Councillor Amanda De Ryk
Email: amanda.deryk@lewisham.gov.uk
Council: Lewisham
Council Profile: View on council website
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Positions, Voting Record & Activity Summary
Councillor Amanda De Ryk's council service, particularly in her role as Cabinet Member for Finance, Resources and Performance, has been marked by a consistent focus on sound financial management, strategic resource allocation, and operational efficiency. Her recent activity in 2025 significantly amplifies these themes, showcasing a deepened engagement with the council's financial health and forward-looking strategies.
Key Themes and Priorities:
Across both years, De Ryk has consistently prioritized prudent financial management. This is evident in her regular presentations of budget reports, financial monitoring updates, and treasury management outturns. She has repeatedly emphasized the importance of security, liquidity, and return on investments, while also demonstrating a keen awareness of potential financial challenges such as budget shortfalls and the need for cost management. In 2025, this focus intensified with detailed discussions on increased operational costs and debt write-offs.
A significant and growing priority, especially in 2025, is sustainable procurement and economic development. De Ryk has become a strong advocate for spending in a different way
to foster prosperity and support local Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs). Her championing of Lewisham's Sustainable Procurement Strategy highlights a commitment to leveraging council spending for job creation and improved wages.
Performance management and operational improvement are also central to her work. In 2025, she actively presented performance updates, addressing areas like Council Tax collection and FOI response times, and was involved in implementing programs to enhance these services. This includes a focus on IT infrastructure and digital strategy, aiming to address legacy issues, data inconsistencies, and cybersecurity.
Ethical and responsible investment has emerged as a notable area of interest, particularly concerning the Local Government Pension Scheme in 2025. De Ryk has stressed the importance of responsible and ethical investing and the fiduciary duty of the Pensions Investment Committee.
Evolution of Focus:
While financial stewardship has been a constant, De Ryk's focus in 2025 demonstrates an expansion and deepening of her responsibilities. The emphasis on sustainable procurement and its direct link to local economic prosperity is more pronounced. Furthermore, her engagement with the intricacies of IT infrastructure, digital transformation, and the No Wrong Front Door
program in 2025 indicates a broader strategic outlook beyond core financial reporting. Her involvement in the Local Government Pension Scheme's investment strategies also represents a more nuanced engagement with the council's long-term financial health and ethical considerations.
Most Significant Contributions (Especially in Recent Years):
In 2025, De Ryk's most significant contributions likely lie in her leadership as Cabinet Member for Finance, Resources and Performance. Her active role in shaping the Sustainable Procurement Strategy and advocating for its impact on local SMEs is a key development. Her oversight of the procurement of new IT systems and hard facilities management services, alongside her detailed engagement with the council's IT infrastructure and digital strategy, points to a proactive approach in modernizing council operations. Her consistent presentation and defense of the council's financial position, even when highlighting challenges, demonstrates a commitment to transparency and fiscal responsibility.
Patterns and Consistent Areas of Interest:
- Financial Acumen: A consistent thread throughout her service is a deep understanding and active management of the council's finances.
- Strategic Vision: She consistently engages with reports and discussions that have long-term implications for the council's operations and financial stability.
- Leadership and Advocacy: De Ryk frequently moves and seconds key recommendations, demonstrating her willingness to lead and champion important council initiatives.
- Operational Oversight: Her involvement in performance management and the implementation of improvement programs highlights a commitment to ensuring the council operates effectively.
Overall, Amanda De Ryk's tenure reflects a dedicated public servant with a strong grasp of financial governance, an evolving commitment to sustainable economic practices, and a proactive approach to modernizing council services.
Yearly Activity Timeline
Throughout 2025, Councillor Amanda De Ryk, as Cabinet Member for Finance, Resources and Performance, was a consistently active participant in council meetings, addressing a wide range of financial, operational, and strategic issues. A significant theme of her work involved the council's financial management, including presenting budget reports, financial monitoring updates, and treasury management outturns. She consistently emphasized prudent financial management, security, liquidity, and return on investments, while also highlighting potential budget shortfalls and the need for cost management, particularly concerning increased operational costs and debt write-offs.
De Ryk also played a crucial role in shaping the council's procurement and sustainability strategies. She championed Lewisham's Sustainable Procurement Strategy, advocating for spending in a different way
to achieve prosperity and support local SMEs, noting the council's success in local procurement and its impact on job creation and wages. She also oversaw the procurement of new IT systems and hard facilities management services.
Her responsibilities extended to performance management, where she presented performance updates, highlighting both successes and challenges in areas like Council Tax collection, FOI responses, and Subject Action Reviews. She also addressed the implementation of a records management program to improve FOI response times.
