The Cabinet of Southwark Council met on Tuesday 6 February 2024 to discuss and approve the council's budget for the upcoming financial year, alongside key decisions regarding school admissions and property acquisition. The meeting also saw the approval of a new Climate Resilience and Adaptation Strategy.

Policy and Resources Strategy Report: 2024-25 Budget and Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) Update Including Capital Programme Refresh

The Cabinet agreed to recommend the balanced General Fund budget proposals for 2024-25 to the Council Assembly. This includes budget options to address the projected funding gap for 2025-26 and 2026-27, as well as a refreshed General Fund Capital Programme for the next decade and a refreshed Housing Investment Programme. The Cabinet also approved the Housing Revenue Account budget for 2024-25 and the final fees and charges schedule. A proposed amendment to the council's constitution to increase the threshold for Cabinet approval of property disposals from £750,000 to £3 million was also agreed. Members noted the provisional Local Government Finance Settlement, the update to the Medium Term Financial Strategy, and the Mayor of London's draft budget proposal to increase the GLA Council Tax precept.

Climate Resilience and Adaptation Strategy

The Cabinet approved the adoption of the Climate Resilience and Adaptation Strategy, which aims to tackle climate risk within the borough. Members noted the strategy's ambition and tasked officers with delivering the action plan. The strategy will be incorporated into the broader Climate Change Strategy refresh in 2025. An initial £1 million from the Climate Change Capital Fund has been allocated to commence the delivery of the action plan.

Southwark Coordinated Admission Schemes for Primary, Junior, Secondary and Year 10 2025

The Cabinet agreed the coordinated admission schemes for primary, junior, secondary, and Year 10 admissions for the 2025-26 academic year. Members noted that these schemes have operated effectively and remain unchanged from the previous year.

Admission Arrangements for Community Primary, Junior and Secondary Schools - September 2025

The Cabinet agreed the admission arrangements for Southwark community primary schools for September 2025 onwards. They also agreed the Published Admissions Numbers (PANs) for primary community schools for the same intake year. This includes proposed reductions in PANs at Grange Primary School and Bessemer Grange Primary School, a measure aimed at right-sizing capacity in line with falling pupil numbers as part of the Keeping Education Strong Strategy.

Gateway 1 - Procurement Strategy for Nursing Care Provision

The Cabinet approved the procurement strategy for nursing care provision at Tower Bridge Care Centre. This involves advertising the contract opportunity on the Find a Tender Service using a negotiated approach for a ten-year contract with an option to extend for a further five years. The award of the contract will be delegated to the Strategic Director for Children and Adult Services, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing. It was noted that this strategy is subject to the approval of the report concerning the freehold acquisition of an operational property asset.

Freehold Acquisition of an Operational Property Asset for Key Service Provision and Subsequent Leasing Arrangements

The Cabinet approved the acquisition of the freehold interest in a building that houses a key service provider for vulnerable residents. This acquisition is intended to secure the necessary accommodation within the borough, maintain service continuity, and generate revenue savings by removing rental costs. Authority was delegated to the Director of Planning and Growth, in consultation with the Strategic Director of Finance, to complete the purchase, agree transaction terms, and finalise the financing structure. The urgency of this decision was noted due to the owner's intention to sell the building on the open market.

Ledbury Estate Phase A - Appropriation for Planning Purposes

The Cabinet approved the appropriation of land at Phase 1 of the Ledbury Estate. The land, currently held for housing purposes, will be re-designated for planning purposes to facilitate development proposals. Following this, the land will be re-appropriated for housing purposes.

Policy and Resources Strategy Report: 2024-25 Budget and Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) Update Including Capital Programme Refresh (Closed Appendix)

The Cabinet noted that no closed report appendix was required for this item.

Gateway 1 - Procurement Strategy for Nursing Care Provision (Closed Business)

The Cabinet considered the closed information relating to this item and the decision is noted under Item 12.

Freehold Acquisition of an Operational Property Asset for Key Service Provision and Subsequent Leasing Arrangements (Closed Business)

The Cabinet considered the closed information relating to this item and the decision is noted under Item 13.

Ledbury Estate Phase A - Appropriation for Planning Purposes (Closed Business)

The Cabinet considered the closed information relating to this item and the decision is noted under Item 14.