This week in Lambeth:

Council Grapples with Budget Crisis and Sanctuary Strategy

Lambeth Council's Cabinet met on Monday, 23 February 2026, to tackle a critical budget deficit and reaffirm the borough's commitment to supporting those seeking sanctuary. The meeting highlighted the immense financial pressures facing local government, with significant decisions made regarding the council's financial strategy and the adoption of an updated Borough of Sanctuary Strategy.

Borough of Sanctuary Strategy Adopted

The Cabinet formally adopted the Lambeth Borough of Sanctuary Strategy for 2025-2028, reinforcing the council's commitment to being a welcoming place for individuals seeking safety. This strategy, shaped by engagement with partners and those with lived experience, focuses on six key areas:

• Integration and Accommodation: Improving access to housing and support services.
• Communication and Awareness: Enhancing understanding of rights and services.
• Education, Skills, and Employment: Expanding opportunities for integration.
• Health and Wellbeing: Strengthening support for physical and mental health.
• Safeguarding: Ensuring robust protection for all individuals.
• Youth Support: Providing targeted assistance for young people seeking sanctuary.

Councillor Nanda Manley-Browne, Cabinet Member for Healthier Communities, emphasised that sanctuary is a golden thread running through the council's ambitions for equity and justice. The strategy is fully funded through central government grants, ensuring that support remains available for those arriving through safe and legal routes. The decision to adopt the strategy was met with broad support, with councillors highlighting Lambeth's long-standing commitment to welcoming those in need.

Financial Storm Clouds: Budget Monitoring and Medium-Term Strategy

The council's financial performance for the third quarter of 2025/26 was reviewed, revealing ongoing significant pressures. Councillor Judith Cavanagh, Acting Cabinet Member for Finance, presented a stark picture of the council's financial challenges, attributing them to real-terms cuts in government funding since 2010, increased service demand, and high inflation rates.

The Cabinet discussed proposals for the revenue and capital budget for 2026/27 and the Medium-Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) for 2026/27 to 2029/30. To balance the budget, the council is proposing over £99 million in savings and income-generating measures. This includes a 2.99% increase in general Council Tax and a 2.00% increase in the Adult Social Care precept.

The financial report highlighted critical areas of pressure, including:

• Rising Temporary Accommodation Costs: The national housing crisis continues to place a significant burden on the council's finances.
• Increased Demand in Social Care: Both adult and children's social care services are experiencing unprecedented demand.
• Pressures in Growth and Environment Services: These services are also facing increased costs and demand.

The Housing Revenue Account (HRA) budget also came under scrutiny, with significant investment required for the council's 23,600 homes. The Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) budget is forecast to move from a surplus to a deficit in 2026-27, largely due to rising High Needs costs.

The council is seeking exceptional financial support from the government to help stabilise its finances and fund necessary transformations. This support will be funded through the sale of council-owned assets, rather than through increased borrowing. The report acknowledged that exceptional is no longer exceptional and has become the norm for government.

The discussions were robust, with visiting councillors raising concerns about savings delivery and the council's financial grip. However, the Cabinet maintained that decisive action is being taken to rectify the financial position, with external auditors acknowledging the progress made.

Adult Social Care and Health Scrutiny: Supporting Carers and Performance Review

The Adult Social Care and Health Scrutiny Sub-Committee met on Wednesday, 25 February 2026, to review progress on the Carers Strategy Action Plan and the Annual Performance Report for Adult Social Care. You can review the meeting details here.

Carers Strategy Action Plan: The committee received an update on the Lambeth Carers Strategy 2024-2029, highlighting achievements in supporting unpaid carers. Initiatives include discounted memberships at Active Lambeth sites, an increase in carers' assessments, and the implementation of the MyChart system to improve information access for carers. The Hospital Discharge Project aims to support carers during hospital stays and after discharge.

Annual Performance Report: The report for Adult Social Care indicated a stable number of people receiving long-term support, but an increase in requests for support and short-term reablement episodes. While the completion of reviews for individuals receiving services for 12 months or more has improved, there was a noted overrepresentation of Black British individuals in long-term support compared to the Lambeth population.

