Agenda and minutes

Venue: Bromley Civic Centre

Contact: Lisa Thornley  020 8461 7566

Items
No. Item

42.

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE AND NOTIFICATION OF SUBSTITUTE MEMBERS

Minutes:

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Vanessa Allen, Councillor Douglas Auld (who was replaced by Councillor Robert Evans), Councillor Michael Tickner (who was replaced by Councillor Alan Collins) and Nicolas Weaks. Councillor Sarah Phillips apologised for her late arrival.

43.

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Minutes:

Councillor Nicholas Bennett declared that he was a member of the Mytime Board and an annual season ticket holder.

 

Councillor Alexa Michael declared that she was an annual season ticket holder with Mytime.

 

Councillor Robert Evans declared that he was a member of the Mytime Board.

44.

QUESTIONS FROM COUNCILLORS AND MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ATTENDING THE MEETING

In accordance with the Council’s Constitution, questions to this Committee must be received in writing 4 working days before the date of the meeting.  Therefore please ensure questions are received by the Democratic Services Team by 5 pm on Thursday 18 January 2018.

 

Minutes:

One question for written reply had been received from Councillor Simon Fawthrop – the question and reply are attached as Appendix A to these minutes.

45.

MINUTES OF THE RENEWAL AND RECREATION PDS COMMITTEE MEETING HELD ON 1 NOVEMBER 2017 pdf icon PDF 219 KB

Minutes:

It was noted that in minute 33 it was stated that the market operators would be invited to the next meeting of the Committee. Officers advised that it would be more appropriate for them to attend the meeting in March.

 

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meeting held on 1 November 2017 be confirmed and signed as a correct record.

46.

CAPITAL PROGRAMME MONITORING - 2ND QUARTER 2017/18 pdf icon PDF 173 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Report FSD18006

 

On 6 December 2017, the Executive received the 2nd quarterly capital monitoring report for 2017/18 and agreed a revised Capital Programme for the four year period 2017/18 to 2020/21.

 

Members also considered changes agreed by the Executive in respect of the Capital Programme for the Renewal and Recreation Portfolio.

 

RESOLVED that the Portfolio Holder be recommended to confirm the changes agreed by the Executive on 6 December 2017.

47.

DRAFT 2018/19 BUDGET pdf icon PDF 216 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Report FSD18009

 

The report outlined the Portfolio Holder’s draft 2017/18 Budget incorporating the full year effect of savings agreed as part of the 2017/18 Council Tax report and any further savings approved during the year which had resulted in reductions in the Council’s medium term ‘budget gap’.  Members were requested to consider the initial draft budget savings proposed and identify any further action that might be taken to reduce cost pressures facing the next four years.

 

The Executive had requested each PDS Committee to consider the proposed initial draft budget savings and cost pressures for their Portfolio and for comments to be submitted to the Executive meeting on 7th February.

 

Members noted there were still outstanding issues and areas of uncertainty.  Any further updates would be included in the 2018/19 Council Tax report to be considered by Members of the Executive in February.

 

It was noted that savings would be achieved over the term of the GLL libraries contract, but the same number of books would still be purchased by the Library Service each year. GLL were able to procure the same number of books for slightly less cost than the Council. There was also investment in new PCs and other IT infrastructure for the libraries.

 

Councillor Robert Evans requested details of the contracts referred to in the table at paragraph 6.1 of the report “Savings from recommissioning/

retendering of various contracts.”

 

The report (paragraph 7.5) advised Members of a risk in not collecting the full amount of CIL contributions, 96% of which were passed on to the Mayor of London to support the Crossrail project. A range of measures had been agreed to address this, and officers confirmed that the Mayor could not demand that any shortfall be paid by the Council even if the money was not received. Officers agreed to inform Members of the sums involved.

 

The Committee noted that planning fees were set nationally, including the provisions for free applications after a refusal, and had just gone up by 20% after a gap of several years. However, the money received was ring-fenced to planning.  

 

RESOLVED that:-

 

(1)  The update on the financial forecast for 2018/19 to 2021/22 be noted;

 

(2)  The initial draft 2018/19 Budget be used as a basis for setting the 2018/19 Budget; and

 

(3)  Member comments on the initial draft 2018/19 Budget be made available to the meeting of the Executive on 7 February 2018.

48.

