Councillor Jack Hopkins, Councillor Saleha
Jaffer, Councillor Chris Marsh, Councillor Jennie
Mosley, Councillor Matt Parr, Councillor Jane Pickard,
Councillor Guilherme Rosa, Councillor Neil Sabharwal,
Councillor Iain Simpson and Councillor Martin
Tiedemann
ABSENT:
1.
DECLARATIONS OF INTERESTS
There were none.
Page 2
2.
APPOINTMENT OF THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE
Death of former Councillor Anthony Bottrall
Ahead of considering the main item on the agenda, the Mayor announced the sad
death of former Councillor Anthony Bottrall. Anthony Bottrall served on the Council
from 1994 to 2006, as a Liberal Democrat Councillor for Stockwell Ward. Anthony
was a lead Member of the Council from 2002 - 2006, with key responsibility for
education. Anthony passed away on 16 December 2014 and leaves his wife and
three children.
Councillor Sally Prentice addressed Council, describing former Councillor Anthony
Bottrall as a person who took politics and being a public servant very seriously. He
had represented Stockwell ward from 1994 to 2006 and had during his time assisted
hundreds of residents with case work and always persevered to the end to make
sure that residents had an answer to their queries. International politics and
education had been Anthony’s big passion and he had worked tirelessly with
politicians across party political boundaries to improve education in the borough. He
had been the lead Member for education from 2002-2006 and had had real faith in
the education department and head teachers across the borough to drive forward
the necessary improvements. When he had lost his seat in 2006, this had been a
surprise to Labour councillors. Anthony had been a respected public servant and his
death was a great loss to his family and the wider community in Lambeth.
Council stood in silence for 1 minute in tribute for former Councillor Anthony Bottrall.
Appointment of the Chief Executive
Councillor Lib Peck addressed Council, announcing that she was delighted to be
able to recommend the appointment of Sean Harriss as the Council’s new Chief
Executive. Sean was a very experienced public servant, currently serving at Bolton
Council, and he had been a clear choice for the Appointment Sub-Committee
following the interviews, where the Panel had been particularly impressed with his
delivery of improvements in wider services.
Councillor Tim Briggs also addressed Council, noting his delight with the
recommendation made by the Appointments Sub-Committee to appoint Sean
Harriss and welcomed the creativity he believed Sean would bring to addressing the
challenges at Lambeth. He further noted the essential need for a Chief Executive to
be independent, politically neutral and objective and the need in particular to be
seen to independent, politically neutral and objective. He finally noted that the need
for all officers to share values but most importantly to share the objectives of the
Council. He looked forward to welcoming Sean Harriss to the Council.
RESOLVED:
(1) To approve the recommendation by the Appointments Sub-Committee to
appoint Sean Harriss to the post to Chief Executive, London Borough of
Lambeth.
The meeting ended at 6.11 pm
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MAYOR
Wednesday 28 January 2015
Date of Despatch: Tuesday 30 December
Tel: 020 7926 0028
2014
Contact for Enquiries: Divya Rao
Fax: (020) 7926 2361
E-mail: [email protected]
Web: www.lambeth.gov.uk
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Page 5
b
COUNCIL
Wednesday 19 November 2014 at 6.30 pm
MINUTES
The Worshipful the Mayor in the Chair
COUNCILLORS PRESENT:
Councillors ADILYPOUR, AINSLIE, AMINU, AMOS, ANYANWU, ATKINSL,
ATKINSM, BENNETT, BIGHAM, BIRLEY, BRATHWAITE, BRAY, BRIGGS,
CAMERON, CHOWDHURY, CLARK, DE CORDOVA, COWELL, CRAIG, DAVIE,
DICKSON, DECKER DOWBER, DYER, EDBROOKE, ESHALOMI, FRANCIS,
GADSBY, GALLOP, GARDEN, GENTRY, HASELDEN, HEYWOOD, HILL,
HOLBORN, HOLLAND, HOPKINS, KAZANTZIS, KIND, MARSH, McGLONE,
MORRIS, MOSELEY, NATHANSON, PARR, PECK, PICKARD, PRENTICE, ROSA,
SABHARWAL, SEEDAT, SIMPSON I, SIMPSON J, TIEDEMANN, TREPPASS,
VALCARCEL, WALKER, WELLBELOVE, WILCOX and WILSON
APOLOGIES:
Councillor Michelle Agdomar, Councillor Saleha Jaffer
and Councillor Jackie Meldrum
ABSENT:
1.
PROCEDURAL MOTION
MOVED by Councillor Paul Gadsby and SECONDED by Councillor Paul
McGlone
Timings
(1) That Standing Order 2 be suspended to the extent necessary to
enable the following order and approximate timings for the conduct of
the meeting to be agreed and to allow Council to agree the
recommendations in relation to the Constitution changes as set out in
the report at item 2, to allow any amendments to have immediate
Page 6
effect.
Timings
Agenda:
1. Declaration of Interests
6:30pm -
2. Constitution 2014-15: changes
3. Announcements
4. Minutes (23.07.14)
5. Themed Debate
6:45pm –
6. Petitions, PNQs, deputations
7.45pm –
7. Cabinet Statement
8.05pm –
8. Council Questions
8:15pm –
9. Reports
8:40pm –
a. Corporate Parenting Annual Report
b. Appointment of Acting Head of Paid Service
c. Employment of Children By-Laws
10. Motions
8.50pm -
(2) To suspend Standing Order 26 (Themed Debate) to the extent
necessary to allow speeches to be made by external persons and to
extend the time allowed for questions and answers to a maximum of
30 minutes.
Notes:

2.
The Mayor will use his discretion over the specific timings of the
meeting and the speakers to be called, in the light of any necessary
advice from officers.
DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
There were none.
3.
CONSTITUTION 2014-15: CHANGES
RESOLVED:
1. To approve the changes as set out in Appendix A
4.
MINUTES (23.07.14)
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RESOLVED: That the minutes of the previous meeting held on 23 July 2014
be approved and signed by the Chair as a correct record of the proceedings.
5.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Apologies for lateness
Apologies for lateness were received from Councillor David Amos
Apologies for absence
Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Jackie Meldrum,
Michelle Agdomar and Saleha Jaffer
Knight’s Hill By-Election
Following the by-election in Knight’s Hill Ward on 14 August, Councillor Sonia
Winifred was elected to the Council.
Lambeth Youth Council
Following the excellent contribution by Lambeth’s Youth Council at the last
meeting of Council, representatives of Youth Council met with the Chief
Executive on 24 September. A number of issues were raised, which the
Youth Council are keen to progress. I am pleased to see that we have motion
on the agenda supporting the campaign to lobby Government to reduce the
voting age, a key priority for Youth Council.
Other issues highlighted included the curriculum for life, developing the
connection between Youth Council Cabinet and the Council’s Cabinet.
Support for Youth Council was also highlighted, following the recent
departure of the Council’s Youth Council Development Officer. Whilst
temporary measures have been put in place, constructive discussions are
ongoing as to how best to provide that support. A key focus will be the
relationship that we have with our Youth Council colleagues. Work
experience and ensuring the views of young people are sought through our
surveys were also highlighted. Work is ongoing to work through these
priorities.
Mayors Charity Event
The Mayor announced his charity event which would be held on Friday 12
December at the Kia Oval, from 7pm. Tickets would be available and all
monies raised would be donated to the Mayors chosen charity, Girl Child
Network Worldwide, which supported children of migrants traumatised due to
rape and other harmful cultural practices. Tickets could be purchased from
the Mayors office, by contacting Mandy Plummer.
6.
THEMED DEBATE: WHAT SHOULD LAMBETH'S HEALTH SERVICES
LOOK LIKE IN 2024?
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The Mayor introduced the themed debate for the evening which was on
Lambeth’s health services in 2024.
The themed debate was divided into the following subsections:
-
Introduction
-
Speeches
-
Questions and answer session
-
Summing Up
Introduction and speeches
The following Councillors and external presenters were called, in the
following order, to address Council:
Councillor Jim Dickson
Dr. Adrian McLachlan, Chair of Lambeth CCG
Catherine Pearson, Chief Executive of Lambeth HealthWatch
Councillor Malcolm Clark
Councillor Louise Nathanson
Professor John Moxom, Kings Health Partners
Councillor Jacqui Dyer
Questions and answer session
Councillor Jim Dickson facilitated the question and answer session. Answers
were provided by the Panel which consisted of Dr. Adrian McLachlan,
Professor John Moxom, Catherine Pearson, Chief Executive of Lambeth
HealthWatch and Councillor Jim Dickson.
Question 1
Councillor Sonia Winifred addressed Council, noting the many people in
Lambeth suffering from diabetes and the continuing rise in numbers and
asked what was being done to support those at risk and whether the NHS
was prepared for the continuing rise in people with diabetes. She also wanted
to know which measures were put in place to support people living healthy
lives to avoid diabetes and other lifestyle diseases.
The Panel thanked Councillor Winifred for her question and noted that much
work was ongoing in the borough to address the issue of diabetes and to
work with people at risk. Additionally, those who already had a diagnosis of
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diabetes, were being helped to ensure they were leading healthy lives to
continue to improve their health. Good health was crucial to preventing
diabetes and to improving people’s lives more generally. It was recognised
that much more needed to be done to work with residents and health
authorities to educate people in healthy living as this was the most important
way in which diabetes could be prevented. Many years had been spent on
tackling smoking in the wider population and it was recognised that eating
patterns and healthy living generally was now the next battle.
