Agenda item

Councillor Rachael Robathan (Cabinet Member for Finance, Property and Regeneration) to update the Committee on current and forthcoming issues in her portfolio.

4.1      Councillor Rachael Robathan (Cabinet Member for Finance, Property and Regeneration) introduced the report and confirmed that the Council had now obtained London Living Wage (LLW) employer accredited status. The Council was ahead of a number of other London boroughs in implementing the LLW. Councillor Robathan added that the LLW offered staff fair wages and also motivated staff to deliver the high quality services expected

4.2      The Committee sought an update on the Fair Funding Review and the Spending Review and the approaches the Council was taking towards these matters. Members asked whether there would be any consultation or technical debates this year for the local government finance settlement, in view of the short timescales involved.

4.3      Members noted that the Community Contribution rates in the first half of this year were down compared to the last year and asked what steps were being taken to increase contributions. Further details were requested regarding the breadth of the procurement review. Members sought updates with regards to the Beachcroft, Church Street and Lisson Arches regeneration schemes. With regard to Dudley House, a Member expressed concern that there was no longer to be social housing on site, even though this had been initially proposed. In respect of tenants in renewal areas, clarification was sought as to what constituted under-occupancy.

4.4      A Member commented on the successful consultation on Infill schemes in his ward which had the support of residents. The Local Lettings Policy was also welcomed, however it was asked how this could be made to benefit residents more who already lived locally in that area. With regards to the Coroner’s Court, Members sought an explanation as to how the costs were covered.

4.5      In reply to issues raised by Members, Councillor Robathan informed the Committee that a robust financial planning process was in place to address all scenarios in respect of the Fair Funding Review and the Spending Review. With regards to Community Contributions, she advised that two letters were sent to the relevant residents and brochures would also be sent out detailing the charities that had received funds and what they were doing with them. Councillor Robathan stated that an important review of procurement was taking place and it would align procurement in all service areas and the procurement of Adult Social Care and Children’s Services would be brought together. Turning to Beachcroft, Councillor Robathan advised that work was taking place in respect of the internal fit outs with the contractor, and construction was on target. Engagement was ongoing with regards to the Church Street scheme and consideration was also being given as to how to engage with residents whose first language was not English. There were challenges to overcome at the Lisson Arches site, however every effort was being made to make progress with this site.

4.6      In respect of the Local Lettings Policy, Councillor Robathan advised that how this was implemented was dependent on the circumstances of the particular locality and the input of ward councillors was welcomed. She emphasised the importance of keeping local people within their community and in identifying and prioritising families who were in high need. Councillor Robathan had visited Dudley House and had looked at affordable homes on the site. She commented that the studio flats were spacious, whilst the two-bedroom flats consisted of two separate units with a shared living room. Members heard that applications for flats in Dudley House were oversubscribed, with 300 applications for 197 units. With regards to the tenant policy in renewal areas, there had been extensive debate on this matter. Although in some cases, there would be instances where people would be re-housed in properties that had less space than they were used to, there was flexibility within the policy to provide an additional bedroom in some circumstances. Turning to Coroner’s Court, Councillor Robathan advised that the Council shared the costs with the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea and the London Boroughs of Merton and Wandsworth and the cost allocation between the four councils had been agreed. The Council was the lead partner and work on the Coroner’s Court was due to take place soon.

4.8      Gerald Almeroth (Executive Director – Finance and Resources) advised that the local government finance settlement had been due to be announced in the first week of December, however because of the General Election, it was due to follow shortly after the Election. The Government was aware of the implications for local authorities in not receiving the settlement until later than planned and the Council’s budget for the next year had been designed to soften the blow. Gerald Almeroth advised that the Government would undertake a technical consultation with local authorities after the first year spending round, whilst consultation on the Fair Funding Review was due re-commence in the New Year.

4.9      James Green (Director of Development) advised in respect of Lisson Arches that lessons had been learnt and that an update could be provided on this at a future meeting.

4.10    The Committee requested a breakdown of types of housing units for developments in future reports, to be provided with a definition of under-occupancy for housing renewal areas and an update on Lisson Arches.

4.11    ACTIONS:

1.     Information on development schemes to include a breakdown of how many housing units are social/intermediate and how many are new/provided (Action for: Neil Wightman, Director of Housing Services).

2.     Definition of under-occupancy in housing renewal areas to be provided (Action for: Neil Wightman, Director of Housing Services).

3.     Update on Lisson Arches to be provided (Action for: James Green, Director of Development).