The Lambeth Council meeting on 15 October 2025 included discussion of a wealth tax, a tourist levy, and the allocation of seats to political groups. Councillors also heard deputations on community space funding, parking for carers, and improvements to the Tulse Hill Gyratory. Ultimately, the council approved a motion to introduce an overnight levy in Lambeth and a motion to support Lambeth's night time economy and workers.

Here's a more detailed look at the key topics discussed:

Review of Allocation of Seats to Political Groups

Following changes to the political makeup of the council, a report on the review of allocations of seats to political groups was presented. The changes were triggered by one councillor moving from the Labour Group to the Green Party, and another becoming an independent councillor.

Councillor Donna Harris, Group Leader of the Liberal Democrats, Councillor Scott Ainslie, Group Leader of the Green Party, and Councillor Scarlett O'Hara, Chief Whip, spoke on the review.

Councillor Ainslie said that the Green Party had become an opposition group of equal status to the Liberal Democrats, but that the council had failed to treat the Greens accordingly. He also stated that Labour appeared unwilling to concede any influence.

Councillor O'Hara stated that Labour had consistently gone above and beyond what was required of them in terms of the allocation of seats, while the Greens had proposed rule changes based on vote share rather than councillor numbers, which was not legally valid.

The recommendations in the report were not agreed. As a result, the allocation of seats reverted to the situation as it was in July 2025.

Constitution 2025-26

The council considered a report on the updated Constitution 2025-2026.

Councillor Matthew Bryant, Deputy Group Leader, said the report was largely a tidying-up exercise, but repeated that all three political groupings should be represented on the Constitutional Working Group.

Councillor Paul Valentine said that the Green Group had sought legal advice on issues with the constitution at considerable expense. He also said that the constitution reads more like standing orders¹.

Councillor O'Hara welcomed the updates to the constitution, including the setting up of a cross-party working group to review it.

The recommendations in the report, excluding Appendix 2, were approved. Appendix 2 contained the people who were being allocated to committees, but could not be voted on as the previous vote meant that the seat allocation was as it was before.

Deputations

The council heard three deputations:

Angel Town Community Space Funding

Adrian Caradice Davids, chair of North Brixton Big Local, and Michelle Killington, deputy chair of a safer neighbourhood team for Brixton North Ward, spoke about funding for the Angel Town Community Space. They thanked Councillors Nanda Manley-Browne, Cabinet Member for Healthier Communities (job-share), and Councillor John-Paul Ennis, Policy Lead for Young People, for their work in fostering pride in Angel Town.

They requested that the council consider its £1 million investment in the community space, and asked for continued dialogue, transparency on the funding review process, and alternative funding measures to be explored.

Councillor Marcia Cameron, Cabinet Member for Economic Inclusion, responded that Lambeth was reviewing all capital projects due to significant financial pressures, including the £1 million earmarked for Angel Town. She said that the council was exploring all routes to realising the vision for a community space, and would continue to work closely with the community.

White Badge Scheme

Sarah Mitchell, Peter Gay, director of Disability Advice Service Lambeth, and Jack Grant from Parkinson's UK addressed the council about the white badge scheme for disabled residents.

They asked for Lambeth to adopt the good practice of other London councils, so that if a car is registered to the home in which the disabled person lives, and is used by their carer, then eligibility for the white badge remains.

Councillor Rezina Chowdhury, Deputy Leader of the Council (Sustainable Lambeth and Clean Air), responded that the council would allow blue badge holders to apply for special permission to transfer the white badge to a carer registered at the same address.

Tulse Hill Gyratory

Charlotte Ashworth of the Station to Station BID², Jamie Hodg, a resident on Christchurch Road, and Tom Palmer of the Nogger Forum spoke on behalf of Transform Tulse Hill, a coalition of residents and businesses, about the Tulse Hill Gyratory.

They said that the gyratory is a crisis of safety and a physical barrier that tears the neighbourhood apart. They asked for clarity and action around funding, a joint lobbying effort, and for the community to have a seat at the table.

Councillor Chowdhury responded that Lambeth had been raising the issue with Transport for London for many years, and had delivered interim safety works to tackle a dangerous corner. She said that the council was calling for more safety improvements, but that removing or redesigning the entire gyratory would need significant funding.

