Agenda and minutes
PDF 184 KBVenue: Ground floor meeting rooms, 160 Tooley Street, London SE1 2QH
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: Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Evelyn Akoto and James McAsh. |
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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: None. |
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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. Supporting documents: Minutes: No representations were received. |
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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: There were none. |
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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 10 September 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 10 September 2025. Minutes: There were no deputation requests. |
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Minutes
To approve as a correct record the minutes of the open section of the meeting held on 7 July 2025. Supporting documents: Minutes: RESOLVED:
That the minutes of the meeting held on 7 July 2025 be approved as a correct record and signed by the chair. |
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Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan Update and Annual Report
To approve updates to the climate change strategy and action plan and note progress made in the 2024-25 annual report. Supporting documents: Minutes: RESOLVED:
1. That the progress that Southwark has made in tackling the climate emergency over the last financial year, as detailed within the climate change annual report be noted.
2. That the merged climate change strategy (2021) and climate resilience and adaptation strategy (2024) to create a single climate change strategy, and an updated climate action plan that focuses on reducing emissions, improving climate adaptation and resilience, and aligns with the goals and principles of the Southwark 2030 strategy be approved.
3. That the priorities for the next twelve months and the collaborative work underway to implement actions that will adapt the borough and make it more resilient to the worsening effects of climate change be noted. 4. That the substantial new investment secured by officers to support the retrofitting of the council leisure centres, homes and schools be welcomed, but it be noted that the still significant cost of addressing climate change, and the lack of available funding and resources to reduce carbon emissions and deliver climate adaptation measures to protect the borough. |
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Taking forward the independent review of community safety
To agree to the council’s new service model for community safety and phased delivery plan and note the progress already made. Supporting documents: Minutes: RESOLVED:
1. That the findings of the community safety review set out in the report be noted.
2. That the council’s new service model for community safety and phased delivery plan be agreed.
3. That the progress already made be noted, including hotspot activity, expanded community warden’s powers and operational improvements. |
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Resident Experience Plan 2025-2030
To approve the Resident Experience Plan 2025 – 2030 (REP) and agree actions and priorities arising.
Supporting documents: Minutes: RESOLVED:
1. That the resident experience plan 2025 – 2030 (REP) (Appendix 1 of the report), the REP action plan (Appendix 2 of the report), be approved and that the equalities impact and needs analysis (Appendix 3 of the report) and executive summary from Thinks Insight & Strategy (Appendix 4 of the report) be noted.
2. That the actions and priorities arising from the resident experience plan be agreed. |
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Allocations for Strategic Community Infrastructure Levy funding
To agree the allocation of strategic community infrastructure levy funding of up to £2,500,000 to fit out of the Women’s Safety Centre. Supporting documents: Minutes: RESOLVED:
That the allocation of strategic community infrastructure levy funding of up to £2,500,000 to fit out of the Women’s Safety Centre be agreed. |
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Policy and Resources: Capital Monitoring Report 2025-26 and Southwark 2030 strategic alignment
To note the forecast capital out-turn position and agree virements and variations to the general fund and housing investment capital programme. Supporting documents: Minutes: RESOLVED:
1. That the month 4 2025-26 forecast spend and resources 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 significant borrowing requirement of £321m 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 A of the report be noted.
4. That the significant borrowing requirement of £359m 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. That the virements and variations to the general fund and housing investment capital programme as detailed in Appendix D of the report be approved. |
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Policy and Resources: Revenue Monitoring Report 2025-26
To note the forecast revenue out-turn position. Supporting documents: Minutes: RESOLVED:
1. That the housing revenue account (HRA) forecast of an adverse variance of £10.1m be noted. 2. That the adverse variance of £24.2m forecast for the general fund (GF) in 2025-26 be noted. 3. That the key adverse variations and budget pressures and mitigating actions underlying the position be noted: · Housing revenue account (paragraphs 13-26 of the report) · General fund (paragraphs 26-82 of the report) · Demand pressures in temporary accommodation (TA) (housing) · Increased demand in adult’s and children’s social care (children’s and adult’s).
4. That the update on the 2025-26 and 2026-27 departmental savings and transformational savings (paragraph 83-85 of the report) be noted.
5. That the dedicated schools grant (DSG) in-year favourable variance of £0.075m be noted. |
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Cash Incentive Scheme (Home Purchase Grant) Amendment to Policy
To approve changes to the home purchase grant, cash incentive policy for the inclusion of the purchase of one-bedroom properties in the scheme. Supporting documents: Minutes: RESOLVED
1. That the changes to the home purchase grant, cash incentive policy for the inclusion of the purchase of one-bedroom properties in the scheme be approved.
