This week in Bexley:

Morley's Take Away Licence Sparks Objections Over Late-Night Noise and Disorder

A licensing application for Morley's Take Away, located at 33A Pickford Lane, Bexleyheath, was reviewed by the Licensing Sub-Committee this week, drawing significant opposition from local authorities and residents. The meeting was scheduled for Monday 07 July 2025. The application sought permission to sell alcohol for off-premises consumption and provide late-night refreshment until 1 am on weekdays and 2 am on weekends.

• Previous Refusal: A prior application for the same premises was rejected by the sub-committee on 5 December 2024, indicating a history of concerns regarding the location.
• Objections: Representations against the application were lodged by the Police, the Licensing Authority, the Environmental Health Service, and ten local residents, citing potential increases in crime, disorder, and public nuisance.
• Volunteer Steps: Mr Partheepan Kirushnapillai, the applicant, volunteered steps to promote the licensing objectives¹, including CCTV, a Challenge 25 policy², staff training, and measures to prevent public nuisance.
• Trading Beyond Permitted Hours: A routine inspection on 9 May 2025 revealed the premises were already operating beyond their permitted hours, raising questions about compliance.
• Planning Permission: The Planning Department noted that operating outside the hours stipulated in planning ref: 13/01708/FUL would require additional planning permission.

The decision on this application could significantly impact the quality of life for residents in the surrounding area, particularly regarding noise and anti-social behaviour during late-night hours.

Religious Education Review Focuses on Curriculum Disparities and Inclusion

The Bexley Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education (SACRE) convened this week to discuss local and national updates on religious education, including a review of the locally agreed syllabus and the national Curriculum and Assessment Review. The meeting was scheduled for Wednesday 09 July 2025.

• Curriculum and Assessment Review: The meeting addressed the government's Curriculum and Assessment Review, which aims to improve the curriculum and assessment system in England.
• National Disparities: Evidence suggests a lack of national content standards has led to disparities in the quality of Religious Education (RE) provision across the country.
• GCSE Uptake: Students in schools with a religious character are almost five times more likely to be entered for GCSE Religious Studies (RS) than those in other schools, highlighting inequalities in access to RE.
• Local Syllabus Review: Feedback from local primary schools indicated that the Bexley Agreed Syllabus was working well, but that further details on assessments and teaching ideas would be appreciated.
• Inclusion: Secondary schools requested that Humanist perspectives be added to the syllabus and for a baseline of what skills children had from Religious Education when moving into secondary schools. Schools also asked for more support in Special Educational Needs (SEN) provisions to adapt the syllabus for children.
• School Speakers: Primary schools are still requesting speakers to come and visit schools, and that it would be great if Bexley could have its own bank of speakers to go to different local schools.

These discussions highlight the importance of ensuring high-quality, inclusive religious education for all students in Bexley, regardless of their background or school type.

Library Strategy Aims to Be At the Heart of Bexley's Growth

The Public Cabinet met this week to discuss a new Library Strategy for 2025 – 2030, shaped by a nine-week public consultation. The meeting was scheduled for Thursday 10 July 2025. The strategy sets out a five-year vision for libraries in Bexley, aiming to position them as dynamic hubs of opportunity for local communities.

• Vision: Libraries are at the heart of Bexley's growth. In the next five years, they will be dynamic hubs of opportunity for our local communities, where everyone can access the resources, culture, and information they need to thrive.
• Priorities: The strategy focuses on literacy and reading, culture and creativity, digital and economic improvement, and health and wellbeing.
• Universal Library Offers: The Library Strategy is inspired by the national Universal Library Offers³.
• Budget Overspend: The Budget Monitoring Report 2024/25 March 2025 (Period 12 Outturn) showed a revenue outturn of an overspend of £1.523m against the current net budget of £215.029m.
• Medium Term Financial Strategy: When setting the 2025/26 budget, a medium term budget gap of £32.658m was forecast for 2026/27 increasing to £43.893 by 2028/29.

