The council meeting held on 29 October 2025 included discussion of petitions, changes to executive function schemes of delegation, and several motions concerning local issues. Councillors were also scheduled to answer questions from the public and from other members.

Motions

Several motions were put forward for consideration at the meeting.

Tackling Anti-Social Behaviour

Councillor Rachel Taggart-Ryan, Cabinet Member Community Safety and Enforcement, and Councillor Raja Zeeshan proposed a motion to invest in community safety through prevention, education, and enforcement. This included increasing the number of Community Safety Enforcement Officers, providing new mobile CCTV units, funding police constables and a data analyst apprentice, launching an education programme for boys and men, and continuing engagement with women and girls.

An amendment proposed by Councillor Charlie Davis and Councillor Roger Tester sought to add a commitment to taking a zero-tolerance approach to tenant anti-social behaviour, which would include evicting tenants who disrupt their community.

Tackling Fly-Tipping

Councillor Jackie Smith, Cabinet Member Inclusive Economy, Business, Greenwich Supports and Environmental Services, and Councillor Issy Cooke proposed a motion to allocate investment to tackle fly-tipping. The proposals included increasing fines, expanding fly-tipping clearing capacity, doubling the size of the enforcement squad, introducing a public reward scheme and a name and shame video series, launching an awareness campaign, installing decorative planters, and reviewing the bulky waste collection service.

Councillor Charlie Davis and Councillor Pat Greenwell proposed amendments that included removing all fees for bulky waste collections if a review showed sufficient cost savings, publishing assessments relating to changes to general waste collection, and analysing the potential impact of charging for garden waste.

Licensing of Homes in Multiple Occupation

Councillor Roger Tester, Councillor Charlie Davis, and Councillor Pat Greenwell proposed a motion regarding the licensing of homes in multiple occupation (HMOs). They noted the increase in HMO applications and expressed concern that the Additional Licensing Scheme was not effectively curbing the number of applications or addressing residents' concerns. They proposed modifying the process for granting HMO licenses, including notifying members of new applications, allowing ward members to call in applications for consideration by a sub-committee of the Licensing Committee, and giving residents the opportunity to make submissions.

An amendment to the motion was proposed by Councillor Rachel Taggart-Ryan and Councillor Majid Rahman, Cabinet Member Planning, Estate Renewal and Development. The amendment acknowledged the Additional Licensing Scheme and the fines issued to landlords who have not licensed their properties. It also noted that all applications to convert a family home into an HMO must apply for planning approval. The amendment proposed ensuring that the emerging new Local Plan includes a policy specific to HMOs, introducing new policy to deal with areas with over concentrations of HMOs, establishing legal clarity on member involvement in HMO license determinations, holding a public awareness campaign, and investing in new technologies to expand the capacity and enforcement capability of the HMO Compliance Team.

Delivery Bikes

Councillor Charlie Davis, Councillor Pat Greenwell, and Councillor Roger Tester proposed a motion addressing the disruption and anti-social behaviour caused by delivery bikes on Eltham High Street. The motion called for targeted enforcement, assessment of motorcycle bay restrictions, engagement with online food delivery companies, and collaboration with other London councils and the police.

An amendment to the motion was proposed by Councillor Calum O'Byrne Mulligan and Councillor Aidan Smith, which noted the increase in delivery motorbikes, the reliance of local businesses on app-based platforms, and the resulting user conflict. The amendment proposed continuing work to identify appropriate motorcycle parking spots and waiting zones, continuing enforcement, working with residents, councillors, businesses, and delivery riders, and continuing collaboration with stakeholders.

Petition Responses

The council was scheduled to note the action taken in response to petitions presented at recent meetings. These included petitions regarding:

• Installing CCTV on the A20 footbridge to protect the community. The council responded that while they acknowledged the seriousness of the incident cited in the petition, the footbridge is not currently identified as a location with persistent or high levels of reported crime or anti-social behaviour.
• Objections to the imposition of a CPZ in Vambery Road, Isla Road, Kirk Road, Vernham Road and Plum Lane. The council responded that the Sustainable Streets consultation for this area had been withdrawn.
• A request from Herbert Road Green Oasis volunteers including residents of Edge Hill Housing for access to the open space part of Edge Hill Housing block. The council responded that the project at Edge Hill/Herbert Road has not brought people together and has not brought the desired colour and vibrancy to the area.
• Saving the Woolwich Community and stopping gentrification. The council responded that it is conscious that the delayed commencement of the Woolwich Exchange development has resulted in owners and occupiers facing uncertainty.
• Saving Glyndon Play Centre. The council responded that it was agreed by Cabinet and Full Council in February 2025 to make a series of budget reductions as part of the council's Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS).
• Opposing a Controlled Parking Zone in Shooters Hill. The council responded that the Sustainable Streets consultation for this area had been withdrawn.

