Decisions

Joanna Cassey, Interim Managing Director of Cognus Ltd, introduced the report.

The Chair invited Ian Comfort, Chair of the board of Cognus, and Alex Ffrench of William Giles, the external auditor, to comment on the report.

The board noted that, following unanimous agreement of the B shareholders, the council would become the sole shareholder of the company, and that work was underway to deliver this transfer of shares. The board noted that increased expenditures related to COVID-19 and historic inadequate financial reporting had led to revisions to the financial forecast for the year. However, it was noted that significant action was underway to improve the reporting through closer working with the council and auditors.

RESOLVED:

1.    To note progress made by Cognus against its 2020/21 business plan.

2.    To note Cognus’s financial position and the action being taken to reinforce its financial reporting.

Victoria Goddard, Non-Executive Director of Opportunity Sutton Ltd, introduced the report.

Members noted that the Sutton Shareholdings Board had appointed two directors since the 2019/20 accounts were signed.

RESOLVED:

1.    To note the Opportunity Sutton Ltd Company accounts and Opportunity Sutton Ltd Group accounts for the 2020-21 financial year.

Lorraine Thomas, Managing Director of Encompass LATC Ltd, introduced the report.

The board noted progress made in delivering the Shared Lives service and that the COVID-19 pandemic had delayed the introduction of a contract with Hackney Council but that a written commitment to this contract was in place. The board commended the performance of Encompass during difficult circumstances.

RESOLVED:

1.    To note Encompass LATC Ltd’s financial statements and report for 2019/2020, attached as Appendix A.

2.    To note Encompass LATC’s financial performance management to date for 2020/21.

Mike Kirk, Managing Director of Sutton Living Ltd, introduced the report.

The board noted that the financial statements had been audited and were shortly due for submission to Companies House. It was further noted that progress on the programme of works had been delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic but that this was still on track for completion by 2025.

RESOLVED:

1.    To note the progress in the company’s aspiration to develop 280 homes over the period 2020-25, subject to the agreement of LB Sutton to support the development of a number of Council-owned sites, and meet a funding requirement of £54 million.

Amanda Cherrington, Managing Director of Sutton Decentralised Energy Network (SDEN) Ltd, introduced the report.

The board noted that recent heat outages had occurred when the temporary energy centre was in use and that both the temporary centre and the new permanent centre are the contractual responsibility of the developer until such time as SDEN is able to provide its own heat source. It was noted that the introduction of SDEN’s heat source would likely be completed in the near future. It was also noted that SDEN was pursuing further connections with its network with local sites to increase its customer base.

RESOLVED:

1.    To note the performance update contained in the Sutton Decentralised Energy Network Performance Report in Appendix A.

2.    To note the Sutton Decentralised Energy Network Risk Register in exempt Appendix B.

3.    To note the Sutton Decentralised Energy Network Ltd Filleted Annual Accounts for 2019/20 in Appendix C.

Andy Webber, Head of Development Management and Strategic Planning, introduced the report.

Councillor Jayne McCoy moved an amendment that recommendation 2.2 be removed and replaced with:

“To agree a summary response to the Planning for the Future White Paper consultation to be sent on behalf of the Housing, Economy and Business Committee.”

This was seconded by Councillor Marlene Heron. The amendment was put to a vote and carried.

The committee discussed the possible implications of the paper if it were to be legislated.

Councillor Jayne McCoy moved an amendment to the amended recommendation 2.2 to revise the wording to:

“To agree that officers will draft a summary response to the Planning for the Future White Paper consultation to be sent, subject to consultation with members of the committee, on behalf of the Housing, Economy and Business Committee.”

This was seconded by Councillor David Hicks. The amendment was put to a vote and carried.

RESOLVED:

1.    To note the technical response to the Changes to the Planning System consultation, which accompanied the White Paper and closed on 1 October and the technical response to the White Paper consultation which closes on 29 October 2020.

2.    To agree that officers will draft a summary response to the Planning for the Future White Paper consultation to be sent, subject to consultation with members of the committee, on behalf of the Housing, Economy and Business Committee.

Mandar Puranik, Area Renewal and Regeneration Programme Manager, introduced the report.

The Chair invited Councillor Martin Gonzalez, ward councillor, and Councillor Annie Moral, ward councillor, to address the committee.

The committee noted that the consultation with business had been repeated due to the significant impact of COVID-19 on high street trade.

RESOLVED:

1.    To note the findings of the Rosehill Area Renewal (Rosehill AR) engagement completed in early 2020, and business engagement carried out in August 2020 when the COVID-19 lockdown was eased.

2.    To endorse and commence further feasibility studies in respect of the four priorities identified through the extensive engagement: supporting the Rosehill District Centre; improving St Helier Open Space; enhancing public realm to encourage walking; and cycling and community facilities.

3.    To approve the list of potential projects set out in Appendix C and their implementation to be authorised by the Strategic Director of Environment, Housing and Regeneration under the Council’s Scheme of Delegation.

RESOLVED:

1.    To note the unforeseen circumstances of recent months, the petition, and the action underway and planned by the Council to regenerate Sutton Town Centre, including the market area.

2.    To agree that a presentation be brought to the next meeting of the Housing, Economy and Business Committee detailing regeneration activity underway and planned, for Sutton Town Centre.

Lorraine Thomas, Managing Director of Encompass LATC Ltd, introduced the report.

