The Mayor and Cabinet of Lewisham Council met on Wednesday, 10 June 2026, to discuss several key issues including the extension of housing contracts, updates on Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) provision, and the council's financial monitoring. Key decisions included approving the extension of major works contracts for council housing, endorsing progress on a new SEND unit at Deptford Park Primary School, and noting the requirement to submit a SEND Reform Implementation Plan to the Department for Education.

Extension of Term Contract for Major Works in Housing

Mayor and Cabinet approved the extension of two JCT measured term contracts for major works in council housing. The contracts, held by United Infrastructure and Mulalley, will be extended for a further three years, with an option to extend for an additional two years. The contract value for United Infrastructure is up to £50,000,000, and for Mulalley, it is up to £103,000,000. Councillor Natalie Thomas, Cabinet Member for Safer Homes, Homelessness and Housing Services, acknowledged concerns about the current delivery of these contracts, citing uneven performance and insufficient client-side oversight. However, she argued that extending the contracts was the responsible choice to avoid disruption to the council's £320 million capital programme, which includes addressing over 2,000 damp and mould cases and fulfilling building safety and decent homes duties. This extension is viewed as a bridge to developing a better system, with plans to bring more delivery in-house and establish specialist routes for specific work. The decision was made with the understanding that future roles for these contractors would be earned based on performance, not assumed, and that a six-month break clause exists if performance does not improve.

Update on New SEN Unit at Deptford Park Primary School

An update was provided on the new 40-place Special Educational Needs (SEN) unit for learners with Severe Learning Difficulties (SLD) at Deptford Park Primary School. Mayor and Cabinet endorsed and noted the progress made in delivering this provision. Councillor Rotimi Skyers, Cabinet Member for Children, SEND, Youth Empowerment and Culture, highlighted that the unit is opening in phases, with the first children joining in May 2026 and a second cohort starting in September 2026. This initiative is seen as a strong example of the council's commitment to expanding high-quality local provision, providing specialist classrooms and skilled staff in a tailored environment. Critically, it means more children can be educated closer to home, reducing travel times and disruption associated with out-of-borough placements. Parent feedback shared during the meeting was overwhelmingly positive, with one parent stating, this is amazing news. You have saved my children's education.

The Local Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) Reform Implementation Plan

Mayor and Cabinet noted the requirement to submit a Local SEND Reform Implementation Plan to the Department for Education (DfE) by 19 June 2026. Authority was delegated to the Director of Education Services, in consultation with the Integrated Care Board Senior Responsible Officer and the Council's Section 151 Officer, to finalise and submit the plan, taking into account any feedback from the DfE. Councillor Rotimi Skyers emphasised the council's commitment to ensuring every child and young person with SEND has the chance to learn, grow, and thrive. She acknowledged families' frustrations with long waits and the need to travel for support, and outlined the council's actions, including expanding specialist places and introducing Experts at Hand teams. The importance of co-production with parents, carers, teachers, and SEND coordinators was stressed to ensure family voices are heard and reflected in the delivery of these reforms. The plan is crucial for potentially covering up to 90% of the council's accumulated High Needs Block deficit of £24.4 million, with £2,190,838 allocated for Year 1 of the plan.

Financial Monitoring 2025/26 - Outturn

Mayor and Cabinet noted the draft out-turn for the year ending 31 March 2026, subject to external audit. The council-wide financial forecast for General Fund activities showed a £4.4 million underspend, a favourable movement of £4.8 million since the previous monitoring period. However, this underspend was £2.3 million less than planned, as the budget had anticipated a larger underspend to reduce the draw-down of reserves. The Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) reported a £5.5 million overspend on the High Needs Block, with a cumulative deficit of £24.4 million. The Housing Revenue Account (HRA) broke even for the year, a worsening of £0.3 million since the previous report. Capital expenditure saw £96.5 million spent on the General Fund and £81.5 million on the HRA, with 78.2% of the profiled expenditure delivered. Council tax collection rates stood at 92%, below the target of 96%, while business rates collection was at 96%, below the target of 99%. Councillor Rudi Schmidt, Cabinet Member for Finance, Resources and Economic Development, highlighted the ongoing challenges of austerity and the need for fair funding for local councils, while also commending the council's ability to maintain a stable budget. Discussions also touched upon how development could help reduce overspends, particularly in temporary accommodation, and the ongoing anti-austerity work being undertaken.