Council - Wednesday 22 October 2025, 7:30pm - Wandsworth Council Webcasting

Council
Wednesday, 22nd October 2025 at 7:30pm

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Disclaimer: This transcript was automatically generated, so it may contain errors. Please view the webcast to confirm whether the content is accurate.

Good evening, Councillors, officers and members of the public. Welcome to the Council meeting.

I'm delighted to welcome Jaspia Thing over on my left from the Sikh Gurdwara in South

fields. Jaspier has lived in the borough for over 50 years and has been active in many

positions in leadership of his Gurdwara, including president and secretary. Jaspier is a sevidar,

which means that he is someone who serves the community. He had a particular interest

in talking with children in schools and with families about the Sikh faith and tradition.

Just be a welcome and we look forward to what you have to say.

For your kind words and honourable council members for inviting me this

evening to share some thoughts with you. It is also good to see you all in person

rather than on leaflets at election time.

Sitting here today reminds me of an anecdote

that the late Judge Mota Singh used to relate.

He went to see a corporate lawyer friend of his

in New York and as he entered his very plush offices,

he noticed a display box on the wall

with a beautiful specimen of a stuffed fish.

His friend was a keen angler and he assumed

that it was his trophy catch.

The caption underneath the display box read,

I would not be here today if I had not opened my big mouth.

Dear members of the council,

lately we have noticed that the political discourse

in our country has at times pandered to the base instincts

of some sections of our society.

And this has perhaps led to attacks

on some minority ethnic groups.

recent tragic attack on the synagogue in Manchester is a sad and a tragic example

and there have been other such incidents. In Britain we live in a multicultural

society and I believe we are richer for it. It means we can benefit from the rich

cultural traditions of different communities that live here. I belong to

the Sikh faith and one of the fundamental tenets of the Sikh faith is

selfless service to the community.

In Punjabi we call it seva,

and the volunteers who serve, as the mayor said,

are called sevadars.

In Sikh Gurudwaras, which is our place of worship,

dinner is served to all members of the congregation

after each service.

This is a very important part of the Sikh faith.

The reason for this is that rich and impoverished,

exalted and ordinary, sit together in the same place and eat the same food.

There is no high table or a VIP table.

It signifies and emphasises equality and dignity of all human beings.

We welcome people of all communities to the Gurudwaras and faiths to our Gurudwaras.

And since Sikhs are not vegetarians,

we realise that members of other faiths

have dietary requirements.

Example, the Muslims and the Jews do not eat pork,

and Hindus do not eat beef or meat at all.

To set up different tables for veggies and meat eaters,

would defeat the object of the exercise.

To overcome this problem, we only serve vegetarian meals,

which all the attendees can eat sitting together.

It's a small gesture, but the benefits are huge,

as it fosters a spirit of togetherness

and respect for other members of the community and faiths.

Would it not be great if people in authority

and community groups took similar steps?

I am sure some already do, but we can always do a bit more.

I believe we will all live in a happier, harmonious,

and inclusive place.

I thank Mayor Ambash and all of you

for inviting me here today.

Thank you.

Thank you very much.

Apologies have been received from Councillor Govindia,

French, Locher, Marshall, and Davies.

Are there any other apologies?

Councillor delicious

Is that for lateness of for the whole meeting, okay. Thank you any other apologies

Councillor Jeffrey, I don't know if you mentioned Councillor Davies to yes late. Yes. Sorry. Thank you. Okay. Thanks

Okay, item one, the minutes of the meeting held on the 16th of July have been circulated.

Are there any objections or abstentions to me signing the minutes as a correct record?

In the absence of any objections or abstentions, I take that as agreed.

Thank you, council.

We're on to item two, which is mayor's announcements.

Councillors, staff and members of the public, I hope that you had a good summer since our

last council meeting and welcome to the October council meeting.

Say something first about the inspection of adult care services.

Congratulations to Jeremy De Souza, the Executive Director and all our staff in adult social

services who were inspected by the Care Quality Commission, CQC, and deemed to be good.

There was much work and some stress in preparing and presenting for the inspection, but it's

pleasing to get an external validation and to hear that our adult care services are positive

and fit for purpose.

CQC highlighted the borough's commitment to person -centred care, effective community

partnerships, a strong focus on prevention to keep people healthy, and innovative approaches

to improving our outcomes for residents.

It was also reported kind, compassionate, and respectful care.

The comment I particularly liked in the report, and it's worth reading for all councillors,

there is a clear co -production with people

who use our services and their carers.

And people told us they felt listened to

and included in decision making.

The CQC inspection report provides reassurance

for older people, disabled people,

and other vulnerable service users,

and for carers who depend on our adult care services.

Of course, any of us might lead these services,

some of us sooner rather than later.

Something about the London Borough of Culture year.

I hope you're all enjoying our London Borough of Culture

year as much as I am.

We are halfway through the year,

and thanks to all those involved organising stellar

cultural events, especially Sara O 'Donnell, our staff,

and our fantastic borough of culture volunteers.

It's individuals, sorry, it's invidious,

but I'm going to pick out some of my personal highlights.

Toward the end of the summer, we had a fabulous weekend

of music in Battersea Park.

We had a colourful Lavender Hill Festival.

We then had the Urban Flow, leading dancing,

tai chi, flag waving throughout Roehampton.

And in September, we had accomplished disabled artists

who's leading the Liberty Festival.

And recently we've had some mouth -watering launch

of the African and Caribbean Food Month

with local resident Ainsley Harriot.

There's something for all cultures and all tastes.

Coming up to advertise the Palace of Variety,

Clapham Grand, 125th birthday party, 26th of November.

The launch of our Music, Our Freedom podcast,

whilst celebrating Wandsworth Musical Heritage,

the Uplift Festival, commencing 17th of November,

which is a new theatre and performance programme

for young people aged 14 and above,

who will write, produce, and curate the festival.

And of course, it's never too late to start listening

to our very own London Borough of Culture soap opera,

The Wandsworth Way, which airs every Sunday

on Riverside Radio, or you can listen to it on podcast,

which is being written, performed, and produced

by over 200 Wandsworth residents.

So counsellors, staff, and public,

please get on supporting and celebrating

the arts and culture with us over the next six months

of the London Borough of Culture year.

Please make it a sellout and a blast.

A few words about the fire in Maisel Road, Fox House.

As councillors know, six weeks ago tonight there was a fire in Fox House.

We were all pleased to hear that everyone was safely evacuated and that residents

who needed it were provided with accommodation.

Since then a coordinated response has been in place to support residents of Fox House.

This response was brought together through teams across the council,

at local voluntary and community organisations, and contractors and partner organisations to ensure

residents receive the support they need. The Council responded quickly to ensure

residents had access to financial assistance, laptops, school uniforms,

essentials, as well as support, advice, hot meals and an opportunity to come

together as a community. Alongside this there's been a real focus on working

with residents to find them permanent housing. It's been a true borough -wide

response where we have come together and supported residents. I want to take this

opportunity this evening to formally thank everyone involved in the response to date

and who remain involved, including all the officers, voluntary and community organisations,

the London Fire Brigade, contractors and partners who have worked tirelessly to support Fox

House residents.

On to charities. The Mayor's Office has set up a new charity, it's separate from the Mayor's

to help people affected by the fire,

and donations are still coming in for Fox House support.

In September, we raised for our three mayoral charities

over 900 pounds by playing tennis

despite the intermittent light rain.

Thank you to councillors for coming

and for playing, Councillor Simon Hogg,

Councillor Graham Henderson,

I hope you've recovered, Graham, since then,

and Councillor Caroline de la Seugere

for hosting us at South Butte's Lawn Tennis Club.

The next Mayor's Charity event is planned

for Friday, 28th of November for your diaries.

Please book your tickets by contacting the mayor's office

to what I hope will be a hilarious comedy night.

For our civic awards, we were overloaded

with incredible community endeavour and talent,

and I look forward to seeing many of you

to celebrate our community heroes

in the Civic Awards evening on Tuesday,

the 11th of November, again for your diaries.

Recently, I've not been 100 %

and so only doing light duties for the last three weeks.

I would like to thank the Deputy Mayor,

Councillor Rosemary Burchill,

for her generous way she has stepped up

and covered some of my mayoral events for me.

I know there are strong feelings and views on,

I'm moving on to the next matter on this.

This is on getting through council questions.

So I've had discussions with the WIPs,

the leader of the council and the leader of the opposition.

Despite the problems and strongly held differing views,

I hope there is a commitment that we try to get through

as many questions and answers as we reasonably can

in the 45 minutes allocated at tonight's meeting.

I think this is right for the Council to demonstrate our commitment to openness and transparency,

and so the public can hear more questions and answers on key issues and challenges faced

by the Council.

The Council can only achieve this, though, with your cooperation.

I hope I have it from you all, Councillors.

On tonight's agenda, can members please note that a number of supplementary items have

that have been circulated and they are required

to be considered as a matter of urgency.

The reasons are set out on the top of these items.

Is that agreed?

Thank you.

Agreed.

Please could all speakers keep to time

and wind up your speeches when the red light comes on.

When the red light comes on,

you'll have 30 seconds remaining to wind up.

This is to allow as many possible

of all councillors to participate.

Thank you very much.

We're on to item three.

Are there any members who have a declaration of disposable pecuniary interests, other registrable

interests, or any non -registrable interests relevant to any matters to be considered on

the agenda?

Councillor Cooper.

Thank you very much, Mr. Mayor.

I don't consider this to be a pecuniary interest, but I am also the London Assembly

Member for Merton and Wandsworth, and I believe various matters tonight to do with the Mayor's

Office for Policing and Crime, the Metropolitan Police, Transport for London and so on are

going to be on the agenda.

So for transparency purposes, I'd like that recorded.

Thank you.

Thank you, Councillor Cooper.

Any other disclosure of interest?

No.

Thank you, Council.

Item 4.

Please raise your hands to indicate if you have a position to hand in.

Once I've called your name, please announce the subject, title of the petition and who

you are presenting it on behalf of.

Please then come and pass it to Mr. Kelly.

Any petitions?

Yes.

Councillor Corvelli.

I have a petition on behalf of 31 residents of the Gresham Hall Estate who are calling

for CCTV to be installed as a means of tackling the perpetual fly tipping on their estate.

Councillor Andrew Graham.

Thank you, Mr Mayor. I have a petition with regard to King George's Park, which there

There are 87 people who signed it, requesting CCTV and improving lighting on King George's

Park to deter and tackle crime and to social behaviour and ensure everyone can feel safe

using this important local amenity.

and Chetwood Road pavement petition, of which there are,

as she looks, 24.

The pavement stones in Chetwood Road

are broken and uneven, creating a real trip hazard

for everyone.

This is more than an inconvenience.

It's a safety issue and cannot be ignored.

Together, we can make our voices heard.

So it's really requesting repairs and pavements.

Okay, thank you.

Really bring your two petitions up.

Any more petitions?

Councillor Gasser.

Yes, thank you.

I have a petition from 267 Fersden residents

asking the council to make safe the exit

from Tooting Common cycle path onto the footpath

and around Fersden Road, Fersden Drive roundabout.

Thank you, Councillor Gasser.

Any more?

Councillor Graham, will you put your light off?

Oh, yes.

Thank you.

Is that all the petitions?

Thank you very much, councillors.

We're on to item five, it's leaders questions.

Before we begin questions, may I remind all members

that the overall period for members' questions to the leader and the cabinet member is 45

minutes, with 20 minutes for the leaders' questions and 25 minutes for cabinet members'

questions. However, if the leaders' questions overrun, this time is taken off cabinet members'

questions. Question 1, Councillor Richard Jones.

Thank you Mr Mayor. Question 1 to the Leader on cuts to council funding.

I'd like to thank Councillor Richards -Jones for the question.

Just to confirm, sound financial management is at the heart of everything we do in the council.

Wandsworth has among the highest reserves and the lowest debt in London,

and Wandsworth Labour charges the lowest council tax in the country,

and that's the right thing to do for such an unfair tax.

The Government did launch a consultation on what they call Fair Funding Review 2 .0 in June, which closed in August.

Work remains ongoing as the Government seeks to rebalance funding across the country following the 2010 austerity measures,

but also the surging interest rates that many of us experienced following Liz Truss's mini -budget.

The Council is of course lobbying on these proposals alongside partners including London Councils, Central London Forward and our local MPs.

As this is a consultation, no decisions have been made and no figures have been published

by the government.

There is modelling by third parties which has been used to estimate the impact nationally,

but the impact council by council remains unclear.

But what we do know is that thanks to our sound financial management, Wandsworth is

well positioned to continue delivering excellent services whatever funding arrangements come

our way.

First supplementary, Councillor Richard Jones.

Thank you.

I thank the Leader for his question.

The cuts that have been mooted really are catastrophic, and so it's disappointing in

the Leader's question that he wasn't able to say whether he'd secured any private meetings

with Labour ministers at party conference or he'd secured any concessions.

My supplementary question to the Leader is about Wandsworth's own financial management.

So, quite apart from the cuts that are coming from central government, the budget papers

this month show a £20 million deficit in council day -to -day spending.

So, can the leader assure us that he will close that budget gap by March without raiding

the reserves like he did last time?

Councillor Hogg.

Thanks for the supplementary.

In terms of what happens at Labour Conference, stays at Labour Conference.

We won't be talking about that, but no, of course I have made representations directly

to ministers because, as you say, this is a serious issue, what resources Wandsworth

gets.

And of course we will, as always, set balanced budgets.

We are perfectly well funded to the end of the year.

We will then bring forward our budgets, which will actually give you that three -year view

as well.

We are about long -term, sound financial management.

and I would emphasise the value for money point because it's not just about what do you get from the government,

it's about what you can deliver through partnership working.

So Dolly Parton is giving a free book to every child in Wandsworth,

Lime bikes are giving 50 % off for our lower income residents,

Apple are bringing devices and training into our classrooms and we welcomed Parker and Tabata Sea Park.

So those are all benefits delivered with amazing partners at no cost to the council taxpayer.

Second supplementary.

Councillor Belton.

Thank you, Mr Mayor.

Can I wish you, if you are in the middle of a recovery, increasing recovery.

I look forward to seeing you fitting well again.

Thank you.

I am absolutely astonished actually that the leader would agree with me about being so

I'm astonished that the conservative party

should lead on this item.

As I recall, Eric Pickles boasted about how much

he cut local government expenditure,

and so did George Osborne in the years of austerity.

So, A, it's astonishingly to do it,

but can I ask the leader whether,

if we have to make cuts, and of course,

there are difficult times,

whether we can do it with perhaps slightly more sensitivity

than one I feel very strongly as I get older.

And that is 20 years ago, 30 years ago,

we had public conveniences in this borough.

We had 21 of them actually.

We had 21 of them and several have been sold

and some have been closed and some are being used

as recording studios.

Can you come to the question, Councillor Belson?

The question was simply, will you make sure

that any cuts we have to make are done

with greater sensitivity than the minority party managed in the past.

Councillor Hogg.

I thank Councillor Belton for the advice.

I think his budget advice is he wants to spend a penny.

I'm not sure.

But I do want to emphasise that we are not going to worsen the frontline experience people

have.

That is not what's going to happen.

We can manage demand, we can innovate like every organisation in the economy.

but the question we're asking directors and cabinet members is what will the council of

the future look like? Where will we be in 2030? How do we make sure every council service

is just available on your phone? And we will transform ourselves to get there and that

will necessarily give us the savings we need. But on the politics I think you're right.

I think the leader of the opposition is being a touch disingenuous and I think he knows

it was Tory austerity that blew the hole in our budgets.

We're fully 20 % down on where we were from those days when Eric Pickles took over

and this is at a time of absolutely surging demand across the board.

We face tough choices here in Wandsworth because all councils do,

but what I can commit to you is that we will be guided by our values in those choices

because we're clear. We are a borough of culture.

you tried to close Battersea Arts Centre three separate times. We've opened new

playgrounds, you tried to charge children £2 .50 to use a playground and we've

opened new libraries and you tried to close down the library that served the

most deprived community in this borough. So whether you like it or not the truth

is we're fixing 44 years of Tory neglect by leading a decade of renewal in

Wandsworth.

Thank you.

Question number two, Councillor Richards -Jones.

Question number two to the Leader on Lavender Hill Police Station.

Thank you.

Yeah, community safety is a top priority for this administration.

We've been clear from the start that this front desk at Lavender Hill should not close,

so I'm delighted to say that it will stay open.

This is great news for our residents, so thank you to everyone who's taken part in the campaign,

particularly Marsha, our local MP, for stepping in and protected services that are really

valued by our residents. I'd just add that locally, really pleased to see the rollout

of our three new CCTV vans. Hopefully you've seen them around the borough, providing a

rapid mobile response to any incidents. This adds to our existing network of more than

1200 fixed CCTV cameras, one of the biggest networks in the country. We've used developer

contributions to pay for extra community safety officers and we've doubled the

number of those community safety officers to improve resident engagement

and deepen knowledge of local tricky issues. We've also doubled our investment

into domestic abuse services, we're supporting the police and we're getting

results. Crime is down in Wandsworth.

But first supplementary, Councillor Richard Jones.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor.

Whilst of course we welcome the fact that Lavender Hill Police Station will stay open

in some form, it is still a manifesto breach from the Mayor of London who promised a 24 -7

police counter and now the hours are going down substantially.

But can I ask the Leader about his own manifesto breach when it comes to community safety and

law enforcement?

Worms of Labour's manifesto at the 2022 election said,

robust action on crime.

We'll put more law enforcement officers on the streets

paid for by levies on property developers.

And that's law enforcement officers, that's policemen,

that's not community safety officers

who are council employees without law enforcement powers.

So can I ask the leader, why three years after that,

have there been no law enforcement officers

funded by the council, does he intend to stick to this manifesto pledge and if he

does how many months before the next election does he expect to fulfil the

manifesto pledge?

Thanks Councillor Richard -Jones for that question.

I mean just first just to say it happens to all of us like you ask a question and

then the campaign is solved and that's a bit difficult but just to note it's not

the only case just in case we don't get to question 20 that asks what we're

to save the Queen Mary minor injuries unit but just to reassure the council

that thanks to local MP Fleur Anderson's leadership for the community campaign

there it was announced a month ago that that facility is staying open as well so

I know you're struggling to keep up with all our successes but that's one of them

you've also struggled to keep up not only with our policy but the answer I

gave to the last question where I told you we have doubled the number of

of community safety officers paid for by property developers.

If we meant to say police officers,

we would say police officers.

It's a completely different job title.

It's a completely different way of paying for it.

We would very clearly have planned for that and executed it.

As to what's gonna be in our next manifesto,

I'm afraid he'll have to wait

because I think the fundamental problem here

is that the Tories think we're living in Gotham City,

that this is some dreadful crime -ridden place.

The reality is that Wandsworth is the safest in a London borough and this is in a London that is seeing knife crime fall and homicides are now at their lowest level for decades.

As I say, our CCTV investment...

Please let Councillor Hogg answer. Carry on Councillor Hogg.

Please.

Thank you Mr Mayor. As I say, our CCTV investment is making our residents so much safer.

I'll just give two quick examples.

Earlier this month, on one of the rare occasions a firearm was reported in our borough, an

individual was found, tracked by our CCTV officers and detained by the police.

And just last week, one of our CCTV officers located a missing 12 -year -old girl.

And you can only imagine the worry of the parents who had to report that, who had to

call it in.

But our network of high -quality cameras and our dedicated 24 -7 officers meant she could

be located in Ballum, having been reported missing from Tooting, and tracked until we

were able to bring her home. And I'd like to put on record my thanks to all involved.

Second supplementary. Councillor Warrell.

Thank you, Mr Mayor. The MIG Commissioner's decision to reconsider the closure of the

front council demonstrates the importance of my fellow ward councillors, including Councillor

Abbs and Councillor Dickard, working with the leader and the local MP to save this critical

point of contact. Keeping the front counter open is a good example of the

mayor and the council working together but could the leader say what value does

the Labour mayor bring to Wandsworth? I'd like to thank Councillor Worrall.

What has Sadiq Khan ever done for us? I'm sure you've all seen the results of the

Alton Estate ballot this week. 82 % yes. So very well done to all involved.

a huge number of officers and counsellors involved.

Conservatives, of course, campaigned hard

against this hundreds of millions of pounds investment

for Putney, and once again they failed.

But the ballot result secures GLA funding,

so Sadiq is helping us to build 650 new homes,

together with a new library, new GP surgery,

new youth facilities, new family hub,

improved shops, green spaces,

and improved access around the estate.

Residents have been heavily involved in these plans,

and clearly they strongly approve of them.

Sadiq is at the heart of our borough of culture,

which has brought thousands of residents to fun and bright experiences

and events that they couldn't have dreamed of having

under the previous administration.

And just last week I was at St Mary's School in Battersea

where Sadiq was launching his Air Philtres for Schools programme

and I think we can all agree he's shown unbelievable leadership

in terms of cleaning up London's air.

Finally, I was proud to be with him at Fircroft,

the school he went to in Tooting

when he launched his free school meals

for all primary school children.

A fantastic and very popular policy

that supports local families.

So yes, Wandsworth does get great value

out of local boy, Sadiq Khan.

We love our mayor and this is a strong Labour team

working hard for residents.

Thank you.

Question 3, Councillor Lawless.

Thank you Mr Mayor.

Question 3 on community tensions to the leader.

Thank you Councillor Lawless.

I mean yes, Wandsworth has always been an open, diverse, compassionate place and I think

that's how our communities continue to respond today.

We have a centuries long tradition, not just of immigration but of welcoming people who

are fleeing persecution. And we are stronger because of our diverse communities. And I

think any threat to our peaceful and tolerant way of life has to be taken very seriously

indeed. Last year we were recognised as a borough of sanctuary and Wandsworth residents

opened their hearts and opened their homes and actually have hosted more Ukrainian refugees

than almost anywhere else in the country. As a listening council we put time and effort

into understanding the needs of the community and how best to foster cohesion.

For instance, through the Multi -Faith Forum hosted by yourself, Mr. Mayor, and before

that, Councillor Jaffray and Councillor Anand.

A great place for our faith leaders to come together and build relationships.

Yesterday I was at Faith Direct in the town hall with more than 100 school children meeting

different faith leaders asking them very direct questions.

So we are tolerant but in Wandsworth there is no place for opportunists who want to divide people and stir up community tensions.

I just finish by saying we also provide practical support. We have our Borough of Sanctuary fund, our Access for All fund and our Cost of Living fund.

All of them there to help make our borough more open and more cooperative.

First supplementary, Councillor Lawless.

Ghost scenarios are what led the

pressure toward Cook

in division and we've seen some of this coming out of Reform UK recently.

Does the leader agree we have a duty to unite and bring our communities together?

Councillor Holt. Thanks, Councillor Lawless. Yes, I would agree

with that and I'd add I was pleased to accept an invitation to a civic shabbat at Wimbledon

synagogue next week and hopefully other members of the community will be able to be there

to learn and show their solidarity as well.

But I do need to be honest, some of the messages

we've had from faith leaders have been of concern

and of fear and that's pretty heartbreaking here

in Wandsworth and I think if you are a resident

who wants decent grown up politics,

I don't think reformer for you and unfortunately,

I think the line between the Tories and reform

is more blurred than ever.

We know Councillor Justin has recently made his journey

from the Tories to reform, and of course he follows former Wandsworth Councillor and Tory

MP Lucy Allen on that journey, that more than 100 Tory councillors nationally have made

that switch to reform. And who knows whether the two parties are actually going to merge

at some point in the future. And I would just say that will not be popular here. That is

just out of touch with the values of modern London. And this revolving door between the

parties means one thing, as the voters of Nine Elms know only too well, a vote for the

Tories could well become a vote for reform.

Is there a second supplementary?

Yes please, thank you.

Speaking of tense meetings, as the leader will have realised when he was booed by Putney

residents at the latest of his Simon Speaks tours, anger at the administration for the

Traffic nightmare they've caused is reaching boiling point is the indifference to the anger caused or just incapable of fixing it

Thank you

Councillor

Thanks for the question. Yeah, I mean we go around the borough. We've been to every Ward now. We listen to residents

You're right

we heard loud and clear from communities in your own Ward and

Surrounding that there are real issues with the scheme that has been put in there and other factors in the

what's obviously a busy high road,

we apologised for the disruption caused,

but more than that, you know, people want real action.

So I don't know if we've given you sight of it yet,

but we did commit to get a letter out to residents

which will be going out soon,

and that will outline the partnerships we'll take,

the actions we'll take in partnership with TFL,

Transport for London,

because we are determined to get results.

So briefly, that's more time for green lights

so that vehicles turning from Putney Bridge Road to Putney Bridge can clear the junction

more easily during the traffic light phase.

This work is scheduled to be complete basically in the next week.

We'll give vehicles turning left from Lower Richmond Road where I know they get really

stuck onto the bridge.

More time to move through the green light.

That will complete next month.

We'll instal double yellow lines on Putney High Street, Lower Richmond Road and Putney

Embankment and Putney Bridge Road up to Brewhouse Lane.

That will also happen next month.

And we'll reassign lanes on Putney High Street

just outside the station to reduce delays

caused by stationary busses.

And that will be complete by the end of the year.

And you'll know that there's other actions we're

trying to take with Transport for London around where

the busses stop and so on.

So I do want to assure you that we do love Putney.

We want the best for the High Street.

There has been investment.

We are moving forward.

But no, I appreciate there's still much to be done on the traffic issues.

Question number four, Councillor Pridham.

Thank you Mr Mayor.

Councillor, sorry, question four to the leader regarding his conduct.

Thank you for that question.

I am proud to be leading Wandsworth Labour into the election and we will stand on our

record of delivery.

Our whole team is working hard for local people.

That record of delivery is helped by our fantastic Deputy Cabinet members and I'd love to give them a brief shout out today.

Our Cleaner Borough Plan has delivered 20 ,000 free bulky waste collections.

Councillor Jo Rigby is all over this. In fact I think she's picked up most of that rubbish herself.

She's doing a brilliant job. The Alton Renewal Plan has been backed by 82 % of local people.

Councillor Tiller was absolutely central to this over a number of years and he will be

central to its delivery as well.

Our seven rings, seven days guarantee has been a huge success.

Councillor Paul continues to look at how customer experience can be improved across the whole

council.

Councillor Worrall has done great work shadowing Councillor Henderson.

He was delighted at the saving of the front desk at Lavender Hill Police Station and not

only because it's in his ward.

And we are very proud to be both a borough of culture

and a borough of sanctuary for refugees.

I want to say thank you to Councillor Veratharaj

for her excellent work in both areas.

Almost all of these achievements were opposed

by the relentlessly negative Wandsworth Tories.

All of them were delivered by our hardworking

and experienced Labour team.

But first, Councillor Credham.

Thank you Mr. Mayor. I thank the leader for his answer although I know it doesn't

really have much to do with the question so I'll make it very simple for him. Can

he tell the chamber tonight how many of his 33 council

colleagues are not in receipt of extra pay?

Councillor Hogg. I thank Councillor Priton for that question.

I mean I thank Councillor Priton for that question.

Please as sometimes happens, you know, the premise of the question is just not correct

There are fewer counsellors now receiving special responsibility payments than there were under the previous system. So all this stuff of a

HMRC is a

Complete red herring. I also think counsellor Pridham's definition of considerable public interest is a bit different to ours

You know, we have elections every year

We're a Democratic Party literally no residents have raised this with me since it happened six months ago

But talking of leadership, the Leader of the Opposition was spotted by one of our councillors

at a conference last weekend at a training course on how to run effective opposition.

I don't think refunds are available, but let's hope he learns something about effective

opposition because he's going to need it over the next four years.

Second supplementary.

Councillor Stott.

Thank you, Mr Mayor.

Second supplementary.

So I think on this side of the chamber, our collective Labour values are rooted in democracy

and co -operation.

Please let Councillor Stokes please.

Giving people the opportunity for their voices to be heard will absolutely always be our

strength and we're proud of it.

I'd like to thank Councillor Hogg for the honour of serving in Cabinet and delivering

for children and families all over Wandsworth and I wish Councillor Gasser, my successor,

the very best.

But given the opposition party have had councillors defect to reform, have had a councillor suspended

from their own local group who now sits as an independent, seen their local associations

split from each other and still continue to have some disagreements to say the least,

and that wedge of the chamber is growing and it's not being contributed to by the Labour

group side of the chamber, does Councillor Hogg think that perhaps people in glass houses

shouldn't throw stones?

Councillor Hogg. I'd like to thank Councillor Stock for that

excellent question and for her kind words and of course for her service in the cabinet.

We are not the team that has lost councillors to infighting. They are not a happy ship over

there. There's not a lot of eye contact going on. For anyone who hasn't heard the latest

report card courtesy of Councillor Justin on the Wandsworth Tories, here it is. The

Wandsworth Conservatives are out of touch, riddled with toxic internal politics, and

more focused on saving careerist agendas than serving local people.

I have no regrets and I'm proud to join a younger, motivated team at Reform UK.

So thank you, Councillor Justin, for lifting the lid on what it's really like to be a Wandsworth

Tory these days.

I mean, this used to be the party of Edward Lister, of Paul Beresford, they were at least

nationally feared, if nothing else.

