This week in Lewisham:

Pension Fund Navigates New Governance Rules and Responsible Investment Demands

Lewisham Council's Pensions Committee met on Thursday, 15 October 2026, to approve the draft Pension Fund Annual Report and Statement of Accounts for 2025/26. The meeting also addressed significant changes stemming from new guidance on Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) governance and asset pooling, alongside a proposed update to the fund's responsible investment beliefs.

Pension Fund Annual Report Approved Amidst Governance Overhaul

The committee approved the draft Pension Fund Annual Report for publication by the statutory deadline of 1 December 2026. Any amendments following the external audit by KPMG will be brought back to the committee.

The meeting also detailed the substantial changes arising from new LGPS fund governance and asset pooling guidance issued in June 2026. This guidance mandates participation in a single FCA-authorised asset pool, with administering authorities retaining responsibility for setting high-level objectives. Key changes include:

• LGPS Senior Officer Role: A new statutory role responsible for the overall management of pension functions, to be appointed by the Chief Executive by 31 December 2026. Lewisham Council is currently in the process of making this appointment.
• Independent Person: A mandatory role to provide independent expertise and scrutiny to pension committees and senior officers, also to be appointed by 31 December 2026. The council is considering whether to advertise this role or procure it from a pension advisory firm.
• Revised Terms of Reference: The terms of reference for both the Pensions Committee and the Pension Board have been revised to align with the new LGPS governance framework and legislation. These changes, approved by Full Council on 23 September 2026, include renaming the Pensions Investment Committee to the Pensions Committee and incorporating the Independent Person as a non-voting member.

These reforms aim to enhance governance, transparency, and accountability within the LGPS, with pools responsible for investment implementation and administering authorities setting strategic objectives.

Responsible Investment Beliefs Under Review Amidst Global Conflicts

A significant discussion centred on a proposal to update the fund's Responsible Investment (RI) Beliefs Statement. Driven by recent international conflicts and sanctions, the proposal seeks to screen and exclude companies and sovereign issuers involved in war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide, violations of human rights, and exploitation in occupied territories.

The committee agreed to ask officers to undertake further work, including obtaining specialist legal and London CIV advice, conducting necessary assessments and consultations, and reporting back on progress at each meeting. This move reflects a growing demand from pension fund members for their investments to align with ethical considerations, particularly in light of global events. The potential for such exclusions raises complex questions about fiduciary duty and the practicalities of implementing ethical investment strategies within the framework of asset pooling.

Investment Strategy Shifts Towards Credit and Government Bonds

Updates on the fund's investments revealed a shift in strategy, with an implementation plan finalised to reduce exposure to listed equities and increase allocations to credit assets and UK Government bonds. A key transaction involved moving £95 million from the LCIV Passive Paris Aligned Equity Fund to the LCIV All Maturities Buy & Maintain Credit Fund. Further allocations to index-linked government bonds are also planned. Investment activity continued in private markets, with capital calls received for private debt and buy & maintain funds.

Administration and Training Updates

The committee received updates on the administration team, noting that despite staff departures, continuity arrangements are in place and recruitment is ongoing. The 2026 Annual Benefit Statements were issued electronically for the first time, with a strong uptake in portal registrations. Data quality testing showed a pass rate of 92.6%, with ongoing efforts to improve this.

A draft Training Strategy and Plan were also presented, developed to ensure individuals involved in the fund's governance maintain appropriate knowledge and understanding, in line with new LGPS fund governance guidance. The plan outlines training themes including core induction, governance and regulatory training, investment and pooling, administration, and funding and actuarial training.

The meeting also confirmed that the committee's start time for the municipal year 2026/27 would remain at 7 p.m.

You can find more details in the Pensions Committee meeting papers.

This week in Lewisham:

Council Approves £5.8 Million Insurance Extension and £668,000 for Domestic Violence Support

Lewisham Council's Mayor and Cabinet met on Wednesday, 7 October 2026, making key decisions that will impact council operations and support for vulnerable residents. The meeting saw the approval of a significant insurance contract extension and a vital investment in a new domestic violence women's service.

Council Insurances Extended for Two Years

Mayor and Cabinet approved the extension of the council's insurance arrangements for a further two years, from 1 December 2026 to 30 November 2028. The total value of this extension is up to £5.8 million. This decision was made due to the satisfactory performance of the current insurance arrangements and the ongoing challenging conditions within the insurance market. Authority was delegated to the Executive Director for Corporate Resources to finalise the contract terms. This ensures continued protection for the council's assets and operations.

