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Decisions

Use the below search options at the bottom of the page to find information regarding recent decisions that have been taken by the council’s decision making bodies.

Alternatively you can visit the officer decisions page for information on officer delegated decisions that have been taken by council officers.

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Decisions published

24/06/2022 - Writing off of irrecoverable debt (quarterly report) - Quarter 4 2021/22 ref: 1658    Recommendations Approved

Decision Maker: Cabinet Member for Finance and Council Reform

Decision published: 24/06/2022

Effective from: 24/06/2022

Decision:

Summary of Decision

 

The Cabinet Member has approved the write off of debts over £100k as set out in section 5, having taken all appropriate action.

 

Reason for Decision

The recommendation to write-off the amounts detailed in this report is proposed as all other avenues available to the Council for the recovery of these debts have been exhausted, including, where appropriate, the issue of court and distress proceedings. 

Wards affected: (All Wards);

Lead officer: Martin Hinckley


22/06/2022 - SEND Passenger Transport (Taxis), Travel Care Services Framework for vulnerable Children, Young People & Adults ref: 1654    Recommendations Approved

To procure a Passenger Transport (Taxis) & Travel Care Framework for Vulnerable Children, Young People & Adults for Westminster City Council and The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea.

Decision Maker: Bi-Borough Executive Director of Childrens Services

Decision published: 22/06/2022

Effective from: 30/06/2022

Decision:

RECOMMENDATIONS 

It is recommended that the Executive Director of Children’s Services: 

1.     Approves the establishment of a Passenger Transport Taxi Framework, to be used by both WCC and RBKC via an Inter-Authority agreement. 

2.     Admit the following providers onto the Framework, for the delivery of Passenger Transport (Taxi) and Travel Care Services, for the period 1st August 2022, until the 31st July 2026.  

Lot 1- recommended providers:  

·    Abbey Wood Station Minicabs Limited (Abbey Wood) 

·    Airport Transfer Cars Ltd  

·    Cascade Cars Service Ltd  

·    GETT (UK) 

·    Green Tomato Cars Limited 

·    Kush Cars Limited  

·    London Hire Community Services Limited  

·    London VIP Cars Services Limited 

·    Ollimpicars Ltd  

·    HATS group Limited 

·    PG Passenger Services Limited  

 

Lot 2 – recommended providers  

·    Abbey Wood Station Minicabs Limited 

·    Cascade Cars Services Ltd  

·    GETT (UK) 

·    Green Tomato Cars Limited 

·    London VIP Cars Limited  

·    Ollimpicars Ltd  

·    HATs group Limited  

 

REASONS FOR DECISION 

1.     The current Passenger Transport Framework (Taxis) is due to expire on the 31st July 2022. There is a need to put in place the new Framework to ensure continuity of service. 

2.     Local Authorities have a statutory duty to provide travel assistance for Children and Young People with special educational needs & disabilities assessed as eligible, as per the Education Act 1996. The Councils Travel Assistance Policies set out these duties. 

3.     For Adults, the Care Act 2014 stipulates a duty to Local Authorities to meet assessed needs, and while transport is not a prescribed provision, it may be one way of meeting people’s assessed needs and preferences relating to their personal outcomes towards independence and engagement with the community. 

4.     The service will provide transport for eligible residents in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea and Westminster City Council, and a Collaboration Agreement between the two Councils will enable them to operate effectively under the Framework. 

 

Wards affected: (All Wards);

Lead officer: Annabel Saunders


20/06/2022 - Pimlico Neighbourhood Plan Decision Statement ref: 1653    Recommendations Approved

Decision Maker: Cabinet Member for Planning and Economic Development

Decision published: 20/06/2022

Effective from: 28/06/2022

Decision:

Summary of Decision:

The Cabinet Member has agreed:

A)    That the recommendations of the Examiner as set out in the council’s Decision Statement (see Appendix 1) and Examiner’s Report (see Appendices 3 and 4) be accepted.

B)    That in accordance with the Examiner’s recommendation, the Pimlico Neighbourhood Plan (submission version, see Appendix 2), as modified within the Examiner’s Report proceed to local referendum.

C)   That in accordance with the Examiner’s recommendation, the referendum area be restricted to the neighbourhood area designated by the council on 4th September 2013 as the Pimlico Neighbourhood Area.

