This week in Lewisham:

Housing Standards Under the Spotlight: Awaab's Law Compliance and Complaint Handling Improvements

Lewisham Council is facing increased scrutiny over its housing standards, with a recent Housing Select Committee meeting on Wednesday, 2 September 2026, highlighting both progress and persistent challenges. The committee delved into the council's compliance with Awaab's Law, which mandates stricter standards for social housing, and reviewed lessons learned from complaints received in the 2025/26 period.

Awaab's Law: Progress Made, But Amber Rating Remains

A report presented to the committee revealed that while the council has made solid progress in addressing damp and mould and improving complaint handling since Awaab's Law came into effect in October 2025, its overall compliance position is rated as Amber. This rating signifies that while some areas are performing well, further improvements are still needed to ensure consistent evidence of better outcomes and resident satisfaction.

Key performance indicators show strong results in emergency hazard response times, with 96-98% of cases made safe within 24 hours. Around 90% of significant hazard repairs, primarily damp and mould, are also being investigated within the required 10 working days. However, a significant hurdle remains in providing written summaries of investigation findings within the stipulated three working days, with compliance averaging only 29.31% between December 2025 and June 2026. This has been attributed to system limitations and pressure on surveyor capacity.

To tackle these issues, the council is establishing a dedicated Damp and Mould Service, improving triage procedures, and increasing contractor capacity through partnerships. Preparations for Phase 2 of Awaab's Law, which extends to other hazards like excess cold and fire safety from November 2026, are also underway.

Despite these efforts, councillors expressed concerns. Councillor Pauline Dall noted the increasing number of open damp and mould cases, while Councillor Mike Podmore questioned the confidence in closing the gap before Phase 2 begins. Officers explained that a large portion of reported cases are identified through stock condition surveys and are categorised as less severe (Category 2), with many resolved by issuing mould wash and treatment packs. They also outlined plans to increase management resources and split damp and mould services from disrepair services.

The committee was asked to note the report, which detailed the implementation of Awaab's Law, current compliance levels, challenges, and mitigation actions. Recommendations included adding videos to casework for easier resident understanding and proposing a working group with residents to gather feedback.

You can find more details in the Housing Select Committee meeting papers.

Learning from Complaints: Progress in Handling, But Satisfaction Levels Remain Low

A separate report presented by Lisa Keating, Director of Housing, Resident Engagement and Services, highlighted that while progress has been made in complaint handling, governance, and timeliness, there is a need to consistently demonstrate that lessons learned are being captured and are leading to measurable improvements for residents.

Lewisham Housing received over 2,800 Stage 1 complaints in the 2025/26 period, which is 18% above the Housemark average. The main themes identified were damp, mould, leaks, outstanding repairs, contractor delays, missed appointments, and poor communication. The Housing Ombudsman's Complaint Handling Code, which became statutory in April 2024, requires landlords to handle complaints fairly and promptly and use learning to improve services.

An internal audit in June 2026 gave Satisfactory Assurance over housing complaints management, with no high-severity findings. However, the report identified a key assurance risk: the need to consistently evidence that learning from complaints is leading to sustained improvements for residents. Tenant satisfaction with complaint handling currently stands at a low 37%.

Key next steps include strengthening monthly learning reporting to include root causes, named owners, and completion evidence, as well as improving resident-facing updates. The council is also focusing on improving complaint classification and reporting, tracking Ombudsman cases, and rolling out further complaint handling training.

Councillor Nadja Penfold, Chair of the committee, noted the importance of residents signing off on complaint resolutions, a new initiative being implemented. Councillor Mike Podmore expressed concern that the presented picture might be rosy, stating that resident feedback often indicates significant problems. Lisa Keating acknowledged that while progress is being made, satisfaction levels are still low, and there is a long way to go.

The committee was asked to consider and comment on the report, with recommendations including more in-person training and a resident sign-off process for completed jobs.

Work Programme Agreed for the Year Ahead

The committee also reviewed its work programme for 2026/27. Councillor Pauline Dall enquired about the inclusion of the Housing Allocation Policy and the Brockley PFI (Private Finance Initiative) handback in the work programme. The committee agreed to the work programme, with the next meeting scheduled for 4 November 2026, including discussions on pre-decision budget proposals and landlord performance.