New Domestic Violence Women's Service to Receive £668,162 Investment

A crucial investment of £668,162 was approved for capital works on a council-owned property to establish a high-needs domestic violence women's service. This service will provide eight self-contained homes and specialist support for women experiencing domestic abuse and complex needs. The decision follows a previous approval in February 2026, with the revised capital investment necessary due to clarifications from the Greater London Authority regarding grant eligibility. The service aims to offer a safe and stable environment, alongside specialist support, enabling women to recover and rebuild their lives. This initiative directly addresses the critical need for safe accommodation and support for those fleeing domestic abuse, a group often facing complex challenges.

Financial Monitoring Reveals Projected £7 Million Overspend

The Mayor and Cabinet noted the financial forecast for the year ending 31 March 2027, which indicated a projected £7 million overspend on the General Fund. This overspend is primarily attributed to increased demand and associated costs in children's social care and adult social care, as well as additional costs within the parking contract. The meeting also approved the write-off of £350,300 of Business Rates arrears and £60,700 of Short Breaks debt. This highlights the significant financial pressures faced by the council, particularly in providing essential social care services, which can have a direct impact on the availability and quality of support for vulnerable individuals and families.

Procurement of Building Security Services Approved

The Mayor and Cabinet approved the procurement of a specialist building security and related service provider. The contract will be for a period of three years, with an option to extend for a further two years, utilising the ESPO Site Security Services Framework. The maximum contract value will be detailed in Part 2 of the report. This decision ensures the ongoing safety and security of council buildings and assets.

Housing Major Works and Performance Updates

The Mayor and Cabinet noted the Housing Major Works Procurement Strategy, which aims to improve the procurement and delivery of major works to the council's homes. The strategy focuses on increasing competition, bringing in specialist expertise, and strengthening oversight to deliver better quality work and value for money. It was noted that the council's Direct Labour Organisation (DLO) is unlikely to undertake major works delivery in the foreseeable future.

Additionally, a report outlining the council's performance as a landlord of social housing for the financial year 2025-26 was noted. The report highlighted progress in reducing non-decent homes and cutting the repairs backlog, but acknowledged ongoing challenges in tenant satisfaction and repair completion times. The council remains subject to a Regulatory Notice from the Regulator of Social Housing concerning safety and quality standards.

Contract Extensions for Critical Safety Systems

A two-year extension to the contract with Alphatrack Systems was approved for door entry systems, warden call systems, CCTV, and working at height systems, valued at £3,406,323. This extension is intended to maintain continuity of critical safety and security services for residents and ensure compliance with statutory responsibilities while future procurement options are explored.

Lewisham Town Centre Improvement Programme Update

The Mayor and Cabinet noted the progress on the Lewisham Town Centre Improvement Programme. They approved the award of the Lewisham Library Operator concession contract to Blue Garage Ltd for a period of five years, with an option to extend for a further five years, at a value of £10,704,000. Contract variations were also approved for the Lewisham Library refurbishment to address additional works and costs. The programme aims to revitalise the town centre, including improvements to the library and market.

Licensing Sub-Committee B Decision on The Railway Tavern

The Licensing Sub-Committee B met on Tuesday, 6 October 2026, to consider an application for a premises licence for The Railway Tavern at 401 Southend Lane, London, SE26 5BH. The committee granted the application for the premises licence but refused to specify a Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS). This means the business cannot trade until a qualified individual is appointed and notified to the council. The decision was made after representations from the Licensing Authority and Trading Standards, who raised concerns about suspected counterfeit goods, non-compliant vaping products, and management control deficiencies. The committee imposed additional conditions to strengthen management oversight, staff training, and stock control. This decision highlights the importance of robust management and compliance for licensed premises to ensure public safety and prevent crime.

This week in Lewisham:

Lewisham Shopping Centre Development Sparks Fierce Debate: Council Notes Petition Amidst Calls for More Affordable Housing

A significant portion of the recent Council meeting on Wednesday, 23 September 2026, was dedicated to a passionate debate surrounding the Save Lewisham Shopping Centre petition. The petition, which garnered over 3,000 signatures, called for the rejection of development plans for the site, citing concerns over the level of social housing and the potential for private developer profits to be subsidised by public funds.

While the council acknowledged the petition and the importance of affordable housing, it was ultimately resolved that the council would note the petition and recommend that the Mayor and Cabinet use compulsory purchase powers to maximise affordable housing in new developments. This decision reflects the complex reality of planning decisions, where approved schemes cannot simply be undone, but levers can still be pulled to advocate for better outcomes.