The adoption of this strategy aligns with the council's statutory duty to provide a comprehensive and efficient library service under the Public Libraries and Museums Act 1964.

Other Matters

• The Finance & Corporate Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting scheduled for Tuesday 08 July 2025 was postponed. View the meeting details here.

Upcoming Meetings

Here's a list of upcoming meetings and their main topics:

• Council on Wednesday 16 July 2025 will cover a range of topics, including reports from various committees, questions from both the public and councillors, and a report from the Leader of the Council, Councillor Baroness O'Neill of Bexley OBE. View the agenda here.
• Licensing Committee on Tuesday 15 July 2025 will discuss the council's statement of licensing policy, updates on licensing enforcement, and licences determined under delegated powers. View the agenda here.
• Transport Users' Sub-Committee on Thursday 17 July 2025 will discuss rail and road issues, Transport for London (TfL) updates, a police service update and school travel plans. View the agenda here.
• SEND Priority Action Plan Scrutiny Sub-Group on Tuesday 22 July 2025. View the meeting details here.
• Finance & Corporate Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee on Tuesday 22 July 2025. View the meeting details here.

This week in Bexley:

Clock Tower Evangelism Sparks Debate on Free Speech vs. Public Nuisance

A recent decision by the Licensing Sub-Committee has ignited a debate about the balance between freedom of expression and the potential for public nuisance. The sub-committee chose not to issue a counter notice against a Temporary Event Notice (TEN) submitted by Mr Kwame Arthur for Christ Church International to conduct evangelism at the Bexleyheath Clock Tower on Saturday 5 July 2025. Read the full decision here.

This decision came despite objections from both the Metropolitan Police Service and the Environmental Health Service.

• Police Concerns: The police argued the TEN lacked details on managing a gathering of 150 people in a busy public space, raising concerns about crime, disorder, and public safety. They cited previous incidents of religious groups causing disturbances and blocking the highway, including one where someone was hit by a flag.
• Environmental Health Objections: Environmental Health cited potential public nuisance due to noise control and the impact of amplified sound on the public and nearby residents. They noted that the Bexleyheath Business Improvement Development Team had received 30 complaints about noise from a similar gathering the previous week.

The sub-committee was reminded of its duty to consider the objections, Bexley's Statement of Licensing Policy, and the Guidance issued under section 182 of the Licensing Act 2003.

Despite these concerns, the sub-committee decided to allow the event to proceed without additional conditions, citing human rights considerations, particularly Articles 6 and 8 of the convention¹.

This decision raises questions about how the council balances the rights of individuals to express their beliefs with the need to protect the public from potential disruption and nuisance.

Dark Kitchen Approved Despite Drug Concerns

The Licensing Sub-Committee also granted a premises licence to Nocturnal Elfs Limited for a dark kitchen² at Rear of 158C Mayplace Road East, Bexleyheath. Read the full decision here. The business will operate as a delivery-only convenience store, selling alcohol and late-night refreshments.

The initial application sought permission for these activities 24/7, but was amended following representations from responsible authorities. The amended application sought permission for:

• Sale of alcohol for consumption off the premises: Sunday to Thursday, 08:00 to 00:00; Friday and Saturday, 08:00 to 02:00 the following day.
• Late night refreshment (delivery only): Sunday to Thursday, 23:00 to 00:00; Friday and Saturday, 23:00 to 02:00 the following day.
• Opening hours: Every day, 00:00 to 23:59.

Mr Ahdill Ali, Director of Nocturnal Elfs, explained that the business would operate as a convenience store for quickly processed deliveries only, with no public access to the premises. He also addressed concerns about drug exchanges, stating that the convenience store would have no impact on such activity.

