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Council - Wednesday, 24th April, 2024 7.30 pm

April 24, 2024 View on council website Watch video of meeting Read transcript (Professional subscription required)
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Summary

The council meeting addressed several key issues, including the implementation of LGBT+ inclusive education, housing pressures, and local transportation improvements. The session was marked by a significant consensus on promoting inclusive education, discussions on housing solutions, and debates on transportation policies.

  1. LGBT+ Inclusive Education: The council unanimously agreed to support government guidance on LGBT+ inclusive relationships and sex education. The discussion highlighted the importance of inclusivity and the need to update educational policies to reflect current societal values. This decision aims to foster a more accepting and supportive environment for all students, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.

  2. Housing Pressures: The council discussed the ongoing housing crisis, focusing on the lack of affordable housing and the impact of external factors such as asylum seekers and refugees on local housing availability. While there was acknowledgment of the issue, solutions focused on sustaining current arrangements rather than new initiatives. The implications of this decision suggest a continued strain on local housing resources without a significant strategic shift to address the root causes of the housing shortage.

  3. Transportation Improvements: The meeting covered the introduction of the Superloop bus service and potential extensions of the DLR to Belvedere. The council expressed a desire to improve public transport connectivity, which is crucial for economic development and easing traffic congestion. The decision to advocate for these improvements reflects a proactive approach to transportation planning in the borough.

Interestingly, the meeting also included a moment of unity where the council members from different political backgrounds came together to support the motion on LGBT+ inclusive education, highlighting a progressive shift in council attitudes towards inclusivity and diversity.

Attendees

Profile image for CouncillorPatrick Adams
CouncillorPatrick Adams  Conservative Party •  Blendon & Penhill
Profile image for CouncillorEsther Amaning
CouncillorEsther Amaning  Labour Party •  Belvedere
Profile image for CouncillorZainab Asunramu
CouncillorZainab Asunramu  Labour Party •  Thamesmead East
Profile image for CouncillorNigel Betts
CouncillorNigel Betts  Independent •  Falconwood & Welling
Profile image for CouncillorBaroness O'Neill of Bexley OBE
CouncillorBaroness O'Neill of Bexley OBE  Leader of the Council •  Conservative Party •  Crook Log
Profile image for CouncillorStefano Borella
CouncillorStefano Borella  Leader of the Labour Group / Shadow Cabinet Member for Corporate Policy and Budget •  Labour Party •  Slade Green & Northend
Profile image for CouncillorBola Carew
CouncillorBola Carew  Conservative Party •  Bexleyheath
Profile image for Councillor Kurtis Christoforides
Councillor Kurtis Christoforides  Conservative Party •  St Mary's & St James
Profile image for CouncillorAndrew Curtois
CouncillorAndrew Curtois  Conservative Party •  Falconwood & Welling
Profile image for CouncillorSally Hinkley
CouncillorSally Hinkley  Labour Party •  Belvedere
Profile image for CouncillorPhilip Read
CouncillorPhilip Read  Conservative Party •  West Heath
Profile image for CouncillorPeter Reader
CouncillorPeter Reader  Conservative Party •  West Heath
Profile image for Councillor Rags Sandhu
Councillor Rags Sandhu  Conservative Party •  Bexleyheath
Profile image for CouncillorMelvin Seymour
CouncillorMelvin Seymour  Cabinet Member for Adults' Services and Health •  Conservative Party •  Crayford
Profile image for Councillor Mrs June Slaughter MBE
Councillor Mrs June Slaughter MBE  Conservative Party •  Sidcup
Profile image for Councillor Cameron Smith
Councillor Cameron Smith  Conservative Party •  St Mary's & St James
Profile image for CouncillorJanice Ward-Wilson
CouncillorJanice Ward-Wilson  Deputy Mayor of Bexley 2025/26 •  Conservative Party •  Crook Log
Profile image for Councillor John Davey
Councillor John Davey  Conservative Party •  West Heath
Profile image for CouncillorDavid Leaf
CouncillorDavid Leaf  Deputy Leader of the Council/Cabinet Member for Resources •  Conservative Party •  Blendon & Penhill
Profile image for Councillor Baljeet Gill
Councillor Baljeet Gill  Labour Party •  Northumberland Heath
Profile image for Councillor Nicola Taylor
Councillor Nicola Taylor  Shadow Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Health •  Labour Party •  Erith
Profile image for Councillor Larry Ferguson
Councillor Larry Ferguson  Labour Party •  Thamesmead East
Profile image for CouncillorChristine Catterall
CouncillorChristine Catterall  Mayor of Bexley 2025/26 •  Conservative Party •  East Wickham
Profile image for CouncillorJames Hunt
CouncillorJames Hunt  Independent •  Blackfen & Lamorbey
Profile image for CouncillorGeraldene Lucia-Hennis
CouncillorGeraldene Lucia-Hennis  Conservative Party •  Crayford
Profile image for CouncillorAnna Day
CouncillorAnna Day  Shadow Cabinet Member for Housing, Climate Change, Transport, Environment and Leisure •  Labour Party •  Slade Green & Northend
Profile image for CouncillorChris Ball
CouncillorChris Ball  Shadow Cabinet Member for Finance and Corporate Services •  Labour Party •  Erith
Profile image for CouncillorPeter Craske
CouncillorPeter Craske  Conservative Party •  Blackfen & Lamorbey
Profile image for CouncillorWendy Perfect
CouncillorWendy Perfect  Labour Party •  Northumberland Heath
Profile image for CouncillorCafer Munur
CouncillorCafer Munur  Cabinet Member for Place Shaping •  Conservative Party •  Blackfen & Lamorbey
Profile image for CouncillorAndy Dourmoush
CouncillorAndy Dourmoush  Conservative Party •  Longlands
Profile image for CouncillorNick O'Hare
CouncillorNick O'Hare  Conservative Party •  Blendon & Penhill
Profile image for CouncillorCheryl Bacon
CouncillorCheryl Bacon  Conservative Party •  Sidcup
Profile image for CouncillorCaroline Newton
CouncillorCaroline Newton  Cabinet Member for Education •  Conservative Party •  East Wickham
Profile image for Councillor Frazer Brooks
Councillor Frazer Brooks  Conservative Party •  Falconwood & Welling
Profile image for CouncillorChris Taylor
CouncillorChris Taylor  Cabinet Member for Children's Services •  Conservative Party •  Crook Log
Profile image for CouncillorMabel Ogundayo
CouncillorMabel Ogundayo  Labour Party •  Thamesmead East
Profile image for CouncillorSue Gower MBE
CouncillorSue Gower MBE  Conservative Party •  Bexleyheath
Profile image for CouncillorSteven Hall
CouncillorSteven Hall  Conservative Party •  East Wickham
Profile image for CouncillorBrian Bishop
CouncillorBrian Bishop  Cabinet Member for Communities and Housing •  Conservative Party •  Barnehurst
Profile image for CouncillorLisa Moore
CouncillorLisa Moore  Conservative Party •  Longlands
Profile image for CouncillorRichard Diment
CouncillorRichard Diment  Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods •  Conservative Party •  Sidcup
Profile image for Councillor Howard Jackson
Councillor Howard Jackson  Conservative Party •  Barnehurst
Profile image for CouncillorFelix Di Netimah
CouncillorFelix Di Netimah  Independent •  Crayford

Topics

No topics have been identified for this meeting yet.