Care Quality Commission (CQC) Assessment: The committee was awaiting the final report from the CQC's assessment of Lambeth's Adult Social Care services, which concluded in October 2025. Early feedback acknowledged the dedication of Lambeth's workforce.

Planning Committee Decisions: Housing, Student Accommodation, and Events

The Planning Applications Committee met on Tuesday, 24 February 2026, to consider several significant planning applications. You can review the meeting details here.

• Land At New Park Road (Clapham Park): Conditional planning permission was recommended for the erection of four buildings to provide 129 residential units, all designated as affordable housing (45 social rent and 84 intermediate). This development will transform a site previously allocated for a primary school.
• 10 Leake Street (Waterloo and South Bank): The committee considered a proposal for a seventeen-storey building to provide student accommodation. The applicant's offer of 22.5% on-site affordable student accommodation was noted, alongside a Payment in Lieu of £2.88 million for conventional affordable housing.
• Brockwell Park (Herne Hill and Loughborough Junction): The committee was to consider a recommendation to grant conditional planning permission for the temporary use of part of Brockwell Park for the Brockwell Live 2026 event series. This proposal faced objections concerning the scale of events and loss of public space, alongside support highlighting the cultural and economic benefits.
• 60 Courland Grove (Stockwell West and Larkhall): Permission was recommended for a 4-storey building to provide 14 residential units on an existing car park site. The report indicated that the scheme is not viable for on-site affordable housing.

Appointments Sub-Committee: Housing Director Recruitment

The Appointments Sub-Committee met on Tuesday, 24 February 2026, to discuss the recruitment process for the Corporate Director of Housing. You can review the meeting details here. The role is described as pivotal in shaping the council's housing ambitions, including improving home quality and safety, modernising services, and addressing homelessness. The committee was tasked with shortlisting candidates for this key position.

Licensing Committee: Gambling Principles Review

The Licensing Committee met on Tuesday, 24 February 2026, to discuss and potentially adopt a new Statement of Gambling Principles for 2026-2029. You can review the meeting details here. The proposed changes include encouraging engagement with gambling support groups, updating the definition of vulnerability, and incorporating public health data on gambling-related harms. The number of identified Gambling Clusters, areas with a high concentration of gambling premises, has been reduced from seven to five.

Upcoming Meetings

Stay informed about future discussions and decisions:

• The Council will meet on Wednesday 04 March 2026 to discuss the borough's budget for 2026/27, proposed amendments from political groups, and updates to the council's constitution and Pay Policy Statement. See the full agenda here.
• The Lambeth Together Care Partnership will meet on Thursday 05 March 2026 to discuss health and care initiatives, including Integrated Neighbourhood Teams and updates on public health programmes. See the full agenda here.
• The Overview and Scrutiny Committee will meet on Tuesday 10 March 2026. See the full agenda here.
• The Licensing Sub-Committee will meet on Thursday 12 March 2026. See the full agenda here.

This week in Lambeth:

Safer Streets or Shifting Problems? Council Tackles Crime and Homelessness

Lambeth Council is facing tough decisions on how to keep its streets safe and house its most vulnerable residents. This week, the Overview and Scrutiny Committee met to examine the progress of the Safer Lambeth Partnership and the council's strategy for temporary accommodation. The discussions highlighted both successes in crime reduction and significant challenges in providing adequate housing, with concerns raised about the impact on those most in need.

Safer Lambeth Partnership: Progress and Persistent Concerns

The Safer Lambeth Partnership reported positive strides in reducing crime, with a notable 28% decrease in gun crime over the past year. Detective Chief Superintendent Emma Bond highlighted the use of live facial recognition technology, which led to 57 arrests in six deployments. Councillor Dr Mahamed Hashi, Cabinet Member for Safer Communities, emphasised the partnership's focus on prevention and collaboration.

However, the committee also heard concerns from residents and councillors about the tangible impact of these efforts. Councillor David Oxley questioned how residents perceive safety and the effectiveness of reporting mechanisms, particularly for domestic abuse. Councillor Marianna Masters raised concerns about reduced access to Brixton Police Station's front counter and its impact on safeguarding. Councillor Nicole Griffiths voiced worries about the lack of community notification for live facial recognition deployments.

