The Overview & Scrutiny Committee was scheduled to meet on Wednesday 7 May 2025 to discuss the council's delivery plan, cabinet scrutiny protocol, and work programme. The meeting was to include a review of the Creating Good Lives Together: Southwark 2030 Delivery Plan and a discussion of the Cabinet Scrutiny Protocol. The committee was also expected to note its work programme as of that date.

Delivering Southwark 2030

The committee was scheduled to receive a report from Rhona Cadenhead, Assistant Chief Executive of Strategy & Communities, regarding the delivery of Southwark 2030, the council's delivery plan, and the Q3 2024/25 performance.

The report pack included the Creating Good Lives Together: Southwark 2030 Delivery Plan which outlines the council's strategic vision for a fair, green, and safe borough. The plan is structured around seven goals:

1. Decent homes for all
2. A good start in life
3. A safer Southwark
4. A strong and fair economy
5. Staying well
6. A healthy environment
7. A well-run council

The delivery plan emphasises the importance of the council's Southwark 2030 guiding principles: reducing inequality, empowering people, and investing in prevention.

The report noted that as of Q3 2024/25, over 90% of the previous Council Delivery Plan commitments were on track for delivery or due for delivery by the end of the plan period. It also identifies areas of progress and continued focus for each of the seven goals. For example, under the goal of Decent homes for all, the council reported progress in its council homebuilding programme, action against rogue landlords, and the launch of a free advice service for private sector tenants. Areas of continued focus included extending the landlord licensing scheme, completing 2,500 council homes, and addressing challenges related to turning around council voids.

The report also details the proposed approach to monitoring and reporting on performance against the Southwark 2030 Delivery Plan for 2025/26.

Cabinet Scrutiny Protocol

The committee was scheduled to receive a report from Everton Roberts, Head of Scrutiny, on the Cabinet Scrutiny Protocol. The protocol aims to foster good working relations between the Cabinet and the Scrutiny function by clarifying expectations and behaviours of members, officers, organisations, and individuals involved in the scrutiny process.

The protocol outlines how cabinet and scrutiny will work together, focusing on key council priorities in the development of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee/Commission work programmes. It sets out expectations for cabinet members and senior officers to keep scrutiny informed of significant issues and participate in the scrutiny process. In turn, scrutiny is expected to keep cabinet members and senior officers informed of its activities and findings, provide reasonable notice for requests for information/attendance at meetings, and commit to evidence-based SMART¹ recommendations.

The protocol was reviewed by the Corporate Management Team (CMT) in October and April 2025, and comments were sought from cabinet members and Overview and Scrutiny Committee members in February and March 2025.

Work Programme

The committee was scheduled to note the work programme as at 7 May 2025. The work programme lists items which have been or are to be considered in line with the committee’s terms of reference. Items listed in the work programme included:

• Canada Water Estate /Devon Mansions Major Works Review (Final report)
• Climate Change Strategy (Performance)
• Refresh of Procurement Framework to support Southwark 2030
• Annual Workforce Strategy
• Council Homes Investment Strategy
• Local Community Infrastructure Levy Framework
• Council Homes Disposal Policy
• Southwark New Homes Programme
• Housing Associations
• Transparency of Leaseholder Costs