The Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting on Monday 19 October 2026 reviewed a call-in regarding the Copenhagen Place development, received a spotlight on local policing priorities and performance, and discussed an update on the Be Well Leisure Centres.

Copenhagen Place Development Call-In

The committee considered two call-ins regarding the Copenhagen Place development, concerning the appropriation of land for planning purposes and the use of Section 203 powers. Concerns were raised by residents and their representatives regarding the loss of light, the removal of a community centre and garden space, and the loss of a bridge providing access. A key argument was that the amendments made to the planning application were not non-material or minor material and should have triggered a new planning application process, constituting a misuse of process.

Councillor Syed Ahmed, Cabinet Member for Home Building and Enhanced Council Homes and Neighbourhoods, and David Joyce, Corporate Director of Housing and Regeneration, responded by stating that planning consent had already been granted and the challenge period had passed. They clarified that the Cabinet decision related to the use of Section 203 powers to facilitate a consented development offering wider public benefit, and that pausing this process would not overturn planning permission but would delay much-needed social rented homes. Hannah Dalgleish, Director responsible for the project, added that substantive amendments were considered through a Section 73 application, which was consulted on in the usual manner.

Following extensive debate, the committee discussed the call-in and the Cabinet's decision. The committee's decision on whether to confirm the original Cabinet decision or refer it back for reconsideration was to confirm the original Cabinet decision.

Policing Priorities, Performance and Service Delivery

Borough Commander Brittany Clarke and Superintendent Oliver Richter provided an overview of policing priorities, crime trends, and performance. Key crime trends included a slight increase in robbery and burglary, a significant increase in shoplifting (attributed to increased reporting), and decreases in drug offences and trafficking. Hate crime saw an increase with improved detection rates. Reductions were noted in rape offences, while domestic abuse saw a slight increase with top performance in positive outcomes. Increases were also seen in rape and serious sexual offences, with improvements in positive outcomes.

Members raised concerns about the impact of crime on residents' quality of life, including fear of violence, drug use, phone snatching, and children being drawn into criminality. Officers emphasized a partnership approach and highlighted strategies for tackling violence against women and girls and shoplifting. Discussions covered drug trafficking enforcement, the effectiveness of the borough's dedicated child exploitation team, and initiatives to combat knife crime. Concerns were raised about resource constraints and the impact of sergeants being extracted from wards. The use and effectiveness of stop and search were debated.

The Borough Commander outlined her top three priorities: violence and violence against women and girls, increasing positive outcomes for all crimes, and achieving a sustained reduction in shoplifting. The effectiveness of the stop and search charter in rebuilding trust was discussed. Concerns were raised about the early release of offenders, and the rise in hate crime, particularly Islamophobia, was acknowledged.

Be Well Leisure Centres

Councillor Minara Khartoum, Cabinet Member for Leisure, Culture and Tourism, presented an update on the Be Well Leisure Centres, acknowledging that the service is not yet where it needs to be since being brought back in-house in May 2024. She highlighted the success of free swimming, with 93% of over 71,000 swims being by women. Challenges with poor operational delivery and a need for investment in upkeep and maintenance were admitted, with cleanliness being a recurring issue.

Councillor Khartoum stated that contracts are being issued, posts recruited, and health and safety audits are underway. She apologized for the disruption caused by the closure of York Hall, stating that safety was paramount and opportunities were being taken to bring forward visible improvements. A Cabinet meeting on 25 November was scheduled to consider the investment and commercial plan.

During the question and answer session, concerns were raised about unreliable customer data and the lack of a robust performance framework. The financial impact of the York Hall closure was estimated at around £900,000 in lost revenue. Questions were posed about the insourcing programme and staff transfers from GLL.

A significant point of discussion revolved around the communication following the discovery of Legionella at York Hall. Concerns were raised that residents and staff learned about the issue through the press rather than direct communication. Officers acknowledged that communication could have been better and promised to improve proactive communications. The issue of staff notification regarding Legionella was also raised, with a commitment to provide a written response.

The committee also discussed the accessibility of leisure facilities and the phased recovery plan for the leisure service. The committee expressed disappointment at the absence of the Chief Executive and Corporate Director of Communities. The committee's concerns about the service's foundations and the reliability of past budget reports were noted, with a commitment to provide written responses. The committee recommended that the financial performance and sustainability of the leisure service be added to the work programme of the finance scrutiny task and finish group and requested another update within six months.

Youth Justice Strategic Report Update 2026-2027

The committee was scheduled to receive an update on the Youth Justice Strategic Plan 2026-2027. However, the report was pulled and would be taken at a later meeting as it had not been considered by MAB.