The Cabinet of Southwark Council met on Monday 16 March 2026 to discuss a range of important issues, including the future phases of the Aylesbury Estate renewal, the acquisition of a new health centre site, and the provision of mental health supported housing. Key decisions were made regarding the variation of the Aylesbury Estate Development Partnership Agreement, the approval of the acquisition of Plot H1 for the Elephant and Castle Health Centre, and the award of contracts for mental health supported housing.

Aylesbury Estate: Future Phases

The Cabinet agreed to a variation of the Development Partnership Agreement (DPA) for the Aylesbury Estate renewal. This variation will see the developer, Notting Hill Genesis (NHG), complete three phases of the estate renewal (Plot 18, FDS C, Phase 2B). However, future phases (Phases 2C, 3 and 4) will return to the control of Southwark Council. This decision allows the council to take forward the remainder of the estate renewal with alternative delivery partners. Authority has been delegated to the Strategic Director of Housing, in consultation with the Strategic Director of Resources, to negotiate and approve the proposal for the variation of the DPA. A future Cabinet meeting will be presented with a report on the revised way forward for delivering the future phases of the Aylesbury Estate.

Acquisition of Plot H1 Elephant and Castle Health Centre

The Cabinet approved the acquisition of premises for the Elephant and Castle Health Centre, to be delivered to shell and core using Strategic Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL). This acquisition is seen as the best route to delivering a much-needed health centre at the Elephant and Castle, replacing two GP surgeries that are no longer fit for purpose. The council will work with the local NHS Integrated Care Board to fit out the space to their required standards. Negotiations for the detailed terms will be subject to a full business case before formal committal, with authority delegated to the Cabinet Member for Equalities, Democracy and Finance. Finalising the fit-out cost will also be subject to a future business case. The council intends to use Strategic CIL to fund the fitting out of the premises. Negotiations and finalising terms with the relevant NHS body for an under-lease of the premises at a market rent from the council will be delegated to the Director of Planning and Growth.

Gateway 2: Mental Health Supported Housing Provision

The Cabinet approved the award of eight contracts for the delivery of mental health supported housing. These contracts will commence on 6 July 2026, with durations of either four or five years, and include an option to extend for a further two years. The estimated maximum annual contract value is £1.95 million, with a total whole life contract value, including extensions, of £12.88 million. Four-year contracts will align with Integrated Care Board (ICB) contracts, awarded to Turning Point Services Ltd and Hestia Housing and Support. Five-year contracts were awarded to Peabody Trust, Southside Partnership, Hestia Housing and Support, and St Mungo Community Housing Association. The Cabinet noted that one lot for short-term medium support could not be awarded due to a lack of quality bids, and available options, including single supplier negotiations, are under review. The estimated maximum value for the unawarded contract is £193k per annum, with a whole life contract value of £1.35m.

Petition: Save our High Street - Support Dulwich Village Businesses

The Cabinet considered a petition requesting more free parking, the removal of road restrictions, and the reversal of parking charges in Dulwich Park. Councillor John Batteson, Cabinet Member for Climate Emergency, Jobs and Transport, responded to the petition, reaffirming his commitment to working with local businesses, the traders' association, residents, ward councillors, and the Dulwich Estate. The Cabinet noted the report and considered the further information and amendments provided.

Corporate Parenting Annual Report 2025

The Cabinet noted the Corporate Parenting Annual Report 2025, which details progress on the corporate parenting strategy, areas of focus for 2025, and the work of the Corporate Parenting Committee. It was also noted that a child and young person-friendly easy-read version of the report will be shared widely and made publicly available. The Cabinet supported changes to Southwark Council's Housing Allocations scheme, which will allow care leavers access to one-bed properties, as well as bedsit and studio properties.

Alms House Delivery via Land Transaction at 1 Ann Moss Way and 153-159 Abbeyfield Road

The Cabinet agreed that the council will work with United St Saviour's Charity (USTSC) to explore the feasibility of developing new Older People's Housing on the sites at 1 Ann Moss Way and 153-159 Abbeyfield Road, drawing on the principles of the award-winning Appleby Blue development. This work will assess the potential to deliver approximately 50 homes at social rent levels, subject to site capacity, financial viability, and wider programme considerations. Funding is anticipated to come from a combination of planning contributions from a donor scheme and grant. Authority was approved for the Strategic Director of Resources, in consultation with the Assistant Director of Property and the Cabinet Member for New Homes and Sustainable Development, to take forward negotiations for the disposal of land and other appropriate documentation. The Cabinet also approved the allocation of a site for the Social Purpose of Land (SPoL) initiative at 209-219 Rotherhithe New Road as a substitute site for 153-159 Abbeyfield Road, which is now recommended for alms housing.

Gateway 1: Procurement Strategy Approval - Heating and Water Repairs, Maintenance, Refurbishment and Replacement Works and Communal Heating Major Works Framework

The Cabinet approved the procurement strategy to undertake a procurement exercise for eight Heating and Water Repairs, Maintenance, Refurbishment and Replacement Work contracts. These contracts, for Lots 1-8, will have an initial period of five years from 5 April 2027, with an option to extend for up to a further five years. The estimated combined total for the initial period is £112 million, rising to £144 million for the extension period, making a total estimated contract value of £256 million. The Cabinet also approved the procurement strategy for a multi-supplier, borough-wide Communal Heating Major Works Framework, for an initial period of four years from 5 April 2027, with an option to extend for a further year, at an estimated total of £40 million. The rationale for the geographical division of contract areas and the issuance of a Notice of Intention letter to leaseholders were also noted.

End of Term Report 2022 - 2026

The Cabinet noted the council's performance and delivery against its Council Delivery Plan commitments as outlined in the End of Term Report 2022-2026. The report highlights significant achievements across various goals, including the building of council homes, improvements in education and employment pathways, enhanced community safety measures, and progress on environmental sustainability.

Response to Recommendations by the Housing, Community Safety and Community Engagement Scrutiny Commission: Southwark Community Safety Partnership

The Cabinet noted the response to recommendations 1-10 from the Housing, Community Safety and Community Engagement Scrutiny Commission regarding the Southwark Community Safety Partnership. The council and its partners accepted the majority of the recommendations, with two partially accepted due to further assessment or existing constraints. Actions will be developed to implement the accepted recommendations, contributing to the ongoing work of the Community Safety Partnership.

Response to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee: Chilton Grove Estate

The Cabinet accepted all recommendations made by the Housing Scrutiny Commission regarding the Chilton Grove Estate project. These recommendations focus on improving resident communication and engagement, ensuring transparency in leaseholder charge billing, and consolidating lessons learned from major works projects to enhance future best practices. The council is committed to improving resident involvement and learning from past experiences to deliver better services.