London Borough of Lewisham

{{ Infobox London Borough |

   name               = London Borough of Lewisham |
   short_name         = Lewisham |
   imagename          = Image:LondonLewisham.png |

status = London borough |

   area_rank          = 329th |
   area_km2           = 35.15 |
   ons_code           = 00AZ | 

ethnicity = 65.9% White
23.4% Afro-Caribbean
3.8% South Asian
1.4% Chinese |

   url                = http://www.lewisham.gov.uk/ |
   leadership         = Mayor & Cabinet |

mayor = Steve Bullock | mps = Jim Dowd
Bridget Prentice
Joan Ruddock |

   gla_constituency   = Greenwich and Lewisham |

gla_member = Len Duvall

At Lewisham High Street

The London Borough of Lewisham is a London borough in southeast London. It was formed in 1965 by an amalgamation of the former Boroughs of Lewisham and Deptford.

Unlike most English districts, its council is led by a directly-elected mayor, currently Steve Bullock.

Constituent areas

It includes the areas:
* Bell Green
* Bellingham
* Blackheath (divided between the London boroughs of Lewisham and Greenwich)
* Brockley
* Catford
* Crofton Park
* Deptford
* Downham
* Forest Hill
* Grove Park
* Hither Green
* Honor Oak
* Honor Oak Park
* Ladywell
* Lee
* Lewisham
* Lower Sydenham
* New Cross
* New Cross Gate
* St John's
* Southend
* Sydenham
* Upper Sydenham

Demographics of Lewisham

According to the 2001 census Lewisham has a population of 248,922. It is 66% White, 12% Black Caribbean and 9% Black African. 50% of households are owner-occupiers.

Politics

The borough includes the constituencies of Lewisham Deptford, Lewisham West and Lewisham East

MPs for the borough

These are the MPs who have represented constituencies covered by the borough since its formation in 1964. Note that constuencies change their boundaries over time, even where names remain the same.

MP	Party!Represented
Christopher Chataway	Conservative	Lewisham North 1964-66
James Dickens	Labour	Lewisham West, 1966-70
Jim Dowd	Labour	Lewisham West, 1992-present
John Selwyn Gummer	Conservative	Lewisham West, 1970-(feb)74
Carol Johnson	Labour	Lewisham South 1964-(feb)74
Patrick McNair-Wilson	Conservative	Lewisham West 1964-66
John Maples	Conservative	Lewisham West, 1983-92
Roland Moyle	Labour	Lewisham North, 1966-(feb)74 Lewisham East (feb)1974-79
Colin Moynihan	Conservative	Lewisham East, 1983-92
Bridget Prentice	Labour	Lewisham East, 1992-present
Christopher Price	Labour	Lewisham West, (feb)1974-79
Joan Ruddock	Labour	Deptford 1987-present
John Silkin	Labour	Deptford 1964-(feb)74 Lewisham, Deptford (feb)1974-87

2006 Council

Labour lost control of the Council for only the second time in its history, but retained control of decision-making powers through keeping the Elected Mayoralty
Senior Councillors:
Chair of Council: Barrie Anderson (2006- )
Elected Mayor: Steve Bullock (2006- )
Election results:
Councillors won: Labour 26; Lib Dem 17; Green 6; Conservative 3; Socialist 2
Labour wards: Bellingham; Catford South; Crofton Park; Evelyn; New Cross; Perry Vale; Rushey Green; Sydenham
Liberal Democrat wards: Blackheath; Downham; Forest Hill; Lee Green; Whitefoot
Green wards: Brockley; Ladywell
Conservative ward: Grove Park
Split wards: Lewisham Central (2 LD, 1 Lab); Telegraph Hill (2 Soc, 1 Lab)

2002 Council

The council was reduced to 55 members (with 18 wards, each returning 3 members, plus an Elected Mayor) following boundary and legal-constitutional changes
Senior Councillors:
Chair of Council: Les Eytle (2002-2006)
Elected Mayor: Steve Bullock (2002-2006)
Election results:
Councillors won: Labour 45; Lib Dem 4; Conservative 2; Green 1; LEAP 1; Socialist 1
Labour wards: Bellingham; Blackheath; Catford South; Crofton Park; Evelyn; Forest Hill; Ladywell; Lee Green; Lewisham Central; New Cross; Perry Vale; Rushey Green; Sydenham
Split wards: Brockley (2 Lab, 1 Green); Downham (2 LD, 1 Lab); Grove Park (2 Con, 1 Lab); Telegraph Hill (1 Lab, 1 LEAP, 1 Soc); Whitefoot (2 LD, 1 Lab)


