This week in Lewisham:

• The Croydon & Lewisham Street Lighting Joint Committee was scheduled to receive a performance update on their Private Finance Initiative (PFI) contractor for maintaining street lighting in both Croydon and Lewisham.
• The Overview and Scrutiny Committee discussed anti-social behaviour (ASB), community-led housing and the Mayor's response to adopting a 'trauma-informed approach' to delivering council services on Tuesday 05 November 2024.

Croydon & Lewisham Street Lighting Joint Committee - Tuesday 05 November 2024

The Croydon & Lewisham Street Lighting Joint Committee was scheduled to receive an update on the performance of their Private Finance Initiative (PFI) contractor. A new Chair and Vice Chair for the committee were also scheduled to be appointed.

Croydon & Lewisham Street Lighting PFI 2024/25 Update

The Croydon & Lewisham Street Lighting Joint Committee was scheduled to receive a report describing the performance of the PFI contractor that maintains street lighting in the boroughs of Croydon and Lewisham.

PFI contracts are a way for the public sector to pay for major infrastructure projects like schools, hospitals and roads. Under a PFI, a private sector company designs, builds, finances and operates the project for a set period of time, typically 25-30 years. The public sector then pays the private sector company a monthly fee for the use of the facility.

The use of PFIs by local councils has been controversial, with critics arguing that they are poor value for money. In recent years, the government has moved away from using PFIs to fund new projects. However, many local authorities are still tied into long-term PFI contracts that were signed in the past.

The report, titled The Joint Street Lighting PFI Update and prepared by John Algar, the Street Lighting Manager, described the service provider as continuing to perform well against the contract.

The committee was scheduled to consider a proposal to approve a unitary charge of £2.905m for Croydon and £1.634m for Lewisham for 2024/25.

The anticipated cost for 2024/25 is expected to be £11.699m. The proposed unitary charge in 2024/25 for Croydon and Lewisham works out at £2.905m and £1.634m respectively (based on agreed 64% to 36% split), with the remaining contribution derived from PFI credits provided by the Department for Transport, the report to the committee said.

The committee was also scheduled to note the conclusion in the report that the installation of LED street lighting had reduced CO2 emissions by 65% over 7 years.

It was scheduled to consider approving a budget of £179,000 for Croydon and £101,000 for Lewisham for 2024/25 for the costs of managing and monitoring the PFI contract.

Appointment of Chair and Vice Chair

The committee was scheduled to appoint a Chair and Vice Chair for the municipal year 2024/25. The Chair of a committee is responsible for chairing meetings of the committee, ensuring that meetings are conducted in accordance with the council's constitution, and representing the committee at meetings of the council and other bodies. The Vice Chair is responsible for chairing meetings of the committee in the absence of the Chair, and for supporting the Chair in their role.

Overview and Scrutiny Committee - Tuesday 05 November 2024

The Overview and Scrutiny committee were scheduled to discuss how the council responds to anti-social behaviour, how it could support community-led housing, and the Mayor's response to the committee's recommendations on how the council could adopt a trauma-informed approach to delivering its services.

Overview and Scrutiny Committees are responsible for scrutinising the decisions of the Mayor and Cabinet. They can make recommendations to the Mayor and Cabinet, and can also call in decisions for further scrutiny.

The meeting also received the final report of a 'task and finish group' that had been set up to look into how scrutiny in the council could be improved.

Task and Finish Groups are set up by Overview and Scrutiny Committees to look into specific issues in more detail. They are made up of councillors and members of the public.

Anti-Social Behaviour

A proposal to set up a new 'task and finish group' to look into anti-social behaviour (ASB) in the borough was included in the report pack. The proposal suggested that the task and finish group should investigate the causes of ASB in the borough, and what the council's response to it should be.

The proposal suggested that the group should meet over 8 months, gathering evidence from council officers, residents and external partners. The proposal suggested that the group could benefit from hearing from the Youth Justice team in Lewisham.

Community-led Housing

A proposal for a 'task and finish group' to look into how the council can support community-led housing initiatives was included in the report pack.

The proposal identified three particular types of community-led housing that the group could look into, including:

• Co-operatives
• Self-build schemes
• Community Land Trusts

Community Land Trusts are non-profit organisations that own and manage land for the benefit of the community. They are a way of providing affordable housing that is owned and controlled by the community.

The proposal suggested that the group should look into what support community-led housing groups require from the council, as well as how the council can ensure that community-led housing schemes are high quality and sustainable.

The proposal suggested that the group could gather evidence from existing community-led housing groups in the borough, as well as organisations that have experience of supporting them.

Mayor and Cabinet response to referrals

Trauma-informed approach

The meeting considered the Mayor and Cabinet's response to the recommendations of the Overview and Scrutiny committee on adopting a 'trauma-informed approach' to the delivery of council services. The response was provided in a report titled 'Response to the comments of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee on adopting a trauma-informed approach to delivery services'.

The report included a definition of 'trauma-informed practice':

Trauma-informed practice is an approach to health and care interventions which is grounded in the understanding that trauma exposure can impact an individual’s neurological, biological, psychological and social development.

The report highlighted the council services that have already adopted a trauma-informed approach, including:

• Housing Needs & Refugee Service
• Children’s Social Care
• Adult Social Care

The report also set out the council's plans to implement a trauma-informed approach more widely. The council intends to deliver trauma-informed training to all staff, as well as managers. The council also plans to encourage its partners and contractors to adopt a trauma-informed approach.

The response also set out the council's plans to engage with the Lewisham Strategic Partnership on the issue.

Task and Finish Group Reports

Improving Scrutiny

The meeting received the final report of the 'Improving Scrutiny' task and finish group.

The report, which was agreed by the group at their meeting on the 24th July 2024, contained a number of recommendations on how scrutiny in the council could be improved. The group noted in the minutes for their final meeting that:

It was recognised that many of the things that had been identified as good practice were already within the remit of scrutiny members to adopt and implement.

The minutes of the meeting went on to highlight the importance of public engagement with scrutiny, noting:

The importance of public engagement with scrutiny.

The meeting also received the final reports of task and finish groups that had been set up to look into Youth Provision and the Private Rented Sector in Lewisham, but the substance of these reports was not included in the public report pack.

This week in Lewisham:

• The Mayor and Cabinet discussed a variety of topics on Wednesday 23 October 2024 including a report on the performance of council services, the regeneration of Catford, community space in Brockley and a proposal to bring the Youth Service in-house.
• The Strategic Planning Committee considered planning applications for the redevelopment of the former Bell Green Gas Works and Scott House, Deptford on Tuesday 22 October 2024.
• No video was provided for the Ladywell Assembly on Tuesday 22 October 2024.
• The Schools Forum received updates on several topics relating to the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG), as well as updates on Early Years and High Needs provision on Thursday 24 October 2024.

Mayor and Cabinet - Wednesday 23 October 2024

This meeting of the Mayor and Cabinet included a wide range of reports about the activities and performance of the council.

