Transcript Annual report 2011-12

2011-12
Report
Annual
In April 2011 the Council approved
plans to regenerate and build 371 new
homes on the Excalibur estate in
Catford.
In July 2011 thousands of Lewisham
residents attended Lewisham Peoples
Day. The 2011 event was the 27th year
in which Lewisham Peoples Day had
been staged.
April 2011
July
In November 2011,
Kieran Lang was voted
the 8th Young Mayor of
Lewisham
In January 2012, Deptford Lounge
opened to the public.
January 2012
In March 2012, Lewisham’s Mayor
Sir Steve Bullock presented the
2012-13 Budget for approval of Full
Council
November
May
August
March 2012
February
December 2011
In May 2011 the £2 million regeneration
makeover of the award-winning Ladywell Fields
was completed.
In August 2011 a programme to replace
all of the borough’s 42,000 public lights
and upgrade 8,000 signs commenced.
The project is being part-financed via a
grant from central government.
In December 2011 the Council launched its
new website Lewisham online.
In February 2012, Lewisham received a
safeguarding and looked after children
inspection. The inspectors found that the
overall effectiveness of the Council and its
partners is outstanding.
Highlights of the Year 2011-12
1
Fast Facts About Lewisham
2
Key Achievements For the Year
3
Governance and Management
4
Other Useful Information
Contents….
1
Fast Facts About Lewisham
Our population is
276,900
Our population has
grown by
1,000 since
the 2011 Census
Our population is the
5th largest in Inner
London and 12th
largest in London
There are
Some
26,200
residents are aged
65 and over
Some 70,000
residents (a quarter of the
borough’s population) is
aged between 0-19
116,000
households in the
borough
Our Population in Numbers
18%
4%
Of Council
employees are
aged 16-25
Of Council employees
are women
62.5%
37.5%
3,066
Of Council
employees
are aged
36-45
24%
Of Council
employees
are aged
26-35
Headcount
[As at 31 March 2012
excluding schools]
35%
18%
Of Council
employees are
aged 46-55
Of Council
employees
are aged
over 55
9.5%
Of Council
employees are
disabled
Of Council
employees
are men
58.9%
Of Council
employees
are White
39.4%
Of Council
employees are
Black and
Ethnic Minority
Workforce Profile
In 2011-12 the Council’s
Revenue Budget was
£278.8m
Source: LB Lewisham
In 2011-12 the Revenue
Budget was under spent
By £1.8m
Budget and Spend
In 2010-11 the average number
of days lost, per employee, due to
sickness absence was *7.63.
7.7
7.6
7.5
In 2011-12 the average
number of days lost, per
employee, due to sickness
absence was *7.19.
7.4
7.3
7.2
7.1
7
2010-11
2011-12
*This figure excludes schools employees
Sickness Absence…
2
Key Achievements
For the Year
Key achievements in 2011-12
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Over 12,000 people participated in the local assemblies programme agreeing local priorities and
working with the council to take action to improve their areas.
Lewisham demonstrated the value it places on partnership with the voluntary and community sector
by retaining the grant aid budget at £5.2 million.
The Positive Ageing Council was set up in 2011 to put older people at the forefront of Council
decision making, and give them a stronger voice.
Pupils across the borough elected Keiran Lang as the eighth Young Mayor of Lewisham.
The Council’s new website was launched with improved navigation, increased functionality and
greater accessibility. We also increased sign-ups for electronic newsletters by one-third.
Electoral Services successfully ran the Alternative Vote Referendum and prepared the borough for
the Mayor of London and Greater London Assembly 2012 elections.
Community Leadership and
Empowerment
Key achievements in 2011-12
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Our Building Schools for the Future Programme delivered five schools to construction phase.
We facilitated the work of the Youth Task Force – a group set up by the Mayor to explore
opportunities, ideas and innovative practices to inspire Lewisham’s young people during the recession.
