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Executive - Monday, 20 July 2026 - 3.00 pm
July 20, 2026 at 3:00 pm Executive View on council website Watch video of meeting Read transcript (Professional subscription required)Summary
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The Executive of Southwark Council met on Monday 20 July 2026 to discuss a range of important issues, including the future of vital mental health services for young people and the continuation of support for residents living with dementia. The council also approved a new policy to enhance standards in the private rented sector and noted reports on the council's financial outturn for the previous year.
Protecting Essential Services for Young People and Vulnerable Residents
The Executive reaffirmed its commitment to protecting The Nest, a mental health service for children and young people, and announced that it would prevent the service from closing in November 2026. Referrals will reopen as soon as possible, and a Gateway 2 report is scheduled for the next Executive meeting to outline proposals for sustainable, multi-year funding. Contingency funding has been secured to ensure that young people currently accessing the service can complete their programmes, and those on the waiting list will be able to start and finish their support. The summer programme organised by The Nest will also proceed as planned.
In a similar vein, the Executive announced its intention to protect support for vulnerable residents by approving a four-year grant of £164,000 per year to the Alzheimer's Society. This funding, totalling £656,000, will recommence on 1 September 2026 and will re-establish the Dementia Advisor Service in Southwark, offering crucial support to residents living with dementia and their families and carers.
Enhancing Standards in the Private Rented Sector
The Executive agreed to adopt the revised Private Sector Housing Enforcement Policy (PSHEP), which will be implemented in line with the Renters' Rights Act 2025. This new policy aims to raise standards across the private rented sector, protect tenants, and ensure landlords are held accountable for their legal obligations. The policy provides a consistent, robust, and transparent framework for enforcement activities, with increased financial penalties for landlords who breach their obligations. Income generated from these penalties will be reinvested in bolstering enforcement activity and tenant protections. The Executive also delegated authority for minor amendments and updates to the policy to the Strategic Director of Environment, Sustainability and Leisure, in consultation with relevant officers and Executive members.
Financial Outturn and Future Planning
The Executive noted the Policy and Resources: Out-turn Capital Monitoring Report 2025-26, which detailed the council's capital expenditure for the previous financial year. The report highlighted an ambitious capital programme requiring significant borrowing, with costs being prudently managed despite a volatile geopolitical environment. The Housing Investment Programme (HIP) has faced challenges, including overspending, but the council remains committed to delivering new council homes and maintaining existing stock.
The Policy and Resources: Out-turn Revenue Monitoring Report 2025-26 presented a more challenging picture, indicating revenue budgets under sustained pressure. The report noted a historically large drawdown of £25.3 million from reserves to balance the budget, largely due to pressures in temporary accommodation and adult social care. The Housing Revenue Account (HRA) was also highlighted as being in a precarious financial position, requiring urgent action.
The Policy and Resources: Financial Remit Report provided an update on the council's Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS), outlining the significant financial challenges ahead, including a £102 million funding gap. The report emphasised the need for a rigorous and open savings process, with a commitment to finding efficiencies, eliminating waste, and protecting essential services. The council also plans to involve residents in the budget-setting process through a large-scale budget participation exercise.
Governance and Local Plan Development
The Executive approved the Governance Arrangements for the Monitoring of Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) and Section 106 Projects. This decision aims to strengthen oversight, project management, and accountability for projects funded through CIL and Section 106 by integrating them into the council's overall capital governance framework. This will enhance strategic consistency and improve the monitoring and visibility of these projects.
The Executive also agreed the Local Plan Timetable 2026-2029, marking the formal commencement of work on the new Southwark Plan 2045. This timetable sets out a clear three-year programme, including consultative stages and engagement with the planning inspectorate, with the ultimate adoption of the Southwark Plan in 2029. This document will shape the borough's growth over the coming decades, influencing housing development, town centres, local jobs, infrastructure, and the response to the climate emergency. The council committed to meaningful engagement with residents throughout the plan-making process.
Appointments and Motions
The Executive also made a number of appointments to outside bodies and panels, boards, and forums for the 2026-27 municipal year. Additionally, motions referred from Council Assembly on topics including A borough where everyone can succeed,
Tackling antisocial behaviour on Southwark's estates,
and Protecting the Freedom Pass for Older Londoners
were noted. Reports from the Housing Scrutiny Commission and the Environment, Community Safety and Engagement Scrutiny Commission regarding play spaces were also noted, with a commitment to a response from the relevant Executive members within eight weeks.