The partnership acknowledged these concerns, detailing ongoing work to build trust and improve reporting. Recommendations included vigorous vetting of police recruits, encouraging reporting of misconduct, and ensuring local officers remain in their neighbourhoods longer. Crucially, the committee called for better engagement and transparency around live facial recognition initiatives and confirmed continued funding for the Gaia Centre, a vital support service.

Temporary Accommodation Strategy: A Costly Crisis

The council's reliance on temporary accommodation (TA) for homeless households is costing an estimated £106 million this year, with around 4,500 households currently housed in this way. The Temporary Accommodation Procurement Strategy aims to reduce this number to 2,500 by March 2029 by shifting towards longer-term leasing and council-owned provision.

However, the strategy faced sharp criticism from residents' representatives. Manuel de Barge highlighted a lack of data, modelling, and risk assessment behind the targets, warning that cost-cutting could lead to poorer quality accommodation. He also criticised the absence of resident involvement in the strategy's development, stating, Decisions made about residents without residents.

Councillor David Oxley questioned the lack of annual milestones for reducing TA numbers, while Councillor Nicole Griffiths pointed to rising homelessness figures and the urgent need for secure, long-term housing. Councillor Marianna Masters raised concerns about structural injustice within the TA market, particularly affecting Black and minority ethnic individuals and women, and questioned how procurement ensures providers meet legal standards.

The council acknowledged the challenges, explaining the financial mechanisms behind TA costs and the efforts to improve accommodation standards. Recommendations included rigorous performance management of TA, ensuring families placed outside the borough are assessed for suitability, and genuine equality impact assessments.

Pension Fund Health Improves, But Scrutiny Continues

The Pensions Committee met to review the actuarial valuation of the Lambeth Pension Fund. The fund's financial health has significantly improved, with a funding level of 120% and an estimated surplus of £297 million, a substantial increase from the deficit recorded in 2022. This positive development is attributed to updated assumptions about investment returns and pension increases.

The committee also discussed the fund's investment performance, which has been weaker than anticipated over the past year, with concerns raised about underinvestment in private equity. The committee is also reviewing the Fit for the Future reforms for the Local Government Pension Scheme, which aim to consolidate assets and introduce minimum operating standards.

Other Matters

The Overview and Scrutiny Committee also discussed the work programme for the remainder of the municipal year, with potential future scrutiny topics including environmental enforcement, maintenance policy, and developer contributions.

Upcoming Meetings

Stay informed about future discussions and decisions:

• The Cabinet will meet on Monday 23 February 2026 to discuss various council matters. See the full agenda here.
• The Appointments Sub-Committee will meet on Tuesday 24 February 2026. See the full agenda here.
• The Planning Applications Committee will meet on Tuesday 24 February 2026 to consider several planning applications, including proposals for Brockwell Park, New Park Road, and Leake Street. See the full agenda here.
• The Adult Social Care and Health Scrutiny Sub-Committee will meet on Wednesday 25 February 2026. See the full agenda here.
• The Licensing Committee will meet on Tuesday 24 February 2026. See the full agenda here.

This week in Lambeth:

Children's Services Face £6.3 Million Budget Pressure Amidst Rising Demand

Lambeth's Children, Families and Education Directorate is grappling with a projected budget pressure of £6.361 million for the 2025/26 financial year. This significant shortfall is primarily driven by increased demand for statutory services, particularly those for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), children in care, and families with No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF). The Children's Services Scrutiny Sub-Committee met on Thursday, 05 February 2026, to review the financial situation and the sub-committee's work programme. You can review the meeting details here.

Key Budget Pressures:

• SEND Transport: Increased demand for transport for children with SEND is a major contributor to the budget pressure.
• Children's Social Care Placements: The cost of providing placements for children in care continues to rise, placing a strain on the budget.
• Families with No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF): Support for these families is also a significant cost driver.

The report highlights that while 76% of the planned savings for 2025/26 are on track, the remaining £0.8 million is in demand-sensitive areas, meaning their delivery depends on external factors like placement availability and workforce recruitment. This precarious situation could mean longer waits for essential support for vulnerable children and families.

Work Programme Focus:

The sub-committee also reviewed its work programme for the upcoming year. Key areas for future scrutiny include:

• SEND and Alternative Provision: Ensuring adequate support and provision for children with SEND.
• Ofsted Reports: Following up on findings from Ofsted inspections, which previously rated Lambeth Children's Services as requires improvement to be good.
• Elective Home Education: Scrutinizing the provision and oversight of children educated at home.

