Councillor Deepak Sardiwal

Overview and Scrutiny Committee - Tuesday 20 May 2025 7.00 pm

The Lambeth Overview and Scrutiny Committee met to discuss invoices, debts owed to the council, and the management of council assets. The committee agreed to improve communication with advice agencies, reduce the use of bailiffs, and ensure timely payments to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). They also discussed the need for greater transparency and a more uniform approach to lease agreements for voluntary and community sector (VCS) organisations.

Annual Council, Council - Wednesday 23 April 2025 7.00 pm

The annual meeting of Lambeth Council saw Councillor Adrian Garden elected as Mayor and Councillor Christine Banton as Deputy Mayor for the 2025-26 municipal year, while also addressing committee appointments, the council's constitution, and member allowance schemes. The council voted to approve the recommendations in reports regarding the allocation of seats to political groups, the constitution, and the members allowances scheme, all despite some dissent.

Corporate Parenting Board - Wednesday 16 April 2025 6.00 pm

The Lambeth Council Corporate Parenting Board met to discuss updates on services for children in care and care leavers, including health, education, and support programmes. Key discussion points included promoting sibling contact, health summaries, mentoring schemes, and support for care leavers who are parents. The board also addressed challenges such as placement stability and educational attainment, and explored ways to improve communication and engagement with children in care and foster carers.

Planning Applications Committee - Tuesday 18 March 2025 7.00 pm

The committee voted to approve all four planning applications that were presented to them. This included approval for the change of use of a derelict stable block in Ruskin Park to a cafe, the redevelopment of Walker House in Vauxhall, permission to run the annual Between the Bridges event at Hungerford Coach Park on the South Bank, and the extension of a Holiday Inn Express on South Lambeth Road.

Overview and Scrutiny Committee - Tuesday 11 March 2025 7.00 pm

The meeting discussed and agreed to recommendations on three key issues: a review of library services; how the Council supports cultural and performing arts; and the night-time economy in the borough. There was concern that plans to cut £1 million from the libraries' revenue budget would affect staffing, the range of books available and opening hours. In relation to the Council's support for culture and performing arts, the Committee recommended that it should do more to promote the borough's cultural provision, especially to raise the profile of grassroots organisations. Finally, the Committee recommended that the Council do more to increase the police presence and develop security partnerships to address safety concerns in key night-life areas and on public transport at night.