Agenda and minutes

In accordance with the Council’s Code of Conduct and the statutory provisions of the Localism Act, Members and co-opted Members of the Council are reminded that it is a requirement to register disclosable pecuniary interests (DPIs) and gifts and hospitality to the value of which exceeds £50 or multiple gifts and/or instances of hospitality with a cumulative value of £50 or more when received from a single donor within a rolling twelve month period. In addition, Members and co-opted Members are reminded that unless their disclosable pecuniary interest is registered on the register of interests or is the subject of a pending notification to the Monitoring Officer, they are required to disclose those disclosable pecuniary interests at the meeting. This should be done by completing the Disclosure of Interest form and handing it to the Democratic Services representative at the start of the meeting. The Chair will then invite Members to make their disclosure orally at the commencement of Agenda item 3. Completed disclosure forms will be provided to the Monitoring Officer for inclusion on the Register of Members’ Interests.

There were no disclosures of pecuniary interests. Members confirmed their disclosure of interest forms were accurate and up-to-date.

To receive notice of any business not on the agenda which in the opinion of the Chair, by reason of special circumstances, be considered as a matter of urgency.

Madam Mayor invited the Leader, Councillor Newman, to address the meeting with his item of urgent business. The Leader informed Members of Council of the latest position on Government funding for the local authority Covid-19 response. A total of £500 million additional funding had been announced to cover the costs of all councils in England. This was compared to estimated incurred costs totalling £6 billion. Whilst the Government had stated it would announce the individual allocations for each council within three days, this had not happened. At the time of the Council meeting, a total of 11 days had passed and Croydon had still not been informed of its allocation. The Leader asked to place on record his disappointment with the uncertainty this was causing. 

To receive Announcements, if any, from the Mayor, the Leader, Head of Paid Service and Returning Officer.

Madam Mayor

Madam Mayor, Councillor Henson, provided the meeting with her announcements. It was detailed to the meeting how Madam Mayor had undertaken three formal engagements since the Council meeting held on 6 July 2020. This was in addition to holding an event to formally launch her theme for the year; early years – everything from becoming a parent through to the primary school years.

Madam Mayor informed Members of Council how she would be launching an initiative called Croydon Connected over the summer, inviting all Primary Schools, Nursery Schools and Children’s Centres to take part in making a giant paper chain for display in the Town Hall. This would feature artwork from children remembering those who had worked tirelessly and who had suffered during the pandemic. A summer reading scheme was also to be launched with Councillor Flemming, Cabinet Member for Children, Young People & Learning. Madam Mayor also anticipated being involved with the Love My Street campaign with Councillor Collins, Cabinet Member for Clean, Green Croydon.

Madam Mayor noted the recent achievements of The Cherry Garden Centre that had contributed plants for packages provided to veterans in the borough. These were to mark the 75^th anniversary of VE Day. It was also noted that Parchmore Community Centre had continued to provide support for Croydon residents digitally throughout the pandemic.

The Leader

Madam Mayor invited the Leader, Councillor Newman, to make his announcements. The Leader updated Members of Council on the response to Covid-19, expressing that his thoughts remained with those who had suffered loss as a result of the pandemic. In response to the economic crisis resulting from lockdown, the Council was working with the Local Strategic Partnership and the NHS in Croydon to address inequalities and support communities throughout the summer. The Leader expressed his concern that a second wave might occur later in the year. The work of the Council’s Public Health team was acknowledged and that it was working with NHS Test and Trace on outbreak control. It was noted that the Climate Crisis Commission would be meeting soon after the Council meeting. The work of the Council on the economy, public health and the climate crisis would be undertaken in parallel to provide a sustainable response to the situation in which Croydon found itself.

a)    Public Questions (30 minutes)

To receive questions submitted by residents in advance of the meeting.

b)    Leader and Cabinet Member Questions (105 minutes)

To receive questions from Councillors.

Madam Mayor explained that Croydon Question Time would commence with thirty minutes of public questions to the Leader and Cabinet Members. In accordance with advice from the Government and Public Health England, it was not possible to hold public meetings in the Town Hall. As a result, Members of the public were unable to ask questions from the public gallery in the Council Chamber. However, questions had been submitted by email until 12 noon on Friday 10 July 2020. There had been three public questions received which Madam Mayor proceeded to put to the relevant Cabinet Members.

