The Overview and Scrutiny Committee of Greenwich Council was scheduled to discuss the performance of contracts within the Resources Directorate, review the council's Infrastructure Funding Statement for the previous financial year, and consider a review of the Thames Path. The committee was also set to note upcoming executive decisions outlined in the Forward Plan.

Annual Contract Performance Report - Resources Directorate

The committee was scheduled to consider a report detailing the performance of contracts managed by the Resources Directorate. This report, in line with the council's Contract Standing Orders, was intended to provide an overview of contract management, performance, and social value delivery. This was the first in a series of such reports from each Chief Officer, following the approval of new Contract Standing Orders in 2024. The report was expected to cover nine significant contracts within the Resources Directorate, with a total value of £2 million or more, including those for Technology Enabled Care Services, Managed Network Services, and the Housing Management System. The report was anticipated to highlight areas of good performance, as well as identify any exceptions or areas for improvement, such as social value delivery and financial risks associated with specific contracts.

Infrastructure Funding Statement 2024–2025

An update was scheduled to be provided on the income and expenditure relating to the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) and Section 106 (S106) agreements for the previous financial year. Developer contributions, secured through CIL and S106 agreements, are intended to mitigate the impact of development and support the provision of local infrastructure. The report was expected to detail the total income received through these mechanisms, how funds have been allocated and spent, and the governance and decision-making processes for prioritising infrastructure investment. In the financial year 2024/25, the council had issued 47 CIL demand notices totalling over £6.5 million, with £5 million for Borough CIL (BCIL) and £1.5 million for Mayoral CIL (MCIL). Additionally, Section 106 financial obligations totalling £9,461,367 were secured in the same period. The report was also intended to outline how CIL funds are allocated between administration, the neighbourhood portion (Greenwich Neighbourhood Growth Fund - GNGF), and strategic CIL projects, and detail the expenditure of S106 contributions across various categories such as Affordable Housing, Health, and Education.

Rethinking the Riverside – A Review of the Thames Path

The committee was scheduled to consider endorsing the findings and recommendations of the Thames Path Connectivity and Upgrade Review. This review, commissioned by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee and led by Councillor Maisie Richards Cottell, aimed to assess the current condition of the Thames Path and identify opportunities for improvement. The report was expected to present a vision for the Thames Path structured around five themes: Experience, Enhancement, Engagement, Economy, and Strategic Delivery. Recommendations were anticipated to address issues such as inconsistent surfacing, poor lighting, fragmented ownership, and the need for coordinated governance. Specific proposals were expected to include adopting minimum width standards for new and upgraded sections, prioritising tree canopy cover, ensuring new developments positively engage with the path, and developing a borough-wide Thames Path Design Vision. The review also highlighted the potential for the path to support active travel, climate resilience, and community well-being.

Forward Plan

The committee was scheduled to note the upcoming executive decisions outlined in the Forward Plan for the period of November 2025 to February 2026. The Forward Plan serves to improve transparency in decision-making by providing notice of upcoming business, including key and non-key decisions by Cabinet and Cabinet Members, and key decisions by Chief Officers. The plan is published monthly and collects individual notifications of key decisions. The committee was to determine if any items listed on the Forward Plan warranted scrutiny. The Forward Plan itself indicated a range of upcoming decisions, including those related to contract awards for various services such as corporate insurance, financial and payments systems, and managed training services, as well as decisions on infrastructure projects and policy adoptions.