But now they're heading the way of the Richmond Tories,

the Lambeth Tories, the Southwark Tories, the Kingston

Tories.

And their footnote will just be that they lost a flagship Tory

council.

Sorry, lost two flagship Tory councils.

That will be their footnote in history.

Wandsworth Labour is delivering a decade

of renewal for local people.

Residents will look at the two parties.

Elections are about choices.

Our party is bringing forward practical solution.

The other party is divided, relentlessly negative, and has no new ideas.

Thank you.

The time for leaders' questions is now up.

The Whips have agreed that Item 17, the motion on embracing diversity, defending democracy,

will be taken next.

Can I ask Councillor Akinola to move and Councillor Varatharaj to second the motion in their names.

I move the motion.

I second the motion.

An amendment to the motion has been circulated.

May I ask Councillor Pridham and Councillor Hamilton to move and second the amendment.

Moved.

Seconded.

I'm told there's a second amendment that's just been received and circulated

Councillor Jack Mayorkas and Councillor Lee, would you like to propose?

Thank you

So the first speaker is Councillor Lee, thank you

Hello, good evening, everyone, and thank you,

for bringing this motion.

As we know, nationally and internationally, tensions around

migration and displacement are rising.

Headlines and popular rhetoric focuses on borders, asylum

storey to tell. One of compassion and inclusion. Our borough is one of the most

diverse in London. Around 30 % of our residents are from black, Asian or other

minority backgrounds. Over half of the children born here have parents who were

born outside the UK. Our creative sector thrives because of different cultures,

global outlooks and local routes.

Nationally, one in five NHS staff members

are non -UK nationals.

These are the people by our bedside

when we're at our most vulnerable.

These are the carers looking after our parents

and our grandparents at the end of their lives,

treating our loved ones with compassion and dignity.

They are our key workers, our neighbours,

our friends and our colleagues.

In 2022, we voted unanimously and cross -party

to become a borough of sanctuary,

but one's worst storey is a sanctuary began long before that.

In the 17th century, thousands of Huguenot refugees

fled religious persecution in France and found safety here.

They brought skills, craftsmanship,

and traditions that enrich local life

and laid foundations for industries

that helped our borough to thrive.

From those early arrivals to the communities

who have settled here since,

our neighbours from the Caribbean,

South Asia, Eastern Europe and beyond,

Wandsworth has long been a place

where people come to build a better life.

Back in 2018, I spent time in Calais in Northern France

along with three other speech and language therapists.

We were working with the School Bus Project,

which is a mobile classroom for refugees.

We met and supported men, women, and children,

fleeing war, oppression, and forced conscription.

The bus was a place where they could learn,

play music, make art, or simply sit somewhere warm and safe

for a while.

I cannot express how wrongly these people,

and the young men in particular, have been portrayed,

demonised and dehumanised.

Other than the country they were born and the circumstances they found themselves in,

they were no different from my own brothers.

I met kind, moral, intelligent and unbelievably resilient young people.

Teenagers who had fled tyranny and violence, who had made journeys that most of us could

not even imagine across deserts, mountains and seas, only to be met with hostility when

they arrived in France.

treated like criminals, shot with rubber bullets, sprayed with tear gas, their

tents and belongings destroyed again and again. And yet when they stepped on that

bus they smiled, they shook our hands, they thanked us, they called us their

sisters. We talked about football, about families, about their hopes for the

future. They told us that they wanted to come to the UK, not for money, not for

benefits, but for a chance at life, a chance to belong, to work, to learn, to live in peace.

I remember a 16 -year -old from Sudan who simply told me, I want to start living.

So many people find peace in our little corner of the world, in Wandsworth, whether you were

born here or arrived last week, whether you grew up in our schools or came seeking safety

and opportunity, you are part of our storey. That is what Wandsworth represents, a place of hope,

a place that opens its doors and it is on us in this room to continue that legacy, to lead with

fairness, compassion and empathy, not fear, to remain on the right side of history. So let us

pledge that Wandsworth will remain a proud borough of sanctuary, not a passive one but an active one,

building bridges, creating opportunities,

and reminding ourselves and our country

that our strength lies in our shared humanity.

We are stronger, safer, and kinder when we stand together.

So let us say clearly to everyone

who calls this borough their home.

And in no uncertain terms, you are welcome here.

Thank you.

Thank you very much.

There are many sentiments in this motion with which I agree.

This borough has benefited enormously from the diversity of its residents.

We should also be proud that that diversity is represented here tonight with several members

across all sides bringing with them a variety of different backgrounds and

perspectives that makes us as a political body well placed to represent

the people we serve. Equally I believe I speak for everyone here tonight that we

should aim to have a society where nobody is subject to prejudice or

discrimination because of their background. Now the original motion

tonight of course neglected to mention one very specific form of hatred that is

very much on the rise and whilst I'm glad that the amendment that's just been

circulated does do that, it's a shame that it wasn't in the original motion.

Last year the Community Security Trust recorded a shocking 204 % year -on -year

increase in anti -Semitic incidents. This is the highest level ever recorded. In

our borough of Wandsworth in Nine Elms there is of course a long -running

demonstration that my colleague Councillor Corner has been pushing the

council to address. This has led to anti -Semitic graffiti and residents have

heard speakers expressing support for prescribed terrorist organisations. This persists in

our borough and yet this Council point blank refuses to use any of its power or influence

to stop it. If this kind of hateful conduct were directed at any other minority, I am

absolutely convinced that the Council would rightly, with our full support, do everything

it could to stop it. The motion tonight mentions migrants to the UK specifically and our country

has a very proud history of providing a home for people in need, as Councillor Hogg pointed

out earlier, no matter their ethnic background, including of course Ugandan Asians, Tamils,

Hong Kongers and most recently Ukrainians. These communities have become integral parts

of our country, contributing to our economy and enriching our British way of life. However,

it is also true that in recent years integration has not been as successful. It's fair to

say that the scale and speed of change, as well as the nature of it, has frayed trust

and eroded public confidence. This is damaging for everyone, not just the people who already

reside in the UK, but also those who move here too. It's right and fair that migrants

to the UK are asked to make a contribution and integrate by being in work, not claiming

benefits, making national insurance contributions, not having a criminal record, and learning

English to a good standard. Now asking this of people who come to our country and asking

them to integrate is not racism, it's not sowing hate, it's the outlook and the policy

of the Labour Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmoud. And it's important that when we're opposing

racism and hatred, as we should, we don't end up unfairly maligning those who are expressing

entirely reasonable concerns about whether or not the current approach is fair. But as

As well as asking people moving to the UK to integrate,

we also, as British citizens, and particularly

elected representatives, need to do more as well.

In my view, we need to be more forthright and proud

of our country and its history.

How can we ask people to integrate into our society

if we're too ashamed and reticent to extol

the virtues of the society we're asking them to integrate into?

Finally, the motion tonight mentions democracy.

And that is, of course, underpinned

by one of the most important diversities of all,

the diversity of speech and thought,

which enhances the quality of our democratic institutions

and allows them to better reflect the people they serve.

I must say I find it utterly hypocritical and absurd

for the administration to be putting forward a motion

that extols the virtues of democracy and diversity

whilst doing everything within its power

to undermine its basic components at a local level

by drastically limiting the extent to which their decisions

can be scrutinised and criticised.

Democracy is strengthened by an open debate

with genuine diversity of views on offer,

and yet this council is eroding this basic principle

by the actions it's taking currently in this term.

Now, I know that Labour councillors

habitually vote down our amendments.

However, our amendment tonight simply seeks

to ensure that the position of the council

reflects the fact that antisemitism

is hugely on the rise in our society.

I'm glad that the recently tabled amendment does the same,

But I'd also ask every Labour councillor here tonight to reflect on what kind of message it would send if they choose to vote down our amendment as well and whether they do genuinely feel entirely comfortable with that. Thank you.

Councillor Barathiraj.

Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Today I stand before you with a heavy heart as hatred grows

towards people of different religions and ethnic backgrounds. The rise of anti -migrant

sentiment and actions has created a dangerous living environment, especially for people

that look like me. One single word, migrant, is being used as a weapon to divide our communities.

Our country has been experiencing austerity for years, the rise in bills, families struggling

to feed their families, the lack of investment in our public services and infrastructure.

People are angry, and rightfully so, but vicious lies of fascist politicians and their media

are using migrants as a scapegoat for this country's failures.

Tonight, let's look at the reality, and let's challenge the myth that migrants are the problem

to society's challenges.

The facts tell a different storey. A storey of economic growth, drivers of innovation

and entrepreneurship, and pillars of our communities who keep our public services such as the NHS

and our education sector moving forward. Refugees, asylum seekers, and people coming on small

boats are not responsible for the poor living standards in this country. When will the far

right realise cruelty towards these people is not going to fix our country? Last year,

people coming on small boats made up only 3 .9 % of total migration but got 90 % of media coverage.

These people are fleeing persecution and war and are coming to the UK as a last hope but are being

blamed for the country's decade -long failures. When will we address the real problem? Wealth

is being hoarded by the top 1 % who keep getting richer and the rest of the country keeps getting

poorer. The very identity of British citizens is being questioned because of their ethnicity,

religion and background. Our flag represents us all. It represents this country's history.

The Windrush generation, South Asians and Commonwealth citizens who came to this country

after World War II to rebuild it. This country was built on migration and has thrived when

we embrace our diversity. Democracy is being challenged not only in the UK but around the

world by far -right nationalism. The UK has always led by example, been a place of welcome

and made its own decisions. Let us not be influenced by billionaires and international

powers. The politics of anti -migrant sentiment is dangerous. It prides on fear and insecurity,

creating an us versus them mentality, which certain politicians are capitalising on. True

leaders don't promote division, they promote unity as that is our strength. They build

bridges, not walls. Very real issues such as violence against women and girls is

being used to further advance racist views by the far right. Statistics prove

six out of seven women who are raped, their perpetrators are

someone they know, not migrants. Let's look at the list of countries where

refugees are coming from. Syria, Afghanistan, Sudan, Eritrea and Iraq. What

do these countries have in common? They are in a civil war or they were pushed

to war. Western bombs are being used to destroy these countries, causing a refugee crisis.

How can we then say they are not welcome here?

Migration is a human storey, a storey of resilience, hope and a universal desire for a better life.

It has shaped our past and it will continue to shape our future. The deepest contributions

of migrants is the soul they bring to our society, the richness of our culture, our

there's nothing like going to an anti -migrant march and then going for an onion bhajis at the end, right?

In Wandsworth, we listen to the voices of victims with empathy and compassion.

Building solidarity begins at a community level, which is what this Labour administration has been doing,

working with our steadfast VCS groups and those with lived experiences to help migrants integrate into our societies

using community spaces, hubs and our libraries.

Wandsworth has always been a place of welcome and we all in this chamber

committed to the values of becoming a borough of sanctuary and I am proud we

have upheld our promise. In Wandsworth we are a place of safety, dignity and unity.

Here we choose compassion over hatred and stand together with all. Our message

remains the same Wandsworth stands united and most importantly thank you to

the residents of Wandsworth for creating a safe and welcoming community. To those

feeling afraid or unwelcome, you belong here. Wandsworth sees you, values you and stands with you.

Let us make it clear our borough remains a place of sanctuary and we will protect our legacy

not just with words but with action. Thank you.

Thank you.

Councillor Grimston.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor.

There's a lot of good sentiments in this motion and indeed it reflects why many, many years

ago one of the things that attracted me to this area was its diversity and it's a decision

that I've never regretted for a single moment.

Nonetheless, Mr. Mayor, I do have growing concerns about the establishment of identity

politics in much of what underlies some of the sentiment here.

Growing up gay in the 60s and 70s wasn't a great picnic.

Society had a very good way of telling people like me that we were not part of the mainstream.

We didn't really belong, whether it was done through the dreadful Clause 28 or whether

it was done through the portrayal of gay characters in entertainment.

The impression there was unmistakable.

In what I think is possibly the single biggest,

most dramatic social revolution of my lifetime,

by the early 2000s, this had completely changed.

People were studiedly bored by my sexuality.

I have to say, sadly, I have to include my husband

in that statement.

But when Justine Greening came out as lesbian,

The main response was just, so, what?

That prurience, that unhealthy prurience

about people's sex lives had been replaced

by a benign indifference.

And yet now I'm finding this progress is going back.

Society has found a new way of telling me

that I'm not really part of the mainstream.

It now does it with these wretched rainbow flags

and rainbow level crossing, pedestrian crossings

and rainbow doormats and so on.

Well meant undoubtedly, but just as effective

in telling me that I don't really fit into society

as a whole, that I'm in some way fundamentally different.

The real allies of LGB people are not those

who go around saying we like gay people and waving flags.

They're the people who just couldn't care less

what I get up to.

And talking to people from ethnic minorities

from various religious groups in my ward,

There are many, I think, who feel that way, who are simply wanting to get on with their

own lives and not have constantly been told that they're in some way, I get the impression

I'm being told that there's some way I need celebrating.

I'm so weak that if I'm not celebrated, I won't be able to make my way in life.

I find that patronising.

I find it insulting, but I also find it rather disturbing.

Now as I say, the motion has so many good things in it.

Politicians and others seeking to profit by sowing division in society.

Absolutely, we need to look out for that.

Less than two years ago, the mayor for London produced a document on his website

of how he wanted to be spun in the media.

And there was a nice picture of him with 13 ethnic minority people all smiling.

Very good, that was great.

There's also a picture of a young white family.

Only this one had a subtitle to it.

It said, doesn't represent real Londoners.

Now, goodness me, if you're looking out for a politician or someone else seeking to profit

by sowing divisions in society, that seems to me to be pretty gold standard.

It's not so very long that a sitting member of this chamber tweeted, Rishi Sunak is a

complete waste of space.

He should go back to India with his billionaire wife.

Now, rightly, the Labour Party withdrew the whip from that person.

And the last thing I'm saying is that this sort of vile racism is only found in the Labour

It's not, it's found across politics.

And we need to be aware of it.

And I certainly don't want to live in a society

where people are told they're not real Londoners

because of the colour of their skin,

or that people who should go back to their country

of origin if we disagree with what they're saying.

But I also don't want to live in a society

where increasingly we label people

and try and force them into boxes.

That's disastrous for inclusion.

Firstly, because among those who are forced

into these boxes, if they don't agree with what the elite decide are the values that

that group of people ought to hold, they're twice excluded.

Excluded by being labelled and told they're not mainstream society, but then excluded

from the box they're being forced into because they don't agree.

Why on earth does gay community mean?

I'm nothing more in common with another gay person than I do with anybody else in society

per se.

A very wise man, some 60 years ago said

that he had a dream that his children would be judged

by the, not by the colour of their skin,

but by the contents of their personality.

We're moving backwards on that,

or in real danger of moving backwards on that.

I really fear that however long I've got to go,

but the last 20 years of my life may rather resemble

the first 20 years, rather than the wonderful golden age

in the middle.

I hope we don't get to go down that way but as performative identity politics takes a grip. I think we're in that real danger

Councillor Hamilton

Thank you very much. Mr. Mayor

It's a pleasure to speak in the debate this evening in order to follow

Councillor Grimston who I think expressed many of the sentiments that I and colleagues on the conservative side have when it comes to this particular motion

Over the last three years in this chamber, I've heard colleagues on many occasions talk

about the various reasons that they moved to Wandsworth.

Some were born here, some were drawn to the borough because of its great parks.

In my case, it was a walk with friends late at night, shortly after leaving university,

when I walked from Tooting Beck Station all the way down to Tooting Broadway and was blown

away by the smells, the mixture of shops, the lights, the excitement of the area.

And that element of Wandsworth, that richness and diversity has been part of my life ever

since.

Living in this borough, festivals like Eid, festivals like Diwali are as much part of

my day -to -day existence as Christmas is.

And I say that as somebody who's not even from a particularly religious background.

But one thing I think has always been a constant there is the fact that there's been a togetherness

to all of those festivals.

There's always been a one wands worth sense.

There hasn't been a sense of difference,

of balkanization, of us being from different communities,

but rather being part of a whole.

And for that reason, I have some concerns about the way

that the motion has been written this evening,

but I'll come onto that in just a second.

I want to first touch upon the mention

of the borough of sanctuary policy, which is in this motion.

I think we've all welcomed that policy across the chamber.

And I think all of us can particularly delight in the work that this council and every member

has been right behind on behalf of the people of Ukraine who live here in this borough.

And when I go back to Ukraine next week, I won't be celebrating the achievements of one

political party or making this a Conservative versus Labour issue, but rather talking about

the cross -party way that every single member here has welcomed Ukrainians into this community.

And that's the way we should approach this.

we should approach issues to do with diversity, to do with multiculturalism, multi -ethnicity,

on a cross -party basis, as opposed to motions like this that I think try and set up some

kind of division and battle lines between the two parties.

Now, I wanted to also touch upon the language inside the Conservative amendment that relates

to anti -Semitism, because I know this is a very painful topic for a lot of members in

this chamber, but also one out there in the country.

Now, I think it would be wrong of us not to mention the rising tide of anti -Semitism in

this country and to recognise that as a council.

I think back to this summer when I had the privilege to be best man at a Jewish couple,

friends of mine, Laura and Kelly's wedding.

This couple are now asking me, is it safe for them to still visit the UK where they

look at examples of the terrorist atrocity that we saw in Manchester, where they see

examples like the protests on the streets of London each week and I think

we need to really as elected politicians as those who are supposed to stand up

for all people in society to really make a very very clear statement as

Wandsworth councillors that anti -Semitism is unacceptable and we

stand against it so for that reason I do stand by including that in our motion

this evening. Let's also talk for a moment about the issue of multiculturalism

a multi -ethnicity because from my perspective it's far more important for us to defend the

concept of a multi -ethnic borough than simply a multi -cultural one.

And one of the things I've been very proud to do over the last few years is to serve

on the grants committee and many of the grant applications that come forward are for the

provision for example of money for communities, projects that help those coming to the country

improve their English language skills and improve their ability in terms of the educational

field so that they can be more integrated into society. As councillors there's little we can do

to stop boats. There's little that we can do to change the immigration policy of this country.

But if we look at the policy tools that we do have and how we can improve community cohesion,

education is the best way that we can do that and that's the best way we can foster diversity

and a happy harmonious borough. Now to conclude because I know we are entering into a election

season, many of the motions, many of the questions will have the election in mind.

I was asked a few weeks ago by a member of the ethnic minority community on the doorstep

what I was going to do if I was re -elected for that community.

And I said I'm going to do exactly the same thing for your community that I'm going to

do for the black community, the gay community, the Hindu community, the Jain community.

And that's stand up for lower taxes, safer streets and the delivery of excellent public

services because that's what we're here for as councillors to serve all

residents whatever colour whatever background whatever creed whatever

religion and the last thing we need is a nation that foster battle lines between

our communities we are one Wandsworth thank you

Thank you.

Thank you Mr Mayor.

So firstly I want to send my condolences and prayers to the families of those who lost

their lives in Manchester and close to home those who have been attacked in Wandsworth.

I also want to state that this motion was to celebrate the good work that we have done

here in Wandsworth and somehow it has become a very spicy issue. As a second

generation immigrant who's grown up in a very fractured society and I've

experienced racism, microaggressions and discrimination, I feel very deeply and I

share the concern that many of our residents and our citizens and

organisations feel over the rise in anti -migrant sentiment and I do hope

that after this debate I will be able to say to them that in Wandsworth we

believes that we have more in common than what divides us.

I would like to take a moment to acknowledge and commend

the people of colour, those of faith,

and members of the LGBTQ plus community in the chamber today,

whose presence reflects the diversity of the communities

that we serve.

It takes great courage to put yourself forward

for a very public position of councillor,

no matter what party you're standing for.

And anyone who is watching on screen or in the future,

Wandsworth would not be the same without the contribution of migrants, refugees and our diverse communities that have shaped Wandsworth's identity and strength.

I believe our borough is thriving and I believe this is because the people who call it home are creating spaces where everyone can be heard, respected and represented.

and this is the meaning of anti -oppressive practise,

which I sadly know is something the opposition

actually took out of their well -meaning, I believe,

but misdirected amendment.

Today I had the joy of speaking to LGBT hero,

who are setting up meetings for the LGBT community

to come together and feel safe.

Voluntary communities like Wandsworth Welcomes,

KARAS, Home Cafe, and Citizens Advice tirelessly work

so that our newest citizens, no matter where they are from, feel like this is home.

I would be remiss not to mention our amazing refugee team here as well, who are doing an absolutely fantastic job.

Just a few weeks ago, we celebrated disability with our extremely risqué, if any of you were there,

but absolutely joyful Liberty Festival, giving people with D -DEAF, neurodiverse and disabled artists

an opportunity to take centre stage on the creative scene.

These are just a few examples of how we at Wandsworth Council are valuing every individual

person and putting people first and working with our voluntary sector to bring our residents,

neighbours and friends together to challenge hate with compassion.

Wandsworth is proud as we all agree to be a place of sanctuary, a place where we can

live, grow, and put down roots safely.

From South Asian History Month to Black History Month,

which is right now, we celebrate the cultures

that make this borough vibrant, welcoming,

and our communities cohesive.

Culture connects us.

You may have heard that before,

because it's part of our London borough of culture themes.

It reminds us that joy, art, food, music, and storeys

are shared languages of belonging.

To echo the faith leader who started this meeting, sadly gone, I want to acknowledge

the incredible partnerships across communities, faith leaders and voluntary organisations

who work daily to listen, reflect, act and strengthen inclusion.

And I also want to offer a practical step to all councillors to give up some time to

volunteer their expertise or just a bit of time to usher at our upcoming Borough of Culture

events. One of the aims, of course, is to encourage connectedness. I call on all of

us here as councillors, elected representatives for local people to lead by example, to behave

with integrity, respect, and ensure Wandsworth remains a borough where every person, regardless

of origin or identity, feels that they can belong and thrive. Because when we choose

unity over division, and when we celebrate our strength,

we honour the spirit of Wandsworth,

a borough that stands proudly for people,

for place, for partnership, and for purpose.

Thank you.

Thank you and thank you for all the speakers in the debate.

We've got two amendments and so Mr. Chaudry will keep me online but we'll do the first

amendment that we received first which was the conservative amendment from Councillor

Pridham.

We'll see if that stands or falls in terms of amending the motion.

We'll then deal with the second amendment

And we'll see whether we've got any of the amendments

With the motion in that in that order. Okay, so the first

Vote mr. Chaudry. I've got it right is

All those in favour of the amendments from Councillor freedom all those in favour

Thank you.

All those against the amendment?

Are there any abstentions on the amendment?

The amendment is 21 March 1444.

Sorry, can someone help with the speaker?

Any other votes for Tube?

21 votes for Vitamix Media.

informational

Multiplayer

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for the amendment against the amendment 27.

That's right.

On the point of order, can I have a point of order?

Sorry, Mr. Mayor.

I mean this is really important.

And uh...

Audience member - I'm an expert.

Audience laughs.

Audience member - You've got the floor.

Point of order.

Other point of order.

I'm used to amendments that say

after X in the original than this.

I am not clear,

it's not done in the normal council bureaucratic way

whether this is a total replacement of the original,

can I call it, Labour group amendment,

or is it an amendment that fits in at some particular point?

I just, not clear what I'm voting for.

Are you talking about the First Amendment,

Councillor Belton?

Talking about the amendment in the name

of Councillor Mayor Casson -Lee.

Second amendment.

Yeah, OK.

Well, I thought we were on to the second amendment, were we?

I haven't moved there yet.

You can come up before in the interlude.

Now we're voting on this second amendment.

So we're voting on the second amendment.

And I'm just going to receive some advice about it

It is acceptable as it's written

If I could clarify for the mayor the amendments from

Councillor Mayorkas and Councillor Lee are in bold and there's no

subtractions

Okay, but if you read the whole lot it

It stands as a piece the bits in bold of it are the changes

So we're moving to a vote in terms of the amendment to from Councillor Mayorkas and Councillor Lee.

All those in favour of that amendment?

Are there any against or abstentions?

No, it's passed unanimously.

So it now becomes the substantive motion.

And so we'll take a further vote on that.

Now it's the substantive motion.

All those in favour of the substantive motion?

As amended.

No, we voted for it being amending the motion.

We need to vote on it.

Now it's the substantive motion.

All those in favour?

This is now...

Have you got the numbers?

Can you hold your hands up please, have you got the numbers?

Okay all those against this now that's a substantive motion.

All those against, no, okay.

Now abstentions.

Can we just do the counting?

Okay.

So the substantive motion is now passed.

29 votes for against nil and 21 abstentions.

Now we move on to questions for cabinet members now being taken.

Question 12, Councillor Pete Graham.

Question 12 to cabinet member for Finance.

Thank you for your question.

We in Wandsworth have, excuse me, one of the most digitally literate, young and dynamic populations in the country.

And this Council needs to reflect how its residents live, work and connect in our communities.

We are making this investment now to improve our services for the future.

The Transformation Programme is an exciting opportunity to become a more innovative Council,

more technologically adept and adapted to the needs of the 21st century.

Now, when we took over the Council in 2022, we found quite an antiquated Council.

The scrutiny system, unique and obsolete, had been left behind by the rest of London.

Our IT was creaking through underinvestment.

We still needed wet signatures on contracts, incredibly.

The organisation may as well have been in the era of lottery funds and fax machines.

and the opposition have got no idea what a modern organisation looks like.

This is not just about stepping into the digital age,

which for most people arrived decades ago.

This is about the age of artificial intelligence and stepping into the future.

Thank you.

It was a three -part question.

How much does she think it will save?

By when will it save 10 million?

and when will the progress be reported to members?

It's a triple whammy of non -answers.

We have no indication whatsoever.

All we can go on is the similar transformation programme

that she and Councillor Hogg launched just two years ago

at a cost of five million pounds

and that so far is only saving 1 .7 million per year.

On her own track record to date,

does she really think we should believe

in her ability to transform the council?

Councillor Ireland.

This transformation programme is designed to do just that.

I would have hoped that by now the minority Speaker would understand how the budget process

works.

This budget will be discussed at full Council in accordance with the Constitution next February,

as it is every year.

You'll learn about our ambitious programme to become a 21st Century Council, while continuing

to invest in our community and I very much hope you will support that. Thank you.

Second supplementary. Councillor Critchard.

Thank you, Mr Mayor. I do hope I get some length of time to expand on my question. I

was going to say, as we all heard at Finance Committee, this is the beginnings of the programme

and obviously it would be helpful if all members listened properly at Finance to what we're

told and when we would get a fuller answers that have been promised to us.

Of course, we can ask for an update on what's happening, but we know it's an outline programme.

My question is this to the cabinet member, which is, can you tell us a little bit more

about how you feel about the opportunities that this transformation programme will bring

for our council? I would just stress to everyone in this room, we're talking at this stage

about opportunities and ideas.

Thank you.

And I'm sure the rest will come.

Councillor Ireland.

Thank you.

This transformation programme is about funding

technological efficiencies so we can keep

investing in frontline services.

Now, when we took over the council three years ago,

how many of us had any idea of all the changes through AI

and what they can potentially bring?

I certainly didn't.

Now I'm really excited about the opportunity of using the new technology to improve services for our residents and make us more efficient and responsive to their needs.

The possibilities are endless. Thank you.

Councillor Boswell, question 13.

Question 13 to the cabinet member for children. Dolly Parton's free books for Wandswell.

Yes, good evening. I thank Councillor Boswell for the question.

And just in case anybody hasn't read the question, it's asking how did Wandsworth win this amazing

arrangement with Dolly Parton's foundation? And we are getting a book a month for every

child between naught and five for five years. That's an incredible offer from Dolly Parton

and from the People's Postcode Lottery. And I have to thank our partners so much for what

they're doing for our children.

And the question asked, why did they choose us

above other boroughs, which were also competing for this?

And there's a number of reasons.

And first of all, I must thank our officers,

Miss Povovitchy and Mr. Hippel,

who work so well with our partners.

And partnership is about building a relationship,

and it takes a time.

And I know Mr. Hippel's been working with

the Dollywood people for a number of years,

and over that time, he has won their trust,

and they work together on aligning our vision.

And we have a vision for all our children in Wandsworth.

Every child has got to be supported to thrive,

to succeed in every way that we can support them.

And literacy, early literacy, the love of reading

is so important to that.

We want every child to have access to books.

That's why we're keeping our libraries open.

That's why we're building new libraries.

And that's why we're so grateful for this donation,

of a free book a month.

And the Foundation chose us because of our line vision,

also because we're an efficient council.

We got back to them with our emails.

You know, they knew that we were going to be good to work with.

So that is what actually the Foundation told me,

that we were the most efficient responding.

So that's really good.

We're a good professional council.

I'm very pleased to hear that.

We look forward to working with them some more.

And it's part of our overall vision.

You know, this is the year of the borough of culture.

It's the year of play.

It's the year of supporting our children,

as much as we possibly can,

Dollywood Foundation bought into that as well.

So we have many reasons why they've chosen us

and we're very, very grateful to them.

First supplementary, first supplementary,

Council Roswell.

Supplementary, please.

Thank you very much to the cabinet member for children

for her answer to my question.

And I do completely agree

that it is about building relationships.