The sub-committee imposed several conditions on the licence, including:

• The premises shall not be open to the public.
• Alcohol and late night refreshment shall be provided for delivery only.
• Only staff members are to be employed for deliveries, using electric vehicles only.
• A minimum order price of £10 for orders including alcohol.
• Deliveries only to residential or business addresses, not public places.
• Implementation of Challenge 25 policy with record-keeping.

The sub-committee noted that the responsible authorities had withdrawn their objections due to the amendments and offered conditions. They acknowledged Mr Ali's clarification that the premises would operate as a convenience store for quick deliveries only, with no public access. The sub-committee also considered the objections from other persons regarding drug deals and noise but found no evidence that the applicant would contribute to drug-related problems.

This decision highlights the council's efforts to support local businesses while addressing potential concerns about crime and public nuisance.

Social Care Faces Scrutiny Amidst CQC Assessment

Bexley's Adult Social Care services are under the microscope as the council prepares for an upcoming Care Quality Commission (CQC) assessment. The Adult Social Care & Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee met to discuss the assessment process and other key issues. Read the full report here.

The CQC assessment will involve:

• Information gathering, including a self-assessment and information return.
• Speaking with people, voluntary and community groups, and unpaid carer groups.
• A site visit.

The council submitted its information return to the CQC on 2 May 2025, and the site visit is expected within six months of the notification.

Councillor Melvin Seymour, Cabinet Member for Adult Services & Health, praised the hard work of the officers and their commitment. He also noted that the CQC inspection was the last piece of the jigsaw puzzle and that the council was ahead of the game due to the peer review and work from In Power.

The committee also discussed the Care at Home transformation programme, aimed at delivering more personalised, outcome-focused care. Alison Rogers, Director of Integrated Commissioning, noted that the council had commissioned an external review to ensure the programme was going in the right direction.

Councillor Rags Sandhu shared his experience of visiting Parkview Care Home, praising the staff and the quality of care. He raised the issue of language barriers for some residents from ethnic minority backgrounds, suggesting that the council should plan for an increasing need for culturally sensitive care in the future.

The committee also reviewed the budget monitoring report, which indicated an overspend position of £3.3 million as of May 2025, due to inflation and increased demand.

These discussions highlight the challenges and opportunities facing Bexley's Adult Social Care services as they strive to provide high-quality care to a growing and diverse population.

Other Matters

• The Children's Services and Education Overview and Scrutiny Committee and the Planning Committee also met this week. Unfortunately, no transcripts or minutes are available for these meetings. You can view the meeting details here and here.

Upcoming Meetings

Here's a list of upcoming meetings and their main topics:

• Licensing Sub-Committee on Monday 07 July 2025 will consider a premises licence application for Morley's Take Away. View the agenda here.
• Bexley Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education (SACRE) on Wednesday 09 July 2025 will discuss local and national updates related to religious education, including a review of the locally agreed syllabus and the Curriculum and Assessment Review. View the agenda here.
• Public Cabinet on Thursday 10 July 2025 will discuss the adoption of a new Library Strategy, budget monitoring reports, an update on the Medium Term Financial Strategy, and a review of the council's annual performance. View the agenda here.
• Licensing Committee on Tuesday 15 July 2025. View the meeting details here.
• Council on Wednesday 16 July 2025. View the meeting details here.
• Transport Users' Sub-Committee on Thursday 17 July 2025. View the meeting details here.

This week in Bexley:

Planning Overhaul: More Homes, Less Control?

Bexley Council is grappling with the implications of the government's sweeping planning reforms, as discussed at the Places Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting on Wednesday. View the full agenda here. The reforms, outlined in the Planning and Infrastructure Bill and recent changes to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), aim to boost housebuilding and streamline decision-making, but could also weaken local planning control.

