The Full Council meeting of Hammersmith and Fulham Council on Wednesday 22 October 2025 began with tributes to the late Duchess of Kent, former Councillor Frances Staunton, and former Councillor Ian Coleman. The council then discussed and approved the Youth Justice Plan for 2025-26, and noted the achievement of Disability Confident Leader status. Significant investment in transforming playgrounds and play facilities across the borough was also approved, alongside the launch of a Digital Inclusion Strategy. The council also agreed to review its constitution and members' allowances scheme, and passed special motions supporting primary schools, strengthening public safety through CCTV investment, celebrating award-winning parks, and opposing online hate speech.

Tributes to Departed Figures

The meeting commenced with a period of remembrance for Her Royal Highness, the Duchess of Kent, and former councillors Frances Staunton and Ian Coleman. Several councillors shared heartfelt tributes, highlighting their significant contributions to the borough and public service. Former Councillor Frances Staunton was particularly remembered for her 32 years of service, her tenure as Mayor, and her work as Cabinet Member for Regeneration and for Parks, Culture and Heritage. Ian Coleman was recognised for his extensive local government career, including serving as Leader and Mayor, and his dedication to fighting poverty. The Duchess of Kent was honoured for her charitable work and commitment to education and the arts.

Youth Justice Plan 2025-26 Approved

The council approved the Youth Justice Plan for 2025-26, which outlines the borough's strategy for supporting young people and preventing offending. Councillor Alex Sanderson, Deputy Leader, presented the plan, emphasizing its child first approach and commitment to early intervention and diversion. The plan details a £1.485 million investment from various sources, including council contributions, grants, and partner funding, to deliver services aimed at reducing reoffending and supporting young people's well-being. Key highlights include the success of the Turnaround programme, which has seen a 94% non-reoffending rate among participants, and the development of an Identity Workbook to support positive identity development, particularly for black and mixed-heritage young people. The plan also addresses disproportionality within the youth justice system and aims to improve educational, training, and employment outcomes for young people.

Hammersmith and Fulham Recognised as Disability Confident Leader

Hammersmith and Fulham Council has been officially recognised as a Disability Confident Leader, the highest level of accreditation within the UK Government's Disability Confident scheme. Councillor Florian Chevoppe-Verdier, Cabinet Member for Public Realm, presented the report, highlighting this achievement as a testament to the council's commitment to creating an inclusive and supportive environment for all staff and residents. The council has implemented various initiatives, including inclusive recruitment practices, workplace adjustments, and co-production with disabled residents, to exceed best practices in supporting disabled people. This accreditation signifies the council's dedication to being a bold, inclusive employer and a leader in disability equity.

£8.3 Million Investment in Playgrounds and Play Facilities

An ambitious £8.3 million, three-year programme to transform playgrounds and play facilities across the borough was approved. Councillor Florian Chevoppe-Verdier, Cabinet Member for Public Realm, and Councillor Frances Umeh, Cabinet Member for Housing and Homelessness, presented the report, outlining plans to create exceptional play facilities for children. The investment will enhance 95 playgrounds, including significant upgrades to Ravenscourt Park and Bishops Park, with a new state-of-the-art water play area planned for Ravenscourt Park. The programme also aims to improve play facilities on housing estates, ensuring equitable access to high-quality play spaces for all families. A new Play Forum will be established to ensure community co-production in the development of these facilities.

Digital Inclusion Strategy Launched

The council launched its Digital Inclusion Strategy, aiming to create a digitally inclusive borough where all residents have access to the skills, devices, and support needed to thrive. Councillor Rowan Ree, Cabinet Member for Finance and Reform, presented the strategy, emphasizing its co-produced nature with residents and the voluntary sector. The strategy focuses on four pillars: devices, connectivity, advice and guidance, and skills. Key actions include developing a network of digital champion volunteers, promoting social tariffs for internet access, and mapping free public Wi-Fi. The council aims to measure its success through increased resident confidence, improved access to digital services, and a reduction in digital exclusion.

Committee Seats and Constitution Reviewed

The council noted the allocation of seats on its committees to ensure political proportionality, reflecting the current political balance of the council. Councillor Stephen Cowan, Leader of the Council, presented the report, which also noted changes in party appointments, including the formation of a Green Party group and the appointment of Councillor Patricia Quigley as Lead Member for Libraries. Updates to the Departmental Registers of Authorities and revised Functions and Procedure Rules for the West London Economic Prosperity Board were also approved.

Members' Allowances Scheme Reviewed

The council reviewed and approved the Members' Allowances Scheme for 2025/26. Councillor Stephen Cowan, Leader of the Council, presented the report, which includes a 3.2% uplift to special responsibility allowances, in line with the national local government pay settlement. The scheme also reflects the creation of a new Lead Member for Libraries role and the formation of the Green Party group. The report noted that councillors will soon be able to join the Local Government Pension Scheme.

Special Motion: Supporting Hammersmith & Fulham's Primary Schools

A special motion was passed congratulating Hammersmith & Fulham's primary schools on achieving the best Key Stage 2 results in the country for maths, reading, and writing. Councillor Alex Sanderson and Councillor Callum Nimmo moved the motion, highlighting the exemplary performance of all borough schools, rated as Outstanding or Good by Ofsted. The council resolved to continue supporting primary school facilities, citing the new Ark White City facility as an example of providing modern, high-quality learning environments.

Special Motion: Strengthening Public Safety Through Investment in CCTV

The council passed a special motion to invest £3.2 million in upgrading CCTV and surveillance technology to enhance public safety and support the Metropolitan Police in fighting crime. Councillor Rebecca Harvey and Councillor Nikos Souslous moved the motion, detailing plans to introduce artificial intelligence for features like retrospective facial recognition and automatic vehicle tracking. This investment builds on previous significant spending on CCTV and is part of a multi-year plan. The council affirmed its belief that technology, used responsibly, can enhance community safety, alongside robust policies, transparency, and oversight.

Special Motion: Celebrating Award-Winning Parks and Commitment to Green Spaces

The council celebrated its 25 award-winning parks, having received four new Green Flag Awards for Eel Brook Common, Marcus Garvey Park, St Paul's Church and Open Space, and Vicarage Gardens. Councillor Florian Chevoppe-Verdier and Councillor Nicole Trehy moved the motion, highlighting the council's investment of over £3.5 million in parks in recent years, with a further £1.1 million planned. The motion recognised the efforts of parks staff, volunteers, and community groups, and noted the establishment of a new H&F Parks Forum to strengthen community involvement in shaping the future of the borough's open spaces.

Special Motion: Opposing Online Hate Speech

The council passed a special motion condemning all forms of hate speech, harassment, and abuse, particularly online. The motion noted the rise of racist and discriminatory content on social media and reaffirmed the council's commitment to building unity and understanding across Hammersmith & Fulham. It specifically condemned any councillor liking or sharing hate-inciting material and stated there are no reasonable circumstances for elected representatives to associate with or campaign alongside individuals who have done so.

Special Motion: Drugs in Public Spaces and Taking Care of High Streets

Two special motions were put forward concerning drugs in public spaces and the decline of high streets. The motion on drugs, moved by Councillor Adrian Pascu-Tulbure and Councillor Liam Downer-Sanderson, called for a zero-tolerance approach. The motion on high streets, moved by Councillor Jose Afonso and Councillor Amanda Lloyd-Harris, urged the administration to take the decline of high streets seriously and engage with residents to tackle these issues, specifically referencing concerns about Uxbridge Road.