This week in Lewisham:

Facing the Squeeze: £30 Million Savings Target Looms Over Lewisham's Budget

Lewisham Council is grappling with a significant £30 million budget shortfall, prompting a review of services and potential cuts across various departments. The Healthier Communities Select Committee met on Thursday and the Safer Stronger Communities Select Committee met on Wednesday to discuss draft proposals for budget reductions in 2025/26 and 2026/27.

• The Stakes: To balance the books, the council is considering using £21.895 million from its reserves for the 2025/26 General Fund Budget. However, this is a short-term solution, and the council aims to identify and implement £30 million in savings before 2026/27.
• Where the Axe May Fall: The Healthier Communities Select Committee considered proposals impacting adult social care, public health, and adult learning, including potential increases to the Linkline service charge and managing vacancy factors across adult social care. The Safer Stronger Communities Select Committee considered proposals relating to community services management efficiencies.
• Equalities Impact: The council says that it has used its Equalities Analysis Assessment Toolkit to assess whether each proposal has a high, medium, low, or neutral impact on service users and socio-economic inequality.
• Assembly Programme at Risk: One previously agreed saving involves ending funding for the council-run assembly programme, potentially saving £203,000 annually. This would affect eight staff roles. The council constitution states that the local assemblies are an important consultative mechanism and provide a conduit to the Council and other public service providers through which the local community can prioritise local issues and advise the Council. The council is considering alternative community engagement approaches.

Reimagining Day Services: A 100 Day Challenge to Modernise Support for Vulnerable Adults

Lewisham is embarking on a transformation of day services for adults with learning disabilities, autism, and older adults with eligible needs. The Healthier Communities Select Committee was scheduled to receive an update on this initiative.

• The Goal: To create more flexible, person-led services integrated with NHS and community partners, focusing on individual outcomes.
• The 100 Day Challenge: Running from May to September 2025, this engagement programme uses interviews, workshops, and ethnographic approaches to gather insights from current and potential service users.
• Two Strands: One focuses on people with learning disabilities and/or autism, branded as designing ‘A Life of Opportunity,’ and the other on older adults/people living with dementia.
• What's Next: Findings from the 100 Day Challenge will inform future commissioning strategies, service design proposals, and capital investment decisions for day services.

Other matters

• The Safer Stronger Communities Select Committee was also scheduled to discuss the main grants consultation and its work programme. No details of what was to be discussed were included in the report pack.

Upcoming Meetings

• Children and Young People Select Committee - Tuesday 10 June 2025 - Budget savings, Ofsted focused visit, LGSCO complaint handling recommendations, and select committee work programme.
• Sustainable Development Select Committee - Wednesday 11 June 2025 - Budget savings proposals, Sustainable Streets Programme update, and select committee work programme.
• Pensions Investment Committee - Thursday 12 June 2025 - LGPS reform and pooling, climate risk and net zero, and draft annual business plan.
• Pension Board - Monday 16 June 2025
• Standing Advisory Council of Religious Education (SACRE) - Tuesday 17 June 2025
• Housing Select Committee - Wednesday 18 June 2025

This week in Lewisham:

• The Mayor and Cabinet were scheduled to discuss CPZ reviews, Microsoft licences, and a new contact centre contract.
• The Licensing Committee meeting was cancelled.

Mayor and Cabinet - Wednesday 21 May 2025

The Mayor and Cabinet were scheduled to discuss a new contract for providing a Contact Centre as a Service, the procurement of Microsoft licences, and existing Controlled Parking Zone reviews.

Sustainable Streets Programme and CPZ Reviews

The meeting was scheduled to include a discussion of the Sustainable Streets Programme, specifically regarding existing Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ) reviews. The report pack included a recommendation for Mayor Brenda Dacres and the Cabinet to agree to allow the Executive Director of Place to use their delegated powers to consider any objections received during statutory consultation on the permanent traffic order and make any applicable decision as a result.

