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Council - Wednesday, 23rd September, 2026 7.30 pm
September 23, 2026 at 7:30 pm Council View on council website Watch video of meeting Read transcript (Professional subscription required)Summary
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The Council meeting on Wednesday 23 September 2026 saw significant decisions made regarding planning committee reform, treasury management, and a petition concerning the Save Lewisham Shopping Centre. Councillors also debated and approved motions on climate adaptation, biodiversity, river health, and improvements to parental leave policies.
Save Lewisham Shopping Centre Petition
The Council debated a petition concerning the redevelopment of Lewisham Shopping Centre, acknowledging the importance of affordable housing and the need for a dramatic increase in social housing. Councillors recognised the need to protect the long-term viability of Lewisham High Street and other community centres, as well as the environmental impact of redevelopment. The Council resolved to note the petition, recognise the importance of enabling development that provides affordable housing, and noted that any planning application would be determined independently by the Strategic Planning Committee. It was recommended that Mayor and Cabinet should only use compulsory purchase powers for the benefit of the community and should maximise the level of affordable housing in new developments, committing to sustainable and affordable development that preserves community fabric.
Planning Committee Reform
In response to government reforms, the Council resolved to replace Planning Committees A and B with a single Planning Committee, while retaining the Strategic Planning Committee for applications of strategic significance. Article 9 of the Constitution will be amended to reflect these changes, including revised terms of reference for the new committees. Part 3 of the Constitution will also be amended to align local referral thresholds with the national statutory schedules and gateway test. Local referral mechanisms inconsistent with the national scheme, such as those based on the number of objections or a departure from the development plan, will be removed. The Chief Planning Officer will be designated as the 'nominated officer' for the gateway test, with the Chair of the Planning Committee designated as the 'nominated member'. Gateway decisions will be assessed and recorded according to a new protocol, and the Monitoring Officer will make consequential amendments to the Constitution and related procedures. These changes will take effect from 31st October 2026.
Treasury Management Outturn and Mid-Year Review 2026-27
The Council approved the Treasury Management Outturn report for 2025/26 and the prudential and treasury indicators. It also approved the Mid-year Treasury Management Strategy 2026/27, including prudential indicators, a revised Capital Programme for 2026-30, and a borrowing forecast, all in line with the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) guidelines.
Motions
Two motions were debated and approved. The first, Climate adaptation, biodiversity and river health,
proposed by Councillor Robin McGhee and seconded by Councillor Shireen Asaw, was carried. This motion calls for the Council to prioritise nature-based solutions, protect rivers, and develop a climate adaptation strategy. The second motion, A Family-Friendly Lewisham - Better Parental Leave,
proposed by Councillor Andre Bourne and seconded by Councillor Oana Olaru-Holmes, was also carried after an amendment was accepted. This motion aims to review and improve the Council's parental leave policies, with a focus on increasing paid paternity and adoption leave and ensuring inclusivity for diverse family structures.
Other Decisions
The Council also approved amendments to the Terms of Reference for the Pensions Committee and the Pension Board, reflecting new legislation and guidance. Minor amendments were made to the Scheme of Delegation to clarify which plans and strategies are reserved for Council approval. Additionally, Katrina Buchanan was appointed as a nominative trustee to the Deptford St Paul Charity. Changes to committee membership were also approved, including the appointment of Councillor Robin McGhee as Chair of the Sustainable Development Sub-Committee and Councillor Kate Anderson as Vice Chair. Councillor McGhee also replaced Councillor Anderson on the Overview & Scrutiny Committee.
Delegated decisions linked to this meeting
Decision summaries below are AI-generated from the council’s published record. Check the council source or the full decision page before relying on them.
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Changes to Committee Membership
Recommendations ApprovedThe Council of Lewisham Council on Wednesday 23 September 2026 approved changes to committee membership. Councillor McGhee was appointed Chair of the Sustainable Development Sub-Committee, Councillor Anderson was appointed Vice Chair of the Sustainable Development Sub-Committee, and Councillor McGhee replaced Councillor Anderson on the Overview & Scrutiny Committee.
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Appointment of a Trustee to Deptford St Paul Charity
For DeterminationThe Council of Lewisham Council decided to appoint Katrina Buchanan as a nominative trustee to the Deptford St Paul Charity on 23 September 2026. The decision was made to approve the appointment of Katrina Buchanan as a trustee to the Deptford St Paul Charity.
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Planning Committee Reform
Recommendations ApprovedThe Council of Lewisham Council decided to approve recommendations for planning committee reform on 23 September 2026. This reform replaces Planning Committees A and B with a single Planning Committee and retains a Strategic Planning Committee for significant applications. The decision includes amending the Constitution to reflect these changes, aligning local referral thresholds with national statutory schedules and gateway tests, designating a Chief Planning Officer as the nominated officer and the Chair of the Planning Committee as the nominated member for the gateway test, and instructing the Monitoring Officer to make consequential amendments and prepare an implementation plan.
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Amendments to Pension Investments Committee and Pension Board Terms of Reference
Recommendations ApprovedThe Council decided to approve revised Terms of Reference for the Pensions Committee and the Pension Board on 23/09/2026. The Pensions Investments Committee was renamed the Pensions Committee. The revised Terms of Reference include updated responsibilities for the committee and board to comply with new legislation and guidance.
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Treasury Management Outturn and Mid-Year Review 2026-27
Recommendations ApprovedThe Council decided to approve the Treasury Management Outturn report for 2025/26 and the Mid-year Treasury Management Strategy 2026/27. This decision was made on 23 September 2026. The approved strategy includes the prudential indicators, the revised Capital Programme 2026-30, and the borrowing forecast.
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Minor Amendment to the Scheme of Delegation
Recommendations ApprovedThe Council decided to approve a minor amendment to the Scheme of Delegation on 23 September 2026. This amendment clarifies which plans and strategies require Council approval, including the Children and Young People's Plan, Crime and Disorder Reduction Strategy, Youth Justice Plan, Local Transport Plan, Development Plan documents, and Statements of Licensing Policy. The decision includes adding specific wording to the "General Matters Not Delegated to Officers" section of the Scheme of Delegation.
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Motions
Recommendations ApprovedThe Council of Lewisham Council on 23 September 2026 approved motions on climate adaptation, biodiversity, river health, and a family-friendly approach to parental leave. The council resolved to request the Mayor and Cabinet consider how to prioritise biodiversity and nature-based solutions in climate plans, protect and recover river health, embed climate adaptation in policies, and report back on adaptation spheres of influence. It also resolved to ask the Mayor and Cabinet to review parental leave policies with the intention of introducing a minimum of six weeks fully paid paternity or adoption leave, and to report back with recommendations.
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