The Council of Bromley met on Monday 6 July 2026 to discuss the Treasury Management Annual Report for 2025/26 and the Health and Wellbeing Board's Annual Report for the same period. The meeting also included consideration of motions regarding Brexit and the UK's relationship with Europe, and the advancement of diversity and inclusion in Bromley.

Treasury Management Annual Report 2025/26

The Council was scheduled to consider the Treasury Management Annual Report for the financial year 2025/26. This report, which had previously been presented to the Executive, Resources and Contracts PDS Committee, summarises treasury management activities during the fourth quarter of the year. It confirmed that investments totalled £215.8m as at 31 March 2026, with no external borrowing undertaken. The report aims to ensure the Council adheres to best practices and complies with the CIPFA Code of Practice for Treasury Management. The Council was requested to note the report and approve the actual prudential indicators within it.

Health and Wellbeing Board Annual Report 2025/26

The Health and Wellbeing Board's Annual Report for 2025/26 was also scheduled for discussion. This report, presented by Councillor Mike Botting, Chairman of the Health and Wellbeing Board, detailed the Board's activities over the year. The Board held five scheduled meetings, discussing a wide range of topics including the Bromley Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy, Learning Disabilities Strategy, Neighbourhood Health Service development, and the Suicide Prevention Plan. A key output mentioned was the completion of the statutory Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment (PNA), which, alongside the Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA), is intended to help commissioners target pharmacy services to areas of greatest need. The report also highlighted a presentation contrasting the work of the first Health and Wellbeing Board 60 years prior with current activities.

Motions

Brexit and the United Kingdom's Relationship with Europe

A motion was scheduled to be proposed by Councillor Chloe-Jane Ross and seconded by Councillor Sam Webber, addressing Brexit and the UK's relationship with Europe. The motion noted that Bromley Council had previously resolved in 2016 that Britain would be better off outside the European Union. However, it argued that ten years on, Brexit has led to weaker economic growth, increased trade barriers, workforce shortages, and reduced opportunities for young people. The motion proposed that the Council acknowledge its 2016 judgment was incorrect and support rebuilding the UK's relationship with the EU through a UK-EU Customs Union and enhanced cooperation on trade, security, policing, tackling organised crime, addressing irregular migration, and expanding opportunities for young people. The Council would be requested to write to the Prime Minister and Bromley's Members of Parliament to inform them of this resolution.

Celebrating Pride, and Advancing Diversity and Inclusion in Bromley

A motion, to be proposed by Councillor Ruth McGregor and seconded by Councillor Ryan Thomson, focused on celebrating Pride and advancing diversity and inclusion in Bromley. The motion noted the success of recent Pride events, including Beckenham and Penge Pride and the Pride Picnic in Cator Park, which celebrated the LGBTQ+ community. It stated that true community cohesion requires proactive leadership from local government to foster a welcoming, safe, and inclusive environment for all residents. The Council would be asked to celebrate the success of these initiatives, thank those involved, demonstrate a commitment to supporting future diversity events across the borough, and establish an ongoing dialogue with local minority groups to ensure their voices shape council support.

Questions

The meeting agenda included a session for questions from members of the public and councillors.

Questions from Members of the Public for Oral Reply:

• Mark Doonan was scheduled to ask the Portfolio Holder for Transport, Highways and Road Safety about the methodology and parking-stress threshold applied in a parking study for a proposed children's home at Wharton Road, given the consultation material stated no parking mitigation was needed despite the study finding high utilisation rates.
• Faye Brookes was due to question the Chairman of the General Purposes and Licensing Committee regarding the Council's policy on complaints about the accuracy of consultation material, and where residents should raise such concerns.

Questions from Members of the Public for Written Reply:

• Dermot Mckibbin intended to ask the Portfolio Holder for Renewal, Recreation and Housing about the application of the Environmental Assessment of Plans and Programmes Regulations to the Council's review of the Local Plan.
• Jen Thorn was to inquire about the total spent on professional and legal fees related to the disposal of Beckenham Public Hall.
• Alan Old planned to ask the Portfolio Holder for Renewal, Recreation and Housing how the Council will prioritise securing a future use of Beckenham Public Hall that benefits the community.
• Jerry Barnard was to ask the Portfolio Holder for Transport, Highways and Road Safety about the steps the Council will take to resolve an outstanding outcome from a Freedom of Information request and subsequent internal review.

Questions from Members of the Council for Oral Reply:

• Councillor Simon Jeal was to ask the Mayor about her attendance at Beckenham and Penge Pride and to congratulate the organisers.
• Councillor Chloe-Jane Ross intended to ask the Portfolio Holder for Renewal, Recreation and Housing if they agreed that London needs more affordable homes and if Bromley Council would oppose the Mayor of London's decision to reduce affordable housing requirements.
• Councillor Ruth McGregor was to ask the Portfolio Holder for Resources, Commissioning and Contracts Management for the number of complaints received about the automated telephone system over the past year.
• Councillor Dean Miller was to ask the Portfolio Holder for Adult Care and Health about the extent to which high-cost placements are driving financial pressures in adult social care and the plan to reduce these costs.
• Councillor Kathy Bance was to ask the Portfolio Holder for Public Protection and Enforcement how road safety interventions are coordinated across different council functions.
• Councillor Kevin Kennedy-Brooks was to ask the Chairman of the Development Control Committee how the council balances local contributions against the provision of affordable housing in development applications.
• Councillor Mark Smith was to ask the Portfolio Holder for Transport, Highways, and Road Safety if he would consider requests for new mini-roundabouts and how they would be assessed.
• Councillor Christopher Marlow was to ask the Leader of the Council if Bromley Council still expects to enter into section 114 or request Exceptional Financial Support by 2028.
• Councillor Simon Jeal was to ask the Portfolio Holder for Transport, Highways and Road Safety about vacant school crossing patrol officer posts and rejected recruitment requests.
• Councillor Chloe-Jane Ross was to ask the Portfolio Holder for Children, Education and Families for an update on the Council's response to the Department for Education regarding SEND reforms.
• Councillor Kathy Bance was to ask the Portfolio Holder for the Environment if the Council plans to measure, report, and reduce emissions associated with contracted services and procurement.

Questions from Members of the Council for Written Reply:

• Councillor Gita Bapat was to ask the Portfolio Holder for Resources, Commissioning and Contract Management to review the Report It section of the Council's website to include reporting of dangerous buildings and structures.
• Councillor Kathy Bance was to ask the Portfolio Holder for the Environment how the Council will ensure residents in flats above shops receive required food waste and recycling collection services under the Simpler Recycling regulations.
• Councillor Mark Smith was to ask the Portfolio Holder for Transport, Highways and the Environment to confirm the current criteria for the siting and installation of traffic and parking enforcement mobile cameras.

Statements

The meeting was scheduled to consider statements from the Leader of the Council, Portfolio Holders, or Chairmen of Committees.

• Bringing empty homes back into use: A statement was requested from the Portfolio Holder for Renewal, Recreation and Housing, outlining the Council's plans and aspirations over the next four years to bring empty homes and vacant buildings back into use, including how available funding and grant opportunities may be used, and the intended outcomes.
• Energy efficiency of Council buildings: A statement was also requested from the Portfolio Holder for Renewal, Recreation and Housing, detailing the Council's plans and aspirations to improve the energy efficiency of Council-owned buildings, expand the use of solar energy, and utilise external funding opportunities.

The meeting also included standard procedural items such as apologies for absence, declarations of interest, and the confirmation of minutes from the previous annual meeting. The Mayor's announcements and communications were also on the agenda.