The meeting considered the recommendations of two task & finish group reports and made several decisions on financial and procurement matters. Decisions made include approving the Treasury Management Outturn report for 2023/24, adopting the Asset Management Strategy 2024-2034, approving the grant of leases for seven community assets, approving the development of three new children’s homes, and approving the submission of a planning application for the Achilles Street Estate regeneration.

Matters Raised by Scrutiny and Other Constitutional Bodies

The Deputy Mayor and Cabinet received two task & finish group reports. These were the Improving Scrutiny report and the Youth Provision report. These reports were referred back to officers who will provide a response. The meeting also approved a response to a report on taking a trauma-informed approach to delivering council services.

Treasury Management

Councillor Krupski moved that the meeting approve the Treasury Management Outturn report for 2023/24 and the prudential and treasury indicators contained within it. This was seconded by Councillor Barnham, and it was resolved to approve the outturn report and indicators.

Sustainable Streets

Councillor Krupski moved that the meeting note the feedback of the Sustainable Streets consultations for Lewisham Central, Blackheath, Rushey Green West, Deptford Central, Deptford South, Elverson and Ladywell, and make decisions on their Controlled Parking Zones (CPZs). This was seconded by Councillor Huynh.

The meeting heard that the consultation had found a majority in favour of retaining the current operational hours in Blackheath, Rushey Green West, Deptford Central, Deptford South, Elverson and Ladywell. However, a majority of respondents in Lewisham Central had requested that the current operating hours be extended to include Sunday mornings.

The meeting therefore resolved to:

• Retain the current operational hours in all areas except Lewisham Central.
• Extend the operating hours in Lewisham Central to 7pm Monday to Saturday to match the operational hours of the Blackheath CPZ.
• Split the Lewisham Central CPZ and implement an additional operational period of 9am to 1:30pm on Sundays for the southern part of the zone.

In addition, it was resolved to:

• Remove footway parking across all zones, where practicable.
• Implement new street trees, Electric Vehicle Charging Points (EVCPs) and cycle storage where demand has been identified through the consultation.
• Extend the existing double yellow line junction protection markings to 10m to match the Highway Code.¹
• Implement a designated Electric Vehicle only parking bay adjacent to all existing EVCPs.
• Publish amendments to the Permanent Traffic Orders for the existing CPZs that have been reviewed.

Lewisham and Lee Green LTN

The meeting received the final monitoring update for the Lewisham and Lee Green Low Traffic Neighbourhood (LTN).

Councillor Krupski noted that the latest monitoring data demonstrated the scheme was continuing to meet its objectives, including reduced traffic, reduced collisions, reduced air pollution and minimal impacts on bus journey times.

Cllr Barnham commented that he was particularly impressed by the percentage reduction in collisions, and that it would be helpful to see the numbers behind the statistics because the numbers tell the story of on less person injured or killed on the road.

The meeting resolved to note the monitoring data, and note that this was the final monitoring assessment for the Lewisham and Lee Green LTN.

Riverdale Sculpture Park

Councillor Krupski moved that the meeting agree to enter into a grant agreement with the Greater London Authority’s (GLA) Civic Partnership Programme to receive £2.486m to regenerate the Riverdale Sculpture Park.² The proposed scheme is to improve the River Ravensbourne, provide new public spaces and initiate scoping works for a future re-routing of Waterlink Way.³

Councillor Walsh seconded the recommendation.

The meeting discussed the proposed match funding for the scheme. They heard that £309,000 had been secured. This comprises:

• £166,327.83 in Section 106 funding from the Lewisham Gateway development.
• £30,000.00 in funding from the Thames Regional Flooding and Costal Committee Local Levy.
• £15,000.00 from the Environment Agency’s Water Environment Improvement Fund (WEIF).
• £100,000.00 from Thames21’s Empower Rivers Large Grant Scheme.

