This meeting will consider a range of topics including a new set of equality objectives for the council, the disposal of a number of assets and the adoption of a revised Gambling Policy. The meeting will also consider the establishment of an intermediate housing register.

Adoption of Equality and Equity Objectives 2024-2028

A report presented to the meeting sets out plans to further embed the new Equality and Equity Objectives 2024-2028 into the service delivery and business planning processes of the council. The new objectives will run from October 2024 to September 2028 and have been informed by feedback from staff and local organisations.

The Council is required under the Equality Act 2010 to, in the exercise of its functions, have due regard to the need to:

1. Eliminate discrimination, harassment, victimisation and any other conducted prohibited under the Act.
2. Advance equality of opportunity between persons who share a relevant protected characteristic and persons who do not share it.
3. Foster good relations between persons who share a relevant protected characteristic and persons who do not share it.

The report summarises the results of a number of engagement exercises. It notes that the council needs to communicate better with staff and residents, and ensure that middle and line managers are engaged with equality considerations. The report also states that there should be more support for disabled and neurodiverse residents and staff, and that more information should be shared on disability and neurodiversity.

The report highlights a number of corporate strategies that the council already has in place that it says will support the new objectives, and that the objectives will support the delivery of:

• Our Greenwich¹
• Equality and Equity Charter
• Customer Service Strategy
• Royal Greenwich Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2023-28
• Children and Young People Strategy
• Anti-Racism Strategy
• Workforce Strategy
• Staff Survey Action Plan
• Health and Wellbeing Strategy
• Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy

The report is accompanied by Appendix - Equality and Equity Objective Report 2024-28 - November 2024, which describes in greater detail how the council plans to embed the objectives into its business and planning.

The report proposes an 'Equality and Equity Action Plan' be developed in the next few months to provide detail about how the council plans to achieve the objectives.

Intermediate Housing Register Strategy

A report in the pack recommends the establishment of an Intermediate Housing Register Strategy in Greenwich. Intermediate housing schemes² help people who earn too much to be eligible for social housing, but who cannot afford to rent or buy on the open market.

The register would be used to help people on low incomes find intermediate housing in the borough. If the recommendations of the report are accepted, properties would be offered to suitable households on the register in priority order.

The report states that the register would not be a waiting list, and that:

there would be no guarantee that households would be housed within a particular time period

The report is accompanied by Appendix A, which summarises a report prepared by the consultancy Arc4 about the need for intermediate housing in Greenwich.

Appendix B is a research document that describes the approaches of other London boroughs to their own intermediate housing schemes.

The report suggests that people should be added to the register in four priority groups:

1) People who are currently social housing tenants (where a tenancy would be freed up) or who are in priority bands on the housing register. 2) People who are on an agreed RBG shortage occupations list. 3) People who live in RBG on the intermediate housing register of interest. 4) All others on the intermediate housing register of interest who meet the GLA income criteria.

The second group, people on an agreed RBG shortage occupations list, is intended to be a list of no more than ten jobs that the council deems to be in shortage in the borough.

The report proposes that:

authority is delegated to the Director of Housing and Safer Communities to determine which occupations are part of the shortage occupations group, based on consultation with officers, residents and employers

Strategic Risk Register

The meeting pack includes the council's Strategic Risk Register. The register is owned by the Greenwich Management Team (GMT)³ and identifies the key risks that threaten the council's plans and strategies.

The register contains a total of 15 risks that have been identified by GMT, each of which is owned by a named director. The register contains descriptions of each risk, a risk assessment, controls that are in place to mitigate those risks, actions to address the risk, and executive summaries.

The risks are given a 'Gross Risk Assessment' score, which is the level of risk assuming there are no controls in place to mitigate them, a 'Net Risk Assessment' score, which is the level of risk after the controls in place are considered, and a 'Target Risk Assessment' score, which is the level of risk that the council wants to reach.

The risks cover a number of topics, including cybersecurity, demand for school places, the climate emergency, and the financial stability of the council.

Gambling Act 2005 – Adoption of Revised Gambling Policy

This report recommends that the council adopt its revised Gambling Act 2005 Adoption of Revised Gambling Policy. It states that the council consulted on the revised policy between 22 July 2024 and 15 September 2024.

The report explains that:

It is a legal requirement under section 349 of the Gambling Act 2005 (the Act) that each licensing authority prepare a Statement of Gambling Policy that they propose to apply in exercising their functions under the Act. Each Gambling Policy must be reviewed every 3 years.

The report is accompanied by two appendices:

• Appendix A - Summary Response Summary summarises the responses received during the consultation.
• Appendix B - Draft Statement of Gambling Policy contains the draft revised policy.

Asset Review – Further Outcomes

This report recommends the approval of the freehold or long leasehold disposal of two properties.

The properties are:

• The Equestrian Centre at 341 Shooters Hill, Plumstead.
• 28 Mereworth Drive, Plumstead

The report is accompanied by Appendix 1, which contains further details about each property.

Sale of HRA land at Brookhill Road, SE18

This report seeks approval in principle for the disposal of land at Brookhill Road in Woolwich.

The report is accompanied by a non-exempt appendix, Appendix One, which contains a site plan showing the location of the land. The report also states that there is an exempt appendix, Exempt Appendix Two, which contains the details of the offer the council received for the land, which is considered to be commercially sensitive information.

Nos. 8 and 14 Carnbrook Road, SE3: Deed of Surrender

This report recommends approval of the Deed of Surrender of the lease of two flats at 8 and 14 Carnbrook Road in Kidbrooke. The flats are leased by London and Quadrant Housing Trust (L&Q).

The lease was originally granted to Beaver Housing Society⁴ in 1995.

The report explains that L&Q will return the properties to the council because:

it was not possible to agree an extension to the lease on the proposed Heads of Terms, as L&Q’s preference for the use of the properties was as shared ownership homes, whereas the Cabinet approval was for an extension of the lease for the properties could be used as affordable rented homes.

The report also states that the council will pay for any refurbishment works from:

the capitalised value of the rent that will be charged to tenants once the flats have been refurnished and let

The report is accompanied by Appendix Deed of Surrender, which contains the deed.