Agenda and minutes

In accordance with the Council’s Code of Conduct and the statutory provisions of the Localism Act, Members and co-opted Members of the Council are reminded that it is a requirement to register disclosable pecuniary interests (DPIs) and gifts and hospitality to the value of which exceeds £50 or multiple gifts and/or instances of hospitality with a cumulative value of £50 or more when received from a single donor within a rolling twelve month period. In addition, Members and co-opted Members are reminded that unless their disclosable pecuniary interest is registered on the register of interests or is the subject of a pending notification to the Monitoring Officer, they are required to disclose those disclosable pecuniary interests at the meeting. This should be done by completing the Disclosure of Interest form and handing it to the Democratic Services representative at the start of the meeting. The Chair will then invite Members to make their disclosure orally at the commencement of Agenda item 3. Completed disclosure forms will be provided to the Monitoring Officer for inclusion on the Register of Members’ Interests.

There were none.

To receive notice of any business not on the agenda which in the opinion of the Chair, by reason of special circumstances, be considered as a matter of urgency.

There were no items of urgent business.

To receive Announcements, if any, from the Mayor, the Leader, Head of Paid Service and Returning Officer.

Madam Mayor

Madam Mayor gave her announcements to the Members of Council.

Madam Mayor wished everyone a happy Autism Week.

Members were reminded of the Fostering Team’s campaign to recruit new foster carers and that the team had reached out to all ward councillors for their support in promoting the campaign.

Madam Mayor confirming that her final two events were coming up. Firstly an online panel discussion on the issues faced when coming out. Madam Mayor expressed her thanks to all those taking part especially to the Council’s LGBTQ Network. Secondly the Baby and Toddler Festival mentioned at the last meeting.

Madam Mayor reminded members that her last fundraising event is coming and requested that as many members as possible please attend her replacement Gala Dinner which has been replaced by a “Murder Mystery” evening on Zoom.

Madam Mayor’s announcements were concluded by wishing the Bangladeshi community a Happy 50th Anniversary of Independence following her attendance at the virtual event held at the Bangladesh High Commission.

The Leader

Madam Mayor invited the Leader, Councillor Hamida Ali, to make her announcements.

The Leader stated her deep concern for the situation of the residents in Regina Road which was completely unacceptable. She had apologised publicly including to the Government Select Committee and did so again. She also gave her commitment to put things right. In addition she has referred the council to the Health and Safety Executive and the Regulator for Social Housing and set up an externally led investigation which will give a verbal report next week.

The Leader stated that she could not support the opposition motion until the findings of the investigation have been completed.

a)    Public Questions (30 minutes)

To receive questions from the public gallery and questions submitted by residents in advance of the meeting.

b)    Leader and Cabinet Member Questions (105 minutes)

To receive questions from Councillors.

Public Questions

Madam Mayor explained that Croydon Question Time would commerce with 30 minutes of public questions to the Leader and Cabinet Members. In accordance with advice from the Government and Public Health England, it was not possible to hold public meetings in the Town Hall. As a result, members of the public were unable to ask questions from the public gallery in the Council Chamber. Questions have been received by email up until 12 noon on Friday 26 March 2021.

Madam Mayor read a question from Ria Patel to the meeting:

“1. How many homeless people are there in Croydon and how has this changed over 2020?

Is there a ward breakdown on this?

Is there a breakdown on the different types of homelessness eg couch surfers, street homeless etc?

What service does the Council financially contribute to in order to support those that are homeless?”

In her response the Cabinet Member for Homes, Councillor Hay-Justice agreed that there are many forms of homelessness. She also confirmed that at the last count in November 2020 there were 15 rough sleepers, in February 2021 there were 1700 people in temporary accommodation, a rise of 200 from last year and 670 people in emergency accommodation, a rise of 70 on last year.

Councillor Hay-Justice confirmed that a ward breakdown is not available but she would send on to Ria Patel the breakdown of categories data that she had.

Madam Mayor read a question from Joseph Lee to the meeting:

“We have seen our council tax bills sky rocket. We have seen the terrible living conditions of the council tenants of Regina Court and we have seen you yet to get a grip of council finances. Considering you were a key member of the Cabinet who was instrumental in getting to where we are now, perhaps you are not the right person to be leading the Council. Will you be handing in your resignation before the next council elections in 2022?”

In her response the Leader, Councillor Hamida Ali stated that we she put herself forward for the role she knew that it would not be an easy task. However, in the five months that she had been Leader, the council had secured Government funding and had set a balanced budget. In regards to the situation of the residents in Regina Road, Councillor Ali reiterated will be her earlier statement and that she would ensure that the residents will get the Housing Service they expect.

 Madam Mayor read a question from James Hillham to the meeting:

“With the horrific scenes at Regina Court, how bright and fair does the Leader think the future of the two residents featured in the ITV News and the other residents in appalling housing looks having been ignored for months and now put into temporary accommodation?”

In her response the Leader, Councillor Hamida Ali stated that she hoped her earlier statement had provided some clarity and that as soon as she was made aware of the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 24/21

To receive notice of petitions presented by Members on behalf of local residents.

The following petition was presented by Councillor Fitzsimons of behalf of residents:

a)    ‘‘We the undersigned, do hereby petition Croydon Council to place permits on Dominion Road, CR0 6JP. Due to some of the surrounding streets being permitted last year which has since caused a great addition of other cars parking on Dominion Road by non-residents.”

In his response, Councillor Muhammed Ali gave some background to the scheme and explained the process for extending Controlled Parking Zones (CPZ’s) including the length of time it takes to implement new schemes. He will supply full details in writing.

Councillor Jewitt stated that she would be bringing a petition to the next meeting of Council.

To debate any motions submitted in accordance with Council Procedure Rules.

The Mayor read out the first Council Debate Motion on behalf of the Administration:

“This Council mourns the death of Sarah Everard along with 116 including black and minority ethnic women who were killed as a result of male violence in the last twelve months alone prior to 11 March 2020. This Council believes that this pernicious prevalence of violence against women and girls is an epidemic in its own right where 80% of women of all ages have been sexually harassed in public. 97% of young women have been sexually harassed. 1 in 2 women have been sexually harassed in the workplace and 1 in 3 women will experience domestic violence in their lifetime. 1 in 5 women will be raped in their lifetime. 2 women a week are killed by a current or former partner and 3 women take their own lives following domestic abuse.

Reported cases of domestic abuse have risen significantly nationally in lockdown. Calls to nation domestic helplines almost doubled. Croydon has one of the highest rates of domestic violence in London and during lockdown saw further increases in reported cases of domestic violence and calls for support to our domestic violence services. This rise in domestic violence, particularly high risk cases, is now recorded on our corporate risk register. We pay tribute to the council’s staff who are part of the FJC who have worked so hard to provide critical support and advice to those experiencing domestic violence and to partners and those voluntary sector partners for everything they do to keep women and their children safe and bring perpetrators to account.

This Council believes that harassment faced by all women, from all backgrounds and diversity is unacceptable. We must create an environment women are safe in both public and private spaces. This Council resolves to:

Set out in the VAWG (Violence Against Women and Girls) Strategy how we will tackle forms of violence against women including street harassment, domestic violence, sexual violence, online violence against women, FGM. So called honour based violence and hate crimes against women.

Ensure that Croydon’s multi agency Community Safety Strategy continues to prioritise tackling all forms of violence against women and girls and ensure that the work we pursue with our partners engages men in the response, not just support and protection for women.”

Madam Mayor invited Councillor Patsy Cummings to propose the motion.

Councillor Cummings stated that the motion quoted the shocking statistics but went on to highlight the additional disadvantage that black, brown and refugee women face with the additional systemic racism. The BAME Domestic Abuse Partnership Forum stated a petition last week and hundreds of women had added their names. To highlight this issue Councillor Cummings read a statement from them which raised the cases of Blessing Olusegun, Bibaa Henry and Nicole Smallman to illustrate the issue. The amendment to the Domestic Violence Bill going through the House of Lords calls for non- discrimination to ensure that all women and girls receive the same treatment.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 26/21

To consider the recommendations made by Cabinet or Committees since the last Council meeting relating to the following matters:

Cabinet – 22 March 2021

      i.        Revocation of Section 114 Notice

i)      Revocation of Section 114 Notice

The Leader, Councillor Hamida Ali, stated that the Section 114 Notice had now lapsed. This was due to granting of Capitalisation Directions for 2020/1 and 2021/2. This was a very positive position for our residents and also for the staff who had worked so hard. It was also a very good start to what would be a very important financial year in consolidating the council’s resilience financially having secured that important financial assistance. Whilst the Section 114 Notice had lapsed some of the conditions will remain including the Spending Control Panel to maintain the important discipline from the very start of the coming year.

