Lewisham Council
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
- 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
- Lewisham Council's Strategic Planning Committee refused planning permission for the former Lewisham College site redevelopment in September 2026. Source
- Lewisham Council faces a projected £10 million overspend on its high needs block for SEND services, as heard in September 2026. Source
- Lewisham Council officially insourced its mental health social care services in September 2026. Source
- 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.