To the Mayor and Councillors of the London Borough of Lambeth
YOU ARE SUMMONED TO ATTEND A VIRTUAL MEETING of the COUNCIL to be held via Microsoft Teams (please click here) on Wednesday 14 October 2020 at 7.00 pm
ANDREW TRAVERS CHIEF EXECUTIVE
Further Information
If you require any further information or have any queries please contact: Wayne Chandai, Telephone: 020 7926 0029; Email: [email protected]
Published on: Tuesday 6 October 2020
@LBLdemocracy on Twitter http://twitter.com/LBLdemocracy or use #Lambeth Lambeth Council – Democracy Live on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/
AGENDA
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Nos. 1. Declaration of Pecuniary Interests
Under Standing Order 4.4, where any councillor has a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest (as defined in the Members’ Code of Conduct (para. 4)) in any matter to be considered at a meeting of the Council, a committee, sub-committee or joint committee, they must withdraw from the meeting room during the whole of the consideration of that matter and must not participate in any vote on that matter unless a dispensation has been obtained from the Monitoring Officer.
2. Minutes - 3 June 2020 1 - 12
To approve the minutes of the Full Council meeting held on 3 June 2020.
3. Minutes - 15 July 2020 13 - 26
To approve the minutes of the Full Council meeting held on 15 July 2020.
4. Announcements
5. Deputations and Petitions
The deadline for the receipt of requests for a deputation is 5pm, 9 October 2020. Email: [email protected]
Petitions will be presented at the meeting by Councillors.
6. Cabinet Statement
7. Opposition Statement
8. Questions from Councillors 27 - 48
9. Motions 49 - 64
Voting
Councillors should refer to the e-voting guidance which will be circulated separately by Democratic Services.
How to access the meeting
This meeting will be held in accordance with Section 78 of the Coronavirus Act 2020 and the related Regulations which details that members of the public and press be provided access to the meeting through remote means, such as video conferencing and live streaming as provided by the link provided below.
For members of the Public
This is a Microsoft Teams Live Event meeting. If you are new to Microsoft Teams, clicking here will take you to the meeting page where you will be prompted to download the app or watch on the web instead. Please follow the instructions to watch on the web instead. On doing so, you can join our live event anonymously.
For elected Members of the Council
Please refer to the guidance which has been circulated by Democratic Services.
Digital engagement
We encourage people to use Social Media and we normally tweet from most Council meetings. To get involved you can tweet us @LBLDemocracy.
Audio/Visual Recording of meetings
Everyone is welcome to record meetings of the Council and its Committees using whatever, non- disruptive, methods you think are suitable. If you have any questions about this please contact Democratic Services (members of the press please contact the Press Office). Please note that the Chair of the meeting has the discretion to halt any recording for a number of reasons including disruption caused by the filming or the nature of the business being conducted.
Persons making recordings are requested not to put undue restrictions on the material produced so that it can be reused and edited by all local people and organisations on a non-commercial basis.
Representation
Ward Councillors may be contacted directly to represent your views to the Council: (details via the website www.lambeth.gov.uk).
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COUNCIL
Wednesday 3 June 2020 at 7.00 pm
MINUTES
The Worshipful the Mayor in the Chair
COUNCILLORS PRESENT:
Councillors Councillor Danial Adilypour, Councillor Scott Ainslie, Councillor David Amos, Councillor Donatus Anyanwu, Councillor Liz Atkins, Councillor Mary Atkins, Councillor Jonathan Bartley, Councillor Matthew Bennett, Councillor Anna Birley, Councillor Scarlett O'Hara, Councillor Jennifer Brathwaite, Councillor Linda Bray, Councillor Tim Briggs, Councillor Lucy Caldicott, Councillor Marcia Cameron, Councillor Rezina Chowdhury, Councillor Malcolm Clark, Councillor Joe Corry- Roake, Councillor Fred Cowell, Councillor Kevin Craig, Councillor Edward Davie, Councillor Jon Davies, Councillor Jim Dickson, Councillor Ibrahim Dogus, Councillor Stephen Donnelly, Councillor Pete Elliott, Councillor Peter Ely, Councillor Paul Gadsby, Councillor Annie Gallop, Councillor Pauline George, Councillor Nicole Griffiths, Councillor Nigel Haselden, Councillor Claire Holland, Councillor Jack Hopkins, Councillor Mohamed Jaser, Councillor Maria Kay, Councillor John Kazantzis, Councillor Ben Kind, Councillor Jessica Leigh, Councillor Joshua Lindsey, Councillor Nanda Manley-Browne, Councillor Marianna Masters, Councillor Jackie Meldrum, Councillor Irfan Mohammed, Mayor Philip Normal, Councillor Emma Nye, Councillor Jane Pickard, Councillor Joanna Reynolds, Councillor Mohammed Seedat, Councillor Iain Simpson, Councillor Joanne Simpson, Councillor Becca Thackray, Councillor Martin Tiedemann, Councillor Tina Valcarcel, Councillor Christopher Wellbelove, Councillor Clair Wilcox, Councillor Andy Wilson, Councillor Timothy Windle and Councillor Sonia Winifred
APOLOGIES: Councillor Jacqui Dyer, Councillor Adrian Garden, Councillor Dr. Mahamed Hashi and Councillor Jennie Mosley
1. DECLARATION OF PECUNIARY INTERESTS There were none. 2. MINUTES RESOLVED unanimously that the minutes of the Annual Council meeting held on 22 April 2020 be approved as a correct record of proceedings and signed. 3. ANNOUNCEMENTS The Mayor reported Lambeth Town Hall had been lit up in purple on 2 June in a show of anti-racism in the wake of George Floyd's death. The Mayor also informed Page 2
Council of the social distancing friendly activities that had been scheduled to celebrate Windrush Day on 22 June and how Lambeth had joined the nation on 8 May to commemorate the 75th anniversary of VE-Day. Updates were also provided on LGBTQ+ Pride month and the work of the Albert Kennedy Trust, the Mayor’s charity for 2020/21. 4. PETITIONS AND DEPUTATIONS Deputations
A deputation about Covid-19 was made to the Council which raised a number of issues and concerns about the re-opening of schools following the lockdown.
The Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, Councillor Ed Davie responded. It was highlighted that he had recently met with school workers, families and unions and was pleased to report that agreements for returning had been reached between unions and schools across the borough. Council noted: - The positive feedback that had been received from both Lambeth Unison and the Lambeth National Education Union on these arrangements - The importance of carrying out school by school risk assessments - The work that had taken place to ensure the distribution of Personal Protective Equipment which would help keep staff, children and families safe - The importance of closing the gap in attainment between disadvantaged pupils and their peers; and, - The need to support pupils so they could get back to school safely, as soon as possible.
Petitions
Council received five petitions from: - Councillor Jon Davies in relation to installing an electric charging point in Oakden Street, Kennington which had been signed by six people; - Councillor Jackie Meldrum in relation to urgently replacing the pavements on Selden Road, SE27 which had 60 signatures; - Councillor Scarlett O’Hara in relation to keeping Nour Cash and Carry Supermarket in Brixton Market which had 11,160 signatures; - Councillor Jo Simpson on behalf of residents on Vauxhall Gardens Estate calling for Vauxhall City Farm to halt the evictions of allotment holders which had 762 signatures; and, - Councillor Ben Kind in relation to increased tree planting in Hillworth Road and Mackie Road, Tulse Hill which had 33 signatures. 5. CABINET STATEMENT The Leader of the Council, Councillor Jack Hopkins, reflected on the tragic death of George Floyd in Minnesota, USA and highlighted:
- The injustices faced by black communities and the need to challenge racism and discrimination at all times and that he had written to all residents concerning these matters;
- Concerns, raised by local communities, relating to how local policing operated, especially with lockdown restrictions being eased, and that these would be discussed directly with the Borough Commander;
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- The work that was taking place as a result of the Lambeth Equality Commission;
- That the Council had been working to address structural inequalities by engaging with communities across Lambeth to assess the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the most vulnerable; and,
- The Council was determined to ensure communities were listened to so that their concerns could be addressed; whether about the impact of the coronavirus, issues relating to policing and community safety as well as taking a clear stand against racism and discrimination, in all its forms.
Councillor Hopkins also stated that he was pleased the administration had been able to work with the Opposition on an emergency motion in relation to Black Lives Matter which would be considered later in the meeting. 6. OPPOSITION STATEMENT The Co-Leader of the Opposition, Councillor Nicole Griffiths, reflected on her own experiences of Covid-19 and thanked those who had worked tirelessly to maintain local services and to deliver the Council’s response to the pandemic. The following issues were also highlighted:
- Concerns in relation to the response from central Government and the impact this was having across the borough;
- The importance of the Covid-19 Test and Trace service and the need to err on the side of caution as and when lockdown measures were eased;
- Concerns in relation to children returning to school and that safety should always come first;
- The need for the Council to communicate effectively with a wide range of stakeholders: from residents and businesses to at risk groups and employees;
- The importance of keeping residents safe and housed during the pandemic and for the Council’s no evictions policy to be extended, for as long as necessary, to achieve this;
- The need for action on the disproportionate impact Covid-19 was having on BAME communities; and,
- Support for the Black Lives Matter movement.
Councillor Griffiths concluded by highlighting that there was an opportunity to use the Covid-19 lockdown as a springboard to propel a green economy with a focus on reducing carbon and pollution levels. 7. QUESTIONS FROM COUNCILLORS 1. Councillor Scott Ainslie to Councillor Jack Hopkins, Leader of the Council Supplementary Question Councillor Ainslie asked how many Council staff would be able to work on community shielding programmes. Supplementary Answer Councillor Hopkins responded that he would provide information on the number of officers able to work on this to Members outside the meeting, adding that councils across London were working collaboratively to prevent a
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second spike in cases.
2. Councillor Tim Briggs Councillor Jack Hopkins, Leader of the Council Supplementary Question Councillor Briggs asked whether, given his request that the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) investigate the impact of Covid-19 on Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) communities, Councillor Hopkins agreed with Jeremy Corbyn’s description of the EHRC as an ‘arm of the government’. Supplementary Answer Councillor Hopkins responded that he had full faith in the EHRC.
3. Councillor Ben Kind to Councillor Jennifer Brathwaite, Deputy Leader (Housing and Homelessness) Supplementary Question Councillor Kind asked for an update on the future of block cleaning and concierge services, and on the transfer of the grounds maintenance service to Lambeth Landscapes. Supplementary Answer Councillor Brathwaite responded that the new block cleaning and concierge contract would start in October 2021, the new repairs and maintenance contract would start in April 2021, and that the grounds maintenance service would be brought in-house from October 2020. Bringing services in-house would provide better pay and conditions for staff and an improved service for residents.
4. Councillor Maria Kay to Councillor Jacqui Dyer, Cabinet Member for Jobs, Skills and Community Safety Supplementary Question Councillor Kay did not ask a supplementary question.
5. Councillor Marcia Cameron to Councillor Ed Davie, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People Supplementary Question Councillor Cameron asked about the consequences of provision for under-5s if central Government did not fully fund the Council’s response to Covid-19, what the Council was doing to mitigate against this, and plans for responding to a second spike of Covid-19 in relation to early years provision. Supplementary Answer Councillor Davie responded that if the Government did not provide funding for the Council’s actions during the pandemic, the Council would have to address a large deficit. Private early years providers had been fully funded by the Council during lockdown, and additional funding had also been provided for schools, and a range of measures were in place to ensure the safety of staff and children.
6. Councillor Joseph Corry-Roake to Councillor Ed Davie, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People Supplementary Question Councillor Corry-Roake asked what contingencies were in place for Looked After Children and Care Leavers and whether top-up payments for Foster Carers would be made permanent. Supplementary Answer Councillor Davie responded that a number of interventions for Looked After Children and Care Leavers, such as higher levels of contact with social workers, providing them with laptops and wi-fi and increased support for young people in their own tenancies, would continue. Although he could not
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commit to a permanent increase in payments to Foster Carers, improvements to the Foster Carers’ offer were being explored.
7. Councillor Marianna Masters to Councillor Jim Dickson, Cabinet Member for Health and Social Care (job-share) Supplementary Question Councillor Masters asked how the Council would use data on shielded and vulnerable people to provide an evidence base for future decisions and policies. Supplementary Answer Councillor Dickson responded that it was essential to work with the NHS and Track and Trace to prevent a second wave and protect vulnerable people. Public Health England had released a report on death disparities that he would provide to councillors outside the meeting.
8. Councillor Jackie Meldrum to Councillor Claire Holland, Deputy Leader (Sustainable Transport, Environment and Clean Air) Supplementary Question Councillor Meldrum asked whether the restriction on public transport use to essential travel only would impact on the Council’s efforts to address climate change and be carbon neutral by 2030. Supplementary Answer Councillor Holland responded that Lambeth had the highest level of public transport use in the country, but that there was the risk that people would use cars more as lockdown eased. Lambeth was the first council to publish a transport response to the Covid-19 pandemic, which aimed to enable people to walk and cycle where possible. 8. REPORTS
8.1 CONSTITUTION 2020-21 - IN YEAR CHANGES Councillors Briggs, Elliott and Bennett spoke in relation to the proposed changes concerning the terms of reference of the Planning Applications Committee (PAC). It was highlighted that the changes would help improve engagement in the planning process on large scale major planning applications by facilitating developer presentations to members of PAC at the pre-application stage. It was also noted that a modest, and time limited, increase in delegation to officers would help maintain decision-making during the Covid-19 public health emergency and that additional administrative updates provided clarifications to the existing terms of reference.
RESOLVED by 51 votes for to 6 votes against that the changes to the Council’s Constitution, set out in Appendix 1 of the report presented, be approved.
8.2 USE OF SPECIAL URGENCY IN RESPECT OF KEY DECISIONS Councillors Briggs, Elliott and Hopkins spoke in relation to decisions that had been taken under the Council’s Special Urgency Procedure, including those in relation to: Rent Relief for Commercial Property Tenants; Cancellation of the 2020 Lambeth Country Show; and Discretionary Housing Payment.
RESOLVED unanimously to note the decisions, set out in the report presented, taken under the Council’s Special Urgency procedure.
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9. MOTIONS Motion 1: Green The Original Motion (from the Greens) concerning Lambeth Council’s Response to Coronavirus was NOT CARRIED with 5 votes for to 52 votes against.
Motion 2: Labour The amendment from the Conservative member was NOT CARRIED with 1 vote for to 56 votes against.
The Green amendment to the Motion was CARRIED by 54 votes for to 3 votes against.
The Substantive Motion (as amended by the Greens) was CARRIED and Council RESOLVED, by 54 votes for to 1 vote against:
Protecting our residents today and tomorrow
Council notes:
That London is one of the worst affected cities in the world by Covid-19 and Lambeth is one of the worst affected areas in London.
That the last few months have been extremely challenging for Lambeth council and our borough as a whole. The Covid-19 pandemic has been unsettling and scary for all of us, as we have contended with the impact of the virus and the lockdown measures the government has taken to prevent its spread.
That councils have been at the forefront of protecting our communities across the country from the further spread of Covid-19 and the effect of the lockdown measures brought forward by the government. In Lambeth, that includes delivering thousands of food and care packages to vulnerable people via hubs across the borough, keeping key services running, enforcing social distancing measures and delivering the first local authority emergency transport plan in the country.
That the council has worked with care providers to protect staff and residents in care homes including providing PPE where needed but that inadequate supplies of PPE from the government and testing continue to be key concerns for the sector and need to be addressed immediately. Further notes:
The publication of ‘Lambeth United: Our response to Covid-19’, the council’s report which sets out the scale of work undertaken by council staff, volunteers, community groups and partners like the NHS and the Police to protect Lambeth residents from the virus.
That the cost to the council of providing additional services, and the expected lost income to the council, is estimated to be around £45 million. Nationally councils estimate the funding gap from coronavirus to be around £13 billion in 2020/21.
That the government told councils in March that they could cover “whatever funding is needed for councils to get through this and come out the other side” but they have subsequently backtracked on that commitment.
That evidence from organisations including the Office of National Statistics has
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established that coronavirus is disproportionately impacting black and minority ethnic communities and people living in areas of greater deprivation, including the horrifying statistic that black people in the UK are more than four times more likely to die from coronavirus than white people.
Council believes:
That the crisis has shown that local councils play a vital role in working with communities to provide services that residents rely on and that government should listen to and consult with local government in developing its response to this crisis.