Officers are also seeking funding from the Environment Agency to cover a further £458,000 required to meet the GLA’s match funding requirements. This is in the form of a £50,000-£100,000 contribution in 2025/26 and £357,672.17-£407,672.17 in 2026/27. If this is not forthcoming, the report recommended using Strategic Community Infrastructure Levy (SCIL). An in-principal agreement from the Regeneration & Capital Programme Delivery Board is being sought. The meeting also heard that officer time to date has cost £16,000, with an estimated additional £215,000 required to complete the project.

In order to meet the tight deadlines set by the GLA, the meeting resolved to:

• Enter into the grant agreement with the GLA.
• Approve the proposed match funding.
• Use the GLA’s Architecture and Urbanism (A+U) Framework to appoint a Lead Consultant. The recommended lot is Lot 4, Landscape, Green Infrastructure & Public Realm. The consultant will be appointed to deliver the works by March 2027.
• Procure a capital works contractor using an open tender process.

Sexual Health London

Councillor Bell moved that the meeting agree to extend the current contract with Sexual Health London (SHL) to deliver online sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services for a further year. Councillor Powell seconded this recommendation.

The meeting heard that Preventx currently provide online SHL services for the City of London, and that Lewisham buy into this contract via an Inter Authority Agreement (IAA). Services include:

• Contraception.
• Testing and treatment of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs).
• HIV testing and diagnosis.

The meeting was told that the current contract will expire in April 2025, and that the proposed one-year extension would enable the City of London to run a reprocurement exercise.

It was resolved to extend the IAA until April 2026, up to a value of £1,200,000.

Healthwatch and Independent Health Complaints Advocacy

Councillor Bell moved that the meeting approve the procurement of a new contract to deliver the Healthwatch and Independent Health Complaints Advocacy services. Councillor Barnham seconded the recommendation.

The meeting heard that the current single contract for the Healthwatch and Independent Health Complaints Advocacy services is worth £140,000 per annum, and that it is due to expire in March 2025.

It was resolved to:

• Procure a new single contract for both services.
• Award the new contract to a preferred bidder, up to a value of £700,000 over five years.
• Delegate authority to the Executive Director of Adult Social Care and Health to select a preferred bidder, in consultation with the Director of Law and Corporate Governance and the Director of Adults Integrated Commissioning.

Asset Management Strategy

Councillor Walsh moved that the meeting adopt the Asset Management Strategy 2024-2034. The strategy provides a framework for the effective use and management of the council’s non-HRA property assets and outlines how this will be delivered through the four key strategic priorities of asset optimisation, regeneration and development, partnership working, and a corporate approach. Councillor Powell seconded the recommendation.

The meeting heard that the Asset Management Strategy sets out how the Council will manage its property assets over the next ten years. The Strategy is intended to enable the Council to achieve its priorities as set out in the Corporate Strategy, while at the same time deliver a more efficient, cost-effective and sustainable property portfolio.

It was resolved to adopt the Asset Management Strategy.

Community Asset Policy

Councillor Huynh moved that the meeting adopt the Community Asset Policy. The Policy, which forms part of the Asset Management Strategy, provides a framework for how the Council will allocate and manage its community assets for use by the voluntary and community sector (VCS).

The meeting heard that the Policy is intended to:

• Ensure that the use of community assets is aligned to the Council’s corporate priorities.
• Regularise tenancy agreements to provide greater security of tenure for VCS organisations.
• Increase the long-term resilience of the VCS.
• Ensure community assets are efficiently used and managed.
• Enable a more consistent approach to rent-setting and charging, including concessions where appropriate.
• Safeguard community assets for future generations.

It was resolved to adopt the Community Asset Policy.

School Premises Officer Houses

The meeting received a report that reviewed the use of School Premises Officer Houses (SPOHs).

Councillor Barnham declared a non-prejudicial interest in this item, being a governor at one of the schools included in the Part 2 report.

The meeting heard that the report recommended several actions, including transferring nine of the SPOHs permanently to the school sites due to their being physically or functionally absorbed into school use, retaining five SPOHs for continued use as temporary accommodation and declaring two SPOHs surplus to requirements and seeking their disposal.

