{{Short description|Local authority in Greater London, England}} {{Redirect|Lambeth Council|the 1900 to 1965 council|Lambeth Metropolitan Borough Council}} {{Use dmy dates|date=September 2019}} {{Infobox legislature | name = Lambeth London Borough Council | native_name = | transcription_name = | legislature = | coa_pic = Coat of Arms of the London Borough of Lambeth.svg | coa_caption = Coat of arms | coa_res = 100px | logo_pic = Lb_lambeth_logo.svg | logo_caption = Council logo | logo_res = 100px | coa-pic = | coa-res = | house_type = London borough | body = | houses = | leader1_type = Mayor | leader1 = Adrian Garden | party1 = <br/>Labour | election1 = 23 April 2025<ref>{{cite web |title=Council minutes, 24 April 2024 |url=https://moderngov.lambeth.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=142&MId=16349 |website=Lambeth Council | date=24 April 2024 |access-date=9 May 2024}}</ref> | leader2_type = Leader | leader2 = Claire Holland | party2 = <br/>Labour | election2 = 2 June 2021 | leader3_type = Chief Executive | leader3 = Ian Davis | party3 = <!-- Non-political role --> | election3 = 24 March 2025<ref>{{cite news |last1=Cobb |first1=Jason |title=Lambeth's new Chief Exec to earn £230k amid school closures and special urgency decisions |url=https://www.brixtonbuzz.com/2025/01/lambeths-new-chief-exec-to-earn-230k-amid-school-closures-and-special-urgency-decisions/ |access-date=24 May 2025 |work=Brixton Buzz |date=17 January 2025}}</ref> | members = 63 councillors<ref name="opencouncildata.co.uk">{{Cite web|url=http://opencouncildata.co.uk/council.php?c=247&y=0|title=Open Council Data UK – compositions councillors parties wards elections|website=opencouncildata.co.uk|access-date=2020-08-08}}</ref> | structure1 = Lambeth Borough Council 9 May 2026.svg | structure1_res = 250px | political_groups1 = ; Administration (35) : {{Color box|{{party color|Green Party of England and Wales}}|border=darkgray}} Green (27) : {{nowrap|{{Color box|#ff6400|border=darkgray}} Liberal Democrat (8)}} ; Opposition (26) : {{Color box|{{party color|Labour Party (UK)}}|border=darkgray}} Labour (26) Vacant (2)<ref>https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c70vxj4qxgko</ref> | committees1 = | committees2 = | joint_committees = | voting_system1 = First past the post | voting_system2 = | last_election1 = 7 May 2026 | next_election1 = | session_room = Lambeth Town Hall.jpg | session_res = 250 | meeting_place = Lambeth Town Hall, Brixton Hill, London, SW2{{nbsp}}1RW | website = {{URL|www.lambeth.gov.uk}} | footnotes = }} '''Lambeth London Borough Council''', which styles itself '''Lambeth Council''', is the local authority for the London Borough of Lambeth in Greater London, England.
In May 2026, after 20 years under Labour majority control, no party has overall control of the council and the Green Party has the most seats. The council meets at Lambeth Town Hall in Brixton and has its main offices at the nearby Civic Centre.
