The Council Assembly was scheduled to consider a range of important issues, including a themed debate on making Southwark more affordable, safer, and greener, and to discuss several members' motions on topics such as the council's place in Europe, trans inclusion, and a clean energy future. The meeting was also scheduled to review the council's treasury management outturn for the 2025-26 financial year.

Themed Debate: Making Southwark More Affordable, Safer, and Greener

The Council Assembly was scheduled to hold a themed debate on the topic of Making Southwark more affordable, safer and greener. This debate was to be informed by community evidence submitted by groups including Southwark Living Streets, Southwark Pensioners Action Group, Neighbourhood Watch Southwark, and AtaLoss. The agenda also included a motion presented by Councillor James McAsh, Leader of the Council, and Councillor Victor Chamberlain, Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Neighbourhoods, Strategic Planning, and Wellbeing, outlining the Joint Administration's ambitions for the borough. This motion was to be supported by a Borough Action Plan guiding the administration's work over the next four years, focusing on affordability, safety, and environmental sustainability.

Members' Motions

A series of members' motions were scheduled for consideration:

Support Southwark Residents, Support Southwark Staff

Councillor Sarah King was scheduled to move a motion calling for support for Southwark residents and staff. The motion was to acknowledge the work of council staff and highlight past achievements under the previous Labour administration, including library services, free school meals, and council house building. It was also to recognise the commitments made by the new administration and call on the coalition to protect staff, vital services, and maintain the Council Tax Reduction Scheme and Cost of Living Fund.

Southwark's Commitment to Trans, Non-Binary, and Intersex Inclusion

Councillor Janice White was scheduled to move a motion reaffirming Southwark's commitment to trans, non-binary, and intersex inclusion. The motion was to address the implications of recent court judgments and guidance on the Equality Act, and to resolve that self-identification should be sufficient in normal circumstances for accessing council facilities and services. It also proposed commissioning a review of relevant policies, ensuring trans awareness training for staff and members, and committing to non-gendered toilet and changing facilities in new and refurbished council buildings.

Southwark's Place in Europe

Councillor Victor Chamberlain was scheduled to move a motion on Southwark's place in Europe. The motion was to note the contributions of the European Union to London's economic development and the benefits Southwark residents have received from EU funding and collaboration. It was to express the belief that closer relations between the UK and the EU are in the interests of Southwark residents and resolve to work with various organisations to support closer economic, educational, scientific, and cultural cooperation, with the ultimate aim of the UK rejoining the EU.

National Year of Reading - Making Southwark a Borough of Readers

Councillor Victoria Mills was scheduled to move a motion concerning the National Year of Reading. The motion was to acknowledge the national decline in reading for pleasure among children and young people and the vital role of public libraries. It was to highlight Southwark's record of library investment and the success of the Dolly Parton Imagination Library. The motion was to call on the executive to commit to protecting library services, undertake an audit of library provision in schools, review participation in reading programmes, and ensure libraries are a priority in the new Council Plan.

Defending Sanctuary in Southwark

Councillor Rebecca Corn was scheduled to move a motion on defending sanctuary in Southwark. The motion was to reaffirm Southwark's status as a Borough of Sanctuary and acknowledge the work of local organisations supporting migrant and refugee communities. It was to express concern about the increasingly hostile atmosphere surrounding migration and the increase in Home Office immigration enforcement. The motion was to resolve to protect the firewall between council services and immigration enforcement, support those affected by displacement, and advocate for child protection and social care to be prioritised.

Standing Up For Southwark

Councillor Rachel Bentley was scheduled to move a motion titled Standing Up For Southwark. This motion was to critique the Labour Government's performance since July 2024, citing controversies, policy U-turns, and failures in areas such as housing, immigration, and trans rights. It was to highlight the predicted £102 million funding gap for Southwark due to Labour's austerity policies and to call on the new Joint Administration to hold the Labour Government to account, write to the Prime Minister regarding Southwark's financial position, and ensure the council prioritises residents' needs.

Building a Care System That Works: Southwark and the National Conversation on Care

Councillor Esme Dobson was scheduled to move a motion on building a care system that works. The motion was to acknowledge the unsustainability of the current social care system and welcome the Prime Minister's commitment to fixing it through cross-party collaboration. It was to highlight the scale of the challenge, including the number of care workers and unpaid carers, and express concern about the perceived lack of priority for adult social care in the new administration's vision for Southwark. The motion was to resolve to promote the Big Conversation on Care locally and offer Southwark Council's full support to the national initiative.

A Clean Energy Future for Southwark

Councillor Eloise Waldon-Day was scheduled to move a motion on a clean energy future for Southwark. The motion was to note Southwark Council's commitment to tackling the climate emergency and the impacts of climate change, including overheating, flooding, and poor air quality. It was to highlight the potential of renewable energy to improve energy security and reduce bills, and to call on the Government to cease new oil and gas drilling and instead invest in clean energy and energy efficiency. The motion also supported the National Emergency Briefing initiative to raise public understanding of the climate crisis.

Treasury Management - Outturn 2025-26

The Council Assembly was scheduled to receive and note the Treasury Management Annual Outturn Report for 2025-26. This report was to detail the treasury management portfolio summary, provide an economic summary for the period, and present the Prudential Indicators outturn, including the total external debt and investment balances as of 31 March 2026.

Public Question Time and Deputations

The meeting was also scheduled to include public question time, with eight questions received from residents on various topics including private landlordism, parking policy, waste management, support for traders, community organisations, changing facilities, contractor service agreements, and solar projects. Additionally, five deputation requests were received from groups including Baitul Aziz Mosque, St James' Tenants, the Copleston Centre, the London LGBTQ+ Community Centre, and Residents of Rouel Road Estate, who wished to address the Assembly on specific issues.

Amendments to Motions

Several amendments to the members' motions were also scheduled for consideration, indicating potential shifts in the proposed resolutions. These included amendments to the motions on supporting residents and staff, Southwark's place in Europe, the National Year of Reading, defending sanctuary, building a care system, and a clean energy future.