Agenda, decisions and minutes

Members and co-opted Members of the Council are reminded that, in accordance with the Council’s Code of Conduct and the statutory provisions of the Localism Act, they are required to consider in advance of each meeting whether they have a disclosable pecuniary interest (DPI), an other registrable interest (ORI) or a non-registrable interest (NRI) in relation to any matter on the agenda. If advice is needed, Members should contact the Monitoring Officer in good time before the meeting.

If any Member or co-opted Member of the Council identifies a DPI or ORI which they have not already registered on the Council’s register of interests or which requires updating, they should complete the disclosure form which can be obtained from Democratic Services at any time, copies of which will be available at the meeting for return to the Monitoring Officer.

Members and co-opted Members are required to disclose any DPIs and ORIs at the meeting.

-      Where the matter relates to a DPI they may not participate in any discussion or vote on the matter and must not stay in the meeting unless granted a dispensation.

-      Where the matter relates to an ORI they may not vote on the matter unless granted a dispensation.

-      Where a Member or co-opted Member has an NRI which directly relates to their financial interest or wellbeing, or that of a relative or close associate, they must disclose the interest at the meeting, may not take part in any discussion or vote on the matter and must not stay in the meeting unless granted a dispensation. Where a matter affects the NRI of a Member or co-opted Member, section 9 of Appendix B of the Code of Conduct sets out the test which must be applied by the Member to decide whether disclosure is required.

The Chair will invite Members to make their disclosure orally at the commencement of Agenda item 3, to be recorded in the minutes.

There were no disclosure of interest made at the meeting

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.

Cabinet Member: Cabinet Member for Sustainable Croydon, Councillor Muhammad Ali

Officer: Interim Corporate Director Sustainable Communities, Regeneration & Economic Recovery Sarah Hayward

Key decision: Yes

(Report to follow)

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

RESOLVED: To

1.    Consider the progress made in the creation of the appended draft Croydon Carbon Neutral Action Plan, the scope and scale of detail contained within the Plan and the associated delivery timetable.

2.    Approve the adoption of the draft Croydon Carbon Neutral Action Plan, appendix 1 to this report and acknowledge that the plan is a ‘live document’ which will be updated on an ongoing basis following reports to Members for Page 3 Agenda Item 4 approval.

3.    Agree to receive an annual report on the Plan and track progress on delivering actions outlined in the proposed Croydon Carbon Neutral Action Plan to achieve its ambition of being carbon neutral by 2030.

4.    Note the steps that the Council has taken, and the approach it intends to take, to identify resources and progress funding streams for the delivery of draft Croydon Carbon Neutral Action Plan in response to the Climate Emergency commission’s recommendations.

5.    Note the proposed allocation of £1.1M from the CIL Local Meaningful Proportion to finance the Sustainable Croydon initiatives split equally over 2022/23 and 2023/24 which is currently being assessed via internal processes.

Cllr Hamida Ali (Chair) invited Cllr Muhammad Ali (Cabinet Member for Sustainable Croydon) to introduce the item.

Cllr Ali reminded colleagues of the history of previous recommendations. He outlined wide-ranging actions taken by the council in working towards mitigation of climate change and informed members of current actions underway.

Members noted work around building and enhanced new spaces, and other policies firmly embedded within the council’s strategy to deliver on the action plan. Cllr Ali highlighted the challenges and acknowledged that delivery was dependent upon working with strategic partners, residents and political leadership. He pointed out key actions being taken towards enabling delivery, which included:

·         Development of a communication, engagement and awareness strategy to raise awareness.

·         Schools, key businesses, Tier 1 contractors and public sector organisations in the Borough have been contacted to ask them for their pledge to work collectively towards achievement on delivery.

·         Joint working politically to bring climate change to the fore.

Members heard about some of the challenges and that GLA, TFL and Central Government needed to enable local powers and provide financial funding to allow the council to progress successfully.

He asked colleagues to consider the recommendations and the allocation of funding for the work involved.

The Chair and Cabinet congratulated Cllr Ali on his achievements in driving the subject forward and Members were invited to comment. They said:

·         What are the key challenges for delivery of the action plan?
- Cllr Ali took the opportunity to acknowledge the work of officers. He referred to the HRA Business Plan which would be the first opportunity to embed the climate change strategy into building work. He said that engagement with residents was also key, through education about small changes that each individual could make.

