The Lambeth Council Overview and Scrutiny Committee met to discuss the condition of the borough's highways and pavements, and to review the council's approach to managing and investing in its housing stock and estates. The committee made several recommendations regarding the prioritisation of road repairs, communication with residents, and collaboration with Transport for London (TfL). The committee also discussed a new asset management framework for council housing, and a policy for the disposal of Housing Revenue Account (HRA) assets.

Condition of the Borough's Highways and Pavements

The committee examined the condition of Lambeth's roads and pavements, an issue of significant public concern due to safety hazards posed to all road users. Councillor Rosina Chowdhury, Deputy Leader of the Council (Sustainable Lambeth and Clean Air), introduced the Highways OSC Report 22.07.25, which provided an overview of the condition of Lambeth's highway infrastructure, the strategic response to financial pressures, and measures taken to ensure the network remains safe, accessible, and fit for the future.

Alex Norman, Head of Services at Age UK Lambeth, highlighted concerns about poor and uneven pavements causing trip hazards for older residents, and pavement clutter obstructing mobility. Jamie Leask, a local resident of Greyhound Lane, raised concerns about the dangerous state of the pavement outside his flats, recounting an incident where his wife was injured due to a protruding wire. Pete Elliott raised concerns about speeding cars, challenging cycling conditions, poor street cleanliness, and uneven paving in parks and estates.

Councillor Liz Atkins, Chair of Overview and Scrutiny, questioned the prioritisation scoring system, suggesting it relies too much on technology and may not give sufficient priority to problems raised by residents on minor roads. John Bosley, Director of Highways, Environment and FM, explained that the council relies on technology to support the development of a longer-term capital programme for resurfacing, but residents can report areas for reactive repairs through the council's website.

Councillor Nicole Griffiths highlighted a specific case on Greyhound Lane, where a section of pavement was in disrepair with exposed cables and holes. She noted the complications arising from unclear ownership and responsibility between TfL and the local council.

Councillor Alison Inglis-Jones raised concerns about a recent water main burst on King's Avenue, questioning the pressure Lambeth can put on utility companies to repair footpaths. She also inquired about the lane rental scheme and whether it would apply to local residential roads.

Councillor David Oxley thanked the council for resurfacing Paradise Road, and questioned the division of responsibilities for roads on housing estates. He also asked about the criteria for restoring paved roads after utility work.

Councillor Ben Curtis praised the report's detail and inquired about the evaluation process for repairs and resurfacing, as well as the relationship between Lambeth, TfL, and other boroughs.

The committee made the following recommendations:

• Ensure the prioritisation scoring system incorporates and gives significant weight to problems identified by local residents, and provide greater clarity on the methodology used.
• Ensure a transparent reporting and follow-up process for residents who report damaged roads and pavements.
• Provide the committee with outcomes from performance audits, customer satisfaction monitoring, and lessons learned evaluations, as well as comparative data from neighbouring authorities.
• Commend the introduction of a lane rental system to incentivise off-peak working on congested roads by utility companies.
• Work with TfL to improve communication with residents on major works, such as the A23, and to improve safety on dangerous roads, such as the Tulse Hill Gyratory.
• Ensure housing improves the response rate on repairs on estate roads.
• Provide clarity on ownership and responsibility for pavement repairs, especially where freeholders are involved.
• Provide more details on the service panels and how they operate.

Managing and Investing in our Housing Stock and Estates

The committee then discussed the management and investment in the council's housing stock and estates. Councillor Danny Adilypour, Deputy Leader of the Council (Housing, Investment and New Homes), introduced the item, outlining the challenges in the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) due to previous government decisions. He emphasised the need for a new asset management framework and a disposals policy to generate funds for investment.

Sabine Mary, Chair of Central Estate Residents Association, described mismanagement and lack of investment in the Central Hill estate¹, citing issues with repairs, cleaning, access to communal spaces, and empty properties. Councillor Jessica Leigh spoke about her experience as a councillor and the need for disposal of assets to fund future building for families.

Councillor Nicole Griffiths sought clarity on the use of funds from asset sales and the number of housing assets owned by the council. Glenn Hammond, Interim Director of Finance, explained that the funds would be used to finance the capital programme within the HRA or reduce borrowing levels.

Councillor Alison Inglis-Jones asked about future asset disposals and a specific property on Englewood Road. Councillor Ben Curtis inquired about the evaluation process for repairs and resurfacing.

Councillor Joe Dharampal-Hornby questioned the commercial viability of properties for private buyers compared to the council.

The committee made the following recommendations:

• Ensure the council secures the best possible price for the disposal of identified assets through commercial advice and communication to the widest possible range of possible buyers.
• Ensure that local residents and local community groups are consulted and given the opportunity to buy the land or property being disposed of for community benefits.
• Provide the committee with more details on the service panels and how they operate.
• Ensure that the disposal process is well communicated, transparent, and open to public scrutiny, including the rationale for the decision taken and how the money generated will be spent.
• Ensure the committee is updated on any future tranches of asset disposals and the case for those disposals.

Work Programme

The committee agreed to schedule the next meeting for 17 September to discuss developer contributions, community infrastructure levy, Section 106 expenditure, and parks. The December meeting will cover the medium-term financial strategy and the air quality action plan.