New Borough Action Plan puts transparency and accountability at heart of delivering change for Southwark
Southwark's new Green–Liberal Democrat administration has taken an important step towards delivering its ambitious Borough Action Plan, bringing it before the council's Overview and Scrutiny Committee (OSC) ahead of a decision by the Executive.
The plan, which was examined by councillors at OSC on Wednesday evening, sets out how the new administration will deliver on its commitment to make Southwark a more affordable, safer and greener borough.
Key commitments include bringing empty council homes back into use, delivering a pipeline of 500 genuinely affordable homes, increasing the number of community safety wardens, expanding face-to-face council services through One Stop Shops and giving residents a greater say through new Community Councils.
In a break from the approach of the previous Labour administration, which did not bring its delivery plan to pre-decision scrutiny or Council Assembly, the new administration has opened up its plans to challenge and debate before they are agreed.
The Borough Action Plan will also be brought to Council Assembly later this autumn, giving all councillors the opportunity to debate the administration's priorities.
Cllr Richard Macmillan, Liberal Democrat Chair of Southwark's Overview and Scrutiny Committee, said:
"This is an ambitious plan to deliver the change Southwark residents voted for, from fixing our housing services to making our streets safer and giving communities a stronger voice.
I'm pleased that the new administration has brought the plan to scrutiny before taking a final decision. It has given councillors the chance to look at the proposals in detail, ask questions and make recommendations.
Under Labour, councillors never had that opportunity with the council's delivery plan. It's encouraging to see the new administration taking a different approach and giving scrutiny the role it deserves – putting their commitment to being a council that listens into practice."