Councillors have questioned whether Southwark Council’s target to build 500 genuinely affordable homes is ambitious enough, given the borough’s housing waiting list and the number of families in temporary accommodation.
The target is part of the council’s new Borough Action Plan, which aims to make the borough more affordable, safe and green, and sets out its priorities and deliverables for the next four years. The plan underwent pre-scrutiny by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 4 November 2026, where councillors reviewed its priorities, outcomes, and proposed approach to performance and milestones.
The meeting information does not define the specific criteria for ‘genuinely affordable homes’, nor does it specify a construction timeline for the minimum of 500 homes pledged. The plan’s approach to tackling homelessness and reducing temporary accommodation was also scrutinised.
Councillors also raised questions about the plan’s deliverability within existing budgets, the specificity of targets, and the process for engaging residents. Concerns were also voiced about the clarity of language used in the plan, with a recommendation made to ensure it is more accessible to residents.
The Borough Action Plan is built around eight key priorities: a borough that residents can afford, serious action on climate, tackling the housing crisis, a safer Southwark, clean and green streets, a great place to grow up and grow older, defending Southwark’s interests, and a council that listens and residents can shape.
Climate action, including the expansion of local renewable energy, was discussed at the scrutiny session. The plan also includes a commitment to accelerate the decarbonisation of social housing.
The role of community safety, including the potential reintroduction of community wardens and addressing serious youth violence, was also a key focus. Councillors also questioned the plan's commitments to supporting small businesses, the clarity of the 'Streets for People' strategy, and the provision of accessible infrastructure for disabled residents. The importance of libraries, leisure centres, and playgrounds in supporting young people and older residents was highlighted.
The plan's approach to community engagement, particularly through the reintroduction of community councils, was discussed, with a call for greater transparency on how residents' feedback is incorporated. The need for clear metrics and measurable outcomes, especially concerning the reduction of inequality, was also emphasised. The plan states that equalities outcomes will be monitored throughout its implementation, and a Borough Action Plan Dashboard will be published to show progress against the plan's priorities. However, specific metrics for measuring the reduction of inequality are not detailed.
To support low-income residents, the plan includes redesigning the Council Tax Reduction Scheme and a borough-wide response to child poverty, including free baby boxes.
The Overview and Scrutiny Committee will scrutinise the plan's implementation and the proposed approach to its performance framework at a dedicated session scheduled for 23 November 2026.
