The Executive of Southwark Council met on Tuesday 15 September 2026 to discuss a range of important issues affecting the borough. Key decisions included approving the procurement strategy for The Nest, an open-access mental health service for children and young people, and agreeing to extend the contract for parking and traffic enforcement services with APCOA. The council also noted the adoption of the Community Safety Partnership Strategy 2025-2030.

St James' Estate Residents' Concerns

Residents from the St James' Estate in South Bermondsey presented a deputation to the Executive, outlining their concerns about mass evictions and rent increases by their new landlords, BMR Group, and their property managers, Fresh Start Estates. The residents highlighted that rents had increased by up to £900 per month, making them unaffordable for many, particularly those on housing benefit or low earnings. They described their living conditions as a waste dump due to a lack of maintenance and fly-tipping. The residents requested the council to:

• Provide a legal fund to help neighbours fight eviction processes and secure rent repayment orders.
• Reject BMR's license applications on the grounds that they are not fit and proper people to hold them, citing a complex criminal history of directors.
• Seek an arrangement with the former owners, Notting Hill Genesis, to rehouse vulnerable neighbours in similar conditions, as they were responsible for the initial sale of the estate.

Councillor Reginald Popoola, Executive Member for Council Homes, expressed solidarity with the residents, acknowledging the predatory landlord and the failings of Notting Hill Genesis. He explained that due to the regulatory environment and the landlord issuing Section 21 notices before the Renters' Rights Act, the council had little legal leverage to prevent the actions of this landlord. He assured residents that the council was exploring all avenues to support them, including providing housing advice and working with Southwark Law Centre. Councillor Alexandra Austin, Executive Member for Public Works and New Homes, also pledged to take the license applications seriously and apply a rigorous approach.

Housing Allocation Scheme Review

The Executive approved the new Southwark Housing Allocations Scheme 2026 for implementation, which aims to create a clearer, fairer, and more transparent system for allocating social housing. Key changes include:

• Removing working in the borough as an automatic qualification criterion.
• Introducing a five-band structure (A-E), with Band A for the highest need, including care leavers and those on the Housing First programme, and a new Band E for those with low housing need who will still be able to bid.
• Removing priority stars and the Good Tenant Award to focus solely on housing need.
• Increasing priority for Southwark care leavers.
• Raising the age for same-sex siblings sharing a bedroom to 20.
• Confirming the use of Local Lettings Plans and an Annual Lettings Plan to support fair and effective allocations.

Councillor Reginald Popoola, Executive Member for Council Homes, stated that council housing is the gold standard and that the new policy, which is 13 years old, had been criticised by the Regulator of Social Housing. He highlighted that the new scheme gives significant priority to care leavers and introduces a domestic violence survivors category. Councillor Rachel Bentley, Executive Member for Inclusive Economy, Equalities and Democracy, questioned safeguards to prevent bidding from feeling like a waste of time and asked if the administration would campaign for changes to the 1985 Housing Act regarding bedroom definitions. Councillor Popoola agreed that the law was archaic and welcomed working together to seek legislative change. Councillor Sam Foster, Executive Member for Finance & General Purposes, praised the streamlining of the system as an increase in dignity. Councillor Victor Chamberlain, Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Neighbourhoods, Strategic Planning, and Wellbeing, noted the significant housing crisis and the need for radical reform.

Ledbury Estate Renewal - Phase 2 Approval

The Executive approved Phase 2 of the Ledbury Estate Renewal project, which will deliver new council homes, community facilities, and public realm improvements. A significant aspect of the decision is the conversion of 65 homes originally intended for private sale into council homes for social rent. This will be funded by approximately £36.95 million of retained Right to Buy receipts. Councillor Alexandra Austin, Executive Member for Public Works and New Homes, highlighted the importance of this project in delivering genuinely affordable homes and thanked officers for their work. The decision also involves a variation to the contract with Higgins Partnerships by £35.38 million, increasing the total contract value to £215.34 million, to account for inflationary uplifts and comply with the Building Safety Act 2022. The Executive also noted increased grant funding from the Greater London Authority (GLA) of up to £27.88 million for the social rent homes. The decision to approve Phase 2 was moved to a closed session due to financial implications.

