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Mayor and Cabinet - Wednesday, 1 July 2026 - 6.00 pm
July 1, 2026 at 6:00 pm Mayor and Cabinet View on council websiteSummary
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The Mayor and Cabinet of Lewisham Council met on Wednesday, 1 July 2026, to discuss a range of significant issues including housing regeneration, homelessness prevention, and financial strategy. Key decisions included approving the award of a strategic partnership for the Building for Lewisham programme, allocating funding for housing acquisitions to address homelessness, and endorsing a new borough-wide advice service.
Building for Lewisham: Approval of Contract Award for Strategic Partner and Capital Budget
Mayor and Cabinet approved the award of a Strategic Partnership Agreement (SPA) and Pre-Construction Services Agreements (PCSA) for the Thomas Lane Yard and Achilles Street Estate Regeneration projects. This partnership aims to deliver housing and regeneration schemes more efficiently and consistently. The decision was made subject to Full Council approval of the associated capital budgets. A new Lewisham Strategic Development Partnership Board will be established to oversee the partnership's delivery. Councillor Daniel Dream, Cabinet Member for Inclusive Regeneration, Planning and Housing Delivery, moved the report, highlighting the programme's focus on social need and affordability.
Local Authority Housing Bid 4 - Housing Acquisitions
The council approved the acceptance of funding from the Local Authority Housing Fund Round 4 (LAHF4) to acquire 74 homes. Of these, 65 will be used for temporary accommodation and 9 for refugee resettlement. General Fund borrowing will support the acquisition and refurbishment costs. Councillor Daniel Dream welcomed the initiative, noting its importance in addressing homelessness pressures and supporting the borough's commitment to being a sanctuary.
Permission to Procure for the Provision of a Borough-Wide Advice Service
Mayor and Cabinet approved the procurement and award of a contract for a new borough-wide advice service, set to commence in April 2027. The service will be provided for an initial two-year period, with an option to extend for a further three years, at a maximum annual value of £950,000. Councillor Hau-Yu Tam, Cabinet Member for Communities, Sanctuary and Healing, emphasised the vital role of advice services in supporting residents facing financial hardship and housing insecurity, particularly in light of the cost of living crisis. The new service will enhance digital access, expand outreach, and integrate more closely with the council's wider support offer, including the Crisis Resilience Fund.
Capital Programme Update 2026/27
The council agreed to allocate £0.86 million from Capital Reserves for remedial works at the Mornington Centre and £1 million from insurance claim funds for reinstatement works at Rushey Green Nursery. Mayor and Cabinet also agreed to re-profile the capital programme to reflect updated cash flows and approved the inclusion of a £10 million contingency budget for urgent risks and pressures, funded by reserves. Councillor Rudi Schmidt, Cabinet Member for Finance, Resources and Economic Development, presented the report, noting that these changes do not breach the council's treasury management strategy. The recommendations will be put forward to Full Council for approval.
Financial Monitoring 2026/27 - Period 2 Monitoring
The report noted the forecast financial position for the year ending 31 March 2027. As of Period 2, the General Fund is forecasting an overspend of £3.1 million, primarily due to increased demand in adult and children's social care. The Dedicated Schools Grant is forecasting an overspend of £4.5 million on the high needs block. Council Tax collection stands at 94% against a target of 96%. Councillor Rudi Schmidt presented the findings, highlighting the ongoing financial pressures.
Medium Term Financial Strategy
Mayor and Cabinet agreed the Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) for 2027/28 to 2030/31. The strategy acknowledges significant risks due to economic uncertainty and the unknown government funding beyond the current Spending Review period. Councillor Rudi Schmidt highlighted the pressures on adult and children's social care, temporary accommodation, and the need for social infrastructure. The strategy also includes the reversal of a £200,000 cut to the Youth Service budget for 2026/27, to be funded from Corporate Provisions.
