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Council 28 July 2010

Questions from Councillors

1. By: Councillor Peter Truesdale (submitted on 07.07.10) To: Councillor Lib Peck – Cabinet Member for Housing

Project 500 and Key Financial Systems I note that on page 37 of the appendices to Corporate Committee on 30th June 2010, that the draft internal audit report on Project 500 was submitted to management on 17th November 2009, but a response is still awaited. Secondly, I note that the draft internal audit report on Key Financial Systems was submitted to management on 22nd December 2009, but a response is still awaited. Would the Cabinet Member like to comment on this? Party: Liberal Democrats

Answer:

There is clearly a misunderstanding here. Both of these audits were conducted under the Lambeth Living audit plan and management responses and corrective actions have been agreed and are in progress.

Corporate Committee receives news on the updates to the Council’s audit tracker and Lambeth Living make contributions to this. The last edition of this tracker was collated by DCS in January and submissions were made as appropriate. However, as the Committee met on Jan 27th and the tracker was collated in early February it would appear that this edition of the tracker was not presented to the Committee. Since then the Council have been preparing for a revised methodology to track progress and there have been no subsequent calls for Lambeth Living to report progress against a Council tracker.

The Project 500 audit was completed in November and following this management actions were agreed and have been progressed. Follow up on these will be reported as normal within Lambeth Living and reported to their Audit Committee as normal.

The Key Financial Systems audit was submitted on December 22 2009. Responses were agreed and communicated in a final report in January.

Corporate Committee has invited Lambeth Living to return at the end of September to provide an update on its internal audit programme.

2. By: Councillor John Whelan (submitted on 06.07.10) To: Councillor Steve Reed – Leader of the Council Changes to Code of Recommended Practice for Lambeth Life

In the light of the announcement that the government will tighten the rules on Council newspapers by amending the 2001 Code of Recommended Practice on Local Authority Publicity, can the Leader of the Council show that Lambeth Life is value for money, does not represent unfair competition to local newspapers such as the South London Press and Guardian series, and that Lambeth Life makes it clear it is a Council-funded newspaper and does he agree with me that the previous Government’s weakening of the rules on Town Hall publicity not only wasted taxpayers’ money and added to the wave of junk mail, but has undermined a free press in Lambeth. Party: Conservatives Answer: The Publicity Code encourages councils to proactively engage with local residents and communities. This was clearly something that you supported as Deputy Leader of the Council between 2002-6 when you increased the frequency of publication of Lambeth Life. The reason Lambeth Life exists is because by law we have to publish public notices in a newspaper and we are obliged to engage effectively with local residents and communities. It works out far cheaper to produce our own newspaper than to pay to advertise statutory notices in other local media. We further drive down costs by inviting local businesses to advertise in Lambeth Life, which also helps to support the local economy. Lambeth Life in its current format brought in approximately £400,000 in advertising income in the last financial year, covering nearly the full cost of publishing it. Residents have told us that they like Lambeth Life. The most recent residents’ survey shows that Lambeth Life is the most highly rated means of getting information about the council. The notion that we are undermining the local press by not providing our notices to the local paper is not a strong argument when the Secretary of State has said that he would consider these notices being published online without any payments to local papers. It is not appropriate for public notices to serve as a form of public subsidy to businesses whose customers no longer seem prepared to buy their products. The rapid decline of local newspapers began long before the launch of Lambeth Life, although I would like to pay tribute to our vibrant local independent media which, at its best, serves our community well.

Lambeth Life is biased in favour of our local community, but it is not politically biased as it is subject to legislation on impartiality. Over the past year, Lambeth Life has featured articles about every single councillor and every ward. One edition published in the run-up to the recent election included three pictures and stories about the Conservative Mayor of London but not a single mention of any Labour councillor. I remember reading an informative article in Lambeth Life about the work of Cllr Claire Whelan, on another occasion a letter from Cllr John Whelan, and on a further occasion a letter from Cllr Ashley Lumsden criticising council policy. In addition, Lambeth Life runs campaigns that benefit the public by helping to find new foster parents to look after some highly vulnerable children, or by promoting sustainable living that helps reduce carbon emissions and cuts residents' household bills. Compared to the period when you were Deputy Leader of the Council, Lambeth Life now has a lower net cost to the public purse, is better liked and read by our residents, and is published fully in line with the national Publicity Code. Rather than go back to the period of higher costs and lower satisfaction over which you presided it would make more sense to think about how to further improve Lambeth Life as it develops in the future.

3. By: Councillor Steve Reed (submitted on 06.07.10) To: Councillor Ashley Lumsden – Leader of the Majority Opposition Banking Crisis

Should Lambeth’s poorest be made to pay the price for the global banking crisis as Bob Neill has suggested they will? Party: Labour Answer:

Firstly I should apologise to the council that I will not be present at the meeting to answer a supplementary question. Carefully booking holidays to avoid missing any council or committee meetings, I was disappointed that the July council meeting was moved so soon after the council had approved the meeting calendar. It will be the first council meeting I have missed in my 12 years of service. Liberal Democrats have long campaigned to help the poorest in society. Councillor Reed will recall that we considered the shameful abolition of the 10p tax band at our council meeting in April 2008. So for the emergency budget, Liberal Democrats have included measures to help protect poorer people from the effects of putting right the structural deficit left by the outgoing Labour Government such as:

• Increasing personal allowance on income tax by £1,000 to £7,475. Some 23 million people will benefit by £170 a year and 880,000 will be taken out of the income tax system all together. This is the first step to delivering the Liberal Democrat objective to raise personal allowance to £10,000.