By-elections 2002-2005: (winning party shown)
17 Mar 2005 - Forest Hill (Lib Dem)
17 Mar 2005 - Lee Green (Lib Dem)
10 Jun 2004 - Evelyn (Labour)
10 Jun 2004 - Lee Green (Labour)
4 Dec 2003 - Telegraph Hill (Socialist)
23 Oct 2003 - Lewisham Central (Lib Dem) [All postal ballot]
7 Nov 2002 - Downham (Lib Dem)
10 Oct 2002 - Lee Green (Lib Dem)

1998 Council

Senior Councillors:
Mayors: Mark Nottingham (1998/99); David Sullivan (1999-2002)
Leader of Council: David Sullivan (1998-2002)
Election results:
Councillors won: Labour 61; Lib Dem 4; Conservative 2
Labour wards: Bellingham (2); Blackheath (2); Blythe Hill (2); Catford (2); Churchdown (2); Crofton (3); Drake (3); Evelyn (3); Forest Hill (2); Grinling Gibbons (2); Grove Park (2); Hither Green (3); Horniman (3); Ladywell (3); Manor Lee (2); Marlowe (3); Pepys (3); Perry Hill (3); Rushey Green (2); St Andrew (2); St Margaret (2); Sydenham East (3); Sydenham West (3)
Liberal Democrat ward: Downham (3)
Split wards: St Mildred (2 Con, 1 Lab); Whitefoot (1 Lab, 1 LD)


By-elections 1998-2001: (winning party shown)
8 Nov 2001 - Bellingham (Labour)
8 Feb 2001 - Marlowe (Labour)
23 Nov 2000 - Pepys (Socialist)
15 Jul 1999 - Churchdown (Labour)
10 Jun 1999 - Pepys (Socialist)
8 Apr 1999 - Downham (Lib Dem)
25 Nov 1998 - Grinling Gibbons (Labour)

1994 Council

Senior Councillors:
Mayors: Gurbakhsh Garcha (1994/95); Alan Till (1995/96); Faquia Hayee (1996/97); Jackie Addison (1997/98)
Leaders of Council: Margaret Moran (1994/95); Jim Mallory (1995-98)
Election results:
Councillors won: Labour 63; Lib Dem 3; Conservative 1
Labour wards: Bellingham (2); Blackheath (2); Blythe Hill (2); Catford (2); Churchdown (3); Crofton Park (3); Drake (3); Evelyn (3); Forest Hill (2); Horniman (3); Ladywell (3); Grinling Gibbons (3); Grove Park (2); Hither Green (3); Manor Lee (2); Marlowe (3); Pepys (3); Perry Hill (3); Rushey Green (2); St Andrew (2); St Margaret (2); Sydenham East (3); Sydenham West (3); Whitefoot (2)
Liberal Democrat ward: Downham (3)
Split ward: St Mildred (2 Lab, 1 Con)

1990 Council

Senior Councillors:
Mayors: Les Eytle (1990/91); Jim Dowd (1991/92); John O'Shea (1992/93); Sinna Mani (1993/94)
Leaders of Council: Steve Bullock (1990-93); Margaret Moran (1993-94)
Election results:
Councillors won: Labour 58; Conservative 6; Lib Dem 3
Labour wards: Bellingham (2); Blackheath (2); Blythe Hill (2); Churchdown (3); Crofton Park (3); Drake (3); Evelyn (3); Forest Hill (2); Grinling Gibbons (3); Grove Park (2); Hither Green (3); Ladywell (3); Manor Lee (2); Marlowe (3); Pepys (3); Perry Hill (3); Rushey Green (2); St Andrew (2); St Margaret (2); Sydenham East (3); Sydenham West (3); Whitefoot (2)
Conservative wards: Catford (2); St Mildred (3)
Liberal Democrat ward: Downham (3)
Split ward: Horniman (2 Lab, 1 Con)

1986 Council

Senior Councillors:
Mayors: N. Smith (1986-88); Peggy Fitzsimmons (1988/89); N.J.W. Taylor (1989/90)
Leaders of Council: David Sullivan (1986-88); Steve Bullock (1988-90)
Election results:
Councillors won: Labour 50; Conservative 17
Labour wards: Bellingham (2); Blackheath (2); Blythe Hill (2); Churchdown (3); Crofton Park (3); Downham (3); Drake (3); Evelyn (3); Forest Hill (2); Grinling Gibbons (3); Hither Green (3); Ladywell (3); Manor Lee (2); Marlowe (3); Pepys (3); Rushey Green (2); Sydenham East (3)
Conservative wards: Catford (2); Horniman (3); Perry Hill (3); St Andrew (2); St Mildred (3)
Split wards: St Margaret (1 Lab, 1 Con); Grove Park (1 Lab, 1 Con); Sydenham West (2 Lab, 1 Con); Whitefoot (1 Lab, 1 Con)

1982 Council

Senior Councillors:
Mayors: John Henry (1982/83); Les Eytle (1983/84); tbc (1984/85); Margaret Sandra (1985/86)
Leaders of Council: A.A. Hawkins (1982-84); Ron Stockbridge (1984/85); David Sullivan (1985/86)
Election results:
Councillors won: Labour 43; Conservative 24
Labour wards: Bellingham (2); Churchdown (3); Downham (3); Drake (3); Evelyn (3); Forest Hill (2); Grinling Gibbons (3); Grove Park (2); Hither Green (3); Ladywell (3); Manor Lee (2); Marlowe (3); Pepys (3); Perry Hill (3); Rushey Green (2); Sydenham East (3)
Conservative wards: Blackheath (2); Blythe Hill (2); Catford (2); Crofton Park (3); Horniman (3); St Andrews (2); St Margaret (2); St Mildred (3); Sydenham West (3); Whitefoot (2)

1978 Council

The council was increased to 67 seats in boundary changes. Also, a change in the law meant that the life of the previous Council was extended to four years, and this and all the future councils were to be elected for a four year term.
Senior Councillors:
Mayors: Terry Scott (1978/79); J.T. Bailey (1979/80); W.C. Simson (1980/81); Tom Bradley (1977/78)
Leader of Council: A.A. Hawkins (1978-82)
Councillors won: Labour 44; Conservative 23

1974 Council

Senior Councillors:
Mayors: S.G.C Hardy (1974/75); Joseph Lynch (1975/76); Ernest Rowing (1976/77); Roger Godsiff (1977/78)
Leader of Council: A.A. Hawkins (1974-78)
Election results:
Councillors won: Labour 51; Conservative 9
Labour wards: Bellingham (2); Blackheath and Lewisham Village (3); Brockley (3); Deptford (3); Drake (3); Forest Hill (3); Grinling Gibbons (3); Grove Park (2); Ladywell (3); Lewisham Park (3); Manor Lee (2); Marlowe (3); Pepys (3); Rushey Green (2); South Lee (2); St Andrews (2); St Mildreds Lee (2); Sydenham East (3); Whitefoot (2)
Conservative wards: Culverley (2); Honor Oak Park (3); Southend (3)
Split ward: Sydenham West (2 Lab, 1 Con)

1971 Council

1971 saw the Conservative gains of three years previously totally reversed as Labour returned to power in a landslide.
Senior Councillors:
Mayors: P. Gorin (1971/72); R.J. Lowe (1972/73); Alderman A. Patterson (1973/74)
Leader of Council: A.A. Hawkins (1971-74)
Election results:
Councillors won: Labour 55; Conservative 5
Labour wards: Bellingham (2); Blackheath and Lewisham Village (3); Brockley (3); Deptford (3); Drake (3); Forest Hill (3); Grinling Gibbons (3); Grove Park (2); Honor Oak Park (3); Ladywell (3); Lewisham Park (3); Manor Lee (2); Marlowe (3); Pepys (3); Rushey Green (2); South Lee (2); St Andrews (2); St Mildreds Lee (2); Sydenham East (3); Sydenham West (3); Whitefoot (2)
Conservative wards: Culverley (2); Southend (3)

