The Cabinet of Southwark Council met on Tuesday 14 December 2010, adopting a new strategy to tackle violent crime and reaffirming its commitment to regenerating the Aylesbury Estate. The meeting also saw decisions made regarding the council's transport plan, housing investment, and rent setting for the upcoming year.

Southwark Violent Crime Strategy Adopted

The council has adopted the 2010-15 Safer Southwark Partnership (SSP) violent crime strategy, which outlines five key priorities. These include tackling low-level violence through increased visible policing and community involvement, particularly during peak times in the north of the borough. For robbery, the strategy proposes realigning partnership resources to focus on after-school hours and evenings, and creating safe routes for pupils. Serious violence, including group and weapon violence, will be addressed through a multi-agency approach targeting specific estates and the illegal economy, with a focus on early intervention for those at risk and exit programmes for those seeking to move away from violent lifestyles. Violence against women and girls, including relationship violence, will see provision reconfigured in line with recommendations from the SSP and a review of domestic abuse services. Finally, the strategy aims to improve arrangements for identifying and supporting young people and adults involved in violent offending, including transitional arrangements between youth and adult services, and will implement a shared risk assessment framework to ensure effective targeting of partnership resources. An annual report on the strategy's progress will be submitted to the Cabinet.

Aylesbury Estate Regeneration Continues Despite Funding Withdrawal

The Cabinet noted the government's decision to withdraw funding from the Aylesbury Private Finance Initiative (PFI) Housing Project, along with other PFI housing pipeline projects. Despite this setback, the council reaffirmed its commitment to regenerating the Aylesbury Estate and delivering the Aylesbury Area Action Plan. Officers will complete the Outline Business Case (OBC) for the PFI project as a position statement for the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) in case further resources become available. Additionally, officers will explore alternative funding sources for the regeneration and report back to the Cabinet in February/March 2011. The council will also proceed with rehousing tenants in the remainder of Chartridge (Nos 106 – 149) in line with the indicative housing plan. The responsibility for agreeing the detail of the OBC has been delegated to the cabinet member for regeneration and corporate strategy. Furthermore, the rehousing policy for resident homeowners affected by the regeneration of the Aylesbury Estate has been amended to align with the current policies for homeowners on the Heygate Estate.

Transport Plan and Sustainable Travel to be Consulted

The Cabinet agreed to public consultation on the draft transport plan and the sustainable modes of travel strategy. The draft transport plan, incorporating the requirements of Southwark's local implementation plan, will be submitted to Transport for London (TfL) by 20 December 2010.

Council Objects to Thames Tideway Tunnel Sites

The council has agreed its response to Thames Water's consultation on the proposed Thames Tideway Tunnel routes and sites. The response includes grounds for objection to the proposed use of King's Stairs Gardens and Alfred Salter Playground as shaft construction sites for the tunnel. The leader of the council will make any final amendments to and sign the council's response.

Housing Investment Strategy Review Underway

The Cabinet confirmed its commitment to ensuring all homes are warm, dry, and safe. They noted the findings of the housing stock condition survey and the significant investment needs identified. The report highlighted the high cost of delivering the current borough standard for decent homes and the financial implications of different standards. Commitments already made to residents in the two-year programme will continue, and officers will review the specification for work packages where contracts have not yet been committed. Further reports will be presented to the Cabinet in February/March 2011 on a review of the voids disposal strategy, the use of planning powers to generate funds for decent homes work, and options for high-cost estates. Officers are to consider all options to increase funding available to the council and report back with a view to agreeing a new approach. Consultation with residents on the housing investment strategy for the next five years will commence. For homeowners, administration charges will be levied in accordance with lease terms to recover costs, capped at 10%, with the cabinet member for housing management authorised to periodically review these costs and recharge rates.

Facilities Management Contract for 160 Tooley Street Approved

The Cabinet approved the procurement strategy for a consolidated facilities management (FM) contract for 160 Tooley Street. This strategy involves a further competition utilising the buying solutions facilities management framework. Suppliers will be asked to submit both standard and variant bids to address options for the provision of the service desk and operational FM services. The option to incorporate other council and partner properties into the contract was also noted.

Corporate Asset Management Strategy Aims to Reduce Estate Size

The refreshed Corporate Asset Management Strategy 2010, titled Planning for a Smaller Sustainable Operational Estate, was approved as a key strategic document. The strategy's objective is to reduce the council's operational estate by approximately 30% (excluding dwellings and schools), and the means of achieving this were noted.

Housing Rents to Increase by 7.08%

A provisional average rent increase of 7.08% for Housing Revenue Account (HRA) dwellings has been noted, in accordance with the Government's required formula rent guidance. This equates to an average increase of £5.71 per week, bringing the average budgeted dwelling rent for 2011/12 to £86.31 per week. Provisional changes to tenant service charges have also been noted. Rents and charges for all non-residential property are set to increase by a provisional 50%. Heating and hot water charges will remain at the rate determined for 2009/10 and 2010/11. Officers will provide a final report on rent setting and the HRA budget for 2011/12 after consultation, for consideration at the Cabinet meeting on 25 January 2011. The council will also write to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government to highlight the provisional rent increase and request consideration of a national ceiling on average rent rises for 2011/12.

Revenue Monitoring Report Noted

The Cabinet noted the Quarter 2 Revenue Monitoring Report for 2010/11, including the general fund outturn forecast and the forecast net movement in reserves, as well as the Housing Revenue Account's (HRA) forecast outturn and movement in reserves. Treasury management activity for the second quarter was also noted. General fund budget adjustments were approved, and strategic directors were instructed to continue managing costs within agreed budgets. A minor amendment was made to future references regarding the fire at Carisbrooke Gardens, which will now be referred to as 'Sumner Road'.

Decent Homes Funding Submission Approved

The Cabinet noted the council's response to proposals for funding backlog investment in decent homes from the Homes and Communities Agency and Communities and Local Government. A submission for decent homes funding will be made to the Homes and Communities Agency by the published deadline of 11 January 2011. Authority to develop and submit the bid for funding has been delegated to the cabinet member for finance and resources, in consultation with the deputy chief executive and the finance director.