The report notes that the Sustainable Transport and Parking Improvements programme was approved by Mayor and Cabinet on 7 December 2022 with the aim of encouraging active travel in Lewisham through sustainable transport measures alongside parking controls. According to the report, approximately 60% of the borough is not yet covered by CPZs.

The report pack states that the council undertook public consultations on amendments to existing CPZs, to align them with the Sustainable Streets Programme. The outcome of the public consultations were scheduled to be discussed at the meeting.

The report pack also notes that no waiting at any time junction protection markings (double yellow lines) are proposed to be introduced at junctions for all roads consulted, extending 10m from the junction, in line with guidance from the Highway Code.

The report pack states that a review of the Sustainable Streets zone will take place approximately six to twelve months after implementation to understand its impacts and allow for revisions if necessary.

The report pack states that there is a widely recognised need to reduce car dependency in London to improve air quality, public health, reduce congestion and improve road safety.

The report pack notes that air pollution has a distinct impact on life expectancy and is linked to Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), asthma, cardiovascular disease, cancers and neurological impairments.

The report pack states that the council aims to reduce car dependency and encourage a mode shift to sustainable transport methods by improving the public realm and implementing measures that support walking, cycling, public transport use and more sustainable transport. This includes schemes which incorporate pedestrianisation, increasing the cycle network, access to cycle hire and road safety. The Sustainable Streets programme will meet these aims by proposing the following measures in areas that it consults: Cycle hangars, Electric vehicle charging points, More street tree planting, Increased car club coverage, Safer junctions and crossing points, Controlled parking measures.

Procurement of Microsoft Licences

The Mayor and Cabinet were scheduled to discuss and note the procurement strategy and process for a new Microsoft Licences agreement led by the Shared Technology Services (STS). The report pack included a recommendation to approve expenditure of up to £4,791,740.40 for the contract period of three years, and to approve Brent entering into the contract on behalf of the Council provided the expenditure is within authorised limits. The report pack also included a recommendation to delegate authority to the Executive Director for Corporate Resources to approve the final expenditure provided it is within authorised limits.

The report states that all three Councils which constitute the Shared Technology Services use Microsoft licences to provide its staff with access to key business applications, including Outlook, Teams, Viva Engage, Word, Excel and Powerpoint, and more recently Co-Pilot.

The report pack notes that these Microsoft licences are subscription based, with an annual fee covering their usage and ensuring access to future software updates for each application managed under the contract.

The report pack states that the procurement and report specifically covers the main Microsoft licencing agreement which expires in October 2025. These include licences related to Azure, power Business Intelligence (BI)¹, Teams and other Microsoft applications.

The report pack states that the current Microsoft Licencing Agreement (covering the main set of Microsoft products) expires in October 2025. As part of the Inter Authority Agreement, the STS procurement team are leading on a new procurement to contract with a reseller for new contract to replace the existing arrangement.

The report pack notes that STS currently contract with Bytes Software Services and utilises Microsoft licences for all staff. These licences provide standard access to applications such as Outlook, Teams, Yammer, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and more recently, Co-Pilot.

New Procurement Call-off Contract for Contact Centre as a Service

The Mayor and Cabinet were scheduled to discuss and approve the procurement of a provider for a contact centre solution through the use of Lot 4c of Crown Commercial Service (CCS) Network Services 3 (RM6116) with an estimated value of £1.7m excluding VAT, for a period of 5 years with optional extension periods of up to 24 months at the Council’s discretion.

The report included a recommendation to approve the use of the Crown Commercial Service (CCS) Network Services 3 (RM6116) Framework Agreement, and to approve the award of a contract to the preferred provider in relation to a Contact Centre Solution, provided the contract values are within authorised limits. The report pack also included a recommendation to delegate authority to the Executive Director of Corporate Resources (in consultation with the Director of Law and Corporate Governance and Head of Corporate Customer Relations ) to select the preferred provider in accordance with the selection and award criteria published in the tender documentation and agree on the final form of contract.

