Lambeth London Borough Council,which styles itselfLambeth Council,is the local authority for theLondon Borough of LambethinGreater London,England. It is aLondon boroughcouncil, one of the 32 inLondon.The council has been underLabourmajority control since 2006. The council meets atLambeth Town HallinBrixtonand has its main offices at the nearby Civic Centre.
Lambeth London Borough Council | |
|---|---|
 Coat of arms | |
 Council logo | |
| Type | |
| Type | |
| Leadership | |
Bayo Dosunmu since July 2022[2] | |
| Structure | |
| Seats | 63 councillors[3] |
 | |
Political groups |
|
| Elections | |
| First past the post | |
Last election | 5 May 2022 |
Next election | 7 May 2026 |
| Meeting place | |
 | |
| Lambeth Town Hall,Brixton Hill, London, SW21RW | |
| Website | |
| www | |
History
editThere has been an elected Lambeth local authority since 1856 when thevestryof theancient parishofLambethwas incorporated under theMetropolis Management Act 1855.The vestry served as one of thelower tier authoritieswithin the area of theMetropolitan Board of Works,which was established to provide services across themetropolisof London.[4]In 1889 the Metropolitan Board of Works' area was made theCounty of London.In 1900 the lower tier was reorganised intometropolitan boroughs,each with a borough council, which saw the parish of Lambeth become theMetropolitan Borough of Lambeth.[5]
The larger London Borough of Lambeth and its council were created under theLondon Government Act 1963,with the first election heldin 1964.[6]For its first year the council acted as a shadow authority alongside the area's two outgoing authorities, being the councils of the two metropolitan boroughs of Lambeth andWandsworth(the latter only in respect of theClaphamandStreathamareas that were to be transferred to the new Lambeth borough).[7]The new council formally came into its powers on 1 April 1965, at which point the old boroughs and their councils were abolished.[8]
The council's full legal name is the "Mayor and Burgesses of the London Borough of Lambeth".[9]
From 1965 until 1986 the council was a lower-tier authority, with upper-tier functions provided by theGreater London Council.The split of powers and functions meant that the Greater London Council was responsible for "wide area" services such as fire, ambulance,flood prevention,andrefuse disposal;with the boroughs (including Lambeth) responsible for "personal" services such as social care, libraries, cemeteries andrefuse collection.The Greater London Council was abolished in 1986 and its functions passed to the London Boroughs, with some services provided through joint committees.[10]Lambeth became alocal education authorityin 1990 when theInner London Education Authoritywas dissolved.[11]
In 1979, the administration ofEdward ( "Red Ted" ) Knightorganised the borough's first public demonstration against the Thatcher government.[12][13]
In 1985, the council joined other left-wing councils in arate-capping rebellion,although only Liverpool and Lambeth refused to set a legal budget.[14]All 34 Labour councillors present voted on 7 March 1985 not to set a rate.[15]On 9 September 1985 the district auditor for Lambeth gave notice that the delay in fi xing the rates was wilful misconduct and so the councillors were required to repay the £126,947 costs as a surcharge. The amount per councillor was over £2,000 and therefore they were also disqualified from office.[16][17]The surcharged councillors from Lambeth appealed against the surcharges.[18]The High Court delivered its judgment on 6 March 1986, finding heavily against the councils; Lord JusticeGlidewelldescribed the stance of the councillors as "mere political posturing";Mr Justice Caulfielddescribed the evidence of wilful misconduct as "crushing" and the councillors' stance as having "reached a pinnacle of political perversity".[19]The councillors were disqualified on 30 March.[20][21]
In 1991, Joan Twelves' administration failed to collect thepoll taxand opposed theGulf War.[12][13]The following year, Twelves and 12 other councillors were suspended from the local Labour Party by regional officials for advocating non-payment of the poll tax and other ideas.[12][22][23]During this period, Lambeth became known the archetype of what critics described as a "loony left"council.[24]
Since 2000 theGreater London Authorityhas taken some responsibility for highways and planning control from the council, but within theEnglish local government systemthe council remains a "most purpose" authority in terms of the available range of powers and functions.[25]
In July 2021 theIndependent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abusepublished a report that was highly critical of the council and which said serious abuse had been allowed to occur in five of Lambeth's children's homes between the 1960s and 1990s; over 700 children had suffered cruelty and sexual abuse,[26]although the Inquiry believed that the figure was likely to be significantly higher.[27]The Inquiry found that a "culture of cover-up" had led to the abuse continuing over decades; the Council made an "unreserved apology to the victims".[26]
