The Overview and Scrutiny Committee was scheduled to discuss the council's work programme for the upcoming year, review the Leader of the Council's update, and consider the development of the council's corporate strategy. The committee was also set to discuss the proposed process for making recommendations and review the annual report of policy and scrutiny activity from the previous year.

Work Programme 2026/27

The committee was scheduled to discuss and shape its work programme for the municipal year 2026/27. This programme outlines the topics the committee intends to examine, focusing on areas where the council is developing new policy (pre-decision scrutiny), reviewing implemented policies (post-decision scrutiny), or providing oversight. The report highlighted that the work programme is flexible to accommodate urgent issues. The committee was also asked to consider any new topics for scrutiny for the remainder of 2026/27 or for the following year, 2027/28. The scheduled formal meeting dates for the 2026/27 year were 15 October 2026, 15 December 2026, and 23 March 2027. The work programme for the October meeting included an oversight item on Emergency Preparedness, and for the December meeting, it included pre-decision scrutiny of the Pimlico District Heating Undertaking Task Group summary report. The Leader of the Council's update was also scheduled for each of these meetings.

Leader's Update

The committee was scheduled to receive and consider a written update from Councillor Paul Swaddle OBE, the Leader of the Council. This update would cover his portfolio areas, which include Corporate Strategy Direction, Governance and Appointments, Culture and Tourism, Communications and Public Affairs, Chief Executive Appraisal, and Strategic Partnerships and Promotion. The report detailed correspondence and meetings with various stakeholders, including Sir Mark Rowley, Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Service, regarding crime and protests; Andy Lord, Commissioner of Transport for London, concerning issues like homeless encampments and Oxford Street; and MPs regarding local government funding and energy policy. Progress on the administration's First 100 Days priorities was also to be reviewed, covering areas such as enforcement, dockless bikes, Oxford Street, graffiti removal, major contracts, performance monitoring, Business Improvement Districts (BIDs), the Pimlico District Heating Undertaking, key worker housing, flooding, street scheme reviews, and the Fair Funding Review.

Looking Ahead: Pimlico District Heating Undertaking Programme Task Group

The committee was scheduled to receive and approve the draft scope for the Looking Ahead: Pimlico District Heating Undertaking Programme Task Group. This task group aims to investigate the key principles underpinning the successful delivery of the Pimlico District Heating Undertaking (PDHU) programme, including its decommissioning. The scope outlined objectives focused on engagement, deliverability of options, and transparency of decision-making. Key considerations included how residents and businesses are engaged, the modelling and assessment of alternative heating options, and how the Council explains the need for change. The intended outcome was to submit recommendations to the Cabinet Member for Housing and Regeneration to aid the next phase of the PDHU programme. The proposed timeline indicated evidence-gathering sessions from August to October 2026, with a summary report to be drafted by November 2026 and submitted to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee in December 2026.

Corporate Strategy Development

The committee was scheduled to feed into the early development of the Council's Corporate Strategy. A report was presented outlining the proposed approach and indicative timetable for developing this strategy, which aims to provide a clear, Council-wide framework for the Council's priorities, existing strategies, plans, and delivery activities. The report highlighted the challenging financial context, with a forecast budget gap of £161 million over the next four years, and the need for the strategy to align with the Fit for the Future transformation programme. Emerging outcome areas for discussion included Safe and welcoming streets, Cleaner, greener, connected city, Thriving economy and inclusive city, Affordable, high-quality housing, A good quality of life for all, and An accountable, accessible and value for money Council. The committee was asked to comment on the clarity of the proposed approach and whether the emerging outcome areas provided a useful starting point.

Policy and Scrutiny Recommendation Process

The committee was scheduled to consider a proposed process for Policy and Scrutiny Committees when making recommendations to the Executive and partner organisations. The aim of this process is to ensure recommendations are focused, evidence-based, proportionate, and capable of being implemented and tracked. The report noted that in previous years, a high number of recommendations were made without a consistent mechanism for monitoring their acceptance, implementation, or impact. The proposed process involves five stages: scrutiny of an item, developing a recommendation (ensuring it is SMART: specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and timely), formal submission, decision and response from the relevant body, and tracking of implementation. A Committee Tracker would be maintained to record recommendations, responses, and implementation updates.

Annual Report of Policy and Scrutiny Activity 2025/26

The committee was scheduled to comment on and approve the draft Annual Report of Policy and Scrutiny Activity for the 2025/26 municipal year. This report details the work undertaken by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee and its sub-committees, including the Climate Action, Environment and Highways Policy and Scrutiny Committee, the Housing and Regeneration Policy and Scrutiny Committee, the Vulnerable Adults, Health and Communities Policy and Scrutiny Committee, and the Young People, Learning and Employment Policy and Scrutiny Committee. The report outlines the membership, meeting dates, and programme of work for each committee, as well as any use of special urgency procedures or the Budget Scrutiny Task Group's activities. The report serves to demonstrate the impact of scrutiny in providing independent challenge, transparency, and accountability to ensure the best outcomes for residents.