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COUNCIL

Wednesday, 9th November, 2011 at 7.00 pm

MINUTES

The Worshipful the Mayor Councillor Christiana Valcarcel in the Chair COUNCILLORS PRESENT: Councillors ABRAMS, AMINU, ANYANWU, BARRATT, BIGHAM, BOUCHER, BOWYER, BRADLEY, BRAITHWAITE, BRATHWAITE, BROWN, C BENNETT, C. WHELAN, CAMERON, CLYNE, COSGRAVE, DAVIE, DAVIES, DICKSON, DODSWORTH, FRANCIS, GARDEN, GIESS, HARRISON, HASELDEN, HEYWOOD, HOLLAND, HOPKINS, J.WHELAN, KAZANTZIS, LING, LUMSDEN, M E BENNETT, M P BENNETT, MALLEY, MARCHANT, MCGLONE, MEMERY, MORGAN, MORRIS, NOSEGBE, O'MALLEY, OGDEN, PALMER, PARR, PATIL, PECK, PICKARD, PRENTICE, REED, ROBBINS, SABHARWAL, SMITH, TARGETT-PARKER, TRUESDALE, WALKER and WELLBELOVE APOLOGIES: Councillor Judith Best, Councillor Lorna Campbell,

Councillor Jane Edbrooke, Councillor Ann Kingsbury and Councillor Jackie Meldrum

ABSENT:

1. PROCEDURAL MOTION

Procedural Motion 1 MOVED by Councillor Jack Hopkins, SECONDED by Councillor Alex Bigham and: Voting For: 32 Against: 11

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Abstained: 5 RESOLVED: Timings (1) To suspend Standing Order 2 to the extent necessary to enable the

following order and timings for the conduct of this meeting to be agreed:

Agenda item

Timings

1. Declarations of interest 2. Minutes (27.07.11) 3. Announcements

7:00-7:05pm

4. Petitions, public notice questions and deputations

7:05-7:30pm

5. Questions from Councillors

7:30-8:00pm

7.1 Cabinet (25.07.11): November Finance Review

8:00-8:30pm

7.2 Cabinet (25.07.11): Clapham High Street Special Cumulative Impact Licensing Policy

8:30-8:40pm

7.3 Cabinet (25.07.11): Sex Establishment Licensing Policy

8:40-8:50pm

8. Notices of motion

8:50-9:50pm

6. Corporate Committee (28.09.11): Bribery Act 2010: meeting the requirements

9:50pm -

9. Safer Lambeth Partnership Crime and Disorder Reduction Plan 2011-12

- 10:00pm

Para. 7: Cabinet (07.11.11): closing date for the submission of amendments (2) To suspend Standing Order 15.1 (notices of amendments) formally to the

extent necessary to confirm the moving back of the deadline for the submission of amendments to paragraphs 7.1, 7.2 and 7.3 to 12noon Tuesday 8 November 2011.

Para. 7.1: Cabinet (07.11.11): November Finance Review – conduct of debate (3) To suspend Standing Order 15.4 to the extent necessary to enable this

debate be conducted as follows:

• Five minutes for the lead speaker for each party group (to be nominated by the relevant whip), in the following order:

- Administration - Majority Opposition (Liberal Democrat)

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- Minority Opposition) (Conservative)

• To hear from a further five speakers for three minutes each, in accordance with Standing Order 15.4, the speakers to be nominated by the Whips:

- Three speakers from the Administration (including one to sum up) - One Majority Opposition (Liberal Democrat) - One Minority Opposition) (Conservative)

Para. 8: Notices of motion – motions 1 and 2 – conduct of debate (4) To permit the following number of speakers on each motion:

• Five minutes for the lead speaker for each party group (to be nominated by the relevant whip):

- Administration - Majority Opposition (Liberal Democrat) - Minority Opposition (Conservative)

(order will vary with each motion)

• Three minutes each for a further five speakers, in accordance with Standing Order 15.4, with all speakers being0 nominated by the Whips:

- Three speakers from the Administration - One Majority Opposition (Liberal Democrat) - One Minority Opposition) (Conservative)

(order will vary with each motion)

Para. 7: Notices of motion – motions 14 - 16 (5) To suspend Standing Order 13.1 to the extent necessary to enable the

Council to consider motions 14 – 16 which were all submitted as joint motions by the three Group Leaders.

Voting on all paragraphs (6) To allow as many speakers as possible during the debates, that all voting

be held after the guillotine falls. Notes:

• The guillotine falls at 10:00pm.

• The Mayor will use her discretion over the specific timings of the meeting, and the speakers to be called in the light of any necessary advice from officers.

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2. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Councillors Diana Morris and Stephen Morgan declared a personal interest in motion 13, Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) (item 9 on the agenda) given they were both members of the LGPS.

3. ANNOUNCEMENTS

Apologies for lateness Apologies for lateness were received from Councillors Jennifer Brathwaite, Mark Bennett, Alex Holland and Peter Truesdale. Deputy Mayor of Lambeth The Mayor reported that the resignation of Councillor Judy Best from the post of Deputy Mayor (with effect from the date of this Council meeting) had been received on Tuesday 1 November 2011. Procedural Motion 2 MOVED by Councillor Jack Hopkins, SECONDED by Councillor Alex Bigham and:

RESOLVED: To suspend Standing Order 13 (Notices of Motion) to the extent necessary to enable the Council to appoint to the vacant post of Deputy Mayor with immediate effect. Motion 1: election of Deputy Mayor: Kita Ogden - withdrawn Councillor Ashley Lumsden addressed Council, outlining the reasons for the resignation by Councillor Judith Best and his nomination of Councillor Kita Ogden. As there was not consensus over this nomination, he would not withdraw that nomination and happily support the nomination of Councillor Clive Bennett as Deputy Mayor. Motion 1 WITHDRAWN. Motion 2: election of Deputy Mayor: Councillor Clive Bennett MOVED by Councillor Steve Reed, SECONDED by Councillor Jack Hopkins and: RESOLVED UNANIOUSLY: That Councillor Clive Bennett be elected to the office of Deputy Mayor of the London Borough of Lambeth for the remainder of the municipal year 2011-12. Councillor Steve Reed supporting the decision by Councillor Judith Best to

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step down, and noting that the rotating Mayorship had worked well in the past. Councillor Clare Whelan spoke on behalf of the Conservative group in support of the decision taken by Councillor Judith Best and the nomination of Councillor Clive Bennett, whilst regretting the need to withdraw the earlier nomination. RESOLVED: To receive the announcements on the agenda and as set out above.

