Council accused of moving goalposts as key targets on housing, recycling and street cleaning are missed

Southwark Liberal Democrats have accused Labour of changing performance measures in its Council Delivery Plan while failing to meet key targets on housing, recycling and street cleaning.

The Council Delivery Plan was developed from Labour’s 2022 manifesto and is meant to show whether the administration is delivering on its promises. Liberal Democrat councillors say the latest performance data raises serious questions about Labour’s record.

At this week’s Overview and Scrutiny Committee, councillors heard that some performance targets are being made easier to meet. Fly-tipping and graffiti targets have become more lenient, with the council is giving itself more time to deal with fly-tipping, prompting concerns that measures are being adjusted after poor performance. 

At the same time, the report shows clear failures on other commitments. Minor council housing voids are now taking more than three times longer than the target, while recycling rates have fallen from 36% to 34.4%. Fly-tipping reports have risen sharply, from around 600 to around 800 a month, with more than a quarter not cleared within the council’s target times. Repeat calls to the council also remain above target levels, driven in part by residents repeatedly chasing unresolved repairs. 

During the meeting, Cllr Irina von Wiese pressed officers on why key targets were being missed and why performance measures had changed. Officers were unable to explain the gaps. No representatives from the Labour administration attended the meeting to defend their record.

Commenting, Liberal Democrat Overview and Scrutiny Vice-Chair Cllr Irina Von Wiese said: 

“There is now a consistent pattern of Labour breaking its promises, and using smoke and mirrors to cover it up rather than defend their record. Whether it’s on housing, crime, or clean streets – it's let down after let down. 

People across the borough see the consequences in slower repairs, dirtier streets and falling recycling rates.

Residents have been let down for too long by a tired Labour administration that has run out of steam and excuses. Liberal Democrats have a bold plan for that puts residents first and will fix Southwark.”