Question 2
Lennie Kinnear, Lambeth Age UK, addressed Council, seeking clarification
on the issue of people living with multiple conditions and the reduced level of
funding available to deal with such conditions. It was important that the
community was ready to deal with the increase in multiple conditions in the
community, and educated to enable them to avoid health conditions by
healthy living, including healthy eating, exercise and living socially active
lives.
The Panel responded that there were currently many good initiatives across
the borough which aimed at preventing multiple health conditions developing
in individuals and how to harness the energy across the community to ensure
that the borough was fit to respond to future health challenges. It would be
important to continue to work with a variety of different groups, health
authorities, residents and charities going forward to ensure that multiple
conditions could be addressed collectively.
Question 3
Councillor Scott Ainslie noted a recent study into health care and the
resulting warning made, predicting 'a combination of rising patient demand,
staff shortages and falling funding which was undermining the very
foundations of the NHS. He called for a review of the NHS, removing the
layer of middle management and redistributing monies in a way which would
provide the best outcomes for Lambeth residents. He called on the
administration to commit to supporting the NHs to achieve this.
The Panel responded that integrated care was crucial to health services in
Lambeth and to Lambeth’s residents. Many changes were being brought in
as part of the Care Act and the Council was committed to ensuring the best
outcomes resulting from that. It would be important to look at ways in which
the reducing funds could be spent in the best ways possible, adding value to
Lambeth residents. A reduction and inadequate spend on a range of
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services, including primary care in the borough, was set to increase and it
was necessary to ensure that such services were well planned and resourced
to reduce the demand for acute care later down the line.
Question 4
Councillor Paul Gadsby, on behalf of Bianca Swalem, Guys and St Thomas’
Hospital, asked the Panel how new technology would impact on health care
and health care products in the future in Lambeth.
The Panel responded that new technology was likely to have a significant
impact of health care services generally in the borough in the future and more
work was needed to ensure that technological solutions across the board
were utilised.
Question 5
Councillor Paul Gadsby, on behalf of Doreen Clouden, local resident,
addressed Council, asking what measures were in place to provide services
to people with dementia and how charities and other key organisations would
work together in the future to ensure adequate service provision to this group
of people.
The Panel responded that dementia was a significant health concern and as
such it was crucial that the borough recognised the disease going forward.
Cross cutting work with other organisations was ongoing to find innovative
solutions for the future, including options for keeping people affected by
dementia at home, different treatments and residential care. It was also noted
that there was good evidence that a healthy lifestyle including regular
exercise, controlling blood pressure and reducing alcohol intake all
contributed to minimising the risks of developing dementia in later life. It was
finally added that Lambeth Healthwatch was working closely with the council
to look at the options for extra care and measures to minimise the risk for
people with dementia.
Question 6
Councillor Ed Davie addressed Council, noting the need to focus on
prevention to avoid future unnecessary demand on health services. There
was much research into the prevention of disease, however, with diminishing
funding available he wanted to know what could be done to ensure that
limited budgets would be used in a way which would ensure adequate health
care in the future.
The Panel noted that much was being done to ensure health care services
were properly invested in and ensuring that monies was spent in a way which
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provided the best possible value for residents. It would be necessary to take
full responsibility collectively for the agreed outcomes, such as going smoke
free and ensuring that that was implemented across the board. It was also
important to ensure the residents were properly educated around eating and
drinking habits and the benefits of regular exercise.
Summing Up
Councillor Jim Dickson thanked everyone for taking part in that evening’s
themed debate and noted the refreshing ideas which had been presented
during the debate on how money could be spent on healthcare in the future.
He finally congratulated the Lambeth CCG for being nominated for an award
for CCG of the year. There were lots of great partnerships in the borough and
it would be important to continue to build on these for the future.
The Mayor also thanked everyone for attending Council that evening and
providing valuable contributions to the themed debate.
7.
PETITIONS, PNQS AND DEPUTATIONS
Petitions
The following petitions were presented:
1. Councillor Rachel Heywood: 750 signatures supporting the
Loughborgh Estate, opposition to a scheme proposed by the council,
which will impact on safety and accessibility, and supporting that the
petition is taken into formal consultation process
2. Councillor Sally Prentice: 239 signatures supporting adequate public
toilets to address the issue of public urination in Nursery Rd, Tunstall
Rd and Bernays grove
3. Councillor Sally Prentice: 131 signatures supporting the freedom and
choice in improving your home by way of mansard roof extensions and
side infill extensions to property in the local area which is not properly
supported in Lambeth Planning Policy
4. Councillor Martin Tiedeman: 25 signatures supporting the prevention
of noise pollution from lorries and vehicles at Lyham Road
5. Councillor Louise Nathanson: 300 signatures requesting for a raised
ramp/zebra crossing on Abbeville Road SW4, at the junction with Elms
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Road
6. Councillor Annie Gallop: 230 signatures, requesting to introduce a
Controlled Parking Zone in the roads surrounding Myatts Fields Park
7. Councillor Kevin Craig: 21 signatures, supporting better security at
Coalport House.
Public Notice Questions
No Public Notice Questions had been received.
Deputations
1. Support for a new Tube station in Camberwell
Lead of deputation: Sophy Taylor
Address
Sophy Taylor, local resident, addressed Council, asking for support from
Lambeth Council for the proposals for a new Tube station in Camberwell.
Transport for London (TfL) was currently consulting on a proposal for an
extension to the Bakerloo Line and with the significant need for better
transport infrastructure in the borough, it would be important to support the
proposal for a Tune extension in Camberwell; improved transport in the
borough was crucial to continued jobs and growth in the borough and
enabling those without access to a car, to have better transport around the
borough. She noted the large volume of local residents who were supporting
this Tube extension and urged Lambeth Council to work with Southwark and
TfL to ensure that this proposal was taken forward.
Response from Councillor Jack Hopkins, Cabinet Member for Jobs and
Growth
The Cabinet Member for Jobs and Growth thanked Sophy Taylor for
attending Council and for her presentation and agreed the urgent need for
more and better transport options in the borough. He confirmed that the
Council had already written to TfL to lobby for the extension of the Bakerloo
Line to Camberwell and work would continue with local people to ensure that
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this extension was achieved.
2. Cressingham Gardens Estate
Lead of deputation: Christina Bennett
Address
Christina Bennett, local resident, addressed Council, outlining the current
proposals for the regeneration of the Cressingham Gardens Estate and the
views of residents on the estate, urging the Council not to regenerate the
estate. Residents believed that the current proposals would bring economic
and human costs to the resident. Residents did not feel that the Council was
listening to their preferences for option one and she urged Councillors to
consider the real needs of the residents of the Cressingham Gardens Estate.
Response by Councillor Matthew Bennett, Cabinet Member for Housing
The Cabinet Member for Housing thanked Christina Bennett for attending
Council that evening. He noted that the estate was in need of regeneration
and renewal and that workshops had been carried out to gauge the views of
residents to identify the best possible solutions for regeneration of the estate.
He emphasised the identified options were still very much proposals and that
no final decisions had been made. He also noted that the significant repair
issues within the estate were not resolvable within the budget of the Lambeth
Housing Standard and therefore other options were necessary. He finally
noted that the Administration had pledged to build another 1000 homes over
the next four years to alleviate overcrowding issues for many families in the
borough.
8.
CABINET STATEMENT
The Leader of the Council addressed Council:
Recently I have been talking a lot about the devolution debate, including
attending a really interesting conference held by Centre for London. I have
been arguing that in trying to meet the needs of our communities, we often
find ourselves stymied by a lack of powers – such as to tax and spend as we
see fit to invest into building more homes, stimulating local jobs and growth or
investing in children’s early years. If we were better able to manage our own
income, we would be better able to deliver on the things our residents tell us
are their priority. Greater fiscal powers for councils like ours, or for groupings
of like-minded authorities, would mean we could craft policy that betters suits
the needs and aspirations of our communities. We are already working with
Southwark and Lewisham to help our residents into work, and with
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Southwark to look at affordable childcare solutions. Bringing decision-making
closer to the real people it affects – and giving people a real voice so they are
not just passive recipients of public services – also goes a long way to
combating that sense of disillusionment and apathy that has become so rife
of late. Councils like ours really are leading the way on innovation in public
service delivery. We celebrated Living Wage Week recently as one of the first
councils in the UK to sign up as a London Living Wage employer. Since the
last Council meeting we can a list a number of new achievements. Firstly, a
year on and the new Streatham Ice and Leisure Centre has proved a real hit,
with 120,000 casual visitors to the rink, 550 pupils currently on the Learn to
Skate programme and almost 500 pupils from local schools attending weekly
skating lessons. A recent survey of users received some real positive
responses. And, responding to the wishes of its users, I am also pleased to
say that the leisure centre is going to get its own crèche. Elsewhere both the
Black Cultural Archives and the regeneration at Clapham Old Town have
been nominated for the 2015 London Planning Awards. The Best of Business
Awards were a great showcase of the fantastic local businesses we have
here in Lambeth. I am really pleased that Lambeth was chosen as one of
only 6 councils to be awarded ‘Better Care’ funding, enabling us to better
work together with our NHS partners and to more fully integrate health and
social care. Early this month I was moved and honoured to take part in
Lambeth’s Remembrance Day commemorations and to lay a wreath on the
centenary year of the First World War. Since we last met in this Chamber,
one of the biggest decisions we have taken has been the decision to provide
better value for tenants, leaseholders and council tax payers by bringing the
services currently provided by Lambeth Living back in house when their
contract ceases in January next year. This will be a real opportunity to
improve these services and to avoid costly duplication. And, facing our next
round of budgeting, we are going to have some truly difficult decisions to
make. We’re losing 50% of our budgets. But the questions we are having to
ask ourselves are not just about what cuts to make where. Instead of asking
how we make cuts of 50 per cent, we are trying to think about how we most
meaningfully spend 50 per cent. And, when we look at where or how we are
using our limited resources, the first question we are now asking is will this
make a difference to people? Will this deliver the best outcomes for our
communities? And, can we invest now to prevent a problem rather than
spending money on trying to sort it out later?
