The Mayor welcomed Councillors, Officers, the press and members of the public joining the meeting. The Mayor advised that the meeting was being live streamed via the Council’s YouTube. Councillors who had been not been able to join the meeting in person were able to join remotely; however, they would not be able to present an item, move/second a motion or vote and their attendance would not be officially recorded. Members who wished to speak were asked to indicate raising their hand or by using the ‘hand’ symbol on the Zoom dashboard. Members and Officers were asked to introduce themselves when speaking.

Members were asked to note that there were two supplementary agendas

The first supplementary agenda enclosed revised appendices 5&6 for Agenda Item 5 - Local Investment for Fairness in Tough Times - Draft Budget Proposals for 2024/25.

The second supplementary agenda for Agenda Item 10 - Victoria Street Options Appraisal Report - preferred option: Call-In enclosing:

a)  Report from the Overview and Scrutiny Committee on Victoria Street Options Appraisal Report - preferred option Executive Decision (Call In); and

b)  Executive response to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee on Victoria Street Options Appraisal Report - preferred option Executive Decision (Call In)

The Mayor welcomed the Chair of Scrutiny to the meeting, noting that he needed to leave by 11.15am.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Amar Virdee, Sabia Kamali, Dr Rohit Kumar Dasgupta and John Morris.

In accordance with the Members’ Code of Conduct this is the time for Members to declare any disclosable pecuniary interests or non-pecuniary interests they may have in any matter being considered at this meeting having regard to the guidance attached to the agenda.

Councillor Charlene McLean declared a non-pecuniary interest in Agenda Item 10 – Victoria Street Options Appraisal Report – preferred option: Call-in (Item 11 in the minutes) as she was a Member of the Strategic Development Committee, which would determine the application.

On the advice of the Monitoring Officer, Councillor McLean stated that she would leave the meeting during the discussion of the item.

Decisions of Cabinet made on 5^th December 2023

The minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on 5 December 2023 were agreed as a correct record.

There were no Appointments to Outside bodies.

Decision:

For the reasons set out in the report and its appendices Cabinet RESOLVED to Agree to:

i)  Progress the draft revenue budget proposals for the year 2024/25, as summarised in this report and detailed in the accompanying appendices, for the purposes of scrutiny and engagement. 

ii)  Progress the draft capital programme for the year 2024/25, as summarised in this report and detailed in Appendix Three, for the purposes of the scrutiny and engagement processes. 

iii)  Note the indicative anticipated borrowing requirement resulting from the capital investment proposals as set out in section six.

iv)  Receive and approve both the final revenue and capital budget proposals informed by the results of the scrutiny and engagement, at its meeting on 20 February 2024 for recommendation to full Council on 29 February 2024. 

Alternatives Considered

a)  This report contains proposals for engagement which aim to help achieve a balanced budget for 2024/25. As part of engagement and prior to the final budget setting at the planned full meeting of the Council, alternative proposals can be considered, but the end result must provide a balanced budget for the coming financial year. 

The Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources introduced a report, which summarised the financial position of the Council, and also outlined, for the purposes of public engagement, the proposals for setting the Council’s Budget for the 2024/25 financial year. The report would form the basis of engagement with members, residents and other stakeholders, ahead of a final Budget 2024-2025 report being presented at a meeting of Cabinet scheduled on the 20 February 2024, for recommendation to Full Council on 29 February 2024.

The Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources stated that the draft proposals within the budget had been developed by changing the way the organisation worked, looking at greater efficiencies, cost reductions and transformation of services to do more for less and become an even greater customer orientated Council. However, the Council had no choice but to increase council tax, even so Newham would still be one of lowest in the London League table.

The Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources added that the pressures would continue and ongoing discussions and review of the budget would be undertaken with Scrutiny and commended the budget to colleagues

The Mayor invited the Corporate Director of Resources to address the meeting, the Corporate Director of Resources stated that there were a number of matters driving the budget, including temporary accommodation and grant funding, which was not rising by inflation. He added that the timing of the Government grant did not help with consultation but never the less it was the Council’s problem to solve.

The Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Social Care discussed the uncertainty in funding in Health and Adult Social Care which would impact the budget figures. He emphasised that there was a need for policy reform in central government and there were continuing increasing pressures due to many factors including demographics. He thanked the Officers for their continued dedication and hard work.

The Cabinet Member for Housing Management and Modernisation; Housing Needs, Homelessness and Private Rented Sector advised that finding supply to reduce temporary accommodation and more support from central government were the main challenges faced in Housing. He explained that resident engagement was also a key factor.

The Cabinet Member for Resident Engagement and Resident Experience echoed the Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources statements on the unfairness in central government funding and was pleased with the recognition of libraries and that there was a small amount put forward for service efficiencies in regards to resident customer service.

The Cabinet Member for Children’s Services and Education explained that the service struggled financially due to increased pressures and most savings made had been the result of restructure or realigning of the service.

The Statutory Deputy Mayor and Cabinet Member for Environment and Sustainable Transport commented that the focus was on protecting frontline services and extra income was looking to be generated through advertising and electric charging. 

The Mayor further discussed the four elements of the inclusive economy and agreed with comments made around the unfairness of government funding;  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

The Mayor stated that she was mindful of time and that Councillor McAlmont needed to leave by 11.15am so advised Members that Agenda Item 10, as set out on the agenda (Victoria Street Options Appraisal Report - preferred option: Call-In), would be considered next.

Decision:

Decision is set out below

The Mayor advised the meeting that the Overview and Scrutiny Committee met on the 25th January 2024 and agreed that the Decision made by Cabinet on 5 December 2023 on Victoria Street Options Appraisal Report - preferred option should be referred to Cabinet for reconsideration.

The Overview and Scrutiny Committee agreed that the Decision made by Cabinet on 5 December 2023 on Victoria Street Options Appraisal Report - preferred option be rescinded and alternative options considered instead.

Members noted that that the reports for this item were set out in a supplementary agenda.

The discussion held on these items are set out further below.

·  Report from the Overview and Scrutiny Committee on Victoria Street Options Appraisal Report - preferred option Executive Decision (Call In) and

·  Executive Response to Report from the Overview and Scrutiny Committee on Victoria Street Options Appraisal Report - preferred option Executive Decision (Call In)

Councillor Charlene McLean withdrew from the meeting during the discussion of these items.

Decision:

Cabinet RESOLVED to Agree to note the report from the Overview and Scrutiny Committee on Victoria Street Options Appraisal Report - preferred option Executive Decision (Call In)

The decision made at Cabinet on the 5^th December 2023 for the Victoria Street Options Appraisal Report - preferred option remains suspended pending a further report from the Executive being submitted to Cabinet in the spring.

The Chair of Overview and Scrutiny thanked the Mayor and Cabinet for the opportunity to report on the findings of the Council’s Overview and Scrutiny Committee in relation to the Call In of the decision on Victoria Street Options Appraisal Report – preferred option.

Councillor McAlmont said that overall, the committee was concerned that the current option agreed by Cabinet provided less social benefit for the current and critical needs of homeless people in Newham, as well as less financial value for money to the Council. The Council was seeking to spend £57m and the NPV was calculated to be £2.5m over the 50 years. This was marginal and put at risk the viability of the project should market and economic situations change for the worse.

In noting the response from the Executive to the recommendations by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, Councillor McAlmont sought assurance that the current pause on work on Victoria Street would remain in place pending the report to Cabinet in the spring.

The recommendations of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee were:

·  That the Decision made by Cabinet on 5 December 2023 on Victoria Street Options Appraisal Report - preferred option be rescinded and alternative options considered instead;

·  That the option to Retain and Reuse the Victoria Street site be considered, to provide mixed social tenure accommodation for homeless single people and couples, including the identified investment in recladding and wrap around support;

·  That having listened and understood the challenging management requirements to support residents that might present with high needs, we recommend a mixed social tenure approach.