4. MINUTES (27.07.11)

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the previous meeting held on 27 July 2011 be approved and signed by the Chair as a correct record of the proceedings.

5. PETITIONS, PNQS AND DEPUTATIONS

Petitions Petitions were submitted by:

1. Councillor Christopher Wellbelove: 30 signatures to resolve the noise endured by residents of Bromells Rd and Venn St, Clapham Common.

2. Councillor Christopher Wellbelove: 1200 signatures supporting the

request for improved community and cultural facility, using Old Clapham Library building.

3. Councillor Helen O’Malley: 55 signatures supporting the resurfacing of

the road and pavements at the Chase SW4.

4. Councillor Sally Prentice: 30 signatures supporting the a resolution noise disturbances to local residents from La Barca, 133 Stockwell Rd.

5. Councillor Clare Whelan: 9 signatures supporting the petition on

damage to properties in Lords Close caused by traffic vibrations.

6. Councillor Clare Whelan: 95 signatures supporting the objections to a planning application to demolish 32 St Faiths Rd.

7. Councillor Clare Whelan: 342 signatures supporting the request

Council to withdraw licences for tables, chairs and goods.

8. Councillor Marcia Cameron: 250 signatures calling for Lambeth wide community action to combat gun and knife crime

Public Notice Questions

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No public notice questions were received. Deputations The following deputations were received: 1. Calais Gate and Coligny Court: To reinistate the ringfenced sum for

security and safety at Calais Gate and Coligny Court.

Deputation:

Teri Bullen: Calais Gate and Coligny Court TRA (speaker) John Legge: Calais Gate and Coligny Court TRA Nimo Jama: Calais Gate and Coligny Court TRA Toby Jones: Calais Gate and Coligny Court TRA Richard Baker: Calais Gate and Coligny Court TRA

Address: We wish to raise the matter of the sudden and massive reduction of a ring-fenced sum agreed by Lambeth and reiterated at Forum meetings. The sum of £200k was offered to ensure the security and safety of Calais Gate and Coligny Court following the murder of a young boy in the communal area. After meetings with the policy and Lambeth Living officers, a consultation took place with tenants and residents to identify (following policy recommendation) how to prioritise the work, a first stage was agreed after discussions with Lambeth Living and landscape architect on the periphery gates and fencing. It was also acknowledged that the run down appearance of the building had attracted a number of gang gatherings which had also resulted in the police attending on several occasions. This was to be addressed by work to communal doors and lightning. Calais Gate and Coligny Court have suffered from the lack of repairs and general maintenance over a number of years. We would like the promised and ring fenced amount to be reinstated. Further details had been circulated in writing to all councillors. Response: Councillor Lib Peck, Cabinet Member for Housing, thanked the deputation for attending Council and was pleased to advise that the promise made to resolve this serious situation would be met, in that the necessary funds would be found (subject to the exact sum being ascertained). She would keep the residents of the estate updated on progress. 2. Public Service Pensions: Council Policy Deputation: Jon Rogers, UNISON Susan Matthews, UNITE

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Robin Ervine, GMB Ray Sirotkin, NUT Jackie Lewis, UNISON Sarah Tomlinson, NUT Address: Jon Rogers, UNISON, addressed Council to seek support for and clarification on Council policy on public service pensions. Unions across the country had voted in favour of industrial action on 30 November 2011. He asked for support for motion 13, submitted by Councillor Jackie Meldrum. He considered government policy not to be an attempt to make public service pensions sustainable but rather to impose additional tax on workers. He hoped councillors would support the planned industrial action and asked that councillors and staff did not cross the picket lines on 30 November 2011. Response: Councillor Steve Reed, Leader of the Council, (in the absence of Councillor Jackie Meldrum), thanked the deputation for attending and expressed his support for the Local Government Pension Scheme. He also stated that motion 13 on the Local Government Pension Scheme was fully supported by Labour Councillors and that the issue was supported by other Labour councils in London.

6. COUNCIL QUESTIONS

1. By: Councillor Christine Barratt To: Councillor Jackie Meldrum, Deputy Leader of the Council Support for Local Business Supplementary Question Councillor Christine Barratt considered that the answer had not addressed all of the points raised in the original question, including small businesses not feeling that they were being dealt with properly when liaising with the council. Some examples had been brought to her attention as a ward councillor and she would like to speak to Councillor Jackie Meldrum about some of these outside of the meeting. Supplementary Answer (in the absence of Councillor Jackie Meldrum, provided by Councillor Sally Prentice) Councillor Jackie Meldrum would be pleased to meet with Councillor Christine Barratt to discuss the issue raised further. She also confirmed that the business improvement district did include small business but agreed that a cultural change was required within the council to ensure that small businesses in the borough were better supported to flourish, and emphasised that the right balanced had to be struck around regulatory enforcement.