The sub-committee's work is crucial in holding the council accountable for the services it provides to the borough's most vulnerable children and ensuring that the budget pressures do not lead to a decline in the quality of care and support.

Planning Committee Approves Controversial Student Accommodation Despite Policy Conflicts

Lambeth's Planning Applications Committee met on Tuesday, 03 February 2026, to consider a proposal for purpose-built student accommodation at 250 Kennington Lane. The decision to grant permission was contentious, with committee members divided over the scheme's compliance with local planning policies and its potential impact on the borough's housing needs. You can review the meeting details here.

The Proposal:

The application sought to demolish existing office buildings and erect a seven-storey building to provide 177 student accommodation units. The scheme also included ground-floor commercial space for a cafe and a flexible venue, along with significant biodiversity net gain and urban greening measures.

Key Debates and Concerns:

• Loss of Office Space: A central point of contention was the loss of existing office space. While the applicant argued that the current offices were unviable and difficult to market, some councillors expressed concern that this justification lacked robust marketing evidence and could lead to a permanent loss of employment space. Councillor Clark stated, I don't feel that has been robustly justified.
• Student Accommodation vs. Affordable Housing: Several councillors voiced concerns about the increasing number of student accommodation developments in the north of the borough, arguing that this trend exacerbates the housing crisis and drives up rents for local residents. Councillor Ainslie questioned the balance between the types of accommodation, highlighting the need for more affordable and family-sized homes.
• Mixed-Use Designation: The committee debated whether the proposed commercial elements constituted genuine mixed-use development or were merely ancillary to the student accommodation. Councillor Clark argued, It feels like it's a bit of a silo, and that the scheme did not truly activate the street level.
• Amenity Impacts: While officers deemed the amenity impacts on neighbouring properties to be acceptable, some councillors raised concerns about daylight and sunlight reductions to nearby residential buildings.
• Community Benefits: The applicant highlighted potential community benefits, including scholarships for Lambeth residents and partnerships with local schools. However, some councillors felt these benefits were not sufficiently secured through planning obligations.

Despite these concerns, the committee ultimately voted to approve the application, citing the tilted balance in favour of development when housing delivery targets are not being met, and the provision of student accommodation as a form of housing. The decision underscores the ongoing tension between meeting housing targets and preserving local amenity and employment land.

Lambeth College Sports Hall Demolition Approved Amidst Student and Community Concerns

Lambeth College's plan to demolish its sports hall and construct a four-storey extension for educational use has been approved by the Planning Applications Committee. The decision, made on Wednesday, 04 February 2026, despite objections from students and concerns about the loss of community facilities. You can review the meeting details here.

The Proposal:

The college seeks to demolish the existing sports hall at its Clapham campus and build a new educational facility, part of a wider estate strategy agreed with the Department for Education. This strategy aims to rationalise college buildings across its three campuses.

Objections and Concerns:

• Student and Community Access: A key objection, read on behalf of sports students, highlighted that the sports hall is currently used by multiple student groups, including those with disabilities, as well as by after-college sports teams and for community hire. The objectors argued that the sports hall is not underutilised, as suggested in the officer's report, and that its loss would negatively impact local residents in a deprived area.
• Equality Act 2010: Concerns were raised about the lack of an Equality and Impact Assessment, a legal requirement for publicly funded institutions under the Equality Act 2010, particularly regarding the impact on disabled students.
• Lack of Replacement Facilities: The objectors proposed a condition requiring the replacement sports facilities to be constructed on-site before demolition begins, to ensure continuity of provision.
• Student Engagement: Students expressed feeling excluded from the decision-making process regarding changes to their college.

College's Response:

The college's representative stated that the sports hall is a private facility for college use, not for community hire, and that it is underutilised. They also indicated that sports facilities would be available at other campuses, such as the Broxall campus.

The committee's decision to approve the demolition, despite these significant concerns, raises questions about the balance between the college's strategic estate plans and the immediate needs and impacts on its students and the local community.