D)   That in the event of a positive referendum result, the Executive Director of Innovation and Change be authorised to publish an Adoption Statement and formally ‘make’ the plan.

Reasons for Decision

The Examiner’s recommendations will ensure the Pimlico Neighbourhood Plan is clear and effective as a framework for making decisions on planning applications in the Pimlico Neighbourhood Area. The recommendations address the concerns raised by the council during consultation and examination, and other stakeholders during consultation, and ensure the draft plan meets the ‘basic conditions’ prescribed by legislation.

 

Before a neighbourhood plan can be made, it is a statutory requirement that it is first subject to local referendum within the Neighbourhood Area, and any additional areas as considered appropriate by the Examiner. Before this happens, the council must publish a Decision Statement setting out the actions it proposes to take in response to the Examiner’s Report. Where the council decides to proceed to referendum, in the case of a successful majority vote in favour of the plan, the council must formally ‘make’ the plan.

 

Wards affected: Pimlico North; Pimlico South;

Lead officer: Marina Molla Bolta


08/06/2022 - Lease Renewal - Public Open Space at Kensal Wharf, opposite 598-606 Harrow Road, London W10 ref: 1651    Recommendations Approved

This decision supports the City for All objectives, in securing a key landholding that facilitates pedestrian and wheelchair access to a Grand Union Canal bridge, linking the boroughs of Westminster and Kensington and Chelsea.

Decision Maker: Cabinet Member for Finance and Council Reform

Decision published: 08/06/2022

Effective from: 16/06/2022

Decision:

Summary of Decision

The report recommends renewing the Council’s lease of the subject land for a term of 125 years and otherwise based on the terms detailed in the exempt background paper. 

 

Reason for Decision

Under the WCC constitution Cabinet Member approval is required to enter into a lease of more than 25 years (the proposed lease term in this case is 125 years). 

Wards affected: Queen's Park;

Lead officer: Claire Barrett


07/06/2022 - 9 Woodfield Road London W9 2BA ref: 1650    Recommendations Approved

The decision to proceed with the recommendation will allow Westminster City Council (WCC) to benefit from the construction of new modern depot facility to be utilised by the Council’s Street Cleansing Unit together with the provision of a hotel, office and leisure facilities thus supporting the delivery of the Councils ‘City for All’ objectives through this development and land swap. This development will provide employment and will go some way to regenerate the immediate area.

Decision Maker: Cabinet Member for Finance and Council Reform

Decision published: 07/06/2022

Effective from: 07/06/2022

Decision:

Summary of Decision 

The Cabinet Member for Finance and Council Reform has approved the terms of the Deed of Variation to the S.106 Agreement and authorised that the Council, as freehold owner of the depot site, enter into this agreement. 

 

Reasons for Decision   

TheS.106 Agreement had been entered into by both WCC as landowner and WCC as theLocal Planning Authority. The Local Planning Authority’s authority to enter into the agreement derives from the Planning Applications Sub-Committee resolving to approve the planning permission. WCC as landowner,requires a separate Cabinet Member approval to amend the terms of this S.106 Agreement.  

 

Wards affected: Westbourne;

Lead officer: Claire Barrett


01/06/2022 - Council Tax Rebate scheme - to provide £150 Energy Support to eligible residents ref: 1649    Recommendations Approved

To approve the Council’s Discretionary scheme under the government’s Council tax Rebate scheme

 

Decision Maker: Cabinet Member for Finance and Council Reform

Decision published: 01/06/2022

Effective from: 11/06/2022

Decision:

Recommendation:

The Cabinet Member for Finance and Council Reform has approved the proposed discretionary scheme as outlined in Section 5 of the report.

 

Reason for decision:

 

The government has requested local authorities to administer a payment scheme to assist eligible residents with increasing energy costs.  The scheme requires local authorities to make payments of £150 to eligible residents under the Council Tax Rebate scheme.

 

Wards affected: (All Wards);

Lead officer: Martin Hinckley


31/05/2022 - Household Support Fund Extension ref: 1648    Recommendations Approved

To set out the council’s spend of the Household Support Fund Extension April – September 2022

Decision Maker: Cabinet Member for Finance and Council Reform

Decision published: 31/05/2022

Effective from: 10/06/2022

Decision:

Recommendation

The Cabinet Member for Finance and Council Reform has approved the utilisation each of the processes outlined in Section 4 of this report to allocate the council’s funding allocation (£1,951,507) to the borough’s most vulnerable residents.