The meeting also discussed the proposed use of three SPOHs as residential children’s homes, due to the pressing demand for such provision.

It was resolved to:

• Note the findings of the report.
• Delegate authority to the Executive Director of Place, in consultation with the Executive Director of Children and Young People, to make decisions on the future use of SPOHs.

Proposed Development of Lewisham Residential Children's Homes

Councillor Barnham moved that the meeting agree to begin developing three residential children’s homes in under-used school premises officer houses. This was seconded by Councillor Cooper.

The meeting discussed the proposed use of school premises officer houses for specialist children’s residential care, and the Council’s responsibility under the Children’s Act 1989 to provide accommodation for children in its care.

The meeting heard that the provision of residential children’s homes is consistent with the ambitions set out in the Council’s Corporate Parenting Strategy (2021-2024) and Placement Sufficiency Strategy (2022-2025).

It was noted that the cost of providing residential care for children in the borough had risen from £9.7m in 2022/23 to an estimated £22.1m in 2023/24.

It was resolved to:

• Delegate authority to the Executive Director of Children and Young People, in consultation with the Executive Director for Place, to award a contract to refurbish the three proposed residential children’s homes.
• Begin the recruitment process for a Registered Manager to oversee the three homes and submit a children’s home registration application to Ofsted.
• Begin the recruitment process for staff for the three homes.

Building for Lewisham - Achilles Street

The meeting received an update on the Building for Lewisham project at Achilles Street.

Councillor Walsh moved that the meeting approve the revised redline for the project and authorise the submission of a planning application. This was seconded by Councillor Powell.

The meeting heard that the proposals will:

• Demolish the existing 87 homes and retail premises.
• Build 279 new homes and re-provide commercial space.
• Provide 122 new homes for social rent, compared with 52 at the time of the ballot.

It was noted that the tenure mix for the planning application had been reduced from the indicative mix used at the time of the resident ballot due to increased build costs, although it still complies with the minimum commitments in the Landlord Offer.

Councillor Bell expressed his support for the project, paying tribute to the patience of residents in the ward.

It was resolved to approve the revised redline and the submission of the planning application.

Housing Acquisitions Programme

The meeting received an update on the Housing Acquisitions Programme.

Councillor Walsh moved that the meeting agree to continue with the programme and increase the budget from £95.3m to £105m, enabling the acquisition of up to 300 homes for temporary accommodation by March 2027. This was seconded by Councillor Cooper.

It was noted that the programme is intended to:

• Reduce reliance on nightly paid temporary accommodation, which is significantly more costly than other housing provision.
• Enable the Council to better manage the housing pathway for those with temporary housing needs.
• Increase the number of homes available for temporary accommodation in the borough.

It was resolved to:

• Increase the programme budget to £105m.
• Continue with the programme to acquire up to 300 homes.
• Extend the programme by a year, from March 2026 to March 2027.
• Lease HAP units to Lewisham Homes Limited, subject to the necessary approvals from both organisations, if required.

Lewisham Market (Market Canopy)

Councillor Krupski moved that the meeting agree to procure a new contractor to manufacture and install the canopy for Lewisham Market, as part of the wider regeneration of the town centre. Councillor Huynh seconded the recommendation.

It was resolved to:

• Procure a new contractor.
• Award a contract to a preferred bidder, up to the authorised value.
• Delegate authority to the Executive Director of Place, in consultation with the Director of Law and Corporate Governance and Senior Programme Manager, to select a preferred bidder and approve the contract.

Algernon Road

Councillor Walsh moved that the meeting agree to use section 106 funding from the Home Park development to complete the construction of four social rented homes at 70 Algernon Road, following the insolvency of the original contractor. This was seconded by Councillor Huynh.

It was resolved to:

• Approve the allocation of section 106 funding.
• Approve the revised total scheme costs.