Quarterly Performance Report

The most significant item on the agenda was a report about the performance of Lewisham Council’s services during Quarter 1 of the 2024/25 financial year. The report measured the council’s progress against its own targets in seven key areas: “Cleaner and Greener”, “A Strong Local Economy”, “Quality Housing”, “Children and Young People”, “Safer Communities”, “Open Lewisham” and “Health and Wellbeing”.

The report identified a number of areas where the council was performing well. For example, 106.3% of charges owed by leaseholders for Major Works had been collected, exceeding the council’s target of 40%. The average call waiting time for landlord services (excluding calls about repairs) was 2.2 minutes, which was well below the council’s target of four minutes. And turnover at the council was just 9.2%, lower than the council's target of 13% or less.

However, the report also highlighted a number of areas where the council was not meeting its targets. For example, only 25.8% of household waste was sent for reuse, recycling, or composting, falling short of the council’s 35% target. Only 6.8% of adults with a learning disability in Lewisham are in paid employment, which is below the council’s target of 8%. And only 37.3% of leaseholders were satisfied with the service they received from the council, significantly lower than the council’s target of 45%.

This report echoes similar concerns raised in previous weeks about the performance of some council services, and it will be interesting to see if the council is able to improve its performance in these areas in the coming months.

Catford Regeneration Partnership Limited Business Plan

The Mayor and Cabinet also considered a report about the Catford Regeneration Partnership Limited (CRPL). CRPL is a company that was set up by Lewisham Council to acquire and regenerate property in Catford. Lewisham Council is the sole shareholder in CRPL.

The report introduced CRPL’s Business Plan for 2024–2027, which outlines how the company intends to manage and operate its assets, including the Catford Shopping Centre. The report pack doesn’t tell us if the Mayor and Cabinet approved the Business Plan.

The report also requested that the council provide additional investment to CRPL, as the company is currently unable to repay the loan that the council has already made to it. The report pack does not say whether the Mayor and Cabinet agreed to provide this additional investment.

Response to Brockley Local Assembly Referral on Community Space

The Mayor and Cabinet also considered a report about community space in Brockley ward. The report was written in response to a referral from the Brockley Local Assembly.

Local Assemblies are forums where residents can meet with councillors and council officers to discuss local issues. They are a key part of the council’s commitment to local democracy.

The Brockley Local Assembly had referred this issue to the Mayor and Cabinet because they felt that not enough was being done to protect community space in Brockley. They asked the Mayor and Cabinet to make it more difficult for community spaces in Brockley to be used for other purposes. They also asked the council to prevent the loss of community space when a site is redeveloped.

The report pack does not provide any information about how the Mayor and Cabinet responded to the Brockley Local Assembly's recommendations.

Proposal for a New Strategic Youth Offer and Strategy

The Mayor and Cabinet also considered a report entitled 'Proposal for a New Strategic Youth Offer and Strategy', which included details about how the council intends to improve its youth services. The report pack does not tell us whether any of these proposals were approved.

One of the most significant proposals was for the council to bring in-house the youth services currently being provided by Youth First, arguing that this would “improve service quality and accountability”.

Procurement of contracts

The meeting also included several reports about the procurement of new contracts for council services. The reports covered a range of services, including electric vehicle charging, garden waste disposal and treatment services, and a contract to provide storage services for homeless applicants who are moving into temporary accommodation. The report packs for these items do not tell us what decisions were made.

Strategic Planning Committee - Tuesday 22 October 2024

This meeting of the Strategic Planning Committee considered two planning applications for the redevelopment of sites in Bell Green and Deptford.

Land at the former Bell Green Gas Works

The first application concerned the development of a 0.995 hectare site at the former Bell Green Gas Works on Alan Pegg Place, Bell Green. The application proposed building six blocks of flats, ranging in height from six to 14 storeys, that would include 780.8sqm of ground floor retail and workspace, as well as new landscaped public areas and playspaces. The application, submitted by Barratt London, attracted a significant number of objections during the consultation period, with many residents raising concerns about the size and scale of the development, its impact on the nearby Livesey Memorial Hall, and the level of affordable housing provided. The report pack does not say whether planning permission was granted for the development.

Scott House

The committee also considered a planning application for the redevelopment of Scott House, 185 Grove Street, Deptford. The application, from Tribe Grove Street Limited, requested permission for the partial demolition of Scott House, retaining its northern and eastern elevations, and the construction of a 31-storey building containing 502 student rooms and 1,072 sqm of employment floorspace. This application also attracted a number of objections from local residents, with many raising concerns about the height of the proposed building, the impact on local services, and the loss of the existing building, which is locally listed. The report pack does not say whether planning permission was granted for the development.

Schools Forum - Thursday 24 October 2024

The Schools Forum discussed a variety of financial and planning matters related to schools in Lewisham. This included receiving an update on the final 2023-24 Dedicated Schools Grant and the provisional 2024-25 Dedicated Schools Grant.

The Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) is a ring-fenced grant that the government provides to local authorities to fund schools.

The forum was asked to approve the transfer of £245,000 to cover an overspend on the High Needs Block. This is a recurring theme, and in previous weeks we have seen that the council is having to find significant sums of money to meet the increasing costs of providing support to children with special educational needs.

This week in Lewisham:

• No video was provided for the Grove Park Assembly on Saturday 19 October 2024.
• The Planning Committee A considered planning applications at 68 Ravensbourne Park Crescent, Sydenham High Senior School and the former Marvels Lane Boys Club on Tuesday 15 October 2024.
• The Licensing Committee meeting scheduled for Thursday 17 October 2024 was cancelled.
• No video was provided for the Appointments Committee meeting on Thursday 17 October 2024.
• The Council Urgency Committee met on Monday 14 October 2024 to discuss the future of Milford Towers.

Planning Committee A - Tuesday 15 October 2024

We do not have a video recording for this meeting, so it is not possible to know whether any decisions were made, or what was discussed. The agenda for the meeting included the confirmation of the minutes of the previous meeting, an addendum report on a previously approved planning application at 68 Ravensbourne Park Crescent, and planning applications at Sydenham High Senior School and the former Marvels Lane Boys Club.

Council Urgency Committee - Monday 14 October 2024

The Council Urgency Committee met to consider a report about the future of Milford Towers in Catford. The report included a request to extend the lease of 181 flats in Milford Towers to Notting Hill Genesis.

Milford Towers Lease Extension

The meeting considered a request to approve an application to the Secretary of State for consent to extend the lease of 181 flats in Milford Towers to Notting Hill Genesis, a housing association.

The report explains that Notting Hill Genesis currently leases 197 flats in Milford Towers on individual leases that expire on 14th November 2024. 16 of those flats are in the process of being returned to Lewisham Council for use as temporary accommodation.

The report explains that this decision needed to be made by the Council Urgency Committee because it is time-sensitive. Decisions made by the Council Urgency Committee need to be reported to the next meeting of the full council for ratification.

