Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Alderman Christopher Makin, Alderman Prem Goyal, Deputy Nighat Qureishi, Timothy McNally, Ruby Sayed and Deputy Philip Woodhouse.

There was one declaration from Eamonn Mullally concerning his involvement in the ‘Young at Heart’ programme is run in partnership with Golden Lane Sport & Fitness and would therefore not participate in the vote regarding item 41a.

To approve the public minutes and non-public summary of the meeting held on 1^st May 2024.

RESOLVED – That, the public and non-public summary of the meeting held on 1 May 2024 be agreed as a correct record.

To receive the Outstanding Actions List.

The Committee received a report of the Town Clerk.

The following points were noted:

• Window Replacements: There were several reports (31 to 35) relating to window works. The specific issue around the working together guidance is likely to be brought back in December.
• Asset Management Strategy: This is expected to be addressed in October.
• Golden Lane Leisure Centre: The relevant report is in the supplementary packet 41A.
• Financial Support for Major Works: This was scheduled for July but is now expected in the autumn.
• Housing Complaints: The relevant report is 25A.
• SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities): The peer review feedback has been received and will lead to an amended SEND strategy to be brought to the committee in September.
• Member Engagement on Housing Estates: This is expected to be addressed in October.

Town Clerk to be heard.

RESOLVED – That, Eamonn Mullally be appointed to the Projects and Procurement Sub-Committee for the ensuing year.

Town Clerk to be heard.

RESOLVED – That, Eamonn Mullally be appointed to the Projects and Procurement Sub-Committee for the ensuing year.

Report of the Executive Director, Community and Children’s Services.

The Committee considered a report of the Executive Director, Community and Children’s Services, concerning actions contained in the Housing Management and Almshouses Sub-Committee action tracker, relating to housing complaints and the potential use of arbitration as a means of resolving complaints.

Members noted that the item would be discussed under any other business 25a.

Report of the City Surveyor.

Please note this report has two large appendices, which will be available on the web page and circulated separately.

The Committee considered a report of the City Surveyor concerning Agree the reporting cycle for complaints matters proposed in section 11.

The following points were noted:

• The Committee discussed the challenges of meeting the net zero target by 2027 and the need for a plan to achieve it.
• The Committee was asked to agree to proceed with work to integrate retrofit archetypes into the asset management strategy and to embark on a retrofit void program.
• The Committee discussed the challenges of switching fuel sources from gas to electricity and the potential impact on residents' bills.
• The Committee discussed the importance of reducing the demand for heat within properties through sensible insulation.
• The Committee approved the recommendations on page 53, including the addition of integrating climate action and HRA development programs into a single program of works.

RESOLVED – That Members,

a)     Agree the recommended approach to integrating consideration of the Retrofit Archetypes and measures into the forthcoming Housing Asset Management Strategy.

b)     Agree the recommended pilot energy void programme and negate the two-week void KPI.

c)      Agree the recommended priorities in paragraph 10.

d)     Agree the recommended approach of joining the London Councils’ Strategic Partnership to access SHDF funding.

Report of the Executive Director, Community and Children’s Services.

The Committee considered a report of the Executive Director, Community and Children’s Services, concerning a request from Peabody’s lawyers to rectify the double registration which affects both of the City of London Corporations respective title plans.

The following points were noted:

• The Committee discussed the issue of double registration of Holloway Park, which was discovered during the redevelopment of the Holloway prison site by Peabody.
• It was noted that the area in question is physically in possession of the Peabody site and not in possession of the City of London side.
• The Committee approved the decision to rectify the double registration.

RESOLVED – That Members, agree to the transfer of the overlapping strip of land from the City’s Title AGL362129, as shown tinted blue on the plan in the appendix, to Peabody for a nominal payment of £1.

Report of the Executive Director, Community and Children’s Services.

Please note a non-public appendix at agenda item 39.

The Committee considered a report of the Executive Director, Community and Children’s Services, concerning how and why the City of London delivers a Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP) and the methodology currently in use.

