The Cabinet of Hammersmith and Fulham Council met on Monday 05 June 2023, discussing the future of Hammersmith Bridge and agreeing to a new strategy for special educational needs and disability. The council also agreed to recognise care experience as a protected characteristic.

Hammersmith Bridge Feasibility Study

The Cabinet considered a petition from the organisation Possible requesting a letter of support for a feasibility study into lightweight electric autonomous shuttles to help people cross Hammersmith Bridge. The petition organiser, Mr. Murray, explained that his organisation, a climate solutions charity, had been working on this project for 18 months and had assembled an industrial consortium of businesses with specialist expertise. He highlighted that their calculations suggested autonomous vehicles would be required to meet mobility needs due to the bridge's structural constraints and low passenger capacity per vehicle. Mr. Murray noted that there was up to £200,000 of government funding available from the Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles (CCAV), alongside £60,000 to £80,000 in match funding from the private sector, but that eligibility required a letter of support from the council.

Councillor Andrew Jones, Cabinet Member for The Economy, questioned the council's apparent lack of awareness of the petition's work, stating that the council was already undertaking its own feasibility study. Mr. Murray responded that he had sought information from the council via a Freedom of Information request in November 2022, but was told no work was underway. He argued that a separate study would not incur additional costs for the council as it would be funded by the CCAV, and that their extensive community engagement and market assessment provided a unique and valuable foundation for the project.

Councillor Stephen Cowan, Leader of the Council, provided a detailed history of the Hammersmith Bridge situation, outlining the significant engineering challenges and the substantial costs involved in its repair, estimated at around £230 million to reopen to cars. He explained the council's focus on stabilising the bridge, a process that had cost approximately £20 million and was nearing completion, with the aim of preventing its collapse. Councillor Cowan expressed frustration with the politicisation of the issue, particularly from the Conservative Party, and the lack of concrete funding offers from the government. He stated that the council's legal obligation was to ensure the bridge's safety and that the decision on its future use, including potential tolls or alternative transport solutions, would likely involve the Mayor of London and national government.

While the Cabinet acknowledged the petition and the work undertaken by Possible, they did not formally agree to provide a letter of support at this meeting. Councillor Cowan stated that the council was looking into various schemes for sustainable transport across the bridge if it remained closed, and welcomed any reports or proposals shared with them. However, he reiterated that the council would not fund any specific scheme until the bridge was reopened and safe, and that decisions would be made based on evidence. He also urged the Conservative Party to cease messing around with this issue.

Schools Capital Programme

The Cabinet noted and agreed the report on the Schools Capital Programme, which outlines expenditure on maintenance for schools in Hammersmith and Fulham for the coming year. Councillor Alex Sanderson, Deputy Leader (with responsibility for Children and Education), presented the report.

Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) Strategy

The Cabinet agreed to the Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) Strategy, which covers ages 0 to 25. Councillor Alex Sanderson explained that the strategy provides a shared local vision, principles, and priorities to ensure effective collaboration between partners in identifying, assessing, and meeting the needs of children and young people with SEND. The strategy was developed through co-production with external partners, including health services, schools, parents, and young people.

Special Educational Needs and Disabilities: Ordinarily Available Guidance, Profile of Need and Sufficiency Review

The Cabinet also agreed the report on the ordinarily available guidance, profile of need, and sufficiency review for Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). Councillor Alex Sanderson stated that this report provides the underpinning for the SEND strategy and seeks to ensure sufficient provision for children and young people with SEND, with a clear description of available provision and an approach to assessing the level of need.

Care Experience as a Protected Characteristic

The Cabinet agreed to recognise care experience as a protected characteristic in Hammersmith and Fulham. Councillor Alex Sanderson explained that this decision demonstrates the council's commitment as a corporate parent to ending the disparity and inequality faced by young people who have spent their childhood in care. He highlighted that care-experienced young people are disproportionately represented among those who are in prison, homeless, or not in education or employment. Councillor Stephen Cowan welcomed the initiative, emphasising the council's moral duty to provide the best possible start in life for the 211 young people in their care.