Agenda and minutes

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 9 October 2018 as an accurate record.

The minutes of the meeting held on 9 October 2018 were agreed as an accurate record.

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.

Question time with the Cabinet Member for Environment Transport and Regeneration, Councillor Stuart King.

The Cabinet Member for Environment Transport and Regeneration, Councillor Stuart King, gave a presentation on the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Tensions arising from areas within his portfolio.

The Sub-Committee was informed that there were 33 specific commitments within the Manifesto which applied specifically to his portfolio. In order for these objectives to be achieved, there needed to be clear political and managerial leadership behind the plans.

The presentation highlighted the following:

• The Borough was experiencing rapid growth with a unique growth zone model which will have £3mil investment on social infrastructure, public realm and transport over the next few years.
• The £100mil plus contract awarded to Conway for the Next Generation Highways contract
• Lack of financial support to deliver the Tram extension irrespective of Transport for London’s (TFL) support for the extension.
• As TFL no longer received revenue funding from government, there were challenges to the Blackhorse Lane project and the Mayors support on this would be welcomed.
• Increase of car ownership has proved to be a challenge in the drive to deliver 80% across London of the Mayors Transport Strategy for journeys to be completed through cycling or other methods such as walking or public transport.
• Brighton Mainline upgrade was underway following various consultation events having taken place.
• A bus review for the south of the Borough was in progress with plans in place for the review to be extended to the north of the Borough.

It was questioned what has been done by the Council to ensure that the current plans for the Blackhorse Lane bridge did not continue to be delayed. The Cabinet Member responded that a lot had already been done through official and political channels and that this was a joint procurement process between the Council and TFL. As an interested stakeholder, a robust challenge had been made to the contractor about how unacceptable the delays were. TFL had also been informed to hold the contactor to account.

It was further asked what mitigation measures had been put in place for business owners in the area who petitioned for a discount during this period and it was suggested that a co-ordinated Cabinet response was required on this matter. The Cabinet Member responded that compensation was being sought from TFL, and discussions were taking place with the Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources regarding the application of business rates relief for those affected.

It was also acknowledged that there would be a need for a closure to pedestrians at some point during the works to the Bridge. A Member enquired whether it would be possible to ensure that this did not occur during school term time. The Cabinet Member replied that it was difficult to guarantee that the work would not occur during school times, but it had been requested for escorted access to be arranged during school times in the am and pm in the event of closures to minimise disruption where possible.

A Member questioned the value of the work completed on Public Realm  ...  view the full minutes text for item 36/18

To discuss Social Housing provision in the borough. The Sub-Committee will receive briefings/presentations from the following Registered Providers of Social Housing and Providers of Housing Support:

(i)    Optivo

(ii)  Croydon Churches Housing Association

(iii)CAYSH

(iv)Thames Reach

he Director of Gateway introduced the item following the Chairs congratulations on her appointment to the role.

The Sub-Committee was informed that her role did not retain responsibility for housing but was linked through early intervention and prevention of homelessness as well as rough sleeping. The service primarily managed different programmes which enabled people to help themselves access homes and provide support in other aspects of their lives.

The report focused on housing in the borough and registered providers who addressed housing need. In attendance were representatives from housing providers as well as housing support. The guests presented on their item, providing information on key issues as well as outreach work.

OPTIVO

The Chief Operating Officer provided an overview of their portfolio which focused on three key area, with most of their homes being for general needs tenants. There was also a commercial aspect of their portfolio held for student and key worker accommodation.

In Croydon, Optivo had over 3,400 homes in the borough. There was currently a large development programme underway to build 1500 home a year, with 550 homes on-site in Croydon with an ambition to have over 1000 homes by 2023 on a shared ownership and affordable rent basis. Optivo were keen to continue to support families and people on lower incomes into affordable homes.

The Sub-Committee was informed that Optivo had partnered with Croydon on the Housing 1^st pilot to provide homes and had been investing in financial inclusion and sustainable tenancy schemes. The Housing Association (HA) had 450 households in Croydon in receipt of Universal Credit and were experienced in working with this clients group having formed an understanding of the challenges faced. They had also been successful in working with residents on an employment and skills programme. Optivo was a large local employer who supported the local economy, with their head office and repairs services located in Croydon.

There remained many challenges for the HA such as budget constraints, and staff restructures, rebuilding and re-establishing strong working relationships and working with the Police and the Council to rehome families experiencing gang violence. There had been funding cuts and grants per homes remained low in comparison to the cost of building due to the increased costs of construction. Welfare changes due to uncertainty over benefits also remained a challenge for residents.

There were opportunities to invest in Croydon and as one of the Mayors strategic partners, Optivo had secured an additional £145m to invest in affordable homes. Additionally reviewing tenancies and being in the position to offer affordable homes to local residents.

Through the valued partnership with the Council, the HA had three key priorities which included building new affordable homes, provision of support to vulnerable residents and working together to strengthen communities.

Croydon Churches Housing Association (CCHA)

The Chief Executive gave an overview of their portfolio advising that they held 1500 properties over four boroughs, with a large proportion of these properties in Croydon. There was an emphasis on providing more homes which  ...  view the full minutes text for item 37/18

To note the Work Programme for the remainder of the 2018/19 municipal year.

The Sub-Committee NOTED the work programme for the remainder of 2018/19 municipal year.

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 was not required