The report pack states that officers are requesting that the new contract be awarded on the following weighted criteria 45% price, 45% quality, and 10% social value.

The report pack notes that implementation and migration to a potential new provider, which is expected to be complex, is likely to take an estimated six months to complete.

The report pack states that Shared Technology Services (STS) is a collaboration between three London local authorities, Brent, Lewisham, and Southwark as well as the GLA, to provide IT infrastructure and services to the three boroughs.

The report pack notes that STS procured 8x8 Virtual Contact Centre (VCC) as a Call Centre Telephony Solution for the three boroughs in 2017 for a period of five years. All possible extensions to the contracts have now been exhausted with the 8x8 VCC contract expiring on 30th April 2025. A new 12 month contract was awarded by the Executive Director for Corportate Resources on the 24 March 2025 to enable continuation of service between 1 May 2025 and 30 April 2026.

The report pack states that for Lewisham, the 8x8 VCC is used by the Customer Service Centre along with a number of smaller front-line Council Teams and handles over 850,000 calls per year plus an additional 220,000 call-backs.

Licensing Committee - Thursday 22 May 2025

The Licensing Committee meeting scheduled for Thursday 22 May 2025 was cancelled.

This week in Lewisham:

• The Council convened to elect a speaker and deputy speaker, and to review the council's constitution.
• The Licensing Committee considered applications for premises licences at Lamors Winery and 114 Sydenham Road, amid local concerns.

Council - Wednesday 07 May 2025

The Council convened to elect a speaker and deputy speaker for the 2025/26 municipal year, review the council's constitution, and address other procedural matters. The attendees were also scheduled to note the composition of the Mayor's Cabinet, approve the terms of reference for committees, and agree on the allocation of seats and appointments to committees.

A key item was the review of the council's constitution. The report pack included feedback from three Governance Committee meetings and proposed a new constitution. Proposed changes included deleting references to local assemblies, clarifying political balance rules for Task & Finish Groups, and defining the terms of reference for the Strategic Planning Committee.

The proposed changes to the Council Procedure Rules included revisions to rules relating to Motions on Notice, restrictions on business conducted at extraordinary meetings and budget meetings, revisions to rules regarding councillor and public questions, and revisions to end-of-meeting guillotine provisions. Proposed changes to the Financial Procedure Rules included amending wording to reflect that outturn reporting is included in routine financial reports to the council, deleting the requirement that income receipts over £100,000 be notified to the Section 151 Officer¹ in advance of receipt, and increasing the recording threshold to £40,000 for assets valued at purchase.

Licensing Committee - Thursday 08 May 2025

The Licensing Committee considered two applications for premises licences at Lamors Winery, 21 Loampit Hill, SE13 7SZ and 114 Sydenham Road SE26 5JX.

For Lamors Winery, the application requested permission to sell alcohol for consumption off the premises between 09:00 and 23:00, Monday to Sunday. Three representations were received from local residents, raising concerns about public nuisance, crime and disorder, the protection of children from harm, and public safety. Objectors raised concerns that another off-licence in the area could increase antisocial behaviour, street drinking, and crime. The applicant had proposed a number of conditions, and following a representation from the police, additional conditions were agreed, leading to the withdrawal of the police representation.

For 114 Sydenham Road, the application requested permission for late night refreshment (23:00 – 05:00 Monday to Sunday) and the sale of alcohol for consumption off the premises (00:00 – 23:59 Monday to Sunday). One representation was received from a member of the public. The Police and Licensing Authority did not object, as they felt the conditions offered by the applicant and the additional agreed conditions were sufficient to uphold the licensing objectives. The objector raised concerns about the potential negative impact on the safety and well-being of the community, the prevention of crime and disorder, the prevention of public nuisance, public safety, and the protection of children from harm. The objector stated that the area around 114 Sydenham Road is already a hotspot for antisocial behaviour, with drunk individuals and begging being common occurrences, and that the car park behind the shop is a known location for drug dealing.

