Wandsworth Council met to discuss a range of issues, including treasury management, community safety in Clapham Junction, affordable housing, and waste collection. A motion on value for money for support for Wandsworth residents was passed, while a motion on the council tax surcharge was defeated.

Here's a breakdown of the key topics discussed:

Value for Money for Valuable Support for Wandsworth Residents

A motion on value for money for valuable support for Wandsworth residents was approved, with 26 votes in favour, none against, and 15 abstentions. The motion followed a comprehensive summary of the initiatives that the administration are taking in order to deliver for vulnerable residents. An amendment to the motion was moved by Councillor Peter Graham and seconded by Councillor Guy Humphries, but it was defeated.

Councillor Angela Ireland, Cabinet Member for Finance, introduced the motion by defining poverty using the Joseph Rowntree Foundation's definition:

Poverty is defined by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation as when a person's resources are insufficient to meet minimum needs, including social participation.

She outlined the council's commitment to reducing poverty and improving public health and well-being, highlighting the £15 million cost of living fund, which has provided crisis support to residents and helped to reinvigorate the voluntary community sector in Wandsworth. She also praised the Low Income Family Tracker initiative, which has helped to increase benefit take-up for residents, generating lifetime savings of £21 million for residents receiving pension credit and attendance allowance¹.

Councillor Matthew Corner raised concerns about the council's increasing debt and the potential impact on frontline services. He argued that the council was failing to deliver value for money and that residents would ultimately have to pay more in council tax to cover the debt.

Councillor Tony Belton argued that the previous Conservative administration had prioritised building up reserves over investing in assets that would benefit residents. He criticised the sale of council properties under the right-to-buy scheme², which he said had led to a shortage of affordable housing.

Councillor Peter Graham criticised the motion for being factually incorrect, arguing that the independent assessment it referred to did not find that the council was providing value for money in its support for residents. He also raised concerns about the council's rising budget gap and its plans to borrow £1.1 billion.

Councillor Boswell defended the council's investment strategy, arguing that it was generating strong returns and enabling the council to deliver essential services. She praised the council's proactive approach to identifying and supporting vulnerable families.

Councillor Paul White criticised the previous Conservative administration for underfunding services and neglecting the needs of residents. He highlighted the current administration's investments in parks, playgrounds, and environmental improvements.

Community Safety in Clapham Junction

Councillor Graeme Henderson, Cabinet Member for Health, responded to a question about antisocial behaviour in Clapham Junction, stating that statistics show a reduction in crime and antisocial behaviour in the area. He credited the council's multi-agency task force, which includes the Metropolitan Police, the British Transport Police, and outreach services, for creating a safer space. He also highlighted the use of CCTV and the relaunch of Neighbourhood Watch.

Councillor Guy Humphries questioned the Leader of the Council's description of residents' concerns about crime as trying to portray the borough as Gotham City, calling it disrespectful and disdainful.

Councillor Sara Apps thanked Councillor Henderson and the police for their work in making Clapham Junction safer and asked him to summarise what difference the Labour council has made to community safety since 2022.

Councillor Henderson responded that the council had substantially increased resources in community safety, maintained Wandsworth as the safest borough in London, seen knife crime fall, rolled out CCTV cars, and extended CCTV coverage.

Affordable Housing

Councillor Aydin Dikerdem, Cabinet Member for Housing, answered a question about what the council is doing to make housing more affordable alongside the 1,000 Homes programme. He outlined a number of initiatives, including planning changes, regeneration projects, the Renters' Rights Bill, rent control campaigns, and community engagement.

Councillor Dikerdem also confirmed that the Labour Government has brought in protections on new builds, council housing, taking it out of right to buy.

Councillor Corner raised concerns about the number of one-bedroom units in the Alton renewal project and the decline in seal receipts³ under the current administration.

Councillor Dikerdem defended the Alton regeneration project, arguing that the previous Conservative scheme saw a net loss of social housing. He acknowledged that there has been a slowdown in the market, which has affected seal receipts, but said that the council was committed to asking for as much affordable housing as possible.