Community Safety Partnership Strategy 2025-2030

The Executive noted the adoption of the Southwark Community Safety Partnership Strategy 2025-2030. Councillor David Watson, Executive Member for Community Safety and Engagement, presented the strategy, which sets the direction for tackling crime, disorder, antisocial behaviour, substance misuse, serious violence, and re-offending over the next five years. The strategy's five priorities are: tackling violence against women and girls, reducing violence and vulnerability, reducing drug-related harm, creating safe and sociable estates and neighbourhoods, and increasing trust and confidence. These are underpinned by four cross-cutting commitments: building meaningful community engagement, addressing disproportionality, embedding a preventative public health approach, and delivering through hyper-local, area-based working.

Parking and Traffic Enforcement Contract Extension

The Executive approved the activation of the final contract extension with APCOA Parking UK Ltd for parking and traffic enforcement services. The contract will be extended for three years, from June 2027 to May 2030, at a cost of £10.5 million per annum, totalling £31.5 million over the extension period. This extension will allow for increased enforcement capacity during evenings and weekends, particularly on housing estates, and will support the council's Streets for People strategy. Authority was also delegated to the Head of Parking Services and Network Management to approve operational contract variations, subject to business cases and budget availability. Councillor James McAsh, Leader of the Council, highlighted the importance of effective enforcement in achieving the Streets for People strategy.

Revised Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) Charging Schedule

The Executive adopted a revised Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) Charging Schedule for purpose-built student accommodation. Following viability testing and an independent examination, the CIL rate for direct-let purpose-built student accommodation in CIL Zones 1 and 2 will increase from approximately £150 per square metre to £250 per square metre. The rate in CIL Zone 3 will remain unchanged at £149.83 per square metre due to viability considerations. Councillor Victor Chamberlain, Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Neighbourhoods, Strategic Planning, and Wellbeing, stated that this change is long overdue and will ensure developments make a fairer contribution towards the infrastructure that our communities need.

Revenue and Capital Monitoring Reports

The Executive noted the revenue and capital monitoring reports for month 4 of the 2026-27 financial year. The General Fund is forecasting an overspend of £40.8 million, an increase from the previous report, primarily driven by pressures in temporary accommodation and adult social care. Councillor Sam Foster, Executive Member for Finance & General Purposes, acknowledged the scale of the challenge, stating the administration is facing the scale of this challenge head on. He also highlighted the Housing Revenue Account's forecast overspend of £0.5 million and the Dedicated Schools Grant's adverse variance of £5.9 million, largely due to high-needs SEND placements. The capital programme remains substantial, with a £356 million General Fund programme and an £843 million Housing Investment Programme. The report noted the approval of a £424.3 million increase to the New Build and Acquisitions Programme, partly funded by Right to Buy receipts.

Scrutiny Commission Reports

The Executive noted reports from the Education and Local Economy Scrutiny Commission concerning pupil place planning, youth services, SEND, the Southwark Safeguarding Children Partnership (SSCP), East Street Market, commercial property management, Connect to Work, support for businesses, and apprenticeships. The Executive agreed to consider these recommendations and requested relevant Executive members to report back within eight weeks. Councillor Rachel Bentley, Executive Member for Inclusive Economy, Equalities and Democracy, who was vice-chair of both commissions, offered to answer any questions.

The Nest Procurement Strategy Approval

The Executive approved the procurement strategy for The Nest, an open-access mental health service for children and young people, involving single supplier negotiation with Groundwork London. The contract value is £479,000 per annum for three years, plus a one-year extension option, commencing on 1 November 2026. The maximum lifetime contract value is £1,916,000. The award decision is delegated to the Strategic Director of Children's and Adults' Services in consultation with Councillor Rebecca Corn, Executive Member for Education and Care. Councillor Corn expressed pride in protecting the service, noting that children should not have to reach crisis point before someone helps them.

Public Deputation on Changing Room Access

During public question time, Jeremy Harrington raised concerns about guidance on changing room access, specifically regarding transgender women. He asked how gym centre staff would respond if a female encountered someone she perceived as a trans woman in a female-designated area and requested the person to leave. Councillor Vanessa Threadgold, Executive Member for Parks and Recreation, responded that the council is committed to complying with the law and providing inclusive facilities, balancing the rights of all users. She stated that staff would respond calmly and respectfully, seeking managerial support, and that the council seeks legal advice to ensure compliance. Mr Harrington followed up by asking for specific wording for staff to remind individuals that only biological females are allowed in the female changing room. Councillor Threadgold indicated she had nothing further to add on this matter.

The meeting was then moved into a closed session to discuss the Ledbury Estate Renewal, Phase 2, due to financial implications.