CONTRACT REGISTER pdf icon PDF 222 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Report DRR18/004

 

Consideration was given to the current status of all Renewal and Recreation Portfolio contracts with a Total Contract Value greater than £50k. A more detailed Contracts Register containing additional, potentially commercially sensitive information on each contract, was considered under Part 2 of the published agenda.

 

Members questioned why the Idox contract was flagged in the Register. It was confirmed that this was a maintenance contract renewed on an annual basis, and a review of the contract was being carried out.

 

RESOLVED that:-

 

(1)  the Contracts Register for all Renewal and Recreation Portfolio contracts with a Total Contract Value greater than £50k be noted; and

 

(2)  the Part 2 Contract Register, containing additional, potentially commercially sensitive information be noted.

49.

BROMLEY MARKET REORGANISATION AND OPERATION pdf icon PDF 307 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Report DRR18/006

 

In March 2017, the Executive had approved the designs and costings for the next phase of the Bromley Town Centre improvement and plans to reorganise, rebrand and relocate the existing market as part of those improvement works.  In November 2017, the Executive agreed funding for capital costs in regard to the original kiosk and pop-up stall design.

 

In November 2017, the Renewal and Recreation PDS Committee agreed that the Bromley Market Consultative Panel should be further engaged to feed into the market redesign. 

 

This report provided Members with an update on progress achieved following feedback from the market traders and outlined alternative costed options together with a recommendation on the revised number of stalls and semi-permanent kiosks. Quarterbridge had been commissioned to develop the Bromley Market brand and set up a new website. The existing traders would be able to use the new kiosks; eleven expressions of interest had been received for the permanent kiosks, but there had been only four firm commitments. Careful thought would need to be given to the positioning of food stalls in view of the potential impact on other retailers.

 

The Chairman informed the Committee that he had spoken to a number of the traders and they considered that the Council’s consultation was more effective.

 

A Member suggested that some form of decorative metal archway/entrance feature should be considered for the Market. Another Member asked whether there had been any consultation with blind and partially sighted groups. Officers confirmed that they had been consulted by the Design Team; the design was intended to remove clutter and provide a well-defined line of kiosks, a clear fire path and easy access to the shops.  

 

There was not yet a firm date for the completion of the project, but Members suggested that a formal opening by the Mayor should be arranged.

 

RESOLVED that the report be noted and Members’ comments be made available to a meeting of the Executive on 7 February 2018, including the Committee’s support for Option C.

50.

TOWN CENTRES DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME UPDATE pdf icon PDF 111 KB

Minutes:

Report DRR18/005

 

Members considered the progress achieved in delivering the Town Centres Development and Growth Programme.

 

Regarding the Beckenham Town Centre Public Realm Improvements, it was noted that a section of the High Street was still not opened and buses were still diverted. This had been discussed the previous week at the Beckenham Town Centre Working Group. Officers confirmed that re-opening of the road was under active consideration. Members were pleased with the quality of the many designs submitted in the architectural competition for the Beckenham Green Canopy.

 

The Portfolio Holder reported that he understood that the new development at Bromley South was now expected to open in June.

 

A planning application had been received for 6-10 Sherman Road next to Bromley North Station, part of Site A. The scheme involved a 23 storey tower.

 

Cushman and Wakefield, the Council’s real estate advisors, had been commissioned to prepare a review of development opportunities in Orpington Town Centre. A report was due to come to the Committee’s next meeting, in March. Councillor William Huntington-Thresher, ward Councillor for Orpington, proposed that the review be developed into a supplementary planning document and urged that the Council should be proactive in pursuing a vision for Orpington.     

 

Councillor Nicholas Bennett proposed that a working group be set up by the Committee in the new Council year to drive improvement in West Wickham, the borough’s fourth largest town centre. He acknowledged that an improvement scheme for the junction of Red Lodge Road, Station Road, Beckenham Road and Ravenswood Crescent was planned, and that a report on the future of the Leisure Centre and Library was due to be completed on March. Officers reported that proposals for a Business Improvement District (BID) for West Wickham would be considered, subject to resources being agreed to support this work. Councillor William Huntington-Thresher commented that TfL funding was being reduced, though there might be opportunities for funding through the new Liveable Neighbourhoods Scheme.

 

The Committee noted the Victoria Cross commemorative ceremony for Lieutenant Commander Geoffrey S White at Bromley War Memorial, St Martin’s Hill, on 29th January. Some Members commented that they were not aware of any publicity for this event; officers stated that there had been a press release, and the Committee requested that details of the event be circulated to all Members.

