The Cabinet of Lambeth Council met on Wednesday 23 September 2026 to discuss the council's financial performance and outcomes framework for the first quarter of the 2026-27 financial year, and to consider the adoption of the Site Allocations Development Plan Document (SADPD). Key decisions included the approval of recommendations for both the financial performance and outcomes framework reports, and the approval of recommendations for the adoption of the SADPD.

Quarter 1 Financial Performance Report 2026/27

The council's financial performance for the first quarter of the 2026-27 financial year was presented, revealing a projected £9.3 million overspend. Councillor Zvikomborero Chihoro, Cabinet Member for Finance and Community Wealth Building, introduced the report, highlighting that while this represented a £1.6 million improvement from the previous month's forecast, it remained a significant challenge. Mitigating actions were being taken by corporate directors to reduce this forecast overspend.

Concerns were raised by councillors during the discussion, including Councillor Judith Kavanagh, who questioned the timetable for asset disposals and decisions regarding the dementia centre. Councillor Claire Holland also raised concerns about council tax assumptions, the capital programme, and the transparency of the administration's finances, asking about planned council tax hikes. Councillor Chris Nicholson questioned the timeline for the asset disposal strategy and revised budget proposals, while Councillor Matthew Bryant sought clarification on sensitivity analysis for management actions and the realism of the capital programme forecast.

Councillor Chihoro responded to these points, stating that the asset disposal strategy would be presented in the Q2 report in November. He also clarified the council's approach to transparency, emphasizing honest and understandable financial figures. Decisions on council tax would go through the budget working group. Councillor Jeremy Isaacs addressed concerns about the Central Hill dementia centre, explaining that work had not commenced on making the Aspire site suitable for transfer and that a proposal for Central Hill would be presented on Monday. Councillor Scott Ainslie, Cabinet Member for Property, Planning, Built Environment and Public Realm, reflected on past administrations' handling of estate regeneration and highlighted the importance of thorough review for the new administration.

The Cabinet approved the recommendations for the Quarter 1 Financial Performance Report.

Quarter 1 Outcomes Framework Performance 2026/27

The report on the first quarter's performance against the Outcomes Framework for 2026-27 was also introduced by Councillor Chihoro. He highlighted strong returns from adult social care, with 95% of Section 42 enquiries resulting in risk reduction, exceeding the London average. A 5% increase in safe haven sites across the borough was also noted. While most indicators met targets, corrective action plans were to be developed for those that had missed targets. Councillor Chihoro also mentioned that a new form of report, more resident-influenced and honest about performance, would be presented in the next quarter.

Councillor Judith Kavanagh raised a general point about access to papers for briefings and highlighted concerns about the all-in-active land birth membership for Black and ethnic minority members of the community, and the issue of graffiti. Councillor Claire Holland focused on indicators concerning young people, expressing concern about children's safeguarding and initial health assessments, noting a significant drop in timely completion rates. She questioned what had changed since May and why assessments were late. Councillor Nandi Manley-Brown focused on housing and homelessness, raising concerns about the number of people being moved from streets into longer-term accommodation, the suitability of offered accommodation, the increase in abandoned calls to the housing call centre, and the number of homes not meeting decent standards. Councillor Chris Nicholson found the report not very useful due to a lack of comparators and outdated data, and called for proper targets. Councillor Matthew Bryant also commented on the lack of targets for some measures, particularly feeling unsafe walking at home at night, and questioned the measurement of litter levels.

Cabinet members responded to the points raised. Councillor Chihoro apologised if questions were not answered and stated that other questions would be responded to via email. Councillor Jonathan Bartley, Cabinet Member: Safer, Thriving Neighbourhoods, acknowledged the point about feeling safe and stated that a new dashboard for anti-social behaviour was being created. Councillor Samantha Dorney-Smith, Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Social Care, addressed concerns about homelessness and high heat, noting the severe weather emergency protocol and distribution of water and sun cream. She also spoke about safety in hostels and the council's commitment to improving temporary accommodation. Councillor Alice Weavers, Cabinet Member: Children and Young People, addressed concerns regarding children and young people, highlighting the priority of multi-agency work and the youth justice board. Andrew Carter, an officer, provided specifics on initial health assessments, return home interviews, and the corporate parenting board. Councillor Pete Elliott, Cabinet Member for Housing, discussed the challenges of the housing market, the prevention of homelessness, and the decent homes standard. Councillor Natalie Kane, Deputy Leader (Inclusion, Democracy and Culture), noted the drop in active membership for BAME people and stated that further surveys were being conducted. Councillor Scott Ainslie, Cabinet Member for Property, Planning, Built Environment and Public Realm, reflected on the past 12 years as a councillor and the importance of getting strategies right, particularly regarding disrepair and carbon delivery.

The Cabinet approved the recommendations for the Quarter 1 Outcomes Framework Performance 2026/27.

Site Allocations Development Plan Document (SADPD)

Councillor Scott Ainslie, Cabinet Member for Property, Planning, Built Environment and Public Realm, introduced the Site Allocations Development Plan Document (SADPD). He explained that the document allocates 13 key development sites across the borough, aiming to unlock investment, support the delivery of approximately 830 net additional homes, and create new jobs and community facilities. He thanked all who had contributed to its preparation.

Councillor Danny Adilipour welcomed the conclusion of the SADPD, noting the significant investment of time and effort from the previous administration. He sought assurances from Councillor Ainslie regarding his previous opposition to certain development proposals within the document, specifically concerning Liam Court Road, Carthark, and Disused Public Toilet Sites, and the development of tall buildings outside of designated clusters. Councillor Bryn Scott echoed these concerns, questioning Councillor Ainslie's position on tall buildings outside of the northern cluster and expressing confusion as to why Councillor Ainslie had put his name to the document given his previous comments.

Councillor Martin Abrams, Leader of the Council, responded by stating the administration's commitment to addressing the housing emergency and highlighted the badge of shame of nearly 3,000 empty homes in the borough. He criticized the previous administration's record on property speculation and the affordability of homes built.

Councillor Ainslie responded to the questions, explaining that his previous votes against planning applications were often due to concerns about bulk, height, scale, and massing, as well as insufficient social housing delivery. He emphasized the new administration's commitment to community-led developments and stated that decisions on tall buildings would be community-led. He clarified his position on Liam Court Road, explaining it was due to undervaluing the land. He also criticized the affordability of homes built under the previous administration, particularly regarding Vauxhall Square, and reiterated the commitment to building social rent council homes.

Rob Bristow, an officer, clarified that the document was policy documentation setting policy parameters, not posing actual proposals, and that separate application processes involving further consultation would be required for each site. Councillor Ciara Alleyne, Deputy Leader (Environment, Climate Crisis and Transport), asked how the SADPD would align with net zero ambitions and what more could be done to drive towards 100% council housing. Rob Bristow explained that the document was part of a suite of documents and that policies on sustainability were also present in the local and London plans. He also noted that where the council owned sites, it had additional leverage.

The Cabinet approved the recommendations for the Site Allocations Development Plan Document (SADPD).

In concluding the meeting, Councillor Abrams congratulated Rob Bristow on his appointment as Corporate Director of Growth and Environment and thanked Dipti Patel for her work as interim director. He also thanked Andrew Carter for his contributions, noting this was his last cabinet meeting.