The Overview & Scrutiny Committee was scheduled to meet on Monday 31 March 2025 to discuss electrical testing in council homes, governance and oversight of housing services, and strategic responsibility. Also included in the agenda was a discussion of the committee's work programme.

Governance and Oversight of Housing Services

The committee was scheduled to hear from Councillor Sarah King, Cabinet Member for Council Homes, and Hakeem Osinaike, Strategic Director of Housing, on the governance and oversight of housing services. This was to include discussion of managerial oversight and procedures to deal with estates such as Canada Water and Devon Mansions, as well as procurement and supply chain management for housing services, including Plentific¹.

Electrical Testing in Council Homes

The committee was scheduled to receive a progress report on electrical testing in council homes from Councillor Sarah King, Cabinet Member for Council Homes, and Hakeem Osinaike, Strategic Director of Housing.

The minutes from the previous meeting on 8 January 2025, noted that 30% of non-decent properties did not have an Electrical Installation Condition Reports (EICR). It was noted that Southwark Council had extended the contracts of the two existing electrical contractors and were in process of procuring two more contractors to meet the target of completing EICRs in all properties by the first quarter of 2026.

Cabinet/Senior Management Strategic Responsibility

The committee was scheduled to hear from Councillor Kieron Williams, Leader of the Council, and Althea Loderick, Chief Executive, on cabinet and senior management strategic responsibility.

Work Programme

The committee was scheduled to note the work programme as at 31 March 2025. The work programme document lists items which have been or are to be considered in line with the committee’s terms of reference.