Lambeth Council convened on Wednesday, 16 July 2025, to address the implications of a recent Supreme Court judgment on sex and gender.
The meeting, held at Lambeth Town Hall, saw councillors debate a motion put forth by the Liberal Democrats concerning the Supreme Court's ruling in For Women Scotland v The Scottish Ministers. The ruling clarified that the terms man,
woman,
and sex
in the Equality Act 2010 refer to biological sex.
The Liberal Democrats' motion aimed to reaffirm the council's support for trans, non-binary, and gender-diverse residents, calling for legislation to restore the rights of trans people on the basis that trans women are women, trans men are men, and non-binary people are non-binary.
The motion urged the government to legislate to restore the rights of trans people. It also called for legal advice before altering guidance for staff or services and proposed providing gender-neutral bathrooms and changing facilities where lawful and practical.
A Labour amendment to the motion suggested awaiting developing guidance and a statutory code of practice for public bodies following the Supreme Court ruling. It also proposed working with Lambeth's LGBTQ+ staff forum, E&J Panel, and local LGBTQ+ partners and groups to advance inclusivity within the organisation and borough, ensuring that the voices and concerns of trans, non-binary, and gender-diverse residents are heard and addressed throughout this process.
Councillor Isla Wrathmell (Active Travel Champion) had submitted a question to the Cabinet Members for Healthier Communities regarding the safety and dignity of transgender people in Lambeth, following interim guidance from the EHRC. According to Councillor Nanda Manley-Browne, Cabinet Member for Healthier Communities (job-share), Lambeth Council has been commissioning cliniQ, a holistic clinic for trans and non-binary people based at King's College Hospital; working with LGBT HERO and Trans Matters Worldwide to facilitate free socials for trans residents; and supporting LGBT HERO's Lambeth Allies programme, helping business and other organisations become LGBTQ+-friendly spaces. The response acknowledged the anxiety caused by the ruling and affirmed Lambeth's commitment to diversity and inclusion, highlighting the borough's history of LGBTQ+ inclusion, including the election of the country's first trans councillor, Rachael Webb, in 1986. The response also noted that the council is awaiting further guidance from the EHRC before considering any implications for council services.
The full agenda and reports pack from the meeting are available on the Lambeth Council website, including the Agenda frontsheet and the Public reports pack.
The council meeting took place at Lambeth Town Hall, located near Brixton Station.
