The Cabinet of Lambeth Council met on Monday 02 February 2026, approving the Lambeth Air Quality Action Plan 2026-2028, the Placement Sufficiency Strategy for Children in Care & Care Experienced Young People 2025-30, and the HRA Rent and Service Charge Setting Report for 2026/27. The meeting also saw the approval of the January Financial Planning and Medium Term Strategy Report 2025-2030, outlining proposed savings and the council's financial outlook.

Lambeth Air Quality Action Plan 2026-2028

Councillor Rezina Chowdhury, Deputy Leader of the Council (Sustainable Lambeth and Clean Air), introduced the Lambeth Air Quality Action Plan 2026-2028, highlighting its importance in creating a healthy, fair, and thriving borough. The plan addresses the disproportionate impact of air pollution on vulnerable groups, including children, older people, those with existing health conditions, multi-ethnic communities, and residents in deprived neighbourhoods. The strategy outlines seven priority areas, focusing on cleaner transport and freight, reducing emissions from buildings and construction, and strengthening monitoring, enforcement, and public awareness. Lambeth is reportedly on track to meet its Air Quality Vision targets by 2030, aligning with World Health Organisation guidelines.

Several stakeholders addressed the Cabinet, including Zak Bond from Clean Cities, who praised Lambeth's leadership in expanding electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure and its ambition for a car club on every street and estate by 2030. He also highlighted the significant contribution of diesel vans to air pollution and suggested potential for electric-only loading bays and increased support for cargo bike adoption. Claire McDonald from Solve the School Run presented evidence on the positive impact of School Streets, noting reductions in nitrogen dioxide and modal shifts, and urged the expansion of these schemes to secondary schools. Ben Pearce from Impact on Urban Health emphasised the need for measurable targets aligned with World Health Organisation guidelines, greater explicit focus on equity within the plan, and ensuring feedback from the Air Quality Forum influences policy. He also stressed the importance of continued collaboration on construction emissions and evaluation of the Construction Compliance Officer role.

Officers confirmed that an Equality Impact Assessment had found the Action Plan would deliver net positive impacts for vulnerable groups, with no significant adverse impacts identified. They also highlighted ongoing trials for electric cargo bikes and the central role of the Air Quality Forum in shaping priorities. The Construction Compliance Officer role is intended to continue beyond its current funding, with learning embedded across planning and regulatory services. Officers are also working with the procurement team to introduce realistic KPIs for contracts and with Public Health to align air quality and respiratory health priorities, including promoting the Asthma Friendly Schools programme.

The Cabinet resolved to adopt the Lambeth Air Quality Action Plan 2026-2028.

Placement Sufficiency Strategy for Children in Care & Care Experienced Young People 2025–30

Councillor Ben Kind, Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Families, presented the Placement Sufficiency Strategy for Children in Care & Care Experienced Young People 2025–30. He highlighted that the strategy outlines Lambeth's approach to ensuring sufficient, high-quality placements for children in care and care leavers. Councillor Kind noted the significant improvement in foster carer recruitment, with 24 new carers approved in the previous year, the highest in London, attributing this success to the Council's holistic One Lambeth support offer. The strategy aligns with the Child Friendly Lambeth principles and strengthens the Council's corporate parenting responsibilities.

Councillor Matthew Bryant, Liberal Democrats Deputy Group Leader, questioned the anticipated reduction in children entering care through the Edge of Care approach, asking for specific targets and details on planned foster carer recruitment initiatives and lessons learned from the previous year's success. Officers responded by explaining that recruitment processes had been redesigned for better responsiveness and candidate experience, including faster enquiry responses, streamlined assessments, prioritised medical checks, and proactive community-based recruitment. They also detailed strengthened support and retention arrangements for foster carers. Regarding the Edge of Care approach, officers advised that work was being strengthened through the Families First Partnership to improve integrated early help, with further analysis underway to quantify impact and early permanence outcomes. Councillor Kind reassured Cabinet that reductions in children in care were outcome-focused rather than financially driven, with interventions tailored to individual needs and stability prioritised through various permanence options. Cabinet members expressed thanks to partners, stakeholders, and in-house foster carers, and affirmed their openness to ongoing collaboration and feedback.

The Cabinet resolved to approve and endorse the Placement Sufficiency for Children in Care and Care Experienced Young People 2025-30 Strategy.