==History== There has been an elected Lambeth local authority since 1856 when the vestry of the ancient parish of Lambeth was incorporated under the Metropolis Management Act 1855. The vestry served as one of the lower tier authorities within the area of the Metropolitan Board of Works, which was established to provide services across the metropolis of London.<ref>Metropolis Management Act 1855 (18 & 19 Vict. c. 120)</ref> In 1889 the Metropolitan Board of Works' area was made the County of London. In 1900 the lower tier was reorganised into metropolitan boroughs, each with a borough council, which saw the parish of Lambeth become the Metropolitan Borough of Lambeth.<ref>London Government Act 1899 (62 & 63 Vict. c. 14)</ref>
The larger London Borough of Lambeth and its council were created under the London Government Act 1963, with the first election held in 1964.<ref>{{cite legislation UK|type=act|act=London Government Act 1963|chapter=33|access-date=16 May 2024}}</ref> 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 and Wandsworth (the latter only in respect of the Clapham and Streatham areas that were to be transferred to the new Lambeth borough).<ref name="Youngs 1979">{{cite book | first=Frederic |last=Youngs | title=Guide to the Local Administrative Units of England | volume=I: Southern England | year=1979 | publisher=Royal Historical Society | location=London | isbn=0901050679}}</ref> The new council formally came into its powers on 1 April 1965, at which point the old boroughs and their councils were abolished.<ref name="Youngs 1979"/>
The council's full legal name is the "Mayor and Burgesses of the London Borough of Lambeth".<ref>{{cite web |title=Insurance London Consortium Agreement |url=https://moderngov.sutton.gov.uk/documents/s19225/List-14%20Del%2081-11app.pdf |website=Sutton Council |access-date=24 April 2024}}</ref>
From 1965 until 1986 the council was a lower-tier authority, with upper-tier functions provided by the Greater 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, and refuse disposal; with the boroughs (including Lambeth) responsible for "personal" services such as social care, libraries, cemeteries and refuse collection. The Greater London Council was abolished in 1986 and its functions passed to the London Boroughs, with some services provided through joint committees.<ref>{{cite legislation UK|type=act|act=Local Government Act 1985|year=1985|chapter=51|access-date=5 April 2024}}</ref> Lambeth became a local education authority in 1990 when the Inner London Education Authority was dissolved.<ref>Education Reform Act 1988 (c. 40)</ref>
In 1979, the administration of Edward ("Red Ted") Knight organised the borough's first public demonstration against the Thatcher government.<ref name="independent.co.uk">{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/the-rise-and-fall-of-red-teds-loony-lefties-1593657.html|title=The rise and fall of Red Ted's loony lefties| website=Independent.co.uk |date=29 July 1995}}</ref><ref name="briandeer.com">[http://briandeer.com/kate-hoey.htm Kate Hoey MP and Lambeth Labour Party – Brian Deer investigates]. Briandeer.com (8 August 1993). Retrieved on 17 July 2013.</ref>
In 1985, the council joined other left-wing councils in a rate-capping rebellion, although only Liverpool and Lambeth refused to set a legal budget.<ref>''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.</ref> All 34 Labour councillors present voted on 7 March 1985 not to set a rate.<ref name="Lambeth no rate">Stewart Morris, "No Surrender", ''South London Press'', 12 March 1985, p. 21.</ref> On 9 September 1985 the district auditor for Lambeth gave notice that the delay in fixing 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.<ref name="Liverpool Lambeth surcharge">Hugh Clayton, Peter Davenport, "Rebel councillors' £233,000 penalty", ''The Times'', 10 September 1985, p. 1.</ref><ref name="Lambeth wilful misconduct">Grant, "Rate Capping and the Law", p. 71-2.</ref> The surcharged councillors from Lambeth appealed against the surcharges.<ref name="Lambeth court submission">"Rates fight 'legal'", ''South London Press'', 21 January 1986, p. 2.</ref> The High Court delivered its judgment on 6 March 1986, finding heavily against the councils; Lord Justice Glidewell described the stance of the councillors as "mere political posturing"; Mr Justice Caulfield described the evidence of wilful misconduct as "crushing" and the councillors' stance as having "reached a pinnacle of political perversity".<ref name="High Court judgment">"Judges rap rebels for wilful misconduct", ''South London Press'', 7 March 1986, p. 3.</ref> The councillors were disqualified on 30 March.<ref name="Lambeth disqualified">Stewart Morris, "Power bid by Tories hit by rule change", ''South London Press'', 2 April 1986, p. 2.</ref><ref name="Lambeth surcharge payments scheme">Hugh Clayton, "Lambeth rates rebels given time to pay surcharge of £105,000", ''The Times'', 31 July 1986.</ref>