And, looking to the future, the other big challenge we are going to face in
Lambeth is life without our excellent Chief Executive of almost 9 years,
Derrick. Personally, I have worked with Derrick for nearly 2 years since I
became Leader, and since 2006 as a Cabinet Member. I respect him
immensely, and will greatly miss him. He has lead vast improvements across
the council throughout his stewardship. His vision for the coop council has
been embedded throughout the organisation. Resident satisfaction and
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confidence in us as an organisation has risen markedly. We share the same
values around public services and our vision for Lambeth, and our absolute
belief in its potential. Please join me in saying a huge thank you to Derrick
for all that he has done for us. There will be a reception in the Mayor’s
Parlour immediately after this meeting.
Council rose to pay tribute to Derrick Anderson
Councillor Tim Briggs also addressed Council:
The cabinet member for housing Councillor Bennett says that bringing
Lambeth Living in-house again will bring all sorts of advantages.
Whether that happens or not, all councillors know that management failures
in Lambeth Living and Lambeth Housing have ruined a lot of lives. The
£490m grant from central government for improvements should have gone a
long way to resolving these issues, but we still have 9,733 non-decent
homes, as measured by Labour’s own Decent Homes Standard.
That’s 9,733 blighted lives, bad repairs, people unable to get through on the
phone, employees not taking responsibility, and all that is a sign of failed
management.
Responsibility for this failure starts at the top. Senior management at
Lambeth Living have a lot to answer for the failings of Lambeth Living and
confusing statements have come from management at Lambeth Living in
respect of whether to bring Lambeth Living back in house. In addition,
Councillor Peck and Councillor Prentice were part of a housing advisory
panel set up to keep a close eye on all aspects of the housing department.
So I ask those councillors: what aspects of the housing department did you
keep a close eye on?
This is what we need: clear objectives for housing management in the form of
action plans, specific and achievable and time-limited targets for each
individual and each department, and Key Performance Indicators measured
and published online to be able to compare progress with other Boroughs.
Without this, money put into social housing will continue to disappear.
So I challenge Councillor Peck to do the right thing and have a
comprehensive themed debate on housing.
I also urge the council to do the right thing and listen to what the Secretary of
State for Communities and Local Government said last Friday regarding the
continuation of the Lambeth Talk newspaper.
Its singular pushing of a ruling party agenda compares with Tower Hamlet’s
East End Life.
Rather than spending £277,000 a year on a newspaper that tries to persuade
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people that Labour is helping them, £277,000 a year could be spent on
actually helping people.
So let’s at least have a debate on housing. But I don’t hold out much hope for
one because with a £90m black hole in our finances, every issue of Lambeth
Talk is a reminder in that with this administration money is considered well
spent if it keeps Labour in power, rather than being used to actually help
people.
May I also take this opportunity to thank Derrick Anderson for all his hard
work and wish him all the best for the future.
9.
COUNCIL QUESTIONS
1. By: Councillor Bernard Gentry
To: Councillor Jane Edbrooke, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods
Clapham Common Events
Supplementary Question
Councillor Bernard Gentry thanked the Cabinet Member for her response and
asked whether further, more meaningful consultation would be taking place
on the events strategy and whether a range of different people would be
consulted with.
Supplementary Answer
The Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods responded that further consultation
would be undertaken on the events strategy and noted that communications
tools such as the Lambeth Talk were pivotal in reaching out to a wide range
of stakeholders when consulting on the strategy.
2. By: Councillor Scott Ainslie
To: Councillor Matthew Bennett, Cabinet Member for Housing
Cressingham Gardens Estate
Supplementary Question
Councillor Scott Ainslie noted that the preferred option, as identified through
the recently held workshops with residents at the estate, was option 1 and
asked why the Council did not respect this wish.
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Supplementary Answer
The Cabinet Member for Housing responded that further consultation would
be carried out with residents, prior to any decisions being made on the future
of the Cressingham Gardens Estate.
3. By: Councillor Christopher Wellbelove
To: Councillor Jane Edbrooke, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods
Clapham Saturation Zone
Supplementary Question
Councillor Christopher Wellbelove thanked the Cabinet Member for her
response and asked what was being done about currently licensed premises
and any work done by the Crime and Reduction Partnership.
Supplementary Answer
The Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods responded that issues of breaches
of licences had been raised by officers and this was now being investigated
by officers and Members, working closely with the licensing team in the
council.
4. By: Councillor Joanne Simpson
To: Councillor Matthew Bennett, Cabinet Member for Housing
Affordable Housing
Supplementary Question
Councillor Joanne Simpson wanted to know what was being done by the
council to ensure accessible and affordable housing to those residents in the
borough on average incomes.
Supplementary Answer
The Cabinet Member for Housing responded that the council was doing
everything to ensure affordable housing on site which would be accessible to
average income households. Members and officers were aware of the
shortage of affordable housing in the north of the borough and measures
were being identified to address this.
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Due to the absence of Councillor Michelle Agdomar, question 5 FELL.
6. By: Councillor Alex Bigham
To: Councillor Tim Briggs, Leader of the Majority Opposition
Reorganisation of the NHS
Supplementary Question
Councillor Alex Bigham thanked Councillor Tim Briggs for his response and
noted that many health services in the borough were in crisis, including those
provided by GP practices, and waiting times across the health service were
continuing to increase. Much of this was due to the recently introduced Care
Act and Councillor Bigham wanted to know if resources would be better spent
on ensuring people in the borough had access to quick and fair health
services in the future.
Supplementary Answer
Councillor Tim Briggs responded that much work was already in progress to
ensure the best possible health services for residents in the borough.
7. By: Councillor Andrew Wilson
To: Councillor Matthew Bennett, Cabinet Member for Housing
Housing Service Reintegration
Supplementary Question
Councillor Andrew Wilson thanked the Cabinet Member for his response,
noting that housing prices across the borough were continuing to rise and
asked how many affordable homes had been built in partnership with other
agencies.
Supplementary Answer
The Cabinet Member for Housing responded that work was being undertaken
how grants and funding could be best utilised to continue to increase the
number of affordable homes being built in the borough.
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8. By: Councillor Marsha de Cordova
To: Councillor Paul McGlone, Deputy Leader, Finance and Investment
Emergency Support Scheme
Supplementary Question
Councillor Marsha de Cordova thanked the Deputy Leader for his response,
noting the negative impact on vulnerable people resulting from the funding
cuts to the emergency support scheme and asked what further savings would
be required to this scheme.
Supplementary Answer
The Deputy Leader for Finance and Investment responded that the final
announcement of further budget cuts would not be made until December that
year at which point more clarity would be available on savings required to the
scheme.
9. By: Councillor Louise Nathanson
To: Councillor Paul McGlone, Deputy Leader, Finance and Investment
The New Town Hall
Supplementary Question
Councillor Louise Nathanson thanked the Deputy Leader for his response
and asked for further clarity on the logic in borrowing money to fund the New
Town Hall given the current level of debt in the Council.
Supplementary Answer
The Deputy Leader for Finance and Investment responded that the council
was not borrowing the money which would be spent on the New Town Hall
project; instead the project would be funded by the sale of existing property
within the council as well as efficiencies generated through the new buildings
so in effect the New Town Hal would pay for itself.
10. By: Councillor Malcolm Clark
To: Councillor Jack Hopkins, Cabinet Member for Jobs and Growth
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Public Transport Improvements
Supplementary Question
Councillor Malcolm Clark thanked the Cabinet Member for his initial response
and asked for further clarity in respect of the Victoria Line and whether the
council have had any conversations with Network Rail in respect of the plans
for Crossrail 2.
Supplementary Answer
The Cabinet Member for Jobs and Growth responded that the council had
been in touch with Network Rail on the consultation for Crossrail 2 and
acknowledged that the south of the borough was in acute need of improved
transport options and links to the rest of the borough and outside of the
borough. He noted that the council would continue to work with rail
companies to ensure that this was addressed in the future.
11. By: Councillor Bernard Gentry
To: Councillor Jenny Brathwaite, Cabinet Member for Environment and
Sustainability
Walkway Accidents
Supplementary Question
Councillor Bernard Gentry thanked the Cabinet Member for her answer and
asked if more gritting was planned this coming winter in a bid to prevent
accidents on walkways across the borough.
Supplementary Answer
The Cabinet Member for Environment and Sustainability responded that a
scheme was being developed to support those at risk and there was also a
pledge to upgrade the roads in the borough more generally. She finally noted
that Member briefings on this issue would be set up shortly and that
Councillor Bernard Gentry would be invited along to these to ensure he was
fully briefed.
10.
REPORTS
A) Corporate Parenting Board Annual Report
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The following Councillors addressed Council in the following order:
Councillor Christiana Valcarcel
Councillor Bernard Gentry
RESOLVED:
(1)
(2)
To note progress achieved by the Corporate Parenting Board in
2013-14.
To agree the next steps in paragraph 8 as set out in this report.
(3)
To ensure that clear and accessible information is readily available
to Children Looked After and care leavers on the corporate parenting they
can expect from the council.
(4)
To ensure arrangements are made for the training and
development of
councillors on the corporate parenting role.