·  That Cabinet notes the key concerns of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee include the Council’s current financial situation, including the costs of temporary accommodation, as well as the current high level of social housing needs and homelessness in the Borough and believes that the current option agreed by Cabinet provides less financial and social value for money.

·  That the Retain and Reuse Options paragraph 4.29 of the report to Cabinet on Victoria Street Options on 6 December 2022 be included for consideration by Cabinet.

 Decision:

For the reasons set out in the report and its appendices Cabinet RESOLVED to Agree to

Note the recommendations in the Resolution of the Scrutiny Call-In of its decision of 5th December on ‘Victoria Street Options Appraisal: Preferred Option’

Decision:

For the reasons set out in the report and its appendices Cabinet RESOLVED to Agree to

i)  Note the recommendations in the Resolution of the Scrutiny Call-In of its decision of 5th December on ‘Victoria Street Options Appraisal: Preferred Option’ at paragraph 3.3.

ii)  Note that a further report will be provided to Cabinet in the spring following appropriate consideration of the recommendations as set out in the Overview and Scrutiny Call-In Resolutions report published on the 29th January 2024.

The decision made at Cabinet on the 5th December 2023 for the Victoria Street Options Appraisal Report - preferred option remains suspended pending a further report from the Executive being submitted to Cabinet in the spring.

The Cabinet Member for Housing Management & Modernisation and Homelessness, Housing Need and the Private Rented Sector responded and explained that finding a suitable and sustainable solution for 10 Victoria Street has been an enduring commitment since the first term of the administration as it strived to build a fairer Newham. Considerable progress in decanting current residents with children had been made since May 2022, and there was continued work to find suitable solutions for those families remaining with significant work being undertaken by officers to explore future options for the building and site in the context of the Council’s strategic Housing Plan.

A further report would be brought to Cabinet in the spring once the recommendations made by Overview and Scrutiny has been considered.

The Mayor thanked the Chair of Overview and Scrutiny for their continued engagement and interest in Victoria Street and reiterated the administrations aim to place a premium on good governance and transparency in all aspects of decision-making and all the recommendations would be examined thoroughly with another report coming to Cabinet in the spring. Assurances were also given that the decision made by cabinet 5 December 2023 would be paused until the resolution from Overview and Scrutiny had been fully considered

Decision:

For the reasons set out in the report and its appendices Cabinet RESOLVED to Agree to

i)  Note the recommendations in the Resolution of the Scrutiny Call-In of its decision of 5th December on ‘Victoria Street Options Appraisal: Preferred Option’ at paragraph 3.3.

ii)  Note that a further report will be provided to Cabinet in the spring following appropriate consideration of the recommendations as set out in the Overview and Scrutiny Call-In Resolutions report published on the 29th January 2024.

Decision:

For the reasons set out in the report and its appendices Cabinet RESOLVED to Agree:

i)  The progress as at Q2 (2023/2024) in the delivery of the Building a Fairer Newham Strategy and the Corporate Delivery Plan and aligned Building a Fairer Newham Key Performance Indicators as set out in this report.

ii)  Changes in the annual performance on outcomes measures collected via the Residents Survey 2023, with the most notable shifts relating to economic outcomes. We attribute these changes to a combination of key external factors such as the current challenges posed by inflation, the housing crisis, and the overall cost of living significantly impacting resident and community perceptions.

Alternatives Considered

a)  The alternative to not publishing current information would be a continuing lack of transparency about the Council’s performance. That would undermine the ability of members and residents to understand how well the organisation is performing, and whether resources are being used effectively.

