Councillor Howard Jackson

Planning Committee - Thursday, 13th November, 2025 7.00 pm

The London Borough of Bexley Planning Committee convened on 13 November 2025, and approved applications for town planning at the Old Post Office in Erith, 8 Warren Road in Bexleyheath, and 61 Maxwell Road in Welling. Councillors deferred a decision on a yard adjacent to 11 Blackhorse Road in Sidcup, and approved an application for 37 Crescent Road in Sidcup and 38 Albany Close in Bexley.

Bexley Agreed Syllabus Conference - Tuesday, 11th November, 2025 7.30 pm

The Bexley Agreed Syllabus Conference (ASC) convened to formally establish the conference and discuss the review of the Bexley Agreed Syllabus for Religious Education (RE). Councillor Bola Carew was appointed as chairman for the meeting. Members agreed to hold off on making any major changes to the RE curriculum until there is more clarity on the proposal to add RE to the national curriculum.

Bexley Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education (SACRE) - Tuesday, 11th November, 2025 6.30 pm

The Bexley Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education (SACRE) met to discuss local and national updates on religious education (RE), including concerns about community tensions and the removal of the Initial Teacher Training (ITT) bursary for RE teachers. The council agreed to publish Ramadan guidance for teachers by February 2026, and members expressed interest in reviewing the Locally Agreed Syllabus (LAS) in January 2026. Members also voiced concerns about rising community tensions and the need for specific support and resources to address hate and promote inclusion in schools.

Council - Wednesday, 5th November, 2025 7.30 pm

The Council of the London Borough of Bexley is scheduled to meet on 5 November 2025. The agenda includes the Leader's report, questions from the public and councillors, and motions deferred from a previous meeting. Councillors will also discuss committee reports on topics ranging from pensions to street cleansing, and will be asked to appoint a new Leader of the Council.

Finance & Corporate Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee - Wednesday, 15th October, 2025 7.30 pm

The Finance and Corporate Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee met to discuss the customer experience strategy, the people strategy, and the work programme. The committee noted the progress made on the customer experience strategy and the people strategy, and agreed to set up a task and finish group on the new Procurement Act regulations. Councillor Stefano Borella, Leader of the Labour Group / Shadow Cabinet Member for Corporate Policy and Budget, enquired whether Councillor David Leaf, Cabinet Member for Resources, would continue to attend the committee meetings once he is elected as leader of the council.