Venue: Walworth Living Room, All Saints Hall, Surrey Square, London SE17 2JU
Contact: Paula Thornton and Virginia Wynn-Jones Phone: 020 7525 4395/7055 Email: paula.thornton@southwark.gov.uk; virginia.wynn-jones@southwark.gov.uk
Note: Please note that cabinet meetings are usually live streamed. If you address the meeting, please do not disclose any information you do not wish to be in the public domain. Livestream at: https://www.youtube.com/user/southwarkcouncil/videos; to attend in person please contact the above constitutional officer.
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Apologies
To receive any apologies for absence. Minutes: An apology for absence was received from Councillor John Batteson. |
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Notification of any items of Business which the Chair Deems Urgent
In special circumstances, an item of business may be added to an agenda within five clear working days of the meeting. Minutes: The chair gave notice of the following late items:
Item 12: Consideration of proposal to close Charlotte Sharman Primary School
Item 13: Consideration of proposal to close St Mary Magdalene CE Primary School.
Reasons for lateness and urgency have been included in the reports. |
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Notice of Intention to conduct business in a closed meeting, and any representations received
To note the items specified which will be considered in a closed meeting. Minutes: No closed items for this meeting. |
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Disclosure of Interests and Dispensations
Members to declare any interests and dispensations in respect of any item of business to be considered at this meeting. Minutes: Councillor Sarah King declared a non-pecuniary interest as a member of the Dulwich Hamlet Supporters Trust with regard to item 14: Appropriation of land at Greendale and confirmed her intention to withdraw from the meeting while this item was being discussed.
Additionally, Councillor James McAsh withdrew from the meeting while items 12 and 13: Consideration of proposals to close Charlotte Sharman Primary School and St Mary Magdalene CE primary school were discussed. This was a non-pecuniary interest in his capacity as a branch officer at the National Education Union (Lambeth). |
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Minutes
To approve as a correct record the minutes of the open section of the meeting held on 11 March 2025. Supporting documents: Minutes: RESOLVED:
That the minutes of the meeting held on 11 March 2025 be approved as a correct record and signed by the chair. |
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Public Question Time (15 Minutes)
To receive any questions from members of the public which have been submitted in advance of the meeting in accordance with the cabinet procedure rules. The deadline for the receipt of public questions is midnight Wednesday 11 June 2025. Minutes: There were no public questions. |
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Deputation Requests
To consider any deputation requests. The deadline for the receipt of deputation requests is midnight Wednesday 11 June 2025. Supporting documents: Minutes: The report had not been circulated five clear days in advance of the meeting. The chair agreed to accept this item as urgent.
RESOLVED:
1. That the deputation request from Dulwich Hamlet Football Club be heard.
2. A spokesperson for the deputation addressed cabinet for five minutes and questions were asked of the deputation for a period of five minutes. |
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Southwark's Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy 2025-2030 - Formal consultation review and suggested amendments to final draft
To agree the proposed amendments for the final draft Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy 2025-2030 and accompanying action plan. Supporting documents: Minutes: The cabinet heard representations from Mr Ninesh Mutiah, Homefinder UK and Mr Eammon Egerton, St Mungos.
RESOLVED:
1. That the proposed amendments in the report for the final draft Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy 2025-2030 (hereafter ‘the Strategy’,) and accompanying action plan be agreed.
2. That the findings of the formal consultation process that was held between 2 September and 8 December 2024 be noted. |
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Allocations for Strategic Community Infrastructure Levy funding
To agree the allocation of strategic community infrastructure levy funding towards the fit out of the Harold Moody Health Centre on Thurlow Street, in support of bus priority works and refurbishment works associated with the Southwark Pensioners Centre. Supporting documents: Minutes: RESOLVED:
1. That the allocation of strategic community infrastructure levy funding of up to £1,250,000 towards the fit out of the Harold Moody Health Centre on Thurlow Street be agreed.
2. That the allocation of strategic community infrastructure levy funding of £1m in support of the bus priority works be agreed.
3. That the allocation of £500,000 of strategic community infrastructure levy funding to the refurbishment works associated with the Southwark Pensioners Centre be agreed. |
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Expansion of Highshore Special School
To agree to the proposals to expand the Highshore Special School to a satellite provision on the site of the former Comber Grove Primary School. Supporting documents: Minutes: Cabinet heard representations from the head teacher of Highshore School who was present at the meeting.
RESOLVED:
That the proposals to expand the Highshore Special School to a satellite provision on the site of the former Comber Grove Primary School be agreed. |
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Expansion of Cherry Garden Special School
To agree to the proposals to expand the Cherry Garden Special School to a satellite provision located within the Bellenden Primary School. Supporting documents: Minutes: Cabinet heard representations from the executive head teacher of the River Peck Federation and head teacher at Cherry Garden special school who were in attendance.
RESOLVED:
1. That the proposals to expand the Cherry Garden Special School to a satellite provision located within the Bellenden Primary School be agreed. |
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Consideration of proposal to close Charlotte Sharman Primary School
To agree to close Charlotte Sharman Primary School from the 31 August 2025 onwards. Supporting documents: Minutes: It was not possible to circulate this report five clear days in advance of the meeting. The chair agreed to accept this item as urgent as the representations on closure needed to run for a period of four weeks and be complete prior to consideration by cabinet on the 17 June 2025. Results from the consultation were not available until the 9 June 2025, four days after the dispatch date for cabinet.
Councillor James McAsh left the meeting room while this item was discussed and a decision made.
Cabinet heard representations from the chair of governors and a colleague.
RESOLVED:
That it be agreed to close Charlotte Sharman Primary School from the 31 August 2025 onward. |
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Consideration of proposal to close St Mary Magdalene CE Primary School
To agree to close St Mary Magdalene Church of England Primary School from the 31 August 2025 onwards. Supporting documents: Minutes: It was not possible to circulate this report five clear days in advance of the meeting. The chair agreed to accept this item as urgent as the representations on closure needed to run for a period of four weeks and be complete prior to consideration by cabinet on the 17 June 2025. Results from the consultation were not available until the 9 June 2025, four days after the dispatch date for cabinet.
Councillor James McAsh left the meeting room while this item was discussed and a decision made.
Cabinet heard representations from the chair of governors and the director of Southwark Diocesan Board of Education.
RESOLVED:
1. That it be agreed to close St Mary Magdalene Church of England Primary School from the 31 August 2025 onwards.
2. That a report be produced on the lessons learned from school closures in Southwark over recent years and reported back to cabinet in Autumn 2025. |
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Appropriation of land at Greendale
To approve the appropriation of land at Greendale. Supporting documents: Minutes: Councillor Sarah King left the meeting room while this item was discussed and a decision was made (having declared a non-pecuniary interest).
RESOLVED:
1. That the Astro Turf Pitch Site at Greendale Playing Fields shown edged red on the plan at Appendix 1 of the report that is currently held for open space purposes be confirmed as no longer required for those purposes and the appropriation of the land to planning purposes to facilitate the carrying out of the consented development proposals for the area in accordance with section 226 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 and section 122(1) of the Local Government Act 1972 be approved.
2. That it be noted that a future report will be brought to cabinet setting out detailed land arrangements for the site and wider development. |
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Refresh of Procurement Framework to support Southwark 2030 and approval of new Social Value Framework
To approve the refreshed Southwark 2030 Procurement Framework and the draft social value framework. Supporting documents: Minutes: RESOLVED:
1. That the refreshed Southwark 2030 Procurement Framework, at Appendix 1 of the report be approved.
2. That the emerging corporate approach to Social Value be endorsed and the draft Social Value Framework, at Appendix 2 of the report be approved.
3. That the continued delegation of approval for minor and consequential amendments to the Southwark 2030 Procurement Framework to the assistant chief executive, governance and assurance, in consultation with the cabinet member for equalities, democracy and finance be agreed.
4. That the delegation of approval for minor and consequential amendments to the social value framework to the strategic director of resources, in consultation with the cabinet member for equalities, democracy and finance be agreed. |
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Statement of Community Involvement and Development Consultation Charter: Review and Updates
Supporting documents: Minutes: RESOLVED:
1. That the updated Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) and Development Consultation Charter (DCC) 2025 with the minor changes set out in Appendices 2 and 3 of the report be agreed.
2. That the updated Development Consultation Charter templates (Early Engagement Strategy, Engagement Summary, and Equality and Needs Impact Assessment) set out in Appendices 4, 5, and 6 of the report be agreed. |
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Response to Environment Scrutiny Commission report - Biodiversity Scrutiny Review
To consider the responses to the recommendations in respect of the scrutiny commission report. Supporting documents: Minutes: RESOLVED:
1. That the council’s response to the 34 recommendations put forward by the environment scrutiny commission’s biodiversity review, as set out in the overview and scrutiny procedure rule 15.3 be approved.