• Increasing child element of child tax credits by £150 above inflation next year - an annual commitment to low income families of £2bn.

• Changes to National Insurance lifting 650,000 out of this tax all together.

• Restoring link basic state pension to earnings, plus a guarantee that will increase pension each year by 2.5%, earnings or inflation, whichever is highest.

• Proposals in DLA to cover the cost of room for a carer of disabled person.

• Additional funds to freeze council tax making an average family £35 better off.

• Protecting the 28% of lowest-earning public sector workers from the pay freeze – so that those earning below £21k, will get pay rises each year.

Councillor Reed may share my disappointment that after 13 years of a Labour Government:

• unemployment is higher, • the gap between the richest and the poorest is wider, and • the proportion of income paid in tax by lower earners compared to the highest

earners is greater. I hope that Councillor Reed and his Labour colleagues will welcome the measures above announced by the Coalition Government that will start addressing this unfairness and will be of real benefit to hard-pressed Lambeth families we represent.

4. By: Councillor Jeremy Clyne (submitted on 07.07.10)

To: Councillor Sally Prentice – Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Planning, Employment and Enterprise Theatre Space at Megabowl development

In view of the constraints on public funding, as a result of the financial shambles inherited from the Labour government, it is vital that chances to pay for arts and cultural facilities through private investment and Section 106 agreements are not frittered away. Can you describe exactly how the Council, and you yourself, have guaranteed that the physical dimensions in terms of height and floor space of the theatre/performance space provided as part of the Megabowl development in Streatham Hill will be such that the facility will be fit for purpose. Why were the Council’s arts officers not even informed or consulted about this proposal before it went to Planning Committee? Party: Liberal Democrats Answer:

Planning officers held two public meetings in the Streatham area to discuss previous versions of the Megabowl scheme. On receipt of the most recent planning application officers undertook what they considered to be an appropriate consultation exercise including sending letters to ward councillors, local amenity groups, statutory bodies and over 3000 local residential addresses. A site notice was posted on site and the application was advertised in the local press. The Theatres Trust and the Streatham Festival Association were consulted and provided detailed comments. The overall dimensions of the theatre/leisure space are identified on the approved plans and cannot be changed. However, the details of the internal layout of the space have to be submitted for approval pursuant to a condition attached to the planning decision. When these details are received planning officers will consult further with both The Theatres Trust and the Streatham Festival Association before approving or refusing them. Concerns were raised with regard to the height of the space by the Streatham Festival Association at the Council’s Planning Application Committee meeting that considered the application. Although the height of the space is largely constrained by the presence of residential flats above the applicants have indicated that they are willing to investigate whether it might be possible to increase the height by reducing the height of the basement area below.

5. By: Councillor Julia Memery (submitted on 06.07.10) To: Councillor Paul McGlone – Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources Council Contractors

I was surprised to hear from the Council that a quote of £4,000 has been received to repair netting on the outdoor sports court at the Notre Dame Estate in Clapham Common Ward. Why is the Council not demanding that the Contractor who damaged the netting replace it at its own cost and why are our Contractors able to give the Council such ludicrous quotes? Will the Cabinet Member carry out a review of contractor contracts to ensure the Council is receiving value for money? Party: Conservatives Answer: It is not our view, that it was our contractors who pulled down the original netting. Our understanding was that it came/ brought down as a result of complete entanglement by Virginia creeper growing from the back gardens of the very houses who are the chief complainants about balls being kicked over the fence. Our contractors were working to remove the entanglement and have stated that the netting was still in place when they left site on the day.

The quote received has not come from any of our contractors associated to the site, but from Mr Malcolm Robertson of Huck Sports Nets for the renewal of the netting at a cost of £3995.00.

The Council has a set of industry standard contract documents. All these contracts contain Indemnity and Insurance clauses in respect of damages caused by contractors. As regards the quotes, the Council procurement rules for low value

purchases such as £4,000 provide that three written quotes are required and the lowest price should be accepted.

6. By: Councillor Matthew Bennett (submitted on 06.07.10) To: Councillor Lib Peck – Cabinet Member for Housing Impact of Housing Benefit changes

Could the Cabinet Member for Housing provide an initial assessment of the likely impact of changes to Housing Benefit announced in the budget on Lambeth; both in regards to recipients of that benefit currently living in the borough and on the likely impact on availability of private rented accommodation within the borough if large numbers of people are relocated from boroughs like Westminster to lower rent areas within Lambeth? Party: Labour Answer: I am very disappointed that the coalition Government seems to be focussing their cuts on residents in Lambeth who rely on our services and support most. The specific changes to Housing Benefit and their effect are detailed below but overall, vulnerable people will be significantly affected as there simply will less support available to them. The reforms are extremely detailed but specific ones that will affect our residents are: 1. From April 2011, Non Dependant Charges will be increase by the same % rate of Consumer Price Index, (CPI)

Charges were previously frozen at 2001/2002 rates. This change will mean an increase in deduction in Housing Benefit/Council Tax Benefit for claimants with other adults, (aside from the claimant’s partner) in the household. The concept is that these adults should be expected to make a financial contribution towards the rent/council tax in the household where they reside.

This change could affect 2235 households.

