Congratulations to all newly elected councillors representing SE5 wards across Southwark and Lambeth.

On Wednesday 29 April, we hosted our SE5 Hustings 2026, bringing candidates from across the political spectrum together in one room, answering questions from the community, regardless of which side of the borough boundary they represent. Residents came, and they came with questions. Not abstract policy questions but real, specific concerns about their streets, their children, their safety, their homes and their future in this neighbourhood.

They asked about:

🏘 Safety and anti-social behaviour
Specific areas such as Wyndham, Comber and Goschen estates, on Denmark Hill, and in local shops

🚌 Transport
Camberwell station, idling buses, dockless bikes cluttering pavements, and who is held accountable when things go wrong

👶 Young people
Youth clubs closing, playground associations losing funding, and the question of whether SE5 will still be a place young people want to grow up in

🏠 Housing
Local temporary accommodation without basic facilities, leaseholders with no voice, and the question of who benefits from the new buildings going up across our neighbourhood

🌿 Green spaces
Nature recovery, the future of the Cormont Road school site, and whether Green Dale fields should be protected

🗳 Democracy
Residents who have never met their ward councillor, community groups who cannot access council buildings, and communities who feel consulted but never heard

❤️ Adult social care
The threatened closure of the Central Hill dementia centre and what increasing numbers of aging residents means for our borough

These are not party political questions. They are SE5 questions, they belong to every ward across Southwark and Lambeth that makes up this community.

We look forward to working with all newly elected SE5 councillors over the coming four years, and to holding you to the commitments you made on the night.
The Lambeth/Southwark Summit agreed at our last AGM remains a priority. SE5 works best when both councils work together.

To stay up to date with the work of SE5 Forum and hear about any upcoming events involving our local councillors, as well as local events, activities and events, download the Camberwell Life app today.