Furthermore, De Ryk was involved in discussions regarding the council's IT infrastructure, digital strategy, and the No Wrong Front Door
improvement program, addressing issues like legacy applications, data inconsistencies, cybersecurity, and the need for IT equipment upgrades. She also engaged with the Local Government Pension Scheme's investments, emphasizing responsible and ethical investing and the Pensions Investment Committee's fiduciary duty.
De Ryk also took on various leadership and deputy roles, including appointments to the Standards Committee, Joint Street Lighting Committee, and the Greater London Employment Forum. She consistently moved and seconded key recommendations and reports, demonstrating her leadership and commitment to the council's agenda.
Monthly Activity in 2025
During December 2025, Councillor Amanda De Ryk, Cabinet Member for Finance, Resources and Performance, was active in one council meeting. She moved the report for the annual complaints reports for 2024-25, highlighting improvements in the housing complaints process due to a new case management system. She noted that 88% of Stage 1 responses have been given on time for the last four months, with expectations to reach 90% by year-end.
De Ryk also mentioned that resident feedback has led to enhancements in training, quality assurance, and operations, resulting in a slight increase in satisfaction with complaints.
Additionally, she moved the report for the strategy concerning the procurement of new IT systems for the Revenue and Benefits Service.
Meetings in December 2025
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During November 2025, Amanda De Ryk was active in several council meetings. At the Croydon & Lewisham Street Lighting Joint Committee, she nominated Councillor Louise Krupski for Chair and seconded the nomination for Councillor Scott Roche as Vice Chair. In the Public Accounts Select Committee, De Ryk voiced concerns about Section 17 funding, recalling past difficulties in controlling the budget for Section 17 and children in need due to families with no recourse to public funds, and urged for close examination of any potential increase in such demands. As Cabinet Member for Finance, Resources and Performance at the Brent, Lewisham and Southwark IT Committee, she questioned delays in the laptop refresh project's purchase order and rollout timeline, highlighting potential knock-on effects
like extended licenses. De Ryk also expressed anxiety about the Adobe contract renewal and PSN compliance, noting that things were being left too close to deadline lines.
She further inquired about the implications of supplier issues on category one incidents and the council's confidence in supplier reliability, and sought information on Southwark's exit plans from the shared service.
Meetings in November 2025
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During the October 22, 2025, Mayor and Cabinet meeting, Councillor Amanda De Ryk was active in several key areas. She presented the Quarter 1, 2025-2026 Performance Report, noting a concerning drop in Council Tax collection rates and its financial implications. De Ryk also introduced the Treasury Management Outturn and Mid-Term Review, emphasizing the council's prudent financial management principles:
She sought permission to procure new hard facilities management services, outlining four three-year contracts totaling up to £14 million, and warned of a potential annual budget shortfall of nearly £1.8 million due to increased costs. De Ryk also provided an update on financial monitoring, reporting on the General Fund, Dedicated Schools Grant, and Housing Revenue Account, and sought approval for debt write-offs. She highlighted the significant cost increase for the security contract with Smartsec Solutions and expressed enthusiasm for the Lewisham Library project and the Warm Welcomes Programme.
The report provides a comprehensive overview of treasury performance outlining in detail what we mean when we say that we are prudent in the way that we manage the Council's and residence money. Our core principles of security, liquidity and return are evidenced in detail in the report. And I'm very happy to introduce it.
Meetings in October 2025
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During September 2025, Councillor Amanda De Ryk was actively involved in several key council meetings. On September 10th, as Cabinet Member for Finance, Resources and Performance, she introduced and discussed significant reports, including corporate banking services, emphasizing careful contract management and legal considerations. She also presented the Council's Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) and period 2 financial monitoring, detailing financial sustainability, potential budget gaps, and mitigation strategies, including securing substantial savings. De Ryk also presented the capital programme for 2025/26. She consistently acknowledged the hard work of finance and regional teams. On September 24th, she spoke extensively about the expansion of the warm hubs program, highlighting its role in addressing the cost of living crisis and its year-round funding to support voluntary sector partners. She also clarified council rules regarding public questions and by-election costs. De Ryk was also noted as present at a Standards Committee meeting on the same day. On September 25th, during the Pensions Investment Committee meeting, she commented on technical difficulties with sound quality, stating, > Yeah, Amanda's saying it's bad too.