Key points from the discussion:

• Housing Targets: The government is reintroducing the requirement for councils to demonstrate a five-year housing land supply when an up-to-date local plan is in place. The report pack notes that the council will likely face a new, higher housing land supply target in 2026, increasing the risk of reduced local planning control if targets aren't met.
• Green Belt Changes: The NPPF now includes a clearer definition of grey belt land¹ and introduces a 15% premium on affordable housing requirements for green belt developments, capped at 50%. The council secured a £70,000 grant to progress its green belt review.
• Strategic Planning: The Bill introduces a requirement for all relevant authorities to prepare a spatial development strategy (SDS) to guide local plans, identify growth locations, and apportion housing need.
• London Plan Review: The Greater London Authority (GLA) is aiming to have a draft plan out by 2026 and adopted by 2028. The GLA needs to apportion the 88,000 a year housing need figure for London across all the London boroughs based on evidence of development capacity within each borough, which the report pack describes as extraordinarily challenging. The report pack states that the Mayor of London will actively explore releasing plots of land in London's green belt to meet need as using brownfield land alone will not be enough.

These reforms could significantly impact Bexley, potentially leading to increased development in the green belt and a loss of local control over planning decisions.

Erith Regeneration: Gardens, Flats, and a Community Hub

The Places Overview and Scrutiny Committee also received an update on the Erith placemaking programme, a series of projects aimed at revitalizing the town. View the full agenda here.

Key developments include:

• Riverside Gardens: The transformation of Riverside Gardens is nearing completion, with a launch event planned for the end of June. The design was developed by Erect Architecture in collaboration with local residents and FORGE, a local gardening community group.
• 70 Pier Road: Planning permission has been approved for the redevelopment of 70 Pier Road, creating 10 new residential flats and commercial space.
• '68' Community Hub: A new community facility at 68 Pier Road, known as '68' and run by GCDA², is scheduled to open soon, with a formal launch event planned for 30 June.
• Erith High Street: Works to Erith High Street include improving pedestrian crossing points, links to the river, resurfacing, better bus stop waiting area and street greening. Phase 2 includes potential two-way road implementation, footway resurfacing, and landscaping. Scheduled to resume in Autumn 2025, design decisions will be informed by the traffic modelling.

These projects aim to improve the quality of life for Erith residents, create new opportunities, and boost the local economy.

Pension Fund Performance and Future Strategies

The Pensions Committee met on Tuesday to discuss the management and investment performance of the Bexley Pension Fund. View the full agenda here.

Key topics included:

• LGPS Pensions Review: The committee noted and commented on the final report on the Pensions Investment Review (PIR). The government stated that the overarching aim of the PIR was to assist in the boosting of UK investment, increase saver returns and drive a greater focus on value over cost in the pensions system.
• London CIV B Shares Subscription: The committee was asked to consider a request from the London CIV for a cash contribution of £70,312 to meet regulatory capital requirements.
• Investment Beliefs & Strategic Asset Allocation: Committee members were asked to complete a survey by 25 July 2025, to give their view on a range of investment strategy related topics, including the primary objectives of the Fund, investment return, risk, responsible investment, and the 'fit for the future' consultation.
• Abatement Policy Review: The committee was asked to consider a report providing information regarding the reduction or suspension of a Local Government Pension on account of further employment within Local Government after an individual has retired, a mechanism referred to as Abatement. The committee was asked to approve the abatement policy set out in section 6 of the report, namely that London Borough of Bexley will not abate the pension in payment upon subsequent re-employment.

The decisions made by the Pensions Committee have a direct impact on the financial security of Bexley's current and future pensioners.

Other Matters

• The Places Overview and Scrutiny Committee received a report providing a comprehensive overview of the performance of Waste Investigations Support & Enforcement (WISE) Ltd since the commencement of its contract with the council on 1 July 2024. View the full agenda here.
• The Places Overview and Scrutiny Committee discussed the Cabinet Member's response to the recommendations of the scrutiny project sub-group: How clean is our borough? View the full agenda here.
• The Places Overview and Scrutiny Committee considered establishing sub-groups to undertake elements of its work programme. View the full agenda here.
• The Places Overview and Scrutiny Committee considered its work programme for the coming year. View the full agenda here.

