Chris Best

On my web site you can find out about me and my work in Sydenham. In short I was proud to represent Sydenham ward for 40 years from 1986 to 2026 on Lewisham Council. I love living in Sydenham and provide community leadership. I was a Cabinet Member for 20 years including 3 years as Deputy Leader/Mayor I have considerable experience in the political leadership and developing strong communities. My portfolio was Community Services and Adult Social Care and I am looking forward to see the changes needed in the care sector. I was Chair of the South East London Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

I Chair SEE3, a Mary Portas pilot set up in 2012, to attract quality independent businesses to Sydenham, Kirkdale and Forest Hill - www.SEE3.uk.

The new Green Councillors led the meeting and Marcus gave a report back on the future of the Sydenham Centre. Discussions are ongoing between the Council and Brighter Horizons to take on a 15 year lease. The will be the head leaseholder using the upstairs hall from 8 - 5pm weekdays and outside these times the hall will be available for hire. There were questions about the inclusion of existing community groups that use the building concerning hire charges and replacement storage space as the rear storage room that previously had 7 storage cupboards has been removed. The contents are now in the front office that was previously used by Montage Theatre. Sydenham Arts will continue to have a lease and Ignition Brewery are part of Brighter Horizons.

We have an online Sydenham Assembly eNews - please sign up by emailing sydenhamassembly@gmail.com.

Previous eNews can be found on the SEE3 web site - https://www.see3.uk/sydenham-assembly

Our top five priorities for Sydenham are - Bringing our community together - Health and Wellbeing - Vibrant high street - Keeping Sydenham clean and green - Crime and Antisocial behaviour. Previous Sydenham Assembly meetings are under the Get Involved page

It is fantastic to welcome Andy Burnham as the Leader of Labour Party and our 59th Prime Minister. We know the challenges our Labour Government faces and we have been out on the doorstep asking residents for their priorities and concerns. Tackling the housing crisis in London is a top priority and having worked in social housing for 30 years I welcome the announcement to end rough sleeping. Other priorities are to reform the care system as well taking action on the cost of living. I know public services are struggling with the cuts to funding following the 14 years of the Tory Government and in the first two years the Labour Government has made improvements to the lives of working families. Andy has said he will deliver on the key pledges in the Labour Party manifesto which sets out the programme for change including delivering economic stability, setting up Great British Energy, cutting NHS waiting times, cracking down on anti-social behaviour and recruiting 6,500 new teachers.

It is truly inspirational to talk to Ellie and Rachel Reeves about their journey to the House of Commons. They were born in Lewisham and lived in Sydenham attending Adamsrill Primary School. I was so proud that Rachel was the first woman Chancellor of the Exchequer as she had been shadowing the role since May 2021. Rachel has said the economy today is stronger, fairer and more resilient because of the choices made and the lives of ordinary working people have been improved. Following the General Election in July 2024 Ellie was appointed Labour Party Chair and Minister of State without Portfolio in the Cabinet Office and from September 2025 the Solicitor General for England and Wales.

Please clickhere for Ellie's web site and further information. You can get in contact by writing to: House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA. Alternatively you can email at: ellie.reeves.mp@parliament.uk or call 020 7219 2668.

Lewisham Council is working with charity partners at Calico Projects to protect the beautiful Carnegie library in Sydenham for long-term community use. Opened in 1904, Sydenham was the first of five Carnegie libraries to be built in Lewisham. The good news is that the much needed roof repair works are nearing completion by the Lewisham Council. Sydenham Library is open for six days a week – Mon, Tues, Wed, Thurs, Fri (10-5) and Sat (10-4) - with a much-improved reception area and a fantastic range of books as well as free wi-fi and access to computers and scanning. There are further improvements on the way with Calico being allocated £35k from the NCIL fund to improve the rear courtyard and provide a café facing Home Park. This is a great community space with a range of activities for the whole family. Volunteers needed and welcomed. Find out more online here: www.sydenhamlibrary.co.uk or email contact@sydenhamlibrary.co.uk