Decisions

Approve the 2 year extension of the duration of the Maintenance Term Contract – Fabric from 17th May 2024 to the 16th May 2026

1.    Approved the implementation of the built in option to extend the duration of the Maintenance Term Contract – Fabric to Topcoat Construction Limited (company number 03075151) by two years from 17^th May 2024 to the 16^th May 2026. The original contract for the provision of building fabric maintenance services gave the option of an extension of further period or periods of not less than 12 months on each occasion and up to 3 additional years in total.

2.    Approved an increase of the total value of the contract to reflect the expected spend to 16^th May 2026 at the same annual spend previously approved of £2.5M per annum.

The purpose of the decision is to confirm the use and allocation of the Household Support Fund tranche five, for the period April – September 2024. The funding will be used to support a range of activities to support low income residents in the borough.

1.              Agreed that the Department for Work and Pensions’ Household Support Fund of £2.34m for the period 1^st April 2024- 30^th September 2024 is to be allocated as follows:

1.1         Targeted payments to support those at greater risk, including Children eligible for Free School Meals, Care Leavers, households supported by the Nil Recourse to Public Funds team and households in temporary accommodation in hotels (up to £1.635m).

1.2    An increase in the funding to support vulnerable households through the Council’s Emergency Support Scheme (up to £0.5m).

1.3    An increase in funding to continue the uprated amounts for school uniform grants for eligible children in Greenwich schools (£0.025m).

1.4    To provide resources to the Welfare Rights Service to increase the capacity of the Money Advice Team to provide capacity for residents needing emergency support, and to provide funding to continue Advice Outreach throughout the borough (£0.35m).

1.5    As part of the £0.35m allocation detailed in 1.14, to award the following direct grants (total £187,254.46) to continue Advice Outreach throughout the borough:

·        £61,401 to Greenwich Citizens Advice Bureau (company registration number 03346379)

·        £67,200 to Greenwich Housing Rights (company registration number 01874645)

·        £45,500 to Plumstead Community Law Centre Ltd (company registration number 01778148)

·        £13,153.46 to Greenwich Cooperative Development Agency (registered society number RS007029)

2.              Noted that the above allocations total £2.51m, which is approximately £0.2m in excess of the grant award from the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP). Total spend will not exceed the £2.34m grant award, with the final amount allocated to the Emergency Support Scheme (clause 1.1.2) dependent on actual spend on targeted payments (clause 1.1.1) and any administrative costs incurred.

3.              Delegated authority to the Director of Finance (S. 151 Officer) to take all necessary steps to implement this package of measures, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Inclusive Economy, Business and Skills, and Leader of the Council as necessary.

To formalise the Management Company (ManCo) structure for the Morris Walk North redevelopment, including the Energy Services Company (ESCo), and associated freehold transfer.

Agreed to the transfer of the Morris Walk North Management Company (ManCo), currently owned by Lovell Director Limited (Lovells), to RBG and Paragon Asra (PA) Housing, in order to provide estate management services to the communal area of Morris Walk North and energy management services.

Agreed that the ManCo will be jointly owned by RBG and PA Housing, with a share ownership structure of 50/50, and that the Articles of Association for the ManCo will be amended accordingly.

Agreed that PA Housing and RBG may agree a Management/  Shareholder Agreement with deadlock clauses for the ManCo in order to protect the interests of both parties’ residents .

Noted the responsibilities of the ManCo listed in 4.2.3 below, and agree that, once appointed, the Directors of the ManCo will procure estate services to deliver best value for RBG and PA Housing residents.

Delegated authority to the Director of Housing and Safer Communities to agree to the changes to the Articles of Association and to the creation of the Management/Shareholder Agreement through a Decision Report.

Delegated authority to the Director of Housing and Safer Communities to nominate the RBG Director of the ManCo.

