The Strategy and Resources Committee met on 16 June 2025 to discuss a range of issues including the council's financial performance, support for the charity sector, workforce development, and appointments to outside bodies. The committee noted a general fund revenue underspend for 2024/25, but also an overspend in the dedicated schools grant. They agreed to recommission a Charity, Faith and Community Sector infrastructure contract, and to establish the Sutton Shareholdings Board as a sub-committee.

Finance and Performance - Quarter 4 Outturn 2024/25

The committee noted the 2024/25 general fund revenue outturn underspend of £0.687m, which was then put into the council's general reserves. However, they also noted the 2024/25 dedicated schools grant¹ revenue outturn overspend of £9.182m, leading to a £10.573m deficit balance carried forward into 2025/26. The 2024/25 housing revenue account revenue outturn underspend of £2.270m was also noted, alongside a £0.800m increase to the Sutton Housing Partnership (SHP) Management Fee.

The committee also:

• Noted the 2025/26 budget delivery assessment.
• Noted the 2024/25 capital outturn of £101.569m.
• Approved capital slippage and additions.
• Noted the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman decisions and actions taken.
• Noted the corporate risk register and mitigation actions.
• Noted the approach to deliver the transformation programme, including a time-limited market supplement.
• Agreed to recommend to Full Council the updated 2025/26 Flexible Use of Capital Receipts Strategy for adoption and submission to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG).

The report highlighted financial challenges faced by councils across the UK, including Sutton, particularly in demand-driven services like social care, temporary accommodation, and special educational needs. The underspend in the general fund was attributed to improved positions in corporate costs and movements in Environment, Housing & Neighbourhoods (EH&N) services.

The overspend in the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) was linked to increasing numbers of Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) and rising costs for school placements. The report noted that Sutton would have been invited into the Safety Valve programme² but the government had stopped allowing local authorities to join the programme.

Charity, Faith and Community Sector Update

The committee agreed to delegate authority to the Strategic Director of Resources, in consultation with the lead member, to recommission and award a Charity, Community and Faith Infrastructure Contract. They also noted the key findings and recommendations from the 'Evolving our Ecosystem' Report, and work to develop a new Sutton Charity & Public Sector Partners Framework 2025 - 2028.

The Evolving our Ecosystem report highlighted the vital role played by Charity, Community and Faith Organisations in supporting vulnerable residents and building communities. It identified challenges such as fragmented collaboration, financial strain, and volunteer recruitment difficulties. The Sutton Charity and Public Sector Partners Framework 2025 to 2028 aims to strengthen relationships between these organisations and public sector partners.

Sutton Council Workforce Report 2025

The committee noted the progress made in the last year around workforce equality, diversity and inclusion. The report provided an overview of the council's workforce profile as of 31 March 2025, highlighting initiatives to promote equality and inclusion.

Key points from the report included:

• An increase in the percentage of staff from Black, Asian and Multi Ethnic communities to 33%.
• An increase in the percentage of Multi Ethnic employees earning over £50,000 to 27%.
• An increase in the percentage of staff declaring a disability to 7%.
• A decrease in the percentage of employees that are women to 70%.
• A decrease in the council's mean Gender Pay Gap to 8.68%.

The report also detailed various initiatives to support staff, including the establishment of staff networks, training programmes, and flexible working arrangements.

Appointment to Outside Bodies

The committee agreed the appointments to outside bodies as set out in Appendix A of the report and delegated authority to the Director of Law and Governance (Monitoring Officer) to authorise appointments of nominated representatives which arise as a result of an in-year vacancy.

Outside bodies are organisations operating in Sutton with independent governance structures, whose activities align with those of the council. Appointing representatives to these bodies allows the council to support their work and foster collaboration.

Sub Committee Arrangements 2025-26

The committee agreed to establish the Sutton Shareholdings Board as a sub-committee of the Strategy and Resources Committee. They appointed Councillors Sunita Gordon (Chair), Jake Short (Vice Chair), and Marian James, all Liberal Democrats, and Councillors Tim Crowley and Mike Dwyer, both Conservatives, as members. Councillors Ed Parsely, Rob Beck, and Paul Cole, all Liberal Democrats, and Councillors Neil Garratt and James McDermott-Hill, both Conservatives, were appointed as substitute members.

The Sutton Shareholdings Board acts as a shareholder board for companies established by the council, including SDEN, Sutton Living and Cognus.