Both capitalisation directions are conditional and should the Council fail to meet the conditions then the Government may choose to withdraw the direction. It is therefore of the utmost importance that the Council meets the conditions set out in terms of the conditions in the letters in regards to savings or containing spending within the Council’s budget is non-negotiable. Should this occur then the Section 151 officer would almost certainly need to issue a new section 114 notice.

Councillor King seconded the recommendation.

The recommendation was put to the vote and was unanimously carried.

To pass a vote of thanks to The Mayor in the following terms:

a)      The Members of Council tender their grateful thanks to The Worshipful, The Mayor, Councillor Maddie Henson, for the courteous and efficient manner in which she presided over the Council’s deliberations during the past year;

b)      The Members of Council record their sincere appreciation of the dignified manner in which Councillor Maddie Henson has carried out the traditional duties of the office of Mayor, of the support and encouragement which she and her Consort, Mr Mark Henson, have given to local organisations and of the prominent part they have taken in the social life of the Borough during the Mayor’s period of office; and

c)      That this resolution be sealed and presented to the Mayor at the Annual Council Meeting in a suitable form.

The Mayor passed the Chair to the Deputy Mayor, Councillor Sherwan Chowdhury, who presided over the vote of thanks to the outgoing Mayor of Croydon.

The Deputy Mayor invited the Mayor to give her farewell address.

The Mayor commenced her address by congratulating Councillor Chowdhury on taking up his role of Mayor and expressed her personal thanks for the support that she had received from him over the last nine months. She was sure that he would shine in the role of Mayor.

The Mayor thanked everyone for giving her the chance to fulfil the role. Being the mayor of Croydon and being the youngest ever women to do so had been the honour of her life. For all mayors their year is always extraordinary. Each and every one brings some amazing contributions to the role, but they have not experienced the year that we have this year. So felt that it is important to reflect that.

The Mayor recounted how she was the first “virtual” mayor who was sworn in over Teams and how she took on the role knowing that it would be a difficult year. However, once lockdown began to ease in July the first mayoral event took place, The Mayor’s Reading Roadshow. People were able to come together in their “bubbles” for a picnic and to listen to Croydon’s amazing authors. Over 300 people attended.

September saw the anniversary of Operation Market Garden which had forever tied Croydon to its twin town of Arnhem. Although not able to attend in person, the first mayor for many years unable to do so, Croydon was able to hold its own small event. The Mayor personally thanked Seth, Councillor Toni Letts and Croydon’s Deputy Lieutenant, Ray Wilkinson for making it happen. Of particular note was the fact that it was possible to replicate the most moving part.

In December, the Mayor was able to work with Father Christmas to deliver present to Croydon’s children.

Particular thanks were given to members of her team, Stephanie Cope, Hema Vasanthakumar, Nick Evans and Luca Bercelli especially in the way that the mayor’s office adapted to a whole new way of working. With the help of Councillor Janet Campbell it was possible to host a live Facebook event with a panel of speakers who talked about their experience of death and dying to combat the stigma of talking about it. This was done with the help of one of the Mayor’s charities St Christopher’s Hospice. A further one will be taking place next month and the theme of people’s experiences of “coming out”.

Also highlighted Croydon Connected. With the help of Shelley Davies all Croydon schools were invited to take part in producing a giant paper chain recording their experiences of the past year. This has been presented to Croydon Museum.

At the start of her term of office the Mayor had outlined her theme of early life and the reason behind that choice. Videos were showcased especially for the day and thanks  ...  view the full minutes text for item 28/21

The following motion is to be moved and seconded where it is proposed to exclude the press and public from the remainder of a meeting:

“That, under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act, 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information falling within those paragraphs indicated in Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972, as amended.”

This item was not required.