2. That the amount of grant offered per property be increased, ensuring that thehome purchase grant remains an attractive option to assist tenants to move into homeownership, whilst retaining council housing stock for much needed future use.
3. That the consecutive removalof the £3000 grant payment made to tenants for additional property features which simplifies and standardises the approach to grant assessments be approved. |
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Response to 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 the responses to the recommendations in respect of the scrutiny commission report. Supporting documents: Minutes: RESOLVED:
That the responses to the education and local economy scrutiny commission recommendations on the review of education and health care plan (EHCP), special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) provisions and inclusions in schools be approved. |
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Response to Housing Scrutiny Commission recommendations on the Draft Resident Engagement Strategy
To consider the responses to the recommendations in respect of the scrutiny commission report. Supporting documents: Minutes: RESOLVED:
That all recommendations made by housing scrutiny commission as set out in the report be accepted. |
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Response to the Education and Local Economy Scrutiny Commission: Review of the Draft Town Centre Action Plan, Youth Employment support and East Street Traders
To consider the responses to the recommendations in respect of the scrutiny commission report. Supporting documents: Minutes: RESOLVED:
That the responses to the education and local economy scrutiny commission recommendations on the review of the draft town centre action plans, youth employment support and East Street Traders be approved. |
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Response to the Health and Social Care Scrutiny Commission: Nursing Care Home Delivery Scrutiny Review report
To consider the responses to the recommendations in respect of the scrutiny commission report. Supporting documents: Minutes: RESOLVED:
1. That the health and social care scrutiny commission (HSCSC) be thanked for its work on the nursing care home delivery scrutiny review report. 2. That the officer response to the recommendations within the nursing care home delivery scrutiny review report, as set out in the ‘key issues for consideration’ section of this report be approved. |
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Report of the Environment Scrutiny Commission 2024/25: Exploring the Physical and Mental Health and Wellbeing Impacts of Active Travel and Access to Nature Scrutiny Review Report
To consider recommendations from the environment scrutiny commission in respect of environmental health scrutiny review. Supporting documents: Minutes: RESOLVED:
1. That the recommendations of the former environment scrutiny commission 2024-25: exploring the physical and mental health and wellbeing impacts of active travel and access to nature scrutiny review report, as set out on pages 24 -31 of the report be noted.
2. That the recommendations from the commission be considered and that the relevant cabinet member reports back to cabinet on the recommendations. |
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Report of the Housing Scrutiny Commission: Outcome of the review of the Canada Estate 2017/18, Fair Street / Devon Mansions 2018/19 and Kirby Estate 2018/19 QHIP Major Works Projects
To consider recommendations from the housing scrutiny commission in respect of the outcome of the review of the Canada Estate 2017/18, Fair Street / Devon Mansions 2018/19 and Kirby Estate 2018/19 major works projects. Supporting documents: Minutes: Councillor Ian Wingfield, chair of the overview and scrutiny committee presented a summary of the key findings and issues arising from the housing scrutiny commission report.
RESOLVED:
1. That the recommendations from the housing scrutiny commission arising from the review of major works in relation to Canada Estate 2017/18 QHIP, Fair Street / Devon Mansions 2018/19 QHIP and Kirby Estate 2018/19 QHIP as set out at paragraphs 8 to 19 of the report be noted.
2. That the recommendations from the commission be considered and that the relevant cabinet member report back to cabinet on the recommendations within eight weeks. |
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Gateway 1: Procurement Strategy Approval: Provision of Learning Disability Supported Living Services
To approve the procurement strategy for the provision of learning disability supported living services. Supporting documents: Minutes: RESOLVED:
1. That the procurement strategy outlined in the report for the provision of learning disability supported living services at an estimated annual cost of approximately £12.7m and at an estimated total maximum cost of approximately £89.2m for a period of three (3) years plus two two-year extensions (three + two + two) noting that this is an estimated cost based on potential maximum costs and may be subject to inflationary increases prior to the anticipated contract start in February 2027 be approved and that the contract values through the life of the contract will be subject to annual inflationary negotiations which will affect the estimated maximum contract value and that the contract value will be split across multiple contracts as detailed in the body of the report.
2. That the decision to award the gateway 2 report be delegated to the strategic director of children and adult services in consultation with the cabinet member for health and wellbeing. |
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Gateway 1: Procurement approach for home to school transport SEND vehicles framework
To approve the procurement strategy for the special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) vehicles framework. Supporting documents: Minutes: RESOLVED:
1. That the procurement strategy for the special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) vehicles framework as outlined within the report at an estimated annual value of £3.2m and cumulative eight-year lifetime contract total value of £25.6m, provisionally scheduled to commence on 12 March 2026 be approved, noting that award of the framework does not commit the council to any expenditure.