Meetings in September 2025
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During July 2025, Amanda De Ryk was active in multiple council meetings. On July 9th, she was present at the Mayor and Cabinet meeting. On July 16th, she played a significant role in the Council meeting, moving recommendations for the Divest for Palestine petition and the Review of the Constitution. Regarding the constitution review, she stated,
In addition to her speaking contributions, De Ryk was appointed as a Cabinet Member for Finance, Resources & Procurement. She also took on several deputy roles, including for the Joint Street Lighting Committee, the Grants Committee (London Councils), and the Greater London Employment Forum (London Councils). Furthermore, she was appointed to the Blackheath Joint Working Party and the Standards Committee.
the review was exhaustive, all councillors were equal, and Cllr Tam's points had been heard and represented.
Meetings in July 2025
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During June 2025, Amanda De Ryk, Cabinet Member for Finance, Resources and Performance, was active in the Public Accounts Select Committee meeting on June 25th. She provided detailed responses on several key areas:
- Financial Monitoring: De Ryk discussed the financial outturn for 2024-25, addressing the impact of changes to personal independence payments on care packages and government benefits, and outlining the housing transformation programme.
- 'No Wrong Front Door' Improvement Programme: She contributed to discussions on this programme, highlighting the contact directory, communication system challenges, the need for new officer resources, the importance of an all-members briefing on engagement, monitoring the new approach with KPIs, and the integrity of data systems.
- Digital Strategy Update: De Ryk addressed the Council's IT infrastructure, including legacy applications, data inconsistencies, duplicate systems, and cybersecurity. She also spoke about the need for IT equipment upgrades for Windows 11, the long-term digital strategy, leveraging data for customer journeys, standardization, the roles of management and IT boards, innovative data applications like a 'digital 3D twin', the use of national land and property gazetteer references, and the potential for digital hubs and collaborations with charities.
Meetings in June 2025
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During May 2025, Amanda De Ryk was active in two council meetings. In the May 7th meeting, she responded to numerous questions during the Public Questions
and Member Questions
sections. She clarified the Council's stance on honoring global figures, stating,
Regarding investments, she emphasized the Pensions Investment Committee's fiduciary duty and commitment to ethical practices, noting,
The Council is very proud that Archbishop Desmond Tutu lived in the Borough. Whilst the Council does not honour global figures, it honoured Desmond Tutu with the Freedom of the Borough because of his connection to Lewisham Borough.
She also confirmed ongoing work on divestment from companies in occupied territories and assured that information on fund manager engagement is publicly available. De Ryk also moved the motions for the Council Budget 2025/26 and the Pay Policy Statement for 2025/26. In the May 21st meeting, she presented the Quarter 3 2004.5 Performance Update, highlighting performance indicators within her portfolio, including challenges and improvements in Freedom of Information requests and Subject Action Reviews, and strong performance in Council Tax and business rates collection.
The Pensions Investment Committee has fiduciary duty, not a political one.
Meetings in May 2025
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During April 2025, Councillor Amanda De Ryk was active in two council meetings. In the Standards Committee meeting on April 9th, she confirmed her appointment to Standards Sub-Committee A and stressed the need to align the Lewisham Council Code of Conduct with the LGA model, welcoming a review workshop to address any discrepancies. She also seconded the recommendation to agree the Work Programme. Later, on April 30th, at the Mayor and Cabinet meeting, Councillor De Ryk presented two key reports: the Sustainable Procurement Strategy 2025-2029 and the Out of Hours Switchboard Contract Extension.
Meetings in April 2025
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In March 2025, Councillor Amanda De Ryk provided a foreword for Lewisham’s Sustainable Procurement Strategy 2025 - 2029.
She stressed the importance of spending in a different way
to achieve prosperity and highlighted the potential of amending Social Value Acts for greater transparency in public spending, stating,
When we measure, track and monitor where money is spent then we have a chance at understanding the wider impact of every public pound. If we are clever, we can make every purchase do double-duty.
De Ryk pointed out that UK SMEs miss out on approximately £30 billion annually in public contracts. She showcased Lewisham's success in local procurement, noting the council's top UK ranking in 2023 for local government procurement, with 83% of its £300m spend within Lewisham and the wider London region. She detailed strategies like 'Meet the Buyer' events and prioritizing local suppliers, reporting that in 2023, Lewisham spent £74m on local contracts, creating 824 jobs and £18m in wages, with 99% of jobs at or above the London Living Wage.
She concluded by outlining the strategy's ambition:
This strategy sets out our ambition and intention to continue to ensure that our procurement of goods, works and services for the Council will not only be compliant and deliver value for money, but importantly work to improve the lives of our residents and increase opportunities for our businesses. It will ensure that it does so in a way that is ethically and environmentally responsible. Quietly and patiently, we are using procurement to make a difference.
