The Council of Lewisham Council met on Wednesday, 28 January 2026, to discuss the council's treasury management outturn and mid-year review for 2025/26, the setting of the 2026/27 Council Tax and National Non-Domestic Rates (NNDR) base, and a review of the council's constitution. The meeting also included discussions on the appointment of co-opted members to the Children and Young People Select Committee and several motions submitted by councillors.

Treasury Management Outturn and Mid-Year Review 2025/26

The council was scheduled to review its treasury management position as at 31 March 2025, alongside a mid-year update for the 2025/26 financial year. The report outlined the current economic climate, including falling inflation and potential interest rate cuts by the Bank of England. It also detailed the council's investment portfolio and borrowing strategy, noting that the capital programme forecast had increased. The council was recommended to approve the treasury management outturn report for 2024/25 and the mid-year report for 2025/26, including prudential indicators and the revised capital programme. The report highlighted that the council's operational boundary and authorised limit for external debt had not been breached.

Setting of the 2026/27 Council Tax Base, NNDR Tax Base and Discounts for Second and Empty Homes

This agenda item focused on the statutory calculations required to set the Council Tax Base and estimate the National Non-Domestic Rates (NNDR) tax base for the upcoming financial year. The report proposed a Council Tax Base of 93,758.1 Band D equivalent properties for 2026/27, with an assumed collection rate of 96.0%. It also recommended the continuation of the existing Council Tax Reduction Scheme (CTRS), meaning eligible claimants would continue to contribute a minimum of 25% towards their council tax.

Discretionary policies regarding discounts and premiums for second homes, empty homes, and long-term empty homes were also scheduled for review. The council was recommended to continue with a 0% discount for second homes, with a 100% premium applied after one year. For empty properties, the existing policies of 0% discount for Class A (undergoing structural alteration) and Class C (substantially empty and unfurnished) properties were proposed to continue. Premiums for long-term empty properties were also recommended to remain, with a 100% premium for properties empty between one and five years, 200% for those empty for five to ten years, and 300% for properties empty for ten years or more.

Additionally, the continuation of a 100% discount for care leavers up to the age of 25 and a 25% sanctuary discount for residents housing refugees was recommended. The report also noted an estimated provisional NNDR net yield of £70m for 2026/27, acknowledging significant uncertainty due to the upcoming reset of the Business Rates Retention Scheme. The Executive Director for Finance, Digital and Corporate Resources was to be delegated approval of the final NNDR1 form.

Review of the Constitution

The council was asked to consider amendments to its Constitution, which governs how the council operates. These proposed changes, recommended by the Governance Committee, included removing remaining references to Ward Assemblies and updating the terms of reference for the Housing Select Committee to specifically include the council's landlord function. An omission in the wording regarding the Strategic Planning Committee's remit was also proposed to be reinstated.

Amendments to the Council Procedure Rules were suggested to remove references to Deputations, and the Council Procedure Rules regarding the time limit for motions were noted for future review. Changes to the Scrutiny Procedure Rules were proposed to alter the requirement for the Proper Officer to comply with agenda requests, moving to a decision-making process in consultation with the Committee Chair. Provisions for the Planning Committee were to be amended to reintroduce specific criteria for matters reserved to members, such as the number of objections or the opinion of the Director of Planning.

The Scheme of Delegation was also set to be reviewed, with proposed moves for decisions relating to community education and controlled parking zones to the 'Place' heading. An amendment to the reservation of decisions regarding increases in charges for services was proposed, and the wording for extensions, variations, or framework agreements was to be clarified. A provision for the start time of ordinary committees was to be included in the Committee Procedure Rules, allowing each committee to determine its own start time following the Annual General Meeting. Finally, the Protocol on Planning & Lobbying was to be amended to clarify that the requirement for officers to be present during councillor meetings with developers applies only to members with decision-making influence.

Appointment of Co-optees to Children and Young People Select Committee

The council was recommended to appoint Emma McIntosh as the Primary School Parent Governor Representative and Pia Longman as the Diocesan Representative to the Children and Young People Select Committee. These appointments were for a term of four years. The report noted that these co-opted members provide independent, apolitical voices on local education matters and assist the committee in holding the authority to account. A further election would be held for the vacant Special School Parent Governor Representative position.

Motions

Two motions were scheduled for discussion:

• Motion 1: Defending the Rights, Safety and Dignity of People Seeking Sanctuary and Migrants This motion aimed to reaffirm Lewisham's commitment as a Borough of Sanctuary and express concern over the government's proposed asylum and immigration reforms. It highlighted humanitarian and practical concerns regarding prolonged uncertainty for families, potential increases in homelessness, restrictions on family reunion, and limits on work and support. The motion called on the government to reconsider these proposals and pursue a more humane approach, and to write to the Home Secretary to set out Lewisham's opposition.

• Motion 2: Resisting Immigration Raids and Regressive Home Office Policies in Lewisham This motion condemned an immigration raid that had recently taken place on two Lewisham businesses, highlighting its perceived performative nature. It referenced research indicating disproportionate targeting of specific nationalities and the use of tactics to gain entry without warrants. The motion stated that Lewisham, as a Borough of Sanctuary, should not facilitate such enforcement tactics. It resolved to condemn the increase in immigration raids and regressive policies, refuse assistance to the Home Office during raids, review data-sharing agreements, support migrant businesses, and create a Migrant Champion role.