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2. By: Councillor Julia Memery To: Councillor Florence Nosegbe, Cabinet Member for Culture, Sports and the 2012 Games Events on Clapham Common

Supplementary Question Councillor Julia Memery expressed concern at the potential huge number of events on Clapham Common in the following year, including two examples she gave, and asked the Cabinet Member to ensure that the Events Team was instructed to plan events better the following year so that the Common could also be enjoyed as an outdoor space by residents. Supplementary Answer Councillor Florence Nosegbe noted that the events held that summer had generated a significant income for the council and had been very successful. The Events Team had also won a number of awards for their work and had secured £20k for making good the damage caused by some events on the Common. A really exciting programme had been devised for the coming year, which would be presented to Cabinet on 21 Novmber 2011. Events on the Common did not prevent residents from enjoying the outdoor space.

3. By: Councillor Mark Harrison To: Councillor Lib Peck, Cabinet Member for Housing Empty Properties in Lambeth Supplementary Question Councillor Mark Harrison asked whether the improvements to reducing empty homes in the borough were set to continue. Supplementary Answer Councillor Lib Peck noted that the number of empty properties remained at 1% and that this was a real record within London. Sustained efforts had been made to deliver this target, and the council had also delivered new homes. She was confident that the good performance would continue in the future.

4. By: Councillor Jeremy Clyne

To: Councillor Lib Peck, Cabinet Member for Housing Roupell Park Heating Overspend Supplementary Question Councillor Jeremy Clyne considered that the written answer provided did not address the points raised in his original question and asked why Councillor Lib Peck had failed to recognise and support the evidence of

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fraud in relation to the Roupell Park combined heating and power plant and why no one had been held accountable as yet. Supplementary Answer Councillor Lib Peck agreed that the Roupell Park heating and power plan had been a very unsuccessful project which had not delivered and had cost tenants a lot of resources. She apologised for the failure of the project to residents but stated that there was no evidence of fraud. There were clearly faults in the way the project had initially been set up, including the decision making process which had not received sufficient challenge at the time. If Councillor Clyne had further evidence of fraud or delayed action, he should produce it.

5. By: Councillor Clare Whelan To: Councillor Lorna Campbell, Cabinet Member for Environment and Sustainability Charges for Tables and Chairs on Pavements on Private Land Supplementary Question Councillor Clare Whelan noted that whilst she agreed that the legislation existed, this did not necessarily mean that the council needed to enforce it. She considered that a proper business case had not been developed in relation to this issue and asked whether the Cabinet Member would agree that this had been the case and that local businesses should be consulted. Supplementary Answer (in the absence of Councillor Lorna Campbell, provided by Nigel Haselden) Councillor Nigel Haselden noted that a decision had been made on this issue and that benchmarking data had been obtained from other boroughs which suggested that a number of councils across London had already adopted this policy. He also noted that there was scope for further collaborative work with local businesses.

6. By: Councillor Donatus Anyanwu To: Councillor Pete Robbins, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People Effra Early Years and Children’s Centre Supplementary Question Councillor Donatus Anyanwu asked for clarification to the reduction in funding to the Effra Nursery School. He also noted that proposals from government to reduce funding to nursery schools would be damaging in the longer term and wanted to know what the council would be doing to challenge these proposals. Supplementary Answer Councillor Pete Robbins noted that every Lambeth nursery school had

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been rated outstanding by Ofsted which demonstrated that previous investment had been successful. Early years funding was important and it was interesting that the newly introduced Pupil Premium was funded from other areas of the education system rather than through the provision of new funding. The council would try hard to ensure that early years education was adequately funded.

7. By: Councillor Steve Bradley To: Councillor Florence Nosegbe, Cabinet Member for Culture, Sports and the 2012 Games Lambeth Allotments Association Supplementary Question Councillor Steve Bradley asked why the council was proposing to allocate allotment space at the Lorn Road allotment to non-Lambeth residents. Supplementary Answer Councillor Florence Nosegbe noted that a petition had been received recently on this issue and that this would be reviewed to ensure fair allocation of allotment spaces.

8. By: Councillor Shirley Cosgrave To: Councillor Pete Robbins, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People Ark on the Park Nursery Supplementary Question Councillor Shirley Cosgrave noted that, whilst residents were encouraged to work collaboratively and cooperatively by the council, the Ark on the Park nursery had been notified that their license could not be reviewed beyond 2012 although staff and residents had expressed an interest in keeping the nursery open to local children through the cooperative principles. She wanted to know whether the council was not in danger of failing statutory obligations by closing down the nursery, and asked that the nursery, which was very important to local residents, be kept open. Supplementary Answer Councillor Pete Robbins noted that the council had a statutory duty to provide nursery places but the financial situation meant and reducing demand (because of falling subsidies) meant change. The Council was taking a long view, and in this case 13 months notice had been given. Lots of developments based on the cooperative council principles were being undertaken and this would provide more choice for parents and service providers. The Mayor advised that the thirty minutes for question time had elapsed.

Question 10

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The following written answer had been provided that day to Councillor Gavin Dodsworth.

Housing Litigation Cases For each financial year from 2006/07 to date, how many housing litigation cases have been opened, closed and remained unresolved? How much has been spent on lawyers (both in house and contracted) in each year? How much has been paid out in compensation and costs as a result of litigation in each year? Answer: I thank Councillor Dodsworth for his question. As he can tell from the length of time it has taken legal and housing to accumulate the figures, the information is not kept in this way or indeed in a single system. But by assembling it in this way, I think it will help to focus minds around a greater value for money ethos. The information is as follows:

The number of disrepair cases opened in respect of houses within the HRA in each of the following financial years.