In 1991, Joan Twelves' administration failed to collect the poll tax and opposed the Gulf War.<ref name="independent.co.uk"/><ref name="briandeer.com"/> 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.<ref name="independent.co.uk"/><ref>{{cite news|last=Bennett|first=Will|title=The rise and fall of Red Ted's loony lefties|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/the-rise-and-fall-of-red-teds-loony-lefties-1593657.html|newspaper=The Independent|date=29 July 1995}}</ref><ref>[http://www.glatuc.org.uk/news_gn.php GLATUC News]. Glatuc.org.uk. Retrieved on 17 July 2013.</ref> During this period, Lambeth became known the archetype of what critics described as a "loony left" council.<ref name="Radical Lambeth">{{cite web| title=Radical Lambeth| url= https://www.lambeth.gov.uk/events/radical-lambeth | date= 21 September 2021| website= Lambeth London Borough Council| accessdate= 12 July 2023 }}</ref>
Since 2000 the Greater London Authority has taken some responsibility for highways and planning control from the council, but within the English local government system the council remains a "most purpose" authority in terms of the available range of powers and functions.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YX0nAAAAQBAJ&pg=PA107|title=Local Government Reorganisation: The Review and its Aftermath|first= Steve |last=Leach|page=107|publisher=Routledge|year=1998|isbn=978-0714648590}}</ref>
In July 2021 the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse published 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,<ref name= "BBC 27 July 2021">{{cite web| last= Easton| first= Mark| authorlink= Mark Easton| title= Culture of cover-up saw hundreds of children abused in Lambeth, report finds | url= https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-57984924 | date= 27 July 2021| website= BBC News Online| accessdate= 27 July 2021 }}</ref> although the Inquiry believed that the figure was likely to be significantly higher.<ref>{{cite web| last= Butler | first= Patrick| title= Hundreds of children abused while in care of Lambeth council, inquiry finds| url= https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/jul/27/hundreds-of-children-abused-while-in-care-of-lambeth-council-inquiry-finds |date= 27 July 2021| website= The Guardian| accessdate= 28 July 2021 }}</ref> 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".<ref name= "BBC 27 July 2021"/>
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 by Bob 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,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Council to fold housing company back in-house after review slams 'very poor' delivery |url=https://www.insidehousing.co.uk/news/council-to-fold-housing-company-back-in-house-after-review-slams-very-poor-delivery-79233 |access-date=2024-07-05 |website=Inside Housing |language=En}}</ref> which Lambeth accepted.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ing |first=Will |date=2022-11-29 |title=Lambeth Council set to wind up unpopular housebuilding arm |url=https://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/news/lambeth-council-set-to-wind-up-unpopular-housebuilding-arm |access-date=2024-07-05 |website=The Architects’ Journal |language=en}}</ref>
In 2023, the Housing Ombudsman opened 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".<ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-02-15 |title=Lambeth Council: Disabled father left without toilet for three weeks |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-london-64649782 |access-date=2024-07-05 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Butler |first=Patrick |date=2023-04-12 |title=Council's failures left disabled child in chronic pain for three years, watchdog finds |url=https://www.theguardian.com/society/2023/apr/13/council-failures-disabled-child-chronic-pain-three-years-watchdog |access-date=2024-07-05 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> Michael Gove, then minister for the Department 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.