The annual meeting of the Southwark Council Assembly included the election of Councillor Sonny Lambe as the Mayor of Southwark for 2025-2026, and considered reports on executive functions, committee appointments, and scrutiny activity. Councillor Sabina Emmanuel was appointed as Deputy Mayor.

Election of the Mayor

Councillor Kieron Williams, Leader of the Council, nominated Councillor Sonny Lambe to be the Mayor of Southwark, and Councillor Cassandra Brown seconded the nomination. Councillor Lambe was duly elected.

In his incoming speech, Councillor Lambe announced that his mayoress would be his wife, Jean Galley-Lambe, and that Bishop Christopher Chesson would be his chaplain. He also announced the charities he intended to support throughout the year:

• Busy Bodies, which supports children and young people across the borough.
• United Arts, which provides preventive and supportive services to women suffering from abuse and domestic violence.
• The King's College Hospital Wellbeing Initiative.

Councillor Lambe spoke of his personal journey, arriving in the UK from Nigeria in 1986, and his commitment to serving all people and communities in Southwark.

Executive Functions and Cabinet Appointments

Councillor Kieron Williams reported on the appointment of cabinet members and the delegation of executive functions. The following cabinet portfolios were announced:

• Councillor Jasmine Ali, Deputy Leader and Cabinet member Children Education & Refugees
• Councillor Evelyn Akoto, Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing
• Councillor Stephanie Cryan, Cabinet Member for Equalities, Democracy and Finance
• Councillor Helen Dennis, Cabinet Member for New Homes and Sustainable Development
• Councillor Natasha Ennin, Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Neighbourhoods
• Councillor John Batteson, Cabinet Member for the Climate Emergency, Jobs and Business
• Councillor Sarah King, Cabinet Member for Council Homes
• Councillor James McAsh, Cabinet Member for Clean Air, Streets and Waste
• Councillor Portia Mwangangye, Cabinet Member for Leisure, Parks and Young People

The following Deputy Cabinet Member appointments were also announced:

• Councillor Sam Dalton, Deputy Cabinet Member for Supported Housing
• Councillor Margy Newens, Deputy Cabinet Member for a Cleaner Southwark
• Councillor Reginald Popoola, Deputy Cabinet Member for Landlord Services
• Councillor Joseph Vambe, Deputy Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods

Councillor Williams also noted the establishment of the following cabinet committees: the Cabinet (Livesey Trust) Committee, the Better Placed Joint Committee, and the Joint IT Committee (Brent, Lewisham and Southwark).

Committee Appointments and Proportionality

The Council Assembly considered the establishment of committees, panels, and related matters for the 2025-2026 municipal year.

The council noted that the Labour group held 52 seats and the Liberal Democrat group held 11 seats, and that there was no change to proportionality in the allocation of seats on committees and panels.

The council established several committees, including the Appointments Committee, Planning Committees (Major and Smaller Applications), Audit, Governance and Standards Committee, Corporate Parenting Committee, Overview and Scrutiny Committee, and Licensing Committee.

The council appointed chairs and vice-chairs for each of these committees. There were five contested positions, which were decided by a vote.

The council also appointed neighbourhood champions for the following neighbourhood areas: North-west, North-east, West-central, East-central, and South.

Overview and Scrutiny Committee Annual Report

Councillor Ian Wingfield presented the Overview and Scrutiny Committee Annual Report 2024-25¹, highlighting the committee's activities and key areas of focus. Councillor Irina Von Wiese responded to the report. The report detailed the work of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee and its commissions, including reviews of education, local economy, environment, health and social care, housing, community safety, and community engagement.

The report was approved.