 

Reason for the decision

The Government has provided local authorities with a broad discretion as to how to allocate their funding within the ‘Household Support Fund (1 April 2022 to 30 September 2022): final guidance for county councils and unitary authorities in England’.

 

Wards affected: (All Wards);

Lead officer: Martin Hinckley


23/09/2020 - Westminster's Housing Performance Performance 2020 ref: 1239    Recommendations Approved

Decision Maker: Audit and Performance Committee

Made at meeting: 23/09/2020 - Audit and Performance Committee

Decision published: 05/05/2022

Effective from: 23/09/2020

Decision:

7.1      The Committee received an overview of the standards and delivery of improvements in the housing service, in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic, from Neil Wightman, (Director of Housing).

 

7.2      The Committee discussed issues including significant reductions in repairs during the pandemic, communications with tenant residents, dealing with anti-social behaviour; and engagement relating to tenancy fraud. The Committee heard that major works had had to stop as residents were on site due to Covid-19 restrictions and that a larger number of people were claiming Universal Credit Benefit.

 

7.3      The Committee further discussed the work of a scrutiny task group committee in 2018 which had examined City West Homes (CWH), the corporate culture and staff turnover at CWH and resourcing within the Council to deal with tenancy fraud. Neil Wightman advised the Committee that the City Council was sufficiently resourced and David Hughes observed that the Fraud Team worked closely with the Housing team.

 


05/04/2022 - 2 Ashbridge Street London NW8 8DS ref: 1638    Recommendations Approved

Decision Maker: Planning Applications Sub-Committee (2)

Made at meeting: 05/04/2022 - Planning Applications Sub-Committee (2)

Decision published: 03/05/2022

Effective from: 05/04/2022

Decision:

Erection of an electrical substation to rear of new building and associated works including protective fencing.

 

Charles Winch addressed the Sub-Committee in support of the Application.

 

RESOLVED: (For Councillors Robert Rigby, Tony Devenish, Councillor Mark Shearer: Against Councillor Tim Roca)

 

1.     That conditional permission under Regulation 3 of the Town and Country Planning General Regulations 1992 be granted.

 

2.     That an Informative be included which encourages the use of greening on the External Treatment.

Wards affected: Church Street;


27/09/2021 - Obesity and Metabolic Diseases Report ref: 1461    Recommendations Approved

Decision Maker: Adults and Public Health Policy and Scrutiny Committee

Made at meeting: 27/09/2021 - Adults and Public Health Policy and Scrutiny Committee

Decision published: 25/04/2022

Effective from: 27/09/2021

Decision:

6.1.      The Committee received a report from Anna Raleigh, Director of Public Health, on obesity in Westminster. It was noted that the Council had launched the “Tackling Childhood Obesity Together” programme which demonstrated that a place-based approach was required and formed the basis of the current Change4Life Programme.

 

6.2.      The Committee reflected that tackling obesity was complex and multifaceted. Members discussed what levers the Council had to involve businesses.

 

6.3.      The Committee discussed the importance of joint working between Council directorates. Officers provided an example of effective cross-council working such as ensuring streets are well-lit so that residents felt safer to walk around the City.

 

6.4.      The Committee reflected on the Council’s physical health offer. Concerns were raised by Members regarding the lack of free indoor leisure activities during the winter and whether more after school clubs could be encouraged.

 

6.5.      Members further raised concerns that the report focused too much on encouraging physical activity and not enough on educating residents about healthy diets. Officers informed the Committee that the Change4Life programme was a whole-family approach and focused on supporting children, young people, families and carers to lead healthier and happier lives.

 

6.6.      The Committee also discussed the difficulty of reducing obesity rates. Senior Officers reflected that the Council needed to change its approach to tackling obesity and that a whole-systems approach would be required, with multi-agency working across the CCG and Northwest London.