That the government should keep its promise to fully fund local councils for all spending related to Covid-19. Local services cannot sustain cuts in funding after a decade of austerity and should not pay the price for this national crisis now.
That in addition to the review by Public Health England led by Professor Kevin Fenton, an independent inquiry should be conducted by the Equality and Human Rights Commission into the disproportionate impact of Covid-19 on people of black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds.
Council resolves:
To lobby the government to keep its promise to councils to fully fund the costs of responding to Covid-19 and to lead the campaign against any attempt to introduce austerity measures as a consequence of this crisis.
To support the campaigns from the trade unions, including GMB and UNISON, and call on the government to ensure that every key worker that needs it has access to a sufficient supply of PPE, that no worker is forced to go back to work in an environment that is unsafe and that no key worker has disciplinary action bought against them for speaking publicly about a lack of supply of PPE.
To lobby the government for an independent inquiry into the disproportionate impact of coronavirus on people from black, asian and minority ethnic backgrounds and to work to ensure that tackling this disproportionate impact is at the heart of the council’s ongoing response to coronavirus.
To establish a community shield: using the skills and experience of local authority public and environmental health officers to test, track and isolate citizens of Lambeth to ensure we can control the virus locally as much as possible.
Motion 3: Conservative The amendment from the Green Group was NOT CARRIED with 5 votes for to 49 votes against.
The Original Motion (from the Conservative member) concerning Government Debt Collection was NOT CARRIED with 1 vote for to 53 votes against.
Motion 4: Labour The amendment from the Conservative member was NOT CARRIED with 1 vote for to 53 votes against.
The amendment from the Green Group was NOT CARRIED with 6 votes for to 47 votes against.
The Original Motion (from Labour) was CARRIED and Council RESOLVED, by 52 votes for to 1 vote against:
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Supporting Lambeth’s families and school staff
This council notes:
Lambeth’s education workers, including teachers, and families with school-aged children have responded brilliantly to this crisis.
Children and their carers have had to take responsibility for learning at home whilst teachers and other school staff have adapted how they support their pupils.
The council and communities have stepped up by providing additional support to families through the Hub, children’s centres, social workers and fundraising efforts to buy lap-tops and other materials.
Despite these efforts we know that children, disproportionately Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic children, from the most deprived backgrounds are suffering most through a lack of resources ranging from food and space to computers and wi-fi. This crisis is making the gap between our deprived children and the better off, wider than ever.
This council calls for:
- The government to work with the trade union representatives of teachers and education workers to ensure that schools can return safely, including the need to meet the tests set out by the trade unions including the National Education Union that include clear scientific evidence, the need for a full rollout of the “test, trace and isolate” policy, enhanced school cleaning and quantifiable agreed standards on PPE and social distancing.
- A nationally funded recovery strategy that truly ‘levels up’ our most disadvantaged children in line with the Child Poverty Action Group’s proposals for extended schools, universal free school meals, higher child benefit and reform of universal credit, among other measures.
- Recognition that Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic children often face additional barriers to fulfilling their potential. Assessments replacing exams must account for and correct bias and further research and investment into schemes like Raising the Game needs to take place.
Motion 5: Labour The amendment from the Conservative member was NOT CARRIED with 1 vote for to 52 votes against.
The Green amendment to the Motion was CARRIED by 52 votes for to 2 votes against.
The Substantive Motion (as amended by the Greens) was CARRIED and Council RESOLVED, by 52 votes for to 1 vote against:
Thank you to our key worker super heroes
Council notes:
The incredible sacrifice and selflessness of key workers across the country, which
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tragically has caused hundreds of deaths with many more seriously ill. These workers who are members of our communities, our neighbours and friends, have been keeping us safe from coronavirus, and keeping our society running during a time of unprecedented challenge.
That key workers have demonstrated during the lockdown that, no matter what is placed in their path, they will risk their lives to keep our vital services going; look after us when we are sick; keep us safe; keep the supermarket shelves stocked; keep collecting our rubbish; and keep delivering warm words and a hot meal to our vulnerable older residents.
Council believes:
That all those key workers who are continuing to dedicate themselves to their jobs day in day out, going far above and beyond the call of duty, are super heroes and deserve our thanks, gratitude and respect.
Council resolves:
That we will continue to celebrate our key workers that live or work in Lambeth, and we will continue to campaign for their safety, wellbeing and prosperity.
To reaffirm our support for the GMB Union’s campaign to secure a pay rise for key workers who work in local government and schools. Further to this, we also call on the government and private employers to give all key workers the pay rise they deserve.
To call for pay rises for the hundreds of thousands of key workers in the gig economy who have been hit particularly hard, many of whom are from BAME communities and have no union or have joined the Independent Workers Union (IWGB) and support the IWGB's campaign to secure health and safety protections, including PPE, for gig economy workers. 10. EMERGENCY MOTION Following advice from the Director of Legal and Governance the Mayor confirmed that the subject matter of the Motion, which had been prepared by Labour in consultation with the Greens, was of a genuine emergency and Council RESOLVED unanimously to allow the Emergency Motion to be debated.
Emergency Motion
The amendment to the Emergency Motion was CARRIED by 52 votes for, to 1 vote against, with 1 abstention
The Substantive Motion (as amended) was CARRIED and Council RESOLVED, by 53 votes for, with 1 abstention:
Black Lives Matter
Council notes with serious concern and distress the death of George Floyd at the hands of police in America on 25 May 2020, and the subsequent protests and demonstrations against police and state brutality towards black people in America and around the world, and the systemic racism that exists within society. Council also notes with alarm the response of the President of the United States of America and his administration, using extreme force to crush and repel protestors.
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Council further notes the release of the government report into the disproportionate impact of Covid-19 on black, Asian and minority ethic people and that it is of vital importance that action is taken as a result to alleviate the disproportionate impact of Covid-19 on black, Asian and minority ethnic people.
Council welcomes:
The decision to light Lambeth Town Hall purple in commemoration of the tragic and wholly unnecessary death of George Floyd. The commitment to a community listening event to be held later this month to hear from our communities about the impact of covid-19, including on policing approaches and any community tensions. Council resolves:
To stand in complete solidarity with black people in America, in Britain, and around the world. To give its support to the Black Lives Matter movement. To lobby for immediate government action to address the disproportionate impact of Covid-19 on black, Asian and minority ethnic people. To work with the community and the police in Lambeth to ensure that policing in the borough is proportionate and fair to all residents. To call on the Government to: o Make urgent changes to Government policy and guidance to protect BAME communities as the report requested. o Implement an action plan as requested by the Chair of the BMA (British Medical Association) to reduce the risk to BAME employees and to address the underlying issues. o Carry out an independent BAME Covid-19 inquiry. o Implement an immediate suspension of export licences of sales of arms to the US, including riot shields, tear gas, rubber bullets and small arms and an investigation into how British arms are being used in internal repression and violations of civil rights.
CLERK'S NOTE Voting
Due to some Members experiencing technical issues during the meeting, not all Members present were able to vote electronically. Following voting on Motion 2, in order to assist with the timing of the meeting, it was agreed with all parties that those experiencing technical difficulties would no longer vote via roll call and that once the majority point was reached on the electronic vote the vote would be deemed valid in accordance with the Council’s Constitution.
The meeting ended at 10.37 pm
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MAYOR Wednesday 14 October 2020
Date of Despatch: Tuesday 11 August 2020 Contact for Enquiries: Wayne Chandai Tel: 020 7926 0029 E-mail: [email protected] Web: www.lambeth.gov.uk
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COUNCIL MINUTES
Wednesday 15 July 2020 at 7.00 pm
The Worshipful the Mayor in the Chair
COUNCILLORS PRESENT:
Councillors Councillor Danial Adilypour, Councillor Scott Ainslie, Councillor Donatus Anyanwu, Councillor Liz Atkins, Councillor Mary Atkins, Councillor Jonathan Bartley, Councillor Matthew Bennett, Councillor Scarlett O'Hara, Councillor Jennifer Brathwaite, Councillor Tim Briggs, Councillor Lucy Caldicott, Councillor Marcia Cameron, Councillor Rezina Chowdhury, Councillor Malcolm Clark, Councillor Joe Corry-Roake, Councillor Fred Cowell, Councillor Edward Davie, Councillor Jon Davies, Councillor Jim Dickson, Councillor Ibrahim Dogus, Councillor Stephen Donnelly, Councillor Jacqui Dyer, Councillor Pete Elliott, Councillor Peter Ely, Councillor Paul Gadsby, Councillor Annie Gallop, Councillor Adrian Garden, Councillor Pauline George, Councillor Nicole Griffiths, Councillor Dr. Mahamed Hashi, Councillor Claire Holland, Councillor Jack Hopkins, Councillor Mohamed Jaser, Councillor Maria Kay, Councillor Jessica Leigh, Councillor Nanda Manley-Browne, Councillor Marianna Masters, Councillor Jackie Meldrum, Councillor Irfan Mohammed, Councillor Jennie Mosley, Mayor Philip Normal, Councillor Emma Nye, Councillor Jane Pickard, Councillor Joanna Reynolds, Councillor Mohammed Seedat, Councillor Iain Simpson, Councillor Becca Thackray, Councillor Martin Tiedemann, Councillor Tina Valcarcel, Councillor Christopher Wellbelove, Councillor Clair Wilcox, Councillor Timothy Windle and Councillor Sonia Winifred
APOLOGIES: Councillor David Amos, Councillor Anna Birley, Councillor Kevin Craig, Councillor Nigel Haselden, Councillor John Kazantzis, Councillor Joshua Lindsey, Councillor Joanne Simpson and Councillor Andy Wilson
ABSENT: Councillor Linda Bray and Councillor Ben Kind
1. DECLARATION OF PECUNIARY INTERESTS There were none.
2. ANNOUNCEMENTS The Mayor noted that Councillors David Amos, Anna Birley, Kevin Craig, Nigel Haselden, John Kazantzis, Joshua Lindsey and Andy Wilson had given their apologies for absence. Page 14
The Mayor reported that he had designed a pair of Pride sunglasses with Cubits to be silent auctioned for the Albert Kennedy Trust. People could access the auction via the Mayoral twitter account or by emailing [email protected]. There was a Covid-19 honours this year instead of the Queen’s birthday honours. The Mayor asked for notable individuals in the Lambeth’s communities to be nominated. The Mayor thanked volunteers and staff for the Brixton Food Hub, which he had recently volunteered at, for delivering over 100 tonnes of food, with 35 partner organisations to Lambeth’s residents. The Mayor noted the virtual Country Show and asked that interested parties contact [email protected] to get involved.
3. PETITIONS AND DEPUTATIONS Deputations A deputation was made to Council about Dorchester Court and protection of listed buildings. Council noted that: Ben Archard, Dorchester Court resident, summarised the aspirational history of the well- balanced Grade II listed communal housing development in Herne Hill, originally built in 1935, currently on the Heritage at Risk Register. He noted poor management of the estate since 1959, with latticework holding balconies, brickwork and windows together, and infested and mould-covered interiors. This development was immensely treasured by the community and needed preservation and protection; and asked the Council for help to give these buildings the proper care, attention and maintenance they deserved. Councillor Matthew Bennett, Cabinet Member for Planning, Investment and New Homes, thanked Mr Archard for his deputation on behalf of a large campaign, and commented on the maintenance, rent rises and the landlord of the buildings. The Council shared residents’ frustrations and had lobbied for many years with MPs and ward councillors but was still unable to properly regulate the local rental sector. The installation of building supports and addition to the Heritage at Risk Register had followed Council action, but whilst Planning officers had reviewed extra protection, urgent work notices were limited to vacant buildings, although the Council continued to monitor proposals. In closing, he reiterated the Council’s continuing support for residents.
A deputation was made to Council about campaigns to prevent scrapping of Oyster photocard. Council noted that: Tamani (JC) Clayton and Ezekial Johnson, Lambeth Youth Council, noted the Government proposal to suspend free travel for under 18s in September 2020 as part of TfL’s emergency funding agreement. Over 180,000 had signed a petition by Lewisham’s youth councillor Joshua Brown-Smith to oppose, noting that zip cards were a lifeline for London’s young people, and primarily affected those from lower income backgrounds. They requested councillors join them and support their campaign. Councillor Claire Holland, Deputy Leader of the Council (Sustainable Transport, Environment and Clean Air), thanked the Youth Council members for their deputation and the leadership of their London colleagues. She noted that the removal of young people’s travel passes was an attack on rights, hard-working families and participation in extracurricular activities; disproportionately affecting lower-income families, BAME communities and exacerbated existing inequalities. Furthermore, whilst all wanted increased walking and cycling, it was disingenuous to provide this as a reason, and urged all to sign the petition and offered the Council’s further support.
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Petitions Council received two petitions: i. Councillor Fred Cowell with 81 Dalmore Road resident signatories for the implementation of 2018’s Our Streets Programme to reduce traffic from the South Circular to enable safer areas for cycling and walking and to fulfil the Council’s lower traffic neighbourhood objectives; and, ii. Councillor Clair Wilcox from 101 signatories to ask for council assistance to stop speeding motorists on Strathbrook Road in Streatham South.
4. CABINET STATEMENT The Leader of the Council, Councillor Jack Hopkins, addressed Council and noted the following: Lambeth faced extraordinary challenges from Covid-19, particularly on vulnerable persons and those from BAME communities. It was not just a health crisis, but a socio- political one. Future challenges would be greater than those experienced in the past, with a need to adapt lives to contain its spread and mitigate the enormous economic, mental and physical health impacts. Covid-19 had also highlighted existing inequalities and whilst the Council celebrated diversity, people had often been unaware of hardships faced by their neighbours. The 20 July 2020 Cabinet report would set out this challenge and the Council’s response; noting the importance of health, homes, inequalities, educational opportunities, a dynamic local economy and jobs, maintaining environmental gains and tackling climate change, strengthening communities and making volunteering easier. It also set out a commitment to work with others to address these challenges and would be presented alongside an updated capital investment programme. Lambeth Council was determined to build for a better future that works for all, but needed central Government to keep promises, implement a functional Test and Trace system, and fulfil its side of the bargain for residents.
5. OPPOSITION STATEMENT The Co-Leader of the Opposition, Councillor Nicole Griffiths, addressed Council and noted the following: The Greens backed proposals to support residents but laid down additional challenges such as holding landlords to account and supporting the zipcard campaign. The Labour- Green joint motion on the commission of an inquiry on enslaved Africans was highlighted as an example of political parties working together successfully. The Council needed to improve being corporate parents and asked that it listen more intently to the survivors of abuse. Transparency was needed with the £28m budget shortfall and its expected impacts, whilst protecting children and adult social services. The Homes for Lambeth (HfL) and estate programmes needed to be rethought, as they would result in fewer council rent homes, lower housing standards and increase carbon emissions; with the consultations on these contrary to the Council’s procurement policy, ethos and values.
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The Greens welcomed low traffic neighbourhoods but urged bolder plans for the climate emergency. The use of special urgency for the GLL decision was queried. Improved Council leadership was needed, such as enforcing expert medical opinion to have face coverings in public.
6. QUESTIONS FROM COUNCILLORS 1. Councillor Jonathan Bartley to Councillor Jack Hopkins, Leader of the Council: Supplementary question Councillor Bartley asked for council tenants’ reassurance that the ban on evictions would extend past the Council’s policy stated date of 24 August 2020. Supplementary answer Councillor Hopkins responded that the eviction policy was announced prior to the Government’s plans, and the Council, Labour party and LGA were pressing Parliament to extend, but there would be no Lambeth council tenant evictions during the pandemic.
2. Councillor Tim Briggs to Councillor Jacqui Dyer, Cabinet Member for Jobs, Skills and Community Safety: Supplementary question Councillor Briggs asked that Councillor Dyer apologise to the police, the Council, and Black Lives Matter (BLM) as the BLM policy clearly called for the abolition of police and asked for the clarity on whether the Council was in agreement with the aims of the BLM movement. Supplementary answer Councillor Dyer noted that the BLM’s stated objectives in the USA and UK were different, especially with regards to policing. The Council would continue to work with the police and on its commitment to the goals of Black Thrive and BLM. These goals included tackling systemic racism in society and working with the police to improve their practices, for the benefit of 30% of Lambeth’s population.