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-03-08 |title=Michael Gove hits out at Lambeth Council over housing |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-london-64886732 |access-date=2024-07-05 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-07-13 |title=Lambeth Council inspected by Housing Ombudsman over complaint |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-london-66180643 |access-date=2024-07-05 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Lawrence |first=Mark |date=2023-07-10 |title=Lambeth Council inspection into complaint handling |url=https://www.housing-ombudsman.org.uk/2023/07/11/lambeth-council-to-undergo-inspection-into-complaint-handling-from-ombudsman-after-concerning-reoccurrence-of-cases/ |access-date=2024-07-05 |website=Housing Ombudsman |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Feeney |first=Jackie |date=2022-02-01 |title=Special Report on Lambeth |url=https://www.housing-ombudsman.org.uk/2022/02/01/housing-ombudsman-issues-special-report-on-lambeths-complaint-handling/ |access-date=2024-07-05 |website=Housing Ombudsman |language=en}}</ref>
In 2024, Lambeth Council was criticised for trying to force residents into non-disclosure agreements when settling complaints from leaseholders overcharged for repairs, building works and service charges.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-06-30 |title=Lambeth Council refunded £1.5m to 'gagged' leaseholders |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cv22x59zlxzo |access-date=2024-07-05 |website=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref>
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.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-06-26 |title=Lambeth Council boss charged with drug and driving offences |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cnkk4d7kznxo |access-date=2024-08-15 |website=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref> Subsequently, in July 2024, the Director for Adult Social Care at the Council, Fiona Connolly became the Acting Chief Executive.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Council |first=Lambeth |date=2024-07-09 |title=Love Lambeth |url=https://love.lambeth.gov.uk/statement-lambeth-council-chief-executive-2/ |access-date=2025-03-02 |website=Love Lambeth |language=en-GB}}</ref>
In December 2024, Lambeth Council’s Appointments Committee has recommended that Ian Davis, formerly the Chief Executive of Enfield Council, be appointed as the council’s new Chief Executive.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Council |first=Lambeth |date=2024-12-09 |title=Love Lambeth |url=https://love.lambeth.gov.uk/lambeth-council-names-new-chief-executive/ |access-date=2025-03-02 |website=Love Lambeth |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Council |first=Enfield |date=2024-12-09 |title=An update from Enfield Council regarding its Chief Executive |url=https://www.enfield.gov.uk/news-and-events/2024/12/an-update-from-enfield-council-regarding-its-chief-executive |access-date=2025-08-10 |website=Enfield Council |language=en}}</ref>
==Governance== The 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 a billing authority also collects precepts for Greater London Authority functions and business rates.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://counciltaxrates.info/councils|title=Council Tax and Business Rates Billing Authorities|publisher=Council Tax Rates|access-date=8 April 2020}}</ref> It sets planning policies which complement Greater London Authority and national policies, and decides on almost all planning applications accordingly. It is a local education authority and is also responsible for council housing, social services, libraries, waste collection and disposal, traffic, and most roads and environmental health.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.london.gov.uk/what-we-do/planning/who-we-work/local-plan-responses-within-and-outside-london|title=Local Plan Responses – within and outside London|publisher=Mayor of London|access-date=9 April 2020}}</ref>
===Political control=== 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:<ref name=compositions>{{cite web |title=Compositions Calculator |url=https://www.electionscentre.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/composition_calc.html |access-date=21 May 2025 |website=The Elections Centre |publisher=University of Exeter}} (Put "Lambeth" in search box to see specific results.)</ref> {| class="wikitable" ! colspan=2|Party in control || Years |- | {{Party name with colour|Labour Party (UK)}} || 1965–1968 |- | {{Party name with colour|Conservative Party (UK)}} || 1968–1971 |- | {{Party name with colour|Labour Party (UK)}} || 1971–1982 |- | {{Party name with colour|No overall control}} || 1982–1986 |- | {{Party name with colour|Labour Party (UK)}} || 1986–1994 |- | {{Party name with colour|No overall control}} || 1994–1998 |- | {{Party name with colour|Labour Party (UK)}} || 1998–2002 |- | {{Party name with colour|No overall control}} || 2002–2006 |- | {{Party name with colour|Labour Party (UK)}} || 2006–2026 |- | {{Party name with colour|No overall control}} || 2026–present |}
