The Audit, Governance and Standards (Civic Awards) Sub-Committee of Southwark Council was scheduled to consider nominations for the Civic Awards 2026. The meeting's agenda also included the approval of previous minutes and the confirmation of voting members.

Civic Awards 2026

The sub-committee was scheduled to consider short-listed nominations for the Civic Awards 2026, as well as a nomination from the Mayor for a discretionary award. The report pack outlined that the Southwark Civic Awards scheme, initiated in 1997, aims to recognise exceptional contributions to community life. The awards have evolved to include several categories: The Liberty of the Old Metropolitan Borough of Bermondsey, The Liberty of the Old Metropolitan Borough of Camberwell, The Liberty of the Old Metropolitan Borough of Southwark, The Young Citizen of the Year Award, The Southwark Together Award, The Climate Champion Award, and The Mayor's Discretionary Award.

The report pack stated that the key words for the awards are active citizenship and exceptional achievement, seeking individuals, projects, organisations, and businesses that have made significant contributions for the betterment of others. It also detailed the geographical areas covered by the historical borough liberties and the eligibility criteria for each award. For instance, the Young Citizen of the Year Award is for individuals under 25, while the Southwark Together Award celebrates those promoting equality, diversity, and inclusion. The Climate Champion Award recognises efforts to tackle climate change, and the Mayor's Discretionary Award allows the Mayor to recognise an outstanding contribution to community life.

The report pack also clarified eligibility and exclusions, noting that serving elected members of Southwark Council cannot be nominated, though they may nominate others. Council employees are also excluded unless their nominations are for unpaid voluntary activity unrelated to their employment. The report pack indicated that the sub-committee has the final discretion on granting awards and a responsibility to safeguard the non-political nature of the scheme. It was also noted that financial and legal checks are undertaken on nominees.

The report pack mentioned that the awards ceremony was scheduled to take place at Southwark Cathedral on Wednesday 20 May 2026, potentially combined with the presentation of the Freedom of the Borough titles. The report also highlighted that combining these events would save resources and lessen environmental impact, with all costs to be met from existing budgets.

Minutes of Previous Meeting

The sub-committee was scheduled to approve the minutes of the open section of the meeting held on 3 March 2025. The minutes from the previous year indicated that the sub-committee had resolved to exclude the press and public to consider nominations for the Civic Awards 2025, citing the likely disclosure of exempt information.

Other Business

The agenda also included standard procedural items such as receiving apologies for absence, confirmation of voting members, notification of any urgent items of business, and the disclosure of interests and dispensations. The report pack also outlined the procedure for excluding press and public if exempt information was to be discussed.