3. Councillor Jess Leigh to Councillor Jennifer Brathwaite, Deputy Leader (Housing and Homelessness): Supplementary question Councillor Leigh asked how many tenants and residents in Tenant and Resident Associations (TRA) were reflective of the borough’s population and how the Council would ensure this and the TRA’s reach could be improved. Supplementary answer Councillor Brathwaite stated her belief that TRAs should reflect the communities they represented, which was a recommendation of Lambeth’s Equality Commission and an over-arching Lambeth Plan ambition. The Council appreciated the TRA’s work, but noted it was often disempowering being represented by people from a dissimilar background. The diversity of TRAs had improved however, with 46% BAME members compared to 34% under the old Housing Forums, although not all TRAs were as diverse as possible. She concluded by noting she would personally drive efforts to encourage diversity and asked colleagues to encourage those under-represented to become active members.
4. Councillor Martin Tiedemann to Councillor Jim Dickson and Danny Adilypour, Cabinet
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Members for Health and Adult Social Care: Supplementary question Councillor Tiedemann asked for details on the outbreak control plan to minimise second wave of Covid-19, especially for BAME and migrant communities. Supplementary answer Councillors Jim Dickson thanked Councillor Tiedemann for his continued championship of the often-under-represented Latin American community. Lambeth’s Outbreak Control Plan had been signed off by the 02 July 2020 Health and Wellbeing Board which would help prevent and alleviate future outbreaks and reduce transmission rates. Lambeth had one of the lowest transmission rates in London and in the wider country, but the key to future response was communication and the Council would continue to ensure that all communities were reached and had the latest messages.
5. Councillor Jon Davies to Councillor Matthew Bennett, Cabinet Member for Planning, Investment and New Homes: Supplementary question Councillor Davies noted that whilst Homes for Lambeth (HfL) consultations had gone well, there were concerns about transparency, and asked whether some methods of consultation, such as the use of modern technology adopted during the Covid-19 period, would continue as it appeared to have encouraged participation. Supplementary answer Councillor Bennett responded that the HfL programme included many small site projects across the borough, including 200 homes for council residents. It was noted that Lambeth had over 2,000 homeless families requiring temporary accommodation and Covid-19 was expected to cause further hardships. Meetings were now held virtually and had seen an increase in participation and diversity especially from young people and BAME groups. It was incumbent on the Council to use every resource to hear from as many people as possible, with newer forms of communication to continue alongside post and through freephone services.
6. Councillor Pauline George to Councillor Ed Davie, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People: Supplementary question Councillor George asked what activities were being held over the summer holidays to engage Lambeth’s youth and prevent street roaming. Supplementary answer Councillor Davie paid tribute to Councillor George for her activity in supporting young people and stop them being victims of youth violence, and for volunteering as an intensive care nurse during the Covid-19 pandemic. Lambeth had a comprehensive summer programme for its youth, and was available on the Council’s website via a new children and young people webpage. This also included a special programme to help unlock those who did not regularly engage.
7. Councillor Malcolm Clark to Councillor Jacqui Dyer, Cabinet Member for Jobs, Skills, and Community Safety: Supplementary question Councillor Clark noted that he had sent a letter to the Cabinet Member regarding anti- social behaviour (ASB) in Streatham Green, and asked for reassurance that ASB was being taken seriously and enquired as to the methods to do so to change ASB behaviours.
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Supplementary answer Councillor Dyer would ensure ASB reporting mechanisms worked as Lambeth emerged from lockdown, noting that ASB manifested in different ways and required a mixture of robust responses. Both herself and the previous Cabinet Member focused on improving Streatham Green, and community safety was at the forefront of these concerns. Councillor Dyer concluded by noting she was willing to discuss these issues with residents and other interested parties.
8. Councillor Annie Gallop to Councillor Jacqui Dyer, Cabinet Member for Jobs, Skills, and Community Safety: Supplementary response Councillor Gallop noted her optimism on community developments increasing safety.
9. Councillor Pete Elliott to Councillor Claire Holland, Deputy Leader (Sustainable Transport, Environment and Clean Air): Supplementary question Councillor Elliott asked if the Council could commit to all new homes being built to London Housing Standard (LHS). Supplementary answer Councillor Holland responded that the Council’s HfL business plan was a robust piece of work and would be delivered to the highest housing standards as required by law, the Local Plan and Government business regulations. These sustainable and future-proof homes were delivered in concert with a broad range of groups with housing expertise; however, central Government needed to provide a more flexible legal framework for housing decisions to be taken on a local level.
10. Councillor Jane Pickard to Councillor Jenny Brathwaite, Deputy Leader (Housing and Homelessness): Supplementary question Councillor Pickard noted that the Council was reviewing the Fern Lodge parking and design improvements and asked how much was being spent on environmental improvements, whether residents’ suggestions would be incorporated, and when works were likely to start. Supplementary answer Councillor Brathwaite confirmed that £336,256 was earmarked for environmental improvements and would include residents’ suggestions on improved pedestrian safety, disabled parking bays, secure cycling facilities, upgraded green spaces and better recycling facilities. It was expected that works would start by the end of the year.
7. REPORTS
7.1 OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY ANNUAL REPORT Councillors Tim Briggs, Jonathan Bartley and Liz Atkins spoke in relation to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee (OSC) annual report. Scrutiny officers were thanked for their diligent work and it was noted that OSC needed to continue to be non-political, with the scrutiny process vital to ensure transparency, openness, improve decision-making and to protect those most vulnerable. Scrutiny also allowed local people a means to tackle issues relevant to them, set priorities and be heard, and deliver improvements. Councillor Tim Briggs noted that whilst Lambeth held inquiries and reviews, it often failed vi Page 19
to act upon them; the HfL programme did not have suitable scrutiny, but housing was a key issue. Furthermore, scrutiny would be problematic with a Cabinet system of local governance. Councillor Jonathan Bartley stated that it often appeared that Cabinet disliked scrutiny and asked for greater Cabinet Member attendance. He reiterated that it was best practice to have an opposition councillor chair OSC for improved trust, accountability and decision-making; noting the initial usage of emergency powers legislation in contravention of the Constitution; and proposed holding a scrutiny improvement review. Councillor Ed Davie noted during discussion that several Labour Members had called-in decisions whilst he was Chair of the OSC. Councillor Liz Atkins, Chair of the OSC, also reiterated calls for non-partisanship and that it was crucial that opposition councillors remained engaged in the scrutiny process. Councillor Atkins then recorded previously considered reports and set out future issues on the OSC work programme; noting key challenges to improve public participation, particularly for those most marginalised, and to review how OSC performed and could be improved.
RESOLVED: by 42 votes for to 6 votes abstaining that the Overview and Scrutiny Committee Annual Report be approved. Clerk’s note: 5 unable to vote due to technical reasons.
The Democratic Services Manager responded to a question that recording names in Council would require a roll call of Members, and councillors confirmed they were content to proceed without.
8. MOTIONS The Mayor noted that the emergency motion on Thorncliffe had been received on 09 July 2020 and in discussion with the Director of Legal and Governance, it was agreed that it did not constitute an emergency and that other means; such as discussing with senior officers, Cabinet Members and consultation, were available to councillors instead.
Motion 1: Green – rent arrears The Labour amendment to the Motion was CARRIED by 41 votes for to 5 votes against and 1 abstaining. Clerk’s note: 6 unable to vote due to technical reasons.
The Substantive Motion (as amended by Labour) was CARRIED and Council RESOLVED, by 48 votes for to 1 against:
Government should forgive all rent arrears of private renters that have resulted from loss of income during the pandemic and compensate landlords
Lambeth Council is committed to help residents who rent from private landlords who are struggling to pay their rent as a result of the economic and health impact of COVID-19.
Nearly 2.5 million private renters in London alone will be affected by gaps in provision from Government help. London renters already struggle with high rents and renters are more likely to be in precarious or low-paid work.
Many of these are key and front-line workers who now face destitution. They work for the vii Page 20
NHS, the council, social services, shops, supermarkets and across all essential services. They are the members of the workforce that need protection both during and after the pandemic. Many are BAME from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities.
The government strategies are either failing in the immediate term or are setting up failure further down the road. Deferrals or delaying the eviction process will not alone confront the loss of income experienced by private renters. Universal credit is too slow moving and the housing element often too low. Meanwhile landlords continue to demand rent be paid.
Council notes the call by the Renters Union and housing charities that rent arrears should be forgiven completely.
Council welcomes the work done by the Council during the Coronavirus crisis and lockdown to support residents with their housing who are experiencing hardship – including but not limited to: Expanding our Emergency Support Scheme for those at immediate risk of financial hardship; expanding the budget for Discretionary Housing Payments by £1 million to support residents who may struggle to pay their housing costs due to the crisis; and pausing all enforcement activity against people for council tax and rent arrears during the pandemic, whilst also offering council tax payment flexibility options.
Lambeth Council therefore calls on the Government to: Protect private renters by ensuring that the government covers any shortfall in rent payments all rent arrears that have occurred during the pandemic through a loss of income are forgiven, with no impact on tenants’ credit ratings, and with landlords compensated by Government for lost income. Extend legislation to prevent landlords from introducing substantial and unreasonable rent rises. Immediately increase welfare support for renters, including suspending the benefit cap. Extend the suspension of court possession proceedings to at least the end of 2020. Make Section 8 discretionary for arrears relating to loss of income due to Covid-19. Scrapping so called “no fault” Section 21 evictions, the leading cause of family homelessness. Reinstate funding for Legal Aid Housing Advice to restore the number of advice centres specialising in giving housing advice to low income renters.
Council urges the Mayor of London to support the council’s calls.
Clerk’s note: 4 unable to vote due to technical reasons.
Motion 2: Labour – protecting Lambeth’s children The amendment form the Conservative members was NOT CARRIED by 1 vote for to 47 votes against. Clerk’s note: 5 unable to vote due to technical reasons.
The Green amendment to the Motion was CARRIED by 47 votes for to 1 against. Clerk’s note: 5 unable to vote due to technical reasons.
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The Substantive Motion (as amended by the Greens) was CARRIED and Council RESOLVED, by 45 votes for to 1 against:
Council notes that the Covid-19 pandemic has presented challenges that negatively affect the development and opportunities of children and young people in Lambeth. And that prior to the lockdown, more than four in 10 Lambeth children were living in poverty which puts them at significantly greater risk and makes it harder for them to fulfil their potential.
Council notes that due to lockdown, limitations have emerged that have further emphasised the existing inequalities and barriers that exist within our society that stop children from having the opportunities and access of their more privileged peers. This includes access to education through: not being able to attend school, not having access to a computer or internet a place to study, enough food or a stress free environment and the government’s decision to remove the free bus pass for U18s in London from September.
Council further notes the contrast between the amazing work of Lambeth teachers and staff, Youth Workers and volunteers at food banks and hubs such as Grove Adventure Playground and Streatham Youth and Community Trust to support children in the borough and the shambolic central government approach to school reopening. There remains a critical lack of resources to ensure that children can access school resources at home, allow schools to put in place support structures for vulnerable children and a comprehensive strategy to address educational disadvantage.
Council notes the delay by the government to provide essential equipment and support or concrete guidance on how children will catch up on lost time.
Council also notes that it recognises many children are not known to social services and therefore can slip through the net of available support. These children can be particularly vulnerable.
Students’ well-being must be placed at the centre of how we adapt education to meet the needs of children and young people.
Council welcomes: The government U-turn on school meals and holiday hunger after the campaign by footballer Marcus Rashford. That Lambeth Council has joined forces with Southwark Council and the independent charity, The Mayor’s Fund for London, to run an extended programme of holiday food and activity this summer to make sure no children in Lambeth are going without. That Lambeth Council has begun delivering more than 1000 laptops to schools across the borough to boost online access amongst vulnerable children. Council notes that the support being given also includes food vouchers for students on free school meals, and art materials. The work of Lambeth councillors with community and voluntary organisations within their wards to secure resources to assist with maintaining the wellbeing and development of our Borough’s children alongside other organisers and volunteers.
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To call on the government to abandon its highly partisan approach to London transport of hiking fares and scrapping free travel for under-18s, and work to find a new funding mechanism for Transport for London that is about helping London’s hard-pressed families and commuters, rather than harming them. To call on the government to produce a comprehensive plan to tackle educational disadvantage as a result of covid-19, including measures to address digital exclusion, holiday hunger and the impact on vulnerable children of time away from the classroom. o That starting this calendar year, the council will lead work with partners in the Borough to develop a new child poverty needs assessment and prepare a new local child poverty strategy. o To address the issues raised, where relevant, with Trauma Informed Practice as the starting point. Students’ well-being must be placed at the centre of how we adapt education to meet the needs of children and young people. o Provide Trauma Informed Practice training to officers and members. o To call on government to fund summer holiday local offers to children and young people therefore facilitating the council to coordinate the planning of summer holiday clubs, particularly in areas of deprivation, so that children and young people have a safe place to go to and positive activities to engage and interest them, and build their confidence for a successful return to school in September. Places for those on Free School Meals should be fully funded by the Government. To bring forward a comprehensive local plan that includes specific catch-up plans for children with special educational or additional needs, addressing transport issues and providing substantial extra emotional and therapeutic support.
Clerk’s note: 7 unable to vote due to technical reasons.
Motion 3: Conservative – refugees’ human rights The Green amendment to the motion was NOT CARRIED with 6 votes for to 42 against. Clerk’s note: 5 unable to vote due to technical reasons.
The Original Motion (from the Conservative Member) concerning refugee’s human rights was NOT CARRIED with 1 vote for and 48 against. Clerk’s note: 4 unable to vote due to technical reasons.
Motion 4: Labour – Black Lives Matter The amendment from the Conservative Member was NOT CARRIED with 1 vote for to 48 against. Clerk’s note: 4 unable to vote due to technical reasons.
The Green amendment to the Motion was NOT CARRIED by 5 votes for to 43 against. Clerk’s note: 5 unable to vote due to technical reasons.
The Original Motion (from Labour) was CARRIED by 48 votes for to 1 against:
Council notes that: Following the death of George Floyd at the hands of American police, the Black Lives Matter movement has gained serious momentum and is now rightly forcing us all to engage with conversations around the racism and racial inequality that x Page 23
exists within our society. The Prime Minister has announced he will set up a new commission to look at all aspect of inequality, but that commission is set to be led by an adviser who has previously rejected the existence of structural racism. In 2017 Lambeth established the Lambeth Equality Commission to identify the scale of inequality in our borough and to set out what we can all do to tackle it. In 2018 a number of Black staff at Lambeth wrote a letter to the chief executive and the Leader of the council to address the racism that they were experiencing in the workplace.
Council further notes that: Following the recommendations of the Lambeth Equality Commission and the letter from Black staff concerning racism in the council, the council has taken and continues to take measures to address racism and racial inequality. An independent equality and diversity adviser, Patrick Vernon OBE, was appointed to review the council’s approach in this area and released a report last year with a series of recommendations, including a new board to monitor progress on the council’s work to implement the recommendations of the PV report, a ‘Statement of Common Understanding on Racism’ that was agreed with staff, councillors and trade unions and increased investment in staff development and support. Lambeth Council increased the recruitment target for Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic senior staff at the council to 59% within 3 years, so that our senior staff reflect the workforce and communities as a whole. The council has increased representation of ethnic minority staff in the top 5% of roles from 24% to 35% since 2018. The ‘Raising the Game’ initiative focuses on closing the attainment gap between Black Caribbean pupils and their peers, as well as reducing disproportionate exclusion levels for this group. Schools within the Raising the Game initiative improved their results of Black Caribbean pupils by 11% from 2018. Permanent exclusions of Black Caribbean pupils are down from 15 to 4 from last year according to 2019 data. This is still disproportionate but a significant improvement. Lambeth has been a leading local authority in campaigning on the Windrush scandal and fighting against the hostile environment. Most recently, our Cabinet Member for Equalities and Culture, Cllr Winifred (a member of the Windrush generation herself), wrote a letter that went out to all residents encouraging people affected as part of the Windrush scandal to apply to the Windrush Compensation Scheme. Initiatives such as ELEVATE, Lambeth’s mission to open up the creative and cultural sector for all young people, are essential in breaking down the barriers that exist within our society to opportunity for young people from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities.
Council welcomes: The measures that Lambeth Council and community organisations such as Black Thrive are taking to address racism and racial inequality within our borough, but acknowledges that there is still much more work to do. The indication that the Prime Minister wishes to address racism and racial inequality in the UK due to his announcing of a commission to look at all aspects of inequality, but fears that this commission will result in a set of recommendations that are not adopted by government, delayed, or not properly met – such as has
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been the case with the Windrush Review and the Lammy Review.