Lewisham Council and Notting Hill Genesis have reached an in principle agreement to extend the leases on the remaining 181 flats, but because the flats were previously council homes, the Secretary of State's consent is required before Lewisham Council can extend the lease. This is because of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989, which places restrictions on the disposal of land by local authorities. In this case, extending the lease of the flats to Notting Hill Genesis is considered to be a disposal of land, even though Lewisham Council would still own the freehold of the property.

The report explains that the extension is necessary to ensure that Notting Hill Genesis can continue to provide housing for the existing tenants while Lewisham Council develops its plans to regenerate Catford town centre, which have been delayed due to a number of factors.

The report also notes that there is currently a shortage of private rented accommodation in Lewisham and across London, and that many of the Notting Hill Genesis tenants in Milford Towers would struggle to find alternative accommodation in the private rented sector.

The report seeks authority for officers to make an application to the Secretary of State for consent to extend the leases, and to delegate authority to the Executive Director of Housing to agree the final terms of the lease extension.

This is similar to the situation at the Excalibur Estate in 2012, when Southwark Council sold a large part of the estate to Notting Hill Housing Trust (as it was then called). In that instance, the sale of the estate was opposed by many of the residents, who were concerned about being priced out of the area.

This week in Lewisham:

• The Corporate Parenting Group was scheduled to discuss the support provided to children in care in Lewisham at their meeting on Tuesday 08 October 2024.
• The Hither Green Local Assembly Meeting was held on Monday 07 October 2024. No video was provided.
• The Lee Green Assembly met on Tuesday 08 October 2024. No video was provided.
• The Standards Committee meeting scheduled for Wednesday 09 October 2024 was cancelled.
• The Health and Safety Committee met on Thursday 10 October 2024 to discuss defibrillators on council premises, the number of slip and trip incidents on council pavements, the recruitment of a new health and safety manager, and to approve the minutes of their previous meeting.
• The Private Rented Sector in Lewisham Task and Finish Group met on Thursday 10 October 2024 to consider the final report of the Task and Finish Group, and to agree on the recommendations that would be submitted to the Mayor and Cabinet.

Corporate Parenting Group - Tuesday 08 October 2024

This meeting was about the support provided to children in care in Lewisham. The agenda for the meeting included reports on a range of areas, including health, social care and education. Councillors were also scheduled to review the council's strategy for ensuring there are enough places for children in care.

Sufficiency Strategy

The meeting was scheduled to consider a report on the council's Sufficiency Strategy. The report notes that:

The purpose of the Sufficiency Strategy is to ensure that there are sufficient, suitable, sustainable, and safe placements for Lewisham’s children in care and care leavers, that meet their individual needs and deliver good outcomes.

— Page 26 of the Public reports pack 08th-Oct-2024 18.00 Corporate Parenting Group

The report says that the strategy is based on four strategic priorities, these are:

• Place children with their parents, where it is safe to do so.
• Place children in Lewisham wherever possible.
• Place children in good quality, safe homes.
• Ensure stability and continuity for children.

Health and Safety Committee - Thursday 10 October 2024

The Health and Safety Committee met to consider a report on the Corporate Health and Safety Board, and to confirm the minutes of their previous meeting. The report was provided by Rich Clarke, Lewisham Council's Head of Assurance, and covered issues raised in previous meetings, as well as accident and incident statistics. The previous minutes being considered for approval were for a meeting held on 23 May 2024.

Corporate Health and Safety Board Update

The report included an update on a number of matters that had previously been discussed by the Health and Safety committee.

Defibrillators

The committee had previously requested a list of all of the defibrillators on Council premises. The report listed 18 defibrillators located in a variety of council buildings, including Brockley Rise, the Civic Suite, Granville Park, and Laurence House. It explained that these were all potentially accessible to the public, as they were registered with the London Ambulance Service.

Slips and Trips

The report provided an update on the number of incidents of slips and trips on Council pavements that had been reported to the council. It noted that the information was incomplete, because they were not classed as “at work” incidents.

Private Rented Sector in Lewisham Task and Finish Group - Thursday 10 October 2024

This meeting was to consider the final report of the Private Rented Sector in Lewisham Task and Finish Group, which was set up to review the Council’s support for residents of, and landlords in the borough's private rented sector.

Private Rented Sector in Lewisham Task and Finish Group Draft Report

The final report of the Private Rented Sector in Lewisham Task and Finish Group (Appendix A of the Draft Report and Recommendations) was scheduled to be discussed. The report contains 18 recommendations made to Lewisham Council about how to improve its support for both private tenants and landlords in the borough, as well as a number of case studies of what other London boroughs are doing in this area.

This week in Lewisham:

• The Pension Board was scheduled to meet on Tuesday 24 September 2024 to discuss the performance of the London Borough of Lewisham Pension Fund.
• The Strategic Planning Committee considered a planning application for the development of a site at Bell Green Gas Works during its meeting on Tuesday 24 September 2024.
• The Public Accounts Select Committee met on Thursday 26 September 2024. The meeting was scheduled to include discussions about the financial health of the council, and updates on children’s social care, and adult social care.
• The Lewisham Central Assembly met on Thursday 26 September 2024. No video was provided.

Pension Board - Tuesday 24 September 2024

This meeting was about reviewing the activities and performance of the London Borough of Lewisham Pension Fund since the previous meeting. It included consideration of reports about training, accounts, risks, procurement, the Pension Regulator’s new General Code of Practice, and other general updates about the activities of the fund. A significant proportion of the meeting was also scheduled to be held in private.

General Update Part One

This was the most significant topic scheduled to be discussed during the meeting. It covered a variety of topics about the day-to-day operation of the Pension Fund.

Draft Pension Fund Annual Report

The report pack includes the draft Pension Fund accounts for 2023/24, which were published at the beginning of June 2024. The accounts were scheduled to be audited by the newly appointed auditors KPMG, with the main audit work taking place in September and October 2024. The draft accounts show that the total value of the Pension Fund increased by £180m in 2023/24 to £1.837bn. This is attributed to changes in global markets mainly caused by the lowering of inflation and better global trading forecasts.

The pack also included a draft of the Pension Fund Annual Report. This details the financial position of the Pension Fund, how its investments have performed and is intended to be a comprehensive summary of its activities, enabling the public to understand how the fund is managed. Both the Annual Report and the audited accounts were scheduled to be presented to the Pension Investment Committee on 20 November 2024.

Procurement of Actuarial, Governance and Advisory Services

The invitation to tender for these services was published on 20 August 2024 using the National LGPS framework. The closing date for submissions was 4 October 2024, with the new contract expected to start on 1 December 2024.

Risk Register

The Pension Investment Committee is responsible for reviewing the Pension Fund’s Risk Register every six months. However, the two most recent meetings of the committee were cancelled because of restrictions in place during the pre-election period. The Risk Register was reviewed by members of the Pension Investment Committee on 19 September 2024, with any comments made being recorded in the meeting minutes.