2. That 10 recommendations be accepted and 24 recommendations be partially accepted for reasons outlined in the report. |
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Response to Overview and Scrutiny Committee - Recommendations arising from Scrutiny of Consort Estate Major Works, SE15 Charges to Leaseholders
To consider the responses to the recommendations in respect of the overview and scrutiny report. Supporting documents: Minutes: RESOLVED:
That the responses to the recommendations of the overview and scrutiny committee be noted. |
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Policy and Resources: Capital Outturn Report 2024-25
To note the capital outturn position. Supporting documents: Minutes: RESOLVED:
1. That the outturn and resources for 2024-25 and future years for both the general fund and housing investment programmes as detailed in Appendices A1 and C of the report be noted.
2. That the alignment of the general fund capital programme to the Southwark 2030 priorities at Appendix A2 of the report be noted.
3. That the borrowing requirement of £349m which needs to be identified for the general fund programme to be fully delivered over the remaining term of the programme, as detailed in Appendix A1 of the report be noted.
4. That the borrowing requirement of £324m for the housing investment programme to be fully delivered over the remaining term of the programme, as detailed in Appendix C of the report be noted.
5. The virements and variations to the general fund and housing investment capital programme as detailed in Appendix D of the report be approved.
6. That the new capital bid in Appendix E of the report be approved. |
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Policy and Resources: Revenue Outturn Report 2024-25
To approve interdepartmental budget movements andnote the forecast revenue outturn position for 2024-25. Supporting documents: Minutes: RESOLVED:
That the following be approved:
1. The interdepartmental budget and reserve movements that exceed £275k, as shown in Appendix A and Appendix C of the report.
2. The use of £5.3m reserves to balance the 2024-25 outturn.
That the following be noted:
3. The housing revenue account (HRA) favourable variance of £3.9m after one off income windfalls, other financing activities and short-term cost reductions.
4. The full utilisation of the £4m contingencytogether with £2.4m of general reserves.
5. The key overspends in 2024-25 are:
i. Housing - housing revenue account (paragraphs 14-27 of the report) ii. Housing - temporary accommodation (paragraph 77-79 of the report) iii. Adult social care (paragraphs 38 -41 of the report).
6. The positive variance of £1.1m in the ring-fenced dedicated schools grant (DSG) reduced the overall deficit to £5.8m as at 31 March 2025 (paragraphs 48-50 of the report).
7. The interdepartmental general fund budget and reserve movements that are less than £275k as shown in Appendix A and D of the report.
8. The council reserve balances as at 31 March 2025 in Appendix B of the report. |
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Appointment to Outside Bodies 2025-26
To consider and agree appointments to outside bodies for the 2025-26 municipal year. Supporting documents: Minutes: RESOLVED:
That appointments to the outside bodies listed in Appendix A of the report for the 2025-26 municipal year be agreed as follows:
Better Bankside Board
Cllr Helen Dennis Cllr David Watson
Blue Bermondsey BID Board
Cllr Leo Pollak
Board of Southwark College Corporation
Cllr Jasmine Ali
Central London Forward
Cllr Kieron Williams
Central London Forward (Employment and Skills Board)
Cllr John Batteson
Centre for Literacy in Primary Education
Cllr Catherine Rose
Cross River Board
Cllr James McAsh
Groundwork London, Local Authority Strategic Input Board
Cllr Portia Mwangangye
Guys and St Thomas NHS Foundation (Council of Governors)
Cllr Emily Hickson
Kings College Hospital NHS (Council of Governors)
Cllr Renata Hamvas
London Bridge Improvement District BID
Cllr John Batteson
London Road Safety Council (LRSC)
Cllr James McAsh Cllr Richard Livingstone
London Youth Games Limited
Cllr Portia Mwangangye Cllr Jasmine Ali (deputy)
Mountview
Cllr Sabina Emmanuel
Newable Limited (formerly Greater London Enterprise Limited)
Cllr John Batteson
North Southwark Environment Trust
Cllr Naima Ali
Our Space (20 – 22 Lordship Lane) Steering Group
Cllr John Batteson Cllr Charlie Smith
Peckham Levels Steering Group
Cllr David Parton Cllr John Batteson
Potters Fields Park Management Trust
Cllr Portia Mwangangye Strategic director, environment, sustainability and leisure or representative
Shared ICT Services Joint Committee
