Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies.

In accordance with the Council’s Constitution, questions must be received in writing four working days before the date of the meeting. Therefore please ensure that questions are received by the Democratic Services Team by 5pm on Thursday 9^th July 2015.

A number of questions had been received from members of the public for oral reply, details of which are at Appendix A.

The minutes were agreed.

Report CSD15091

Members considered a petition from the Bull Lane Action Group calling on the Council to designate the Bull Lane Allotments, Chislehurst as Local Green Space. The petition, with 801 validated signatures (and more signatures received since validation), was received at the Council meeting on

29^th June 2015.

At that meeting, Members heard that local residents, allotment holders, and other supporters objected to the possibility of the Diocese of Rochester  building a school on the site, which was designated Urban Open Space and was in a conservation area. It was felt that the site needed and deserved the increased protection of Local Green Space designation; the special attributes of the land could be demonstrated in terms of its recreational value, historical significance, beauty, and tranquillity.

Members at the Council meeting decided to refer the issue to the Development Control Committee and the Executive for consideration.

At its meeting on 13^th July 2015, the Development Control Committee recommended that the merits of designating the Bull Lane Allotments as Local Green Space be formally considered through the Local Plan process, with the petition included as a submission seeking the change. This was supported by Executive Members.

RESOLVED that the merits of designating the Bull Lane Allotments as Local Green Space be formally considered through the Local Plan process, and the petition included as a submission seeking such a change.

Report FSD15047

Members received a first budget monitoring report for 2015/16 based on expenditure and activity levels to the end of May 2015.

The Leader expected a forecast net overspend of £614k on 2015/16 portfolio budgets to be addressed and a balanced budget returned at year end.

RESOLVED that:

(1)  the latest financial position be noted;

(2)  a projected net overspend on services of £614k is forecast based on information as at May 2015;

(3)  comments from the Education, Care and Health Services Department, the Director of Transformation and Regeneration, and the Director of Environment and Community Services, as detailed at sections 3.2, 3.3 and 3.4 of Report FSD15047, be noted;

(4)  drawdown of £213k funding from Central Contingency related to the Flooding and Water Act 2010 (paragraph 3.5.2 of Report FSD15047) is requested in a report elsewhere on the agenda;

(5)  release of £326k from Central Contingency for the additional costs of Concessionary Fares as detailed at paragraph 3.5.3 of Report FSD15047 be agreed;

(6)  release of £60k from Central Contingency for the additional pension costs of LBB staff transferred to Liberata and The Landscape Group as detailed at paragraph 3.5.4 of Report FSD15047 be agreed;

(7)  the carry forwards requested for drawdown, as detailed at section 3.6 of Report FSD15047, be noted;

(8)  a projected reduction to the General Fund balance of £2.3m be noted as detailed at section 3.7 of Report FSD15047;

(9)  the full year costs pressures of £1.2m as detailed at section 3.8 of Report FSD15047 be noted.

Report FSD15046

Following the first quarter, 2015/16, Report FSD15046 outlined the current position on capital expenditure and receipts.

RESOLVED that:

(1)  Report FSD15046 be noted, including a re-phasing of £2,123k from 2014/15 into 2015/16 and £9,049k from 2015/16 into 2016/17 (see paragraph 3.3.11 of Report FSD15046);

(2)  the revised Capital Programme be agreed with the following amendments to the Programme approved:

·  addition of £638k in 2015/16 regarding annual revenue contributions to the Bromley Mytime Investment Fund (see para 3.3.1 of Report FSD15046);

·  addition of £289k in 2015/16 for Gosshill Road, Chislehurst – Private Street Works, funded by S106 receipts at £209k and Transport for London funding at £80k (see paragraph 3.3.2 of Report FSD15046);

·  addition of £130k in 2015/16 for Orpington Railway Station, funded by S106 receipts at £80k and Transport for London funding at £50k (see paragraph 3.3.3 of Report FSD15046);

·  addition of £18k regarding Autism Capital grant received from Department of Health (see paragraph 3.3.4 of Report FSD15046); 

·  addition of £18k in 2015/16 to the Churchill Theatre and Central Library Chiller scheme to reflect the additional contract cost (see paragraph 3.3.5 of Report FSD15046);

·  a net reduction of £156k over four years, 2015/16 to 2018/19, in respect of reduced Schools Formula Devolved Capital Grant support (see paragraph 3.3.6 of Report FSD15046);

·  a reduction of £220k in 2015/16 to reflect revised grant support from Transport for London for highway schemes (see paragraph 3.3.7 of Report FSD15046);

·  transfer (virement) of £43k from the Financial Systems Upgrade budget to the budget for Rollout of Windows 7 (see paragraph 3.3.8 of Report FSD15046);  

·  in regard to section 106 receipts from developers, a net increase of £2,827k (£2,760k in 15/16 and £67k in 16/17) to reflect funding available and the remaining unallocated balance (see paragraph 3.3.10 of Report FSD15046); and

(3)  Council be recommended to approve inclusion of the £5.7m Housing Zone Bid related to Site G (Executive 24/03/15) into the Capital Programme (see paragraph 3.3.9 of Report FSD15046).

