The Community & Children's Services Committee meeting scheduled for 28 January 2026 was set to cover a range of important financial and operational matters. Key discussions were expected to include the departmental budget estimates for the upcoming financial year, the closure of legacy housing projects, and an annual review of the committee's terms of reference.

Annual Review of the Terms of Reference of the Community and Children's Services Committee

The committee was scheduled to consider the annual review of its terms of reference, as reported by the Town Clerk. This review is part of an ongoing process to revise the cycle and procedures for reviewing committee terms of reference, aiming to provide more time for discussion before submission to the Policy and Resources Committee. The proposed changes would be submitted to the Court of Common Council in April 2026.

Gateway 6 Reports - Closure of Legacy Projects

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to the closure of three legacy projects, as detailed in Gateway 6 reports. These projects, predominantly delivered between 2022 and 2024 by the Housing Major Works Team, were nearing the end of their governance procedures. The report highlighted that despite substantial cost uplifts, which had already been approved by members, these projects were successfully completed and delivered much-needed upgrades to residents' social housing estates. The projects were impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent industry cost inflation.

• Holloway Estate Window Replacement and Common Parts Redecorations: This project involved the replacement of windows and redecoration of common parts. The Gateway 6 Outcome Report indicated a final outturn cost of £4,604,242.99 against an initial authority to start work of £3,559,919.00, representing a variance of £1,044,323.99. Key lessons learned included the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, planning issues, design challenges, insufficient pre-tender surveys, and the need for enhanced resident engagement.
• Sydenham Hill Window Replacement and Common Parts Redecorations: This project also focused on window replacements and common parts redecorations. The final outturn cost was reported as £1,605,534.95 against an authority to start work of £1,217,610.00, with a variance of £387,924.95. Lessons learned highlighted similar issues to the Holloway Estate project, including the impact of the pandemic, planning delays, and design considerations for listed buildings and conservation areas.
• Windsor House Window Replacement and Common Parts Redecorations: This project similarly involved window replacements and common parts redecorations. The final outturn cost was £2,763,428.90 against an authority to start work of £1,670,431.00, showing a variance of £1,092,997.90. The report noted delays due to insufficient exploratory surveys, planning omissions, contractor mobilisation issues, and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Departmental Budget Estimates 2026/27 - Community and Children's Services (Excluding Housing Revenue Account)

The committee was scheduled to review the departmental budget estimates for the 2026/27 financial year, excluding the Housing Revenue Account (HRA). The proposed revenue budget totalled £21.531 million, representing an increase of £1.752 million compared to the 2025/26 budget. This increase was attributed to a 3% inflation uplift, pay award adjustments, additional funding for an expanded Community and Safety team, increased homelessness support, and rises in central support and capital charges. The report also detailed staffing changes, with an increase in full-time equivalents primarily in the Community and Safety and Homelessness teams.

Housing Revenue Account (HRA) and Capital Budgets 2026/27

The committee was also set to consider the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) and capital budgets for 2026/27. The provisional revenue budget indicated a surplus for the year of £994,000, with Revenue Reserves projected to reach £1.319 million by March 2026. A significant planned investment in the major works capital programme was highlighted, aimed at upgrading the fabric of existing HRA social housing. However, the report noted that the Revenue Reserve position remained tight in the short term, with delayed income from new build projects expected to offset higher repairs and maintenance and salary costs. The Major Repairs Reserve (MRR) position was also summarised, indicating a planned borrowing from the City Fund to finance the capital programme.

Other Items for Information

Several items were scheduled for information only, meaning they would be presented without discussion unless a member had prior notified the Committee Clerk of questions or comments. These included:

• Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) City of London Local Area Inspection Outcome - December 2025: A report on the outcome of the SEND inspection.
• Community and Children's Services (Non-Housing) Revenue Outturn Forecast as at Quarter 3, 2025/26: A forecast of the department's revenue position.
• Housing Revenue Account Position 2025/26: An update on the HRA's financial standing.
• City of London Street Homelessness Outreach and Support Service – Stage 1 Procurement Strategy Report: A report on the procurement strategy for homelessness services.
• Updates from Sub Committees, Allocated Members and Portfolio Holders: A general update on activities from various groups.

The agenda also included standard procedural items such as apologies, declarations of interest, and the agreement of minutes from the previous meeting. A presentation on the Golden Lane Leisure Centre refurbishment was also scheduled. The meeting also included provisions for excluding the public for non-public reports, which were not detailed in the publicly available agenda.