No apologies for absence were received.

Councillor Cuthbert declared a non-pecuniary interest in Item 16 – Leisure Services Lease Proposal, as she was a Board Member of Mytime Active.

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 Wednesday 7 November 2018.

No questions were received.

No questions were received.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 18 September 2018 be confirmed and signed as a correct record.

Report CSD18151

Minute 36 – 18.09.18 – Renewal, Recreation and Housing PDS Committee Work Programme (November 2018-March 2019)

As stated in the Minutes of the previous meeting, Councillor Benington requested that Penge and Beckenham BID Managers be invited to the next meeting.

All other actions arising from previous meetings had been completed.

RESOLVED that progress on matters arising from previous meetings be noted.

Portfolio Holder decisions for pre-decision scrutiny.

Report FSD18087

The Committee considered an update on the latest budget monitoring position for 2018/19 for the Renewal, Recreation and Housing Portfolio based on expenditure and activity levels up to 30 September 2018 which showed a projected underspend of £49k for the total portfolio budget.

In relation to the Summary of Major Variations on page 29 of the report, Members were informed that credits attributed to staffing vacancies in the Building Control and Planning departments were linked to the volume of work at any given time.  Additional staff were employed when necessary to deal with heavy workloads.  Interim measures had been put in place since the departure of the Head of Building Control.

Only one part-time Town Centre Manager post remained and cost-reduction issues had been resolved.  Options for potential BIDS for West Wickham and Chislehurst would be brought forward in a report to the Committee in January 2019, subject to the outcome of the on-going feasibility study work.

Councillor Bear considered it would be useful for a percentage column to be added to the variance table on page 28. It was agreed that the Head of Finance would discuss the required format with Councillor Bear.

RESOLVED that the Portfolio Holder be recommended to endorse the latest 2018/19 budget projection for the Renewal, Recreation and Housing Portfolio.

Report DRR18/054

The Committee considered the post completion report for the Penge and Anerley Library Capital Scheme.  As part of the Capital Programme Procedures it was a requirement that schemes should be formally reviewed within one year of completion and the outcome of the review brought to the Portfolio Holder for endorsement.

The Chairman was pleased to note that the Capital Scheme completed below budget and the original contract programme was met.

RESOLVED that the Portfolio Holder be recommended to endorse the findings of the Post Completion Review carried out in respect of Penge and Anerley Libraries.

The Director of Housing gave a presentation on the work of the Housing Division, including an overview of:-

·  the housing vision and key responsibilities;

·  key pressures;

·  the definition of homelessness and the law; and

·  key priorities and responses.

A full copy of the presentation can be viewed as attachment A to these Minutes.

In response to Members’ questions, the Director of Housing reported that the latest London Plan for Bromley had established a need for 1320 new homes per annum; this was virtually double the target of 641 new homes set out in the previous London Plan for Bromley.  If this target was consistently met, it was likely that the system would significantly stabilise, problems around temporary accommodation would be diminished and the housing register should begin to reduce.

Housing Benefit had been frozen for four years; this was the third year with one year remaining.  Under the current regime, Universal Credit would never keep pace with real market rents.  Whilst payment was defaulted to tenants, there was an option for registered providers and private landlords to request direct payment in specific cases. 

Officers were working with providers on options to deliver increased accommodation for young people and also access to private rented accommodation for single people.

Members were informed that all persons approaching the Council (and they may approach any Council in England), would undergo an assessment for priority need.  Unfortunately, due to the current high costs within the rental market, there had been a marked increase in the number of people approaching the Council without priority need.  The vast majority of people in temporary accommodation (in and out-of-Borough), were those to whom the Council had a long-term statutory duty to assist.

Whilst fraudulent claims were tackled robustly, assessments were carried out in a fair and reasonable manner.

The requirement for developers to provide 35% affordable housing was achieved where it was deemed viable to do so.  The Director of Housing agreed to provide Members with further details.

The Chairman advised Members to contact him about any housing items they would like to be considered at future meetings.

Report DR18/1057

The Committee considered a report which sought permission from the Executive to review the current Building Control Service.  As part of the agreed Gateway process for determining the method that offered the best value and quality for delivering Services (in accordance with the Council’s Corporate Operating principles), the report provided a high level options appraisal of the Building Control Service.

The key options to be considered included:

Option 1 – Undertake a review of the service with the intention of continuing an improved internal service;

Option 2 - Stop providing Building Control Services;

Option 3 – Commission Building Control Services; or

Option 4- Enter into a Shared Service with another Local Authority.

