The Council meeting on Wednesday 26 November 2025 confirmed the minutes of the previous meeting and addressed several key announcements, including a community safety update, the 16 days of activism against gender-based violence, and recognition for the planning service. Significant funding was also announced for bus infrastructure improvements and upgrades to youth clubs and adventure playgrounds.

A key decision made was the approval of the Statement of Accounts for 2024-25, with recommendations for delegation to the Section 151 Officer and the Chair of the Audit & Risk Committee to agree any final adjustments. Two motions were also carried: one recognising the contribution of British West Indian and Global Majority Service Personnel to Lewisham, and another officially recognising the Latin American community in Lewisham and committing to their inclusion in council monitoring forms and data collection.

Community Safety Update

Councillor Oluwu Holmes provided an update on community safety, expressing solidarity with victims of recent violence in Catford and Hiddle Green. The council is committed to ensuring safety in these areas and is working closely with the police to identify and bring those responsible to justice. Additional enforcement officers will be in place from January to increase street presence, and enforcement work will be integrated across the council to tackle anti-social behaviour. Communication will be stepped up to inform residents on how to report concerns.

16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence

Councillor Oluwu Holmes also spoke about the 16 days of activism against gender-based violence, reaffirming the council's commitment to tackling violence against women and girls in Lewisham. The council is working with the police, specialist services, and community partners to strengthen their collective response, emphasizing that violence against women and girls is unacceptable and that every woman and girl has the right to feel safe. This commitment extends beyond the 16 days, with a focus on long-term, sustained work to eliminate violence against women and girls in Lewisham.

Planning Service Recognition

Councillor Walsh announced that Lewisham's planning service had been rated a gold local planning authority, placing it among the top authorities in London and England. This is an improvement from a silver rating last year, highlighting the dedication and commitment of the planning service officers. He thanked Steve Everson, David Syme, Michael Forrester, and Nick Fenwick for their hard work, particularly in delivering both day-to-day services and a new, progressive local plan.

Lewisham Parks Awards

Councillor Krupski announced that Lewisham's parks had received numerous awards. Beckenham Place Park Eastside won the Landscape Institute Award for excellence in climate, environment, and social outcomes. Lewisham Park received a new Green Flag Award, and the borough secured 10 gold and one silver award at the London in Bloom Awards, with special mentions for Blythe Hill Fields (Best Large Park), Garthorn Road Nature Reserve (Best Conservation Area), and Chinbrook Meadows Horticultural Society and Community Orchard (Biodiversity). These awards recognise the efforts of friends and community groups in making parks special and contributing to a biodiverse, joyful, and healthy borough.

£10 Million Better Bus Funding Secured

Councillor Krupski also shared the positive news that Lewisham has secured £10 million in funding from the Mayor of London and Transport for London. This funding will be used to deliver transformational bus infrastructure and operational improvements aimed at enhancing bus journey times, reliability, and ridership. This investment will speed up routes through Grove Park and Sydenham, improve connectivity between bus network stations, and enhance active travel along the routes. This success demonstrates the administration's positive working relationship with TfL and its proven record of delivering large schemes at pace.

Free SIM Cards for Low-Income Residents

Councillor Cooper announced a new initiative in partnership with the Good Things Foundation, offering up to a year's worth of free SIM data to families from Deptford, Downham, and Catford Libraries. This initiative aims to support families in temporary accommodation, acknowledging that access to data can be life-changing for children's homework, family communication, and bill payments. The council has significantly reduced the number of families in temporary accommodation and is committed to helping these families thrive.

Youth Clubs and Adventure Playground Funding

Mayor Dacres announced the securing of over half a million pounds in government funding through the Better Youth Spaces programme. This investment will lead to upgrades in all adventure playgrounds and youth clubs, including new equipment, improved facilities, free Wi-Fi, printing, and better technology. New kitchens, cafe areas, outdoor cooking spaces, a carpentry workshop, expanded climbing walls, outdoor gyms, gaming areas, and a new music studio and dance equipment are planned. Mayor Dacres also celebrated the scrapping of the two-child benefit cap, which is expected to lift 450,000 children out of poverty nationally.

Petition on Sunny Dean Street Traffic Calming Measures

Councillor Curran presented a petition from residents of Sunny Dean Street in Sydenham requesting traffic calming measures to address speeding on the road, particularly during school drop-off and pick-up times. The petition highlights concerns for children attending St. Philip's School.

Public Questions

A number of public questions were addressed, covering topics such as safety works at a cinema site, the effectiveness of gullies for road drainage, wheelie bin repair times, the removal of dumped containers, and the council's approach to tackling speeding. Questions were also raised regarding allotment plot vacancies, the redevelopment of Lewisham Shopping Centre and its impact on families, the profitability of the Landsec development and its potential to worsen rental increases, the number of social housing units built, and the council's endorsement of the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God.