06/07 142

07/08 127

08/09 160

09/10 168

10/11 182

11/12 Total

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876 Table 1

Of this total of 876, there are currently 284 legal cases that are active. It is not possible to break these active cases down in terms of the years they were first opened as cases may sometimes be re-opened after being closed. It is to be noted that we would have expected years 09/10 and 10/11 to see an increase because of the limited spending on repairs due to the financial state of the Housing Revenue Account. The figures for this year show that we are broadly on track to return to the lower number of 07/08. However we clearly want to be minimising further both the number of and spend on these cases. In terms of spend, the following has been incurred in respect of those cases handled by Legal Services since 1 April 2006 to date.

£

Damages 1 575 166

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Other side legal costs 2 971 683

Disbursements 644 062

Legal Services costs 1 487585

Total 6 678 496 Table 2

External spend Judge and Priestly do counterclaims received from leaseholders in respect of service charges. They have not been able to go back to 2006; however they have been able to provide the following snapshot of cases currently open

06/07 1

07/08

08/09

09/10 2

10/11 2

11/12 8

Total

13

£

Damages 100 000+

Other side legal costs 290 000

Disbursements 12 613

J&P legal costs 32 459+

Total cost 435 000+ Table 3

Steeles Law historically did some disrepair cases for the Council. The following figures are for 2008/09. There are approximately 18 cases open although confirmation is still outstanding on this.

06/07 8

07/08 8

08/09 1

09/10

10/11

11/12

(unknown) 4

Total cases

21

£

Damages 92 464+

Other side legal costs 221 750+

Disbursements 12 880+

Steeles legal costs 141 488+

Total cost 468 582+ Table 4

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7. CABINET (07.11.11)

7.1 November Finance Review Corrections Para. 2.23:

Directorate Budget (net) Actual (net) Forecast (net)

Risk (net)

£'000 £'000 £'000 £'000

ACS 138,382 67,275 138,382 0

NRPF 2,817 902 2,817 0

CYPS 87,132 46,943 89,832 2,700

F&R 25,961 21,767 27,093 1,132

HRE 41,590 20,172 42,817 1,227

OCE 6,113 3,613 6,291 178

Total 301,998 301,995

159,770 304,416 307,232

5,237

Para. 2.25:

The Myatts Field PFI scheme was reported to Cabinet in June 2009 when approval was sought to appoint the preferred provider and updates have been given in the HRA rent and budget setting reports in 2010 and 2011. Delays have been experienced with Government approval processes, meaning the start of the scheme has been delayed. However, financial close has now been achieved. The final business case has now been submitted to CLG and is going through the appropriate processes to achieve financial close.

Amendment 1: Councillor Ashley Lumsden

Add additional recommendation:

(6) Council notes that the November Finance Review reports "slightly increased balances" while that the Council's statement of accounts for 2010/11 show "Usable Reserves" of £164,982,000 - an increase of over three million pounds. Council further notes that the General Fund Balance - part of these "Usable Reserves" increased during this period to £29m. Council believes that this buoyant and improving position does not justify the recent cuts to front line services to vulnerable people imposed by the Labour Administration and calls on them to look at which can be restored in the coming budget round.

The Mayor invited speakers from all parties from a list provided by the Whips. The speakers, in order, were: Councillor Paul McGlone Councillor Christine Barratt

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Councillor Julia Memery Councillor Pete Robbins Councillor Donatus Anyanwu Councillor Jim Dickson Councillor Ashley Lumsden Councillor John Whelan Councillor Steve Reed Voting Amendment 1 For: 17 Against: 38 Abstained: 0 LOST Original recommendations For: 38 Against: 14 Abstained: 4 RESOLVED:

(1) To note the revenue forecasts for 2011/12. (2) To note the impact of the Cooperative Council and the changing

financial context on the environment in which Service and Financial Planning takes place.

(3) To approve the revised Capital Investment Programme set out in

Appendices 1 and 2.

(4) To approve the revised Capital Investment Pipeline set out in Appendix 3.

(5) To note the Treasury risk management report at Appendix 4.

7.2 Clapham High Street Special Cumulative Impact Licensing Policy Amendment 1: Councillor John Whelan Council welcomes the Clapham High Street Special Licensing Policy and urges officers to bring forward proposals to extend the zone to:

1. That the zone boundary be amended to include the whole of The Polygon and the West Side of Old Town to the junction with Orlando Road.

2. That the zone boundary be extended in the Old Town from the junction with Grafton Square to the junction with Rectory Grove, so covering all

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of Old Town. 3. That the zone boundary is further extended to cover North Street to

the junction with Wandsworth Road. Council further urges Community Safety officers to be aware of the dangers of displaced anti-social alcohol-related activity on Clapham Common South Side, where in a very short stretch near Clapham South between Englewood Road and Cavendish Road there are at least half a dozen bars and restaurants which are already causing considerable nuisance to local residents late at night. There is also evidence of late-night anti-social behaviour regularly occurring on Abbeville Road, which is also close to the High Street. The situation needs to be closely monitored by the Metropolitan Police and consideration given to extending the Saturation Zone to both these locations if it transpires that the situation is deteriorating. The Mayor invited speakers from all parties from a list provided by the Whips. The speakers, in order, were: Councillor Rachel Heywood Councillor Jeremy Clyne Councillor Shirley Cosgrave Voting Amendment 1 For: 18 Against: 38 Abstained: 0 LOST RESOLVED:

(1) To resolve that the Special Policy and Designated Area for the Clapham High Street Cumulative Impact Zone, as set out in Appendices 1 and 2 to this report, be adopted and incorporated into the Council’s current Statement of Licensing Policy.

(2) To resolve that this policy come into effect from 10 November 2011.

7.3 Sex Establishment Licensing Policy Amendment 1: Councillor Ashley Lumsden

• Add to end of recommendation (3): , save that the word "fully" be deleted from condition 19 of the Additional Conditions for Sexual Entertainment Venues.