Leaseholder Major Works Payment Options Review
New payment options were agreed for resident leaseholders facing major works bills. For bills over £20,000, the repayment period will be extended to 10 years, with the first five years interest-free. For bills exceeding £50,000, the interest-free period will be extended to seven years, followed by three years with interest. Additionally, all leaseholders will have the option to pay their full bill within 90 days of receiving it to receive a 15% discount. Councillor Natalie Thomas, Cabinet Member for Safer Homes, Homelessness and Housing Services, emphasised the focus on fairness and providing realistic options for residents facing significant charges. The financial impact on the Housing Revenue Account will be monitored annually.
Housing Policies for Approval
Two housing policies were reviewed and approved: the revised Vulnerable Residents Policy and the updated Lifts and Stairlifts Policy. Councillor Natalie Thomas explained that the Vulnerable Residents Policy has been updated to incorporate recommendations from the Housing Ombudsman and to strengthen the framework for recognising, recording, and responding to resident vulnerabilities. The Lifts and Stairlifts Policy has been updated for clarity and to reflect new legislative requirements, including those related to Higher-Risk Buildings.
Permission to Procure for Lewisham Advocacy Services
Mayor and Cabinet approved the procurement of a new Lewisham Advocacy Service for a three-year period, with an option to extend for a further two years. The annual cost is estimated to increase to £220,000 by year three, with a total estimated contract value of £1,070,000 over five years. Councillor Samantha Gardiner, Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Adult Social Care, highlighted that the increased funding is partly due to changes in the Mental Health Act, moving towards an opt-out provision for Independent Mental Health Advocacy (IMHA).
Permission to Procure Housing First Service
Approval was given to procure a Housing First service for an initial two-year period from April 2027, with an option to extend for a further four years. The maximum annual value is £292,204, totalling £1,753,224 over six years, contingent on additional funding. Councillor Samantha Gardiner explained that the Housing First model supports individuals experiencing entrenched homelessness by providing independent living within their own homes, emphasising flexibility and user autonomy. The current provider is performing well, and the service offers good value for money compared to traditional supported housing.
Permission to Award the Integrated Community Equipment Service Contract (ICES)
The award of the Integrated Community Equipment Service contract to Medequip Assistive Technology Limited was approved for an initial three-year period, with a two-year extension option, at a total cost of £13,168,562. Councillor Samantha Gardiner noted that this contract value exceeded the original estimate due to the demand-led nature of the service and a previous underestimation of costs. The service is jointly funded by the council (30%) and the Integrated Care Board (70%).
Cleaner Streets Programme: Delivery Framework
Mayor and Cabinet agreed to the delivery approach for the Cleaner Streets Programme, also known as the Love Lewisham Fly-Tipping Programme. The programme aims to tackle fly-tipping and litter through a proactive, data-driven approach combining operational improvements, community engagement, and targeted enforcement. Councillor Corin Ashwell, Cabinet Member for Environment, Nature, Transport and Climate Action, highlighted the shift from reactive cleanups to a proactive model, focusing on high-harm hotspots and community-led solutions. The programme will include a pilot of time-banded waste collections and enhanced enforcement measures, with an estimated cost of up to £1 million over two years, funded through efficiencies and corporate budgets.
Exclusion of Press and Public
It was noted that decisions taken in the open part of the meeting were sufficient to dispense with the need to go into a closed session, meaning no Part 2 reports required discussion in private.
Delegated decisions linked to this meeting
Decision summaries below are AI-generated from the council’s published record. Check the council source or the full decision page before relying on them.
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Building for Lewisham: Approval of Contract Award for Strategic Partner and Capital Budget
Recommendations ApprovedThe Mayor and Cabinet decided on 01/07/2026 to approve the award of a Strategic Partnership Agreement and Pre-Construction Services Agreements for Thomas Lane Yard and Achilles Street Estate Regeneration Phases 1 and 2. They also recommended to Full Council the approval of capital budgets for these projects. Authority was delegated to the Executive Director for Place to finalise the terms of these agreements.
