The Mayor and Cabinet of Lewisham Council met on Wednesday, 24 January 2024, to discuss a range of significant issues, including the approval of capital budgets and procurement strategies for the Building for Lewisham programme, the acquisition and planning submission for Thomas Lane Yard, and the procurement of a new Green Space Management and Maintenance Contract. Key decisions were made regarding the financial monitoring of the council's budget, the procurement of essential services such as ventilation repair and maintenance, and housing stock condition surveys, as well as the establishment of a dynamic purchasing system for transport services.

Building for Lewisham: Approval of Capital Budgets and Procurement Strategy

Mayor and Cabinet approved the updated forecast contract sums, on-costs, and total scheme costs for the Building for Lewisham programme, which includes developments at Valentine Court, Mayfield, Fairlawn, and Ladywell Park Gardens. These approvals will facilitate the procurement of demolition, enabling, and main works contracts for these sites. The council also approved the allocation of Right to Buy receipts and the receipt and use of GLA grant funding to contribute to the funding for these projects. Authority was delegated to the Executive Director for Place to enter into contracts with the most economically advantageous tenderers, provided the contract sums remain within financial limits. Additionally, approval was given for the procurement of a Principal Contractor for Valentine Court, including the award of a Pre-Construction Services Agreement (PCSA).

Thomas Lane Yard: Acquisition and Planning Submission

Progress on the Thomas Lane Yard scheme was noted, including the proposed housing mix of 113 affordable homes (39 social rented and 74 shared ownership). Mayor and Cabinet approved the freehold acquisition of land from Catford Regeneration Partnership Ltd (CRPL) and delegated authority to the Executive Director of Place to agree final terms for this acquisition and a subsequent leaseback arrangement with CRPL. Authority was also delegated to agree the final scheme and submit a full planning application to the Local Planning Authority. This acquisition is crucial for delivering the Thomas Lane Yard scheme, which aims to provide much-needed affordable housing, workspace, and public realm.

Green Space Management and Maintenance Contract

The procurement of a new 15-year Green Space Management and Maintenance Contract, commencing 1 January 2025, was approved. Authority was delegated to the Executive Director for Community Services to select the preferred provider and agree the final contract. In principle agreement was also given to the disposal of land, with authority delegated to advertise this disposal and consider any objections. This new contract aims to ensure the continued high-quality management and maintenance of the borough's parks and open spaces, building on the success of the current arrangements which have seen Lewisham's parks recognised as among the best in London.

Approval to Procure a Workspace Provider for Town Hall Chambers

Mayor and Cabinet approved the procurement of a provider to deliver affordable workspace within the Town Hall Chambers. The contract, valued at an estimated £168,000 per annum and a total of £1,008,000 over six years, will be a concessions contract. Authority was delegated to the Executive Director for Place to select the preferred provider and agree the final contract and lease. The contract aims to support the growth of the creative sector in Lewisham, aligning with the borough's Affordable Workspace Strategy and the Catford Town Centre Framework. The existing contract with Bow Arts for workspace in the Old Town Hall will be extended until 31 December 2024.

Catford Regeneration Partnership Limited (CRPL) Update

Mayor and Cabinet noted the current operating position of Catford Regeneration Partnership Limited (CRPL), a wholly owned company of the Council. They agreed that the Council, as sole shareholder, would continue to provide additional financial support through a parent company guarantee to enable CRPL to manage its assets. A further deferment of loan interest payments and capitalisation on the current loan for two years to 2026 was also agreed to stabilise the company's cashflow. Additionally, the disposal of the former Thomas Lane Depot site was agreed in principle, with authority delegated to the Executive Director of Corporate Resources to agree final terms. The receipt from this disposal will be used to pay down part of the loan owed to the Council. A review of CRPL's governance and purpose is ongoing, with a new business plan to be reported in due course.

Building for Lewisham: Appropriation for Planning Purposes - Former Fairlawn Primary School Annexe Site and Former Ladywell Leisure Centre Site

Mayor and Cabinet agreed to the appropriation of land at the former Fairlawn Primary School Annexe and the former Ladywell Leisure Centre. These sites will be appropriated from housing to planning purposes and then back to housing purposes under Section 122 of the Local Government Act 1972. This process is intended to de-risk the delivery of new housing developments on these sites, which have secured planning permission for 12 new homes at Fairlawn and 102 new homes at Ladywell. Authority was delegated to the Executive Director for Place to manage the necessary arrangements, including land transfers between the Housing Revenue Account and General Fund, and to settle claims for compensation.