Michael Clark asked a question regarding e-scooter lanes which was read to the meeting by Madam Mayor: “To help address pollution in towns, would the Council make one pavement for use by pedestrians and the opposite pavement for use by bicycles and little electric scooters. Parents won't get their cars out if they know their children can ride to school safely. This would cut pollution and congestion.” Mr Clark suggested that pavements could be painted different colours depending on their use and credited Greenpeace with this suggestion.

In response, Councillor King, the Cabinet Member for Environment, Transport & Regeneration (Job-Share), thanked Mr Clark for his interesting suggestion and explained how interventions were considered by the Council on a case by case basis. However, the Council had to make provision for the needs of all those who used pavements. This included those who were blind and partially sighted, as well as residents who needed to gain access to their properties. As a result, the Council tended to avoid shared space solutions for the use of pavements where possible. Councillor King acknowledged that Mr Clark had made an interesting suggestion but that there were quite a few practical reasons why it was not possible to take it forward.

Kathryn Bond asked a question regarding Brick by Brick which was read to the meeting by Madam Mayor: “Brick by Brick, Croydon's arm’s length building company, has spent millions of pounds building various developments within the London Borough of Croydon, however, as reported, only a few have been sold.  Please state whether there is a plan B, to recover costs, to sell the many “for sale” new builds, that haven’t been sold to private individuals, to offer them for sale to Housing Associations?”.

In response, Councillor Butler, the Cabinet Member for Homes & Gateway Services, noted that Ms Bond’s question was not quite accurate; Brick by Brick had provided 124 private homes for sale, of which 66 had been sold or reserved. It was reported that there had been a healthy interest shown in Brick by Brick properties since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic reflecting demand for good homes. The Council was continuing to explore the purchase of Brick by Brick units for use as temporary and emergency accommodation. Councillor Butler noted that proposals were coming forward to Cabinet on how to maximise the Council’s housing stock.

Andrew Frazer asked a question about trees  ...  view the full minutes text for item 105/20

For Members to receive the annual report of the General Purposes and Audit Committee for 2019 – 2020.

The meeting received the annual report of the General Purposes and Audit Committee. Madam Mayor invited the Committee Chair, Councillor Jewitt, to provide an introduction to the report. Councillor Jewitt recommended the report as printed in the agenda and volunteered to answer any questions from Councillors.

Madam Mayor explained that no questions had been submitted regarding the report and that therefore, this concluded Council’s consideration of the report’s contents.

For Members to receive the report of the Council Solicitor and Monitoring Officer on the use of Special Urgency for key decisions during the 2019 – 20 municipal year.

The meeting received a report on the use of Special Urgency for Key Decisions during the 2019 – 20 municipal year. Madam Mayor invited Councillor Hall to propose the motion to note the report. Councillor Hall moved the motion and detailed how the use of Special Urgency for Key Decisions during the 2019 – 20 municipal year was entirely related to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and the need to make time critical decisions. Councillor Patsy Cummings seconded the motion to note the report.

Prior to the vote, Madam Mayor noted that there were 41 Labour Members and 27 Conservative Members in attendance at the meeting. Madam Mayor put the motion to the vote which was unanimously agreed.

RESOLVED: Council noted the use of Special Urgency for the key decisions listed at Section 3.4 of the report during the 2019/20 municipal year.

To debate any motions submitted in accordance with Council Procedure Rules.

Madam Mayor explained to the meeting that she had been informed by the Labour and Conservative Groups that rather than presenting separate motions for debate, they had worked together to jointly present a single Council Debate Motion. The Chief Executive was requested to read this joint Council Debate Motion on behalf of both Groups:

“This Council opposes racism in all its forms, condemns the mistreatment of Black people across the globe and affirms it has no place in our town. We condemn the murder of George Floyd in the USA and the death of others including Rashan Charles in London and Seni Lewis in Croydon and recognise that such mistreatment of Black people stems from systemic racism. We agree that all public bodies, including Croydon Council, should continue to play their part in tackling inequality. Our residents have a tremendous track record in working together for the common good and we salute the people from across Croydon who have stood in solidarity to declare that Black Lives Matter. As a Council we stand together in opposing racism, promoting fairness and justice and supporting our diverse communities in these challenging times”.

