The Safer Stronger Communities Select Committee was scheduled to meet to discuss budget savings proposals for 2025/26 and 2026/27, as well as an update on the main grants consultation. The committee was also expected to review its work programme for the upcoming year.

Here's a breakdown of the key items on the agenda:

Budget Savings 2025/26 and 2026/27

The committee was scheduled to review draft proposals for budget reductions to address a £30 million shortfall. According to the report pack, Lewisham Council had to use £21.895 million from its reserves to set the 2025/26 General Fund Budget. The proposals included £6.670 million of general fund savings and £3.609 million of Housing Revenue Account (HRA) savings for 2025/26, with a further £22.580 million and £1.175 million respectively for 2026/27.

The report pack noted that the savings target was based on assumptions in the Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS), which highlights unprecedented uncertainty within which Local Councils are drafting their financial plans. It also noted that the MTFS did not account for any major changes in government funding from 2025/26 levels. The report pack stated that a revised MTFS might be needed later in the year, potentially leading to a new budget gap and further savings targets.

The report pack included a recommendation for committee members to review the draft report and provide comments to the Public Accounts Select Committee.

The report pack outlined that the proposals align with the council's corporate priorities, including:

• Cleaner and Greener
• A Strong Local Economy
• Quality Housing
• Children and Young People
• Safer Communities
• Open Lewisham
• Health and Wellbeing

The report pack also listed the council's core values:

• Ambitious
• Inclusive
• Collaborative
• Accountable
• Trustworthy

The report pack included a table summarising the proposed general fund savings by directorate:

Another table detailed the cost reduction measures for the HRA:

The report pack noted a remaining general fund savings gap of £0.750 million, with officers continuing to develop measures to address this.

Main Grants Consultation

The committee was also scheduled to receive an update on the main grants consultation. No details of what this consultation would involve were included in the agenda or report pack.

Select Committee Work Programme

The committee was expected to discuss and plan its work programme.