(5)
To endorse the Lambeth pledge promises in Appendix 1 to
Children Looked After and care leavers.
B) Appointment of Acting Head of Paid Service
RESOLVED:
(1) To appoint Guy Ware, Strategic Director of Enabling, as the Head of Paid
Service with effect from 1 January 2015.
C) Employment of Children By-Laws
RESOLVED:
(1)
(2)
11.
To adopt the Employment of Children Bylaws as set out at Appendix A
To delegate authority to the Director of Corporate Affairs to implement
the statutory procedure for making Bylaws and to apply to the Secretary
of State for their confirmation in accordance with the process as detailed
at paragraph 4 of this report and to authorise officers to take all steps
necessary to give effect to, conducive to or calculated to facilitate the
recommendations in this report and the bringing into force of the Bylaws
NOTICES OF MOTIONS
Motion 1: Safeguarding of Vulnerable Children
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Voting
Amendment 1
For: 1
Against: 54
Abstentions: 1
LOST
Amendment 2
For: 53
Against: 3
Abstentions: 1
CARRIED
Substantive motion
AGREED
RESOLVED:
In light of the findings in Rotherham regarding historic allegations of the
sexual abuse of children whose complaints were ignored by mainstream
society, and to prevent a crime which ruins the lives not just of vulnerable
individuals but generations of people, this council is doing everything in its
power to ensure that any such allegations are listened to and considered
carefully as part of its safeguarding obligations to past and present victims.
Motion 2: Ethical Care Council
Motion 1
AGREED
RESOLVED:
This Council notes that Lambeth Council has already made the decision to
include all the elements of the Ethical Care Charter in its commissioning
requirements for the procurement of the next round of home care contracts
including payment of the London Living Wage to all employees, recognition
of travel time and requirements for high quality staff training.
In this way, Lambeth Council is demonstrating its commitment to a minimum
baseline for safety, quality and dignity of care. It is guaranteeing employment
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conditions which (a) give good value to clients and (b) ensure that a stable
workforce is recruited and retained via sustainable pay, conditions and
training levels.
These issues will be crucial in our work with Lambeth Clinical Commissioning
Group and other health partners in creating a high quality integrated care
service for Lambeth residents.
Motion 3: Votes at 16
Voting
Amendment 1
For: 1
Against: 56
Abstentions: 0
Original motion
For: 53
Against: 4
Abstentions: 0
CARRIED
RESOLVED:
Council notes that:
Currently 1.5 million 16 and 17 year olds are denied the vote in public
elections in the UK.
The campaign to lower the voting age is supported by Lambeth Youth
Council, the Votes at 16 Coalition and thousands of young people across the
UK.
Council believes that:
The case put forward by Lambeth Youth Council for votes at 16 at the 23 July
2014 Full Council meeting was compelling.
16 and 17 year olds are knowledgeable, responsible and politically engaged,
and are as deserving of the vote as any other citizen.
Lowering the voting age to 16, combined with strong citizenship education
will empower young people to better engage in society and influence
decisions that will define their future – as proved by the Scottish
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independence referendum.
Council resolves to:
Support Lambeth Youth Council’s Votes at 16 petition, which will be delivered
to Downing Street.
Write to the Minister of the Cabinet Office to inform him of the Council’s
position and urge him to bring forward legislation to lower the voting age.
The meeting ended at 9.10 pm
MAYOR
Thursday 18 December 2014
Date of Despatch: Thursday 27 November
Tel: 020 7926 0028
2014
Contact for Enquiries: Anne Rasmussen
Fax: (020) 7926 2361
E-mail: [email protected]
Web: www.lambeth.gov.uk
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Agenda Item 7
Council
28 January 2015
Questions from Councillors
Wards: All
Report Authorised by: Strategic Director Enabling: Guy Ware
Contact for enquiries:
[email protected]
Anne Rasmussen, Democratic Services Manager, Corporate Affairs, 020 7926 0028
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1. Councillor Scott Ainslie
To: Councillor Lib Peck, Leader of the Council
Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership
Further to the recent council debate on health care, will the Council do all it can to both
publicise and work against the dangers arising from The Transatlantic Trade and Investment
Partnership (TTIP) for our NHS and other public services and jobs, including writing to the
Prime Minister and the Secretary of State for Business Innovation and Skills, London MPs
and MEPs raising concerns about TTIP, urging them to apply for UK opt outs, particularly
exempting health and social services as well as offering support to the campaign by Unite to
defend the NHS which is drawing attention to the potential impact of the TTIP as well as
writing to all London councils urging them to oppose the potential impact of the TTIP?
Answer:
May I thank Councillor Ainslie for his question. I am pleased to be able inform him that it is
the clear position of the Labour Party that the NHS should be exempted from the EU-US
trade treaty - known as TTIP - which permits US private healthcare giants to bid for NHS
contracts. Should a Labour government be elected in May 2015 the new Labour Secretary of
State is pledged at the earliest opportunity to bring forward legislation to repeal the Health
and Social Care Act 2012 and this exemption for the NHS from TTIP will form part of that bill.
The best - and indeed only realistic - way therefore to ensure that health services are
defended against the dangers posed by TTIP, is the election of a Labour Government in
May. I hope he will therefore join me in urging people in his ward and elsewhere to vote to
ensure a Labour MP is returned locally and Labour Government elected nationally in May.
I’m sure he will agree with me that this is likely to be a more effective remedy than writing
letters to the Tory Prime Minister and Lib Dem Secretary of State whose government pushed
through the disastrous 2012 reorganisation of the Health Service in the first place and who
are committed to implementing TTIP unamended.
2. Councillor Amelie Treppass
To: Councillor Jenny Brathwaite, Cabinet Member for Environment and Sustainability
Streatham Neighbourhood Enhancement Programme funding:
Can the Cabinet Member confirm the amount of funding that will be allocated to the
Neighbourhood Enhancement Programme in Streatham and the timeframes for
implementation?
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Answer:
We know that well-designed public spaces boost local economies, enhance community
safety and improve public health and satisfaction. The next NEP will cover Streatham South,
Streatham Wells, St Leonards and Thornton wards over a two year programme, the
estimated timetable for which is set out below:
Stage
Prepare full NEP programme, engagement
programme and evidence gathering.
Date
Feb – Apr 2015
Engagement with residents
May – Oct 2015
Co-design street improvements
Oct 2015 – March 2016
Implementation of street improvements
Apr 2016 - March 2017
£1.2m from Borough Local Investment Plan and Section 106 funding has been allocated to
ensure investment of at least £200k in projects for each ward. In order to design places
people really want to live in, we are working with residents to ensure their wishes and needs
are understood and reflected.
3. Councillor Saleha Jaffer
To: Councillor Paul McGlone, Deputy Leader, Finance and Investment
Benefits Cap
The Government have announced plans to lower the Benefit Cap even further. When it
comes in it will have great effect on many households who are already suffering because of
this government making drastic cuts. What measures are Lambeth putting in place to help
those affected?
Answer:
The reduction of the weekly benefit cap level announced at the Conservative Party
conference in the autumn will mean, if implemented, a reduction in the total allowable weekly
amount of benefits that any household can claim from £500 per week to £441 per week, a
12% cut in income. This change has been estimated to affect around 150 new Lambeth
households whose benefit income is in the £441 per week to £500 per week range and who
were not affected by the original cap. It will further affect many of the 400 that were affected
by the original cap. That is because the arrangements that have been put in place with
landlords to charge them lower rents or to move them to accommodation where the rent is
lower so they are within the cap levels may no longer be viable as a means of tackling the
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problem as their entitlement to Housing Benefit reduces by a further £59 per week. Most of
the households affected are headed by lone parents and most have 2 or more children. The
majority are in private rented sector accommodation.
The council is responding to this policy challenge under the umbrella of our council wide
Financial Resilience Strategy in a range of ways:





We have commissioned a specific employment support service (run by St Mungo’s
Broadway) for cap affected households that is providing intensive support to help
working age adults obtain and keep employment. Working households are exempt
from the cap for as long as they are working and receiving Working Tax Credit. This
service has been operational since 2013 and will continue until 2016. Lambeth has
provided this employment support to over 250 adults up to January 2015 with 119
jobs being secured. It is supported well by the council’s jobs brokerage service who
have worked with the provider, Job Centre Plus and local employers to offer several
jobs fairs that were specifically targeted at these households.
We have commissioned a specific service (run by Tree Shepherd) to support cap
affected households into self-employment. This is particularly valuable for those
households whose family size and caring responsibilities mean that a more traditional
job does not provide enough flexibility. 30 adults have been supported through this
programme.
We have a local advice agency specifically funded to offer affordability checks and
debt support to cap affected households so that they can maximise their income,
better manage any debt and put themselves in a better position to manage reduced
benefit income caused by the cap. This works well for residents who are
experiencing a small shortfall in income linked with the cap as they can often be
supported to make up the shortfall themselves. More than 150 residents have been
assisted through this partnership agency.
There are specific officers within the Housing service and within Lambeth Living who
are co-ordinating the process of meeting affected residents face-to-face, liaising with
landlords, looking at alternative/more affordable accommodation options where
needed. These officers are also supporting the process of moving claimants where
appropriate.
We are making good use of Discretionary Housing Payments (DHP) to meet the
shortfall for households who need some time to either move to more affordable
accommodation or gain employment. This has included making longer term awards
of DHP to landlords who are willing to reduce rents to help households cope.
