Agenda and draft minutes
PDF 155 KBVenue: Ground Floor Meeting Rooms, 160 Tooley Street, London SE1 2QH
Contact: Email: Maria Lugangira, Principal Constitutional Officer
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Apologies
To receive apologies for absence. Minutes: All members were present. |
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Notification of any items 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 Leader of the Council gave notice of an urgent announcement in respect of funding for the Nest and Dementia Advisor services. |
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Announcement in respect of the Nest and Dementia Advisor Services
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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: None were declared. |
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Minutes
To note the minutes of the open section of the Cabinet meeting held on 16 March 2026. Supporting documents: Minutes: RESOLVED:
The minutes of the cabinet meeting held on 16 March 2026 be noted. |
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Public question time
To receive any questions from members of the public which have been submitted in advance of the meeting in accordance with the executive procedure rules. The deadline for the receipt of public questions is midnight Tuesday 14 July 2026. Minutes: 1. Question from Saidat Oketunde
Can the executive member confirm that this summer the council will once again be funding the much loved and needed summer holiday food and fun grants for children who receive free school meals?
Response from Councillor Vanessa Threadgold, Parks and Recreation
I am delighted to confirm that this summer Southwark will once again be delivering its much-loved Food and Fun Programme, ensuring children and young people who receive benefits-related Free School Meals can enjoy a fantastic range of activities alongside healthy meals during the school holidays.
Funded by the Department for Education, the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme has been running successfully in Southwark since 2020 and continues to play a vital role in supporting families across the borough. We are so proud to continue a programme that provides nutritious food in welcoming environments and inclusive activities for children with special education needs and disabilities and those from refugee and asylum-seeking families.
This summer, from 20 July to 28 August, we are pleased to be offering 55 clubs across the borough, giving thousands of children and young people the opportunity to take part in enriching activities, develop new skills, make friends and enjoy nutritious meals in a safe and welcoming environment.
Eligible families can book a place here.
The questioner was not in attendance. The leader confirmed that a copy of the response had been sent to the questioner. |
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Deputation requests
To consider any deputation requests. The deadline for the receipt of deputation requests is midnight Tuesday 14 July 2026.
Supporting documents: Minutes: RESOLVED:
1. That the deputation requests from parents of children and young people in respect of the Nest – Southwark’s mental health drop-in service for children – funding issue and residents relating to the closure of the Dementia Advisory service be heard.
2. A spokesperson for the deputations addressed executive for five minutes and questions were asked of the deputation for a period of five minutes. The deputations provided evidence of the positive and vital impact that these services have had upon their lives and welcomed the announcement by the Executive that these services would be protected. |
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Affordable, safe and green- The Joint Administration's ambition for Southwark
To note the Joint Administration’s ambition for Southwark “Green, Safe and Affordable” as the basis for the development of the Borough Action Plan.
Supporting documents: Minutes: RESOLVED:
The Joint Administration’s ambition for Southwark “Green, Safe and Affordable” (Appendix 1 of the report), as the basis for the development of the Borough Action Plan be noted. |
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Renters' Rights Act 2025 and adoption of new Private Sector Housing Enforcement Policy
To agree to adopt the revised Private Sector Housing Enforcement Policy and related recommendations. Supporting documents: Minutes: RESOLVED:
1. That the revised Private Sector Housing Enforcement Policy (PSHEP) be adopted (attached as Appendix 1 to the report) and to be implemented and take effect when the decision of the executive is implementable.
2. That authority be delegated to the strategic director of environment sustainability and leisure, in consultation with the strategic director of housing and the monitoring officer to approve technical or consequential amendments to the PSHEP to give effect to subsequent changes of legal requirements or organisational changes.
3. That authority be delegated to the strategic director of environment, sustainability and leisure in consultation with the strategic director of housing, the monitoring officer and the executive member(s) for community safety and engagement and public works and new homes to implement and finalise any further policies necessary to give effect to the Renters Rights Act 2025.
4. That it be noted that the strategic director of environment, sustainability and leisure, and the strategic director of housing, will take the necessary steps to review and, where appropriate, update their departmental schemes of management to ensure that suitably trained and experienced officers are properly authorised to exercise the new powers and discharge the duties arising from the Renters’ Rights Act 2025 and associated legislation.
