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Mayor and Cabinet - Wednesday, 29th January, 2025 6.00 pm
January 29, 2025 Mayor and Cabinet View on council websiteSummary
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The meeting made a number of decisions, including approving the School Minor Works Programme 2025, the procurement strategy for enforcement agents for unpaid council tax and business rates, a proposal to dispose of a number of council-owned garage sites, and the adoption of a non-immediate Article 4 Direction to remove certain permitted development rights. The committee also agreed to extend the current contracts for both the Adult Substance Misuse Service and the Young People's Substance Misuse and Sexual Health Service, and to award the contract for Extra Care Services at Conrad Court.
Local Plan - Main Modifications Consultation (Regulation 24)
The meeting considered the proposed Main Modifications to the new Lewisham Local Plan, following receipt of the Inspectors’ Post Hearing letter on 6 November 2024. The meeting commended to full council that the proposed Main Modifications to the new Local Plan, and its accompanying Integrated Impact Assessment and Habitats Regulations Assessment be released for public consultation. The main modifications include:
- Amending the housing target to reflect the 20% buffer[^2] imposed following the results of the Housing Delivery Test in December 2023. [^2]: Where the delivery of housing is significantly below target, the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) requires a local planning authority to add a buffer to the housing requirement figure for the Local Plan. This buffer will be either 20% where delivery is less than 75% of the housing requirement or 10% where delivery is between 75% and 90%.
- A series of amendments to employment land policies to ensure that the Local Plan is in conformity with the London Plan. The modifications seek to address the Mayor of London's concerns regarding how the Local Plan seeks to manage the provision and capacity of industrial and commercial land.
- A series of amendments to the Open Space policies and play space requirements to ensure that new developments make adequate provision in accordance with the NPPF and the London Plan, taking into account the representations made by the Downham Dividend Society.
The meeting also agreed to delegate to the Director of Planning, in consultation with Councillor James-J Walsh, the Cabinet Member for Inclusive Regeneration and Planning, powers to make non-material amendments to the Local Plan as necessary, before its release for consultation. This is to enable the correction of minor errors and to ensure the document is prepared to a high standard.
School Minor Works Programme 2025
The meeting considered the School Minor Works Programme (SMWP) 2025, which is an annual programme of minor repairs and improvements to Lewisham’s community schools. The works are funded by the School Condition Allocation (SCA) grant from the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA).
This year’s proposed programme includes:
- Roofing and insulation upgrades at Clyde Nursery School, Chelwood Nursery School and Forest Hill School.
- CCTV surveys and drainage works at Athelney Primary School, John Ball Primary School and Twin Oaks Primary School.
- Toilet and nursery refurbishment at Elfrida Primary School and Athelney Primary School.
- Repairs to existing boiler systems at Ashmead Primary School and Torridon Primary School.
The exact programme of works and final cost of the SMWP is subject to confirmation of the SCA grant, which is due to be announced in April 2025. The meeting approved the procurement strategy for the SMWP 2025 works.
The meeting also approved the procurement of a consultant to provide multi-disciplinary services and undertake condition surveys for the SMWP from 2026 to 2029. The condition surveys will provide information to help identify priority maintenance works for future SMWPs.
Maximising Value: A Strategic Review and Disposal Plan for Garage Assets
The meeting considered a report on the ongoing review of the council’s garage sites portfolio. The report proposes a strategic approach to the management of these sites with four possible outcomes:
- Retention (with repairs and continued use)
- Redevelopment (for housing or meanwhile uses)
- Repurposing (for affordable workspace adaptation)
- Disposal.
The 66 sites in Batch 01 were selected based on their high void rates, their poor condition and/or reports of anti-social behaviour. As a result of the review the following sites were earmarked for:
- Retention and repair: 37 sites consisting of 365 units. The estimated cost for repairs to these sites is £548,856, which the meeting approved to be drawn from the capital receipts reserve.
- Disposal: 14 sites consisting of 114 units.
- Removal from register: 19 sites consisting of 147 units. These sites have been redeveloped and no longer consist of garages.