 

Actions

1.         Scrutiny Officers to begin scoping for a Task Group on obesity in Westminster.


27/09/2021 - Minutes ref: 1459    Recommendations Approved

Decision Maker: Adults and Public Health Policy and Scrutiny Committee

Made at meeting: 27/09/2021 - Adults and Public Health Policy and Scrutiny Committee

Decision published: 25/04/2022

Effective from: 27/09/2021

Decision:

3.1.      The minutes of the meeting on 15th July 2021 were approved after requests for corrections.

 

3.2.      The first correction was in section 4.8 of the minutes to clarify which ‘Harris School’ was referred too. It was agreed that the minutes would be updated to include ‘Harris School Westminster Sixth Form.’

 

3.3.      The second correction was in section 6.1 of the minutes in reference to the discussion on the Healthwatch report. The Chairman wanted it reflected in the minutes that the Committee wanted more quantitative data from Healthwatch. It was discussed that Healthwatch has limited resources and might not be able to provide aggregated data, but they do provide qualitative analysis.

 

3.4.      The third correction was in section 7.8 of the minutes in reference to the use of the word ‘unanimous’, this word will be removed. The Chairman also asked that, when referencing the closure of the Gordon Hospital, the word, “temporary” be inserted in, so that the minutes read, “the temporary closure of the Gordon Hospital”.


25/04/2022 - Membership ref: 1644    Recommendations Approved

Decision Maker: Appointments Sub-Committee

Made at meeting: 25/04/2022 - Appointments Sub-Committee

Decision published: 25/04/2022

Effective from: 28/04/2022


08/03/2022 - 581 - 587 Harrow Road London W10 4RH ref: 1635    Recommendations Approved

Decision Maker: Planning (Major Applications) Sub-Committee

Made at meeting: 08/03/2022 - Planning (Major Applications) Sub-Committee

Decision published: 04/04/2022

Effective from: 08/03/2022

Decision:

 

Demolition of the existing buildings, construction of part 4, part 5 and part 6 storey building to create ground floor commercial space and twenty five, 1-bedroom flats with private balconies, bicycle storage, refuse storage and communal roof terrace.

 

Late representations were received from:

 

Councillor Dimoldenberg 06.03.2022

Councillor McAllister 07.03.2022

Parish of St John the Evangelist at Kensal Green 07.03.2022

WCC Affordable Housing Manager 07.03.2022

WCC Tree Memo 07.03.2022

WCC Officer Memo 08.03.2022

 

RESOLVED

 

(FOR Councillors Robert Rigby, Jim Glen, Louise Hyams and Mark Shearer: AGAINST Councillor David Boothroyd: ABSTAINED Councillor Geoff Barraclough)

 

1. Grant conditional permission, subject to the completion of a S106 legal agreement to secure:-

 

a) Provision of 25, one bedroom intermediate homes for rent, let at London Living Rents, with tenancies for a maximum period of five years.

b) A financial contribution of £7,500.00 towards the Westminster Employment Service (index linked and payable on commencement of development.

c) A financial contribution of £27,520 towards Carbon Offset Fund (index linked and payable on commencement of development).

d) All highway works immediately surrounding the site required for the development to occur prior to occupation of the development, including reinstatement of the existing vehicle crossovers (Harrow Road and St John’s Terrace) as footway and creation of on-street parking bays and electric vehicle charging point (subject to detail design and the approval of the Highway Authority). Threshold level checks prior to commencement of development. All of the above to the Council’s specification, at full cost (administrative, legal, and physical) of the developer.

e) Lifetime Car Club Membership for Residential Occupiers from first occupation of the development. (Car Club operator must be a CarPlus member).

f) Monitoring costs

 

2.If the s106 agreement has not been completed within 3 months from the date of the Committee's resolution then:

 

a) the Director of Place Shaping and Town Planning shall consider whether the permission can be issued with additional conditions attached to secure the benefits listed above. If this is possible and appropriate, the Director of Place Shaping and Town Planning is authorised to determine and issue such a decision under Delegated Powers; however, if not

b) the Director of Place Shaping and Town Planning shall consider whether permission should be refused on the grounds that is has not proved possible to complete an agreement within an appropriate timescale, and that the proposals are unacceptable in the absence of benefits that would have been secured; if so the Director of Place Shaping and Town Planning is authorised to determine the application and agree appropriate reasons for refusal under Delegated Powers.

