Councils face unprecedented challenges over the next five years: increasing and changing demand for services while facing continued budget cuts until the mid-2020s. Most Council spending supports our most vulnerable residents.

Although difficult decisions will be required, with the Council’s capacity for growth and change, a diverse and dynamic population, and a position at the centre of one of the world’s great cities, Lambeth states it is well placed to develop a local economy that can support our vulnerable residents.

NHS Lambeth Clinical Commissioning Group is asking people to help reduce the cost of medicines waste. People on repeat prescriptions are being asked to avoid stockpiling medicines by checking how much medicine they have at home before asking for more.

It is estimated that £90 million of unused prescription medicines are kept in people's homes. Every prescription costs the NHS money, even if a prescription charge is paid. Unused prescription medicine costs the NHS around £300 million each year. This is money that could be spent on vital NHS services.

Emmaus Lambeth, 9-11 Knights Hill, are collecting items to support refugees and rough sleepers on Mitzah Day, 18 November. Please clearly label items "MITZVAH DAY" and if you would like to volunteer to sort, box and deliver donations then drop in and speak to one of the staff.

On 24 October Norwood Forum organised the West Norwood Community Safety & Crime Reduction Planning Meeting attended by the police, local councillors and various local groups.

The last public consultation on community safety was over a decade ago and the meeting set out to start the process of creating a network of safety partnerships and projects to serve the communities of West Norwood and improving communications between the various groups.

The main discussion points were: