COUNCIL Agenda
Place Council Chamber, Town Hall, Wellington Street, Woolwich SE18 6PW
Date Wednesday, 23 June 2021
Time 7:00 PM
This meeting is open to the press and public, but restrictions will apply to ensure a Covid-19 secure environment. This meeting is to last no longer than one hour on Public Health advice.
Members are hereby summoned to attend a Meeting of the Council for the business as set out in the agenda below.
Agenda 1 Apologies for Absence To receive apologies from Members of the Council.
2 Minutes To agree the Minutes of the Council Meeting held on 31 March 2021 and the Annual Meeting held on 19 May 2021 No motion or discussion may take place upon the Minutes except as to their accuracy, and any question on this point will be determined by a majority of the Members of the body attending who were present when the matter in question was decided. Once confirmed, with or without amendment, the person presiding will sign the Minutes.
If you require further information about this meeting please contact the Committee Services Officer: Daniel Wilkinson Telephone: 020 8921 5102 Email: [email protected]
Page 1 3 Mayor's Announcements
4 Declarations of Interest Members to declare any personal and financial interests in items on the agenda. Attention is drawn to the Council's Constitution, the Council's Code of Conduct and associated advice.
5 Notice of Members wishing to exceed the 5 minute rule
6 Submission of Petitions Presentation to the Council of petitions for consideration
7 Petition responses Response to petitions presented previously to Council
8 Public Deputations on matters not otherwise on the agenda
9 Public Questions It is the ruling of the Mayor that due to the public health restrictions, it will not be possible to comply fully with A1.33 of the Council Procedures Rules. Those members of the public who wish to ask a supplementary question must therefore do so in writing instead of at the meeting
10 Questions from Members a. To receive written responses to questions submitted by Members in line with procedure Rule A1.38.
b. Up to 10 minutes will be allowed for Members’ oral questions in line with procedure Rule A1.43.
Page 2 11 Matters for early debate Up to 3 items of business may be prioritised for consideration under this section. Each political party may select an item of business, from the list of items on the agenda, for early debate.
12 Appointment of Honorary Freemen/Women and Appointment of Honorary Aldermen/Women of the Royal Borough of Greenwich
13 Changes to the Executive Functions Scheme of Delegation
14 Decisions on Executive Functions taken under Urgency Procedures
15 Motion “Policing in Greenwich”
Date of Issue Debbie Warren Tuesday, 15 Chief Executive June 2021
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Filming and Recording Meetings
This meeting will be filmed for live webcasting through the Council’s web site at https://royalgreenwich.public-i.tv/core/portal/home
This meeting may be photographed (without the use of flash), filmed or audio recorded, except where the public is excluded because confidential or exempt items will be discussed. Any footage is likely to be publicly available.
By entering the room where the meeting is being held, you will be deemed to have consented to being photographed, filmed or audio recorded, and that will apply to any representation you make to the meeting. You will also be deemed to have consented to the possible public use of any images and sound recordings.
If you have any queries regarding the recording of meetings, please contact the Committee Services Manager at [email protected]
Safety Fire and Emergency Procedures
Users of the Committee Rooms and the Council Chamber are asked to note the following fire and emergency procedures:-
When you hear the continuous ringing of the fire alarm bells, please make your way out of the building in an orderly manner. The nearest exit from the Council Chamber and the Committee Rooms is through the main exit leading to Wellington Street (at the front of the building). Do not use the lift and do not stop to collect personal belongings. Once outside the Town Hall please make your way to the Assembly Point between Sainsbury’s and The Vista via Market Street or Polytechnic Street
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Page 5 PUBLIC INFORMATION
SAFE USE OF COUNCIL MEETING ROOMS
The local authority is required to make all its public meeting spaces Covid-19 secure.
To comply with this the local authority -
• will apply socially distanced seating arrangements in its public meeting rooms.
• requires all attendees, unless medically exempt, to wear a face covering. Guidance on face covering can be found on the Government’s website .
• requests all attendees to undertake a lateral flow test before attending meetings, and if positive you must not attend this meeting. These are free, and are available at certain sites or kits can be acquired for home testing. Please see the Council’s website for more details.
• requests all attendees to wash their hands thoroughly or use sanitiser before entering the meeting rooms.
• requires all attendees to scan the QR code via NHS COVID-19 App to check-in before being admitted entry to the meeting rooms.
Council Meetings are open to the press and public to attend, except where personal or confidential matters are being discussed.
As a result of Covid-19 secure measures, spaces for public viewing are extremely limited and will be allocated based on a first come, first served basis. Consideration and weighting will also be given to the role attendees will play at the meeting. Full Council and Planning Board/Area Committee meetings will be filmed, for live webcasting through the Council’s website. Other meetings will be recorded and added to the Council’s YouTube Channel shortly after the meeting has finished. The recording of this meeting will be available to view for one year after the meeting.
If you are attending a meeting you are requested to contact Committee Services by email at [email protected] or telephone on 020 8921 4350 at least two days before the meeting, stating the capacity in which you will be attending i.e. to observe the proceedings, speak on an item of business.
For all meetings the general rule is that the Chair has discretion with regard to speakers and speaking times. Some committees have defined specific rules.
Page 6 The Chair will take into account the safe capacity of the room. This may mean that the Chair will only permit a certain number in at any one time.
On arrival at the Town Hall, please see the relevant Officer who will confirm you are on the list of attendees and who will either direct you to the meeting room, or to a waiting room depending on the circumstance.
Page 7 COUNCILLORS WITH SPECIAL RESPONSIBILITIES
Cabinet Members and Portfolios Councillor Danny Thorpe Leader, Communications and Corporate Services, Councillor Denise Scott-McDonald Deputy Leader, Regeneration and Good Growth Councillor Sarah Merrill Environment, Sustainability and Transport Councillor Adel Khaireh Culture and Communities Councillor Mariam Lolavar Business and Economic Growth Councillor Matthew Morrow Children and Young People Councillor Anthony Okereke Housing Councillor Linda Perks Finance and Resources Councillor Jackie Smith Community Safety and Enforcement Councillor Miranda Williams Health and Adult’s Social Care
Overview and Scrutiny Councillor Chris Lloyd Chair of Overview and Scrutiny Committee Councillor John Fahy Vice-Chair of Overview and Scrutiny Committee, Chair of Corporate Finance and Performance Scrutiny Panel Councillor Ivis Williams Chair of Children and Young People Scrutiny Panel Councillor David Stanley Chair of Community Safety and Environment Scrutiny Panel Councillor Mark James Chair of Healthier Communities and Adult Social Care Scrutiny Panel Councillor Clive Mardner Chair of Housing and Anti-Poverty Scrutiny Panel Councillor Gary Parker Chair of Regeneration, Transport and Culture Scrutiny Panel
Planning and Licensing Councillor Stephen Brain Chair of Planning Councillor Jackie Smith Chair of Licensing
Other Bodies Councillor Chris Lloyd Chair of Audit and Risk Management Panel Councillor Peter Brooks Chair of the Pension Fund Investment and Administration Panel Councillor Bill Freeman Chair of Highways Committee
Leader of the Opposition Councillor Nigel Fletcher Leader of the Conservative Group Councillor Charlie Davis Deputy Leader of the Conservative Group
Party Whips Councillor Angela Cornforth Labour Party Councillor Geoffrey Brighty Conservative Party
Page 8 Council Public Information
PLEASE TURN ALL MOBILE PHONES TO SILENT
Meetings of the Council
Meetings of the Full Council, when scheduled, ordinarily take place on a Wednesday. Additional meetings are sometimes arranged. A list of meetings and their dates can be found on the Council’s website or at the Town Hall, or at The Woolwich, Eltham and Greenwich Centres. Alternatively you can contact the Committee Services Officer (details on the front of the agenda).