Declarations of Interest

Councillors were asked to declare any personal or financial interests in items on the agenda, including memberships on outside bodies, joint committees and school governing bodies. A list of councillors' memberships was included in the report pack.

Changes to the Executive Functions Scheme of Delegation

The council was scheduled to note changes made to the executive functions scheme of delegation. On 10 September 2025, Councillor Anthony Okereke agreed to re-allocate all decisions required of Cabinet Member relating to the West and East Greenwich Neighbourhood Traffic Management Scheme to himself as Leader of the Council.

Member Questions

Members of the council submitted questions to Cabinet Members on a variety of topics.

• Councillor Majella Anning asked Councillor Calum O'Byrne Mulligan whether the council had approached Transport for London (TfL) to transfer management of the Greenwich foot tunnel.
• Councillor Charlie Davis asked Councillor Anthony Okereke about the number of queries received from the public and councillors in September and the percentage dealt with within the service level agreement (SLA).
• Councillor Charlie Davis asked Councillor Denise Hyland, Cabinet Member Finance, Resources and Social Value, about steps taken to harness new technology and AI to improve response times to queries.
• Councillor Charlie Davis asked Councillor Rachel Taggart-Ryan whether the 'Beatstop' programme was still operating.
• Councillor Charlie Davis asked Councillor Calum O'Byrne Mulligan what data would be taken into account to decide whether the removal of pay and display machines should be made permanent.
• Councillor Charlie Davis asked Councillor Jackie Smith whether the council could share footfall data with businesses and ward councillors of each of Greenwich's major town centres on a regular basis.
• Councillor Charlie Davis asked Councillor Sandra Bauer about the programme in place to maintain and water the planters on Eltham High Street.
• Councillor Charlie Davis asked Councillor Majid Rahman whether the meeting between the council and interested community parties in relation to the Equestrian Centre had taken place and what the timeline was for a decision on the future of the site.
• Councillor Charlie Davis asked Councillor Majid Rahman his view of planning applications which look to build upon Metropolitan Open Land[^2] within the borough. [^2]: Metropolitan Open Land (MOL) is land in London that is protected from development. It is similar to green belt land, but it is designated for its open space value rather than its agricultural value.
• Councillor Charlie Davis asked Councillor Majid Rahman about the percentage of small and large planning applications which have been decided within the statutory time periods over the last 12 months.
• Councillor Tamasin Rhymes asked Councillor Pat Slattery, Cabinet Member Housing Management, Neighbourhoods and Homelessness, how much the council has spent on maintenance and improvements to Herbert Road and what efforts have been made to support the work of the Oasis Community Planting Project volunteers.
• Councillor Tamasin Rhymes asked Councillor Majid Rahman whether some of the £60 million for improvements in the borough would be spent to improve planning enforcement.
• Councillor Jahdia Spencer asked Councillor Jackie Smith how much money the council is spending on tackling fly-tipping and cleaning up litter in wards like West Thamesmead and across the borough.
• Councillor Raja Zeeshan asked Councillor Jackie Smith what additional measures are being considered to deter fly-tipping across the borough, particularly in Shooters Hill.
• Councillor Raja Zeeshan asked Councillor Jackie Smith whether the council would consider piloting a naming and shaming initiative for persistent offenders.
• Councillor Raja Zeeshan asked Councillor Calum O'Byrne Mulligan whether there are plans for increased investment in road maintenance and pothole repairs across Shooters Hill.
• Councillor Raja Zeeshan asked Councillor Calum O'Byrne Mulligan when the council will publish its plans for continued road and pavement resurfacing investment in wards like Shooter's Hill and how they will be prioritised.
• Councillor Raja Zeeshan asked Councillor Rachel Taggart-Ryan what specific investments are being taken to improve CCTV coverage and increase community safety enforcement capacity.
• Councillor Lauren Dingsdale, Chair of Overview and Scrutiny, asked Councillor Calum O'Byrne Mulligan what measures are being taken to improve the road safety around Wyborne School.