Council resolves to: Renew our commitment to fighting racism wherever is rears its ugly head, and to continue to work to dismantle racial inequality both within the council and in our borough more widely. Share the findings of the Lambeth Equality Commission and details of the steps we have taken in relation to its findings to address racial inequality in Lambeth with the government. Call on the government to focus on implementing the full recommendations from existing and recent reviews relating to racism and racial inequality within the UK, such as the Windrush Review and the Lammy Review mentioned above. Call on the government to immediately take action to counter the disproportionate effect of Covid-19 on Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic people in the UK.
Clerk’s note: 4 unable to vote due to technical reasons.
Motion 5: Labour/Green – Atonement and Reparations for the United Kingdom’s Transatlantic Traffic in Enslaved Africans The Original joint Motion (from the Greens and Labour parties) was CARRIED by 48 votes for to 1 against:
Council notes that: The United Kingdom played a major role in the Transatlantic Traffic in Enslaved Africans (TTEA) which saw at least 15 million Africans forcibly trafficked to the Western Hemisphere with many thousands losing their lives during the crossing from Africa to the Americas on British Ships. A great deal of the wealth of the United Kingdom was founded on this vile crime against humanity, and the legacies of chattel, colonial and neocolonial forms of enslavement are still prevalent in our society today. We deplore a situation where the beneficiaries of the genocide and ecocide of African people and their environments, including many institutions and families in the UK, continue to benefit but have not made reparations, while the descendants of the victims continue to suffer racism, discrimination and inequality. One of the most visible and enduring legacies of African enslavement, colonisation and neocolonialism is systematic racism that exists within Western societies, which the Pan-African Liberation Movement, the Black Lives Matter Movement, the International Decade for People of African Descent Coalition UK and other organisations within Black communities are campaigning to eliminate. The systematic racism that is ingrained in our society manifests itself in inequality in education, housing, health, employment and the criminal justice system. The legacy of slavery is responsible for ingraining racial inequality within Western society, that manifests itself both in overt acts of violent racism, such as the death of George Floyd at the hands of American police, Black deaths in police, prison, psychiatric custody and immigration detention in the UK, or in institutional failings to provide sufficient support and care for Black communities, such as the disproportionate impact of Covid-19 on Black people in the UK. Whilst the United Kingdom abolished slavery in 1833, it did so only after 200 years of profiting from it. When abolishing slavery it paid £20 million, the equivalent of
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£17 billion today, to ‘compensate’ enslavers, whilst those which were enslaved were not compensated at all. Further that this was not paid off until 2015. Lambeth has one of the largest populations of people of African descent in the country.
Council further notes that: The United Nations ‘Basic Principles and Guidelines on the Right to A Remedy and Reparation for Victims of Gross Violations of International Human Rights Law and Serious Violations of International Humanitarian Law’ provides a framework for a comprehensive reparatory justice process. The International Decade for People of African Descent, proclaimed by General Assembly resolution 68/237 and to be observed from 2015 to 2024, provides an opportunity for the United Nations, Member States, civil society and all other relevant actors to join together with people of African descent and take effective measures for the implementation of the programme of activities in the spirit of recognition, justice and development. The work of Dr Nicola Frith, Professor Joyce-Hope-Scott, the Pan-Afrikan Reparations Coalition in Europe (PARCOE), the International Network of Scholars & Activists For Afrikan Reparations (INOSAAR) and their Principles of Participation which have been endorsed by the International Social Movement for Afrikan Reparations (ISMAR) and a global process of engagement in the UK, the US, Africa and the Caribbean. The CARICOM Reparation Commission has worked on a path to reconciliation, truth, and justice for the victims of slavery and their descendants. Further to this, it campaigns on the moral, ethical and legal case for the payment of reparations by the Governments of all former colonial powers and relevant institutions of those countries to the nations and people of the Caribbean Community for the Crimes against Humanity of Native Genocide, the TTEA and a racialised system of chattel Slavery. In 1993 Bernie Grant, MP tabled Early Day Motion (EDM) #1987 in the House of Commons welcoming the Abuja Proclamation after the first Pan-African Conference on Reparations sponsored by the Organisation of African Unity urging all countries who were enriched by enslavement and colonisation to review the case for reparations for “Africa and to Africans in the Diaspora”. In 2003 the Lambeth based Black Quest for Justice Campaign (BQJC) initiated a class action for Pan-African Reparations for Global Justice against Queen Elizabeth II and agents of the Crown as Head of State and Head of the British Commonwealth calling for the establishment of a Reparations Commission of Inquiry. This action was denied on the grounds that the Crown could not be prosecuted, and these crimes could not be enforced prior to the enactment of the International Criminal Courts Act in 2001. In 2004 the Rastafarian movement were denied their appeal for reparation because the UK government felt it could not be held responsible for events of past centuries. Since 2015, the Stop the Maangamizi Campaign (The Maangamizi is the African Holocaust of chattel, colonial and neocolonial forms of enslavement) in association with the Afrikan Emancipation Day Reparations March Committee have been organising the annual Afrikan Emancipation Day Reparations March. The campaign presented the Stop the Maangamizi Petition to the Office of the UK Prime Minister calling for the establishment an All-Party Parliamentary Commission of Inquiry for Truth and Reparatory Justice.
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It is institutions such as the Black Cultural Archives and the International Museum of Slavery which effectively teach people about the history of the TTEA and its legacy, not statues of enslavers like Edward Colston or Robert Clayton. The national curriculum fails to educate our nation’s children and young people about the history of slavery and its repercussions.
Council welcomes: The announcement that Lambeth is conducting an audit of all Lambeth’s public landmarks, statues roads names and works of art in the borough for any links with slavery by Cllr Sonia Winifred, and the consultation which will follow on the results of the audit. The celebration of Windrush Day 2020 on 22nd June, and the contribution of Cllr Sonia Winifred, Lambeth Council, and organisations in Lambeth such as the Black Cultural Archives in campaigning for justice for the Windrush generation, and for a permanent Windrush memorial in Windrush Square.
Council resolves: To call on the UK government to establish a commission to study the impact of the United Kingdom’s Transatlantic Traffic in Enslaved Africans on social, political and economic life within the UK and the rest of the world in order to begin understanding the legacy of slavery on the society we live in and to start conversations on how to address it, which go further than a symbolic apology. Write to the Speaker of Parliament, Chair of the Women and Equalities Committee and Chair of the Home Affairs Committee to request that they establish, and seek UK Government support for, an All-Party Parliamentary Commission of Inquiry for Truth and Reparatory Justice and call on the Government to commit to holistic reparations taking into consideration various proposals for reparations in accordance with the United Nations Framework on Reparations. To support the innovative work which has been carried out by the Runnymede Trust, the Black Curriculum and others to engage young people and teachers with more expansive, representative and inclusive histories of Britain, and to overhaul the curriculum to better educate about the United Kingdom’s role in slavery.
Clerk’s note: 4 unable to vote due to technical reasons.
The meeting ended at 9.48 pm
MAYOR Wednesday 14 October 2020
Date of Despatch: Friday 18 September 2020 Tel: 020 7926 0029 Contact for Enquiries: Wayne Chandai E-mail: [email protected] Web: www.lambeth.gov.uk
xiv Page 27 Agenda Item 8
Council, 14 October 2020
Questions from Councillors
Wards: All
Report Authorised by: Director of Legal and Governance, Alison McKane
Contact for enquiries: Wayne Chandai, Head of Chief Executive’s Office and Democratic Services Manager, 020 7926 0029, [email protected]
Report summary
Questions and answers submitted by Councillors, in accordance with Standing Order 12, are set out below.
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1. Councillor Nicole Griffiths
To: Deputy Leader (Sustainable Transport, Environment & Clean Air), Councillor Claire Holland,
Comms Strategy relating to climate emergency
Could the Cabinet Member for the Environment please share with us as much detail of the Communications Strategy relating to the Climate emergency as is available.
Can she explain how the communications relating to the new website, the citizens assembly and all the various stakeholders across Lambeth will fit together?
Party: Green
Answer:
The council was pleased to launch the Lambeth Climate Action website in July to promote the climate action taking place across the borough, share the evidence we have about the effects of climate breakdown, and gather feedback from people on their priorities, concerns and solutions. This information will feed into the citizen’s assembly, which will take place as soon as it is safe to do so and will also help inform our ongoing climate work. This initial phase of engagement will run until the end of October. To develop effective and inclusive climate policy, the council needs to work closely with its communities and particularly with groups that are underrepresented in the climate movement.
To that end, officers have been working alongside community partners to engage different groups of residents in the conversation. Whilst coronavirus presents a big challenge around engagement, we have still been speaking with young people in Lambeth, given that it is their future at stake, and have worked with the Youth Council on a cross-cutting project around the environmental and racial injustice.
The council has communicated using a range of different channels to promote the work, including email newsletters, events with both council staff and the public, on social media and through the council’s magazine that goes to every household in the borough. It is vital that the community shapes our actions and we need to hear from everyone.
2. Councillor Tim Briggs
To: Leader of the Council, Councillor Jack Hopkins
Labour councillors’ support for extremist political groups
Black lives matter. But since my question at the last full Council meeting, leaders of the Black Lives Matter political movement have tweeted that ‘the white man will not be our equal but our slave’, and have used foul racist language to denigrate people that do not agree with their extreme Left-wing Marxist-anarchist political views.
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Members and residents were all shocked by the senseless death of George Floyd in the US, and frequently have issues with the police. But the Black Lives Matter political movement is racist because it seeks to divide people on the basis of their skin colour. Imagine if instead of saying ‘the white man will not be our equal but our slave’, someone had said ‘the black man will not be our equal but our slave’. Lambeth residents would rightly be outraged. Fairness, and treating people equally and with kindness, is what people in Lambeth want. So Labour councillors trying to appeal to voters on the basis of race, by pandering to extremist groups that hate everything that the Council and our inclusive country stands for, simply further alienates our different communities from the mainstream of British society - leaving them angry, disconnected from the majority, and voting Labour. Under Labour, Lambeth is now the natural home of political extremists again for the first time since ‘Loony Lambeth’ under Labour in the 1980s.
These divisive tactics by Labour councillors distract us from what should be their priorities: lowering the high tax burden on residents, improving council services and housing, and improving school standards and social mobility for our children. Race-baiting will not help anyone, least of all people of colour. We need to try to heal divisions by coming together as a community. Love is the only way forward. Hate is not an answer. So instead of expressing solidarity with extremist groups, will Labour councillors now end their support for this extremist movement?
Answer:
Councillor Briggs could have ended his question after the first three words, instead of engaging in an incoherent and absurd rant more befitting of far-right Donald Trump campaigners than a councillor in a borough that is proud of its diversity and is committed to equality.
I would suggest that he might learn a great deal about racial justice from actually going out and listening to Lambeth's Black residents, including many of his fellow councillors, instead of what he reads on the extremist fringes of the internet.
3. Councillor Fred Cowell To: Deputy Leader (Sustainable Transport, Environment and Clear Air), Councillor Claire Holland
Introduction of more Low Traffic Neighbourhoods
The Low Traffic Neighbourhoods have been widely admired in Lambeth and beyond. They have helped drive down pollution and encourage healthier modes of transport and are show Lambeth leading the way on this issue. Residents in Peran road (SW2), Chestnut road (SE27), Rosendale Road (SE27) and Gurnsey Grove (SE24) are calling out for LTN's in their road - as shown by the petitions before Council tonight. What can those residents do to get an LTN in their area?
Party: Labour
Answer:
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The popularity of our emergency Low Traffic Neighbourhood programme has led to us being inundated with requests from different parts of the borough for their neighbourhoods to be added. The support and interest shows how many of our residents welcome measures to make their streets safer and to enable more active travel. Our transport network is facing unprecedented challenges, with restrictions meaning that many of our residents – the vast majority of whom don’t have access to a car – are unable to travel round safely.
The biggest constraints that we are facing against this goal are limited officer capacity and available funding. The existing emergency LTNs and other interventions already implemented as part of our emergency response to Covid-19 still require significant staff resources so that we can ensure ongoing benefits are realised. The only funding currently available for transport measures is emergency funding through the Mayor’s Streetspace programme and the government. This funding is tied to emergency measures specified by the government and the GLA. No other funding has been provided due to the abject failure of the government to work with the Mayor of London to achieve an adequate settlement for Transport for London. We are facing a significant gap in funding resulting from Covid-19 and this is on top of a decade of austerity and cuts to our budget from central government. This means at present, it is difficult to look beyond what was set out in our emergency programme. Many of the measures in the programme have been delivered aside from LTNs in Brixton Hill and Streatham Wells which remain a priority. Unfortunately, therefore at the current time we are unable to commit to any further LTNs but will keep this under review as resources allow.
We will continue to deliver transformational schemes in Thurlow Park ward, including the first phase of Gipsy Hill to Brockwell park healthy route, the parallel crossing on Norwood Road, the emergency safety improvements for cycling on Norwood Road and will seek to deliver traffic reduction improvements across the borough with our successful School Streets programme being one example.
4. Councillor Jackie Meldrum To: Deputy Cabinet Member for Disability, Councillor Christiana Valcarcel
Support to deaf residents accessing council services
Can we have an update on the council’s plans to enable deaf people & those whose main language is BSL to access the council by phone 24/7 and at face to face service points?
Party: Labour
Answer:
The Customer Centre in the Civic Centre introduced an interpreting service for British Sign Language users using internet-based video calling, called Sign Live. Sign live is a Live sign language translation product enabling deaf residents to be able to communicate both face to face and via telephony channels.
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I have been working closely with our officers in the customer centre, ensuring that deaf residents are involved at every stage of development and testing. With the customer centre and many other Council offices being closed due to the covid-19 pandemic it means that deaf residents can still contact the Council to access essential services.
The telephony option has been launched now at the call centre. Customers need to download the Sign Live app to their device and create an account using a one-time log in. They then select one of the Lambeth tile options below, from the community directory, where they will be connected to an interpreter who will put their call through for them. Their call will be prioritised and moved to next in queue.
Switchboard (Customer Care) Street Care Parking Housing Needs and Homelessness Adult Social Care Children’s Social Care Accessible Transport Schools Admissions Housing
The app is free for end users. The app can be downloaded from both the Google play store and Apple store. Or can be used through a PC with direct log in through the Sign Live web page: https://www.lambeth.gov.uk/signlive.
The other contact method that some deaf customers will find convenient is the webchat service available from our website during the council’s main opening hours. Customers can use the service for queries about council tax, housing benefits, assisted travel and waste, with more services due to be included in the future.
The council’s learning & development team have also recently secured an online new training course on communicating with deaf customers, which all customer centre staff will be required to complete, to enhance their understanding and skills with serving this group of customers.
I am passionate about ensuring that all our residents can access our services and that we remove the obstacles that they might encounter.
5. Councillor Ibrahim Dogus To: Deputy Leader (Housing and Homelessness), Councillor Jenny Brathwaite
Support for Council tenants
What support is available for those council tenants who are in arrears with their rent due to Covid-19 related issues?
Party: Labour
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Answer:
The coronavirus pandemic is posing unprecedented challenges across society and it is no different when it comes to residents struggling to pay their bills. Firstly, the council has undertaken the commitment to not proceed with evictions until after the Christmas period in recognition of the fact that coronavirus infection rates continue to remain high. In order to provide an extra level of support for residents throughout in these most challenging of times, we have partnered with a new organisation called Income Max. Income Max work with a wide range of private and public sector partners and aim to work with tenants to identify ways to increase their income, reduce bills and deal with any problem debts. Income Max can also help tenants overcome tricky obstacles like phone calls to government departments, claim forms and incorrect benefit decisions. They will review what income the tenant is receiving; including a benefits check. They then look at what they can reduce spending on, including utility scheme, tariff changes, energy and water efficiencies. In some cases, they will even look at charity grants for the most vulnerable. They also offer an assisted service for the most vulnerable residents who need that extra one on one assistance.
Furthermore, we are identifying and supporting tenants with mental health needs to ensure they are able to access the necessary support. Officers in housing work closely with colleagues in social services and Single Homeless Project to support vulnerable residents. For example, if we know that residents will have issues making rent payments we request for the rent to be paid directly via their benefits, and the same for Universal Credit payments to ensure that we can support residents in keeping their homes.
