Announcements and communications
Councillor Pete Pattinson paid tribute to Deptford teenager, Adam Pervaiz, who was killed earlier this month and Council held a minute’s silence in memory of Adam.
Petitions
The following petitions were presented to Council:
- Keep Swimming in Forest Hill presented by Cllr Feakes calling on the Mayor to replace the Victorian swimming pools on Dartmouth Road as soon as possible, while retaining the frontage block.
- A petition from a number of residents of Eastern Road and Greatfield Close asking the Mayor to consider the feasibility of installing security doors on their estate to prevent anti-social behaviour.
Housing rent 2009/10
Council agreed the rises recommended by Mayor and Cabinet on 13 May following the offer of increased housing subsidy from the Government to reduce average council rent rises.
The rise set is 2.88 per cent (£2.15 per week) increase for dwelling rents and 3.96 per cent (£2.15 per week) increase for hostel rents and will take effect from 6 July 2009.
Because the rent increase will be raised over a 39 week period, rather than a full year, the effective rise over this period will be 3.84 per cent (£2.87 per week) for dwellings and 5.28 per cent (£2.87 per week) for hostels.
Housing strategy
Council noted the new Housing Strategy for the borough, Homes for the Future: Raising Aspirations, Creating Choice and Meeting Need. The strategy identifies five key areas where the Council needs to make an impact:
- increase the house supply
- widen housing choice and manage demand
- develop a quality private rented sector
- work together to expand the housing offer
- green our homes and neighbourhoods.
The new strategy will be launched in June 2009.
The economic recession and implications for Lewisham – update
Council considered the actions agreed by the Mayor at the meeting of Mayor and Cabinet on 13 May, namely:
- £720,000 to set up a Lewisham Apprenticeship Scheme that will offer 100 or more opportunities to train for new and modern careers.
- £100,000 to support social enterprises in Lewisham.
- £325,000 to begin a phased implementation of the London Living Wage through Council contracts.
- £60,000 to fund a further 1.5 posts delivering housing advice and support for Lewisham residents at the Housing Options Centre
- £30,000 to expand pension service home visiting to help elderly residents ensure they are getting all the income due to them and are accessing all the services they need that are available to them.
- £10,000 for the South East London Chamber of Commerce to enable them to expand the support they give to local businesses.
Motions
The following motions were agreed:
- This Council reaffirms its commitment to addressing the need for additional secondary school places in the north of the borough and the growing demand for primary school places borough-wide; notes that a review of the decision by English Heritage to list Lewisham Bridge Primary School has been sought by the Council; understands the concerns of parents about the impact of the current decant upon their children’s education; therefore calls upon the Mayor to review these arrangements at the earliest possible opportunity; and further calls upon the Mayor to explore all options for building an all through school at Lewisham Bridge.
- This Council notes with concern the proposal by South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust to shut the Network Arts project as part of their re-organisation of the Community Opportunities Services in Lewisham. The council recognises the success of this arts-based project which is based in the Lee Centre. It offers a great opportunity for its users to develop creative skills and enhance their lives. It has provided excellent support to people with mental health issues, thereby playing a positive role in lowering the number of hospital admissions. It calls on The Mayor to work with SLaM to ensure Network Arts remains available for Lewisham residents.
For more details see the meeting papers.