Councillor Ed Sutton voiced support for the petition's aims, highlighting the urgent need for genuinely affordable housing and an alternative to the current developer-led model. He noted that the opportunity to reject the plans had passed, but that the Greater London Authority (GLA) held the power to overrule the council.

Councillor Shireen Asaw, Cabinet Member for Workers, Business and Skills, clarified that the shopping centre is privately owned by Landsec and was approved under the previous Labour administration. She stressed that while the council cannot undo history, it would focus on using its influence to fight for market traders, good jobs, and more social housing.

Mayor Liam Shrivastava stated his belief that the current levels of social housing in the scheme were insufficient and that he would not use compulsory purchase order powers unless there was a significant increase in social housing. He also clarified that the Section 106 agreement was signed by the previous administration.

The debate underscored the tension between the need for regeneration and the demand for truly affordable housing, a recurring theme in local government decision-making. The council's resolution reflects a commitment to continue advocating for residents' needs within the existing planning framework.

You can read the full Council meeting minutes.

Council Boosts Direct Cash Support and Insources Mental Health Social Workers

In a move aimed at providing more dignity and choice to residents facing financial hardship, Lewisham Council announced the launch of its cash-first approach through the Crisis and Resilience Fund. From the following day, all Lewisham residents will be able to apply for direct cash support. This initiative, a Green Party manifesto commitment, seeks to offer immediate relief and empower individuals to meet their essential needs.

Councillor Samantha Gardiner, Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Adult Social Care, also announced the significant step of insourcing Lewisham's mental health social care services directly into the Council. This move is expected to improve the experience for residents by ensuring more seamless care and better integration with other council services. Councillor Gardiner also firmly stated the Council's opposition to Palantir technologies within the NHS and public services, citing concerns over data privacy and human rights.

Furthermore, Councillor Rotimi Skyers, Cabinet Member for Children, SEND, Youth Empowerment and Culture, announced an investment in the council's first council-run children's home in decades. This initiative aims to provide better care and outcomes for vulnerable children by keeping them closer to their support networks. These decisions demonstrate a commitment to strengthening local services and directly addressing the needs of vulnerable groups.

You can find more details in the Council meeting minutes.

Treasury Management and Planning Reforms Approved

The Council also approved key financial and procedural reforms during its meeting on Wednesday, 23 September 2026. Councillor Rudi Schmidt, Cabinet Member for Finance, Resources and Economic Development, presented the Treasury Management Outturn and Mid-Year Review for 2026-27, which was approved by the council. This report details the council's financial management of its reserves and borrowing, ensuring prudent stewardship of public funds.

In a move to streamline planning processes, the council agreed to reforms for its Planning Committees. Councillor Ruth Persian moved a report proposing changes to align with new national arrangements for planning decision-making. These changes include replacing the current Planning Committees A and B with a single Planning Committee and retaining a Strategic Planning Committee for significant applications. These reforms aim to improve efficiency and clarity in the planning system, which directly impacts development and regeneration across the borough.

You can find more details in the Council meeting minutes.

Other Matters

The Overview and Scrutiny Committee met on Tuesday, 22 September 2026, to review the Draft Annual Complaints Report for 2025/26. The committee identified several lines of inquiry to improve service delivery, including enhancing communication with residents, ensuring consistency in complaints handling, and better utilising technology. The report highlighted that many submissions were misclassified as complaints when they were service requests, indicating a need for clearer communication channels and initial triage processes. The committee stressed the importance of using complaint data as a strategic tool for service transformation, not just performance measurement.

You can find more details in the Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting minutes.

This week in Lewisham:

Children's Services Under Pressure: EHCP Reviews, New Homes, and Families First Reforms

Lewisham Council's Children and Young People Select Committee met on Tuesday, 15 September 2026, to address critical issues impacting the borough's youngest residents. The committee tackled the complex process of reviewing Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs), discussed progress on national reforms for children's services, and approved plans for a new council-run children's home.

Improving EHCP Annual Reviews: Progress and Persistent Challenges

The committee received an update on efforts to improve the annual review process for children and young people with EHCPs, following an investigation by the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman. While significant progress has been made, including appointing a dedicated annual review officer and implementing new digital platforms, the sheer volume of need means challenges remain.