To note the summary of Waivers and Variations for Contract Standing Orders for the period 1 July 2023 to 31 December 2023

Noted the summary of Waivers to Contract Standing Orders and Variations to Contracts reported for the period 1st July 2023 to 31st December 2023, detailed in Paragraph 4 of the report.

Agreed to enter into revenue and capital grant funding agreements (appendix 1 and 2), following a successful bid to the Greater London Authority (GLA) for the Single Homelessness Accommodation Programme, to deliver accommodation and support to vulnerable clients at risk of homelessness.

Approved a budget of £4,348,731 for the delivery of the grant programme, comprised of:

•        Revenue Grant: £636,231

•        Capital Grant: £2,325,000

•        Housing Revenue Account Borrowing: £1,387,500

Delegated authority to the Director of Regeneration, Enterprise and Skills to approve the purchase of each property under the Single Homelessness Accommodation Programme.

Approved preliminary revisions to the Royal Borough of Greenwich Housing Allocations scheme (the scheme) that have been informed by a comprehensive public consultation as set out in paragraph 3.4 and Appendix 1 of the report.

Agreed that Officers will submit a second report to Cabinet proposing further, final changes later in 2024.

Approved a 1 year pilot of an increase in the downsizing incentive from £350 per room to £1,000 per room plus reasonable removal costs. This will be offered to both RBG and housing association tenants.

Approved a 1 year pilot of an additional incentive of £500 to encourage the use of the Mutual Exchange Schemes by downsizers instead of the housing register.

Approved the new role of Under Occupation Advisor and associated funding.

Agreed to the adoption of the draft Inclusive Economy Strategy in Appendix A of the report and supporting Evidence Base and Action Plan in Appendix B and C of the report.

Delegated to the Director of Regeneration, Enterprise & Skills in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Inclusive Economy Business & Skills the approval to make amendments to the strategy and action plan to reflect points of accuracy, evaluations of Council activity, new policy as well as strategies developed by the Council, under the powers delegated to them under the scheme of delegation of executive functions in the Constitution.

Approved that the Council undertakes a comprehensive and rolling review of existing Council residential assets with the objective of delivering mixed tenure developments, an overall net increase in affordable homes and improving the condition of existing stock in the Borough under the name "Housing Our Greenwich" ("the Review"), through which the Council shall:

•        establish an Estate Regeneration Board (with advisory functions only) to be chaired by the Deputy Director for Regeneration and Property and develop appropriate reporting and oversight arrangements to take forward the Review and make recommendations to Cabinet;

•        allocate appropriate staff and internal resources to undertake the Review;

•        develop a Housing Our Greenwich Social Value Policy specifically so as to ensure that the Council and affected third parties will benefit from the Housing Our Greenwich Strategy. The draft policy will be brought to Cabinet for approval;

•        engage with interested and affected third parties within the community and other stakeholders as part of the Review;

•        identify appropriate sites for development/regeneration and where information is of sufficient detail, to participate in the ‘Call for Sites’ during the new Local Plan process.

•        undertake appropriate feasibility studies as part of the Review;

•        engage with third parties including developers and/or Registered Provider (RP) partners and assess the financial implications of the Housing Our Greenwich programme, and identify and source the availability of external funding which will be available to support implementation; and

•        prepare a Business Case(s) following the Review with a view to setting out a proposed programme for Housing Our Greenwich and the regeneration of estates and making recommendations to Cabinet.

Noted that the financial and resource requirements to facilitate the Review was set out as part of the HRA MTFS Rent Setting Report which went to the Cabinet meeting of 21 February.

Delegated to the Director of Regeneration, Enterprise and Skills the authority to:

procure and appoint third parties to support and facilitate the Review (utilising the financial resources allocated to the Review by Cabinet) and assist in preparing the relevant Business Case(s) and enter into contracts with those third parties in accordance with the Council's Contract Standing Orders and taking into account the Council's social value objectives in doing so.