The Mayor introduced a report setting out the Council’s delivery against its Building a Fairer Newham Corporate Plan covering the Quarter 2 period of the 2023/2024 municipal year as well as annual outcomes reporting, with data drawn from the Residents’ Survey 2023. The Building a Fairer Newham Corporate Plan consisted of 132 Corporate Delivery Plan commitments, 35 Outcomes and 35 Key Performance Indicators.

The Mayor invited the Assistant Chief Executive, Chief Transformation Officer to elaborate on the report and the household survey.  The Assistant Chief Executive, Chief Transformation Officer explained that there were positive outcomes and on-going challenges. The critical area of high risk in Quarter 2 remained in managing the increasing numbers of residents in Temporary Accommodation. Amongst the achievements the highlight had been the continued approach to deliver community wealth building in Newham, with a focus on leveraging the cultural sector.

The Residents’ Survey 2023 was fielded between June and September 2023. A key objective of the survey was to support tracking of residents' perceptions of the Council and the local area across Building a Fairer Newham Corporate priorities. It was to be noted that the same methodology had been used as last year and therefore important conclusions could be drawn.

The Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Social Care commented further on some key points and suggested that the Aging Well Strategy was far reaching and included the Council as an employer. He felt that social isolation and ensuring connection and engagement was important and was demonstrated in the key indicators for the residents’ sense of belonging.

The Mayor added that the Council was deeply committed to addressing isolation and loneliness of Newham’s elderly population and it was a part of the LivingWell Strategy. 

It was explained that the Resident’s Survey was randomised and a fair representative of all residents. It was also based on a sector standard that allowed for a nuanced picture.

Decision:

For the reasons set out in the report and its appendices Cabinet RESOLVED to Agree:

i)  The progress as at Q2 (2023/2024) in the delivery of the Building a Fairer Newham Strategy and the Corporate Delivery Plan and aligned Building a Fairer Newham Key Performance Indicators as set out in this report.

ii)  Changes in the annual performance on outcomes measures collected via the Residents Survey 2023, with the most notable shifts relating to economic outcomes. We attribute these changes to a combination of key external factors such as the current challenges posed by inflation, the housing crisis, and the overall cost of living significantly impacting resident and community perceptions.

Alternatives Considered

a)  The alternative to not publishing current information would be a continuing lack of transparency about the Council’s performance. That would undermine the ability of members and residents to understand how well the organisation is performing, and whether resources are being used effectively.

Decision:

For the reasons set out in the report and its appendices Cabinet RESOLVED to Agree to:

i)  Agree in principle the adoption of the Beckton Parks Masterplan as outlined in this report as per Appendix 1.

ii)  Note the proposed delivery framework for the Beckton Parks Masterplan as per Appendix 2.

Alternatives Considered

a)  Do nothing – not recommended

Do not adopt the Beckton Parks Masterplan. The area remains underutilised, and we do not fulfil key commitments to residents or our corporate priorities. We are not able to articulate an overarching vision to our partners for a key area of green space in the borough. We are unable to secure funding from external sources.

b)  Reduced scope of project - not recommended

  i.  Reduce the vision and ambition of the masterplan i.e., deliver basic improvements to the parks in their current form and purpose. Closed buildings and former Newham City Farm site remain closed. This route creates the risk that improvements to the parks will be uncoordinated and not deliver a destination green space for the borough, failing to deliver on residents’ vision for the area. The Masterplan is a key strategic document that will support future external funding bids such as the Rewild London Fund who are currently funding the creation of Beckton Meadow as a first step towards the implementation of the Masterplan. Without providingdetailed context and wider vision for nature recovery across the parks this funding may not have been obtained. Not adopting the Masterplan would put future funding bids at risk and create an urgent future need for further work. Overall, not adopting the Beckton Parks Masterplan would leave a significant gap in planning for the area, enabling only limited improvements.