Report 15037

Following a request at the Executive meeting on 26^th November 2014, information was provided on the financial effect to the Authority, and on claimants, of increasing the minimum contribution that working-age claimants are required to pay towards their Council Tax liability. Prior to adopting any new Council Tax support scheme for 2016/17 and then 2017/18, public consultation would be necessary.

The Portfolio Holder for Resources highlighted the Welfare Reform Bill, the First Reading of which took place in the House of Commons on 9^th July 2015.  Included in the Bill were details of a proposed reduction in the benefit cap, together with other welfare changes that would impact on the financial position of current Council Tax Support recipients. At this stage it was unclear how many in the borough would be impacted by the changes and an attempt would be made to model the impact in the Council’s public consultation on a new scheme. The Leader added that a decision on minimum liability would be deferred until the outcome of consultation.

As a target, the Portfolio Holder for Care Services suggested working towards a minimum 30% liability but he preferred to see the impact of the welfare reform proposals before setting a level and timeline for change.

It was agreed that an assessment be made of the local impact of proposals in the Welfare Reform Bill and that public consultation on minimum Council Tax liability be taken forward.

RESOLVED that:

(1)  an assessment be made of the local impact of proposed changes included in the Welfare Reform Bill;

(2)  public consultation be approved; and

(3)  a decision on minimum Council Tax liability be deferred until the outcome of public consultation is known.

Report ED15099

Members considered a proposed reorganisation of the Council’s Adult Education service aimed at returning the service to a balanced budget position. A continuing annual reduction in the Adult Skills (AS) grant, uncertainty over the long term future of the Community Learning (CL) grant, and recommendations from an Ofsted inspection in March 2015 were all considered in developing a future strategy.

Officers recommended a predominant focus on adults and communities with the greatest identified need. Under the proposed new delivery model the volume of traditional non-accredited learning provision (leisure type courses) would significantly reduce. Increased community partnership work and a reduction in traditional adult learning provision would reduce the need for accommodation and infrastructure costs, potentially releasing the Widmore site for school expansion. Sites at Penge and Orpington would be retained. 

Report ED15099 provided an implementation timeline along with an overview of the model’s benefits and impacts. The report indicated how new Community Learning funding might be apportioned, including targeted delivery of CL funding to engage with long term unemployed adults. A target completion date of 31^st July 2016 was proposed for the model, with full implementation from the start of the 2016/17 academic year.

The model also enabled the service to move closer to being commission led both in delivery and backroom office functions, and would put it in a strong position to work alongside other council services to tackle social deprivation impacts and support early intervention processes.

The model would focus CL funding at the greatest need for adult education services e.g. to assist in attaining employment and would no longer be used to subsidise leisure type courses.

Councillor Alexa Michael (Bromley Common and Keston) addressed the meeting in her capacity as LEA Governor to Bromley Adult Education College. Cllr Michael hoped it would be possible to retain some leisure courses, particularly those requiring the use of special equipment. Should the Widmore site be used as a school, Cllr Michael asked if such courses could continue on site in either an area designated for adult education or by using part of future school facilities. It would be expensive to move the special equipment for courses such as wood carving and sculpture.

The Portfolio Holder for Education acknowledge the importance of leisure courses to residents. But weighed against the service overspend and the need to protect front line services for vulnerable residents, it was necessary to implement a different model for adult education services, driving them to those who need the services most. The Portfolio Holder hoped that a number of the leisure courses could be taken forward by others in the community. Costs associated with moving any equipment should the Widmore site revert to school use would be costed during the consultation period on service restructure.

The Portfolio Holder’s comments were supported by other Members. It was important that all services were closely examined and for adult education it was possible to achieve savings. It was hoped the market would step forward to fill gaps  ...  view the full minutes text for item 233.

Report CS15909a

Members received details of the tendering process for future delivery of Adult Social Care Learning Disabilities (LD) Services along with a recommendation for award of contract.

