Southwark Council's Cabinet met and agreed to award grants to organisations supporting refugees and asylum seekers in the Borough. The Cabinet also agreed to a number of reports on climate change, flood risk and the biodiversity duty. It was also agreed in principle to use compulsory purchase powers to acquire 15 remaining leaseholder properties as part of the Tustin Estate regeneration.

Borough of Sanctuary Framework and Sanctuary Action Plan

The Cabinet agreed to formally accept Borough of Sanctuary status which had been awarded to Southwark Council on 17 June 2024. As part of this, the meeting approved a framework setting out Southwark’s commitment to supporting asylum seekers and refugees. The meeting also agreed to make £100,000 per year available for the next four years to fund voluntary organisations working with refugees, asylum seekers and migrants in Southwark. Speaking at the meeting, Sally Causer from Southwark Law Centre said:

I would be retiring this year from my job at the Southwark Law Centre and the Leader placed on record his thanks for her phenomenal work for the past 20 years, transforming peoples’ lives in the Borough.

Tustin Estate Phase 2 Compulsory Purchase Order

The Cabinet agreed in principle to use a Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO)¹ to acquire 15 remaining leaseholder properties in Heversham House on the Tustin Estate. The properties are needed to allow the next stage of the Tustin Estate regeneration to proceed. The meeting heard that the council had appointed Linkcity² as the development partner for the regeneration in 2022. A planning application for the next phase of the scheme was submitted in August 2024. The meeting heard that:

The council is pursuing a negotiated settlement with all remaining leaseholders situated within Heversham House with the intention to acquire these remaining interests by agreement without the need for the council to use its compulsory purchase powers. Cabinet notes that the council may need to use its compulsory purchase powers to acquire outstanding land and interests in the absence of a negotiated settlement.

Climate Change Strategy Annual Report and Progress on the Climate Action Plan for 2023-24

The meeting considered a report on the council's progress on its climate change strategy and action plan. The meeting noted that the council had adopted its climate resilience and adaptation strategy, and welcomed new investment in tackling climate change in the borough.

Local Flood Risk Management Strategy

The Cabinet formally approved Southwark's Local Flood Risk Management Strategy. The strategy is a requirement of the Flood and Water Management Act (2010)³ which places a duty on Southwark Council as a Lead Local Flood Authority to develop a strategy to manage flood risk from all sources.

Allocation of Neighbourhood Community Infrastructure Funding

The meeting agreed to a number of minor changes to the process for allocating and approving projects funded by the Neighbourhood Community Infrastructure Levy. The Community Infrastructure Levy⁴ is a charge that Southwark Council can choose to levy on developers undertaking development in the borough. The money raised from the levy can be used to fund infrastructure to support the development.

First Consideration of the Strengthened Biodiversity Duty, Arising from the Environment Act 2021

The Cabinet considered a report on the council's duties under the Strengthened Biodiversity Duty⁵. This duty is a requirement of the Environment Act (2021)⁶. It places a duty on Southwark Council to set objectives for biodiversity and demonstrate that it is taking steps to achieve them.

Motions Referred from Council Assembly

The Cabinet considered and agreed a number of motions that had been referred from a previous meeting of the full council.

Renewing our borough: a strategy for building the homes and infrastructure we need

The motion set out the council's record on building homes and noted that a lack of investment under the Conservative government has impacted the delivery of new homes. The motion asked the Cabinet to agree to bring forward plans to deliver a new phase of council home building and explore options for increasing the delivery of affordable housing in the borough.

Declaring a Housing Emergency

The motion noted the housing crisis in the borough and set out the impact that the actions of previous Conservative governments has had on the level of homelessness. The motion resolved to ask the Cabinet to bring forward plans for a new phase of council house building and other measures to improve the quality and affordability of housing in the borough.

Debate not Hate

The motion noted the increasing level of abuse and intimidation directed at councillors and how this can deter people from standing for election. The motion resolved to ask the Cabinet to subscribe to the Local Government Association's Debate Not Hate campaign.

Ending the Lower Road chaos

The motion noted that Rotherhithe has a highly constrained road network that is coming under increasing pressure from new development in the area. The motion also noted concerns that have been raised about the safety of a new cycle lane on Lower Road. The motion resolved to ask the Cabinet to continue to work with residents and other stakeholders to monitor the situation and make further improvements as needed.