The following points were noted:

• The Committee was presented with three options for delivering a more resilient swept model in the future.
• It was noted that option A was to change nothing, Option B retained current service delivery but described how an increased budget offers greater flexibility and reduces the risk of departmental overspend, and Option C set out a more comprehensive swept model designed to meet current and future swept demands.
• Members were informed that the Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Sub-Committee supports Option C and recommended this option to the Community and Children's Services Committee for consideration.
• It was noted that an endorsement of Option C meant that Members were supporting the progression of this proposal via the Resource Allocation Sub-Committee as part of a future budget setting process.

RESOLVED – That Members endorse the recommendation made by the Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Sub-Committee to progress option C as outlined in the report.

Report of the Executive Director, Community and Children’s Services.

Please note this report has a large appendix, which will be available on the web page and circulated separately.

The Committee considered a report of the Executive Director, Community and Children’s Services, concerning he fully revised offer to Care Leavers supported by the City of London.

The following points were noted:

• It was noted that the offer had been recommended by the Safeguarding Sub-Committee and would not cost any more money than what was already available.
• Officers informed Members that the offer was ambitious and Ofsted would judge the Committee on it, but most importantly, the children would thrive in their care.
• Members were informed that the offer was available in the top 8 languages and would also be available in audio form for children and young people.
• The committee approved the care leaver offer.

RESOLVED – That Members, approve the offer as outlined in the report.

Report of the Executive Director, Community and Children’s Services.

The Committee received a report of the Executive Director, Community and Children’s Services, concerning the additional duties placed on the City of London Corporation’s (CoL’s) Homelessness & Rough Sleeping Team (HRST) by the introduction of the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 (DAA 2021).

The item was received for information and there were no arising questions.

Joint Report of the Commecial Director and Executive Director, Community and Children’s Services.

The Committee received a joint report of the Commercial Director and Executive Director, Community and Children’s Services, concerning the recommended procurement strategy to access Emergency and Temporary Accommodation.

The item was received for information and there were no arising questions.

Report of the Executive Director, Community and Children’s Services.

Please note a non-public appendix at agenda item 39.

The Committee received a report of the Executive Director, Community and Children’s Services, concerning the allocation of primary and secondary school places for City of London resident pupils for the academic year 2024/25.

The item was received for information and there were no arising questions.

Report of the Executive Director, Community and Children’s Services.

The Committee received a report of the Executive Director, Community and Children’s Services, concerning an update of the Adult Skills Education and Apprenticeship Service’s delivery activities.

The item was received for information and there were no arising questions.

Report of the Executive Director, Community and Children’s Services.

The Committee received a report of the Executive Director, Community and Children’s Services, concerning an update for Members on the City of London Corporation (City Corporation) Department for Community and Children’s Services (DCCS) response to the Department for Education’s (DfE’s) Children’s Social Care reform programme.

The item was received for information and there were no arising questions.

Report of the Executive Director, Community and Children’s Services.

Please note this report has a large appendix, which will be available on the web page and circulated separately.

The Committee received a report of the Executive Director, Community and Children’s Services, concerning the City of London Corporation’s Adult Social Care Self-Assessment 2024, which will support the inspection of our Adult Social Care services by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

The item was received for information and there were no arising questions.

Report of the Executive Director, Community and Children’s Services.

The Committee received a report of the Executive Director, Community and Children’s Services, concerning the work underway as part of the Pan London Children in Care Council (CiCC), which is jointly funded by the City of London Corporation and Association of London Directors of Children’s Services (ALDCS).

The item was received for information and there were no arising questions.

Report of the Executive Director, Community and Children’s Services.

The Committee received a report of the Executive Director, Community and Children’s Services, concerning an update Members on the progress of the Violence Against Women and Girls campaign approved in November 2023.

The item was received for information and there were no arising questions.

Joint report of the Chamberlain and the Executive Director, Community and Children’s Services.