Member Questions

Members also raised questions, including those concerning community engagement in the Ladywell Play Tower redevelopment, support for local businesses, the Care Quality Commission inspection of adult social care, refurbishment of Lewisham library, support for vulnerable people through warm hubs, building works at Smikle Court, funding for Drumbeat Outreach, the effectiveness of trading standards, support for residents into work, damp and mould cases in council housing, compliance with Awaab's Law, the Surrey Canal London Overground station proposal, and the council's engagement with the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God.

Statement of Accounts, Audit and Annual Report for 2024-25

Councillor Amanda De Ryk presented the annual accounts for 2024-25, noting that they were presented two months earlier than the previous year and well within the statutory deadline. She highlighted the efficiency of the council's accounts and its strong financial sustainability, as well as the collaborative relationship with auditors KPMG. The accounts were presented to the Audit and Risk Committee on 11 November 2025, with no referrals made. KPMG expects to provide a clean audit opinion. The report detailed that less than 5% of local authorities nationally had completed their audits, with only two London boroughs signed. For the audit of the main accounts, no significant control deficiencies were found, with only one new recommendation relating to IT controls. For the assessment of value for money, no significant weaknesses were identified, an improvement on the previous year. The audit of the accounts is substantially completed, with the signing of the accounts by KPMG expected on 3rd December. Councillor De Ryk thanked David Austin, Catherine Nid, their teams, and Councillor Eva Kestner and members of the Audit Committee for their diligent work. Councillor Kestner seconded the motion, echoing the thanks and highlighting the robust process ensuring financial clarity and openness. Councillor Liam Shrivastava raised a question regarding a prior year adjustment to correct an error dating back to 2021-22, reversing £40.5 million incorrectly recorded as revenue contributions to capital outlay for the Building for Lewisham programme. He questioned why it took an internal review so long to uncover this error and whether it indicated failings in financial controls and stewardship of the HRA. Councillor De Ryk responded that while she could not answer in detail at that moment, the work on the HRA in the last year had been outstanding, and welcomed Councillor Shrivastava to join the Audit Committee to ask such detailed questions. The recommendations were agreed.

Motions

Motion 1: Recognising the contribution of British West Indian and Global Majority Service Personnel to Lewisham

Councillor Kim Powell proposed a motion to formally acknowledge the contributions of British West Indian and Global Majority service personnel to Lewisham. The motion highlighted the historical service of the British West Indian Regiment and the ongoing service of Black British and global majority personnel in today's armed forces. It resolved to formally acknowledge this contribution in council programmes, explore a permanent civic tribute, encourage educational events, and request the Mayor and Armed Forces Champion to write to the Ministry of Defence and Commonwealth War Graves Commission for national recognition. Councillor Mark Jackson seconded the motion, emphasizing the importance of inclusive remembrance and the council's duty to support all veterans. Councillor Hau-Yu Tam spoke in support, adding that the motion should also acknowledge the ongoing injustices faced by global majority veterans and promote peace, equity, liberation, and justice. The motion was carried.

Motion 2: Recognising the Latin American Community in Lewisham

Councillor Liam Shrivastava proposed a motion to officially recognise the Latin American community in Lewisham. The motion noted the significant and growing presence of this community in the borough, their statistical invisibility due to the lack of an official ethnic category in the UK Census, and the challenges they face, including low pay and workplace exploitation. It resolved to officially recognise the community, add a Latin American category to internal and external monitoring forms, engage with residents to understand their representation, develop a programme of work to promote equalities monitoring, work with London Councils and the GLA for a consistent London-wide approach, and support the inclusion of an official Latin American category in the next UK Census. Councillor Hau-Yu Tam seconded the motion, highlighting the cost-neutral nature of the proposed changes and the precedent set by other London boroughs. Councillor Oana Olaru-Holmes proposed an amendment to strengthen the motion by reaffirming the council's existing commitment and focusing on deepening and enhancing current work, rather than starting anew. The amendment also proposed reviewing equalities monitoring, strengthening translation and outreach, and working with community organisations. Councillor Aisha Malik-Smith seconded the amendment, paying tribute to the Latin American community in New Cross Gate and La Placita Mall. Councillor Liam Shrivastava spoke against the amendment, expressing disappointment that the Labour Group had amended the motion and removed the commitment to add a Latin American category to monitoring forms. He questioned why a commitment could not be made, despite the need for due diligence. He also expressed strong criticism of the Labour government's stance on immigration. The amendment was voted on and carried, becoming the substantive motion. The substantive motion was then voted on and carried.

The meeting concluded with thanks to all attendees.