Cllr Stephanie Cryan Cllr Barrie Hargrove
South Bank and Waterloo Partnership
Cllr John Batteson Cllr David Watson Cllr Irina Von Wiese Cllr Victor Chamberlain
South Bank Business Improvement District Ltd
Cllr John Batteson Cllr Irina Von Wiese
South London Gallery Trustee Limited
Cllr Richard Leeming Cllr Cleo Soanes
South London and Maudsley (SLaM) NHS Trust Members Council
Cllr Esme Dobson
Southwark and Lambeth Archaeological Excavation Committee (SLAEC)
Cllr Richard Leeming Raymond Whitaker
Southwark Construction Skills Centre (“the Centre”)
Cllr John Batteson
Southwark Twinning Association
Cllr James McAsh
Safer Neighbourhood Board (Southwark)
Cllr Natasha Ennin
WeAreWaterloo BID (Business Improvement District)
Cllr Maria Linforth-Hall
Walworth Group
Cllr Natasha Ennin |
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Nominations to Panels, Boards and Forums 2025-26
To agree the allocation of places to the panels, boards and forums for the 2025-26 municipal year. Supporting documents: Minutes: RESOLVED:
That the allocation of places to panels, boards and forums for 2025-26 set out in Appendix A of the report be agreed as follows:
Joint Partnership Panel (Trade Union consultation)
Cllr Kieron Williams Cllr Stephanie Cryan
Homeowners Service Charge Arbitration Tribunal
Cllr Charlie Smith Cllr Renata Hamvas Cllr Sunny Lambe Cllr Sandra Rhule Cllr Margy Newens Cllr Kath Whittam Cllr Sabina Emmanuel Cllr Suzanne Abachor Cllr Maria Linforth-Hall Cllr Jane Salmon
Tenancy and Leaseholder Arbitration Tribunal
Cllr Charlie Smith Cllr Renata Hamvas Cllr Sunny Lambe Cllr Sandra Rhule Cllr Margy Newens Cllr Kath Whittam Cllr Sabina Emmanuel Cllr Suzanne Abachor Cllr Maria Linforth-Hall Cllr Jane Salmon
Southwark Safeguarding Adults Board
Cllr Evelyn Akoto Cllr Natasha Ennin
Southwark Safeguarding Children’s Board
Cllr Jasmine Ali
Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education
Cllr Maggie Browning Cllr Sandra Rhule Cllr Margy Newens Cllr Graham Neale
Southwark Tenant Management Organisation Committee
Cllr Sarah King Cllr Barrie Hargrove Cllr Esme Hicks Cllr Jane Salmon
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Report of the Education and Local Economy Scrutiny Commission: Review of Education and Health Care Plan (EHCP), Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) provisions and Inclusions in Schools
To consider recommendations from the education and local economy scrutiny commission in respect of review of education and health care plan, special educational needs and disabilities provisions and inclusions in schools. Supporting documents: Minutes: RESOLVED:
1. That the recommendations from the education and local economy scrutiny commission arising from the scrutiny education and health care plan (EHCP), special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) provisions and inclusions in schools in the London Borough of Southwark, paragraphs 11 to 24 of the report be noted.
2. That the recommendations from the education and local economy scrutiny commission be considered and that the relevant cabinet member reports back to cabinet within eight weeks. |
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Report of the Education and Local Economy Scrutiny Commission: Review of the Draft Town Centre Action Plan, Youth Employment support and East Street Traders
To consider recommendations from the education and local economy scrutiny commission in respect of the review of the draft town centre action plan, youth employment and East Street traders. Supporting documents: Minutes: RESOLVED:
1. That the recommendations from the education and local economy scrutiny commission arising from the scrutiny review of the draft town centre action plan, youth employment support and East Street traders in the London Borough of Southwark, paragraphs 7 to 12 of the report be noted.
2. That the recommendations from the education and local economy scrutiny commission be considered and that the relevant cabinet member reports back to cabinet within eight weeks. |
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Interim Report of the Housing, Community Safety and Community Engagement Scrutiny Commission: Scrutiny review of Tenant Structures (Draft Resident Involvement Strategy)
To consider recommendations from the housing, community safety, community engagement scrutiny commission in respect of review of tenant structures (draft resident involvement). Supporting documents: Minutes: RESOLVED:
1. That the housing, community safety and community engagement scrutiny commission’s recommendations relating to its ongoing review of Southwark’s tenant structures be noted.