Confirmation of Class E Article 4 Direction
The meeting considered the Class E Article 4 Direction, which removes permitted development rights for the change of use from commercial, business, and service use (Use Class E1) to residential use (Use Class C3). The Direction will cover Lewisham, Catford, Forest Hill, Sydenham, Deptford, Downham and Lee Green District Centres; Bellingham, Brockley Cross, Crofton Park, Downham Way, Evelyn Street, Grove Park, Hither Green Lane, Honor Oak/Brockley Rise, Kirkdale, Ladywell, Lee Station, Lewisham Way, New Cross Road and Staplehurst Road Local Centres; ten shopping parades; all designated industrial areas; and those areas defined as Mixed-Use Employment Locations (MELs). The Direction is being introduced to protect the vitality and viability of Lewisham’s town centres. The Direction also ensures that any new housing meets the highest standards of design and quality, supporting the borough’s commitment to excellent placemaking for its residents.
The Direction will come into effect on 1 November 2025.
Young Mayor and Advisors – Annual Report
The meeting received the Young Mayor's annual report, detailing the work of the Young Mayor, Bilvilyn Asamoah, and the Young Advisors during 2024. The meeting noted that the Young Mayor's priorities for the year have been shaped by extensive consultations with young people, and focused on:
- Providing opportunities for young people to gain work experience and mentoring.
- Supporting young people to live healthy lifestyles and to socialise safely.
- Developing and supporting Radio Lewisham, offering training and opportunities for young people to create their own shows.
The meeting approved the budget proposals for the Young Mayor’s initiatives, which are set to be delivered in the remaining three months of the current Young Mayor's term. The meeting also noted that the Young Mayor and Young Advisors have been actively involved in a wide range of other council projects and services during 2024.
Contract extensions
The meeting agreed to extend two contracts for substance misuse services. The meeting noted that the provider of both contracts, Change Grow Live, had significantly improved the reach and quality of the services in recent years. The extension will ensure continuity of care for service users and allow Change Grow Live over the next two years to build on the improvements made. In addition, aligning both contracts with an end date of March 2027 will enable officers to undertake a review of both services and make recommendations for the future commissioning of drug and alcohol treatment in the borough.
Contract Award: Extra Care Services at Conrad Court
The meeting agreed to award the contract for Extra Care services at Conrad Court to Housing 21 for a period of three years from 1 May 2025. The contract is worth £2,461,907.76. The meeting noted that:
- Housing 21 are the landlord at Conrad Court, and have stated they will not host another provider for the delivery of Extra Care services.
- The service was rated ‘Good’ by the Care Quality Commission at its last inspection in 2019.
- Feedback on the service from residents and stakeholders was positive, although areas for improvement have been identified, and Housing 21 are already working to address these.
- The cost of providing the service is comparable with that in other London boroughs.
Approval to procure the appointment of enforcement agents
The meeting considered the procurement strategy for enforcement agents for unpaid council tax and business rates. The meeting noted that the appointment of enforcement agents is a necessary and effective way of ensuring that the council is able to collect sufficient funds to provide essential services. The meeting approved the use of the Crown Commercial Services framework to procure this service. The meeting also approved the three-month extension of the council's existing contracts with current providers to enable the new procurement process to take place.
Investment in council housing using Warm Homes Social Housing Fund Wave 3
The meeting approved an application for £11,441,176 funding from the Government's Warmer Homes Social Housing Fund. The funding will be used to support a three-year programme to retrofit 1,100 council properties to improve energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions.
Land-led development agreements
The meeting considered proposals for two land-led development agreements that will deliver new homes in Sydenham and Deptford, both of which will include affordable housing units.
- Willow Way - The council will sell land at Willow Way, SE26, to a developer. The developer will then build a mixed-use scheme that will include 74 social rent and 34 shared ownership homes to be leased to the council.
- Parker House - The council will sell land at Parker House, SE8, to a developer. The developer will then build a mixed-use scheme that will include 31 social rent and 38 shared ownership homes to be leased to the council.
The meeting approved the budget for the two schemes, and delegated authority to the Executive Director of Place to approve the final terms of the development agreements.
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In September 2020, changes to the Use Classes Order came into effect. This introduced a new Class E (Commercial, Business and Service) that includes shops, restaurants, offices, gyms, health centres, and day nurseries. ↩
Delegated decisions linked to this meeting
Decision summaries below are AI-generated from the council’s published record. Check the council source or the full decision page before relying on them.
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Land-led Development Agreements - proposals for land sales and development agreements with private sector partner - PART 2
Recommendations Approved...to approve the recommendations regarding land sales and development agreements with a private sector partner.
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Permitted Extension of the Change, Grow, Live Contract (Adults Substance Misuse Service)
Recommendations Approved...to extend the contract with Change, Grow, Live for the Adult Substance Misuse Service for two years, from April 1, 2025, to March 31, 2027, at a total cost of £3,890,072.