2. From April 2011, Local Housing Allowance Rates will be capped

The impact will be approximately £150,000 overall reduction in benefit paid out annually, and will affect 91 households in total. 3. From April 2013 Housing Benefit awards will be reduced to 90 per cent of the initial award after 12 months for claimants receiving Job Seekers Allowance (JSA) This could potentially affect some 2404 households

7. By: Councillor Gavin Dodsworth (submitted on 07.07.10) To: Councillor Paul McGlone – Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources

Staff Cuts (F&R) What effect will the proposed 36 staff cuts have on services in the Finance & Resources department? Party: Liberal Democrats Answer: At this stage any proposed staff cuts within the Finance and Resources Department should have no effect on frontline service provision. The plan is to reduce headcount through restructuring to make business units more efficient, in addition we will look to streamlining processes in order for us to work smarter as a department whilst still providing an excellent service.

8. By: Councillor Clare Whelan (submitted on 06.07.10) To: Councillor Jim Dickson – Cabinet member for Health and Wellbeing

Direct Payments What is being done to increase Direct Payments in Lambeth which are made to individuals who have been assessed as needing services in lieu of social services provision? Party: Conservatives Answer: Personalisation is currently a corporate priority within Lambeth. One of the central themes of Personalisation is choice and control. Our plan for increasing choice and control is to increase the number of people who are able to take advantage of a Personal Budget. Lambeth are offering a number of options for delivering personal budgets including Direct Payments, so that the individual can have the freedom and choice to make their own arrangements for social care provision, if they meet the eligibility criteria for personal social care service from the council. A major programme of work is currently being undertaken within the Adults and Community Services Department (ACS), which covers all aspects of the development and implementation of Personalisation and Self Directed Support. Within the programme, there are specific activities linked to increasing the numbers of people able to take advantage of Personal Budgets. Specifically in promotion of direct payments as a money management option:

• Attendance at team meetings of staff within ACS to promote Direct Payments as the preferential option for Self Directed Support

• One-to-one support for service user (i.e. staff within the Direct Payments team

providing direct support) • The delivery of workshops and training for service users and their families /

friends covering Direct Payments and Money Management • The development of Money Management (i.e. Direct Payments) as a distinct

function within ACS • A wide ranging review of processes and procedures relating to Money

Management • The development of bulk processes capable of dealing with increased numbers

of Direct Payment applications • Review, development and publicity of a range of Money Management options

within Lambeth (including the new option of Pre-Paid cards) • The development of easy to access banking facilities for service users who have

chosen Direct Payments as a way of receiving their social care (Arranged via the Lambeth Credit Union)

• The delivery of Workshops and training programmes to all ACS staff covering

Personalisation and Money Management • Publicity, promotion and development of core Money Management skills

amongst individuals using Direct Payments (this is being developed in conjunction with the Community Education Team within Regeneration)

National Indicator NI 130 monitors the number of individuals receiving a Personal budget which includes those individual receiving a Direct Payment. The activities outlined above have been designed to ensure that the council’s target for the number of cases in receipt of Direct Payments and /or Personal Budget is met.

9. By: Councillor Alex Bigham (submitted on 06.07.10)

To: Councillor Florence Nosegbe – Cabinet Member for Culture, Sport and the 2012 Games

London Youth Games I am sure we would all like to congratulate those involved in the Lambeth team at the London Youth Games in July where they improved on last year’s result by 8 places. Could the Cabinet Member for Culture, Sport and the 2012 Games provide an update on the work programme which helped the Lambeth team get this result – and how we plan to continue this momentum up to 2012 and beyond? Party: Labour

Answer: The target for the Sport and Recreation Department was to improve Lambeth’s position in the London Youth Games 2010 compared with 2009. In order to achieve this, an evaluation of previous year’s participation was undertaken to identify improvement pathways. One of the main key actions was for the department to adopt a greater partnership approach, which would allow us to reach a wider audience of young people and attract more sporting talent to the Lambeth teams. The department formed a Steering group to help support the delivery needs of the London Youth Games Teams and to address this partnership approach. The steering group consisted of a number of key partners who advised on the strategic direction the department should take and the actual team management of many of the sports. To underpin this we introduced more training and trial days to select and attract young people to specific sports, and for them to taste a variety of sporting disciplines. This allowed us to talent spot more closely and to support young peoples’ training needs throughout the London youth games events. In order to ensure the new approach to open trials and events was a success, the department undertook a more vigorous marketing and advertising campaign to draw in larger numbers of potential athletes and young sports people towards our Lambeth teams The trial and training events, combined with sport specific community club training sessions, meant that talented athletes were picked from two main strands, the trials and the club structure itself. This not only allowed new athletes to join pathways with local clubs, but provided a real rich blend of sporting talent to make up the fabric of the teams including new events for Lambeth such as sailing where in our very first year we finished fourth. A full review of the Youth Games for this year is underway and it is expected that the department will look to continue this approach of joint working and to seek feedback from all associates involved so as to form the basis of a delivery plan for the next two years.

10. By: Councillor Diana Braithwaite (submitted on (07.07.10)

To: Councillor Lib Peck – Cabinet Member for Housing (who will respond in consultation with Cabinet Members for Environment and Regeneration, Planning, Employment & Enterprise)

Staff Cuts (HRE) What effect will the proposed 58 staff cuts have on services in the Housing, Regeneration and Environment department?

Party: Liberal Democrats Answer: At present the proposals for reducing posts in the Housing, Regeneration and Environment department affect all divisions as well as being aimed at all levels and there will be one less Divisional Director. Elsewhere it is strongly expected that as a result of introducing new ways of working plus improving processes and procedures across the department that the effects will be negligible. Coupled with closer working between business units and a focus on improved performance by managers and staff, service delivery across the department will not deteriorate.