2. That recommendations be considered and that the relevant cabinet member reports back to cabinet within eight weeks. |
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Report of the Health and Social Care Scrutiny Commission: Nursing Care Home Delivery scrutiny review report
To consider recommendations from the health and social care scrutiny commission in respect of nursing care home delivery scrutiny review. Supporting documents: Minutes: Councillor Suzanne Abachor presented the report to cabinet and key issues arising. Members of the health and social care scrutiny commission were also in attendance to support this presentation.
RESOLVED:
1. That the recommendation of the health and social care scrutiny commission: nursing care home delivery scrutiny review report Appendix 1, as set out on the page 9 of the report be noted.
2. That the recommendation from the commission be considered and that the relevant cabinet member reports back to cabinet on the recommendation, as set out in the report. |
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Motions referred from Council Assembly
To consider the following motions referred from council assembly March 2025 meeting as follows:
· Creating healthy green and leisure spaces for the whole community · Scrap the Two Child Cap · Extension of the Franchise · A Fair Deal for Southwark’s Carers · A National Care Service for England. Supporting documents: Minutes: RESOLVED:
Creating healthy green and leisure spaces for the whole of the community
1.
Council Assembly believes: a.
In order to create good
lives for the whole community, we must ensure that our leisure
spaces and green spaces are as healthy as they can be. This
includes parks and green spaces, leisure centres and sports
facilities, playgrounds, libraries and biodiversity
corridors. 2.
Council Assembly agrees: a.
That fourteen years of cuts to local government by
Conservative and Liberal Democrat governments has made it harder
for councils across the country to deliver high quality, healthy
green and leisure spaces. b. That despite this context, Southwark’s Labour administration has excelled in delivering for our borough’s residents, establishing Labour as the only party able to deliver a greener and healthier Southwark, including:
i. The hugely successful in-sourcing of Southwark’s leisure centres, providing a Free Swim and Gym offer for all Southwark residents, opening Southwark’s first open-water swimming facility and decarbonising leisure centres across the borough.
ii.
Achieving 30 Green Flag Awards including Burgess
Park, Peckham Rye Park and Warwick Park on Rye Lane, the opening of
a brand new park at Elephant Park and completing Southwark
Labour’s manifesto commitment to be the first inner London
borough to have over 100,000 trees. iii. Expanding Southwark’s network of community gardens, with 21 community gardens and over 250 growing plots established since 2021 and adopting Incredible Edible’s Right to Grow.
iv.
This administration’s investment in
playgrounds, including the opening of the newly refurbished Ellen
Brown Adventure Playground in South Bermondsey and Fredrick
Playground in Newington.
v.
The opening of two new libraries on the Aylesbury
and Kingswood estates, despite austerity forcing councils to close
local libraries across the country. 3. Council Assembly also welcomes:
a.
Improvements made to our much-loved green spaces
including Cossall Park, Burgess Park and Victory Park,
refurbishments to 19 council-managed tennis courts across the
borough and support provided for residents to set up community
gardens across Southwark. b.
Revamping sports facilities and expanding
activities, including St Paul’s Sports Ground, Burgess Park
Sports Centre and Southwark Park Sports and Athletics Centre, as
well as £1.3 million paid or committed to local sports clubs
and organisations. c.
The £8 million upgrade of our leisure centres
and £2 million spent on refurbishing our gyms, including
cleaner facilities and upgraded changing rooms and the state of the
art e-gyms at Peckham Pulse and Camberwell Green leisure
centres. d.
This administration’s continued work with
residents and local councillors in Nunhead & Queen’s Road
in making Nunhead Green and Brayards Community Garden thriving
community spaces for all ages. e.
The opening of health kiosks at Camberwell, Una
Marson, Canada Water and Dulwich libraries, used by over 14,000
uses since they were installed. f. The raising of over £1 million for nature projects through the Community Investment Scheme and renewed focus on biodiversity following the recommendations of our Citizens’ Jury on Climate Change, ... view the full minutes text for item 27. |
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Motion to exclude the press and public That the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in category 3 of paragraph 10.4 of the access to information procedure rules of the Southwark Constitution.
The following is a summary of the decisions taken in the closed part of the meeting.
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Minutes
To approve a correct record the closed minutes of the meeting held on 11 March 2025. Minutes: RESOLVED:
That the minutes of the closed section of the meeting held on 11 March 2025 be approved as a correct record and signed by the chair. |