The Cabinet of Southwark Council is scheduled to meet on Monday 02 February 2026 to discuss a range of important issues, including the council's housing strategy for older people, plans for community-led housing, and the new homes delivery programme. The meeting will also cover the council's enhanced biodiversity duty report and admission arrangements for primary schools.

Older People's Housing Strategy 2026-2036

The Cabinet is set to consider the council's new Older People's Housing Strategy for 2026-2036. This strategy aims to address the housing needs of the borough's ageing population, with three core priorities: improving access to appropriate and affordable housing, ensuring timely and accessible support for older people to live independently for longer, and making it easier for older people to downsize into suitable housing. The strategy has been developed in partnership with older residents, their families, and housing providers, and draws on extensive consultation. It aligns with the council's Southwark 2030 vision and its Housing Strategy 2020, focusing on providing decent homes for all and promoting health and wellbeing. The report highlights the increasing number of older people in Southwark and the associated pressures on adult social care and social housing.

New James Court, Scylla Road – Proposed Community-Led Housing

A pilot scheme for community-led homes at a site in Peckham is set to be discussed, with a proposal to approve in principle the disposal of land at New James Court, Scylla Road. The preferred delivery partner for this project is London Community Land Trust (CLT), selected following a competitive process. This initiative aims to deliver new community-led affordable homes that will remain affordable in perpetuity, with sales values tied to average local incomes. The report details the progress made to date, including community engagement and the selection of London CLT. The proposed land transaction is conditional on securing planning consent and demonstrating viability, ensuring that the development proceeds with community involvement and delivers genuinely affordable housing options for those who may not qualify for social housing.

Southwark Construction New Homes Update

An update on the council's new homes delivery programme is scheduled for discussion, covering achievements up to 31 December 2025. Southwark Council has been a leading local authority in building new council homes, with a programme that has delivered over 3,000 homes completed or on site. The report outlines the progress of various schemes, including major estate redevelopment projects like Tustin Estate, Ledbury Estate, and Aylesbury Estate, as well as smaller schemes and innovative modular housing pilots. The update will detail the number of new homes started and completed, broken down by ward and unit size, and highlight the contribution of shared ownership and outright sale homes in funding new social rent homes. The report also touches upon the challenges faced by the construction sector, including inflation and the Building Safety Act 2022, and outlines the council's strategy for future pipeline sites and securing external funding.

Phase 2 of the Tustin Estate Renewal Update

Cabinet will receive an update on Phase 2 of the Tustin Estate renewal project. This phase is set to deliver 284 new homes, including 279 council homes for social rent and 5 homes for resident leaseholders. The report details the proposed Main Works Contract with BY Development Limited, covering the construction of all four blocks within Phase 2, with separate pricing for each block and a break clause to allow for potential adjustments. The report highlights the benefits of the redevelopment, including improved housing quality and environmental standards, with proposals aiming to reduce carbon emissions by 85% beyond Part L 2021 Building Regulations. The project is a key part of the council's housing delivery programme, and the report outlines the financial implications, including GLA grant funding, and the rationale for accelerating affordable housing delivery.

Southwark's Enhanced Biodiversity Duty Report

The Cabinet is expected to note and support the requirement to meet the enhanced Biodiversity Duty reporting requirements introduced by the Environment Act 2021. The meeting will consider approving Southwark's first statutory Biodiversity Duty report for submission to the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). This report, prepared in collaboration with Land Use Consultants Ltd, details the council's actions to conserve and enhance biodiversity across the borough. It covers the state of nature in Southwark, the policies and strategies in place, integrated actions taken across departments, information on Biodiversity Net Gain, investment in nature, and future plans. The report emphasises the council's commitment to protecting and enhancing biodiversity, which is seen as crucial for the well-being of the borough, contributing to climate change mitigation, and improving residents' health and wellbeing.

Admission Arrangements for Community Primary Schools – September 2027

The Cabinet will consider the proposed admission arrangements for community primary schools for the September 2027 intake. The report indicates that the admission arrangements will largely remain unchanged, prioritising children with Education, Health and Care Plans, followed by looked-after children, siblings, and then distance from the school. However, the report highlights proposed reductions in Published Admission Numbers (PANs) for two community primary schools: Phoenix Primary School (from 90 to 60) and Keyworth Primary School (from 60 to 30). These reductions are school-led requests to align capacity with falling pupil numbers and ensure the schools' organisational and financial viability. The report details the consultation process undertaken and the responses received.

Disposal of Freehold at Westminster Bridge Road, London, SE1 7XW

A report concerning the disposal of a vacant former office building at Westminster Bridge Road, London, SE1 7XW is scheduled for discussion. The property is described as being in poor condition, requiring substantial capital investment, and having significant holding costs. There is no operational requirement for the building within the council's estate. The report recommends approving the disposal of the freehold interest by auction or another appropriate method to generate a capital receipt and remove revenue pressures associated with holding costs. The property has a history of squatting and illegal trespass, and ongoing security costs are a strain on resources. A sale by auction is considered the most appropriate method to achieve best value and ensure a quick and transparent process.

Gateway 1: Procurement Strategy Approval Security Cover in Supported Hostels

The Cabinet will consider the procurement strategy for the security cover contract in supported hostels. The council operates five supported hostels providing support for residents with complex needs, including domestic violence, substance misuse, mental health issues, and offending histories. The procurement aims to reshape and enhance security provision across all hostels, ensuring a specialist and empathetic service that safeguards residents and meets their needs. The report outlines the proposed procurement route as a Competitive Flexible Procedure, with a price/quality weighting that includes social value commitments. The estimated annual value of the contract is £1.105m for three years, with an option to extend for a further two years. The strategy aims to improve resident wellbeing, promote independence, and ensure a consistent standard of service.

Response to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee report: Asylum Road Care Home - disposal of the site by way of a long-leasehold interest with a selected party to deliver and operate a new care home at Asylum Road, SE15

The Cabinet will discuss its response to recommendations made by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee (OSC) regarding the disposal of the Asylum Road Care Home site. The report outlines the council's acceptance of some recommendations, including ensuring due diligence on Care Quality Commission (CQC) ratings and providing updates on care home design. The council has also committed to undertaking a quality review of emerging designs and will consider early dialogue around land transactions. The report notes that the council's existing mechanisms for briefing scrutiny chairs are considered adequate, and the proposed land transaction is seen as a positive step towards increasing in-borough nursing care provision.