The Scrutiny Committee meeting was scheduled to discuss community safety arrangements in Sutton, an update on Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust, and the Scrutiny Committee's annual report for 2025/26. The committee's work over the past year was to be highlighted, with a focus on statutory responsibilities and constructive challenge to public sector partners.

Crime, Policing and Community Safety in Sutton

The committee was scheduled to receive a report outlining the community safety arrangements in Sutton. This report detailed the relationship with the Mayor's Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC), local strategies and initiatives concerning serious violence, domestic abuse, and violence against women and girls (VAWG). It also covered developments within the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) over the preceding 12 months. The report was provided for scrutiny in accordance with the Police and Justice Act 2006.

The Safer Sutton Partnership Strategy 2025-28, which sets out the strategic priorities for tackling local crime and disorder, was also to be considered. This strategy includes priorities such as creating safer spaces and places, empowering communities for greater cohesion and resilience, challenging domestic abuse and VAWG, protecting the vulnerable, and tackling crime and anti-social behaviour through targeted problem-solving. The report noted that Sutton has consistently been one of the safest boroughs in London, with the third lowest volume of total notifiable offences and the lowest rate of anti-social behaviour among London boroughs.

The report also detailed the funding received from MOPAC's Local Crime Prevention Fund (LCPF), which supports projects aimed at tackling anti-social behaviour, coordinating risk assessment conferences, managing Independent Domestic Violence Advisor services, tackling hate crime, and youth outreach and diversion. The Serious Violence Duty, introduced by the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022, requires authorities to work together to prevent and reduce serious violence. Sutton's Violence Reduction Action Group (VRAG) is responsible for implementing this duty.

Developments within the Metropolitan Police Service were also to be discussed, including the New Met for London plan, which focuses on achieving more trust, less crime, and high standards. Phase 2 of this plan, covering 2025-2028, prioritises an intelligence-led approach, neighbourhood policing, and partnership working.

Epsom and St Helier Hospital Update

The committee was scheduled to receive an update on Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust (ESTH). The report provided key information covering operational performance and finances, with specific attention to the St Helier Emergency Department, Women's Health services at St Helier, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) report, corridor care, and the maternity experience survey and investment.

A previous update in December 2025 had indicated that the plan for a new Specialist Emergency Care Hospital in Sutton was unlikely to commence until 2032. In the interim, the Trust has been working to mitigate potential failures in critical infrastructure and seeking funding from NHS England to improve the existing estate at both Epsom and St Helier hospitals. The report was expected to provide an update on investment secured from NHS London to modernise the emergency department at St Helier Hospital.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) report noted that the Trust's overall rating remained 'good', with improvements recognised in maternity and surgery teams. However, areas requiring improvement included patient experience during busy periods, patient flow, and ageing buildings. The report also detailed efforts to reduce corridor care, a national and local issue, with an improvement plan in place. The maternity services survey indicated that Epsom and St Helier was in line with national averages, with strengths in kindness and understanding after birth, mental health support during pregnancy, and partner involvement during labour. Investment in maternity services at both St Helier and Epsom hospitals was also to be discussed, including refurbishments and new facilities.

Scrutiny Committee Annual Report 2025/26

The committee was scheduled to review its Annual Report for 2025/26. This report serves as an opportunity to highlight the committee's work over the past municipal year, in line with the Council's corporate plan, Ambitious for Sutton. The report was expected to cover key achievements and areas of focus, including statutory responsibilities related to health, crime and disorder, and flood risk management. The committee's role in providing constructive challenge and accountability was to be emphasised, particularly in light of the council's committee system governance. The report would also detail the specific topics discussed throughout the year, such as Corporate Parenting for Children Looked After and Care Leavers, updates from Epsom and St Helier University Hospital NHS Trust, crime and community safety, and flood risk management.