Lewisham Council is considering removing references to Ward Assemblies and deputations from its constitution. The proposal, part of a review of the council's governing document, aims to streamline the constitution and reflect previous decisions to discontinue Ward Assemblies. The Agenda Frontsheet for the meeting listed the review as a key item.
The Governance Committee is expected to recommend the changes to the council for approval and adoption at the Council meeting on 28 January 2026, according to the Governance Committee Report - 10.12.25.
During the meeting on Wednesday, 10 December 2025, Jeremy Chambers, the Council's Director of Law and Corporate Governance, explained that the amendment to Article 6.5 of the constitution seeks to eliminate a remaining reference to Ward Assemblies. He stated that Members will be aware that it was agreed previously that all references to Ward Assemblies would be removed, but one remains,
clarifying that the proposed change is simply to ensure consistency with prior decisions. The specific section of Article 6.5 being amended is Overview & Scrutiny. The exact wording of the reference to Ward Assemblies is not provided in the meeting information, but the report states that Council had previously agreed to remove all such references. It is recemmoneded that any remaining references to Ward Assemblies are removed.
Chambers also noted that the council has provisions for petitions, and public and member questions as alternative avenues for public contribution now that Ward Assemblies are discontinued and deputations are under review.
Councillor Hau-Yu Tam, Deputy Leader of the Lewisham Green Group, raised concerns about the removal of deputations, suggesting they provide a valuable avenue for public contribution. Deputations are a good way for members of the public to contribute testimonies,
Councillor Tam said, referencing their own experience in Southwark. Chambers responded that the previous constitution lacked a clear definition or framework for deputations, leading to the decision to remove references to them. He explained that in no formal document anywhere did the council say what it meant by a deputation and what we would do if somebody sought to put a deputation in.
He further explained that unlike petitions, there were no rules or a scheme defining what a deputation was or how to comply with it.
Chambers added that a formal scheme could be developed in the future if there is sufficient member support. He suggested that if members decide to allow deputations in the future, a formal scheme would be created, similar to the petition scheme. He mentioned that in his experience, deputation schemes typically involve one person presenting on behalf of a group, with a maximum time limit to address the council. He also noted the need for a threshold to validate deputations to ensure it's a sensible use of councillor and officer time.
The Governance Committee, which includes Councillors Susan Wise, James-J Walsh, Sophie Davis, Aisha Malik-Smith, Jacq Paschoud, and Hau-Yu Tam, is tasked with reviewing the constitution and recommending amendments to the full council for approval. The proposed changes will now be considered by the council at a future meeting.