The report pack describes the purpose of the Risk Register as follows:

Its design is based on a template provided by the Pensions Regulator. Risk ratings fall into four categories: RISK NUMBER CATEGORY HOW THE RISK SHOULD BE MANAGED OF RISKS Red 0 (16-25) Immediate action required, senior management involved Amber/Red Senior management attention needed and 7 (10-15) management responsibility specified Amber/Green Manage by specific monitoring or response 21 procedures (5-9) 8 Green Manage by routine procedures, unlikely to need specific or significant application of resources (1-4)

The report pack also details a number of changes made to the risk ratings of individual risks within the Register. The risk score for Environmental Social and Governance risk was increased from 4 to 9. This is because:

by following investments that meet higher ESG criteria (protection of consumers, labour rights, diversity and inclusion policies, human rights, health and safety etc.) there is a risk that the pension fund will obtain lower investment returns.

The risk rating for Financial Risk was reduced from 9 to 4. This is because the fund has a new policy and procedures for reporting late payment of contributions to personal pension schemes, and the fact that Lewisham Homes transferred its staff to the Council in October 2023, meaning that:

[Lewisham Homes is] the biggest external employer in the fund... which has further reduced the risk of pension payment failures.

The risk rating for Fraud or Fraudulent Behaviour was also reduced from 6 to 3. This is because:

the recent internal and external audits have not required the management to make any changes to its current working practices and procedures therefore we have confidence that this is being monitored satisfactorily.

Annual Business Plan

The Annual Business Plan sets out the major milestones for the fund in 2024/25 and lists the policies and reports that will be presented to the Pension Investment Committee during the year. It also lists all of the fund’s policies with their review dates.

The Pension Investment Committee is responsible for reviewing the Annual Business Plan each June, however, this year’s meeting was cancelled because of the pre-election period. The Annual Business Plan was instead reviewed by the members of the Pension Investment Committee on 19 September 2024.

The Annual Business Plan lists the following milestones for the 2024/25 financial year:

Milestone Date Review and Evaluation of the Business Plan September 2024 Administration Strategy November 2024 Data Improvement Plan November 2024 Engagement Policy September/November 2024 Draft Pension Fund Accounts presented November 2024 Approval of the Pension Fund Annual Report November 2024 Actuarial and advisory procurement contract Sept – Nov 2024

The plan also included a commitment to reporting on the performance of fund managers each quarter, reviewing the Net Zero Pathway Report and Climate Risk Report in September 2024, and holding training sessions for committee members. The business plan also lists the following targets for the administration of the Pension Investment Committee:

• Members to attend at least 75% of Pension Committee meetings each year. • Draft committee minutes to be issued within seven weeks of a meeting • Committee papers to be sent out at least five working days before a meeting. • To regularly review and agree changes to strategy/policy documents. All strategy/policy documents will be considered by Committee at least every three years, even if no changes are recommended.

The Pension Regulator’s General Code of Practice

This topic was the second most significant issue scheduled to be discussed during the meeting. It concerned a report about the Pension Regulator’s new General Code of Practice, which came into effect in March 2024. It described some of the new requirements contained in the Code, including:

New obligations include a requirement to establish an effective system of governance (ESOG) and, for schemes with 100 members or more, to complete their own risk assessment (ORA) to examine the effectiveness of the ESOG, note any risks and determine how these potential risks are mitigated.

It also described the steps officers had already taken to comply with the new requirements, including the use of a “GCOP tool checker”, purchased from Hymans Robertson. The tool had identified areas where the fund was fully compliant, but had also shown that further work is needed in other areas.

The Pension Board was scheduled to receive the GCOP tool checker in December, along with a report being presented to the Pension Investment Committee on 20 November 2024 setting out:

The GCOP Action Plan with associated timescales...

Training Log

This item concerned a report providing an update on the training log for members of the Pension Board between March 2022 and September 2024. The report pack included a list of training courses attended by the Chair of the Pension Board, Stephen Warren, the Employer Representatives Sherene Russell-Alexander and Mark Booker, and the Scheme Representatives Mark Adu-Brobbey and Gary Cummins. It also included a list of suggested training events and conferences, with details of dates, locations, cost and website links.

Actions Log

The report pack included a list of rolling actions to be taken by the Pension Board following previous meetings. It listed the actions, who was responsible for them, a description of any comments made about them, the expected completion date, and whether they had been completed.

Breaches Log

The report pack included a note that there were no breaches to report.

General Update Part Two

This part of the meeting was scheduled to be held in private. The report pack describes the grounds for excluding the press and public from this part of the meeting as follows:

It is recommended that under Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 3, 4 and 5 of Part 1 of Schedule 12(A) of the Act, as amended by the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Access to Information) (Amendments) (England) Regulations 2006:- Item 11. General Update – Part Two s:\msb\word\teams\msb\newcttee\open\o&sbuspan\2019\18 june\item 7 exclusion of the press and public.doc

Work Programme

This concerned a report about the Pension Board’s Work Programme. It listed the operational and strategic tasks scheduled for the Board over the next four quarters. This included an update on the Pension Fund’s Statement of Accounts and Annual Report, monitoring investment performance, reviewing the arrangements for pooling the Fund’s assets, considering the Risk Register, reviewing the Data Improvement Plan, the Administration Strategy and the Annual Business Plan, reviewing the Terms of Reference and Membership of the Board, and receiving updates about the Pension Regulator’s Code of Practice.

Declarations of Interest

The report pack includes a reminder that members of the Pension Board are required to declare any personal interests they have in any item on the meeting agenda. There are three types of interest:

(1) Disclosable pecuniary interests (2) Other registerable interests (3) Non-registerable interests.

The report pack explains each type of interest, the requirements for declaring them, and what impact declaring an interest has on a member’s ability to participate in the discussion and vote on a decision.

Strategic Planning Committee - Tuesday 24 September 2024

This meeting of the Strategic Planning Committee included the consideration of the minutes of the previous meeting and a planning application for the development of a site at Bell Green Gas Works.

Land at the Former Bell Green Gas Works, Bell Green, London, SE26

This application, submitted by Barratt London, requests permission to build 262 new homes in blocks of 6 to 14 storeys on the site of the former Bell Green Gas Works.

The application has been submitted with a large number of supporting documents, including reports about the potential impact of the development on the local environment and transport network.

The most significant topic discussed was the application's impact on the Grade II Listed Livesey Memorial Hall. The report pack includes the following concerns:

the height of Block E to the rear of the Livesey Memorial Hall creating a dominant overwhelming presence in the immediate setting of the listed building and its bowling green.

and:

the comparable height of blocks B&E creating a continuous built form which fails to respond to the layout of the Livesey site or allow appreciation of this element of its significance to be read.

The report pack also notes that the proposed brickwork for blocks B and E is a similar colour to the Livesey Memorial Hall, and as such is considered harmful.