Lambeth Council has faced significant criticism over their failure to deliver affordable housing and to properly administer housing they own and manage. Like a number of local authorities, in 2017, it set up a wholly owned company—Homes for Lambeth—to build new housing in the borough. An independent report commissioned by the council byBob Kerslake,former head of the Civil Service, reported in 2022 that the delivery of new homes in the borough had been "very poor" and recommended closing the company,[28]which Lambeth accepted.[29]
In 2023, theHousing Ombudsmanopened an investigation into the council's housing provision following numerous incidents judged by the ombudsmen to be "severe maladministration" and stated they need to "radically improve".[30][31]Michael Gove,then minister for theDepartment for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities,stated that the Lambeth Council's behaviour towards residents was "completely unacceptable" and fell below "the most basic level of decency" owed to tenants.[32]Following further investigations, the Housing Ombudsman accepted that Lambeth had made improvements, but "too many residents" still get "an unacceptable service" from the council. Lambeth Council was also the first local authority housing provider to become the subject of an in-person inspection from the Housing Ombudsman over repeated failures to properly handle complaints from tenants and residents.[33][34][35]
In 2024, Lambeth Council was criticised for trying to force residents intonon-disclosure agreementswhen settling complaints from leaseholders overcharged for repairs, building works and service charges.[36]
In June 2024 the CEO of Lambeth Council, Bayo Dosunmu, was charged by the police with possession of a Class A drug, failing to stop after a road accident, driving above the proscribed alcohol limit and using a motor vehicle in a public place without third party insurance. He subsequently resigned from his £190,000 a year job.[37]
Governance
editThe local authority derives its powers and functions from the London Government Act 1963 and subsequent legislation, and has the powers and functions of a London borough council. It sets council tax and as abilling authorityalso collects precepts forGreater London Authorityfunctions and business rates.[38]It sets planning policies which complement Greater London Authority and national policies, and decides on almost all planning applications accordingly. It is alocal education authorityand is also responsible forcouncil housing,social services, libraries, waste collection and disposal, traffic, and most roads and environmental health.[39]
Political control
editThe council has been under Labour majority control since 2006.
The first election was held in 1964, initially operating as a shadow authority alongside the outgoing authorities until it came into its powers on 1 April 1965. Political control of the council since 1965 has been as follows:[40]
| Party in control | Years | |
|---|---|---|
| Labour | 1965–1968 | |
| Conservative | 1968–1971 | |
| Labour | 1971–1982 | |
| No overall control | 1982–1986 | |
| Labour | 1986–1994 | |
| No overall control | 1994–1998 | |
| Labour | 1998–2002 | |
| No overall control | 2002–2006 | |
| Labour | 2006–present | |
Leadership
editThe role of Mayor of Lambeth is largely ceremonial. Political leadership is instead provided by theleader of the council.The leaders since 1965 have been:[41][42][43]
| Councillor | Party | From | To | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Archie Cotton | Labour | 1965 | 1968 | |
| Bernard Perkins[44] | Conservative | 1968 | 1971 | |
| Charles Dryland | Labour | 1971 | 1973 | |
| David Stimpson | Labour | 1973 | 1978 | |
| Ted Knight | Labour | 1978 | 26 May 1982 | |
| Robin Pitt[45] | Conservative | 26 May 1982 | Nov 1982 | |
| Ted Knight[46] | Labour | Nov 1982 | 1986 | |
| Linda Bellos | Labour | 1986 | 1988 | |
| Dick Sorabji | Labour | 1988 | 1989 | |
| Joan Twelves | Labour | 1989 | 1993 | |
| Steve Whaley | Labour | 1993 | 1994 | |
| No leader | 1994 | 1998 | ||
| Jim Dickson | Labour | 1998 | 2000 | |
| Tom Franklin | Labour | 2000 | 23 May 2002 | |
| Peter Truesdale | Liberal Democrats | 23 May 2002 | 24 May 2006 | |
| Steve Reed | Labour | 24 May 2006 | 3 Dec 2012 | |
| Lib Peck[47] | Labour | 30 Jan 2013 | 13 Feb 2019 | |
| Jack Hopkins[48][49] | Labour | 13 Feb 2019 | 2 Jun 2021 | |
| Claire Holland[50] | Labour | 2 Jun 2021 | ||
In 1986, Linda Bellos was the second Black woman to become leader of a British local authority, after Merle Amory in the London Borough of Brent.[51]
Composition
editFollowing the2022 electionand changes of allegiance and by-elections up to May 2024, the composition of the council was as follows:[52][53]
| Party | Councillors | |
|---|---|---|
| Labour | 58 | |
| Liberal Democrats | 3 | |
| Green | 2 | |
| Total | 63 | |
The next election is due in May 2026.