New Special Educational Needs School Approved for 202 Lambeth Road

Lambeth Council's Planning Applications Committee has approved the change of use of the former office building at 202 Lambeth Road to a Special Educational Needs (SEN) school. The decision, made on Wednesday, 04 February 2026, followed discussions about transport, access, and the school's operational plans. You can review the meeting details here.

The Proposal:

The application sought to convert the existing office building into a school for students with specific learning difficulties, often referred to as SEND. The plans included minor external and internal works, such as the removal of spiral staircases and the installation of bollards and fencing.

Key Considerations:

• Transport and Access: A significant portion of the discussion focused on how students would access the school. The applicant proposed that students would primarily use an entrance through Archbishop's Park, rather than the main vehicular entrance on Lambeth Road. This was intended to mitigate traffic concerns and parking issues for residents.
  • Councillor Bailey expressed concern about the robustness of the traffic management plan, stating, It will need some help. It'll need quite a bit of work from the school.
  • The committee agreed to a condition ensuring that the main vehicular entrance on Lambeth Road would not be used for student entry or exit, and that the existing entrance at 218-220 Lambeth Road would remain the primary access point.
• Parking and Traffic: Residents raised concerns about potential parking issues and dangerous traffic movements, particularly regarding vehicles exiting the site and turning right onto Lambeth Road. Highways officers advised that a right-hand turn restriction was not feasible due to potential impacts on bus lanes and other infrastructure.
• School Operations: The school's governors highlighted that the site was previously a school and that they intended to restore it to its former glory. They emphasized that the school would operate with limited parking, with most students arriving via public transport or being dropped off at a separate site.

The approval of this SEN school is a positive step towards providing much-needed educational facilities for students with special needs. However, the committee's focus on transport and access underscores the importance of careful planning to ensure that such developments integrate smoothly into the local community and do not create undue burdens on residents.

Other Matters

The Cabinet met on Monday, 02 February 2026, but no video was provided for this meeting. The Corporate Committee also met on Wednesday, 04 February 2026, but again, no video was provided.

Upcoming Meetings

Stay informed about future discussions and decisions:

• The Overview and Scrutiny Committee will meet on Monday 09 February 2026 to discuss the Safer Lambeth Partnership's annual scrutiny report and the Temporary Accommodation Procurement Strategy. See the full agenda here.
• The Pensions Committee will meet on Wednesday 11 February 2026 to review the actuarial valuation update for the pension fund and discuss investment strategies. See the full agenda here.
• The Licensing Sub-Committee will meet on Tuesday 17 February 2026. See the full agenda here.

This week in Lambeth:

Pension Fund Navigates Market Volatility and Investment Strategy

Lambeth's Pensions Committee met on Wednesday, 7 January 2026, to review the draft Annual Report for 2024/25 and discuss the updated Funding Strategy Statement. The committee also delved into investment performance and risk management, with a significant portion of the meeting held in private to discuss commercially sensitive information. You can review the meeting details here.

Draft Annual Report and Funding Strategy

The committee noted the draft Annual Report for 2024/25, which is subject to audit. Approval of the final audited report and financial statements was delegated to the Chair, Councillor Martin Bailey. This delegation was questioned by one member, who felt it was inappropriate to grant approval authority before the Chair had contributed their section to the report. Councillor Bailey assured the committee that their section would be circulated in advance for review.

The updated Funding Strategy Statement revealed a significant improvement in the pension fund's financial position. Following a deficit of approximately £80 million at the 2022 valuation, the fund now reports a surplus of nearly £300 million and a funding level of 120% as of 31 March 2025. This turnaround is attributed to updated actuarial assumptions, including lower expected pension increases and higher expected investment returns. However, risks related to inflation, membership, and market changes remain, and the statement outlines how the fund will manage these. The process of calculating employer contribution rates is underway, with a final version of the Statement expected after consultation with employers and the Department for Education.

Investment Performance and Risk

A key focus of the meeting was the Investment Performance Report for Quarter 2 2025. While the total fund slightly outperformed its benchmark over the quarter, the annual return was a disappointing 3.5%, significantly below the benchmark of 4.9%. Over a three-year period, the fund's performance was also considerably weaker than its benchmark. Contributing factors included underperformance in global equities and a particularly disappointing Liability-Driven Investment (LDI) mandate.

