The Council meeting on 5 November 2025 saw the formal handover of leadership, with Councillor David Leaf appointed as the new Leader of the Council. The meeting also included a comprehensive review of the Council's achievements over the past term, with particular emphasis on the Bexley Plan 2022-2026 and its three key priorities: Aspiration for residents, Ambition for the Borough, and an Efficient and Effective Council.

Leader of the Council Appointed and Farewell to Baroness O'Neill

Councillor David Leaf was appointed as the new Leader of the Council, serving until the annual meeting in May 2026. This appointment followed the conclusion of Councillor Baroness O'Neill of Bexley OBE's 17-year tenure as Leader. Baroness O'Neill delivered a reflective report, highlighting numerous achievements during her leadership, including significant investments in health services, education, housing, and town centres. She also acknowledged the challenges faced, such as the global pandemic, and expressed her commitment to continuing her work in the House of Lords. The Council also formally received the reports of its various committees, including General Purposes and Audit, Licensing, Pensions, Planning, Adult Social Care and Health Overview and Scrutiny, Children's Services and Education Overview and Scrutiny, Finance and Corporate Services Overview and Scrutiny, and Places Overview and Scrutiny.

Key Areas of Discussion and Decision

Road Maintenance and Highways: A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to discussing the Council's road maintenance programme. Councillor Richard Diment, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods, provided an update on the 2025-26 programme, highlighting that over two-thirds of the resurfacing programme had already been completed within the first seven months of the year, with an investment of over £2 million. He also addressed allegations made by Daniel Francis MP regarding the use of the road maintenance budget, refuting claims of under-spending and providing detailed statistics on the condition of Bexley's roads compared to neighbouring boroughs. Councillor Diment emphasised the Council's commitment to spending all available funds on road repairs and ensuring transparency in the use of government funding.

CCTV System Upgrade: Councillor Brian Bishop, Cabinet Member for Communities and Housing, explained the rationale behind introducing a new CCTV system in Bexley. He stated that the previous system, dating back to 2009, had become inefficient and costly to maintain. The new high-definition digital cameras will offer improved image quality, better nighttime visibility, and the technical capability for facial recognition, which will support modern policing tactics.

Bexley Plan 2022-2026 and Council Achievements: Councillor Baroness O'Neill of Bexley OBE presented a comprehensive report reflecting on the Council's achievements under the Bexley Plan 2022-2026. She highlighted successes in health and wellbeing, including the saving of Queen Mary's Hospital site and the development of integrated care services. In education, she noted investments in new and improved school provisions, including special schools. Housing was identified as a central priority, with pride taken in regeneration projects across the borough. The report also detailed investments in town centres, support during the pandemic, and the legacy of the Olympics. Councillor Leaf, as the incoming Leader, was formally appointed to lead the Council.

Motions and Public Questions: Several motions were debated, including one from Councillor Baroness O'Neill of Bexley OBE welcoming the delivery of the Bexley Plan, and another from Councillor Richard Diment regretting the impact of the Labour government on Bexley residents. Councillor Stefano Borella proposed changes to the Council's procedure rules for debating motions, and Councillor Zainab Asunramu put forward a motion committing the Council to address violence against women and girls (VAWG). Public questions covered a range of issues, including the area of green spaces bulldozed by the Council, the Council's performance in the London Healthy Streets Scorecard, and concerns about traffic and noise pollution on Dalmeny Road. A question was also raised regarding pension fund investments and the Palestine Solidarity Campaign's legal opinion.

Housing and Community Safety: Councillor Bishop also addressed concerns about poor housing standards in the private rented sector and the enforcement of minimum standards. He highlighted the Council's commitment to ensuring residents have access to safe, secure, and affordable homes. On community safety, the report detailed efforts to tackle anti-social behaviour, including a survey with young people and a Walk and Talk initiative in Erith. The Council's commitment to supporting victims of domestic abuse and modern slavery was also emphasised.

Education and SEND Services: Councillor Caroline Newton, Cabinet Member for Education, provided updates on school performance, including exam results and the opening of new school facilities. She highlighted the expansion of special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) provision, including new places in mainstream schools and the development of specialist schools. Preparations for a SEND monitoring inspection were also noted.

Appointments and Committee Reports: The Council made appointments to various committees and outside bodies. Reports from the General Purposes and Audit Committee, 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, and Places Overview and Scrutiny Committee were received and adopted.

Other Matters: The meeting also touched upon the Council's financial outturn, with a projected overspend of £2.184m due to increased demand for social care and SEN transport. A Transformation Programme was approved to address rising costs and funding gaps, focusing on improving customer experience, enhancing Children's Services, boosting commercial income, and developing the workforce. The new Libraries Strategy, developed through resident consultation, was also highlighted.

The meeting concluded with Councillor Mrs June Slaughter MBE presenting flowers to Baroness O'Neill of Bexley OBE on behalf of all councillors, acknowledging her long service and leadership.