The Cabinet of Greenwich Council met on Wednesday, 03 December 2025, to discuss and approve a new strategy to end male violence against women and girls, alongside reviewing the council's financial performance and safeguarding efforts. Key decisions included the adoption of the Working Together to End Male Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy, noting the Q2 budget monitor, and approving the publication of the Infrastructure Funding Statement for 2024/25.

Working Together to End Male Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy

The Cabinet approved the Working Together to End Male Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy ¹, a comprehensive plan aimed at tackling the root causes of violence against women and girls (VAWG) in the borough. Councillor Rachel Taggart-Ryan, Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Enforcement, presented the strategy, highlighting that Greenwich has an outlier level of domestic abuse and VAWG offences. The strategy focuses on male accountability and behavioural change, allyship and community engagement, prevention and education, supporting victims and survivors, advocating for policy changes, enhancing safety in public spaces, addressing intersectionality, and robust monitoring and accountability. A complementary action plan is also being developed to focus on the psychological safety of young boys and men, addressing issues such as online radicalisation and harmful norms. The strategy acknowledges that while most men do not commit violence, all men have a role to play in ending this crisis. Councillor Taggart-Ryan emphasised that this is not a war against men but a call to action for male allyship. The strategy was met with widespread support from Cabinet members, who congratulated Councillor Taggart-Ryan on her leadership and the comprehensive nature of the plan.

Greenwich Safeguarding Children Partnership Annual Report 2024/25

The Cabinet noted the contents of the 2024/25 Greenwich Safeguarding Children Partnership Annual Report². Councillor Adel Khaireh, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, highlighted the report's emphasis on teamwork and the shared responsibility for safeguarding children. The report details the work of the partnership, which includes the local authority, integrated commissioning board, and the police, in ensuring children's welfare. It also outlines the role of the independent scrutineer in providing objective oversight. The Cabinet thanked the partnership for its work and affirmed the commitment to implementing its learnings to safeguard young people in the borough.

2025 - 2026 Quarter 2 Budget Monitor

The Cabinet noted the council's forecast outturn position as at the end of Quarter 2 2025-2026³. Councillor Denise Hyland, Cabinet Member for Finance, Resources and Social Value, presented the report, which showed an improvement in the overall outturn position compared to Quarter 1. While acknowledging that there is no room for complacency, the report demonstrated a positive and significant improvement in the overall forecast outturn position for both the general fund and the housing revenue account. The Director of Resources highlighted that additional financial controls have supported this improvement and will continue to do so. The Cabinet noted the council's forecast outturn position as at 30 September 2025, which indicated a net General Fund overspend of £7.2m and a Housing Revenue Account overspend of £2.4m. Significant pressures were noted in Children's Services, particularly in SEND transport and placements, and in Health and Adult Services due to increased demand and inflationary pressures.

2025/26 Treasury Management and Capital Q2 Mid-Year Update

The Cabinet noted the Treasury Management Mid-Year Report and the Capital Mid-Year Report for 2025/26⁴ and referred them to Full Council. Councillor Hyland presented the report, which provides transparency around the responsible management of public funds and financial risks. The Treasury Management report indicated an increase in net external borrowing due to capital investment activities and a prudent approach to managing financial risks in a changing economic environment. The Capital Programme report highlighted the council's ongoing investment in housing, schools, and sustainability, noting some reprofiling and slippage, particularly in housing development schemes, due to delivery complexities and evolving funding conditions. The Director of Resources reassured Cabinet on the level of debt the council was carrying, stating that the majority of borrowing is for housing and is sustainable and prudent. Councillor Pat Slattery, Cabinet Member for Housing Management, Neighbourhoods and Homelessness, expressed gratitude for the prudent use of borrowing capacity to improve residents' lives and noted the council's financial stability.

Infrastructure Funding Statement 2024/25

The Cabinet approved the publication of the Royal Borough of Greenwich (RBG) Infrastructure Funding Statement 2024/25⁵. Councillor Majid Rahman, Cabinet Member for Planning, Estate Renewal and Development, presented the statement, which outlines how developer contributions through the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) and Section 106 Agreements were collected and allocated in the financial year 2024/25. The statement reported that £5.15 million was collected in Borough CIL, with £772,000 earmarked for local projects through the Greenwich Neighbourhood Growth Fund. Additionally, over £9.46 million was secured in Section 106 planning obligations, with payments exceeding £11 million received. These contributions represent a significant investment in the borough's infrastructure. The Cabinet approved the content of the IFS for publication on the RBG website by 31 December 2025.