2. That the delegation of the gateway 2 contract award recommendations for SEND vehicles framework be approved to the strategic director of children and adult services, in consultation with the deputy leader and cabinet member for children, education and refugees. |
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Authorisation of Debt Write-offs over £50,000 and up to £250,000 for Commercial Rent Debt
To approve to write off debts over which are irrecoverable. Supporting documents: Minutes: RESOLVED:
That the write off of £659,432.56 for 5 debts be approved. |
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Motions from Council Assembly
To consider the following motions referred from council assembly July 2025 meeting as follows:
· Keeping Southwark Safe: Fighting crime and the causes of crime · Southwark welcomes 400th refugee family · Southwark Stands Against Welfare Cuts · Making Space for Girls in Parks and Open Spaces · Implementation of a Tourist Tax · Limiting the spread of damaging gambling premises in the Blue. Supporting documents: Minutes: RESOLVED:
Keeping Southwark Safe: Fighting crime and the causes of crime
1. Council Assembly notes:
a. That tackling crime and anti-social behaviour is a top priority for many of our residents.
b. The council’s commitment to making Southwark safer for all.
c. The council’s continued ambitions to work collaboratively with local communities to identify key concerns, target action in hotspot areas, including on our streets and our estates, work to restore trust and confidence in the police, and to invest in prevention.
d. This Labour government’s commitment to 13,000 extra neighbourhood police, visible on the beat, cracking down on anti-social behaviour, and a named, contactable officer in every community.
e. On protecting our public spaces:
i. The upcoming rollout of new nighttime wardens following a £450,000 investment in Southwark Labour’s budget amendment this year, with new officers patrolling streets and estates from 6pm to 2am.
ii. The powers to be given to wardens to carry out enforcement, with training from the police allowing them to address and prevent anti-social behaviour.
iii. The launch of the council’s £2m Anti-Social Behaviour Task Force, with 100 officers recruited to work on tackling crime and antisocial behaviour.
iv. The pilots to improve safety in our parks developed with friends of parks, the wider community, the metropolitan police service and council to monitor impact of efforts to deter anti-social behaviour (ASB) and crime in a named park.
v. The £3 million investment in upgrading existing CCTV across our borough.
vi. The upgrading of over 2,800 street lights since 2022, and ambitions to upgrade all our street lights by 2026, which are on track.
vii. The Home Secretary’s initiative to keep streets safe this summer, with new local ASB Action Plans and a Summer Surge Delivery Plans.
viii. The Council’s enforcement cracking down on fly-tipping, with fees increased from £400 to £1,000 and new powers from the Labour government for the police to identify, seize and crush vehicles of waste criminals.
f. On working to improve public trust in the police:
i. The successful launch of the Southwark Policing Oversight Board, the first of its kind in London, which puts residents at the heart of improving public trust and confidence in the Metropolitan Police by increasing accountability and transparency and allowing residents to share their concerns.
ii. This council’s initiative to bring young people in to advise on Stop and Search, helping to train over 100 police officers to meet the highest standards.
iii. This Labour government’s Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee, which includes measures that will put named and contactable officers back in our neighbourhoods, with a 50% increase in community police officers by 2029.
g. Local councillors are fighting to save a police hub in Rotherhithe:
i. That despite this guarantee, Bermondsey Safer Neighbourhood Teams have vacated their base at Seven Islands Leisure Centre.
ii. That the council alongside British Land have offered the Borough Commander several potential sites ... view the full minutes text for item 24. |
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Appointment to London Councils Transport Environment Committee (S101 Joint Committee) / JPP Panel / Southwark Tenant Management Organisation Committee 2025-26
Supporting documents: Minutes: RESOLVED:
That the following appointments for the remainder of the 2025-26 municipal year as set out be agreed:
· London Councils Transport and Environment Committee (S101 Joint Committee) – Councillor James McAsh · Joint Partnership Panel (JPP) – Councillor Sarah King and · Southwark Tenant Management Organisation Committee – Councillor Michael Situ. |
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Exclusion of 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
Supporting documents: Minutes: The closed minutes of the cabinet meeting held on 7 July 2025 were approved as a correct record and signed by the chair. |
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Gateway 1 - Procurement Strategy Approval: Provision of Learning Disability Supported Living Services
Minutes: The cabinet considered the closed information relating to this item. Please see item 21 for the decision. |
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Authorisation of Debt Write-offs over £50,000 and up to £250,000 for Commercial Rent Debt
Minutes: The cabinet considered the closed information relating to this item. Please see item 23 for the decision. |