The Wandsworth Council meeting included a tribute to former Councillor Len Harris, and a welcome to the new Chief Executive, Andrew Travers. Councillors debated traffic congestion in Putney, revisions to the local plan, and a motion on celebrating the 'summer of fun' in Wandsworth.

Tributes and Welcome

The meeting began with a minute's silence in memory of Len Harris, a former Conservative councillor for West Hill Ward, who passed away on 4 July. Councillor Guy Humphries spoke of Harris's early political activity and his later work developing computer software for managing electoral rolls. Councillor Tony Belton recalled Harris's role in raising the political stakes within the council.

Councillor Jeremy Ambache welcomed Andrew Travers, the new chief executive, and congratulated officers and councillors for achieving an A rating from the International Carbon Disclosure Project for climate change action leadership. He also congratulated Rashid Pendry, director of practice for Children's and Families Social Care, on receiving an OBE in the King's Honours List.

Putney Traffic Congestion

A motion was brought to the council regarding traffic congestion in Putney, with Councillor Ethan Brooks stating that Putney needs hope and calling for a reversal of changes to the road layout. He said that the changes were affecting people's health and daily lives, and criticised the council for allegedly ignoring the concerns of Putney residents.

Councillor Jenny Yates responded that the council was working to reduce congestion and that measures had already been taken, such as updating the lane layout and increasing enforcement on the High Street. She stated that the changes made to the junction last year were a Tory legacy scheme that the Labour administration inherited.

Councillor Emmeline Owens said that the closure of Hammersmith Bridge in 2019 had hit Putney hard, and that traffic had become enormously worse since roadworks began last September. She also claimed that air pollution had soared and that the council was contradicting itself about the level of risk in Putney.

Councillor Belton reflected on the long history of traffic problems in Putney High Street, and praised Councillor Yates's efforts to find a solution. Councillor James Jeffreys criticised the council for allegedly failing to lobby effectively on behalf of Putney residents.

The motion was defeated, with 21 votes in favour and 27 votes against.

Council Tax

Councillor Peter Graham asked whether residents would pay the same low council tax, as per a corporate plan action. Councillor Angela Ireland responded that decisions about council tax levels are made by the council after considering all available information, including the final local government finance settlement. She added that the council supports the government's aim of fairer funding nationally and is working to get the best possible deal for Wandsworth.

In a supplementary question, Councillor Graham asked what Councillor Ireland meant by tireless in advocating for a fair outcome . Councillor Ireland said that she was working with the ministry and local MPs to ensure that residents are fully represented.

In a second supplementary question, Councillor Graham asked what the council was doing to help its most vulnerable and low-income families. Councillor Ireland said that the council tax reduction scheme and cost of living fund are among the most generous in London, and that up to 15,000 Wandsworth households now pay zero council tax.

Homes for Wandsworth

Councillor Sarah Davies asked about the Homes for Wandsworth programme. Councillor Aydin Dikerdem said that 431 homes had been built and that the 500th would be opened in the autumn. He added that the programme was about making sure that families who are overcrowded or wanting to downsize have direct delivery council housing available for them.

In a supplementary question, Councillor Davies asked what would happen to the housing stock should the Conservatives win the election. Councillor Dikerdem asked for a commitment that the thousand homes programme would remain a 100% council housing programme and not be sold off.

In a second supplementary question, Councillor Daniel Hamilton said that the Labour manifesto referred to a commitment to build 1,000 homes, and asked whether the council was going to miss that commitment. Councillor Dikerdem responded that the plan was always to build out over a 10-year period.

Housing Association Failures in Nine Elms

Councillor Matthew Corner raised concerns about the management of properties by housing associations in Nine Elms and across the borough. Councillor Dikerdem responded that he had been working to sort this out, and that the most pernicious problem was anti-social behaviour. He said that the council had built a system for holding housing associations to account, and had managed to save tenants who were being evicted by Peabody.

In a supplementary question, Councillor Corner said that residents in housing associations were constantly messaging him about crime and that lifts were being flooded with urine. He asked why the council could not offer the same level of support to housing association tenants as it does to landlords in the private rented sector. Councillor Dikerdem responded that there had been a bad handling of allocations and that some vulnerable residents had been placed in those blocks without Peabody being fully aware of their vulnerabilities.

In a second supplementary question, Councillor Corner asked how the council navigates organisations that rely on a soft power approach rather than legislation. Councillor Dikerdem said that the key was going to be strategy, and that there was a balance between trying to shame housing associations and using the powers that the council has.

Tooting Broadway Improvements

Councillor Rex Osborn asked about the improvements from Tooting Broadway to Amen Corner. Councillor Yates responded that the council was working hard to improve Tooting town centre as part of its Decade of Renewal programme. She said that pavements were being repaired, drainage was being improved, and that there would be new street greening, upgraded lighting, and increased bins and cycle parking provision.

In a supplementary question, Councillor Osborn asked whether the cabinet member considered any of the work being done in that section a model for the kind of improvements that could be made across the borough in town centres and communities. Councillor Yates responded that it demonstrated the need for more public investment.

In a second supplementary question, Councillor Aled Richards-Jones said that Councillor Osborn had pledged at the Tooting Broadway by-election a renewal for Tooting to be delivered within 100 days, and asked whether Councillor Osborn had given her a copy of his plan. Councillor Osborn made a personal explanation, saying that the council was in suspension immediately after the by-election, making it impossible to make any kind of plan within 100 days.