This week in Lewisham:

Council Faces Scrutiny Over E-Scooter Dangers and Housing Performance

This week, Lewisham Council's committees grappled with pressing issues ranging from the safety risks of e-scooters to the performance of housing contractors and the financial health of the borough.

E-Scooter and E-Bike Dangers: Fires and Criminality on the Rise

The Safer Stronger Communities Select Committee met on Thursday, 2 July 2026, to confront the growing dangers posed by e-scooters and e-bikes. The London Fire Brigade (LFB) and Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) delivered stark warnings about the risks.

Lithium Battery Fire Risks: Station Commander Mike Watts and Kelly from the LFB presented alarming statistics, revealing that in 2025, there were 406 lithium-ion battery fires across the UK, with over half in London. Worryingly, Lewisham recorded the highest number of these fires in the capital, with over 30 incidents, tragically including a fatality. The LFB is launching a targeted campaign from July 20th to September 20th to raise awareness about safe charging and storage, particularly in high-rise and social housing areas. They urged the council and councillors to support this campaign. The LFB stressed the dangers of non-standard chargers and charging in hallways, advising residents to buy from reputable sellers, ensure heat alarms are present, and never charge unattended. The council is exploring a dedicated collection service for lithium batteries to prevent fires in waste vehicles.

E-Bike Misuse and Criminality: Inspector Adrian Hannah from the MPS described the e-bike situation as a wild west effect, leading to a sense of lawlessness. In Lewisham, 356 offences were linked to e-bikes in the last financial year, including theft, robbery, burglary, and violent offences. Inspector Hannah noted that while e-scooters are becoming less prevalent, e-bikes are now dominating both transport and criminal activity, with many delivery riders using illegal, modified bikes capable of high speeds. The police's Oplex operation aims to tackle e-bike crime, but faces challenges, including the fire risk of seized bikes and restricted pursuit policies. Inspector Hannah acknowledged the difficulty in holding delivery organisations accountable for drivers using illegal bikes, suggesting national intervention may be needed.

The committee agreed to recommend investigating a lithium battery collection service and participating in the LFB's campaign.

You can find more details in the Safer Stronger Communities Select Committee meeting papers.

Housing Contracts Extended Amidst Concerns Over Performance

Lewisham Council's Mayor and Cabinet met on Wednesday, 10 June 2026, to extend major works contracts for housing with United Infrastructure and Mulalley. This decision was made despite acknowledged uneven performance and insufficient oversight. Councillor Natalie Thomas, Cabinet Member for Safer Homes, Homelessness and Housing Services, admitted that the council needed to improve its client-side oversight, program management, surveying, commercial grip.

Despite these concerns, Councillor Thomas argued that extending the contracts was the responsible choice for residents today to avoid a gap in delivery for essential works like damp and mould remediation and building safety upgrades. The extensions were approved with a crucial six-month break clause, allowing termination if performance does not improve. This highlights the difficult balance councils face between service delivery and contractor accountability, especially for vulnerable residents awaiting repairs.

You can find more details in the Mayor and Cabinet meeting papers.

Council Finances Under Scrutiny: Underspend Masks Significant Pressures

The Public Accounts Select Committee met on Tuesday, 7 July 2026, to review the council's financial performance. While the draft outturn for 2025/26 showed a £4.4 million underspend on the General Fund, this figure masks significant pressures, particularly in children's and adult social care services.

Financial Monitoring 2025/26: The £4.4 million underspend was an improvement, but less than the planned £6.7 million. Crucially, Children and Young People's Services reported a £5.9 million overspend due to rising accommodation and support costs for vulnerable children. Adult Social Care and Health also overspent by £3.2 million due to increasing complexity of need. The Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) had an in-year deficit of £5.5 million, increasing the cumulative deficit to £24 million. Capital expenditure was at 78% of budget, with delays in regeneration and housing schemes. Collection rates for Council Tax and Business Rates were below target, creating future pressures.

Financial Monitoring 2026/27: The forecast for the year ending March 2027 indicates a £3.1 million General Fund overspend, driven by demand in social care services. Savings delivery is progressing, but risks remain, particularly in social care. The DSG forecasts a £4.5 million overspend on the high needs block.

Medium Term Financial Strategy: A projected budget gap of £64.469 million over the next four years (2027/28 to 2030/31) was highlighted, influenced by economic uncertainty and funding gaps. The strategy includes savings targets and potential Council Tax increases.

