The Annual Council meeting saw the re-election of Councillor Sharon Holder as Mayor and the appointment of Councillor Stephen Cowan as Leader of the Council. Significant achievements in children's services and housing were celebrated, with both receiving top ratings from Ofsted/CQC and the Regulator of Social Housing respectively.

Election of Mayor and Leader

Councillor Sharon Holder was re-elected as Mayor of the London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham for the 2026-27 municipal year. Councillor Daryl Brown was appointed as Deputy Mayor. Following a special motion, Councillor Stephen Cowan was appointed as the Leader of the Council.

Outstanding Inspection Outcomes for Children's Services and Housing

The meeting celebrated two significant achievements:

• Children's Services: The council's children's health, education, and social care partnerships received the highest possible outcome in a joint Ofsted and CQC inspection for special educational needs and disability (SEND) services. Inspectors highlighted the excellent achievements and attendance of children and young people with SEND, who outperformed their national peers across all key stages. Councillor Alex Sanderson, Deputy Leader with responsibility for Children and Education, expressed pride in this result, noting it reflects years of work with parents, schools, health partners, politicians, and officers. Councillor Alia Afzal-Khan, who holds a portfolio for children and education, commended the officers and partners for their sustained, dedicated work, highlighting that young people with SEND are actively engaged in shaping the services they receive.
• Housing Services: The council's housing services were awarded the highest possible C1 rating by the Regulator of Social Housing. Councillor Frances Umeh, Cabinet Member for Housing and Homelessness, detailed the transformation of the service since 2014, when the administration inherited a service suffering from underinvestment. She highlighted that this rating means the housing service is meeting required consumer standards, including keeping residents safe, maintaining decent homes, delivering effective repairs, and ensuring residents are treated fairly and transparently. Councillor Adronie Alford, Conservative Spokesperson for Housing, congratulated the team on their hard work and the excellent report.

Review of the Constitution and Committee Appointments

The council reviewed and adopted changes to its constitution for the 2026/27 municipal year. This included updates to Cabinet Member portfolios, Lead Member responsibilities, and the terms of reference for Policy and Accountability Committees. The appointments of Chairs and committee memberships for the upcoming municipal year were also agreed.

Administration's Manifesto: Hope You Can Believe In

The administration's manifesto, Hope You Can Believe In, was presented for information. Councillor Stephen Cowan, Leader of the Council, described it as a contract with the people, backed by a proven track record. The manifesto outlines plans for economic growth through the Upstream London industrial strategy, focusing on innovation and job creation, particularly for young people. It also details commitments to affordable housing, tackling the climate emergency, improving public safety, supporting the NHS, enhancing the borough's public spaces, and providing compassionate care services.

Councillor Hannah Bulmer and Councillor Molly Mantle delivered their maiden speeches, highlighting the manifesto's focus on kindness, opportunity, and community. Councillor Adrian Pascu-Tulbure, Opposition Deputy Leader, critiqued the manifesto, suggesting it lacked detail on practical council management and tax increases, while Councillor Stephen Cowan defended the manifesto, highlighting its delivery-focused approach and contrasting it with the opposition's approach.

Local Government Elections Results

The results of the local government elections held on 7 May 2026 were noted. The Labour party secured 38 seats, and the Conservative party secured 12 seats on the council.

Tributes to Former Councillors

The council observed a moment of silence to remember former councillors Patrick Ground and Andrew Brown. Tributes were paid to their service and contributions to the borough. Councillor Amanda Lloyd-Harris spoke about Patrick Ground's dedication to restoring Fulham Palace and his broader public service. Councillor Jose Afonso, Opposition Leader, and other councillors spoke movingly about Andrew Brown, remembering his commitment to public life and his family.

Petitions Monitoring Report

The operation of the Council's Petitions Scheme during the 2025/26 Municipal Year was noted. The report highlighted that the scheme provides an important route for residents to engage with the democratic process. The Fix Uxbridge Road: No more neglect, no more crime petition, which received 2,914 signatures, was noted.