The services were tendered through a competitive dialogue process and throughout April and May 2015 officers worked directly with Southside Partnership (Certitude) as the preferred provider for LD services comprising Day Opportunities, Respite/Short Breaks, and Supported Living.

Previous Executive approval to work with Southside Partnership as preferred provider enabled officers to engage directly with staff and service users to inform the final tender. Report CS15909a summarised how Southside Partnership would take forward the services of Day Opportunities, Respite/Short Breaks, and Supported Living. The offer included support for the transformation needed to sustain the services into the future. Awarding the contract to Southside Partnership would also deliver an in-year saving of approximately £30k for 2015/16 (part year), and an average saving of over £250k per annum thereafter. 

In view of cost and quality benefits, it was recommended that the three services be awarded to Southside Partnership for a period of five years from 1st October 2015, with an option to extend for a further period up to, but not exceeding, two years.

It was intended to improve the service, providing an independent, modernised, and more personalised approach. Details were outlined of staff consultation and engagement with service user families, including the opportunity for service users and families to meet the new providers. Awarding the contract to Southside Partnership would provide the best outcome for LD services.  

Councillor Angela Wilkins (Crystal Palace) was sceptical on improving the services if savings were to be made. Monitoring arrangements also seemed unclear and evidence was necessary for more personalised services (community based provision) rather than traditional day centres. Councillor Wilkins also expressed concern about the consultation process and highlighted a need for transparency.

On monitoring arrangements and service levels, it was explained that the current level of service reviews would continue – this being a requirement under Social Care legislation for any care service provided for identified needs. The progress of service users against individual care plans was also monitored and would continue to be undertaken by Council staff. There was also a Quality Assurance Framework - performance against the Framework being reported to the Care Services PDS Committee. This included safeguarding matters and monitoring complaints.

A number of questions had been raised at the recent Care Services PDS meeting and it was highlighted that answers had been fully provided in material appended to Report CS15909a.

The Leader indicated that as much as possible was being done to protect services and considered that consultation in relation to the future delivery of LD services had been achieved to a good standard.

Members all agreed to support the recommendation and it was RESOLVED that the contract for Adult Social Care – Learning Disabilities Services, be awarded to the Southside Partnership for a period of five years from 1st October 2015, with an option to extend for a further period  ...  view the full minutes text for item 235.

Report DRR15/070

Appendix 1 to Report DRR15/070 comprised potential site allocations, and draft policy and designation alterations in the preparation of Bromley’s Local Plan. Members were asked to approve the document for consultation with residents, partner organisations, and the wider community.

Report DRR15/070 and its Appendix 1 was also considered at a special meeting of the Development Control Committee (DCC) on 13^th July 2015. Comments from DCC Members at that meeting were tabled along with subsequent officer commentary on the comments. Draft minutes on the Committee’s consideration of the item were also tabled along with a slightly re-worded recommendation for the Executive.

Members approved the document for public consultation having firstly considered the comments from DCC Members. The tabled DCC comments primarily related to the recommended draft site allocations and designations summarised in Table 1 at Paragraph 4.5 of Report DRR15/070. A further tabled comment suggested that the document for consultation refer to “at least” 641 homes, rather than a “minimum” of 641 homes; however, the Portfolio Holder for Renewal and Recreation supported the document retaining a “minimum” of 641 homes. The Portfolio Holder also commented on the remaining comments from DCC Members. This included his support for the Maybrey Works at Worsley Bridge Road (Copers Cope ward) retaining its current designation as a Business Area.

In further discussion, reference was made to protecting what is wanted from the town centre (in relation to the Civic Centre site and a recommended Mixed Use designation). In regard to school place capacity, there was parity between need and potential supply i.e. extra classes/ Forms of Entry (FEs) with a methodology behind the balance.

RESOLVED that:

(1)  comments from Development Control Committee (DCC) be noted;

(2)  including the amendments and clarifications circulated at the DCC meeting on 13^th July 2015, Appendix 1 to Report DRR15/070 be approved for public consultation as the document outlining the Local Plan potential sites and alterations to draft policy and designations, except in regard to the draft site allocation and designation for Maybrey Works, Worsley Bridge Road, which should continue to retain its current designation as a Business Area.

(3)  the approval at (2) above be subject to the Director of  Regeneration and Transformation, in consultation with the Chairman of the Development Control Committee, being authorised  to make any minor alterations to the document as required, and to agree the final supporting documents prior to publication.

This item has been withdrawn from the agenda.

This item was withdrawn from the agenda prior to the meeting.

The exempt minutes were agreed.