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Capital Programme Update 2026/27
Recommendations ApprovedThe Mayor and Cabinet decided to approve recommendations regarding the Capital Programme Update 2026/27 on 01/07/2026. They agreed to allocate capital reserves and insurance funds for remedial works at the Mornington Centre and re-instatement works at Rushey Green Nursery, respectively. The decision also included agreeing to the reprofiling of the programme between financial years and the inclusion of a £10m contingency budget.
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Financial Monitoring 2026/27 - Period 2 Monitoring
Recommendations ApprovedMayor and Cabinet decided to approve recommendations regarding financial monitoring for 2026/27. The decision was made on 01/07/2026. The council noted the current financial forecasts for the year ending 31 March 2027.
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Local Authority Housing Bid 4 - Housing Acquisitions
Recommendations ApprovedThe Mayor and Cabinet of Lewisham Council approved the acceptance of Local Authority Housing Fund Round 4 funding to acquire 74 homes for temporary and affordable housing. This decision was made on 01 July 2026. Authority was delegated to the Executive Director of Place to purchase and refurbish these homes, provided total acquisition costs do not exceed the budget envelope.
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Local Authority Housing Bid (LAHF 4) - Housing Acquisitions
Recommendations Approved -
Exclusion of Press and Public
Recommendations Approved (subject to call-in)Mayor and Cabinet decided to exclude the press and public from the meeting for any items of business classified as Part 2 on 01/07/2026. This decision was made on the grounds that these items involve the likely disclosure of exempt information.
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Minutes
Recommendations ApprovedThe Mayor and Cabinet approved the extension of two major works contracts for council housing for three years, with an option to extend for a further two years, on 01 July 2026. The Mayor and Cabinet endorsed and noted progress on a new 40-place SEN Unit at Deptford Park Primary School. The Mayor and Cabinet noted the requirement to submit a Local SEND Reform Implementation Plan and delegated authority to the Director of Education Services to finalise and submit it.
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Housing Policies for Approval
Recommendations ApprovedThe Mayor and Cabinet approved housing policies on 01/07/2026. The approved policies include a revised Vulnerable Residents Policy and an updated Lifts and Stairlifts Policy. The decision included developing a dedicated procedure for identifying and recording vulnerable residents, supported by staff training, and improving the Visual Alert system.
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Permission to award the Integrated Community Equipment Service Contract (ICES)
Recommendations ApprovedThe Mayor and Cabinet decided to approve the award of the Integrated Community Equipment Service contract to Medequip Assistive Technology Limited on 01/07/2026. The contract is for an initial three-year period with an option to extend for two years, at a total cost of £13,168,562. The decision included plans for budgetary oversight meetings, analysis of activity trends, prescriber forums, an educational programme, and a collection improvement programme.
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Cleaner Streets Programme: Delivery Framework
Recommendations ApprovedThe Mayor and Cabinet of Lewisham Council approved the Cleaner Streets Programme: Delivery Framework on 01/07/2026. The decision maker delegated authority to the Executive Director for Place to amend time-banding arrangements and agreed to focus on high-harm fly-tipping hotspots.
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Leaseholder Major Works Payment Options Review
Recommendations ApprovedThe Mayor and Cabinet of Lewisham Council approved recommendations on 01/07/2026. The decision extends the repayment period for major works bills over £20,000 to 10 years, with an initial 5-year interest-free period, and offers a 15% discount for upfront payment of any bill magnitude.
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Permission to Procure for the provision of a borough-wide Advice Service
Recommendations ApprovedThe Mayor and Cabinet of Lewisham Council approved the procurement and award of a contract for a borough-wide Advice Service on 01 July 2026. The decision allows for the selection of a preferred service provider, with authority delegated to the Executive Director for Place. The contract will be for an initial period of two years, with an option to extend for a further three years, at a maximum annual value of £950,000.
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