Lewisham Council sets budget for 2026/27
Despite a challenging financial backdrop, the budget prioritises investment to make local streets cleaner, greener and safer; supporting young people with investment in youth clubs and adventure playgrounds and supporting people into work with jobs and skills training. Some key areas of investment over the next year include:
- an extra £150,000 to tackle fly-tipping and support the reduction of bulky waste collection charges
- £230,000 additional investment to improve safety of our high streets, including CCTV
- over half a million pounds to provide youth spaces with new equipment and reopen five Adventure Playgrounds
- £5.1 million set aside for resurfacing and footway improvement works
- the £24 million Lewisham Town Centre improvements programme, including a new, refurbished library
- welcoming new businesses and partners to Catford Town Centre – including a new cinema and campus for Goldsmiths University of London
- building the new Council homes local residents need
- £66m to maintain and improve existing council homes
The Government recently announced a three-year funding package for local councils. Over the next three years, including council tax income, Lewisham will receive £33.5 million more, compared to this financial year. However, taking into account increasing demand, rising costs, interest rates and inflation, the Council will still need to find £36 million in savings over the next three years.
With strong financial management the Council has been able to deliver savings needed over the next year in a balanced budget while also setting out some important investments that will make life better for people living in Lewisham and for generations to come.
Mayor of Lewisham, Brenda Dacres OBE, said, “Despite the budget challenges, as a Council we remain ambitious for the future and the budget for the year ahead sets out our priorities to make lives better for people in Lewisham.
“We will continue to prioritise frontline services that make a big difference to people’s lives, from health and social care for our most vulnerable residents; to youth centres and spaces for young people and helping people with the cost of living, alongside the things we all value, including bin collections, our brilliant parks and green spaces and improving our local high streets.
Cllr Amanda de Ryk, Cabinet Member for Finance, Resources and Performance, said, “I am proud of the work we have done to set a balanced budget, through a strong and resilient approach, we have responded effectively to increasing demand for our services while still remaining ambitious in what we want to achieve.
“It’s a difficult time for local Councils, and we will continue to make Lewisham’s voice heard and do everything we can to bring more funding and investment into our borough.
“In the meantime, the Council continues with its work that makes a difference to those who need it most, from free school meals so no child goes hungry during school holidays, to making sure Family Hubs are available all over the borough, to strengthening our jobs and skills offer, especially for young people.”
Lewisham is not alone in facing a financial challenge. Based on current trends in service demand and expected government funding levels, London Councils anticipates a cumulative £4.7bn shortfall for boroughs in the four-year period 2025-26 to 2028-29.