• Councillor John Fahy asked Councillor Pat Slattery for details of the number of people that have been allocated a room in any HMO in the borough by the council.
• Councillor Christine May asked Councillor Adel Khaireh, Cabinet Member Children and Young People, what plans there are to ensure that there is equally as successful provision in the borough for girls with social, emotional or mental health difficulties at the secondary level.
• Councillor Christine May asked Councillor Pat Slattery what advice can be provided to leaseholders in Middle Park who are yet to receive a notice about the commencement of roof replacement work, but are looking to sell their properties.
• Councillor Christine St Matthew-Daniel asked Councillor Calum O'Byrne Mulligan how many 2 hour free parking bays and unlimited free parking bays there are on Old Dover Road.
• Councillor Ann-Marie Cousins asked Councillor Denise Hyland about a statement made at the meeting of Full Council on 24 September 2025, regarding Charlton Athletic Community Trust (CACT) and the 'Kick Racism Out of Football' campaign.
• Councillor Ann-Marie Cousins asked Councillor Majid Rahman what plans there are to turn the spotlight on Abbey Wood and surrounding wards to address the imbalance that residents see.
• Councillor Ann-Marie Cousins asked Councillor Anthony Okereke what is being done to improve council communications to help educate and change mindsets, preventing more residents and tenants from cultivating incorrect and unhelpful thoughts about the council accommodating 'boat people'.
• Councillor Ann-Marie Cousins asked Councillor Jackie Smith about street cleansing in Abbey Wood.
• Councillor Ann-Marie Cousins asked Councillor Jackie Smith what is being done to ensure streets are cleaned after bins are emptied to prevent debris from being blown into adjacent areas and to discourage pests.
• Councillor Ann-Marie Cousins asked Councillor Anthony Okereke whether he is planning to do a U-Turn on the Adventure Play Centres in the same way he did a U-Turn on the Shooters Hill & Plumstead Common sustainable streets and the Maryon Wilson Animal Park and how much these debacles have cost the council.
• Councillor Lakshan Saldin asked Councillor Calum O'Byrne Mulligan about the West and East Greenwich Neighbourhood Management Scheme Trial.
• Councillor Lakshan Saldin asked Councillor Anthony Okereke about the £60 million one off fund available to Get Things Done in Greenwich .
• Councillor Pat Greenwell asked Councillor Calum O'Byrne Mulligan about the traffic issue at the junction of Footscray Road and Avery Hill Road.
• Councillor Pat Greenwell asked Councillor Sandra Bauer about the cost of the installation of the new shower units and changing facilities in Avery Hill Park.
• Councillor Pat Greenwell asked Councillor Majid Rahman why funding was stopped without any notice, consultation or explanation for the maintenance of the clock at St John's Church Eltham.
• Councillor Pat Greenwell asked Councillor Calum O'Byrne Mulligan whether the council relies on the public to report any road markings that need refreshing or are they examined on a rota system.
• Councillor Roger Tester asked Councillor Rachel Taggart-Ryan how many properties, or their owners, have been reported to the council for operating as a HMO without a licence or without the correct licence in the last 12 months.
• Councillor Roger Tester asked Councillor Rachel Taggart-Ryan how many individual properties in Royal Borough of Greenwich which have been identified as unlicensed HMOs following investigation have since applied and been granted an HMO licence and how long on average does this process take.
• Councillor Roger Tester asked Councillor Rachel Taggart-Ryan about the number of applications for HMO licences that have been refused and approved in the last 12 months.
• Councillor Roger Tester asked Councillor Rachel Taggart-Ryan how many fines have been issued in the last 12 months to landlords who have failed to licence HMOs and how many Civil Penalty Notices have been issued as an alternative means of enforcement.
• Councillor Roger Tester asked Councillor Rachel Taggart-Ryan how many HMOs have been found to be in breach of the conditions of licences, how many of these have been fined or sanctioned, and how many HMO licences have been revoked due to breaching licence conditions in the last 12 months.
• Councillor Roger Tester asked Councillor Sandra Bauer whether the Re-imagining Young Greenwich consultation is separate to the Adventure Play Centres consultation.
• Councillor Roger Tester asked Councillor Sandra Bauer for a timeline for the launch of the delayed Adventure Play Centre consultation and what format the consultation is likely to take.