The Cabinet approved the adoption of Town Centre Action Plans and confirmed the selection of operators for two new cultural spaces: Bermondsey 223 to operate a new multi-arts centre at Bermondsey Blue and Chroma to operate the new pan-London LGBTQ+ cultural centre on the Low Line at Bankside Yards. They also approved the procurement strategy for adults’ and children’s home care and reablement, and awarded contracts for Flexi Care services. The cabinet agreed to use a Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) to acquire the remaining leasehold properties at the Ledbury Estate, in order to allow the redevelopment of the estate to proceed as planned. The Cabinet also considered recommendations from the Overview and Scrutiny Committee about charges to leaseholders at the Consort Estate, made in November 2024, asking the relevant Cabinet Member to report back on the recommendations within eight weeks.

Town Centre Action Plans

The Cabinet approved the adoption of Town Centre Action Plans for Bermondsey, Camberwell, Canada Water, Elephant and Castle and Walworth, and Peckham. The plans are intended to help the council engage with residents and businesses about improvements being made in the borough’s town centres. The action plans will set out the council’s response to concerns and priorities raised by residents and businesses in each of the town centres and provide information about what the council is doing to support businesses, increase footfall, and tackle issues such as crime and anti-social behaviour. The plans will be published online.

The Provision of New Council Homes at Joan Street, SE1

The Cabinet agreed in principle to enter into a 150 year lease for 44 social rented homes that will be built as part of a student accommodation development being built by Places for London (TfL) in partnership with Helical at Joan Street. The new homes will be on a site adjacent to the Styles House Estate and the cabinet noted that the Styles House Tenants Management Organisation and residents will be consulted on the plans.

Endorsement of the Selected Multi-Arts Centre Operator for Bermondsey Blue

The cabinet agreed to enter into a seven year lease agreement with Bermondsey 223 for a new multi-arts centre to be based at the former Thorowgoods furniture store at 223 Southwark Park Road. Bermondsey 223’s proposal includes:

photographic installations and immersive arts events, engaging other arts forms such as dance and theatre, in the market square itself.

The building will undergo a programme of refurbishment works before Bermondsey 223 takes up occupation in Spring 2026.

Endorsement of the Selected LGBTQ+ Cultural Centre Operator

The cabinet agreed to commence the process of fitting out two railway arches at Bankside Yards, in order for them to be leased to Chroma to operate a new pan-London LGBTQ+ Cultural Centre on the Low Line. The space will provide both affordable workspace and a programme of cultural activities.

Gateway 1 – Procurement Strategy for Adults’ Home Care, Children’s Home Care and Reablement

The Cabinet approved the procurement strategy for adults’ and children’s home care and reablement services in the borough. All three of the services are currently delivered by external providers contracted to the council, and the current contracts are due to expire in March 2026. The Cabinet approved the proposal to procure the new services through a competitive tendering process, and delegated the Gateway 2 Contract Award recommendations to the Strategic Director of Children and Adult Services. The decision on the final lotting structure for one of the lots has also been delegated to the Strategic Director. The procurement strategy is summarised in the following table:

Gateway 2 - Flexi-Care Services

The Cabinet approved the award of contracts to two providers to deliver Flexi Care services in the borough. The contracts will be for an initial five year period from 1 July 2025, with the option to extend for a further two years. The total estimated value of the contracts over the seven year period is £26,012,700. The following table shows the contract details:

The contract values may increase over the lifetime of the contracts as a result of annual inflationary adjustments.

Ledbury Estate Compulsory Purchase Order - Final Approval

The cabinet agreed to use a CPO to acquire the remaining leasehold interests at the Ledbury Estate, in order to facilitate the redevelopment of the estate.

The council continues to pursue a negotiated settlement with all leaseholders situated within the three remaining towers, with the intention to acquire these remaining interests by agreement without the need for the council to apply to use its compulsory purchase powers.

The cabinet noted that a construction contract was in place with Higgins Partnerships Ltd to deliver the redevelopment in two phases. The first phase, at the former site of Bromyard House, is expected to be completed in June 2026. The cabinet noted that the council was currently rehousing residents from Peterchurch House, Skenfrith House and Sarnesfield House because of safety concerns, and had issued legal proceedings against five tenants for possession of their homes.

Report of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee: Recommendations Arising from Scrutiny of Consort Estate Major Works, SE15, Charges to Leaseholders

The cabinet noted the recommendations of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, made at its meeting on 4 November 2024, about charges to leaseholders for major works at the Consort Estate. The cabinet requested the relevant cabinet member to report back on the recommendations within eight weeks.