Organisation

Lewisham Council

87 stories · discussed at 5 council meetings · 4 councils

Lewisham Council is currently addressing significant financial overspends, making key service policy changes, and navigating major planning decisions.

In October 2026, Lewisham Council's Licensing Sub-Committee B granted a premises licence for The Railway Tavern, but stipulated that a Designated Premises Supervisor must be appointed before trading can commence. This follows the Strategic Planning Committee's refusal in September 2026 of planning permission for the former Lewisham College site redevelopment, citing heritage and urban design impacts, while Greenwich Council deferred its decision on the cross-borough project.

The council is also addressing significant financial pressures, with a projected £10 million overspend on its high needs block for SEND services and a £6.5 million overspend driven by parking contract costs, as heard by the Public Accounts Select Committee in September 2026. Concurrently, the council insourced mental health social care services and launched a 'cash-first' Crisis and Resilience Fund for residents in September 2026.

Additionally, in September 2026, Lewisham Council agreed to review its parental leave policy to introduce a minimum of six weeks' fully paid leave and approved an £83 million investment in housing repairs. The Mayor and Cabinet also approved plans to refurbish and operate a 5-6 bed children's home at 200 Kirkdale, Sydenham, bringing it back under direct management.

Key facts

  1. Lewisham Council's Licensing Sub-Committee B granted a premises licence for The Railway Tavern in October 2026, but requires a Designated Premises Supervisor to be appointed before trading. Source
  2. Lewisham Council's Strategic Planning Committee refused planning permission for the former Lewisham College site redevelopment in September 2026. Source
  3. Lewisham Council faces a projected £10 million overspend on its high needs block for SEND services, as heard in September 2026. Source
  4. Lewisham Council officially insourced its mental health social care services in September 2026. Source
  5. Lewisham Council agreed in September 2026 to review its parental leave policy to introduce a minimum of six weeks' fully paid leave. Source
About this summary

This summary was written automatically from our published stories and the council meeting records they draw on, with background from Wikipedia. It describes what councils have discussed and decided; it does not take a view on any decision. Each key fact links to the story it comes from. Updated 7 October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Email community@opencouncil.network.

Stories, page 5

  1. Lewisham Council approves £1.5m in grants for local organisations Lewisham Council has approved a £1.5 million package of grants for local organisations, aimed at supporting community initiatives and services across the borough. Lewisham 13 February 2026
  2. Forest Hill designated for High Street Rental Auction Lewisham Council's Mayor and Cabinet has approved the designation of Forest Hill District Centre as a high street rental auction area. This decision, made at a meeting on... Lewisham 13 February 2026
  3. Goldsmiths University to Lease Old Town Hall for Design and Fine Art Curriculum as Part of Catford Regeneration Goldsmiths University is set to lease the Old Town Hall in Catford as part of the town centre's regeneration plans, Lewisham Council's Mayor and Cabinet confirmed. Lewisham 13 February 2026
  4. Lewisham Council approves £693,000 grant for youth project Lewisham Council has approved a £693,000 grant for a youth project aimed at supporting young people in Downham. Lewisham 13 February 2026
  5. Lewisham Council Approves New Strategy to Tackle Long-Term Empty Homes Lewisham Council has approved a new strategy aimed at tackling the issue of long-term empty homes in privately owned properties. Lewisham 13 February 2026
  6. Lewisham Council Approves 2026/27 Budget with Housing Investment and Tax Cap Lewisham Council has approved its budget for the upcoming financial year, which includes a significant capital investment programme and a commitment to a Council Tax cap of 5%.... Lewisham 13 February 2026
  7. Lewisham Council approves new SEN provision at Deptford Park Primary Lewisham Council's Mayor and Cabinet has approved plans to establish a new Special Educational Needs (SEN) provision at Deptford Park Primary School. The decision, made at a... Lewisham 13 February 2026
  8. Lewisham to invest £600m in new council homes over five years Lewisham Council has committed to investing £600 million in building new council homes over the next five years as part of its ambitious housing strategy, aiming to deliver... Lewisham 13 February 2026