• Add at end of recommendation (4): Council resolves to consider and consult on whether to remove the proximity of places of worship as a listed consideration of licensing

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applications as part of the forthcoming wider review of licensing policy

• Add new recommendation: (4) In adopting the policy, Council acknowledges and values the diversity brought to the borough by the Vauxhall Gay Village.

Amendment 1 WITHDRAWN. Amendment 2: Councillor Rachel Heywood

• Add to end of recommendation (3): , save that the word "fully" be deleted from condition 19 of the Additional Conditions for Sexual Entertainment Venues.

• Add new recommendation: (4) In adopting the policy, Council acknowledges and values the diversity brought to the borough by the Vauxhall Gay Village.

The Mayor invited speakers from all parties from a list provided by the Whips. The speakers, in order, were: Councillor Rachel Heywood Councillor Ashley Lumsden Voting Amendment 2 CARRIED RESOLVED:

(1) That Council resolve that Schedule 3 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982, as amended by s.27 of the Policing and Crime Act 2009, be adopted and shall apply to the Council’s area and come into force on 19 December 2011.

(2) That Council adopt the Sex Establishment Licensing Policy as

appended to this report.

(3) That Council in pursuance of Paragraph 13 of Schedule 3 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982, resolves to make by regulation the standard conditions applicable to licences for sex establishments set out in the attached schedule, save that the word ‘fully’ be deleted from condition 19 of the Additional Conditions for Sexual Entertainment Venues.

(4) In adopting the Policy, Council acknowledges and values the diversity

brought to the borough by the Vauxhall Gay Village.

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8. NOTICES OF MOTION

Correction: Motion 5: delete title ‘Streatham Hill Art Space’ and insert ‘Streatham Hill Arts Space’. Motion 1: Housing and Litigation The Mayor invited speakers from all parties to address Council from a list submitted to the Whips. The speakers, in order, were: Councillor Jeremy Clyne Councillor Lib Peck Councillor John Whelan Councillor Jane Pickard Councillor Imogen Walker Councillor Steve Bradley Councillor Mark Harrison Councillor Peter Truesdale Voting Amendment 1 For: 18 Against: 39 Abstained: 0 LOST Amendment 2 For: 17 Against: 40 Abstained: 0 LOST Amendment 3 For: 38 Against: 18 Abstained: 0 CARRIED Substantive motion For: 38 Against: 18 Abstained: 0

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CARRIED RESOLVED: Council welcomes the asset strategy report produced by Lambeth Living in response to the Housing Commission’s recommendations, as published in July. Council notes the importance that this Labour Administration places on its tenants and their homes as demonstrated by the Housing Commission’s key recommendations, which include:

1. The co-production with tenants of an enhanced Decent Homes standard with a commitment to invest as much money as quickly as possible;

2. The development of a business case to develop a social enterprise that would train unemployed young people and ex-offenders to work on Lambeth properties and to tackle unemployment; and

3. The development of co-operative models of management and

ownership which will be offered to estates. Council notes that the Commission also explored whether Lambeth Living should be retained. Council accepts the Commission’s conclusion that there would be no advantage to bringing the service back in house and welcomes the recognition of the considerable improvements made by the ALMO in the last 12 months, including the transformation of more than 600 empty properties back into family homes. Council notes the impact that long standing problems have had on residents’ perception of housing in Lambeth as outlined in the 2011 Customer Satisfaction Survey which shows “that satisfaction with housing services in Lambeth is low and has declined over the last two years” and noted that “a number of factors contribute to this result but of particular significance are the historic under funding of major works (capital renewals and improvements), and the poor responsive repairs service customers have received for some time”. Council commits to support this Labour Administration in its ongoing work to deliver real investment, real improvements and with it, real customer satisfaction. The asset management report makes clear that Lambeth Living is committed to live up to promises to improve residents’ homes. Council welcomes the decision of this Labour Administration to concentrate efforts on pushing for more improvements in a service with customer satisfaction at its heart and rejects calls to spend the next six months bringing Lambeth Living back in house. Council notes that estate and street properties, external decorating, windows,

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heating systems and roofs will all be considered as part of the work with tenants and residents to look at what should be included in the new Housing Standard for Lambeth. Council further notes that society is becoming increasingly litigious. Council acknowledges that some legal costs are unavoidable but welcomes this Labour Administration’s commitment to ensure Lambeth Living focuses on getting the basics right, including repairs to tenants’ homes. Council is concerned by some reports that tenants are getting a poor level of customer service. Council calls on the Cabinet Member for Housing to continue monitoring this situation and to raise these concerns with Lambeth Living. Councillors from all parties will have had direct experience of frustrating cases where Lambeth Living and its contractors repeatedly fail to complete repairs in a timely manner and to a high standard. Council is therefore pleased that work is underway to address these long standing issues through the new housing repairs contracts. Council notes that the Cabinet Member for Housing is holding a regular surgery, open to ALL members, looking at the most difficult and complex cases, from which valuable service improvement lessons are learnt. Council welcomes the £100m decent homes money but calls on the coalition government to guarantee money due in years 3 and 4. Along with the potential to borrow £150m through reforms to the HRA, this funding will go some way to improving residents’ homes. Council, however, notes that although the amount roughly matches the £257m promised by the previous Labour government, the way in which it will be delivered significantly shifts the balance of risk onto Lambeth and its residents. Council resolves to continue working with residents to improve the repairs service, reduce the amount of money spent on costly litigation and instead provide warm, weather-tight and secure homes. Council welcomes the work of the Housing Commission which has helped to shape a clear vision and applauds the invaluable contribution of community activists and housing experts from within Lambeth and across the country. Council resolves to continue this work toward improving council housing for all our residents. Motion 2: Lambeth United The Mayor invited speakers from all parties to address Council from a list submitted to the Whips. The speakers, in order, were: Councillor Rachel Heywood Councillor Kita Ogden Councillor John Whelan

