Councillor Jeremy Ambache

Agenda

The annual meeting of Wandsworth Council saw Councillor Jeremy Ambache elected as Mayor for the second time, and Councillor Rosemary Birchall appointed as Deputy Mayor. Councillors also approved the appointment of cabinet members, committee members, and representatives to outside bodies. A proposal to create five Deputy Cabinet member positions was approved, despite opposition concerns about the cost.

Agenda

The Wandsworth General Purposes Committee met to discuss proposed revisions to Article 7 of the council's constitution and make related changes to the members' allowance scheme. The revisions allow for the appointment of deputy cabinet members to assist cabinet members, and the consequential changes to the allowance scheme include removing the provision for policy champions and remunerating the new deputy cabinet members. After debate, the committee voted to recommend the changes to the full council, with Councillor Rex Osborn, Chair of the General Purposes Committee using his casting vote to pass the motion.

Agenda

The Grants Overview and Scrutiny Sub-Committee met to discuss grant funding for community organisations. The committee reviewed and approved recommendations for the fourth round of the Borough of Sanctuary Community Fund, allocating funds to projects supporting refugees and asylum seekers. Additionally, the committee noted the report on the Victory in Europe (VE) Day 80th Anniversary Grant Fund, which had already awarded grants to community organisations for VE Day celebrations.

Agenda and draft minutes

The meeting approved the Council’s budget, including a council tax freeze for the third year in a row. The meeting also approved a package of reforms to the Council’s constitution, including new rules about which decisions are treated as “key decisions” and a new process for scrutinising Cabinet decisions.

Agenda

The council approved the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Budget and Rent Setting 2025/26 and a number of amendments to the Council's Standing Orders, following the walkout of all Conservative Councillors after the refusal of a motion to bring forward a debate on the possible closure of Bradstow School. The council also noted a number of supplementary items.