Southwark Council's Assembly has approved the calendar of meetings for the 2026-27 municipal year, setting out dates for key decision-making sessions and providing clarity for residents wishing to participate in council proceedings.

The decision was made during the Council Assembly meeting held on Wednesday, 18 March 2026. The approved dates for the 2026-27 municipal year are:

  • Wednesday, 20 May 2026: Mayor Making/Annual meeting
  • Wednesday, 8 July 2026: Ordinary meeting
  • Wednesday, 18 November 2026: Ordinary meeting
  • Wednesday, 24 February 2027: Budget and council tax setting meeting
  • Wednesday, 17 March 2027: Ordinary meeting
  • Saturday, 15 May 2027: Mayor Making/Annual meeting

Understanding the Meetings

Ordinary meetings of the Southwark Council Assembly typically cover a wide array of topics. These include preliminary business such as apologies, announcements, and disclosures of interest, as well as issues raised by the public, including petitions and question time. The agenda also features themed debates, deputations, members' motions, and reports for decision. Specific reports for decision at the March 2026 meeting included the proportionality and allocation of seats on committees, a review of the statement of licensing policy, the pay policy statement, the member allowances scheme, the calendar of meetings, special urgency and urgent implementation decisions, and the appointment of independent persons.

The 'budget and council tax setting meeting' in February 2027 is a crucial session where key financial decisions will be made. Discussions and decisions will focus on the Policy and Resources Strategy: 2026-27 Budget and Medium Term Financial Strategy, setting the Council Tax for 2026-27, the Treasury Management Strategy and Capital Strategy for 2026-27, and the proportionality and allocation of seats on committees.

Mayor Making/Annual Meetings

The calendar includes two 'Mayor Making/Annual meetings': one on Wednesday, 20 May 2026, and another on Saturday, 15 May 2027. The May 2026 meeting marks the commencement of the municipal year, typically involving the election of the Mayor for that year. The May 2027 meeting signifies the conclusion of the 2026-27 municipal year and the beginning of the next, likely including the election of the new Mayor. The council also noted an agreement made in March 2023 for the date of the annual/Mayor Making meeting in 2027, which will be held on Saturday, 15 May 2027 at 11 am.

Public Participation and Planning

The council's decision on the meeting calendar provides advance notice of dates, enabling residents to forward plan their attendance and participation. This transparency ensures that stakeholders and the community can attend and, if appropriate, address meetings in accordance with the council's constitution. The calendar, which includes dates for school holidays and party conferences, is published on the council's website and will be regularly updated.

Agenda Setting and Administration

Agenda items for council meetings are proposed through various channels. 'Preliminary business' covers administrative matters, while members can raise issues through 'members' motions' and 'members' question time'. Reports for decision are presented, and themed debates are based on motions proposed by the leader of the council. Any member can submit amendments to reports or motions on the agenda. The approval of the 'Calendar of Meetings' itself is a decision made by the Council Assembly. The rationale for factoring in school holidays and party conferences is to support the 'efficient administration of the council' and to allow 'all stakeholders and the community to forward plan, should they wish to attend and, if appropriate, address those meetings, in accordance with the constitution.'

Map of Southwark council wards
Map of Southwark council wards, illustrating the geographical divisions discussed in the meeting.Source: Council Assembly papers, 18 March 2026

Further details on specific reports and agendas can be found in the following documents: