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Agenda, decisions and minutes

Venue: This meeting is being held remotely; to view the meeting, please click here.

Contact: Victoria Lower
020 8726 6000 x14773  Email: victoria.lower@croydon.gov.uk

Items
No. Item

38/20

Minutes of the previous meeting pdf icon PDF 284 KB

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 11 May 2020 as an accurate record.

Minutes:

The part A minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on 11 May 2020 were agreed. The Leader of the Council confirmed he would sign the minutes as an accurate record when able to.

39/20

Disclosure of Interests

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.

Minutes:

There were none.

40/20

Urgent Business (If any)

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.

Minutes:

The Leader stated that in response to the horrific events around the globe which had led to the rise of the hugely important Black Lives Matter movement; efforts in Croydon were being redoubled to tackle racism in the borough. It was noted that events were taking place across the community and elsewhere and that efforts to support the Black Lives Matter movement would be supported.

 

Cabinet paused the meeting for 8 minutes and 46 seconds to reflect upon recent events.

41/20

Croydon Together: Update on our ongoing response to Covid-19 pdf icon PDF 268 KB

Officer: Jo Negrini

Key decision: no

Decision:

The Leader of the Council delegated authority to the Cabinet to make the following decisions:

 

RESOLVED: To note the report and the actions taken in response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Minutes:

The Leader noted that lower numbers were starting to be seen in terms of hospital admissions, however a significant challenge remained in Croydon in terms of health and economic crises. The financial challenges were recognised and the Leader thanked Chris Philp MP for his work in promoting fairer funding and for recognising the importance of cross party working.

 

Members thanked all of the staff, NHS workers, care home workers and volunteers who had stepped up to support residents during a period of adversity.

 

The Director of Public Health noted that while infections and deaths were reducing in England, there had still been 55 deaths announced that day which meant there were 55 bereaved families. Significant risks remained; the virus was highly contagious and infectious and so it was imperative people stuck with social distancing and only made journeys where necessary. Everyone in Croydon was thanked for their contributions to reducing the spread; however, it was noted that significant work remained to combat the virus.

 

The Chief Executive noted that the work to develop strong partnerships over previous years had been a key strength in Croydon’s response to the pandemic. The council would not have been able to respond so well without the work of the NHS and the community and voluntary sector. It was recognised that through coordinated partnership working residents across the borough had been supported. BIDs were also recognised for their vital work in supporting businesses throughout this period.

 

Despite these partnerships, responding to the pandemic was recognised as having been a challenge as a number of responsibilities had been placed upon local government. The Chief Executive further stressed that the council was still responding to the pandemic and would continue to support care homes and shielded residents.

 

Members were informed that there were 14,500 shielded residents in the borough and of those 2,500 required additional support. This support would continue in the weeks and months ahead, especially in light of discussions of the government withdrawing food packages for the vulnerable as there would be many residents who would be concerned about going out.

 

The Chief Executive noted that the council had been given additional duties by the government in relation to care homes. The council had been providing support, including PPE and training, to care homes in Croydon since the beginning of the pandemic; however additional responsibilities of coordinating the testing of care home residents and staff had been placed on the Director of Public Health. It was confirmed that care homes would continue to be supported in acquiring PPE.

 

Members were informed that over £200k in emergency grants to the voluntary and community sector had been distributed. Furthermore, of the £60m in business grants received, £44.8m had been awarded. It was noted that there was a wide range of businesses in Croydon and some were very small; as such the Chief Executive requested that if councillors came across a business in need of support that they inform her and the Section 151 Officer so that they  ...  view the full minutes text for item 41/20

42/20

Developing a sustainable economic recovery and renewal plan for Croydon pdf icon PDF 282 KB

Officer: Shifa Mustafa

Key decision: no

Additional documents:

Decision:

The Leader of the Council delegated authority to the Cabinet to make the following decisions:

 

RESOLVED: To

 

1.    Record its thanks to the Council’s partners in the public, private and voluntary and community sector who have come together as one borough to respond to the Covid-19 crisis.

 

2.    Note the approach now proposed for the Council to work in partnership towards a sustainable economic renewal strategy.

 

3.    Approve the establishment of a cross-sector Croydon Sustainable Economic Renewal Board to lead and coordinate the borough’s renewal plan.