·         With regards to collective endeavours to achieve these ambitions, what is being done?
- Cllr Ali outlined details of communication with various stakeholders, and work being done to bring residents and particularly young people to forums. He said that political cooperation was important and had written to colleagues to ask for their commitment in embedding the climate change strategy into all the council’s work.

·         In reference to the key priorities, what other actions can be taken to ensure green recovery?
- Cllr Ali responded by referring to his ambitions for Croydon to promote green skills by reaching out to universities to encourage young people with opportunities to achieve carbon neutral goals;

·         With reference to work with young people and schools to plant more trees, could the opportunity to include time capsules be included?
- Cllr Ali agreed that this was an excellent idea. He acknowledged schools as community hubs and said that they would encourage involvement of parents and residents.

·         How will the budget be utilised to support the proposed actions?
- Members heard that plans, subject to approval, were underway to open up opportunities to take forward more actions locally. Cllr Ali said that the Borough was making decisions that showed how the Council attempted to mitigate climate change.

·         Will officers  ...  view the full minutes text for item 22/22

Cabinet Member: Cabinet Member for Sustainable Croydon, Councillor Muhammad Ali

Officer: Interim Corporate Director Sustainable Communities, Regeneration & Economic Recovery, Sarah Hayward

Key decision: Yes

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

RESOLVED: To

1.            Note and approve adoption of the Draft Parks and Green Spaces Renewal Strategy 2022-25, Appendix 1.

2.            Note the outcomes reached following the equalities analysis for the Draft Parks and Green Spaces Renewal Strategy, Appendix 2.

3.            Note and approve adoption of updated Events Policy, Appendix 3

4.            Note a calendar of proposed large public events for 2022/23, Appendix

Cllr Hamida Ali (Chair) invited Cllr Muhammad Ali (Cabinet Member for Sustainable Croydon) to introduce the item.

Cllr Ali reminded colleagues of the history of previous recommendations. He outlined wide-ranging actions taken by the council in working towards mitigation of climate change and informed members of current actions underway.

Members noted work around building and enhanced new spaces, and other policies firmly embedded within the council’s strategy to deliver on the action plan. Cllr Ali highlighted the challenges and acknowledged that delivery was dependent upon working with strategic partners, residents and political leadership. He pointed out key actions being taken towards enabling delivery, which included:

·         Development of a communication, engagement and awareness strategy to raise awareness;

·         Schools, key businesses, Tier 1 contractors and public sector organisations in the Borough have been contacted to ask them for their pledge to work collectively towards achievement on delivery;

·         Joint working politically to bring climate change to the fore.

Members heard about some of the challenges and that GLA, TFL and Central Government needed to enable local powers and provide financial funding to allow the council to progress successfully.

He asked colleagues to consider the recommendations and the allocation of funding for the work involved.

The Chair and Cabinet congratulated Cllr Ali on his achievements in driving the subject forward and Members were invited to comment. They said:

·         What are the key challenges for delivery of the action plan?
- Cllr Ali took the opportunity to acknowledge the work of officers. He referred to the HRA Business Plan which would be the first opportunity to embed the climate change strategy into building work. He said that engagement with residents was also key, through education about small changes that each individual could make.

·         With regards to collective endeavours to achieve these ambitions, what is being done?
- Cllr Ali outlined details of communication with various stakeholders, and work being done to bring residents and particularly young people to forums. He said that political cooperation was important and had written to colleagues to ask for their commitment in embedding the climate change strategy into all the council’s work.

·         In reference to the key priorities, what other actions can be taken to ensure green recovery?
- Cllr Ali responded by referring to his ambitions for Croydon to promote green skills by reaching out to universities to encourage young people with opportunities to achieve carbon neutral goals;

·         With reference to work with young people and schools to plant more trees, could the opportunity to include time capsules be included?
- Cllr Ali agreed that this was an excellent idea. He acknowledged schools as community hubs and said that they would encourage involvement of parents and residents.