While these interventions are undoubtedly positive and have led to some good employment
and housing outcomes for affected households, it should be noted that this is a policy that
creates significant financial risk to the council. If DHP is reduced as expected in 15/16, we
will not be able to support households with their rent shortfall and many more will become
homeless and end up in temporary accommodation, creating further budget pressures. A
further cut of £59 per week in Housing Benefit may mean that many private rented sector
landlords lose patience and disengage from offering accommodation to those on benefits.
We also have a small group of households (approximately 90 households) who are already
in temporary accommodation or in council accommodation who are not engaging with the
issue of the benefit cap and reduced household income (i.e.: considering options around
moving or accepting interventions to help gain employment) and for whom the levers that
exist to secure engagement are very limited. If we evicted these families, we would almost
certainly have an immediate statutory duty to house them again and, often, the families are
aware of this fact.
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4. Councillor Iain Simpson
To: Councillor Tim Briggs, Leader of the Majority Opposition
Lambeth’s Housing Programme
Given the confusing and incorrect statement from Councillor Tim Briggs at November's
council meeting about government funding for Lambeth's housing programme, can he clarify
how much his Tory-Lib Dem government has cut funding for the borough's Decent Homes
scheme since 2010?
Answer:
Councillor Simpson needs to clarify in his supplementary what he alleges was confusing and
incorrect so that his question can be answered fully.
5. Councillor Mary Atkins
To: Councillor Jenny Brathwaite, Cabinet Member for Environment and Sustainability
CPZ Review
The nine Labour councillors representing Brixton Hill, Tulse Hill and Vassall have been
lobbying relentlessly for a Controlled Parking Zone review in areas of their wards following
feedback from residents, so we are delighted with Councillor Brathwaite’s plans to conduct a
parking stress review in 2015. Can the Cabinet Member outline when this will take place and
how it will be implemented?
Answer:
The volume of communications from local residents and businesses requesting reviews of
existing CPZs or the extension of control parking restrictions has been notable. Residents in
Myatt’s Field find that they live in one of the few parts of Lambeth close to the centre of
London without a CPZ and have expressed their frustration at the parking stress and
congestion caused by commuter parking and the growing parking demand by occupiers of
nearby developments. Given that large scale developments within the borough are set to
continue, particularly to the north, the demand for parking spaces is unlikely to abate.
In response to residents’ long held concerns about parking stress, despite the harsh financial
times this council faces, I am determined to find ways to address residents’ concerns about
parking stress. It was therefore decided that a borough wide feasibility study of parking
should be undertaken.
A borough wide study will:
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·
·
·
·
·
Enable us to consider the matter holistically, ensuring that any measures undertaken
by Lambeth to address parking stress in one area do not displace the problem onto
neighbouring streets
Ensure that limited resources are targeted at areas which need them most
Help officers prioritise areas rather than implement measures on an ad hoc basis
Provide an overview of parking patterns and evidence to enable new CPZs or other
parking restrictions to be considered
Enable us to take action on addressing parking stress earlier.
The feasibility study will start in April 2015 and will be carried out in two phases along 12
months:
The first phase will concentrate on the north of the borough, most of which is covered by
CPZs. This part of Lambeth has experienced the most development pressure. The review
will assess whether parking stress has increased with higher densities or whether changing
travel patterns and falling car ownership has minimised the impact of the rising population.
During this phase there will be an opportunity to review the hours existing CPZ s operate to
determine whether they continue to meet the need of local communities.
While this review is being undertaken we will take parallel action to address some existing
parking problems. In Bonnington Square in Vauxhall, we shall introduce an experimental
extension of the existing operational hours of the CPZ during the night to resolve the
disturbances and illegal activities.
We shall also be taking a special look at Myatt’s Field. The review will undertake a technical
overview of the parking needs of the area taking into account current and future
developments in the vicinity.
We will also work with the residents of Harrington Road, many of whom are calling for the
operational hours to be reduced to two hours a day.
Once Phase 1 is concluded, officers will analyse the results and implement the
measures needed to tackle parking stress in the north of the borough, subject to finance.
That way, residents in areas determined by phase 1 of the review to be most in need of
action, will not have to wait a year from the start of the review to find out the schemes
proposed, in consultation with residents and businesses, to elevate parking stress in their
locality.
Phase 2 of the review will be to carry out a parking stress survey in the rest of the borough –
mainly the non-CPZ areas. This will enable the council to determine whether there is a need
to extend the existing controlled parking zones or implement other measures to address
parking stress. In the south of the borough a number of local communities have campaigned
for new CPZs and several major development schemes could add to parking stress in the
future.
I would encourage as many people and businesses as possible to take part in the review.
Anyone who would like to be kept informed should sign up at www.lambeth.gov.uk/cpz
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6. Councillor Max Deckers-Dowber
To: Councillor Jackie Meldrum, Cabinet Member for Children and Adult Services
Hearing Support Service
Can the Cabinet Member update us on the work of the Hearing Support Service in
Lambeth’s schools?
Answer:
Firstly, let me assure you that we are committed to having in place a Hearing Support
Service (HSS) that meets the needs of the children and young people who need it, has the
confidence of parents/carers and young people and reflects the best advice that is available
about good practice.
Currently the HSS in Lambeth consists of two elements: an Outreach Service and a primary
provision based at Jubilee Primary School, a partner school in the Loughborough Federation
of Schools. In addition there is a secondary resource base at Elmgreen School for deaf
pupils.
I understand that changes at Jubilee Primary School and the relocation of the Outreach
Service to the Kennington Park site, to join the Visual Support Service, have caused some
concern and uncertainty.
For background, over recent years the provision at Jubilee has seen some changes both in
terms of the numbers of pupils attending and the way the pupils are supported. In 2010/11
there were 19 pupils but in 2014/15 numbers have reduced to 4. Pupils now spend virtually
their whole time supported in mainstream classes whereas previously they tended to be
educated separately in a special unit.
We are currently considering the future of this service. During the autumn term the Council
carried out a consultation with families, schools & others to determine the future provision for
deaf children and young people in Lambeth. A report describing the provision and how it will
be commissioned will be published early in 2015. The recommendations will take into
account the concerns and wishes of the parents, professionals and concerned organisations
who contributed to the consultation.
N.B. For the purposes of this answer, the word “deaf” is used, as by The National Deaf
Children’s Society, to mean someone who is partially or wholly lacking hearing, either when
they were born, or as an acquired condition later in life.
7. Councillor Adrian Garden
To: Councillor Jack Hopkins, Cabinet Member for Jobs and Growth
Pope’s Road
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Can the Cabinet Member for Jobs and Growth provide an update on what is happening at
the Pope’s Road site in Brixton, a facility that is of interest to many residents around the
area, including Brixton Hill?
Answer:
The POP Brixton project on Pope’s Road (previously known as GROW Brixton) is another
exciting and innovative part of Lambeth’s approach to working with community partners and
developers with a social conscience to provide a range of enterprise and community space,
along with employment and training opportunities for local people.
The council is making use of a space that is temporarily available to pilot schemes and test
assumptions around entrepreneurship and affordable space, as well as provide real
outcomes that we as an administration are committed to. The land would otherwise be
wasted or have to be developed ahead of the wider Future Central Masterplan. The project
is a practical exercise amongst others to bring social value into the supply chain with private
sector partners and we expect this to influence how we can change policy and practice with
respect to this, alongside developing Brixton Works with the Brixton Business Improvement
District, the Community Development Trust being developed with Brixton Green on
Somerleyton Road and the Impact Hub in Your New Town Hall, which is already being run
as an independent partner. The project on Pope's Road is being funded through private
investment with the Council's contribution being a three year lease, and will deliver a mix of
units for rent in the heart of Brixton, some as affordable and others at market rent.
The project has a steering group chaired by me as the Cabinet Member for Jobs and Growth
and also includes representation from POP Brixton, the Brixton Market Traders Federation,
the Brixton £ and ward Councillor Matt Parr. We have met regularly as a group to develop
social value requirements, flexible performance measures and also to propose wider
partnerships using our local knowledge providing local labour, apprentices and
entrepreneurs. The Service Level Agreement (SLA), which includes arrangements for a
peppercorn lease until October 2017, was signed with POP Brixton who will be running the
project. The SLA will govern the project and sets out the objectives and parameters within
which the project will need to be delivered; including the provision of affordable space within
the scheme, an allocations policy that promotes local businesses and community “give-back”
and training requirements.
Planning permission for the temporary use was granted on 16th September 2014 and on
12th December 2014 containers were delivered to the site. The fit out work on the containers
began on 13th January 2015 with 12 apprentices from Lambeth College, all of whom are
being paid the London Living Wage.
The remaining 23 containers will be delivered on 18th January 2015 and the fit out will
continue. A phased opening of the project is expected from February 2015. The space will
include retail, food and drink sales, workspace and events space, as well as food growing
space. There will be a programme of training activities on the site; Lambeth College and
other provides and tenants of the space will be encouraged to work with these training
programmes to provide work experience. Other activities on the site will include projects with
local schools and community groups and these relationships are now being developed so
that they can help shape what is delivered and take advantage of these opportunities.
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8. Councillor Claire Holland
To: Councillor Jane Edbrooke, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods
GAIA Centre
The GAIA Centre provides confidential, non-judgemental support for victims of gender
violence in Lambeth. As a result of its excellent work, it reports a 47% reduction in harm for
women. Can the Cabinet Member confirm that its funding will continue in 2015-16?