Minutes:

The Leader informed Members that a large amount of work was being put into a sustainable economic recovery and renewal plan and that the council was playing an integral role in bringing together a number of sectors and organisations to support this work. It was noted that the redevelopment of Croydon and the district centres would be important aspects of focus for the economic renewal of the borough following covid-19.

 

It was noted that huge challenges would be experienced by the culture and hospitality industries following lockdown easing and that it was important that the council ensured that the economic recovery of the borough was sustainable and swift. The Leader stated that the sustainable agenda was an important aspect of the recovery agenda during the economic crisis.

 

The Cabinet Member for Environment, Transport & Regeneration (voting – Job Share) noted that it would be easy to put tackling the climate emergency on the back burner, however it was the council’s intention that there was a clear link between economic renewal and sustainability.

 

Members were informed by the Cabinet Member for Economy & Jobs that the council was seeking to shape a green and inclusive economy. With the reopening of businesses, training would be a key area of focus to support residents in acquiring new roles and to tackle skills shortages in particular sectors, such as the care sector. The Cabinet Member noted that women were more likely to work in sectors which had been closed during the lockdown and this inequality needed to be addressed.

 

Inward investment was key to the economic renewal of the borough and the council, it was stated, would look to encourage investment in the borough including large and medium sized businesses which were seeking to relocate outside of inner London.

 

The Cabinet Member informed Members that there was an enquiry taking place on post-pandemic economic growth which the council would feed into.

 

The Cabinet Member for Environment, Transport & Regeneration (non-voting – Job Share) stated that it was important that planning would play a key role in achieving a better environment during the economic recovery. Whist it was important to continue to develop the borough, it was also important to recognise the changed environment as an outcome of covid-19.

 

The Leader informed Members that the council had received positive correspondence from Westfield in recent weeks in terms of the redevelopment of Croydon town centre which was welcomed. In spite of this positivity, the Leader stated that whether it be Westfield or another developer it was important that the redevelopment of the town centre was not stalled, however it was recognised that the redevelopment would need to evolve given the changes to the retail market in recent times. Furthermore, it was stated that the town centre would be redeveloped on a more human scale with fewer larger complexes and more open spaces. It was confirmed to Members that the Leader had spoken to Chris Philp MP and it had been agreed that cross party agreement was important to a  ...  view the full minutes text for item 42/20

43/20

South London Waste Plan - Publication of Proposed Submission draft and Submission to the Secretary of State pdf icon PDF 448 KB

Officer: Shifa Mustafa

Key decision: yes

Additional documents:

Decision:

The Leader of the Council delegated authority to the Cabinet to make the following decisions:

 

RESOLVED: To recommend that Full Council

 

1.    Approves the submission of the draft South London Waste Plan (Appendix 1) and its associated Sustainability Appraisal (Appendix 2) to the Secretary of State following the conclusion of the statutory 6-week publication period in accordance with Section 20(1) of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004;

 

2.    Delegates to the Cabinet Member for Environment, Transport and Regeneration (Job Share), in consultation with the Director of Planning and Strategic Transport, the agreement of any Main Modifications required by the appointed Planning Inspector to make the South London Waste Plan sound;

 

3.    Delegates to the Cabinet Member for Environment, Transport and Regeneration (Job Share), in consultation with the Director of Planning and Strategic Transport the publication of any Main Modifications required by the appointed Planning Inspector for formal consultation; and

 

4.    Delegates to the Director of Planning and Strategic Transport in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Environment, Transport and Regeneration (Job Share) the making of minor modifications and factual corrections (that are not required to make the South London Waste Plan sound).

 

RESOLVED: To

 

1.    Approve publication of the Proposed Submission South London Waste Plan (Appendix 1) and its associated Sustainability Appraisal (Appendix 2) for six weeks for representations to be made upon it, in accordance with Regulation 19 of the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012;

 

2.    Approve that the Proposed Submission draft of the South London Waste Plan be recommended to Full Council for submission to the Secretary of State subject to conclusion of the statutory 6-week publication period; and

 

3.    Delegate to the Director of the Director of Planning and Strategic Transport in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Environment, Transport and Regeneration (Job Share) minor and / or factual changes to the Proposed Submission South London Waste Plan prior to publication.

 

Minutes:

The Cabinet Member for Environment, Transport & Regeneration (non-voting – Job Share) gave a presentation to the meeting. It was noted that the report was not about waste collection or the processing of waste but was rather about planning for future waste.

