Oana Olaru-Holmes - Councillor for Lewisham (Downham)

Councillor Oana Olaru-Holmes

Labour Party Downham Cabinet Member for Refugees, Safer Lewisham and Equalities

Email: Oana.Olaru@lewisham.gov.uk

Council: Lewisham

Council Profile: View on council website

Committees: Council (Committee Member) Safer Stronger Communities Select Committee (Cabinet Member) Mayor and Cabinet (Committee Member) Downham Assembly Appointments Committee Strategic Planning Committee Planning Committee B Sustainable Development Select Committee Works Council

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Activity Timeline

Meetings Attended Note this may include planned future meetings.

37 meetings · Page 1 of 8

Mayor and Cabinet Committee Member

Mayor and Cabinet - Wednesday, 3rd December, 2025 6.00 pm

The Mayor and Cabinet of Lewisham Council met to discuss a range of issues, including housing, social care, waste management, and financial performance. They approved measures to increase the supply of affordable housing, improve waste collection services, extend contracts for social care services, and set the council tax base for the upcoming financial year. The cabinet also agreed to procure new IT systems for the Revenue and Benefits Service and approved a contract for print and multifunctional devices.

December 03, 2025
Council Committee Member

Council - Wednesday, 26th November, 2025 7.30 pm

The Council of Lewisham met on Wednesday 26 November 2025, addressing community safety concerns, celebrating achievements in planning and parks, and approving the annual accounts. The council also discussed petitions, public and member questions, and motions related to recognising the contributions of British West Indian service personnel and the Latin American community in Lewisham.

November 26, 2025
Safer Stronger Communities Select Committee Cabinet Member

Safer Stronger Communities Select Committee - Wednesday, 12th November, 2025 7.00 pm

The Safer Stronger Communities Select Committee met to discuss budget equalities monitoring, resident engagement and consultation, and the committee's work programme. The meeting was also scheduled to include declarations of interest from committee members.

November 12, 2025
Mayor and Cabinet Committee Member

Mayor and Cabinet - Wednesday, 22nd October, 2025 6.00 pm

At a meeting on 22 October 2025, Lewisham Council's Mayor and Cabinet agreed to extend the advice services grant, implement changes to bulky waste disposal, and transfer management of Whitefoot Lane Playing Fields to Bonus Pastor School, among other decisions. The cabinet also approved a new active travel strategy and discussed ways to improve housing policies and services.

October 22, 2025
Council Committee Member

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.

September 24, 2025

Decisions from Meetings

232 decisions · Page 41 of 47

Approval to procure a new garden waste contract PART 2

From: Mayor and Cabinet - Wednesday, 23rd October, 2024 6.00 pm - October 23, 2024

...to approve the procurement of a new garden waste contract.

Recommendations Approved

Proposal for a new Strategic Youth Offer and Strategy

From: Mayor and Cabinet - Wednesday, 23rd October, 2024 6.00 pm - October 23, 2024

...to develop a five-year Youth Strategy, insource the Youth Service provision from Youth First, and delegate authority to the Director of Children’s Services to finalise transition arrangements.

Implemented

Matters Raised by Scrutiny and other Constitutional Bodies

From: Mayor and Cabinet - Wednesday, 23rd October, 2024 6.00 pm - October 23, 2024

...to note comments from the Public Accounts Select Committee on the Housing Revenue Account Budget, agree to a response to the Brockley Assembly regarding Community Space, and note the report of the Private Rented Sector in Lewisham’s Task and Finish Group, requesting responses from Executive Directors for Housing and Corporate Resources for consideration on 29 January 2024.

Recommendations Approved

Lewisham Homes Ltd Business Plan

From: Mayor and Cabinet - Wednesday, 23rd October, 2024 6.00 pm - October 23, 2024

...to endorse the Business Plan 2024/25 of Lewisham Homes Limited, the Council’s wholly owned housing company.

Implemented

Expiry of Notting Hill Genesis leases at Milford Towers and Proposed New Management Arrangements

From: Mayor and Cabinet - Wednesday, 23rd October, 2024 6.00 pm - October 23, 2024

...to note the expiry of Notting Hill Genesis leases at Milford Towers, the return of vacant flats for temporary accommodation, ongoing discussions with Lewisham Homes regarding future management, and to delegate authority to enter into the most optimal leasing arrangement for the flats.

Implemented

Summary

Meetings Attended: 37

Average per Month: 1.9

Decisions Recorded: 232