5. That formation of a Renters’ Right Act Programme Board led by director of housing needs and support and the director of community safety and integrated enforcement be noted. |
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Policy and Resources: Out-turn capital monitoring report 2025-26
To note the capital out-turn position.
Supporting documents: Minutes: RESOLVED:
That the following recommendations be noted:
1. The outturn 2025-26 and financing for the general fund and the housing investment programme (HIP), together with the ten-year capital programme forecasts.
2. The borrowing requirement of £313.7m for the general fund to be fully delivered over the remaining term of the programme, as detailed in Table 2 and Appendix 1 of the report.
3. The borrowing requirement of £332.2m for the HIP to be fully delivered over the remaining term of the programme, as detailed in Appendix 4 of the report.
That the following recommendation be approved:
4. The variations and virements to the general fund and housing investment programme (hip) (capital programme as detailed in Appendix 5 of the report. |
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Policy and Resources : Out-turn revenue monitoring report 2025-26
To note the revenue out-turn position. Supporting documents: Minutes: RESOLVED:
1. That the following be noted:
a) The housing revenue account (HRA) adverse variance of £1.4m
b) The general fund overall adverse variance of £25.3m which includes:
· Departmental adverse variances of £37.8m · Departmental use of planned reserves of £17.3m · The full utilisation of the £4m contingency together with £2.5m of general reserves. · The use of £11.6m of planned collection fund reserves · Achievement of departmental savings (Appendix C of the report)
c) The interdepartmental general fund budget and reserve movements that are less than £275k as shown in Appendix A and Appendix B of the report.
d) The £1.7m adverse variance of the ring-fenced dedicated schools grant (DSG) and the closure of the safety valve programme (paragraphs 89-92 of the report).
e) The council reserve balances as at 31 March 2026 in Appendix D of the report.
2. That the use of £25.3m of reserves to balance the 2025-26 outturn together with the interdepartmental budget and reserve movements that exceed £275k, as shown in Appendix A and Appendix B of the report be approved. |
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Policy and Resources: Financial Remit report
To consider the medium term financial strategy update. Supporting documents: Minutes: RESOLVED:
1. That the following be noted:
a) The current budget pressures in 2026-27
b) The transformation savings
c) The proposed revisions to the medium-term financial strategy (MTFS) updated to 2030
d) The update on the housing revenue account (HRA). |
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Governance arrangements for the monitoring of Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) and Section 106 Projects
To approve the unified governance framework for capital projects funded through Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL), (both Strategic CIL and Neighbourhood CIL (NCIL)), aligning these with the council’s existing capital governance framework while retaining current approval arrangements. Supporting documents: Minutes: RESOLVED:
That the following recommendation be approved:
1. The unified governance framework for capital projects funded through community infrastructure levy (CIL), both strategic CIL and neighbourhood CIL (NCIL), aligning these with the council’s existing capital governance framework while retaining current approval arrangements.
That the following recommendations be noted:
2. The reporting of capital Section 106 funded projects, where expenditure is in accordance with the terms of the relevant section 106 agreement, through the same process as all other capital programmes, whilst retaining current approvals.
3. The adoption of the capital project flowchart as the standard route for project identification, assessment, reporting, approval and monitoring for CIL and Section 106 funded projects. |
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Local Plan Timetable 2026-2029
To agree the Local Plan timetable, updated following changes to the Town and Country Planning Regulations regarding plan making. Supporting documents: Minutes: RESOLVED:
1. That the commencement of a full review of the Southwark Plan, called the Southwark Plan 2045, under the new plan-making system set out in the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2026 which came into effect on 25 March 2026 be noted.
2. That formal Notice for the commencement of the Local Plan is given in accordance with Regulation 19 of the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2026 be agreed.
3. That the Local Plan timetable (LPT) in Appendix 1 of the report be adopted as required by section 15B of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004. This includes consultation periods in line with the 2026 Planning Regulations and guidance.