c)  Adoption of the Beckton Parks Masterplan - the recommended option

  i.  Adoption of the Beckton Parks Masterplan will bring us a step closer to enabling the delivery of major improvements to Beckton Parks in alignment with wider regeneration and climate action priorities and corporate plan commitments. The adopted Masterplan will attract and unlock investment to enable delivery.

  ii.  The Masterplan designs directly respond to the needs of the community by improving accessibility, providing dedicated SEND provision, reopening the closed farm site, evolving an urban sports and leisure offer, developing access to learning for all ages, improving biodiversity and nature exploration, reopening basic facilities and enabling cultural celebration across the parks.

  iii.  Enabling the delivery of these improvements over the coming years will provide sustainable access to a network of destination green spaces that will meet the needs of a growing community for years to come.

The Cabinet Member for Statutory Deputy Mayor and Cabinet Member for Environment and Sustainable Transport presented the report that summarised the Beckton Parks Master Plan and its importance.

It was explained that the Beckton Parks Masterplan presented a strong future vision for Beckton Parks that had been carefully co-designed with local residents.

The adoption of the Masterplan for Beckton Parks represented a major opportunity to deliver significant benefits to Newham residents and was aligned with the Building a Fairer Newham Corporate Plan. The Masterplan contributed to the overall economic development of the area, ensuring that Newham’s community had a high-quality green space.

It was important to note that the paper requested approval for an agreed Masterplan that would be used to unlock external funding and to inform the detail of future capital and/or revenue funding decisions that would be brought through the Councils governance procedures over the coming years for consideration. Some grants were already received and a huge thank you was given to all park staff and consultants for all their hard work and dedication to this project.

The Cabinet Member for Children’s Services and Education praised the project and the officers and felt it would naturally flow into other surrounding areas of the community that would provide accessible areas for the children.

The Deputy Cabinet Member for Environment commented that this was an eco-friendly project and he was excited about this.

The Deputy Cabinet Member for Planning and Development, Air Quality and Climate Emergency commended officers for putting together the Master Plan and he was pleased to see it contributed to improving the sustainability of the borough in the future.

The Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Social Care welcomed the report and the area being recreated made into an active and inclusive area for all.

Following a disturbance and interruption to the meeting from the public gallery, Cabinet was adjourned at 12.07pm, the meeting reconvened at 12.20pm.

Decision:

For the reasons set out in the report and its appendices Cabinet RESOLVED to Agree to:

i)  Agree in principle the adoption of the Beckton Parks Masterplan as outlined in this report as per Appendix 1.

ii)  Note the proposed delivery framework for the Beckton Parks Masterplan as per Appendix 2.

Alternatives Considered

a)  Do nothing – not recommended

Do not adopt the Beckton Parks Masterplan. The area remains underutilised, and we do not fulfil key commitments to residents or our corporate priorities. We are not able to articulate an overarching vision to our partners for a key area of green space in the borough. We are unable to secure funding from external sources.

b)  Reduced scope of project - not recommended

  i.  Reduce the vision and ambition of the masterplan i.e., deliver basic improvements to the parks in their current form and purpose. Closed buildings and former Newham City Farm site remain closed. This route creates the risk that improvements to the parks will be uncoordinated and not deliver a destination green space for the borough, failing to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 12.

Decision:

For the reasons set out in the report and its appendices Cabinet RESOLVED to Agree to:

i)  Approve the policy as outlined in the appendices to the report.

Alternatives Considered

a)  Do nothing. This would be inconsistent with key council policy.  See sections 5 and 8.

The Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Social Care introduced a report, which sought approval of Newham’s Healthier Advertising Policy.  It was explained that evidence showed that advertisements for unhealthy food and drink products directly and indirectly impact what we eat.  Successful Healthier Advertising Policies implemented first by TFL and then by other UK councils have demonstrated that advertising revenues can be successfully maintained and grown whilst restricting the advertising of food High in Fat, Salt and Sugar.  Newham’s Healthier Advertising policy builds on this legally robust approach enabling an immediate and objective assessment of advertisements containing food, based on the contents of those adverts.  It offers no bar to any company and has been shown to impact not just on what companies choose to advertise but indeed the nature of the products they choose to sell.

