None.

Apologies were received from Councillor Ray Tindle. Councillor Janice Howard attended as a substitute for Councillor Ray Tindle.

RESOLVED:  Panel agreed the Minutes as a true record of the meeting.

Panel agreed to re-order the agenda.

Wayne Hainsworth and Pauline Ford gave a presentation which covered progress to date on delivering the commitments within the stock transfer form Merton Council to Circle Housing Merton Priory (CHMP). The presentation was tabled and is available on the councils website.

The presentation covered the following:

·               Changing environment for the provision and maintenance of social housing;

·               Achievements to date following the housing stock transfer;

·               Commitments in the housing stock transfer that have been delivered on to date;

·                     Outstanding commitments and how they are to be addressed;

·                     Resident involvement in the design and maintenance of social housing;

·                     Developments to sheltered housing;

·                     Plans for developing new homes in the borough;

·                     CHMP Regeneration Programme intentions;

·                     Current and future investment;

·                     Welfare Reform and support to residents;

·                     Neighbourhood renewal and initiatives to increase the number of residents in employment; and

·                     Support for better financial management by residents

Councillor Dennis Pearce asked about the number of people supported into employment and the possibility of increasing the number in the coming years. Wayne Hainsworth stated that CHMP are delivering the programme through MTEC with the assistance of a Performance and Reward Grant, this sets out clear targets and CHMP have exceeded these since MTEC opened. It was also highlighted that many of the people supported have vulnerabilities and / or have been long term unemployed and that many clients need a lot of support before they are job ready. The aim is to increase the numbers going into employment and CHMP are extending the programmes on offer beyond construction to include customer service and health and social care and will continue to invest in this going forward. 

Councillor Dennis Pearce asked how CHMP intended to increase the number of new homes. Pauline Ford explained that Circle Housing have a clear development strategy and aim to build 1,250 new homes per annum (nationally) and highlighted that Merton was considered to be a key driver borough for development. It was highlighted that CHMP have considered all opportunities across land in its ownership to increase units and these are included within the current programme of garage sites. Land is in short supply within the borough and it was highlighted that CHMP and Circle Housing would seek support from LBM in its enabling role support aspirations for future growth in the borough.

Councillor Janice Howard asked if high income earners occupying social housing were an issue. Wayne Hainsworth informed the Panel that this was not an issue in Merton and that CHMP has a range of residents in which a high proportion of those are struggling financially. It was highlighted that many of its residents in receipt of Housing Benefit are actually in employment.  Some residents who do have higher levels of income help to create balanced and sustainable communities and CHMP work with partners to offer a range of future housing options including shared ownership to support future aspirations.

Councillor David Dean stated that any new houses needed to have sufficient sized rooms. Pauline Ford explained that residents of Circle  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

Please refer to the presentation tabled at the meeting which is available on the council’s website.

James McGinlay presented on the policy developments in the area of housing, in particular provisions now available to apply to convert business and commercial properties into residential units.

The presentation covered:

·                     Government incentives to increase home ownership and reduce bureaucracy;

·                     National Planning Policy Framework 2012 aims to significantly boost the supply of housing via development plans on viable sites meeting an “objectively assessed housing need”.

·                     Absence of need for planning permission as a result of this framework which is problematic in that no design standards, space standards, or support for necessary local infrastructure etc, have to be captured in an application

·                     The scheme to convert commercial into residential was introduced in May 2013 with the stipulation tat homes must be built by May 2016

·                     Applications must receive ‘prior approval’

·                     DCLG refused Merton’s request for exempting Wimbledon town centre and the main industrial estates to seek planning permission if they want to convert to residential with effect from April 2015

·                     This scheme is being monitored with the Mayor of London to determine the impact o London’s economy. Officers are examining where this might affect Merton

Councillor Andrew Judge stated that Cabinet oppose this scheme due to its negative impact on businesses in the borough, including those that want their premises to grow. Both employment and business activity will be lost through this and some businesses have already been told by landlords that their lease will not continue. Article 4 will allow the council to push for a change in policy in this area.

Councillor David Dean stated that he did not support the policy and asked if t would end in 2016. James McGinlay confirmed that this was a probationary period and it wasn’t clear as yet if this would be extended beyond 2016.

Councillor Ian Munn stated that he was appalled by the prior application regulations and was pleased that officers were trying to resist this scheme. Councillor Ian Munn added that it was disappointing that the council had to wait until 2015 before it was able to issue Article 4.

Councillor David Dean added that we need to avoid building on land that will generate employment opportunities.

Councillor Samantha George asked if officers had been able to determine why Merton is among the highest number of applicants in London. Given that 17 of the 36 applications made were refused by the council, Merton does have some power in this situation.

James McGinlay confirmed that this 3 year period of the scheme introduced a number of measures and it is too early to evaluate these yet. Merton has a good offer which is perhaps why we have had a significant volume of applications. However, the majority of the 36 applications have been refused o the grounds that there was poor conditions on site or due to the impact on infrastructure and transport. However, developers have gone away to address these issues  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

Chris Lee introduced the report. The data reflects the mix of 20mph zones and limits that the borough has which can include signage and physical traffic calming measures. It is timely now to start carrying out a more up to date piece of work in this area.

Chris Lee added that the police do not have the capacity to enforce these limits and the case for enforcement sadly relies on the number of fatalities in the area. 3 other authorities have rolled out blanket 20 mph schemes. For example, Islington has rolled out a scheme which covers 22% of their roads. This involved a £1.6 million investment.

Chris Lee explained that, given some of Merton’s schemes were implemented 5 years ago, it is only now that an appropriate period of time has passed to gather new data and make an evaluation.

Councillor John Sargeant stated that there was an absence of data that would enable the Panel to comment on the feasibility or necessity of 20mph zones and limits in the borough, in line with the earlier council motion of November 2012.

Councillor Dennis Pearce noted that there could be an increase in resident complaints if zones or limits were introduced and traffic took alternative routes to avoid these measures.

Councillor Janice Howard commented on the number of drivers that ignore 20mph zones that just display signage and that physical traffic calming measures were required. Also this needed to be approached on a street by street basis.

Councillor Ian Munn added that there was not sufficient data to make a decision on if and where 20mph zones and limits should be put in place.

Councillor Samantha George asked when the data needed would be available. Also that benchmarking should be undertaken by contacting Islington and Portsmouth.

Councillor Andrew Judge explained that data didn’t exist at the national level and that the effectiveness of these zones and limits needs to be considered on a case by case basis.

Councillor David Dean added that all side roads should be 20mph limits.

Councillor Andrew Judge stated that he was happy to bring back information and data when available to enable the Panel to comment. There is also a programme of road resurfacing and the council could look at traffic calming measures alongside this.

Chris Lee apologised for the lack of progress against the council motion and that data could b collected in 2014 to enable the council to look at where 20mph zones and limits may best be implemented.

RESOLVED:  Panel noted the report.

Chris Lee presented the performance information. Councillor Russell Makin asked that any questions be raised outside the meeting via Rebecca Redman and sent to Chris Lee to respond via email.

RESOLVED: Panel noted the information tabled.

RESOLVED: Panel noted the work programme.