4. That delegated approval for further updates to be made to the Local Plan timetable by the director of planning and growth be approved, in line with the requirements of new planning guidance and the Government’s accelerated plan-making process. |
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Appointments to Outside Bodies 2026-27
To consider and agree appointments to outside bodies for the 2026-27 municipal year. Supporting documents: Minutes: RESOLVED:
1. That appointments to the outside bodies listed in Appendix A of the report for the 2026-27 municipal year be agreed as follows:
Better Bankside Board
Cllr Rachel Bentley Cllr Hellen Benavides
Blue Bermondsey Bid
Cllr Rachel Bentley
Board of Southwark College Corporation
Cllr Rebecca Corn
Central London Forward
Cllr James McAsh
Central London Forward (Employment and Skills Board)
Cllr Rachel Bentley
Centre for Literacy in Primary Education
Cllr Rebecca Corn
Cross River Board
Cllr Eloise Waldon-Day
Guys and St Thomas NHS Foundation (Council of Governors)
Cllr David Noakes
Kings College Hospital NHS (Council of Governors)
Cllr Colin Boyle
London Bridge BID
Cllr Rachel Bentley
London Road Safety Council (LRSC)
Cllr James McAsh Cllr Richard Livingstone
London Youth Games Limited
Cllr Vanessa Threadgold
Mountview
Cllr Janice White
Newable Limited (formerly Greater London Enterprise)
Cllr Rachel Bentley
North Southwark Environment Trust
Cllr David Noakes
Oru Space (20-22 Lordship Lane) Steering Group
Cllr Sam Foster Cllr Eloise Waldon-Day
Peckham Levels (Cerise Road, SE15) Steering Group
Cllr Sam Foster Cllr Reggie Popoola
Potters Fields Park Management Trust
Cllr Vanessa Threadgold Aled Richards, Strategic Director of Environment, Sustainability and Leisure
SC1 Partnership Board
Cllr Rachel Bentley Cllr Victor Chamberlain
Shared ICT Services Joint Committee
Cllr Colin Boyle Cllr David Watson
South Bank and Waterloo Partnership
Cllr Rachel Bentley Cllr Hellen Benavides Cllr Victor Chamberlain Cllr David Watson
South Bank Business Improvement District Ltd
Cllr Hellen Benavides Cllr Rachel Bentley
South London Gallery Trustee Limited
Cllr Callum Fowler Cllr Rachael Penny
South London and Maudsley (SLAM) NHS Trust Members Council
Cllr Dean Peters
Southwark Construction Skills Centre
Cllr Rachel Bentley
Southwark Lambeth Archaeological Excavation Committee (SLAEC)
Raymond Whitaker Cllr Alexandra Austin
Southwark Twinning Association
Cllr James McAsh
Safer Neighbourhood Board (Southwark)
Cllr David Watson
WeAreWaterloo Business Improvement District (BID)
Cllr Lina Maria Usma
Walworth Group
Cllr Vanessa Threadgold
2. That Councillor Alexandra Austin be appointed to the Southwark and Lambeth, Archaeological Excavation Committee (SLAEC).
3. That it be noted that Raymond Whitaker’s name was already submitted as a deputy nomination, as set out in Appendix A of the report. |
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Nominations to Panels, Boards and Forums 2026-27
To agree the allocation of places to the panels, boards and forums for the 2026-27 municipal year and nominate members accordingly. Supporting documents: Minutes: RESOLVED:
That the allocation of places to panels, boards and forums for 2026-27 set out in Appendix A of the report be agreed as follows:
Joint Partnership Panel (Trade Union consultation)
Cllr James McAsh Cllr Sam Foster
Homeowners Service Charge Arbitration Tribunal
Cllr Kath Whittam Cllr Jane Salmon Cllr
Felix Hamer Cllr Francesco Guerrieri Cllr Andy Higson Cllr Renata Hamvas Cllr Margy Newens Cllr Sunny Lambe Cllr Sabina Emmanuel Cllr Selena Gray Cllr Bill Williams
Tenancy and Leaseholder Arbitration Tribunal
Cllr Kath Whittam Cllr Jane Salmon Cllr Felix Hamer Cllr Rachael Penny Cllr Francesco Guerrieri Cllr Andy Higson Cllr Renata Hamvas Cllr Margy Newens Cllr Sunny Lambe Cllr Sabina Emmanuel Cllr Selena Gray Cllr Bill Williams
Southwark Safeguarding Adults Board
Cllr
Rebecca Corn
Southwark Safeguarding Children’s Board
Cllr Rebecca Corn
Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education
Cllr Lina Usman Cllr Rebecca Corn Cllr Janice White
Southwark Tenant Management Organisation Committee
Cllr Andy Higson |
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Motions referred from Council Assembly - 18 March 2026
To consider motions referred from council assembly 18 March 2026. Supporting documents: Minutes: RESOLVED:
A borough where everyone can succeed
That the motion referred from council assembly as a recommendation to cabinet, set out below be noted:
1. Council Assembly celebrates:
a) The diversity and vibrancy of our borough, from Peckham’s food scene to Dulwich’s parks and sports grounds, Bermondsey’s estates to Walworth’s street markets and Bankside’s heritage.