Noted the Council’s responses to representations received on the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) Revised Draft Charging Schedule (RDCS) following public consultation in August and September 2023. The responses can be seen in Appendix 2 of the report.

Agreed to submit the CIL Revised Draft Charging Schedule (RDCS) and associated supporting documents for Examination by an independent Examiner. The supporting documents include:

•        Statement of Representations made

•        Viability Assessment

•        Statement of compliance

•        Statement of Representations Procedure (as published for consultation on the Draft Charging Schedule)

•        Infrastructure Funding Gap Report (As published for consultation on the Draft Charging Schedule)

•        Infrastructure Delivery Plan (IDP) (As published for consultation on the Draft Charging Schedule)

Authorised the Director of Regeneration, Enterprise & Skills to:

•        make submissions to the Examiner in support of the Submission Draft Charging Schedule (including the supporting procedural and evidence base documentation);

•        undertake any further consultation required during the Examination if instructed to do so by the Examiner;

•        make modifications to the Submission documents during, and as a result of, the Examination process;

•        recommend the Draft Charging Schedule post examination to Full Council for formal approval;

•        undertake a regular review of the Charging Schedule post examination, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Regeneration; and

•        report the results of any future Charging Schedule review in the Council’s annual Infrastructure Funding Statement.

Noted that whilst the Council, its partners and developers have invested in supporting the physical and socio-economic conditions of the borough, there are still areas identified in the report that need further intervention, and the Council to act as a catalyst for on-going regeneration. The report details the rationale for the seven areas of focus for the 10-year Regeneration Plan in the context of the Council’s approach to Place Leadership for the borough.

Noted that £725,000 of funding has been identified from approved budget sources for the procurement and commissioning of area-based regeneration studies and community engagement programme for four priority regeneration areas, and Homes England has indicated it will provide £100,000 by way of grant funding for Charlton Riverside.

Approved that the Council prepares a 10-year regeneration plan covering the period from 2024 to 2034 which focuses on the following areas of the Borough:

•        Woolwich Town Centre and surrounding areas, including its links into Woolwich Dockyard and Woolwich Common;

•        Plumstead Town Centre and surrounding areas, including the Strategic Industrial Land;

•        Abbey Wood;

•        Thamesmead;

•        Kidbrooke Village;

•        North Greenwich and its links into Charlton Riverside; and,

•        To pursue other areas of the borough as and when opportunities arise for collaboration and partnership

Approved that the Council prepares a Place Vision and Delivery Plan that will set out the Council’s role in realising the comprehensive regeneration of Charlton Riverside Opportunity Area as outlined in the London Plan 2021

Approved that the Council produces Urban Regeneration Frameworks (URF’s) which will include a Place Vision, identify possible physical interventions, detail potential development sites, and indicate complementary workstreams (e.g. public health, education, cultural, sport etc.) to maximise the impact of public services to improve places, including engagement with Councillors, stakeholders and communities will be developed. It will detail what the Council wants to achieve and deliver for each of the three areas and detail the direction of travel for the next 10 years, informed in part by local residents, businesses and other landowners and investors. Subject to agreement by Cabinet in the future years on the proposed recommendations and interventions promoted by each area URF, a business case will need to be developed to release capital for investment in these areas, especially where the Council has an interest (land, property or future assets).

Approved the use of the funding of up to £825,000 identified in paragraph 1.1.2 of the report for the Council to prepare the 10-year regeneration plan and support the activities referred to in paragraph 1.2.1 to 1.2.3 of the report.

Delegated to the Director of Regeneration, Enterprise and Skills the authority to:

•        Identify and source the availability of external grant funding to enable the Charlton Riverside regeneration programme from commercial partners and developers to government agencies, and make the appropriate arrangements to agree and enter into the terms and conditions of such funding (including Heads of Terms and Memorandums of Understanding).

•        Procure and appoint specialist advisors to support the production of the Delivery Plan and URF’s, including specific support for community engagement, communications and marketing. Cabinet agrees that once URF’s have been prepared that they come back to Cabinet for approval.

