Mayor and Cabinet digest: 2 December 2009

Here are some of the key decisions taken by Sir Steve Bullock, Mayor of Lewisham, at the meeting of the Mayor and Cabinet on 2 December 2009.

Mayor’s Commission on Libraries and Learning

The Mayor approved the Council’s plans for implementing the recommendations of the Mayor’s Commission on Libraries and Learning.

Bromley Road Supplementary Planning Document: Southend Village

The Mayor agreed the following:

• to approve the recommended changes to the draft Bromley Road Supplementary Planning Document: Southend Village and the accompanying Sustainability Appraisal;
• to refer it to full Council for adoption;
• to delegate power to make any minor editorial changes to the text and format of the documents prior to consideration by the full Council to the Executive Director, Regeneration.

Mayor’s Fund

The Mayor noted the progress made by the local assemblies in Catford South, Crofton Park, Forest Hill, Grove Park, Lee Green, Lewisham Central, Perry Vale, Rushey Green, Telegraph Hill and Whitefoot, and agreed their funding allocations, which includes:

• £25,200 from the Catford South Mayor’s Fund for the following projects:
  • £4,870 – Teachsport – musical theatre for young people;
  • £2,490 – Teachsport – young people personal safety and self protection course;
  • £3,335 – Enviroworks – planters and trees at Culverley Green;
  • £5,300 – Lewisham Community Sport – children’s holiday activities and youth coaching development scheme;
  • £ 9,205 – LBL Sustainable Resources – part funding the Home Energy Efficiency Programme in conjunction with the Climate Change Fund and the London Development Agency;
• £25,000 from the Lee Green Mayor’s Fund for the following projects:
  • £22,500 LBL Environment – Manor Park Building refurbishment to create a community space
  • £2,500 – Leegate Manor Society – Friends of Leegate development.
• £14,000 from the Whitefoot Mayor’s Fund to transform and develop the Goldsmith Community Centre, based on the recommendations of a recent feasibility study.

Response to matters referred by the Sustainable Development Select Committee on the Review of Empty Properties

The Mayor agreed the following recommendations:

• to note the content of the report and agree that officers should proceed with proposals that are completely affordable and immediately self-financing, subject to the normal decision-making process;
• to note the possibility that additional resources may be available from the South East London Housing Partnership and instructs officers to pursue this option;
• to note the excellent results achieved so far on current resources and agree that specific proposals that require additional capital expenditure should be considered as part of the normal budget process.

Forest Hill, Rushey Green and Catford South – Decent homes through stock transfer

The Mayor agreed:

• to note the summary of responses to the Stage 1 consultation which took place from 26 October to 23 November 2009;
• that there should be no changes to the Council’s offer to tenants and leasholders as a result of the consultation;
• to commence the Stage 2 consultation, including proceeding to a ballot of tenants in Forest Hill, Rushey Green and Catford.

Bereavement Services – proposed increase in cemeteries and crematorium fees and charges, January 2010

The Mayor agreed:

• an increase of £50 to the current Cremation fee, with effect from Monday 4 January 2010;
• an increase of 2.5% for all other Cemeteries and Crematorium fees and charges, with effect from Monday 4 January 2010.