Here are some of the key decisions taken by Sir Steve Bullock, Mayor of Lewisham, at the meeting of the Mayor and Cabinet on 14 January 2009.
Council tax discount for second homes
The Mayor is to press the Government to allow Councils to stop giving a 10 discount on the council tax due on second homes.
The Mayor made it clear at the meeting that he could see no valid reason why owners of second homes should receive a discount. The law at present requires councils to give a discount of at least 10% on the council tax payable on second homes. The Mayor also asked officers to investigate, over the coming year, what other discretionary discounts the Council could offer to other groups.
Children’s centres development
The Mayor agreed five new locations across the borough for the development of children’s centres in the third phase of the development of these centres. New centres will be developed at:
- Goldsmith’s Community Centre, Downham
- The Family Learning Centre in New Cross
- St Swithun’s and St Mary’s Church Halls in Hither Green
- Manor House library in Lee
- Sandhurst infants school in Catford (subject to feasibility study).
Locally listed buildings
The Mayor approved new criteria for the Council to decide when a building should be deemed of special local interest for reasons of historical interest, architectural interest or because of age or rarity. Buildings listed in this way are given a greater level of protection in the development control procedures.
The Mayor also agreed additional buildings for listing in the Blackheath area. Proposals for additions to the local list in other areas of the borough will follow.
London Boroughs Grants Scheme
The Mayor agreed a Lewisham contribution of more than £900,000 to the London-wide councils grants fund of more than £30million. The money is allocated each year to voluntary organisations that offer services to Londoners in more than one borough. The fund is currently assisting eight Lewisham-based organisations – the Deptford Albany, Beatbullying, Artefacts Edutainment, Apples and Snakes, Heart n Soul, Voluntary Action Lewisham, Creative Process and Groundwork SE London.