 

3. An informative requesting that terraces be kept free from clutter.

 

Wards affected: Queen's Park;


08/03/2022 - South West Wing Bush House Strand London WC2B 4RD ref: 1634    Recommendations Approved

Decision Maker: Planning (Major Applications) Sub-Committee

Made at meeting: 08/03/2022 - Planning (Major Applications) Sub-Committee

Decision published: 04/04/2022

Effective from: 08/03/2022

Decision:

 

Refurbishment and reconfiguration of the existing Bush House South West Wing including an extension at roof level, rear extension; minor demolition works associated with internal and external alterations to provide class E at ground floor and dual alternative use for either Class E (office) or Class F1 (educational) at basement, part ground floor and first to tenth floor, outdoor terraces, hard and soft landscaping and associated works.

 

Late representations were received from:

 

Blythe Dunk (08/03/2022)

Hannah Willcock (08/03/2022)

 

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY 

 

1. Grant conditional permission, subject to a s106 legal agreement to secure the following:

 

a) A financial contribution of £281,580 (index linked) towards the City Council's Carbon Off Set fund (payable prior to the commencement of the development);

b) Monitoring and reporting on the actual operational energy performance of the building, including as built and in-use stage data;

c) In the event the office use is implemented, a financial contribution of £132,000 (index linked) towards initiatives that provide local employment, training opportunities and skills development and supporting the Westminster Employment Service (payable prior to the commencement of the development);

d) Measures to protect the trees adjacent to the site during the works; and e) The costs of monitoring the S106 agreement.

 

2. If the legal agreement has not been completed within six weeks of the date of the Committee resolution, then:

 

a) The Director of Place Shaping and Town Planning shall consider whether the permission can be issued with additional conditions attached to secure the benefits listed above. If this is possible and appropriate, the Director of Place Shaping and Town Planning is authorised to determine and issue such a decision under Delegated Powers; however, if not

b) The Director of Place Shaping and Town Planning shall consider whether permission should be refused on the grounds that it has not proved possible to complete an agreement within the appropriate timescale, and that the proposals are unacceptable in the absence of the benefits that would have been secured; if so, the Director of Place Shaping and Town Planning is authorised to determine the application and agree appropriate reasons for refusal under Delegated Powers.

 

1.   Amend draft condition 11 to restrict the use of roof terrace to 08:00 - 20:00hrs.

 

Wards affected: St James's;


08/03/2022 - Travis And Perkins Building 149 Harrow Road London W2 6NA ref: 1633    Recommendations Approved

Decision Maker: Planning (Major Applications) Sub-Committee

Made at meeting: 08/03/2022 - Planning (Major Applications) Sub-Committee

Decision published: 04/04/2022

Effective from: 08/03/2022

Decision:

 

 

Demolition of existing Travis Perkins building(s) on the Site at 149 Harrow Road, erection of a new building (plus basement) comprising reprovision of builder’s merchant (Sui Generis) and student accommodation (Sui Generis), ancillary community space (Sui Generis) and student amenity terraces above, together with public realm works to Harrow Road and the creation of a canal side path with landscaping. Provision of cycle parking and car parking for the builder’s merchant. Relocation of bus shelter on Harrow Road. Works associated with the creation of new public walkway under Bishops Bridge Road bridge. Installation of plant equipment photo voltaic panels and other associated works. [The development is accompanied by an Environmental Impact Assessment].

 

Additional representations were received from:

 

Mr Mark Brown - Email (18/02/2021)

Mr Bruce Blair – Letter 08/03/2021)

Mr Mark Brown - Email (24/03/2021)

Mr Bruce Blair – Letter (06/04/2021)

Mr Bruce Blair – email (24/04/2021)

Mr Mark Brown – Email (26/04/2021)

Mr Bruce Blair – Email (08/05/2021)

Mr Mark Brown – Email (10/05/2021)

Mr Bruce Blair – Email (10/05/2021)

Mr Mark Brown – email (26/05/2021)

Mr Bruce Blair – Email (01/06/2021)

Mr Bruce Blair – Email (07/06/2021)

Mr Mark Brown – Email (08/06/2021)

Mr Mark Brown – Email (26/11/2021)

Mr Bruce Blair – Email (30/11/2021)

Mr Mark Brown – (22/12/2021)

