The Renewal, Recreation and Housing Policy Development and Scrutiny Committee met on Tuesday 1 September 2026 to discuss a range of matters concerning housing, planning, and regeneration within the borough. Key topics included updates on the Housing, Planning and Regeneration Portfolio Plan, budget monitoring, and the capital programme, alongside a significant discussion on the proposed establishment of an independent inward investment company, Opportunity Bromley Ltd. The committee also reviewed plans for the Wharton Road Children's Home development and considered upcoming reforms to planning committee procedures.

Holding the Portfolio Holder to Account

The committee was scheduled to receive an update from the Portfolio Holder for Renewal, Recreation and Housing. This included a review of the Housing, Planning and Regeneration Portfolio Plan Update 2026/27 Q1 Update¹. This report detailed progress on strategic projects, operational Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), and the grant and risk registers for the first quarter of the financial year. The update highlighted ongoing work in areas such as homelessness prevention, the delivery of affordable homes, and regeneration projects across the borough.

Pre-Decision Scrutiny of Portfolio Reports

Several reports were scheduled for pre-decision scrutiny:

Budget Monitoring Report

The Budget Monitoring Report 2026/27² presented the first revenue budget monitoring position for the Renewal, Recreation and Housing Portfolio. It indicated a projected net overspend of £1,484,000 on controllable expenditure. The report detailed that the main areas contributing to this overspend were Prevention & Assessment (£483,000), Allocations & Accommodation (£754,000), and Admin Buildings (£317,000), with a sole area of underspend in Building Control (£79,000). The Director of Housing, Planning, Property and Regeneration provided commentary noting pressures from temporary accommodation costs and planning fee income not yet recovering to pre-COVID levels.

Capital Programme Monitoring - Quarter 1 2026/27

The Capital Programme Monitoring - Quarter 1 2026/27³ report outlined changes to the capital programme for the Renewal, Recreation and Housing portfolio. It detailed schemes that were being re-phased, reduced in budget, or had variations requiring Executive approval. Notable items included adjustments to the The Crofton Housing scheme and the proposed addition of grant funding for the Beckenham Housing development. The report also noted that no post-completion reviews were outstanding.

WorkWell Employability Programme

The WorkWell Employability Programme⁴ report briefed the committee on the proposed design and delivery of a fully NHS-funded employability programme within the borough. The report sought approval to accept and allocate associated grant funding, estimated at approximately £110,000, to recruit two Employment Advisers and an Admin and Compliance Officer for an initial five-month delivery period. The programme aims to support residents with health conditions or disabilities to remain in or return to work. The report also sought delegated authority for the Director of Housing, Planning, Property and Regeneration to accept and allocate any additional external employability grant funding secured in the future for Bromley Works.

Wharton Road Children's Home – Proceed to Procurement for Main Works Contract

The Wharton Road Children's Home – Proceed to Procurement for Main Works Contract⁵ report sought approval to proceed with the procurement for the main works contract for the development of a new children's residential home. The estimated contract value was £1.2 million, which was contained within the approved project budget of £1.76 million. The report recommended a Closed Design and Build Tender approach and sought delegated authority to award the main works contract to support the planned start on site date of January 2027. The development aims to provide a purpose-built home for children in care within the borough, reducing reliance on external placements.

Future Planning Arrangements

The Future Planning Arrangements⁶ report informed the committee about upcoming legislative national reforms to planning committees and delegated powers, which were due to take effect from 31 October 2026. These reforms include restrictions on the types of applications that can be determined by a committee and a limit on committee size to a maximum of thirteen councillors. The report proposed reducing the Development Control Committee to 13 members and moving towards a single Planning Committee from May 2027 to ensure consistency and comply with the new regulations. It also outlined changes to application 'call-in' procedures and proposed amendments to the Council's Constitution.

Pre-Decision Scrutiny of Executive Reports

Opportunity Bromley Ltd

The report on Opportunity Bromley Ltd⁷ sought approval to establish the company as an independent arm's length organisation, constituted as a Company Limited by Guarantee (CLG). An Options Appraisal had recommended this model as the preferred delivery approach, balancing independence, business leadership, financial sustainability, and operational flexibility. The report detailed the proposed governance arrangements, the future relationship between the Council and the company, and the implementation plan. The Council would become a founding Member and strategic partner, with the company operating independently and funded through external sources.

Policy Development and Other Items

Thematic Session: Housing Associations Q&A

The committee was scheduled to hold a thematic session with a Q&A session involving Housing Associations. This provided an opportunity for committee members to discuss matters directly with representatives from housing associations operating within the borough.

Renewal, Recreation and Housing Information Briefing

The committee received an information briefing comprising the Annual Complaints and Compliments Report⁸. This report was for information only, but members could request a debate on specific aspects with advance notice.

Part 2 (Closed) Agenda

Wharton Road Children's Home – Proceed to Procurement for Main Works Contract Part 2 (Exempt) Report

A Part 2 (Exempt) report concerning the Wharton Road Children's Home – Proceed to Procurement for Main Works Contract Part 2 (Exempt)⁹ was scheduled for consideration. This item was likely to involve the disclosure of exempt information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person, including the authority.