Outline of the Proceedings
Full Council is a meeting of Members of the Council (elected Councillors). The Mayor chairs the meeting (or the Deputy Mayor in his/her absence). Council Officers are present but do not take part in making the decisions.
The Mayor oversees the meeting and controls the debate. All Councillors discuss the business on the agenda by addressing the Mayor; this helps to keep the debate in an orderly manner. The Mayor takes each item in turn and when he/she considers there has been sufficient debate, calls for a decision to be made or for the information to be noted. The Council may consider agenda items in a different order than they appear on the agenda.
Detailed information on the procedure to be followed when Council considers reports from Officers is set out later.
The Agenda
The Agenda is made up of the items of business to be considered at the meeting. It includes reports that ask the Council to make decisions and reports of Committee meetings.
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Declarations of interest
Members of the Council are required to declare any interests that they might have in an item on the agenda. In some cases the Councillor who has declared an interest may not take part in consideration of the item concerned, and must leave the Chamber whilst it is considered. However, depending on the nature of the interest, a Councillor may in certain circumstances, having declared an interest, speak and vote on an item.
Petitions
Members of the public may request any Member of the Council to present a petition at the meeting. The Councillor may read or briefly summarise the substance of the petition. There is no debate and the petition is referred to the appropriate Chief Officer to report back to the Council within two ordinary meetings. Only when the Council receives the report back may Members debate it and members of the Public ask to speak (see Provision for Other Public Involvement, below).
Deputations
Members of the public can request to make deputations to the Council on any issue in which the Council has powers or duties.
A person wishing to lead a deputation at the Council meeting should notify the Committee Services Officer not later than one week (5 working days) prior to the meeting concerned, giving reasons for the request. If the request is refused by the Mayor a letter will be sent explaining why.
Public Questions
Members of the Public may submit questions (up to a maximum of two per person, each question consisting of no more than one part). All questions must relate to issues in which the Council has powers or duties. The Mayor may disallow any questions that he/she feels to be improper. If the request is refused a letter/email will be sent to the questioner explaining why. Notice of questions should be sent by email, or in writing to the Committee Services Section, Town Hall, Woolwich SE18 6PW. It should be with the Committee Services Section by no later than 12 noon, five working days before the Council meeting. The notice must contain the name and address of the sender.
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Other Provision for Public Involvement
Members of the Public may also request to speak at a Council meeting on an item that appears on the agenda (at the Mayor’s discretion). If a member of the public wishes to do this they should notify the Committee Services Officer as soon as possible prior to the meeting.
Copies of Agenda and Minutes
Copies of the Agenda for the Council and its main Member-Level Bodies are available on request from the Town Hall, Wellington Street, Woolwich at least five days before the meeting; or on line via the Council’s website at https://committees.royalgreenwich.gov.uk/Committees.aspx .
The Council will make every effort to provide a translated, Braille, audio or large print copy of an agenda item(s) if you request this from the Committee Services Officer named below, but this will take some time to prepare and may not be available in advance of the meeting.
Background Papers
Background Papers are listed at the end of each item. They are documents such as letters, memoranda, reports and previous items that the author has used to write the report. Members of the public can inspect and copy these documents by contacting the relevant report author listed at the bottom of each report.
Disabled Access, Interpreters/Signers
Most meetings are held in the Town Hall, Woolwich, which has wheelchair access, good lighting and an induction loop system for the hard of hearing. Meetings held elsewhere are normally in wheelchair-accessible locations. Provided you give reasonable advance notice to the Committee Services Officer, the Council can usually arrange for an interpreter or signer to attend the meeting.
Page 11 Video and Audio recording of meetings
Filming of the meeting is permitted as is photography, without the use of flash. However this must be conducted in a polite manner which does not cause disruption to the meeting.
The meetings of the Council are also live streamed to the Council’s website and whilst every effort has been made to ensure that members of the public will not be filmed, it is not possible to exclude all areas of the public gallery from the recorded images.
If you will be accompanied by children or you are a young person (16 and under) attending on your own, consent must be given by the parent or guardian to attend. If consent is not given the child/young person will not be permitted into the chamber as incidental filming of them may not be possible to prohibit.
Please note that the recordings will be retained in accordance with the Authority’s Retention Guidelines.
By attending this meeting you are deemed to have given your consent to the potentiality of being filmed, recorded and for those images to be used by the Council’s web site or for other relevant purposes by the Authority; e.g. training.
Your Views
The Chief Executive is responsible for the arrangements and presentation of agendas, for meetings of the Council and its Member-Level Bodies. If you have any comments, complaints or questions about the meeting please contact:-
Anthony Soyinka Committee Services Manager Tel No: 020 8921 2230 Email: [email protected]
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Procedure for Discussing Reports
1. The Mayor will call the item number of the report.
2. The Mayor will then take any written questions submitted by Members that relate to the report concerned.
3. Members of the public present at a meeting, who have asked to speak on the matter may be allowed to do so and if so, will be taken next.
4. The Mayor may invite the relevant Cabinet Member or another appropriate Councillor to move the decisions to be taken and to open the discussion of the report. Recommendations are usually contained within the report; these may be moved as printed, or with amendments, or different recommendations may be moved. In some cases the Mayor may move the recommendations in the report him/herself, a seconder is not required.
5. The Mayor will invite Members of the Council to indicate if they wish to speak on the report. Members may speak only once on each item except where permitted under the Constitution, Part 4, A1.72. Any amendments moved to the recommendations during the debate must be seconded.
6. At the end of a debate the Mayor will invite the Councillor who moved the original recommendations to respond to comments made in the debate before the Council is asked if it agrees the recommendations moved.
Notes: Variations to this procedure may arise when the Council is considering different types of reports.
Procedures for debate are set out in the Council’s Constitution, including procedures to enable recommendations to be moved, or amendments to be made to recommendations on the agenda.
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Cllr. X moves (fromCllr.Motion A) A
Seconded
Open Debate Motion A
Cllr. Y proposes amendment and may speak
Amendment seconded
Mayor asks Cllr.X (mover) if amendment accepted?
Accepted by Cllr.X Rejected by Cllr. X as mover - no as mover further debate
Debate amendment
Cllr. X closes debate on amendment
Now the substantive Motion
Vote on amendment A* is ‘owned’ by Cllr. Y Goes back Goes to
Accept Reject amendment amendment
Debate Motion A* Move the substantive Amended Motion Continue debate on now”owned” by Cllr. Y Motion A
Debate Amended Motion if further Cllr. X closes the Cllr. Y closes amendments proposed debate the debate
Cllr. Y closes the debate
Vote on Amended Vote on Motion A Vote on Motion A * Motion
Page 14 COUNCIL
TITLE ITEM NO Declarations of Interests 4 CHIEF OFFICER Chief Executive
1. Decisions Required
Council is requested to:
1.1 Note the list of Councillors’ memberships (as Council appointed representatives) on outside bodies, joint committees and school governing bodies.
1.2 Request that Members orally declare any personal or financial interests, including those detailed, in specific items listed on the agenda as they relate to matters under discussion.
2. Members’ Interests
2.1 Appended to this report is a list of the outside bodies, joint committees and school governing bodies that each member of Council has been appointed to by the Council or the Leader. The list does not include bodies with which a Member is involved in a personal or private capacity.
Personal interests 2.2 A Member has a personal interest where any business is likely to affect:
(a) them, or
(b) a relevant person or a relevant body (where the Member is aware that they have the interest);
more than a majority of those in the ward you represent.