The committee agreed to note the risks associated with budget reductions and funding uncertainties.

You can find more details in the Public Accounts Select Committee meeting papers.

Other Matters

Dementia Strategy Refresh: Focus on Lived Experience and Community Partnerships

The Healthier Communities Select Committee met on Tuesday, 30 June 2026, to discuss the updated Lewisham Dementia Strategy for 2026-2030. The strategy prioritises incorporating the lived experiences of people with dementia and their carers, focusing on pathways for preventing well, diagnosing well, supporting well, living well, and dying well. Challenges in engaging seldom-heard groups were noted, with strategies to improve inclusivity. The final strategy is expected in November 2026.

You can find more details in the Healthier Communities Select Committee meeting papers.

Children's Homes Project and SEND Reforms Take Centre Stage

The Children and Young People Select Committee met on Tuesday, 30 June 2026, to discuss the council's work programme and national Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) reforms. Lewisham is developing its own five-child children's home in Sydenham, projected to save £700,000 annually and provide greater control over residential care. Preparations for national SEND reforms include a multidisciplinary team (Experts at Hand ) and Inclusion Bases in mainstream schools. Lewisham has submitted its Local SEND Reform Plan (LSRP) to the Secretary of State. Concerns were raised about potential stigma, outcome measurement, staff turnover, and engagement with ethnic minority families.

You can find more details in the Children and Young People Select Committee meeting papers.

Catford Town Centre Regeneration Added to Sustainable Development Work Programme

The Sustainable Development Select Committee met on Thursday, 2 July 2026, and added a review of Catford Town Centre's regeneration to its work programme. The committee also received an update on the Cabinet Member's priorities, including the Love Lewisham programme to tackle fly-tipping and improve cleanliness. Discussions also covered active travel, electric vehicles, the council's response to the ecological crisis, and climate adaptation efforts. Concerns about the size and danger of SUVs led to discussions on potential measures to disincentivise their use.

You can find more details in the Sustainable Development Select Committee meeting papers.

This week in Lewisham:

New Homes Approved Amidst Resident Concerns Over Scale and Impact

The Planning Committee B met on Wednesday, 12 August 2026, to consider several planning applications, with a key decision being the authorisation to grant planning permission for a five-storey residential building at 27 Longton Avenue, SE26 6RE. The development will comprise 20 self-contained apartments, including nine family-sized units.

This decision was made despite over 10 objections from local residents and organisations, including the Longton Avenue Residents' Association and the Sydenham Society. Key concerns raised included the scale and appearance of the development, its impact on the Sydenham Ridge Area of Special Local Character, and potential harm to neighbouring amenity, parking, and infrastructure capacity.

Officers acknowledged that the five-storey building would be taller than the previously approved eight-unit, four-storey development and surrounding properties, causing limited harm to the area's character and some localised daylight impacts. However, they concluded these harms did not significantly outweigh the benefits of delivering much-needed homes, particularly family-sized dwellings, at a time when Lewisham's housing delivery is significantly below target. The committee ultimately voted to approve the application with six in favour, one against, and one abstention. This decision highlights the council's ongoing challenge in balancing housing needs with preserving local character and resident amenity.

McDonald's Extended Hours Approved Despite Noise and Litter Concerns

The committee also unanimously resolved to grant planning permission for a minor material amendment to extend the operating hours of McDonald's at The Garden Gate, Old Bromley Road, BR1 4JY until 1:00 am, seven days a week. This extension applies to takeaway and delivery services only.

The application faced 10 objections from local residents concerned about potential increases in noise, litter, and anti-social behaviour. Officers assessed the proposal and found it acceptable, subject to conditions. These conditions include the implementation of a litter control strategy, a noise management plan, the closure of the car park to customers during the extended hour, and the closure of the drive-thru ordering point nearest to residential properties. The applicant also proposed that the restaurant itself would be closed to customers during this time. The committee approved the recommendation unanimously, demonstrating a willingness to grant extensions where robust mitigation measures are put in place.

Other Matters

• An application for land at Silk Close, rear of 53 Leyland Road, SE12, was withdrawn from the agenda.
• The committee agreed to continue with a 7:00 pm start time for future meetings.

