Flexible working
Lewisham Council recently agreed to introduce a new parental leave policy, a key aspect of flexible working.
Lewisham Council agreed in September 2026 to introduce a new parental leave policy, which will include a minimum of six weeks' fully paid paternity or adoption leave for eligible parents. The motion, proposed by Councillor Andre Bourne and seconded by Councillor Oana Olaru-Holmes, was amended to ensure inclusivity for diverse family structures and to engage with trade unions, committing the council to being a family-friendly employer.
In September 2025, Tower Hamlets' HR department was addressing slow case closure rates while preparing for new employment legislation. A report to the Human Resources Committee by Head of HR Pauline Shakespeare showed that while 100 cases were opened and closed between April and June 2025, the pace of closure remained a concern, with cases taking too long to resolve.
Key facts
- Lewisham Council agreed in September 2026 to introduce a minimum of six weeks' fully paid paternity or adoption leave. Source
- The Lewisham motion was proposed by Councillor Andre Bourne and seconded by Councillor Oana Olaru-Holmes. Source
- Tower Hamlets' HR department reported in September 2025 that cases were taking too long to close. Source
- Pauline Shakespeare, Head of HR, presented the employee relations dashboard for Tower Hamlets in September 2025. Source
About this summary
This summary was written automatically from our published stories and the council meeting records they draw on. 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 30 September 2026. Spotted a mistake? Email community@opencouncil.network.