Commitment to creating a fairer Southwark

At the first meeting of the new administration's cabinet on 15 June, the Leader committed the council to create a fairer borough, where no one is left behind.

With public sector budget cuts inevitable, the Leader explained that fostering an innovative culture where staff and residents are able to achieve their potential will be valued. Cllr John also emphasised that co-operation with residents, businesses and partners is key to transforming public services.

The full text of the Leader's report to the Cabinet is as follows:

Southwark's strength is its people. With our immense diversity comes an array of amazing talents and vast depths of untapped potential. Too many of our people have not been able to access the employment and social opportunities that living in the heart of London should offer. This is unfair. Unlocking those talents and realising that potential, with nobody left behind, is what we are about as a council.

We all know that the immediate future is going to be very tough. Public sector spending is going to fall far and fast and the council's budget will not be protected. The money we have is held in trust for the local community and we will manage every penny as carefully as local families look after their own household budgets.

But we will not overcome the immense challenges we face by the council acting alone or by simply doing things as we have always done them before. We are ambitious for change. We will work together with residents, businesses and partners to transform public services for the people of Southwark. We will foster a culture of innovation and imagination that enables us to build a brighter future, whatever the challenges.

Our staff are more than just people who deliver services. Our residents are more than just customers. Between us, we have the knowledge, skills and creativity to solve the major problems we are facing together.

But this spirit of cooperation goes beyond just problem-solving. It is underpinned by empathy, openness and trust. This is not a borough where cultures clash, but where by coming together Southwark residents create a unique sense of community. We will reflect this as an organisation by showing residents true compassion and the same care and consideration that we show members of our own families.

This is what it means to be a cooperative council. This is how we will not only get through the immediate challenges that lie ahead, but grow stronger together in the long term. It will not be easy and there will be some difficult times and choices ahead. But by working together, we can introduce free healthy school meals for all primary school children, make every council home warm, dry and safe and cut waste to keep council tax low.

And we will transform the borough for the better through regeneration projects which deliver for local people. Together we will build a fairer future for all in Southwark.

Read the full Cabinet report