The Community and Children's Services Committee meeting scheduled for 30 June 2026 was set to cover a wide range of topics, including discussions on the future of the Golden Lane Leisure Centre, childcare provision at The Aldgate School, and updates on various departmental strategies and financial performance. The meeting agenda also included discussions on homelessness services, carers' support, and the department's health, safety, and wellbeing charter.

Golden Lane Leisure Centre: Preferred Design Option and Community Steering Group

A key item for discussion was the preferred design option for the refurbishment of the Golden Lane Leisure Centre¹. Following earlier decisions and subsequent public engagement, an emerging design option was presented that aimed to retain the sports hall while enhancing the health and fitness offer. This option was presented alongside updated financial modelling. Members were also to consider the establishment of a Community Steering Group to ensure ongoing community involvement in shaping the refurbishment and future services of the centre. This discussion was informed by a detailed engagement feedback report² and a supplementary business planning report³.

0-2 Childcare Provision at The Aldgate School

The Committee was scheduled to discuss the future of 0-2 childcare provision at The Aldgate School⁴. This involved considering two options: either continuing the City of London Corporation's financial support of £60,000 per annum beyond August 2027, or maintaining the previous decision to cease further financial subsidy from September 2027. The report highlighted that this provision is discretionary and noted the impact on families, particularly those in the Portsoken Ward, which has a high proportion of low-income households. An Equality Impact Assessment⁵ was also provided for consideration.

Review of the City Childcare Accessibility Scheme

The Committee was set to review the Childcare Accessibility Scheme (CAS), which has been in place since 2015 to support families with childcare costs. The report presented an analysis of the scheme's usage and proposed options for its revision. Option 2, recommended by officers, aimed to broaden access and reduce cost pressures for working families, particularly those on lower incomes, by providing additional support for families already receiving the 30-hour Free Early Education Entitlement (FEEE) where there is more than one pre-school child. This review was prompted by the expansion of the FEEE and feedback from parents regarding ongoing childcare expenses⁶.

Stronger Communities Fund Analysis and Funding Policy Update

An analysis of the Stronger Communities Fund (SCF) over the past six years was presented, detailing its contribution to DCCS strategies and the City of London's Corporate Plan. The report highlighted the fund's significant impact, particularly in supporting preventative grants and providing an entry point for small, grassroots organisations. Recommendations were to be made regarding a reduction in the maximum grant available from £15,000 to £10,000, alongside an updated SCF Policy and Officer Panel Terms of Reference⁷.

Department of Community and Children's Services Commissioning and Contract Management Arrangements

A report was scheduled for information regarding the commissioning and contract management arrangements within the Department of Community and Children's Services (DCCS). This report outlined the department's approach to ensuring quality, performance, safeguarding, and value for money across its commissioned services⁸.

City of London Street Homelessness Outreach and Support Service – Stage 1 Procurement Strategy Report

This report, also for information, detailed the proposed procurement strategy and evaluation criteria for a new Street Homelessness Outreach and Support Service contract. The strategy recommended an open procurement process under the Procurement Act 2023, with a specific ratio for quality, responsible procurement, and price in the evaluation criteria⁹.

Carers Strategy 2023-27 Update

An update on the progress of the Carers Strategy 2023-27 was scheduled for information. The report detailed activities undertaken across the strategy's five priority areas: tailored and universal services, health and emotional wellbeing, early identification, information and advice, and engaging with carers¹⁰.

Replacing the Emergency Support Scheme with the Crisis Resilience Fund

For information, a report was presented on the replacement of the Emergency Support Scheme with the new Crisis Resilience Fund (CRF). This new fund combines the previous Emergency Support Fund, Household Support Fund, and Discretionary Housing Payments into a single in-house scheme, aiming for a more coherent and responsive offer to residents facing financial hardship or crisis¹¹.

DCCS Health, Safety and Wellbeing Charter (The DCCS Charter)

A report for information outlined the proposed DCCS Health, Safety and Wellbeing Charter. This charter aims to strengthen organisational clarity, improve operational safety arrangements, and support statutory compliance within the department by establishing clear, department-specific arrangements for managing health, safety, and wellbeing¹².

Wardmote Updates

Updates from Wardmotes were scheduled for information, providing a summary of resolutions received concerning the Community and Children's Services Committee's work. One specific resolution from the Ward of Portsoken regarding childcare provision at The Aldgate School was highlighted for consideration under agenda item 7¹³.

School Admissions Update

This report, for information, was intended to update Members on the allocation of primary and secondary school places for City of London resident pupils for the academic year 2026/27. It confirmed compliance with statutory duties for co-ordinating school applications as part of the Pan-London Admissions Scheme¹⁴.

Revenue Outturn 2025/26 - City Fund

A report for information detailed the 2025/26 revenue outturn for the non-Housing Revenue Account (HRA) services overseen by the Committee, comparing actual expenditure against the final agreed budget. It highlighted an overspend primarily attributable to Adult Social Care pressures¹⁵.

Housing Revenue Account (HRA) and Capital Budgets 2024/25

This report, also for information, provided a comparison of the outturn for the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) in 2025/26 against the final agreed budget, noting a net revenue surplus for the year¹⁶.

Fire Safety Planned Maintenance Programme 2028-31

An issue report with a change request concerning the Fire Safety Planned Maintenance Programme 2028-31 was scheduled for discussion. This sought consideration for an increase in the fees budget to fund necessary preliminary surveys and exploratory works to inform the programme's design and development¹⁷.

Appointments to Sub-Committees

The Committee was asked to consider appointments to fill vacancies on several sub-committees, including the Housing Management and Almshouses Sub-Committee and the Safeguarding and Special Educational Needs Sub-Committee. Members were also asked to consider the election of the Chair of the Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Sub-Committee and the appointment of deputies to the Integrated Care Sub-Committee¹⁸.

Issue Report (With Change Request) - Fire Safety Planned Maintenance Programme 2028-31

This report presented a request for an additional fees budget of £1,250,000 for preliminary surveys, Fire Strategies, reports, and exploratory works related to the Fire Safety Planned Maintenance Programme 2028-31. This was presented as necessary to inform the design and development of the programme and to meet statutory landlord compliance responsibilities¹⁹.