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Councillor Alex Holland Councillor Roger Giess Voting Amendment 1 For: 16 Against: 39 Abstained: 1 LOST Amendment 2 For: 18 Against: 39 Abstained: 0 LOST Amendment 3 For: 18 Against: 38 Abstained: 0 LOST Original motion For: 54 Against: 3 Abstained: 0 CARRIED RESOLVED: Council condemns the looting and disorder that was seen across London in August and offers its continued support to the police to bring those responsible to justice. Council is heartened by the positive response displayed across our local community to show that Lambeth residents want a more positive future for the borough. Council notes this ranged from clean up operations to ‘volunteer speed dating’ to local events like ‘We Love Brixton’. Council welcomes the work that this Labour Administration is developing through a new partnership between the community, the council, the police and other statutory agencies to allow the community to take the lead in finding local solutions that keep young people and their communities safe.

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Council recognises the importance this ongoing work in Lambeth to tackle serious violent crime had on our ability to bring people together immediately after the disorder and to limit the scale of the disorder. Council notes that less than 1% of our young people turn to violence but acknowledges the impact that the life choices of this 1% have on the entire borough. Council, however, would also like to celebrate the achievements and aspirations of the vast majority of young people in Lambeth and Council notes the evidence of this from the recent Youth Summit, where the Leader and other Cabinet Members listened to over 150 young people tell them what young people need and what they have to give. Council calls on the Prime Minister, in his promise to address the issue of gang culture, to work with and support this Labour Administration in their work to find innovative, community led solutions to some of these challenges that exist in Lambeth and elsewhere across the country. Council also calls on London’s Mayor and the Metropolitan Police not to reduce the number of police officers in Lambeth; not to remove Lambeth-based police officers for duties in other parts of London; to ensure that uniformed officers are not left to carry out reception duties that keep them off the streets; and to ensure adequate resources are provided to the police to enable them to tackle violent crime and keep our communities safe. Motion 3: Welfare Reform Voting Amendment 1 For: 18 Against: 37 Abstained: 0 LOST Original motion For: 37 Against: 18 Abstained: 0 CARRIED RESOLVED: Council notes with grave concern the very real threat to many Lambeth residents posed by this government’s proposed changes to the welfare system. Council highlights the cost of living and very high levels of deprivation across

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the capital, with specific reference to Lambeth and calls on the government to legislate accordingly, rather than in response to tabloid sensationalism. Although Council recognises the need for reform and supports properly considered efforts to tackle unemployment, it is alarmed by the magnitude of these proposals and urges the Coalition to look again. Council reminds government that the UK’s welfare system provides invaluable support to working families and demands that ALL proposals be reviewed to ensure that no such family is worse off as a result. Motion 4: Thameslink Voting Amendment 1 CARRIED Substantive motion CARRIED RESOLVED: Council welcomes the establishment of the cross party Thameslink Loop Line Campaign Group made up of passenger groups, councillors, MPs and GLA members from across South London.

Council supports the Group in deploring the proposed cut in the direct Thameslink cross-London route via Streatham, Tulse Hill, Herne Hill and Loughborough Junction which was announced without consultation and which denies thousands of commuters and other passengers in Lambeth and beyond, direct access to services such as Crossrail, Eurostar, St Pancras and Kings Cross inter-city routes and Luton airport.

Council welcomes the promise from the Government that timetables will not be finalised until it has investigated keeping direct routes.

Council resolves to seek clarity from the Secretary of State for Transport and Network Rail on this decision and to lobby the Department for Transport to secure a through route for the Thameslink loop line post 2016.

Council further resolves to enlist the support of all elected representatives in affected areas, including the Mayor of London, for the campaign. Council welcomes informal indications from Government that there is a window of opportunity to change policy and pledges full support to the cross party Thameslink Loop Line Campaign Group.

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Motion 5: Streatham Hill Arts Space Voting Amendment 1 For: 39 Against: 15 Abstained: 0 CARRIED Substantive motion For: 43 Against: 0 Abstained: 14 CARRIED RESOLVED:

Council notes the ongoing need to address the shortage of community arts and cultural facilities in Streatham, which was identified in the Lambeth UDP and contrasted with other centres in Lambeth.

Council further notes that consultation for the Streatham Masterplan revealed that “Lack of arts and cultural facilities” ranked the third highest of concerns about Streatham, coming after shopping facilities and traffic congestion and parking.

Council endorses the inclusion of the proposed performance and community space in the approved Megabowl development at Streatham Hill in Lambeth’s bid for Phase 2 of the Mayor’s Outer London Fund. With several other key initiatives also in the bid, the Megabowl Theatre is an opportunity to address this cultural need and thereby contribute to and promote the sustainable regeneration and economic uplift of the area.

Council notes that the scheme fits with the fund criterion of “substantial physical projects that can deliver lasting improvement” in an area bypassed by strategic investments such as Crossrail and the Olympic transformation. Motion 6: Libraries Amendment 1 CARRIED Amendment 2 For: 18 Against: 36 Abstained: 0

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LOST Amendment 3 For: 17 Against: 36 Abstained: 0 LOST Amendment 4 For: 18 Against: 39 Abstained: 0 LOST Substantive motion CARRIED RESOLVED: Council notes the statutory requirement for the Council to maintain a 'comprehensive and efficient' library service and believes that it should be a service that is fit for the 21st Century. Motion 7: Pupil Premium Voting Amendment 1 For: 16 Against: 40 Abstained: 0 LOST Amendment 2 For: 38 Against: 18 Abstained: 0 CARRIED Substantive motion

