The Full Council of Hammersmith and Fulham was scheduled to meet on 21 May 2025 for its annual meeting. The agenda included the election of the Mayor, committee appointments, a review of the council's constitution, and a discussion on the redevelopment of Avonmore Primary School and building new homes. Councillors were also scheduled to discuss member allowance schemes, and appointments to local government organisations.

Redevelopment of Avonmore Primary School

The council was scheduled to discuss the proposed redevelopment of Avonmore Primary School and the construction of new homes on the site. The proposed scheme, which had already been approved at planning committee in November 2024, includes a modern, one-form entry primary school, enhanced nursery and Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) provision, and 91 new homes, with 50% designated as affordable.

The report pack highlighted that the development was designed in line with the council’s ambition to deliver net-zero carbon by 2030, with an estimated 75% reduction in operational carbon emissions for both the school and new homes. The report pack stated that the scheme was co-produced with the school governors, the wider school community, and local residents.

The report pack included a recommendation to approve a capital budget to enable construction of both the new school and new homes.

Review of the Constitution

The council was scheduled to review its constitution to ensure it aligns with its aims and principles. The proposed changes included:

• Approving a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Checks for Councillors policy. The Disclosure and Barring Regime (DBS) Check for Councillors policy stated that any councillor involved in discharging education functions and/or social services functions would be required to undergo an Enhanced DBS check. The report pack stated that this took into account recommendations from the Report of the Independent Review of the Disclosure and Barring Services (DBS). >I recommend that an enhanced criminal record check is made mandatory for all councillors in Unitary and Upper Tier Authorities who are being considered for appointment to any committee involved in decisions on the provision of children’s services or services for vulnerable adults.
• Creating a General Purposes Committee. The General Purposes Committee terms of reference stated that the committee would exercise any functions which, under the Local Authorities (Functions and Responsibilities) (England) Regulations 2000, may not be the responsibility of the Executive and which are not delegated elsewhere under the Constitution.
• Reducing the size of the Standards Committee from 6 to 5 councillors.
• Approving changes to Lead Member responsibilities, including renaming the ‘Lead Member for Culture and Heritage’ to ‘Lead Member for Culture and Art’ and creating a new ‘Lead Member for Communications’ role.

Appointment of the Deputy Leader and Cabinet

The council was scheduled to note the appointments made by Councillor Stephen Cowan, Leader of the Council, to the Executive (Cabinet) and the appointment of Lead Members.

The proposed Executive consisted of a Deputy Leader and eight Cabinet Members. The Lead Members included roles such as Lead Member for European Co-operation and Digital Innovation, Lead Member for Culture and Art, and Lead Member for Communications.

Allocation of Seats and Proportionality on Committees

The council was scheduled to confirm the proportional division of seats on the standing committees. The report pack stated that the political balance of the council was 78% Labour, 20% Conservative, and 2% Independent.

Council Appointments to Local Government Organisations and Outside Bodies

The council was scheduled to appoint representatives to Local Government Organisations and other Outside Bodies. These appointments included nominations to the London Councils Leaders Committee, London Councils Transport and Environment Committee, and the Local Government Association (LGA) General Assembly.

The council was also scheduled to make appointments to outside bodies such as the Lyric Theatre, Sands End Arts and Community Centre, and the West London Economic Prosperity Board.

Members’ Allowances Scheme Annual Review

The council was scheduled to conduct its statutory annual review of Members’ allowances for the 2025/26 financial year. The report pack took into account the recommendations made in the Independent Panel report on the remuneration of councillors (January 2024).

The recommendations included noting the Independent Panel's report, approving the Members’ Allowances Scheme 2025/26, and increasing the Members’ basic allowance in line with the average basic allowance paid across London for the previous year, with a special responsibility allowance uplift in line with the national local government pay settlement for employees.

Appointment of Independent Person

The council was scheduled to re-appoint His Honour Judge John Rylance as an Independent Person for another 2 years fixed term. The Localism Act 2011 requires local authorities to appoint at least one Independent Person to consider complaints against members and to offer their impartial views on each case, including any investigations undertaken.

Dispensation of Absence

The council was scheduled to consider granting a special dispensation to Councillor Alex Karmel for non-attendance at meetings of the authority due to ill health, pursuant to Section 85(1) of the Local Government Act 1972.

Other Matters

The agenda also included items such as:

• Election of the Mayor
• Apologies for absence
• Declarations of interest
• Approval of the minutes of the Council meeting held on 26 February 2025
• Mayor's/Chief Executive's announcements
• Party Appointments for the 2025/26 Municipal Year
• The Leader's Annual Report (verbal)
• Annual Report of the Policy and Oversight Board and Policy and Accountability Committees 2024/25
• Special Urgency Decisions - Monitoring Report
• Petitions Monitoring Report 2024/25