Building for Lewisham: Approval of Capital Budgets and Procurement Strategy - PART 1

Mayor and Cabinet approved the updated forecast contract sums, on-costs, and total scheme costs for the Building for Lewisham programme, encompassing Valentine Court, Mayfield, Fairlawn, and Ladywell Park Gardens. They also approved the allocation of Right to Buy receipts and the receipt and use of GLA grant funding for these projects. Authority was delegated to the Executive Director for Place to approve and enter into agreements for grant funding and to award contracts for demolition, enabling, and main works construction. This includes approving a Pre-Construction Services Agreement (PCSA) for Valentine Court and agreeing final contract sums for demolition and enabling works for Mayfield and Fairlawn. Approval was also given for estimated costs for remedial works at Longfield Crescent.

Thomas Lane Yard - Acquisition and Planning Submission - PART 1

Mayor and Cabinet noted the progress on the Thomas Lane Yard scheme, which will deliver 113 affordable homes, commercial and office space, and public realm. They approved the freehold acquisition of land from Catford Regeneration Partnership Ltd (CRPL) and delegated authority to the Executive Director of Place to agree final terms for the acquisition and a leaseback arrangement with CRPL. Authority was also delegated to agree the final scheme and submit a full planning application.

Approval to appoint operator for concessions contract at Beckenham Place Park Lake - PART 1

Mayor and Cabinet approved the award of a concession contract to PTP Coaching Ltd for the provision of swimming and other lake activities at Beckenham Place Park. The five-year contract, commencing 1 June 2024, will involve investment into the site and generate income for the Council. Agreement in principle was also given to the disposal of open space, with authority delegated to advertise this and consider any objections.

Determined Admissions Arrangements

Mayor and Cabinet approved the local authority's admissions arrangements for the academic year 2025/26. These arrangements include a decrease in the Published Admissions Number (PAN) at Deptford Park Primary School from 90 to 60 and an amendment to the admissions policies for mainstream community schools to give preference to children of staff members.

Period 8 Budget Monitoring

The council's financial monitoring position for the 2023/24 financial year was noted, highlighting a forecast overspend on the General Fund. The Executive Management team's ongoing work on savings and cost avoidance measures was acknowledged. Approval was given to write off unrecoverable business rates debts totalling £166k. The council's allocation of £1m of grant funding as part of the Delivering Better Value (DbV) initiative was also noted.

Permission to procure and award Repair and Maintenance of Ventilation Plant and Controls

Approval was given to re-procure the repair and maintenance of ventilation plant and controls for a period of two years, with an option to extend for a further two years, at a total contract value of £1.4m over four years. The use of the Crown Commercial Services Framework Agreement (RM6232) – Lot 2a: Hard Facilities Management for a mini-competition was approved, along with the award of the contract to the preferred service provider.

Approval to procure a Housing Stock Condition Survey and Housing Disrepair Survey Programme via Direct Award

Mayor and Cabinet approved the procurement of a programme of stock condition surveys, targeting up to 80% of the Council's housing stock, including energy performance assessments and up to 500 Housing Disrepair surveys. The total contract value is £2,925,000. Approval was also given to use the Strategic Asset Management agreement, Lot 6 of the Procurement Hub framework, and to directly award the contract to Savills (UK) Limited.

Permission to establish a DPS framework for provision of transport services

Approval was granted for the establishment of a Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) for taxi and minibus travel assistance for two years, with an option to extend for up to four years, with a maximum value of £38.4m over six years. The admission of preferred providers onto the DPS was approved, and authority was delegated to the Executive Director for Children and Young People to select these providers. An extension of the current DPS for up to 10 months, at a cost of £4.5m, was also approved to allow for the establishment of the new DPS. Furthermore, the award of a contract from the YPO single supplier framework to Access Adam Care Commissioning for the DPS software licence was approved.

Exclusion of Press and Public

Mayor and Cabinet agreed to exclude the press and public from the meeting for specific items of business (Items 17, 18, and 19) due to the likely disclosure of exempt information.

Matters Raised by Scrutiny and other Constitutional Bodies

The meeting noted a motion from Brockley Local Assembly regarding community space and plans for Brockley Social Club, with officers tasked to provide a response at a future meeting. Comments from the Public Accounts Select Committee on Social Value were also noted, with officers to provide a response. Responses from the Sustainable Development Select Committee on Sustainable Streets and the Levelling Up Fund Programme in Lewisham Town Centre were also noted.

The meeting was attended by Mayor Brenda Dacres (Mayor), Councillor Chris Barnham, Councillor Paul Bell, Councillor Juliet Campbell, Councillor Will Cooper (Cabinet Member for Better Homes, Neighbourhoods and Homelessness), Councillor Amanda De Ryk (Cabinet Member for Finance, Resources and Performance), Councillor Louise Krupski (Deputy Mayor and Environment, Transport and Climate Action), Councillor Kim Powell, and Councillor James-J Walsh (Cabinet Member for Inclusive Regeneration and Planning). Councillor Stephen Penfold also attended under standing orders.