The Overview & Scrutiny Committee meeting scheduled for Tuesday 20 January 2026 was set to review the council's progress on its Well-Run Council goal and the overall Council Delivery Plan performance for the second quarter of the 2025/26 financial year. Additionally, the committee was scheduled to discuss the setup of a task and finish group concerning refugees and the Borough of Sanctuary initiative, as well as review the committee's work programme.

Southwark 2030 Goal: A Well-Run Council

The committee was scheduled to receive a report on the progress made towards the Well-Run Council goal, which is a key component of the Southwark 2030 Delivery Plan. This goal aims to ensure the council leads by example in delivering high-quality, accessible services that meet residents' needs. The report was expected to provide an in-depth view of the commitments under this goal, which include areas such as community engagement, partnership working with the voluntary and community sector, improving resident experience, and environmental and operational commitments. The report indicated that overall delivery against this goal remained strong, with most commitments on track. It also highlighted resident satisfaction and staff engagement survey results, which generally showed positive perceptions of the council's performance compared to other local authorities. The report noted that while resident satisfaction with the council and value for money was high, there was an opportunity to strengthen communication about how Council Tax is invested.

Council Delivery Plan Performance

A report was scheduled to be presented on the overall performance of the Council Delivery Plan for the second quarter of the 2025/26 financial year. This plan, agreed in February 2025, outlines the council's priorities and objectives across seven goals: Decent homes for all; A good start in life; A safer Southwark; A strong and fair economy; Staying well; A healthy environment; and A well-run Council. The report was expected to detail the progress made against each commitment within the plan, highlighting achievements and areas requiring continued focus. As of the end of Q2, 76% of the 115 commitments were reported as either delivered or on track. The report detailed progress across each of the seven goals, including the completion of new council homes, initiatives to improve safety, job creation, health and wellbeing programmes, environmental projects, and the performance of the Well-run Council goal.

Refugees / Borough of Sanctuary (Task and Finish Group Setup)

The committee was scheduled to receive an introduction to the Refugees / Borough of Sanctuary initiative. This item was intended to set up a task and finish group to further explore Southwark's role as a Borough of Sanctuary, aiming to ensure that migrant, asylum seeker, and refugee communities can lead good lives within the borough.

Work Programme

The committee was also scheduled to review and note the work programme for the Overview & Scrutiny Committee and its commissions for the 2025/26 municipal year. This included noting the proposed remits of the committee and its four established commissions: Education and Local Economy; Environment, Community Safety and Engagement; Housing; and Health and Social Care. The work programmes are designed to focus on key issues where scrutiny can have a significant impact and align with the council's strategic priorities. The agenda indicated planned discussions on various topics throughout the year, including budget introductions, cost of living, workforce reports, regeneration, rail infrastructure, and the council's transformation agenda.