The Council of Lewisham Council convened on Wednesday, 27 March 2024, for its Annual General Meeting. The meeting's agenda focused on the formal procedures of establishing the council's leadership for the upcoming year, including the election of a Speaker and Deputy Speaker, and the appointment of members to various committees and outside bodies. A significant portion of the meeting was also dedicated to the approval of the Council Budget for 2024/25 and the review of members' allowances.

Election of Speaker and Deputy Speaker

The meeting was scheduled to begin with the election of a Speaker and the appointment of a Deputy Speaker for the municipal year 2024/25.

Council Budget 2024/25

A key item on the agenda was the consideration of the Council Budget for 2024/25. The report pack indicated that the Council was invited to note the 2023/24 projected overall variance and endorse budget reduction measures. It also detailed the proposed allocation of resources for quantified budget pressures and opportunities, and the agreement of a General Fund Budget Requirement of £293.838m for 2024/25. A 4.99% increase in Lewisham's Council Tax element was proposed, which would result in an overall increase in Council Tax for 2024/25 of 5.8%, subject to the GLA precept. The report also outlined adjustments to specific grants, the Dedicated Schools Grant, and the Schools' Budget, including allocations for High Needs and Early Years blocks. Furthermore, proposals for increases in dwelling rents, hostel accommodation charges, service charges, and garage rents were included for consideration. The Treasury Management Strategy and the Capital Programme for 2024/25 to 2027/28 were also presented for approval.

Appointments to Committees and Outside Bodies

The Council was scheduled to make appointments to various committees for the municipal year 2024/2025. A schedule of proposed membership for committees such as the Appointments Committee, Audit & Risk Committee, Governance Committee, Health and Safety Committee, Licensing Committee, Overview and Scrutiny Committee, Pensions Investment Committee, Planning Committees A and B, Strategic Planning Committee, Standards Committee, and Council Urgency Committee was to be made available. Additionally, appointments of named Members to a range of outside bodies were to be considered, with a schedule of nominations to be provided at the meeting.

Allocation of Seats to Political Groups

A report was presented to agree the allocation of all seats on committees to the Labour Group. This was in compliance with the Local Government and Housing Act 1989, which requires the allocation of seats on committees in accordance with the representation of political groups on the Council. The report noted that only one political group, the Labour Group, existed on the council.

Calendar of Meetings 2024/25

The Council was asked to agree a programme of meetings for the municipal year 2024/25. This included scheduled dates for Ordinary Meetings of the Council, an Extraordinary Meeting, and the next Annual General Meeting. A draft committee calendar for 2024/25 was also to be made available.

Appointment of Young Mayor and Deputy

The meeting was scheduled to include the appointment of a Young Mayor and Deputy for 2024/25. An election had been held on 7 February 2024, resulting in Bilvilyn Asamoah being elected as Young Mayor and Paul Frimpong as Deputy Young Mayor. The Council was invited to witness them signing their Acceptance of Office.

Members' Allowances

A report was presented to make proposals regarding members' allowances, based on the recommendations of London Councils' Independent Remuneration Panel¹. The report noted that current Lewisham councillors' allowances were below recommended levels. It proposed an increase in the basic allowance by 3.88% to £12,480, effective from 1st April 2023, and a similar increase for all existing Special Responsibility Allowances (SRAs). The creation of four Cabinet Advisor posts, with an SRA of £7,428, was also proposed, along with tiered SRAs for Cabinet Members. The Monitoring Officer was instructed to review the basic allowance and SRAs against comparable London mayoral councils. The report detailed the financial implications, including a retrospective uplift cost and ongoing growth, and noted that there were no specific equalities, climate change, environmental, or crime and disorder implications.

Mayoral Scheme of Delegation and Committee Terms of Reference

The Council was asked to note that there were no changes to the existing Mayoral Scheme of Delegation in Part VIII of the Council's Constitution. Similarly, it was noted that the terms of reference for the Council's Committees remained unchanged.

Announcements or Communications

Members were scheduled to receive any announcements or communications from the Speaker and/or the Head of Paid Service.

Executive Composition

The composition and portfolios of the Mayor's Cabinet were to be noted. The report listed the Cabinet members and their respective portfolios, including Deputy Mayor and Environment, Transport and Climate Action; Finance, Resources and Performance; Better Homes, Neighbourhoods and Homelessness; Inclusive Regeneration and Planning; Children and Young People; Health and Adult Social Care; Business, Jobs and Skills; Safer Lewisham and Equalities; and Communities and Culture.

Declaration of Interests

Members were asked to declare any personal interests they might have in any item on the agenda, in accordance with the Council's Member Code of Conduct. The report outlined the different types of personal interests, including disclosable pecuniary interests, other registerable interests, and non-registerable interests, and detailed the impact of declaring an interest on a member's participation in discussions and voting.