·         How will the budget be utilised to support the proposed actions?
- Members heard that plans, subject to approval, were underway to open up opportunities to take forward more actions locally. Cllr Ali said that the Borough was making decisions that showed how the Council attempted to mitigate climate change.

·         Will officers  ...  view the full minutes text for item 23/22

Cabinet Member: Cabinet Member for Children, Young People & Learning, Councillor Alisa Flemming

Officer: Interim Corporate Director Children, Young People & Education, Debbie Jones

Key decision: No

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

RESOLVED: To

1.            Note the Croydon Safeguarding Children Partnership (CSCP) Annual Report for 2020-21 which sets out to:

a)    Summarise both single agency activity and partnership activity to safeguard and promote the welfare of children in Croydon

b)    Reflect on the challenges and responses to Covid-19 to support the safeguarding agenda

c)    Summarise the quality of safeguarding arrangements

d)    Evidence the effectiveness of the partnership to:

·         share learning from Safeguarding Practice Reviews

·         impact on outcomes for children

·         know what it hasn’t achieved and how it will address this

Cllr Ali asked members to note the additional attendance of Croydon Health colleagues, Police Partners and Independent Scrutiniser, Eleanor Brazil.

Cllr Alisa Fleming (Cabinet Member for Children, Young People & Learning) outlined the work set out within the report and referred colleagues to the recommendations proposed. She acknowledged in particular the work of Crystal Palace Football Club who supported the council and delivered training around unconscious bias and the impact on how it had supported delivery to young people in the borough.

Debbie Jones (Executive Director responsible for Children and Young People in Education) informed colleagues of work around support of young people and introduced Eleanor Brazil (Independent Scrutiniser), who provided a summary of examples of how agencies work together to improve practices.

Members noted key areas of focus referred to within the report and the importance of effective partnerships to manage demands and minimise risk to children and young people. All agencies made substantial contributions in setting priorities and were very well engaged. Priority groups had been set up and members noted demand was rising in Croydon with increased referrals to social care.

The Chair invited Elaine Clancy (Croydon Health Services) and Fi Martin (Metropolitan Police Service) to speak. They acknowledged the challenges and strengths of partnerships and relationships and the support in working together to add value to the young people of Croydon. Cllr Ali thanked partner colleagues for their attendance as evidence of their priority in working together and asked for their reflections on the loss of several young people in the borough.

Colleagues heard about the impact of these events and work been done to examine circumstances to look at progress in addressing issues. Guest speakers referred to work around long-term problem solving and how the police were engaged with residents, echoing the benefits of partnerships.

Members were invited to comment and made several points including:

·         Concern about unaccompanied Asylum seeking children and young people within the borough and how this impacted best quality service to all young people;

·         What input could partnerships provide to ensure efforts were streamlined around the new Community Safety Strategy for a single approach?

·         The number of stops for adolescents was still of concern and how would this be improved?

Guest speakers addressed the key points raised which outlined ways in which they were working with schools and colleges and acknowledged issues around disproportionality.

Members discussed the University of Bedfordshire approach and positive advice on how to address certain issues. They felt particularly that evidence of outcomes which deliver changes and partnership working needed to be included within future reports. Concern about children moving between boroughs and increased home schooling were raised.

Colleagues agreed these were significant issues and referred to monitoring vulnerabilities through work within the action plans. Cllr Fleming acknowledged commitment of colleagues in taking recommendations and good practice forward collaboratively and assured Cabinet that this would continue.

Members agreed the recommendations.

Cabinet Member: Cabinet Member for Families, Health & Social Care, Councillor Janet Campbell

Officer: Corporate Director Adult Social Services, Annette McPartland

Key decision: Yes

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

RESOLVED: To

1.            Adopt the ‘adult social care and health strategy’ as a key enabler for delivering services to our residents and carers.

Cllr Janet Campbell (Cabinet Member for Families, Health & Social Care) outlined details of the Strategy, its priorities and objectives to protect the most vulnerable, improve services, reduce expenditure and live within the council’s available resources.

In the discussion, members heard about sustainability and support to residents by working together with partnerships and integration with health. Residents and partners were involved in development of the strategy and would be engaged moving forward with continued monitoring of progress and an annual report to ensure accountability and improve performance. Members noted positive case studies within the report and development of a model of services with Active Life to ensure that digital connectivity wass available to all. As development continues, it is proposed that this would be a living document to be amended as progress continued.