I was also about being really fleet of foot and when that opportunity came up

We could pitch and we could win so I just like to add my thanks

As the chair of the children's committee to the officers for doing that

But I would like to ask the cabinet member about another wonderful initiative for Wandsworth children

That is going to be launched next week on Tuesday the 10 by 10 programme

and I'm going to take any credit for this. This started under Councillor Stock's leadership

and with Councillor Boswell and Councillor Davies who's not here. They've worked very,

very hard on bringing to life this year of play and again, many thanks to the officers

because so much work has gone into it. So this particular initiative is encouraging

all our young children to try various different activities that are available across the borough.

So we've got all sorts of visual aids.

We've got a 10 by 10 programme.

10 things that we would like children to think about doing

by the time they're 10.

And we're going to help them do them.

There's a lovely booklet to fill in.

They're going to try out all sorts of new activities,

learn new skills, visit new places.

We'll help them do that.

And I hope it will give them a taste

for all sorts of new activities

and really sort of enrich their lives.

And then, not to leave out slightly older children,

10 by teen.

So some more mature activities for the older child

and young person.

So there's all sorts of things happening.

We're going to do a big launch next week.

We're hoping very much that the voluntary sex

will come on board as well.

I know Councillor Ann Ann in her group

and hopefully lots of other groups

will be supporting with this and helping the children

to do some of these activities.

So it is a fabulous initiative

and it is all part of everything we're doing this year.

You know, we're investing massively into our children.

We're building new playgrounds,

we're refurbishing playgrounds,

we've got our leisure centres being refurbished,

new football pitches,

but actually we're doing it all in partnership,

as Councillor Hogg mentioned earlier on.

We're very, very careful with one's worth of money,

so we're leveraging in other funding from outside

wherever we can, and that's working well.

So we've got Dolly and Hermoine,

we've got a wonderful partnership with Apple.

I've spent the day at the Apple headquarters on Monday

learning about what their iPads can do

to support our children with special needs and disabilities,

and it is fantastic.

So they're giving us more iPads,

and particularly at the moment we're doing a trial

in two of our resource bases,

we think this will revolutionise the way we educate

and care for our children with extra needs.

We think we want to keep our children

as close to home as possible.

We want to keep children in mainstream wherever possible.

These iPads are really gonna help with that,

so we're doing a pilot and we'll evaluate that,

and that's part of the transformation

this council is undergoing.

How can technology really help to support our children,

support our adults as well?

So there's so much going on and we're doing it not on our own, we're doing it with partners

that are working towards our ideals.

Second supplementary.

Yes, Councillor Richards -Jones.

Thank you, Madam Mayor.

Can I congratulate the cabinet member for securing this?

It really is wonderful to see.

And as she noted in her answer clearly, the Dolly Parton Foundation was impressed by the

resources we had in Wandsworth but also the library strategy.

Now, she knows that we've got a longstanding campaign in Northcote to extend library hours.

She knows that her administration inherited from our administration a revamped library

building that's more energy efficient, which would allow longer extended opening hours.

So will she tell the Chamber today, and also the Dolly Parton Foundation, that she'll commit

to extended library opening hours at least nine till five, but preferably even later

in the evening so children can study.

and she'll know that if she gives that commitment,

the residents of Northcote and beyond will always love her.

I'm not sure.

Council Magassa.

That's not true.

My sister lives in Northcote, so she loves me.

Not sure about the others.

You know I can't give that commitment

because that would cost a lot of money

and you are always ensuring that we keep our money tight.

We are ensuring that we keep our finances tight.

That's the right thing to do.

So I can't promise you I can extend those hours

specifically in Northcote.

I can tell you we've extended library hours

in some of our other libraries where our residents are most

in need, Battersea Park, York Gardens, Roehampton.

I continue that we're working on providing extra study

spaces for children at exam times,

because I know that you and your colleague

have emphasised the need for that.

So I have a plan.

It's not very well written out yet.

When it's well written out, I will share it with you.

We are looking at how can the libraries provide more space,

more spaces.

What other buildings around the borough

can provide study space with Wi -Fi if children need that?

So we have absolutely heard that about exams,

and there is a plan coming our way very soon on that.

That's as much as I can predict,

we're doing everything we can to help our children study.

That is of vital importance.

Thank you for your question. We are a listening council and we will always put residents'

voices first. Since 2022, we have completely rewired the council to listen to our residents.

In fact, we literally re -ride the telephones so that instead of having 20 different contact

numbers and a long wait on hold, you can now call one number and get through within seven

rings.

We set up a new email, hello at wandsworth .gov .uk, to be a one -stop shop for residents.

We have an online question and answer page where the cabinet answer questions from residents.

Along with this we have our seven days guarantee.

Listening to our residents' priorities,

it's about taking action when they tell us.

So now if you report graffiti, a broken sign,

or a dangerous pothole, it will be fixed within seven days.

Now we hold regular community drop -ins

that give residents a chance to talk to us face to face.

We held a citizens' assembly on air quality

and we delivered on its recommendations.

We also held a cost of living Commission and again we delivered on its recommendations. We're out and about in the community

supporting our residents in the successful campaign to keep lavender police station lavender Hill police station open and

Yes, the resounding yes result of the autumn ballot once again demonstrates that we listen to our residents. Thank you

first supplementary council corner

Well, thank you, Mr. Mayor.

I think that was one of the worst examples of, or best examples, perhaps, of not answering

the questions I've ever seen.

She's actually failed to answer a clear question put to her for the fourth time during this

agenda item alone.

Now, we've been urging the administration to bring forward details of these focus groups

since for a couple of committee cycles now,

after the cabinet member said at finance

that these focus groups were happening.

Clearly, it's good that the council listens to residents

and seeks feedback,

although it is an improper use of public money

to run the focus groups and then not be forthcoming

about the outcomes of those focus groups

and what the conclusions are that the council draws from them

and also what the residents said in those focus groups.

So here's a clear question that she can answer.

The fourth time, fifth time maybe,

she gets to try and answer a question in this agenda item,

will she succeed, by saying when she will publish

the details of those focus groups.

Councillor Ireland.

Thank you for your question.

Now we're running several projects

as part of the listening council theme and all relevant papers will be published when

they inform key decisions or when the project concludes. And that's all I've got to say.

Thank you. Second supplementary. Councillor Apps.

Second supplementary. Can you tell us some of the ways that we have improved by being

a listening council since 2022 when we first came into power.

Councillor Ireland.

Thank you.

Well, some of my colleagues want to hear it.

So I think introducing the Seven Rings, Seven Days.

The leader holds regular road shows.

We hosted the third residence conference last week.

I asked for that when we were in opposition

for about five years.

It's actually happening now with this administration,

and it's very popular.

We're holding housing road show dropping events.

There was one in my ward a few weeks ago.

They're happening for all the four area housing panels.

Our financial inclusion team and officers

meet regularly with service users

to discuss their experiences and how we can best support them.

And the money advice road shows helps our residents save money

and make sure they get what they're entitled to.

Now, I can give you some personal experience

of the previous administration.

Now, before I became Councillor, I was a resident representative.

I'm still Secretary of my Residence Association, and I still remember the shock of being taken

to court as a leaseholder to try to force me to allow the Council to retrofit sprinklers

in my home.

Now, I thought it was my home.

I thought I owned it.

It was a terrible experience.

And your administration did that to me and to thousands of my other Council leaseholders.

you took us to court you wasted a lot of money and you lost and

While I'm about it. What about what you did in Battersea Park when against residents wishes you held the formula e

Racing so yes, that's that's how you listen to residents

Question 15 count councillor Cole cloth

Thank you question 15 investment in our sports and leisure to the cabinet member for environment

Thank you Councillor Colquhay for your question.

I think we all welcome the massive investment in our leisure sports centres and Lido.

We had a lot of casework about the dilapidated state of our leisure centres and that was

commented in Environment Committee across the Chamber, not just from our side, soon

after the administration was changed.

but I'm sure the previous administration would have been pleased to see this decline further

with only perfunctory investment to keep the place open, but little else,

so it would be hived off cheaply to the private sector.

Instead, we've responded to new leisure centre demand

and will deliver new cycling and reformer Pilates studios,

paddle or padel courts, soft play areas, splash pads, pool pods,

Yep, pool pods and state of the art fitness centres, health and wellbeing suites, refurbishing

of the changing rooms as well as improvements to swimming pools, receptions and cafes that

will give us leisure and sports centres to be proud of.

All accessible by a fabulous access for all scheme with 80 ,000 bookings to date to ensure

a truly democratic and balanced clientele and no one need miss out.

First supplementary. First supplementary. Councillor Colquigh.

I thank the cabinet member for their response. Can they also further go into the difference

between this administration's approach to funding our leisure centres and our sports

from the previous administration? Thank you. Councillor White.

Thank you for the supplements. I'm really pleased also by investments to the playgrounds, play areas and resurfacing of tennis courts, all weather pitches and athletic stadiums, again accessible facilities with access for all.

It's a great shame that many of the sports clubs have to take their recreation elsewhere as the previous administration failed over so many years to keep pace with changing demands and how sports developed and needed updated facilities.

I detailed in a speech before summer how my family and myself had accessed facilities

in this borough that no longer exist.

And the previous administration looked away as demand grew, but privatisation and philosophy

got in the way of provision and let the private sector deliver was just a synonym for you

pay top dollar, otherwise you're excluded.

Then councillor casework grew as complaints came in over use, hanging around streets and

States, basically because they had nothing else to do that their parents could afford.

But that's why you elect Labour councils to ensure more even distribution and in this

instance everyone can enjoy developing their own sports and socialisation storey, building

cross demographic networks and friend groups that encourage solidarity, opportunity, confidence

and a sense of oneness.

Second supplementary, Councillor Caddy.

Thank you Mr Mayor.

Could we have an update on the progress of the Springfield sports pitch planning application

which is of significant interest to residents?

Thank you.

As I mentioned in previous answers, it's a shame that a lack of investment and vision

by the previous administration has led to a surfeit of facilities in the borough and

that is certainly the case of the national sport, football.

In the last mid -century, all -weather pitches meant dangerous, uneven, dusty red -graw or

cinder pitches that could be cast to the past.

We only have one competition level football, all -weather 3G pitch in the borough, and that

needs resurfacing, and this borough cannot control access, so cannot ensure that balanced

distribution of that resource.

Our playing pitch strategy says we need four.

The FA says we need five 3G pitches.

Springfield Park is one of many opportunities we have in borough

to increase our capacity to meet rising popularity.

Springfield Football Club in the grounds of the hospital is the legacy there

and that again is lost.

Burwood School report a massive increase in demand for football amongst their girls,

especially since the Lioness had to go out and bring it home,

no longer relying on the men.

Birmingham would want to establish themselves

as a football school of excellence

in reflection of this demand

and why wouldn't we want to help them

given the 10 point difference between women and men

active sports participation.

This difference in take up can partially be explained

as regards team sports by the fact when girls

and women teams want to book sports facilities,

they can't because men have historic bookings.

So we want to take every opportunity to bridge that 10 point gap and take the opportunities that private schools and well -funded sports clubs take for granted and give our young people access to top quality facilities.

Why should we expect our young footballers to play on mudheaps and dust bowls for most of the season when we could have FA competition pitches in the borough?

Michael Antonio was discovered playing kick -about football across the road from Springfield Park

when he wasn't being chased off that scrap of land.

He went on to be West Ham's top goalscorer in the Premier League and a Jamaican international.

Who's to say a frustrated would -be Chloe Kelly is waiting across the road,

unable to get in the vital practise on decent services because there aren't any there yet?

Thank you.

Sorry, was there an update on the planning application?

Perhaps you didn't hear the question?

Sorry, yes.

Can you quickly wrap up?

I don't know, so I thought you might be more interested in my vision.

Thank you.

I'm advised by the monitoring officer that time for questions has now elapsed.

Can I thank all members for keeping on subject for the questions and answers pretty roughly

and keeping to reasonable time.

Thank you.

We're on to item 8 in the report for decision.

I move reception of that report which will ask the council whether they approve recommendations

in report number 1, extension and variation of the Wandsworth Borough wide public space

protection order

PSPO and the introduction of the new PSPO for dog control

paper number

25324 other recommendations improve approve council

Yes agreed, thank you and

Report number two updates on the general fund capital programme paper

25327 other recommendations approved a vote, please

Okay, all those in favour, report to.

You got it, Corinne?

Yeah.

All those against?

None.

All those abstentions?

I hope the mic doesn't go in the middle of a vote like last time.

So it's passed 28 votes, 4 against 0 and 15 abstentions.

Thank you, Council.

We're on to item number 9, which is local or topical interest.

We've received notice of two matters to consider this evening.

Councillor Sweet, you have upped three minutes to speak on the matter raised by the Conservative

Group, which is failure to deliver the long -awaited one -way system upgrade.

Councillor Sweet.

Thank you, Mr Mayor.

On an early morning in March 2019, I went to TfL, Transport for London's headquarters

in Suffolk.

An engineer showed me an amazing computer model with pixelated cars and busses moving

around the map of Wandsworth and it showed how the one -way system investment would work.

Here's what TfL wrote to announce the scheme five years earlier than that in October 2014.

Transformative changes would reduce congestion in the busy town centre and make it better

for pedestrians, cyclists and busses,

helping to create a new retail, leisure, residential,

employment and educational opportunity

and act as a magnet for further investment.

Those comments were true then, and they are true today.

Another six years on,

11 years since this scheme was first announced,

and after so much wasted work and money,

the scheme has been cancelled. Fixing the one -way system has been a priority for

residents since I first became a councillor for Fairfield Ward in 2014

and that's why the Conservative Council put aside 27 million pounds to fund it.

On behalf of those residents I am incredibly disappointed in the Labour

Mayor of London and this Labour Council's failure to see this scheme

through. I would like them to apologise to residents.

The council's failure is not just a failure to deliver a road scheme though. As TfL made

clear when they first announced it, the scheme was about attracting investment as much as

easing traffic. The cancelation is Labour's failure to improve the lives of local people.

There is a Labour council, a Labour assembly member, a Labour mayor of London and now a

government. There is no excuse for failing to sort out the funding. Why won't the leader

of the council stand up for residents for once? This is an example of Labour's failure

to grip infrastructure projects. Of course costs have increased over 11 years, of course,

but the scheme as it was originally planned in 2014 was costed and manageable. If only

they had kept to the original timetable, it could have been delivered. The council's replacement

consultation on improving the town centre is so inadequate and so lightweight. Instead

of a tangible, costed, modelled proposal, residents are being offered a short survey

where options include public arts and music. These are good things, but where is the proper

consultation and where are the £27 million of infrastructure improvements? Those £27

million pounds that a visionary conservative council put aside for this

scheme came from developer contributions to improve local infrastructure. The

Labour Council should do the right thing immediately commit to spending the money

in full locally on road improvements. Thank you.

