The Overview & Scrutiny Committee of Southwark Council was scheduled to discuss a range of topics, including a cabinet member interview covering finance and resources, and a final report on bullying policies. The committee was also set to review customer contact centre performance.

Cabinet Member Interview: Councillor Richard Livingstone, Finance and Resources

The committee was scheduled to interview Councillor Richard Livingstone, the Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources, to discuss several key areas. These included Human Resources, the council's approach to council tax arrears, and the management of funds such as the Welfare Hardship Fund, discretionary housing payments, and the Southwark Emergency Support Scheme. Discussions were also planned around Corporate ICT, council property disposals, investment choices for the Council Pension Fund, and contract management and performance.

A series of questions were prepared for Councillor Livingstone, focusing on the delivery of the coalition's new policy on free school meals, its potential financial benefits to the council, and whether any costs would be met from the public health budget. Further questions were intended to clarify how the local growth fund and the transforming services budget would be delivered locally, and how much of a £25.4 million financial gap was expected to be covered by specific financial measures.

Bullying - School and Council Policy to Support Vulnerable Children and to Reduce Poor and Abusive Peer Relations

The committee was scheduled to consider the final report of the Education, Children's Services & Leisure Scrutiny Sub-Committee concerning bullying. This report examined school and council policies aimed at supporting vulnerable children and reducing poor and abusive peer relations. The review focused on young people at risk due to social exclusion or disadvantage, including lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) pupils, children in care, and girls at risk of gang involvement.

Key themes identified in the report included cyber-bullying and the risks faced by young people involved in gangs or serious offending. The report detailed evidence gathered from various organisations, including Southwark Youth Council, Schools OUT, Empowering People for Excellence, Safe 'N' Sound, Kidscape, and the Cybersmile Foundation. It also considered government guidance on preventing and tackling bullying and research on the impact of cyber-bullying on young people's mental health.

The report outlined recommendations for the council, including cascading information about anti-bullying resources to schools, promoting training for teachers, young people, and families on online media and cyber-bullying, and encouraging initiatives like Kindness Weeks. It also suggested supporting counselling services, empowering children to report issues, and providing training for teachers on bullying and gang involvement. The report also highlighted the need for more accessible information on local LGBT networks for young people and the development of a network specifically for Southwark's young people.

Deputy Cabinet Member Interview: Councillor Darren Merrill, Customer Services

The committee was also scheduled to interview Councillor Darren Merrill, the Deputy Cabinet Member for Customer Services, to discuss customer contact centre performance.