The Chair invited comments and colleagues raised several points:

·         They welcomed the report and asked for a better understanding of delivery of financial benefits;

·         How was the customer’s voice being heard?

·         How would success be measured?

·         They were concerned about cuts to funding which had impacted many of the organisations which would have supported this strategy;

·         Integration of work around some of the contracts which were out-dated needed to be considered.

Speakers responded to the points raised and informed colleagues that development of re-enablement services, working together with the voluntary sector and health colleagues would enable clients to be supported at the right place and time and ensured that their needs were met appropriately.

Members heard about the importance to facilitate engagement to ensure that they were involved in helping shape social services going forward. Colleagues noted that services would be more person orientated and that there was an opportunity with the Strategy to improve engagement. Alliances would lead to a reduction in cost and staff training and development would be key to this.

Cllr Campbell acknowledged concerns and informed colleagues of contracts under current discussion, particularly around re-design and improvement.

Members agreed the recommendations.

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

Having carefully read and considered the Part A report, and the requirements of the Council’s public sector duty in relation to the issues detailed in the body of the reports, the Cabinet

RESOLVED: To

1.    Adopt the ‘adult social care and health strategy’ as a key enabler for delivering services to our residents and carers.

Cabinet Member: Cabinet Member for Homes, Patricia Hay-Justice

Officer: Interim Corporate Director of Housing, David Padfield

Key decision: Yes

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

RESOLVED: To

1.         Approve the following increases for charges within the HRA:

a.    Increase rent levels in 2022/23, increase by 4.1% against the 2021/22 rate in line with the Government guidance on the limit on annual rent increases for 2022-23

b.    Service charges applied to tenants that receive the services will increase by 4.1% against the 2021/22 rates

c.    Garage rents increase by 4.1% 1.4 Parking spaces rents increase by 4.1%

d.    Caravan plot rents to increase by 4.1%

e.    Heating charges to increase by 4.1%

The Chair invited Cllr Hay-Justice (Cabinet Member for Homes) to introduce this item. She outlined the background to the report and the rent-setting policy as previously agreed by Cabinet. The proposal was to increase the rent by 4.1% which would provide vital funds to support most vulnerable residents. Members heard about scrutiny of the policy and the responses to these.

Cllr Hay-Justice informed colleagues of risks of not following government guidance should the rise not be imposed. Comparisons with other councils have been considered and members heard how Croydon had provided substantive support via assistance to the most vulnerable.

David Padfield (Interim Corporate Director of Housing) addressed the quality impact analysis and referred to Paragraph 9.9 which informed colleagues that work was now complete. He updated members on further work being done alongside that of the housing improvement plan and also information on the assessment process for accessing hardship payments for those in most need.

Cllr Ali invited colleagues to raise any issues and they made the following points:

·         They raised concerns about the cost of living crisis and whether the uplift was higher than before;

·         What was set out in line with the council’s rent setting policy around consultation with residents?

·         What assessments had been made on rent-collecting after the rise and impact on residents?

Cllr Hay-Justice responded to comments and said the rise was comparable to previous rises in 2013. Whilst the Council had committed to government’s guidelines, recommendations to inform residents at an earlier stage were made to allow them to plan their finances. She took the opportunity to acknowledge the work of officers and assured colleagues that individuals had been advised of the potential rise last year.

Cllr Hay-Justice went on to remind colleagues that impediment of rental collections had not been at the level expected during the pandemic and work was underway with residents, the Improvement Board and other partners to look at services including the improvement plan.

Mr Padfield reminded members that the rent setting policy was a guidance and a more detailed discussion and consultation exercise might be considered necessary in the future.

Cllr Ben-Hassal (Chair, Streets Environment and Homes Scrutiny Subcommittee) informed colleagues of feedback from their recent meeting and asked members to consider some of the recommendations made by them.

Members agreed the recommendations.

