Agenda item

To consider potential scrutiny topics for inclusion in the commission’s work programme for the 2026-27 municipal year.

The commission discussed potential work plan items for its 2026-27 work programme.

Local Economy

Suggested topics included:

• East Street Market;
• the Youth Guarantee;
• employment support for young people not in education, employment or training (NEET);
• support for young people with special educational needs and disabilities;
• apprenticeships, internships and work experience; Youth Parliament
• Southwark Works;
• support for people experiencing complex barriers to employment;
• thriving high streets and Business Improvement Districts (BIDs’)
• support for small businesses;
• vacant commercial properties;
• the council’s commercial property portfolio;
• railway arches;
• Business Improvement Districts;
• London Living Hours;
• Community Infrastructure Levy;
• the Elephant and Castle town centre; and
• interviews with relevant cabinet members.

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:

• SEND reform;
• falling school rolls and pupil-place planning;
• the impact of possible secondary-school closures;
• the future use of former school buildings;
• transitions from adolescent to adult mental-health services;
• children’s mental health;
• the annual Southwark Safeguarding Children Partnership (SSCP) report;
• children in care and care leavers;
• corporate parenting; and
• follow-up of the Ofsted improvement plan.

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 did not have to be deferred until the end of the year. Members emphasised the need to determine the scope, intended output and timetable for each review at an early stage.

Actions

• The Scrutiny Officer to develop the work programme proposals in consultation with the Chair, commission members and relevant council officers.
• Consideration to be given to inviting the relevant cabinet members for interview.
• Local-economy evidence gathering to include council officers, Business Improvement District representatives and local business owners where appropriate.
• The Youth Parliament to be considered as a contributor to relevant reviews.
• Outstanding cabinet responses to recommendations from the previous municipal year to be identified and brought back where appropriate.
• The commission to determine the proposed number, scope and timetable of its review reports at an early stage.