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We're leading the way with climate action |
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We all want to live in a borough that is fair, green and healthy, where we care and take action to protect the environment.
So this week we’ve released our Climate Change Annual Report, showing what we’ve done in the last year.
Highlights include new solar panels on the roof of Peckham Pulse Leisure Centre and projects to move schools away from using gas for heating.
We’ve opened two new Library of Things sites – at East Dulwich and Elephant and Castle – where people can borrow everything from carpet cleaners to sewing machines for a few pounds a day.
Also we’ve granted £550,000 to 12 community projects to create new habitats for wildlife, transforming pockets of our borough from grey to green.
Climate Emergency UK, an independent body, recently ranked Southwark the third-best council in the country for our climate work.
This is all thanks to you. Because of you, we’ve cut the borough’s emissions by 23% since 2018. Whether it’s recycling your food waste, delivering energy-saving projects or using a Library of Things, it all makes a difference.
There’s lots more to do and we’ve also adopted an updated climate action plan to continue to lead the way for the next five years and beyond.
Thank you for making our borough a better place now and for future generations.
Cllr Sarah King
Leader of Southwark Council
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 A new home in Rennie Estate
The council has welcomed tenants into 49 new council homes at Rennie Estate in Bermondsey. Built on an old car park, many of the homes are larger three-bedroom flats suitable for families.
Join a community event on Tuesday 23 September from 6.30pm at Rye Lane Baptist Chapel, SE15.
The event will share updates on future transport plans, including Peckham Rye Station and other hubs, plus bike and bus services. This is also an opportunity for residents to suggest transport improvements they would like to see.
The Transport for London (TfL) ECSCU project aims to improve accessibility and increase the Underground station's capacity to accommodate the growing passenger demand in the area. Two trial holes will be dug between Monday 22 September and Sunday 5 October 2025 (from 7am – 7pm), including on weekends to reduce the overall length of works. To carry out the works safely, traffic south of the roundabout will be reduced to a single lane alongside a dedicated bike lane.
Bus Stop P, located outside the station entrance, will also be closed, though you will still be able to use the bus routes by boarding the bus one stop before or after.
Local residents will receive a letter from TfL with further information.
Southwark Council this week announced further action to divest pension fund investment from companies profiteering from activities within conflict zones and countries linked to genocide.
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Supporting young people in education |
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 Teenagers eating school lunch. © 2023. Provided by Impact on Urban Health licensed via a CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 license
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We offer free healthy secondary school meals for those who get Universal Credit, and who are not currently eligible for government benefits related free school meals. Contact your child's school to apply.
If your child was born between 1 September 2014 and 31 August 2015, your child is due to start secondary school in September 2026. Our website has lots of useful information about the different types of secondary schools in Southwark, as well as tips to help you decide which school is right for your child. You must apply for your child’s secondary school place online by 31 October 2025.
If you're in Year 12 or 13, aged 16-18 and thinking about college or sixth form, check out our new Post 16–18 Prospectus or get in touch with our team for free advice and guidance. We’re here to help you explore your options and take the next step towards education, training, or employment.
Back to school can be a difficult time if your child has experienced exclusion in a school. Councillor Jasmine Ali, Cabinet Member for Children, Education and Refugees, is inviting parents and carers to respond to our survey and take part in a listening conversation to better understand your experiences. If your child attended a Southwark school between September 2021 and July 2024 and experienced any form of exclusion that disrupted their educational experience, we’d like to hear from you.
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 Image of our street celebration
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We want to hear your views on your neighbourhood – what you’d like to see improved, and also what you love about your local area. It's really important we hear from as many residents as possible, so follow the above link, click on your neighbourhood and complete the survey. It won't take long!
We are currently running a survey about Geraldine Mary Harmsworth Park's new playground facilities. If you're local to the area of Elephant and Castle and want to have your say - the survey is open for four weeks.
We’re working with the community in the London Bridge area to make our streets cleaner, greener and safer. We want to hear from you on how you'd like us to transform our streets, enabling safer, cleaner, healthier and more sustainable journeys.
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Enjoy a free gym pass and more |
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 Image of people working out at a Southwark leisure centre
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Get involved with the community on 24 September at your local leisure centre to celebrate National Fitness Day. Try fun challenges, check your health, grab a free gym pass or try a group class. Spaces are limited. Check out what’s on and book
Come and take part in The Black Tri Tribe’s swim, bike and run challenge at 10am on Saturday 27 September at Surrey Docks Fitness and Watersports Centre. Take your time, pick your distance and conquer it all! It’s beginner-friendly and open to all abilities.
Southwark Splash Swim School are taking new bookings for September at all pools across Move Southwark leisure centres. Learn swimming and water safety skills that will stay with you for life. Enrol today on the no joining fee promotion using code MOVE1876. Offers ends 30 September.
If you're pregnant or have children aged under the age of five, you may eligible for vouchers if you get Universal Credit, Healthy Start, are on a low income or have no recourse to public funds (NRPF) for example as a refugee or asylum seeker.
Try a free watersports session at Surrey Docks Fitness and Watersports Centre. The Black Swim Association are hosting a free 45 minute session on 28 September, between 9:30am to 3pm. Learn something new, tackle new challenges and have fun on the water!
5 million people in the UK don't know they have high blood pressure. It has no symptoms but it’s the leading preventable cause of death in the UK.
You can get a blood pressure check at:
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We've recently invested £260,000 to upgrade one of the pitches at St Paul's Sports Ground, which was officially opened last week.
Local team Fisher FC are one of the many groups already making the most of the new pitch, alongside youth groups, tag rugby teams, and the Millwall Lionesses. We hope our teams and communities from across Southwark will enjoy playing there!
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