In addition, we have a specific tenancy sustainment and support team which supports families and households impacted by welfare reform such as the benefit cap, bedroom tax and Universal Credit with financial resilience support to reduce the impact of rising debt. They identify vulnerable cases and support them in applying for Discretionary Housing Payments. On top of this, they also work in conjunction with Centre70 (who are commissioned to support welfare affected households in the Council) to support households with negotiating debts and supporting households with new benefit applications to Universal Credit. We are also working collaboratively with the DWP in ensuring that Universal Credit claims are processed, assessed, and cases escalated.
Finally, we are in discussions with the London Mutual Credit Union to see if we can find ways of working together with them. We understand that some tenants may feel pressured to take on very high interest loans to pay off their arrears and we want to prevent this. We therefore hope to refer these tenants to the Credit Union where the rates are more reasonable, and they are known for responsible lending. Their products have been accredited by the Fair Banking Foundation, which recognises that they are designed to boost their customers financial well-being.
6. Councillor Rezina Chowdhury To: Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Social Care (job-share), Councillors Jim Dickson and Danny Adilypour
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Covid testing in Lambeth
There is much concern about the government’s shambolic response to Covid19 including slowness to lockdown and failure to get a decent UK Test and Trace system up and running. How is Covid19 Test and Trace working in the borough and how easy is it for Lambeth residents to get a test? Are plans to deal with a Covid19 second wave in Lambeth in place?
Party: Labour
Answer:
The NHS Test and Trace system went live in May. Lambeth residents had good access to testing, up until early September, when rates started to decline due to a national shortage of laboratory capacity to process tests. In the last week we have seen an increase in tests available in Lambeth, as the national system testing capacity has been adjusted to support London boroughs given the increase in rates of Covid-19 infection seen in parts of London.
Our fight to keep Lambeth safe is being undermined by government’s failures when it comes to making tests available to our residents. Constituents of mine tell stories of being referred by the NHS website to test sites in areas miles away from South London and finding the alternative of home testing kits similarly unavailable. Until the government ensures that there is sufficient laboratory capacity to guarantee everyone can get a test where they want it when they need it (and the result delivered promptly) then we will have no chance of establishing control over the pandemic.
Of those residents who test positive through the system generally around 85% complete the contact tracing process through the national system. This is a higher proportion than in England or London. However, we also have plans to develop enhanced local contact tracing to pick up those who do not engage or fail to be contacted via the national system.
Lambeth Council published its Outbreak Control Plan in June and this is currently being updated. There are robust plans in place to deal with cases in a range of settings including schools, care homes and workplaces, and we are working with local NHS partners to ensure we have measures in place to manage a second wave. This includes learning from the first wave, and working with residents to ensure those that need additional support are able to access it if necessary to self isolate.
7. Councillor Ben Kind To: Deputy Leader (Sustainable Transport, Environment and Clean Air), Councillor Claire Holland
Controlled Parking Zones
Can you give an update on the parking and kerbside strategy currently under review and what further consideration has been made of rolling out controlled parking zones across the whole Borough?
Party: Labour
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Answer:
The development and adoption of an innovative strategy which looks at setting out how we will use our kerbside over the coming years remains a high priority. Funding to support this piece of work was anticipated from TfL in 2020/21 but given the dire financial straits that TfL are in due to a wholly inadequate government settlement, this is not currently available. Any funding we have received since March 2020 for our transport programmed has been tied to the emergency transport response.
Officers in our transport strategy team have been focused on rapidly delivering the hugely successful emergency transport programme to protect public health and prevent us lurching from one health crisis to another, and ensure a local, sustainable recovery from the coronavirus pandemic which supports Lambeth businesses. In the meantime, we continue to progress the CPZ programme via consultation with residents in priority areas and in line with our Transport Strategy and will progress with the strategy as soon as it is feasible. It remains a personal ambition to progress this as soon as we are realistically able to do so. In the meantime, we continue to work in more joined up and strategic way, to ensure we maximise both our scant resources and the benefits to our residents and businesses.
8. Councillor Joanna Reynolds To: Cabinet Member for Equalities and Culture, Councillor Sonia Winifred
Making events greener
When - and if - events re-start on our green spaces (with my obvious focus on Clapham Common) can the Cabinet Member confirm that:
Lambeth will ensure that any goodie bags contain only eco-friendly and biodegradable contents. That Lambeth will require that no plastic water bottles are distributed That a fee will be added to all events to allow for each of our fabulous green spaces to be allowed to lie fallow for one year in every 5 to allow the ground and environment to recover.
Party: Labour
Answer:
Here in Lambeth, our events adhere to the highest sustainability standards and our ‘Green Events Guide’ which we adopted last year is a testament to this.
The guide requires large and major event producers to work with sponsors to ensure giveaways are made from sustainable materials and minimise the use of giveaways more generally. It also states that it is desirable for small and medium events. We will be looking at this area in much more detail as part of our review of the guide, however at present, there are few events within Lambeth that have goodie bags.
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The Green Events Guide currently requires all events to provide refill stations and advertise locations of nearby water fountains. Large and major events are required to provide staff with reusable water bottles or to ask them to bring their own and a full ban is desirable in all cases. We are aware that some of our sporting events are looking to alternatives to plastics for water stations too.
There is a duty of care for event organisers to have water provisions, and even with refill points we would still need to have a supply of water bottles should it be required in emergencies. The other issue now with Covid-19 is finding a safe and hygienic way for refill stations to be managed and for water fountains to operate.
At the Lambeth Country Show, we use recycled tin cans of water called Can O Water. The issue of plastics at our events will be examined in more detail again as part of our review of the guide, as more alternatives come to market.
In terms of a fee to allow green spaces to lie fallow once every five years, we are working to reduce the impact of major events on our parks through diversifying locations, limiting events on the more sensitive sites, improving the way ground restoration takes place; and of course funding a complete rejuvenation of the area on Clapham Common used for large events. The way to maximise the broader benefits from larger events is to create long-term relationships with producers, giving them certainty, growing audience numbers and an incentive for them to give back to the local communities. Where we create long-term contracts, for example on Clapham Common, it allows us to make specific demands part of the specification, to maximise economic and social benefits. The issue with imposing a fallow year at the end of the contract is that it wipes out the relationship building and rapport that has been built up and the producer may simply move elsewhere on a permanent basis. The contract on Clapham Common allows us to condense the major event days into a short period of time, allowing the area under use at least ten months to recover each year, with Moonwalk being the only other major event permitted to use the area. A fallow year also has the potential to impact negatively on all the small community events, which make up the vast majority of events taking place in our parks.
9. Councillor Jonathan Bartley
To: Cabinet Member for Planning, Investment and New Homes, Councillor Matthew Bennett
Balloting residents on estates
I have received a letter from the Deputy Mayor of London saying that only some of the six estates earmarked for demolition by Lambeth Council will now be benefiting from GLA funding. However, he said that if residents on estates were given a say in their future through a ballot, they could qualify for GLA funding.
Which estates will receive GLA funding and will the cabinet member now ballot residents on its estates?
Party: Green
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Answer:
For the first time in a generation Lambeth Council is building council housing. We are building new council housing to provide a secure home for some of the 33,000 people on the council’s waiting list for housing, including over 2000 homeless families.
Estate regeneration is also the only route to building better quality homes for our existing tenants on some estates as there is currently no GLA grant available for refurbishment of existing homes and the council has already borrowed to deliver £500m of investment in our estates through the Lambeth Housing Standard works
With regard to affordable housing grant funding, the current GLA affordable housing funding round runs from 2016 to 2021. Funding from this round has been used at Knights Walk. The scheme is proceeding with the full support of residents who desperately want brand new homes built to the highest standards, in addition to the new affordable homes that will be delivered on the estate despite the opposition of Lambeth’s Green Party. Additionally, Knights Walk, Westbury, and South Lambeth estates all received Housing Zone funding from the GLA.
Work is now underway on the first three estates in the estate regeneration programme, with initial phases of the other three estates being put forward to planning. The council and Homes for Lambeth will consider future funding options to boost the numbers of new affordable homes on the estates, in addition to the numbers already put forward in the Homes for Lambeth Business Plan. That includes the use of right to buy receipts, which are worth twice the GLA grant per new home.
Lambeth council is committed to ensuring residents are at the heart of decision-making on the future of their estates and has involved residents throughout the process so far. For example, the decision to rebuild the Central Hill estate was taken following extensive consultation and engagement with residents. The consultation exercise was carried out by an external, professional organisation, and showed that 55% of council tenants supported the proposal to completely rebuild the estate.
This Labour Council stands with tenants, the homeless and families trapped in an insecure and overpriced private rented sector who all need new council housing; I hope Green Party Councillors will consider joining us.
10. Councillor Malcolm Clark To: Deputy Leader (Sustainable Transport, Environment and Clean Air), Councillor Claire Holland
Water leaks in Streatham Wells and Knights Hill wards
Rarely a week goes by without water leaks and Thames Water digging up Leigham Court Road, Valley Road or surrounding roads in both Streatham Wells and Knights Hill wards, and the associated road closures and ensuing congestion. How does the Council hold
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Thames Water to account for its appalling performance and repeated disruption to residents?
Party: Labour
Answer:
The council closely monitors the performance of Thames Water and their contractors, particularly given the significant disruption that has been inflicted on roads across the borough over the past few years.
Where Thames Water and their contractors overstay the agreed amount of time for works, financial penalties are applied under Section 74 of the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991). Charges of this type have been applied to Thames Water on 55 separate occasions this financial year amounting to £58,350.00.
If they breach the working conditions applied to their permission to work or work without first obtaining permission, we issue Fixed Penalty Notices, again under NRSWA 1991. This has happened on 304 occasions this year amounting to a figure in excess of £31,800.
Where they fail to reinstate roads and footways to the required standard, we issue formal defect notifications which have a variable cost associated with them. We have done this in relation to 584 separate pieces of work this financial year, with £28,357.50 invoiced as a result.
Officers are in constant dialogue with Thames Water regarding investment in their infrastructure and performance to highlight areas of concern. The enforcement actions above show how seriously we take the disruption being caused to residents from these works and poor performance. We will continue to do all that we can and is within our power to insist that Thames Water plans works properly and appropriately, does not take our residents for granted and understands the impact upon residents of an approach that is unplanned, reactive and not joined up. We will continue to insist that Thames Water make sure that planned or unplanned works are carried out swiftly with minimal disruption to residents.
11. Councillor Scott Ainslie
To: Cabinet Member for Equalities and Culture, Councillor Sonia Winifred
Reparatory justice for Lambeth residents
The Green Group would like to thank Cllr Winifred and the Labour Group for working together to pass the joint motion calling on the UK parliament to set up an All-Party Parliamentary Commission of Inquiry for Truth & Reparatory Justice for the Trans-Atlantic trafficking of enslaved Africans. Thank you too for sharing the correspondence that has been sent between the council and parliament. We look forward to seeing those replies in due course.
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Will the cabinet member agree that calling on parliament is one major step, but will we, as a council, also now begin to look at how we in Lambeth can put in place the framework to begin our own reparatory justice process at a local level by encouraging and facilitating the sharing of ‘narratives’, for example through local school and community hearings? And will the cabinet member undertake to continue this cross-party work by including the Green Group in these plans?
Party: Green
Answer:
As a council our journey is already well underway at a local level. Earlier in the summer I initiated an audit to look into public monuments, street names and statues to begin a public debate and conversation around how we should deal with their future. Our review found a small number of Lambeth street names have clear associations with TAST and historic exploitative economic expansion during the early 18th century; a number of memorials and statues also commemorate key individuals’ who were involved in TAST, profited from TAST directly or via links with family and that there are statues and tombs in the borough’s locations and cemeteries which mark families who were involved in TAST or profited from it, or similar economic policies which exploited people living in the Caribbean, India and Africa. The process will continue with a community listening exercise involving residents, community, faith-based organisations and the wider voluntary community sector to debate and discuss the past and develop potential new names and commemorations in line with Lambeth today.
There will also be key linkages within Lambeth schools where the brilliant work of Cllr Nanda Manley-Browne to diversify Lambeth’s curriculum is already underway. As part of the community listening event and public consultation around the audit, there will be a link with Lambeth schools to review and amend the existing curriculum around the history of slavery and how the British economy developed in the 17th and 18th century, including decisions such as the use of slavery, its eventual abolition in 1807 and then implemented across the British Empire in 1811.
We will also put in place a context-setting educational programme with Lambeth Archives and Lambeth libraries, both of whom have played a key role in the review of locations with existing historic links.
The process is expected to be confirmed in mid-October, with the listening events set for later this month. Preparations are well underway to establish the public engagement exercise, ensuring it is meaningful and involves and engages the widest array of diverse communities possible who play such a positive and important role in the life of Lambeth.
12. Councillor Marianna Masters To: Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, Councillor Ed Davie
Free School meals for children that need to self-isolate
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Free school meals are a vital lifeline for many families in Lambeth. We know that for some children, it may be the only nutritious meal they receive in a day. Yet a gaping hole in Government guidance means children who are required to self-isolate may be going hungry because they aren't receiving their free school meals.
Can Lambeth council guarantee that no children should miss out on a meal because they are required to self-isolate?
Party: Labour
Answer:
Free school meals are vitally important for the health of some of our most vulnerable young people, reducing health inequalities and helping low income families.
The Conservative government would do well to learn the lessons from the free school meals fiasco in the summer, which required the intervention from England footballer Marcus Rashford, and extend the scheme for all holidays and support our most vulnerable residents who will be struggling during these times.
As per Department for Education guidance, schools are expected to provide meals for those pupils who are entitled to and require them. Schools will continue to work with their suppliers to prepare meals or food parcels for pupils who are eligible for free school meals and who are not in attendance due to the need of having to self-isolate.
The Council will work together with our schools and support wherever possible when it comes to the practicalities of this requirement, either through the delivery of hot meals or the provision of vouchers for food parcels.
13. Councillor Mary Atkins To: Deputy Leader (Sustainable Transport, Environment and Clean Air), Councillor Claire Holland
Bus stops in Brixton serving Tulse Hill
What discussions took place between Lambeth Council and TfL regarding the relocation of the bus stops serving the 2, 415 & 432 routes from Brixton town centre to beyond Windrush Square as part of the Streetscapes programme and how can these decisions be changed?
Party: Labour
Answer:
The changes to bus service operation in Brixton town centre were introduced by TfL in response to the Covid-19 emergency alongside welcome footway widening with the purpose of enabling social distancing at this busy interchange location. The changes were introduced at short notice and with limited advanced warning. Officer were sent drawings of the proposed footway alterations, but these did not cover any changes to bus service operation.
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No details were provided to officers in relation to changes to bus stop operation. In the event, it appears these changes were implemented to complement the footway works with the objective of reducing crowding and thereby improving the ability to socially distance in the area.
Cllr Atkins and I have expressed concerns about the impacts, particularly on older people and those with mobility difficulties for whom the additional walking distance to the re-located bus stop may represent an issue. Representations have been made to TfL directly and via officers. TfL has responded by providing the rationale for the scheme and noting that it is temporary.
So far, TfL have not shown willingness to amend the scheme. As the locations of the bus stops in question are on TfL’s road network there is limited ability to require TfL to amend the scheme but I will ensure that our officers continue to raise the matter directly with TFL and through the GLA and seek to explore options to ensure the bus stops are accessible to all.
14. Councillor Pete Elliott
To: Deputy Leader (Housing and Homelessness), Councillor Jennifer Brathwaite
Temporary Accommodation
Temporary Accommodation is one of the most important services that the council provides. Last year Lambeth Taxpayers paid out £36.7M on Temporary Accommodation an increase of over £10m since 2014/15:
Could the Cabinet Member for Housing explain how this is still providing value for money and assure us that the rise in spend is not related to the increased costs of the use of agencies. Could she also set aside a small proportion of this budget to set up a team of council officers to inspect all of the council's existing temporary accommodation and can they put a process in place to ensure that all new homes are fit for the families they are housing. Where issues are found with properties can the council take appropriate enforcement action which could include court action and fines to ensure that repairs are carried out. If suppliers such as MIDOS are found to be repeatedly failing our residents could we take them off our list of suppliers?
Party: Green
Answer:
The figures cited are the gross cost of temporary accommodation. What Councillor Elliott is choosing to leave out of his question is that we also receive rental income from the residents which offsets the total cost to the Council. The net cost in 2014/15 was £10.3 m and the net cost in 2019/20 was £13.6m.
The increase in costs is mainly as a result of the increasing number of people in temporary accommodation as a result of a decade of Conservative rule and a central government that
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has abjectly failed in its obligation to tackle the housing crisis. Agency rates have remained about the same over the last five years.