The application attracted significant comment during the consultation period, particularly with respect to the height of the proposed buildings, and the level of affordable housing included in the scheme. Minutes from a meeting on 26 March 2024 between local residents, the applicant, and the council¹ are included in the report pack, and summarise the objections that were made to the proposals.

The report pack notes that only 30% of the habitable rooms² in the proposed development would be designated as affordable housing, and details a viability assessment justifying why the percentage of affordable housing would be lower than the council's 35% target.

TfL raised a number of objections to the application, and the report pack includes a number of their letters. In a letter dated 7 May 2024, TfL requested that the applicant conduct a night-time Healthy Streets Audit³ of the area, and provide a robust assessment of the distribution of bus trips.

The report pack includes a number of recommended conditions to be attached to the planning permission, including requirements to submit a full Construction Logistics Management Plan, and a Landscape Management and Maintenance Plan. The report pack also recommends the applicant be required to enter into a Section 106 Agreement with the council, including financial contributions towards a number of local initiatives including off-site play facilities and bus service enhancements. The applicant would also be required to ensure that all residents have access to a car club for 3 years.

The report pack recommends that planning permission be granted for the application, subject to the conditions and obligations listed in it.

Public Accounts Select Committee - Thursday 26 September 2024

The most significant item scheduled to be discussed during this meeting of the Public Accounts Select Committee was the financial health of the council. Also scheduled for discussion were children’s social care spending, an update on commissioning and contracting arrangements for adult social care, and the committee’s work programme for the year.

Financial Monitoring

The meeting was scheduled to receive a report on the council’s financial position. The document prepared for the committee noted that the council was reporting a forecast overspend on general fund activities of £27.4 million for the 2024-25 financial year.

The document noted that a budget gap of £20 million was identified as part of the council’s Medium Term Financial Strategy, and that it was proposed that £8 million of savings would need to be delivered across the general fund in 2024-25. The report broke the savings down by directorate, and included a red, amber, green (RAG) rating of the likelihood of their delivery, saying that:

At this early stage of the year, £6.8m of the savings are expected to be delivered and are on track, £1m require further work or verification of delivery and £0.2m are not expected to be achieved in 2024/25.

The report detailed how the overspend is broken down by directorate, and noted that £36 million of pressures funding had been added to the 2024-25 budget to address those overspends, but that as a result of continuing pressures:

the extended leadership team are working towards £31.5m of cost avoidance/reductions measures in 2024/25 and 2025/26 to address the General Fund pressure reported in this report, as well as £20m of savings measures from 2025/26 onwards to address the budget gap in the MTFS.

The document contained a breakdown of the cost avoidance measures proposed by the council’s leadership team, noting which of the proposals were included in the reported financial position for the meeting, and which were not yet included because they are still being developed.

The report also considered the dedicated schools grant (DSG) budget, which is ringfenced for spending on schools. It noted an overspend of £2.4 million against the high needs block, driven by the “place led element in respect of those placements made in other LA’s by Lewisham and vice versa (known as import/export adjustment) and also for those schools that have academised and will now be funded directly by the Education and Skills Funding Agency in respect of the place funding element”.

The financial position of the Housing Revenue Account was also scheduled to be considered during the meeting. The report noted a forecast overspend of £6.5 million “due to the volume and value of repairs and maintenance works exceeding the budgeted level”. The report suggested a number of ways that this overspend could be addressed, including seeking a contribution from the council’s general fund, or by reducing the HRA’s contributions to the capital programme. The report stated that:

EMT and the Housing Transformation governance are continuing to manage this closely and will be engaging with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to ensure that they are appraised of the financial position of the HRA.

The document also contained an update on the delivery of the council’s capital programme, which is the money the council invests on long term projects, like building new schools and homes. It noted that for the 2024-25 financial year there was an allocation of £211.8 million split into £110.1 million for the general fund and £101.8 million for the HRA.

The report noted that the collection rate for council tax was below the level needed to achieve the budgeted level of income for the year, but that the collection rate for business rates was above the required level.

The final section of the report looked at the council’s Medium Term Financial Strategy, which looks at the council's finances over a four year period. The report noted that the strategy had identified £20 million of savings that need to be made over that period, and that work was already underway to identify and implement them.

Children’s Social Care and Budget Pressures

The committee was scheduled to consider a report on the budget for Children’s Social Care services. The document prepared for the meeting noted the “exceptional pressure on budgets” caused by a combination of factors including the cost of living crisis, inflationary pressures, and “considerable increases in the cost of externally commissioned placements”.

The document highlighted the increase in the number of children needing support from children’s social care, noting that:

In the national context, with rising demand for support and protection services locally, Lewisham has managed the impact through the CSC improvement programme.

The report detailed how the council has worked to improve the service and reduce the need for children to be taken into care. In particular, it highlighted the impact of the council’s decision to “in-house” the services previously provided by the Meliot Family Centre, and how the expansion of that service has:

Successfully reduced reliance on more expensive agency staff with permanent staffing rising from 64% in 2018 to 80% in 2024.

The report included a table showing how the cost of different types of placement has changed in recent years, highlighting the increased costs of residential care in particular. The report noted that:

At present Lewisham has no local council run children’s homes and a relatively small pool of in-house Foster Carers, so internal placement sufficiency is limited.

The document outlined a series of steps the council is taking to address these challenges, including joining a pilot scheme to explore how delays in the family court can be reduced. It noted that:

As part of this pilot combined with the DfE Family First Pathfinder programme, we are introducing a Court Progression Officer post to contribute to moving CYP through court proceedings without delay.

The report also noted that the council is considering a number of options to reduce reliance on externally commissioned placements, including building its own children's homes, and that:

In September a proposal is being put to Mayor and Cabinet to re-purpose current buildings in the CYP Directorate asset register, to create and manage a series of council run small children’s residential homes in Lewisham.

Commissioning and Contracting in Adult Social Care

The committee was scheduled to receive an update on commissioning and contracting arrangements for adult social care. The document prepared for the meeting noted the financial pressures facing the adult social care sector, and the challenges of providing high quality care to an ageing population.

The report contained a summary of the key duties of local authorities under the Care Act 2014, including the duty to assess people’s needs and decide how to meet them. It noted that:

After the assessment, the local authority must determine using the national minimum threshold (which is set out in regulation) whether the Client is eligible for care and support. If deemed eligible, the Local Authority must meet these needs, regardless of resources available.

The report explained that the council has taken a number of steps to reduce the costs of providing adult social care, including working with providers to deliver services in a more cost-effective way. In particular, it noted the impact of the council’s decision to “cap” the budget for the Maximising Wellbeing at Home service, saying that:

The capitated budget fixes the Fair Cost of Care rate for the five years of the contract. Quality is enhanced through access of staff to Solution Focused coaching which enables Wellbeing Workers to develop innovative solutions to enable Clients to maximise their wellbeing as well as improving their terms and conditions by being fully compliant with the UNISON Ethical Care Charter.

