The Council meeting on 27 March 2024 saw councillors adopt the Pay Policy Statement for 2024/2025 and approve changes to the Council's Constitution to streamline planning processes. The meeting also addressed members' allowances, with a decision made to increase the basic allowance by 3.88% and freeze Special Responsibility Allowances, alongside an increase in the number of Cabinet Assistants.

Pay Policy Statement Adopted

The Council unanimously adopted the Pay Policy Statement for 2024/2025. This statement outlines the council's policies regarding the remuneration of its chief officers and lowest-paid employees, ensuring compliance with the Localism Act 2011. The statement also details the relationship between the remuneration of chief officers and other employees, noting a reduction in the pay multiple between the highest paid employee and the median pay of employees to 5.87.

Changes to Constitution to Streamline Planning

Significant changes to the Council's Constitution were approved to improve the efficiency of the planning service. These changes will consolidate the three Area Planning Committees into a single Local Planning Committee, which will handle non-major planning applications borough-wide. The Planning Board will now focus on strategically significant and major planning applications that meet specific criteria, such as a minimum number of objections or a request for 'call-in' by a councillor. A new Code of Good Practice for Councillors involved in planning functions was also introduced, aiming to ensure impartiality and transparency in decision-making.

Members' Allowances Scheme Reviewed

The Members' Allowances Scheme for 2024-2025 was reviewed and approved. The basic allowance for councillors will increase by 3.88%, aligning with the local government pay settlement. Special Responsibility Allowances (SRAs) will remain frozen at their current level. However, the number of Cabinet Assistants receiving an SRA will increase from two to four. The Childcare and Dependents Carers' Allowance will rise to £13.15 per hour, matching the London Living Wage. The SRAs for the Mayor and Deputy Mayor will be moved from the Members' Allowances Scheme to the Mayor's Office budget. Councillor Matt Hartley, Leader of the Opposition, stated that his group would abstain from voting on the increase in Cabinet Assistants due to a lack of demonstrated necessity.

Petition Responses and Public Questions

The Council noted the responses to petitions presented at recent meetings. One significant petition concerned the Indian Cultural Society's request to return to their day centre room in the Old Town Hall. The Council's response detailed that the society's occupation was informal and not governed by a formal tenancy agreement, and that they had been offered alternative locations which they had rejected.

Several public questions were raised, including concerns about:

• The rationale for proceeding with a new all-boys' secondary school at Avery Hill despite a surplus of places.
• The adoption of an ethical code of practice for investments and potential divestment from Israel.
• The inclusion of community network members in a working group for an Integrated Weed Management System.
• The council's biodiversity efforts and the age of its Biodiversity Action Plan.
• The start date for replacement or repairs of soil stacks in tower blocks on Orchard Estate.
• Inadequate and dangerous access to the pedestrian and cycle bridge for the Silvertown Tunnel.
• The perceived deterioration of healthcare standards at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital.
• The consistency of timed road closures for traffic management measures with council statements and Department for Transport guidance.
• The cost of street closures for street parties and their impact on community spirit.
• The council's approach to setting Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) rates and comparisons with other boroughs.
• The use of peat-free gardening and park maintenance.
• The reinstatement of the café at the Plumstead Centre.

Other Matters Discussed

• Questions from Members: Councillors posed questions on various topics, including the renaming and increase in the number of 'Cabinet Assistants', the council's response to the LGA Peer Challenge on performance reporting, the establishment of a Project Management Office, and the monitoring of savings proposals within the Medium Term Financial Strategy.
• Urgency Procedures: The Council noted decisions taken under urgency procedures concerning the acquisition of properties for temporary accommodation or new General Needs Housing at Greenwich Millennium Village.
• Fly-tipping Prosecutions: In response to a question, it was stated that no prosecutions for fly-tipping had been necessary in the past 12 months, although numerous interventions and fixed penalty notices had been issued.
• Greenwich Foot Tunnel Lifts: The council is working with Transport for London (TfL) and neighbouring boroughs to improve the reliability of repairs to the Greenwich Foot Tunnel lifts.
• Parking Permits for Charities: The council is not aware of charities requesting special parking permits, but offers standard permits on the same terms as businesses.
• Cycling and Pedestrian Safety: The council is reviewing its strategies to improve junction safety for cyclists and pedestrians in light of new guidance and data.
• Pavement Obstructions: The council is developing a Streetspace Plan to address pavement obstructions and relies on enforcement and compliance from businesses.
• Escalators at Cutty Sark DLR: TfL is working to restore escalators at Cutty Sark DLR station, with one of the four expected to be back in service soon.
• Delivery Bikes in Eltham High Street: The council is engaging with fast food chains and delivery bike riders to address safety concerns related to the increasing number of bikes on the high street.
• Parking on Double Yellow Lines in Eltham: Enforcement patrols are conducted regularly on Eltham High Street, and evening patrols are being considered for specific problem areas.
• Temporary Relocation for Housing Repairs: Households needing temporary relocation due to housing repairs are assessed on a case-by-case basis.
• Parking Permit Increases: The council is reviewing how changes to emissions-based parking charges are communicated to residents, with a commitment to review the operation after 12 months.
• Derelict Property in Council Housing Area: The council is limited in its ability to act on a derelict private property causing nuisance, but residents can report issues to the environmental health team.