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Mayor and Cabinet - Wednesday, 7th October, 2026 6.00 pm
October 7, 2026 at 6:00 pm Mayor and Cabinet View on council website Watch video of meeting Read transcript (Professional subscription required)Summary
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The Mayor and Cabinet of Lewisham Council met on Wednesday, 7 October 2026, to discuss a range of important issues, approving extensions to council insurances and contracts, and authorising significant investment in a new domestic violence women's service and the Lewisham Town Centre Improvement Programme. Key decisions also included the write-off of business rates arrears and the adoption of a new housing major works procurement strategy.
Approval to Extend the Council's Insurances
Mayor and Cabinet approved a two-year extension to the Council's insurance contracts, running from 1 December 2026 to 30 November 2028, with a maximum value of £5.8 million. This decision was made noting the satisfactory performance of existing arrangements and the challenging conditions within the insurance market. Authority was delegated to the Executive Director for Corporate Resources to finalise the contract extension terms.
Financial Monitoring 2026/27 – Period 4 Monitoring
The meeting noted the forecast financial position for the year ending 31 March 2027, which indicated a £7 million overspend on the General Fund. This overspend is primarily attributed to increased demand and costs in children's social care and adult social care, as well as high costs associated with temporary accommodation. Mayor and Cabinet approved the write-off of £350,300 in Business Rates arrears and £60,700 in Short Breaks debt within Children and Young People's Services.
Permission to Procure and Award Building Security and Related Services
Approval was granted for the procurement of a specialist building security and related service provider for a period of three years, with an option to extend for a further two years. The procurement will be conducted via the ESPO Site Security Services framework, with a maximum contract value to be confirmed in Part 2 of the report. Authority was delegated to the Executive Director of Corporate Resources to select the service provider.
Investment in New Domestic Violence Women's Service
Mayor and Cabinet approved additional borrowing of £668,162 to fund capital works on a council-owned property designated for a high-needs domestic violence women's service. This decision follows a February 2026 approval for the service and grant acceptance, with the additional borrowing required due to clarifications from the Greater London Authority (GLA) regarding eligible capital funding. The service will provide eight self-contained homes and specialist support for women experiencing domestic abuse and complex needs.
Housing Major Works Procurement Strategy
Mayor and Cabinet noted the Housing Major Works Procurement Strategy, which sets out a new strategic direction for procuring and delivering major works to council homes. The strategy aims to increase competition, bring in specialist expertise, and strengthen oversight to deliver better quality work and value for money. It acknowledges that the Council's Direct Labour Organisation (DLO) is unlikely to undertake major works delivery in the foreseeable future, with in-house delivery remaining a longer-term option requiring a separate business case.
Lewisham Council Housing Performance Overview 2025-26
The report outlined the council's performance as a landlord of social housing for the financial year 2025-26. It highlighted improvements in reducing non-decent homes, cutting the repairs backlog, and enhancing complaint response times and safety compliance. However, it also acknowledged ongoing challenges with tenant satisfaction, delays in non-emergency repairs, and the need for continued work on fire remedial actions and housing quality. Mayor and Cabinet noted the report, recognising both progress and the work still to be done.
Extension of Alphatrack Contract for Door Entry, Warden Call, CCTV and Access Systems
Approval was given for a two-year extension to the contract with Alphatrack Systems for door entry, warden call, CCTV, and working at height systems, valued at £3,406,323. This extension ensures the continuity of critical safety and security services for residents and maintains compliance with statutory responsibilities while future procurement options are considered.
Developing a Community-Led Housing Partnership Strategy
Mayor and Cabinet noted that officers are developing a Community-Led Housing (CLH) and Small Registered Providers housing delivery strategy. This initiative aims to increase community ownership and participation in housing delivery by supporting CLH groups, housing co-operatives, and small housing providers. The Council will act as an enabler, assisting these organisations in finding sites, funding, and support.