The report contained a section on “Risk Implications”, setting out the key risks facing the service and how the council is working to address them. This included the risks of rising costs, increasing demand, workforce shortages, and maintaining the quality of provision.

Select Committee Work Programme Report

The committee was scheduled to consider a report on its work programme for the year. The document provided for the meeting contained the committee’s terms of reference, which detail the areas the committee is responsible for scrutinising. It also included a list of the items the committee had already decided to look at during the year, and a forward plan of key decisions that the council is expected to take over the next four months. The report recommended that the committee:

Look at the forward plan of key decisions at Appendix E to consider whether there are any items for further scrutiny.

It also recommended that the committee:

Consider the items for the next meeting and specify what evidence is required, including being clear about the information the committee wishes to be included in officer reports.

The next meeting of the committee was scheduled to take place on 28 November 2024. The report noted that:

The following items are scheduled for the next meeting. For each item, the Committee should clearly define the information and analysis it wishes to see in officer reports. If the Committee has designated one of its members as a climate change champion, that member should work with the Chair to ensure that officers are given appropriate steers in relation to the reports, to ensure they include relevant climate change considerations.

The Committee should also consider whether to invite any expert witnesses to provide evidence, and whether site visits or engagement would assist the effective scrutiny of the item.

Agenda Item Review type

Budget cuts Standard item

Financial monitoring Performance monitoring

HR budget Standard item

Lewisham Central Assembly - Thursday 26 September 2024

No video was provided for this meeting.

Appointments Committee - Thursday 26 September 2024

This meeting was cancelled.

Standing Advisory Council of Religious Education (SACRE) - Thursday 26 September 2024

The meeting of Lewisham SACRE on 26 September 2024 included for discussion a range of matters arising from the previous meeting and an update from a public health consultant about reducing health inequalities. It concluded with the first part of a self-evaluation of the work of the SACRE.

Jewish Life Exhibition

The meeting was to include a discussion of the Jewish Life Exhibition, due to be hosted by the Catford Synagogue¹ in November 2024. Information packs and booking details have already been circulated to all schools in the borough.

Vicki Ashmore, an ex-headteacher and a member of the Bromley SACRE, was scheduled to attend the meeting to answer questions about the exhibition. She was involved in the exhibition when it was hosted by Bromley Synagogue and reported that 650 people visited over the two weeks it was open.

Review of the Lewisham Agreed Syllabus

The meeting was to include the first discussion of the review of the Lewisham Agreed Syllabus for Religious Education². The Agreed Syllabus is used by schools to teach Religious Education. All members were asked to re-read the current syllabus and consider if it was still an appropriate representation of their faith group. The review, which will be scoped and costed, will formally begin in the Autumn term. Once it is complete, a formal request will be made to Lewisham Council to establish an Agreed Syllabus Conference.

Standards in schools – exam results initial overview

The meeting was also scheduled include an initial overview of this year's exam results from Anthony Doudle.

Reducing health inequalities through working with faith groups

The meeting was to include a presentation about reducing health inequalities through working with faith groups. This was due to be delivered by Lisa Fannon, Senior Project Manager at BLACHIR ³ and Kerry Lonergan, Public Health Consultant at Lewisham Council.

Matters arising

A number of matters arising from the previous meeting, which took place at the London Sivan Kovil⁴ in July, were scheduled to be discussed. These included:

• An update on the arrangements for Holocaust Memorial Day, and whether the SACRE will be represented on the organising group;
• Confirmation that a meeting of secondary RE leads will take place in the next term;
• Feedback from Cllrs Johnston-Franklin and Tam, who attended the NASACRE⁵ Annual Conference and AGM; and
• A report on the response the Chair received from candidates in the recent General Election to his ‘Manifesto for RE and SACREs’.

This week, the Lewisham Council held several meetings. Due to the cancellation and postponement of most meetings, the primary focus was on the Schools Forum meeting on Thursday, 27 June 2024.

Schools Forum Meeting

The Schools Forum meeting discussed several key financial and planning issues related to the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) and school improvement funding.

Dedicated Schools Grant 2023/24 Outturn:

The final outturn position for the 2023/24 DSG was reported, showing an overall overspend of £4.114m (1.3%) against the revised budget. This overspend will be met from the DSG reserves.

Dedicated Schools Grant 2024/25 Budget:

The 2024/25 DSG for Lewisham is £324.810m, representing an increase of £17.7m or 5.8% compared to the 2023/24 budget. This increase aligns with the council's ongoing efforts to support education and school funding.

Schools Forum Workplan 2024/25:

The workplan for 2024/25 was approved, outlining key priorities such as monitoring the implementation of the new funding formula, reviewing the use of Pupil Premium funding, and considering the implications of the new SEND Code of Practice[^1^].

Proposed De-delegation for Lewisham Learning School Improvement 2024/25:

The council proposed de-delegating the Element 3 and Element 4 School Improvement funding for maintained schools. However, no decision was made during the meeting.

The Council is proposing to de-delegate the Element 3 and Element 4 School Improvement funding for maintained schools for 2024/25.

Element 3 funding covers school improvement services, including school-to-school support, while Element 4 funding covers centrally retained costs.

Other Meetings

• Standing Advisory Council of Religious Education (SACRE) on Tuesday, 25 June 2024. No video was provided.
• Overview and Scrutiny Committee (Call-In) on Tuesday, 25 June 2024. This meeting was cancelled.
• Governance Committee on Tuesday, 25 June 2024. This meeting was cancelled.
• Public Accounts Select Committee on Thursday, 27 June 2024. This meeting was postponed.

Implications and Themes

The focus on the Dedicated Schools Grant and school improvement funding reflects the council's commitment to supporting education and addressing budgetary challenges. The increase in the DSG for 2024/25 is a positive development, indicating more resources for local schools. The ongoing discussions around de-delegation of funds highlight the complexities involved in managing school improvement services and ensuring effective use of resources.

This week, the Lewisham Council held several meetings, with the most impactful being the Planning Committee A meeting on Tuesday, 11 June 2024. Here are the key points and implications of the meeting:

Planning Committee A Meeting

68 Ravensbourne Park Crescent Development:

The committee reviewed an application for the construction of five two-story, three-bedroom dwelling houses at 68 Ravensbourne Park Crescent. This proposal included cycle parking, refuse storage, and associated landscaping. The application received 14 individual objections, primarily concerning the loss of amenity space and potential impacts on the local environment and community.

Key points discussed included:

• Principle of Development: The council determined that the amenity land was redundant or oversupplied based on a CCTV survey and local open space analysis. This decision aligns with the borough's housing targets and the housing delivery test, which presumes in favor of granting permission.
• Urban Design and Impact on Heritage Assets: The proposed development was considered high quality and contextually appropriate, with no detriment to nearby Grade II listed buildings.
• Impact on Adjoining Properties: Measures such as obscure glazed windows and privacy screening were secured to protect neighboring properties from overlooking and privacy impacts.
• Transport and Sustainability: The proposal included provisions for cycling and refuse facilities, sustainable drainage, and carbon emission mitigation measures.
• Public Health and Safety: The design complies with Secured by Design principles, enhancing natural surveillance and secure access.