Councillor Yates you've got three minutes to respond. Thank you Mr. Mayor. I

I enjoyed studying history at university,

but I never wanted to be a history teacher.

And I'm really tired of giving history lessons

to the minority party on its failed transport project.

You were in power here for 44 years,

and in all that time, you failed to deliver improvements

to the one -way system.

So let's have a look at what happened.

As we all know, the roads making up

the Wandsworth one -way system are all red routes,

controlled and managed by Transport for London,

and it's part of the South Circular.

In the 2000s, you started working with Transport for London

on a scheme to remove the one -way system.

Moving very slowly, by 2016, you had an agreed scheme to do this,

which would have cost, at that time, about £68 million.

But instead of getting on with that scheme,

your Tory council refused to put in the necessary finance,

insisting that you cap the council's contribution

at 26 million pounds and TfL paid the rest.

But your Tory Mayor Boris Johnson

and your Tory government wrecked TfL's finances,

massively undermining the ability

to invest in major transport schemes.

And your disastrous Tory Brexit

meant construction costs skyrocketed

and then went up further when Liz Trush crashed the economy.

So by the time we came into power, we were confronted with a scheme

that would have cost well over £100 million to implement.

Moreover, discussions with TfL revealed that they had concerns

the scheme would increase journey times for traffic and busses on this major through route.

So now we're working hard on a new plan with TfL, not to remove but to really improve the one -way system

as part of our plans for growing and improving

Wontworth Town Centre.

We've already agreed some short term improvements

that will be developed soon.

And the transformation of Old York Road

is progressing well.

Over the summer we launched a public engagement

exercise with TfL to listen to our residents

about their experiences of walking cycling

and travelling through the area.

And I'm really pleased about the excellent

public response to this.

Hundreds of people responded online or have attended

drop in events we've held.

Their views will inform the way forward.

The one -way system is a busy through route, but there's great scope to improve it for

pedestrians and cyclists, with better crossings, better cycling, provision and more street

greening.

This should have been done a long time ago.

As we've made clear, the funding previously set aside will remain committed in the Council's

capital budget.

Council Suite only needs to take a look at the published capital programme, and we'll

to deliver real improvements in our town centre.

So I call on the minority party to apologise

for your inordinate delay in making improvements

to our town centre and to the one -way system.

And I call on you to support the public engagement exercise

and our hard work to get on with real,

actionable and affordable change.

For the second matter of local or topical interest,

could I ask Councillor Dobres to speak on the issues being raised by the Labour

group which is the council welcomes the CQC good rating of Wandsworth adult

social care. Councillor Dobres. Caring for residents is at the heart of our

mission to be a fair and compassionate council. Too often social care is

overlooked. When social care is delivered right it's life enhancing. Supporting

people to live independently, get a job, form relationships, as well as being a safety net

when things get hard. Social workers and care staff do this work every day, often unseen

and under -recognised. That's why I'm so pleased today that we're able to recognise the fantastic

work of our own social care team through the Care Quality Commission's recent rating of

The CQC's review said that our services were safe, well -led and caring.

Social workers support people at some of their most difficult times in their lives.

They offer help when people have nowhere else to turn.

They might help someone in your family with a learning disability live more independently.

They might help a colleague with multiple needs travel safety to medical appointments.

or they might care for an older relative 24 hours a day.

Here in Wandsworth, the hard work and dedication

of our adult social care team is truly to be admired.

I've met many of the incredible staff

who keep our services running day and night,

and their passion for our residents is unmatched.

That spirit shines through the CQC report,

which highlighted, as our mayor said,

that kind, compassionate, and respectful care

that residents receive here in Wandsworth.

And we're so proud of that.

But our teams aren't only caring and compassionate,

they're innovative and forward thinking.

We're ambitious about our use of digital technology

and especially how our occupational team,

therapy teams are using technology to reduce waiting lists

and help people get support quickly.

I'm also extremely proud of our preventative approach

and how we're working as early on as possible

to offer practical support and equipment before needs become too critical.

Now Wandsworth is ambitious and ambitious for all, so we won't be complacent.

I want to thank Councillor Graham Henderson for his determination and hard work to improve

the situation that we inherited, and I also want to thank the team led by Jeremy D 'Souza

for all the hard work and for striving to achieve always better for Wandsworth.

But most importantly tonight, I want to end on a heartfelt thank you to everyone's

worth social worker, care worker, occupational therapist, team manager and support member.

Thank you for your compassion, resilience and quiet dedication.

You have made this CQC rating possible.

Councillor Henderson, I know as well as recovering from the Mayoral Tennis Charity event, your

voices also have so take it gently over to you.

Well, thank you, Mr. F for giving a rundown on all my

health conditions. I did have a procedure of one of my periodic

procedures on I've on the Western Strait. Hopefully we'll

stand up for this. First of all, can I thank Councillor Doak -Ayes

for an excellent speech, an excellent summary of what the CQC said about adult social care,

and also for her kind words about myself.

But this was a team effort, and one of the things I was really pleased about was the

fact that I was very much part of that team. Now clearly the delivery of this much deserved

of accolade.

It's very much down to all the staff

across the whole of adult social care,

from the leadership team to all the people

that Councillor Dobre's mentioned.

Now I'm afraid it wasn't always thus.

And Councillor Derritt alluded to the fact

that we actually inherited.

And at the June 2022 Health Committee,

we were presented with these reports on KPIs

showing a wall of red KPIs.

I'm glad to say we have considerably improved from that.

Rather than eight out of 12 KPIs being red,

we've now effectively got that down to two.

Now the secrecy assessment has recently been

reintroduced after Osborne actually cancelled it.

But we do continue to have, we have continued

with the government's annual

Adult Social Care Operating Framework scheme.

In 2021, under conservatives,

the most important criteria,

which is customer service user overall satisfaction,

was in the lower quartile.

It is now not only in Uppercortle, but it's actually fourth in London overall.

And I have to say that if the CQC had turned up at Wandsworth shortly after we took office,

based upon the Conservatives' performance, I would not have been at all surprised if

they had actually rated those services inadequate.

So what we have actually achieved is a fundamental culture change and I'm grateful to the staff

who have embraced the holistic and the prevention framework approach of this council which is

extremely radical.

I think that has shown a fundamental change in culture to one in which people actually

embrace the idea of can do as opposed to raising difficulties or problems as to

what can actually be done. That is a fundamental change down to new people

being brought into the organisation. It's also about liberating the excellent

professional staff and having that on social care to fulfil their ambitions.

Can you wrap up Councillor Anderson? Yeah, the bottom line to this, Mr. Mayor, is quite

simple and that is given the Conservatives performance for example in the earliest times

in relation to children's services only the Labour administration can actually be relied

upon to deliver decent social services across children's and adults. That is the bottom

line. Thank you.

The Whips have agreed that item 18 will be taken next. Item 18 is the motion on diverging

approaches to problems in London. Can I ask Councillor Corner to move and Councillor

Owens to second the motion in their name. Moved. Second. Good. Now I just want you to bear in

mind the time because I've just done the maths in terms of eight people speaking

and the possibility of the guillotine coming down so going to be very severe

if anyone can take a little bit of time off that will make sure we get get

through.

So the first speaker is Councillor Corner.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor.

Residents have become very used to members opposite

and others in the Labour Party arguing before the last council

election that if only there was the same party, the Labour

Party, controlling the government,

controlling the mayoralty and controlling this council, that all would be well and all of the

problems that Wandsworth residents face would be solved. Fast forward a few years and now

every resident in Wandsworth has a Labour MP, a Labour Assembly Member, a Labour Mayor and a Labour Government.

And all of these problems are still present, if not got worse.

We've heard from Councillor Sweet about the One's Worth One Way system.

For almost the entire duration of the time he spoke about, we had a Labour Mayor.

We then got a Labour council in 2022, a Labour government in 24, and now the project's been cancelled.

Hammersmith Bridge has still completely failed to make any progress despite political alignment across all the authorities looking after that.

But there are two other policy areas today that I want to focus on in this motion and that is crime and housing.

And far from Labour being united on these matters,

we've actually got worrying divergence

in the way these serious issues are being addressed.

So for example, on crime,

the mayor recently announced that the only police station

in Wandsworth would be shut.

We campaigned, not for the first time,

to prevent the Lavender Hill Police Station

from being closed.

And then the Mayor, under pressure, conducted a partial U -turn, meaning that the police

station will remain open but its opening hours will be severely cut from 24 -7 to 12 hours

a day in the week and 10 hours at weekends, meaning that there will now be no walk -in

service for residents at a police station for residents in Wandsworth at night.

During the period of time when the police station was again threatened with closure,

the council leader could only plea for clarity from the mayor,

instead of actually robustly defend it as we did on this side of the chamber.

We then also have the issue of law enforcement officers,

it's already been raised this evening.

The Councillor's opposite, Wandsworth Labour,

pledged to increase the number of law enforcement officers

in their manifesto, as I believe they did

in Westminster as well, and as Westminster Council

has actually done.

But over this side of the river, Wandsworth Labour

have failed to deliver on that manifesto pledge.

They have no plans to deliver extra police officers.

And in fact, this has caused significant issues

to get worse in the borough.

So just in my ward of Nine Elms, we've

got significant issues with police officers being

redeployed to other parts of the capital by the mayor,

silenced from the council, no funding of police officers

forthcoming, and therefore further issues

getting worse relating to anti -social behaviour,

drug taking, and theft.

Then the second part of our motion, Mr. Mayor,

talks about housing.

And just this last week, the mayor

has been forced to reduce the requirement for affordable housing because he was simply unable to

get anywhere near the targets that he had set for affordable housing. In fact, the last two years

when we've had a Labour mayor and a Labour council, they've been the worst two years for

affordable housing in London and of course we had the Labour government as well. Less than a thousand

affordable housing starts.

And housing starts have been less than 5 % of the target.

Now, the cabinet member for housing said in 2022 that there

would be no backsliding on the target for 50 % affordable

housing in new schemes that came forward under a Labour council.

But now we have that backsliding,

the mayor has essentially imposed it on the council,

and we have silence from the Labour Council.

So Mr. Mayor, just to sum up,

we were told that if we had a Labour Council

and the Labour Mayor and the Labour government,

all these problems would improve,

but on transport, on housing, and on crime,

they are all getting worse,

and it's time that they were held to account for that.

Thank you.

Councillor McLeod.

Thank you, Mr Mayor.

Okay, so in what's likely to be my last speech here as a Councillor, I wanted to address

part of the opposition motion, the part that talks about the protests in Nine Elms.

and to save mischievous opposition councillors time,

I'll fully declare my interests, I'm a Labour councillor.

Labour may be the party of power,

but I'm still a person of protest.

I've stood on picket lines, joined demonstrations,

marched for peace and justice for most of my life.

From the anti -apartheid movement as a teenager in the 80s

to protest against the Iraq war in my 30s,

and most recently against the Trump presidency

and the continuing occupation and suffering in Gaza.

We never tyre of reminding anyone that will listen

that Wandsworth is a beautifully diverse borough.

We're made up of people whose heritage spans the globe.

We've got connexions from family, friends, and history,

which stretch far beyond manmade borders

and political boundaries.

For many residents, images of pain and suffering overseas are not just horrifying pieces of

social media consent, they're messages from home.

I'm proud that we delivered on our manifesto pledge and made ones off the borough sanctuary.

That means we welcome newcomers.

I'm also proud that the US Embassy is here in our borough.

When the country with the largest economy, the most dominant military and the most influential

cultural culture in the world decides to make your borough home, it speaks to how well connected

and welcoming Wandsworth is. But as with any new neighbour, being part of our community

means not only being able to speak freely and live your life, but also being held accountable

for your actions. It's why I joined the Women's March, a gun control demo, an Extinction Rebellion

action. Numerous Black Lives Matter demonstrations all at the site of the

Embassy. It's also why I've attended the permanent peace camp and

most of the eight national demonstrations that have all come to Nine

Elms keeping attention on the horrific situation in Gaza in recent months.

Publicly and peacefully coming together to make our feelings known is

one of the British traditions that I'm most proud of. Modern life is hard. We all

have problems to deal with in our own lives.

So I salute anyone and everyone who spends their time

and energy standing up for the rights and freedoms

of people they've never met.

So when this motion talks about problems in Nine Elms,

I want to say clearly, those gatherings and that peace camp

weren't a problem, they were an expression of love,

grief and solidarity.

They were democracy in its purest form.

From Nine Elms and beyond, our residents came together

to raise their voices for peace.

That's something to celebrate, not mitigate.

Sometimes it's made to sound as if demonstrators are

all other people from other places.

But I've been on those demonstrations,

and these are the same people who keep our hospitals,

our schools, and our shops running.

They're pilots and porters, baristas and baristas,

designers and delivery drivers, even padel players, Paul.

There were people that have known comfort,

yet still connect with those who haven't.

They're people who have fled war and know firsthand what it means to lose homes and feel powerless.

They are the people who send us here to represent them. We're living in troubling times when some

seek to divide communities along all sorts of lines. We've seen political violence here and

across the world. We've seen people targeted just for being who they are. We in this place have a

duty to ensure that all our residents not only feel safe going about their lives but feel safe

to speak up. I celebrate those who exercise their right, their duty to protest. So instead

of talking about taking action against them, let's learn from them. Let's stand beside

them. Let's make sure our borough remains one where everyone, regardless of race, faith

or background, feels safe to raise their voice for peace. Because the real danger isn't too

many people speaking up, it's a world where too many stay silent.

Thank you, Mr Mayor. I can tell from the spirit, at least, of the Labour motion that they want

this to be a welcoming borough. But to be a truly welcoming borough, we must value every

citizen equally. Sadly, I don't think that the actions of the Mayor of London, Sir Sadiq

Khan, nor the Labour administrations

above and below him, show that that is the case.

It has been made clear at the London Assembly

that there is a national epidemic of violence

against women and girls.

And it must be treated with the utmost urgency,

both by our police and society as a whole.

Violence against women and girls has its roots in misogyny.

Now, there are lots of ways that this can manifest.

The sexism can be subtle, subtle but cumulative. We might see indifference or even contempt for the diversity of opinion, life experience and perspective women bring.

The anger at a woman who won't just get into line and be quiet and subservient.

The deliberate exclusion. The wilful exploitation of unpaid work.

The refusal to acknowledge experience and knowledge of someone they would never dismiss if they were a man.

Being told to put up and shut up. Ultimately, sexism always snowballs into misogyny, eventually.

Women and girls deserve better. Trust in the police has never been lower and has collapsed under the current Labour Mayor of London.

People no longer expect the urgency they should have the right to expect. They no longer believe the Mayor cares.

