The Council meeting on 27 March 2024 saw councillors adopt the Pay Policy Statement for 2024-2025 and approve changes to the Council's Constitution to streamline planning processes. The meeting also addressed members' allowances, with a decision made to increase the basic allowance and the number of Cabinet Assistants.

Pay Policy Statement for 2024-2025

The Council unanimously adopted the Pay Policy Statement for 2024/2025. This statement, which is a legal requirement under the Localism Act 2011, outlines the council's policies on the remuneration of its chief officers, the lowest-paid employees, and the relationship between their pay. The statement confirms the council's commitment to paying at least the London Living Wage to its lowest-paid staff and details the pay structure for chief officers. The pay multiple between the highest-paid employee and the median earner has decreased to 5.87, down from 6.08 in the previous year.

Members' Allowances Scheme 2024-2025

The Council agreed to several changes to the Members' Allowances Scheme for 2024-2025. The basic allowance for councillors will increase by 3.88%, aligning with the local government pay settlement. Special Responsibility Allowances (SRAs) will remain frozen at their current level, a decision met with some debate. However, the number of Cabinet Assistants, who receive an SRA, will increase from two to four. The Childcare and Dependents Carers' Allowance will rise to £13.15 per hour, matching the London Living Wage. The SRAs for the Mayor and Deputy Mayor will be removed from the Members' Allowances Scheme and handled under separate statutory provisions. These changes were made with regard to the recommendations of the London Councils' Independent Remuneration Panel, which highlighted increased workloads and pressures on councillors. Councillor Matt Hartley, Leader of the Opposition, expressed concerns about the increase in Cabinet Assistants, citing financial challenges.

Proposed Changes to the Constitution

Unanimous approval was given to proposed changes to the Council's Constitution, aimed at improving the efficiency of the planning service. These changes will consolidate the three Area Planning Committees into a single Local Planning Committee for non-major applications, while the Planning Board will handle strategically significant and major planning applications under specific criteria. This restructuring aims to reduce the number of planning committees from four to two, creating greater efficiencies. A new Code of Good Practice for Councillors involved in planning functions has also been introduced, based on national best practice, to ensure impartiality and transparency in the planning process.

Petition Responses

The Council noted the responses to petitions presented at recent meetings. One significant petition concerned the Indian Cultural Society (ICS), which had occupied space in the Old Town Hall since 1988. The council explained that the ICS had to vacate in 2019 due to structural issues and that their occupation was not governed by a formal lease, meaning they did not have an automatic right to return. Despite offers of alternative accommodation, the ICS had not found a suitable space that met their specific requirements, such as rent-free use and exclusive access. The council stated its willingness to continue supporting the ICS in finding a new location, but emphasised the need for compromise on their requirements.

Questions from Members and the Public

A range of questions were raised by both members of the public and councillors, covering various council services and policies.

