The Executive of Bromley Council is scheduled to convene on Wednesday 16 September 2026. The agenda includes discussions on financial monitoring, capital programme adjustments, transformation programmes, the parks management contract, the establishment of a new inward investment company, and reforms within children's services.

Budget Monitoring 2026-2027

The Executive will receive an update on the council's budget monitoring for the 2026-2027 financial year, based on expenditure and activity levels up to the end of June 2026. The report details a projected net overspend on services of £4,556,000, with a forecast reduction to the General Fund balance of £3,082,000. The report highlights pressures in Adult Social Care placements and Children's Social Care staffing, alongside underspends in Learning Disability and Mental Health placements. It also details adjustments to central contingency sums and requested carry-forwards from the previous financial year. The projected full-year impact of the overspend is £2,195,000, which will need to be considered in relation to the 2027-2028 budget gap.

Capital Programme Monitoring - Quarter 1 2026/27

This report provides a summary of the capital expenditure and receipts following the first quarter of the 2026/27 financial year. Proposed changes, if approved, would increase the total Capital Programme from 2026/27 to 2030/31 by £21.8 million. This increase is primarily due to the inclusion of new capital bids, partly offset by reductions to existing schemes and the removal of completed projects. A re-phasing of £37.1 million of planned capital expenditure from 2026/27 into future years is also detailed. The report highlights proposed increases to various existing schemes, including additions to the Basic Needs Grant for Children, Education and Families, and funding for Depot Improvement Works. It also notes reductions in schemes such as Food Waste Collection and the Bromley Homes for Bromley Residents Acquisition Scheme. Two new schemes are proposed for inclusion: 'Our House – Bromley North' (£300,000) funded by external borrowing, and 'Gul-E EV footway channels' (£89,000) funded by external grant funding. The report also addresses the projected shortfall in capital resources and the implications for the Council's revenue budget.

Transforming Bromley 2024-29 Year Two Mid-Year Report 2026/27

The Executive will receive a mid-year review of the council's transformation programme, 'Transforming Bromley 2024-29', as of the end of July 2026. The report indicates a strong in-year position, with 99.7% of the programme value on track or actively recoverable, and an unmitigated shortfall of £106,000. The majority of the programme value is rated 'Green' (79.2%), with 'Amber' rated savings (20.5%) having realistic recovery plans. The 'Amber' savings, totalling £6,582,000, are concentrated in five proposals within Adult Social Care, Children's Social Care, and Housing, focusing on demand management and prevention initiatives. These include the 'Right Sizing Domiciliary Care Programme' and 'Reduction in children looked after'. The report notes that only £106,000 is rated 'Red', with specific proposals either removed from the programme or withdrawn due to national policy restrictions. The programme's approach has been externally validated by the LGA Corporate Peer Challenge.

Gateway 1 - Proceeding to Procurement for Advisory Partner to the Better Lives Programme

This report seeks approval to procure an advisory partner to support the Council's Working Age Adults Transformation Programme, known as 'The Better Lives Programme'. This programme aims to improve outcomes for residents with learning disabilities and develop a more financially sustainable model of support, aligning with the Bromley Learning Disabilities Strategy 2025-2030. The recommendation is to proceed with an open tender process to appoint an experienced advisory partner. The contract will operate in two phases: Phase 1 will involve a 12-week diagnostic review of current provision and costs to develop a plan for change, estimated at £500,000. Phase 2, subject to further agreement, will involve the advisory partner supporting the implementation of the plan, with an estimated cost of £4.5 million to £5.5 million. The decision to proceed to Phase 2 will be made by the Executive following a report on the outcome of Phase 1. Council reserves will be drawn upon to fund this procurement.