Councillor Matthew Tiller spoke on the matter of local and topical interest of the 200 new council homes in Battersea Power Station. He stated that the redevelopment of Battersea Power Station is a remarkable achievement, but that under the original master plan, the development was supposed to include 636 affordable homes, but the previous Conservative Administration approved a deed of variation that reduced this to 386. He praised the current Labour administration for securing a commitment for around 200 new council homes as part of the next phase at Battersea.

Councillor Dikerdem reiterated that the council had stuck to its guns and fought for the best deal for the people of Wandsworth, and that the new council homes would be built by the council's in-house development team.

Treasury Management

Councillor Ireland presented the Treasury Management Update, noting that the council has a reputation for strong financial management and that its treasury management activity has been independently verified as being one of the best in the country. She stated that the council has no external debt and that its investment balances remain high.

Councillor Peter Graham raised concerns about the council's internal borrowing, which he said was delaying the need for external borrowing, not removing it. He also questioned the council's plan to borrow on 50-year terms, which he said would cost the borough over £2 billion.

Councillor Ireland responded that the council was borrowing to finance considerable investment in estate regeneration, delivering new social homes, and improving the existing stock. She said that this would create a lifelong asset for the council and generate rental income, which would help to repay the initial borrowing.

The council approved the recommendation to note the end of year and mid-year review of Treasury Management activity as required by the CIPFA Treasury Code of Practice⁴.

Waste Collection

Councillor Paul White, Cabinet Member for Environment, responded to a question about waste collection, stating that the council had increased food waste collection by 240 tonnes in 16 months, a 170% increase. He said that the council had invested in new trucks and increased monitoring officers to improve the efficiency of waste collection and recycling.

Councillor Coakley asked if there was anything else coming in the pipeline in the next year or right now that's going to help increase this and improve our waste services for residents even more?

Councillor White responded that same-day sweep, jet washing, and a focus on fly-tipping hotspots were all planned.

Councillor Brooks raised concerns about the cost of the new vehicles and the fact that the borough is now stuck with them long after the length of this contract.

Councillor White responded that there is no increase in missed collections and that the trucks that the council inherited from the previous administration were not fit for purpose.

Other Matters

• Motions of Local and Topical Interest: Councillor Malcolm Grimston raised a point of order regarding the interpretation of Standing Order 39A, arguing that it was not intended to exclude members who are not part of a group from raising issues of local and topical interest. The Mayor, Councillor Jeremy Ambache, rejected the point of order.
• Congestion in Putney: Councillor Emmeline Owens raised concerns about serious congestion in Putney and the lack of a plan to address it. Councillor Jenny Yates, Cabinet Member for Transport, responded that the council was working with Transport for London and utility companies to minimise disruption and improve traffic flow.
• Council Tax Surcharge: A Conservative motion on the council tax surcharge was lost, with 16 votes for the motion and 27 against.
• Committee Membership Revisions: The council approved revisions to committee memberships, including changes to the Childrens Overview and Scrutiny Committee, the Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee, and the Environment Overview and Scrutiny Committee.
• Reports for Information: The council received reports for information from the Cabinet, the Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee, and the Planning Applications Committee.
• Guillotine Motion: A motion to dispose of the remaining business of the council agenda was passed, with 25 votes for, 15 against, and one abstention.
• Planning Applications: The Planning Applications Committee had made decisions on a number of planning applications at meetings held on 23rd October 2025 and 19th November 2025. These included:
  • 174 St Anns Hill, SW18 2RS - Approved
  • Garages West Of 48 And 50 Lytton Grove, SW15 2HE – Approved
  • 51 Dryburgh Road, SW15 1BN - Approved
  • 206 208-208D Mitcham Road and 2A Stella Road, SW17 9NN – Approved
  • Land Rear of 135-145 Fishponds Road SW17 7LL – Approved
  • 103-111 Mitcham Road, SW17 9PF - Approved
  • 32 and 32a Khartoum Road, SW17 0HZ - Approved
  • 96-104 Upper Tooting Road, SW17 7EN - Refused
  • Workshop No 1 Rear Of 1 To 23 Theatre Street, SW11 5ND – Approved
  • 93 Wakehurst Road, SW11 6DA - Approved