Mr Bruce Blair – Letter (05/01/2022)

Mr Joe McNally (29/07/2021)

Mariam Ali-Puttergill (29/07/2021)

Ms Kiko Thiel (14/09/21)

Dr Sumon Halder (30/09/2021)

Mr Vincent Yariv (27/10/2021)

Ms Cath Griffith (21/10/2021)

Mr James Robertson (21/10/2021)

Mr Richard Alford (25/10/2021)

Miss Alison Ross (25/10/2021)

Mr Peter Cross (26/10/2021)

Miss Rebecca Osborne (28/10/2021)

Mrs Nicky Hessenberg (29/11/2021)

Miss Karen Eaton (30/11/2021)

Mr Roger Lynn (30/11/2021)

Miss Jemma Japhet (01/12/2021)

Councillor Paul Dimoldenberg, Ms Judith Southern and Md Chowdhury (03/12/2021)

Mr Harry Aitken (03/12/2021)

Mrs Tatiana von der Pahlen (03/12/2021)

Mr Nawaz Haukim (04/12/2021)

Councillor Matthew Green (05/12/2022)

Mr Ian Bates (05/12/2022)

Mr Iain Kennedy (06/12/2021)

Ms Michelle Kathryn Essomé (07/12/2021)

Mr James Cooper (25/02/2022)

Councillor Matthew Green, Councillor Melvyn Caplan and Councillor Lorraine Dean (28/02/2022)

Ms Jan Radisic (01/03/2022)

Ms Heidi Kingstone (02/03/2022)

Miss Alex Webb (02/03/2022)

Miss Elizabeth Kynoch (03/03/2022)

Mr Jim McKinley (03/03/2022)

Ms Amelia Ali (03/03/2022)

Mr Luke Johnson (03/03/2022)

Mr John Walton (SEBRA) (03/03/2022)

Councillor Antonia Cox (04/03/2022)

 

Late representations were received from:

 

Travis Perkins and Unite Students (04/03/2022)

Ms Louise Carter (04/03/2022)

Ms Maureen Stockwell (04/03/2022)

Ms Jenny Rick-Harris (04/03/2022)

Mr Michael Will (04/03/2022)

R W Living (04/03/2022)

Mr Sebastian Nicholas Rosin (04/03/2022)

Miss Beatrice Freedman (05/03/2022)

Ms Dina Lamberton (05/03/2022)

Mr Michael McKay (05/03/2022)

Mrs Mina Bonakdar (05/03/2022)

Mr Jonathan Lass (06/03/2022)

Mr Mike Mannering (06/03/2022)

Mr Anup Karia & Mrs Shriti Karia (07/03/2022)

Mr Paul Hayes (07/03/2022)

Ms Rongchen Tang (07/03/2022)

Ms Rosalind Graham (07/03/2022)

Ms Johanna Orzechowski (07/03/2022)

Ms Kay Buxton – Paddington Partnership (07/03/2022)

Ms Ann Williams (07/03/2022)

Mr Turpin Senou (07/03/22)

Ms Alexandra Juliet Kirsta (08/03/2022)

Ms Anne Von Bennigsen 08/03/2022)

Mr John Zeiger (08/03/2022)

 

Mr Will White addressed the Sub-Committee in support of the application.

Mr Nick Pinney addressed the Sub-Committee in support of the application.

 

Mr Bruce Blair addressed the Sub-Committee in objection to the application.

Ms Usha Sarma addressed the Sub-Committee in objection to the application.

Mr John Zealley addressed the Sub-Committee in objection to the application.

Councillor Heather Acton addressed the Sub-Committee in objection to the application.

Councillor Matthew Green addressed the Sub-Committee in objection to the application.

Councillor Melvyn Caplan addressed the Sub-Committee in objection to the application.

Councillor Lorraine Dean addressed the Sub-Committee in objection to the application.

Councillor Susie Burbridge addressed the Sub-Committee in objection to the application.

 

 

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY 

 

Councillor Boothroyd removed himself from voting on this application.