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For: 39 Against: 17 Abstained: 0 CARRIED RESOLVED: Council notes that the Coalition has implemented a Pupil Premium is keen to acknowledge that it has been paid for by savagely cutting other aspects of the education budget. The benefits that this intervention will produce are yet to be proven in a Borough where education has not been constrained by funding but is now experiencing pressure on its limited school places due to the government cutting capital funding for schools by 60%. Council notes the stark message contained in the Institute for Fiscal Studies report into education spending, released in October 2011, which states: ‘Public spending on education in the UK grew rapidly during the 2000s. Over the decade between 1999–2000 and 2009–10, it grew by 5.1% per year in real terms, the fastest growth over any decade since the mid-1970s. As a result, it rose from 4.5% of national income in 1999– 2000 to reach a high point of 6.4% in 2009–10. Going forwards, we estimate that public spending on education in the UK will fall by 3.5% per year in real terms between 2010–11 and 2014–15. This would represent the largest cut in education spending over any four-year period since at least the 1950s, and would return education spending as a share of national income back to 4.6% by 2014–15’. Motion 8: Academy and Free Schools in Lambeth Voting Amendment 1 For: 39 Against: 17 Abstained: 0 CARRIED Substantive motion For: 37 Against: 18 Abstained: 0 CARRIED RESOLVED:

The Council congratulates the governors, staff, parents and children of the five Lambeth schools which have converted to Academy status namely

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Durand, Corpus Christi Catholic Primary, Johanna, Stockwell Park, and Dunraven and notes that Lilian Baylis is in the final stages of approval. Council acknowledges that it was the Labour Party that introduced Academies, and notes the limited support given to the Coalition Government policy on academies by one of the policy’s original architects the Labour peer Lord Adonis who was interviewed by The Independent in October. Council further notes the comments on the Coalition’s free schools initiative by the new Labour Shadow Education Secretary Stephen Twigg, in which he criticised the questionable political decisions that underpin the initiative and drew attention to the risks they pose to existing schools, whilst at the same time acknowledging that some free schools will be successful.

Council agrees with Labour’s policy towards free schools, and regrets that Education Secretary Michael Gove failed to consult with the Cabinet Member responsible for Lambeth education over any of the proposals for free schools in Lambeth. Council further notes the absurd and contradictory policy of the Secretary of State for Education, the Rt Hon Michael Gove MP, whereby local authorities have statutory responsibility for pupil place planning, but are not consulted with over the introduction of new schools. Motion 9: Parliamentary Constituencies Voting Original motion For: 48 Against: 0 Abstained: 4 CARRIED RESOLVED: Council notes with regret the draft proposals for new Parliamentary Constituencies from the Boundary Commission for England and agrees with the sentiments of the borough's three MPs that Lambeth would be "carved up between 6 new parliamentary constituencies with a disregard for borough boundaries and historic districts". Council notes that for many years it has identified natural communities in the borough and has used these for service planning (from "Masterplanning" to school place planning) and community engagement (i.e. North Lambeth; Stockwell/Larkhall/Vassall; the Clapham wards and Thornton; the four Streatham wards; the three West Norwood wards). While welcoming a proposed new seat containing the whole of the Brixton area, Council regrets that all 5 other town centre areas are proposed to be split between constituencies. Council accordingly:

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1. Records its opposition to the draft proposals as they relate to Lambeth.

2. Expresses its view that it would prefer a pattern of Parliamentary

representation for the borough that better respected these established natural communities.

3. Resolves to make representations to the Boundary Commission for

England along these lines. Motion 10: London Cycle Scheme Amendment 1 For: 18 Against: 39 Abstained: 0 LOST Amendment 2 For: 17 Against: 39 Abstained: 1 LOST Original motion For: 49 Against: 1 Abstained: 3 CARRIED RESOLVED: Council calls on Mayor Boris Johnson to address the inequality in the distribution of cycle hire scheme docking stations across London as at present only 50 of the 335 stations are south of the river. Council supports local residents’ pleas for alternative modes of transport to reduce pressure on the environment as well as the very busy Northern and Victoria Lines. Council commends the recent success of Stockwell councillors in their campaign to bring the scheme to their ward and now supports efforts to bring the bikes to Clapham and Brixton.

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Motion 11: Boris Johnson’s Fare Increases Voting Amendment 1 For: 18 Against: 39 Abstained: 0 LOST Original motion For: 52 Against: 5 Abstained: 0 CARRIED RESOLVED: Council notes that Conservative Mayor of London, Boris Johnson has chosen to increase bus, tube and train fares above inflation for the third year running. He has introduced four year average fares increases amounting to 33% - hugely above the inflation rate of 13.9% over the same period. Council notes that Boris Johnson’s fare increases have meant the cost of a single bus fare using Oyster has risen by 56% - from 90p in 2008 to £1.40 in 2012. A zone 1-6 travel card has increased in cost by 22% - costing residents of Lambeth £509 a year more to get to work. Council notes that if elected Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone has promised to cut tube fares by 5% in October 2012. Council further notes that he has also committed to freezing fares in 2013 and not increasing fares by more than inflation after that. These plans do not involve reductions in service or investment. Council notes that under Ken Livingstone’s fares pans, the average commuter in London and Lambeth residents would stand to be on average £800 better off over the next four years. Council notes that a reduction in fares will reduce the cost of the Freedom Pass to London boroughs. Council welcomes Ken Livingstone’s proposed fare package, which will cut the cost of travel for thousands of commuters here in Lambeth and put ordinary Londoners, struggling with the cost of living, first. Motion 12: Clapham One

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Voting Amendment 1 For: 17 Against: 38 Abstained: 0 LOST Original motion CARRIED RESOLVED: Council is delighted that the Clapham One development won Project of the Year at the British Home Awards 2011. Council is pleased that the Clapham One scheme continues to be nationally recognised and has been shortlisted for two further awards; ‘best mixed services development’ and ‘best public services development’ at the UK Property Awards. Council believes that the promise of these early accolades for the design will be wholly realised by those using the new library, leisure centre and healthcare centre when they open in Clapham this winter, providing state-of-the-art facilities for local people and much needed high quality homes. Motion 13: Local Government Pension Scheme Voting Amendment 1 For: 18 Against: 39 Abstained: 0 LOST Original motion For: 40 Against: 17 Abstained: 0 CARRIED RESOLVED: Council notes that the LGPS is a sustainable, good quality pension scheme that benefits from being funded and locally managed. It is valuable to employers and employees alike.