A relevant person is defined as the member’s spouse or civil partner, a person who they are living with as husband and wife or as civil partners, or a person with whom they have a close association.1
1 See the guidance in Annex 1 of the Code of Conduct ITEM NO: 4 Page 15 A relevant body is defined as (a) any organisation, school governing body or outside committee or trust which they have been appointed to by the Royal Borough or by the Leader, or (b) any other voluntary organisation, school governing body or commercial organisation where you are a management committee member, school governor, trustee or director.
2.3 Members must declare the existence and nature of any personal interest at the start of the meeting, or when the interest becomes apparent. Members must say which item their interest relates to.
2.4 A Member who has a personal interest may stay, speak and vote, except where the business:
(a) affects the financial position of the Member or any person or body described in paragraph 2.2 above, or
(b) relates to an interest that would be affected financially or relates to the determining to any approval, consent, licence, permission or registration in relation to the Member or any person or body described in paragraph 2.2 above
Financial Interests 2.5 A Member has a financial interest where any business relates to or is likely to affect an interest set out in paragraph 18 of the Code of Conduct, and which is the Member’s interest or the interest of a person described in paragraph 2.2(a) above.
2.6 Members must declare the existence and nature of any financial interest at the start of the meeting, or when the interest becomes apparent. Members must say which item their interest relates to.
2.7 A Member who has a financial interest must leave the meeting, but may attend to make representations, answer questions or give evidence relating to the business, provided that the public are also allowed to attend the meeting for the same purpose, and provided they leave the meeting immediately after doing so. The Member must not participate in the discussion nor the vote.
General 2.8 The Code also requires Members to declare interests in relation to relevant bodies for six months after ceasing from being a member and take the appropriate action in relation to financial interests.
ITEM NO: 4 Page 16
Background Papers Agenda and Minutes of the Annual Meeting of the Council – 19 May 2021.
Report Author: Anthony Soyinka, Committee Services Manager Tel: 020 8921 2230 Email: [email protected]
Reporting to: Veronica Johnson, Head of Corporate and Democratic Services Tel: 020 8921 5004 Email: [email protected]
ITEM NO: 4 Page 17
Page 18 Councillor Organisation Role Governorship Adams Greenwich Dance Agency Member Babatola London [Pensions] Collective Investment Vehicle Deputy Discovery Primary School Babatola Overview & Scrutiny Joint Health Committee Deputy Bauer Greenwich Leisure Ltd Deputy Bauer Overview & Scrutiny Joint Health Committee Deputy Bird Greenwich Starting Blocks Member Bird Town Twinning Association Executive Committee Member Brain DG Cities Limited Member Brain Greenwich Millennium Village Management Ltd Deputy Brain Greenwich Service Solutions Member Brighty Blackheath Joint Working Party Member Brooks Greenwich Leisure Ltd Member Windrush Primary School Brooks London [Pensions] Collective Investment Vehicle Member Brooks Town Twinning Association Executive Committee Member Brooks Woolwich Creative District Trust Member Burke-McDonald Shooters Hill Woodlands Working Party Member Burke-McDonald Woodlands Farm Trust Clare Town Twinning Association Executive Committee Member Cornforth Fostering Panel Member Bannockburn Primary School Cornforth Greenwich Pensioners' Forum Member Cornforth Wiseman & Withers Exhibition Foundation Member Davis - Dillon Greenwich Housing Rights Member Thorntree Primary School Dillon Greenwich Service Plus Member Dillon Greenwich Wildlife Advisory Group Member Drury Eltham United Charities Member Fahy Greenwich Co-operative Development Agency Member
Page 19 Fahy Learning Disability Partnership Member Fletcher, L Blackheath Joint Working Party Member Fletcher, L Greenwich Blue Coat Foundation Member Fletcher, N Greenwich Theatre Board Member Freeman - Gardner Edmund Godson Charity Member Thorntree Primary School Gardner Walpole Estate Management Board Member Gardner Woolwich and Plumstead Relief in Sickness Fund Member Greenwell - Haimo Primary School Hartley London City Airport Consultative Committee Deputy Ealdham Primary School Hartley Overview & Scrutiny Joint Health Committee Deputy Hawking Reserves Forces & Cadets Association Member Hawking Trinity Laban Member Hayes Greenwich Pensioners' Forum Member Hills Overview & Scrutiny Joint Health Committee Deputy Greenacres Primary School Hyland Greenwich Enterprise Board Member Hyland Woolwich Creative District Trust Member James, M Middle Park Community Centre Member James, M Overview & Scrutiny Joint Health Committee Member James, R - Khaireh Destination Greenwich Tourism Management Company Member Khaireh Eltham Crematorium Joint Committee Deputy Khaireh Greenwich Leisure Ltd - Libraries Board Member Khaireh London Councils' Grants Committee Member Khaireh London Youth Games Member Khaireh Town Twinning Association Executive Committee Member Lekau Environmental Protection UK Member Lloyd Overview & Scrutiny Joint Health Committee Member
Page 20 Lolavar Blackheath Joint Working Party Member Lolavar John Roan Foundation Member Lolavar Overview & Scrutiny Joint Health Committee Deputy Mardner - Abbey Wood Nursery School Mardner - St Pauls Academy May Middle Park Community Centre Member Mbang Greater London Forum for Older People Member Mbang New Charlton Community Centre Member Mbang Overview & Scrutiny Joint Health Committee Deputy Mbang Town Twinning Association Executive Committee Deputy Mbang Walpole Estate Management Board Member McGahey Overview & Scrutiny Joint Health Committee Deputy McGahey Royal Greenwich Heritage Trust Member Merrill Eltham Crematorium Joint Committee Member Merrill Environmental Protection UK Member Merrill London City Airport Consultative Committee Member Merrill London Councils' Leaders' Committee Deputy Merrill London Councils' Transport & Environment Committee Member Merrill London Road Safety Council Member Merrill Shooters Hill Woodlands Working Party Member Merrill South East London Combined Heat & Power Co Member Merrill Woodlands Farm Trust Member Morrow Eltham Crematorium Joint Committee Deputy Okereke Eltham Crematorium Joint Committee Deputy Okereke Meridian Home Start Ltd Observer O'Mara Sir John Evelyn Charity Member Parker Charlton Triangle Homes Member Parker Royal Greenwich Heritage Trust Member
Page 21 Perks Charlton Triangle Homes Member Willow Dene School Perks Eltham Crematorium Joint Committee Deputy Perks London Councils' Greater London Employment Forum Member Scott-McDonald Charlton Athletic Race Equality Partnership Member Scott-McDonald DG Cities Limited Member Scott-McDonald Eltham Crematorium Joint Committee Deputy Scott-McDonald Greenwich Charities of William Hatcliffe and the Misses Smith Member Scott-McDonald Greenwich Millennium Village Management Ltd Member Scott-McDonald Greenwich Peninsula Management Company Member Scott-McDonald London Councils' Leaders' Committee Deputy Scott-McDonald London Local Partnership Deputy Slattery Greenwich Charities of William Hatcliffe and the Misses Smith Member Slattery Greenwich Leisure Ltd Member Smith, A Greenwich Leisure Ltd - Libraries Board Member Smith, A Local Government Information Unit Member Smith, A Sir John Evelyn Charity Member Smith, A Twinkle Park Trust Member Smith, J Eltham Crematorium Joint Committee Deputy Smith, J Greenwich Young People's Theatre Member Smith, J Safer Greenwich Partnership Member Stanley Greenwich Theatre Board Member Kidbrooke Park Primary School Stanley Long Lane Football Club - Board Member Tester - Thorpe Eltham Crematorium Joint Committee Deputy Thorpe London Councils' Leaders' Committee Member Thorpe London Local Partnership Member Thorpe Shooters Hill Woodlands Working Party Member Williams, I Walpole Estate Management Board Member
Page 22 Williams, M Destination Greenwich Tourism Management Company Member Williams, M Eltham Crematorium Joint Committee Member Williams, M Greenwich & Docklands International Festival Member Williams, M Greenwich Leisure Ltd - Libraries Board Member Williams, M London Councils' Grants Committee Deputy Williams, M Oxleas Foundation Trust Member
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COUNCIL DATE ITEM NO 23 June 2021 7 TITLE WARD (S) Petition Responses Various CHIEF OFFICER CABINET MEMBER(S) Deputy Director of Communities and Environment, Sustainability and Environment Transport; Culture and Communities; Regeneration and Good Growth DECISION CLASSIFICATION IS THE FINAL DECISION ON - THE RECOMMENDATIONS IN THIS REPORT TO BE MADE AT THIS MEETING? Yes