The Committee received a report of the Executive Director, Community and Children’s Services, concerning the 2023/24 revenue outturn for the non-Housing Revenue Account (HRA) services overseen by your Committee with the final agreed budget for the year.

The item was received for information and there were no arising questions.

Joint report of the Chamberlain and the Executive Director, Community and Children’s Services.

The Committee received a joint report of the Chamberlain and Executive Director, Community and Children’s Services, concerning the outturn for the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) in 2023/24 with the final agreed budget for the year.

The item was received for information and there were no arising questions.

To note the Resolutions from the recent Wardmotes and receive a verbal update.

The Committee received resolutions from recent Wardmotes.

It was noted that a full report addressing the wardmote resolutions would be brought back to a future Committee.

There were no updates from sub-committees, allocated Members or Portfolio Holders.

The item was received for information and there were no arising questions.

There was a question raised by a Member concerning late cancellations and lack of access at Golden Lane pool.

Officers responded and explained that the problem was caused by the pool operator, who had a staff shortage issue and could not provide enough lifeguards. They also noted that they was trying to meet with the pool operator’s director, however there were some insurance and emergency planning issues to resolve.

There was one item or urgent business concerning Housing Complaints Update.

Report of the Executive Director, Community and Children’s Services.

The Committee considered a report of the Executive Director, Community and Children’s Services, concerning approving the updated Housing Complaints Policy for use by the Housing Division.

The following points were noted:

• The policy was amended considering recent changes brought in by the Housing Ombudsman to the complaint handling code.
• The amendments were designed to help comply with the letter of that code.
• The housing complaints team manages complaints on behalf of the Barbican.
• The updated policy would be publicised to residents.

RESOLVED – That Members, approve the updated Housing Complaints Policy for use by the Housing Division.

MOTION - That under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part I of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act.

RESOLVED – That under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part I of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act.

To agree the non-public minutes of the previous Committee meeting.

RESOLVED – That, the non-public minutes of the of the meeting held on 1 May 2024 be agreed as a correct record.

To receive the non-public outstanding actions list.

The Committee received the non-public outstanding actions list.

Report of the Acting Managing Director, City Bridge Foundation.

The Committee considered a report of the Acting Managing Director, City Bridge Foundation.

Joint report of the City Surveyor and Executive Director, Community and Children’s Services.

The Committee received a joint report of the Executive Director, Community and Children’s Services, The City Surveyor and Executive Director, Property.

Report of the Executive Director, Community and Children’s Services.

The Committee considered a report the Executive Director, Community and Children’s Services.

Report of the Executive Director, Community and Children’s Services.

The Committee considered a report the Executive Director, Community and Children’s Services.

Report of the Executive Director, Community and Children’s Services.

The Committee considered a report the Executive Director, Community and Children’s Services.

Report of the Executive Director, Community and Children’s Services.

Report of the City Surveyor and Executive Director, Community and Children’s Services.

The Committee considered a joint report of the City Surveyor and Executive Director, Community and Children’s Services.

Joint report of the Executive Director, Community and Children’s Services and Executive Director, Corporate Communications and External Affairs.

The item was considered under item 41a.

Report of the Executive Director, Community and Children’s Services.

The Committee considered a report the Executive Director, Community and Children’s Services.

Report of the Executive Director, Community and Children’s Services.

The Committee received a report the Executive Director, Community and Children’s Services.

To receive the following non-public appendices:

The appendices were noted by the Committee.

To receive a non-public appendix in respect of agenda item 10.

To receive a non-public appendix in respect of Agenda item 14.

There were no questions.

The Chair has agreed to admit the following items:

There was one item of urgent business concerning Sport and Leisure Facility Investment.

Joint Report of the Executive Director, Community and Children’s Services and the Executive Director, Corporate Communications and External Affairs.

Please note this report replaces agenda item 36.

The Committee considered a joint report of Executive Director, Community and Children’s Services and Executive Director, Corporate Communications and External Affairs.

Report of the City Surveyor.

The Committee considered a report of the City Surveyor.