It was recommended that a full review of the service (Option 1) be undertaken including the potential to operate a Shared Service Model (Option 4). This would include updating and improving the service by using better technology.

The Strategic Commissioning Manager gave an overview of the report. 

Members were informed that since September 2018, the Head of Building Control post was currently being filled by a secondment arrangement with the London Borough of Bexley.  This had proved successful and Bexley were supportive of the service review proposal.

Paragraph 4.2 under the Options Appraisal (page 46), referred to recommendations from the Hackett Review (following the Grenfell tragedy).  These recommendations were likely to be based on fire safety and the size of developments.

In regard to Options 2 and 3, it was reported that whilst there were organisations to whom the service could be commissioned, it was unlikely to attract interest due to the fact that the Building (Local Authorities Charging) Regulations 2010 prohibited contract providers from making a profit on chargeable services within Building Control. 

It was possible for elements of the service to be outsourced, however the Council would first need to resolve issues within the Department before this could be considered.  Alternately, the Council could privately operate the service but again, problems within the Department would require attention.

The Chairman considered Option 3 (to commission Building Control Services) should be disregarded.  As the Team consisted of just seven staff, the need for a Head of Building Control was doubtful and he suggested a less senior position be established.

Members agreed that Option1 – to review the service with the intention of continuing an improved internal service was worth undertaking.

RESOLVED that the report be noted and Members’ comments be provided to the Executive for consideration.

Members asked that the recommendations be approved and that consideration given in the longer term should include potential commissioning of the service.

Report DRR/18/1062

Members were updated on progress achieved in delivering the Town Centres Development and Growth Programme.

The Chairman of the Beckenham Town Centre Working Group was in attendance and informed Members that the final meeting of the Group was scheduled for December 2018.  Members were invited to attend an event to celebrate the completion and official opening of the Beckenham improvement works which would take place at 12.30 pm on Saturday 1 December 2018 at Beckenham Green.  He advised that whilst the scheme had been fraught with difficulties, the programme had completed on time and within budget.  By April 2018, footfall to the High Street had increased by 4½% and a further increase was anticipated at the next count.

All retail units in the High Street were currently let or under offer.  Several businesses above shops had been replaced with much needed housing.  Whilst this was welcomed, it was vital to ensure that the residential accommodation (following a change from business to residential use) was of sufficient standard and quality.

A post-completion report for the Beckenham Improvement Scheme would be submitted to the Committee in approximately six months’ time.

Concern was raised in regard to enhanced cleaning of Beckenham High Street.  The Head of Renewal advised that Members had previously opted for a like-for-like cleaning regime with enhanced cleaning funds to be drawn down when required.  The Chairman recommended the Portfolio Holder for Environment and Community Services be approached on this subject as a matter of importance.

It was reported that the cost of cleaning and maintaining the performance canopy at Beckenham Green was yet to be sourced as no particular group had been identified to undertake the task.  One Member suggested using BID money for this purpose.  Councillor Tickner advised that local residents’ associations were not willing to accept the exceptionally high cost of £2k p.a. quoted by idVerde.  The Chairman enquired whether sponsorship options could be considered.  It was noted that the subject of waste and cleaning would be discussed at the Environment and Community Services PDS meeting the following week.

Funding had been agreed for the remedial works to the Churchill Theatre which, it was anticipated, would begin in January and complete by May 2019.

The paved areas outside Lakeland and H&M in Bromley High Street, required re-finishing.

Comments on the public consultation regarding site G were currently being evaluated. 

The CLG had launched a High Street Fund of £675m to focus on the future of high streets.  It was acknowledged that the Council should prepare and submit a bid for this to contribute to the long-term strategies for Orpington High Street.  The deadline for submitting bids was Spring 2019.  Further details would be submitted to the Committee in due course.

RESOLVED that the progress achieved in delivering the Town Centres Development and Growth Programme be noted.

Report CSD18152

The Committee considered its Work Programme for January – March 2019.

The following reports were suggested:-

·  Business Improvement Districts for Chislehurst and West Wickham; and

·  Crystal Palace Masterplan - site visit to be undertaken sometime in the future.

RESOLVED that subject to the addition of the suggested reports above, the Work Programme be noted.

RESOLVED that the Press and public be excluded during consideration of the items of business referred to 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.

Members considered the report and made comments available to the Executive.

Members considered the report and made comments available to the Executive.

(Report to follow)

Members considered the report and made comments available to the Executive.

(Report to follow)

Members considered the report and made comments available to the Executive.

(Report to follow)

Members considered the report and made comments available to the Executive.