11. By: Councillor Shirley Cosgrave (submitted on 07.07.10) To: Councillor Lorna Campbell – Cabinet Member for the Environment

Parking Bays in Abbeville Road What consultation took place in Clapham Common Ward with businesses before the implementation of 30 minute parking bays in Abbeville Road which is adversely affecting trade and does the Cabinet member agree that the Council should be pursuing activities which support local businesses, particularly in a downturn? Will the Cabinet Member therefore review these unhelpful and unpopular parking changes as a matter of urgency, and ensure all further parking changes which affect local businesses and residents receive full consultation? Party: Conservatives Answer: A statutory consultation was carried out on 15 December 2009 informing residents of the proposed changes to the Clapham L CPZ. The consultation was extended until February 8 2010 at the request of ward members and residents, after Transport and Highways officers were informed that the consultation deadline was insufficient for comments to be made on the proposed changes. Officers received a good response from this consultation, which included a petition from Abbeville Road shop owners. The petition requested that one hour free parking be introduced for customers instead of the current 30 minutes. This petition was overruled following advice from Transport & Highways officers who felt that a 30 minutes free parking time was fairer for all and would encourage the turn around of a greater number of shoppers. It was also felt that there was ample P&D and business parking facilities in the adjoining roads to Abbeville Rd which could be utilised if customers needed to park for longer. Parking changes which affect local businesses and residents will continue to receive full consultation and decisions will be taken which balance the needs of all concerned.

12. By: Councillor Donatus Anyanwu (submitted on 06.07.10) To: Councillor Paul McGlone – Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources

Council Tax Receipts Can the Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources make an assessment of the likely impact in Council revenues arising from a drop in council tax receipts due to the increase in unemployment forecast by the coalition's budget? Party: Labour Answer: The Council needs to raise £126.872m from Council Tax as set out in the budget setting for 2010/11. The target for 2010/11 in-year Council Tax collection is 95.0%; this will equate to £103,069m in cash receipts and £29,189m in CTB receipts, making a total of £132,258m. This will exceed the amount required to meet the budget requirement for Council Tax.

Current collection levels suggest that we will reach the target of 95% by year end and so the risk of not meeting the cash requirement is low. If unemployment rises, we should see a corresponding increase in Council Tax Benefit (CTB) and so any change will not unduly affect the overall cash position. However, it should be noted that work is continuing to be carried out on CTB take up to ensure that all residents are made aware possible eligibility to CTB.

We are very conscious of the impact that the Coalition Government cuts will have on our residents in Lambeth – particularly due to the problems already facing many in terms of unemployment and worklessness and because of the large number of public sector employees residing in Lambeth and we are particularly concerned about the decisions made by the Coalition Government disproportionately hurting the most vulnerable people in Lambeth.

13. By: Councillor Judith Best (submitted on 07.07.10)

To: Councillor Florence Nosegbe – Cabinet Member for Culture, Sport and the 2012 games

Consultation relating to temporary ice rink What consultation has taken place with a) the Streatham Red Skins and b) groups and teams engaged in figure skating with respect to the size and suitability of a potential temporary ice rink on the Popes Road site? Party: Liberal Democrats Answer:

Officers of the Council have met with a number of representatives of the users of the Streatham ice rink including the manager of the Streatham Red Skins and figure skating teachers to discuss potential sites for the temporary ice rink, including Popes Road. The Council’s current proposals for the temporary ice rink include an ice pad of 56m x 26m, this meets the requirement for all national ice hockey games and is acceptable to the Streatham Red Skins. We are aware that for competition figure skating normally requires an ice pad of 56m X 28m. However, at the meeting referred to earlier the figure skating teachers stated that they were prepared to accept the slightly smaller pad as the means of delivering a new ice rink in Streatham. In return the Council has given as a commitment that if during the existence of the temporary rink a skater emerges with the potential for success in competitions the Council will include them in their gifted and talented scheme and arrange access to the appropriate provision elsewhere.

14. By: Councillor Leanne Targett-Parker (submitted on 06.07.10)

To: Councillor Florence Nosegbe – Cabinet Member for Culture, Sport and the 2012 games

Lambeth County Show Residents in my ward, and across Lambeth, are very excited about the upcoming Lambeth Country Show. Could the Cabinet Member for Culture give an update on the plans for this year’s event? Party: Labour Answer: At the time of writing two days before the event, preparations for the Lambeth Country Show are going extremely well. Now in it’s 36th year this year’s event will take place on the 17th & 18th July 2010 between 11am and 7pm in Brockwell Park. Lambeth Country Show is one of London’s largest free family festivals the Lambeth Country Show, with over 100,000 visitors expected over the weekend enjoying a mix of live music, countryside pursuits, traditional competitions and other activities.

There will be a range of music performed on the main stage and in the village green area. For the second year there will be a Cultivate Zone dedicated to arts and culture, which has been awarded the Inspire Mark which recognises exceptional and innovative projects inspired by the 2012 London Games. Building on the success of the Activate Sports Festival established last year, there will be a new Activate Zone at the show this year. Other extremely popular features of the Lambeth Country Show will also be taking place, including the Flower Zone which this year includes Gardeners’ Question Time and the Farm Zone which has been expanded in response to feedback from last year’s visitors.