If you take into account all the different types of temporary accommodation, the average net cost per placement overall has reduced slightly during this period. The council has worked hard to control costs through measures such making use of “meanwhile” temporary accommodation in the Council’s own stock, moving people from more expensive accommodation when other options become available, and the Inter Borough Temporary Accommodation Agreement (IBTAA).
The increase in temporary accommodation is a national issue that is particularly acute in London.
We already have officers whose specific role is to visit a proportion of all lets and respond to issues that are raised by residents and ensuring the property is a good enough standard. Visits to accommodation are also made by other members of the temporary accommodation team who are able to pick up issues and monitor standards. All providers have to sign an agreement to provide accommodation to a required standard, and if we find that this is not the case through our visit we will address this with the providers and ensure that it is dealt with. Where we find accommodation that is substandard, we will offer an alternative property.
All council-owned property is inspected before letting and robust procedures have been put in place regarding the letting of void properties, with additional officers having been recruited to ensure that the units meet a required standard and are ready to move in to. The council has also recently signed up to the Pan-London Setting The Standard scheme, whereby a central team of environmental health officers will inspect all studio and one bedroom nightly paid accommodation used by London boroughs and ensure that it meets the required standards. This information will then be held on a central database, and where enforcement action is necessary, it will be referred to the enforcement team of the appropriate borough.
If agencies breach agreements then the council can take action under the terms of the contract or stop using the properties concerned altogether. This is in addition to enforcement powers through the environmental health department to deal with poor quality housing.
We have over 2,500 households in TA. We have made the decision in the past not to use suppliers who have offered consistently sub-standard properties and won’t hesitate to do so in the future, whilst being mindful of what is available on the market within affordable rent levels.
15. Councillor Mohammed Seedat
To: Cabinet Member for Jobs, Skills and Community Safety, Councillor Jacqui Dyer
Services for our most vulnerable
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Services have rightly focused on reactive measures to mitigate the worst impact of Covid-19. However, can the cabinet member reassure us that services that cater for the most vulnerable people are still operational to a suitable capacity - namely, the provision of residential amenity for at-risk children, service provision for young people who are at risk or have entered the criminal justice system, services for appropriate adults within custody suites and overnight stays and the provision of emergency fostering care for families experiencing difficulty? Can the cabinet member also highlight what support, if any, has been received to maintain such services from central government?
Party: Labour
Answer:
Lambeth Council has increased support for young people judged as high risk at being a victim of or becoming involved in youth violence through targeted support. This includes mentoring, peer support, diversionary activity, and advocacy for young people. Area based action plans have been developed for the most vulnerable parts of the borough at risk of violence against young people. These included additional youth and play services and working with young people and third sector groups in those areas to develop community- informed responses.
There has been a greater response to tragic incidents in the borough or areas of high concern, involving locally deployed youth outreach workers, greater mental health and trauma support for young people affected by incidents, and a greater focus on longer term support through existing third sector groups in areas affected by critical incidents. We are working with the London VRU and police to pilot a link between officers on the beat and the custody led Junior Divert programme, to increase the effectiveness of police engagement with young people and signposting into local provision and tailored youth work support where needed to try and prevent escalation.
Lambeth Youth Offending Service was required to instigate alternative delivery measures in response to the COVID-19 situation. Throughout this period the YOS has continued to provide a service to all children who have been subject to court orders and out of court preventative interventions. It is noted that the method of interventions had to be altered during this period primarily in relation to providing virtual contact with children/young people and their families. Such a change to the intervention method did create some challenges for some children due to access and knowledge of using specific technologies to facilitate virtual contacts and interventions. The service has worked closely with Children Social Care to reduce these barriers. It was always recognised that solely virtual contact would not be able to be sustained over a long duration of time for most children and as such Lambeth YOS has reopened its frontline delivery service on Brixton Water Lane. COVID-19 secure mechanisms have been implemented to ensure that children, families, and staff are safe within this building. In addition to ensuring that children during this period are not drawn into the criminal justice system, outreach youth workers from the YOS and Early Help have been deployed into the community to work directly with children and ensure that they are clear about the government guidance on the restrictions and also on the support services that are available within the community. Children’s Social Care have continued to operate both virtual and face-to-face visits to support our vulnerable children and families.
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We have access to both in-house foster care, independent fostering provision via the South London Fostering Partnership to support more challenging placements and external residential placements. During Covid 19 pandemic we have deployed a number of successful mechanisms to ensure we have sufficient placements for children or young people who may need to be placed in local authority care.
Central government should consider what additional support our children need, especially during such difficult times, and there has been no mention of support for young people that are part of the youth offending service yet.
16. Councillor Becca Thackray
To: Cabinet Member for Equalities and Culture, Councillor Sonia Winifred
Carnegie Community Trust
When the Carnegie Library management was handed over to Carnegie Community Trust, it was on the understanding that this would be a financially independent operation.
Therefore, what is the rationale for providing an additional paid employee to assist the Carnegie Community Trust and how has this been decided?
Party: Green
Answer:
The Council are committed to working in partnership with the local community to improve the community offer of increased library membership and more extensive usage of the building for and with residents of the surrounding area.
The management of the Carnegie library building has not been handed over to the Carnegie Community Trust in its entirety – there are still multiple tenants in the building, each who have some responsibility for running a range of services. To make sure that we achieve our goals of making Carnegie library building the thriving community hub that residents in the area are crying out for, we are looking at ways to boost the capacity and support available for this project.
17. Councillor Nanda Manley-Browne To: Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, Councillor Ed Davie
NEET Plans for next year
Considering the immediate crisis we face, with reduced social mobility, and the adverse effects of recession, how many of our young people are not in education, employment or training (NEET), and what are the plans for next year?
Party: Labour
Answer:
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It is vitally important, particularly now, to do all that we can to support our young people in furthering their education, accessing training opportunities, and supporting them in finding employment. With a looming recession and the likelihood of jobs losses and high unemployment due to the effects of the covid-19 pandemic, ensuring our young people are supported and equipped to enter a challenging jobs market is rightly a top priority for Lambeth. This challenge will become ever greater in the months and years ahead.
In Lambeth there are currently 147 young people aged 16-18 who have been identified as NEET at the time of the last data submission in January. There are currently 3,125 young people aged 18-24 who are claiming unemployment benefits (August 2020), which represents 10.9% of that age group. These numbers have risen considerably due to the economic impact of Covid-19 having increased from 1,270 and 4.4% respectively in March 2020.
Regardless of age group, in Lambeth we have taken a ‘no wrong front door’ approach towards any young person that approaches the council – be they 16 or 24 years old. Work has taken place to streamline access between the education and economic inclusion teams for people accessing these services and a portal for employment opportunities, Opportunity Lambeth.
It’s essential that we place particular emphasis on supporting our young people at the earliest possible opportunity, particularly those aged 16-18. Through the Careers Clusters Programme, Lambeth College and all 17 secondaries in the borough deliver a high quality and comprehensive careers guidance offer that responds to the opportunities and developments in industry sectors.
During the lockdown period, the education team instigated the ‘Lambeth Unlock’ programme to provide a range of activities to engage young people aged 15-17 to re-engage them with education and learning. An evaluation of the impact is underway, however through coproduction with a range of charities and external providers:
53 young people took part in Level 1 Youth Worker qualifications. 12 set up online businesses. Several have learned about music production and have put on their own online events.
As a council we are developing the Education, Skills and Training for Employment (ESTE) programme. It is formed to meet three of the four key goals within the borough plan: increase community resilience; making Lambeth a place where people want to live, work and invest; and promoting care and independence by reforming services.
It has a strong focus on equalities diversity and inclusion, it is also framed within the context of Covid-19 and the potential for significant increases in unemployment and recognises the inequalities experienced by our Black communities. The programme has four work streams:
1 - Raising aspirations and skills This work stream will increase the engagement of young people in subjects relevant to future careers in both Lambeth and London’s economy such as STEAM subjects, digital skills and entrepreneurship. This will hoped to be achieved by strengthening the links between schools and employers, addressing disproportionality, raising aspirations and engagement, and ensuring our high achievers are supported into Higher Education or higher-level apprenticeships.
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2 - Pathways to employment This work stream will support young people in their pathways from school to employment through programmes which provide relevant information, advice and guidance including training, work experience and placements, and mentoring. This support will be targeted to specific groups such as BAME, care leavers, young people with SEND and talented young people.
3 - Promoting traineeships and apprenticeships This work stream aims to increase the number of young people starting and completing traineeships and apprenticeships - across all apprenticeship levels from entry level to higher level degree, increase the supply of apprenticeships from local employers, and to support and develop young people's entrepreneurial aspirations and ambitions.
4 - Lambeth Youth Pledge This work stream will work with partners across the borough (council, college, Job Centre Plus, universities, training providers) to design and deliver a guarantee to all young people aged 16-24 in Lambeth that they will have access to education, training and support so they can access local jobs and apprenticeships
Through the work streams contained in this project the aim is to:
Increase young people's academic and vocational achievement at age 19; Expand sponsor and mentor networks for young people; Narrow the skills gap; Increase the proportion of Black residents aged 18 – 30 entering into work and sustaining employment for more than 26 weeks; Have Lambeth businesses reflect a more diverse workforce; Lambeth businesses employing Lambeth residents Increase diversity in Lambeth’s creative and digital sectors; Reduce the unemployment rate for 18-24-year olds; Reduce the number of 16-18-year-old NEET.
18. Councillor Pauline George To: Cabinet Member for Finance and Performance, Councillor Andy Wilson
Digital access for residents
Around 20% of social housing tenants don’t have access to the internet, 27% of disabled adults have never used the internet and a good proportion of older people are not digitally literate, yet all the public services are now done through the internet e.g. access to train services, doctors services. What is the council doing to help these people?
Party: Labour
Answer:
Over the past few month, and indeed before the pandemic, the issue of digital inclusion has become more relevant and it is being taken very seriously across the Council.
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Lambeth will always ensure that everyone in the community can access the council services they need, and in addition to online services, we continue to offer access by a variety of contact methods including telephone, face to face, email, and in some cases post.
We continue to offer free access to PCs and Wi-Fi at all our libraries, and on-hand assistance from library staff, in a maintained social distancing compliant and safe environment for our staff and customers.
We are also redesigning our customer centre at the Civic Centre in Brixton, which includes free PC facilities and Wi-Fi access, and staff support for customers to access public services online, which will be reopening in December. In the meantime we have a number of customer services staff on site daily at the Buckner Road entrance to ensure that any customers who do visit us receive the information or support they need.
With regard to people being able to access the internet in their own homes, during the Covid-19 lockdown 1,142 laptops and 225 Wi-Fi boxes were provided by DfE and the Council distributed them to children with need who were identified through schools. These were given to children and families with a social worker who lacked equipment at home, a number of these would be living in social housing.
However we know that this is not a long term solution. Government must play its role by ensuring local authorities and schools are adequately and sustainably funded to help meet some of the challenges that have been highlighted during this pandemic, particularly around helping those that are digitally disenfranchised.
In Lambeth, the Council and our partners have been playing our part in meeting this challenge .Recently, we have established a Digital Inclusion Network which is a collaboration with a wide range of interested voluntary and community groups who support people who are digitally excluded including the elderly, disabled and people in social housing. We are starting to support, where we can, with the work they that these groups are already doing in the community; we are also developing a grant fund that will specifically be aimed at resources they need to do more for the people you reference in your question.
In the longer term, we are about to start engagement with broadband providers to bring upgrades to the broadband cables in our council housing. As part of this work we will be benefitting from a social value offering from these companies which will be targeted at our objectives for digital inclusion. The decision paper to approve this approach is now published and is available here, we will be able to start discussions with providers after 1st October.
Our services will continue to be developed digitally and we are focused on making the council’s website and online services as accessible as possible to all, including for those with disabilities affecting their ability to read.
More information about this can be found here: https://www.lambeth.gov.uk/accessibility. We are also working on a new website which will reach even higher standards of accessibility – you can view an example of the improved design at https://beta.lambeth.gov.uk/council-tax
19. Councillor Martin Tiedemann To: Deputy Leader (Sustainable Transport, Environment and Clean Air), Councillor Claire Holland
Low Traffic Neighbourhoods in Brixton Ward
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Can the Deputy Leader please provide an update on the progress on Low Traffic Neighbourhoods and liveable streets in Brixton Hill ward?
Party: Labour
Answer:
The Tulse Hill low traffic neighbourhood, including part of the Brixton Hill ward, was implemented on the 28th September. We will now monitor the impacts of this scheme and work with the community to resolve any immediate issues that arise so that the benefits can be widely shared across the area. The delivery of a second low traffic neighbourhood in the Brixton Hill ward remains a priority as set out in our Covid-19 response strategy.
Five low traffic neighbourhoods have now been delivered in 5 months and our officers have worked exhaustively since April to deliver schemes at pace across Lambeth to protect public health and rapidly increase the accessibility of Lambeth’s transport network. We have also been in receipt of time limited financial support from TfL and have therefore needed to focus on delivering projects outlined in our ‘Baseline’ scenario set out in our strategy, wherever possible.
There is a need to continue significant work in the existing LTN areas over the coming months and this impacts our ability to deliver further interventions. Nonetheless, we are committed to delivering further traffic reduction measures in the Brixton Hill area and officers are currently preparing a forward programme which will set out when these measures can be implemented.
I’d like to thank both the Brixton Hill ward team who continue to lobby for measures in their ward to make their streets safer, and to the residents of Brixton Hill who I know are eagerly anticipating such measures for their patience whilst we continue to deliver this genuinely transformational change to our transport network.
20. Councillor Jon Davies To: Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, Councillor Ed Davie
Foster parent offer
When will the new offer to our foster parents be made and what will it contain?
Party: Labour
Answer:
Fostering is one of the most rewarding roles that anyone can take on in supporting some of our most vulnerable children and the community. Our foster carers not only make a real difference to some of our most vulnerable young people, they also make a real difference to our community. Our foster carers really are local heroes.
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Since becoming Cabinet Member for Children and Young People I’ve had the pleasure to meet some of our foster carers. Their care and commitment really is inspiring, they are an invaluable asset in our borough.
Lambeth foster carers are trained, supported and paid to welcome local children into their homes and families and the council wants to encourage more households to foster. However, I know that we have not always met the mark when it comes to supporting our foster carers, I have recently met with the Lambeth Foster Carers Association, and myself and officers will be working on addressing some of their concerns around where the Council has fallen short in the past.
As part of this, the Council is currently working on a new fostering strategy which will set out the approach that we want to take over the next three years with our current and prospective foster carers. The strategy’s key objectives will aim to: Increase the number of in house foster carers; Develop a wraparound support model for carers; Reduce numbers of Independent Fostering Agency placements; Create specialist placements to support children to step down into in-house placement and improve staying-put arrangements; Improve the marketing approach to reach out to prospective carers.
Our new foster carer strategy will be set out in our revised fostering handbook which is currently being consulted on with our foster carers. We will review all feedback from this and amend as appropriate before formal sign off by the Corporate Parenting Board in December.
The new offer for our foster carers that the strategy envisages includes: An improved and competitive financial package. An enhanced practical support model provided by our supervising social workers covering weeknights, weekends, and bank holidays (effectively 24/7 support). Wraparound and bespoke therapeutic support provided by our clinical psychologist team to support carers looking after children with complex needs and dealing with significant behavioural issues Enhanced training to support our foster carers in understanding and supporting the differing and more complex needs of our children, particularly around criminal and sexual exploitation for example.
We will look to formally launch the strategy in January, with a soft launch of some of the elements of this strategy to be piloted following the consultation period with our foster carers.
Page 49 Agenda Item 9
Council, 14 October 2020
Council Motions
Wards: All
Report Authorised by: Director of Legal and Governance, Alison McKane
Contact for enquiries:
Wayne Chandai, Head of Chief Executive’s Office and Democratic Services Manager, 020 7926 0029, [email protected]
Report summary
Motions and amendments submitted by Councillors, in accordance with Standing Order 13, are set out below. Motion 1 and 2 will be debated as per council and committee rules and procedures.
Key to shading:
Bold – additions
Strikethrough – deletions
Motion 1: Green
Women with disabilities and Covid-19
Council notes that:
The COVID-19 pandemic is both an unprecedented health and economic crisis, which has brought into sharp focus multiple inequalities in our society and in particular, for people with disabilities. In addition, the intersectional nature of inequality, particularly for women with disabilities, is clearly evidenced in the results from the research that this Motion is based upon. The consequences of unequal impacts will be stark and long-lasting.