This week in Lewisham:

House of Flavours Licence Review: New Conditions Imposed to Address Resident Concerns

The Licensing Sub Committee D met on Thursday, 23 July 2026, to consider a review of the premises licence for House of Flavours at Unit A, 31 Perry Vale, London SE23 2AR. The review, initiated by the Licensing Authority, stemmed from numerous complaints by local residents regarding noise, anti-social behaviour, and disorder associated with the premises.

After hearing representations from the Licensing Authority, residents, the Metropolitan Police, and the premises licence holder, the committee decided to impose additional conditions on the licence to promote the licensing objectives of preventing crime and disorder, ensuring public safety, and preventing public nuisance.

Noise, Disorder, and Resident Impact

Residents living in the adjacent CityWalk Apartments detailed significant negative impacts on their quality of life. Concerns included excessive bass and music audible within their homes, leading to sleep disturbance and impacting mental health. They also reported an increase in disorderly conduct, shouting, and aggressive behaviour outside the premises, particularly after a significant disorder incident on 21 May 2026 that required a substantial emergency service response. Residents also noted issues with illegal parking, overflowing bins, and the smell of cannabis in communal areas. They argued the premises had shifted from a restaurant to an entertainment venue, incompatible with its residential location.

Council and Police Recommendations

Angela Moulin-Morale, Safer Communities Officer, stated that while the licence holder had been cooperative, complaints had continued. The Licensing Authority proposed additional conditions to strengthen security, noise management, event management, CCTV operation, and customer dispersal, rather than seeking revocation or reduced hours. The Metropolitan Police Service also submitted representations supporting the review.

Licence Holder's Response and Mitigation Efforts

Ebony Reid, the manager of House of Flavours, apologised for the incidents on 21 and 24 May, attributing the disorder to a domestic incident within a booking and the noise to poor judgment regarding a DJ's speaker. She outlined new measures implemented, including no longer accepting large bookings, ceasing bottomless brunch promotions, maintaining an incident book, using CCTV, providing conflict management training, and employing security on event nights. Ms. Reid acknowledged parking and cannabis use as concerns but argued they were outside the premises' direct control. She stressed that restricting hours would have a devastating impact on the business.

Decision and New Conditions

The Licensing Sub Committee D decided to impose the conditions suggested by the police, along with three additional conditions:

1. The production of a written event management plan.
2. Refusal of re-entry for any person who has left the premises to smoke cannabis.
3. The implementation of a formal written dispersal policy.

A decision notice detailing the reasons for this decision will be issued within five working days. This outcome reflects the council's commitment to balancing the needs of local businesses with the right of residents to enjoy peace and safety in their homes.

You can find more details in the Licensing Sub Committee D meeting papers.

Council Meeting Addresses Committee Changes, Capital Programme, and Local Motions

The Council meeting on Wednesday, 22 July 2026, saw a range of administrative decisions and policy discussions. Key outcomes included approving changes to committee memberships, appointing representatives to joint committees, and agreeing updates to the Capital Programme budget. Significant debate also took place regarding motions on building an anti-raid sanctuary corridor and supporting safe streets in Lewisham.

Committee Membership and Appointments

Several changes to committee memberships were approved, primarily to accommodate the recent election of Councillor Esther Lie. Councillor Natalie Thomas was removed from the Public Accounts Select Committee, and Councillor Maria McKenna was removed from the Healthier Communities Select Committee and the Licensing Committee, with Councillor Lie appointed to replace them. Councillor Dall and Councillor Lambert-Morris exchanged places on Planning Committee B and Planning Committee A respectively to ensure ward representation compliance. Appointments were also made to the Brent, Southwark and Lewisham Joint IT Committee and the Croydon and Lewisham Joint Street Lighting Committee.

Capital Programme Budget Update

Updates to the Capital Programme budget for 2026/27 were approved, including noting the outturn for the 2025/26 financial year and the addition of carried-forward budgets. A £10 million contingency budget was included for 2026/27 to address urgent risks. The council also noted an ambitious bid to the Greater London Authority (GLA) for £775.73 million in affordable housing grant. The cumulative impact of these recommendations was a net increase of £231.1 million to the full Capital Programme.

