The Southwark Council cabinet met on 16 September 2025, and approved updates to the Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan, a new service model for community safety, and changes to the Home Purchase Grant scheme. They also discussed strategic Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) funding, capital and revenue monitoring reports, and responses to scrutiny commission recommendations.

Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan

The cabinet approved the merged Climate Change Strategy (2021) and Climate Resilience and Adaptation Strategy (2024) into a single Climate Change Strategy, alongside an updated Climate Action Plan. The updated plan focuses on reducing emissions and improving climate adaptation and resilience, aligning with the goals and principles of the Southwark 2030 Strategy.

Councillor John Batteson, Cabinet Member for Climate Emergency, Jobs and Business, noted that the council had secured £12 million in central government funding for retrofit projects across leisure centres and council homes. He also highlighted the expansion of the Library of Things initiative and the Community Energy Fund.

The cabinet also noted that despite commitments made by world leaders, efforts to tackle climate change are continuing to fall short. The council recognised that emissions reductions from buildings and energy use have been counteracted by an increase in emissions from the goods and services purchased to build new homes, maintain streets and deliver council services.

Community Safety Review and Implementation Plan

The cabinet agreed to the council's new service model for community safety and a phased delivery plan, following an independent review. The review identified fragmented delivery, a lack of joined-up intelligence, and limited capacity to respond to local issues at pace.

Councillor Natasha Ennin, Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Neighbourhoods, said the plan would empower staff and communities to act together, building an integrated model of community safety and enforcement. The new model aims to bring together council, police, housing and community services to act quickly and consistently when residents raise concerns.

The new service model includes neighbourhood delivery and hotspot intervention, underpinned by shared delivery principles and integrated enforcement.

Resident Experience Plan 2025-2030

The cabinet approved the Resident Experience Plan 2025-2030 (REP) and its action plan. The plan aims to improve the experience of residents and businesses when contacting the council.

Councillor Stephanie Cryan, Cabinet Member for Equalities, Democracy and Finance, said the plan was based on feedback from residents and businesses, and from front-line staff. The plan aligns with the objectives of Southwark 2030 and the Southwark Digital Strategy.

The REP is structured around four pillars: transforming resident experience, enhanced digital experience, responsive resident experience, and supporting vulnerable residents.

Strategic Community Infrastructure Levy Funding

The cabinet agreed to allocate up to £2,500,000 of strategic CIL funding to fit out the Women's Safety Centre.

Councillor Helen Dennis, Cabinet Member for New Homes and Sustainable Development, said the funding would enable the council and its partner to provide best-in-class support for survivors of domestic abuse and women experiencing other forms of violence and harassment.

Capital Monitoring Report 2025-26

The cabinet noted the month 4 forecast spend and resources for both the general fund and housing investment programmes. They also noted the alignment of the general fund capital programme to the Southwark 2030 priorities.

The cabinet noted a significant borrowing requirement of £321m for the general fund programme and £359m for the housing investment programme to be fully delivered.

The cabinet approved virements¹ and variations to the general fund and housing investment capital programme.

Revenue Monitoring Report 2025-26

The cabinet noted an adverse variance of £10.1m forecast for the housing revenue account (HRA) and a £24.2m adverse variance forecast for the general fund.

The key adverse variations and budget pressures included demand pressures in temporary accommodation and increased demand in adult's and children's social care.

The cabinet also noted an update on the 2025-26 and 2026-27 departmental savings and transformational savings, and a £0.075m in-year favourable variance for the dedicated schools grant (DSG).

Cash Incentive Scheme (Home Purchase Grant) Amendment to Policy

The cabinet approved changes to the home purchase grant, cash incentive policy, including the purchase of one-bedroom properties in the scheme. They also approved an increase in the amount of grant offered per property and the removal of a £3,000 grant payment for additional property features.

Councillor Stephanie Cryan said the changes would make the scheme less restrictive and more attractive to tenants.

Responses to Scrutiny Commission Recommendations

The cabinet approved responses to recommendations from the Education and Local Economy Scrutiny Commission, the Housing Scrutiny Commission, and the Health and Social Care Scrutiny Commission.

Education and Health Care Plan (EHCP), Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) provisions and Inclusions in Schools

The cabinet approved responses to the Education and Local Economy Scrutiny Commission recommendations on the review of Education and Health Care Plan (EHCP), Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) provisions and Inclusions in Schools.

Draft Resident Engagement Strategy

The cabinet accepted all recommendations made by the Housing Scrutiny Commission on the draft Resident Engagement Strategy.

Draft Town Centre Action Plan, Youth Employment support and East Street Traders

The cabinet approved responses to the Education and Local Economy Scrutiny Commission recommendations on the review of the draft Town Centre Action Plan, Youth Employment support and East Street Traders.

Nursing Care Home Delivery Scrutiny Review Report

The cabinet approved the officer response to the recommendations within the Nursing Care Home Delivery Scrutiny Review Report.

Procurement Strategy Approval: Provision of Learning Disability Supported Living Services

The cabinet approved the procurement strategy for the provision of learning disability supported living services at an estimated annual cost of approximately £12.7m and at an estimated total maximum cost of approximately £89.2m for a period of three years plus two two-year extensions. They also approved the delegation of the award decision in the Gateway Two report to the Strategic Director of Children and Adult Services in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing.

Procurement Approach for Home to School Transport SEND Vehicles Framework

The cabinet approved the procurement strategy for the special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) vehicles framework at an estimated annual value of £3.2m and cumulative eight-year lifetime contract total value of £25.6m. They also approved the delegation of the gateway 2 contract award recommendations for the SEND Vehicles Framework to the Strategic Director of Children and Adult Services, in consultation with the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Children, Education and Refugees.

Authorisation of Debt Write-offs for Commercial Rent Debt

The cabinet approved the write off of £659,432.56 for 5 debts relating to commercial rent.

Motions from Council Assembly

The cabinet agreed to consider the following motions referred from council assembly:

• Keeping Southwark Safe: Fighting crime and the causes of crime
• Southwark welcomes 400th refugee family
• Southwark Stands Against Welfare Cuts
• Making Space for Girls in Parks and Open Spaces
• Implementation of a Tourist Tax
• Limiting the spread of damaging gambling premises in the Blue.

Appointments

The cabinet agreed the following appointments:

• Councillor James McAsh to the London Councils Transport and Environment Committee (S101 Joint Committee)
• Councillor Sarah King to the Joint Partnership Panel (JPP)
• Councillor Michael Situ to the Southwark Tenant Management Organisation Committee.