Reinhild Onuoha, Head of Integrated SEND Services, highlighted that timeliness of notification letters to families has doubled, and nearly half of the annual reviews due in 2026 have been completed. However, Councillor Yemisi Anifowose raised concerns about communication, noting that the silence of not knowing what is going on at times adds to the stress and confusion of not knowing what is going on. Officers acknowledged that large caseloads for SEN case officers can impact communication, but assured the committee that proactive communication is a priority.

The committee also discussed how these improvements align with national SEND reforms. Officers explained that while the reforms aim to fix a broken system, the statutory aspect of annual reviews will remain. The reforms are focused on earlier intervention and meeting needs earlier, with a new Experts at Hand initiative designed to upskill the workforce in education settings.

Families First for Children Reforms: Early Wins and Ongoing Work

Leemya McKeown, Director of Family Health and Care, presented an update on the Families First for Children reform programme, which Lewisham has been piloting since April 2024. The reforms focus on earlier intervention, integrated Family Help services, and stronger multi-agency working. Early indicators suggest improvements in front-door timeliness and a reduction in child protection plans.

However, challenges persist, particularly regarding consistent practice across locality teams and workforce capacity. Councillor Yemisi Anifowose highlighted the critical link between housing and safeguarding, sharing a constituent's experience of severe distress due to temporary accommodation. The report noted the secondment of housing officers into family help teams to address this, and discussions are ongoing about making these roles permanent. The committee stressed the need for a comprehensive approach that integrates housing support with child protection services to reduce anxiety for parents and provide stable environments for children.

New Council-Run Children's Home to Boost Local Provision

Plans for capital investment to refurbish and operate a 5-6 bed local authority children's home at 200 Kirkdale, Sydenham were discussed. Steve Chaplin, Head of Care Resources, explained that this initiative aims to increase local residential provision for children in Lewisham's care and reduce reliance on expensive external placements. Currently, 76% of children in residential care live outside the borough.

The project has secured £800,000 in Department for Education grant funding and requires an additional £479,000 in Council capital funding, totalling £1.68 million. The home is expected to open in April 2028. Councillor Wellington Gil expressed enthusiasm for the project, noting the positive reputation of similar homes in neighbouring boroughs and the importance of regular visits and feedback from young people. Concerns about staff retention were addressed by outlining plans for a workforce development strategy, and the potential for recruiting staff with lived experience of care was highlighted as a key benefit.

Council Faces Projected Overspend Amidst Financial Scrutiny

Lewisham Council's Public Accounts Select Committee met on Thursday, 17 September 2026, to review the council's financial position. While the Social Value in Procurement framework was streamlined to focus on seven core tracked commitments, the committee was presented with a projected General Fund overspend of £6.5 million for the 2026/27 financial year.

Social Value Framework Streamlined for Greater Impact

The committee endorsed a new delivery framework for social value in procurement, aiming to simplify the process and maximise the impact of the council's £500 million annual spending. The previous framework, with over 80 Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), was deemed too complex. The new approach focuses on seven core tracked commitments and a set of core commitments, with a particular emphasis on local spend and employment opportunities for vulnerable groups such as care leavers and prison leavers. The threshold for applying social value requirements was raised from £50,000 to £100,000, aligning with revised Contract Procedure Rules and reflecting inflation. Safeguards are in place to prevent financial donations from being circular or used to game the system, with caps on donations and reinvestment back into the borough.

Treasury Management Strategy: Prudent Management Continues

Katharine Nidd, Acting Director of Finance, presented the Treasury Management Strategy, highlighting the council's prudent financial management. For the year ending March 2026, the council held £185.1 million in investments and £343.9 million in external borrowing, maintaining a focus on security, liquidity, and return. No breaches of the Treasury Management Strategy boundaries occurred. The council remains significantly under-borrowed, utilising internal cash balances due to high borrowing costs. The strategy for 2026/27 continues this prudent approach, with investments achieving an annualised return of around 3.7%.

Financial Forecasts Show Projected General Fund Overspend

The financial monitoring report for Period 3 (ending June 2026) revealed a worsening forecast for the General Fund, with an overspend of £6.5 million projected for the full year. This increase of £3.4 million since Period 2 is primarily due to increased costs in the Parking contract within the Place Directorate and higher school transport costs within Children and Young People. The Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) also forecasts a £10 million overspend on the high needs block, largely due to a national increase in EHCP applications following SEND reforms. Adult Social Care and Health reported a worsening position with a £2.7 million overspend forecast, attributed to winter pressures, hospital discharge delays, and an increasing level of need.

Councillor Gavin Moore expressed concern about recurring issues in parking services, while Councillor Nick Torry questioned the broader implications of the overspend for future years' finances and reserves. Officers explained that in-year overspends would fall to corporate provisions and then reserves, but the persistent nature of costs in children's and adult social care means the £6.5 million overspend could recur, effectively increasing future savings targets.

Select Committee Work Programme Agreed

The committee reviewed and agreed its draft work programme for the 2026/27 municipal year, including adding Income Generation and deferring Green Bond to a later meeting.

Health and Wellbeing Board Focuses on Integration and Resident Voice

Lewisham's Health and Wellbeing Board met on Monday, 14 September 2026, to discuss crucial aspects of health and social care integration and resident engagement. The board agreed to update its terms of reference to enhance representation and clarity, particularly by including an officer from the housing directorate and increasing involvement from the voluntary and community sector.

Housing and Health Integration: A Priority for Health in All Policies

The board received an update on the Health and Wellbeing Strategy, with a strong focus on the intersection of housing and health, and the implementation of a Health in All Policies approach. Progress has been made in developing a damp and mould pathway, informed by public health advice and aligned with Awaab's Law. A joint health and housing working protocol is in place to improve hospital discharge processes for individuals with housing needs.

Crucially, the board agreed to place greater emphasis on the integration of data sets across health, housing, and other services to better understand resident vulnerabilities, especially for children and families in temporary accommodation. They also committed to increasing resident voice and engagement, ensuring a collaborative approach rather than a top-down one.

Adult Social Care: CQC Findings and National Reform Engagement

Denise Radley, Executive Director for Adult Social Care and Health, presented findings from the Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspection of adult social care services. While the service received a Satisfactory rating, it fell short of a Good rating, with areas for improvement including assessment delays, ensuring full resident involvement in care decisions, and enhancing support for unpaid carers. An action plan is being developed, and the board endorsed the approach to improvement planning and engagement with service users, carers, and residents. The board also noted the opportunity to contribute to Baroness Casey's national review of adult social care reform through the Big Conversation on care.

ICB Governance Changes and Better Care Fund Updates

Ceri Jacob, Place Executive Lead for Lewisham, outlined proposed changes to the governance arrangements for the Lewisham Local Health and Care Partnership (LHCP), driven by national NHS reforms. These changes involve the disestablishment of the LHCP Board, with its functions being absorbed by the Health and Wellbeing Board, a new Joint Commissioning Group, and the Integrated Neighbourhood Committee. The board endorsed these proposals, particularly those relating to the Health and Wellbeing Board's role in strategic planning and oversight.

An update on the Better Care Fund (BCF) revealed that while Lewisham's plan for 2026-27 has been approved, performance in April and May was below target for emergency admissions and discharge delays. However, improvements were noted by June. The council has secured support through the BCF Support Programme to assist with delivering the Neighbourhood Health Framework and supporting unpaid carers during hospital discharge. The board noted the report and discussed the need for closer attention to data integration and resident voice in these initiatives.

Safer Stronger Communities Committee Addresses Equalities and Disabled People's Commission

Lewisham Council's Safer Stronger Communities Select Committee met on Wednesday, 16 September 2026, to review the council's commitment to equality and inclusion, and to discuss the future of the Disabled People's Commission.

Annual Equalities Report: Progress and Areas for Development

The committee received an update on the council's progress against its Single Equality Framework 2024-2028. While progress has been made in areas such as workforce representation and accessibility, an internal audit identified weaknesses in the quality assurance and oversight of Equality Impact Assessments (EIAs) and governance. Key actions include providing written updates on the Blashir Review, website accessibility in different languages, and sharing directorate equality action plans. Concerns were raised about the under-representation of Black staff at senior levels, with a multi-pronged approach being developed to address this, including reviewing recruitment processes and launching a diverse leaders programme.

Disabled People's Commission: Future Funding and Co-production

The committee discussed the future of the Disabled People's Commission, which has been supported by the council since February 2025. A key concern is the uncertainty surrounding long-term funding and the organisation's future, as its current two-year support term ends in February 2027. The committee explored options for the group to become independent or continue working closely with the council. A viability assessment will be conducted to inform future decisions, and the development of a corporate reasonable adjustments policy, co-produced with the commission, was highlighted. The committee agreed to note the report and requested a written update on the future of the group.

Work Programme Agreed for the Year Ahead

The committee agreed its work programme for 2026/27, which includes items such as a community safety update, licensing and gambling policy, and an accessibility review.