Decision:

For the reasons set out in the report and its appendices Cabinet RESOLVED to Agree to:

i)  Approve the policy as outlined in the appendices.

Alternatives Considered

a)  Do nothing. This would be inconsistent with key council policy.  See sections 5 and 8.

Decision:

For the reasons set out in the report and its appendices Cabinet RESOLVED to Agree to:

i)  Accept the Single Homeless Accommodation Programme fund grant of £ 9,312,551; and

ii)  The allocation of up to £2,670,000 from the Council’s Capital Programme for the purchase and refurbishment of Lady Helen Seymour House; and

iii)  Allocate the capital and revenue elements of the grant for use as set out in this report.

iv)  Delegate authority to the S151 Officer, in consultation with the Lead Member for Health and Adult Social Care, to agree and finalise the terms and all relevant contract documentation necessary to complete the transactions for the acquisition and refurbishment of Lady Helen Seymour House, including the procurement of refurbishment contracts and any associated application for grant funding and as a result uplifting in budget in line with grant.

Alternatives Considered

a)  The alternative is not to accept the grant. Lady Helen Seymour House continues to be available and affordable and now has agreed external investment. Therefore, the recommendation is to proceed.

The Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Social Care introduced a report, which outlined that in April 2021, Cabinet agreed to purchase and renovate 39 bed Lady Helen Seymour House from L&Q to operate as a 42-unit Rough Sleeping Assessment Centre.

It was explained that the Council were working closely with the GLA at that time to obtain access to funding which would support the capital refurbishment required to ensure the building would be again used by the public.  This funding source did not materialise in the way envisaged, and this had an adverse effect on the progress of the purchase and refurbishment works.

The Council recently identified the Single Homeless Accommodation Programme (SHAP) fund, managed by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) and the Greater London Authority (GLA), as a means to access additional capital grant and seek revenue grant to fund a continuing support service from Lady Helen Seymour House, meeting aims as outlined and the Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy. A bid was prepared, including a condition that further grant could support capital financing costs and/or support future revenue costs.

The submission outlined a proposal requesting additional capital and revenue investment in order to continue with the acquisition and refurbishment. 

The capital costs associated with the project have significantly increased as a result of inflation, and consequently the previous budget agreed by cabinet is no longer sufficient to meet the costs of the capital works.

The Council has been successful in the application and awarded £6.5m in capital funding and £2.8m in revenue funding. The report sought approval to proceed with the project with a higher budgetary envelope, with the increase being met by the approved external grant.

Decision:

For the reasons set out in the report and its appendices Cabinet RESOLVED to Agree to:

i)  Accept the Single Homeless Accommodation Programme fund grant of £ 9,312,551; and

ii)  allocation of up to £2,670,000 from the Council’s Capital Programme for the purchase and refurbishment of Lady Helen Seymour House; and

iii)  allocate the capital and revenue elements of the grant for use as set out in this report.

iv)  Delegate authority to the S151 Officer, in consultation with the Lead Member for Health and Adult Social Care, to agree and finalise the terms and all relevant contract documentation necessary to complete the transactions for the acquisition and refurbishment of Lady Helen Seymour House, including the procurement of refurbishment contracts and any associated application for grant funding and as a result uplifting in budget in line with grant.

Alternatives Considered

a)  The alternative is not to accept the grant. Lady Helen Seymour House continues to be available and affordable and now has agreed external investment. Therefore, the recommendation is to proceed.

To resolve that the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following item(s) of business to the extent that exempt information as described in Part I of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 is likely to be disclosed.

Cabinet did not resolve to move into private session as it was not necessary to discuss the detail of the exempt information provided.

Cabinet noted the exempt information provided.