Elections
editSince the last boundary changes in 2022 the council has comprised 63councillorsrepresenting 25wards,with each ward electing two or three councillors. Elections are held every four years.[54]The wards are:[55]
- Brixton Acre Lane(3)
- Brixton North(3)
- Brixton Rush Common(3)
- Brixton Windrush(2)
- Clapham Common and Abbeville(2)
- Clapham East(2)
- Clapham Park(3)
- Clapham Town(3)
- Gipsy Hill(2)
- Herne Hill and Loughborough Junction(3)
- Kennington(3)
- Knight's Hill(3)
- Myatt's Fields(2)
- Oval(3)
- St Martin's(2)
- Stockwell East(2)
- Stockwell West and Larkhall(3)
- Streatham Common and Vale(3)
- Streatham Hill East(2)
- Streatham Hill West and Thornton(2)
- Streatham St Leonard's(3)
- Streatham Wells(2)
- Vauxhall(3)
- Waterloo and South Bank(2)
- West Dulwich(2)
Premises
edit
The council meets at Lambeth Town Hall onBrixton Hillin Brixton, which was completed in 1908 for the old Lambeth Borough Council.[56]The council's main offices are at Lambeth Civic Centre at 6 Brixton Hill, a short distance south of the Town Hall. The civic centre was purpose-built for the council and opened in 2018.[57]
The civic centre replaced the council's previous main offices at 18 Brixton Hill, which had been built in 1978 and was named 'Olive Morris House' in 1986 afterOlive Morris(1952–1979), a local community leader and activist.[58][59]
Notable councillors
editGreen Party
edit- Jonathan Bartley,councillor forSt Leonard's wardbetween2018and 2022, former Co-Leader of theGreen Party.
- Scott Ainslie,councillor forSt Leonard's wardsince2014andMEPforLondonfrom 2019 to 2020.
Liberal Democrats
edit- Anthony Bottrall,former British diplomat and councillor forStockwell wardfrom1994to2006.
- Roger Liddle,British political adviser and member of House of Lords, and councillor forPrince's wardfrom1982to1986and1994to 1995.
- Mike Tuffrey,former member of theGLCandLondon Assembly,and councillor forPrince's wardfrom1990to2002.
Conservative Party
edit- John Bercow,former councillor forSt Leonard's ward(1994–1998) and Speaker of theHouse of Commonsfrom 2009 to 2019.
- Charlie Elphicke,former councillor forGipsy Hillfrom 1994 to 1998 and Member of Parliament forDoverfrom 2010 to 2019.
- John Major,former councillor forFerndale ward(1968–1971) and formerPrime Minister of the United Kingdomfrom 1990 to 1997.
Labour Party
edit- Ibrahim Dogus,councillor forBishop's wardsince2018and entrepreneur and restaurateur.
- Jim Dickson,councillor forHerne Hilland former Leader ofLambeth Council.
- Steve Reed,former councillor forBrixton Hill(2006–2012) andMember of ParliamentforCroydon Northsince2012.