 

Subject to referral to the Mayor of London, that permission be refused on the following grounds:

 

1.                                                                                                    Highways and Servicing

2.   Loss of light and increased sense of enclosure

 

It was also agreed that the development would be refused for a third reason, namely:

 

3.  Negative impact on the setting of adjacent heritage assets due to its height and mass.

 

Wards affected: Hyde Park;


08/03/2022 - Minutes ref: 1632    Recommendations Approved

Decision Maker: Planning (Major Applications) Sub-Committee

Made at meeting: 08/03/2022 - Planning (Major Applications) Sub-Committee

Decision published: 04/04/2022

Effective from: 08/03/2022

Decision:

3.1      RESOLVED:

 

That the minutes of the meeting held on 18 January 2022 be signed by the Chair as a correct record of proceedings.

 


08/03/2022 - Membership ref: 1631    Recommendations Approved

Decision Maker: Planning (Major Applications) Sub-Committee

Made at meeting: 08/03/2022 - Planning (Major Applications) Sub-Committee

Decision published: 04/04/2022

Effective from: 08/03/2022

Decision:

1.1       There were no changes to the membership.


21/05/2015 - Review of Private Sector Housing Renewal Assistance 2015 ref: 332    Recommendations Approved

Decision regarding the level of charges to be levied in respect of the handyperson service and agreement to the changes to the Council's policy for financial assistance in respect of housing repairs and improvements.

Decision Maker: Cabinet Member for Adult Social Services and Public Health

Decision published: 31/03/2022

Effective from: 21/05/2015

Decision:

That the amendments to the full RRO policy outlined below in section 4 be approved: such changes to be brought into effect by the Executive Director of Growth, Planning and Housing under delegated authority on a date of his choosing.

 

The decision is necessary in order to provide the Cabinet Member with a means of approving the changes to the RRO policy referred to in section 4 in in an area of responsibility delegated to the Executive Director.

Wards affected: (All Wards);

Lead officer: Jake Mathias


17/03/2022 - Westminster Builds Business Plan 2022/23 ref: 1617    Recommendations Approved

Decision Maker: Shareholder Committee

Made at meeting: 17/03/2022 - Shareholder Committee

Decision published: 17/03/2022

Effective from: 17/03/2022

Decision:

To approve the business plan for 2022/23 for Westminster Housing Investments Ltd and Westminster Housing Developments Ltd, also known as ‘Westminster Builds’


17/03/2022 - Westminster Community Homes - Operational and Financial Update 2021-22 ref: 1616    Recommendations Approved

Decision Maker: Shareholder Committee

Made at meeting: 17/03/2022 - Shareholder Committee

Decision published: 17/03/2022

Effective from: 17/03/2022

Decision:

 

 

 

 

1 Recommendations

 

1.1 For the Shareholder Committee to note the above-mentioned report.


17/03/2022 - Westco - Appointment of Director ref: 1615    Recommendations Approved

Decision Maker: Shareholder Committee

Made at meeting: 17/03/2022 - Shareholder Committee

Decision published: 17/03/2022

Effective from: 17/03/2022

Decision:

1.     Recommendations

1.1.It is recommended that:

·       Councillor Tony Devenish is removed as Chair, company director and Board member of Westco Trading Limited.

·       Councillor Max Sullivan is appointed as Chair, company director and Board member of Westco Trading Limited.

·       The Company is instructed to make the necessary entries in the statutory books of the Company and to make the necessary filings at Companies House.

 

2.   Reasons for Decision 

 

2.2 Following a review of appointments, the new administration has indicated that it would like to refresh the leadership of Westco. The nominee’s knowledge and experience in the area of communications will ensure continued input and oversight with regard to the strategic and financial direction of the company.

 


17/03/2022 - Westco - Business Plan 2022-23 ref: 1614    Recommendations Approved

Decision Maker: Shareholder Committee

Made at meeting: 17/03/2022 - Shareholder Committee

Decision published: 17/03/2022

Effective from: 17/03/2022

Decision:

To approve the business plan for 2022-23 for Westco Trading Ltd


13/12/2021 - 2021/22 Capital Budget Re-Profiling Report ref: 1591    Recommendations Approved

Decision Maker: Cabinet

Made at meeting: 13/12/2021 - Cabinet

Decision published: 11/02/2022

Effective from: 13/12/2021

Decision:

Councillor Swaddle introduced this budget report and explained that as part of the Council’s annual capital budget cycle, the capital budgets are reprofiled to align with project delivery timeframes and baselines in preparation for setting the following year’s capital strategy.