 

The Waste Plan had been drawn up by the four boroughs involved in the South London Waste Partnership; Croydon, Kingston, Merton and Sutton, and sought to ensure the four boroughs were net self-sufficient in their waste dealings up to 2036. It was noted that waste would be taken from elsewhere, however an equal amount would be exported to other authorities to manage.

 

The Cabinet Member stated that the targets for waste processing included no biodegradable or recyclable waste being sent to landfill by 2026, 65% of household and business waste being recycled by 2030 and 95% of construction waste to be recycled by 2020. Waste, it was stated, would be dealt with in terms of a hierarchy; re-use, re-cycle, re-cover and dispose.

 

Whilst it was intended that waste levels would be reduced it was noted that lobbying for national legislation was key to achieving the ultimate goals of waste reduction.

 

In response to questions, the Cabinet Member for Environment, Transport & Regeneration (non-voting – Job Share) stated that contact would be made with NHS England to better understand their concerns. It was further confirmed that development growth was taken into consideration when developing the Plan and that an increase in development of 4% over 15 years was net growth across the four boroughs.

 

Council staff and Viridor staff were thanked for their excellent work in maintaining services during the pandemic.

 

The Leader of the Council delegated authority to the Cabinet to make the following decisions:

 

RESOLVED: To recommend that Full Council

 

1.     Approves the submission of the draft South London Waste Plan (Appendix 1) and its associated Sustainability Appraisal (Appendix 2) to the Secretary of State following the conclusion of the statutory 6-week publication period in accordance with Section 20(1) of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004;

 

2.     Delegates to the Cabinet Member for Environment, Transport and Regeneration (Job Share), in consultation with the Director of Planning and Strategic Transport, the agreement of any Main Modifications required by the appointed Planning Inspector to make the South London Waste Plan sound;

 

3.     Delegates to the Cabinet Member for Environment, Transport and Regeneration (Job Share), in consultation with the Director of Planning and Strategic Transport the publication of any Main Modifications required by the appointed Planning Inspector for formal consultation; and

 

4.     Delegates to the Director of Planning and Strategic Transport in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Environment, Transport and Regeneration (Job Share) the making of minor modifications and factual corrections (that are not required to make the South London Waste Plan sound).

 

RESOLVED: To

 

1.     Approve publication of the Proposed Submission South London Waste Plan (Appendix 1) and its associated Sustainability Appraisal (Appendix 2) for six weeks for representations to be made upon it, in accordance with Regulation 19  ...  view the full minutes text for item 43/20

44/20

Equality Annual Report pdf icon PDF 331 KB

Officer: Jo Negrini and Jacqueline Harris Baker

Key decision: no

Additional documents:

Decision:

The Leader of the Council delegated authority to the Cabinet to make the following decisions:

 

RESOLVED: To

 

1.    Note the Equality and Inclusion Annual Report for 2019

 

2.    Note the Equality Framework for Local Government (EFLG) Report 2019

 

3.    Note the Stonewall Workplace Equality Index (WEI) Report 2019

 

4.    Note the reports will be published on the Council’s website

 

5.    Note the work to develop an Equality Strategy

Minutes:

The Cabinet Member for Safer Croydon & Communities began introducing the report by noting that the papers had been published before the recent murder of George Floyd. In light of the rise of the Black Lives Matter movement and the published impact of covid-19 on BAME communities, the report had increased in importance. It was stated that it was important that everyone played their part in tackling the inequalities that were experienced by residents and that the council reset its equalities agenda to tackle any inequalities present.

 

The Cabinet Member stated that the administration stood in solidarity with the black community and its staff. It was important that the council showed and did not merely state that Black Lives Matter. This was the opposite of the government’s stance, it was stated, who had published a report that outlined the disproportionate impact of covid-19 on the BAME population but had not made any recommendations.

 

It was noted that the Local Government Association Equality Peer review report had been included in the papers and rated the council as “Achieving” and included recommendations for the council to improve further. Recommendations included improving data collection, which the council would work on in the coming weeks and months ahead. It was the intention of the council to work towards being awarded the status of “Excellent”. Furthermore, the Cabinet Member informed Cabinet that there had been an informal discussion with Scrutiny & Overview Committee members in relation to the report and recommendations of members would be taken forward.