- Florence Eshalomi,former councillor forBrixton Hill(2010–2018), Member of theLondon Assembly(2016–2021) andMember of ParliamentforVauxhallsince2019.
- Marsha de Cordova,former councillor forLarkhall ward(2014–2018) andMember of ParliamentforBatterseasince2017.
- Dan Sabbagh,former councillor forVassall ward(2010–2014) and associate editor ofThe Guardiannewspaper.
- Kitty Ussher,former councillor forVassall ward(1998–2002) and formerMember of ParliamentforBurnley(2005–2010).
- Jonathan Myerson,former councillor forClapham Town(2002–2006)
- Tom Rutland,former councillor forStreatham Common and Valefrom 2022 to 2024.
References
edit- ^"Council minutes, 24 April 2024".Lambeth Council.24 April 2024.Retrieved9 May2024.
- ^"Future Forum".Municipal Journal.Retrieved22 April2024.
- ^"Open Council Data UK – compositions councillors parties wards elections".opencouncildata.co.uk.Retrieved8 August2020.
- ^Metropolis Management Act 1855(18 & 19 Vict. c. 120)
- ^London Government Act 1899(62 & 63 Vict. c. 14)
- ^"London Government Act 1963",legislation.gov.uk,The National Archives,1978 c. 33,retrieved16 May2024
- ^Youngs, Frederic (1979).Guide to the Local Administrative Units of England.Vol. I: Southern England. London: Royal Historical Society.ISBN0901050679.
- ^Youngs, Frederic (1979).Guide to the Local Administrative Units of England.Vol. I: Southern England. London: Royal Historical Society.ISBN0901050679.
- ^"Insurance London Consortium Agreement"(PDF).Sutton Council.Retrieved24 April2024.
- ^"Local Government Act 1985",legislation.gov.uk,The National Archives,1985 c. 51,retrieved5 April2024
- ^Education Reform Act 1988(c. 40)
- ^abc"The rise and fall of Red Ted's loony lefties".Independent.co.uk.29 July 1995.
- ^abKate Hoey MP and Lambeth Labour Party – Brian Deer investigates.Briandeer (8 August 1993). Retrieved on 17 July 2013.
- ^Not the echo! Liverpool Labour News,(a newspaper published by the Labour Party in 1985), '6,0000 jobs threatened', p1. The article was written by Militant member Felicity Dowling.
- ^Stewart Morris, "No Surrender",South London Press,12 March 1985, p. 21.
- ^Hugh Clayton, Peter Davenport, "Rebel councillors' £233,000 penalty",The Times,10 September 1985, p. 1.
- ^Grant, "Rate Capping and the Law", p. 71-2.
- ^"Rates fight 'legal'",South London Press,21 January 1986, p. 2.
- ^"Judges rap rebels for wilful misconduct",South London Press,7 March 1986, p. 3.
- ^Stewart Morris, "Power bid by Tories hit by rule change",South London Press,2 April 1986, p. 2.
- ^Hugh Clayton, "Lambeth rates rebels given time to pay surcharge of £105,000",The Times,31 July 1986.
- ^Bennett, Will (29 July 1995)."The rise and fall of Red Ted's loony lefties".The Independent.
- ^GLATUC News.Glatuc.org.uk. Retrieved on 17 July 2013.
- ^"Radical Lambeth".Lambeth London Borough Council.21 September 2021.Retrieved12 July2023.
- ^Leach, Steve (1998).Local Government Reorganisation: The Review and its Aftermath.Routledge. p. 107.ISBN978-0714648590.
- ^abEaston, Mark(27 July 2021)."Culture of cover-up saw hundreds of children abused in Lambeth, report finds".BBC News Online.Retrieved27 July2021.
- ^Butler, Patrick (27 July 2021)."Hundreds of children abused while in care of Lambeth council, inquiry finds".The Guardian.Retrieved28 July2021.
- ^"Council to fold housing company back in-house after review slams 'very poor' delivery".Inside Housing.Retrieved5 July2024.
- ^Ing, Will (29 November 2022)."Lambeth Council set to wind up unpopular housebuilding arm".The Architects’ Journal.Retrieved5 July2024.
