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Original poster

Lambeth Council to challenge new “discriminatory” guidelines on single-sex spaces

83 replies

IwantToRetire · 24/07/2026 17:55

Lambeth Council has signalled it will resist new guidance on access to single-sex spaces, over fears that it risked “leaving trans people open to discrimination”.

Councillors backed a call for the council to refuse to implement the “Draft Code of Practice on Services, public functions and associations”, if the council’s legal team confirms the move would be lawful.

The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) published the updated code following a Supreme Court judgment last year, ruling that “sex” in the Equality Act 2010 refers to sex assigned at birth.

The draft clarifies that service providers may legally restrict single-sex spaces, including changing rooms, to biological sex.

But a motion to a Full Council meeting condemned the draft code as “incoherent and self-contradictory, discriminatory, and impossible to implement in a reasonable and proportionate manner”. It called on the council to “protect LGBTQIA+ workers and service users” by refusing to implement the guidelines.

continues at https://love.lambeth.gov.uk/lambeth-to-challenge-new-discriminatory-guidelines-on-single-sex-spaces/

Lambeth to challenge new “discriminatory” guidelines on single-sex spaces

Lambeth Council has signalled it will resist new guidance on access to single-sex spaces, over fears that it risked “leaving trans people open to discrimination”.

https://love.lambeth.gov.uk/lambeth-to-challenge-new-discriminatory-guidelines-on-single-sex-spaces

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palorina · 24/07/2026 18:51

I don't know how it would work or if it could/would, but Government should withold Government grants to local councils unless and until they operate the law.

OK it's just a daft idea, but it would make the councillors listen and have to explain to people why this or that is no longer funded.

I suppose I can dream on, since it is unlikely that central government will intervene.

YouTookMyTimeAndYouTookMyMoney · 24/07/2026 18:42

Again, if a council is willing to openly declare it is not going to follow the law on this, what other laws are they willing to disregard?

Original poster
IwantToRetire · 24/07/2026 18:39

Apparently there is an agreed process for local councils (according to AI):

1. The In-House Legal Team
The council employs a team of qualified solicitors who specialize in public and local government law. They assess how a policy motion clashes with statutory duties, like the Equality Act 2010.

2. The Monitoring Officer
As the ultimate legal safeguard inside the town hall, the Monitoring Officer reviews the team's findings. If councillors try to force an illegal policy, the Monitoring Officer can block it to protect the council from being sued.

3. External KC Barristers
Because the Supreme Court has ruled on the definition of sex and the EHRC has laid out a statutory Code of Practice, internal lawyers will almost certainly commission external advice. They hire an independent barrister specializing in human rights and administrative law to provide an unbiased opinion.

4. Local Government Associations
Officers also look to collective bodies like London Councils or the Local Government Association (LGA). These groups publish shared legal briefings when multiple boroughs face the same "legal and operational uncertainty" over new national policies.

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Original poster
IwantToRetire · 24/07/2026 18:32

re Is it just virtue signalling?

I suppose it could be. It certainly isn't as assertively shouty as Green Councils.

And will certainly be interesting to see what advice Council Officers come up with. Because even if they are secret TWAW, they certainly cant undermine their credibility if they attempt to give the wrong legal advice to Councillors.

OP posts:
BridgetYourFortyDaysAreUp · 24/07/2026 18:18

CrypticClueless · 24/07/2026 18:15

<< hovers finger over the Cancel Direct Debit button for gym and pool membership at a Lambeth run centre>>

Fucking fuckers. I want my pool and gym showers and changing rooms to be single sex.

I like the previous poster's idea that the council are just virtue signalling. Possibly.

They still have to abide by the law. But, if they are not implementing the guidance, then you'll have to take them to court. If they really are going to dig their heels in over the guidance, I doubt a Letter Before Action will budge them.

CrypticClueless · 24/07/2026 18:15

<< hovers finger over the Cancel Direct Debit button for gym and pool membership at a Lambeth run centre>>

Fucking fuckers. I want my pool and gym showers and changing rooms to be single sex.

PassTheHanky · 24/07/2026 18:12

It says "The motion asked council officers to advise on the legality of refusing to implement the guidelines – “and to proceed with non-implementation should officers advise that this is a lawful option”.

It will be interesting to see what advise their Legal Dept officers will give them.

I wonder if the councillors already realise that their motion is illegal but are just wanting to virtue signal to the *TQIA+ and say "it's not our fault, the law made us do it".

*note I left out the LGB as I suspect they don't have a problem with single sex facilities.

ItsCoolForCats · 24/07/2026 18:10

Ridiculous that they think they are above the law.

To counter this with some positive news, here's Charlotte Cadden doing sterling work at Bolton Council. I loved her speech, and the motion was passed with support from all parties.

https://nitter.net/i/status/2080437012809576578