The Mayor and Cabinet of Lewisham Council were scheduled to meet on 30 April 2025 to discuss a range of issues, including contract extensions, performance updates, and a review of the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL). They were also scheduled to consider referrals from the Healthier Communities Select Committee and the Children and Young People Select Committee. Some of the items, including discussions of the Asset Transformation Programme and Parking Contract Extension, were expected to move into Part 2, excluding the press and public.

Here's a more detailed look at the topics included in the agenda:

Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) Charging Schedule Review

A review of the CIL charging schedule was scheduled to be discussed. The CIL is a levy that local authorities can charge on new developments to fund infrastructure improvements. The council was expected to consider a draft charging schedule and the process for public consultation.

The report pack noted that the new Lewisham Local Plan identifies the infrastructure required to accommodate growth, and that the council intends to review its Planning Obligations Supplementary Planning Document during 2025.

The Healthier Communities Select Committee and the Children and Young People Select Committee had previously referred reports to the Mayor and Cabinet, who were scheduled to consider these referrals and request responses from relevant officers.

Referrals from Select Committees

Healthier Communities Select Committee Referral

The Healthier Communities Select Committee had referred a report regarding the Lewisham Neighbourhood 2 Adult Community Mental Health pilot, run by the South London and Maudsley NHS Trust (SLaM). The committee emphasised the importance of collaborative efforts to enhance mental health services and requested that the Mayor and Cabinet consider how the council can work with SLaM, SEL ICS and other health partners to improve mental health services.

Children and Young People Select Committee Referral

The Children and Young People Select Committee had referred a report concerning recruitment in children’s social care, specifically in light of a high vacancy rate among children’s social workers. The committee recommended that the Mayor and Cabinet review ongoing corporate recruitment controls, taking into account the effects on the consistency of high-quality performance.

Contract Related Matters

Several contract-related items were on the agenda, including proposals to procure new contracts and extend existing ones.

Repairs and Maintenance of Mechanical Services and Cold-water Risk Assessments

A report sought permission to procure services for repairs and maintenance of mechanical services and cold-water risk assessments for the period 2025-2030. The report pack noted that the existing contract was with HSL Compliance Ltd. The report pack included a recommendation to use the SEC Compliance Consultancy Framework Agreement and SEC Water Hygiene Remedial Works frameworks to carry out a competitive tendering process.

Parking Contract Extension

A two-month extension to the current parking and traffic enforcement contract was scheduled to be discussed, to allow for a three-month mobilisation period for a new contract commencing on 1 July 2025. The report pack noted that the current provider, Marston Holdings, had been awarded the new contract in December 2024.

Corporate Gas and Electric Contract Extensions

The Mayor and Cabinet were scheduled to discuss the corporate gas and electric contracts, with a view to remaining on the Crown Commercial Services (CCS) framework for another year to ensure competitive prices. The report pack noted that officers were reviewing procurement options ahead of the next buying period in October 2025, and that an external specialist consultant would be commissioned to review the purchasing strategy. The report pack also noted that the council had switched to supplies from renewables under the Renewable Energy Guarantees of Origin (REGO) scheme¹.

Approval to Procure Income Management System

The Mayor and Cabinet were scheduled to discuss the re-procurement of a contract for income management services, to ensure the secure processing and allocation of revenues across the council. The report pack noted that the contract was to run for 3 + 1 years at an estimated total cost of £2.8 million. The report pack also noted that the current provider was Access Paysuite.

Contract Awards for Substance Misuse Services

The Mayor and Cabinet were scheduled to discuss additional grant investment available for substance misuse services for 2025/26. The report pack noted that the services contributed to the community treatment outcomes in the 10-year national drug strategy From Harm to Hope. The report pack also noted that the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID) had requested proposals for 2025/26 investment for review and approval.

Asset Transformation Programme – Contract Award for Consultancy Support

The Mayor and Cabinet were scheduled to discuss a contract award for consultancy support for the Asset Transformation Programme, valued at £80,000. The report pack noted that the programme was set up to optimise the council’s asset base, reduce operating costs, increase occupancy levels, and improve the experience of using council buildings. The report pack also noted that the contract award was seeking to enhance the council’s internal capacity and capability to increase the pace of the programme.

End-User Devices Strategy Microsoft Windows 11

The Mayor and Cabinet were scheduled to discuss the End-User Devices Strategy, specifically the Microsoft Windows 11 upgrade. The report pack noted the need to upgrade to Windows 11 for operational, performance, and security reasons, and the associated need to refresh a proportion of the council’s laptop devices. The report pack also noted that the procurement exercise would be run by the London Borough of Brent as the contracting/awarding authority on behalf of the council under the Inter Authority Agreement.

Performance Update

The Mayor and Cabinet were scheduled to note and comment on the performance indicators, trend analysis and narrative for the KPIs, and to approve the publication of the Quarter 2 Corporate Performance Dashboard on the council’s website by 3 May 2025. The report pack included a copy of the Lewisham corporate performance dashboard PDF version to supplement the interactive dashboard.

Other Business

The agenda also included standard items such as:

• Minutes from the previous meeting
• Declarations of interest
• Matters raised by scrutiny and other constitutional bodies
• Exclusion of press and public for Part 2 items
• School Meals contract extension part 1 2025 Final