Meetings in March 2025
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During February 2025, Amanda De Ryk was actively involved in council meetings, addressing public questions and moving key recommendations. She provided updates on the council's records management program, aiming to improve FOI response times, and discussed the Local Government Pension Scheme's investments, stating,
She also indicated that a mid-contract review of Oracle licenses for non-performance-related issues was unlikely, explaining,
I am unable to name any companies directly - we have passive investments, and it is very difficult to single out individual companies. We are doing our best to invest responsibly, ethically and to keep up to date with the international situation as it evolves.
De Ryk expressed support for the London CIV ethical investment fund, noting,
the bottom line is that it is a central system for the whole working of the council and its transactions.
Her key actions included moving recommendations for the Council Tax Base, Statement of Accounts, Constitution Update, and Polling District Review. Additionally, as Cabinet Member for Finance, Resources and Performance, she signed off on the
we would all welcome more options for the London Collective Investment Vehicle. The PIC is actively advocating for funds that reflect our views.
2025/26 Budget Report
on February 4th, 2025.
Meetings in February 2025
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During January 2025, Councillor Amanda De Ryk, Cabinet Member for Finance, Resources and Performance, was active in council meetings. She addressed concerns about FOI responses by announcing the implementation of a records management program in February. Regarding pension fund investments, she highlighted their long-term nature and the Pensions Investment Committee's commitment to responsible and ethical investing. De Ryk indicated that a mid-contract review of Oracle licenses was not feasible unless performance-related, but she would discuss it with officers. She expressed support for more options within the London Collective Investment Vehicle and moved recommendations for Setting the Council Tax Base, the NNDR Tax Base & Discounts for Second Homes and Empty Homes
, Statement of Accounts 2023/24 and Annual Report 2023/24
, Constitution Update
, and Polling District Review
. In response to concerns about Oracle's business dealings, De Ryk stated that the Council is concerned about the situation in Gaza and would investigate the concerns raised about Oracle, emphasizing the Council's procurement procedures and due diligence. She also clarified the process for communicating constitutional changes, noting that a verbal update was given at a Governance meeting with a written report to follow.
Meetings in January 2025
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Throughout 2024, Councillor Amanda De Ryk, Cabinet Member for Finance, Resources and Performance, demonstrated consistent engagement with the council's financial management and strategic priorities. Her activities spanned multiple months, highlighting her key responsibilities. In June, she formally moved the 2023-24 financial outturn report and thanked officers for their work. September saw her present the 2024/25 P2 Financial Monitoring Report and discuss the management of legal costs, particularly in housing, emphasizing the need for data and performance monitoring to understand service costs. In November, De Ryk was a vocal advocate for the Corbett Community Library, discussed pension fund exposure, and expressed concern about resident engagement barriers. She also detailed Lewisham's significant investments in addressing child poverty through the Household Support Fund and moved a successful motion on Treasury Management Outturn and Mid-Year Review. Her involvement in December included the noting of her sign-off on the Appointment of Lewisham Homes Director
report.
Monthly Activity in 2024
During December 2024, Councillor Amanda De Ryk, Cabinet Member for Finance, Resources and Performance, had one recorded activity. She signed off on the report Appointment of Lewisham Homes Director
on November 22, 2024, which was noted in the Mayor and Cabinet meeting on December 4, 2024.
Meetings in December 2024
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During the November 27th, 2024 council meeting, Councillor Amanda De Ryk addressed multiple significant issues. She advocated for the Corbett Community Library, emphasizing volunteer importance and exploring potential financial support from Lewisham, similar to the Citizens Advice Bureau. Regarding the pension fund, she reported a decrease in Defence sector exposure to 0.1%, noting that Blackrock holdings were in government bonds. De Ryk also expressed concern about a perspex screen potentially hindering resident engagement and offered to investigate. On child poverty, she highlighted Lewisham's substantial investments through the Household Support Fund, including expanded free school meals and support for low-income families, stressing the need to invest in families' overall safety and well-being. Finally, Councillor De Ryk moved a successful motion concerning Treasury Management Outturn and Mid-Year Review, which was seconded and approved by the Council.
Meetings in November 2024
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During October 2024, Amanda De Ryk participated in two council meetings. She was listed as a member of the Employer Side for the Works Council meeting on October 1st. For the Mayor and Cabinet meeting on October 23rd, there is no record of her speaking or taking any specific actions.