- ^"Lambeth Council: Disabled father left without toilet for three weeks".BBC News.15 February 2023.Retrieved5 July2024.
- ^Butler, Patrick (12 April 2023)."Council's failures left disabled child in chronic pain for three years, watchdog finds".The Guardian.ISSN0261-3077.Retrieved5 July2024.
- ^"Michael Gove hits out at Lambeth Council over housing".BBC News.8 March 2023.Retrieved5 July2024.
- ^"Lambeth Council inspected by Housing Ombudsman over complaint".BBC News.13 July 2023.Retrieved5 July2024.
- ^Lawrence, Mark (10 July 2023)."Lambeth Council inspection into complaint handling".Housing Ombudsman.Retrieved5 July2024.
- ^Feeney, Jackie (1 February 2022)."Special Report on Lambeth".Housing Ombudsman.Retrieved5 July2024.
- ^"Lambeth Council refunded £1.5m to 'gagged' leaseholders".BBC News.30 June 2024.Retrieved5 July2024.
- ^"Lambeth Council Boss charged with drug and driving offences".BBC News.26 June 2024.Retrieved15 August2024.
- ^"Council Tax and Business Rates Billing Authorities".Council Tax Rates.Retrieved8 April2020.
- ^"Local Plan Responses – within and outside London".Mayor of London.Retrieved9 April2020.
- ^"Compositions calculator".The Elections Centre.4 March 2016.Retrieved3 March2023.
- ^"Council minutes".Lambeth Council.Retrieved5 July2022.
- ^"London Boroughs Political Almanac".London Councils.Retrieved5 July2022.
- ^Passmore, Michael (2015).The responses of Labour-controlled London local authorities to major changes in housing policy, 1971–1973(PDF).London: King's College London. p. 280.Retrieved6 July2022.
- ^"Council will not raise 'totting' offer".Birmingham Daily Post.24 February 1969. p. 15.Retrieved5 July2022.
- ^"Rebel mayor ousts Labour".Daily Mirror.27 May 1982. p. 5.Retrieved5 July2022.
- ^Webster, Philip (13 November 1982). "Knight back in control at Lambeth".The Times.London. p. 2.
- ^"Lib Peck appointed to lead London's new Violence Reduction Unit".Mayor of London. 14 January 2019.Retrieved26 April2020.
- ^"Jack Hopkins to replace Lib Peck as Lambeth leader".London SE1. 30 January 2019.Retrieved26 April2020.
- ^Slingsby, Alan (10 May 2021)."Lambeth Council leader Jack Hopkins steps down".Brixton Blog.Retrieved18 February2022.
- ^"Cllr Claire Holland set to be new Leader of Lambeth Council".Lambeth Labour.Retrieved18 February2022.
- ^Mason-John, Valerie (1995).Talking Black: Lesbians of African and Asian Descent Speak Out.Cassell. p. xv.
- ^Cobb, Jason (28 February 2024)."Lambeth faces by-election as Labour Councillor Sonia Winifred resigns amidst Gaza ceasefire controversy".Retrieved11 March2024.
- ^Cobb, Jason (3 May 2024)."By-election success for Labour with Streatham Common & Vale and Knight's Hill both returning Labour candidates".Brixton Buzz.Retrieved4 May2024.
- ^"The London Borough of Lambeth (Electoral Changes) Order 2022",legislation.gov.uk,The National Archives,SI 2022/37,retrieved24 April2024
- ^"Electoral ward boundary review | Lambeth Council".beta.lambeth.gov.uk.Retrieved21 April2022.
- ^Historic England."Lambeth Town Hall (Grade II) (1080534)".National Heritage List for England.Retrieved24 April2024.
- ^"Your New Town Hall - Lambeth Civic Centre".GL Hearn.Retrieved22 April2024.
- ^Osborne, Angelina (2 August 2020)."Black History Month: The Power of Olive Morris".Fawcett Society.Archivedfrom the original on 23 April 2020.Retrieved23 April2020.
- ^"Olive Morris House".Engdesign.Retrieved24 April2024.