The committee approved the application, emphasizing the need for detailed conditions on materials and articulation to ensure high-quality development.

Mayor and Cabinet Meeting

The Mayor and Cabinet meeting on Wednesday, 12 June 2024, addressed several key issues:

• Cycle Parking and Electric Vehicle Charging: The council approved procurement for cycle parking and electric vehicle charging infrastructure, reflecting ongoing efforts to promote sustainable transport.
• Community Integrated Equipment Service Contracts: The council awarded contracts to support community health services, ensuring continued access to essential equipment.
• Adventure Playgrounds: The council awarded contracts for the management and maintenance of adventure playgrounds, aligning with the place strategy to enhance community spaces.
• Housing Delivery Test Action Plan: The council reviewed and approved the action plan to meet housing delivery targets, addressing the borough's housing needs.

Other Meetings

• Safer Stronger Communities Select Committee on Thursday, 13 June 2024. No video broadcast was provided.
• Planning Committee B on Thursday, 13 June 2024. The notes from this meeting have not yet been summarized.
• Healthier Communities Select Committee on Thursday, 13 June 2024. This meeting was postponed.
• Public Transport Liaison Forum on Wednesday, 12 June 2024. This meeting was cancelled.

Implications and Themes

The focus on urban development and community welfare continues to be a recurring theme. The approval of the Ravensbourne Park Crescent development highlights the council's commitment to meeting housing targets while ensuring high-quality design and sustainability. The Mayor and Cabinet's decisions on transport infrastructure and community services further emphasize the council's efforts to enhance public amenities and support sustainable growth.

These meetings underscore the ongoing challenge of balancing development with community needs, a theme that will likely remain central in future council decisions.

This week, the Lewisham Council held three meetings. The most impactful was the Health and Safety Committee meeting on Thursday, 23 May 2024. The committee focused on several critical health and safety issues within the council, including defibrillator policies, emergency evacuations, and health and safety incidents. Here are the key points and implications of the meeting:

Health and Safety Committee Meeting

Defibrillator Policy:

The committee discussed the defibrillator policy, which has been approved by the Executive Management Team. Councillor Chris Best emphasized the need for a comprehensive list of defibrillators across the council estate and suggested that public spaces like libraries and shopping centers should have defibrillators. Rich Clark, the council's head of assurance, mentioned that the policy focuses on supporting sites that have or want to acquire defibrillators and ensuring they are properly maintained. The committee expressed disappointment that the policy would be reviewed in a year's time due to resource constraints and urged for more immediate action.

Emergency Evacuations:

Rich Clark reported on the ongoing efforts to improve emergency evacuation procedures, particularly in the Catford complex[^1^]. The council is working on consolidating its approach into a written procedure to be applied across other sites. Compliance with evacuation drills has generally been good, and the council aims to continue monitoring and reporting on these exercises.

Health and Safety Inspections:

The committee reviewed the results of health and safety inspections across various council buildings. Issues identified included wedged doors, moss formation in garden areas, and unrecorded monthly checks of water tap temperatures. Councillor Carol Webley-Brown raised concerns about the Crofton Park Library[^2^], which is managed by B22, and the need for better reporting of incidents in public areas. Rich Clark agreed to look into the matter.

Health and Safety Resources:

Rich Clark announced that the council has received in-principle agreement to reorganize health and safety resources, which will increase the capacity to deliver health and safety improvements. This reorganization is expected to be detailed in future meetings.

Health and Safety Incidents:

The committee reviewed health and safety incidents reported in the last six months. There was a notable decline in reported incidents from schools, which is being investigated. Councillor Chris Best inquired about housing incidents, specifically related to damp and mold, and how they are reported. Rich Clark clarified that such incidents are handled by the property compliance team within the housing directorate.

RIDDOR Incidents:

The committee reviewed RIDDOR (Reporting of Injuries, Diseases, and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations)[^7^] incidents, which are more serious and require specific reporting to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE)[^6^]. The council has centralized its reporting to the HSE to ensure consistency and quality.

Meeting Time Adjustment:

The committee agreed to change the meeting time to 6 PM to accommodate members with full-time jobs while being mindful of officers' work schedules.

Future Agenda Items:

Members were invited to suggest additional topics for future meetings, with a plan to canvas for ideas a month before the next meeting on October 10th.

Implications and Themes

The focus on health and safety within council buildings and public spaces reflects a recurring theme we've discussed before: the importance of maintaining public safety and ensuring that resources are adequately managed. The discussions around defibrillator policies and emergency evacuations highlight the council's ongoing efforts to enhance safety measures and preparedness.

Other Meetings

• Overview and Scrutiny Committee (Call-In) on Tuesday, 21 May 2024. We have not been able to find a video broadcast of this meeting.
• Strategic Planning Committee on Wednesday, 22 May 2024. We have not been able to find a video broadcast of this meeting.
• Overview and Scrutiny Committee (Call-In) on Tuesday, 21 May 2024. We have not been able to find a video broadcast of this meeting.

Overall, this week's meetings underscore the ongoing challenge of managing health and safety within council operations while ensuring that resources are effectively utilized. This theme will likely continue to be relevant in future council decisions.

This week, the Lewisham Council held five meetings. The most impactful was the Licensing Committee meeting on Tuesday, 14 May 2024. The committee deliberated on a premises license application by McEosolots UK Limited for a bingo premises at 53 Sydenham High Street, SE26 5EY. Here are the key points and implications of the meeting:

Licensing Committee Meeting

Premises License Application for Bingo Premises at 53 Sydenham High Street:

• Applicant's Presentation: Gerald Greay, representing McEosolots UK Limited, emphasized that the application was comprehensive and aimed to address all concerns raised. He highlighted that the premises would operate 24/7 and cater to a trickle of customers, including night shift workers. He argued that the measures proposed were reasonable and in line with the Gambling Act 2005. He also noted that there were no objections from responsible authorities and that the premises had a good track record with no reviews or issues in other locations.

• Committee Questions: Councillor Howard questioned the need for a 24-hour license and how the applicant could ensure there were no issues in their 230 other locations. Gerald Greay responded that the 24-hour operation was based on demand and that the premises had a good track record with no reviews. Councillor Harding asked about the balance between bingo and other gambling activities, to which Greay explained that the only way to offer bingo was through a bingo license, even though the primary operation would be as an adult gaming center.

Objectors' Concerns:

• Councillor Chris Best: Representing Sydenham Ward, Councillor Best raised concerns about antisocial behavior, noise, and the impact on vulnerable residents. She highlighted the presence of other gambling premises in the area and the potential negative impact on the high street's vitality. She also mentioned the proximity to facilities catering to vulnerable adults and children, such as Ignition Brewery and Sydenham Arts.