Meetings in October 2024
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During September 2024, Councillor Amanda De Ryk was active in two council meetings. On September 18th, she introduced and moved the report on the 2024/25 P2 Financial Monitoring Report at the Mayor and Cabinet meeting. Subsequently, at the Public Accounts Select Committee meeting on September 26th, she discussed the management of legal costs, particularly in housing, noting that these are common pressures for local authorities. She stated,
Councillor De Ryk also highlighted the significance of overspending areas, which constitute approximately 80% of the Council's budget, and stressed the importance of data and performance monitoring for understanding service costs and pressures.
the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) has external validation for normal repair costs and that recovery and stabilization of the HRA should be achievable, though short to medium-term assurance is required.
Meetings in September 2024
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Amanda De Ryk attended the Appointments Committee meeting on July 11, 2024.
Meetings in July 2024
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During the Mayor and Cabinet meeting on June 12th, 2024, Councillor Amanda De Ryk, Cabinet Member for Finance, Resources and Performance, formally moved the 2023-24 financial outturn report. She also expressed her appreciation to the officers for their work on the report's figures, stating: > I'd like to formally move the report but also to thank the officers who worked all year on the figures that it contains.
She participated in the meeting virtually.
Meetings in June 2024
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Activity Timeline
Meetings Attended Note this may include planned future meetings.
66 meetings · Page 1 of 14
Brent, Lewisham and Southwark IT Committee - Tuesday, 17th March, 2026 6.30 pm
The Brent, Lewisham and Southwark IT Committee is scheduled to meet on Tuesday 17 March 2026. The meeting's agenda includes an update on the Shared Technology Services (STS) and a specific report on cyber security.
BUDGET, Council - Wednesday, 4th March, 2026 7.30 pm
The Council of Lewisham met on Wednesday, 4 March 2026, to discuss a range of significant issues, including the Council Budget for 2026/27 and temporary changes to polling places for the upcoming May 2026 elections. The meeting also included a review of the Statement of Licensing Policy.
Mayor and Cabinet - Wednesday, 25 February 2026 - 6.00 pm
The Mayor and Cabinet of Lewisham Council met on Wednesday, 25 February 2026, to discuss a range of important issues, including the council's budget for the upcoming year, the procurement of essential services, and the adoption of policies to protect the borough's character. Key topics included the approval of the School Minor Works Programme, the procurement of substance misuse and domestic violence services, and the extension of the Sexual and Reproductive Health Services contract.
Standards Sub-Committee A - Wednesday, 25 February 2026 - 7.00 pm
The Standards Sub-Committee A of Lewisham Council met on Wednesday 25 February 2026 to consider a complaint made under the Council's Code of Conduct. The meeting's agenda included the determination of this complaint, which involved an investigation into the conduct of the Directly Elected Mayor and a Councillor.
Decisions from Meetings
299 decisions · Page 24 of 60
Approval to Award a contract to Routeware Ltd to provide an IT Solution for Waste Management - Part 2
From: Mayor and Cabinet - Wednesday, 25th June, 2025 6.00 pm - June 25, 2025
...to approve awarding a contract to Routeware Ltd for an IT solution for waste management.
Recommendations Approved
Approval of a permitted 2-year extension to the contract for Managed Services for Temporary Agency Resources with Matrix SCM Ltd
From: Mayor and Cabinet - Wednesday, 25th June, 2025 6.00 pm - June 25, 2025
...to approve a permitted two-year extension, from July 29, 2025, to July 28, 2027, to the contract with Matrix SCM Ltd for Managed Services for Temporary Agency Resources, at an estimated value of £64.7 million over the extension period.
For Determination
Approval to Extend & Procure a Dry Mixed Recycling Contract - Part 1
From: Mayor and Cabinet - Wednesday, 25th June, 2025 6.00 pm - June 25, 2025
...to ensure continued and improved recycling services, they approved extending the current dry mixed recycling contract for up to a year, procuring a new contract for up to six years, awarding the contract to a preferred provider within authorized limits, and delegating the final provider selection to the Executive Director of Place.
For Determination
Permission to direct award the Integrated Community Equipment Service contract to Medequip Assistive Technology Limited
From: Mayor and Cabinet - Wednesday, 25th June, 2025 6.00 pm - June 25, 2025
...to ensure continued provision of integrated community equipment services, they approved the use of the Kent framework to award a contract to Medequip Assistive Technology Limited until March 31, 2026, and to initiate a further competition tender for a longer-term contract.
For Determination
Lewisham Climate Emergency Action Plan Update
From: Mayor and Cabinet - Wednesday, 25th June, 2025 6.00 pm - June 25, 2025
...to note the progress on the Lewisham Climate Emergency Action Plan, the responses to issues raised by the Sustainable Development Select Committee, and to agree to proposed amendments to actions outlined in section 8 of the report.
For Determination
Summary
Meetings Attended: 66
Average per Month: 2.8
Decisions Recorded: 299