The committee noted Encompass’ response to the COVID-19 pandemic, that plans were in place should a “second wave” of the virus reach the borough, and thanked the staff of Encompass for their work through this difficult time.

RESOLVED:

1.    To note the actions taken by Encompass LATC in response to COVID-19 pandemic and the performance in quarter 1 2020/21.

2.    To convene a further meeting of the Homelessness Strategy Task and Finish Group during the autumn to consider revisions to the homelessness strategy delivery plan, subject to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Chair invited Steve Tucker, Managing Director of Sutton Housing Partnership, and Steve Bullock, Chair of the board of Sutton Housing Partnership, to address the committee. The committee noted the relationship between the council and Sutton Housing Partnership had been vital to improving the performance of the organisation.

The committee discussed the complaints procedure and noted that the service standards and how they are monitored would continue to be reviewed.

RESOLVED:

1.    To approve Sutton Housing Partnership’s Delivery Plan for 2020/21.

2.    To note the action taken by SHP to support residents during the COVID-19 outbreak.

3.    To note the situation in relation to the repairs service following the transfer of staff from Mears in April.

4.    To note that the suite of current service standards, appended to the Delivery Plan, will be revised during 2020/21, and thereafter from time to time, as part of the process of producing updated Delivery Plans.

Andy Webber, Head of Development Management and Strategic Planning, introduced the report. The committee noted the importance of involving ward councillors in consultations of this type and discussed how the consultation would be adapted in light of COVID-19 restrictions.

RESOLVED:

1.    To approve the Draft Beddington Park Conservation Area Character Appraisal and Management Plan for consultation.

RESOLVED:

To note the HEB Performance Monitoring report.

To provide committee with an update on Section 105 consultation on the options for the future io Beech Tree Place, and to seek authority to take forward the preferred option through the preparation of a viable business case, a full planning application for the site, a strategy for land assembly and rehousing, and a model for delivery.

Michael Hunte, Housing Regeneration Manager, introduced the report.

The Chair welcomed ward councillors Councillor Lily Bande and Councillor Kevin Burke, who had been invited to attend the committee in respect of this item. Linda Paisley, Vice Chair of the Beech Tree Place Residents’ Steering Group, Christine Searle MBE, Associate Independent Resident Adviser at Public Voice, and Phil Rankin and Robert Pert of Savills, were invited to address the committee.

The committee noted the Beech Tree Place Residents’ Steering Group’s support of the recommendations and the Associate Independent Resident Adviser’s endorsement of the approach to consultation with residents, and expressed the expectation that the positive engagement approach of the Regeneration Team should continue throughout the development process.

RESOLVED:

1.    To note and consider the outcome of the consultation.

2.    To approve the Residents’ Charter and Community Charter for Beech Tree Place.

3.    To approve in principle full redevelopment (Option 3) as the preferred approach for the regeneration of Beech Tree Place, subject to concluding financial and legal due diligence; to include assessments of financial viability.

4.    To authorise the work necessary to consider and progress the scheme design, viability and delivery mechanism, including:

a.    procurement of continuing legal, finance/tax, cost consultancy, commercial property, design and planning advice required;

b.    land assembly and vacant possession activity, including the voluntary acquisition of all third party interests of the sites (Site Allocation STC11) referred to in paragraph 5.2;

c.    with the detail and costs of the above activity to be authorised by the Strategic Director of Environment, Housing and Regeneration and the Strategic Director of Resources (Section 151 Officer) under the council’s scheme of delegation, and propose back to a future meeting of HEB Committee and/ or Strategy and Resources (S&R) Committee a financially viable and deliverable business case for the full redevelopment of Beech Tree Place for approval.

The report was put to the vote and carried.

RESOLVED:-

1.    That the establishment of Standing Committees, Scrutiny Committees, Regulatory Committee, Other Bodies, and Local Committees for the municipal year 2020-21 as set out at paragraphs 4.5-4.10 of the report be approved;

2.    That the allocation of seats as set out at paragraph 4.13 of the report be approved;

3.    That the nominations to the LGA Annual General Assembly and allocation of votes as set out in paragraph 4.12 of the report be agreed;

4.    That the appointment of chairs and vice chairs and members of committees as set out in Appendix A to the report be agreed;

5.    That it be noted that the Leader has appointed two Deputies Leaders and that the amendments to the Members’ Allowance Scheme as set out in paragraph 4.14 of the report be agreed;

6.    That  the interim decision making arrangements, until 1 October, as set out at paragraph 4.19 of the report be agreed;

7.    That authority be delegated to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader of the Council and the Leader of the Opposition, to revoke (thereby returning to established structures) or extend the interim decision-making arrangements;

8.    That the schedule of meetings set out as Appendix B to the report be agreed

9.    That the Decision Continuity Procedures (Appendix C) be agreed and the Constitution amended to include these as Article 14;

10.That the remote meeting procedures set out at Appendix D to the report be agreed;

11.That it be agreed where there are any outstanding places the relevant political group may give written notice to the Monitoring Officer of their appointments 10 clear days before the relevant committee is due to meet;

12.That it be agreed that the political groups may notify the Monitoring Officer of any in-year changes to committee membership by giving written notice 10 clear days before the relevant committee is due to meet; and

13.That authority be delegated to the Monitoring Officer to make any consequential changes to the constitution arising out of this report, such as changes to committee names, size, procedures, and removal of reference to committees not established.