Agenda, decisions and minutes

To receive apologies from Members of the Committee.

There were no apologies for absence.

The Chair to announce any items of urgent business circulated separately from the main agenda.

There were no items of urgent business.

Members to declare any personal and financial interests in items on the agenda. Attention is drawn to the Council’s Constitution; the Council’s Code of Conduct and associated advice.

Resolved -

1.            That the list of Councillors’ memberships as Council appointed representatives on outside bodies, joint committees and school governing bodies is noted.

2.            That the following declarations be noted:

Councillors Denise Hyland, Calum O’Byrne Mulligan and Jackie Smith declared an interest in Item 5 as each having a financial interest in another property in the borough.

Members are requested to confirm as an accurate record the Minutes of the meeting held on 3 December 2025.

No motion or discussion may take place upon the Minutes except as to their accuracy, and any question on this point will be determined by a majority of the Members of the body attending who were present when the matter in question was decided. Once confirmed, with or without amendment, the person presiding will sign the Minutes

Resolved –

That the Minutes of the meeting of Cabinet held on 3 December 2025 be agreed and signed as a true and accurate record.

To recommend to Council the Council Tax Base for 2026/27

Recommended fullCouncil to -

1.            Agree a council tax base for the whole authority area for 2026/27 of 92,059.75 in accordance with the Local Authorities (Calculation of Tax Base) (England) Regulations 2012.

2.            Agree an additional council tax base for the Gloucester Circus Garden Square area of the authority for 2026/27 of 100.08.

3.            Agree a continuance in 2026/27 of a 100% council tax premium on Class A & Class B dwellings (second homes).

4.            Agree a continuance in 2026/27 of a council tax premium of 100% in respect of long-term empty dwellings for dwellings empty for up to 5 years.

5.            Agree a continuance in 2026/27 of a council tax premium of 200% in respect of long-term empty dwellings, for dwellings empty between 5 and 10 years.

6.            Agree a continuance in 2026/27 of a council tax premium of 300% in respect of long-term empty dwellings, for dwellings empty longer than 10 years.

7.            Agree a continuance in 2026/27 of the 12 month period before charging a Council Tax Premium to unfurnished and unoccupied properties.

8.            Agree a continuance in 2026/27 of the council tax discount of 0% on Class A & B dwellings (second homes) and Class C & D dwellings (empty homes).

9.            Agree a continuance in 2026/27 of the council tax discount of 100% in respect of Royal Borough of Greenwich resident care leavers, aged under 25.

10.         Agree a continuance in 2026/27 of a council tax discount of 100% in respect of Royal Borough of Greenwich foster carers & shared lives households in the borough.

11.         To note that the council tax base relevant to the Southern Region of the Environment Agency for flood defence levy apportionment purposes in 2026/27 is 9,316.76

12.         To note that the council tax base relevant to the Thames Region of the Environment Agency for flood defence levy apportionment purposes in 2026/27 is 82,742.99

Having declared an interest, Councillors Denise Hyland, Calum O’Byrne Mulligan and Jackie Smith left the meeting for the duration of the item.

Resolved -

That it be recommended to full Council to -

1.            Agree a council tax base for the whole authority area for 2026/27 of 92,059.75 in accordance with the Local Authorities (Calculation of Tax Base) (England) Regulations 2012.

2.            Agree an additional council tax base for the Gloucester Circus Garden Square area of the authority for 2026/27 of 100.08.

3.            Agree a continuance in 2026/27 of a 100% council tax premium on Class A & Class B dwellings (second homes).

4.            Agree a continuance in 2026/27 of a council tax premium of 100% in respect of long-term empty dwellings for dwellings empty for up to 5 years.

5.            Agree a continuance in 2026/27 of a council tax premium of 200% in respect of long-term empty dwellings, for dwellings empty between 5 and 10 years.

6.            Agree a continuance in 2026/27 of a council tax premium of 300% in respect of long-term empty dwellings, for dwellings empty longer than 10 years.

7.            Agree a continuance in 2026/27 of the 12 month period before charging a Council Tax Premium to unfurnished and unoccupied properties.

8.            Agree a continuance in 2026/27 of the council tax discount of 0% on Class A & B dwellings (second homes) and Class C & D dwellings (empty homes).

9.            Agree a continuance in 2026/27 of the council tax discount of 100% in respect of Royal Borough of Greenwich resident care leavers, aged under 25.

10.         Agree a continuance in 2026/27 of a council tax discount of 100% in respect of Royal Borough of Greenwich foster carers & shared lives households in the borough.

11.         To note that the council tax base relevant to the Southern Region of the Environment Agency for flood defence levy apportionment purposes in 2026/27 is 9,316.76

12.         To note that the council tax base relevant to the Thames Region of the Environment Agency for flood defence levy apportionment purposes in 2026/27 is 82,742.99

To note the outcome of the formal consultations, approve the new model for delivery of integrated services, and note the proposed progression of work to implement the new NextGen Greenwich delivery model

1.            Noted the outcome of engagement and formal consultations with children, young people and their families, professionals and providers working with these groups.

2.            Approved the new model for delivery of integrated services (NextGen Greenwich) designed to support children, young people and their families in the borough as set out in this report. This model incorporates mechanisms for youth voice and oversight within the Local Authority, as outlined in this report.

3.            Noted the proposed progression of work including procurement and grant processes required to implement the new NextGen Greenwich delivery model by October 2026.

The Cabinet Member for Children and Young People presented the report. He explained why the review had been undertaken and how it was conducted. He highlighted the involvement of young people in the process and what changes they were requesting.

The Cabinet Member for Health, Adult Social Care and Borough of Sanctuary added that the review provided a chance to reimagine what that school nursing offer could look like and provide greater clarity for schools and children about the offer.

