The Executive, Resources and Contracts Policy Development and Scrutiny Committee met on Monday 16 March 2026 to review the Council's capital programme, budget monitoring, and the annual scrutiny report. Key decisions included supporting recommendations for the capital programme monitoring and budget monitoring reports, and approving the Annual Scrutiny Report 2025/26. The committee also discussed the proposed acquisition of social housing units in Orpington and the allocation of the Crisis and Resilience Fund.

Capital Programme Monitoring - Quarter 3 2025/26

The committee reviewed the capital programme monitoring report for the third quarter of the 2025/26 financial year. This report detailed changes to the capital programme for the Resources, Commissioning and Contract Management portfolio, as considered by the Executive on 11 February 2026. The revised programme for this portfolio was presented, along with detailed comments on individual schemes. A member raised questions regarding a reported reduction in expenditure for Churchill Court Phase 4, which officers clarified was due to savings on NHS-funded works. The committee resolved to support the recommendations in the report.

Budget Monitoring 2025/26

The committee examined the second budget monitoring position for 2025/26, based on expenditure and activity levels up to the end of December 2025. The report highlighted significant variations that could impact future years and any early warnings that might affect the final year-end position. Members discussed the ongoing financial pressures on the Council and the importance of identifying savings early. The Chairman suggested that all internal emails should include a header reinforcing awareness of the financial context, a proposal the Chief Executive was asked to consider. Concerns were raised about budget overspends, particularly in Adult Social Care, and the timing of financial risk identification. Trends in rental income from investment properties and the potential impact of interest rate movements on borrowing decisions were also discussed. The Head of Corporate Finance confirmed that future treasury management reporting would reflect interest rate projections and the timing of external borrowing. The committee resolved to support the recommendations in the report.

The Crofton, Orpington - Social Housing Acquisition

The committee considered a report seeking approval for the purchase of 40 new build residential units in Orpington High Street for use as social housing. Officers advised that retaining the ground-floor retail units would expose the Council to unnecessary risk, given the existing weighting of the investment portfolio towards retail. Restrictions around GLA grant funding were outlined, with the recommendation in the Part 2 report reflecting the maximum available grant. Members highlighted the importance of establishing a clear threshold for member oversight and sought clarity on the housing mix, noting that the units were already constructed. Due diligence work on build quality, snagging, and defects cover was confirmed, and officers agreed to follow up on further questions regarding the state of ongoing works on site. The committee proposed amendments to the Part 2 recommendations for the Executive. The Part 1 recommendations were supported.

Crisis and Resilience Fund

Details of the Government's announcement regarding the Crisis and Resilience Fund (CRF) were presented, with proposals for its allocation and distribution. The Head of Compliance and Strategy confirmed that the crisis payments element would have a soft launch on 6 April 2026. Members sought assurance on the operation of the wider resilience programme and expressed concerns about launching crisis payments before the longer-term support structure was in place. Partnership engagement with the voluntary and community sector, including Community Links Bromley, was ongoing, and a detailed delivery plan for the resilience element was due to be submitted to the DWP by 1 July 2026. The Director of Housing, Planning Property and Regeneration explained that while some information from earlier Household Support Fund cycles had been reviewed, variations in scheme design limited direct comparability. Members emphasised the need for a model that supported residents not only in immediate crisis but also through improved financial capability, employment pathways, and early intervention. The recommendation was supported.

Annual Scrutiny Report 2025/26

The committee reviewed the Annual Scrutiny Report 2025/26, which summarises the work carried out by the Policy Development and Scrutiny (PDS) Committees. The report includes contributions from PDS Chairmen. A member expressed surprise at the brevity of the report concerning the Children, Education and Families PDS Committee's work. The committee noted a change in the chairmanship of that committee during the year and suggested that outgoing chairmen should be encouraged to submit reports upon their departure. It was also suggested that providing context around the circumstances of the Children, Education and Families PDS Committee during 2025/26 might be helpful. The Annual Scrutiny Report 2025/26 was approved.

Matters Outstanding and Work Programme

The committee received a report on its business management, including matters outstanding from previous meetings and the proposed work plan for the following municipal year. Members revisited the request for an interim report on the investment Property Portfolio, noting it had not been finalised due to outstanding accounts sign-off. Officers assured the committee that the report would be presented early in the new municipal year. Regarding Biggin Hill Airport (BHAL), an interim update was queried, but officers advised that the scheduled autumn update remained appropriate due to ongoing negotiations concerning the Noise Action Plan. Officers confirmed that options appraisal work for the Churchill Court rental strategy was progressing well, with initial findings expected in June. The committee noted that the full budget for advertising and marketing had not yet been required. The report was noted.

Forward Plan of Key Decisions

The committee noted the Forward Plan of Key Decisions covering the period February 2026 to May 2026.

Exempt Business

The committee resolved to exclude the press and public from discussions concerning exempt information, including the exempt minutes from the previous meeting and pre-decision scrutiny of an exempt executive report relating to The Crofton, Orpington - Social Housing Acquisition. The Part 2 (exempt) minutes were agreed and signed as a correct record. The committee considered the report and proposed amended recommendations for the Executive regarding the social housing acquisition.