Delegated decisions linked to this meeting
Decision summaries below are AI-generated from the council’s published record. Check the council source or the full decision page before relying on them.
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Governance arrangements for the monitoring of Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) and Section 106 Projects
Recommendations ApprovedThe Executive of Southwark Council approved recommendations regarding governance arrangements for Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) and Section 106 projects on 20 July 2026. They adopted a unified governance framework for capital projects funded by CIL and noted the reporting of Section 106 funded projects through the same capital governance process. The Executive also approved the capital project flowchart as the standard route for project identification, assessment, reporting, approval, and monitoring for CIL and Section 106 funded projects.
Councillor James McAsh, Leader of the Council, approved a variation to the contract with Matrix SCM Ltd for the supply of agency workers on 30 June 2026. This variation extends the contract by two one-year increments until 30 June 2028, at an estimated cost of up to £45m per annum. The decision also noted the transfer of contract spend to agencies in Matrix SCM Ltd's supply chain and the establishment of an agency worker reduction programme.
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Policy and Resources: Out-turn capital monitoring report 2025-26
For DeterminationThe Leader of the council approved amendments to the Howland Way and Reverley Square Controlled Parking Zone 'S' on 24 June 2026. These amendments include introducing 'Permit Holders Past This Point' zones in Reveley Square, Somerford Way, and Steers Way, and changing Howland Way to a 'Permit Holders Past This Point' zone. New double yellow lines will be added in Howland Way, Steers Way, and Somerford Way to prevent parking on turns and near junctions.
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Gateway 1 Development Partner procurement strategy for the pipeline keyworker housing sites at Rotherhithe New Road and at the 25 Cherry Gardens Street
For DeterminationThe Executive decided to approve variations and virements to the General Fund and Housing Investment Programme capital programme on 20 July 2026. Councillor James McAsh, Leader of the Council, approved a variation to the council's contract with Matrix SCM Ltd for the supply of agency workers to extend the term of the contract by two one-year increments from 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2028 at an estimated cost of up to £45m per annum. This decision was made on 30 June 2026.
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Policy and Resources : Out-turn revenue monitoring report 2025-26
For DeterminationThe Executive decided to note the revenue out-turn position for 2025-26 on 20 July 2026. The decision approved the use of £25.3m of reserves to balance the 2025-26 outturn and noted interdepartmental budget and reserve movements exceeding £275k.
The Strategic Director of Children and Adult Services agreed the 2027/28 coordinated admission schemes for Primary, Junior, Secondary, and Year 10 admissions on 8 July 2026. The decision noted that these schemes had worked effectively and remained unchanged from the previous year. The schemes include mandatory elements for participating local authorities and a pan-London timetable for processing applications and outcomes.
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Local Plan Timetable 2026-2029
For DeterminationThe Executive Member for Council Homes approved the payment of Getting Involved Grants totalling £32,056 on 27 July 2026. This decision approved eight applications for funding to Sheltered Housing Units, Tenant Management Organisations, Tenants and Residents Associations, and constituted community groups.
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Southwark Works: future delivery
For DeterminationThe Leader of the Council decided on 3 July 2026 to approve the creation of permanent posts for Director of Law and Governance and Director of Climate Change and Environment. This decision will enable the deletion of three existing senior management posts, resulting in a net reduction to senior management costs. The Appointments Committee will select a candidate for Director of Law and Governance, and the Strategic Director of Environment, Sustainability and Leisure will lead recruitment for the Director of Climate Change and Environment.
The Executive Member for Inclusive Economy, Equalities and Democracy decided on 20 July 2026 to adopt the revised Private Sector Housing Enforcement Policy. This policy will be implemented and take effect when the decision is implementable. Authority was delegated to the Strategic Director of Environment Sustainability and Leisure, in consultation with others, to approve technical amendments to the policy and to implement further policies to give effect to the Renters Rights Act 2025. The Strategic Director of Environment, Sustainability and Leisure and the Strategic Director of Housing will review and update their Departmental Schemes of Management to ensure officers are authorised to exercise new powers. A Renters' Right Act Programme Board will be formed, co-chaired by the Director of Housing Needs and Support and the Director of Community Safety and Integrated Enforcement.
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Renters' Rights Act 2025 and adoption of new Private Sector Housing Enforcement Policy
For DeterminationThe Executive of Southwark Council decided to adopt the Renters' Rights Act 2025 and a new Private Sector Housing Enforcement Policy on 20/07/2026. The Executive delegated authority to the Strategic Director of ESL to make minor amendments to the policy.
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