Madam Mayor invited the Leader, Councillor Newman, to propose the motion Racism was described as the ultimate tragedy made possible by the silence of good people. The Leader described how it was right to bring forward the motion that saw all 70 Councillors speaking with one voice to breakdown the wall of silence. Whilst there had been many battles fought and progress made, the murder of George Floyd demonstrated that too much of the wall of silence remained intact. It had taken the campaign by Black Lives Matter to show that change had to happen and that incremental progress was no longer acceptable. The Leader highlighted the role of Croydon’s 93,000 young people in making change happen.  The Council was proud of its leadership on diversity and support for equality but more radical and faster action was needed. There was a call for more black representation locally, nationally and across London. The over-representation of black students in those excluded from school could no longer be explained and needed to be addressed.  The current Stop and Search policy was no longer acceptable and needed to be reviewed. The Leader described his shock at how this was used and emphasised the need to support policing by consent. The motion was being put down as a marker to show that the Council would act and that it was about more than just words. The Leader called for racism to be torn down forever and moved the motion.

Councillor Tim Pollard was invited by Madam Mayor to second the motion and described how he, in the immediate aftermath of George Floyd’s death and the resulting understandable demonstrations, had contacted Councillor Newman. Councillor Tim Pollard described how he was glad that the parties were working together. It was noted that support was not being given to any particular group or agenda. Rather the motion  ...  view the full minutes text for item 108/20

To consider the recommendations made by Cabinet or Committees since the last ordinary Council meeting relating to the following matters:

General Purposes & Audit Committee – 17 March 2020

i.             Independent Non-voting Member Recruitment

Cabinet – 8 June 2020

ii.            Children, Young People and Families Plan

iii.          South London Waste Plan – Publication of Proposed Submission draft and Submission to the Secretary of State

1)    Independent Non-voting Member Recruitment

Madam Mayor invited Councillor Hall, Cabinet Member for Finance & Resources, to move the recommendation referred by the General Purposes & Audit Committee (GPAC) on 17 March 2020 related to independent non-voting member recruitment. Councillor Hall moved the motion noting the candidate to fill the GPAC vacancy was excellent and that GPAC played an important role. Councillor Patsy Cummings seconded the motion.

Madam Mayor moved the vote and Council unanimously agreed the recommendation in the report that the appointment should be confirmed for the remainder of the municipal year and that the said appointment should be subject to the Code of Conduct for Non-Voting Co-optees.

2)    Children, Young People and Families Plan

Madam Mayor invited Councillor Flemming, Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Learning, to move the recommendation referred by Cabinet on 8 June 2020 related to the Children, Young People and Families Plan.

Councillor Flemming moved the motion noting that the Children, Young People and Families Plan had also been presented to Cabinet and that its theme was the creation of a place where everyone mattered. This was to be delivered in partnership with tangible actions to be taken to establish places for children and young people to be heard. The motion was seconded by Councillor Shafi Khan.

Madam Mayor moved the vote and Council unanimously agreed the recommendation in the report to approve the adoption of the Children, Young People and Families Plan.

3)    South London Waste Plan – Publication of Proposed Submission Draft and Submission to the Secretary of State

Madam Mayor invited Councillor Scott, the Cabinet Member for Environment, Transport & Regeneration (Job Share), to move the recommendation referred by Cabinet on 8 June 2020 related to the South London Waste Plan.

Councillor Scott moved the recommendation which was seconded by Councillor Muhammad Ali.

Madam Mayor moved the vote and Council unanimously agreed the recommendations in the report:

1. Approved the submission of the draft South London Waste Plan (Appendix 1) and its associated Sustainability Appraisal (Appendix 2) to the Secretary of State following the conclusion of the statutory 6-week publication period in  accordance with Section 20(1) of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004;

2. Delegated to the Cabinet Member for Environment, Transport and Regeneration (Job Share), in consultation with the Director of Planning and Strategic Transport, the agreement of any Main Modifications required by the appointed Planning Inspector to make the South London Waste Plan sound;

3. Delegated to the Cabinet Member for Environment, Transport and Regeneration (Job Share), in consultation with the Director of Planning and Strategic Transport the publication of any Main Modifications required by the appointed Planning Inspector for formal consultation; and

4. Delegated to the Director of Planning and Strategic Transport in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Environment, Transport and Regeneration (Job Share) the making of minor modifications and factual corrections (that are not required to make the South London Waste Plan sound).

The following motion is to be moved and seconded where it is proposed to exclude the press and public from the remainder of a meeting:

“That, under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act, 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information falling within those paragraphs indicated in Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972, as amended.”

This item was not required.