 

The Cabinet Member thanked the Equalities Manager for their work and dedication to tackling inequalities.

 

The Chair of the Health & Wellbeing Board noted that the beginning of the meeting had been paused to reflect upon recent events and the death of George Floyd. It was stated that there was understanding of people protesting and stating that enough was enough. Institutionalised racism was abundant and it was not sufficient to hear of policies changing while real change was not being delivered. It was hoped that the coming weeks and months would see real change, including to the school curriculum to include the full story of colonialism, and work to tackle the issue of school exclusions of black boys.

 

Health inequalities were further raised as an area requiring real commitment to change. It was noted that the council needed to work with its partners and communities to implement a strategy that ensured people had a better start in life.

 

Members thanked the Cabinet Member for their passion for leading this piece of work. It was noted that objectives needed to be refreshed and that equality needed to be placed at the heart of all the council’s work to make real changes to the lives of residents.

 

Concerns were raised that the report suggested that of the 31 targets in the 2016-20 Plan, only three had been met. Members suggested that data on performance against targets should be published and that meaningful targets should be developed.

 

In response, the Cabinet Member stated that  ...  view the full minutes text for item 44/20

45/20

Children, Young People & Families Plan pdf icon PDF 1 MB

Officer: Robert Henderson

Key decision: no

Additional documents:

Decision:

The Leader of the Council delegated authority to the Cabinet to make the following decisions:

 

RESOLVED: To

 

1.    Refer the adoption of the Children, Young People and Families Plan to Full Council with a recommendation for approval.

 

2.    Note the engagement and consultation that has been undertaken to develop this plan with children and young people, in addition to our partners, and organisations working with children and young people in Croydon.

Minutes:

The Cabinet Member for Children, Young People & Learning began by thanking everyone who had supported the work of improving Children’s Services including; Eleanor Brazil, Martin Pratt, Di Smith, Ashely Sow and Councillor Shafi Khan. Their commitment to improving services had supported the council’s achievement of being rated ‘Good’ in its latest Ofsted inspection.

 

The Cabinet meeting was provided with a presentation on the Children, Young People & Families Plan which had the theme of “a place where everyone matters” running throughout it. It was stated that it was integral that the council continued to tackle the challenges experienced to ensure no person was left behind. Members were informed that listening had been at the heart of the development of the Plan; 195 young people had been engaged in the course of over 25 face to face sessions.

 

It was noted by the Cabinet Member that the importance of recognising and celebrating diversity had been a theme running throughout the meeting that evening. It had been important during the development of the Plan that the final product was accessible and relatable by all with the use of plain English and the removal of acronyms and unnecessary text.

 

Members noted that there were three outcomes in the Plan and six priorities. Priority 1 (“I feel safe in my home, school and community”) focused on building relationships with families to support the development of safe, happy and caring homes. Priority 2 (“I am supported to do well, and access learning and work opportunities”) focused on ensuring that everyone had access to learning and employment opportunities, with a key focus being to support young people accessing work experience opportunities. Finally, Priority 3 (“I am supported to feel happier and healthier”) would focus on supporting young people to access nature and outdoor space to reduce stress and improve mental health. It was noted that there would be far reaching impacts of the lockdown on young people’s mental health and this would be monitored carefully.

 

Members were shown a draft of the Plan on a page which had been developed with the principles of accessibility, colour, images of children at different ages, ethnicities and those with disabilities, to ensure it was inclusive for all.

 

In response to Member questions, the Cabinet Member noted that covid-19 had shone a light on a number of inequalities within society, with child poverty being one such area. It was noted that during this period a number of families had struggled with paying for food and that this needed to be addressed.

 

The Cabinet Member stated that the council would work with school to carefully look at young people’s EHCPs to ensure the right level of support was being provided and, where appropriate, support levels would be increased to meet their needs.

 

The Leader of the Council delegated authority to the Cabinet to make the following decisions:

 

RESOLVED: To

 

1.     Recommend the adoption of the Children, Young People and Families Plan by Full Council.

 

2.     Note the engagement and consultation that has  ...  view the full minutes text for item 45/20

46/20

Recommendations from the Citizen's Assembly on Climate Change pdf icon PDF 330 KB

Officer: Shifa Mustafa

Key decision: yes

Additional documents:

Decision:

The Leader of the Council delegated authority to the Cabinet to make the following decisions:

 

RESOLVED: To

 

1.    Note the statements from the Citizen’s Assembly.

 

2.    Give approval for the recommendations from the Citizen’s Assembly to be taken forward and actioned where possible by the Executive Director of Place in consultation with the Leader and Cabinet.