 

The report seeks Cabinet’s approval of net changes amounting to £17.148m for individual projects as part of the 2021/22 general fund capital budget as well as the re-profiling of £31.858m for individual projects as part of the 2021/22 HRA capital budget. 

 

Councillor Barnes sought assurance that no projects were at risk of having funding dropped and it was explained that there would be minor delays only.

 

Resolved: Cabinet agree to approve net changes of £17.148m for individual projects as part of the 2021/22 general fund capital budget and the re-profiling of £31.858m for individual projects as part of the 2021/22 HRA capital budget


28/10/2020 - The Planning White Paper 'Planning for the Future' ref: 1293    Recommendations Approved

Decision Maker: Planning & City Development Committee

Made at meeting: 28/10/2020 - Planning & City Development Committee

Decision published: 04/01/2022

Effective from: 28/10/2020

Decision:

6.1       The Committee received a report which provided an overview of the   proposals set out by Government in the Planning White Paper ‘Planning for    the Future’ and identifies those aspects that would have the most significant             impact on planning in Westminster, should they come forward in the form            currently proposed.

 

6.2       The Planning White Paper proposes significant change to the current        planning system in England. The aims of the White Paper, to increase      housing delivery, speed up and streamline both the plan-making and             decision-making processes and better promote ‘beautiful’ design are            supported. However, the lack of detail in the White Paper leaves significant        questions about how these aspirations are to be achieved and in many             instances further detail will be required following consultation on the White    Paper to fully understand the impact that the proposals will have on the     management of development and the delivery of good growth in Westminster   in the future.

 

6.3       Members held discussion and noted the following: -

 

·       That the three main pillars of the White Paper were Planning for Development, Planning for Beautiful and Sustainability and Planning for infrastructure and Connected Places.

 

·       That local design guidance and design codes would be prepared with community involvement and would shift the debate around design, characteristics and desirability of developments from being considered at the planning application stage to the planning policy setting stage. The White Paper does not provide any definition about ‘localities’ or how areas would be grouped for the purpose of delivering design codes. The Committee noted that this was of high importance as the built environment of the City has a rich variety of buildings of significant design quality and historic interest and it was preferred for design codes to be flexible and allow local input.

 

·       That there was uncertainty on whether there will be any Growth Areas in the City. At present there is no information on how the Growth, Renewal and Protect Areas would be defined. The Committee noted that further clarification on these three Areas would be given after the consultation ends and that it was probable that some part of the City might be deemed to be ‘Growth Areas’.    

 

·       That the Council’s Innovation and Change Service had submitted a response to the consultation regarding the Governments proposed changes to the standard method for assessing local housing need. The Committee noted that there were concerns about the proposed methodology and this was due to the process largely focusing on the maximisation of housing stock, with insufficient regard to the physical, economic and other constraints that can serve to limit housing supply..

 

·       The Planning Service had liaised with Innovation and Change Service regarding responses to the consultation and that local amenity societies and other interested parties had been liaised with to ascertain views about proposed changes and their likely effects on local communities.

 

·       That it was not anticipated that the number of appeals would increase when parts of the Planning White Paper becomes legislation. The Committee noted that the White Paper indicated that there would be regimes within Growth and Renewal areas which may remove the need for full planning applications, with greater consideration of appropriate development in these areas being undertaken at local plan stage or through further expansion of permitted development rights.

 

·       There was a strong indication that conservation areas would continue to be protected and that development in these areas would continue to be assessed under the existing planning regime.

 

·       That development schemes involving the reconversions of office units back into residential units would be largely led by market trends and demands. The Committee noted that there was existing policy which aimed to protect office units and that there had been a considerable reduction in the number of these units. There has been an increase in the demand for smaller local offices in residential areas outside the capital.

 

RESOLVED:

 

  1. Members considered the contents of the report and noted the possible impacts of the Planning White Paper proposals on future planning plan making and decision making in Westminster.

 

  1. That the members of the Committee be provided with a copy of the Council’s response to the Planning White Paper ‘Planning for the Future’.

 

  1. That the Committee comments on the proposals listed in the Planning White Paper ‘Planning for the Future’ be included in the Council’s response to the consultation.