The global financial crash in 2008 and resulting recession, revealed that people with disabilities are more likely to bear the brunt of economic crises. People with disabilities are more likely to rely on public services and often lack a financial cushion to protect themselves and their families from the impact of lost earnings.
The previously converging disability pay gap widened and funding for many essential services for people with disabilities was cut.
However, unequal economic impacts are by no means inevitable and can be ameliorated or (as is more often the case) worsened by policy decisions.
This crisis also poses a greater threat to the health of people with disabilities. Many have been at the sharp end of the failure to limit the spread of Covid-19 in care homes, for example, while others may have had home support arrangements compromised.
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Council further notes that:
The survey conducted in April by the Fawcett Society (1) found that:
People with disabilities were most likely to say that they will come out of the coronavirus outbreak in more debt. Women reported doing more of the housework and childcare. A quarter (25.5%) of women with disabilities and 22.3% of men with disabilities said they had not left their home in the past week. A higher proportion of people with disabilities worked from home, particularly women, and reported spending more time working now compared to before the crisis. Over a third (37.7%) of mothers with disabilities said they were struggling to feed their children, compared to 16.7% of mothers without a disability. 39.7% of mothers with disabilities reported that their children did not have access to the equipment they needed to study at home, compared to 24.2% of mothers without a disability. 58.8% of mothers with disabilities said they were struggling to go to the shops or do other tasks because their child/ren were at home. 1 in 5 women with disabilities reported losing access to support from the government. A third (32.3%) of women with disabilities said they were not sure where to turn to for help as a result of the coronavirus outbreak. 56.4% of women with disabilities reported finding social isolation difficult to cope with, compared to 41.6% of non-disabled women. Women with disabilities were more likely to say that the current situation was causing a strain in their relationships. Just 24.9% and 28.9% of women with disabilities reported having high (7 or above on a 0-10 scale) life satisfaction and happiness respectively, compared to 38.6% and 39.9% of women without a disability. Over half of women with disabilities (53.1%) reported high anxiety.
Council calls on Government to:
● Increase Employment Support Allowance payments in line with the rise in Universal Credit and Working Tax Credit. ● End the two-child limit regarding benefit claims. ● Make advance payments of Universal Credit grants instead of loans. ● Abolish the benefits cap to ensure households with disabled people claiming benefits get the support they need. ● Ensure that all workers have access to statutory sick pay and increase the level it is paid at. ● Increase Local Housing Allowance to the 50th percentile to support renters with disabilities. ● Work with local councils to assess and provide sufficient support for those disabled parents facing increased pressures. ● Ensure supplies of PPE and testing to care home staff as well as domiciliary carers and personal assistants/carers. ● Test patients before discharging from hospital to care home. ● Stop the use of ‘blanket’ Do Not Attempt to Resuscitate orders (DNARs). ● Review the suspension of Care Act duties no less than every three months, reviewing its impact for disabled people who receive care funded by social services. This should also assess how the suspension is impacting those who have multiple protected characteristics, such as disabled BAME women. Page 51
● Increase funding to both women’s organisations and mental health service providers working directly with women with disabilities, provide training on multiple, complex needs and to help women with disabilities access the support they need at this psychologically challenging time.
Council will:
● Work with local BIDS and others to ensure that the needs of those with disabilities for groceries and shopping are prioritised. ● Be more flexible about care packages (portability of care packages) for women with disabilities trapped in social isolation and in danger from domestic abuse. ● When enacting Care Act easements, release a document to show how it will deliver its duty of care to people with disabilities and specify a review date. ● Ensure information is available in accessible formats, Easy read, Large print, and in British Sign Language (BSL) and in different national languages. ● Ensure people are aware of the alternative services, volunteer programmes, and how to access them including for those not able to access the internet. ● Provide information and guidance with sufficient response time for people with disabilities to react and take action accordingly. ● Ensuring that people with disabilities are able to have their personal assistants with them as needed, and that guidance addresses the safety aspects of personal assistants’ roles. ● Ensure that personal assistants or family carers are allowed to accompany someone with disabilities at all times to assist in providing communication support needs. ● Ensure comprehensive guidance is regularly updated advising people on how to prevent the spread of COVID-19 while using care/personal assistant services, whether the care is funded by direct payments or provided by volunteers such as family members.
(1) https://www.fawcettsociety.org.uk/Pages/Display.aspx?IsPreview=true&PostType=Page &IDPost=85f1e52b-fa0a-413f-8242-2bfcdc803463
Amendment 1: Labour
Women with disabilities and Covid-19
Council notes that:
The COVID-19 pandemic is both an unprecedented health and economic crisis, which has brought into sharp focus multiple inequalities in our society and in particular, for people with disabilities. In addition, the intersectional nature of inequality, particularly for women with disabilities, is clearly evidenced in the results from the research that this Motion is based upon. The consequences of unequal impacts will be stark and long-lasting.
The global financial crash in 2008 and resulting recession, revealed that people with disabilities are more likely to bear the brunt of economic crises. People with disabilities are more likely to rely on public services and often lack a financial cushion to protect themselves and their families from the impact of lost earnings.
The previously converging disability pay gap widened and funding for many essential services for people with disabilities was cut.
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However, unequal economic impacts are by no means inevitable and can be ameliorated or (as is more often the case) worsened by policy decisions.
This crisis also poses a greater threat to the health of people with disabilities. Many have been at the sharp end of the failure to limit the spread of Covid-19 in care homes, for example, while others may have had home support arrangements compromised.
Council further notes:
The Council have continued face to face support to individuals and their families throughout the lockdown and increased the level of support offered when Day Services were forced to close at the end of March. The Council increased the support available to supported living and care home providers to ensure they always had good supplies of PPE and access to additional financial support through the infection control fund. The Learning Disability Forum remained active in supporting residents with learning disabilities throughout the lockdown, holding virtual meetings to ensure that the forum could continue to meet and offer support. The Council supported residents being discharged from hospital, adopting the Discharge to Assess model so that necessary packages could be put in place in a timely manner.
Council further notes that:
The survey conducted in April by the Fawcett Society (1) found that:
People with disabilities were most likely to say that they will come out of the coronavirus outbreak in more debt. Women reported doing more of the housework and childcare. A quarter (25.5%) of women with disabilities and 22.3% of men with disabilities said they had not left their home in the past week. A higher proportion of people with disabilities worked from home, particularly women, and reported spending more time working now compared to before the crisis. Over a third (37.7%) of mothers with disabilities said they were struggling to feed their children, compared to 16.7% of mothers without a disability. 39.7% of mothers with disabilities reported that their children did not have access to the equipment they needed to study at home, compared to 24.2% of mothers without a disability. 58.8% of mothers with disabilities said they were struggling to go to the shops or do other tasks because their child/ren were at home. 1 in 5 women with disabilities reported losing access to support from the government. A third (32.3%) of women with disabilities said they were not sure where to turn to for help as a result of the coronavirus outbreak. 56.4% of women with disabilities reported finding social isolation difficult to cope with, compared to 41.6% of non-disabled women. Women with disabilities were more likely to say that the current situation was causing a strain in their relationships. Just 24.9% and 28.9% of women with disabilities reported having high (7 or above on a 0-10 scale) life satisfaction and happiness respectively, compared to 38.6% and 39.9% of women without a disability. Over half of women with disabilities (53.1%) reported high anxiety.
Council calls on Government to:
Page 53
● Increase Employment Support Allowance payments in line with the rise in Universal Credit and Working Tax Credit. ● End the two-child limit regarding benefit claims. ● Make advance payments of Universal Credit grants instead of loans. ● Abolish the benefits cap to ensure households with disabled people claiming benefits get the support they need. ● Ensure that all workers have access to statutory sick pay and increase the level it is paid at. ● Increase Local Housing Allowance to the 50th percentile to support renters with disabilities. ● Work with local councils to assess and provide sufficient support for those disabled parents facing increased pressures. ● Ensure supplies of PPE and testing to care home staff as well as domiciliary carers and personal assistants/carers. ● Test patients before discharging from hospital to care home. ● Stop the use of ‘blanket’ Do Not Attempt to Resuscitate orders (DNARs). ● Review the suspension of Care Act duties no less than every three months, reviewing its impact for disabled people who receive care funded by social services. This should also assess how the suspension is impacting those who have multiple protected characteristics, such as disabled BAME women. ● Increase funding to both women’s organisations and mental health service providers working directly with women with disabilities, provide training on multiple, complex needs and to help women with disabilities access the support they need at this psychologically challenging time.
Council will:
● Work with local BIDS and others to ensure that the needs of those with disabilities for groceries and shopping are prioritised. ● Be more flexible about care packages (portability of care packages) for women with disabilities trapped in social isolation and in danger from domestic abuse. ● When enacting Care Act easements, release a document to show how it will deliver its duty of care to people with disabilities and specify a review date. ● Ensure information is available in accessible formats, Easy read, Large print, and in British Sign Language (BSL) and in different national languages. ● Ensure people are aware of the alternative services, volunteer programmes, and how to access them including for those not able to access the internet. ● Provide information and guidance with sufficient response time for people with disabilities to react and take action accordingly. ● Ensuring that people with disabilities are able to have their personal assistants with them as needed, and that guidance addresses the safety aspects of personal assistants’ roles. ● Ensure that personal assistants or family carers are allowed to accompany someone with disabilities at all times to assist in providing communication support needs. ● Ensure comprehensive guidance is regularly updated advising people on how to prevent the spread of COVID-19 while using care/personal assistant services, whether the care is funded by direct payments or provided by volunteers such as family members. ● Ensure that the review of the Violence Against Women and Girls strategy will focus on catering for the needs of those suffering from other forms of disadvantage and oppression. Lambeth has a high proportion of BAME survivors of domestic abuse (and other forms of VAWG) and the same is also true for survivors with disabilities.
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Motion 2: Labour
Lambeth’s Economic Recovery Council notes with serious concern that Covid-19 has caused tremendous pain and has had the most profound economic shock on our communities. Council notes that unemployment in Lambeth has increased from around 8,000 in February of this year, to around 21,000 in August as a result of the pandemic. Council notes with concern the potential cliff edge for millions of workers across the country as the furlough scheme is withdrawn. Council further notes that before the crisis, Black residents were more likely to be unemployed than their white neighbours, with almost 1 in 5 working residents being in low paid jobs in an economy that wasn’t working for everyone. To tackle those inequalities, the administration was preparing a growth strategy for the borough which championed economic growth and explicitly recognised the biases and barriers to equitable, inclusive growth and opportunity in Lambeth and how we needed to intervene to overcome these disadvantages. Council welcomes the significant support provided by the administration to businesses in Lambeth during the pandemic, including the dedicated £4.2 million Hardship Fund which supported over 300 businesses in the borough who did not receive Government support. Funded by taxes on developers, this investment helped to protect the businesses that are vital to Lambeth’s local economy, including market traders, independent hospitality and retail, arts and cultural organisations and charities. Council welcomes Lambeth’s Economic Resilience strategy, which is designed not just to deliver Lambeth’s economic recovery from the pandemic and resulting economic shock, but to put it on track for a more inclusive, equitable and greener future. Council welcomes the genuine partnership work including the Business Taskforce, the Lambeth First Partnership, the South Bank & Waterloo Partnership, Housing Associations, Employment and Skills Board, and others, because only by harnessing all of Lambeth’s collective strengths and opportunities can we deliver this more equitable future. Council welcomes the administration’s commitment to:
Support our residents into employment pathways, with a particular focus on our black, young and disabled residents.
Create a skills system responsive to changing employer demand and the growth sectors of the future.
Enable our residents to unlock their potential through upskilling, reskilling, training provision and apprenticeships.
Support our existing and new businesses to survive in the short term and to adapt and thrive in the new post-Covid economy.
Encourage our businesses to be inclusive and resilient, by tackling low pay, in-work poverty and to reduce their carbon emissions.
Work with our anchor institutions and major employers to utilise our supply chains and increase spend with local businesses. Page 55
Increase the supply and accessibility of homes of all types and tenures, particularly homes at council rent, and the supply of workspace that respond to changing needs.
Achieve sustainable, welcoming places with inclusive public realm improvements in our neighbourhoods that are accessible for all.
Improve physical and digital connectivity in and between all of our neighbourhoods.
Deliver rapid back to work support for the newly unemployed and the Lambeth Youth Promise for our young people in transition, with guaranteed support to find work, apprenticeship or further education.
Increase the volume of and expand the range of online courses being delivered by our providers to help residents upskill and reskill. Council urges the government to extend the furlough scheme for key sectors where it is not possible to return to business as usual, to work with businesses and trade unions on a genuine national plan for jobs, skills and training and to give the resources to local councils to deliver the economic recovery.
Amendment 1, Conservative Lambeth’s Economic Recovery Council notes with serious concern that Covid-19 has caused tremendous pain and has had the most profound economic shock on our communities. Council notes that unemployment in Lambeth has increased from around 8,000 in February of this year, to around 21,000 in August as a result of the pandemic. Council notes with concern the potential cliff edge for millions of workers across the country as the furlough scheme is withdrawn. Council further notes that before the crisis, Black residents were more likely to be unemployed than their white neighbours, with almost 1 in 5 working residents being in low paid jobs in an economy that wasn’t working for everyone, despite this Labour administration being in power in Lambeth for decades, and by failing to have addressed that inequality before now, effectively entrenching inequality and slowing social mobility for our children. To tackle those inequalities, the administration was preparing a growth strategy for the borough which championed economic growth and explicitly recognised the biases and barriers to equitable, inclusive growth and opportunity in Lambeth and how we needed to intervene to overcome these disadvantages, again. Council welcomes the significant support provided by the administration to businesses in Lambeth during the pandemic, including the £60 million paid out by the Conservative Government to local businesses in Lambeth, alongside the dedicated £4.2 million Hardship Fund which supported over 300 businesses in the borough who did not apply for or receive Government support. Funded by taxes on developers, this investment helped to protect the businesses that are vital to Lambeth’s local economy, including market traders, independent hospitality and retail, arts and cultural organisations and charities. Council welcomes Lambeth’s Economic Resilience strategy, which is designed not just to help deliver Lambeth’s economic recovery from the pandemic and resulting economic shock, but to Page 56 put it on track for a more inclusive, equitable and greener future, again. The strategy will try to address some of the consequences of previous poor decisions by the Labour-run Council. Council welcomes the genuine partnership work including the Business Taskforce, the Lambeth First Partnership, the South Bank & Waterloo Partnership, Housing Associations, Employment and Skills Board, and others, because only by harnessing all of Lambeth’s collective strengths and opportunities can we hope to deliver this more equitable future. Council welcomes the administration’s commitment to:
Support our residents into employment pathways, with a particular focus on our black, young and disabled residents.
Create a skills system responsive to changing employer demand and the growth sectors of the future, despite Labour councillors having committed to create a ‘skills system’ for decades;
Enable our residents to unlock their potential through upskilling, reskilling, training provision and apprenticeships, and supporting the measures taken by the Conservative Government to create rapid growth in the economy, the economy bouncing back with 6.6% growth in July;
Support our existing and new businesses to survive in the short term and to adapt and thrive in the new post-Covid economy by reducing the tax burden on local businesses and on individuals generating wealth, thereby increasing the profitability and economic activity of local businesses, which will increase overall tax income to pay for more and better local services;
Encourage our businesses to be inclusive and resilient, by tackling low pay, in-work poverty and to reduce their carbon emissions.
Work with our anchor institutions and major employers to utilise our supply chains and increase spend with local businesses by helping local businesses become more competitive and effective, making their goods and services more attractive to potential customers in Lambeth, but also across London and beyond;
Increase the supply and accessibility of homes of all types and tenures, particularly real council homes at council rent, and the supply of competitively-priced workspace that responds to changing needs, spaces that are genuinely attractive not just to organisations that require council funding to survive, but to new small businesses;
Achieve sustainable, welcoming places with inclusive public realm improvements in our neighbourhoods that are accessible for all by lobbying the current Mayor of London Sadiq Khan to change his disastrous draft London Plan, and for Lambeth to re- think its open-space-and-light-blocking Local Plan, with its lack of parking spaces for electric vehicles and cars which are needed by the disabled, the vulnerable, large families, small businesses, and people who need to drive for their job;
Improve physical and digital connectivity in and between all of our neighbourhoods, for example by pledging to follow Conservative Wandsworth and fit superfast fibre broadband into the structure of all housing developments as a standard feature; Page 57
Deliver rapid back to work support for the newly unemployed and the Lambeth Youth Promise for our young people in transition, with guaranteed support to find work, apprenticeship or further education, again.
