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.

This week in Lambeth:

Gambling Policy Under Review: Casino Ban Could Be Lifted

Lambeth Council's Cabinet met this week to discuss the Lambeth Statement of Principles for Gambling 2025-2028, a document required by the Gambling Act 2005 that outlines how the council regulates gambling within the borough. You can review the meeting details here. A key change under consideration is the removal of the existing no casino resolution, a move that comes as the council also considers measures to address gambling-related harm among vulnerable groups.

What's Changing?

• Potential Casino Licenses: The council's previous policy included a resolution not to issue casino licenses. The new policy proposes removing this ban, citing existing restrictions under the Gambling Act 2005 that limit the number of new casino licenses nationally and prevent Lambeth from accepting applications.
• Focus on Vulnerable Persons: The updated policy includes an expanded definition of vulnerable persons to include shift workers, late-night gamblers, young adults, people with mental health conditions, and those experiencing debt or homelessness.
• Treatment Service Consultation: New applications or variations outside of midday to 10pm would require mandatory consultation with treatment services, with applicants needing to demonstrate engagement with local addiction support providers.
• Operator Responsibility: Operators would need to demonstrate how they will contribute to preventing vulnerable individuals from falling into harmful gambling cycles.
• Public Health Data: The policy now includes public health data related to gambling-related harms, highlighting the council's awareness of the issue's impact on the community.
• Gambling Clusters Reduced: The number of gambling clusters has reduced from 7 to 5.

The removal of the casino ban, coupled with the increased focus on vulnerable individuals and operator responsibility, suggests a shift in the council's approach to gambling regulation, balancing economic considerations with public health concerns. The consultation on the proposals closed on 7 December 2025, and the cabinet will be fully appraised with an update on the consultation results.

What are the Gambling Clusters?

The report pack also includes a table summarising the changes to the Lambeth Gambling Policy which states that the number of gambling clusters has reduced from 7 to 5. The clusters were originally:

1. South Bank and Waterloo
2. Kennington
3. Clapham High Street
4. Central Brixton
5. West Norwood
6. Streatham Hill
7. St. Leonard's

and are now:

1. Waterloo & South Bank
2. Clapham High Street
3. Central Brixton
4. Streatham Hill
5. St Leonard's

Minutes of Previous Meeting

The cabinet also reviewed the Minutes of Previous Meeting, from the meeting held on 24 November 2025.

This week in Lambeth:

Casino Ban Lifted as Council Updates Gambling Policy Amid Addiction Concerns

Lambeth Council's Licensing Sub-Committee met this week to discuss the Lambeth Statement of Principles for Gambling 2025-2028, a document required by the Gambling Act 2005 that outlines how the council regulates gambling within the borough. You can review the meeting details here. A key change is the removal of the existing no casino resolution, a move that comes as the council also considers measures to address gambling-related harm among vulnerable groups.

• No Casino Resolution Removed: The council's previous policy included a resolution not to issue casino licenses. The new policy removes this ban, citing existing restrictions under the Gambling Act 2005 that limit the number of new casino licenses nationally and prevent Lambeth from accepting applications.
• Focus on Vulnerable Persons: The updated policy includes an expanded definition of vulnerable persons to include shift workers, late-night gamblers, young adults, people with mental health conditions, and those experiencing debt or homelessness.
• Treatment Service Consultation: New applications or variations outside of midday to 10pm will require mandatory consultation with treatment services, with applicants needing to demonstrate engagement with local addiction support providers.
• Operator Responsibility: Operators will need to demonstrate how they will contribute to preventing vulnerable individuals from falling into harmful gambling cycles.
• Public Health Data: The policy now includes public health data related to gambling-related harms, highlighting the council's awareness of the issue's impact on the community.

The removal of the casino ban, coupled with the increased focus on vulnerable individuals and operator responsibility, suggests a shift in the council's approach to gambling regulation, balancing economic considerations with public health concerns. The Cabinet is scheduled to discuss the Lambeth Statement of Principles for Gambling 2025-2028 on Monday 15 December 2025.

Planning Committee Approves Developments in Vauxhall, Brixton, and Clapham

The Planning Applications Committee met this week to discuss several planning applications across the borough. You can review the meeting details here. The committee approved plans for developments in Vauxhall, Brixton North, and Clapham Town, each with its own set of considerations and community impacts.

• Blue Star House (Brixton North): The committee approved the refurbishment and extension of Blue Star House, transforming it into a hotel with 341 rooms. While the scheme aims for a 30% reduction in carbon emissions, it falls short of the London Plan's 35% requirement.
  • Councillor Valentine supported the retrofitting element of the plan, praising the decision to avoid demolishing the existing building and rebuilding from scratch.
  • Councillor Bailey expressed reservations about the design, calling it a generic church that could be located anywhere, and urged for strong conditions on materials and public art.
• Arches 88 to 95 Glasshouse Walk (Vauxhall): The committee approved a change of use for Arches 88 to 95 Glasshouse Walk to allow for the expansion of Base Dance Studios, a local creative hub.
  • Councillor Bailey described the scheme as good growth, expanding a successful local business and activating vacant arches.
  • Concerns were raised about potential queues for auditions, leading to a discussion about visitor management plans.
• Islamic Centre (Clapham Town): The committee approved the demolition of the existing building at the Islamic Centre, 11-13 Edgeley Road, and the construction of two buildings providing nine residential dwellings.
  • The development faced scrutiny due to its proximity to neighboring residential buildings and potential impacts on daylight and sunlight.
  • Councillor Nye noted that the development is policy compliant and welcomed the new homes, but expressed regret that it fell just below the threshold for requiring affordable housing.

These decisions highlight the complexities of balancing development with community concerns, environmental sustainability, and the need for affordable housing.

Licensing Committee Adjourns Gambling Policy Discussion Amid Paperwork Concerns

The Licensing Committee meeting to discuss the updated Gambling Policy was adjourned due to concerns about the late release of additional papers related to the public consultation. You can review the meeting details here.

• Insufficient Time for Review: The committee cited insufficient time to review the additional papers, which were published following the close of the public consultation.
• Inclusive Participation: The adjournment aims to ensure that all members of the Licensing Sub-Committee have the opportunity to contribute to the discussion.
• New Date in January: A new date for the meeting will be set in early January 2026.

The adjournment underscores the importance of transparency and thorough review in the council's decision-making processes, particularly on issues with significant community impact.

Upcoming Meetings

Stay informed about future discussions and decisions:

• The Cabinet will meet on Monday 15 December 2025 to discuss the Lambeth Statement of Principles for Gambling 2025-2028. See the full agenda here.