Small Works Programme – Property Portfolio

The Executive will consider a report detailing a 'Small Works Programme' for the council's property portfolio. The Council owns approximately 250 operational properties, and this report highlights assets requiring repair works that fall outside of routine maintenance or the Operational Property Review Programme. These works are necessary due to health and safety risks or impacts on the effective running of community and public services. The report details a list of priority schemes requiring capital investment, including repairs to agricultural cottages, car park resurfacing, pavilion refurbishments, and replacement of lift and door sets in multi-storey car parks. The proposed approach involves utilising the London Construction Programme's Direct Purchasing System for works and professional consultancy services. A forward plan for preventative maintenance is also proposed for future consideration.

Opportunity Bromley Ltd

The Executive is asked to approve the establishment of 'Opportunity Bromley Ltd' as an independent arm's length company, constituted as a Company Limited by Guarantee (CLG). This follows an options appraisal which recommended the CLG model as the preferred delivery model for the borough's inward investment service. The transition aims to strengthen business engagement, provide operational agility, and ensure long-term financial sustainability by enabling income generation from diverse sources. The Council will act as a strategic partner, not a Member, with governance resting with the company's Board of Directors. The establishment costs are minimal and will be funded by the Opportunity Bromley partnership.

Gateway 3: Parks Management & Grounds Maintenance Contract Extension

This report proposes the extension of the contract for parks management and grounds maintenance services with idverde Ltd for a further eight years, from 1st April 2027 to 31st March 2035. This decision follows an options appraisal which identified the extension as the most financially prudent option. The proposed extension will incorporate park security services into a single integrated contract, strengthening performance management and representing the most financially sound choice identified. The report also details modifications to the contract with Veolia Environmental Services UK PLC to remove park security services from 1st April 2027. Changes to the Performance Management Framework are also proposed to better incentivise performance, including increased performance targets and the addition of a Service Failure KSO. New contract terms will also be implemented for sharing income generated from events and concessions.

Bromley Children and Families Reform Programme: Implementation of the Best Start in Life Programme, Family Hubs and Families First Partnership Programme

The Executive will receive an overview of national children's social care reforms, including the Best Start in Life Programme, Family Hubs, the Families First Partnership Programme, and the Children's Social Care Reset. Bromley's proposed approach is to implement these reforms through a single, integrated Children and Families Reform Programme. This programme aims to create a coordinated system of help, support, and protection for children, young people, and families, moving towards a single continuum of care. The proposed phased implementation approach includes a 'Community Vision' test-and-learn phase in Penge, with borough-wide implementation targeted for April 2027. The report outlines the future operating model, including Best Start Family Hubs, an integrated Children and Families Hub, Family Help teams, and Multi-Agency Child Protection Teams.

Contract Award for the Domiciliary Care Framework

This report details the outcome of the tender process for a new Domiciliary Care Framework. The framework will consist of three lots: Lot 1 for adult domiciliary care (Tier 1 patch providers), Lot 2 for adult domiciliary care (Tier 2 general providers), and Lot 3 for children's education and families provision. Contracts are recommended to be awarded to named providers for a four-year period, commencing 26 October 2026, with an estimated annual value of £20.3 million and a whole-life contract value of £83.67 million. The new framework aims to increase efficiencies, streamline services, and improve cost control and provider relationships. A reserve list for Lot 1 providers is also proposed. The report highlights potential savings compared to current prices and outlines the contract management arrangements, including key performance indicators and a mobilisation plan.

Consideration of any other issues referred from the Executive, Resources and Contracts Policy Development and Scrutiny Committee

The Executive will consider any other issues that have been referred from the Executive, Resources and Contracts Policy Development and Scrutiny Committee.

Local Government Act 1972 as amended by the Local Government (Access to Information) (Variation) Order 2006 and the Freedom of Information Act 2000

The Chairman will move that the Press and public be excluded during the consideration of specific items of business where the disclosure of exempt information is likely. These items include exempt minutes from a previous meeting, and Part 2 appendices relating to the Capital Programme Monitoring, Small Works Programme, Parks Management & Grounds Maintenance Contract Extension, and the Domiciliary Care Framework. The exemption relates to information concerning the financial or business affairs of any particular person or the authority.