The Early Years Foundation Stage, for pupils aged five, continues to show good increases in 2011,
with nearly 2,500 pupils achieving good scores: an increase of 5% to 61%, and above the national
average for the first time.
Key Stage 2 pupils, age 11, are above the national average in English and Maths for the second
successive year.
At Lewisham schools, pupils receiving Free School Meals continue to achieve notably above the
national average, and in the top 25% in the country.
High numbers of young people continue to find education, employment and training when they leave
school.
More young people than ever going to university and more are getting into the best universities thanks
to strong A level results in the borough.
There is a primary school place for every pupil age 5 in the Reception year despite very large rises in
numbers.
Lewisham has added 2,178 New Reception places at 43 schools since 2008-09.
Young People’s Achievement
and Involvement
Key achievements in 2011-12
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Lewisham retained 11 prestigious Green Flag Awards, obtained 2 prestigious Community Green
Flag Awards and secured £980k of external funding for open space improvements.
We worked with community partners to deliver major community led improvement projects including:
Telegraph Hill (new skate park), Northbrook Park (new children’s play area and splash pad)
Beckenham Place park (new sensory garden) and Chinbrook Meadows (new children’s play area).
Environmental protection and street cleansing teams worked closely with Transport for London to
pilot dust suppressants on roads where known dust problems occur to improve air quality in the
borough.
We provided a high quality street cleaning service with 92% of land and streets of an acceptable
standard of cleanliness. In addition, 80% of reported fly tips are removed within one day and the
average time taken to remove all fly tips is less than 2 days.
We exceeded the Mayoral priority of 60 community food growing spaces registered with Capital
Growth by the end 2012 (73 by end March 2012).
We commenced a new recycling contract with Bywaters (Leyton) Ltd which produces an income for
each tonne recycled and additional materials now include mixed plastic packaging, textiles, tetrapaks
and shredded paper.
The smart phone app ‘Love Clean London’ launched by Boris Johnson, was included in the Mayor of
London's Waste Strategy, for all London authorities to adopt.
We achieved a 15% reduction in CO2 emissions across Lewisham compared to a 10% average in
London and secured £670k in external funding to deliver insulation, energy efficiency and fuel
poverty projects for residents.
We won ‘Most Sustainable Public Sector Refurbishment Project’ at the Public Sector Sustainability
Awards and ‘Best Local Initiative’ at the Climate Week Awards for Lewisham’s Low Carbon Zone.
Clean, Green and Liveable
Key achievements in 201112
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The Neighbourhood Community Safety Service led on developing the third party reporting scheme in
Lewisham which now has 14 reporting sites.
Following a successful 6 month pilot in 2010 and a positive response from residents and partner
agencies, the Safer Lewisham Partnership took the decision to extend the Designated Public Place
Order on a more permanent basis in Spring 2011. Additionally, after a trial in Deptford High Street,
Responsible Retailer Agreements were introduced for all off licences in Sydenham High Street and
Lewisham High Street to promote the responsible sale of alcohol.
The Neighbourhood Community Safety Service developed a protocol with businesses in Lewisham
Town centre to deal young people involved in shoplifting. The officers use Restorative approaches
methodology to bring the business, the young person and their parents together to reach a mutually
beneficial resolution.
Following its Youth Offending Service (YOS) inspection in December 2011 Lewisham scored above
the average in England and Wales in all categories: safeguarding work, risk of serious harm work
and likelihood of reoffending work. Inspectors were impressed with Lewisham’s YOS in the following
areas:
- ability to assess and sentence plan;
- the delivery and review of interventions;
- positive outcomes for young people;
- the examples of good joint work with partner agencies particularly with regards to emotional
and mental health, substance misuse and education, training and employment.
First time entrants into the criminal justice system decreased by 20% which was a higher reduction
than the England and London rate. This was attributed to the continued success of Triage and other
Early Intervention initiatives which were successful in diverting young people away from the Youth
Justice System.