• Annabelle McLaren: Representing the Sydenham Society, McLaren echoed concerns about the negative impact on the high street and the concentration of vulnerable individuals in the area. She emphasized the need to protect children and vulnerable adults from potential harm.

• Ruth: Another objector, Ruth, highlighted the specific vulnerabilities of the local community, including high levels of social housing and the presence of addiction and recovery services. She questioned the applicant's claim of no issues in other locations and pointed out that the Gambling Commission was investigating McEosolots for exploitation of a vulnerable customer in Stockport.

Committee Deliberation:

The committee members confirmed their presence throughout the meeting and proceeded to deliberate in another room. The decision on the application would be sent out within five working days.

Implications and Themes

The focus on the potential impact of the proposed bingo premises on the local community, particularly concerning antisocial behavior, noise, and the protection of vulnerable individuals, reflects a recurring theme we've discussed before: balancing community welfare with business interests. The applicant argued that the measures in place were sufficient, while the objectors raised significant concerns about the suitability of the location and the potential negative effects on the community.

Other Meetings

• Council Meeting on Wednesday, 15 May 2024. The notes from this meeting have not yet been summarized.
• Council Meeting on Wednesday, 15 May 2024. The notes from this meeting have not yet been summarized.
• Appointments Committee Meeting on Thursday, 16 May 2024. We have not been able to find a video broadcast of this meeting.
• Overview and Scrutiny Committee Meeting on Wednesday, 15 May 2024. We have not been able to find a video broadcast of this meeting.

Overall, this week's meetings underscore the ongoing challenge of managing urban development while maintaining community welfare, a theme that will likely continue to be relevant in future council decisions.

This week, the Lewisham Council held three meetings, with the most impactful being the Mayor and Cabinet meeting on Wednesday, 08 May 2024. The council addressed several critical issues ranging from public safety to community engagement and support services. Here's a detailed look at the decisions and their implications:

Mayor and Cabinet Meeting

1. Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) Implementation: The council agreed to implement a PSPO to address anti-social behavior. This decision underscores a progressive approach to governance, emphasizing education and behavior change before enforcement. The implications are significant as it aims to enhance community safety and quality of life by curbing undesirable behaviors through a structured approach.

2. Interpreting, Translation, and Transcription Services Contract: A new contract was awarded to ensure continued support for residents needing language assistance. This decision promotes inclusivity and equal access to council services, reflecting the council's commitment to accessibility for all residents.

3. Millwall Football Club Lease: Approval was given to proceed with lease negotiations with Millwall Football Club. This could lead to enhanced sports facilities and community activities, potentially stimulating economic growth in the area.

4. Domestic Abuse and Violence Against Women and Girls Service Re-procurement: The council agreed to re-procure services for supporting victims of domestic abuse and gender-based violence. This decision aims to strengthen the support network for victims, improving outcomes and providing more robust protection and advocacy.

5. Autism Strategy Action Plan Update: The council reviewed the progress of the Autism Strategy Action Plan, aiming to ensure that initiatives remain effective and responsive to the needs of autistic residents, promoting better integration and support services.

Licensing Committee Meeting

The Licensing Committee deliberated on a premises license application for Zulian Hidden Village. The decision to grant the license, with conditions, reflects an attempt to balance business interests with community welfare. This meeting highlighted competitive tensions and safety considerations in shared commercial spaces, a theme that echoes past discussions on urban development and community impact.

Themes and Patterns

This week's meetings reflect a consistent theme of balancing community welfare with development and support initiatives. From public safety measures like the PSPO to community engagement through sports and cultural activities, the council is actively shaping Lewisham's social and economic landscape. These decisions not only address immediate community needs but also set the groundwork for long-term community development and support, a recurring theme in our discussions.

Overall, the council's actions this week demonstrate a comprehensive approach to governance, with a clear focus on enhancing community life and ensuring support for all residents.

This week, the Lewisham Council's Standards Committee convened to address routine matters and a significant new proposal regarding honorary titles. The meeting on Wednesday, 01 May 2024 was marked by efficiency and a noteworthy first-time proposal that could set a precedent for recognizing distinguished service within the council.

Key Points from the Standards Committee Meeting:

1. Approval of Previous Meeting Minutes: The committee approved the minutes from their previous meetings without any disputes, indicating a clear consensus on the recorded discussions and decisions.

2. Declarations of Interest: No conflicts of interest were declared, which streamlined the discussion, particularly around the main agenda item.

3. Proposal for Honorary Titles: The committee discussed a proposal to award honorary titles to several former councillors, recognizing their contributions to public life. This is a significant development as it introduces a formal mechanism for acknowledging the service of past council members. The proposal was recommended without opposition, suggesting strong support for institutionalizing such honors.

This decision sets a precedent as it's the first instance of such titles being proposed in the division, potentially influencing future recognitions and formal acknowledgments of service.

This quote emphasizes the potential long-term impact of the decision, as it may influence how future contributions by council members are recognized.

Implications and Themes:

The introduction of honorary titles is not just about recognizing past contributions but also about setting a standard and expectation for future council members. It reflects a broader theme of formal recognition and institutional memory within the council—a theme we have touched upon previously when discussing the importance of maintaining detailed and accurate meeting records.

This meeting's decisions, particularly around the honorary titles, could enhance the council's tradition of honoring distinguished service, thereby enriching the council's cultural heritage and providing a model for other divisions or councils.

In summary, the Standards Committee's latest session was straightforward yet impactful, with decisions that could influence the council's approach to recognition and honor in the future.

This week, the Lewisham Council held two notable meetings. The first was the Licensing Committee meeting on Tuesday, 23 April 2024, which focused on a significant decision regarding Sip City Lounge's application for extended operational hours and other license variations.

The Licensing Committee faced a contentious decision balancing the interests of Sip City Lounge and the concerns of local residents and law enforcement. The applicant sought to extend operational hours for alcohol sales, recorded and live music, and late-night refreshments. The committee heard from various stakeholders, including the police and a community safety officer, who raised issues about noise, public nuisance, and past mismanagement.

The police and residents provided evidence of past disturbances attributed to the venue, while the applicant emphasized recent improvements and compliance efforts.

This quote from the meeting highlights the central tension in urban nightlife management—balancing business interests with community peace and safety. The decision's implications are significant, as they will influence future business operations and residential tranquility in the area.

The second meeting was the Standing Advisory Council of Religious Education (SACRE) on Wednesday, 24 April 2024. Unfortunately, the notes from this meeting have not yet been summarized, so we cannot provide a detailed account at this time.

The Licensing Committee's deliberations reflect a recurring theme we've discussed before: the challenge of managing urban development while maintaining quality of life for residents. This theme will likely continue to be relevant in future council decisions, especially as urban areas evolve and the balance between commercial and residential needs becomes increasingly complex.