London Borough of Lewisham

London Borough of Lewisham, administrative region, London, England. Lewisham was formed by the amalgamation of the metropolitan boroughs of Deptford and Lewisham. It is situated in south London, bordered by the Thames in the north, and the boroughs of Southwark and Greenwich in the west and east. It shares the multi-racial makeup of many of its neighbouring London boroughs, as well as a landscape varying from inner city to leafy southern suburbs. Many of its residents commute to work in Central London. Lewisham’s green spaces include Blackheath, Honor Oak Park, and Beckenham Place Park. The main arterial roads into London from the south and east pass through Lewisham.

In 1965 Greater London was created under the jurisdiction of the Greater London Council. This council was abolished in 1986, and each inner and outer borough and the City of London itself had its own governing council as the sole administrative authority from then until 2000. The borough councils consist of councillors elected every four years, who in turn annually elect their presiding official. Councils are responsible for the provision of most local services including education, housing, social services, local planning, roads, refuse collection, recreation, and culture.

On May 4, 2000, the people of London voted in a new London mayor, Ken Livingstone, and a 25-strong cross-party assembly, known as the Greater London Authority. A new mayor is elected every four years; Livingstone served two terms, but was defeated by Conservative MP Boris Johnson in the 2008 mayoral election. Although the mayor has limited budget-raising powers, the position includes responsibility for the police, fire service, health, and public transport. Population 248,924 (2001).