Safety, Security and Visible
Presence
Key achievements in 2011-12
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As part of Deptford Regeneration Programme, we opened Deptford Lounge (a development that also
includes a state-of-the-art primary school, occupied by Tidemill Academy, with which the community
shares space and facilities) plus Resolution Studios which are 38 affordable apartments, nine studios
for local businesses and an exhibition space.
The Council’s Local Development Framework Core Strategy was adopted in June 2011.
Planning permission was granted for over 5,500 new homes in March 2012 which potentially would
generate over £50 million in New Homes Bonus.
A record 42 Section 106 Agreements were signed, generating £39.7 million of secured financial
Section 106 contributions for the year.
We implemented the London Living Wage across all new Council contracts.
Strengthening the
Local Economy
Key achievements in 2011-12
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We delivered a total of 852 new affordable homes– this is the third highest nationally.
We secured funding of £1.6 million for Phase 2 of the Heathside and Lethbridge development and
worked with partners to secure £2.47 million Homes & Communities funding for future Phases on
Excalibur and Heathside and Lethbridge.
A total of 1,025 homes were made decent by Lewisham Homes and an extension to the decent
homes programme was negotiated successfully to enable all the programmed work to be completed.
Lewisham became a lead member of a cross European lifelong learning project looking at best
practice relating to reducing fuel poverty.
We maintained numbers in nightly paid accommodation at a lower level compared to other London
boroughs where the pressure on placements in this sort of accommodation has been increasing.
We worked with Depaul UK to establish a pilot supported lodgings service for 16-21 year olds and
with partners, including St Mungo’s, London & Quadrant and Brent Housing Cooperative to provide
additional supported housing units. We also entered into an agreement with English Churches
Housing Group to develop an eight bed sub regional rough sleeping staging post.
We became a key pilot borough for Safe & Secure a pan-London programme to provide young
people with an exit route from gangs. As part of this local authorities, housing associations, third
sector providers and the Metropolitan Police have come together to create a safe housing pathway
and to offer transformational support.
Decent Homes for All
Key achievements in 2011-12
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Lewisham’s safeguarding services were judged by Ofsted to be one of only three in the country which
are 'outstanding'.
A total of 40 Care Leavers were at University and nine obtained their degrees in 2011. Looked After
Children have benefitted from additional support to ensure they have high aspirations, including a visit
to Cambridge University and the provision of mentoring support from students attending Goldsmiths
College.
Looked After Children's achievements are above the national average at age 11 for those reaching
expected levels for both English and Maths, and above the national average for those obtaining at
least 5 GCSEs at grades A* - C including English and Maths.
Children’s Centres are working with the most vulnerable families, and provide high standards of
service to improve the lives of families.
Immunisations for children are increasing and helping to protect them from serious illnesses.
Children who are Looked After are living closer to Lewisham; this can help them to keep in touch with
friends and family.
Protection for Children
Key achievements in 2011-12
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Since the start of the re-ablement service in November 2011 the team have received 571 requests for a
service. Of this group, 65% have worked with the team and required no ongoing care at the end, whilst
others have needed less care than before.
Lewisham’s Memory Service has been recognised as a model of best practice by NHS London and was
‘Highly Commended’ in the 2012 Health Service Journal Integrated Care Awards.
The Positive Ageing Council has developed local priorities around isolation, care, and transport. They
have also identified key national issues on which to focus, including pensions, heating & fuel bills and
transport. In addition they have undertaken various activities and projects including intergenerational
events, trips, service audits, provision of information and partnership working. The group has been
successful in influencing London wide service delivery in partnership with Transport for London.
Over the past 12 months 90% of GP practices and over 100 healthcare staff, including doctors, nurses
and health care assistants received training to ensure that they are aware of specific carer’s issues.
A range of mechanisms have been implemented to help staff better identify carers and refer them on to
appropriate sources of support.
Free training has been provided for carers including moving and handling, managing medication and
falls prevention.