The Lambeth Country Show offers a showcase to the vibrant, talented and creative communities which work and live in the borough. During the 2 days over 100 local charities and organisations will be exhibiting at the show, giving visitors an insight into the work they do and explaining how people can get involved. There will also be a chance to talk directly with council departments about the services which they have to offer throughout the year.

15. By: Councillor Roger Giess (submitted on 07.07.10)

To: Councillor Pete Robbins – Cabinet Member for Children and Young People

Staff Cuts (CYPS) What effect will the proposed 215 staff cuts have on services in the Children & Young People’s department? Party: Liberal Democrats Answer: CYPS embarked on a significant Change Programme in September 2009 called ‘Reshaping CYPS’. This change programme was driven by:

• Commitment to ongoing service improvement • The need to ensure services within CYPS are as efficient and effective as

possible • The need to realise £20M of savings by 2011/12 • The need to prepare the organisation for future savings by ensuring all services

have a balanced and sustainable budget

The decision to reshape the service will affect what services are delivered and how they are delivered. In a climate of contracting resources both nationally and locally, sophisticated prioritisation has to govern what and how services are delivered.

The other principles that will govern what is provided is the statutory nature of the service required and to what degree the service supports early intervention and preventative working thus reducing the need for specialist services in the long term.

The reshaping will bring together similar activities and functions that are currently spread across a number of divisions and increase the opportunity for professionals to work together. This will ensure that the needs of children and young people and their families are at the heart of the way services are delivered. As duplication and efficiencies are identified and removed from the services and there is a change in the organisational structure, there will be a direct impact on individuals and teams. There will be a reduction in the number of service divisions to three. (Universal, Targeted and Specialist) The review of support divisions (Resources & Strategy and Build Buildings & Schools for the Future ( BSF) may result in a further reduction as we await the review of BSF projects by central government. Whist this change process will be hard and encompass the whole department the resultant organisational structure will be more sustainable. Benefits include:

• Continuing to ensure that the service has a balanced budget. A number of budgets remain in CYPS that are demand led and have been under severe pressure over recent years. The current organisation is not sustainable in a situation where there is increasing demand and scarce resources.

• The ensuing focus on access to services within the universal sector and the targeting of services for those who are vulnerable or have additional needs will in the long term, as part of its early intervention and preventative strategy, see a reduction in demand for specialist services.

• Bringing together of similar functions across the department in a manner that provides greater synergy and improved working for those who deliver services as well as customers.

• The prioritisation of services within an environment of contracting resources allows CYPS to clearly articulate which services it will deliver and which services will be curtailed as the new model is established.

• Supporting as wide a range of need as possible.

• Innovation and the ability to work smarter will be as important as the continued delivery of good services and this will require the workforce to be developed to embrace new ways of working.

16. By: Councillor Adrian Garden (submitted on 06.07.10) To: Councillor Lorna Campbell – Cabinet Member for Environment

Green London Boroughs I was delighted to see that Lambeth recently came second in a league table for the greenest boroughs in London and I would be grateful if the Cabinet Member for Environment could give an update on what work is being done to further this agenda, and in particular how the new waste strategy will also contribute. Party: Labour

Answer:

This league table reflects how boroughs performed on domestic energy use, carbon emissions, waste and recycling rates. To further demonstrate community leadership, Lambeth’s Green Community Champions programme will continue to support 400 residents and 70 community groups to reduce their carbon emissions and lead more sustainable lives and is considered best practice in London. To further this agenda we are looking to expand the programme to support more groups in the north of the borough. As well as this programme, Brixton is only one of ten places in London to be selected as a Low Carbon Zone by the GLA – which will be working with 4000 properties, including businesses and schools to reduce their carbon emissions by 20% by 2012. We must not become complacent, despite coming second in the league table, and we will be addressing the Council’s own

action on carbon reduction. We have a corporate target of 20% reduction by 2012 and over the course of the next year we will be focussing on the Town Hall and International House, to improve their energy efficiency, and rolling out the installation of Automated Meter Readings to give us an accurate picture of our energy use. Lambeth has recently been accepted onto the Carbon Trust’s Local Authority Carbon Management Programme which will run for 11 months until March 2011, the end result will be a production of a comprehensive 5 year carbon management strategy to complement Lambeth’s existing Sustainability Action Plan (2010-2013). A dedicated carbon reduction officer is in place to run this programme to identify carbon and cost savings for the Council. The development of Lambeth’s Waste Strategy is progressing well and is due to be presented to Cabinet in November this year. Consequently it is too early to give firm commitments on the initiatives that will be contained within the Strategy however it will focus on conforming to the waste hierarchy taking into consideration environmental impact, financial sustainability, waste minimisation and improving recycling performance. Being ‘green’ also covers parks and public open spaces, and what we’re doing for wildlife, trees and access to healthy and sustainable food. Lambeth continues to work hard to provide our customers with some of the best public greenspaces that London has to offer, and to steadily improve the management of its 64 parks, commons and other public open spaces so that they are among some of the best kept, best known and most sustainable spaces in the city.

