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Council - Wednesday, 21st October, 2026 7.00 pm
October 21, 2026 at 7:00 pm Council View on council website Watch video of meeting Read transcript (Professional subscription required)Summary
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The Council adopted its Corporate Plan for 2026-2030 and its Vision for 2050, outlining a commitment to creating a borough of opportunity, belonging, joy, wellbeing, and strong neighbourhoods. Members also noted a forecasted structural resourcing gap in the General Fund, and resolved to support neighbourhood shopping parades and town centres.
Corporate Plan 2026-2030 and Vision for 2050 Adopted
The Council adopted its Corporate Plan for 2026-2030 and its Vision for 2050. The Corporate Plan is structured around seven themes, including The Place to Grow Up,
The Place to Call Home,
and The Place for the Future,
with 19 priority outcomes. The Vision for 2050, themed around Greenwich – the borough that creates,
aims to foster opportunity, belonging, joy, wellbeing, and strong neighbourhoods, underpinned by principles of fairness and sustainability. The adoption of these documents follows extensive engagement with residents, partners, and staff. Cabinet will receive annual updates on progress against the Corporate Plan, with performance indicators reported on a public dashboard. The resource implications of the plan's commitments will be integrated into the Medium Term Financial Strategy and the 2027/28 budget.
Support for Neighbourhood Shopping Parades and Town Centres
The Council resolved to support neighbourhood shopping parades and town centres. This includes requesting a review of the condition, appearance, vacancy, ownership, and economic health of the borough's neighbourhood shopping parades, and including a Neighbourhood Shopping Parades Action Plan within the Council's wider town centres programme. Options for a targeted Shopfront Improvement Grant Scheme will be developed, subject to securing external funding and match funding from freeholders. The Council will also support independent shop local
initiatives through advice, signposting, and promotion, and make the case to Government and the GLA for fair access to high streets and local growth funding. Work will be undertaken with Community Safety, the Police, and town centre managers to improve safety and confidence in neighbourhood shopping parades. A report is to be requested within six months detailing an assessment of neighbourhood shopping parades, progress on using powers, external funding bids, and investment priorities for Council-owned parades. The Cabinet Member will also review the Plumstead High Street Improvement programme and set out any learnings for other schemes.
Medium Term Financial Strategy Highlights Significant Funding Gap
The Council noted a forecasted £30.9 million General Fund structural resourcing gap in 2027/28, projected to increase to £118.9 million by 2030/31. While the use of £18 million in one-off resources in 2027/28 will reduce the immediate in-year budget gap to £12.9 million, this does not address the underlying structural deficit. The report also highlighted potentially significant financial risks and opportunities, including the Dedicated Schools Grant deficit and the need for savings proposals. The Council's Housing Revenue Account (HRA) is forecast to remain in surplus, with an updated forecast showing an increase in its balance. The Council will continue to explore opportunities for asset maximisation, commercialisation, and service savings, and is developing an Organisational Transformation Programme to modernise service delivery.
Other Noted Items
The Council also noted changes to the Executive Functions Scheme of Delegation and decisions taken under urgency procedures, including the acquisition of 104 new homes at Block 401 Greenwich Millennium Village using GLA grant funding. These were administrative items and did not require debate.
Delegated decisions linked to this meeting
Decision summaries below are AI-generated from the council’s published record. Check the council source or the full decision page before relying on them.
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Medium Term Financial Strategy 2027 28+
Recommendations ApprovedThe Council of Greenwich Council on 21 October 2026 approved recommendations regarding the Medium Term Financial Strategy 2027/28+. The council noted a forecasted £30.9m General Fund structural resourcing gap in 2027/28, increasing to £118.9m by 2030/31. It was also noted that forecasted use of £18.0m in one-off General Fund resources in 2027/28 will reduce the in-year budget gap to £12.9m.
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Corporate Plan 2026-2030 and Vision for 2050
Recommendations ApprovedThe Council of Greenwich Council on 21 October 2026 adopted the Corporate Plan 2026-2030 and the Vision for 2050. The Council noted the findings of the Greenwich 2050 engagement and agreed to reflect delivery commitments in directorate and service plans, with resource implications taken through the Medium Term Financial Strategy and budget for 2027/28. The Council also agreed to encourage engagement with nature through community events and learning opportunities, protect and develop access to parks and green spaces, and deliver a sustainability and biodiversity plan with investment in re-wilding measures.
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MOTION – Supporting Neighbourhood Shopping Parades and Town Centres
Recommendations ApprovedThe Council of Greenwich Council resolved on 21 October 2026 to approve recommendations supporting neighbourhood shopping parades and town centres. The decision maker, the Council of Greenwich Council, agreed to oversee a review of shopping parades, develop an action plan, and create a shopfront improvement grant scheme. They also committed to supporting independent businesses, making a case for funding, and working with partners to improve safety.
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Decisions on Executive Functions taken under Urgency Procedures
Recommendations ApprovedThe Council of Greenwich Council noted decisions taken under urgency procedures on 21 October 2026. The Leader of the Council agreed to withdraw delegation to Cabinet regarding the acquisition of Block 401, Greenwich Millennium Village, and accepted £19.24 million in grant funding from the GLA. A further governance report will be presented following due diligence and negotiation of associated documents.
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Changes to the Executive Functions Scheme of Delegation
Recommendations ApprovedThe Council of Greenwich Council noted changes to the executive functions scheme of delegation on 21 October 2026. The Leader of the Council varied the scheme to withdraw delegation for approval of grant funding from GLA and acquisition of new homes, allocating these matters to themselves.
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