• School Places: Questions were raised regarding the council's stance on a new school at Avery Hill, despite existing surplus places. The Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, Councillor Matthew Morrow, explained that the new school would provide resilience in school place sufficiency and gender balance, as there is an imbalance in places for boys compared to girls.
• Pension Fund Investments: A question was asked about the adoption of an ethical code of practice for investments. Councillor Olu Babatola, Chair of the Pension Fund Investment and Administration Panel, confirmed the fund's commitment to responsible investment, integrating Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) issues, and compliance with the UK Stewardship Code. A supplementary question about divesting from Israel was met with a response that the panel must abide by the law and it would be inappropriate to mention specific companies.
• Weed and Pest Management: The Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Environment and Transport, Councillor Averil Lekau, responded to a question about involving the Greener Greenwich Community Network (GGCN) in the Integrated Weed Management System working group. She stated that community engagement would be a component of the implementation plan.
• Biodiversity: In response to concerns about Greenwich lagging in biodiversity efforts, Councillor Lekau indicated that the council was reviewing the Climate Emergency UK Council Scorecards, believing some scores to be inaccurate, and is developing its next Local Plan which will include biodiversity considerations.
• Social Housing Repairs: Councillor Pat Slattery, Cabinet Member for Housing, Neighbourhoods and Homelessness, addressed concerns about the replacement of soil stacks in tower blocks on Orchard Estate, stating that surveys were finalised and specifications were being developed, with residents to be updated soon. He also explained the complexities introduced by the building regulator following the Grenfell disaster.
• Silvertown Tunnel Bridge Access: Councillor Lekau responded to concerns about inadequate and dangerous access to the new pedestrian and cycle bridge for the Silvertown Tunnel, explaining the council's role in approving plans for authorised developments and its efforts to maximise accessibility.
• Queen Elizabeth Hospital Healthcare Standards: Councillor Denise Scott-McDonald, Cabinet Member for Health and Adults' Social Care, acknowledged concerns about the Queen Elizabeth Hospital's Requires Improvement rating from the Care Quality Commission, stating it was unacceptable for residents and that the council would continue to scrutinise health services.
• Traffic Management Schemes: Councillor Lekau addressed questions regarding timed closures for traffic management in West and East Greenwich, explaining that the decision had been called in for scrutiny. She also noted that monitoring of traffic would be part of the implementation plan if the decision were to proceed.
• Street Party Road Closures: Councillor Adel Khaireh, Cabinet Member for Equality, Culture and Communities, explained that the cost for closing streets for parties was due to the management and advertising of Traffic Management Orders, which involves external companies.
• Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL): Councillor Aidan Smith, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, responded to criticism regarding the ambition of the revised CIL rates. He explained the process was data-led and focused on economic viability, stating that Greenwich's proposed rates were comparable to or higher than neighbouring boroughs. He also addressed concerns about setting rates for student accommodation, noting the lack of recent data.
• Peat-Free Gardening: Councillor Lekau confirmed that the Parks, Estates & Open Spaces section had not used peat-based products for several years, utilising green waste mulch and recycled wood chip instead.
• Plumstead Centre Café: Councillor Khaireh stated that officers had raised the issue of the closed café at the Plumstead Centre with GLL, the partner organisation, and were exploring options for reopening, emphasising the need for financial viability.
• Fly-Tipping Prosecutions: Councillor Ann-Marie Cousins, Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Enforcement, reported that no prosecutions for fly-tipping had been necessary in the past 12 months, with 2,329 interventions resulting in fixed penalty notices or warnings, and two vehicles seized. Five investigations were currently under review for potential prosecution.
• Greenwich Foot Tunnel Lifts: Councillor Lekau provided an update on the Greenwich Foot Tunnel lifts, noting that a five-year strategy for critical parts replacement was underway and that repairs were expected to be completed by June 2024. Discussions with neighbouring boroughs, including Tower Hamlets, were ongoing regarding joint bids for long-term lift replacement.
• Parking Permits for Charities: Councillor Lekau stated that the council was not aware of any charities requesting special parking permits, but that charities could access permits on the same terms as businesses.
• Junction Safety for Cyclists and Pedestrians: Councillor Lekau confirmed that the council was revising its strategies in light of the London Cycling Campaign's dangerous junctions report and was meeting with cycling groups to discuss improvements.
• Pavement Obstructions: Councillor Lekau outlined the development of a Streetspace Plan to address pavement obstructions and noted that 3,117 Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) had been issued for pavement parking in the current financial year.
• Cutty Sark DLR Station Escalators: Councillor Lekau confirmed that TfL was working to expedite repairs to the escalators at Cutty Sark DLR station, with three of the four escalators expected to be back in service soon.
• Delivery Bike Encroachment: Councillor Lekau addressed concerns about delivery bikes on Eltham High Street, explaining that the area was a restricted parking zone and that motorcycle bays had been installed. She noted that engagement with riders and takeaways was ongoing, and charging for motorbike parking was being considered as an enforcement measure.
• Illegal Parking on Double Yellow Lines: Councillor Lekau stated that Eltham High Street was regularly patrolled, and enforcement was ongoing for illegal parking, including on double yellow lines.
• Temporary Relocation for Housing Repairs: Councillor Slattery explained that households needing temporary relocation due to housing repairs were assessed on a case-by-case basis, with a case review panel involved in decisions for full decants.
• Parking Permit Increases Communication: Councillor Lekau addressed concerns about the communication of parking permit increases, stating that information was available on the council's website and through customer contact centres, and that a review of the operation after 12 months was planned.
• Derelict Property and Pigeon Nuisance: Councillor Slattery responded to concerns about a derelict property and pigeon nuisance, explaining that as the property was not council-owned, taxpayer money could not be spent on private property issues. He advised reporting nuisance issues to the environmental health team.
• Review of Children's Centres: Councillor Matthew Morrow stated that proposals for delivering savings agreed at Full Council were being developed and would go to pre-scrutiny before public consultation.
• Review of Library and Leisure Offer: Councillor Khaireh indicated that discussions with GLL and officers were underway to maintain a comprehensive service across libraries and leisure centres.

Decisions on Executive Functions taken under Urgency Procedures

The Council noted decisions taken under urgency procedures. The Leader of the Council had approved the acquisition of Blocks 203 and 403 at Greenwich Millennium Village for temporary accommodation or new General Needs Housing. This decision was classified as urgent due to the time-sensitive nature of property acquisitions and the need to reduce expenditure on temporary accommodation. The variation to contract with Greenwich Millennium Village Limited, rather than Taylor Wimpey, was necessary as the correct legal entity for the transaction.