The Council meeting on 16 July 2025 addressed a range of issues, including concerns about policing levels in the borough, the impact of national government funding decisions on local services, and the progress of various council initiatives. A key decision made was the approval of a motion calling on the Mayor of London to increase police presence in Bexley.

Policing and Public Safety

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to a debate on policing levels in Bexley. A motion, moved by Councillor Richard Diment and seconded by Councillor Howard Jackson, expressed disappointment that the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, had failed to recruit the full number of police officers funded by the national Police Uplift Programme, resulting in 1,089 fewer officers than expected for the Metropolitan Police. The motion called on the Mayor to deploy more police officers to Bexley's streets to combat crime and anti-social behaviour.

During the debate, Councillor Jackson shared an anecdote about an anti-social behaviour incident in his ward, Barnhurst, where a large gathering of young people caused fear among residents and initially overwhelmed the police response. He argued that the current policing structure disadvantages Bexley and that Mayor Khan's decisions have negatively impacted the community. Councillor Chris Taylor echoed these concerns, stating that Bexley residents are not seeing sufficient police visibility and that officers are frequently extracted from the borough for wider London operations. Councillor Cameron Smith also highlighted the issue of officers being deployed elsewhere, noting that Bexley could be left with skeleton staff.

The motion was ultimately carried by a roll call vote, with 27 members voting in favour and 12 absent.

National Funding and Local Impact

Councillor David Leaf, Cabinet Member for Resources, addressed concerns raised by resident Tom Clapperton regarding the impact of the Government's Spending Review and local government funding consultation on Bexley's finances. Councillor Leaf explained that while the Spending Review indicated an average increase in Core Spending Power, much of this was dependent on councils raising Council Tax and the Social Care Precept. He also noted that the two-year extension to the statutory override for SEND deficits, while welcome, merely delayed a financial cliff edge.

Councillor Stefano Borella, Leader of the Labour Group, challenged the administration's narrative, highlighting what he described as crumbling schools left by the previous government and welcoming Labour government funding for schools and affordable homes. He also questioned the council's previous engagement with Conservative governments regarding fair funding.

Local Services and Initiatives

Housing and Regeneration: Councillor Anna Day questioned the administration's pride in Bexley ranking bottom of the GLA's league table for affordable housing starts, with zero affordable homes started in 2024/25. Councillor Cafer Munur, Cabinet Member for Place Shaping, refuted the figures, calling the GLA data notoriously unreliable, and stated that Bexley takes its own detailed approach to data collection. He acknowledged that low affordable housing starts have been a pan-London issue, exacerbated by market uncertainty and new building regulations.

Regeneration efforts in Erith were discussed, with Councillor Nicola Taylor expressing concerns that the community felt done unto, rather than with. She highlighted issues with affordability of new homes, the repaving of Pier Road, and a lack of community consultation. Councillor Munur responded that BexleyCo, the council's property development company, has a significant stake in Erith and is pushing for new homes. He also clarified that a meeting with stakeholders was not intended for ward members but was an initial discussion with partners. Councillor Chris Ball also voiced concerns about the lack of a long-term strategic vision for Erith, suggesting a focus on short-term fixes.

Environment and Waste Management: Councillor Richard Diment, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods, provided an update on the litter bin expansion programme, noting the installation of 285 additional bins, including 20 smart bins for cigarette butts and chewing gum. He also reported on the success of a grant-funded chewing gum removal project in Sidcup and Bexleyheath. Councillor Ball questioned why Bexley was not among the seven London authorities recognised in the top ten for climate change work. Councillor Diment stated he had not seen the specific report but highlighted Bexley's early adoption of LED street lighting and its successful climate change action plan, including its recycling rates and the Retrofit Bexley initiative.

Adult Social Care and Health: Councillor Janice Ward-Wilson, Cabinet Member for Communities and Housing, provided an update on the Autism Strategy, noting the increasing diagnosis rates and the council's efforts to improve awareness and access to services. She also highlighted the development of a new emotional support offer for carers and the opening of Carers' Corners in libraries. Councillor Melvin Seymour, Cabinet Member for Adults' Services and Health, discussed the rising diagnosis of autism and the council's strategy, which focuses on awareness, access to support, opportunities, and health and wellbeing.

Education: Councillor Caroline Newton, Cabinet Member for Finance, Corporate Services & Education, provided an update on the impact of changes to Ofsted inspections, noting that single-word judgments are no longer being reported. She also updated on the SEND Priority Action Plan, stating that 48 out of 52 actions had been completed.

Appointments: The Council approved the appointment of Councillor Mrs June Slaughter MBE to the Pensions Committee and Councillor Patrick Adams as the Council's Deputy Representative on LGPS CIV Ltd.

Leader's Report: Councillor Baroness O'Neill of Bexley OBE, Leader of the Council, presented her report, highlighting the council's work on various initiatives including the #CelebratingBexley programme, the development of the Erith Regeneration Programme, and improvements to waste and recycling services. She also congratulated Councillor Mrs June Slaughter MBE on her recent MBE award.

Reports of Committees: The reports of the Licensing Committee, Pensions Committee, Planning Committee, Adult Social Care and Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee, Children's Services and Education Overview and Scrutiny Committee, Finance and Corporate Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee were received and, where necessary, approved and adopted. The report of the Places Overview and Scrutiny Committee was also received, with an exception noted in the supplementary report, and the remaining reports were approved and adopted.

The meeting also included a moment of reflection to remember former Mayors S. Carol S. Eastall and S. Joan Catterall, and three recently deceased council officers: Lorraine Winter, Harry Thurston, and Lisa Saunders.