The Council of the London Borough of Bromley met on Monday 23 March 2026 to discuss the annual scrutiny report, the SACRE annual report, and the appointment of members to the Local Pension Board. The meeting also included a review of the Member/Officer Protocol and consideration of several motions.

Annual Scrutiny Report 2025/26

The Council was scheduled to receive and note the Annual Scrutiny Report for 2025/26. This report summarises the work undertaken by the Policy Development and Scrutiny (PDS) Committees throughout the year. The report highlights the challenging economic environment, including subdued growth and persistent inflation, which impacts the Council's services and finances. It details how the Council has continued to set balanced budgets through savings, Council Tax increases, and reserve drawdowns, while acknowledging projected future funding gaps. The report also outlines the crucial role of PDS Committees in overseeing efficiencies, driving service delivery, and ensuring value for money. Contributions from the Chairmen of the various PDS Committees, including Executive, Resources & Contracts; Adult Care & Health Services; Children, Education & Families; Environment & Community Services; Public Protection and Enforcement; and Renewal, Recreation & Housing, were included to summarise their respective committee's activities.

SACRE Annual Report 2024/25

The Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education (SACRE) annual report for the academic year 2024/25 was scheduled for consideration. This report details SACRE's advice to the Local Authority on religious education and collective worship in its schools. The report highlights the ongoing support for teachers through networks and resources, the development of a Worldviews approach in Religious Education, and the promotion of interfaith dialogue. It also covers the standards and quality of RE provision, including examination results, and the management of SACRE itself. The report notes the positive engagement with schools and the efforts to ensure SACRE's membership reflects the diversity of the local community.

Local Pension Board Appointment of Board Members

The Council was asked to formally appoint two Employer Representatives to the Local Pension Board. Sheetal Barve, nominated by the South East London Colleges Trust, and Darren Essex, nominated by the London Borough of Bromley, were put forward for these positions. The report outlined the statutory requirement for a Local Pension Board to assist in the governance of the pension scheme and to provide challenge and accountability. It also detailed the terms of reference for the Board, including the composition of employer and scheme member representatives and the standard four-year term of office.

Constitution: Member/Officer Protocol

The Council was scheduled to consider the adoption of a revised Member/Officer Protocol. This protocol is designed to set out the principles, expectations, and working practices that underpin effective and respectful relationships between elected members and officers of the Council. The revised version expands on the current brief document to include more detailed guidance, aiming to improve accessibility and usability. The protocol covers core principles such as ethical conduct, mutual respect, clear roles, professionalism, and impartiality, along with specific expectations for both members and officers.

Petition: Pension Fund Investments in arms companies linked to Israel

A petition was scheduled for consideration regarding the Council's pension fund investments in arms companies linked to Israel. The petitioners requested a transparent review of all Council and pension fund investments to identify links to companies involved in the arms trade supplying Israel, and a commitment to divest immediately from any company or funds connected to the production, sale, or servicing of weapons or military technology used by Israel in Gaza and the occupied West Bank. The report included the petition's demands, a covering letter from the petitioners, and the Council's formal response.

Questions from Members of the Public and Council

A significant portion of the meeting was allocated to questions. This included oral and written questions from members of the public to various Portfolio Holders and Committee Chairmen, covering a range of topics such as road safety, commercial property use, recycling collections, and pension fund investments. Additionally, members of the Council posed oral and written questions to the Leader of the Council and Portfolio Holders on issues including lane rental schemes, kinship carers, waste dumping, council tax precepts, contract scrutiny, debt per head, property sales, vacant office space, park fountains, potholes, cost of living support, free school meals, property investment portfolio reviews, traffic management, country park usage, library digital assistance, unsolicited praise, transformation programme savings, voluntary funds, neighbourhood crime, council accounts, domestic violence support groups, traffic island costs, SEN caseworker turnover, road maintenance, SEN school land, traffic management orders, gritting priorities, highway maintenance programmes, grant per head, council staffing levels, budget expenditure percentages, and council tax and government grant funding.

Statements from the Leader of the Council, Portfolio Holders or Chairmen of Committees

The Council was scheduled to consider statements on operational property reviews, youth unemployment, and an end-of-year statement from the Leader of the Council.

Motions

Three motions were scheduled for consideration:

• Homeless Children: This motion proposed that the Council commits to meeting its legal obligation to provide interim emergency accommodation under section 188 of the Housing Act 1996 immediately upon a council officer having reason to believe a child under 18 is homeless within the borough. It stated that the provision of accommodation should not be delayed until eligibility and local connection are concluded and should continue until the duty is formally discharged.
• Excellent Record of the Administration 2022-2026: This motion aimed to highlight the achievements of the Conservative administration since 2022, citing balanced budgets, a transformation programme saving over £130 million, low council tax, maintained outstanding schools, a new children's home, care for the elderly and vulnerable, and the opening of affordable housing schemes. It also mentioned the refurbishment of libraries, securing the future of the Churchill Theatre, rebuilding leisure centres, maintaining a Green and Clean reputation, and sensible road safety policies.
• Tightening Regulations Around HMO Licencing and Management: This motion called for three changes to the conditions and arrangements for licensing Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) across the borough. These included informing ward councillors of new licensing applications or renewals, introducing a Gaps Policy to prevent new or renewed HMO licences being granted within 50 properties or 100 metres of another HMO, and revoking property licences if a licensed HMO agent, landlord, or owner breaches licence conditions more than once.

Mayor's Announcements and Communications

The Mayor's announcements and communications were also scheduled to be presented.