The Community & Children's Services Committee was scheduled to meet on Monday 10 November 2025 to discuss a range of issues, including refurbishment and upgrade works to the York Way Estate lift, lift lobby and stairwell, the Corporate Parenting Strategy 2025-2028, and an update on the Golden Lane Leisure Centre. The committee was also scheduled to endorse appointments to the allocated members scheme to the various housing estates.

Corporate Parenting Strategy 2025-2028

The committee was scheduled to consider a report regarding the Corporate Parenting Strategy 2025-2028. The strategy outlines the City of London Corporation's responsibilities as a corporate parent for children in care and care leavers. The draft strategy was shaped by feedback from care-experienced young people, performance data, Ofsted inspection learning, and internal governance processes.

The report stated that the draft strategy establishes five strategic priorities:

• Home Stability: ensuring safe, secure accommodation
• Health and Wellbeing: trauma-informed, culturally responsive support
• Education, Employment, and Training: removing barriers to achievement
• Voice of Children and Young People: meaningful participation and influence
• Transition to Independence: preparation and ongoing support into adulthood

The report also included key data from the Coram Voice Annual Survey 2025, which included responses from 21 care leavers and 5 children in care.

York Way Estate Lift, Lift Lobby and Stairwell Refurbishment and Upgrade Works

The committee was scheduled to discuss a report regarding refurbishment and upgrade works to the lifts, lift lobbies and stairwells within Kinefold, Penfields and Lambfold Houses on the York Way Estate.

The report noted that the six residential lifts that service Penfields, Kinefold and Lambfold Houses have exceeded their recommended lifespan and require upgrading and refurbishment. It was noted that all lift lobbies within the three blocks are in a poor state of repair and require refurbishment and the stairwells require decorating to bring them up to the expected standard.

The report recommended that the committee approve a budget of £60,000 for consultant fees to reach the next Gateway, note the project budget of £60,000 (excluding risk), note the total estimated cost of the project at £3,000,000 (excluding risk), and approve a Costed Risk Provision of £0.

Golden Lane Leisure Centre - Update

The committee was scheduled to receive an update on the project to refurbish the Golden Lane Leisure Centre. The project, funded by £10.35 million from the Community Infrastructure Levy¹, aims to deliver improved leisure services, enhanced community engagement, and greater environmental sustainability. The report stated that design options are under development, with stakeholder consultation planned to inform the scope and preferred design approach. The project aims to deliver energy solutions which align with the City Corporation's Climate Action Strategy. The report sought a decision on the preferred approach to energy supply, recommending that the future energy needs of the Centre are met through connection to the Citigen network².

Allocated Members to the Various Housing Estates

The committee was scheduled to endorse the appointments to the Allocated Members Scheme to the various housing estates. The allocated members are:

• Tower Hamlets and Middlesex Street: Deputy John Fletcher
• Hackney and Golden Lane Estate: Deputy Ceri Wilkins
• Southwark: Charles Edward Lord
• Lewisham: Sandra Jenner
• Islington: Deputy Anne Corbett
• Lambeth: Mark Wheatley

City & Hackney Safeguarding Children Partnership (CHSCP) Annual Report 2024-2025

The committee was scheduled to receive the City & Hackney Safeguarding Children Partnership (CHSCP) Annual Report for 2024/25. The report provides an overview of the partnership's activities, progress, challenges, and future priorities in safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children in the City of London and the London Borough of Hackney.

The report highlights the CHSCP's structure, key roles and relationships, and its commitment to an active anti-racist approach. It details the progress of various agencies, including local councils, police, NHS trusts, and other organisations, and their efforts in areas such as workforce stability, data management, and service delivery.

The document also outlines lessons learned from case reviews and audits, emphasising the importance of a Safeguarding First approach, professional curiosity, and information sharing. It concludes by setting out the priorities and pledges for the coming year, which include addressing strategic vulnerabilities like child sexual abuse and exploitation, and maintaining a focus on continuous learning and improvement.

Stronger Communities Fund - Annual Report 2024/25 and Analysis of Fund's Impact Over the Last Five Years

The committee was scheduled to note the Stronger Communities Fund (SCF) Annual Report 2024/25 and analysis of the fund's impact over the last five years. The SCF awards grants to projects and services that are being delivered for the benefit of communities or beneficiaries within the City of London and/or its housing estates across London.

The report included the criteria for the SCF, the recent grants awarded from the SCF 2024/25, and the analysis of the SCF over the last five years, 2020/21 to 2024/25 inclusive, and its impact for City of London communities.

According to the report, in 2024/25 the Central Funding and Charity Management Team received 49 applications in total – a 48% increase in applications to the SCF from the previous financial year. In 2024/25 the SCF received an annual budget of £73,333 to allocate to eligible applications, and 10 grants were awarded funding totalling £70,680. The grant approval rate for the year fell to only 20%, the lowest approval rate for the fund over the last 5 years. The average value of the grant awarded during 2024/25 rose to £7,068.