The Public Accounts Select Committee of Lewisham Council is scheduled to convene on Thursday 17 September 2026. The meeting's agenda includes discussions on social value in procurement, the treasury management strategy, and financial monitoring for the 2026/27 period. The committee will also review its work programme.

Social Value in Procurement

A significant portion of the meeting is dedicated to the discussion of Social Value in Procurement ¹, with a proposed delivery framework and the development of the 2026-30 strategy. The report pack outlines a plan to scrutinise this framework, its implementation, and leading practices for using procurement and commissioning to generate greater social, economic, and community value through the Council's largest contracts. The committee is expected to consider the proposed implementation arrangements, including proportionality, contract management, evidence requirements, and responses to non-delivery. Wider priorities for the strategy, such as local supply chains, market shaping, and ethical procurement, will also be considered. The report notes that the Social Value threshold is proposed to increase from £50,000 to £100,000, aligning with the Council's Contract Procedure Rules agreed in May 2026.

Treasury Management Strategy

The committee will also review the Treasury Management Outturn and Mid-Year Review for 2026/27². This report covers the treasury management outturn position as at 31 March 2026, an economic update for the current financial year, and an update to the Treasury Management Strategy for 2026/27. It will also provide an update on the Council's Capital Programme forecast and prudential indicators, a review of the investment portfolio, borrowing strategy, and compliance with treasury and prudential limits for 2026/27. The report highlights that the Council's external borrowing was £343.9m as at 31 March 2026, and current investments stand at £210m as at 30 June 2026, yielding a 3.7% return. The Capital Programme for 2026-30 is now forecast to be £684.6m, an increase of £263.2m. The committee is asked to note the Treasury Management Outturn report for 2025/26 and the Mid-year Treasury Management Strategy 2026/27.

Financial Monitoring 2026/27

The meeting will include a review of the financial monitoring for the 2026/27 period, as at the end of June 2026 (Period 3)³. The General Fund is forecasting an overspend of £6.5m for the full financial year, an increase of £3.4m since Period 2. This movement is attributed to increased costs in the Parking contract within the Place Directorate and school transport costs in Children and Young People. The Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) has a forecast overspend of £10.0m for 2026/27, specifically within the High Needs Block. The Housing Revenue Account (HRA) is also anticipating an overspend of £2.7m for the same period. The committee is asked to note these financial forecasts and to consider the write-off of £350.3k in Business Rates debt and £60.7k for Short Breaks debtors in CYPS.

Select Committee Work Programme

Finally, the committee will review its work programme for the 2026/27 municipal year⁴. This includes reviewing the attached work programme, specifying any additional information required for items at the next meeting, and reviewing the forward plan of key decisions to identify any for further scrutiny. The committee will consider potential additions or amendments to the programme, ensuring that scrutiny remains focused on issues where it can add the most value.