Corporate strategy – welcome from the Mayor

We have a proud shared history of standing up for equalities, of being pioneering, creative and ambitious and we are driven by our sense of community. These qualities were heightened during the pandemic, as the Council, our partners and residents across the borough worked together to help and support each other, with kindness and like never before.

Over the coming months and years, we know that we will again face steep challenges. The cost of living and housing crises as well as ongoing cuts and increasing demand for our services mean that we must again pool our resources and work together to adapt, respond and support our community during this unsettling time. Our Corporate Strategy explains how the Council will do this by working with residents and partners to deliver excellent public services alongside the ambitious manifesto that I, and 54 Labour councillors, were elected on in May 2022.

In the short months between the election and writing this foreword, much has happened in both national and international politics that will have a profound impact on our community. The resilience and dedication of our staff and partners has never been more critical. So far, we have managed some of the highest cuts in the country, but sadly we know there is more to come, making it vital that we maintain a balanced and robust budget in the face of financial uncertainty in the public sector.

However, as our Corporate Strategy sets out, it’s also important that we remain ambitious for Lewisham and compassionate for the people we serve. We must retain our focus on delivering high quality services that make life better for people; of the benefits and importance of attracting investment, jobs and opportunities into the borough; of building new social homes; of making our borough cleaner, greener and safer and of continuing to fight for equalities. To do this we must continue to work together - with
our partners, including our brilliant local community groups, businesses and other organisations - with renewed energy and focus, and we must live by our Council’s values:

• putting service to the public first
• respecting all people and communities
• investing in our employees
• being honest, open and fair in everything we do

In delivering our corporate strategy, we are committed to involving, listening to and working with local residents, staff, partners and businesses and we will keep you involved and updated on our progress.In Lewisham, our people are our greatest asset, and they are at the heart of this strategy.

Damien Egan, Mayor of Lewisham