Councillor Billy Harding

Council - Wednesday, 24th September, 2025 7.30 pm

Lewisham Council met to discuss a range of issues, including increasing councillor allowances, the use of substitutes on committees, and motions on childcare and public ownership of Thames Water[^2]. Councillors agreed to increase their basic allowance by 3.2% to £13,201 per year, and approved the use of substitutes on certain committees to ensure meetings can proceed even if some members are absent. A motion supporting the Labour government's plan for 30 hours of free childcare was passed, as was an amended motion calling for Thames Water to be brought back into public ownership.

Licensing Committee - Wednesday, 24th September, 2025 9.00 pm

The Licensing Committee convened to address several key items, including the approval of minutes from previous meetings, adjustments to sub-committee memberships, and a decision regarding a premises licence application. The committee approved the minutes from the meetings held on 21 and 23 July 2025. Additionally, Councillor Rachel Onikosi was appointed to Licensing Sub-Committee D, replacing Councillor Natasha Burgess, and Councillor Kim Powell was nominated to the Licensing Urgency Sub-committee, replacing Councillor Bill Brown.

Housing Select Committee - Tuesday, 16th September, 2025 7.00 pm

The Housing Select Committee met to discuss the Housing Assistance Policy, the Building for Lewisham Programme, the Annual Statutory Housing Ombudsman Report, the Regenter B3 Annual Report, and the Select Committee Work Programme. The committee agreed to request further information on energy performance certificates and disrepair figures in the next Regenter B3 report, and also requested a detailed report covering complaint handling and transactional surveys.

Licensing Committee - Wednesday, 13th August, 2025 7.00 pm

The Licensing Committee convened to address several key items, including the appointment of members to licensing subcommittees and the exclusion of the press and public for a confidential matter. Councillors agreed to appoint members to five subcommittees as outlined in the report. The committee also voted to exclude the press and public to discuss a confidential report regarding the Star & Garter AKA Dokis Lounge.

Licensing Committee - Wednesday, 23rd July, 2025 7.00 pm

The Licensing Committee met to consider an application for a new premises licence for Unit 8 Titan Business Estate, trading as Deptford Junction. The application was met with objections from local residents, and after hearing from all parties, the committee members went into a private session to discuss the application. The decision of the committee will be made available within five working days.