The Council Assembly is scheduled to convene for its Annual and Mayor Making meeting on Thursday 28 May 2026. Items on the agenda include the election of the Mayor of Southwark, and reports concerning the council's leadership and operational structure for the upcoming year.

Election of the Mayor of Southwark

The meeting will address the election of the Mayor of Southwark.

Election of Leader and Executive Functions

The meeting will address the council's leadership and executive functions for the 2026-27 municipal year. This includes the election of the Leader of the Council, the appointment of cabinet members and deputy cabinet members, and the establishment and appointment of any cabinet committees. A report outlines the process for delegating executive functions to various bodies, including cabinet members, chief officers, and community councils, and will result in updates to Part 3 of the council's constitution. The report notes that Councillor Sarah King was appointed Leader of the Council on 9 July 2025, with her term ending at the start of the first annual meeting following the next ordinary election.

Proportionality and Establishment of Committees

The meeting will address the proportionality and establishment of various committees, panels, and related matters for the 2026-27 municipal year. This involves noting the political balance of the council following recent elections and agreeing to the allocation of seats on committees to reflect this balance. The report details the proposed composition of ordinary committees, including the Appointments Committee, Planning Committees, Audit, Governance and Standards Committee, and Corporate Parenting Committee. It also outlines the establishment of other committees such as the Overview and Scrutiny Committee and the Licensing Committee, along with the Health and Wellbeing Board. The report further details the appointment of neighbourhood champions and the establishment of council panels, including the Council Assembly Business Panel and the Constitutional Steering Panel.

Nominations to London Councils and Other Bodies

Nominations for representatives to various external bodies are scheduled for consideration. This includes appointments to London Councils committees, the Greater London Employment Forum, borough lead members, the London Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) Common Investment Vehicle (CIV) Ltd, and London Councils Limited. The report highlights that these nominations are typically made annually and fall within the remit of the cabinet, with council assembly being asked to agree these appointments prior to the London Councils Annual General Meeting.

Appointment of Political Assistants/Officers

The meeting will consider the appointment of political assistants, also known as political officers, to provide assistance to the political groups represented on the council. The report clarifies that these posts are established under the Local Government Act 1989 and are allocated to groups that meet a qualifying threshold of at least 10% of the council's membership. Following the local elections on 7 May 2026, the Labour Group, Green Group, and Liberal Democrat Group all meet this criterion. The report specifies that these roles are politically restricted, meaning appointees cannot express political opinions publicly or stand for elected office.

Overview and Scrutiny Committee Annual Report

The Council Assembly will receive the annual report from the Overview and Scrutiny Committee for the 2025-26 municipal year. This report details the scrutiny activity undertaken by the committee and its four scrutiny commissions: Education and Local Economy, Environment, Community Safety and Engagement, Health and Social Care, and Housing. The report outlines the focus areas for each commission, including topics such as pupil place planning, youth services, play spaces, cancer prevention, adult safeguarding, and housing quality and safety. It also details scrutiny recommendations made to the cabinet and cabinet responses received. The report highlights efforts to strengthen the scrutiny function through improved collaboration with cabinet and senior officers, and the development of new online platforms for resident engagement.

Appointment of Interim Monitoring Officer

The agenda includes the potential appointment of an interim Monitoring Officer, with the report stating that this item will be addressed if a recommended candidate is put forward for the Council Assembly to consider.