Answer:
We remain committed to tackling all forms of violence against women and girls in Lambeth,
and our ground-breaking work at GAIA is the heart of that approach. Although we face
significant government cuts across all areas, including crime reduction, the services GAIA
delivers are some of our most important and I can confirm that the Council is committed to
ensuring that the centre will be fully funded for 2015/16
9. Councillor Annie Gallop
To: Councillor Jane Edbrooke, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods
Vassall Myatts Fields Project
It is excellent news that the application from Vassall's Myatt’s Fields Park Project to the
Pioneer Business Development Fund has been successful following support from Lambeth.
Can the Cabinet Member outline what this successful application will mean for the park and
what improvement residents can expect to see?
Answer:
Lambeth’s cooperative parks programme is one of the council’s major service transformation
programmes, which seeks to involve local communities and residents more in their
respective parks. The mandate for this locally-driven service model has been provided by
Cabinet and its future direction and scope will be tested with our communities, as part of the
broader creative communities consultation which will commence shortly.
To help us achieve our cooperative ambitions, we have established the Parks Pioneer
Business Development Fund. Although this fund is not set up for direct use on parks
services, it aims to support our local communities and residents who wish to take on
increased responsibilities in our parks by making small grants available to support their initial
start-up and organisational development needs.
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The Myatt’s Field Park Project (MFPP) Group are one of our parks pioneers who are
planning to independently manage Myatt’s Field Park, subject to final approval. Their
successful application to the business development fund was for feasibility studies, exploring
income generation potential in the park, and to support the development of their business
plans. This resource will help them meet our public interest test requirements in due course;
providing assurance to the council that the MFPP Group are ready for their increased
responsibilities and have a financially viable model in place.
Although this fund is not set up for direct use on parks services, we anticipate that by helping
MFPP Group establish themselves as a robust organisation, we are welcoming their vision
for Myatt’s Field Park to be at the heart of a green and sustainable neighbourhood. One
where Myatt’s Field Park is transformed into a local food and community hub that makes a
difference to the people that use, visit, and live around it. This is because we will be
supporting:
•
a more locally accountable, not-for-profit group that shapes the services around the
needs of local community and delivers locally set priorities; creating a sense of local
ownership and better quality of services for local residents and park users.
•
greater efficiencies with an enhanced and locally driven focus on income generation
and new partnerships (e.g. exploring more volunteering opportunities)
•
fewer layers of management
•
model that is more attractive to grant funders.
This innovative model will start to be fleshed out over the coming months in partnership with
the council, ward councillors, and the local community.
10. Councillor Clair Wilcox
To: Councillor Jenny Brathwaite, Cabinet Member for Environment and Sustainability
Recycling
Could the Cabinet Member for Environment and Sustainability set the record straight on
recycling? Despite recent reports, I understand that Lambeth is recycling more than ever
before. Please could the Cabinet Member confirm that the recycling rate in Lambeth is
actually going up?
Answer:
Lambeth is continuing to increasing its recycling rates. For the months April to September
2014, thanks in part to our new waste strategy and residents doing the right thing, the
recycling rate in Lambeth averaged 31%, the highest it has been in the borough.
Page 35
Lambeth has continually improved recycling performance over the last decade. Our waste
strategy introduced in 2011 saw a borough-wide food waste collection service, smaller bins
issued to reduce waste and a convenient dry recycling service. These initiatives have
resulted in our performance increasing when other boroughs’ performance has declined.
Under EU guidance for measuring compliance with the 2020 50% recycling target, any
reused or recycled materials from waste plants are defined as ‘recycling’. For example ash
and metals that are re-used can be counted as recycling. Using this measure for household
waste which is recycled, Lambeth’s rate against the EU target is just short of 50% (49.79%).
Lambeth is 100% committed to reducing waste and improving recycling performance. Not
only does it improve the environment but it also saves Lambeth residents money. Lambeth is
already starting work on the next phase of our waste strategy and will be working closely
with residents to design the changes they need to continue the good work.
11. Councillor Martin Tiedemann
To: Imogen Walker, Deputy Leader, Policy
Re-development of Lambeth College
Can the Deputy Leader, Policy, outline how the Council is working with the Education
Funding Agency and its partners on the redevelopment of Lambeth College on Brixton Hill
and, in particular, what pressure is being brought on them to properly engage with local
residents who are concerned about the impact of construction and the potential trebling of
the number of learners on the site once the College, UTC and Academy are fully
operational?
Answer:
The Planning Department has entered into a Planning Performance Agreement (PPA) with
the Educations Funding Authority (EFA) and initial pre-application discussions have taken
place with Mott Macdonald who are the agents for the EFA.
Ward councillors have been communicating the concerns of residents and planning officers
have consistently emphasised the need for improved and better community involvement.
Mott McDonald are to produce a community involvement plan in response to this. This will
set out how they aim to involve local residents throughout the pre-application and application
stages.
The applicant is in the process of appointing a contractor who will design and build the
scheme and further pre-application discussions will take place with the applicant and the
contractor to develop the design. The PPA includes a number of meetings in order to allow
officers to work with the applicant and to give feedback and advice whilst the scheme is
being developed. Ensuring that the applicant is responding to local concerns and
adequately following through on the engagement they need to do will be uppermost in
Page 36
officer's minds as these options are progressed. The details of a construction management
plan and measures to manage and mitigate increased use of the site and the associated
transport and traffic impacts will clearly be core to these discussions.
Page 37
Agenda Item 8.a
Cabinet 12 January 2015
Council 28 January 2015
Council Tax Support Scheme
Wards: All
Report Authorised by: Strategic Director Guy Ware
Portfolio: Deputy Leader Finance & Investment: Councillor Paul McGlone
Contact for enquiries:
Tim Hillman-Brown, Head of Benefits and Customer Centres, BCS, 07852 167 416, [email protected]
David Ashmore, Director, BCS, [email protected]
Report summary
Council Tax Support (CTS) replaced Council Tax Benefit (CTB) from April 2013. All councils
were given the option of developing their own CTS scheme or taking on board a default scheme
defined by DCLG. The council took the option of developing a local scheme in consultation with
residents specifically engineered with the intention of ensuring vulnerable people were protected
from changes to their help with Council Tax (CT) costs
The council is legally required to make a scheme on an annual basis if it is to avoid taking on
board the default scheme and for the 2015/16 scheme this must be made by 31 January 2015.
This report looks back at the performance of the CTS scheme in 2013/14 and 2014/15 and
following the extensive review, makes a recommendation to maintain the existing scheme for
2015/16.
Finance summary
Funding for CTS was rolled into the Settlement Funding Assessment (SFA) and the indicative
allocation was £20m. However, as the grant has now been subsumed within core funding, it is
subject to the same reductions as the rest of the SFA.
Page 38
Recommendations
Cabinet
(1)
(2)
To recommend to Council that an unamended Council Tax Support scheme for
2015/16 be adopted, subject to annual uprating and adjustments for inflation, which
are already catered for in the existing 2014/15 scheme
To note the requirement to change the scheme for 2016/17 to accommodate
universal credit and other changes which align with the financial resilience strategy
and income and debt policy.
Council
(1)
To adopt an unamended Council Tax Support scheme for 2015/16, subject to annual
uprating and adjustments for inflation, which are already catered for in the existing
2014/15 scheme
(2)
To note the requirement to change the scheme for 2016/17 to accommodate
universal credit and other changes which align with the financial resilience strategy
and income and debt policy.
Page 39
1.
Context
1.1
The council’s Council Tax Support (CTS) scheme was developed with the intention of
ensuring vulnerable residents are protected from changes to the help they receive with
Council Tax (CT) costs, those with more income would contribute more towards their CT
costs and the scheme would operate within the financial envelope of the budget
allocated by government.
1.2
The key features of the scheme which protect vulnerable residents on low income, from
changes to their help with CT costs as a result the universal reduction are;





Pensioners
All disabled people protected
Carers protected
Families affected by the overall benefits cap protected
War widows and widowers protected
Lambeth’s scheme is unique in London in providing protection from a reduction in CTS
to this whole group of vulnerable residents. Residents of pension age are automatically
protected from any changes to the levels of CTS they receive by law. CTS spend and
cost of protected groups for 2013/14 is detailed below.
CTS protected group
Number of
households
CTS spend
(£m)
Cost of
protected
characteristics
(£m)
Benefit Cap
Disabled residents
Carers
War Widows
Pensioners
CTS non protected groups
Working age
Total
300
5,200
1000
0
10,000
0.2
3.0
0.7
0
6.6
0.03
0.45
0.10
0
1.00
21,000
37,500
8.6
19.1
0
1.58
The original scheme changed aspects of the assessment process compared with council
tax benefit to help meet the costs of the protected groups. The council proposes not to
change these for 2015/16.
Also, a new addition, the universal reduction, was built in to the local scheme. The
universal reduction reduces support by a set percentage for all working age, unprotected
residents. The council proposes to maintain the current universal reduction level for
2015/16.
Page 40
1.3
1.4
1.5
The council is required by law to maintain and manage a CTS scheme to help less welloff residents meet their CT costs. We are able to either take on a national default
scheme which effectively mirrors CTB and means we would have to pick up the cost of
the cut made by government when localising support for council tax. For Lambeth this
cost was approximately £2.4m. Conversely we can create our own scheme which gives
flexibility of how the scheme works, and what action is taken (if any) to pass on the
governments saving either in part or in full. In 2013 the council agreed a CTS scheme as
laid out in 1.2 above through January 2013 cabinet and full council. This report proposes
continuing that scheme for the third year running.
From the perspective of awarding council tax support there are 6,500 vulnerable working
age households in Lambeth that we have fully protected via the CTS scheme from any
form of Council Tax liability. There are a further 21,000 receiving some degree of
assistance from CTS in meeting their full obligation. In addition 10,000 residents of
pension age are protected from any reduction in CTS support.