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School Minor Works Programme 2025
Recommendations Approved...to approve the procurement and award of contracts for the School Minor Works Programme 2025, delegate authority for contractor and consultant selection, approve a budget for the programme, and approve applications for Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme funding.
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Consultation Report for Determined Admissions Arrangement 2026-27
Recommendations Approved...to approve the admissions arrangements and Published Admissions Numbers for mainstream community schools and sixth forms for the 2026/27 academic year, along with revisions to the 2024/25 and 2025/26 admissions arrangements.
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Contract extension for Lewisham's Substance Misuse and Sexual Health Service for Young People (Insight Lewisham)
Recommendations Approved...to extend the contract with WayThrough for Lewisham's Substance Misuse and Sexual Health Service for Young People (Insight Lewisham) for two years, from April 1, 2025, to March 31, 2027, at a cost of £916,096.
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Local Plan - approval to consult on modifications
Recommendations ApprovedThe Mayor and Cabinet of Lewisham decided ... to commend to Full Council that the proposed Main Modifications to the new Local Plan, along with its accompanying assessments, be released for public consultation, and delegated powers to the Director of Planning to correct minor errors in the relevant documents.
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Confirmation of Class E Article 4 Direction
Recommendations Approved...to confirm a non-immediate Article 4 Direction removing permitted development rights for converting commercial, business, and service properties (Class E) into residential properties (Class C3).
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Approval to procure the appointment of external enforcement agents for the collection of council tax and business rates
Recommendations Approved...to procure three external enforcement agents for the collection of council tax and business rates, extend current contracts for three months, use the Crown Commercial Service framework for procurement, award contracts to preferred providers within a £1,995,000 limit, and delegate final selection to the Executive Director for Corporate Resources.
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Matters Raised by Scrutiny and other Constitutional Bodies
Recommendations Approved...to note the responses to the Public Accounts Select Committee referral regarding the Housing Revenue Account and the recommendations of the Private Rented Sector in Lewisham Task and Finish Group.
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Exclusion of Press and Public
Recommendations Approved...to exclude the press and public from discussions on Items 14 and 15 due to the likely disclosure of exempt information where the public interest in maintaining confidentiality outweighs disclosure.
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Garage Sites Asset Review
Recommendations Approved...to note the ongoing garage site review, declare 14 sites as surplus and authorize their disposal, delegate authority to finalize disposal terms, and approve £548,856 for refurbishing priority garages, to be replenished by disposal proceeds.
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Land-led Development Agreements - proposals for land sales and development agreements with private sector partner
Recommendations Approved...to approve land sales and development agreements with a private sector partner for sites at Willow Way and Parker House, including the budget, funding strategy, and delegation of authority to relevant directors for finalizing and executing the agreements.
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Capital investment to develop provision for children with complex mental health needs and challenging behaviour 2025-29 (see Supplementary Agenda)
Recommendations Approved...to submit a funding bid to the DfE for capital investment to develop provisions for children with complex mental health needs and challenging behaviour from 2025-29, and to allocate previously agreed funds from asset disposal to phases two and three of the project if the bid is successful.
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Investment in Council Housing Using Warm Homes Social Housing Fund Wave 3
Recommendations Approved...to approve a £11,441,176 funding application for retrofitting council housing and delegate grant agreement approval to the Executive Directors of Housing and Corporate Services.
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Corporate Performance Dashboard Q2
Recommendations Approved...to note updates on performance indicators and approve the publication of the Quarter 2 Corporate Performance Dashboard on the Council’s website by January 31st, 2025.
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Garage Sites Asset Review - PART 2
Recommendations Approved -
School Minor Works Programme 2025 - PART 2
Recommendations Approved -
Contract Award: Extra Care Services at Conrad Court - PART 2
Recommendations Approved -
Young Mayor and Advisors - annual report
Recommendations Approved...to approve the Lewisham Young Mayor's budget proposals as detailed in section 8 of the presented report.
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Contract Award: Extra Care Services at Conrad Court
For Determination...to award Housing 21 a three-year contract worth £2,461,907.76 to deliver Extra Care services at Conrad Court, delegating the final contract terms to the Executive Director for Adult Social Care & Health.
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Adopt the Local Development Scheme Update
For Determination...to formally adopt and publish the revised Local Development Scheme (January 2025) with the content and timetable set out in Appendix 1, effective February 2025.
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