b) Our amazing, energised local communities.
c) The small businesses and entrepreneurs that make our town centres thrive.
d) The teachers, nurses, doctors, firefighters and other key workers who keep our borough running.
e) Our tireless and hard-working network of voluntary and community organisations.
2. Council Assembly thanks:
a) The vast network of voluntary and community organisations that help make our borough succeed, including but not limited to:
i) Community Southwark – who bring our VCS partners together with help and guidance for charities and community groups.
ii) Spring – the organisation behind Spring Community Hub and The Blue Youth Centre that provide so much for residents in need.
iii) MyEnds – who work with families of young people affected by and involved in violent crime, alongside Southwark’s Violence Reduction Unit, to prevent and stop knife and other violent crime.
iv) Bede House – who support our entire community with specialist services including assisting people with learning disabilities and our new Women’s Safety Alliance.
v) Our network of Tenants’ and Residents’ Associations – who work tirelessly to champion our estates and improve people’s homes right across our borough.
vi) The council’s Repairs Improvement Board – representing tenants and leaseholders.
vii) Teachers, school governors and parents – who have helped Southwark Labour get 99% of our schools to be rated Good or Outstanding by Ofsted.
viii)Members of the Policing Oversight Board – who are helping to improve local people’s trust in the police by increasing accountability.
ix) ‘Friends of’ park groups – who nurture and champion our local parks and green spaces, helping maintain them as some of the best parks in the country.
x) The Southwark Pensioners Action Group – who champion the rights of older people right across our borough.
xi) Southwark Law Centre – whose efforts help protect our residents, including asylum seekers and refugees.
xii) Millwall Community Trust – who work with thousands of people in Southwark delivering projects that support initiatives for young people, community engagement, charitable causes, education and life skills, and more.
3. Council Assembly welcomes this Labour administration’s:
a) Investment in making Southwark more affordable, including:
i) £99.1 million-worth of council tax cuts for residents struggling to pay their bills, via the Council Tax Reduction Scheme.
ii) The £53 million Cost of Living Fund, helping over 100,000 people with cash payments and targeted support.
iii) Working with the Living Wage Foundation to help over 7,000 people onto a London Living Wage, including Southwark’s first ‘living wage building’ in North Bermondsey.
iv) Campaigning to support eligible older people to claim the Pension Credit they are entitled to.
v) Free Swim and Gym, that helps residents lead healthy, ... view the full minutes text for item 17. |
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Report of the Housing Scrutiny Commission: The Council's work with social landlord partners; the Fair Street/Devon Mansions, Canada and Kirby Estates QHIP major works projects; the revised resident engagement strategy; and temporary accommodation in properties awaiting demolition
To consider the housing scrutiny commission report and recommendations. Supporting documents: Minutes: RESOLVED:
1. That the recommendations from the housing scrutiny commission arising from its scrutiny of social landlord communications and performance, Fair Street/Devon Mansions, Canada and Kirby Estates QHIP major works projects, the revised resident engagement strategy and the council’s use of properties awaiting demolition be noted.
2. That the recommendations from the commission be considered and that the relevant executive member report back to the executive on the recommendations within eight weeks. |
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Report of the Environment, Community Safety and Engagement Scrutiny Commission 2025-26: Play-spaces scrutiny review report
To consider the environment, community safety and engagement scrutiny commission report and recommendations. Supporting documents: Minutes: RESOLVED:
1. That the recommendations of the former environment community safety and engagement scrutiny commission 2025-26 Play-spaces report, as set out on pages 2-5 of the report be noted.
2. That the recommendations from the commission be considered and that the relevant executive member reports back to the executive on the recommendations within eight weeks. |
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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 as a correct record the closed minutes of the cabinet meeting held on 16 March 2026. Minutes: RESOLVED:
The minutes of the closed section of the cabinet meeting held on 16 March 2026 be noted. |