The Council of Lewisham met on Wednesday 26 November 2025, addressing community safety concerns, celebrating achievements in planning and parks, and approving the annual accounts. The council also discussed petitions, public and member questions, and motions related to recognising the contributions of British West Indian service personnel and the Latin American community in Lewisham.

Statement of Accounts 2024-25

The council approved the Statement of Accounts for 2024-25, following a presentation by Councillor Amanda De Ryk, Cabinet Member for Finance, Resources and Performance, and a seconding speech by Councillor Eva Kestner. Councillor De Ryk noted that the accounts were completed two months earlier than the previous year, demonstrating the council's strong financial management and collaboration with auditors KPMG. Councillor Kestner highlighted the robust scrutiny undertaken by the audit and risk committee.

Councillor Liam Shrivastava, Leader of the Lewisham Green Group, raised concerns about a prior year adjustment related to an error in recording revenue contributions to capital outlay for the Building for Lewisham programme, questioning the administration's financial controls. Councillor De Ryk responded that any detailed questions could be raised at the audit committee.

The council approved the recommendations, including the audit adjustments, delegation to the Section 151 Officer¹ to agree changes and the final Statement of Accounts, and noting the management representation letters and the Auditor’s Annual Report (VFM).

Motions

Recognising the Contribution of British West Indian and Global Majority Service Personnel to Lewisham

Councillor Kim Powell proposed a motion to recognise the contributions of British West Indian and global majority service personnel to Lewisham. Councillor Powell spoke of the courage and sacrifices of these individuals, highlighting the historical context of the British West Indian Regiment and its links to Lewisham. Councillor Mark Jackson seconded the motion, emphasising the importance of inclusive remembrance and the council's commitment to the Armed Forces community through the Armed Forces Covenant². Councillor Hau-Yu Tam, Deputy Leader of the Lewisham Green Group, acknowledged the importance of recognising veterans of Caribbean, African, Sikh, South Asian, and East Asian heritages. Councillor Tam suggested expanding the truth about the past and addressing the ongoing injustices faced by global majority veterans. Councillor Powell responded that Lewisham was making history with this motion, encouraging all to vote in favour. The motion was carried.

Recognising the Latin American Community in Lewisham

Councillor Liam Shrivastava proposed a motion to recognise the Latin American community in Lewisham, seconded by Councillor Tam. Councillor Shrivastava highlighted the community's resilience, cultural contributions, and challenges, including statistical invisibility and workplace exploitation. Councillor Shrivastava noted that the Latin American community is not recognised as an official ethnic category in the UK census, leading to erasure and disenfranchisement. Councillor Tam spoke of the importance of adding a Latin American category to internal and external monitoring forms across council services, and to celebrate and honour the resistance of Latin American communities.

Councillor Oana Olaru-Holmes, Cabinet Member for Refugees, Safer Lewisham and Equalities, proposed an amendment to the motion, seconded by Councillor Aisha Malik-Smith, to strengthen the motion and ensure a clear commitment to continue and enhance the work already being done with the Latin American community. The amendment removed the point to add a Latin American category to internal and external monitoring forms, instead committing to reviewing equalities monitoring. Councillor Malik-Smith spoke of standing up for all those othered and made invisible, and the importance of fairness and equality.

Councillor Shrivastava expressed disappointment at the removal of the commitment to add a Latin American category to monitoring forms, but acknowledged that the amendments did strengthen the motion overall. The amendment was carried, and the amended motion was then carried.

Announcements and Communications

Several announcements were made, covering a range of topics:

• Community Safety Update: Councillor Oana Olaru-Holmes addressed recent violent incidents in Catford and Hiddle Green, assuring residents that the council is working with the police and strengthening enforcement capabilities to ensure community safety.
• 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence: Councillor Olaru-Holmes reaffirmed the council's commitment to tackling violence against women and girls, working with the police, specialist services, and community partners to strengthen their collective response. The council supports the White Ribbon Campaign.
• Planning Service Recognition: Councillor James-J Walsh, Cabinet Member for Inclusive Regeneration and Planning, announced that the planning service has been rated a gold local planning authority, recognising the dedication and commitment of the officers involved.
• Lewisham Parks Awards: Councillor Louise Krupski, Deputy Mayor and Environment, Transport and Climate Action, announced that Lewisham Parks had won several awards, including the Landscape Institute Award for Beckenham Place Park Eastside and a new Green Flag Award for Lewisham Park.
• Better Bus Funding: Councillor Krupski announced that Lewisham had secured £10 million in funding from the Mayor of London and Transport for London to improve bus infrastructure and operational improvements.
• Free SIM Cards for Low-Income Residents: Councillor Will Cooper, Cabinet Member for Better Homes, Neighbourhoods and Homelessness, announced a partnership with the Good Things Foundation to offer free SIM data to families in temporary accommodation and other households struggling to get online.
• Youth Clubs and Adventure Playground Funding: Mayor Brenda Dacres announced that the council had secured over half a million pounds in government funding through the Better Youth Spaces programme to upgrade adventure playgrounds and youth clubs. Mayor Dacres also celebrated the scrapping of the two-child benefit cap[^4]. [^4]: The two-child limit, introduced in 2017, restricted child benefit and universal credit to the first two children in most families.

Petitions

Councillor Liam Curran presented a petition on behalf of residents of Sunny Dean Street in Sydenham requesting traffic calming measures to reduce speeding, particularly near St. Philip's School.

Public Questions

Members of the public posed questions to cabinet members, covering topics such as safety works at the cinema on 32 Winslade Way, the implementation of gullies³, wheelie bin repairs, and speeding in Brockley. Eleanor Davis asked about the Landsec development around Lewisham Shopping Centre, questioning where the evidence could be found that the council had done its due diligence in ensuring that the development would not exclude families. Councillor Walsh responded that the housing mix was inside the planning application.

Member Questions

Councillors posed questions to cabinet members, addressing topics such as the Lady Well Play Tower redevelopment, prosecutions for offences of road traders, support for Lewisham residents into work, damper and mould cases, and support for Russian businesses.

Councillor Aisha Malik-Smith asked about the proposed Surrey Canal London Overground station. Councillor Walsh praised Councillor Malik-Smith's hard work in leading on this project, which would unlock new homes and infrastructure.

Councillor Sophie Davis asked about the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God, and Mayor Dacres's engagement with the church. Mayor Dacres responded that what was important was the way that the council helps and assists those who want to report any safeguarding issue.