Minutes:

The Leader noted that the outcomes of the Citizen’s Assembly had shown that residents emphatically supported the climate change agenda. It was noted that the Chair of the Climate Change Commission would be invited to the July Cabinet meeting for a full discussion of the green agenda.

 

The Leader of the Council delegated authority to the Cabinet to make the following decisions:

 

RESOLVED: To

 

1.    Note the statements from the Citizen’s Assembly.

 

2.    Give approval for the recommendations from the Citizen’s Assembly to be taken forward and actioned where possible by the Executive Director of Place in consultation with the Leader and Cabinet.

47/20

Stage 1: Recommendations from Scrutiny pdf icon PDF 212 KB

Officer: Jacqueline Harris Baker

Key decision: no

Additional documents:

Decision:

The Leader of the Council delegated authority to the Cabinet to make the following decisions:

 

RESOLVED: To receive the recommendations arising from a joint meeting of the Scrutiny & Overview Committee and Health & Social Care Sub-Committee on 26 May 2020, and to provide a substantive response within two months (i.e. at the next available Cabinet meeting on 14 September 2020.

Minutes:

The Chair of the Scrutiny & Overview Committee noted that a meeting had taken place in May 2020 which had looked at a number of areas including; finances, social care, mental health, impact on young people and homes. It was noted that a review had been requested by Scrutiny Members on the lessons learnt from the discharge of asymptomatic patients.

 

The Leader thanked Members and officers for supporting such as important meeting.

 

The Leader of the Council delegated authority to the Cabinet to make the following decisions:

 

RESOLVED: To receive the recommendations arising from a joint meeting of the Scrutiny & Overview Committee and Health & Social Care Sub-Committee on 26 May 2020, and to provide a substantive response within two months (i.e. at the next available Cabinet meeting on 14 September 2020.

48/20

Investing in our Borough pdf icon PDF 237 KB

Officer: Jacqueline Harris Baker

Key decision: no

Additional documents:

Decision:

The Leader of the Council delegated authority to the Cabinet to make the following decisions:

 

RESOLVED: To note

 

1.    The list of decisions pursuant to Part 5 A Article 1.7 (Urgency Decisions) of the Council’s Constitution, made as relevant body by the nominated Cabinet Member in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources or, where the nominated member is the Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources in consultation with the Leader, as set out in section 4.1 of the report.

 

2.    The list of delegated decisions for contracts and property acquisitions and disposals valued over £500,000 and that have not previously been notified or reported to Cabinet, made by the nominated Cabinet Member in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources or, where the nominated member is the Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources in consultation with the Leader, to agree the award of such contracts, Leader since the last meeting of Cabinet, as set out in section 4.1.1 of the report.

 

3.    The contracts between £500,000 and £5,000,000 anticipated to be awarded by the nominated Cabinet Member, in consultation with the nominated Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources or, where the nominated Cabinet Member is the Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources, in consultation with the Leader, as set out in section 4.1.2 of the report.

Minutes:

The Leader of the Council delegated authority to the Cabinet to make the following decisions:

 

RESOLVED: To note

 

1.    The list of decisions pursuant to Part 5 A Article 1.7 (Urgency Decisions) of the Council’s Constitution, made as relevant body by the nominated Cabinet Member in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources or, where the nominated member is the Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources in consultation with the Leader, as set out in section 4.1 of the report.

 

2.    The list of delegated decisions for contracts and property acquisitions and disposals valued over £500,000 and that have not previously been notified or reported to Cabinet, made by the nominated Cabinet Member in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources or, where the nominated member is the Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources in consultation with the Leader, to agree the award of such contracts, Leader since the last meeting of Cabinet, as set out in section 4.1.1 of the report.

 

3.    The contracts between £500,000 and £5,000,000 anticipated to be awarded by the nominated Cabinet Member, in consultation with the nominated Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources or, where the nominated Cabinet Member is the Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources, in consultation with the Leader, as set out in section 4.1.2 of the report.

49/20

Exclusion of the Press and Public

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.”

Minutes:

The item was not required.