Concerns were raised about the persistent underinvestment in private equity, a recurring issue that has been discussed at previous meetings. Councillor Martin Bailey acknowledged the underweight allocation and stated it needed to be addressed.

The committee also reviewed the Lambeth Pension Fund Risk Register. While no changes were made to current risk ratings, the inherent rating for risk PA 22 was adjusted to reflect the possibility of the accounts being qualified again due to historical record-keeping issues. Members also expressed concerns about the reputational risk associated with risk PA 20, particularly regarding the committee's support of controversial international issues, arguing that the current risk rating was too low. The risk of climate change (PA 19) was also highlighted as a major source of uncertainty affecting investments, with a member arguing its current rating was too low given rising insurance premiums and the costs of extreme weather events.

Other Matters

The committee noted that work is continuing towards the 31 March 2026 deadline for the transition of assets to London CIV. A workshop with London CIV was described as productive, though the timeline remains tight. Buckinghamshire Pension Fund has also approached London CIV to join the pool, a proposal agreed in principle by all shareholders. A governance review by Hymans is underway, with committee members being interviewed and surveyed.

The committee moved into a private session to discuss investment manager performance, investment strategy, and a London CIV update due to the commercially sensitive nature of the information.

Health and Care Partnership Plans for Integrated Neighbourhood Teams

The Lambeth Together Care Partnership met on Thursday, 8 January 2026, to discuss progress on health and care initiatives and to approve draft priorities for the 2026/27 business plan. Key discussions included the development of Integrated Neighbourhood Teams (INTs) and updates on public health programmes. You can review the meeting details here.

Integrated Neighbourhood Teams and Health Plan

Andrew Eyres, Corporate Director for Integrated Health and Adult Social Care, provided an update on the 'Our Health, Our Lambeth' health and care plan. A significant focus is the development of Integrated Neighbourhood Teams (INTs), with the first teams expected to roll out from April 2026. These teams aim to shift care from hospitals to communities, prioritise prevention, and leverage digital solutions. Progress was also noted on the Tobacco Control Plan and the 'Vaccination in New Spaces' programme.

NHS Health Checks and Staying Healthy

The board received an update on the 'Staying Healthy' programme, with a focus on NHS Health Checks. Preliminary findings from Department of Health and Social Care pilots, including 'Health Checks at Work' (HAWK) and 'Health Checks online', were presented. The HAWK pilot showed a proportionate reach to Asian and Black ethnic groups, while the online pilot indicated that individuals from areas of higher deprivation were more likely to use the service. Proposed priority groups for health checks in 2026/27 include men, socio-economically deprived individuals, and Black and minority ethnic communities.

Business Planning for 2026/27

Draft priorities for the 2026/27 business plan were presented, aiming to improve local health and care services. These plans align with the South East London (SEL) 5-Year Strategic Commissioning Plan and will inform the refreshed Lambeth Together Health and Care Plan. The Population Health Improvement Plan focuses on enabling residents to lead healthy lives and receive early diagnosis and support, while the Neighbourhood Delivery Plan details actions to establish INTs and improve community-based care.

Primary Care Commissioning and Assurance

An update from the Primary Care Commissioning Committee (PCCC) included the ratification of decisions such as extending the modular building hire for Waterloo Health Centre and approving an uplift for the Specialist Allocation Service contract. The PCCC also approved clinical cover for Protected Learning Time and actions regarding a contract breach with Lambeth Healthcare Ltd. The Lambeth Together Assurance Group (LTAG) report highlighted progress on immunisation, early diagnosis of physical health conditions, and mental health support services. The Integrated Assurance Report noted an £8m underlying pressure in Adult & Social Care.

Upcoming Meetings

Stay informed about future discussions and decisions:

• The Housing Scrutiny Sub-Committee will meet on Thursday 15 January 2026 to discuss Awaab's Law, housing services complaints, and the committee's work programme. See the full agenda here.
• The Licensing Committee will meet on Friday 16 January 2026 to consider proposed updates to the borough's Gambling Policy. See the full agenda here.
• The Council will meet on Wednesday 21 January 2026. See the full agenda here.
• The Corporate Parenting Board will meet on Wednesday 14 January 2026. See the full agenda here.