Councillor Becky Sanders

The Strategic Planning Committee refused planning permission for the proposed development at Former Lewisham College, 1 Deptford Bridge, SE8 on 24 September 2026. The decision was based on concerns regarding the height, scale, and massing of the proposed buildings, which were deemed to cause harm to the significance of local conservation areas and listed buildings. The committee also cited concerns about the development's failure to respond appropriately to the character of the surrounding area and its negative impact on residential amenity.

The Strategic Planning Committee of Lewisham Council approved the proposals for 56-60 New Cross Road on 24 September 2026. The committee agreed to refer the application to the Mayor of London and authorised officers to negotiate a legal agreement. If no direction is received from the Mayor, permission will be granted subject to conditions and a legal agreement, with delegated authority to refuse if the agreement is not completed by 24 September 2027.

The Council of Lewisham Council decided to approve recommendations for planning committee reform on 23 September 2026. This reform replaces Planning Committees A and B with a single Planning Committee and retains a Strategic Planning Committee for significant applications. The decision includes amending the Constitution to reflect these changes, aligning local referral thresholds with national statutory schedules and gateway tests, designating a Chief Planning Officer as the nominated officer and the Chair of the Planning Committee as the nominated member for the gateway test, and instructing the Monitoring Officer to make consequential amendments and prepare an implementation plan.

The Council decided to approve the Treasury Management Outturn report for 2025/26 and the Mid-year Treasury Management Strategy 2026/27. This decision was made on 23 September 2026. The approved strategy includes the prudential indicators, the revised Capital Programme 2026-30, and the borrowing forecast.

The Council decided to approve revised Terms of Reference for the Pensions Committee and the Pension Board on 23/09/2026. The Pensions Investments Committee was renamed the Pensions Committee. The revised Terms of Reference include updated responsibilities for the committee and board to comply with new legislation and guidance.