This week in Lewisham:

• The Strategic Planning Committee approved the redevelopment of Thomas Lane Yard for affordable housing, despite local objections.
• The Mayor and Cabinet were scheduled to discuss the quarterly corporate performance report, a review of the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL), and the Brockley Housing Private Finance Initiative (PFI) contract.

Strategic Planning Committee - Tuesday 29 April 2025

The Strategic Planning Committee approved the redevelopment of Thomas Lane Yard in Catford for a mixed-use scheme featuring 113 affordable homes and 1,230 square meters of commercial space. The committee's approval is subject to referral to the Mayor of London and completion of a legal agreement under Section 106 of the 1990 Act¹. The committee also deferred consideration of an application concerning Scott House.

Thomas Lane Yard Redevelopment

The approved proposal for Thomas Lane Yard includes 100% affordable housing, split between 39 social rent units and 74 shared ownership units, as well as flexible commercial floor space. The development aims to enhance connectivity with new pedestrian routes, landscaping, and sustainable urban drainage systems². It is designed to be car-free, with 210 cycle parking spaces.

The council received 147 responses during public consultation, including 138 objections. Concerns were raised regarding building height, residential amenity, heritage, and transport impacts. The Ringstead Road Community amenity society and the Bell Green Forum objected to the plans. Councillor Chris Best and Councillor Susan Wise spoke against the proposals on behalf of residents in Sydenham and Perry Vale wards respectively.

Councillor Liam Curran proposed refusing the application, citing concerns about the impact on the Livesey Memorial Hall, design quality, and the lack of a masterplan for the area. The motion to refuse the application was rejected. Councillor Edison Huynh, Cabinet Member for Communities and Culture, proposed approving the recommendations in the report, which was seconded by Councillor John Paschoud and passed.

Scott House Application

The committee resolved to defer consideration of the application for Scott House, 185 Grove Street, London SE8 3SH (Ref: DC/24/135192) to the next meeting. Councillor John Muldoon declared that he would be leaving the meeting during consideration of this item.

Mayor and Cabinet - Wednesday 30 April 2025

The Mayor and Cabinet were scheduled to discuss a range of topics, including the quarterly corporate performance report, a review of the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) charging schedule, and contract extensions for parking and utilities. They were also scheduled to consider an options appraisal for the expiry of the Brockley Housing Private Finance Initiative (PFI) contract.

Quarterly Corporate Performance Report

The Quarterly Corporate Performance Report - Q3 2024-25 provides an overview of the council's performance against its strategic objectives and key performance indicators. The report is structured around the council's strategic outcomes: Thriving Communities, Ambitious and Sustainable Lewisham, Healthy, Active and Well, Safe and Secure, and An Open, Efficient and Effective Council.

Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) Charging Schedule Review

A review of the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) charging schedule was scheduled to be discussed. The CIL is a levy that local authorities can impose on new developments to fund infrastructure improvements in the area.² The current Lewisham CIL Charging Schedule 2015 is being reviewed to ensure it remains effective and up-to-date.

Brockley Housing PFI Contract

The report pack includes an options appraisal for the expiry of the Brockley Housing PFI contract. The Brockley PFI contract is coming to an end, and the council is considering the best way to manage the housing stock in the future.

Contract Extensions

Several contract extensions were scheduled for discussion: a parking contract extension, a corporate gas contract extension, and a corporate electricity contract extension.

Other Items

Other items scheduled for discussion include the Asset Transformation Programme, the procurement of a water hygiene contract, permission to procure the repairs and maintenance of mechanical services and cold-water risk assessment, the provision of end user devices, approval to procure an income management system, contract awards for substance misuse services, a referral from the Children and Young People Select Committee regarding recruitment in children's social care, and a referral from the Health and Social Care Select Committee on improving mental health services in the borough.