17. By: Councillor Brian Palmer (submitted on 07.07.10) To: Councillor Steve Reed – Leader of the Council

Civil Partnership Ceremonies Is the Leader of the Council aware that a number of Lambeth Registrars are apparently circumventing Lambeth's publicly stated equalities standards and the law by refusing to conduct Civil Partnerships? He will know that such actions will be grossly offensive to many members of the Borough's large LGBT community including myself. He will also know that my partner of over 30 years and I were delighted to hold our Civil Partnership on the first lawful day here in Lambeth Town Hall on 21st December 2005 for a very dignified but emotional ceremony and followed by a joyous and most encouraging reception also in the Town Hall accompanied by family, friends, and members and officers of the Council totalling 100 people. Had we been aware at that time that any Lambeth registrars were averse to carrying out their duties under the law it would undoubtedly have soured what was a very special day for us. Does the Leader of the Council agree that five years on from such significant and life-enhancing equalities legislation such avoidance of duty by registrars and the connivance of the Council towards it is wholly unacceptable as well as illegal and what steps is he taking to ensure that all

members of the community using Lambeth Registrar Services are treated with respect and equally under the law? Party: Liberal Democrats Answer: I was delighted to congratulate you and your partner on the occasion of your civil partnership ceremony. I enthusiastically support the right of LGBT people to have their relationships recognised and celebrated in this way and was delighted the Labour Government enacted legislation to make this possible. The council must and will comply with all legislation and our own equalities codes in this regard. Any failure on the part of officers to comply will be dealt with appropriately. The council fully supports the rights of our LGBT citizens and believes in the equality of all people living together in our borough, including our large LGBT population. I have asked the Chief Executive to ensure that all members of staff are aware they are under a contractual obligation to provide services equally to all residents who are entitled to use them, and to ensure that all managers are making this happen. This council does not tolerate bigotry for any reason. Council Members should be assured that all customers of the Register Office are offered the full range and quality of services without restriction. No complaints have been received from any customers claiming that they have been denied a request to hold a civil partnership ceremony other than because the offices were already booked.

18. By: Councillor Jane Edbrooke (submitted on 06.07.10)

To: Councillor Pete Robbins – Cabinet Member for Children and Young People

Building Schools for the Future What does the Cabinet Member for the Children and Young People’s Service think about the Secretary of State for Education, Michael Gove’s announcement that 8 Building Schools for the Future projects in Lambeth have been stopped? Can he give us an update on Lambeth’s response and what does he think this says about the priorities of the Liberal Democrat and Conservative government? Party: Labour Answer:

The Council is obviously very disappointed at this decision. Much effort has been put in by the Authority on its phase 2 programme and the Dunraven, Norwood and Lilian Baylis projects were days from starting. The Authority has a strong track record on delivering on BSF through the first phase of its programme, and schools in phase 2 of the programme affected by the decision were clearly in need of this investment. The borough’s schools are in dire need, and without this investment there will be a considerable impact on the suitability of facilities and availability of

places for Lambeth’s young people. On the 15th of July I wrote to the Secretary of State for Education, Michael Gove MP setting out why we believe Lambeth should continue to receive this vital investment and seeking an urgent meeting with him. I have a briefing for members on BSF in Lambeth and would be happy to share this with members if they ask. Judging by the universal unpopularity of the Coalition government's decision to cancel school rebuilding programmes amongst parents, pupils, teachers, building firms, and the wider public, I am delighted to observe that winning the next general election is clearly not a priority for them.

19. By: Councillor Christine Barratt (submitted on 07.07.10)

To: Councillor Sally Prentice – Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Planning, Employment and Enterprise

Northern Line Extension What contribution will the Council make to the TfL consultation on extending the Northern Line to Battersea and what arrangements have been made for TfL officers concerned with the extension project to meet the Lambeth Transport Partnership Forum? Party: Liberal Democrats Answer: The proposed Northern Line extension, which would run from Kennington to Battersea Power Station, is being promoted by Treasury Holdings (developers of Battersea Power Station) but with the support of Transport for London (TfL) in respect of the wider redevelopment of the Vauxhall, Nine Elms & Battersea (VNEB) Opportunity Area. Lambeth Officers have been in regular contact with Treasury Holdings and Transport for London (TfL) regarding all aspects of the extension to ensure it provides maximum benefit to Lambeth. In this respect, Lambeth Council has not issued a formal response to the recent Treasury Holdings led consultation which was intended to obtain the views of local residents and other local stakeholders. Officers will use the results of this consultation and the responses from Lambeth residents in future negotiations with the developers and TfL to ensure maximum benefit for Lambeth should the proposal proceed. Council involvement to date has ensured that a station at Nine Elms is proposed as an integral part of the plans. Officers are also lobbying TfL to ensure that other transport improvements which will benefit local residents are included within the VNEB Opportunity Area Planning Framework, and are involved in wider discussions with TfL regarding strategic transport improvements in Lambeth as part of the development of TfL's Sub-Regional Transport Plans. Lambeth officers will arrange for TfL to attend the Transport Forum and carry out a presentation once a route and station location have been fixed.

20. By: Councillor Adedamola Aminu (submitted on 06.07.10)

To: Councillor Sally Prentice – Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Planning, Employment and Enterprise

Future Jobs Fund Can the Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Planning, Employment and Enterprise tell us if she believes that the Coalition’s decision to discontinue of the Future Jobs Fund will have a detrimental impact on the career prospects of Lambeth’s young people? Party: Labour Answer: The decision by the Government to end Future Jobs Fund is likely to have a detrimental effect on the employment prospects for young people in the borough. Since the Future Jobs Fund scheme started, Lambeth has successfully helped over 200 young people to gain employment for at least 6 months. The ending of this funding, combined with the ending of WNF will limit the borough’s ability to provide direct help to young people seeking employment.