2,265 carers received an assessment of their needs, 18% up on the previous year.
Over the course of 2011-12, carers received 11,000 breaks.
A number of events were held during the year to further promote an understanding of safeguarding
adults for both professionals and the public. These included Elder Abuse Day which is dedicated to
issues of elder abuse, and a providers event to promote Pan London procedures to all providers of
residential and nursing homes and domiciliary care providers. In addition Lewisham has been working in
partnership with London Fire Brigade and housing providers to develop a Lewisham Hoarding Protocol.
Caring for Adults and
Older People
Key achievements in 2011-12
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The Council’s 15 year leisure management contract with Fusion Lifestyle Ltd commenced on the 15th
October 2011. From contract commencement to April 2012, 826 comment cards had been received with
average satisfaction scores rising from 62% to 91%.
Despite the cessation of Central Government funding the Council, through its leisure contract, continues
to provide free swimming for Lewisham residents aged under 16 and those aged 60 plus. During 20112012 Lewisham's leisure centres provided 43,700 free swims of which 35,500 were provided for those
aged 16 and under and 8,000 were provided for over 60's.
The Arts Service worked with the Economic Development team to ascertain the size and needs of the
Digital Media Business sector in the borough as part of the development of a new Creative Industries
Strategy. This work identified 650 such businesses in the borough; a thriving and previously unidentified
subsector of the creative economy with great potential for further employment, growth and innovation. A
range of strategic recommendations emerged from this research that will support new initiatives in 201213.
The 2011 London Youth Games proved to be an excellent year for Team Lewisham with individual
teams taking titles in Boccia, Girls Gymnastics, Boys Football, Boys Basketball and Mini Basketball.
Key achievements included:
– Winners of Disability Trophy
– Winners of Most Improved Borough
Active, Healthy Citizens
Key achievements in 2011-12
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We maintained a high standard of performance for processing Housing Benefit claims and change of
circumstances. This was recognised in January 2012 when Lord Freud, Minister for Welfare Reform,
visited Lewisham to showcase good practice in benefits administration.
We undertook initial customer insight work with Housing Benefit customers to assess the potential
impact of the transition to Universal Credit on claimants.
We increased Council Tax collection rates from 94.1% in 2010-11 to 94.6% in 2011-12 (an additional
£1.7million).
We re-designed and re-opened Laurence House AccessPoint in April 2011. This helped the Council
to meet customer targets in terms of appointment and walk-in waiting times for AccessPoint services.
The AccessPoint target of 91% was achieved on appointments seen on time, whilst 92.9% of walk-ins
were seen within 20 minutes against the target of 91%.
We implemented on line parking permit applications and renewals, thereby enabling customers to
renew and apply for their permits on-line without the need to visit the parking shop.
We appointed over 150 apprentices, 37 social work placements and supported the ‘Future Jobs Fund’
through 400 placements.
We reduced agency staff expenditure by 40% and improved staff attendance.
We reduced the Council’s spend on marketing materials and publications by a further 20% - now
down 70% over five years.
In line with the Council's policy of zero tolerance of fraud, we investigated and issued 84 sanctions for
Housing Benefit fraud, including 21 prosecutions, and raised overpayments to recover £640k.
The Council’s accounts were prepared on time and agreed by the auditor to meet statutory deadlines.