Many don't even bother to report crimes because they've stopped believing anyone will act.

That is dangerous.

And it speaks to a failure not just of government but of compassion.

When we're told in the most polite and bureaucratic way imaginable that this is just the way things are,

that we shouldn't dare to expect any better, we should ask whether their approach to policing and crime

demonstrates that they value women and girls.

It is a political choice to tell women that they should walk home in fear,

or that our children should grow up assuming knife crime is part of city life,

as it rises 86 % under this London Labour Mayor.

A third of all knife crime in the country happens in the capital.

That is not realism, it is defeat.

Because telling women in this borough that they should shut up and put up with danger,

that they fear for themselves and their children is just part of urban life,

is at its core, misogyny.

The word Wandsworth has historically evoked something special,

a sense of family, order, calm and decency.

A place where you can walk through the park without fear,

where children grow up knowing safety not as a privilege,

but as the ordinary backdrop to life.

What made Wandsworth special wasn't accidental.

It depended on order, on civic and moral order, on the belief that rules matter and that people matter.

That foundation has been threatened by a Labour Party that has refused to grip policing in London.

A Labour Party that lets women and children in London down.

Which perhaps explains why we're a category of people the Labour administration at City Hall would prefer not to mention by name,

and would rather erase that name in its language guidance.

Wandsworth has long stood for safety, decency and order. We owe it to the people we serve,

and especially to the women and girls of this borough, to make sure it still does. Thank

you.

Councillor Tiller.

Thank you, Mr Mayor. Here we have a motion that seeks to drive a wedge between the Council

and the mayor of London.

One matter that has required cooperation

between City Hall and the council

is regenerating the Alton estate.

So it is worth contrasting how different administrations

have approached the question of attaining funding

from the mayor of London to support the regeneration.

It's no small sum, we're talking as much as 50 million pounds

obtained by getting a majority of yes votes

on a resident's ballot.

The Conservatives did not even try,

or bother trying to obtain it.

Under Labour, in the ballot that closed last Thursday,

82 % of voters said yes.

Because residents throughout the autistic state got a vote,

it was the biggest state regeneration ballot

that has ever been in the UK, and we won it decisively.

A casual observer might stop me at this point and say,

but aren't you needlessly reopening old divisions

by measuring the Conservatives' record

regarding regeneration?

I'm sure I saw them voting unanimously in favour of

Labour's renewal plans at the housing committee

and and at full council.

Well they did and I wish that bipartisan spirit

had persisted and councillors of all parties

were still on board with the regeneration.

But what did I get through my letterbox?

Not one but two conservative leaflets

telling the people of the Alton estate to vote no.

And with such poor, desperate arguments too.

They brought up rent and council tax as if those varied from estate to estate rather

than being set at borough level.

What can you say to such economic illiteracy?

What strategic mastermind did they hire to tell them that two leaflets back in the losing

side was a good investment?

If this is how they handled party finances, we can guess how they would handle public

finances given another chance. So what do the Conservatives want done to

Roehampton? Alton residents followed for over a decade following failed Tory

regeneration attempts from the very start. We saw their master plan and we

know the answer. They have always sought to cram in private housing and to

achieve no significant increase in council housing, nothing to replace what

they have sold off. They never sought a ballot because they knew they would never have won

it. So we won't take advice from them or lectures from them on working with the Mayor

of London. Their long -term goal, as revealed by Councillor Peter Bingle of the Conservative

administration in the 1980s, has been to drastically reduce council housing. Contrast this with

with Labour's Alton Renewal, which is over 40 % council housing and a total of nearly

60 % affordable, and earned its yes vote in the ballot. No wonder the Tories hate it and

want to stop it or convert it to a mostly private development. We can be sure they would

do the same with the Homes for Wandsworth programme given the chance. When it comes

reducing the council house waiting list you cannot trust the Tories nor can you

trust reform whose only manifesto commitment on social housing is to

allocate it based on race only labour has the interests of council tenants at

heart

councillor gashane mr. mayor crime doesn't begin with the first

defence begins with the first fracture. A society that forgets how to hold itself together

in its homes, in its neighbourhoods, in its duties for one another, soon finds itself

fighting the symptoms of disorder it's already allowed to take root. The council's own figures

show that more than 4 ,000 households are in temporary accommodation and over 350 of them

are large families, some waiting five or six years for a permanent home. That's not only

statistic, it's a social warning light. Every year a child spends in a temporary

flat, miles from their school and friends, every time a family's uprooted because

the council can't offer them the space to live decently, another thread of

community life unravels. We talk of antisocial behaviour as if it appears in

isolation, a few unruly youths or a problem of policing, but it's the visible

expression of something deeper, the absence of rootedness. Communities become

self -policing when people have a stake in the place they inhabit. Families who

expect to stay for years invest in their surroundings and teach their children to

do the same. People who are merely passing through have no reason to. Yet

this council's building programme has lost sight of that truth. Instead of family

sized homes, the kind that allow people to build a future, it's prioritised small

transient units. In its zeal to meet numerical targets it's forgotten that

numbers alone don't make communities. The effect is a quiet but corrosive instability,

constant turnover and fewer families in long -term housing. Not just a shortage of family homes,

but a shortage of neighbourhood. Nowhere is this clearer than the Alton Estate regeneration.

Only 7 % of the new homes will be family homes of three bedrooms. A development of that scale

in one of London's historic estates should have been an opportunity to restore community

life, not diluted. We urged residents to vote against the plan not because we oppose renewal,

but because we believe they deserve better. Homes large enough for families to grow and

communities strong enough to endure. The shortage of family sized housing isn't inevitable,

it's the product of ideologically driven policy choices. Only eight five bedroom and

eighty three four bedroom council homes are expected to become available this year. Meanwhile

hundreds of families remain stuck in temporary accommodation, costing the taxpayer millions

in nightly rates, money that could instead be invested in building the homes those families

need. The administration calls it a housing crisis. In truth, it's a crisis of priorities.

The Alton Plan will deliver 460 fewer homes than our plan. Every single one of these intended

for private sale, each one a lost opportunity for families to put down roots. A statement

of values from an administration that simply doesn't believe in people owning the place

they call home. We shouldn't be surprised, until tonight at least when it seems my ward

colleague has changed her tune. The Labour Council claimed that leaseholders aren't

home owners, a view as insulting as it's revealing. That ownership isn't an achievement

to be encouraged but a condition to be managed. Conservatives see it differently. We believe

ownership, whether freehold or leasehold, confers responsibility, independence and dignity.

And we'll ensure leaseholders are treated with the respect they deserve, starting with

a dedicated leaseholders forum. A home isn't only a physical structure, it's where children

learn responsibility. Parents teach restraint and social order begins. Roger Scruton wrote

that the love of home is the first principle of the good life and of good citizenship.

When families are denied the chance to put down roots, the moral architecture of society

weakens and we see the consequences on our streets. Young people without foundations,

neighbours who don't know one another, public spaces that belong to no one and therefore

to everyone.

Crime isn't a policing problem alone, it's a civic one and its solution begins with giving

people a stake in where they live. A conservative approach to housing begins with that conviction,

that ownership, permanence and family life are the bedrock of a safe and orderly society.

Policy should encourage stability, not transience, roots, not churn. Strong families make strong

communities and strong communities make crime, rarer because they make belonging possible.

Mr Mayor, law and order don't begin in Parliament or the courts, but in the ordinary decencies

of daily life, in homes that are lived in long enough for memory to accumulate, in communities

where people know their neighbours, and in children who grow up believing their future

belongs to the place they come from.

If we want safer streets, we must first rebuild that foundation.

Homes where the law first becomes habit, and where the social contract is first signed,

that's where order begins, and it's where the new Conservative administrations will begin

next May.

Thank you very much.

Councillor Cooper.

Thank you very much, Mr. Mayor.

Mr. Mayor, fellow councillors, we have before us a motion from councillors

Corner and Owens, which reminds me slightly of a previous Conservative motion

which I described as a dog's breakfast.

this one's not quite so much of a dog's breakfast because it's just trying to

shovel two somewhat disparate topics together into one motion and of course

the title gives it away as Councillor Tiller pointed out it's just an attempt

to try and say there's a wedge there's a difference between the local Wandsworth

Labour position and the mayoral position at the regional authority and instead of

addressing what I would say are two really really important issues

themselves. We have before us this rather childish attempt to find these political

differences between this council and the Mayor of London as if there had never

been a political difference between Wandsworth Conservatives, the regional

authority or the national authority. I've sat through and participated in a number

of debates on Heathrow in this very place. You all voted absolutely against what was

being proposed by the national Conservative government. And thank you for doing that actually

because I completely agreed with it. I imagine we will be having that debate again and we

on this side may take the position that we are not with the current government. There

There is no shame in having a view that is not necessarily 100 % all of the time with

what people at regional or national level are saying.

In fact we would have quite liked you to have been more challenging towards Liz Truss and

Quasi -Karting when they were trying to smash up the economy.

Well, and thank heavens for that I think we might all agree.

Councillor Graham, you appear to have disguised yourself as Tintin this evening, so I was

slightly confused.

Now look, the motion is also incorrect.

It talks about the mayor of London made the announcement.

I absolutely guarantee you the original announcement

back in July came from the Metropolitan Police

and the more recent announcement of the changes

to the original announcement also came from the police.

So it would be good to get some accuracy in there.

But when the plans were put forward

in the way that they were, closing Lavender Hill

under this tough choices concept,

as they called it in the police,

It was at that point that we felt quite able on this side to spring into action

against this proposed closure of Lavender Hill police station.

I was not afraid to speak out against it.

In fact I have spoken both to Dan Knowles locally

and also to Mark Rowley personally about this situation.

We didn't feel that we needed to follow your lead

and your somewhat irrelevant petition.

You know, we had the leader of the council, we had the Battersea MP, we had many local

councillors, we had the Assembly Member, all standing up for what was needed in Wandsworth.

But then I think back to what happened between 2008 and 2016, and then I start to feel like

Councillor Yates, who may have only studied, I did actually study history at university

I'm afraid to say.

And between 2008 and 2016, there were 76 police stations

closed by the previous mayor of London.

I don't remember lots of motions being put forward by you

against that at any point,

including quite a few in Wandsworth.

Nor do I remember much opposition to the lunacy

of him deciding to waste hundreds of thousands of pounds

on a water cannon in 2014, on a garden bridge,

which thankfully never got built,

on investigating Boris Island in the Thames estuary.

You know, if all this money hadn't been wasted,

just imagine what we could have been spending it on,

something more sensible.

Now, of course, it was a very sensible

Conservative Home Secretary who banned the use

of the water cannon.

Imagine if it was being used on the streets of London.

And of course, it was a Conservative Home Secretary,

a different one this time, Amber Rudd,

who warned that that Mayor of London,

that if he froze his mayoral precept that she would freeze the amount of money that

goes into the, yes, the Metropolitan Police budget.

Now that was in 2016 -17.

Removed £70 million at that point.

And as the size of the precept and the size of the budget each year is the base for the

increase that you get, imagine how much we've lost.

Yes, it's probably just about equal to the £260 million of savings that we are now seeing

the Metropolitan Police desperately trying to find.

So if it hadn't been for that previous mayor of London refusing to listen to what was being

said to him by a Conservative Home Secretary and being absolutely irresponsible, who knew

that Boris Johnson could possibly be irresponsible?

It never happened afterwards, did it, after all?

Councillor Cooper, can you come wind up, please?

Imagine if he had been responsible.

Imagine if he if you had had the courage to stand up to Boris and look where we are now you are carelessly losing

members all over the place

It's lady Bracknell all over again lose one member. I think you could say that was careless to lose many

Just leaving a sinking ship. I'll leave it there. Please vote against this irrelevant motion

Council dicker them

Yeah, so the first thing I'll say is that, you know, I always try and come here with

a genuine, serious political argument.

If you are going to lie in this chamber, that is unacceptable.

I will have a genuine political debate with you, but you can't lie about figures.

You tried to scare the Alton residents with similar lies on your leaflets, and they voted

down 82 .4%, one of the biggest ballots in UK history.

Your lies were thrown out.

Don't raise them again in this town hall.

I will ask for an hour at the next meeting, ask you to retract it, to scare people on

family homes and to make out that we are building less family homes than the previous master

plan is just an empirically untrue thing to say.

I will have none of it.

Right, number two, I actually quite like this motion.

I like this motion because it highlights our strengths.

It highlights our strengths as an independent Labour party, as an independent Wandsworth

Labour voice that champions the interests of Wandsworth residents and stands up for

itself and I think that's nothing to be ashamed from and I think our residents respect that

from us.

We have an amazing relationship with Sadiq.

Sadiq's a local hero in this part of the woods but when we think something is going wrong

we make the case, we make the argument, we don't cower and that is the health of the

Labour movement, that is the strength of the Labour movement.

I'll take the issue of the police station because it's very obvious that you crammed

this motion in before you knew that our assembly member, our MP, our council were going to

win a campaign. It's quite a strange motion because we successfully lobbied, you know,

made the case for local residents and that's what happens when you have the mayor makes

a decision and we say actually we think a different decision is better and we advocate

for our residents. That is why people like ones with labour because they know that ones

with labour stands up for itself. I'll take the second issue which is one of really important

principle that my colleague Maurice raised around the Nine

Elms Peace encampment.

I think for many of us in this chamber,

but also out in our community, for the last two years

have been traumatised by watching a genocide live

streamed on our phones.

And when I go on door knock, it's

actually filled me with a great deal of hope

because it is raised with me constantly on the door.

I was incredibly proud to come from a borough where

For the last few years I've spoken to people almost every weekend and they raise it with me.

They raise a foreign policy issue because they care about the suffering that's taking place in this world.

And I know that the position that we have taken is the one held by the majority of Wandsworth residents

who see a peace encampment as a small brave stand against some of the worst atrocities of the 21st century,

against war crimes. And I'm incredibly proud of a borough that stood beside those protests.

And, you know, I think it's really important that we do it in a way...

You know, I went down and visited with council officers to make sure people were safe, to

make sure that this was something that wasn't disrupting the community, to have difficult

conversations.

They were too popular, too many people were honking, it was keeping people up around the

corner, so we asked things to be taken down.

But the key is that we, as Wands of Labour, are responsive, are reactive to the needs

and represent the values of our community.

And that leads me on to the position about housing, right?

Because yeah, I am going to stand up and fight

for the most social housing and council housing

that I can get for this borough.

That's my job.

That's why I was elected.

You make arguments about the fact that our affordable numbers

are falling.

That is just not true in Wandsworth.

2018, only 15 % affordable housing permissions.

By last year, it's 36%.

We are dragging your terrible records

to a place whereby we can finally

start delivering that genuinely affordable housing.

We built more council homes.

