The Renewal, Recreation and Housing Policy Development and Scrutiny Committee were scheduled to meet to discuss budget monitoring, capital programme monitoring, housing delivery, the future of the library service, planning enforcement actions, and the council's contracts register. The meeting was also scheduled to include an update from Councillor Yvonne Bear, Portfolio Holder for Renewal, Recreation & Housing, and a review of the Housing, Planning and Regeneration Portfolio Plan.

Future of the Library Service

The committee was scheduled to consider an options appraisal for the future of Bromley's Library Service, as the contract with Greenwich Leisure Limited (GLL) is due to end on 31 October 2027. The report outlined three options:

• Negotiate a contract extension with GLL.
• Begin a procurement process to find a new operator for the library service.
• Bring the service back in house.

The report stated that a five year contract extension with GLL was the recommended approach.

Extending the contract arrangements with GLL for an additional five-year period will allow for negotiation on the contract including price and service scope to reflect the development of the service since the contract commenced and to deliver on key Council priorities including co-location of services.

Options Appraisal - Future of the Library Service.pdf

The report noted that GLL had a strong track record in managing Bromley Libraries, and that extending the contract would provide continuity and minimise disruption.

A separate report, Provision of Library Service Contract Performance Report, provided an analysis of GLL's performance in delivering the library service contract. The report noted that Bromley was the highest issuing authority of books in London for the third consecutive year, and that GLL had successfully retained both Archive and Museum accreditation for Bromley Historic Collections.

Housing Delivery

The committee was scheduled to discuss a Housing Delivery Update, with a focus on the proposed housing development at the Castlecombe Youth Centre site in Mottingham. The report requested that the committee authorise the appropriation of land for planning purposes, the submission of a planning application, and the additional spend of £4.85 million to the Capital programme. The report also requested that the committee delegate authority to the Director of Housing, Planning, Property and Regeneration to approve the detailed procurement strategy and award the contract for the main works.

The report noted that the proposed development would provide 10 dwellings, consisting of eight three-bedroom homes and two two-bedroom homes. It also noted that the council would be foregoing an estimated capital receipt of £850,000 by proceeding to deliver a housing development on the site, but that this amount could be recouped by annual savings after 12 years of occupation.

Budget Monitoring

The committee was scheduled to discuss the revenue Budget Monitoring 2025/26 position for the Renewal, Recreation and Housing Portfolio, based on expenditure and activity levels during the first two quarters of the financial year. The report noted a projected net overspend of £2.461 million on controllable expenditure, with the main areas of overspends being Temporary Accommodation, Planning, and Building Control. The main areas of income being under target were Community Infrastructure Levy¹ and Land Charges.

Capital Programme Monitoring

The committee was scheduled to discuss the Capital Programme Monitoring position for Quarter 2 of the 2025/26 financial year and the revised capital programme for the period 2025/26 to 2029/30. The report highlighted changes to be considered by the Executive in respect of the capital programme for the Renewal, Recreation and Housing portfolio. It also included detailed comments on individual scheme progress.

Planning Enforcement Actions

The committee was scheduled to receive an update on Planning Enforcement Actions Progress and Monitoring Report April 2024 to March 2025. The report provided an update on the progress of current cases where enforcement action has been taken or is pending consideration. It included cases currently at appeal, those awaiting compliance periods, a prosecution update and cases awaiting action, cases with authorised enforcement, those with the legal department for further action, cases where direct action has been authorised, and cases that have been closed.

The report noted that the Planning Investigation Team investigates all allegations of breaches of planning control across the whole of the Borough. It also noted that since 1 April 2024 a Call In Process was implemented, where Ward Councillors are notified by email of the proposed enforcement action or if it is not expedient to take formal action and officers recommend that the matter be closed.

Contracts Register

The committee was scheduled to review the Contracts Register Part 1 Public Report as of 1 November 2025. The report presented an extract from the Contracts Register of contracts with a whole life value of £50,000 or higher. The Contracts Register is a key tool used by Contract Managers as part of their daily contract responsibilities.

The report noted that the Council had 298 active contracts across all Portfolios as of 1 November 2025, with 70 of those contracts falling under the Renewal, Recreation and Housing Portfolio.

Other Matters

The agenda also included:

• Apologies for absence
• Declarations of interest
• Questions from councillors and members of the public
• Minutes of the Renewal, Recreation and Housing PDS Committee meetings held on 4 September and 15 October 2025
• Matters outstanding and forward work programme
• Holding the Renewal, Recreation and Housing Portfolio Holder to account, including a Portfolio Holder's update and a Housing, Planning and Regeneration Portfolio Plan Update
• Renewal, Recreation and Housing Information Briefing, comprising a Digital Infrastructure Work Plan Update and an Empty Homes Update.