===Leadership=== The role of Mayor of Lambeth is largely ceremonial. Political leadership is instead provided by the leader of the council. The leaders since 1965 have been:<ref>{{cite web |title=London Boroughs Political Almanac: London Borough of Lambeth |url=https://boroughs50.londoncouncils.gov.uk/almanac/lambeth/2018/ |website=London Councils |access-date=24 May 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210116190401/https://boroughs50.londoncouncils.gov.uk/almanac/lambeth/2018/ |archive-date=16 January 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Passmore |first1=Michael |title=The responses of Labour-controlled London local authorities to major changes in housing policy, 1971–1973 |date=2015 |publisher=King's College London |location=London |page=280 |url=https://kclpure.kcl.ac.uk/portal/files/40459000/2015_Passmore_Michael_1069330_ethesis.pdf |access-date=6 July 2022}}</ref>
{| class=wikitable ! Councillor !! colspan=2|Party !! From !! To |- | Archie Cotton || {{Party name with colour|Labour Party (UK)}} || align=right|1965 || align=right|1968 |- | Bernard Perkins<ref>{{cite news |title=Council will not raise 'totting' offer |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/ |access-date=5 July 2022 |work=Birmingham Daily Post |date=24 February 1969 |page=15}}</ref> || {{Party name with colour|Conservative Party (UK)}} || align=right|1968 || align=right|1971 |- | Charles Dryland || {{Party name with colour|Labour Party (UK)}} || align=right|1971 || align=right|1973 |- | David Stimpson || {{Party name with colour|Labour Party (UK)}} || align=right|1973 || align=right|1978 |- | Ted Knight || {{Party name with colour|Labour Party (UK)}} || align=right|1978 || align=right|26 May 1982 |- | Robin Pitt<ref>{{cite news |title=Rebel mayor ousts Labour |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/ |access-date=5 July 2022 |work=Daily Mirror |date=27 May 1982 |page=5}}</ref> || {{Party name with colour|Conservative Party (UK)}} || align=right|26 May 1982 || align=right|Nov 1982 |- | Ted Knight<ref>{{cite news |last1=Webster |first1=Philip |title=Knight back in control at Lambeth |work=The Times |date=13 November 1982 |location=London |page=2}}</ref> || {{Party name with colour|Labour Party (UK)}} || align=right|Nov 1982 || align=right|1986 |- | Linda Bellos || {{Party name with colour|Labour Party (UK)}} || align=right|1986 || align=right|1988 |- | Dick Sorabji || {{Party name with colour|Labour Party (UK)}} || align=right|1988 || align=right|1989 |- | Joan Twelves || {{Party name with colour|Labour Party (UK)}} || align=right|1989 || align=right|1993 |- | Steve Whaley || {{Party name with colour|Labour Party (UK)}} || align=right|1993 || align=right|1994 |- | colspan=3|No leader || align=right|1994 || align=right|1998 |- | Jim Dickson || {{Party name with colour|Labour Party (UK)}} || align=right|1998 || align=right|2000 |- | Tom Franklin<ref>{{cite news |title=Double blow for Labour |url=https://www.newsshopper.co.uk/news/6335883.double-blow-for-labour/ |access-date=24 May 2025 |work=News Shopper |date=9 May 2002}}</ref> || {{Party name with colour|Labour Party (UK)}} || align=right|2000 || align=right|May 2002 |- | Peter Truesdale<ref>{{cite web |title=Council minutes, 23 May 2002 |url=https://moderngov.lambeth.gov.uk/Data/Council/20020523/Agenda/Minutes%20-%2023-05-2002.pdf |website=Lambeth Council |access-date=24 May 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Lib Dems hold Waterloo but Labour take control of Lambeth |url=https://www.london-se1.co.uk/news/view/2147 |access-date=24 May 2025 |work=London SE1 |date=5 May 2006}}</ref> || {{Party name with colour|Liberal Democrats (UK)}} || align=right|23 May 2002 || align=right|May 2006 |- | Steve Reed<ref>{{cite web |title=Council minutes, 24 May 2006 |url=https://moderngov.lambeth.gov.uk/CeListDocuments.aspx?CommitteeId=142&MeetingId=5584&DF=24%2f05%2f2006&Ver=2 |website=Lambeth Council | date=24 May 2006 |access-date=24 May 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Foster |first1=Alice |title=Steve Reed signs off as Lambeth council leader |url=https://www.yourlocalguardian.co.uk/news/10085651.steve-reed-signs-off-as-lambeth-council-leader/ |access-date=24 May 2025 |work=Your Local Guardian |date=3 December 2012}}</ref> || {{Party name with colour|Labour Party (UK)}} || align=right|24 May 2006 || align=right|3 Dec 2012 |- | Lib Peck<ref>{{cite web |title=Council minutes, 30 January 2013 |url=https://moderngov.lambeth.