Motions Debated and Approved

Two motions were debated and voted upon:

• Building an Anti-Raid Sanctuary Corridor in and Beyond Lewisham: Proposed by Councillor Hau-Yu Tam, this motion condemned immigration raids and the government's hostile environment policies. It called for the Council to support migrant businesses and residents, review council systems to ensure they do not facilitate immigration enforcement, and collaborate with other councils to develop a sanctuary corridor. An amendment proposed by Councillor Oana Olaru-Holmes, which sought to strengthen the motion by acknowledging previous administrations' work and explicitly addressing modern slavery, was debated but ultimately fell. The substantive motion was agreed.
• Support Safe Streets in Lewisham: Proposed by Councillor Ese Erheriene, this motion highlighted concerns about anti-social behaviour, theft, robbery, and street harassment. It aimed to continue and enhance the Integrated Enforcement Strategy. An amendment proposed by Councillor Claire Wills sought to review the effectiveness and scrutiny of the Integrated Enforcement Strategy. After debate, the amendment was passed and became the substantive motion, which was then agreed by the Council.

You can find more details in the Council meeting papers.

Standards Sub-Committee A Finds No Breach of Code of Conduct in Councillor Tam's Social Media Activity

The Standards Sub-Committee A met on Monday, 20 July 2026, to consider a complaint made against Councillor Hau-Yu Tam regarding her social media activity. The committee determined that while some of Councillor Tam's remarks were problematic and fell below the expected standard, they did not constitute a breach of the council's Code of Conduct.

Complaint Details and Investigator's Findings

The complaint, lodged by the former Mayor Brenda Dacres, concerned several social media posts, including retweets, made by Councillor Tam on her X account. Allegations included antisemitic and racist comments. Kirsty Cole, an investigator from Bevan Brittan LLP, presented her findings. She concluded that Councillor Tam was acting in her official capacity as a councillor due to her X account profile identifying her as such.

Regarding antisemitism allegations, Ms Cole found that while some retweets criticising Zionism could be interpreted as falling within the illustrative examples of the IHRA definition, they were ultimately considered criticisms of Israeli policy and Zionism as a political ideology, not expressions of hostility towards Jewish people. These were deemed protected political expression under Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights.

Coconut Remark Deemed Political Satire

The complaint also alleged that Councillor Tam made a racist comment by referring to MPs David Lammy and Priti Patel as coconuts. Ms Cole found that while the term is offensive, in this context, it was used as political satire and also fell within the protection of Article 10. She drew analogies to case law concerning political critique of politicians in high office.

Committee's Decision and Recommendations

The committee agreed with the investigator's conclusion that Councillor Tam had not breached the Code of Conduct. However, they expressed disappointment regarding the coconut remarks, stating that while not a legal breach, the behaviour fell below the standard that we would expect of councillors at Lewisham. They advised Councillor Tam to carefully consider her public comments.

The committee requested that the monitoring officer prepare bespoke guidance and training on the use of social media by councillors for future consideration. They noted that Councillor Tam had since apologised for her remarks.

You can find more details in the Standards Sub-Committee A meeting papers.

Standards Committee Establishes Sub-Committees and Confirms Meeting Times

The Standards Committee met on Monday, 20 July 2026. The committee confirmed the meeting start time for the upcoming municipal year and appointed members to two sub-committees.

Appointments to Sub-Committees

The committee established Standards Sub-Committee A and Standards Sub-Committee B to handle complaints and appeals. This structure ensures that different members consider the initial complaint and any subsequent appeal, upholding principles of natural justice.

• Standards Sub-Committee A comprises Councillor Briony Edwards, Councillor Andre Bourne, Councillor Hilary Moore, Councillor Ruth Persian, Councillor Wellington Gill, with co-opted members Cathy Sullivan, David Roper-Newman, and Leslie Thomas.
• Standards Sub-Committee B comprises Councillor Markus Michelucci, Councillor Leni Candan, Councillor Shireen Asaw, Councillor Eva Stamirowski, Councillor Becky Sanders, with co-opted members Fasil Bhatti, Joy Walton, and Gill Butler.

A key procedural safeguard noted is that any member substituted onto a sub-committee considering a complaint will not be eligible to sit on the sub-committee hearing the appeal for the same case. This separation of functions is crucial for maintaining impartiality and ensuring a fair hearing.

Confirmation of Meeting Start Time

The committee also confirmed that its meetings for the 2026/27 municipal year will commence at 7:00 pm.

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