Upcoming Meetings

Here's a list of upcoming meetings and their main topics:

• Adult Social Care & Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee on Tuesday 01 July 2025 will discuss updates on the CQC Assurance Programme, the Care at Home Transformation, and the committee's work programme for the coming year. View the agenda here.
• Children's Services and Education Overview and Scrutiny Committee on Wednesday 02 July 2025. View the meeting details here.
• Planning Committee on Thursday 03 July 2025. View the meeting details here.
• Licensing Sub-Committee on Friday 04 July 2025. View the meeting details here.
• Licensing Sub-Committee on Monday 07 July 2025. View the meeting details here.
• Bexley Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education (SACRE) on Wednesday 09 July 2025. View the meeting details here.
• Public Cabinet on Thursday 10 July 2025. View the meeting details here.

This week in Bexley:

Schools Face Funding Squeeze as SEND Deficit Balloons

Bexley's schools are facing increasing financial pressure as the deficit in the high needs block¹ – the funding pot for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) – continues to grow. The Bexley Schools Forum met on Monday to discuss the issue, revealing a forecast deficit of £7 million, a £4.5 million overspend, meaning that Bexley is no longer on track to meet the deficit reduction targets set out in the Safety Valve programme.

The Safety Valve programme is an agreement between the council and the Department for Education (DfE) to manage and reduce the high needs deficit.

Several factors are contributing to the increased overspend:

• Increased demand for tuition services, personal budgets, and alternative provision.
• Upward pressure on funding bands for mainstream provision.
• Growth in the number of education, health and care plans (EHCPs).
• High costs of independent sector school placements.

To address the deficit, the council is exploring measures such as increasing the number of learners supported by resourced provisions², securing NHS financial contributions, and improving parental confidence in mainstream provision.

Councillor Caroline Newton, Cabinet Member for Education, reassured the forum that the DfE remains confident in Bexley's intervention programme.

However, Councillor Steve Wheatley felt it was too early to halt the 0.5% transfer of funds from the schools block to the high needs block, as provision in schools was generally positive. Councillor Karen Herbert raised concerns about schools needing the money now and questioned the programme's impact.

Despite these concerns, the Schools Forum approved a 0.5% transfer from the schools block to the high needs block for 2025/26, with 11 members voting in favour, 2 against, and 1 abstaining. This decision means less money for mainstream schools at a time when they are already facing significant financial challenges.

The report also highlighted that the number of children requiring specialist settings has outstripped the expansion of special school placements planned in the original Safety Valve proposal, forcing the council to place children in more expensive independent sector placements.

The report warned that the accumulated deficit is projected to reach around £24 million by March 2026, a divergence of around £14.5 million from the Safety Valve assumption. This could lead to further cuts in school funding and reduced support for vulnerable children.

Read the full report here.

Cabinet Committee and Health and Wellbeing Board Meetings Held

The Cabinet Committee and Bexley Health and Wellbeing Board also met this week. Unfortunately, no transcripts or minutes are available for these meetings. You can view the meeting details here and here.

Upcoming Meetings

Here's a list of upcoming meetings and their main topics:

• Pensions Committee on Tuesday 24 June 2025 will discuss the administration and investment performance of the Bexley Pension Fund, as well as consider future strategies and objectives. Members will also look at the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) Fit for the Future consultation outcomes. View the agenda here.
• Places Overview and Scrutiny Committee on Wednesday 25 June 2025 will discuss environmental enforcement, planning reforms, and the regeneration of Erith. They will also consider their work programme for the coming year. View the agenda here.
• Adult Social Care & Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee on Tuesday 01 July 2025. View the meeting details here.
• Children's Services and Education Overview and Scrutiny Committee on Wednesday 02 July 2025. View the meeting details here.
• Planning Committee on Thursday 03 July 2025. View the meeting details here.