1. Decision Required
1.1 The Council is asked to note the action taken in response to petitions presented at recent meetings of the Council.
2. Summary
2.1 Under the Council’s Constitution, Part 4, A1.19, petitions presented to Council are required to be referred to the relevant Chief Officer and reported back to Council within two meetings.
2.2 Attached at the appendices are responses to petitions submitted at recent meetings of the Council.
2.3 Members are requested to note the action taken in response to the petitions.
3. Cross-Cutting Issues and Implications
Issue Implications Sign-off Legal including Paragraph A1.19 of the Council’s John Human Rights Act constitution provides that any Member Scarborough, of the Council may present a Director of Legal petition. Petitions will be referred to Services the relevant Chief Officer for 9 June 2021 investigation and response. The outcome of the investigation is to be reported back to full Council within two meetings. ITEM NO. 7 Page 25
Finance and There are no financial implications Damon Cook, other resources arising from this report. Director of Finance 9 June 2021 Equalities The recommendations in the report Anthony Soyinka, have a remote or low relevance to the Committee substance of the Equality Act. There is Services Manager no apparent equality impact on end 8 June 2021 users.
Climate Change The recommendations in the report Anthony Soyinka, have low relevance to or impact on Committee climate change or the Councils carbon Services Manager reductions commitments. 8 June 2021
Appendices Appendix 1 – Introduce Traffic Calming Measures and Safety along Broad Walk Appendix 2 – Stop the school streets scheme on Ivor Grove Appendix 3 – Removal of speed bumps in Halfway Street Appendix 4 – Stop the destruction of Bostall Woods by motorbikes and mountain bikes Appendix 5 – Removal of telecommunications mast which had been refused planning permission
Background Papers Minutes of Council meetings of 25 November 2020, 27 January 2021 and 25 February 2021
Report compiled by: Daniel Wilkinson – Committee Services Officer Tel No: 020 8921 5102 Email: [email protected]
Reporting to: Anthony Soyinka – Committee Services Manager Tel No: 020 8921 2230 Email: [email protected]
Chief Officer Mirsad Bakalovic – Deputy Director of Communities and Environment Tel No: 020 8921 6432 Email: [email protected]
ITEM NO. 7 Page 26 Appendix 1
Petitioner: Georgina Schoeb Petition: To introduce Traffic Calming Measures and Safety along Broad Walk Number of signatures: 284 The petition read as follows: We the undersigned petition the Royal Borough of Greenwich to introduce appropriate traffic calming and speed control measures along Broad Walk and the surrounding roads in Kidbrooke.
There have been two serious traffic accidents on Broad Walk since January 2020 caused by vehicles driving out of control and at high speed. In addition, the road is heavily used as a rat run, resulting in frequent gridlocks and reckless driving, such as mounting the kerb to drive along the grass verge or crashing over speed bumps.
The risk of another incident is heightened by the fact that Broad Walk is already a busy road, running between two large secondary schools and home to the Samuel Montagu youth club (used by many local families) and two rugby clubs.
Why is this important? We would like the council to urgently introduce effective traffic-calming measures to reduce the risk of another tragic accident and to encourage cycling and walking. For example, by: • Setting up a width restriction or chicane between Corelli Road and Samuel Montagu youth club to slow drivers and deter large vehicles. • Replacing current speed bumps (which are hard to see) with something more visible and effective • Installing 'children crossing' signs, 20mph roundels and vehicle activated speed signs around the Samuel Montagu Youth Centre • Create passing points between Woolacombe Road and Samuel Montagu youth centre to prevent gridlocks from forming
Page 27 Appendix 1
• Put down a double yellow line between Rochester Way and the new electric charging points and reinstate the bollards by the entrance to Woolacombe Road.
Cabinet Member: Environment, Sustainability and Transport Ward(s): Kidbrooke with Hornfair Directorate: DRES
Submitted to Council on: 25 November 2020 Presented by: Councillor David Stanley
1. Petition Response
1.1 Following a fatal casualty incident involving an HGV in Broad Walk in September 2020 the Police inspected the collision site. Following that visit they advised that, whilst the investigation was ongoing and subject to sub- judice, their view was that it appeared that little could have been done from a traffic engineering perspective to prevent this collision from occurring. They also advised that they had checked road casualty data for this section of Broad Walk for the most recent 60-month period and it showed that there had been no personal injury collisions reported in that time.
1.2 Officers have since examined road casualty data for the full 1.6 km length of Broad Walk covering the latest five years that data is available for (to the end of May 2020). This data showed that there had only been three recorded personal injury collisions during this time, all resulting in slight injuries. These were in the section of Broad Walk in the vicinity of the Western junction of Mayday Gardens and the junction with Corelli Road. Only one of these incidents had ‘exceeding the speed limit’ recorded as a contributory factor by the Police.
1.3 Broad Walk and other surrounding residential roads are already within a 20mph zone and have traffic calming throughout in the form of a significant number of speed humps at regular intervals. Officers visited the site to check road markings on these road humps in relation to the concerns raised over their visibility (see 2.1 below). A 7’ 0” width restriction is located at the eastern end of Broad Walk to deter rat running by larger vehicles. The pedestrian footways on Broad Walk are set behind grass verges.
Page 28 Appendix 1
2 Current actions being taken in relation to matter raised in petition
2.1 As it is some time since the 20mph zone was introduced, officers have inspected the site to see if it was compliant with current standards for such zones and if any of the requested measures could be incorporated. This inspection resulted in the following actions:
. 20mph signage has been improved by introducing repeater signs. . Existing speed humps were found to meet the required standard but road markings are be refreshed to improve conspicuity. . ‘Children Crossing’ signs have been installed at the Samuel Montague Youth Centre and at the junction of Corelli Road. . Double Yellow Line waiting restrictions are to be introduced outside the youth centre to improve intervisibility between pedestrians and vehicles.
2.2 Officers have asked the local Metropolitan Police Community Roadwatch scheme coordinator to consider including Broad Walk within their programme.
2.3 RBG Officers will continue to work closely with the Met Police to lobby for more physical Police presence to develop and undertake a focus enforcement campaign on-street, particularly near schools, to remind drivers of the consequences of speeding, stopping on School Keep Clear Markings or at junctions, not wearing seat belts as a means to educate and change driver behaviour.