The first year collection rates of CTS are shown in the table below, demonstrating that
CTS collection is marginally lower than CTB collection rates. However, it is important to
note that contained within the higher collectible debit of £8m, £1.4 relates to those clients
who would previously have collected CTB and the remainder to technical reforms and
new properties. The relative stability of council tax collection for residents in receipt of
either CTB/CTS indicates that there has not been a significant shift in behaviour.
Households in receipt of financial assistance have maintained a collection rate of
approximately 80%. This is also comparable to Southwark, and indeed most other
London boroughs, as the impact on collection rates have been limited.
2013-14 (CTS)
2012-13 (CTB)
Combined Collection Rate
94.50%
94.70%
Non CTS/CTB accounts
95.70%
95.50%
CTS/CTB accounts
78.80%
81.20%
In year CTS collection rates remain consistent with those of 2013/14.
2.
Proposal and Reasons
2.1
It is recommended that the CTS scheme approved in 2013 should be re-adopted for
2015/16, the third year running. Although the council is entitled to change the scheme on
an annual basis no clear need has been identified for doing so. The current scheme still
achieves its original objectives of protecting vulnerable residents as well as meeting
Lambeth’s financial requirements.
Page 41
2.2
The CTS scheme is part of the overall financial resilience offer from the council and is
also integral to the income and debt strategy which is under review currently. The CTS
scheme will be reviewed in detail in the light of both strategies. Recommendations for
the 2016/17scheme to take effect will be made at the appropriate time. It is proposed
that a consultation with GLA, members, residents and stakeholders, regarding these
recommendations takes place in the summer of 2015. It is important that the work on
financial resilience, CTS review, and income and debt strategy is co-ordinated to ensure
hard pressed residents receive the best and most complimentary support possible.
2.3
Residents experiencing difficulty meeting their council tax costs and at risk of bailiff
action are supported via our financial resilience offering to see what help the council can
give them moving forward. This means council tax debt is considered along with other
debts to the council (such as rent arrears) so a joined up support offering can be made
to residents to help them mitigate financial hardship.
3.
Finance
3.1
The cost of the scheme falls in to two discrete areas covering the scheme expenditure
and scheme administration.
3.2
The cost of administration is linked to the costs associated with the processing of
housing benefit. These costs are met by grants from DCLG and DWP in addition to
revenue top up from the general fund, which sits within cost centre D10521. The revenue
top up is subject to savings requirement and will have provided £400k in savings over
2014/15 and 2015/16. The 2015/16 budget for benefits administration will be agreed
through the budget setting process, where the level of grants and committed savings will
be taken into account.
3.3
The costs of the council tax support are met through funding incorporated into the
Council’s Settlement Funding Assessment. Anticipated scheme costs are reflected
below.
Year
3.4
Spend (£m) Comment
2013/14
19.1
Year one actual scheme cost
2014/15
18.5
Welfare reform and economic recovery causes a
decrease in CTS spend
2015/16
18.0
DWP Fraud and Error reduction activity and
incentives (Real Time Information and Fraud Error
Reduction Incentive Scheme) will cause CTS spend
to reduce further still.
Unlike the previous CTB arrangements, the cost of the scheme arises from the discounts
the council awards to residents, which in turn reduces council tax income. At the point of
transition from CTB to CTS the government made a one off transfer of resources into the
council’s settlement funding assessment, with a reduction of 11%, which helped to
deliver national government savings, yet transferred risk (but also potential benefit) to
local councils.
Page 42
4.
Legal and Democracy
4.1
The Local Government Finance Act 2012 provides for the introduction of local council
tax reduction (CTS) schemes to replace council tax benefit from April 2013. The Council
Tax Reduction Scheme (Prescribed Requirements) (England) Regulations 2012
contains the mandatory elements for any local scheme and details the scheme that
must be adopted for pensioners. The Council adopted its current CTS scheme in 2013
and it is considered lawful.
4.2
The Council is under a statutory duty to review its CTS scheme annually and must
by 31 January 2015; adopt the scheme to take effect in 2015-16. The Council must also
undertake consultation if it proposes to revise or replace its scheme.
4.3
This report recommends no change to the current CTS scheme other than the
application of annual uprating which ensure cost of living increases in income from
state benefits do not adversely affect CTS entitlement. Since such items are already
catered for within the terms of the existing scheme, there are no changes to the terms
of the scheme for 2015/16, therefore all that is required is that full Council agree the
scheme for its continuing adoption from 1 April 2015 for the full 2015/16 council tax
year.
4.4
As required by the Council’s Constitution, notice of the intention to make this key
decision was first published on the forward plan on 5 December 2014. The report will be
published five working days before the meeting and the decision will be available for callin for five days after the notice of the decision has been published.
5.
Consultation and co-production
5.1
Consultation to set the scheme was undertaken in 2012/13 but as there are not any
proposed changes to the scheme, a repeat consultation is not required. Consultation is
only warranted if the scheme is to be changed. The scheme will be amended for 2016/17
to take in to account UC roll-out and also recommendations from the financial resilience
strategy review. This will require a consultation with residents, GLA, and other
stakeholders in the summer of 2015.
6.
Risk management
6.1
The risks associated with this decision are deemed as minimal. We already know that
the scheme does what it was designed to do in terms of meeting financial requirements
as well as protecting our most vulnerable residents. Only a very significant increase in
caseload is likely to cause pressure to the CTS budget.
6.2
The risks that sit around the scheme as opposed the decision per se appear limited
although the DCLG guidance around CTS is open to interpretation and case law is
minimal. We believe our consultation and original scheme are robust as both were
reviewed by CIPFA and Counsel for challenge with only positive response. Additionally
Lambeth has not received a negative decision via Valuation Tribunal.
Page 43
6.3
The council will take the opportunity of the scheme review required in 2015 to further
consider any technical amendments necessitated by emerging case law to ensure we
mitigate against future risk.
7.
Equalities impact assessment
7.1
A recent review of the initial equalities impact assessment identified that there has been
little change to the demography of the CTS caseload and the initial findings still apply, in
that the abolition of council tax benefits impacts all working age, low income groups
similarly. Moving forward additional work will be required with the introduction of
Universal Credit and the changes to the CTS scheme in 2016/17.
8.
Community safety
8.1
None.
9.
Organisational implications
None.
10.
Timetable for implementation
Action
By
Recommendation to retain current scheme
to be considered by Cabinet
12.01.15
Recommendation to retain current scheme
to be considered agreed by full council
28.01.15
Software supplier notified of retention of
current scheme
01.02.15
Publish 2015/16 CTS scheme
01.03.15
Page 44
Audit trail
Consultation
Name/Position
Guy Ware
Finance
Legal Services
Democratic Services
Cllr Paul McGlone
Lambeth
cluster/division or
partner
Strategic Director
Business Partnering
Enabling: Integrated
Support
Enabling: Corporate
Affairs
Cabinet Member:
Report history
Original discussion with Cabinet
Member
Report deadline
Date final report sent
Report no.
Part II Exempt from
Disclosure/confidential
accompanying report?
Key decision report
Date first appeared on forward
plan
Key decision reasons
Background information
Date Sent
Date
Received
Comments in
para:
20/11/14
24.11.14
24.11.14
20.11.14
26.11.14
01.12.14
throughout
throughout
24.11.14
26.11.14
throughout
20/11/14
18.12.14
20.11.14
02.01.15
30.12.15
127/14-15
No
Yes
05.12.14
Expenditure, income or savings in excess of £500,000
Meets community impact test
Report to Cabinet - 17 December 2012 Localisation of Council
Tax Support including Equalities Impact Assessment
http://moderngov.lambeth.gov.uk/documents/s52850/06.1a%20
CTS%20Cabinet%20Report%20Dec%2012%20-%20Final.pdf
Appendices
None.
Page 45
Agenda Item 8.b
Council
28 January 2015
Delegated Approval to Corporate Committee – Setting up of a new Pensions Board
Wards: All
Report Authorised by: Strategic Director Enabling: Guy Ware
Portfolio: Deputy Leader (Finance & Investment): Councillor Paul McGlone:
Contact for enquiries:
[email protected]
Frank Higgins, Head of Financial Strategy, Strategic Finance, 020 7926 9316
Report summary
This report seeks the approval of Council to delegate the setting up of a new Pensions Board, and its
incorporation into the constitution, to Corporate Committee. It is a statutory requirement that the Pensions
Board be in place by 1 April 2015. As the Annual Meeting of the Council which considers changes to the
Constitution is not until 15 April 2015, it is necessary to make alternative arrangements (we do not have the
detailed guidance required to allow a decision to be made at February Council). Future appointments will be
decided by the Council Annual Meeting in the normal way
Finance summary
There are no financial implications arising as a result of this report.
Recommendations
(1)
That Council agree to delegate to Corporate Committee at its meeting on 25 March 2015 the authority
to approve the setting up of a Pensions Board to be incorporated into the Constitution of the London
Borough of Lambeth.
Page 46
1.
Context
1.1. At their meetings on 4 December 2014 and 10 December 2014 respectively, the Pension Fund
Investment Panel and Corporate Committee received an update report – ‘Lambeth Pension Fund –
Governance Changes’- which reflected the requirements of the Public Services Pensions Act 2013
(the Act). As well as discussing the wider changes at national level, the report set out changes that
will impact Lambeth directly.
