The Council of the London Borough of Bromley was scheduled to consider reforms to planning committees, review the proportionality of committee memberships, and receive the annual report of the Local Pension Board. The meeting was also scheduled to address statements from the Leader of the Council and Portfolio Holders, and to consider questions from the public and council members.

Planning Committee Reforms

The Council was scheduled to consider reforms to its planning committees, which were to take effect from 31 October 2026. These legislative changes were set to restrict the types of applications that could be considered by a planning committee and limit the size of any such committee to a maximum of thirteen Members. The Development Control Committee had expressed concern that moving immediately to a single planning committee could reduce Member involvement and diminish planning expertise. Therefore, it was recommended that the current arrangement of a Development Control Committee, with a reduced membership, and two Plans Sub-Committees should continue for the remainder of the council year, with a single Planning Committee to be established from May 2027. The Development Control Committee also recommended a motion condemning the Labour Government for introducing these changes.

Proportionality

The Council was scheduled to review the proportionality of its committee memberships in light of the upcoming planning committee reforms. These reforms, which include a statutory limit of thirteen Members per planning committee, necessitate a review of existing committee structures. It was proposed that the Development Control Committee be reduced from sixteen to twelve Members, with the four vacated seats redistributed to the Plans Sub-Committees. This proposal aimed to minimise disruption to other committees and maintain overall proportionality.

Local Pension Board Annual Report 2025/26

The Council was scheduled to receive and note the Local Pension Board's Annual Report for the 2025/26 financial year. The Local Pension Board was established in response to regulatory requirements for the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) and assists the Administering Authority, the London Borough of Bromley, in ensuring compliance with LGPS regulations and the requirements of the Pensions Regulator. The report details the Board's activities, membership, meetings, training, and observations. The Board is not a decision-making body but supports the Council's committee structure.

Statements from the Leader and Portfolio Holders

The Council was scheduled to consider statements from the Leader of the Council, Portfolio Holders, and Chairmen of Committees. One such statement was scheduled to address the Council's resilience during the summer heatwaves. This statement was requested by Councillor Chloe-Jane Ross and other councillors, who sought to understand the additional pressures placed on statutory services, such as adult social care, highways, parks, waste collection, public health, and emergency planning, due to the prolonged hot weather. They also intended