 

Councillor Hannah Gray, Renewal and Recreation Executive Assistant, updated the Committee on her work to improve broadband internet provision across the borough. She intended to provide a more detailed report to the Committee in due course, and she hoped to be able to examine 5G in time.

The Mayor of London had established a Night Time Commission to provide him with independent advice on the night time economy in London (meaning all activities across the whole of London between 6pm and 6am.) The Commission was carrying out a consultation to gather evidence and views on six questions related to the night time economy. The Portfolio Holder for Public Protection and Safety was intending to provide  ...  view the full minutes text for item 50.

51.

PRIVATE SECTOR TALL BUILDINGS UPDATE pdf icon PDF 185 KB

Minutes:

Report ES18015

 

Members were provided with an update on progress achieved with regard to private sector tall buildings cladding and safety. In accordance with DCLG guidance issued to local authorities following the Grenfell Tower fire, the Council had contacted the owners of the 13 tall buildings (over 18m in height) identified in Bromley which might have Aluminium Composite Material (ACM) cladding. Officers reported that the owners of two of these building had still not responded to repeated letters. Although the primary responsibility for these buildings lay with the owners and managing agents the Council did have some enforcement powers to intervene under the Housing Act 2004 where problems were identified. The Fire Brigade also had some powers on safety in communal areas and was being contacted. 

 

Members were concerned that the Council should be more proactive; more should be done to contact the owners of the two outstanding buildings, including phoning the owners at senior levels and acting jointly with the Fire Brigade. It was also suggested that more urgent action should be taken to research the Council’s microfiche records of the refurbishment of the building in one case, and to contact the private inspector responsible for building control approvals in the other. Members requested an update within two weeks, with the Leader and Chief Executive also being informed of progress at that time. 

 

RESOLVED that

 

(1) The progress achieved with regard to Private Sector Tall Buildings cladding and safety be noted.

 

(2) Committee members be informed of progress in contacting the owners of the two outstanding buildings within two weeks.

52.

RENEWAL AND RECREATION PDS COMMITTEE WORK PROGRAMME (FEBRUARY-APRIL 2018) pdf icon PDF 70 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Report CSD18019

 

Members reviewed the Renewal and Recreation PDS Committee Work Programme for the period February-April 2018.

 

Officers reported that the report on Chipperfield Road would be delayed until the Inspector’s report on the new Local Plan was published. However, the report on options for West Wickham Leisure Centre was intended to be available for the March meeting (now 27th March.) There would also be a report on the proposed granting of a long lease to Bromley and Blackheath Harriers for the Norman Park Athletic Track.  

 

It was now proposed that the visit to Crystal Palace Park would take place early in the new Council year. Members suggested asking whether the Crystal Palace Museum could be opened to coincide with the visit.

 

RESOLVED that the Renewal and Recreation PDS Work Programme for the period February-April 2018 be noted.

53.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT 1972 AS AMENDED BY THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT (ACCESS TO INFORMATION) (VARIATION) ORDER 2006, AND THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 2000

The Chairman to move that the Press and public be excluded during consideration of the items of business listed below as it is likely in view of the nature of the business to be transacted or the nature of the proceedings that if members of the Press and public were present there would be disclosure to them of exempt information.

Minutes:

RESOLVED that the Press and public be excluded during consideration of the items of business listed below as it was likely in view of the nature of the business to be transacted or the nature of the proceedings that if members of the Press and public were present there would be disclosure to them of exempt information.

 

The following summaries

refer to matters

involving exempt information

 

 

54.

EXEMPT MINUTES OF THE RENEWAL AND RECREATION PDS COMMITTEE HELD ON 1 NOVEMBER 2017

Minutes:

RESOLVED that the exempt Minutes of the meeting held on 1 November 2017 be confirmed and signed as a correct record.

55.

CONTRACT REGISTER - PART 2

Minutes:

Members considered Part 2 (Exempt Information) relating to Agenda Item 9 (Report DRR18/004).  The Contract Register appended to the report contained additional and potentially commercially sensitive information in its commentary.

 

RESOLVED that the Contract Register containing additional, potentially commercially sensitive information in its commentary, be noted.

APPENDIX A - WRITTEN QUESTIONS pdf icon PDF 143 KB

Additional documents: