Lewisham Council's Health and Safety Committee has officially moved its meeting start time to 6:30 pm, a change from the previous 6:00 pm. The decision, confirmed during a meeting on Thursday, July 9, 2026, aims to better accommodate councillors with work or caring responsibilities.
Councillor Pauline Dall, who had previously found the 6:00 pm start time difficult due to work commitments or caring commitments,
expressed her support for the later start. Councillor Aden echoed this sentiment, stating that the 6:30 pm timing gives me a little breathing room to come here
after finishing work later in the day. While Councillor Dall initially voiced a preference rather than a strong objection, no other councillors raised concerns, and the new start time was unanimously agreed upon.
The change is set to apply for the entire municipal year, as indicated in the meeting agenda, and will be reflected in future meeting arrangements unless otherwise determined by the Proper Officer in consultation with the Chair. This is not a trial period.
The meeting where the decision was made had a quorum of three councillors present at its commencement, with a fourth expected shortly. Ultimately, seven councillors attended: Councillor Navaratnam-Blair (Chair), Councillor McKenna (Vice-Chair), Councillor Aden, Councillor Cooper-Stubbs, Councillor Pauline Dall, Councillor Hilary Moore, and Seun Adegbite (Committee and Scrutiny Officer).
The next meeting of the Health and Safety Committee is scheduled for October 13, 2026, at the new 6:30 pm start time.
Further details regarding the committee's work can be found in the Public reports pack and the Agenda frontsheet from the July 9th meeting.