The Renewal, Recreation and Housing Policy Development and Scrutiny Committee met to review the final financial outturn for the 2025/26 year, examine the Housing, Planning and Regeneration Portfolio Plan update, and scrutinise the council's contracts register. The meeting also included updates on outstanding matters and the forward work programme.

Holding the Portfolio Holder to Account

The committee was scheduled to receive an update from Councillor Yvonne Bear, Portfolio Holder for Renewal, Recreation & Housing, on her activities. This was to be followed by a review of the Housing, Planning and Regeneration Portfolio Plan for the fourth quarter of 2025/26. This update detailed progress on strategic projects, operational Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), and the grants and risk registers for the portfolio. The report highlighted significant progress in areas such as homelessness prevention, with a notable reduction in nightly paid placements and associated costs. It also detailed advancements in regeneration schemes, including the completion of the Crystal Palace Park playground and ongoing works at The Walnuts Leisure Centre and Central Library. Furthermore, the report indicated an increase in full fibre broadband coverage across Bromley and the successful launch of new employment services like Bromley Works and Opportunity Bromley. The Planning and Building Control teams were noted to be performing above target, despite challenges with national planning policy changes affecting green belt development proposals. The Strategic Property team's progress on key capital projects, including a new Health & Wellbeing Centre and Bromley's first Children's Home, Solace Rise, was also outlined.

Pre-Decision Scrutiny of Portfolio Reports

The committee was set to scrutinise the final financial outturn for the 2025/26 year for the Renewal, Recreation and Housing Portfolio. The report indicated a projected net overspend of £3,716,000 on controllable expenditure. Major variations were noted across several service areas, including a significant overspend related to Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) receipts not meeting predictions, and pressures within Allocations and Accommodation, particularly concerning nightly paid temporary accommodation. Conversely, underspends were reported in Libraries, due to the closure of Bromley Central Library, and in Town Centre Management. The report also detailed carry-forward requests for grants, such as the Homes for Ukraine grant and the Local Plan Grant, which are intended to support ongoing initiatives into the next financial year.

Policy Development and Other Items

A review of the Renewal, Recreation and Housing Contracts Register was scheduled, presenting an extract of contracts with a whole life value of £50,000 or higher as of May 2026. This report, along with an accompanying Part 2 (exempt) report, aimed to provide members with an overview of the council's procurement activity and highlight any contracts requiring particular attention. The register indicated 77 active contracts within the Renewal, Recreation and Housing portfolio, with 33 identified as Higher Risk .

Additionally, an information briefing was to be provided, covering updates on the Digital Infrastructure Work Plan, the Provision of Library Service: Contract Performance Report, and the Armed Forces Covenant Progress Update. While these items were for information only, members could request a debate on specific aspects.

The meeting also included standard items such as apologies for absence, declarations of interest, and questions from councillors and the public. The minutes from the previous meeting held on 24 March 2026 and a review of matters outstanding and the forward work programme were also on the agenda.