Southwark Council Assembly met to discuss resident's rights, ethical investments, and local funding, among other items. The council approved changes to its committee structure and investment strategy, and reappointed an independent advisor. Motions were passed regarding fairer funding, ethical investments, improvements to Peckham Rye Station, and Thames Water.

Themed Debate: Rights for Residents

The council held a themed debate on the topic of Rights for Residents: Putting People First. Councillor John Batteson, Cabinet Member for Climate Emergency, Jobs and Business, presented a motion, which was ultimately carried, that:

• Affirmed the council's commitment to Labour values.
• Showcased the council's Know Your Worth, Know Your Rights campaign.
• Supported the Employment Rights Bill and the Renters' Rights Bill.

The meeting also heard community evidence from:

• Citizens Advice Southwark, who spoke about the Renters' Rights Act.
• The Policy Institute, King's College London, who presented on the Living the London Living Wage research project.
• The Trades Union Congress (TUC) London East & South East, who discussed issues faced by those using social security.

Ethical Investment

The council discussed a motion on divesting the Southwark Pension Fund from conflict and genocide. The motion, which was carried, asked that the Pensions Advisory Panel continue to work with fund managers to disclose and divest pension fund investments in companies listed by the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) as being linked to the illegal occupation of Palestine. The council also agreed to:

• Incorporate the United Nations Genocide Convention into its investment framework.
• Call on the London Collective Investment Vehicle (LCIV) to develop a more robust framework that enables the exclusion of investments linked to conflict, military occupation, or genocide.
• Use the pension fund's pass-through voting mechanism to influence decisions on investments linked to human rights concerns, conflict, or military occupation.

Councillor Irina Von Wiese proposed an amendment to the motion, but it was lost.

Fairer Funding for Southwark

The council discussed a motion regarding fairer funding for Southwark. Councillor Victor Chamberlain moved the motion, which condemned the Labour government's Fair Funding review. Councillor Esme Hicks moved an amendment, which was carried, and the amended motion was then carried. The amended motion included that the council:

• Recognised the impact of Conservative and Liberal Democrat austerity.
• Welcomed the council's engagement with government ministers to ensure a fair settlement for Southwark.
• Resolved to continue engaging with the government to ensure a fair outcome for Southwark.

Housing

The council discussed a motion on affordable housing requirements. The original motion stated that Southwark Council would not water down affordable housing requirements. Councillor Helen Dennis moved an amendment, which was carried, and the amended motion was then carried. The amended motion included that the council:

• Prioritised genuinely affordable housing, and social rent housing in particular.
• Welcomed the government's stated commitment to deliver the biggest boost in affordable and social housing in a generation.
• Resolved to continue leading the national campaign on behalf of residents to save council housing for future generations.

Transport

The council discussed a motion to make Peckham Rye Station safe and accessible. Councillor Maria Linforth-Hall proposed an amendment, which was lost, and the original motion was carried. The motion included that the council:

• Supported the campaign to secure full government funding for the Peckham Rye Station upgrade.
• Called on the Treasury to reverse its decision to pause funding and commit to delivering the full upgrade, including lift access to all platforms.
• Reaffirmed the council's commitment to inclusive transport infrastructure.

Water

The council discussed a motion on Thames Water. Councillor Adam Hood proposed an amendment, which was lost, and the original motion was carried. The motion included that the council resolved to write to Emma Reynolds, Secretary of State for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs, and Rachel Reeves, Chancellor of the Exchequer, urging the government to:

• Use its powers under the Water Industry Act 1991 to place Thames Water into Special Administration¹.
• Use the provisions of Special Administration to end the failed experiment of privatisation and bring Thames Water back into permanent public ownership.
• Enable accountability and transparency under a publicly owned Thames Water by changing its governance model so that local councils, workers and households are all represented on the Board.

Other Matters

• The council approved changes to the investment strategy as outlined in the Treasury Management Mid-year Update 2025-26. These include the addition of the top 20 UK Building Societies to the approved counterparty list, and the addition of AAA-rated Variable Net Asset Value Money Market Funds.
• The council agreed to appoint His Honour Judge Michael Evans KC to the office of Honorary Recorder of Southwark.
• The council approved the re-appointment of Amrit Manga as an independent person.
• The council appointed Councillor David Parton as neighbourhood champion for the East Central neighbourhood area.
• The council received a deputation from pupils from Judith Kerr Primary School about road danger and air pollution outside their school.
• The council received a deputation from Living Bankside about anti-social behaviour and crime.
• The council observed a minute's silence in memory of Alan Davis, Leader of Southwark Council from 1982 to 1984.