This meeting was about setting Lewisham Council's budget for 2025/26. It included discussion of the council's overall financial position, a proposed increase to council tax, and the setting of housing rents.

Council Budget 2025/26

The report pack included a detailed description of the council's proposed budget for 2025/26.

It proposed a General Fund Budget Requirement of £312.515m, to be funded by government grants, council tax, and the use of £21.895m of the council's reserves. It suggested a council tax increase of 4.99%, which would take the Band D Council Tax in Lewisham to £2,135.13 for 2025/26. The report stated that:

Even with this extra funding, given the over 25% real terms reduction in spend per capita, the Council, along with the sector as a whole ... continues to note with concern that there remains a significant funding gap for the sector to meet all its statutory service requirements. In particular with the pressures on temporary accommodation and social care (adults and children’s) spending.

To address this gap, it was proposed that the council find £30m of budget reductions to be implemented in advance of setting the 2026/27 budget.

The document also contained detailed descriptions of proposed budgets for the Dedicated Schools Grant, and the Housing Revenue Account.

Appointment of Young Mayor and Deputy

This section of the report pack confirmed that Shane Grant had been elected to be Lewisham’s Young Mayor, and Jimaine Lee had been elected to be Deputy Young Mayor.

It asked the council to appoint Shane Grant and Jimaine Lee to their roles for 2025/26.

Public Questions

Public questions received from residents were scheduled to be published online the day before the meeting (Public Questions 050325).

Residents submitting a question were entitled to ask a supplementary question at the meeting.

Member Questions

Questions received from Councillors were scheduled to be published online the day before the meeting (Member Questions 050325).

Pay Policy Statement

The report pack included a proposed Pay Policy Statement, which is a statutory requirement for all local councils.

The statement sets out how the council intends to determine the pay of its staff, including its Chief Executive, and other senior managers.

It confirms that the council is a London Living Wage employer. The statement also confirms that:

The Council does not apply any bonuses or performance-related pay to any of its employees, including the Chief Executive, Chief Officers and other senior managers.

Announcements or Communications

The report pack listed a number of communications for announcement during the meeting:

• The death of Lieutenant Colonel Conrad St John Graham OBE TD DL, former Representative Deputy Lieutenant for Lewisham.
• The launch of Elevate 100 - a youth-led jobs and skills space at Downham Health & Leisure Centre.
• The securing of £19,425 of funding for lighting upgrades at the Broadway Theatre.

Petitions

Petitions that met the council's petition scheme requirements and had been submitted in advance of the meeting could be presented during the meeting.