HRA Rent and Service Charge Setting Report 2026/27

Councillor Danial Adilypour, Deputy Leader of the Council (Housing, Investment and New Homes), introduced the HRA Rent and Service Charge Setting Report 2026/27. He explained that the report detailed proposed rent and service charge levels for the upcoming financial year, adhering to the national rent policy framework. The proposals aim to balance the necessity of investing in the housing stock, including repairs, damp and mould remediation, and building safety, with the affordability for tenants. The financial implications for the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Business Plan were also outlined.

Georgina Schueller addressed the Cabinet, expressing concerns about the proposed 4.8% rent increase, additional rent convergence, and service charge increases, warning of the impact on tenants, particularly those just above the benefits threshold. She argued that rent income should be prioritised for repairs and addressing the root causes of disrepair, rather than litigation. Ms. Schueller also voiced concerns about rising arrears and homelessness, urging the Council to improve housing management and lobby the government on historic HRA funding and debt issues. Councillor Matthew Bryant queried why the Rent Setting Question and Answer (Q&A) session with tenants had not occurred before the Cabinet meeting, stating that while consultation wasn't statutorily required, hearing tenants' views beforehand would have been preferable.

In response, officers clarified that the Q&A session was delayed due to recent confirmation of rent convergence guidance, ensuring residents received clear information. They also noted that detailed benefit information is held by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), not the Council. Officers explained that HRA borrowing funds the capital programme, which is reinvested into housing stock improvements. They detailed that each £1 per week rent convergence increase generates approximately £1.2m in annual HRA income, and that delays to convergence had contributed to a significant shortfall, limiting investment capacity.

The Cabinet resolved to approve:

1. The increase in rent by CPI+1% (4.8%), the maximum allowable by the Regulator of Social Housing for continuing tenancies from 6 April 2026.
2. Convergence to formula rent at the maximum rate determined by HM Government.
3. The approach to setting tenant and leasehold service charges as outlined in the report, and the proposed changes in Appendix 1, effective from 6 April 2026.
4. The increases in sheltered housing management service charges as set out in paragraphs 2.16 and 2.17, and Appendix 1, effective from 6 April 2026.
5. The increase in charges for garage rental, with no change for sheds and cycle storage rental, as detailed in Appendix 2, effective from 6 April 2026.

January Financial Planning and Medium Term Strategy Report 2025-2030

Councillor Judith Cavanagh, Acting Cabinet Member for Finance, presented the January Financial Planning and Medium Term Strategy Report 2025-2030. She highlighted that the report detailed the Council's Medium-Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) for the period 2025–2030, addressing significant financial pressures including rising temporary accommodation costs, increased social care demand, and borrowing pressures. The strategy outlines proposed savings, transformation activities, and strengthened financial governance. The approach aims to stabilise the Council's financial position while protecting priority services.

Councillor Matthew Bryant raised concerns about three specific savings proposals: item 71 (Sustainable Adult Social Care), given demand-led pressures; item 58 (Parks Restructuring), requesting context on the overall parks budget; and item 56 (Vale Street Depot), seeking clarification on alternative funding models and potential additional charges.

Officers provided further details on the Exceptional Financial Support (EFS) application, explaining its three elements: rebuilding reserves, balancing the budget in the short term for transformation, and addressing one-off pressures. They advised that the Sustainable Adult Social Care savings focus on cost-effective care packages through enhanced data analysis and improved commissioning, representing approximately 3.5% over four years. The parks restructuring is intended to protect frontline services, prioritising visible staff presence and routine maintenance. Regarding the Vale Street Depot, discussions with the Western Riverside Waste Authority are ongoing. Members were assured that proposals would avoid adverse impacts on residents. Officers also highlighted that while total reserves were £55.7m at the end of 2024/25, general fund balances were only £5m, significantly below the recommended £45m. A substantial portion of reserves are ring-fenced, limiting their availability for revenue expenditure. The EFS application aims to rebuild reserves and improve financial resilience.

The Cabinet resolved:

1. To agree and approve the proposed savings summarised in Table 1 and detailed in Appendix 1.
2. To note that the savings proposals in Appendix 1 were considered by the Equity and Justice (E&J) Panel on 22 January 2026, and a verbal update would be provided at the meeting.
3. To note that the Final Local Government Finance Settlement (FLGFS) was expected to be published week commencing 9 February 2026, and that assumptions in the MTFS would be updated accordingly.

The meeting concluded at 7:00 pm.