The Integrated Commissioning Director – Children’s Services advised Cabinet on the proposed grants programme. He highlighted that evaluation of the bids and what was prioritised would be done together with young people, but also that there would be a specific fund for young people led bids. He advised on the proposed youth partnership group of young people who would oversee all aspects of the provision. He added that they had engaged with people around the name of this service and accepted what they preferred. He indicated that while youth only sessions would be a core provision they were also factoring in support where parents and siblings could also come together. The ambition was to change the community youth hubs from five days a week to seven. He explained that they would be focused on bringing in more external funding and expertise to support young people, but were also aiming to create links with businesses both big and small so they could offer expertise and support to our children and young people. With regard to preparing for adulthood they would be seeking to leverage in support from various different organisations to support young people in the journey into work, employment, and training.

In response to questions from Cabinet the Integrated Commissioning Director – Children’s Services replied the intention was that young people be involved throughout future processes, just as they had been involved in creating the new model. He explained that they would be seeking to co-ordinate the health and wellbeing provisions, between the focus on home element and the focus within the school element to ensure there was no duplication. He said it was recognised that not all young people would be able easily to access the hub sites. A major challenge was increasing awareness of what was on offer. The hubs were intended to host a wide range of services, including space for external providers who delivered strong youth programmes but lacked appropriate venues. Each hub would operate according to local needs, and that use was expected to be different throughout the day. He indicated that the grant programmes was expected to be about £400,000 and would be used for a range of different things and he confirmed that the money was to be spent each year They would be considering the geographical representation of activity that took place in the borough to ensure all areas were getting activities and they would also be considering thematic needs based on what young people were requesting. They were conscious of giving  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

To note the findings of the public consultation and approve the proposals for the five Adventure Play Centres (Coldharbour, Glyndon,  Meridian, Plumstead, Woolwich), and to delegate authority to Officers to further investigate the future modelling of the Play Centres, and to consult on the future of Coldharbour in relation to the proposed Community Hub Model.

1.            Noted the findings of the public consultation and approve the following proposals for the five Adventure Play Centres (APCs):

·        Coldharbour – that subject to stakeholder and community engagement on a future Community Hub offer, it is proposed that Coldharbour APC to become a new Community Hub, with a youth offer as part of the scheme.

·        Glyndon – To become an unstaffed facility. To note that there have been three offers from the voluntary sector to potentially take on the facility. The approaches were not elicited but as part of ensuring that we implement the proposals, these offers will be explored.   To note that no approaches were received in relation to any of the other sites.

·        Meridian – To become a new fourth RBG owned Community Youth Hub, subject to the Cabinet Decision on the newly proposed Youth Offer. 

·        Plumstead – To remain unchanged.

·        Woolwich – The Multi Use Games Area (MUGA) to be relocated and become an unstaffed facility; other investment / refurbishment options are to be explored.

2.            Delegated authority to the Director of Communities, Environment and Central and Director of Children Services in consultation with lead members, to further investigate the future modelling of Meridian APC, Glyndon APC, Woolwich APC, and Plumstead APC.

3.            Delegated authority to the Director of Place and Growth in consultation with the Director of Resources, Director of Legal and Democratic Services and Director of Children’s Services in consultation with lead members, to consult on the future of Coldharbour APC in relation to the proposed Community Hub Model.

The Cabinet Member for Equality, Culture and Communities presented the report.  The Cabinet Member explained that the proposals were intended not only to achieve financial savings but also to modernise adventure playgrounds, many of which had low usage, particularly among girls and young women. The aim was to create a more accessible, future?proof play and youth offer, which would be integrated with wider youth services. It was not about closing services but about widening access and improving inclusivity. The Cabinet Members thanked all those who had contributed to the consultation and provided feedback. She confirmed that they had consulted Play England, whose representative recognised the pressures facing local authorities and the decline of adventure play across London. The Cabinet Member outlined the changes and added that because implementing the new arrangements would take time a continuity plan would maintain services until the new facilities were ready. The Cabinet Member concluded that the proposals were a demonstration of the Council’s commitment to ensuring young people had safe, supportive places to play and develop.

The Chair of Cabinet agreed to two members of the public addressing Cabinet.

Cabinet was addressed by Lara Ruffles Cole and David Monteith. The proposed change from staffed to unstaffed facilities was emphasised noting that many young people relied on trusted, trained playworkers to provide emotional support, safety, and opportunities for learning and interaction. The statistics as to the number of current users was challenged and it was suggested the Council had failed to take of national research as to the benefits of supervised adventure play. A concern was that unstaffed areas might not be safe, particularly at night. It was contended that the Council had given insufficient weight to the responses from the Metropolitan Police, Play England, London Play and other expert organisations. Considering the short period and when it was taken suggested that the consultation may have been tokenistic. It was requested that

·        The Council publish the Police Superintendent’s letter that highlighted safety concerns

·        Continue to work with key organisations such as Play England and London Play

·        Defer the decision so that all concerns could be considered and addressed.

The Chair of Cabinet agreed to two Councillors addressing Cabinet.

Councillor Lakshan Saldin noted the Council’s financialpressures but the report then identified that £200,000 was needed to refurbish and improve adventure play centres. The report did not indicate whether Greenwich had explored options to get help with that funding, such as from Play UK, funding such as Lewisham had secured. He commented that the central issue in the consultation was the importance of supervised provision by trusted, qualified adults and he said that mirrored the theme in the Council’s recent film about violence against women and girls, where intervention by a trusted adult was shown to be vital. He felt the report failed to address major concerns raised by residents, the Metropolitan Police, and play organisations, it merely acknowledged them without responding to them. Councillor Saldin requested that Cabinet defer the decision until all the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.