The Council meeting on 4 March 2024 focused primarily on the approval of the 2024-2027 Medium Term Financial Plan and the 2024-2025 budget. Councillors debated and ultimately approved the budget, which includes a 4.99% increase in the Council Tax. The meeting also addressed various councillor questions on topics ranging from parking reviews and housing development to environmental concerns and the funding of social care.

Budget and Medium Term Financial Plan Approved

The Council approved the 2024-2027 Medium Term Financial Plan and the 2024-2025 budget, which includes a 4.99% increase in the Council Tax. Councillor Sunita Gordon, Lead Member for Resources, presented the budget, highlighting the significant financial pressures faced by local authorities due to inflation, increased demand for services, and reduced central government funding. The budget aims to balance the Council's books by implementing savings and increasing income from council tax and business rates.

The proposed Council Tax increase for a Band D property will result in a total annual charge of £2,166.18, an increase of £117.80 from the previous year. Councillor Gordon emphasised that this increase, alongside a 2% uplift for adult social care, was necessary to protect vital services. The budget also includes a £10,000 market supplement for the Assistant Director of Customers, Transformation and Strategy to support the delivery of the Council's transformation programme.

The debate saw contributions from various councillors, with the Conservative group expressing concerns about value for money and the impact of certain decisions, while the Labour group highlighted the challenges of austerity and the need for greater investment in local services. Ultimately, the budget was approved with a recorded vote.

Councillor Questions

Fines for Littering and Fly-tipping: Councillor Vanessa Udall questioned Councillor Barry Lewis, Chair of the Environment and Sustainable Transport Committee, about the number of fines issued for littering and fly-tipping. Councillor Lewis stated that 3,940 fines had been issued in the past 26 months, ranging from £150 to £400. He acknowledged that there is no formal appeal system for fixed penalty notices, with appeals only possible via a magistrate's court. He also noted that the council has only five officers responsible for issuing fines, which he considered low compared to other boroughs.

Air Quality and Industrial Emissions: Councillor Nick Mattey raised concerns with Councillor Barry Lewis regarding the draft Air Quality Action Plan, suggesting it ignored industrial emissions. Councillor Lewis clarified that the plan, specifically referencing the London Plan's requirement for air quality neutrality in new developments, does include benchmarks for industrial developments and that developers of new industrial sites will be required to consider air quality neutrality. Councillor Mattey followed up by questioning why Viridor was allowed to burn high sulphur fuel, leading to increased sulphur dioxide emissions near Hackbridge School. Councillor Lewis stated that the air quality action plan focuses on NOx and PM10, which are not considered a particular issue from the ERF.

Repurposing of the Life Centre: Councillor Kuma Sahathevan asked Councillor Ruth Dombey, Leader of the Council, about the new proposals for the Life Centre. Councillor Dombey explained that due to reduced income post-COVID-19, the centre would be repurposed to provide educational facilities for young people aged 16 and above with special educational needs and disabilities, operated by Orchard Hill College. She assured that the library and sports facilities would remain available for community use. Councillor Crowley raised concerns about the Life Centre's financial history, stating it had exceeded its budget in 10 out of 13 years. Councillor Dombey acknowledged the ambitious initial business plan but maintained that the centre was meeting its budget before the pandemic and that the new proposal had cross-party support.

Inconsiderate Parking of Rental E-bikes: Councillor Param Nandha raised concerns about inconsiderate parking of rental e-bikes and the lack of response from Human Forest. Councillor Barry Lewis acknowledged the challenge and stated that while there have been 11 fines and three suspensions for inconsiderate parking, the council has a memorandum of understanding, not a contract, with Human Forest. He stressed the need for users to be considerate and mentioned that London Councils are looking into a pan-London scheme for e-bike rental management. Councillor Marian James McDermott-Hill suggested bringing the issue to the Environment and Sustainable Transport Committee for review.

Voluntary Redundancy Programme and Staffing: Councillor Tim Foster questioned Councillor Sunita Gordon, Lead Member for Resources, about the voluntary redundancy programme and its impact on staff. Councillor Gordon stated that the programme is clear, open, and designed with evolving times in mind, and that the balance of staff leaving impacts the workforce profile. Councillor Foster also raised the issue of member allowances, which Councillor Gordon stated was not relevant to the question about staff redundancies. Councillor Nick Mattey inquired about increased productivity and measures to measure it within the council, to which Councillor Gordon responded that Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) cascade from the council strategy.

Revitalisation of Sutton Town Centre: Councillor Sam Cumber asked Councillor David Bartolucci, Chair of the Housing, Economy and Business Committee, about plans to support businesses in the revitalised town centre. Councillor Bartolucci detailed several projects, including Oru Sutton, an independent cinema in the former Chicago's nightclub, and the refurbishment of the Topshop and Vision Express buildings. He emphasised the importance of private investment and a diverse offering beyond retail to reverse the decline of high streets. Councillor Lekoma followed up by asking how to ensure businesses remain long-term, to which Councillor Bartolucci highlighted the importance of co-collaborative investment and creating a purpose beyond retail.

Scrutiny and Council Officers: Councillor Patrick Magnus questioned Councillor Ruth Dombey, Leader of the Council, about her previous comments regarding opposition councillors. Councillor Dombey reiterated her support for constructive scrutiny but criticised cheap political point scoring. Councillor Magnus insisted that Councillor Dombey was deflecting criticism and using officers as human shields. A point of order was raised regarding incorrect information about which meeting Councillor Dombey was referring to.

Household Support Fund: Councillor Jake Short asked Councillor David Bartolucci about the Household Support Fund and whether the Chancellor had replied to previous correspondence. Councillor Bartolucci confirmed that the council would not be able to support residents in the same way as previously due to the fund being oversubscribed. He detailed the significant support provided by the fund, including free school meal vouchers and payments to households in financial hardship. He also mentioned that the council had written to the Chancellor, along with other councils and organisations, regarding the importance of the issue.

Seacombs Centre and Theatre-goers: Councillor Peter Geiringer questioned Councillor Sunita Gordon about the closure of the Seacombs Centre and its impact on Sutton's theatre-goers. Councillor Gordon stated that the centre closed as a theatre in 2016 and has an average annual cost of £40,000. Councillor Geiringer expressed his disappointment and shame regarding the closure. Councillor Param Nandha inquired about the current availability of the Seacombs Theatre, and Councillor Gordon responded that part of the centre is occupied by guardians and the other part by Sutton Night Watch.

Motions and Recommendations

Cost of Care Motion: A motion regarding the cost of social care was debated and carried. The Council noted the increasing costs of social care, the reduction in central government funding, and the reliance on council tax. It resolved to urge the government to properly fund social care, provide additional funding for children's services, partner with other boroughs to develop specialised children's homes, and lobby for new investment in adult social care.

20mph Speed Limits Motion: A motion regarding 20mph speed limits was debated. An amendment was carried, and the substantive motion resolved to reject the principle of blanket 20mph speed limits across the borough, committing to consider individual roads. It also proposed a summit with various stakeholders to discuss road safety.

Implementing Housing Legislation Motion: A motion concerning housing legislation was debated and carried after amendments. The Council reaffirmed its commitment to social housing, welcomed the Social Housing Regulation Act 2023, and pledged to address damp and mould issues in its own stock and encourage external providers to do the same. It also noted the lack of government provision for temporary accommodation costs and committed to investigating small infill sites for affordable housing.

Constitutional Update: An update to the Standards Regime Complaints Procedure was agreed.

Requisition for Beech Tree Place: A resolution was passed to appoint Bidder A via a direct award from the Construction London (Above £10m) Framework to complete the Beech Tree Place regeneration project.

The meeting concluded with the approval of the budget and the conclusion of councillor questions. The next scheduled meeting is the Annual Council meeting on 20 May 2024.