Page 29 Appendix 2
Petitioner: Miriam Kennedy Petition: Please stop the school streets scheme on Ivor Grove Number of signatures: 538 The petition read as follows: Please stop the school streets scheme on Ivor Grove
Cabinet Member: Environment, Sustainability and Transport Ward(s): Eltham South Directorate: DRES
Submitted to Council on: 25 November 2020 Presented by: Councillor Matt Clare
1. Petition Response
1.1 The Ivor Grove School Street Scheme serves Wyborne Primary School in Eltham and was introduced in October 2020 by means of an Experimental Traffic Regulation Order. This allows the Council to trial the closure, to see how the School Street Scheme works, and gives stakeholders the opportunity to comment based on actual experience after the scheme has been implemented and settled in. These comments will then be taken into account by the decision maker when deciding whether the scheme should be amended, removed or made permanent. This typically happens about six months after commencement, however, following concerns raised by residents at the time that the Ivor School Street Scheme was introduced in October 2020 the Council had agreed to a shorter period of twelve weeks. This period would have expired at the end of December, with a review to have taken place in the New Year. However, as schools have been either entirely or partially closed during Covid-19 lockdown the process has been delayed. The consultation survey is now planned to be launched in June 2021.
2 Current actions being taken in relation to matter raised in petition
2.1 Consultation on this scheme will be taking place in June and July 2021. Residents and members of the school community will be asked for their views on how the experimental scheme has been working.
2.2 The content of this petitions will be considered alongside the results of the consultation survey referred to in 2.1 above.
Page 30 Appendix 3
Petitioner: (Raymond) John Northwood Petition: Petition Greenwich Council for the removal of speed bumps in Halfway Street Number of signatures: 39 The petition read as follows: We the undersigned residents including no's 262- 278 (left side) and 311-331a (right side) would like to Petition Greenwich Council for the removal of speed bumps in Halfway Street
The reasons for this Petition are there are very strong feelings/concerns about the negative impact on these local residents namely: • Heavy vibration when large vehicles/lorries/buses pass over, possibly causing long term structural damage to these properties and impact on property value. Most residents have reported that their property 'shakes' when large vehicles pass • Loud noises created by vehicles passing over speed bumps, causing residents anxiety/sleep disturbance especially early morning/late evening and throughout the day • Eventual increase of traffic including large vehicles in the future and anticipatJon of more vibration and noise when new Academy School built nearby, resulting in more vehicles, more often • Most residents have also suggested that this stretch of road needs resurfacing as there is deterioration of the road surface, with large pothole repairs as well as unevenness and sinking.
This has been reported to Highways months ago, with no response to date
Overall we would like these speed bumps removed as there does not seem to be any benefit of these on such a short distance of road and would like Highways to install some other form of speed deterrent (signs /road markings) as there have been several vehicle accidents on this
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stretch of the road during recent years. Residents also request for the road to be resurfaced after this, as other sections of this road create vibration and noise due to surface deterioration and unevenness
Cabinet Member: Environment, Sustainability and Transport Ward(s): Eltham South Directorate: DRES
Submitted to Council on: 27 January 2021 Presented by: Councillor Pat Greenwell
1. Petition Response
1.1 Following requests by residents and ward members, relating to speed of vehicles using the Halfway Street’s section of Royal Borough of Greenwich.
1.2 After speed surveys and collision analysis, speed cushions were installed in February 2020 to reduce traffic speed.
1.3 Since the installation of the speed cushions, residents have raised concerns relating to vibration caused by passing traffic and the uneven arrangement of a set of the installed cushions.
1.4 The cushions were investigated and confirmed to meet design standard in terms of height and spacing
1.5 A car collision outside No. 323/325 was reported by the resident and a request to resurface the carriageway were included in the petition,
1.6 Additional request to repair part of the footway were also submitted.
2 Current actions being taken in relation to matter raised in petition
2.1 The petition was considered by the Highways Committee on 2 June 2021. The Highways Committee recommended that Officers consider measures to address the concerns raised by the petitioners while retaining speed reduction.
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2.2 Undertake a mini consultation which can be undertaken with residents, to ensure that the proposal to remove the traffic calming measures has a majority support and that,
a) consideration will be given to removing the speed bumps when the road is resurfaced as stated in the proposed (local) road resurfacing schemes programme for 2021/22
b) further traffic surveys will be conducted, in order to enable a further speed restriction design option to be sought and consulted on; and
c) interim measures will be considered, for example, implementation of signage and consideration be given to a temporary order to reduce the speed limit to 20mph
d) measure to repair the footway will be included in the proposed works
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Petitioner: Laurence Pinturault Petition: Stop the destruction of Bostall Woods by motorbikes and mountain bikes Number of signatures: 151 The petition read as follows: Large areas of Bostall woods have been appropriated and adapted as race courses by motorbike and mountain bike users causing irreparable damage. This activity is not compatible with the long term survival of this locally important ancient woodland. It compacts the soil, damages trees, disturbs ground flora, and can be noisy and dangerous to other users.
We implore Greenwich Council to ensure that the Parks and Open Spaces Department is given increased investment so it is able to provide even more support to preventing such destruction. We ask that the Council recognize the importance of parks and open spaces to our community, especially evident during the pandemic and lockdown.
In a climate and biodiversity emergency, Greenwich Council must commit to protecting existing trees and open spaces for their quiet enjoyment by all including wildlife and ensure that their destruction by a few is urgently brought to an end.
Cabinet Member: Culture and Communities Ward(s): Abbey Wood Directorate: DC&E
Submitted to Council on: 25 February 2021 Presented by: Councillor Denise Hyland.
Page 34 Appendix 4
1. Petition Response
1.1 I would like to thank Councillor Hyland for presenting the petition on behalf of Laurence Pinturault.
1.2 The Council recognises the importance and value of our parks and open spaces to the community and recognise that their importance to the community has increased during the pandemic and lockdown.
2 Current actions being taken in relation to matter raised in petition
2.1 Like residents the Council wants to protect the woodlands for future generations and the Parks Team works with colleagues in the Police and the Council’s Safer Neighbourhood Teams to carry out targeted enforcement to deter the anti-social and damaging use of motorbikes and mountain bikes in Bostall Woods and other parks and open spaces.
2.2 The Council also removes unauthorised bike tracks within the woods and works with other land owners that own parts of the woods to support the removal of unauthorised bike tracks from their land.
2.3 The Parks Team has previously run a borough wide media/intelligence gathering campaign which encouraged residents and park users to report the home addresses of people connected to Motorbike/Scrambler related Anti- Social Behaviour (ASB). The campaign allowed residents to report information anonymously. The ASB and Ward Safer Neighbourhood Teams were then able to target addresses engage with people involved. It is planned to re-fresh this campaign during 2021.
2.4 The Council and the Parks, Estates and Open Spaces Department are facing significant challenges in delivering services within allocated budgets and unfortunately additional funds/resources are not available due to the overall reduction of funding from the Government. Any community raised external funding and resources would be welcome in supporting the protection of the woods.
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Petitioner: James Doyle Petition: Removal of telecommunications mast which had been refused planning permission Number of signatures: 52 The petition read as follows: We note that the mast and associated cabinet was refused planning permission by the Royal Borough Of Greenwich Council when it sought prior approval in 2017, but the notice was sent outside of the statutory timeframe. As a result of the late refusal of prior approval the construction of the mast and cabinet was allowed by default.
We note that the Council has apologised for the IT system error which has led to the construction of the telecommunications mast and associated cabinet, however, we do not consider that an apology is sufficient in this case.
We ask that the Council takes all necessary steps to remove the mast and associated equipment.
Cabinet Member: Regeneration and Good Growth Ward(s): Eltham North Directorate: DRES
Submitted to Council on: 25 February 2021 Presented by: Councillor Spencer Drury
1. Petition Response
1.1 The council received a prior approval application for a 12.5m mobile phone mast and cabinet, under a General Permitted Development Order 2015. Under the rules of this Order the council only has authority to look at siting and appearance of the development. This type of application gives the local planning authority 56 days to make a determination in respect of the siting and appearance.
1.2 The council went through the normal process with a prior approval application and determined to refuse the application. However due to an oversight a determination was not made within the 56 days. Consequently,
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the applicant may implement the development, as in this case. This error was due to a historical problem of how the IT system had been configured. It is clearly extremely unfortunate, and the IT system was corrected in 2017.
1.3 As part of the installation the company installed a second cabinet box. However, upon investigating this additional cabinet box was deemed to be permitted development and no further consent was required. Neither does the installation of the second cabinet box affect the installation of the prior approval cabinet and mobile phone mast.
2 Current actions being taken in relation to matter raised in petition
2.1 The Service has liaised with legal colleagues and it has been concluded that no further action is possible in the context of the prior approval permission.
2.2 The Service has acknowledged the gravity of this error and apologised for the service failure. The Service has acknowledged that it is a very unfortunate situation to be in and that this falls below the standards that the public have a right to expect and an apology has been made to the objectors.
2.3 Officers are cognisant of the importance of meeting timeframes for all applications but more importantly for prior approval applications. Since 2017 these are pulled forward in the system and are prioritised, even more so since March 2020 lockdown period and remote working.
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COUNCIL DATE ITEM NO 23 June 2021 12 TITLE WARD (S) Appointment of Honorary Freemen/Women All and Appointment of Honorary Aldermen/Women of the Royal Borough of Greenwich CHIEF OFFICER CABINET MEMBER Chief Executive Leader of the Council DECISION CLASSIFICATION IS THE FINAL DECISION ON THE RECOMMENDATIONS Non exempt report IN THIS REPORT TO BE MADE AT THIS MEETING? No – Special Meeting of Full Council on 08.09.21
1. Decision required
This report makes the following recommendations to the decision-maker:
1.1 Agree to hold a special meeting of the Council on 8 September 2021 to consider awarding the Freedom of the Borough to the following: • Bernadine Evaristo OBE • Dr Kevin Fewster • Dr Barry Gray and Alderman: • Allan MacCarthy and Alderwoman: • Mavis Best MBE
2. Purpose of Report and Executive Summary
2.1 This report seeks agreement to hold a Special meeting of Full Council to bestow the honours as detailed in paragraph 1.1.
2.2 The power to appoint Honorary Freeman/woman (Freedom of the Borough) and Alderman/woman is contained within the Local Government Act (LGA) 1972, Section 249. These are the highest civic honours the Council can bestow.
ITEM NO.12 Page 39
3. Introduction and Background
3.1 Section 249 of the LGA 1972 provides that the following may be admitted to be an Honorary Freeman/Freewoman: “…persons of distinction and persons who have, in the opinion of the Council, rendered eminent services to the city.”
3.2 Section 249 also provides that the title of Honorary Alderman/Alderwoman can be conferred on “persons who have, in the opinion of the Council, rendered eminent service to the Council as past members of that Council, but who are not then Councillors of the Council.”
3.3 Before the awards can be made, the individual needs to have indicated that they are willing to accept the Honour.
3.4 The Roll of Freemen/Freewomen is kept by the Chief Executive.
3.5 The Council has previously agreed the following criteria for awarding the Freedom of the Borough. These are listed below: -
That except in the case of significant national or international figures (e.g. Nelson Mandela) persons to be considered should:
a) Have devoted a significant amount of time to the service of the people of the Borough. Such services must have been of substantial and lasting benefit to the Borough, its citizens or section of its citizens. Normally such service will have been wholly or largely unpaid. It would not be appropriate to award the Freedom to former officers unless their service was significantly in excess of that normally expected. b) Not be a serving Councillor c) Former Councillors will be considered if they had distinguished themselves beyond that level of service normally expected d) That the honour should be used sparingly in order not to devalue it e) Have demonstrated commitment to the principles of public life and adherence to the relevant codes of conduct.
4. Process for nomination and awarding of the Honour of Alderman/Alderwoman or Freeman/Freewoman of the Borough
4.1 Anyone can propose to the Chief Executive and the Council the name of a person to be awarded the Honour of Alderman/Alderwoman or Freeman/Freewoman of the Borough.
ITEM NO.12 Page 40
4.2 The proposal to award the Honour must be put to a Special Meeting of the Council called specifically for that purpose. The award cannot be made an Ordinary Council Meeting, Annual Meeting or a Special Council Meeting called for another purpose. However, if the Mayor is in agreement, a special meeting may be called and held on the same night as an Ordinary Council Meeting and conducted either prior to or after the Ordinary Council Meeting.
4.3 Prior to the Special Meeting of the Council a notice shall be issued giving details of the purpose of the meeting and name the person(s) to be awarded the Honour. The LG 1972 does not specify the period of notice required.
4.4 At the Special Meeting of the Council to award the position of Honour at least two thirds of the Members present at the meeting must vote in favour for the award of the Honour to be made.
5. Available Options
5.1 1) To agree to hold a Special Meeting of the Council to bestow the awards as detailed in paragraph 1.1.
2) Not to agree the holding of a Special Meeting of the Council to bestow these awards.
6. Preferred Option
6.1 To agree to hold a Special Meeting of the Council to bestow the awards as detailed in paragraph 1.1..
7. Reasons for Recommendations
7.1 All those put forward for honours have been nominated by serving Members of the Council and all have given exceptional service to the Borough as detailed below.
a) Bernadine Evaristo OBE – nominated for Freedom of the Borough Bernadine Evaristo is an award-winning author of eight books and Professor of Creative Writing at Brunel University London. Her writing and projects are based around her interest in African diaspora.
She was born the fourth of eight children in Woolwich. Her father was a local Councillor and her mother a schoolteacher. Bernadine was educated at
ITEM NO.12 Page 41
Eltham Hill Girls’ Grammar School and developed her passion for the arts by attending Greenwich Young People’s Theatre as a teenager.
Amongst her many notable achievements she was the inaugural Woolwich Laureate in 2019, appointed by the Greenwich and Docklands International Festival; was awarded the Booker Prize (2019); awarded an OBE in 2020; was in the Vogue 25 list of Britain’s most influential women (2020); and was selected as one of the 100 Great Black Britons. b) Dr Kevin Fewster – nominated for Freedom of the Borough Dr Kevin Fewster served as Director of the Royal Maritime Museum Greenwich.
He was a great asset to the Borough during the 2012 Olympics due to having undertaken previous work in Australia when the Games were hosted there. Dr Fewster also played a pivotal role in securing the Cutty Sark clipper ship, one of the Borough’s greatest historical assets, following the disastrous fire on board. c) Dr Barry Gray – nominated for Freedom of the Borough Dr Barry Gray was the driving force behind the two big projects on Shooter’s Hill – Severndroog Castle and Woodlands Farm, all in his own free time.
He initiated and ran the fund-raising campaign and restoration of Severndroog Castle securing coverage of the project by the BBC TV programme ‘Restoration’ which led to funding by English Heritage. He then oversaw all the plans commissioning and works resulting in the castle opening to the public fully restored in 2014.
Dr Gray was also central to the campaign to save Woodlands Farm from developers in the 1990s and being successful with this established the Woodlands Farm Trust and became its Chair. It is now a proper working farm, educational facility and hub for the local community. d) Allan MacCarthy – nominated for Alderman Allan MacCarthy was a Councillor for Royal Borough of Greenwich from 1978-1986 and was then re-elected from 2006-2018 making him one of the Borough’s longest serving councillors. During his time of service, he sat on nearly every committee of the Council, most notably holding the position of Mayor in 2009; Chair of Planning in 1981; and Chair of Regeneration, Transport & Culture Scrutiny Panel from 2015-2018.