Lewisham Town Centre Improvement Programme – Programme and Budget Update
Mayor and Cabinet noted the progress on the Lewisham Town Centre Improvement Programme and approved the award of the Lewisham Library Operator concession contract to Blue Garage Ltd for five years, with an option to extend for a further five years, at a value of £10,704,000. They also approved variations to contracts with Rooff Construction Ltd and Architecture 00 to address additional works, risk pricing, and programme prolongation costs associated with the Lewisham Library refurbishment. Contingency provisions were also approved for these works.
Exclusion of Press and Public
As no members indicated a wish to discuss information in the confidential Part 2 reports for items 7 and 13, this item was not required.
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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Lewisham Town Centre Improvement Programme – Programme and Budget Update PART 2
Recommendations Approved -
Permission to Procure and Award Building Security and Related Services PART 2
Recommendations Approved -
Lewisham Town Centre Improvement Programme – Programme and Budget Update
Recommendations ApprovedThe Mayor and Cabinet of Lewisham decided to approve the award of the Lewisham Library Operator concession contract to Blue Garage Ltd for a period of five years, with an option to extend for up to a further five years, at a value of £10,704,000. They also approved variations to contracts with Rooff Construction Ltd and Architecture 00, and agreed contingency provisions. Authority was delegated to the Executive Director for Place to enter into contract and lease documentation, exercise extension options, and agree final terms for contract variations.
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Financial Monitoring 2026/27 – Period 4 Monitoring
Recommendations ApprovedMayor and Cabinet decided on 07/10/2026 to note the forecast financial position for the year ending 31 March 2027 and approve the write-off of £350.3k of Business Rates arrears and £60.7k of Short Breaks debt.
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Investment in new domestic violence women’s service
Recommendations ApprovedMayor and Cabinet decided on 07/10/2026 to approve additional borrowing of £668,162 for capital works on a property for a domestic violence women's service. They noted that the February 2026 Mayor and Cabinet had approved the service and grant acceptance, but a change in capital investment was required to secure funding. The decision recommends full Council approve these changes.
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Housing Major Works Procurement Strategy
Recommendations ApprovedMayor and Cabinet decided to approve the Housing Major Works Procurement Strategy on 07/10/2026. The decision noted that Executive Management Team had approved the strategic direction, objectives, and procurement principles, subject to further appraisals and reports. The decision also noted that the in-house Direct Labour Organisation is unlikely to undertake major works delivery in the foreseeable future.
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Developing a Community-Led Housing Partnership Strategy
Recommendations ApprovedMayor and Cabinet decided to approve recommendations on 07/10/2026. They noted that officers are developing a Community-Led Housing and Small Registered Providers housing delivery strategy.
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Extension of Alphatrack Contract for Door Entry, Warden Call, CCTV and Access Systems
Recommendations ApprovedThe Mayor and Cabinet decided to approve a two-year extension to the contract with Alphatrack Systems for door entry, warden call, CCTV, and working at height systems. This decision was made on 07 October 2026. The approved extension is valued at £3,406,323.
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Approval to Extend the Council’s Insurances
Recommendations ApprovedMayor and Cabinet decided to approve a two-year extension for the Council's insurance contracts from 1 December 2026 to 30 November 2028, up to a value of £5.8m. They also delegated authority to the Executive Director for Corporate Resources, in consultation with others, to finalise the contract extension and associated documentation.
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Lewisham Council Housing Performance Overview 2025-26
Recommendations ApprovedMayor and Cabinet decided to note the report on 07/10/2026. The report outlines the council's performance as a landlord of social housing for the financial year 2025-26, addressing Tenant Satisfaction Measures, the Housing Directorate's improvement journey, and compliance with Consumer Standards.
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Permission to Procure and Award Building Security and Related Services
Recommendations ApprovedThe Mayor and Cabinet approved the procurement and award of a building security and related services contract. This decision was made on 07 October 2026. The decision authorises the Executive Director of Corporate Resources, in consultation with others, to select the preferred service provider.
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