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

Having carefully read and considered the Part A report, and the requirements of the Council’s public sector duty in relation to the issues detailed in the body of the reports, the Cabinet

RESOLVED: To

1.    Approve the following increases for charges within the HRA:

a. Increase rent levels in 2022/23, increase by 4.1% against the 2021/22 rate in line with the Government guidance on the limit on annual rent increases for 2022-23

b. Service charges applied to tenants that receive the services will increase by 4.1% against the 2021/22 rates

c. Garage rents increase by 4.1% 1.4 Parking spaces rents increase  ...  view the full minutes text for item 26/22

Cabinet Member: Cabinet Member for Communities, Safety and Resilience, Councillor Manju Shahul-Hameed

Officer: Interim Assistance Chief Executive, Elaine Jackson

Key decision: No

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

RESOLVED: To

1.            Agree the recommendation of the London Councils Leaders Committee to:

a)    Approve the London Councils Grants Scheme budget for 2022/2023 of £6.668m.

b)    Agree Croydon Council’s 2022/23 contribution to the London Councils Grants Scheme budget amounting to £287,809.

c)    Note the details of the 2022 - 2026 Pan-London Grants Programme and the services it will provide to Croydon residents.

Cllr Shahul-Hameed (Cabinet Member for Communities, Safety and Resilience) provided background to the report and asked for Cabinet’s approval to the council’s contribution, as required by statute to the London Councils Grant Scheme for 2022 – 2026.

The total amount of the scheme for 2022/23 amounted to £6.668m and Croydon’s contribution would be £287,809 as recommended by the London Council’s Committee at their meeting in December 2021. A strong mandate had been supported by all councils.

Members heard that extensive consultation had taken place to agree priorities which provided support to the most vulnerable, which were:

·         Combatting homelessness;

·         Tackling domestic violence.

In the following discussion, colleagues welcomed the report and agreed the recommendations.

At this point, the Chair proposed the meeting be extended by 30 minutes to enable completion of the agenda. Members agreed.

Lead Member: Chair of Scrutiny and Overview Committee, Councillor Sean Fitzsimons

Officer: Interim Corporate Director of Resources (Section 151), Richard Ennis

Key decision: No

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

RESOLVED: To

1.            Receive the recommendations arising from the meetings of the Children & Young People Sub-Committee held on 18 January 2022 and the meetings of the Scrutiny & Overview Committee held on 19 January and 20 January 2022 and to provide a Page 297 Agenda Item 10 substantive response within two months (i.e. at the next available Cabinet meeting on 21 March 2022.

Cllr Sean Fitzsimons (Chair, Scrutiny and Overview Committee) reminded Cabinet members of the work of the various committees and asked them to note the second paper which contained responses. He invited Cllr Fitzpatrick to provide more detail on the report, which members noted was written by a cross-party group, unanimously put forward to look at managing secondary school moves.

In the discussion, colleagues heard about adverse experiences and other issues around school changes. Members’ attention was drawn particularly to key points within the report at recommendations 10 – 17, which showed in 2019/20:

·         A significant upward trend in children being presented to the Fair Access Panel;

·         An increase going from a school to alternative provision;

·         A surprising number of children identified as having special needs;

·         A large proportion of these children had social emotional and mental health issues.

Cllr Ali acknowledged the work of the Task and Finish Group and invited comments. Members endorsed the importance of this work and raised the following points:

·         Disproportionality by race is an issue and earlier diagnosis should be supported in schools;

·         Re: key findings at 15-17, how do we support impacts on young people who are permanently excluded;

·         Concerns about the wording at Recommendation 23;

·         Addressing how parents are given a greater voice and a better understanding of how managed moves are handled.

Further discussion followed about ways to avoid exclusions and minimise managed moves. Members spoke about engagement with parents and underlying issues that lead to misdiagnosis and misunderstanding. 

The Chair thanked colleagues.

Members agreed to receive the recommendations of the Task and Finish Group, with an update to Cabinet in two months.

Cabinet Member: All Cabinet Members

Officer: Interim Monitoring Officer, John Jones

Key Decision: No

Cabinet Members noted the report and agreed the recommendations.

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.”

The following motion was moved by Councillor XXX and seconded by Councillor XXX to exclude the press and public:

“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.”

The motion was put and it was agreed by the Committee to exclude the press and public for the remainder of the meeting.