The Cabinet of Southwark Council met on Tuesday 6 January 2026, approving several key decisions including the extension of the Parks Grounds Maintenance Contract, the adoption of the Local Development Scheme 2026-2029, and the implementation of the Social Purpose of Land Framework pilot phase. The council also approved its Council Tax Base for 2026-27 and agreed to restructure the Senior Resources Leadership Team by creating two new director roles.

Social Purpose of Land Framework

The Cabinet approved the implementation of the Social Purpose of Land Framework pilot phase on four council-identified sites. This framework, developed with input from the New Economics Foundation (NEF) and community members, aims to increase transparency and community involvement in decisions regarding council land and assets. Neighbourhood Land Panels will be established for each pilot site to engage local voices in discussions about land use options, assessing their feasibility against neighbourhood and borough-wide priorities. Councillor Helen Dennis, Cabinet Member for New Homes and Sustainable Development, highlighted this as a groundbreaking step towards better utilising the built environment to achieve Southwark 2030 goals. The council will also establish a Southwark Land Partnership to bring together key landowners across the borough to release sites for common priorities, maximising social value. An allocation of £500,000 from reserve funding has been agreed to support the pilot phase.

Local Development Scheme 2026-2029

The Cabinet adopted the Local Development Scheme (LDS) 2026-2029, which sets out the timetable for the preparation and review of planning policy documents. This adoption marks the commencement of a full review of the Southwark Plan in 2026, following the LDS's approval. Councillor Helen Dennis, Cabinet Member for New Homes and Sustainable Development, stated that the LDS ensures the council's planning framework remains up-to-date and responsive to legislative, demographic, and economic changes. The review of the Southwark Plan is necessary due to changes in national planning policy, increased emphasis on housing delivery, and the need to align with the forthcoming London Plan. The LDS also outlines the timetable for the Old Kent Road Area Action Plan and the partial review of the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) Charging Schedule.

Gateway 3 - Parks Grounds Maintenance Contract Extension

The Cabinet approved the variation of the grounds maintenance contract with Idverde UK Limited for a four-year period, commencing 3 October 2026. This extension, valued at an estimated £13.156 million for the extension period and a total estimated lifetime contract value of £42.5 million, aims to ensure the continued high quality of service and mitigate risks associated with market volatility. Councillor Ellie Cumbo, Cabinet Member for Parks and Culture, emphasised the importance of Southwark's parks and open spaces for residents' well-being and the council's climate aspirations. The current contract has consistently achieved high public satisfaction, Green Flag status for all 30 parks, and positive rankings in the Good Parks for London assessments. The extension will also see the council transition to a leasing arrangement for vehicles, which is expected to provide better value for money.

The Council Tax Base for 2026-27

The Cabinet approved the council tax base for 2026-27, setting it at 111,464.6 Band D equivalent dwellings, a decrease from the previous year's figure. Councillor Stephanie Cryan, Cabinet Member for Equalities, Democracy and Finance, noted that the collection rate will be maintained at 96.50% due to ongoing economic pressures. The council also reaffirmed its commitment to discretionary council tax premiums on empty dwellings and second homes, as well as continuing its Council Tax Reduction Scheme and exemptions for young people leaving care and foster carers.

Senior Resources Leadership Team Structure

The Cabinet approved proposed changes to the Resources Senior Leadership Team structure, including the creation of two new director-level posts: Director of Commercial Partnerships and Investments, and Director of Digital and Resident Experience. Councillor Stephanie Cryan highlighted that these roles are intended to strengthen leadership capacity, enhance commercial capability, improve procurement oversight, and drive digital transformation and resident experience improvements. These changes are part of a wider reorganisation within the Resources Directorate, which is expected to deliver efficiency savings for the council. The new posts will be funded from existing resources and are part of the council's commitment to delivering its Southwark 2030 goals.