ITEM NO.12 Page 42
As well as this, Allan MacCarthy was a supporter of the Arts in Greenwich and served as the Council’s representative to Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance from 2014 to 2018.
e). Mavis Best MBE – nominated for Alderwoman Mavis Best was a Councillor for Royal Borough of Greenwich from 1998- 2002. She is a resident of the Borough and has dedicated her life to campaigning for people’s civil rights and wellbeing. She was awarded the MBE for her services to the community. Being a true champion for equality, it is felt fitting to bestow this honour in a year when the Black Lives Matter movement has come to global prominence to recognise the work and dedication of Mavis Best and her contribution to help make a better society.
8. Cross-Cutting Issues and Implications
Issue Implications Sign-off Legal including The legal implications are set out in John Human Rights Act the report. Scarborough, Director of Legal Services, 15 June 2021 Finance and There are no financial implications Damon Cook, other resources arising from this report. Director of Finance, 9 June 2021 Equalities The decisions recommended through Veronica this paper have a remote or low Johnson, Head relevance to the substance of the of Corporate Equality Act. There is no apparent Governance & equality impact on end users. Democratic Services, 9 June 2021 Climate change This report has no impact on the Veronica Greenwich Carbon Neutral Plan Johnson, Head agreed by Cabinet on 18 November of Corporate 2020. Governance & Democratic Services 9 June 2021
ITEM NO.12 Page 43
9. Background Papers
Freedom of the Borough and Appointment of Aldermen/Alderwomen – Criteria and Procedure Report - Full Council 14 December 2016
Report Author: Veronica Johnson, Head of Corporate Governance and Democratic Services Tel No. 020 8921 5004 Email. [email protected]
Reporting to: Stuart Godfrey, Assistant Director, Corporate and Central Services Tel No. 020 8921 5124 Email. [email protected]
Chief Officer Mirsad Bakalovic – Deputy Director of Communities and Environment Tel No: 020 8921 6432 Email: [email protected]
ITEM NO.12 Page 44 COUNCIL DATE ITEM NO 23 June 2021 13 TITLE WARDS Changes to the Executive Functions Scheme of All Delegation and to the General Scheme of Delegation CHIEF OFFICER CABINET MEMBER Chief Executive Leader of the Council DECISION CLASSIFICATION IS THE FINAL DECISION ON Information report THE RECOMMENDATIONS IN THIS REPORT TO BE MADE AT THIS MEETING? The report is for noting only
1. Decision Required
Council is requested to;
1.1 Note the change of Cabinet Member, and related changes made to the executive functions scheme of delegation.
2. Summary
2.1 Paragraph C1(e) of Part 4C of the Constitution provides that the Leader of the Council may vary or withdraw delegation of an executive function at any time, either generally or in relation to a specific decision, and may allocate the matter to himself or herself or to:
• The Cabinet or a committee of the Cabinet; • A Cabinet member; • An officer; • Joint arrangements with one or more local authorities; or • Another local authority.
2.2 Under Article 7.03 Part 2 of the Constitution, the Leader appoints members of the Cabinet.
2.3 Paragraph B of Part 3 of the Constitution provides that the Leader of the Council may vary or withdraw a delegation to a Cabinet member at any time, either generally or in relation to a specific decision, and may allocate the matter to himself or herself, to the Cabinet, to another Cabinet member, to a Chief Officer or to a joint committee. Any change must be in writing and will
ITEM NO: 13 Page 45 take effect when only received by the Monitoring Officer. The Leader will provide a written record of any change of delegation to the next Council meeting.
3. Change of Cabinet Member and related Changes to the Executive Functions Scheme of Delegation
3.1 On 8 June 2021, the Leader decided with immediate effect, by notice, under Article 7.03 Part 2 of the Constitution to:
• change the title of one of the Cabinet portfolios from “Economy and Skills” to “Business and Economic Growth”.
• appoint Councillor Mariam Lolavar as Cabinet Member for Business and Economic Growth.
• make Councillor Mariam Lolavar a Deputy on the Eltham Crematorium Joint Committee
• appoint Councillor Mariam Lolavar as Deputy to the London Councils' Transport & Environment Committee
• appoint Councillor Mariam Lolavar to the South East Enterprise
4. Cross-Cutting Issues and Implications
Issue Implications Sign-off Legal including The Local Government Act 2000 makes John Human Rights Act provision for the discharge of functions Scarborough, by local authorities with executive Director of arrangements. Legal Services, 15 June 2021 The Constitutional position is set out in section 2 of the report.
Finance and There are no financial implications arising Damon Cook, other resources from this report. Director of including Finance procurement June 2021 implications Equalities The decisions recommended through this Veronica paper have a remote or low relevance to Johnson, Head
ITEM NO: 13 Page 46 the substance of the Equality Act. There of Corporate is no apparent equality impact on end Governance and users. Democratic Services 11 June 2021 Climate Change The decisions recommended in the Veronica report have low relevance to or impact Johnson, Head on climate change or the Councils of Corporate carbon reductions commitments. Governance and Democratic Services 11 June 2021
Background Papers Written Notice of Amendment
Report Author: Anthony Soyinka, Committee Services Manager Tel No.: 020 8921 2230 Email: [email protected]
Reporting to: Veronica Johnson, Head of Corporate and Democratic Services Tel: 020 8921 5004 Email: [email protected]
Chief Officer Mirsad Bakalovic – Deputy Director of Communities and Environment Tel No: 020 8921 6432 Email: [email protected]
ITEM NO: 13 Page 47
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COUNCIL DATE ITEM NO 23 June 2021 14 TITLE WARDS Decisions on Executive Functions taken under All Urgency Procedures CHIEF OFFICER CABINET MEMBER Chief Executive Leader of the Council DECISION CLASSIFICATION IS THE FINAL DECISION ON Information report THE RECOMMENDATIONS IN THIS REPORT TO BE MADE AT THIS MEETING? This report is for noting only
1. Decision Required
Council is requested to;
1.1 Note the decisions taken under urgency procedures.
2. Summary
2.1 Part 4, Schedule B (Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rules) Procedure Rule Para B10 (a) states that the call-in procedure in the Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rules does not apply where the decision being taken is urgent. A decision is urgent if any delay likely to be caused by the call in process would prejudice the Council’s or the public interest. The Chief Executive or his/her nominee must agree both that the decision proposed is reasonable and to it being treated as a matter of urgency. Decisions taken as a matter of urgency under this paragraph must be reported to the next available meeting of the Council, together with the reasons for urgency.
3. Chief Officer Decisions
3.1 The Deputy Director of Communities and Environment on 24 March 2021 took a decision that was classified as urgent and was not available for call in, as detailed below:
Title: Award of contract for Microsoft Enterprise Licence Agreement (ELA) to Softcat plc (02174990)
ITEM NO: 14 Page 49
Decision: 1. Agreed award of contract with Softcat PLC for the supply and support of Microsoft software and licencing in the form of an Enterprise Licence Agreement.
2. Noted that a full procurement process has been followed using the Crown Commercial Service (CCS)/ESPO Technology Products & Associated Services (RM6068) approved framework agreement.
3. Noted that the Total cost will be £3,925,115.64 for a 3-year contract term.
4. Agreed that this matter is exempt from Call in for the reasons set out in section 2 of the report.
Reasons for Urgency: Microsoft’s software and services underpin most of the Council’s IT capabilities. The previous Enterprise Agreement expired as of 31/01/2021 and the Council has continued to operate said software and services throughout a grace period agreed with Microsoft.
The Council has worked throughout the grace period to rationalise the use of Microsoft software and services for the benefit of the Council, ensuring that the Authority receives the best possible value for the services required.