Increase the volume of and expand the range of online courses being delivered by our providers to help residents upskill and reskill, and increase their quality, collecting data on their success and utility, to be able to make a cost-benefit analysis of which online courses work well and which do not, to aid further improvement. Council urges the government to extend the furlough scheme for key sectors where it is not possible to return to business as usual, to work with businesses and trade unions on a genuine national plan for jobs, skills and training and to give the resources support to those local councils, businesses and organisations with a track record in using money wisely to create and sustain wealth to help deliver the economic recovery.
Amendment 2: Green
Lambeth’s Economic Recovery Council notes with serious concern that the Covid-19 pandemic has caused tremendous pain and has had the most profound economic shock on our communities, bringing into sharp focus the social and financial inequalities and injustices that our society is built upon. Council notes that unemployment in Lambeth has increased from around 8,000 in February of this year, to around 21,000 in August as a result of the pandemic. lockdown and its impact on an economy that lacks resilience in the face of a crisis and isn’t sustainable. Council notes with concern the potential cliff edge for millions of workers across the country as the furlough scheme is withdrawn. Council notes the current and future impact of the pandemic on the livelihoods and wellbeing of Lambeth’s young people. Council further notes that before the crisis, Black residents were more likely to be unemployed than their white neighbours, with almost 1 in 5 working residents being in low paid jobs in an economy that wasn’t working for everyone. To tackle those inequalities, the administration was preparing a growth strategy for the borough which championed economic growth and explicitly recognised the biases and barriers to equitable, inclusive growth and opportunity in Lambeth and how we needed to intervene to overcome these disadvantages. Council acknowledges the vital backbone of the unpaid (often referred to as the ‘love’) economy. These are the often forgotten workforce, who provide unpaid care for elderly, young or vulnerable family members, friends and neighbours. Very often they are the most generous people in society, who put others before themselves when it comes to sharing what time and resources they have. All these are areas in which women, in particular, have bolstered the economy practically and many of whom have also had the multiple impact of having children at home, rather than school. Council welcomes that the Government set up two Coronavirus grant schemes; the Small Business Grants Fund (SBGF) and the Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Business Grants Fund (RHLGF) through which money was given to local authorities for distribution to Small & Medium Enterprises (SMEs). Council notes that 4023 SMEs were given grants to the value of £55.5 million. Page 58
Council welcomes the significant support provided by the administration to businesses in Lambeth during the pandemic, including the dedicated £4.2 million Hardship Fund which supported over 300 businesses in the borough who did not receive Government support. Funded by taxes on developers, this investment helped to protect the businesses that are vital to Lambeth’s local economy, including market traders, independent hospitality and retail, arts and cultural organisations and charities. Council welcomes Lambeth’s Economic Resilience strategy, which is designed not just to deliver Lambeth’s economic recovery from the pandemic and resulting economic shock, but to put it on track for a more inclusive, equitable and greener future. Council recognises the work and adaptability of officers in taking on new roles, often at short notice; for example at Brixton Hub, at Somerleyton Road testing station, on the Vulnerable Person Helpline and dealing sensitively with the administration of the Hardship Fund where households have struggled with Council Tax and rent payments. Council is committed to seeking ways to avoid court prosecution and referrals to debt recovery agencies due to arrears. Council welcomes the genuine partnership work including the Business Taskforce, the Lambeth First Partnership, the South Bank & Waterloo Partnership, Housing Associations, Employment and Skills Board, and others, because only by harnessing all of Lambeth’s collective strengths and opportunities can we deliver this more equitable future. Council welcomes the administration’s commitment to:
● Support our residents into employment pathways, with a particular focus on our black, young and disabled residents.
● Create a skills system responsive to changing employer demand and the growth sectors of the future.
● Enable our residents to unlock their potential through upskilling, reskilling, training provision and apprenticeships.
● Support our existing and new businesses to survive in the short term and to adapt and thrive in the new post-Covid economy.
● Encourage our businesses to be inclusive and resilient, by tackling low pay, in-work poverty and to reduce their carbon emissions.
● Work with our anchor institutions and major employers to utilise our supply chains and increase spend with local businesses.
● Increase the supply and accessibility of homes of all types and tenures, particularly homes at council rent, and the supply of workspace that respond to changing needs.
● Achieve sustainable, welcoming places with inclusive public realm improvements in our neighbourhoods that are accessible for all.
● Improve physical and digital connectivity in and between all of our neighbourhoods. ● Deliver rapid back to work support for the newly unemployed. ● and the Deliver on the Lambeth Youth Promise for our young people in transition, with guaranteed support to find work, apprenticeship or further education. Page 59
● Increase the volume of and expand the range of online courses being delivered by our providers to help residents upskill and reskill. Council urges the government to extend the furlough scheme for key sectors where it is not possible to return to business as usual, to work with businesses and trade unions on a genuine national plan for jobs, skills and training and to give the resources to local councils to deliver the economic recovery. Council will write to the government and ask it to pilot a Universal Basic Income in Lambeth, in order to support all those who would not receive assistance under the current and proposed schemes.
Motion 3: Conservative
To reverse the failed Low Traffic Neighbourhoods scheme and consult residents properly
All councillors are committed in their manifestos to having more people walk and cycle. However, under pressure from Green councillors, Labour councillors have panicked and used the Coronavirus pandemic as an excuse for their war on cars.
The Low Traffic Neighbourhoods imposed by this Labour council are a complete disaster, along with the road restrictions imposed by the chauffeur-driven London Mayor Sadiq Khan, which are also choking off the economy of central London. These measures achieve the opposite of the Council’s stated aim of having lower vehicle use with less pollution.
These schemes have created more vehicle use overall as a result of longer journeys, with vehicles gridlocked in traffic jams, cars accelerating into tight spots, both of which create more pollution for longer periods, and break up the cohesiveness of neighbourhoods with angry motorists and residents shouting at and threatening one another.
Emergency vehicles cannot get through to save lives. Disabled people and elderly people are particularly disadvantaged, stuck in their homes, unable to have carers come to them, unable to drive at the times they need to shop for food or meet hospital appointments. People who need their cars for work, for example nurses working in the NHS, people with large families or small businesses that need to transport children or goods for their shops, people that have made the UK their home who tend to travel further out of their own area to get to churches or mosques or faith schools specific to their community, have all been particularly disadvantaged. The scheme is a complete shambles.
The most sinister aspect of this Labour scheme has been that the young and fit that can ride bikes are favoured over the old and infirm; the rich are favoured over the poor; the more mobile over the less able. A sensible Conservative Government policy has been twisted by Labour- Lambeth councillors into something autocratic, favouring the young and fit that can look after themselves and use bikes, at the expense of everyone else. Communities are made up of people of different ages and different abilities. We should not penalise people who need cars.
When Labour councillors are told that hybrids and electric cars are replacing petrol vehicles, Page 60 and that pollution will decrease as a result, they have no answer. Labour councillors have sat around making decisions in the Town Hall and Civic Centre by pointing at a map. A related issue is that Labour councillors and the do-nothing Mayor of London Sadiq Khan have no interest in creating parking spaces for electric vehicles in any new housing developments being built.
These poorly thought-out schemes help make parts of London that are run by Labour authorities to become even more poorly-managed, compared to areas outside the capital. Cycle around London now and you can see for yourself which areas are run by Labour: poorly-managed housing, litter, potholes, high debt, high council tax driving lower opportunities, low social mobility, residents that accept the failure of their Council because they are told that Labour councillors are on their side – in reality keeping residents exactly where they are, to vote Labour.
The current Low Traffic Neighbourhood schemes were rushed through by Labour councillors under the pretence of a response to Coronavirus, with no proper consultation whatsoever. This is the now legendary Labour-Lambeth approach of ‘Make a decision, then have a consultation.’ Labour councillors have lost their sense of balance from being in power too long. They have learnt nothing from the Loughborough Junction fiasco, and persist in their authoritarian approach of telling people what to do and how to live their lives, without using common sense and taking into account the needs of all of our residents.
Next door Wandsworth have suspended their Low Traffic Neighbourhood schemes, citing ‘concerns with emergency access and traffic flows… compounded by the changes that TfL [Sadiq Khan] is making to red route roads… [which] has caused confusion and long traffic queues’. The Secretary of State for Transport has written to Lambeth Council asking that it stop abusing the £250 million fund meant for a Conservative green transport revolution by installing pointless one-way systems and barriers that offer ‘no benefit to anyone’.
We should do the same, and have proper consultations to establish where Low Traffic Neighbourhoods are wanted, or required to solve a problem.
Council therefore resolves:
1. To end the Low Traffic Neighbourhoods trial immediately, with all road blockages removed;
2. For the Council to go back to the drawing board and consult residents in an unbiased way that does not presume an outcome, to see where low-traffic neighbourhoods or restrictions are actually wanted, or required to solve a problem (for example in the streets off Clapham Common Southside in Clapham Common ward SW4 to avoid cut- throughs to the South Circular Road: Lessar Avenue, Lynette Avenue, Cautley Avenue and others);
3. To lobby Sadiq Khan to end his road-narrowing and other anti-car schemes, open the bridges, and allow the economy of Central London to return to normal, so businesses there can have a chance of survival whilst he remains Mayor of London, before consulting properly on ways to encourage safe cycling and walking. Page 61
Motion 4: Labour
Invest in key workers and public services, don’t just clap for them
Council notes:
That residents, businesses, community groups and public services across Lambeth have shown the very best of our borough during the Covid-19 pandemic by working together to ensure we could keep the most vulnerable in our community safe and supported. The thanks of all elected councillors in Lambeth to everyone who lives and works in our borough for their continued dedication which saw help offered to thousands of vulnerable people, an incredible effort by community groups and a surge in volunteering and community spirit That Lambeth council worked with residents and community groups to support care homes, provide PPE, keep businesses going, make emergency transport changes to aid social distancing, and deliver over 20,000 food packages to vulnerable people. That despite promising to fund councils to do ‘whatever it takes’ to fight the Covid-19 pandemic, the government have so far not made good on their promise, leaving Lambeth facing huge financial uncertainty, with a funding shortfall of at least £10 million this year and a possible £50 million in the next few years. That throughout the Covid-19 pandemic Lambeth has been able to effectively respond to the challenge due to the prudent use of the council’s resources and assets and good financial management over the last few years despite government cuts. That despite promising to end the austerity that they have administered over the last decade, successive Tory administrations have continued to mercilessly slash council funding, leaving them operating on shoestring budgets with services at breaking point. Council believes:
That for the government to renege on their promise to fund councils to do ‘whatever it takes’ is a betrayal to the very people they have been elected to serve, and will have a wholly negative impact on the services that vulnerable residents rely on – now more than ever before. That we need government ministers who proudly clapped for key workers and public services to deliver an autumn budget that actually invests in those same key workers and public services. That year after year of one-year grants, rather than sustainable long-term funding, places uncertainty and huge amounts of pressure on councils when they consider their finances over the medium term. Council resolves:
To write to the Prime Minister and the Chancellor of the Exchequer to demand that the autumn budget and this year’s funding settlement commit the government to reinvesting in councils, restoring our budgets and closing the funding shortfalls councils face due to ten years of austerity and the Covid-19 crisis. To endorse the #10billionbailout campaign from UNISON calling on the government to provide emergency funding for councils to close the £10 billion national shortfall in council funding.
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Amendment 1: Green
Invest in key workers and public services, don’t just clap for them Council notes:
● That residents, businesses, community groups and public services across Lambeth have shown the very best of our borough during the Covid-19 pandemic by working together to ensure we could keep the most vulnerable in our community safe and supported. ● The thanks of all elected councillors in Lambeth to everyone who lives and works in our borough for their continued dedication which saw help offered to thousands of vulnerable people, an incredible effort by community groups and a surge in volunteering and community spirit ● That Lambeth council worked with residents and community groups to support care homes, provide PPE, keep businesses going, make emergency transport changes to aid social distancing, and deliver over 20,000 food packages to vulnerable people. ● That despite promising to fund councils to do ‘whatever it takes’ to fight the Covid-19 pandemic, the government have so far not made good on their promise, leaving Lambeth facing huge financial uncertainty, with a funding shortfall of at least £10 million this year and a possible £50 million in the next few years. ● That throughout the Covid-19 pandemic Lambeth has been able to effectively respond to the challenge due to the prudent use of the council’s resources and assets and good financial management over the last few years despite government cuts. ● That despite promising to end the austerity that they have administered over the last decade, successive Conservative Tory administrations have continued to mercilessly slash council funding, leaving them operating on shoestring budgets with services at breaking point. ● That key workers' wellbeing, prospects, pay and conditions are best served when their jobs are secure. ● Public services are best served when there is long term strategic planning and finance in place.
Council believes:
● That for the government to renege on their promise to fund councils to do ‘whatever it takes’ is a betrayal to the very people they have been elected to serve, and will have a wholly negative impact on the services that vulnerable residents rely on – now more than ever before. That we need government ministers who proudly clapped for key workers and public services to deliver an autumn budget that actually invests in those same key workers and public services. ● That year after year of one-year grants, rather than sustainable long-term funding, places uncertainty and huge amounts of pressure on councils when they consider their finances over the medium term. Council resolves:
● To write to the Prime Minister and the Chancellor of the Exchequer to demand that, despite there being no the autumn budget, and this year’s the government commits to a funding settlement commit the government which reinvests to reinvesting in councils,: restoring our budgets and closing the funding shortfalls councils face due to ten years of austerity and the Covid-19 crisis. Page 63
To endorse the #10billionbailout campaign from UNISON calling on the government to provide emergency funding for councils to close the £10 billion national shortfall in council funding.
Motion 5: Labour
Adopting the UN Sustainable Development/Global Goals
Lambeth Council values the importance of the UN’s 17 Global Goals/Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that address the global challenges we face including poverty, inequality, climate, environmental degradation and prosperity.
The Council recognises that we have a decade of action if we are to deliver the Goals by 2030.
The Council believes that all levels of government work together and that local government is a key component to successful domestic implementation of the SDGs.
Council notes that in 2019 the cross-party Local Government Association unanimously adopted a motion recognising the vital role that councils could play in planning, implementation and monitoring the UK’s progress on meeting the ambitions of the Agenda 2030.
Lambeth Council will lobby central government for them to recognise the vital role local government must play in terms of the planning, implementation and monitoring in local areas, and fully resource councils to do that work, to deliver the UK’s progress on meeting the ambitions of the 2030 Agenda.
Recognising that we will only be able to achieve the Goals by working with local partners, The Council recommits to engaging our areas through local partnerships and with our citizens to share research and engagement with our networks, partners and citizens, particularly given our sector’s continuing funding pressures.
That this Council believes it is right to formalise our commitment to the Goals and therefore adopts the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), agreeing to pursue the locally relevant Goals in the work undertaken by the Council.
That this council resolves to begin work by mapping which targets are relevant using the LGA and UKSSD Sustainable Development Guide.
Amendment 1: Green
Adopting the UN Sustainable Development/Global Goals
Lambeth Council values the importance of the UN’s 17 Global Goals/Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that address the global challenges we face including poverty, inequality, climate, environmental degradation and prosperity. The Council recognises that we have a decade of action if we are to deliver the Goals by 2030. The Council believes that all levels of government work together and that local government is a key component to successful domestic implementation of the SDGs. Page 64
Council notes recognises the strength of positive cross-party working and notes that in 2019 the cross-party Local Government Association unanimously adopted a motion recognising the vital role that councils could play in planning, implementation and monitoring the UK’s progress on meeting the ambitions of the Agenda 2030. Lambeth Council will lobby central government for them to recognise the vital role local government must play in terms of the planning, implementation and monitoring in local areas, and fully resource councils to do that work, to deliver the UK’s progress on meeting the ambitions of the 2030 Agenda. Recognising that we will only be able to achieve the Goals by working with local partners, T the Council recommits to engaging our areas through local partnerships and with our citizens to share research and engagement with our networks, partners and citizens, particularly given our sector’s continuing funding pressures. That this Council believes it is right to formalise our commitment to the Goals and therefore adopts the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), agreeing to pursue the locally relevant Goals in the work undertaken by the Council. That this council resolves to begin work by mapping which targets are relevant using the LGA and UKSSD Sustainable Development Guide.