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=142&MId=8101 |website=Lambeth Council | date=30 January 2013 |access-date=24 May 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.london.gov.uk/press-releases/mayoral/lib-peck-to-lead-violence-reduction-unit |title=Lib Peck appointed to lead London's new Violence Reduction Unit|date=14 January 2019|publisher=Mayor of London|access-date=26 April 2020}}</ref> || {{Party name with colour|Labour Party (UK)}} || align=right|30 Jan 2013 || align=right|13 Feb 2019 |- | Jack Hopkins<ref>{{cite web |title=Council minutes, 13 February 2019 |url=https://moderngov.lambeth.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=142&MId=10518 |website=Lambeth Council | date=13 February 2019 |access-date=24 May 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.london-se1.co.uk/news/view/9815 |title=Jack Hopkins to replace Lib Peck as Lambeth leader|date=30 January 2019|publisher=London SE1|access-date=26 April 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Slingsby|first=Alan|date=2021-05-10|title=Lambeth Council leader Jack Hopkins steps down|url=https://brixtonblog.com/2021/05/lambeth-council-leader-jack-hopkins-steps-down/|access-date=2022-02-18|website=Brixton Blog|language=en-GB|archive-date=18 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220218221811/https://brixtonblog.com/2021/05/lambeth-council-leader-jack-hopkins-steps-down/|url-status=dead}}</ref> || {{Party name with colour|Labour Party (UK)}} || align=right|13 Feb 2019 || align=right|2 Jun 2021 |- | Claire Holland<ref>{{Cite web|title=Cllr Claire Holland set to be new Leader of Lambeth Council|url=https://www.lambeth-labour.org.uk/2021/05/25/cllr-claire-holland-set-to-be-new-leader-of-lambeth-council/|access-date=2022-02-18|website=Lambeth Labour|language=en-GB|archive-date=18 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220218221809/https://www.lambeth-labour.org.uk/2021/05/25/cllr-claire-holland-set-to-be-new-leader-of-lambeth-council/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Council minutes, 2 June 2021 |url=https://moderngov.lambeth.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=142&MId=15494 |website=Lambeth Council | date=2 June 2021 |access-date=24 May 2025}}</ref> || {{Party name with colour|Labour Party (UK)}} || align=right|2 Jun 2021 || align=right|Present |- |}
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.<ref name=MasonJohnpxv>{{cite book|last1=Mason-John|first1=Valerie|title=Talking Black: Lesbians of African and Asian Descent Speak Out|date=1995|publisher=Cassell|page=xv}}</ref>
===Composition=== Following the 2026 election, the composition of the council is:<ref>{{Cite web |title=Lambeth |url=https://election.news.sky.com/elections/england-councils-2026/lambeth-4838 |access-date=2026-05-11 |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Cobb |first1=Jason |title=By-election success for Labour with Streatham Common & Vale and Knight's Hill both returning Labour candidates |url=https://www.brixtonbuzz.com/2024/05/by-election-success-for-labour-with-streatham-common-vale-and-knights-hill-both-returning-labour-candidates/ |access-date=4 May 2024 |work=Brixton Buzz |date=3 May 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | author=Steven Downes| title=Labour suspends councillor over arrest as MPs are purged | website=Inside Croydon | date=2025-07-17 | url=https://insidecroydon.com/2025/07/17/labour-suspends-councillor-over-arrest-as-mps-are-purged/ | access-date=2025-07-20}}</ref> {| class="wikitable" ! colspan=2| Party !! Councillors |- | {{Party name with colour|Green Party of England and Wales}} || align=center|29 |- | {{Party name with colour|Labour Party (UK)}} || align=center|26 |- | {{Party name with colour|Liberal Democrats (UK)}} || align=center|8 |- ! colspan=2| Total !! 63<ref>{{cite web | title=Lambeth | website=Sky News | date=2026-05-09 | url=https://election.news.sky.com/elections/england-councils-2026/lambeth-4838 | access-date=2026-05-09}}</ref> |}
The next full council election is due in May 2030.<ref>{{cite web |title=Lambeth|url=https://www.localcouncils.co.uk/councils/?council=lambeth |website=Local Councils |publisher=Thorncliffe |access-date=9 May 2026}}</ref>
