Love Lambeth

Lambeth Council has published its latest Air Quality Annual Status Report measuring the levels of harmful pollution in different parts of the borough over the last year.

The data shows an overall improvement in air quality since 2017 with a reduction in levels of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and particles with a diameter of 10 micrometres or less (PM10) that have been linked to health problems among vulnerable groups.

But there are parts of the borough that still exceed both government and the more stringent World Health Organisation (WHO) air quality guidelines.

This significant investment is part of the Council’s broader £10 million plan aimed at modernising leisure facilities while supporting financial sustainability and increased community engagement.

This exciting revamp will transform Active Lambeth leisure centres into vibrant spaces for fun, fitness and relaxation, offering residents and visitors a wide range of activities, building a more active future for Lambeth.

There’s still time to apply for a place on this ýear’s ‘Become A Lambeth Tour Guide’ course, based at Morley College in Waterloo. But hurry – the first term starts on 19 September.

Learning about Lambeth

Cllr Tim Windle is the new joint Cabinet Member for Healthier Communities, following Cllr Jim Dickson’s election as Labour MP for Dartford on July 4.

Cllr Dickson, who has been councillor for Herne Hill & Loughborough Junction for over 20 years, also served as Leader of Lambeth Council between 1994 and 2000.

The changes were announced by Council Leader Claire Holland at the Full Council meeting on 17 July.

From September 2, landlords will need a licence to legally let any property to a single-family household or no more than two unrelated sharers, in four specified wards.

The selective licensing scheme was approved by Lambeth’s Cabinet in May, in a bid to improve property conditions and management, and tackle problems including anti-social behaviour (ASB) and deprivation.

Lambeth’s Heritage Festival takes place throughout September and brings together over 80 different events and activities celebrating the history and heritage of our borough.

Word from the Cabinet

Cllr Donatus Anyanwu, Lambeth Cabinet Member for Stronger Communities, said: “I am passionate to ensure that the history of Lambeth’s people and places is shared widely with residents and other Londoners, and is preserved for generations to come, as well as using it to help connect local people with the opportunities and challenges in Lambeth today”.

Lambeth Council is proposing to implement a new planning mechanism in relation to the creation of new Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) in Streatham Common & Vale and Streatham St Leonard’s – two wards where residents have expressed concerns relating to the notably high number of HMOs, and associated impacts including instances of reported anti-social behaviour, loss of family homes and impact on the character of the areas.

The council’s Cabinet has agreed that a Selective Licensing Scheme should be introduced in four wards, in a bid to improve property conditions and management, and tackle problems including anti-social behaviour (ASB) and deprivation.

From September, landlords will need a licence and meet the conditions associated to legally let any property to a single-family household or no more than two unrelated sharers in this “Selective Licensing Designation 1” – Knights Hill, Streatham Common & Vale, Streatham Hill East, and Streatham St Leonards.

Streatham Youth and Community Trust, the nursery provider, had previously notified parents and carers of their decision to close the provision at the end of the summer term, in July, because of concerns about their ability to deliver a financially sustainable provision in light of the new national childcare expansion scheme.

SYTC then raised concerns in March with the council and with Ofsted about the quality of the their current provision and their capacity to ensure compliance with Ofsted requirements and the Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum.

The four projects are under the UKSPF Community and Places theme, which intends to enhance local places’ social and human capital, support local arts, cultural, heritage, and creative activities, and develop existing cultural, historical, and heritage institutions.

Streatham Green is a critical local asset.

The redesign of Streatham Green is a particularly exciting and vital project given its location on Streatham High Road. This densely populated urban area has high traffic and air pollution levels and limited green space for residents.