•        Enter into such other Heads of Terms, Memorandums of Understanding and/or funding agreements with partners, commercial partners and developers that bring about the delivery of the URF’s.

•        Identify appropriate sites for development/regeneration and where information is of sufficient detail, to participate in the ‘Call for Sites’ during the new Local Plan process.

23/2954/F

Resolved –

Planning permission is granted for the demolition of existing garages on site and construction of a three-bedroom detached dwelling (Use Class C3) with associated works including landscaping, subject to the conditions set out in Appendix 2 of the report and in Section 6 of the addendum report to be detailed in the notice of determination.

The Assistant Director of Planning & Building Control is authorised to make any minor changes to the detailed wording of the recommended conditions as set out in the report and in the addendum, where the Assistant Director of Planning & Building Control considers it appropriate, before issuing the decision notice.

23/3807/HD

Resolved –

Planning permission is granted for the demolition of existing garage/annex and rear conservatory, removal of first floor "turret", construction of a part 1, part 2 storey side and rear "wrap around" extension including basement extension and extensions to the loft space addition of external terraces and lightwells, facade alterations including alterations to windows and doors, landscaping works and associated external alterations, subject to the conditions set out in Appendix 2 of the report to be detailed in the notice of determination.

The Assistant Director of Planning and Building Control is authorised to make any minor changes to the detailed wording of the recommended conditions as set out in this report, where the Assistant Director of Planning and Building Control considers it appropriate.

22/0993/F

Resolved –

Planning permission is refused for the demolition of the existing building and construction of a 5-storey building comprising of a commercial use at ground floor (Use Class E) and a range of flexible residential uses on first, second, third and fourth floors, either Use Class C3 (Residential), Use Class C4 (small HMO), Use Class Sui generis (7 Person HMO) or Use Class Sui Generis (8 Person HMO) and associated external works and alterations (Re-consultation - revised description, Revised Drawings and Documents), for the reasons set out in Appendix 2 of the report (as below) and to be detailed in the notice of determination.

Reasons for Refusal - Application Reference 22/0993/F:

1.       The proposed development, due to the cumulative impact its height, scale,  mass and poor design, would appear as an incongruous and overbearing development as seen from the surrounding streetscape to the detriment of the character and appearance of the surrounding area. As a result, the proposed development would be contrary to the NPPF, Policy D3 of the London Plan (2021), Policies DH1 and H5 of the Royal Greenwich Local Plan: Core Strategy with Detailed Policies (2014) and the Royal Greenwich Urban Design Guide SPD (2023)

2.       The proposed development due to the excessive size of Units 8 and 9 would result in a development which does not make efficient use of the land and therefore optimise the housing potential of the site, including the provision of affordable housing.  As such the proposed development would be contrary to the NPPF, Policies GG4, H1, H2, H4 and H10 of the London Plan (2021) and Policy H2 and H3 of the Royal Greenwich Local Plan: Core Strategy with Detailed Policies (2014).

Informative(s) for Application Reference 22/0993/F:

1.   Positive and Proactive Statement: The Council engages with all applicants in a positive and proactive way through specific pre-application enquiries and the detailed advice available on the Council’s website. On this particular application, preapplication advice was sought and advice was given regarding the proposal being unacceptable. Discussion took place in trying to find a solution, but no solution was possible.

The Assistant Director of Planning & Building Control is authorised to make any minor changes to the detailed wording of the recommended reasons for refusal, as set out in Appendix 2 of the report where the Assistant Director of Planning & Building Control considers it appropriate, before issuing the decision notice

22/2931/F

&

22/2932/A

Resolved –

Application A – (22/2931/F)

Planning permission is refused for Change of Use of ground floor commercial unit (Class E) and part of the surface and basement car parks (Sui Generis) to a vehicle rental office (Sui Generis) including a vehicle rental office, rental vehicle wash bay, car parking (including rental vehicle storage), and minor associated works.