==Elections== {{see also|Lambeth London Borough Council elections}} Since the last boundary changes in 2022 the council has comprised 63 councillors representing 25 wards, with each ward electing two or three councillors. Elections are held every four years.<ref>{{cite legislation UK|type=si|si=The London Borough of Lambeth (Electoral Changes) Order 2022|year=2022|number=37|access-date=24 April 2024}}</ref> The wards are:<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Electoral ward boundary review {{!}} Lambeth Council |url=https://beta.lambeth.gov.uk/voting-elections/electoral-ward-boundary-review |access-date=2022-04-21 |website=beta.lambeth.gov.uk |language=en}}</ref>
{{div col|colwidth=12em}} *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) {{div col end}}
==Premises== thumb|Lambeth Civic Centre, 6 Brixton Hill, London, SW2{{nbsp}}1EG: Council's main offices since 2018 The council meets at Lambeth Town Hall on Brixton Hill in Brixton, which was completed in 1908 for the old Lambeth Borough Council.<ref>{{NHLE|num=1080534|desc=Lambeth Town Hall|grade=II|access-date=24 April 2024}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web |title=Your New Town Hall - Lambeth Civic Centre |url=https://www.glhearn.com/projects/your-new-town-hall-lambeth-civic-centre/ |publisher=GL Hearn |access-date=22 April 2024}}</ref>
thumb|Olive Morris House, 18 Brixton Hill: Council's offices 1978–2018, since demolished 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 after Olive Morris (1952–1979), a local community leader and activist.<ref name="Fawcett">{{Cite web|url=https://www.fawcettsociety.org.uk/blog/black-history-month-power-olive-morris|title=Black History Month: The Power of Olive Morris|last=Osborne|first=Angelina|date=2 August 2020|website=Fawcett Society|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200423083130/https://www.fawcettsociety.org.uk/blog/black-history-month-power-olive-morris|archive-date=23 April 2020|access-date=23 April 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Olive Morris House |url=http://www.engdesign.co.uk/projects/olivemorrishouse.html |website=Engdesign |access-date=24 April 2024}}</ref>
==Notable councillors== ===Green Party=== *Jonathan Bartley, councillor for St Leonard's ward between 2018 and 2022, former Co-Leader of the Green Party. *Scott Ainslie, councillor for St Leonard's ward since 2014 and MEP for London from 2019 to 2020.
===Liberal Democrats=== *Anthony Bottrall, former British diplomat and councillor for Stockwell ward from 1994 to 2006. *Roger Liddle, British political adviser and member of House of Lords, and councillor for Prince's ward from 1982 to 1986 and 1994 to 1995. *Mike Tuffrey, former member of the GLC and London Assembly, and councillor for Prince's ward from 1990 to 2002.
===Conservative Party=== *John Bercow, former councillor for St Leonard's ward (1986–1990) and Speaker of the House of Commons from 2009 to 2019. *Charlie Elphicke, former councillor for Gipsy Hill (1994–1998) and Member of Parliament for Dover from 2010 to 2019. *John Major, former councillor for Ferndale ward (1968–1971) and Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1990 to 1997.
===Labour Party=== * Ibrahim Dogus, councillor for Bishop's ward since 2018 and entrepreneur and restaurateur. *Jim Dickson, councillor for Herne Hill and former Leader of Lambeth Council. *Steve Reed, former councillor for Brixton Hill (2006–2012) and Member of Parliament for Croydon North since 2012. *Florence Eshalomi, former councillor for Brixton Hill (2010–2018), Member of the London Assembly (2016–2021) and Member of Parliament for Vauxhall since 2019. *Marsha de Cordova, former councillor for Larkhall ward (2014–2018) and Member of Parliament for Battersea since 2017. *Dan Sabbagh, former councillor for Vassall ward (2010–2014) and associate editor of ''The Guardian'' newspaper. *Kitty Ussher, former councillor for Vassall ward (1998–2002) and former Member of Parliament for Burnley (2005–2010). *Jonathan Myerson, former councillor for Clapham Town (2002–2006). *Tom Rutland, former councillor for Streatham Common and Vale from 2022 to 2024.
==References== {{Reflist}}
{{Local authorities in London}} {{Authority control}}
Category:Local authorities in London Category:London borough councils Category:Politics of the London Borough of Lambeth Category:Leader and cabinet executives Category:Local education authorities in England Category:Billing authorities in England Category:1965 establishments in England