Finally catching up with unreported webcasts, here’ְs the 60 minute Cabinet meeting for All Foolְ’s Day.
• There is likely to be a £2·898 million overspend by the end of the 2024/5
financial year which is £6,000 better than anticipated a month ago.
The usual culprits are Children’s Services at £5·8 million and the Adults’
£2·4 million. The Places Directorate has underspent on housing but Recycling
has earned more than anticipated. Expected savings fell short of target by
£1·868 million. The Dedicated Schools Grant has a £5·9 million deficit for
this year bringing the total to £12·8 million. {There must be some unstated
figures here because those quoted get nowhere near to adding up.]
• Cabinet Member David Leaf said that the challenging financial environment is driven
by increased demand and inflation.
• Cabinet Member Richard Diment said that while he was pleased to see the income from
Environmental Services increase despite the price for recyclables dropping and
far too much waste contamination. Together they represent a £210,000 hit. Eight
truck loads of waste went for incineration instead of recycling in January.
• Electricity costs are up by £50,000 a year.
• Bexley continues to be punished by the Ombudsman but the Council Officer said
they were few in number and those coming through now related to incidents two or
three years ago. “Lessons have been learned.”
• A 2050 Vision for Bexley has been developed within the past ten months. It is
supported by the Business Improvement District, Capita, Cory Group, the Housing
Associations, Rose Bruford College, the Fire Service and the Police among
others. The aim is to raise the profile of the borough and attract investment.
• Richard Diment said that Bexley has some of the worst performing bus services
in London. Every one of the low frequency buses is missing its performance target. “TfL
ought to listen to the Council to see what they should be doing to improve those
services.” [Surely if buses run late it must be the state of the roads which is the problem.
TfL has already made their views clear on that.]
• Richard made a plea for the Express bus service which runs
non-stop from Bexleyheath to Sidcup to be further delayed by a
diversion into Bexley. [Contrary to reports it does not usually run “within 100
yards of Bexley station”, I see it in Penhilll Road regularly which is a much more direct route to and from Sidcup.]
• The toll on Blackwall and Silvertown tunnels is an unacceptable burden on Bexley residents.
• Councillor Stefano Borella, who I don’t think is a driver, was the only Councillor who
had noticed that Welling, Sidcup, Bexleyheath and Erith are all effectively shut
by road closures. “It is a a big issue. Thames Water, I am not going to say what
I think about them…” [I am tempted to speak for him before long.]
• Missed bins are now down to 70 per 100,000 collected. (99·93%.)
