The Public Cabinet meeting on Wednesday 21 October 2026 focused on the council's performance and future strategy. The cabinet received an update on the Bexley Status Report for Quarter 1, which indicated stable overall performance despite financial and demand pressures, with strengths in safeguarding and homelessness prevention, but ongoing focus needed in adult social care and special educational needs services.

Corporate Plan 2026-2030

The cabinet considered the new Corporate Plan 2026-2030, titled Delivering for Bexley, for recommendation to Full Council. This plan outlines the council's strategic priorities for the next four years, built around four key themes: Prevention, People, Place, and Prosperity, aiming to deliver ten strategic outcomes. Councillor Stefano Borella raised concerns about the plan's priorities and the council's narrative on central government funding, while Councillor David Leaf defended the plan, emphasizing financial management and the necessity of council tax increases due to reduced central government grants. The cabinet noted the report and the proposed plan was recommended to Full Council.

Budget Monitoring Report 2026/27 July 2026 (Period 4)

The cabinet received an update on the revenue and capital budget monitoring for July 2026. The revenue budget was forecasting a £0.601 million overspend, with pressures in Adult Social Care and Children's Services. The capital programme forecast showed £10.427 million of slippage, primarily due to project delays. Councillor Borella expressed pleasure at funding from the Labour government being spent on assets but raised concerns about waiting times and requested an update on the property asset management plan. Councillor David Leaf clarified the council's arrangement with Old Man Away and offered a briefing on the asset list. Councillor Braxton questioned the necessity of increasing council tax to the maximum amount, to which Councillor Leaf explained that government grant cuts necessitated the increase. The cabinet approved the budget monitoring position, agreed the slippage and accelerated spend on the capital programme, and approved additions and deletions to the capital programme.

Approval to Commence Procurement Processes

The cabinet considered the commencement of procurement processes for several key services valued at over £0.250 million, including Security Services, Respite Services at the Falconwood Centre, the Community Equipment Service, Parking Enforcement and Associated Services (a joint procurement with Bromley), and Respite Care Services for adults with learning disabilities and/or autism. The report detailed proposed service delivery models, with a preference for outsourcing or a framework approach. Councillor Borella welcomed the transparency but expressed a preference for more in-house services and questioned contract monitoring capacity. Councillor Curtis clarified that the Future Bexley transformation programme involved redesigning services. Councillor Leaf highlighted the importance of transformation for financial stability. Councillor Bishop supported the transparency and questioned the lack of framework agreements for parking enforcement, to which the deputy director explained that no suitable frameworks were available and a joint procurement with Bromley was chosen. The cabinet agreed to the recommendations, noting that the pension advisory contract would be removed due to regulatory changes.

The meeting concluded at 8:20 pm.