Parks Policy

Councillor Ethan Brooks asked about the council's parks policy. Councillor Paul White responded that the council was updating the policy and making sure it listened to the views of residents. He said that the updated policy reflected concerns around sports pitch damage, minimum space between an event site and important ecological sites, and pre- and post-inspection by biodiversity trees and ecological teams.

In a supplementary question, Councillor Brooks asked whether there would be more protections for people living around King George's Park and Tooting Bec Common. Councillor White responded that there was a huge response from local people to the Country on the Common event, and that the council would ensure there is not overuse of any commons or park. He also said that he would not allow Formula E anywhere near Tooting Bec Common, King George's Park, or Battersea Park.

Sexual and Reproductive Strategy

Councillor Stephen Worrall raised the issue of Wandsworth Council's Sexual and Reproductive Strategy, emphasising the importance of addressing issues such as consent, disabilities, misogynistic attitudes, gender-based violence, fertility, sexual functioning, and sexual pleasure. He asked the council to put their energies into information, access, equality and support for all.

Councillor Graeme Henderson congratulated Councillor Worrall on his contribution to the development of the strategy, and said that it was an issue of considerable importance to Wandsworth, given its young demographic and vibrant night-time economy. He added that the strategy was based upon a needs assessment undertaken in 2023 and was highly informed by the World Health Organization's framework on reproductive and sexual health.

Antisocial Behaviour

Councillor Tom Pridham raised concerns about antisocial behaviour in the borough, particularly in hotspots such as Clapham Junction, Tooting, Putney High Street, Wandsworth High Street and Balham. He said that the situation was made worse by abstractions, with local police officers being redeployed to tackle major events and protests.

Councillor Henderson responded that the last set of national crime statistics and antisocial behaviour statistics were the worst in history, representing the last year of the Conservative government. He said that Wandsworth was not immune to that, but that the council had made considerable improvements into how it tackles some of those particular issues. He highlighted the council's investment in CCTV and the employment of additional community safety officers.

Celebrating a Summer of Fun

Councillor Kemi Akinola moved a motion on celebrating a summer of fun in Wandsworth. Councillor White spoke of the importance of having places that allow everyone to get away from their daily worries, stresses and cares, and to enjoy the benefit of living in a borough with so many great open spaces.

Councillor Peter Graham criticised the motion, saying that it was vacuous and that it did not contain any important policy or substance. He also criticised the council's plans for a year of play, saying that there was nothing less appealing than municipally organised fun.

Councillor Sarah Davies spoke of the many activities that were taking place across the borough as part of the year of play, and said that these initiatives were developed after listening to children, young people and their families.

Councillor Daniel Hamilton said that he disliked the incredibly scripted way that the council runs its debates, and that he thought it was important to debate some very real questions which are impacting the summer of fun. He raised concerns about the Northcote Road summer pedestrianisation scheme, abstraction, and litter in parks and open spaces.

Councillor Akinola said that the council was shaping a future filled with creativity, connection and community, and that it believed that everybody deserves to have the right to work, rest and play. She highlighted the council's Access for All scheme and the many events that were taking place as part of the Borough of Culture year.

The motion passed.

Local Plan Review

Councillor Daniel Hamilton moved a motion expressing significant concerns over the local plan review. He said that the administration was silent on the concerns raised by Sadiq Khan, and that the proposed revisions to the local plan would make property and development unviable.

Councillor Aydin Dikerdem responded that the council had published a comprehensive evidence base which has informed and justified the approach that it has taken. He criticised Councillor Hamilton for relying on a blog post by someone whose full-time job it is is working at an investment company set up to acquire land and then change the planning permission on that land to extract value.

A motion to end the meeting was proposed and passed, curtailing debate on the local plan review. The motion was then voted on and defeated.

Committee Membership

The council approved the following changes to committee memberships:

• Councillor Hamilton was appointed to the Housing Overview and Scrutiny Committee in place of Councillor Ghossain.
• Councillor Ayres was appointed to the North East Surrey Crematorium Board in place of Councillor Apps.

Reports

The council received reports for information from the Cabinet, the Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee, the Planning Applications Committee, and the Health and Wellbeing Board.

The Report to Council - Health OSC noted that the Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee had considered a report on mental health specific place programmes across Wandsworth, and a report on the committee's outturn position for 2024/25.

The Report to Council - PAC noted that the Planning Applications Committee had made decisions on a number of planning applications at meetings between March and June 2025. These included:

• Former Gasworks Swandon Way - Approved
• 222 Balham High Road - Approved
• 13 & 13a Mallinson Road - Approved
• The Glassmill, 1 Battersea Bridge Road - Refused
• The Lodge, 98 100 Tooting Bec Road - Approved
• 166 Upper Richmond Road - Approved
• 151 Elsenham Street - Approved
• 40 Skeena Hill - Approved
• 5 North Drive - Approved
• The Elms, 45 Tooting Bec Road - Approved
• 76 Swaffield Road - Approved
• 8 Victoria Mews - Approved
• Salvation Army Citadel, 9 Ram Street - Approved
• Finton House School, 169 171 Trinity Road - Approved
• Scenery House, 2 Hereward Road - Approved
• Phase 3, Burridge Gardens, St John's Hill - Approved
• 47 Althorp Road - Approved
• First Floor Flat B, 27 Parma Crescent - Approved
• Rear of 6-12 Endlesham Road - Approved
• Garages west of 79 Mayford Road - Approved

The Report to Council - HWBB noted that the Health and Wellbeing Board had received reports on a number of topics, including the Wandsworth Safeguarding Children's Partnership Annual Report, challenges to timeliness of initial health assessments, the Annual Director of Public Health Report, and the Wandsworth Health and Care Plan 2025-27.