Reason for refusal

The proposed development, by reason of the intensification of the use of the surface level car parking spaces above the existing lawful situation on site, and the operational requirements associated with the proposed change of use of these spaces, would result in unacceptable transport and highways safety impacts, and would result in an unacceptable impact on the amenity enjoyed by the occupiers of Dundas Court nearby. As such, the proposed development would be contrary to Policy T4 and D11 of the London Plan (2021) and Policies DH1 and IM4 of the Royal Greenwich Local Plan: Core Strategy with Detailed Policies (2014)

Full details of the reasons for refusal will be set out in the decision notice.

Resolved –

Application B – (22/2932/A)

Advertisement consent is refused for the Installation two (2) illuminated fascia bands, two (2) non-illuminated wall mounted signs and two (2) pole mounted stall signs (Revised Description).

Reason for refusal

The proposed advertisements would not reasonably relate to any approved operation within the wider site. As such, these would exist as excess and unnecessary clutter which would cause harm to the visual amenity of the surrounding area. The development would therefore be contrary to Policy D3 of the London Plan (2021) and Policies DH1, DH(e) and DH(f) of the Royal Greenwich Local Plan: Core Strategy with Detailed Policies

Full details of the reasons for refusal will be set out in the decision notice.

Agreed the allocation of a one-off payment of £1,690 to the Basecamp Out of School Care / ProInfinity Education CIC to provide a free to provide a free, inclusive multi-sports and mindfulness breakfast club for children aged 4-11 attending Halstow Primary School in East Greenwich.

Agreed the allocation of a one-off payment of £126.12 to the Council’s Street Services Team to buy equipment for community litter-picking sessions.

NB. Ward Budget application subsequently withdrawn and decision not implemented (21/05/2024)

1.       Noted the summary of the outcome for the non-statutory and statutory consultations on the proposed closure of Holy Family RC Primary School (Appendices 1, 4 and 5 of the report).

2.       Considered the outcome of the Equalities Impact Assessment set out in Appendix 2 when determining the proposed closure of Holy Family RC Primary School (Appendix 2 of the report).

3.       Considered the letter of agreement from the Archdiocese of Southwark being the responsible body of the school, on the proposed closure of Holy Family RC Primary School with effect from 31 August 2024 (Appendix 3 of the report).

4.       Agreed the closure of Holy Family RC Primary School with effect from 31 August 2024 following the statutory notice published on 14 February 2024 (Appendix 4 of the report).

Agreed the allocation of a one-off payment of £900 to the Demelza House Children’s Hospice (Charity No. 1039651) to provide training to the families of young people with serious or life-limiting conditions who are approaching adulthood and consequently the move from children’s to adult services.

Award of a five year contract

1.    Agreed to the award of a contract for the servicing, visual inspections, testing, maintenance and repairs of communal fire detection and fire-fighting equipment within the Borough for a period of five years commencing on 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2029 to The Wiggett Group Ltd (company registration number 09644698) at an estimated value of £300,263.36 annually. The contract includes the option to extend by a further five years.

2.    Noted that the award followed a competitive “open tender” procedure in accordance with Contract Standing Orders (“CSO”) 14

To allocate available funding for Round 6 of the Greenwich Neighbourhood Growth Fund

1.    Agreed the award of a total of £538,894.55 in grant funding, comprising Round 6 of the Greenwich Neighbourhood Growth Fund (GNGF), to the projects listed in Appendix 1.

2.    Agreed that the award of £538,894.55 be funded via the CIL neighbourhood portion collected in FY 2022/23.

3.    Agreed for the Council to enter into funding agreements to govern expenditure of the CIL neighbourhood portion awarded as grant pursuant to this report, the terms of which are to be agreed by the Directors of Regeneration, Enterprise and Skills, Finance and Legal Services.