1968 Council

This council is the only one yet elected that has been controlled by a party other than Labour. It was part of the 1968 Labour 'wipe-out' which saw Conservative-controlled councils elected in 28 of the 32 London boroughs.
Senior Councillors:
Mayors: Alderman C.A. Combes (1968/69); W.L.Bridger (1969/70); A.M.Dean (1970/71)
Leader of Council: N.D. Banks (1968-71)
Election results:
Councillors won: Conservative 41; Labour 19
Conservative wards: Brockley (3); Culverley (2); Drake (3); Forest Hill (3); Honor Oak Park (3); Ladywell (3); Lewisham Park (3); Manor Lee (2); Pepys (3); Rushey Green (2); St Andrews (2); St Mildreds Lee (2); South Lee (2); Sydenham East (3); Sydenham West (3); Whitefoot (2)
Labour wards: Bellingham (2); Blackheath and Lewisham Village (3); Deptford (3); Grinling Gibbons (3); Grove Park (2); Marlowe (3); Southend (3)

1964 Council

The election of this council constituted the practical creation of the London Borough of Lewisham. Though it was elected in 1964, it did not take over administration of services until a year later. It operated in 'shadow' form until then and concerned itself with setting up the bureaucracy of the new authority.
Senior Councillors:
Mayors and Chairs of Council: W. Hall (1964/65, Chairman); F.A. Fisk (1965/66); Alderman H.M. West (1966/67); J.D. Day (1967/68)
Leader of Council: F.W. Winslade (1965-68)
Election results:
Councillors won: Labour 45; Conservative 15
From the former Metropolitan Borough of Deptford: Labour 18; Conservative 0
From the former Metropolitan Borough of Lewisham: Labour 27; Conservative 15
Labour wards in the former Metropolitan Borough of Deptford: Brockley (3); Deptford (3); Drake (3); Grinling Gibbons (3); Marlowe (3); Pepys (3)
Labour wards in the former Metropolitan Borough of Lewisham: Bellingham (2); Grove Park (2); Manor Lee (2); Rushey Green (2); St Andrew (2); South Lee (2); Whitefoot (2); Ladywell (3); Lewisham Park (3); Southend (3)
Conservative wards: Culverley (2); St Mildred (2); Blackheath and Village (3); Honor Oak (3); Sydenham West (3)
Split wards: Forest Hill (2 Lab, 1 Con); Sydenham East (2 Lab, 1 Con)

Twinning

The borough is twinned with the following towns:
* Charlottenburg, Berlin, Germany
* Antony, Hauts-de-Seine, France
* Matagalpa, Nicaragua

The borough has also signed a "friendship link" with Ekurhuleni, near Johannesburg, South Africa.

Famous current and former residents

*Danny Baker (Broadcaster)
*Rosa May Billinghurst (Suffragette)
*Kate Bush (singer/song-writer)
*James Callaghan (Labour Prime Minister)
*Sir James Clark Ross (polar explorer)
*Jim Connell (socialist)
*Ernest Dowson (poet)
*Alfred Freeman (cricketer)
*Gabrielle (singer/song-writer)
*Peter the Great (Russian Tsar)
*WG Grace(Cricketer)
*Malcolm Hardee (Comedian and compere)
*George Julian Harney (Chartist)
*Sir Isaac Hayward (politician)
*Frederick John Horniman (tea trader, collector and public benefactor)
*Leslie Howard (British actor)
*Glenda Jackson (politician & actress)
*David Jones (painter & poet)
*Jude Law (Actor)
*Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen (TV presenter)
*Marie Lloyd (Music Hall performer)
*Eleanor Marx (Daughter of Karl Marx)
*Spike Milligan (comedian, writer and poet)
*Bob Mortimer (Comedian)
*Edith Nesbit (Writer & Fabian)
*Mica Paris (singer/song-writer)
*Sybil Phoenix (community worker)
*Vic Reeves (comedian)
*Ignatius Sancho (18th Century Black writer, anti-slavery campaigner)
*Cicely Saunders (Founder of Hospice movement)
*Doris Stokes (medium)
*E. W. Swanton (cricket writer and commentator)
*David Sylvian (musician and artist)
*Terry Waite (Archbishop's Envoy)
*Max Wall (comedian)
*Barnes Wallis (aviation & munitions pioneer Dambusters)
*Ian Wright (footballer)

External links

* Lewisham Council
* Lewisham News