When taken alongside the ambiguity around the Government’s ‘Single Work Programme’ there is a lot of uncertainty as to what the offer to young people will be. The situation should become clearer in the next few months as more details start to emerge about the Government’s approach to welfare provision. Council officers, Lambeth First and partners will continue to explore other funding sources to ensure we can continue to support young people in the Borough.

21. By: Councillor Steve Bradley (submitted on 07.07.10) To: Councillor Lib Peck – Cabinet Member for Housing

Lambeth Living Repair Record How many non-urgent repairs have been reported to Lambeth Living in the last year and how many remain outstanding? Party: Liberal Democrats Answer: The figures below show the current status of repairs reported and being dealt with by Lambeth Living

- Emergency is defined as Out of Hours & Priority 1 - Urgent is defined as Priority 2 & 3 - Standard is defined as Priority 4 & 5 Priority Total

Raised 2009/10

Outstanding Not Issued to Contractors (or Held)

Outstanding with Contractors

Completed

Emergency 15,247 1 2 15,244 Urgent 17,249 42 15 17,192 Standard 17,308 350 553 16,405 Total 49,804 393 570 48,841

22. By: Councillor Christopher Wellbelove (submitted on 06.07.10)

To: Councillor Sally Prentice – Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Planning, Employment and Enterprise

Future Clapham Please provide an update on the progress of the Future Clapham in particular the progress of the building of the new leisure centre. Party: Labour Answer: The demolition of Mary Seacole House and Clapham Leisure Centre has been completed and various materials have been recycled wherever possible for re-use either in foundation works or off-site. Major preparation works, including the creation of foundations, are now taking place and the construction of the new buildings commences later this year. The leisure centre is on track to be completed by October 2011. The Future Clapham Scheme will deliver new state of the art sustainable, public facilities in Clapham. An innovative library space, health centre and residential apartments will be located within an iconic 12-storey mixed-use landmark building on the former site of Mary Seacole House. The new leisure centre is being constructed on the site of the former one on Clapham Manor Street with affordable and private residential apartments developed on the neighbouring depot site. It will provide a range of fully accessible new facilities including a six lane 25m pool and learner pool (both with movable floors), a four court sports hall, café and 100 station gym.

23. By: Councillor Clive Bennett (submitted on 07.07.10)

To: Councillor Sally Prentice – Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Planning, Employment and Enterprise

Streatham Town Centre Manager Can the Cabinet Member tell me how the newly appointed Streatham Town Centre Manager - a most able and fully experienced practitioner – will be able to take a more proactive role to co-ordinate a strategy of recovery, framed within a focus of community first and the essential elements regeneration? Party: Liberal Democrats

Answer: The Streatham Town Centre Manager, joined Lambeth Council in January this year and is helping to shape work and projects to make Streatham an even better place to live, work or visit. This builds on plans to guide the regeneration and future development of the area, with a priority to further develop the commercial town centre, supporting local businesses, and encourage residents to shop locally. The Town Centre Manager comes to Lambeth with a wealth of skills and experience having previously managed neighbouring Croydon's town centre and holding the Chief Executive of Croydon Chamber of Commerce post for three years. Lambeth Council is currently involved in progressing a number of exciting schemes for the Streatham area including a project to help fledgling independent businesses set up in unused shop premises, the development of the Streatham leisure hub and ice rink, and building on the agendas for the Streatham Business Breakfast meetings - a monthly networking opportunity for local businesses. The Town Centre Manager is proactively promoting the many strengths that make Streatham unique, including its 2.5 kilometre High Road with its varied retail offering, impressive night time economy.

24. By: Councillor Jennifer Brathwaite (submitted on 06.07.10)

To: Councillor Sally Prentice – Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Planning, Employment and Enterprise

Norwood Hall Can the Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Planning, Employment and Enterprise provide an update on Norwood Hall? Party: Labour Answer: The planning application for Norwood Hall was validated by Lambeth Planning on 8 July and a statutory planning consultation will be carried out as part of the planning process from that date that lasts 21 days. After extensive public consultation during the West Norwood masterplanning process and beyond, the scheme proposes that this currently underused building on Knight’s Hill be developed to provide a new customer service centre, space for community meetings, access to health services, as well as access to well-being services, which will include a swimming pool, a gym and a dance studio. Central government has endorsed £14.2 million of Private Finance Initiative credits towards the Norwood Hall scheme proposed by Lambeth Council and the Primary Care Trust.

25. By: Councillor Ashley Lumsden (submitted on 07.07.10) To: Councillor Steve Reed – Leader of the Council

Shared Services Discussions Will meetings between Lewisham, Lambeth and Southwark lead councillors over sharing services between the authorities be open to the press and public? Party: Liberal Democrats Answer: Working with other boroughs to cut costs and protect frontline services is a wholly sensible objective in the interests of our residents. I was appalled, but not surprised, when the Liberal Democrats opposed the idea of Lambeth and Southwark working together in this way because the alternative would be more cuts and more pain caused to our communities. I would invite the Leader of the Opposition to apologise for his party’s opposition, made clear in leaflets during the council elections, to cross-borough working and urge his recently-ousted colleagues in Southwark to do the same. The initial meetings between the Leaders of the respective councils, which is being attended by the Chief Executives, will be private, and that is entirely appropriate while we work up proposals for the public to see. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss the potential for joint management of services.

During my initial discussions with Cllr Peter John, Leader of Southwark Council, and Sir Steve Bullock, elected Mayor of Lewisham, we agreed the best way to proceed was to task the Chief Executives of the three authorities to work together to draw up a series of proposals for cross border working. Their proposals, once they have worked them up, will be made public.

26. By: Councillor Jane Pickard (submitted on 06.07.10) To: Councillor Pete Robbins – Cabinet Member for Children and Young People

Primary School in West Norwood The demand for primary school places in West Norwood has grown at a phenomenal rate in the last few years and families have been promised a new primary school in West Norwood will open on a temporary basis in September 2011. This opening date is barely a year away. What progress has been made in obtaining a site and plans for providing school facilities? Party: Labour Answer:

The council is developing plans for new primary school provision in West Norwood to meet the growing demand for primary school places in the area. This is part of a significant programme of work to expand the number of permanent primary school places in Lambeth with a particular focus on the south of the borough, including expansions of Hitherfield, Sunnyhill and Kingswood. This new provision will be linked to Julian’s School as the local authority is keen to build upon the strength and successes of Julian’s in developing the educational philosophy and practice that is offered at the new school site. The council is at an advanced stage of negotiation for a site in the West Norwood area with a view to opening provision on the new site in September 2012.

27. By: Councillor Alex Davies (submitted on 07.07.10) To: Councillor Lorna Campbell – Cabinet Member for Environment

PCNs What was the number of PCNs issued by "ride-along" enforcement officers accompanying tow trucks during the last year and what were the total revenues a) from these PCNs and b) associated with charges for towing and impounding the vehicles concerned? Party: Liberal Democrats Answer: We have interpreted the question as meaning how many vehicles were issued a PCN and then towed away in the last year and what were the revenues from these PCNs and towaways?

5,560 vehicle towaways were carried out between 01/07/09 and 31/06/10 which created a revenue of: A) £333,600 for the PCN generated and B) £1,019,010 for the towing and impounding costs TOTAL = £1,352,610

28. By: Councillor Mark Harrison (submitted on 06.07.10)

To: Councillor Pete Robbins – Cabinet Member for Children and Young People

Area Based Grant In June the government announced cuts to the Area Based Grant, can the Cabinet Member for Children and Young People update the Council on how he anticipates this will impact on Lambeth’s young people? Party: Labour

Answer: Senior management in the CYPS department is assessing the services and functions that will either be reduced or ceased altogether as a result of the in year reductions in the levels of grants, taking into account an evaluation of effectiveness of activity and desired outcomes. These cuts are especially short-sighted as many of the grants fund early intervention and preventative services, delivering on the central Children and Young People’s Plan priority. If we were to pass on the cuts as the Lib Dem/Tory government envisage, then this would present a high risk to many CYPS services, as all ABG streams have been used to improve outcomes for children. The level and pace of the reduction would inevitably lead to a reduction in front line services for children, including vulnerable and complex needs groups. The reductions would result in loss of services for children with emotional and behavioural problems, an increase youth offending and a reduction in the level of employment among young people. There would also be a lowering of support and challenge for schools leading to a reduction in standards and in attainment, and an increase in exclusions and non-attendance. The quality of the children’s workforce would also suffer. We would not be compliant in some safeguarding duties. The voluntary sector would be seriously de-stabilised. This is what would happen if the Tory/Lib Dem Government got its way and I strongly condemn their unfair decision to target the worst of their cuts at the most vulnerable in society and I will do everything in my power to mitigate the impact on frontline services.

29. By: Councillor David Malley (submitted on 07.07.10)

To: Councillor Sally Prentice – Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Planning, Employment and Enterprise

Streatham Hub

After Tesco let us all down by not signing up to the original proposals for continuity of ice skating in the Streatham Hub development, it looked at one point as if we might have to have a temporary ice rink on the Common. I know Cabinet members and officers have been working to prevent this undesirable outcome. I shall be grateful if the Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Planning, Employment and Enterprise will expand on the decision at July Cabinet where (hopefully) an alternative site will have been agreed. In particular 1) what safeguards do we have to ensure Tesco deliver the new, permanent ice rink and swimming pool e.g. can you assure me that they will not be allowed to open their store until the ice rink and pool are complete? 2) When will work start / finish? We need to progress as fast as possible so that we have a usable swimming pool in Streatham once again. Party: Labour Answer:

The Council has clearly set out its vision for the development of the Streatham Hub for mixed use development including new sports and leisure facilities, continuity of ice provision, new housing and retail development. This has been pursued via a Development Agreement with Tesco. Negotiations with Tesco to agree the detailed scheme and its delivery are progressing extremely positively. In March 2010, the Cabinet agreed to the proposals for a revised scheme for the development of the Hub including an enlarged supermarket with additional retail floorspace, the construction of the scheme in a single phase, and the provision of a temporary ice rink to be located off-site, subject to planning and other statutory approvals. It also considered the provision of temporary sports facilities. This report sets out the progress since March and in particular recommends that the temporary ice rink to be located on the former car park site at Pope’s Road, Brixton. The Council welcomes Tesco’s continuing commitment and engagement to the Streatham Hub scheme and in particular to an imminent planning application for temporary ice which will begin to unlock the development process. It is understood that the facility at Pope’s Road is temporary and is enabling development to assist the development of a prestigious mixed use development. It is anticipated that this new temporary facility will be a further enhancement to the Brixton town centre and is a significant key milestone in achieving progress on this complex but valuable project. The Council is working closely with Tesco to refine the project’s programme. There are many dependencies and it should be noted that development at Streatham cannot proceed until the demolition of the car park has taken place and the new ice facility is open and running. The new revised proposals will start from end July 2010 and the entire development will be completed by third quarter in 2013.

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