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Council is concerned by proposals announced by the Chancellor in the last CSR to impose an extra 3.2% contribution tax on scheme members, increasing scheme average member contributions from 6.6% to 9.8% and notes that none of the additional revenue will go towards improving the financial security of the scheme and that in addition, research indicates that 40-50 per cent of affected members may opt out of the scheme as a result of this policy, thereby undermining the viability of the largest pension scheme in the UK. Current Government proposals are not a genuine attempt to make the schemes more sustainable, they are a cash grab by George Osborne, who is imposing an additional tax on workers. We reject the characterisation of local government pensions as ‘gold-plated’ and note that in 2009/10 the average LGPS annual pension was just £4052. We believe that LGPS, being a funded scheme can be sustainable and affordable. Council further notes that the LGA wrote to the Chancellor on 16 February 2011 to express concerns that mass opt-outs would be both undesirable and damaging to the scheme – Council shares these concerns. Council is disappointed that the Government has continually failed to negotiate fully and openly with Local Authorities and Trade Unions and regret that this has therefore made industrial action more likely. Council supports the Trade Unions in raising awareness of this issue and local government employees in defending their pension scheme. Council resolves to ask the Leader to write to the Chief Secretary to the Treasury to express Council’s concerns and urge the Government to rethink their proposals. Motion 14: Remembering the 100th Anniversary of the Outbreak of the First World Ward Voting CARRIED RESOLVED: Mindful of the season of remembrance and the upcoming 100th anniversary of the outbreak of the First World War in July 2014, Council urges leading members and officers responsible for cemeteries and open spaces with war memorials to take new initiatives to conserve heritage in Lambeth that commemorates the fallen in the wars of the past century. Council is aware that for some older people the memories of the aftermath of the 1914-18 conflict are still live. We view with special concern the mindless theft and vandalism currently being experienced in our cemeteries and at war memorials most recently at Lambeth Cemetery where plaques have been removed. Members urge officers to seek to identity sources of funding from charitable or conservation bodies which could assist with vital conservation

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work. Council asks the Chief Executive to write to London Councils and the London Government Association to set out our view. Motion 15: Statutory Notices Voting CARRIED RESOLVED:

Lambeth Council spends around £200,000 a year on statutory advertising. Nationally, the total expenditure on statutory advertising by councils runs into millions of pounds. This is advertising that the Government, both current and previous, requires the council to publish and pay for in independent print newspapers and includes such information as planning notices and road closure notices. Without this Government restriction, the council could make this information available to residents online for a fraction of the cost and in a way that would be more readily accessible to the vast majority of residents.

At a time of severe spending reductions the council does not believe spending money in this way is justifiable, especially since a cheaper and more convenient alternative is available. Council calls on the Government to remove the requirement that councils must publish statutory advertising in print newspapers and allow them to publish it online instead so that the money saved can be reinvested in frontline services or used to keep down council tax. Council further invites the leaders of the three political parties represented on the council to write jointly to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government seeking his support for this change. Motion 16: Scrap Metal Theft Voting Amendment 1 CARRIED Substantive motion CARRIED RESOLVED: Council notes with concern the increasing prevalence of valuable metal theft across London and voices its outrage that even gravestones, commemorative plaques and war memorials are pillaged. Libraries, churches and railways, to name but a few, have been victims of this crime that pays so little in comparison to the huge costs of closure, delays and repairs. Council therefore urges the government to act against this significant and growing national problem by investigating regulations to prohibit the buying and selling of scrap metals for cash and without proper

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identification. Council resolves to take action including working with the police on this issue, using CCTV where appropriate, and cementing in memorial plaques so they are extremely difficult to remove. Council notes that as a member of the Local Government Association Environment Board Councillor Clare Whelan will be meeting on a cross party basis with Labour and Liberal Democrat colleagues at the LGA to discuss a national local government response to tackling this nationwide problem that is blighting our environment. Council further welcomes the genuine spirit of cross party co-operation evident in this motion and two others on tonight’s agenda.

9. CORPORATE COMMITTEE: BRIBERY ACT 2010

RESOLVED: (1) To approve the amendment to the Corporate Committee terms of

reference to explicitly include oversight of the Council’s anti-bribery arrangements, as set out in para. 2.4 of report; i.e.: Corporate Committee terms of reference Add: 35. Pursuant to its audit and anti-fraud responsibilities, to maintain an overview of the Council’s compliance with the requirements of the Bribery Act 2010.

10. SAFER LAMBETH PARTNERSHIP PLAN 2011-12

RESOLVED:

(1) To adopt the Safer Lambeth Partnership Crime and Disorder Reduction Plan 2011-12, which includes draft priorities, objectives and headline actions for the Partnership for 2011-12.

The meeting ended at 10.20 pm MAYOR

Wednesday, 25th January, 2012

Date of Despatch: Thursday, 17 November 2011 Contact for Enquiries: Tim Stephens

Tel: 020 7926 2754 Fax: (020) 7926 2361 E-mail: tstephens@lambeth.gov.uk Web: www.lambeth.gov.uk