The most significant item included on the agenda for this meeting of the full council was a report on the final outturn position of the treasury management activities for the 2023/24 financial year, and the mid-year review of the 2024/25 financial year. In addition to this, the Mayor was scheduled to make a number of announcements. There were no petitions for debate, and no motions submitted by councillors.

Treasury Management

This report was prepared by Katharine Nidd, the Interim Director of Finance at Lewisham Council, and it sets out the council's activities in managing its borrowing, investments and cash flow. The report explains that the council is required to operate a balanced budget, meaning that the cash it raises during the year must meet its cash expenditure. It goes on to explain that the council had £279m of investments as at 30 June 2024, and that these investments are expected to produce a 5.2% return. It then describes the council's Capital Programme, which was agreed at £558m in February 2024, and is now forecast to be £562.4m. The report forecasts that the council will need to borrow £32.2m for its general fund and £64.7 for its HRA to support the capital programme in 2024/25, and explains that the council had £186.6m of internal borrowing as at 31 March 2024. The report explains that the council reduced its LOBO loan exposure from £119.7 to £104.5m during 2023/24, and that it repaid a £25m LOBO loan from Bayerische Landesbank without incurring a premium. The report proposes that the council maintains its existing policy of not borrowing more than or in advance of its needs purely in order to profit from the investment of the extra sums borrowed. Finally, the report sets out the council's Minimum Revenue Provision (MRP) policy, which is that a straight line MRP of 14% is applied to plant and equipment, and a straight line MRP of 2.5% is applied to property.

Announcements

The Speaker of the Council was scheduled to acknowledge the retirement of a Father Steve. The Mayor was also scheduled to announce the appointment of two new Mayoral Advisors. She was then to highlight the Mayor's community award and the Mayor's Business Awards. Finally, she was scheduled to reflect on the recent summer Olympics, and to offer congratulations to athletes from across the UK, with a special mention for athletes from Lewisham.

Minutes of the previous meeting

The minutes of the meeting held on 17 July 2024 were included in the agenda pack for approval.

Questions

The following questions were submitted in advance of the meeting for a written answer, with the opportunity for a supplementary question to be asked at the meeting.

Public Questions

Question 61 - David Gross

As chair of the Lewisham Cyclists group I am dismayed that the council has only managed to install a small number of cycle hangars in the borough over the last four years. Is the Mayor happy with this performance, and what does she propose to do to accelerate the installation of cycle hangars across the borough?

Answer

I would like to thank Mr Gross for his question, and for the work that Lewisham Cyclists does in campaigning for safer cycling in the borough. As he points out, we have installed a total of 142 cycle hangars across the borough in the past four years, equating to approximately 568 cycle spaces. We are committed to providing more cycle parking in the borough, and will be installing a further 50 cycle hangars this year. We are also working with Transport for London to identify suitable locations for new cycle hangars on their roads. We will be consulting on these proposals in due course.

Member questions

Question 1 - Councillor Shrivastava

In November 2023, I meet with Cllr Krupski, local residents local and M.P Vicky Foxcroft who raised concerns about road safety and air pollution around [Cold Blow Lane](https://www.google.com/maps/search/Cold+Blow+Lane+Lewisham/) tunnel. I presented a petition signed by local residents asking the Council to pedestrianise the tunnel. In two weeks and an experimental traffic order will be implemented. As this is a temporary order, do you have any advice for local residents on how we can ensure this pedestrianised scheme is a success?

Answer

Use the walk and prove that it has the potential to be a fantastic route. It will be good on match days when Millwall football fans can walk to the ground in safety. Respond to the consultation and make sure it is organised and encourage everyone to respond favourably.

Question 2 - Councillor Lahai-Taylor

Please can you say a few words about SEEN Lewisham festival, which took place a Broadway Theatre last month?

Answer

It was part of our manifesto to deliver a global majority arts. Over 50 events were held in the theatre and libraries, and the numbers of people attending these events was as follows: • Participants of all events at the Broadway Theatre 3,682 • The Pop-up market engaged 60 global majority sellers makers, and creators, with 400 people attending the market. • 254 people attended the SEEN Lewisham Family day • 400 children were engaged within schools in events run by Jazz refreshed. • 42 local people signed up to Lewisham Goes Gospel – SEEN Festivals Community Choir • The pop up library at The Broadway Theatre received 233 visits • 25 volunteers involved in delivery of the event It was a good week of events and I hope to repeat the success next year.

Question 3 - Councillor Sorba

Can I be reassured that a conversation will now take place between our officers and TfL that I can report back to my constituents about the designation of this road?

Answer

Yes we will be doing that.

Question 4 - Councillor Parry

What is Lewisham Labour doing to increase the number of EV charging points in the Borough?

Answer

London has dangerous levels of air pollution with the majority of pollution in London coming from road transport. This impacts our health and contributes to climate change. Lewisham Labour continues to support the replacing petrol and diesel vehicles with electric vehicles. We are supporting our residents with switching to electric vehicles providing much needed on-street charging infrastructure, as not everyone has such facilities off-street. To complement the existing 211 electric charging units, another 50 will be implemented this financial year, with an ambition to significantly increase by another 200 over the next 2 years. In order to fund this, we are also applying for the Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) Scheme funding, in partnership with Royal Borough of Greenwich. The partnership has been allocated £2.98 million and we expect to receive the full amount. Whilst I am excited about this programme, electric vehicles are not the answer to the climate crisis. In order to get to true net zero, we need a programme to help residents to choose to move away from motorised personal vehicles. Alongside the LEVI charging role out, we have a programme of measures which enable residents to transition into active transport whilst supporting residents with health and disability issues to continue driving and parking freely throughout the borough.

Question 5 - Councillor Walker

Have outcomes for disadvantaged children, including Looked after Children, improved in recent years and how does this exist for other areas?

Answer

As pledged in 2022, we are committed to a comprehensive school system in which all children can succeed. The difference between the achievements of SEN children and others is a big and is a worrying part of our educational system. Most of the schools in Lewisham, according to Ofsted, are good or outstanding. Looked after children had their best GCSE results in 2023 and the highest number of children starting university from ‘A’ level courses, so the situation was improving. Each year, Children and Young People’s Select Committee looks at outcomes by different demographic categories. In their report in March, it showed that disadvantaged children are making more progress in our secondary schools than is the average nationally. Children with SEN are also making more progress in our schools than is the case nationally. It is encouraging that progress is being made but there is still a long way to go to where they need to be. Lewisham will support schools to help them achieve their goals.