1.2. The Act will have a fundamental effect on the governance arrangements in place for the Local
Government Pension Scheme (LGPS). Within Lambeth, decision making is currently delegated to
Corporate Committee with regard to what are primarily investment and accounting related aspects of
the Lambeth Pension Fund. The Pension Fund Investment Panel considers reports in detail and
makes recommendations to Corporate Committee for their approval. Proposed changes will meet the
legal requirement of setting up a Pensions Board and further work is being done to facilitate the setting
up of a new Pensions Committee, which will have a wider remit than the areas currently covered by
Corporate Committee.
1.3. It should be noted that executive decisions will remain reserved to Cabinet/Council as set out in the
Council’s Constitution. For instance, the new governance arrangements for the Pensions
Board/Pensions Committee will not allow any decisions to be taken which will have an impact on the
Council’s overall budgetary position.
2. Proposals and Reasons
2.1. With effect from 1 April 2015, the Council must provide for the establishment of a Board with
responsibility for assisting the scheme manager (the Fund) in relation to:
(a) Securing compliance with the scheme regulations and other legislation relating to the governance
and administration of the scheme and any statutory pension scheme that is connected with it
(b) Securing compliance with requirements imposed in relation to the scheme and any connected
scheme by the Pensions Regulator;
(c) Such other matters as the scheme regulations may specify
2.2. A working group comprising consultants, Members, Officers and a union representative have met to
consider how best to implement the new changes. At the time of writing, detailed arrangements are
still under consideration but in principle it has been agreed to set up a Pensions Board as required by
statute; that a separate Pensions Committee be constituted; that the Terms of reference for Corporate
Committee be considered in light of these developments.
2.3. Detailed guidance as to how the Pensions Board will operate in practice has yet to be received but it is
expected this will be available in time to allow the working group to liaise with the Constitution Working
Group with regard to finalising Terms of Reference etc. before submission of a report to Corporate
Committee on 25 March 2015. This, in turn, will provide greater clarity as to the constitutional steps
required for changes in respect of Corporate Committee and the arrangements for the new Pensions
Committee.
3.
FINANCE
There are no financial implications arising as a result of this report.
4.
LEGAL AND DEMOCRACY
Page 47
4.1. The Lambeth Pension Fund is run in accordance with the Local Government Pension Scheme
(Transitional Provisions) Regulations 1997 and the Local Government Pension Scheme (Management
and Investment of Funds) Regulations 1998 and is for the benefit of Council employees and also
outside organisations, which have entered into an agreement with Lambeth to provide pensions for their
staff.
4.2. The body of this report sets out the relevant provisions of the Public Service Pensions Act 2013 and the
proposals which are currently being considered for meeting these new legislative requirements.
4.3 Corporate Committee is responsible for discharging the Council's functions in relation to the Local
Government Pension Scheme and all other non executive functions not expressly delegated to officers
and as such is the most appropriate Committee of the Council for delegation of this function.
5.
CONSULTATION AND CO-PRODUCTION
5.1. The working group considering the implications of the Act includes representatives from Finance,
Pensions Administration, Legal, Democratic Services, the Unions and Members. The deliberations of
the group have been shared and will continue to be shared with the Constitution Working Group for
their approval prior to submission to Corporate Committee in March.
6.
RISK MANAGEMENT
6.1. None for the purpose of this report.
7.
EQUALITIES IMPACT ASSESSMENT
7.1. None for the purpose of this report.
8.
COMMUNITY SAFETY
8.1. None for the purpose of this report.
9.
ORGANISATIONAL IMPLICATIONS
9.1. None for the purpose of this report.
10. TIMETABLE FOR IMPLEMENTATION




Working group to complete work in January/February
Constitutional Working Group to be consulted by working group
Corporate Committee to approve setting up of Pensions Board on 25 March 2015
Council to ratify inclusion of Pensions Board in Constitution on 15 April 2015
Page 48
Audit trail
Consultation
Name/Position
Guy Ware, Strategic Director
Lambeth
cluster/division or
partner
Enabling
Christina Thompson, Director
Integrated Support
06.01.15
Alison McKane, Legal
Services
Anne Rasmussen,
Democratic Services
Councillor Paul McGlone
Integrated Support
23/12/14
06.01.05 Report
Summary
06.01.05 Report
Summary
02.01.15 4
Corporate Affairs
23/12/14
05.01.15
Deputy Leader
(Finance and
Investment)
Chair Pension Fund
Investment Panel
06.01.15
Councillor Adrian Garden
Date Sent
06.01.15
06.01.15
Date
Received
Comments in
para:
08.01.15
External
For internal reports, list
internal meetings where
issue has been considered
Report history
Original discussion with Cabinet Member
Report deadline
Date final report sent
Report no.
Part II Exempt from Disclosure/confidential
accompanying report?
Key decision report
Date first appeared on forward plan
Key decision reasons
Background information
Appendices
N/A
07.01.15
147/14-15
No
No
N/A
N/A


Public Service Pensions Act 2013
‘Lambeth Pension Fund – Governance
Changes’ report to Pension Fund
Investment Panel (4 December 2014) and
Corporate Committee (10 December 2014)
N/A
Page 49
Agenda Item 9
Council
28 January 2015
Council Motions
Wards: All
Report Authorised by: Strategic Director Enabling: Guy Ware
Contact for enquiries:
[email protected]
Anne Rasmussen, Democratic Services Manager, Corporate Affairs, 020 7926 0028
Report summary
Motions by Councillors are set out below.
Key to shading:
Bold – additions
Strikethrough – deletions
Motion 1: Councillor Jim Dickson
Tackling HIV
Council:




Recognises the importance of local action in coordinating and commissioning accessible
and effective HIV testing to reach the undiagnosed and reduce late HIV diagnosis
Recognises that Lambeth has a very high prevalence of HIV and commits to
strengthening its own provision of HIV testing services through working with a range of
partners
Recognises that late HIV diagnosis is a Public Health Outcomes Indicator in the Public
Health Outcomes Framework
Recognises the volume and quality of public health and local government guidelines and
performance indicators designed to support local authority implementation and
monitoring of appropriate and effective testing guidelines.
Council further notes:


That an estimated 100,000 people were living in England with HIV in 2012; 22% were
unaware of their status
That there is an impact of late diagnosis on individual health, public health and health
budgets. Late diagnosis increases the likelihood of the need for complex and expensive
Page 50

treatment and the risk of onward transmission to others. 47% of people diagnosed with
HIV in 2012 were diagnosed late (with a CD4 count <350mm3)
That if diagnosed early, put on a clear treatment pathway and guaranteed access to
antiretroviral therapy (ART), people living with HIV can expect to have a near-normal life
expectancy and live healthy and active lives.
Recognising the weight of evidence in favour of expanding local HIV testing services, Council
resolves to:





Act to halve the proportion of people diagnosed late with HIV (CD4 count <350mm3) in
Lambeth by 2020
Act to halve the proportion of people living with undiagnosed HIV in Lambeth by 2020.
Ensure that rates of late diagnosed HIV are included as an indicator in its Joint Strategic
Needs Assessment (JSNA)
Ask the Director of Public Health to provide a report outlining what needs to be done
locally in commissioning and provision of services in order to halve late diagnosed and
undiagnosed HIV by 2020
Become a supporter of the Halve It Coalition by contacting the Halve It secretariat
([email protected]) informing them of this resolution and by agreeing to be listed as a
Halve It coalition supporter.
Motion 2: Councillor Scott Ainslie
Generation Rent
Council welcomes the 'Renters manifesto' published by Generation Rent
(http://www.generationrent.org/manifesto_launch), which would bring considerable
improvements to the lives of private tenants in Lambeth.
Council supports measures such as longer tenancy agreements, rent stabilisation policies,
longer notice periods for tenants and a ban on letting agent fees charged to tenants, which
would need to be brought in through national legislation.
Council also supports measures that could be implemented locally, such as greater support for
Community Land Trusts, targeted incentives for landlords, a not-for-profit letting agency and the
promotion of model tenancy agreements through planning agreements, Council therefore
resolves to ask the Cabinet Member for Housing to set out his response to the manifesto and
plans to develop its proposals; and to write to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local
Government requesting that the Government consider implementing the manifesto in full.
Amendment 1: Councillor Matthew Bennett
Generation Rent
Council welcomes the 'Renters manifesto' published by Generation Rent
(http://www.generationrent.org/manifesto_launch) and commends this administration’s
Page 51
commitment to improving affordability, security of tenure, management and conditions in
the private rented sector; priorities which will would bring considerable improvements to the
lives of private tenants in Lambeth.
Council supports measures already being implemented to prevent homelessness and push
up standards in the private rented sector, such as tackling rogue landlords, promoting a
landlord accreditation scheme and offering incentives to encourage longer tenancy
agreements, rent stabilisation policies, longer notice periods for tenants and a ban on letting
agent fees charged to tenants, which would need to be brought in through national legislation.
Council also supports measures that could are being implemented locally, such as the
council’s flagship Somerleyton Road development, for an all rental housing model,
delivering over 300 homes at a range of rental levels, with secure greater support for
Community Land Trusts, targeted incentives for landlords, a not-for-profit letting agency and the
promotion of model tenancy agreements and regulated rents through planning agreements,
Council notes that a Labour Government would ban letting agent fees and introduce three
year private tenancies as the norm along with a fairer benchmarked system of annual
rent reviews and therefore resolves to ask the Cabinet Member for Housing to write to the set
out his response to the manifesto and plans to develop its proposals; and to write to the
Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government and the shadow Secretary of
State setting out how Lambeth is approaching the Private Rented Sector and expressing
support for the introduction of longer, more secure tenancies and greater rights for
private tenants. requesting that the Government consider implementing the manifesto in full.
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