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

Topics

No topics have been identified for this meeting yet.

Meeting Documents

Agenda

AGENDA Item 9 - Calendar Appendix
AGENDA Item 2 - Minutes
AGENDA Item 5 - Questions
AGENDA Item 6 - Business Remaining
AGENDA Item 7 - Leaders Report
AGENDA Item 9 - Calendar of Meetings
Agenda frontsheet 24th-Apr-2024 19.30 Council

Reports Pack

Public reports pack 24th-Apr-2024 19.30 Council

Minutes

Printed minutes 24th-Apr-2024 19.30 Council

Additional Documents

Appendix - Declarations
Licensing Committee
Pensions Committee
General Purposes and Audit Committee
Adults OSC
Childrens OSC
Finance OSC
Places OSC
Written Replies 24.4.24
Civic Recognition Panel
Members Code of Conduct Committee
Planning Committee