Agenda and draft minutes
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Contact: Amit Alva Email: Amit.Alva@southwark.gov.uk
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Apologies
To receive any apologies for absence. Minutes: Apologies for absence were received from Co-opted members Martin Brecknell and Claire Williams. |
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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: There were no items of business which the Chair deemed urgent.
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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 Jasmine Ali declared that she used to be the lead member for Children, this with regards to the item on the outcome of the Ofsted inspection of local authority children’s services, this was her previous role in the council.
There were no other interests or dispensations.
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Minutes
To note the Minutes of the meeting held on 26 February 2026. Supporting documents: Minutes: The commission noted the minutes of the meeting held on 26 February 2026. |
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General update on Bermondsey Blue - Business Improvement District (BID)
To receive a general update from Ben Davies on Bermondsey Blue, Business Improvement District. Minutes: The commission received an update from Ben Davies on the work of the Bermondsey Blue Business Improvement District and the challenges facing businesses in the area. Business Improvement District update The commission heard about work undertaken during the summer in partnership with the council, including a festival intended to provide activities for children and support families during the school holidays. The Business Improvement District had contributed £10,000 and the council approximately £9,500. It was intended that the festival would be repeated the following year.
An affordable co-working space was being developed in a railway arch. The proposed model would enable early-stage businesses to occupy affordable space for approximately two to three years before moving on as they developed. The intention was to create opportunities for entrepreneurs, particularly those working in sectors where initial costs could be prohibitive.
The commission heard that spending in the area had fallen by approximately 8% to 10%, while footfall had not reduced to the same extent. It was explained that the spending information was derived from indexed card-payment data rather than the individual takings of businesses. Increased business rates were identified as a particular pressure on small businesses. Retail crime The commission heard that retail crime was a significant concern, but that many businesses had stopped reporting incidents because they found the process burdensome or believed that reporting would not result in effective action.
The recorded figures were not considered to reflect the actual prevalence of retail theft. The Business Improvement District had therefore developed a simpler reporting mechanism and hoped to gather more accurate evidence to present to the police and the borough commander.
The Business Improvement District had also offered the proposed co-working space to the local police team when officers required a base in the Bermondsey area.
Following discussions with the safer neighbourhood team, work was taking place to convert the police reporting form into a shorter digital process using staged questions, check boxes and drop-down options. The intention was to make reporting less burdensome for local businesses.
Schools and employment pathways The Business Improvement District was working with local schools and funding opportunities for children from disadvantaged backgrounds to participate in outdoor activities.
The commission heard that Big Local Works had been commissioned to arrange visits by pupils to businesses in the area. The visits would provide young people with an understanding of different workplaces and organisations. It was recognised that businesses would require support to work effectively with schools and that schools were well placed to advise on the needs and suitability of individual pupils.
Local schools had also been invited to participate in the Business Improvement District board. Greater involvement by schools could help children and young people influence local events and contribute to shaping the area.
Examples were given of involving pupils and community groups in the design and delivery of activities, including lantern-making and puppet events. This approach encouraged children, families and other residents to participate in the resulting public events.
Members suggested that the council could ... view the full minutes text for item 5. |
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Outcome of Ofsted Inspection of Local Authority Children's Services (ILACS)
To receive a report from Helen Woolgar, Deputy Director, Children’s Services on the Outcome of Ofsted Inspection of Local Authority Children’s Services (ILACS) Supporting documents: Minutes: The commission received a presentation from Helen Woolgar, Deputy Director of Children’s Social Care, and Oyeyinka Olaniran, Head of Quality Assurance and Workforce Development for Children’s Services.
Ofsted had undertaken a week-long inspection in March 2026 and published its report in May 2026. Children’s services had retained a judgement of “good” across the inspected areas. Strengths The commission heard that the inspection identified the following strengths:
The commission was informed that care leavers were supported up to the age of 25. Parent advocates with direct experience of children’s social care supported parents involved in areas of child-protection. Speaker Box and care-experienced young people contributed to the design and development of services. Areas for improvement The three principal areas identified for improvement were: Further areas for development included embedding life-story work, improving consideration of early-permanence arrangements and refreshing the published care-leaver offer.
Police protection Practice guidance had been amended to require review strategy meetings and closer monitoring of child safety arrangements.
Six-weekly joint meetings between the local authority and the police had been introduced to review police-protection cases. The performance dashboard had also been updated to include specific reporting on police protection. Missing Children in Care A cross-service missing improvement steering group and a weekly missing children panel had been established. Training for key workers and carers was planned, alongside an evaluation of return-home interviews and the resources available to undertake them. Officers identified children going missing as the area currently presenting the greatest challenge.
The commission heard that some young people continued to return to locations or relationships where they were at risk of exploitation. The service had considered national research, worked with specialist organisations and provided mentors to some children who had experienced exploitation. Speaker Box had also highlighted the importance of distinguishing between children who were genuinely missing and older teenagers whose whereabouts were known but were late returning home or staying with friends.
Care-experienced young inspectors had been trained to visit children’s homes and supported accommodation. Consideration was also being given to training care leavers to undertake return-home interviews. The weekly panel, training, return-home interviews and improved performance information were expected to support a more consistent response. Progress would be reviewed in September 2026 and March 2027. Management oversight and quality assurance Monthly reporting arrangements were being strengthened to improve oversight of supervision and practice quality. The audit framework had been redesigned and the number of audit cycles increased from two to four each year. The ... view the full minutes text for item 6. |
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Work Programme discussion 2026-27
To consider potential scrutiny topics for inclusion in the commission’s work programme for the 2026-27 municipal year.
Supporting documents: Minutes: The commission discussed potential work plan items for its 2026-27 work programme. Local Economy Suggested topics included:
Members considered that work on youth employment should be broader than work experience and should include apprenticeships, internships and other routes into employment.
Further consideration of commercial property was supported, including vacant premises, transparency in lettings, auction-based lettings and the contribution of council-owned premises to thriving high streets. It was noted that the Overview and Scrutiny Committee would need to consider the allocation of this subject.
The Elephant and Castle town centre was suggested as a possible topic, with a focus on supporting independent businesses, involving the existing community and monitoring the effects of development.
Members also suggested inviting the Youth Parliament to contribute young people’s views to the commission’s work.
The commission emphasised that its programme should focus on matters where recommendations could influence council policy or practice. Policies and programmes set out by central government might not represent the most effective use of the commission’s time. Education and Children’s services Suggested topics included:
Members supported scrutiny of SEND reform and suggested that evidence gathering could take place in a school or a special school. This could form part of a wider approach involving site visits and scrutiny activity outside the usual council meeting venue.
The commission discussed falling school rolls and the importance of monitoring pupil-place planning following school closures. Members also wished to consider how former school buildings could be retained for educational or community use.
A focused review of children in care and care leavers was proposed. Members noted that the September 2026 and March 2027 review points would provide opportunities to follow up the children’s services improvement plan. Scrutiny Review Process and Recommendations Members asked whether recommendations could be made during the municipal year rather than waiting for a final annual report.
The commission was advised that recommendations should be based on sufficiently gathered evidence from all stakeholders. Further work on Business Improvement Districts, for example, could include evidence from council officers, other Business Improvement Districts and individual business owners. A scrutiny review report could be produced once sufficient evidence had been gathered and ... view the full minutes text for item 7. |