Lambeth Council is set to reconsider its proposed cuts to the Community Sports Budget for those under 18, following concerns raised about the impact on young people's health and wellbeing. Union representatives voiced worries about the potential negative effects of the savings proposals on equality in the workforce and the local community1.

The decision was prompted by a recommendation from the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, which met on 19 November 2025, and was discussed at a Cabinet meeting on Monday, 24 November 2025. The committee urged the council to rethink the cuts if alternative grant funding could not be secured to replace the lost budget. The Director of Highways, Environment and Facilities Management advised that officers are actively working to identify possible funding providers and other third parties to ensure that these services can be delivered by other means.

Councillor Judith Cavanagh, Acting Cabinet Member for Finance, acknowledged the difficult financial situation facing the council, attributing it to government austerity measures and increased demand for statutory services like temporary accommodation and adult social care. While the specific amount of increase in demand is not quantified, the council's financial challenges stem from significant cuts to local government funding, equivalent to £116 million lost to Lambeth. The council is aiming to return to financial sustainability, and the proposed savings are part of that plan. The Quarter 2 2025/26 Budget Monitoring Report outlines the council's financial position and proposed savings.

To address the £116 million funding shortfall from the government, the council is employing strategies such as reducing senior management by 20%, freezing recruitment for non-essential posts, reducing the number of agency workers, pausing any non-essential capital borrowing, and implementing strict controls on all non-essential spend. The report sets out initial saving proposals of more than £28 million to help close our budget gap over the next three years.

The Overview and Scrutiny Committee raised concerns about the potential impact of the cuts on equality in the workforce and the local community. Councillor Cavanagh assured the committee that all savings proposals would be presented to the Equity and Justice Member Panel to guarantee that all equality matters are discussed and all mitigations have been considered2.

The council's financial challenges stem from significant cuts to local government funding, equivalent to £116 million lost to Lambeth, and increased demand on services like temporary accommodation and adult social care. Councillor Cavanagh stated that the council is legally required to fund these services and set a balanced budget every year, forcing difficult choices about non-statutory services.

The Overview and Scrutiny Committee made seven recommendations to the Cabinet, including:

  • Providing regular updates on savings tracking and delivery.
  • Detailing actions to mitigate service pressures.
  • Ensuring Equalities Impact Assessments are taken on board.
  • Reducing reliance on temporary staff.
  • Reconsidering the Community Sports Budget withdrawal.
  • Ensuring reasonable fees and service charges.
  • Lobbying the government for multi-year settlements.

  1. The union representatives raised concerns about the potential negative impact of savings proposals on equality in the workforce and the local community. ↩

  2. The Equity and Justice Member Panel will review all savings proposals to ensure that they are fair and equitable and that all equality matters are discussed and all mitigations have been considered. ↩