The Executive, Resources and Contracts Policy Development and Scrutiny Committee of Bromley Council met on Monday 23 June 2025. The committee reviewed the council's treasury management performance, discussed ongoing contract awards for council property maintenance, and considered plans for acquiring temporary accommodation. Significant discussion also took place regarding the dangerous condition of properties on Croydon Road.

Treasury Management Annual Performance Report

The committee reviewed the Treasury Management Annual Report for 2024/25, which summarised the council's treasury management activities during the fourth quarter of the financial year. Investments as of 31 March 2025 totalled £239.4 million, with no external borrowing. The report noted that net interest earnings for 2024/25 were £13.6 million, exceeding the budget of £12.0 million due to high Bank of England base rates and substantial balances available for investment. The committee supported the recommendations within the report.

Contract Awards for Council Property Maintenance

The committee considered the proposed award of contracts for building fabric, mechanical, and electrical maintenance and repairs for the council's wider operational estate. The Head of Facilities Management explained that the new contracts would include built-in Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to enable more robust contract management, unlike previous arrangements. The in-house Client Team would oversee these external contracts, with monthly KPI meetings and daily contact regarding ongoing works. Annual financial checks would be conducted on contractors, and no upfront payments would be made. The committee supported the recommendations in the report.

Temporary Accommodation Acquisition Programme

The committee discussed a proposal to acquire blocks of residential property on a leasehold basis to provide temporary accommodation. This initiative aims to generate significant revenue savings and mitigate the rising costs associated with nightly paid accommodation in the private market. The scheme seeks delegated authority to acquire sites as they become available on commercially advantageous terms, with a maximum of 300 units. The Assistant Director for Strategic Property confirmed that rigorous processes are in place for reviewing council-owned sites and that the intention is to utilise these sites for a defined period. While direct property purchases would typically include capital appreciation in the budget, opportunities are more limited for temporary accommodation. The council is aiming to secure fully residential sites with self-contained units for each household. The committee supported the recommendations, requesting details of anticipated Stamp Duty costs.

Dangerous Structure - Croydon Road SE20

The committee discussed the dangerous condition of properties at 164, 166, and 168 Croydon Road, SE20 7YZ, which had been declared a Dangerous Structure following a specialist structural engineer's survey. Emergency demolition had been carried out by the council to ensure public safety. A local ward member noted that while ward councillors had been consulted on the issue itself, they had not been consulted on the content of the report. Concerns were raised about governance processes and the late publication of the report, with officers unavailable to answer questions. The committee requested detailed responses to several questions prior to the Executive meeting, including the timeline of events between September 2024 and June 2025, the reasons for the lack of an earlier risk assessment, communication with neighbours and occupants, the delay in requesting a structural survey, the destination of evacuated occupants, the cause of the building problems, and an analysis of legal risks. The committee resolved to support the recommendations, subject to receiving these responses.

Matters Outstanding and Work Programme

The committee reviewed its business management, including outstanding items from previous meetings and the proposed work plan for the remainder of the year. An update on Artificial Intelligence (AI) remained outstanding. The committee received an update on the Fire Safety Action Plan, with all managers to be trained as Fire Wardens by the end of July. Quarterly reports on fire safety will be made to the Corporate Leadership Team. Members requested that the Fire Safety Action Plan be shared with the committee.

Scrutiny of the Portfolio Holder for Resources, Commissioning and Contracts Management

Councillor Christopher Marlow, Portfolio Holder for Resources, Commissioning and Contracts Management, attended to answer questions. He provided an update on the triennial actuarial valuation of the Bromley Pension Scheme, noting that a strategic asset allocation review would follow. He also commented on the conflict in the Middle East, stating he did not envisage long-term impacts on local government, and that the final cost of the Office Move project would be included in the next quarterly budget monitoring report.

Forward Plan of Key Decisions

The committee noted the Forward Plan of Key Decisions covering the period June 2025 to August 2025.