Petitions

The council received petitions regarding:

• Resurfacing of Mandalay Road (135 signatures)
• Ending Loughborough Estate Management Board's agreement (217 signatures)
• Objection to proposed low traffic measures on and around Lumbert High Street (100 signatures)
• Stopping the noise in Waterloo and Southbank (515 signatures)
• Urgent replacement of the pavement and footpath on Queen's Hill Road (55 signatures)

Cabinet Statement

Councillor Claire Holland, Leader of the Council, made a cabinet statement, remembering Jody Dabrowski and celebrating Black History Month. She also spoke about the Lambeth Growth Plan, and said that it was projected to provide more than 20,000 jobs and 10,000 new homes into the borough.

Opposition Statement

Councillor Scott Ainslie made an opposition statement, saying that he was honoured to address the council for the first time as leader of the majority opposition party. He paid respects to Councillor Jackie Dyer for her work, and criticised Councillor Danial Adilypour, Deputy Leader of the Council (Housing, Investment, & New Homes), for sharing racist banter.

Youth Council Annual Report

The council received a verbal report from members of the Lambeth Youth Council. Lumiere, Elizabeth Chinnaby, Gemini Salomon, and Leah Hamdoon spoke about the Youth Council's work over the past year.

Leah Hamdoon said that communication is a core value of child-friendly Lambeth, but that communication is not just about speaking, it's about respect and inclusion. She asked for more councillors to attend their meetings, and said that the Youth Council is the bridge between the council and the next generation.

Councillors Ben Curtis, Group Whip, Nicole Griffiths, and Councillor Ennis responded to the report, thanking the Youth Council for their work.

Councillor Questions

Councillors then asked questions of the cabinet. Topics included:

• Carib FC Girls team at Agnes Rydie Gardens
• Gang crime in Clapham Park
• Antisocial behaviour in Waterloo and South Park Court
• Black History events for council staff
• Getting young people onto the electoral register
• Traffic speed and volume around Aberville Road
• Supporting single mums affected by homelessness
• New homes on six sites
• Parcel theft
• Local initiatives that support a love of reading in children
• Stretton Green redevelopment
• New sports facilities
• Access to GP surgeries, NHS dental care, and mental health services

Motions

The council considered five motions.

Support the Introduction of a Wealth Tax to Fund Public Services

Councillor Ainslie opened the debate for the Green Group's motion to support the introduction of a wealth tax to fund public services. He said that wealth inequality is the transfer of wealth from ordinary people and institutions to the uber rich, and that the solution is the wealth flux.

Councillor Fred Cowell, Cabinet Member for Digital, Data and Resident Experience (job-share), said that the motion prioritises fiction over fact, and that the Green Party was trying to reinforce the inequalities of the borough rather than tackle them.

Councillor Clarence, said that the motion was not a serious contribution to the challenge of wealth inequality, and that it was a press release disguised as a policy.

Councillor O'Brien said that a wealth tax would penalise saving and create an incentive to move wealth out of the United Kingdom.

Councillor Martin Abrams said that he was flabbergasted to hear a Labour group use right wing talking points to defend voting against a wealth tax.

The motion was not carried.

Introducing an Overnight Levy in Lambeth

Councillor Ibrahim Dogus opened the debate for the Labour Group's motion on introducing an overnight levy in Lambeth. He said that a modest overnight accommodation levy would allow visitors to make a small contribution to the boroughs and communities that host them.

Councillor Valentine said that the Green Group supported the idea of a tourist levy, and had put in a few amendments.

Councillor Curtis said that the Liberal Democrat group welcomed the chance to improve the motion through their amendments, and that they wanted the council to work with accommodation providers to establish an accommodation business improvement district.

Councillor Emma Nye said that an overnight visitor levy offers a proven, responsible and modern approach to funding.

Councillor Costa said that when he goes back home to Portugal, he typically pays a small tourist fee, and that it feels fair to contribute to the cities that he loves to make them cleaner, safer and more welcoming to everyone.

Councillor Cameron closed the debate, saying that implementing an overnight levy in Lambeth could bring about substantial benefits.

The motion was carried.

Introducing a Tourist Levy and the Late Night Levy

This motion from the Liberal Democrats was not carried.

Supporting Lambeth's Night Time Economy and Workers

This motion from Labour was carried.

Calling for Greater Powers for Councils to Regulate and Manage Utility Companies

This motion from Labour was carried.