The Healthier Communities Select Committee was scheduled to meet on 5 June 2025 to discuss budget savings proposals, an update on day services, and the committee's work programme. The meeting was also scheduled to include a review of the minutes from the meeting held on 12 March 2025 and a declarations of interest.

Budget Savings Proposals

The committee was scheduled to review draft proposals for budget reductions for 2025/26 and 2026/27. These proposals are intended to address a £30 million budget shortfall identified when the council set its 2025/26 budget in February 2025. According to the report pack, the council made the difficult but necessary decision to use £21.895 million in reserves to set the 2025/26 budget, with the understanding that work would begin to identify and implement £30 million in budget savings before 2026/27.

The report pack indicates that officers have identified £29.250 million in general fund savings and £4.784 million in Housing Revenue Account (HRA) savings. These savings break down as follows:

• £6.670 million in general fund savings and £3.609 million in HRA savings proposed for 2025/26
• £22.580 million in general fund savings and £1.175 million in HRA savings for 2026/27

The report pack notes that the £30 million savings target is based on assumptions outlined in the Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS), which was also scheduled to be presented to Mayor and Cabinet on 9 July 2025. The report pack states that the savings target does not account for any significant changes in government funding from 2025/26 levels. It also notes that the council intends to produce a revised MTFS later in the year once the outcomes of government funding reforms are known, which could lead to a new budget gap and savings target for 2026/27 and later years.

The report pack included a recommendation that the Healthier Communities Committee review the draft report and appendices and consider providing comments to the Public Accounts Select Committee on 25 June 2025.

The report pack also included a draft report for Mayor and Cabinet, as well as several appendices:

• Previously agreed savings
• New savings proposals for members
• New savings proposals for officers
• Budget Equalities Impact Assessment
• Scrutiny allocation sheet
• Proformas within remit of Healthier Communities Committee

The report pack notes that some savings proposals fall within the remit of the Healthier Communities Committee and are decisions for Mayor and Cabinet to take, while others can be agreed and implemented by officers under delegation in the Council’s Constitution.

Day Services Update

The committee was scheduled to receive an update on the transformation and modernisation of day services for adults with learning disabilities, autism, and older adults with eligible needs.

The report pack states that Lewisham's current day opportunities include in-house services at Ladywell and Mulberry Day Centres, as well as commissioned services from independent providers. These services aim to provide meaningful daytime activities, social connections, and practical support.

The report pack identifies several challenges in sustaining the current day services offer:

• Ageing infrastructure and rising repair costs for council-owned buildings
• Changing needs of service users
• Inequitable access across different groups
• The need to modernise provision in line with national policy and best practices

To address these challenges, Lewisham has launched a transformation programme to reimagine day opportunities through collaboration with service users, carers, providers, commissioners, the NHS, voluntary organisations, and staff. The programme aims to inform future service and building specifications, the re-procurement of commissioned day services, and the reorientation of in-house services.

As part of this transformation, a 100 Day Challenge was launched, running from May to September 2025. This inclusive engagement programme uses interviews, creative workshops, observational methods, and ethnographic approaches to capture lived experiences from those who currently use, may have future needs for, or have opted out of day opportunities services.

The 100 Day Challenge is divided into two strands: one for people with learning disabilities and/or autism, branded as designing A Life of Opportunity, and another for older adults and people living with dementia.

The report pack notes that early findings suggest Lewisham’s future offer should be more flexible, person-led, and integrated with NHS and community partners, with a greater focus on outcomes that matter to individuals. These insights will continue to be tested and developed, with draft proposals expected in Autumn 2025 and final recommendations to be presented to Mayor and Cabinet for decision.

Select Committee Work Programme

The committee was scheduled to discuss its priorities for the 2025-26 municipal year and agree on an annual work programme.

The report pack included a draft work programme with suggestions from the previous committee, council officers, and issues arising from previous scrutiny. However, the report pack states that the committee is responsible for setting its own work programme and does not have to investigate every suggestion.

When deciding on issues to include in the work programme, the committee was asked to consider the key services and programmes within its remit and the criteria for selecting and prioritising topics. The committee was also asked to take into account upcoming Mayor and Cabinet decisions and avoid duplicating the work of any agreed task and finish groups.

The report pack set out several suggestions for the committee to consider, including:

• Unpaid carers
• Adult social care co-production update
• Budget savings proposals
• Day services
• Technology in social care services
• Adult social care performance highlights
• Lewisham Safeguarding Adults Board – annual report
• Update from University Hospital Lewisham
• Update on the community mental health pilot from SLaM
• Learning Disabilities Implementation Plan - annual report
• Lewisham Disabled People’s Commission recommendations (update)

The report pack also included effective scrutiny guidelines, outlining five key principles: prioritise, be independent, work collectively, engage, and make SMART recommendations.