Campaigners pressing Lambeth Council to do more about street homelessness and visible drug use were met personally at the town hall yesterday by the borough’s new leader, Cllr Martin Abrams, as sheets bearing around 6,000 petition signatures were attached to the building’s front entrance.
Town hall doors opened to protesters
The demonstration grew from concerns about people sleeping rough in Brixton and an initiative co-founded last year by Roger Hallam. Organisers say their petition calls on the council to prioritise extra support and care for those suffering from homelessness, addiction and mental ill health on the streets of Brixton. The campaign previously held a large meeting at the Karibu Centre attended by residents, MPs and councillors.
In a striking contrast with events under the previous administration, which campaigners say blocked access to petitions, the new Green Party leader walked out of the building and spoke with those assembled. He also instructed council staff and security not to remove the sheets while they were displayed, and campaigners agreed they would take them down once the action finished.
"The new administration will stretch every sinew to tackle the borough’s housing emergency," Cllr Martin Abrams said, adding that "the town hall belongs to the people of Lambeth" and that "your voices will always be heard."
Accusations about past handling of petitions
Campaigners pointed to a previous incident in which they were prevented from delivering a Community Charter last November after finding the town hall doors locked. Abrams highlighted another petition that he said was refused under the former administration — a divestment petition of about 5,000 signatures that he said took 62 days to be rejected, despite council rules requiring a response within ten working days.
- 6,000 signatures displayed on the town hall entrance
- Earlier event: Karibu Centre meeting with 130 attendees
- Previous petitions: a 5,000-signature divestment call cited as having been delayed or refused
Promises and practical limits
Abrams warned that addressing the housing emergency will be difficult, highlighting strained council finances. He called on the incoming national government to ensure funding is available for large-scale council housebuilding. While the leader’s outreach was welcomed by campaigners, the exchange underlines how expectations for immediate action will now be measured against the council’s constrained resources.
| Issue | Detail |
|---|---|
| Current petition | ~6,000 signatures calling for prioritised support for people sleeping rough in Brixton |
| Previous petition cited | ~5,000 signatures on divestment; reportedly rejected after 62 days |
| Campaign meeting | Large gathering at Karibu Centre attended by about 130 people |
For residents, the episode is likely to be read in two ways: as a promising sign that the new leadership will engage directly with local concerns, and as a reminder of the scale of the challenge when funding and capacity are limited. Campaigners have secured a public gesture; the next test will be whether that translates into measurable change on Brixton’s streets and in those services that support people with addiction and mental ill health.