We built more council homes, I think, open this summer than had been opened since the 20th century over the last 30 years.

I'll give one, I'll give one.

And the last...

Councillor Corner.

Thank you for giving way.

He's giving way to you. I'm just saying you've got the floor.

Yeah, thank you. Genuinely appreciate you giving way.

The last two years have been the worst two years in history for affordable housing starts in London.

What do you have to say to the Mayor for that?

This is a total misnomer. If you take a snapshot of a specific moment in time, that's like saying,

right? That is like saying that, and I'll be open on this, imagine me trying to claim credit for

all the shared ownership that was built in 2022. It doesn't make any sense because those are

permissions that were done before. So it's a historical selective slice. And we know,

we know that there's difficulties in building in London. And we know why is that? We know because

interest rates have spiked since the mini budget. We know that building costs have gone up since

So we know there are challenges, but the thing that this council won't do is turn around

and when profits are rising, we hand them over to private developers, and when speculative

investments go wrong, we socialise the losses for the residents of Wandsworth.

Absolutely not on my watch.

On my watch, we're going to fight tooth and nail to keep the threshold as high as possible

so we deliver social housing and affordable housing for the residents of Wandsworth.

I would expect nothing less.

The point about this motion is this motion is trying to make it out that by sometimes

having robust conversations with your own political party to represent and fight for

the values of ones with that somehow a weakness.

That is one of our biggest strengths.

That's why I'm absolutely proud to be part of this Labour group.

It's why I'm proud of the culture we're built here.

And it's why I'm proud to every weekend go up, knock doors, and make the political argument.

I don't have to spread lies.

I wear my politics on my sleeve.

And yeah, vote down this nonsense argument and let's fight for more social hours of the

I just want to say that I stand by my comment.

Point of order.

I stand by my comment.

A net gain of 34 from family homes is a constant.

Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor.

We have got through to this.

Can I just ask a technical question?

Is he allowed on record to say something and then I'm not allowed to respond?

Because it's just not true.

This is based on -

Well, you were talking at the same time, so many of us couldn't hear, I'm afraid.

Councillor Brooks, you're the last speaker in the debate.

You've got to be.

Thank you very much, Mr. Mayor.

Last word, which we look forward to.

Yeah, that's very kind of you.

And I do appreciate not being in the debate.

Good evening. I'd like to wrap up this. I do promise to be as short and bleak as normal.

I want to thank Councillor Cloud especially for his speech. If it is a curtain call, then

he's going out speaking for himself as I've always seen him do. So I will miss his presence

here. Thank you. As for Councillor Cooper and Councillor Dickerton talking about our

supposed dismay at the differences between the mayor of London and this administration,

That's sort of taking it wrong, because if only there were more.

When colleagues said they wanted me to discuss Labour's gloomy and depressing storey on policing

and crime this evening, I was somewhat wary.

Not because this Labour Party's record as the party responsible for policing in London

for the last nine years isn't depressing and worth challenging again and again and again.

It is.

Not because it isn't important to the people of Wandsworth and the people in the Putney

Ward I represent.

Of course it is, it's among the top of their frustrations and anxieties.

Now I realise that it's because of a learned pessimism that's taught ceaselessly by the

London Labour Party that things can ever be different.

A sense that if Labour grind people down enough, they'll eventually accept their lot.

Now this is a pessimism that it's worth revolting against.

Now, to their credit, we've seen that there's a range in the denial, evasion and despair.

Sometimes we hear a kind of political mysticism, the idea that if the government just wants

something to change enough, it will happen, government by slogan. Sometimes they do acknowledge

the problem, but insist that Londoners accept that nothing can ever get better. But sometimes,

and most often in this room, we get a sort of airy,

Pollyanna -ish gaslighting that dares that people seeing

go short are difficult by making a fuss when they point out

that things aren't working properly.

There is, if we're honest, an exhaustion in London,

an exhaustion with disorder and despondency

that it's even worth reporting crime anymore.

People assume that nothing will happen,

and too often they're right.

Fewer than one in 100 carbreakings

now result in a charge. Shoplifting is at its highest record level. There's a burglary

every three minutes, yet 96 % go unsolved. Most people say they're seeing more antisocial

behaviour, while the number actually recorded by the police falls. Everywhere we look, across

London and once with two, things feel grubbier and a little less cared for.

Now I'm sure all of us as councillors sit in our safer neighbourhood meetings in our

Thank officers for their hard work and nod sagely and sympathetically as they repeat the

familiar litany, resort to the tight.

We can't be everywhere at once and we have to prioritise certain crimes.

We all know the script.

What can any of us say in return?

If I, as an elected councillor, feel what I say in those meetings or even here tonight

makes no difference, and we have somewhat more agency than any other citizen, then how

can the residents feel?

This council should be acting and challenging the local hero firmly.

But you won't, because you share his ethos of denial and evasion.

In your manifesto, you said you'd fund the new police officers, but you haven't.

And you frightened away the developers you'd say would fund it.

Yet we know it's possible. Westminster did it, and they funded nine.

In failing that, there are other approaches too.

For example, this council once had a muscular and expansive conception of our parks police,

developed last time by this council that we had a Labour Mayor in charge of policing.

What's needed is a realistic assessment of the Mayor's limitations and a fresh approach

to meeting our borough's needs.

Because ultimately, order, safety, good governance aren't just abstractions that will allow people

to live lives in dignity and peace.

Thank you.

Thank you, Councillors. There are no amendments to the motion, so we can move straight to

a vote. All those in favour of the motion.

Thank you. All those against.

Thank you, we've got that now. Are there any abstentions?

Thank you. That motion is lost for 18 against 29 and one abstention.

Thank you.

Mr Mayor.

Yeah.

Councillor Apps.

Thank you.

Mr Mayor, the Council having now sat for more than two and a half hours, I move that the

remaining business of the Council on the agenda is disposed of under the procedure in standing

order 32.

Do you have a seconder, Councillor Apps?

I second, Mr Mayor.

Thank you, Councillor Varepaage.

Okay, we'll vote on that.

All those in favour?

Any abstentions?

Okay.

Thank you.

Any abstentions?

The motion is passed 29 votes for 19 against with no abstentions. So the guillotine is

now down and we deal with the rest of the business without debate. We turn the report

for information from the Cabinet and I ask Councillor Hogg to move the reception of the

report and the supplementary report.

Councillor Hogg. Moved.

Is that accepted?

No, Council.

Yes, unanimously accepted. Thank you.

We now turn to report for information from the Health and Overview and Strucifixion Committee.

I ask Councillor Dobre to move the exception of the report.

Move the report for information.

Thanks.

Council, is that accepted?

Thank you.

Item 13 is the report for information from Planning and Applications Committee.

I ask Councillor Galton to remove the reception of the report.

The report covering the meeting is 23 July 20 August 25 September.

Is there a...

Yes, sorry Mr Mayor. I would like to vote on the two reports under

item made separately, please.

Oh, sorry.

Yeah, we will.

We will ask Councillor Belton.

We can't go back there for a minute, right?

Yeah, we've already voted on that.

We can't go back on something we've already determined.

No, sorry, you invited a vote by sort of acclamation and we were waiting, we understood the vote

to be taken in turn.

So, I mean, if it's helpful, we'll support the first report, which is the public order

aspect, but we can't – no, no, you didn't call for vote, sorry.

You went too quickly.

Councillor Ainslie, your report number one that you're talking about, yeah?

I did give quite a few seconds for the council and there was no dissent.

Okay, that's fine. That's fine.

Report for information from the Planning Applications Committee.

The second time I move the Report from the Planning Applications Committee covering the

27th 3rd of July, the 20th of August, 25th of September.

Council, is that accepted? We had some nods. Don't want to get this wrong.

Late in the meeting. Thank you.

Item 14, Health and Wellbeing Board. I ask Councillor Henderson to move the reception of the report.

Councillor Henderson.

Does that agree, Council? Thank you.

Item 15 is the revision of committee membership and outside bodies.

Are there recommendations in the report and the addendum approved?

Agreed. Thank you, Council.

Item 16 is the report and information on the Joint Staffing Committee.

I ask Councillor Hogg to move reception of the report.

Moved.

Is that agreed?

Agreed.

Item 19 is the motion on residents' vote for Council's autumn renewal plan.

I now ask Councillor Dickardam to move and Councillor Tiller to second.

Can I move and call for a named vote? Can I call for a named vote on this please?

Yeah, yeah, yeah. We need to be seconded before we get to the point.

Seconded. Point of information.

Can we get the seconded? Seconded.

Thank you. Sorry, a point of order. This is a vote on an item for information.

This is a motion. This is a motion that we haven't had time, trying to get us through

so that we would have a bit of debate, but we haven't. So name votes. Were there five

people standing? Could you? Yeah. Now that it's been seconded. Thank you. It's good exercise.

I know we need to do the bell, is that right?

Yeah, yeah.

Just need to let anyone...

Sorry, on the point of order, my confusion is that we need to consider our amendment first.

Before you get a name vote on the motion, you need our amendment.

He's right.

Okay, you're correct.

Yeah, yeah.

So, yeah.

Look, as I understand it, whatever the substantive motion is, we'll have a name vote.

We are going to see if there are amendments first. We will deal with the amendments to

Item 19. All those in favour of the Conservative amendment?

Mr Mayor, I think it needs to be moved and seconded first.

I think the amendment needs to be moved and seconded. You can't vote on it until it is

moved and seconded.

All those against the amendment?

Are there any abstentions?

Can you just have the figures, please?

So the amendment falls. There were four.

The amendment 17 and against 29.

So the main motion stands as a substantive motion.

You've run the bell.

Do we need to do that again?

Yes, the monitoring officer says, a bit more exercise.

Is there six of you?

Recorded votes.

Okay, can you stand up?

Thank you.

Great.

We've got a recorded vote on this.

We've got to start with the bell again.

Okay.

With the bell being rung.

The monitoring officer says we've got to give it 60 seconds in case someone is out.

So Scott, okay, Councillor.

Okay, I'm going to ask the Chief Executive

to do the recording.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I'm going to read out the names of members in alphabetical order.

You could indicate whether you are for or against the motion for abstaining.

Councillor Akinola.

Four.

Councillor Ananda.

No longer in the chamber.

Councillor Aps.

Councillor Austin. Councillor Ayers.

Four. Councillor Attention.

Four. Councillor Burch.

Three. Councillor Boswell.

Four. Councillor Brooks.

Three. Councillor Caddy.

Councillor Copley. Councillor Cook.

Councillor Cooper. Councillor Cornyn.

Councillor Pritchard. Councillor Crivelli.

Councillor Dickardone. Councillor Dobras.

Councillor Fraser.

Councillor Gasser.

Councillor Kistain.

Councillor Mrs Graham.

Councillor Graham.

Councillor Grimsden.

Councillor Hamilton.

Councillor Hedges.

Councillor Henderson.

Councillor

Councillor Hough.

Councillor Humphries.

Councillor Ireland.

Councillor Jeffrey.

Councillor Jeffries.

Councillor Justin.

Councillor Lawless.

Councillor Lee.

Councillor Mayorkas.

Councillor

Councillor McLeod.

Four.

Councillor Osborne.

Four.

Councillor Owens.

Abstain.

Councillor Paul.

Four.

Councillor Pridham.

Abstain.

Councillor Richards -Jones.

Abstain.

Councillor Rigby.

Four.

Councillor Stock.

Four.

Councillor Suttors.

Eight.

Councillor Sweet.

Eight.

Councillor Tiller.

Four.

4. Councillor Barak -Farrag.

4. Councillor White.

4. Councillor Worrell.

4. Councillor Yates.

The chief executive will give us the result when we have it.

The

Abstain. The motion is carried.

Thank you. As the Chief Executive said, the motion is carried.

So we're on to item 20, which is the motion on the continued failure of Wandsworth Council to remove the indefinite disruptive protests in Riverside Walk in nine hours.

Can I ask Mr. Mayor to name a vote, please, on that one?

One.

Mr. Mayor, a name of vote, please, on that one.

Can we have the, no, no, no, vote.

I'm asking if we got a proposal.

Have we got a proposal?

Yeah, okay, have we got a seconder?

Thank you.

Now, I need to see five of you standing up.

Great, thank you very much.

We have a named vote.

Oh, we've got to wait 60 seconds after the bell.

Sorry, Councillor Graham,

You're not going to get home to sleep in good time

Okay

the name name vote on

item 20 a

conservative motion

Are you ready Mr. Travis?

I am ready Mr. Mayor.

Once again I'll read the names in alphabetical order.

Vote for, against or abstain.

Councillor Aquinoa.

Against.

Councillor Anan.

Not here.

Councillor Apps.

Councillor Austin.

Councillor Ayres.

Against.

Councillor Belton. Against.

Councillor Burchill. For.

Councillor Boswell. Against.

Councillor Brooks. For.

Councillor Caddy. For.

Councillor Colkley. Against.

Councillor Cook. For.

Councillor Cooper. Against.

Councillor Corner. For.

Councillor Critchard. Against.

Councillor Craveli?

Councillor Dicker...

Against

Councillor Dobres?

Councillor Fraser?

Councillor Gasser?

Councillor Goussain?

Councillor Chris Sturt?

Councillor Mrs Graham?

Councillor Graham?

Councillor Grimston?

Councillor Hamilton?

Councillor Hedges?

Councillor Henderson?

sorry against. Councillor Hogg. Councillor Humphries. Councillor Ireland.

Councillor Jeffrey. Councillor Jefferies. Councillor Justin.

Councillor Lawless. Councillor Lee. Councillor Mayakas. Councillor McLeod.

Councillor Osbourne?

Against.

Councillor Owens?

Councillor Paul?

Councillor Pridham?

Councillor Richards -Jones?

Councillor Rigby?

No?

Councillor Stocks?

Oh, I beg your pardon.

Sorry, Councillor Rigby.

Yes, again.

Thank you.

Councillor Stock.

Against.

Councillor Suttors.

For.

Councillor Sweet.

For.

Councillor Tiller.

Against.

Councillor Varatharaj.

Against.

Councillor White.

Against.

Councillor Worrell.

Against.

And Councillor Yates.

Against.

Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Travis, if you give us the result.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor.

the voting was 4 -17 against 29. No abstentions. The motion is lost.

Thank you. Motion is lost. Thank you, councillors. I just want the last word to say thank you

very much for the way the debates have been taken and respect has been held for people

of different strongly held views attacking the issues rather than the person.

So thank you for that.

And I thought that some of the debates have been very thoughtful and passionate on important

local issues.

Thank you very much for your participation.

That concludes the business of the meeting this evening.

Good night.

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Council - Wednesday 22 October 2025, 7:30pm - Wandsworth Council Webcasting

CouncilWednesday, 22nd October 2025 at 7:30pm

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