Inspiring Efficiency,
Effectiveness and Equity
3
Governance and
Management
Mayor and Cabinet
The Mayor
•is elected by the
whole borough to lead
and speak up for the
whole borough;
• chooses up to nine
councillors to form the
Cabinet with specific
areas of responsibility;
•sets out major decisions
to be taken in a Forward
Plan published monthly;
•proposes budget and
key policy proposals to
Council;
•takes decisions to
implement policy
within agreed policy
framework;
•considers
recommendations for
actions with officer
advice
The Cabinet
•provide advice to
the Mayor;
•jointly with the Mayor
take decisions relating
to contracts
Council
•consists of 54 elected councillors, three for each of the 18 wards
•appoints the Overview and Scrutiny Committee and other committees
•approves the policy framework and budget
Regulatory
Committees
Overview and Scrutiny
•meets at least once a year and is ultimately responsible for overview
and scrutiny;
• delegates work to other scrutiny bodies - five select committees, two
business panels and time limited committees, all of which are formally
sub committees of overview and scrutiny;
•the Business Panel co-ordinates the work programmes of Select
Committees;
•the five standing select committees and the time limited Select
Committee draw up work programmes each year to hold the Mayor
and senior officers to account for decisions; check performance;
examine issues in depth and make recommendations for policy
development;
•responsibility for scrutinising health services and health issues with the
Healthier Communities Select Committee, which makes suggestions to
the local health trusts for action and improvements;
•the Safer Stronger Communities Select Committee has responsibility
for fulfilling the overview and scrutiny functions in relation to crime
reduction and equality of opportunity;
Healthier
Communities
Select
Committee
Public Accounts
Select
Committee
Safer Stronger
Communities
Select
Committee
Licensing (x2). These
committees are
responsible for all
entertainment
licensing and the
provision of late night
refreshment.
Planning (x4). The
Planning Committees
consider planning
matters across the
whole borough. The
Strategic Committee
only considers
strategic regeneration
proposals.
Other committees
Audit Panel
Appointments
Elections
Health & Safety
Pensions Investment
Business Panel
Children &
Young People
Select
Committee
Statutory Committee
Standards Committee
promotes and
maintains high
standards of conduct
within the Council.
Sustainable
Development
Select
Committee
Housing
Select
Committee
(Fixed Term)
Working Parties
Constitution Working
Party
Cllr Alan Smith
Cllr Helen Klier
Cllr Crada Onuegbu
Deputy Mayor & Cabinet
Member for Regeneration
Cabinet Member for
Children & Young People
Cabinet Member for
Young People
Sir Steve Bullock (Lab)
Mayor of Lewisham
Cllr Susan Wise
Cllr Janet Daby
Cllr Chris Best
Cabinet Member for
Customer Services
Cabinet Member for
Community Safety
Cabinet Member for
Community Services
Cllr Joan Millbank
Cllr Damien Egan
Cllr Paul Maslin
Cabinet Member for
the Third Sector
Cabinet Member for Strategy
& Communications
Cabinet Member for
Resources
The Mayor and Cabinet
Cllr Alan Hall (Lab);
Chair Overview &
Scrutiny Business panel
Cllr Obajimi
Adefiranye
(Lab)
Chair of
Council
Council
Cllr John
Paschoud
(Lab); Chair
Children &
Young People
Select
Committee
Cllr John
Muldoon
(Lab); Chair
Healthier
Communities
Select
Committee
Cllr Alex
Feake (LD);
Chair Public
Accounts
Select
Committee
Cllr Pauline
Morrison
(Lab); Chair
Safer, Stronger
Communities
Select
Committee
Cllr Kevin
Bonavia (Lab);
Vice Chair
Cllr Liam
Curran (Lab);
Chair
Sustainable
Development
Select
Committee
Overview & Scrutiny
Business Panel
Cllr Carl
Handley
(Lab); Chair
Housing
Select
Committee
Barry Quirk CBE
Janet Senior
Frankie Sulke
Executive Director for
Resources & Regeneration
Executive Director for Children
& Young People
Kevin Sheehan
Aileen Buckton
Executive Director for
Customer Services
Executive Director for
Community Services
Chief Executive Officer
of Lewisham Council
Corporate Management
4
Other Useful Information
Please click links below to find out more about the Council
To find out more about how the Council is structured and its
directorates please click on the link below:
Council structure and directorates
To find out more about details of Council spending over £500,
please click on the link below:
Council spending over £500
To find out more about major strategies and plans, please
click on the link below:
Strategies and plans
Find out more