The Council meeting on 23 September 2026 saw the approval of the Treasury Management and Capital Mid-Year Update, which included agreement on the flexible use of capital receipts. Proposed changes to the Constitution were also approved. Additionally, a motion on Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience was passed after an amendment was accepted, and a motion on the Greenwich Active Travel Voucher was also carried.

Treasury Management and Capital Mid-Year Update

The Council agreed to the Treasury Management Mid-Year Report for 2026/27, noting the comments from the Cabinet and the Audit and Risk Management Panel. They also agreed to the Capital Mid-Year Report for the same period and approved the additional flexible use of capital outlined in Appendix 3 of the report. This update indicated that the Council had managed its accounts prudently, maintaining liquidity and managing borrowing costs effectively. The report highlighted a reduction in anticipated capital programme spend due to rescheduling, but reaffirmed commitment to investing in Council-owned properties. The flexible use of capital receipts is intended to drive transformation and savings, particularly within the digital team, to reduce future Council spending.

Proposed Changes to the Constitution

The Council approved changes to its Constitution. These changes, driven by new legislation, will shift the determination of a broader range of routine planning applications from Planning Committees to Council officers. The aim is to allow Planning Committees to focus on more significant developments and issues of genuine local importance, thereby speeding up decision-making and reducing delays. While some members expressed concerns about the reduction in democratic oversight and the lack of prior detailed discussion on the specific wording of the changes, the Council ultimately voted to approve the amendments to ensure compliance with the new legislative framework by the required deadline of 31 October 2026.

Motion - Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience

Following an amendment proposed by Councillor Calum O'Byrne Mulligan, Cabinet Member for Transport, Climate Change, Waste & Streets, and seconded by Councillor Rachel Taggart-Ryan, Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources, the Council passed a motion on Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience. The amended motion noted the increasing impacts of climate change, including record-breaking heatwaves and wet winters, and acknowledged the Council's existing efforts in reducing operational emissions, planting trees, and investing in energy efficiency for council housing. The motion resolved to redouble efforts to reduce operational emissions, continue supporting the retrofitting of Council buildings and housing, deliver zero-carbon homes, and use the Local Transport Action Plan to support sustainable travel. It also committed to delivering a Tree and Biodiversity Strategy, ensuring safe working practices for staff during extreme temperatures, and continuing to publish annual updates on Net Zero progress.

Motion - Greenwich Active Travel Voucher

The Council carried a motion to deliver the Greenwich Active Travel Voucher scheme. This initiative will provide a £150 voucher for every child and young person aged 4-16 to help them purchase a bike, scooter, or safety equipment. The scheme will be funded through dedicated ring-fenced Section 106 funds, derived from developer contributions. The Council will partner with local and national retailers to ensure accessibility and will work on wider improvements to cycle networks, road safety, and public transport to encourage sustainable travel. Amendments proposed by the Green Group, focusing on a worker cooperative model, and by the Conservative Group, suggesting a public realm improvement fund, were both rejected.

Leader and Deputy Leader of the Opposition Conservative Group

The Council noted the appointment of Councillor Charlie Davis as the Leader of the Opposition Conservative Group and Councillor Luke Warren as the Deputy Leader of the Opposition Conservative Group for the 2025/26 Municipal Year. Tributes were paid to the outgoing Leader, Councillor Matt Hartley, for his service.

Motion - Protecting Democratic Oversight in Planning Decisions

A motion proposed by Councillor Charlie Davis, Leader of the Opposition Conservative Group, aimed at objecting to the government's new National Scheme of Delegation of Planning Functions, was not carried. The motion argued that the new regulations would significantly reduce democratic oversight and transparency in planning decisions, limiting the ability of councillors and residents to scrutinise applications. Councillor Tom Creswell, Cabinet Member for Planning and Development, spoke against the motion, stating that the changes were intended to speed up the planning process and allow committees to focus on more significant applications. He argued that residents would still be able to comment on applications and that democratic control was primarily exercised through setting strong planning policies. The motion was defeated by 31 votes to 19.