The Council meeting on Wednesday 15 July 2026 saw significant debate and decisions on housing repairs, the council's constitution, and the controversial EHRC draft code of practice. Key outcomes included the unanimous approval of a motion to give tenants and leaseholders greater sign-off power over housing repairs, and the passing of a motion opposing the EHRC draft code of practice, with amendments to ensure lawful implementation. The council also agreed to a revised timeline for the implementation of the Cabinet Committee model.

Constitution 2026-27

The Council discussed and approved changes to its Constitution for 2026-27. A significant portion of the debate focused on the allocation of councillors to outside bodies. Following negotiations between the political groups, specific appointments were made to various boards and committees, including the Larkhall Partnership Board, London Councils Transport and Environment Committee, Streatham Business Improvement District, SW9 Housing, London Councils Grants Committee, and the Greater London Employees Forum. The Council also unanimously approved proposed changes to the Constitution and the appointment of representatives to other bodies and external organisations.

Cabinet Committees

A report on the implementation of the Cabinet Committee model was presented. Councillors expressed concerns about delays in the proposed governance reforms, with some arguing that the implementation timeline could have been shorter. However, the Council ultimately approved the proposed timeline for the implementation of the Cabinet Committee model, with a delegation of authority to the Director of Legal and Governance to revise the content and sequencing of the timeline in consultation with the Chair of the Constitutional Working Group.

Establishment of Political Assistant posts

A report on the establishment of Political Assistant posts was debated, but the recommendations were ultimately not approved by 27 votes to 32. Councillors from the Liberal Democrat and Labour groups raised concerns about the rushed nature of the proposal, the flawed process that affected staff members without prior consultation, and the need to consider such changes as part of a wider review of member support arrangements. The Green Group stated that the proposal was part of a restructure agreed at the last full council and had been signed off by HR.

Review of Allocation of Seats

The Council received a report on the Review of Allocation of Seats to Political Groups. The recommendations were unanimously approved, with newly elected councillors Alex Davies and Michael Ball welcomed to the chamber. The report confirmed the overall party split of seats and entitlements on the Council and approved the recommended allocation of seats and committee sizes.

Questions from Councillors

During the question session, several supplementary questions were raised:

• Lambeth Country Show: Councillor Tam Langley questioned the lack of funding for the Lambeth Country Show, despite previous support for its return. Councillor Natalie Kane stated that work was ongoing to understand the Council's financial position and explore creative solutions, offering to provide further details in writing and meet with Councillor Langley.
• Controlled Parking Zones and Low Traffic Neighbourhoods: Councillor Danial Adilypour inquired about the timeline for sharing plans for controlled parking zones and low traffic neighbourhoods and improvements to consultation processes. Councillor Ciara Alleyne confirmed that the consultation process would be reviewed and that decisions would be consultation-led, based on community consent.
• Brixton Village Asset of Community Value: Councillor Martin Abrams questioned why an Asset of Community Value application for Brixton Village had not been secured during the previous Labour administration. Councillor Claire Holland explained the legal process and highlighted Labour's record of supporting community assets.
• Dementia Day Care Centre: Councillor Jeremy Isaacs asked about benchmarking for the proposed 13 dementia day centre places and whether the programme would have been paused if provision was found to be significantly lower than elsewhere. Councillor David Bridson defended the previous administration's proposals, emphasising person-centred care and financial savings.
• Waste Services: Councillor Judy Best requested details on the implementation of a proposed skip service and asked for a meeting to discuss concerns about fly-tipping. Councillor Ciara Alleyne welcomed collaboration on waste services and agreed to meet.
• Licensing Fees: Councillor Matt Wilcock inquired about consultations with non-profit organisations regarding licensing fees and whether findings could be shared. Councillor Claire Holland stated that ongoing financial pressures made additional support difficult and that decisions now rested with the current administration.
• International Atrocities Debate: Councillor Zvikomborero Chihoro asked about future debates on international atrocities. Councillor Martin Abrams stated that changes to the Constitution would allow for such discussions, reflecting the borough's diversity.
• Tree Planting: Councillor Chris Nicholson asked about securing funding for tree planting and exploring existing budgets. Councillor Natalie Kane expressed commitment to increasing tree planting and welcomed further discussions on funding opportunities.
• High Street Improvements: Councillor Martin Tiedemann asked about further support for local shopping parades and communities. Councillor Michael Chessum supported bringing vacant commercial units back into use and strengthening local high streets.
• Policing Teams: Councillor Sarah Cole asked about maintaining a full complement of staff in Safer Neighbourhood policing teams. Councillor Jonathan Bartley confirmed his support and stated he would raise the issue with the Borough Commander.
• Empty Homes: Councillor Viktor Westerdahl asked about the importance of bringing empty homes back into use and the justification for using capital expenditure. Councillor Pete Elliott agreed on the importance of addressing empty homes and stated that investment could be justified to increase housing stock.

Motions

• Tenant and Leaseholder Sign-Off of Housing Repairs (Liberal Democrats): This motion was unanimously carried. It aims to empower tenants and leaseholders by giving them greater control over the sign-off of housing repairs. The motion welcomes and seeks to develop the Council's SMS survey system, extending it to communal repairs and missed appointments, and ensuring that contractors are paid only upon satisfactory completion of work. Ward councillors will be informed if sign-off is withheld a second time.
• Empowering residents by halving petition thresholds, lowering the deputations threshold from 20 to 5 and strengthening successful petitions with additional criteria to make them more robust (Greens): This motion was unanimously carried after amendments were made. The motion aims to increase resident participation in local democracy by lowering the thresholds for petitions to be debated at full council and for deputations. It also seeks to strengthen the requirements for petitions to ensure more meaningful action is taken.
• Opposing Sadiq Khan's Affordable Housing Quota Reduction (Greens): This motion, as amended by the Liberal Democrats, was carried by 36 votes to 22. The motion opposes the Mayor of London's decision to reduce the 'Fast Track' requirement for affordable housing on major developments. The Council resolves to lobby against this decision, support the judicial challenge launched by other boroughs, and campaign to support the diversion of affordable housing funding to social rent housing. The Labour amendment to this motion was not carried.

The meeting concluded with the Mayor thanking councillors and noting that drinks and nibbles would be available in the mayoral parlour.