The grace period has now expired and there is imminent risk of service failure. In the absence of an Enterprise Agreement, key services such as Microsoft 365 will degrade and cease to operate, impacting all staff who are reliant on information technology and severely limiting the Council’s ability to sustain remote working.
The Council has conducted a fully compliant procurement exercise and as this is a Key Decision notice was placed on the Forward Plan on 7 January 2021.
There are, however, clear grounds for urgency to finalise the award and it would not be prudent, nor practical or in the public / taxpayer’s interest to wait for either: • 5 clear days’ notice to be given before the decision is taken • call in to expire
For the reasons set out above, the Chief Executive has agreed both that the decision proposed is reasonable and is to be treated as a matter of urgency ITEM NO: 14 Page 50
because any delay in the decision process would prejudice the public interest.
3.2 The Chief Executive on 24 March 2021 took a decision that was classified as urgent and was not available for call in, as detailed below:
Title: Covid 19 - Business Rates 2021/22
Decision: 1. Agreed to the business rates billing of various retail, leisure and hospitality entities, plus nurseries, for the year 2021/22 following announcements made by the Chancellor at Budget 2021 granting 100% relief for the period 1 April 2021 to 30 June 2021.
2. Noted that the cost of the measures (approximately £15m) outlined will be met in full by the government, including the cost of administration.
Reasons for Urgency: The Covid 19 pandemic is having a profound effect upon the world’s population and the global economy. The government has announced various measures aimed at providing support to vulnerable individuals, employees and businesses, as well as to public sector providers.
Part of the response for the UK economy is the provision of business rates reliefs. It is essential for the survival of many local businesses that the Royal Borough of Greenwich provides this support to them as soon as possible.
The authority has received an assurance that the government will meet the cost of the payments in full, including the burden placed upon the authority of making the payment.
The authority has identified over 1,500 businesses entitled to Expanded Retail Relief and Nursery Relief.
This report requests that the Council grants reliefs to qualifying businesses so that their Bills reflect 100% relief for the period 1 April 2021 to 30 June 2021 in time for the new financial year. (1 April 2021).
Given the economic crisis unfolding, there are clear grounds for extreme urgency and it would not be prudent, nor in the public / taxpayers interest to wait for either: • 28 days’ notice to be given for a key decision ITEM NO: 14 Page 51
• 5 clear days’ notice to be given before the decision is taken • call in to expire.
For the reasons set out above, the Chief Executive has agreed both that the decision proposed is reasonable and is to be treated as a matter of urgency because any delay likely to be caused by the call-in process would prejudice the public interest.
3.3 The Chief Executive on 25 March 2021 took a decision that was classified as urgent and was not available for call in, as detailed below:
Title: COVID-19 Restart Grant
Decision: 1. Agree to implement the payment of business rate grants to individuals / businesses qualifying under the government’s latest Covid-19 business support scheme, known as the Restart Grant in order to support businesses that were required to close or have been impacted as a result of localised restrictions in re-opening
2. Note that the cost of the measures outlined will be met in full by the government, including the cost of administration.
Reasons for Urgency: On 3rd March 2021, the Government announced there would be further funding to support businesses that are required to close due to localised restrictions being put in place to manage coronavirus and save lives.
The Restart Grant is designed to provide grant support for non-essential retail, hospitality, accommodation, leisure, personal care and gym businesses in England. It represents a one-off grant funding scheme in Financial Year 2021-2022.
Under the Restart Grant scheme, Local Authorities will receive funding to be allocated in one-off grants to businesses. Grants of up to £6,000 will be paid to non-essential retail business premises, to help them reopen safely.
Grants of up to £18,000 will be allocated to hospitality, accommodation, leisure, personal care and gym business premises, which may open later under plans set out in the government roadmap.
The Restart Grant scheme supports businesses that are predominantly reliant ITEM NO: 14 Page 52
on delivering in-person services for the general public in the aforementioned sectors.
The Royal Borough has yet to receive formal notification of its allocation in respect of the Restart Grant scheme.
However, the Royal Borough has received an assurance that the government will meet the cost of the payments, including the burden placed upon the authority of making the payment.
This report requests that the Royal Borough prepares itself and has an application and payment regime in place, so that it is in position to provide an agile response in respect of the Restart Grant scheme proposed by the government.
As a result, there are clear grounds for urgency and it would not be prudent, nor practical or in the public / taxpayers interest to wait for either: • 28 days’ notice to be given for a key decision • 5 clear days’ notice to be given before the decision is taken • call in to expire.
As a result there is an expectation upon the Royal Borough to provide grant funds as soon as possible from 1st April. For the reasons set out above, the Chief Executive has agreed both that the decision proposed is reasonable and is to be treated as a matter of urgency because any
4. Cross-Cutting Issues and Implications
Issue Implications Sign-off Legal including The Local Government Act 2000 makes John Human Rights Act provision for the discharge of functions by Scarborough, local authorities with executive Director of arrangements. Legal Services, 9 June 2021 The Constitutional procedures around call-in and urgency are set out in section 2 of the report.
Part 3 of the Constitution delegates to the Chief Executive the power to act on behalf of the Leader, Cabinet Member, Cabinet or Chief Officer in respect of any
ITEM NO: 14 Page 53
of their functions on a matter which in her opinion is urgent. The decisions set out in this report were taken by the Chief Officers using these delegated powers. The reasons for urgency are set out in each case. Finance and other There are no financial implications arising Damon Cook, resources including from this report. Director of procurement Finance implications 9 June 2021
Equalities The decisions recommended through this Veronica paper have a remote or low relevance to Johnson, Head the substance of the Equality Act. There of Corporate is no apparent equality impact on end and Democratic users. Services 8 June 2021 Climate change The decisions recommended in the Veronica report have low relevance to or impact Johnson, Head on climate change or the Councils carbon of Corporate reductions commitments. Governance & Democratic Services 8 June 2021
Background Papers Published reports
Report Author: Anthony Soyinka, Committee Services Manager Tel No.: 020 8921 2230 Email: [email protected]
Reporting to: Veronica Johnson, Head of Corporate Governance and Democratic Services Tel: 020 8921 5004 Email: [email protected]
Chief Officer Mirsad Bakalovic – Deputy Director of Communities and Environment Tel No: 020 8921 6432 Email: [email protected]
ITEM NO: 14 Page 54
ITEM NO: 14 Page 55
Page 56 COUNCIL
23 JUNE 2021
ITEM NO: 15
TITLE: “Policing in Greenwich”
PROPOSING COUNCILLORS: Charlie Davis, John Hills, Matt Hartley, Spencer Drury, Pat Greenwell, Matt Clare, Roger Tester, Nigel Fletcher, Geoffrey Brighty
Following the closure of the front desk of Eltham Police Station in 2017, it was recently announced that police officers would be vacating the station permanently from August 2021.
Given the rising levels of crime and anti-social behaviour since lockdown has lifted, Council notes the increased importance residents place on different stakeholders working together to tackle these issues.
While the best resolution to this scenario would be the police remaining at Eltham Police Station, Council acknowledges it is important to explore contingency options.
This Council therefore commits to delivering on the 2018 Greenwich Labour manifesto promise to ‘work with the police to ensure that Dedicated Ward Officers are based as close to the communities they serve as possible’ by offering a base for Eltham Safer Neighbourhood police teams at the Eltham Centre if the permanent closure goes ahead.
Additionally, making our town centres a safe place for visitors and residents alike to enjoy will be paramount to ensuring they recover from the impact of lockdown and the pandemic. To this end, Council should work with the police to secure dedicated enforcement teams for each of our Borough’s town centres.
This Council calls on the Leader and Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Enforcement to write to the Chief Superintendent of the South East BCU confirming this offer prior to the July 2021 meeting of Council.
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