Lewisham Mayor Liam Shrivastava marks 100 days in office

Liam Shrivastava marked over 100 days as Lewisham's first directly-elected Green Mayor in July 2026. He secured a significant victory in May 2026, leading the Green Party to win 40 council seats across 18 of the borough's 19 electoral wards. As Mayor, Shrivastava leads the council's strategy and proposes the annual budget, chairing a Cabinet composed entirely of Green councillors. The administration oversees decisions affecting over 300,000 residents.

Review of Immigration Enforcement Cooperation

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Lewisham Council passed a motion in July 2026 to review its cooperation with Home Office immigration enforcement. The council stated it would refuse to assist immigration enforcement teams during raids whenever legally permissible. This move makes Lewisham the first UK council to pass such a motion. Mayor Shrivastava indicated that other council leaders have expressed interest in similar initiatives, suggesting a potential for an 'anti-raids corridor' across London.

Tackling Fly-Tipping Incidents

The council reported progress on its 'Love Lewisham' campaign to combat fly-tipping. Data from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) shows 33,471 fly-tipping incidents were reported in Lewisham during the 2024/25 financial year, making it the third worst-affected borough in London. Since May 2026, the council states it has cleared more than 11,000 fly-tipping sites and issued over 65 fines to individuals caught in the act. The campaign includes local action days, additional collection crews, increased CCTV surveillance, and support for community litter picks.

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Housing and Climate Preparedness

Mayor Shrivastava has voiced his commitment to increasing genuinely affordable housing. He joined forces with the Mayors of Tower Hamlets and Hackney to legally challenge Sadiq Khan's emergency housing measures in the High Court. These measures propose fast-tracking developments that include 20% affordable housing, a reduction from the previous 35% target. Shrivastava stated these changes do not align with his principles for delivering affordable housing. He also expressed concern over extreme temperatures affecting residents and highlighted the need for investment in existing buildings for heating and cooling systems, as well as future-proofing against the climate crisis.

Food Justice and Poverty Reduction

In addressing food justice and poverty, Mayor Shrivastava is donating 20% of his mayoral allowance to local food justice organisations. The first donation supported the Community Meal at All Saints Community Centre in New Cross. He aims to establish a food justice hub, envisioned as a social supermarket, community kitchen, and commercial kitchen space for small food businesses. The council has also launched the Sydenham Night Market, showcasing local food and drink businesses, and a Rogue Landlord Taskforce to enforce renters' rights.